Another Father's Day is fast approaching and if you're like me you might be looking to play a little catch-up this year...

Having you been thinking about buying a new car?  Is your old car letting you down, but you're holding out "just one more year"?  When is it time to finally give up on your old car?

Discover how to have your best holiday season yet — without overspending.

Whether you’ve already quit, or you’re simply considering it, nixing credit cards can be a difficult process.

Perhaps you’ve developed a strong dependence on credit and feel as though you need it to survive, or maybe you simply feel as though your credit card is a safety net and it will be there to catch you when you fall. Regardless of your level of dependence, getting hooked on credit can be a dangerous habit that’s hard to break when it hasn’t been used responsibly.

• Shelve your credit cards. If you still have open credit card accounts, consider carrying cash or your debit card for daily use instead. Leave credit cards at home and only carry one when you plan to use it for a larger purcha
  se or something that you have already reserved for your credit card.
• Tighten your budget. Create a real budget and include even the smallest expenses. Maybe filling up at the station or picking up a few things at the grocery store were once expenses that would previously go unnoticed, but with today's high gas and food prices, even smaller-ticket items add up.
• Cut back on non-essentials. The easiest way to free up extra cash is to know the difference between needs and wants, and make a conscious effort to do without those things that you don’t need such as eating out, vacationing, and shopping for discretionary items such as furniture and electronics. You may even consider getting rid of cable. With programs such as Hulu and Netflix, it's much easier to cut the cables and maintain access to your favorite shows — and you'll save a nice chunk of change!
• Create a plan to pay down debt. Sometimes it’s easier to break a habit when you have a goal you are trying to accomplish. Make a commitment to pay down a portion of your debt within a certain timeframe, and make sure to get your family involved in working towards a shared goal — you can help keep each other accountable.
• Build an emergency fund. One of the biggest credit temptations will come in a time of crisis. This is why it's imperative that you have emergency savings on hand. Many consumers lack an emergency savings fund because they've been focused on putting extra funds toward debt. While this is not a bad thing, remember that feeding your own piggy bank will help you rely less on credit when a financial disaster does strike. If you aren't prepared, you could end up back in the same place you started.

Finally, if your financial obligations become overwhelming, don't be afraid to seek help! MMI has counselors available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to help assess your situation and offer the best options for needs.

If you’re planning to throw a game-watching party Feb. 5, as the New York Giants face the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLVI, you’re not alone. According to Bloomberg News, an estimated 34.9 million Americans threw Super Bowl parties in 2011, and 61.2 million people attended a Super Bowl party.

So whether you’re hosting a large group of people or you’re having an intimate gathering of your closest friends and family, the following are a few tips to ensure you score big without spending big bucks.

• Set a budget and stick to it. The best thing about a Super Bowl party is that it doesn’t require a lot of planning in the way of entertainment and decorations – as long as you own a TV. So when you are determining your budget the only things you really need to account for are food, drinks and plenty of napkins. So once you determine how much you can – and are willing – to spend, stick to it!
• Make your own pizza and wings. Let’s face it, pizza and hot wings are a staple on Super Bowl Sunday. In fact, according to the Huffington Post, Americans are expected to consume 1.25 billion chicken wings on Super Bowl Sunday alone. While there are sure to be plenty of deals on take-out pizza and wings on the big day, you may be able to save money by making the items yourself. Download our free Cheap Eats eBook for a great, inexpensive pizza recipe. And if you’re planning on serving wings, it’s a great time to break out the slow-cooker. You can prepare them ahead of time and keep them warm throughout the entire game.
• Avoid pre-made snack trays. You know those convenient trays full of high-priced fruits and veggies at the grocery store? You can create the same spread for a fraction of the price if you’re willing to take a few extra minutes to cut up the veggies yourself. The same goes for those meat and cheese appetizer trays. You would be shocked at the mark-up on these products compared with the cost of making it yourself. You could avoid the cost of appetizers altogether by making your Super Bowl party a potluck. Simply have each guest bring an appetizer or dessert to share with the group.
• Make it BYOB. The biggest cost you will incur for the big game is bound to be alcohol, if you’re planning on serving it. One of the easiest ways to cut back on this cost is to make your party a BYOB. Make it fun and have everyone bring their favorite beer or wine to share with everyone, or simply say you’ll supply the first round, but if your guests plan to drink they should bring their own. Have a few two-liter bottles of soda handy for those who don’t plan on partaking in alcoholic beverages. The two-liter bottles cost a lot less than cans, and if you stick with store-brand soda you can save even more.
• Use real dishes and flatware. While disposable dishes are more convenient, you are literally throwing way money at the end of the night. Why not save the money and use your own dishes and flatware? If you don’t have enough, you can always borrow some place settings from family and friends.

Remember not to stress too much over the details. Sit back and enjoy yourself — it is a party afterall. And even if your team doesn't win, at least you'll know you've won big by pulling off a bash without breaking the bank. So start practicing your endzone dance now!

With Christmas right around the corner, the mad dash to the mall is on. In fact, according to a recent survey by PriceGrabber.com, an online shopping site, 41 percent of consumers plan to shop between Dec. 21 and Dec. 24 for holiday gifts.

Of those last minute shoppers, 43 percent believe the best discounts can be found during this time period. Some consumers are planning to wait even longer to complete their gift list in order to take advantage of after Christmas sales.

With prices expected to be reduced by as much as 75 percent after the 25th, it might be worth the wait. Waiting until after Christmas may be harder for parents with small children, but with the average household expected to spend nearly $650 on gifts alone, some parents have found ways to break the news to older children and other family members; according to a recent Associated Press article.

For many, waiting until after Christmas may not be an option, but waiting until the last few days might be a smart strategy. Retailers will continue to drop prices until well into the New Year.

A study conducted by the American Research Group, found that early shoppers will end up spending 14 percent more than those who wait. Either way, retailers are expected to do very well this holiday season — $469 billion in sales well — which is a 3.8 percent increase over last year.