Money Tips Network

A garden can be an amazing investment for the home cook, foodie, or family provider. Most plants can be grown and harvested for a small fraction of what it would cost to buy even a couple meals' worth of produce in the store. (See also: The Only Fruits and Vegetables Worth Growing Yourself)

There are other types of plants, however, that offer a weak return on your investment. Here are the vegetables I tend to shy away from, and why you may not want them occupying your precious garden space, either.

Cauliflower

Whether it's because your doctor recommends that you shed a few pounds, or you're just feeling a bit pudgy, there are many benefits of losing weight. The health benefits of weight loss are oft-discussed, including everything from reducing the risk of conditions like diabetes and heart disease, to increasing energy. (See also: 7 Killer Ways to Really, Actually Lose Weight)

But what about about the financial benefits?

Quick fact: Velcro was not invented by NASA, and the government agency does not hold the patent for it. A lot of people still think it is NASA's baby, but it was in fact invented in 1948 by a Swiss engineer named George de Mestral. He didn't actually patent the idea until 1955, and it of course became very popular after it was included in the space program. (See also: 15 Uses for Nail Polish)

Now, the hook-and-loop fastening system is everywhere. You probably have something close by that uses Velcro in some way. You can buy it in long strips, in small patches, with and without adhesive, and in a variety of different colors. But what can you use it for beyond the obvious?

We've discussed back and forth through the years about whether or not it's wise to delay Social Security payments (or, said another way, not take them early). Ultimately, it most depends on how long you'll live -- a question that no one knows the answer to. Ugh.

But the book The Charles Schwab Guide to Finances After Fifty: Answers to Your Most Important Money Questions offers us a short list of when it's wise to delay payments. Their thoughts (based on an economic study) find that gains from delaying are greatest:

Jen A. Miller

Good news for U.S. vets: starting next year, you’ll qualify for in-state tuition at any public school, no matter where you live. This perk was part of the $16.3 billion Veterans Administration reform bill that President Obama signed into law last Thursday. Thirty states already offer in-state tuition to all veterans. But this will extend [...]

New law mandates in-state tuition for vets studying at all public colleges starting next year from personal finance blog Bargaineering.com.

This blog was posted by Jen A. Miller

I tend to have a surprising amount of luck simply finding money on the ground. I’ve found quarters, dollar bills, fives, and even twenties on a surprisingly regular basis, just sticking out of gutters or half-buried under leaves.

Part of the reason is that, thanks to a lot of time spent hunting for morel mushrooms and geodes in the past, I’m pretty good at observing the ground for things out of place. Another part of the reason is that I genuinely enjoy walking and exploring and examining things when I walk – it’s just a natural hobby of mine.

On top of that, I like finding $20 bills in my own life. If I can find a way to save $20 on my grocery store visit, for example, I view it as a pretty nice victory, one that I feel good about for the rest of the day.

The end result of all of this is a sequence of small windfalls in my life.

Of all the things you might need for a successful job search, a good resume has historically been the most essential.

The problem is, most resumes look pretty much the same and that can make it hard to get noticed by potential employers. In fact, as someone who's spent time reviewing job applicants, I can tell you that it doesn't take long for all those resumes to start blurring together. (See also: 12 Words You Need to Delete From Your Resume Right Now)

This post comes from Anthony Fontana at our partner site Zing!

It may not feel like it outside yet, but summer is just around the corner. That means it’s time to start planning vacations. Whether you’re flying somewhere or taking a long road trip, one thing’s for certain: You’re going to need a car at some point. If you’ve never rented a car, it may seem like a somewhat daunting task. Between determining what company to go through, what kind of car to get and many other factors, it can be complex. It doesn’t have to be though. Just follow the below steps and you’ll be in the front seat of your rental car in no time!

Avoid the Airport

My grandparents grew up in a time and place when they knew exactly where their food came from: their own backyard. That kind of transparency seems almost unimaginable to me.

The carton of milk I buy might have been sourced from hundreds — or even thousands — of animals. The apples I carefully select tell me only the country or state in which they were grown. Even the fresh bread from my favorite local bakery is suspect; I know nothing about the flour, the seeds, or the hands that bring it to life. And I haven't even gotten to processed food. (See also: I'm Eating What? 12 Gross Things in Your Food)