Money Tips Network

It's almost a given that tourists overpay for things. Sometimes it's because we don't know the actual (local) cost, or are unaware of negotiating tactics. Sometimes we think we're getting a good deal, but are actually unwittingly crippling local economies.

The average American incurs $10,345 in medical expenses each year, according to government estimates.

No matter how wealthy you are, this is an extremely heavy financial burden for anyone. While it’s obviously not evenly distributed – some people will have tremendous health care costs in a given year, while others will have only minimal costs – the financial burden of health care can strike anyone without warning, and it can bring financial ruin.

Yet, you have tremendous control over this equation. While you can’t eliminate every bill associated with health care, there are a ton of different steps any family can take to reduce those costs in almost every dimension of your life. Not only that, but most of these options will also improve your quality of life, too.

This article is by staff writer William Cowie.

Twice a year, the Federal Reserve’s Chair gives what amounts to the “financial state of the union” address to Congress, and it’s a good thing for everyone concerned with their finances to take five minutes or so to find out what the Federal Reserve is seeing, thinking, and about to do.

Janet Yellen delivered her latest comments a week ago, and it may be worth your while to take a few seconds out to assess what she said, because the economy is approaching another inflection point.

With the availability of online printing services and in-store photo kiosks, getting photo prints has never been easier. But if you want to get copies of your favorite photos whenever you want without having to leave your home, nothing beats owning a good photo printer. Not only are photo printers incredibly convenient, they can give you total control on how you want your printed photos to look like.

Given the wide variety of photo printers available, searching for the best one can be quite the difficult task. Fortunately, Wise Bread is here to help simplify your search with our top 5 list of the best photo printers.

The Urban Institute has issued a report stating the Millennial generation will have the lowest rates of marriage by age 40 than any previous generation. The report contemplates a variety of reasons for this shift, including a reduced role of marriage in a family household and the effects of the latest recession. But what does this mean for the financial future of today’s young mostly-singles?

Does birth order impact overall intelligence? It's a question researchers have been asking for centuries and continue to investigate today. And while there are many factors that contribute to personality and smarts, studies do show that where you fall in your family tree may have some impact on the person you become and the I.Q. you achieve. (See also: Good and Bad Habits of Smart People)

Here's what we know.

Many people invest their hope for a happier life in future achievements. For you, this could be a higher salary, a family milestone, or a more relaxed lifestyle.

In reality, there will always be another achievement on the horizon. Happiness can only be enjoyed today, in the present moment. (See also: This Is Why You Settle (and How to Stop))

Accordingly, we find ourselves in this daily tension between pursuing more and enjoying what we have. Here are a few tips for being happier with what you have today.

When you're Angelina Jolie and have Brad Pitt by your side, you can make anything look good.

That's why Angelina spent a measly $26 on a velvet dress at a thrift shop for a major movie premiere. She is a good example of taking charge of your finances: while raking in the big bucks as the face of an American fashion brand, St John, she saved by dropping tags at the thrift shop. (See also: The Surprisingly Frugal Lifestyles of 12 Famous Superheroes)

Emergencies happen, and they can often be expensive — particularly crises like car accidents, unexpected dental or medical needs, high vet bills, or unexpected flooding in your apartment after a vicious storm. If you have not fully built up your emergency fund yet (or you are hit with back-to-back hardships that your emergency fund can't handle), then you can feel like you have no choice but to go into debt to pay for your emergency. (See also: Emergency Plan: Better Than an Emergency Fund)

Nothing could be further from the truth. There are much better ways to take care of emergencies without going into debt. Here are ten things you can do to pay for an emergency without debt: