In today’s world of social media and instantaneous communication, we can get news and information about pretty much anything in just a few seconds. We also get a lot of information, since so much content can spread so fast without moderation. Hopefully by now you know that Bill Gates is never going to give you $5,000 no matter how many times you repost a picture of him on Facebook. But did you know goldfish don’t really have 3-second memories? How anyone knows whether they do or not is beyond my area of expertise, but apparently the current consensus is that they have pretty decent memories after all. There are quite a few money myths being spread far and wide as well. Let’s dispel a few of them.

I just got back from a two week road trip, which was incredible but cost me about $800 in gas. It got me thinking though, about ways to save money on transportation in general. I planned to talk to you about whether buying more expensive gas really makes a difference to your engine or your fuel efficiency, but no one seems to agree (except that your engine is probably not in danger, even if you buy less expensive gas). So I thought I’d look at some alternative ways to save money on getting to and fro. None of the following tips for cutting down transportation costs include the purchase of a donkey-cart.

When it comes to saving for college, scholarships are where it’s at. Some scholarships are significant (like a full-ride academic scholarship for being an amazing LaCrosse player or something) and others are less substantial, but as any parent paying for college will tell you, every little bit helps. With the rising cost of education, it’s a good idea to know about all the resources out there willing to fork over a few dollars to help you out.

We’re expecting big things from 2014. Not only has the Bureau of Labor Statistics been reporting consistent job growth, but Congress also seems to be playing nice in advance of the mid-term elections, auto sales are displaying year-over-year growth, and neither Fed tapering nor international crisis has proven enough to derail the stock market.

As my husband and I embark upon parenting a human, we did a little research and found that according the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the average cost to raise a child born in 2013 to age 18 is expected to be $241,080. We thought it would be smart to start learning from the experts and reach out to some friends who have kids to discuss their financial strategies

It’s happened to all of us. There’s a long line of people watching you swipe your debit card at the grocery store – our purchases are bagged and carted – and the cashier says, “I’m sorry ma’am, it says it’s declined.” If they’re nice, they don’t shout it. You make sure to state loudly that you have plenty of money in your account, and it must be a problem with the debit machine or the bank (which, to be fair, it sometimes is) but whether it’s true or not, you know everyone else in line is silently judging your poor money management skills.

With tax season finally over, now seems like a good time to talk about how to make next year’s taxes go as smoothly as possible. I especially want to focus on the self-employed and contractors. While there are all kinds of variables that complicate tax-filing (owning a home, dependents, interest income, divorce, marriage, death), many of us still work for corporations where we file a W-2 and our withholdings become automatic. For entrepreneurs, or people in more less formal income situations, it can be a bit trickier.

Greater Nevada Credit Union We’ve all been there: you need access to some quick cash and the only ATM around has a $4 fee. It’s the worst! Banks charge on average $2.60 for using an ATM out of your network. Sometimes even your own financial institution charges an additional fee, an average of $1.53. At $4.13 a pop, these little fees can become a monster headache in a big hurry. Don’t worry; there are some easy ways to avoid ATM Fees.

Buying a new car can be stressful! For most people, their vehicles are their second most valuable possession after their homes. In order to make sure you buy the car that’s right for you and your family, you must consider many factors, but it is most important to find a vehicle you can realistically afford.

I’m the first person to admit that I have a brown thumb. I do however turn green with envy when I visit a friend of mine who has every variety of tomato known to man, growing in abundance all over her back yard. Luckily she shares her bounty with me, which is great because the cost of produce has skyrocketed due to the 3-year draught in California. The cost of lettuce is up 34%, grapes 21%, (wait did I just read that right? Grapes are up 21%....what is that doing to the wine market?). Before we panic…let’s take a look at some money saving ideas to calm our nerves.