Tax season is quickly approaching as W-2s begin to appear in our mailboxes. One major questions that arises during tax time is whether or not to itemize. The answer to this question depends on how much money you spent on certain expenses last year. The expenses covered under this umbrella include mortgage interest, medical care, taxes, charitable contributions, casualty losses, and other miscellaneous deductions. If the total amount spent in these categories exceeds the standard deduction, then itemizing your taxes could save you money!

For 2006, the standard deductions are:
Single $5,150
Married Filing Jointly $10,300
Head of Household $7,550
Married Filing Separately $5,150

The IRS also offers several other tips for those considering itemizing their taxes:

1. Some taxpayers have different standard deductions. The standard deduction is more for taxpayers age 65 or older and for those who are blind. It is generally less for those who can be claimed as a dependent on some other taxpayer’s return.

2. Limited itemized deductions. Your itemized deductions may be limited if your adjusted gross income is more than $150,500 or $75,250 for Married Filing Separately. This limit applies to all itemized deductions except medical and dental expenses, casualty and theft losses, gambling losses, and investment interest.

3. Stipulations for Married Filing Separately. When a married couple files separate returns and one spouse itemizes deductions, the other spouse must also itemize and cannot claim the standard deduction.

4. Some taxpayers are not eligible for the standard deduction. They include nonresident aliens, dual-status aliens, and individuals who file returns for periods of less than 12 months.

5. Forms to use. To itemize your deductions, use Form 1040, U.S. Individual Income Tax Return, and Schedule A, Itemized Deductions.

All in all, this decision could save you a lot of money come tax time, especially if you made any large purchases that fall under these categories. So remember to add up your bills - it could save you a lot of money!

The best way to save money on entertainment is to consider all options and forms of entertainment and to compile the where's and how's. For example, if you are going to a movie or to rent one, you should first first visiting your local library(s). Libraries are amazing resources for free videos/DVD's, music CD's, magazines, newspapers, and of course books. Libraries try to keep up with the newest in entertainment - the newest releases of music and movies that they are capable of. Another tip is to simply ask family and friends to borrow music and movies. Why pay to rent a movie when you can borrow it from your neighbor for free?

For other forms of entertainment, such as music concerts, check local papers for concert series. There are constantly concerts going on in various cities around the US, most free, that offer a great atmosphere and social arena. Concerts, whether all-year or seasonal, are becoming a large part of most communities, large and small. Whether you're around home or on vacation, check around for daily and weekly activities and events in the area, which may offer parades, fireworks, concerts, comedy acts, markets, and cultural festivals. These are great ways to change up the everyday routine for kids and adults alike, and they are generally free, or for just a small fee.

Some people prefer the form of gambling as their main entertainment. If this is the case, it is also one of the worst contributors to debt. Gambling is a risky hobby, very risky. If you do want to participate in gambling, make sure to set a limit before you go and to only bring that amount of money to ensure that you do not change your monetary limit and spend more. Remember that if you win, you are very lucky and your luck may end soon, so quit IF you're ahead. The odds are always against you, so gamble wisely with your set financial limit (of money to spend, whether you win or lose); also, it is wise to set a limit in case you would be so lucky to win. If your limit is $100 of winnings, then stick to your limit and do not continue to gamble after attaining your goal. The art of gambling takes a lot of will power.

If you are into sports and recreational activities as entertainment, such as downhill skiing, boating, or rock climbing, etc., always set a budget. Your budget may be for only day trip or weekend getaway, or it may be a monthly or yearly budget. You know your needs for participating in such activities, and as we all know, sporting and recreational hobbies can be very costly, so set your limits carefully. Make sure to include all of the money you may need for equipment, travel, gas (if applicable), lodging, and any tickets/passes necessary.Make sure to give yourself some lenience in the necessary funding by allowing additional funding for any additional costs that may arise. With budgets, always be disciplined to stick to them, never giving into yourself if you run out of money.

As for amusement and theme parks and museums, make sure to check into their specials and deals before going. Most museums all around the world offer some free days to visitors, if not one free day every week of the year. Also, it is generally a good idea to avoid "packages," such as paying for five museums or for all ten water parks when you may only be going to one or two. Most amusement and theme parks, zoos, museums, and the like offer days throughout the years that offer great discounts to children and families, with special events and such.

It is possible to participate in all sorts of activities if you plan ahead and budget carefully. Participating in entertaining events won't always be free, but with some common sense and planning, it is definitely very possible to cut costs down dramatically. Combined, these tips can help you cut your costs and save more money.

It is important to not only save money for ourselves, but to be good financial role models for children around us. Whether you have your own kids or not, kids are all around us - neighbors, students, and family - and it is important to implement saving techniques right from the start.

Kids may not have a job, but they always seem to find a means for "income," by means of pet-sitting, babysitting, mowing the neighbor's lawn, birthday presents, etc.; for this reason, you must implement standards and rules to control their spending and saving. Many recommend having children save fifty to seventy-five percent of their money, keeping the rest to spend on their own. It is also important to allow children to have their own savings and checking accounts right from the start, and encourage them to save for larger future purchases like cars or a college education.

If the child wants something that would qualify for a bigger expense on their part, do not give into them and bend their savings limits. Have them set aside their "spending" portion into a checking account until they have enough to make that big purchase. It is important to implement solid saving techniques. Also, it is a good idea to have kids keep a current list of things that they need or want. From there, have them place the prices alongside the item(s), and then rank the items by priority/desire. Have them make purchases based on the price and their ranking/priority. This will help them to keep to spending money on things they really want or need, and not to be wasteful in their spending.

Birthdays and gifts also offer great opportunities for children to learn about saving. If a child receives twenty dollars from a grandparent for their birthday, have them save fifteen dollars of that, and allow them to only spend five. If they want something that is ten dollars, do not allow them that extra five dollars if it exceeds the limit (income percentage) you set, which should be standard for any amount of money. This is where discipline comes into play. The child should learn to put aside the five dollars and save it until they receive more money and earn ten dollars of spending money.

Children who learn about the importance of saving at an early age are less likely to experience problems later in life. By employing the techniques mentioned in this article, you can help you child on their way to financial freedom at a young age.

While almost everyone loves to travel, it happens to be one of the most expensive past-times. It is, however, possible to travel often and to travel on a low budget - the trick is knowing how to travel on the cheap.

The first thing to remember is to rarely, if ever, travel through a travel agent. Not only do you pay full prices for airfare, hotels/resorts, etc., but you also have to pay agency fees. The best way to begin your travels is to research and do all of the bookings yourself. Travel websites offer very cheap, discounted prices for hotels, airfare, excursions, and other areas of your trip. Check various websites, and do research and price comparisons on the internet. There are always weekly deals and specials on most sites, and it doesn't hurt to apply to the free weekly/monthly e-mails where internet travel sites give you warnings of sales and specials to come.

It is also very helpful to be flexible with your travel dates. The more flexibility you have of when and where to travel, the better the prices you will find. Searching exact dates and exact locations will almost always result in higher prices.

When you do reach your travel destination, it is important to continue to keep your budget low. When you eat out, try eating at not the nicest restaurants with an expensive and elegant menu, but rather the local "mom 'n pop" places with inexpensive food. These places are often of great quality and include a true touch of local flare. Moreover, if you are traveling on day trips, try packing a lunch or stopping in the local grocery store to grab food. Finally, if you are not in an all-inclusive resort and you do have to pay for alcohol, watch your spending closely and keep true to a daily budget.

With trip excursions, plan ahead of time by researching and budgeting for them. Activities and excursions, such as sky diving, sailing, scuba diving, horseback riding, mountaineering, etc. are all quite expensive. However, they can be less expensive if you plan ahead and make reservations with exact prices and guidelines prior to your trip departure.

Last but not least, travel memorabilia is not a necessity to having a good trip. If you do buy a t-shirt or a few post cards, that is fine, but keep your tourist purchases minimized. Steer away from buying all of your family and friends the same t-shirt. The best shopping you will find is in the local markets where you can bargain for lower prices on home-crafted items, which are often far more specialized than any item bought in a gift shop.

Combined, searching around for cheap hotels and airfare while keeping a flexible schedule, along with maintaining a tight budget while on vacation, can help you travel cheaper and perhaps even more frequently.

The place in which you live can significantly impact your financial situation. The cost of living differences, even just within the U.S., vary greatly. Some of the most expensive cities in the U.S. are San Francisco, Washington D.C., Chicago, Los Angeles, Seattle, and New York City. Currently, NYC is the most expensive city in the United States (ranked 12th worldwide), while Pittsburgh is the least expensive city in the U.S.

Over the last few years, U.S. cities have dropped in their worldwide rankings because of the depreciation of the dollar against European, Canadian and Asian-Pacific currencies. Consequently, on an international note, Tokyo, Moscow, and London rank the top three most expensive cities in the world, primarily due to these exchange rates. The three least expensive cities of the world can be found in Asuncion, Paraguay; Montevideo, Uruguay; and Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

The cost of living calculations themselves are found by calculating a sum of groceries, one month of rent, and other living expenses such as utilities, entertainment, and transportation - all standard estimates for average comparison in various cities. The local currencies also greatly affect the cost of living. Financial problems can arise when you live in a more expensive city, but do not make "living wages" that are sufficient for that city/area. If you are considering making a major move, make sure that your job provides enough money to cover the living expenses in that area - it matters!

To save money on food, you need to take into account not only your grocery bills, but also your habits of eating out. The largest expenses you have are, first and foremost, eating out. Whether you're grabbing a meal to go through the drive-through or are going out to a nice dinner at your favorite restaurant, you will incur large expenses for food that quickly build up. Limit the amount you eat out, and choose wisely when you do. Set spending limits before you go out to a restaurant just as you should set limits on how often you eat fast-food meals. Yes, fast food is relatively "cheap," but with that mindset, many people eat fast food often and their budgets diminish fast.

The best way to spend your money on food is the traditional means of cooking at-home. To better your budget on groceries, shop more often and buy less. For example, you will save money on food if you shop once or twice a week versus shopping once or twice a month. The reason for this is that many people try to buy too much food to last too long of a period, allowing for food to be wasted over that time if not eaten.

It is also important to have some discipline when in the grocery store. Do not grocery shop with a hungry stomach and do follow a shopping list tightly. Do not just walk around freely and buy whatever appeals to you. Buy only what you need at that time, and maybe one additional item acting as a splurge for yourself. If you do not follow a tight grocery list each time, you are bound to buy many more items that you don't need or even want. Make sure to buy fruits, vegetables, and meats sparingly, so you do not let them go to waste; not only will you waste the food, but you will also have wasted money.

When applying for credit cards, it's important to shop around. Fees, charges, interest rates and benefits can vary drastically among credit card issuers. And, in some cases, credit cards might seem like great deals until you read the fine print and disclosures. It's important to pay close attention to the fine details of each credit card. Here are some important details to keep in mind:

Annual percentage rate (APR): The APR is a measure of the cost of credit, expressed as a yearly interest rate. The lower the APR, the better for you. Be sure to check the fine print to see if your offer has a time limit. Your APR could be much higher after the initial limited offer expires.

Grace period: This is the length of time between the date of the credit card purchase and the date the company starts charging you interest. Some companies have eliminated grace periods, which means you could start paying interest literally from the minute you make a purchase. The longer the grace period, the better the deal is for consumers.

Annual fees: Many credit card issuers charge an annual fee for giving you credit, typically $15 to $55. However, there are many other cards that have no annual fees, but with a trade-off in other areas.

Application or approval fees: This is a one-time fee that is immediately charged to your card upon approval. Most credit cards these days don't charge application fees, but it isn't unheard of to see these fees go as high as $250.

Transaction fees and other charges: Most creditors charge a fee if you don't make a payment on time. Other common credit card fees include those for cash advances and going beyond the credit limit. Moreover, some credit cards charge a flat fee every month, whether you use your card or not.

Each credit card varies, but it is up to you which best fits you and your credit abilities and needs. Do not be lured into getting credit cards based on ten or twenty percent discounts for signing up for one at a department store or for signing up if you get a free T-Shirt or an extra 1,000 frequent flier miles. And make sure you only invest in a credit card(s) if you have a job and/or a regular income and are capable of paying off your credit cards in a timely manner without getting hit hard by interest rates.

1. Reduced Income, Same Expenses
When you have a gap in your average income, you need to control your expenses more than ever. It is necessary to keep the same ratio to allow for the cost of living between your income and expenses. If your income decreases, so should your expenses. Whether you have to cut-out expenses entirely, or minimalize them, you must control the expenses so they don't outweigh your income. The same is true for the same income, but increased expenses. If you receive the same income, but have more expenses now (due to hospital bills, medications, etc.), you need to maintain the ratio of spending that allows your income to match your expenses. A lot of unnecessary expenses must be minimalized or cut entirely, sacrifices must be made to maintain at least an equal income to expenses ratio, or higher, for your income to earn savings.

2. Poor Money Management
This is self-explanatory. Compulsive spending habits, uncontrolled spending, overuse of credit cards, or lack of communication of monetary funds between a spouse, family member, etc., lead to improper money management. Once you dig yourself into a hole, which doesn't take a lot of time or effort, it's much harder to get yourself out. Balance your accounts regularly, talk with your spouse or other who you share finances with, and make sure you aren't spending money you don't have that may have already been spent. Most importantly, don't just spend money because you have it.

3. Underemployment/Unemployment
This may be out of your control. At the same time, it may not be. If you aren't getting enough hours at a job that you need, or if you don't have a job, it is your responsibility to either get more hours, or to find another job [in addition]. We are all capable of working many hours in a week. If you are only working ten hours a week, you obviously will not be earning enough for living wages. Although your hours at a job, or even if you have a job, may not be entirely up to you, it is up to you to get more hours or more jobs to help find that extra income to support yourself and your family.

4. Medical Expenses
We all know that today's medical expenses are ridiculous. Search different insurance policies/carriers for the best prices and coverage plans. You will have to do some work to find better deals. If you're going to be paying such high insurance premiums, you may as well get the most out of your money and plan. Talk with your doctor(s) about the use of generic drugs, which are cheaper. Research different pharmacies for prescription prices, for there really is a huge difference in prices for the same drugs depending on the store(s) you buy them at. You may not be able to control the high prices, in general, of prescriptions and health care, but you have the ability to do your research for the best prices and plans.

5. Improper Saving Habits - Too Little or None at All
For many people who have little or no savings, they live off of check to check. This makes it difficult to acquire savings, or the habits to save money. If you have an extra five dollars at the end of paying bills after you receive a check, you may say it's only five dollars. Why not treat yourself to a cup of coffee or to a few drinks? Well, that is five dollars that you don't need to spend and that you can put into a savings account, or into some private fund to save. Five dollars each check will build up over time. Another issue with savings accounts is that people use them like checking accounts. Savings accounts should be kept alone. Place money into them without the ability to take out every other week. Leave that money for checking accounts. Place money into a savings fund and honor it by not touching it for a long time. Let it be, use it for when you need it most and let it build with time.

The first step in developing a budget is determining your net worth - that is, your total value/worth at any given moment. There are three criteria for determining your net worth: (1) all of the items of value (and their values) that you own; (2) your debt, or loans, that you owe to others; and (3) the total amount after you subtract your liabilities/debts from your assets (your valued items, etc).

The equation for determining your net worth is simply:
ITEMS OF VALUE - AMOUNTS OWED = NET WORTH

Assets are arranged by their influence of liquidity, or how probable it is to convert them into cash without losing much in the process. The most liquid assets are cash, checking/savings accounts, and stocks/investments in money markets. Your house will likely be your most valuable asset, while smaller assets should also be accounted for, such as vehicles, clothes, personal items, furniture, etc. These items are generally not sold for the worth you would like or that they may even be worth, but they still may acquire some additional money if you do so choose to sell. Add all of these assets, and you will have an approximate of your asset values/total.

Liabilities are the less enjoyed subject of this discussion. Debt and loans always suggest that you are losing money, not earning money. Always assess your liabilities by listing your most current debts first. Include all bills you owe, such as telephone, cable, utilities, car insurance, etc. Then assess your debts to credit cards and loans after. Home mortgages are generally the largest debts for people. And always include outstanding balances when accounting liabilities, not just the initial costs.

It is important to determine your net worth in order to best determine your overall financial standing and to monitor it over a long period of time. Ideally, you should shoot for a growing net worth, of positive value, versus a decreasing net worth over time, or any negative net worth. Net worths do change on a daily basis, so it is important to look at them as a guidance for longer periods of time, and not to account for their daily values. For example, it may be a good idea to determine your net worth on an annual basis for best comparisons over each year.