Before the holidays there was endless advice about setting a budget and sticking to a shopping list. Those who ignored the wisdom shared by experts will be in for a shock when credit card and bank statements arrive in the mail.

According to a Consumer Reports poll, six percent of us are still paying off holiday debts from 2010. That means any new purchases racked up over the past holiday season will inflate those interest charges and make paying down the old and new balances more difficult and expensive.

If the bottom line on your bills is looking ugly, it's time to get a financial-management makeover. Consider these tips for balancing your holiday debt:

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As the back to school season swings into full gear this fall, there are many opportunities for adults to volunteer and support school activities. Volunteers lend valuable time and assistance to our school systems, and while the majority of school volunteers are law abiding role models for our nation’s children, unsavory adults sometimes come into the mix.

Predators, or “wolves in volunteers’ clothing,” can be quite wily at finding ways to be near children. When the infamous bank robber, Willie Sutton, was asked why he stole from banks, he said, "Because that's where the money is." Individuals who work closely with children, whether it is a teacher or a volunteer, a coach or cafeteria or maintenance worker, should be subject to background screening before their interaction begins.

Most of us assume that every adult working closely with our children is carefully vetted by the schools with which they are associated.

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In less than a week, wrapping paper will be in the recycle bin and long-lusted after gifts will be on display. But what should we do with gift cards for stores or services we really don't need?

Happily, you can now trade them for cash during Gift Card Exchange Day on Dec. 26, when resellers are paying the highest premiums of the year. Since gift cards were once again the most requested present for the holidays, many of those rectangle plastic pieces will go begging the day after Christmas.

According to the National Retail Foundation, 80 percent of consumers planned on buying at least one gift card this year. SmartMoney.com noted a TowerGroup prediction that total transactions would exceed $100 billion. Yet the same study also estimated lost value on gift cards would reach $2 billion this year.

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Regardless of your nostalgic, Christmas-morning-frenzy memories, you'll quickly learn that a no-holds-barred approach doesn't go over well with your toddler -- especially on the most anticipated morning of the year.  Don't wing it Christmas morning.  Get a game plan together now so that your entire family can enjoy the holidays without going into meltdown mode.

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Cooler weather and the winter season are now upon us and Tetley Tea is sharing some "teasplashing" recipes to help keep your kids happy and healthy.  Tetley is asking moms to rethink tea with "Teasplashing".  Splashing some fruit juice into decaffeinated tea makes for tasty, healthful new treats – great for the entire family.

A healthier alternative to hot cocoa and hot apple cider, these recipes combine either green or black decaffeinated Tetley Tea with 100% juices – apple, blueberry and pomegranate...or modify even further with your kids' favorite juices.

Both green and black tea provide powerful, immune system-boosting antioxidants, which can be especially helpful to anyone fighting a cold.  By adding 100% juice, they'll get the vitamins and nutrients they need with a taste they'll love.  Best of all, "Teasplashing" is an affordable solution for moms, since both ingredients are grocery list regulars.

Keep reading for two delicious "Teasplashing" recipes from Tetley Tea!

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With just a few days remaining until the holidays, shoppers with gifts left on their list feel the pressure to spend. But even if you've waited until the eleventh hour to pick up those last few presents, you don't have to buy the first thing you see or pay an absurd amount of money.

Check out these shopping tips to stay within budget even when the clock is ticking.

1. Re-gift
It's a dirty secret, but lots of people just put a new bow on an old gift. In fact, AzBusiness.com says 23 percent of U.S. residents re-gift. The most popular repeats are wine, candles and, of course, the perennial fruitcake. For some useful re-gifting do's and don'ts, check out this recent article from ABC News.

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