Watching a movie at the theater can be a real budget buster. But it's fun to occasionally treat yourself or your family to the theater experience, and there are ways to keep costs under control.

With everyday expenses rising, well, every day, thriftiness isn't shameful -- it's just good common sense. So Kiplingers went hunting for the 10 best cities for cheapskates: places where a dollar stretches a lot further.

By Kimberly Lankford, Kiplinger If you have a refund check coming your way, consider using it to bolster your personal balance sheet. The average refund has been around $3,000 for the past two years. (Most people receive their refund within three weeks of filing their returns.) That's a nice...

Almost everyone agrees the federal deficit is a ticking bomb, but when it comes to ideas for solving the problem, some are contradictory and all are controversial. No wonder: If you look at where the money actually goes, it's easy to see why it's so hard to balance the budget.

You may see your tax refund check as a choice between a crazy splurge and responsible saving. But you could also put that money to work for you less conventionally. Here are five good ways to spend $1,000 of your April windfall that you might not have considered.

When it comes to matters of money, tact is often in the eye of the beholder. Take some tips from etiquette experts on how to defuse these tricky financial situations.

Saving doesn't come easily for us young adults. Entry-level salaries don't give you a lot to work with, and we tend to spend what we make. But don't worry: We're not doomed to frivolity and financial ruin. Here's how you can start saving smart.

Even if you have nothing to hide, an IRS audit is no picnic. But have you ever wondered why some tax returns get intense scrutiny while most sail through the review process? Here are 12 red flags that could increase your chances of drawing unwanted IRS attention.

While the pundits debated the vices and virtues of Mitt Romney's and Newt Gingrich's tax returns, the folks at Kiplinger were scouring them for ideas that could help you. Even if you'll never have a Swiss bank account or own complex foreign assets, these dozen moves could help you lower your IRS bill.

As we've struggled with our tax returns, trying to come up with extra deductions, we've all taken a few flights of fancy. Most of us decide not to push our luck. But some people have successfully claimed write-offs for things that most of us wouldn't dream of claiming.