(ARA) – When it comes to the use of credit to fund holiday shopping, people tend to fall into two extremes of thought. Some believe in a cash-only approach to holiday spending, while others think it’s impossible to get through the holidays without maxing out their credit cards. For most, the approach that allows you [...]

I have a very important man in my life, my husband, who I shall be shopping for very soon.  I was thinking about how easy it is to get crappy gifts for men.  It may be because shopping for men seems harder to me than shopping for women. I can always score points with a [...]

I love the idea of homemade jars for Christmas gift ideas.  I’ve seen them being sold at Williams Sonoma for a lot of money, but the following video shows how simple and inexpensive it is to make them at home.  You can fill the jars with what it takes to make a batch of chocolate [...]

(NC)—For many Canadians, 2011 was a rough year. Layoffs, family emergencies, and poor investment choices have meant you’re counting pennies and struggling to pay off debt. And, with the pending holiday season, you’re stressed about finding money in the budget for appropriate and meaningful gifts. After all, with holiday parties, seasonal decorations, and multiple trips [...]

(NC)—Are you overwhelmed at the prospect of tackling your holiday gift list? Here are a few tips to help put your fears to rest and conquer that list like a pro: 1. Get gifts that are personal. Start by making a list. Write down who you are shopping for and then list their interests. This [...]

(ARA) – Video gaming’s popularity is at an all-time high – in fact, a recent study from Memorex shows four of five families have at least one gaming console in the home. This holiday season, skip a pricey console purchase and give your favorite gamer a gift that keeps on giving. Here are four gift [...]

(ARA) – For many years, photography meant developing a roll of film at the local store, sliding your glossy prints into a photo album and then placing them on your bookshelf. Digital photography changed all that, and now your photos live on computers, hard drives, CDs, USB drives and even your phone. But just because [...]

(ARA) – The holidays are approaching and it’s time to start shopping for those special gifts. Last year, consumers spent a holiday-season record $32.6 billion online, according to comScore. Unfortunately, with so much personal financial information out there, instances of identity theft are on the rise. According to the Federal Trade Commission, as many as [...]

(NC)—Mobile phones aren’t just communication devices. They’re quickly becoming personal assistants that save time and make life easier. To help Canadians stay organized and stress-free during the holiday hoopla and all year long, wireless carrier Mobilicity suggests the following: • Not sure what gift to get? Use your phone’s camera to email or picture-message (MMS) [...]

(NC)—When 25-year-old Mariatu Kamara started speaking, her voice was faint. People leaned forward in their seats, straining to hear her words. Though she has told her story many times, it still takes her some effort to get started. Mariatu is a survivor of the brutal civil war in Sierra Leone. At the age of 12, [...]