Everyone has had a similar experience, where what should be a short, inexpensive shopping trip somehow balloons and leaves the shopper wondering what they bought and why. Shopping trips like these can be the downfall of a financial plan, and illustrate how easily those plans can be derailed.

"M&I is here to help consumers be financially fit and educated," said Lisa George, Senior Vice President, Regional Manager Consumer Banking, M&I. "We know that reining in spending can be the trickiest part of a financial plan, which is why we've developed a variety of educational resources."  Keep reading to learn more about how to get control of your financial spending:

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If volunteerism is a measure of someone’s passion, then Lisa Sellman’s knows no bounds.

Sellman, a professional dog trainer and owner of a pet care business, volunteers periodically with no fewer than 16 different organizations, with her activities ranging from working at an animal shelter to taking disabled kids on nature hikes during the summer. She is a community activist and lifelong volunteer, and she knows what it means to serve others.

"If you want to feel good, volunteer," said Sellman, also author of the children’s book The Legend of the Wolves of Gunflint Lake (www.lisasellman.com), which contains the theme of the value of community service. "There are few ways to feel as good about yourself as volunteering. Now, I realize that many of us are wrapped up with work and family, trying to make ends meet, so the idea of volunteering can seem like it’s just another ‘have-to’ to write into the already crowded calendar. However, I know for a fact that if you do it right, it can be a great stress reliever and a source of true joy in your life."

The key to discovering that feeling is to let your passion guide you when you decide to volunteer, she added.  Her tips for beginning volunteers include:

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As businesses brace for the possibility of a double dip recession, brides and grooms should plan for the unexpected when planning their wedding day: job loss, vendors going out of business, rising prices and traveling limitations.

While weddings still take place even in a down economy, brides and grooms are scaling back and trimming the excess from their celebrations. The numbers show the dramatic shift:

The average cost of a wedding dropped $10,000 in a year after the recession began. Last year the cost began to recover, rising from $19,581 (2009) to $23,867, according to The Wedding Report. But the latest figures show weddings are taking a hit again, with the average cost of a wedding for the first half of 2011 sinking to $21,277.

Scarcity of jobs, a sour housing market and high fuel costs are making wedding planning a challenge - for couples and vendors alike. Florists, caterers, bakers and vendors providing wedding ceremony accessories are feeling the pinch of rising prices and are passing those costs onto their clients.

But there are ways to recession-proof your wedding and make your day of celebration a little easier on the wallet for everyone involved:

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We're all familiar with the three "R"s - reading, writing and arithmetic. Perhaps we need to add a fourth "r" - riches. According to the Council for Economic Education, less than one third of states require a financial literacy course be taught in high schools. April is Financial Literacy Month, so there is no better time to talk to your children about money.

"As parents, we want what's best for our kids. That should include providing them the skills they need to be financially independent," said Mary Brockhaus, Senior Vice President, M&I, a part of BMO Financial Group. "We have the opportunity to teach them to not make some of the same financial mistakes we may have made growing up."

You don't have to introduce your kids to your financial advisor, but it is important to introduce them to finance basics — because it's possible no one else will. Use the tips below to help your children or grandchildren develop money smarts, starting as soon as they can point to something in a store and say, "I want that!"

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In-store purchasing of electronics is going the way of the horse and buggy.

Best Buy recently announced the closure of 50 stores and experts are speculating the inevitable demise of the big-box company, thanks to stiff competition from e-retailers like Amazon. In 2011, Amazon's revenue rose 69 percent in electronics and general merchandise sales alone, according to the Associated Press. And Circuit City accepted its fate years ago when it closed its brick-and-mortar locations and now operates exclusively online.

Convenience and better prices are the name of the online-purchasing game, but that doesn't mean there aren't pitfalls to the practice. Before you invest in your next pricey gadget, consider these dos and don'ts before clicking "purchase."

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One of the hardest things for a busy family to preserve is healthy eating habits. From fast food to vending machines, nutritious diets fall to the wayside as schedules get busier and fuller. Instead of heading for the drive-thru window, stock up on healthy snacks and make the most of your left-overs.

Finger Foods

Granola bars, fruit, raw vegetables and yogurts are some of the healthiest, on-the-go snacks you can eat. Low-calorie, low-fat and very tasty, these snack foods sate hunger and satisfy the pallet. If you do head out for lunch or stop en route for a quick bite, try smaller delis or health food stores instead of ordering greasy fries and a burger.

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