At the end of March, Americans spent nearly $1.5 billion on Mega Millions lottery tickets, in hopes of winning the record-breaking payout. The lottery craze brought out all sorts of Spendsters, from first-time ticket buyers to daily lottery deal seekers. And it prompted us to wonder…

What are you doing New Year’s Eve? It’s the question on everyone’s mind this week, but for some, it’s a worry. Because ringing in the new year can get expensive, especially if you celebrate with a ritzy party or a fancy date. There’s no reason to begin 2012 by dropping your savings on a one-night bash. Instead, use some thrifty ingenuity to create a fun and affordable New Year’s Eve event.

It’s no secret that dating isn’t cheap, but for some the cost of truly showing that special someone exactly what they feel doesn’t seem within their budget. This leaves them without a date or worse, pulling out the plastic to splurge on a night out and setting unrealistic expectations for the relationship.

Boo! Did your credit card bill sneak up and scare you after Halloween last year? Between costumes, decorations, candy, and parties…Halloween can get expensive!

Most sports are pretty simple; there’s a ball and a goal. But when it comes to sports fandom, there’s a lot that goes into a successful sporting event–including money. Midway through the fall football season, how is your wallet feeling?

Football season is upon us, and for many that means betting on games and scores. With the right expertise you stand a small chance of winning, but your odds diminish as you leave the fate of your hard-earned money to players who fail to show up for the game. This is why fantasy sports are a great alternative.