ArchivesAuthor: Alison Storm

Instead of giving your friend a sweater she won't wear or your dad another book to add to his library, why not consider giving them gifts that can truly impact the world? Whether it's a gift that gives homeless pets shelter or helps human trafficking victims escape slavery, there are many wonderful options. The latest Continue Reading

Don't you dare tell Miss South Carolina Bree Boyce the reason you don't eat healthy is because it's too expensive. She knows better. The beauty queen wasn't always a size two. In fact the 22-year-old says just five years ago she was making multiple trips through fast food drive thrus in a single evening. She Continue Reading

It's the most wonderful time of the year, right? Not so for millions of Americans who dread some part of the holidays according to a new poll from the Consumer Reports National Research Center. Sixteen percent don't like having to be nice to people, 37 percent dread the thought of going further into debt and Continue Reading

Office parties can range from blowout bashes to boring break room gatherings. But no matter what your workplace holiday plans include there could be an opportunity to ruin your chances for that impending promotion. If you plan on cutting loose with co-workers this holiday season here are tips to save your reputation while still having Continue Reading

Job references are so 20th century. These days employers can gain much more social intelligence using Google. By perusing your social media profiles on Twitter, Facebook, MySpace and more they'll find out important details about your personality, professionalism and history. If you're hunting for a job you may want to think about what a potential Continue Reading

I don't know about you, but the thought of switching banks seems less fun than a trip to Walmart the week before Christmas. My bank has me tied in with automatic bill pay, direct deposit and multiple accounts. But with new fees popping up it's important for consumers to make sure their money is in Continue Reading

Nearly three million households have become renters, with another three million expected by 2015 according to data from Harvard's Joint Center for House Studies and The Associated Press. The crumbling house market is one problem. Another is the amount of crooks preying on this group of homeowners-turned-renters. Officials say 38 million people now rent apartments Continue Reading

A new survey finds that twenty-nine percent of workers have admitted to playing hooky from the office this year. This is a risky move because fifteen percent of employers polled said they have fired a worker for faking a sick day. Many say important errands and plans with family and friends are among the top Continue Reading

As temperatures dip, the demand you put on your furnace increases. Don't get left out in the cold—it's important to make sure your home's heating system is ready to kick into high gear. However, before you hire someone to do the work, consider the warnings issued by the Better Business Bureau. The organization says reports Continue Reading

Have you checked out the countdown at xmasclock.com lately? Don't let it freak you out too much, but the holidays are here. And if you really want a shot at the gift you've been dreaming of now is the time to get to work. According to MarketLive's 2011 Holiday Shopper Survey, nearly half of shoppers Continue Reading