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.

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.

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.

Time together is the best investment you can make in the family. The best thing about family outings is that they don’t have to cost a fortune to be fun for everyone.

1. Hit the skating rink – but try to avoid doing it literally. For just $5 a person we can skate at our local rink for the whole day. We have to add in some money for food because we can’t bring our own, but it’s a great time for the whole family (we range from 3 to 42), it’s good exercise and it’s a perfect rainy day adventure.

2. Movie memberships – Blockbuster offers a great rewards program so that we can rent one new release movie and get one favorite for free. A couple of these deals and we are set for a great rainy day weekend or just a couple of family movie nights. For the best deal, check out a movie at the local library.

3. Take a hike – getting out and enjoying some fresh air is a fun way for the whole family to get some exercise and spend time together. Add some intrigue to the outing by looking up some letterboxing or geocaching locations (and make the hike a treasure hunt).

Family time doesn’t have to cost much to make memories that will last. Put some ideas into a jar and let your children take turns picking out a family adventure.

I’ve saved on dry cleaning bills, bought half-price theater tickets, and received free coffee (that’s a big one for me!) by using The Entertainment Book. But for some reason, forking over $15 for one still seems a little scary. What if I don’t use it? What if there are no good coupons inside this time? Will I really get back what I spent? Well, now I don’t have to worry about that because I got a free entertainment book.

Have you heard of Cashbaq.com? It’s pretty similar to Ebates.com. You get cash back from shopping at popular sites. Typically you earn a percentage of whatever you purchase. When you sign up for a CashBaq.com account you automatically get a $5 sign-on bonus. Right now, if you buy an Entertainment Book through CashBaq.com, you earn another $10 into your account. Plus, Entertainment Books are $10 off right now through CashBaq.com. That $10 coupon made the Entertainment Book for our area $15, the same amount I will be getting back from CashBaq.com, which makes my Entertainment Book free.

Just to recap, here’s the math:

Regular price of entertainment book: $25
Coupon from CashBaq.com: -$10
Additional Cash received for purchasing book: -$10
Sign on bonus from CashBaq.com: -$5
Total cost of Entertainment Book: FREE!!!

CashBaq.com pays through check or via PayPal. You must accrue a minimum of $10 to get paid. If you don’t have enough that money carries over from month to month until you do. But if you buy an Entertainment Book you will have enough to get your money right away. The site sends out payments around the 20th of every month. Now start saving!

Some deals need to be passed on. Like this one from Hertz: enjoy one free weekend day car rental when you include code “PC#127595″ in your reservation. This discount works on economy through full-size cars through March 31, 2009. Here’s the really sweet part of this deal– you can use it once a month until it expires and there is no minimum rental. That means you can use your free day and turn the car back in. So you may even be able to work it out where you rent a car to the destination, and your spouse rents the car on the way home, giving you a free weekend of travel to and from a destination. There are a few rules. Here’s what the website says:

Terms and Conditions: Advance reservations required. Blackouts may apply. Subject to availability, this offer is redeemable at participating Hertz locations in the U.S. (excluding , NY Metro area, Florida and Hawaii). This offer applies to minimum one day weekend rental (weekend defined as pick-up noon Thursday through Noon Sunday), has no cash value, may not be used with Tour Rates or Insurance Replacement Rates and cannot be combined with any other certificate, voucher, offer or promotion. The Free Day value applies to weekend rental time and mileage charges of economy through full-size class vehicles. Hertz age, driver, credit and weekend rate qualifications for the renting location apply and the car must be returned to that location. Taxes, tax reimbursement, age differential charges, upsell charges, fees and optional service charges, such as refueling, are not included. Discounts apply to time and mileage charges only. One redemption per customer per month. Offer valid for vehicle pickup through 3-31-09.

Give it a try and let me know how much money you saved!

Photo courtesy of mrkathika

Here’s an option you may not have considered for holiday shopping: layaway. It’s a practice that was popular before credit cards found homes in just about every wallet. It basically allows the shopper to set aside the item they wish to buy by giving the retailer a small amount of money. Then the shopper makes payments towards the item when they have the money. But they don’t walk out of the store with the item until it’s paid in full.

Since banks are lowering credit limits and consumers seem more hesitant to rack up credit card debt, the Detroit News reports that layaway is becoming a popular option once again. In fact, Sears started offering layaway again for the first time since 1989 and it’s been a good move this holiday season. Kmart has had layaway for decades, but started an advertising campaign in October promoting the service prominently. So far it’s paid off.

There are some things to know before trying layaway according to creditcards.com:

1. Does the retailer provide full or partial refunds if the layaway is not completed? (Many stores charge a penalty for not completing the purchase. Kmart, for instance, keeps 10% of the purchase price.)

2. Does the retailer provide store credit toward future purchases if the layaway is not completed?

3. What is the payment amount?

4. When is it due?

5. How often must the payment be made — weekly, every other week or monthly?

6. Are any service or layaway charges added to the purchase price?

7. Are there additional charges, such as for shipping?

8. Will the layaway item be physically separated from other store merchandise, or marked “sold”?

9. If the item is not in stock and needs to be ordered, under what circumstance (such as once half the purchase price has been paid) will the order take place?

10. What are the product’s details (color, size, stock number, model number, trade name or manufacturer, etc.)?

There are also websites that offer layaway services including lay-away.com. Shop for the item you want and lay-away.com will help you buy it without using credit cards. They don’t charge a fee, because they make money off commissions from selling certain products. So if you’re giving up credit cards, but you’re a little short on cash, layaway may be a good option.

Gift cards are a popular present. Usually when I receive a gift card it’s for $10, $15, or $20. And usually the thing I want to buy with it costs more than that. There are ways to amplify your gift cards so that you can get more from your money. For instance, I recently received a $15 gift card for the Yankee Candle Company. I can easily double the value of that gift card by taking a few minutes to do a little online research.

One of my favorite sites for finding printable coupons is this one. Search through categories for apparel, books or automotive. I happened to find this coupon that gives me $10 off any $25 purchase at Yankee Candle. That means my $15 gift card is now amplified to $25! And since the gift card is good until 12/27 I’m guessing I could find some great clearance items that will make my spending power even more amplified.