Most newly weds don’t have a lot of extra spending money around when it comes times for gifts. The good news is that most of the traditional gifts in the first few years are not all that expensive. The bad news is that as time goes by (and children come into the picture) the gifts become more expensive and there seems to be even less money to go around. Here are just a few ideas that are free or nearly free.

1. Massage – invest a few dollars in a massage technique book (or borrow one from the library) and some massage oils. Give your spouse a full massage without setting a timer (or expectation of something in return).

2. Dinner and a movie – surprise your spouse with a tray of treats, a couple of movies and the kids gone for the night. Just time alone is sometimes all the gift you want.

3. A book – get an empty journal (or make one yourself) and write something special – a moment, a memory or something you love about your spouse – on every page. You might want to start this one several weeks before the big day.

Gifts do not have to be expensive to be cherished. It is often those that cost the least (and required the most time and effort) that are treasured the longest.

This year we encourage our children to make gifts for friends and family. Our oldest son took the challenge to heart and made gifts for everyone from the neighbors to teachers and every family member that he came in contact with during the holidays. My biggest fear was that people would not appreciate what he did, but most of them were truly grateful for his thoughtfulness and his effort.

1. For his cousin that hunts he used paper plates that he cut out to form a box and added lint, pine pieces and some other items to create a tinder box.
2. For his best friend’s brother (who is really into girls) he created a list of pick up lines (that only a 12 year old boy could come up with).
3. For the cats in the house he used lint from the dryer to create a mouse – seriously it looks exactly like a mouse when it is viewed from across the room!
4. For his grandmother he made a necklace and for his grandfather he made a miniature American flag paper weight.

The list goes on and on. He started in September and spent a great deal of time thinking about many of the gifts. Most of them he created from trash or items sitting around the house (although he did spend a little money along the way). Most of the gifts that he made were from nothing – which goes to show that you really can get something for nothing if you use your imagination.

There are a number of tips and tricks and suggestions that you can utilize to help improve your financial situation. Every guru, advisor and industry leader has “the secret” to financial success. But there is one tip that can help you get to where you want to be no matter where you are right this moment. Following this one simple step can help you secure the financial future that you desire.

Wait 72 hours before spending a dime.

It seems simple enough, but if you wait 72 hours before making a purchase then you will avoid those impulse purchases, convenience buys and HUGE mistakes that we all make now and then. You won’t be running in to grab a soda while pumping gas because you didn’t think about it for 72 hours. You won’t be eating out instead of fixing something when you get home because you didn’t think about it for 72 hours.

When you put off purchase for 72 hours then each dime that you spend will be deliberate, well though out and specific. In other words you will be planning each and every dime that you are going to spend. In the end you will find that you save a lot more of those dimes than you end up spending.

We’ll finish 2008 with 24 bank failures in the U.S., more than have failed in the entire rest of the decade. Two of the three largest bank failures in history, Indy Mac and Washington Mutual, happened this year as well. Let’s hope for a much better 2009!

Those annoying sells calls that seem to come at the most inappropriate times could be the perfect answer to your next vacation. Take a moment to listen to the pitch, accept the free vacation and then leave your checkbook behind.

1. Timeshares – these companies call all the time trying to get new business. All you have to do is just take 45 minutes of your vacation to listen to a sales pitch and then you are free to enjoy your vacation.

2. Credit cards – many companies use a list of credit card holders to determine who is eligible for their free resort getaway or vacation package. Make sure that you let your credit card company know that you don’t mind getting these offers.

3. Giveaways – almost all of the drawings and giveaways have a catch (usually a sales seminar similar to the time share) but the vacation is still free so take advantage of their marketing tools.

A free vacation may not be completely free. It may cost you a few minutes or even a couple of hours of listening to the reasons you should join the company. Do a little research before you accept the vacation but if every thing checks out then you and your family can enjoy a great time on the company dime.

Many of us have set resolutions that involve finances. It is no surprise given the current economic situation that is bearing down on the country. Savings may not be the top of the priority list, but saving just a few dollars each day on items that you may not think about (and probably won’t miss) could mean big savings for you in the long run.

1. Laundry detergent. Buying budget may seem like the best bet, but getting quality and buying concentrated products mean that the product lasts longer. One purchase of $30 lasts our family six months (and we wash about 12 full loads of laundry per week). That comes out to less than $.10 per load!

2. Plan left-overs to create a new meal. Your family won’t complain that you are eating the same thing AGAIN and you don’t waste any food. Get creative – use sauces and gravies to transform one meal to something completely new (planned overs make GREAT casseroles).

3. Break the habit. Kicking a nicotine or caffeine habit can mean an extra $4 in your pocket every day. This adds up to almost $1500.

Saving money can be easy and doesn’t have to affect your current budget. Make one of your resolutions all about securing your financial future through these small daily savings.

Cutting the grocery budget often means that health choices – like fresh fruits and vegetables – are the first items to go. Cutting corners in the budget does not mean you also have to cut corners on your health.

1. Buy frozen fruits and vegetables. Many of your favorite fruits and vegetables can be found without additives, flavorings, or other chemicals. They are quick frozen just the way nature made them and they still have many of the vitamins and nutrients that your body craves.

2. Make your own. Skip the pre-mixed pancake batters, muffin mixes and even the pre-made bread. Make your own mixes using healthier choices for ingredients.

3. Go whole wheat – pastas, flours and breads are readily available in whole wheat varieties. They are more filling than their bleached out counterparts, so you probably won’t need to make as much.

4. Skip the sugared drinks and bottled waters. Invest a little money in a filter for your faucet and make your own tea, lemonade and even water. You’ll enjoy the drinks more, your body will appreciate the freshness and you will save a fortune that you can use to splurge on a few fresh vegetables or fruits now and then.

Eating on a budget does not mean giving up healthy choices. It may take a little more planning to eat right but it will be worth it for you and for your whole family.

The news media and other sources make the financial situation seem doomed. It can be scary for the average consumer. It is hard to know what to do with investments – even those in what is thought to be the safety of bank accounts. There is one step that everyone can benefit from taking:

Don’t Panic!

No matter how bad it may seem, take your time when making decisions. You need to look at all of the angels before you make a move. Taking money out of an investment account may give short term security in these financial times, but what will it do to the long term tax picture?

Take a deep breath and write out what you are considering for your next step. Review it with your spouse, parents or other trusted advisor. Seek out the advice of your tax professional, your financial advisor and other industry experts. Listen to the words of others, do your own research and then make a decision about the right path for your finances.

It is the rash decision that will cause financial pain. Take the time needed to give your finances the attention that they deserve and you will find that your financial decisions are usually right on target.

The holiday season may not seem like the best time to teach kids about finances, but it could be the best opportunity you have ever had.

1. Cash is becoming a top gift by family members to the nieces and nephews (and even grandkids) in the family. Take the kids shopping at the after Christmas sales to help them see ways to get more bangs for their bucks.

2. Let it go. Getting new gifts is exciting but finding room for those gifts may not be. Before the kids go back to school use the time at home to sort through old toys and belongings – toss the broken ones or ones that are missing parts and give away those that are still in good shape but are never used. There should be plenty of room for the new gifts to be enjoyed.

3. Always say thank you. Let the kids decorate blank note cards and then write thank you notes to all the people who gave them gifts. Be sure to include a sentence or two about why the gift is appreciate (like what will be done with the cash or how the toy will be used).

Now is the perfect time to get the kids started on the right financial path. Teaching them to appreciate what they have, pass on what they no longer need or want and using the money that they do have in the best possible way (like with sales) are all tips that will help them along to a sound financial future.

The tough economic times has forced many people to evaluate their finances. The fear of losing a job (or the pain of one already lost) has stopped the spending and forced the savings. Although the changes have made the economic times even tighter it may turn out to be the best thing for everyone.

1. Stop spending money that you do not have. It is one thing to use a credit card for convenience. It is a different story when you are using it because you do not have the money to buy the item out right. If the money is not already set aside for the new couch, new computer or other purchase then put it off until the money can be saved.

2. Skip one evening out or meal out every week. Put these savings into a special account that you will not touch for any reason what so ever.

3. Start an accountability group. Share tips for building savings, cutting spending and even investing. Having people that will call you out when you are going down the wrong path can be the best way to get on the right track for your finances.

Start the New Year with a new attitude about finances no matter how you might end the old one. You can begin saving money right now, start cutting back on spending and find new ways to create a sound financial future.