Money Tips Network

What do you think about electric cars? That’s a question which evokes a surprisingly strong reaction. Few people, it seems, are indifferent to the topic of changing what we drive. Some think electric cars will help save the planet; others think they’re a do-gooder’s overpriced and overrated flavor of the month.

History

The automobile, one of the icons of the Industrial Revolution, has been with us for more than a hundred years. During that time, it has evolved to an astounding degree of complexity that surprises many. For instance, many family SUVs today perform better than the exotic Ferraris and Porsches of just a few decades ago, with improved safety, gas mileage and reliability (not to mention the on-board entertainment systems, air conditioning and power steering, brakes, and windows).

Does the price of an item really determine its quality? Well, this depends on who you ask and what you're buying. (See also: How to Have an Above Average Life for Below Average Prices)

As a savvy shopper, I believe that paying more for certain items is a better buy. It's no secret that some higher-priced items last longer than cheaper versions, ultimately reducing how much we spend in the long run. But this isn't always the case. As a matter of fact, there are plenty of cheaper alternatives that are just as good (or better) than their luxury counterparts. Here are several of my favorites.

An estimated 9.1% of the population in the United States have symptoms of depression, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

Depressive illnesses are more than just being sad occasionally. Among people with depression, there is a measurable chemical imbalance in their brands, and this prevents signals from being transmitted from neuron to neuron correctly. So depression changes how people think. And any obstacle to rational decision-making has significant long-term effects on an individual’s quality of life. As a family’s financial situation is one of the primary concerns of this blog and a primary factor in the quality of one’s life, it stands that depression can cause difficulties with money worth a discussion here.

'Tis the season! Families are combing store ads to equip the kids with affordable back-to-school gear — and they're not the only ones! You don't need to be a student (or shopping for one) to take advantage of the great deals on school supplies, electronics, and dorm ware.

Will you shop back-to-school sales? What items are on your to-buy list? Are you shopping for yourself, and student, or both?

Tell us whether you shop back-to-school sales 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!

Sometimes, no matter how frugal and prudent we are, financial disaster hits and turns our lives upside down. Maybe it's an unexpected health issue that we're not insured for, a whopping and unavoidable housing expense, or a job loss that leads to a long stretch of unemployment. It happens — and if it hasn't happened to you, you probably know someone who's been down that rocky road. (See also: Are Your Finances Fragile?)

Whatever the cause, it seems people have similar reactions to financial disaster and similar phases of recovery. Here are six common stages we go through as we grieve our loss and work to rebuild our financial lives.

We focus intently on our workouts. We spend much time finding new ways to challenge our bodies and burst through plateaus. We sink money into races and events aimed at showcasing our progress and athletic prowess.

But one aspect of exercise often slips through the cracks and that is: recovery. And it's essential for keeping our muscles, bones, and minds healthy. (Related: 5 Easy Ways to Avoid Exercise Injury)

The good news? Most of these post-workout recovery tools and methods are low cost. They can also keep injuries at bay, helping to save on doctor bills.

It's easy to let "busy-ness" keep us from the sweetness in our lives. Learn how to slow the pace and capture the moments that really matter.

It's rare to find someone complaining that they have too much time on their hands and don't have enough to do. Instead, we are all overcommitted, overscheduled, and overworked. In fact, according to the Amex EveryDay Study, 88% of moms set unrealistic expectations for themselves.

Consequently, we don't think we have the time to sit back and appreciate life's EveryDay Moments.

But, the reality is, we do have the time. All of us have the same amount of time everyday and some people are just better at using time to appreciate life than others. So what are the secrets? Here are seven ways to use your time to appreciate life's EveryDay Moments.

I love a good hotel as much as the next guy. Unfortunately, many of those "good" hotels cost a pretty penny (or a lot of points) to stay at for just a night. But, luckily for all of us, it's a bright, big world out there, full of chic, hip hotels that won't break the bank! So, let's take a look at 11 budget hotels around the world (that are pretty cool, too)! (See also: How to Stay in a 5-Star Hotel for Less Than the Cost of a Motel)

1. Karostas Cietums, Latvia

There are two types of drivers in America: those who've received a ticket; and those who haven't.

In the past five years, 25% of drivers have received traffic tickets. That's one in four. Of course, tickets can range from the minor (such as driving with a broken headlight), to the very serious (a DUI). Tickets carry penalties, including fines and point violations, and if you hit 12 points your license is taken away. Typically, you'll automatically get 12 points for a DUI. However, the biggest hit your wallet takes will not come from fines and fees, but from the insurance rate hikes that accompany tickets. Here are five of the biggest insurance rate increases you'll get from traffic tickets.