The only good thing about the end of summer is Labor Day, a holiday that provides a day off and great opportunities for consumer savings.  Labor Day sales allow shoppers to take advantage of discounts on everything from fall fashions to appliances.  It's also a good time to find deals on end-of-season merchandise, like swimsuits, lawnmowers, patio furniture and more.

With practically everything under the sun on sale during these short three days, how can you possibly know if you're getting the best deal?  Here are six ways to maximize your savings on Labor Day.

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With kids either back in school or getting ready to head back to school, a Labor Day family getaway is the perfect way to take advantage of waning summer weather and create lasting family memories.

Jeff Siegel, family travel expert and author of the newly released book RelationTrips, shares the following tips for creating a Labor Day road trip full of adventure, excitement and fun – whether you’re on a budget or just need a break.

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With motor vehicle crashes being the leading cause of death among 15-to-20 year-olds and 16 year-olds having higher crash rates than drivers of any other age (NHTSA Study), it is crucial to properly educate new teen drivers on how to stay safe behind the wheel.

On top of that, with drivers education courses getting cut due to lack of funding, parents are now faced with the added pressure of teaching their children to drive. As the summer ends and the school year approaches, the team at Michelin, leading tire company offers the following tips to ensure a safer driving experience for teen drivers:

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You can hear the groans across the country. Summer has barely begun and already retailers are holding back-to-school sales. Toys R Us actually started their sales July 1, with an end date of July 23. The National Retail Federation says some sales may continue through August, but there might not be the same selection. That's reason enough to consider shopping now.

The question is how to save without busting your budget. Here are 11 savings tips to help you through this early shopping season.

1. Take Inventory
Consider what you'll actually need before hitting the stores. Has your child grown out of their school clothes or will they do so by September? Can you reuse last year's school supplies or will you need to replace some items?

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As students across the country prepare to return to the classroom in the coming weeks, the start of a new school year is one of the most important times for high school athletes wanting to play collegiate athletics. To help with all the confusion and frustration involved in the college recruiting process, NCSA Athletic Recruiting has prepared a checklist to help student athletes and their families stay organized and maximize their recruiting options.

“Every athlete needs a game plan for recruiting success.  Unfortunately, most recruits are unsure which steps to take and when to take them. We prepared the checklists for each class so student athletes can make sure they are on the right track,” says Director of Recruiting, Randy Taylor. Here are a few of NCSA’s tips for each class:

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Summer is coming to an end and kids are getting back into the swing of school.  Now is the time to take a closer look at what kind of fuel they are starting each day with. The type and variety of foods that children eat can affect their academic and physical performance, mood, behavior, and overall well-being.

The bottom line is children need good, healthy food in order to perform at their best.  Chicago Healers Practitioner Tiffany Triner, Assistant Nutritionist at Nutrition Connection Balance, LLC offers these great guidelines to better fuel kids:

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