Keeping Your Online Accounts Safe (CNNMoney).  Sure, it takes some extra work to follow these guidelines, but it’s wise to stay vigilant about online security.

Money Milestones: What Kids Should Know About Money and When (Time).  No, your three-year-old doesn’t need to know about Roth IRAs, but there are some things about money kids can learn at that age.  Here’s your guide.

401(k)’s Not Working for Gen Y (MSN). For young people, playing it too safe with your retirement savings is one of the riskiest things you can do.

The Best Ways to Teach Your Kids to Save (Main Street).  Interesting to see the not-so-obvious benefits of opening savings accounts for our kids.

Credit Information That’s Really 100% Free (MSNBC).  I agree with the author of this one – if you’re going to try one of the free credit score services, go with the one that doesn’t require your full Social Security number.

And from the blogosphere…

Five Resolutions for Aspiring Leaders (HBR Blog Network).  Good career management advice – whether you’re young or…more experienced.

How I Fed My Family for $100 a Week (LearnVest).  Proof that it’s possible to manage the grocery store tab without superhuman effort.

What Easter Island Can Teach Us About Money (Wise Bread).  No quick tips on how to save a buck or two in this post – just a great, thought provoking read about the dangers of short-term thinking.

8 Frugal and Fun Martin Luther King Day Activities for Kids (Money Crashers).  Make Monday more than a day off from school for the kids with these free or low-cost ideas for helping them understand what this important holiday is all about.

Frugality Advice From Millionaires (Get Rich Slowly).  I don’t really consider this to be frugality advice (you probably know I’m not crazy about the idea of frugality); it’s simply good solid money management advice.  Just as was shown in the book “The Millionaire Next Door,” most of the habits and practices of those who win with money are those that most of us can practice.

Got a question or a response to any of the above?  Be sure to leave a comment.

Who else would benefit from this post?  Why not forward a link to my site? And if you haven’t done so already, you can subscribe to this blog by clicking here.  Two or three times a week, you’ll receive ideas and encouragement for using money well.

Arsenic in Your Juice (Consumer Reports).  Getting the best deals at the grocery store means more than finding the best prices.  It means finding the best prices on food that won’t kill you!

Christmas for Less Than $100 (MSN).  Regular readers know I’m not crazy about the word “frugal.”  But this writer does frugal well.

Black Friday’s Deals May Not Have Been The Best (New York Times).  Scientific research says the best deals are yet to come.

Holiday Shipping Deadlines: Time Your Purchase Right (Main Street).  Here’s what you need to know to make sure your gifts arrive on time.

How to Live Happily on Less (US News).  An ode to slowing down and enjoying some of life’s simple pleasures.

And from the blogosphere…

7 Small Gifts That Can Make a BIG Impact This Holiday (Money Ning).  You don’t have to spend big to make the recipients of your gifts smile big.

The Best and Worst Things to Buy in December (Wise Bread).  Some of this advice will help for this year’s holiday gift buying, some of it will help for next year.

MasterCard Launches Contactless Payment Wristwatch (Money-Watch).  In this case, time truly is money.

Where to Buy Cheap Checks Online (Dough Roller).  By now, checks were supposed to be so yesterday.  But lots of us are still writing them, so we might as well stop paying so much for them.

4 Things That Keep You From Your Goals (Pick The Brain).  Words of wisdom for all who like to set goals at the start of each New Year.  And if you’re really serious about achieving your goals, it’s impossible to overstate the importance of clarity.

Got a question or a response to any of the above?  Be sure to leave a comment.

Who else would benefit from this post?  Why not forward a link to my site? And if you haven’t done so already, you can subscribe to this blog by clicking here.  Two or three times a week, you’ll receive ideas and encouragement for using money well.

80 May Be the New 65 for Retirement Age (CNN Money).  Lots of people are finally waking up to just how unprepared they are for retirement.  One simple yet incredibly helpful step to do a better job of preparing is to calculate our needs.

Your Grocery Bill is Getting Higher, and Higher (MSNBC).  What are you doing to fight food inflation?  Are you cherry picking?  Becoming a super couponer?

What Hiring Managers See When They Look at Your Resume (Main Street).  A good section-by-section review of what to include and what to leave off (MSNBC).

7 Biggest Holiday Money Wasters (MSN).  Tis the season for overspending, but not for you if you heed some of these warnings.

Social Experiment Tests How Far You’ll Go to Find $20 (US News).  Quirky experiment raises some interesting questions about how we think about money and the lengths we’ll go to get a little more.

And from the blogosphere…

The Blessing Box (Matt About Money).  With Thanksgiving approaching, I couldn’t resist including this post from my archives.  It contains one of the best holiday-related ideas I’ve ever heard – an idea shared with me by a very special couple.

Create Memories With 6 Inexpensive Experience Gifts (My Dollar Plan).  Great ideas for giving gifts that can’t be broken, won’t need to be exchanged, and are likely to be treasured long after they’re unwrapped.

The Best Free Apps For Black Friday (LearnVest).  I hate to participate in all the spending hype associated with the holidays, but some of these apps, like RedLaser, are helpful all year.

Four Ways to Include Your Spouse in Financial Planning (Five Cent Nickel).  Good reminders about how to do the whole money thing as a team.

The Three Best Financial Moves You Can Make For Your Child (Free From Broke).  I’m not sure I’d call these ideas the three best, but they’re good, and in the case of the credit score idea, creative.

Who else would benefit from this post?  Why not forward a link to my site? And if you haven’t done so already, you can subscribe to this blog by clicking here.  Two or three times a week, you’ll receive ideas and encouragement for using money well.

10 Best Apps for Ordinary Chores (Main Street).  From filling a prescription to renting a movie, there’s an app for that – and it’ll make your life easier.

15 Ways to Stop Wasting Money on Food (US News).  Food is one of the largest expenses for most households.  Even if you’re reminded of just one or two ways to save, it’ll pay dividends.

401(k) and IRA Changes Coming in 2012 (US News).  If you need to make up for lost ground in your retirement savings, you’ll soon be able to contribute more.

How to Help a Jobless Friend or Family Member (Market Watch).  It can be tough knowing what to say to someone who has lost his or her job.  Here’s some good guidance.

New Tool Helps Evaluate Student Loan Options (NY Times).  Lots of grads are struggling with student loan debt.  This tool helps sort out the options.  It does not, however, include the new student loan debt relief program (Main Street) just announced by President Obama, but it will once the program is up and running.

And from the blogosphere…

How to Find a Job Online Using Craigslist (Money Crashers).  If you’re in the hunt for a new job, have you tried craigslist?  Here’s your guide.

Quiz: Are You an Energizer or a De-Energizer at Work? (The Happiness Project).  In this day and age when job security is so scarce, we need every advantage at work.  Learning how to be an energizer can help.

7 Mistakes Parents Make Teaching Kids About Money (LearnVest).  Some good reminders about getting our kids started in the right financial direction.

Never Pay Full Price for Children’s Video Games Again (Financial Highway).  Why pay the sticker price when deals can be had relatively easily?

The Secret Ingredient to Financial and Career Success (The Simple Dollar).  The good news is it’s available to all of us.

Got some feedback on any of the above?  Be sure to leave a comment.

Who else would benefit from this article?  Why not forward a link to my site? And if you haven’t done so already, you can subscribe to this blog by clicking here.  Two or three times a week, you’ll receive ideas and encouragement for using money well.

Myths, Misperceptions About Credit Scores Rampant (USA TODAY).  Does your income impact your credit score?  What about your age?  Read on to find out.

Six Networking Tips for Your Job Search (U.S. News).  You’ve heard it before – networking is a far more effective job search strategy than sending in lots of applications where you don’t have contacts.  Here’s how to network well.

Five Simple Ways to Get Your Resume Noticed (Main Street).  Good ideas for making your resume rise to the top of the stack.

The Kids May Be Alright, but Parents May Retire in Poverty (MassMutual News Release).  An easy but dangerous mistake to make – putting our kids’ college savings ahead of our own retirement savings.

How Your Income Stacks Up (Kiplinger’s).  Curious to know how your income compares with others across the country?  This simple calculator will help you put things in perspective.

And from the blogosphere…

The Emergency Fund From 1939 (Consumerism Commentary).  Don’t be deceived by the boring headline (sorry, Flexo!).  This article contains an instructive letter Warren Buffett’s grandfather sent to his uncle’s family.  Your reserve will probably never be as big as Warren Buffett’s, but look for the words “Forget it” and let the letter guide you in building an emergency fund.

Can You Cut Your Grocery Bill in Half By Shopping Only Once a Month? (My Dollar Plan).  Interesting food-buying strategy that might just be worth a try.

Nine Things You Can Do Today to Improve Your Life (The Simple Dollar).  Articles like this often come across as hokey or trite, but not when they come off the keyboard of Trent at the Simple Dollar.  There’s something about his wisdom that I trust and his tone that I like.

The 10 Best Interview Tips (From a Real Interviewer) (20 Something Finance).  You got your foot in the door at the place where you’d like to work.  Here’s to put your best foot forward.

Bank Transfer Day: November 5, 2011 (Consumerism Commentary).  Now this is a protest backed up by action.  If you’re thinking about switching to a credit union, do consider Christian Community Credit Union.  Yes, they’re a sponsor of my work, but I wouldn’t work with them if I didn’t fully believe in them.  Of course, my wife and I are also very satisfied members of CCCU.

Got some feedback on any of the above?  Be sure to leave a comment.

Who else would benefit from this article?  Why not forward a link to my site? And if you haven’t done so already, you can subscribe to this blog by clicking here.  Two or three times a week, you’ll receive ideas and encouragement for using money well.

The Best Travel Web Sites (via NY Times).  Whether you’re a frequent flyer or just like to get the most from your once-a-year vacation, here are some sites to see.  One that didn’t make the list but is worth a look is Google’s new flight search tool (via USA TODAY).

The Best Smartphones Under $50 (via MSNBC).  In the market for a smartphone?  Here are some good options that won’t break the bank – on the cost of the phone, that is.  Just beware of the…

10 Ways a Smartphone Drains Your Wallet (via MainStreet).  You may be able to pick up an inexpensive or even free smartphone, but once you go down that path there are plenty of temptations to spend big.  Here’s how to keep your smartphone from dumbing down your finances.

Downgrading the American Dream (via Time).  I usually stay away from downer stories, but maybe a change in our financial expectations is a good thing.  I’d love to hear your definition of the American Dream.  Let me know in the Comments section.

10 Ways to Love Your Job (via MainStreet).  In this economy, plenty of people are hanging on to jobs they don’t like.  If that’s you, here’s how to make the best of the situation.  Remember, if you’re expecting your job to give you a sense of meaning, maybe meaning is something we bring to our work.

And from the blogosphere…

How to Grocery Shop for 5 on $100 a Week (via Wise Bread).  Easy strategies we can all use to spend less at the grocery store.  If you like this story, you may also want to read How to Be a Smart Organic Food Shopper and learn how the fine art of “cherry picking” can help you save on groceries.

Do You Have a Death Dossier? (via Five Cent Nickel).  No, this isn’t anyone’s idea of a fun topic, but it’s an essential reminder of how we can leave one final gift to our loved ones – an organized financial life (see the link to a free document that can help with this process).

How to Survive College Without a Car (via Free From Broke).  Words of wisdom for college students and their parents.  Whenever I teach my college workshop, What Will You Do With Your Millions? I always encourage students not to invest in things that eat, and cars eat lots and lots of money.

10 Great Household Products (via Wealth Informatics).  Read this list and you’ll never drink Coke again, but you may start throwing salt into your fireplace.

10 Outdated Job Search Techniques to Avoid (via Wise Bread). Good and sometimes counterintuitive advice for job seekers.

Got some feedback on any of the above?  Be sure to leave a comment.

Who else would benefit from this article?  Why not forward a link to my site? And if you haven’t done so already, you can subscribe to this blog by clicking here.  Two or three times a week, you’ll receive ideas and encouragement for using money well.

Why It Shouldn’t Have Been a Lost Decade for Investors (via NY Times).  While the U.S. stock market may have stood still, those who diversified properly moved ahead.

8 Ways 20-Somethings Can Deal With Debt (via Bankrate).  Mostly good advice, but the one point I strongly disagree with is the advice to get a car loan to help build a good credit score.  No, don’t ever finance a vehicle!

The Value and Risk in Your Jewelry Box (via Mainstreet). Assuming you haven’t cashed in on the rising price of gold by selling all your jewelry, you might want to revisit your homeowner’s insurance policy to see if you have enough coverage.

Car Lessees Driving Themselves Into a Ditch (via TIME).  The last sentence of this article says it all: “People who end up with strong financial lives don’t lease cars.”

5 Ways to Protect Kids From Identity Theft (via MarketWatch).  Some helpful reminders for parents, especially since identity theft involving kids can go undetected for years.

And from the personal finance blogosphere…

Why Pay When You Can Get Something for Free (Or Very Low Cost)? (via Bargaineering).  Good ideas for saving on software and more.

How to Get Free Redbox Rentals (via Generation X Finance).  Even though Redbox movies only cost $1, free is even better.

Use These 4 Cheap Produce Items to Make the Most of Your Grocery Budget (via Financial Highway).  Of course, another way to utilize inexpensive produce is to grow your own.  For the first time, we created a small vegetable garden in our backyard.  Now we’re eating lots of zucchini bread, zucchini pancakes, zucchini muffins, steamed zucchini, grilled zucchini…  Good thing I like zucchini!

The Most Overlooked Step in the Job-Hunting Process (via Free Money Finance).  Hint: it’s the step you need to take right when you get home from an interview.

Debt-Free News #20 – Jenny of Ex-Consumer (via Enemy of Debt).  There’s nothing like a real life story to motivate someone trying to get out of debt.

Got some feedback on any of the above?  Be sure to leave a comment.

Who else would benefit from this article?  Why not forward a link to my site?  And if you haven’t done so already, you can subscribe to this blog by clicking here.  Two or three times a week, you’ll receive ideas and encouragement for using money well.

That’s because eating healthy means not only eating plenty of fruit and vegetables, it means choosing organic food.  Add food inflation to the mix and it’s easy to conclude that you can either spend smart or eat healthy – not both.

Which Organics Are Worth The Cost?

The starting point for managing how much we spend on organics is knowing which organic items to buy.

The Environmental Working Group keeps tabs on which fruit and vegetables tend to have the highest pesticide residue and, therefore, should be purchased as organics and which ones are probably fine to buy as non-organics.

Finding Elusive Organic Food Discounts

The next step is to look for deals on organics, which often seems about as easy as spotting the Loch Ness Monster.

Amazon sells lots of organic products.  Their regular prices are often better than what you’ll find at your grocery story, and they usually have some products on sale.  If you order $25 worth of items at a time, shipping is free.

Whole Foods usually has quite a few printable coupons available for various organic products.

You can also get coupons directly from organic food companies, such as the ones listed below, but they often require you to join their e-mail list.

Alexia

Arrowhead Mills

Cascadian Farm

Celestial Seasonings

Earth’s Best

Garden of Eatin’

Horizon

Kashi

Lightlife

Morningstar Foods

Organic Valley

Seeds of Change

Stonyfield Farms

Organic Dairy and Seafood

Consumer Reports recommends buying all dairy products as organics (the least expensive organic milk we’ve found is at Trader Joe’s, which sells it for $5.99 a gallon), but it says you can take a pass on organic seafood.  It explains that the lack of organic certification standards for seafood means that seafood labeled as organic may not be any freer of contaminants than non-organic seafood.  Nice, huh?

However, when buying seafood, it is possible to choose sustainable fish – that is, species that are not being over-fished.

What other ideas do you have for keeping the cost of organics under control?

Know someone else who would benefit from this article?  Why not forward a link?  And if you haven’t done so already, you can subscribe to this blog by clicking here.  Two or three times a week, you’ll receive ideas and encouragement for using money well.

It’s obvious to me that there are fewer discounted items at the grocery store these days.  And, when I reached for a can of one of my favorite brands of coffee recently, which was promoted with what looked like a nice discount, it didn’t take long to realize that the can had shrunk (Consumer Reports has chronicled the incredible shrinking container in everything from dish soap to hot dogs and from orange juice to ice cream).

So, getting a good deal today means being especially vigilant about cost per ounce or cost per count comparisons, along with all of the other typical tactics for maximizing your grocery dollars like following the advice of super couponers, buying store brands, and using a list.

But there is one money-saving move that’s especially worth putting into practice in these inflationary times: cherry picking.  That’s where you buy the marked-down milk at one store, the bargain bologna at another, and the super saver sugar at a third.

It’s Not Worth My Time – Or Is It?

The common complaint about cherry picking is that it takes too much time to visit all those stores.  But a well-designed research study conducted at the Wharton School of Business a number of years ago concluded that it is, in fact, worth our time to cherry pick, especially if we follow two key guidelines.

First, the item must be something we need anyway.

Second, we stock up on the item.  So, while it may be worth our time to cherry-pick perishables like milk, it works best for non-perishables.

Advanced Cherry-Picking Tactics

Here are two other guidelines that I recommend.  First, be disciplined about buying what you set out to buy.  Of course, the reason retailers mark items down is to draw shoppers into their stores with the assumption that they’ll pick up plenty of non-bargains as well.

And second, make sure you don’t let marketers get the last laugh.  While we often think we’re getting a great deal when we buy the huge “value” size, marketers know that when we buy the jumbo crate of cookies or anything else, we tend to consume more of the item per usage occasion than when we buy the smaller package size.  The same principle can easily apply to stocking up.

So, use a list to cherry-pick the items you’d buy anyway and stock up.  Then keep all the extras out of sight until you need them.

What other tactics are you using to deal with food inflation?

Who else do you know who would benefit from this article?  Why not send them a link?  And if you haven’t done so already, sign up for a free subscription to this blog by clicking here.  Two or three times a week, you’ll receive ideas and encouragement for using money well.

As for the cause of unplanned purchases, 38 percent of shoppers cited “forgotten needs “ while 52 percent blamed “unplanned wants.”  The other 10 percent apparently didn’t know why; they just knew they would buy more than what was on their list.

The researchers also found that people with longer itemized lists tended to buy fewer extras, as did those who shopped fewer aisles.

I definitely know I’m going to buy more than what’s on my list.  But I would describe the reason as “unknown deals.”  I’m in the habit of checking to see if some of the things we buy regularly are on sale; if so, and if it’s a non-perishable, I’ll stock up.

What about you?  Do you tend to buy more than you planned when visiting the grocery store?  If so, why?