How many times have you told your children that "money doesn't grow on trees?"  Probably, many times more than you'd like to.  Unfortunately, children just don't understand the value of money, because most of the time, they haven't had much experience with it.

They might earn an allowance and they probably receive money around special occasions like their birthday or Christmas, but because we parents purchase most, if not all, of what a child needs, they just don't understand much about how it works.  Well, we spend years of their lives teaching them history, literature, math and the like, and now it's time to put that same amount of effort into teaching them how to handle their own finances.  After all, this is a lesson if learned well, will benefit them for the rest of their lives.

Thankfully, there are companies out there like PNC Bank who are also on a mission to teach children to save.  They've even developed unique teaching tools to help parents teach their children practical money management skills.  Keep reading to learn more!

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There are two things you absolutely must do when visiting New York City: go shopping and see a Broadway show.  Unfortunately, both experiences be fairly expensive. While you can always window shop to save money, tickets to see a Broadway show can put a severe strain on your travel budget.

Happily, there are several tips and tricks that can land you a seat without too much financial damage.  Here's a sampling:

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I recently found myself plagued with the decision to replace an expensive appliance: the refrigerator. The existing one just wasn't cutting it anymore but I knew this big-ticket buy would make a serious dent in our bank account.

When the time came to pull the trigger on this pricey purchase, I took on the challenge of finding as many money saving ideas as possible without sacrificing quality and style. In the end, I saved approximately 17 percent and am extremely pleased with the look, features and price of our new refrigerator.

With Labor Day sales behind us, you may think your opportunity for saving on an appliance has passed. However, big bucks can still be achieved by following these money saving ideas:

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With warmer weather fast approaching, it’s time to dust away the winter blues and refresh your home for spring.  Clean your home with natural, food safe Arm & Hammer Baking Soda instead of harsh cleaners.  It can be used in almost every room in the house and it only costs about $1 for a 1 lb. box!
 
Below you will find a variety of ways to incorporate baking soda into your spring cleaning routine.  Keep reading to learn more!

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A recent story by USA Today found the Credit CARD Act of 2009 is cutting down on card companies cashing in on college students. Cards issued through universities and alumni associations dropped by 17 percent in 2010. This benefits student spendaholics, but a lack of credit history is an obstacle for upcoming grads ready to finance a new car or upgrade their furniture. Here are a few smart ways for students to start building credit history.

Credit Cards

We're not suggesting students go out and open a bunch of credit cards, but some plastic used responsibly can go a long way towards creating good credit. There are several options for students to help avoid high interest rates and annual fees.

A secured credit card is one of the easiest for the credit-less to acquire and requires a deposit equal to the credit limit. Rates and fees vary, so comparison shopping is a must. Another option is to become an authorized user on a parents' account. Students don't have responsibility for the bill, but still get the benefits of on-time payments on their credit report.

PT Money put together a list of the best credit cards for students, making comparison shopping much easier.

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More Americans are paying more of their health care costs out of pocket every year because they lack insurance, have higher deductibles and co-payments, or have chosen a Health Savings Account plan.

There are ways they can save money without jeopardizing their health and there are steps they should take to ensure they're getting the best value for their dollars, says physician Angel M. Garcia (www.DoNoHarmDrs.com), an internist who has been in practice for more than 25 years.

Garcia, author of Do No Harm: Saving Our Health-Care System, says patients themselves are the first line of defense in an industry where increasing tensions have created new stressors at every level.  "No physician is beyond becoming burnt out," he says. "Physicians who are working mechanically, who are no longer interested, committed and enjoying practicing medicine can be a danger to their patients."

"I've heard many patients excuse their doctors by saying, ‘Oh, he's just burnt out.’  While such loyalty is kind, the issue is one the patient should talk about with their doctor.  "You could just say, 'Hey, Doc, you seem tired. Are you OK?'  You may be surprised how much your doctor appreciates your concern."

Garcia offers these simple ways patients can save money and ensure their health care dollars are well spent:

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