Money Tips Network

In 2008 I downsized my personal belongings by 85% when I moved into Dinky Manor with Mr. Foxypants, my now husband.

Initially, Mr. Foxypants and I agreed that we would both downsize our belongings by 50% in order to fit the acquisition of our two adult lives into a 1000 square foot house with terrible closet space.

Most of us have goals for our money, whether specific (pay off the mortgage) or general (maintain a comfortable lifestyle). We set our financial visions on different timelines, too — each person's circumstances are different, after all. This week, let's talk about where we want to see our finances in 5 years.

Where do you want to be, financially, in 5 years? What is your main goal for the next few years? What changes to your lifestyle (if any) will you need make to get your finances where you want them to be?

Tell us where you want to be, financially, in 5 years and we'll enter you in a drawing to win a $20 Amazon Gift Card!

Win 1 of 3 $20 Amazon Gift Cards

We're doing three giveaways — here's how you can win!

If you've ever purchased or tried to sell a home, you know it's a process. Credit checks, home inspections, down payments, and more could delay your sale. And after you purchase the home, it's yours for life. So if you missed something during those grueling weeks of closing, it's your problem for life — or until you try to sell it. (See also: 25 Cheap and Easy Fixes That Make Your House Look Amazing)

Below we've listed eight horror stories of people who fell in love with their home before realizing its dark past.

The white walls and boring fixtures of apartments are a thing of the past. You don't need to own your abode to make it totally your own. (See also: 12 Ways to Make a Tiny Apartment Awesome)

Check out these thrifty — but impactful — DIY ideas that will transform your space to home, all while ensuring you'll get that security deposit back.

This article is by staff writer William Cowie.

What was your first reaction when you saw “salvage title” in the headline? Cringe and shudder? Outrage, that anybody could seriously suggest something so risky on a respectable site like this? In mixed company, no less? Step away from the ledge, slowly, exhale, and then hear me out.

I used to feel the same way … until my friend Peter showed me his “new” 4Runner. Peter is a super-frugalista, and he saw the surprise in my eyes. He laughed, “Hey, it’s a salvage title — I got it real cheap.” He bought his son one of those, seven years back, and that car has run problem-free all that time. So he thought, “Why not get one for myself?”

Why not, indeed?

What is a salvage title?

A smart, thoughtful answer to an interview question can help you clinch the job. Likewise, an epic blunder can knock you out of the top three. So it's as important to study what NOT to say as it is to practice and polish your real answers. (See also: How to Answer 23 of the Most Common Interview Questions)

Read on for our round-up of common job interview answers to steer clear of. You can thank us when you're in your brand new corner office.

I’ll admit it. I’m a card-carrying member of the grammar police, the spelling police, and the style police.

“Weird Al” Yankovic released his newest album Mandatory Fun less than two months ago.  He parodied a Robin Thicke’s “Blurred Lines” with “Word Crimes.”  If Weird Al’s song speaks to the innermost parts of your being, then you understand.

And, it you’re scratching your head:  No worries; we can still be friends!

Below is a list of commonly used, but redundant, money expressions.  The phrases either deal with money directly, or deal with issues that can cause people to spend a lot of money.

Independence can be hard-earned, and even more difficult to keep. But part of that battle is providing yourself the right tools — not just in terms of "skills," but actual, physical things. (See also: People Who Love Their Bodies Do These 12 Things — Do You?)

Whether it's about mastering your domain, maintaining health, or just not having to call a plumber, here are seven things you'll often find in the homes of truly independent people.

This post is by staff writer Honey Smith.

Just because two people hear the same word or phrase, doesn’t mean that they are conceptualizing the same thing. For example, I live in the desert, so when I say that it’s “cold,” it’s a pretty safe bet that I’m talking about something different than the person who lives in Vermont. Similarly, if I say it’s “humid,” I am probably not thinking about the same thing as the person who lives in Florida.

It comes down to the difference between denotation and connotation. “Denotation” refers to something’s definition or literal meaning. “Connotation,” on the other hand, refers to what we associate with the use of a particular term. Connotations can be cultural in nature, though they may be based on personal experience. They can also evoke strong emotions (positive or negative), in both the speaker and the listener.