Everyone loves a great deal and loves to eat, so what could be better than finding bargain meals?  The November 2011 issue of ShopSmart magazine, from the publisher of Consumer Reports, has uncovered the best websites to find restaurant deals so that you can enjoy a meal out without breaking your budget.

“We know how expensive eating out can get, so we scoured the Web for sites that make it easy to save,” said Lisa Lee Freeman, editor-in-chief of ShopSmart.  “These websites even have mobile apps and offer social connectivity with Facebook and Twitter, making it even easier to keep up to date with deals and save big.”

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It's New York Fashion Week, when style setters and fans flock to the Big Apple and establish how we're going to dress for next spring. While it may seem silly to begin thinking of color pallets and mini vs. maxi dresses, now is the time to snag looks still on sale from summer 2011 that will translate into 2012.

For example, Marc Jacobs is showing bold colors in a minimalistic style for next spring. The grand dame of New York fashion, Diane von Furstenberg, splashed her runway with brilliant whites and light greens paired with beige. All can be found at post-summer sales and repurposed for next year.

Here are eight other ways to get that luxury look without emptying your wallet:

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Being a grown-up no longer comes in a nice, neat package. The current 20-something generation was by and large sold on the ideal of a high school diploma turning into a college degree, which then turns into a job, house, family and happily ever after for adulthood.

Unfortunately, many recent college grads are learning this idealized dream is no longer attainable. Instead they're stuck in limbo where the best options are working menial, mundane jobs or heading back to grad school to pile on another mountain of debt. If you find yourself in this sort of quarter-life crisis and are struggling to make ends meet, here are a few ways to boost your budget in the meantime.

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Dollar stores aren't just for the incredibly frugal. A recent Colliers International study shows dollar stores now outnumber national drugstore chains, according to Independent Retailer.

Despite obvious deals, some shoppers are still reticent to patronize these retailers because they lack confidence in product quality. Though I don't buy everything at my local Dollar Tree, there are several items I simply will not buy anywhere else. If you struggle to make the leap into dollar-store savings, consider these eight must-haves to get your feet wet.

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This post is brought to you as a part of the Dog Days of Summer Campaign, hosted by the folks at dog training collars. We hope you, and the animals close to your heart, have a healthy summer!

According to a recent article in USA Today, Americans spent approximately $50.8 billion on their pets last year, up from $10.1 billion just four years earlier. That's a lot of money for Max or Fluffy, but still nothing compared to the unconditional love they shell out for you every day.

As the proud owner of one adorable terrier, I'm no stranger to the rising cost of pet care. In addition to frequent exercise and annual check-ups, my husband and I save hundreds of dollars on pet care by adopting the following savvy strategies.

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Don't worry about record-breaking gas prices – the U.S. Energy Information Administration estimates prices to be $3.79 a gallon this summer, less than in 2008.

That's good news for families considering reviving the tradition of a road trip vacation, one of the best experiences parents and kids can share, says Michael DiLorenzo, author of Adventures with Jonny: Road Trip to the Parks! (www.adventureswithjonny.com).

"This is a shared experience, and one that will be talked about during family gatherings for years to come," says DiLorenzo, a father of three. "For busy parents, this is a time to savor their children’s youth. As moms and dads eventually find out, they grow up fast."

It's also a chance to get children outside and away from their computers, he says. Children today already have a deep-rooted interest in technology, which is why a road trip to a natural, outdoor destination is an opportunity to "give your child the gift of the outdoors, which is a gift for life," says DiLorenzo.

The journey to a national park in the United States or Canada – perhaps Yellowstone in Wyoming or Banff in Alberta – is as bonding an experience as whatever happens at the destination.

"And there are parks in every state," he notes. "If you don’t have the time or money to go cross country, pick a park closer to home."

DiLorenzo offers these helpful tips for the road:

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