The news is not good for the travel industry. Fuel costs are forcing major airlines to cut back in flights, to release employees, to increase fairs and fees and to decrease services offered to customers.

Things are so dark for the airlines right now that experts are predicting that at least one major airline will close its doors for good before things are said and done. They are also expecting to see many smaller airports close down as well with one expert suggesting up to 100 of the smaller airports will likely close (mainly due to flight cutbacks by the airlines).

All is not lost. You can still save on your next flight by following a few simple tips.

1. Plan early. If you purchase your flight now for the upcoming holiday season then you are likely to be locking in at a lower rate.

2. Search around. Not everyone is in a position to lock in tickets today for a December flight (and some are worried that there flight might end up being on the one airline that closes its doors). You will need to search around for the best tickets if you have to wait. Expect to pay a little more.

3. Fly from a major market. You could save hundreds of dollars on your tickets just by driving a few hours to a neighboring major airport.

4. Carry all of your luggage on. Checking bags is becoming more expensive every day. Almost all airlines are charging for a second checked bag and some are charging for the first. Using carry on bags cuts on the extra fees and guarantees that your luggage will arrive at your destination when you do.

5. Sign up for loyalty clubs and rewards programs. Although they might not save you much they may get you extra perks and benefits (and most of them are free to join).

There are ways to still save a few bucks in the travel industry - even when it comes to the airlines. Buy early, search around, find a major market, avoid fees and take advantage of clubs and programs that offer special benefits.

The stock market is in deep bear market territory for the first time in decades. The NASDAQ has fallen at the greatest percentage for the month of June since the Great Depression. What does that all mean to you?

The Bear Market means that prices on the stock market have dropped twenty percent since its last high. Although the current market hasn’t quite met that number, it has been teetering on the brink for a while. Experts say that although we are not yet in a bear market there are bear prints all around.

If you can get into the market when the Bear makes its largest impact then you stand the chance to earn the most for your investment. With the Bear market looming close at hand it is time to start talking with a financial planner. It may be about time to start moving some of your savings into the stock market (which offers a much higher yield percentage than traditional savings).

There is probably time to save money to invest when the Bear makes his move. In the end it is all speculation when it comes to the stock market. You are better off getting involved after the Bear has made his impact and not sooner.

The federal government and some state governments offer grants, tax credits and even rebates to consumers willing to take the plunge and go green. Many of the benefits are offered to alternative fuel vehicles (like being able to drive in HOV lanes regardless of the number of occupants) but some offer significant cash incentives to make your home or business more environmentally friendly.

Although the Energy Policy Act of 2005 has expired for the most part there are still some incentives available through 2008.

1. Alternative Fuel Vehicles purchased or placed into service between 2005 and 2010 could be eligible for an income tax credit up to $4,000. This is for new vehicles only whether purchases or leased and does not include used vehicles.

2. New homes can get a credit for 30% of qualified installations (including some insulation, windows and doors) up to $2000.

3. The Energy Efficient Commercial Buildings Tax Deduction is for businesses and is based on the measurable amount of energy that is saved through the installations. It is limited to $1.80 per square foot.

4. USDA Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) offers grants to rural small businesses for purchasing renewable energy systems or making energy efficiency improvements.

Incentives through states vary with some offering little for choosing alternative fuels and sources. Although the incentives are a great bonus, going green can sometimes offer enough savings to make it worth while in the end

Disposable income is getting rarer with every passing day. The rising costs of fuel are pushing up prices on everything from milk to clothes. Unfortunately the incomes of most workers have not gone up with the increases. That means there is much less to spend on things that are not necessities than there was available last year.

Instead of giving up entertainment altogether it is time to think outside the box and find some things to do for free.

1. Have a movie night - and rent the movie at the Library. If your local library doesn’t have a selection that you want you can always request it (although it may take a few weeks or months before the library manages to acquire it). Until then the library will be filled with other great choices that the whole family can enjoy.

2. Have a game night - and invite the neighborhood or other friends to participate. You could play cards, board games, or even make it a day or night of outdoor games and activities.

3. Attend a festival or fair - and pack a picnic lunch. You can enjoy the activities and events that the festival offers and you can picnic at your car (or sometimes on the grounds) instead of spending high dollars on the vendors. Many of the festivals and fairs during the summer season will be free to get in.

There are plenty of things to do that don’t cost a dime. The key is to look around and then think a little outside the normal routine. It may just be that your ingenuity starts new traditions that could last a life time.

Real world driving never gives you the gas mileage promised on the tag. Many people have purchased vehicles (even hybrids) expecting high mileage for their dollars only to be disappointed. Now the federal government is working to improve the ratings that show up on the stickers.

Starting in 2008 the miles per gallon ratings will be determined by several new tests. That means that there will be cars on the same lot with the old ratings and the new ratings - and the new ratings WILL be lower.

It is important that people understand just what kind of mileage they will be getting when they purchase a new car (or even a new to you car). The cost of gas is too expensive to make a mistake on that mileage. Many people are budgeting for the new car with savings in gas in mind.

The stickers on the vehicles are not the only place consumers can find fuel efficiency ratings. Searching on the internet can help consumers get real life estimates from people who own and drive the cars on a daily basis.

Before you invest in a new vehicle because of the amazing gas mileage you might want to do just a little more research. Even the government is finally admitting that the ratings that had been going on the tickets were not realistic.

The first time relatives heard my husband and me talk about children they were shocked mainly because we wanted a large family. “How are you going to pay their way through college?” “How are you going to get them toys for Christmas?” “How are you going to buy clothes for them?”

We always had an answer for the questions but they were not the answers most people want or expect to hear. We didn’t plan on doing any of those things. And so far we haven’t.

Society today is a consumer society. Teaching kids from birth that it’s all about the getting only enslaves them into a life of debt. Instead of getting we are teaching our children about getting.

1. Christmas is all about planning gifts for others (preferably ones that are hand made). Our children have never made a “Christmas list” for their own benefit (and the oldest son is now eleven).

2. Savings is a fundamental part of our children lives. They save a portion of everything they receive - from gifts to allowance.

3. Credit lessons are a regular part of conversations. Our children understand how credit works and how much it costs.

Instead of teaching our children to live a life of slavery we are giving them the tools to live free.

Tax Season may be over for the time being, but now is the time to start planning for next year. It is never too early to find new ways to save big bucks on your tax bill.

1. Mileage - you can claim mileage on everything from volunteer work to doctor’s appointments. Keep a notebook for those times when you are making specific trips and write down your mileage at the beginning and end of the trip and also the purpose of your trip. Your tax preparer will help you determine which trips you can use and what rate the IRS will allow for that mileage.

2. Hobbies - Make your hobby into an entrepreneurial endeavor if possible. You will be able to write off many of the expenses (and it will come out of your income amount before taxes are appraised). All you need to do is sale a few blankets, flowers or guide trips and you will be on your way to saving more money your tax bill.

3. Children - Employ your children in your business ventures. You can deduct their pay from your profits and you can pay them as much as you want. One lawyer I knew paid his daughter $50 per hour - she got $6 and the rest went into a savings account. By the time she graduated from high school there was enough to pay for college.

There are a number of legitimate ways to bring your tax bill now. Take some time to look over the rules and regulations and to sit down with a financial professional to see where you are paying out more than you have to pay.

Facing death can be a confusing and painful time. It can also be a time for family members to feud and divide over money and assets - even when there isn’t much to squabble over. Even if the family doesn’t argue, there can still be pain from the bite Uncle Sam gets. There are ways to protect your family when the time comes.

1. Put your beneficiary on the accounts. If another name is on the checking account then when you pass away they become the owner. They can also write checks from that account (while you are alive) so it can be helpful if you need long term care.

2. Spell it all out in a detailed will. I watched a family fall apart over a couple of old guns. It is easier and better if you write out what every one is getting in detail.

3. Give it away before you are gone. Instead of holding on to stuff until you pass start giving it away (as Christmas gifts, birthday presents or for other special occasions). Not only will the family members have the items to remember you by but they will also have the gifting moment.

4. Pre-pay costs. Some funeral homes allow you to pay ahead for arrangements. This gives you the opportunity to decide on music, burial and other things that can cause grief or strife with the family members left behind.

Take the pressure off your family by planning ahead. The more that is done then the less there will be to argue about in the end.

Just over a week ago a family member took sick and is now on hospice. As a teacher and a writer, my husband and I are two of the only family members that can be with her day and night (we take turns). That means several trips to her home and back each week - gas we DID NOT budget. Plus there are food and miscellaneous expenses when we are there.

Two years ago it would have put us in financial distress. We would either have used money that was set aside for bills or else have run up a HUGE debt on our credit card. Fortunately we are not in that same place today.

1. We set aside a few dollars (about $20 or $30) from each paycheck to have for just such emergencies.

2. We are using the smallest car that we have and then borrowing a friend’s car (that gets better gas mileage) to trade out.

3. We are staying the night instead of driving over every day.

4. We are trying to pack some meals instead of having to purchase fast food or deli meals while we are staying.

5. We are working with friends and neighbors to watch our children instead of hiring some one to do the job (and we make ourselves available if they need a favor in return).

The stress of losing a loved one is heavy enough. Having the additional burden of finances can make it unbearable. Just setting aside a few dollars from each paycheck will give you an emergency fund that can be used to make a stressful time a little easier to manage.

Are you a cleaning supply junkie? If you have an array of products for each room of the house, special items for cleaning your cook top, and other ones for your bathroom tile, the answer might be yes. But it doesn’t have to be that way. By purchasing a few key items you could be saving lots of money.

Vinegar is amazing. This one product can do the job that a dozen of your other cleaning products can do. Vinegar limits clutter under the sink and keeps some money in your wallet. It can be a weed killer, shower scrubber, toilet cleaner or a carpet stain remover Boil some vinegar in your microwave to get rid of that crusty, baked on food that’s splattered all over.

Baking soda non-toxic, extremely useful and super cheap It’s great at taking away odors or even clearing drains. Create a paste with it to scrub your shower down. Sprinkle baking soda on your carpet and vacuum it up to freshen up your home.

Lemon juice is a natural acid which makes it a great cleaner. It will remove clothing stains, clean pots, and freshen your home. Since it’s natural, it’s safe for the environment and it’s completely safe.