Whenever you walk into a store, you’re surrounded by billions of dollars of science—the science of selling to be precise. Companies spend beaucoup bucks to discover why you buy what you buy, what attracts you, and, at a most basic level, how to get you to spend more. So how do you arm yourself against this scientifically pointed assault? Awareness.

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…

Are you feeling lucky? Do you see those billboards on the side of the road that list the lottery jackpot and think, “That money could be mine?” Well, you’re not alone, because everyone who plays the lottery thinks they’re going to be that special ticket holder. But the truth is you’re more likely to get struck by lightning than you are to win millions gambling your money on the lotto.

Earlier this month, we clued you in on six tips for managing money-toxic friends. And it made us wonder…

In last week’s blog article, we let you in on some common money wasters and how to avoid them by simply getting off the couch! Did we hit the nail on the head? We want to know…

Spendsters waste their money on everything from clothes and textbooks to Internet shopping and giant bean bag chairs. But the overwhelming majority of you (nearly 50 percent) spend most of your money on eating and going out.