Wherever airlines have been forced to slash fees to attract customers, it’s the consumers that have benefited. But while drastic price cuts have helped frequent flyers in the short term, will losses by the airlines inevitably hurt our pocket books as well?

http://money.cnn.com/2009/10/20/news/companies/airline_revenue/index.htm?postversion=2009102013

Food and groceries are one of the largest monthly bills for American families. But luckily, with a little foresight and attention to detail, it’s also one of the easiest ways to trim some extra dollars off your budget. Here are five sure-fire ways to keep tummies full, without putting your wallet on a diet.

1. Just Freeze It! Buy staples such as ground beef, chicken breast or cheese in bulk and freeze what you can’t use immediately. This will allow you to take advantage of a price break on family-sized portions.

2. Make More. When cooking stews, soups or casseroles, make more than your family will eat in one sitting. Store the remainder away for another meal or to send to work or school as brownbag lunches.

3. Plan Ahead. Groceries get expensive when you run to the store everyday to buy what you need for that evening. Instead, plan out the meals for the week and do all your shopping at once. While your grocery bill may be higher up front, you’ll avoid running to the store for last minute ‘crisis cooking’ items, which really add up.

4. Look Up, Down and All Around. At the grocery store, it’s no coincidence that the foods with the highest markups are located on the shelves at around chest level. Look higher up, down below or on end-caps to find generic brands or better deals.

5. Shop Fresh. Local farmers markets can offer much fresher produce and canned goods than the grocery store and usually at much lower prices, since you’re not paying for shipping, advertising and retail costs.

There’s a lot of talk these days about the economy, recovery plans and economic stimuli. Politicians and others like to throw around promises that they may or may not be able to keep. When it really comes down to it, there’s still no such thing as a free lunch – and even if there were, it rarely comes when you’re desperately hungry.

So if you are really looking for stimulus in today’s sour economy, there’s only one place to look: yourself. Finding creative ways to save can help you put away a bit of extra cash to prepare for rainy – or rainier – days ahead.

Here are a few tips for stashing away an little economic stimulus of your own:

1. Cut back on impulse spending – How much do you spend on coffee on your way to work? Try brewing a cup or two at home before your leave and keep the $4.13 per cup in your pocket.

2. Alternative energy – How much gas do you use running to the store or to pick up dry cleaning? Why not try walking or riding your bike to take care of simple errands – not only will you save some easy cash, you may get a nice workout in the process.

3. Brown bag it for lunch – Looking for an easy way to save $20 or $30 a week? Stop dropping cash on eating lunch out every day. Making a lunch at home and bringing it to work not only saves you money, but is often a healthier alternative to boot.

Take advantage of these sure-fire saving techniques and create a small economic stimulus of your own! For more information on how to save cash or access emergency money need options, visit CashNetUSA.com.

That dreaded time of year is finally here – welcome to tax season 2009. However, for many Americans, tax season can bring a sense of relief if you’re expecting a hefty refund to help you through the next few months.

The anticipation for a tax refund may be even greater this year due to the sour economy, credit crunch and increased unemployment rate. But if you’re relying on that refund money, you may have to wait weeks or months until you actually see the cash.

Why wait so long for the money you need now? Bridge the gap between filing your taxes and seeing the refund check with an online cash advance from CashNetUSA. Not only does it take less time to apply than it does to do your taxes (as quickly as five minutes online), but you’ll see your money a heck of a lot faster. Apply by 9pm and get your money as quickly as the next business day – now that’s fast!

So if you’re looking for a fast alternative to a slow tax refund, look no further. Apply today for a fast, private and convenient cash advance from CashNetUSA and get your money, when you need it most.

The winter season can put an extra strain on your wallet. Increased winter utility bills, time off from work and additional seasonal expenses can all lead to immediate money needs. But who wants to spend the time braving the winter weather while driving to the store to apply for a loan?

Luckily, there is a fast answer to immediate money needs: online loans from CashNetUSA, America’s trusted online lender. You can apply for an online loan from the comfort and privacy of home. With an online loan, you get the money you need to cover immediate financial needs without even having to leave the house to apply.

And the convenience goes even further. Once you’re approved for your online loan, the money is deposited directly into your checking account, usually by the next business day. No cashing checks or picking up cash – it’s in your account ready for you to use whenever you need it.

Click here to learn more about how to apply for your online loan in just minutes!

With a sluggish economy, rising unemployment rates and the financially stressful holiday season on the way, there’s never been a better time to put your budgeting skills to the test. Keeping track of your spending now can mean the difference between having cold hard cash in the bank and being left out in the cold this winter. Here are a few reminders to help you stay on track:

-Set a holiday spending limit and stick to it
-Avoid making ends meet using credit cards
-Understand your income and how it changes throughout the year
-Set aside a specific amount for daily incidentals
-Create a saving schedule and put money away each month, no matter how small
-If you have a little extra spending money at the end of the month, reward yourself on a job well done with a small splurge

Check your email inbox this holiday season for more seasonal tips on budgeting and meeting immediate financial needs, only from CashNetUSA, America’s trusted online lender.

Last week more dire news came out of Wall Street – this time projecting a sharp decrease in consumer spending over the holiday season. It’s no big surprise that at a time when homeowners are struggling to cover hefty mortgages, investors are seeing their investments in free fall and consumers are struggling to pay for everyday items like food, gas and utilities, that no one is preparing to stuff the tree this holiday season.

However, this time of year shouldn’t be met with doom and gloom. Consumers across the country are finding ways to cut back on expenses while still looking forward to a merry season. Whether finding ways to make the grocery money stretch a bit farther, adopting energy-saving techniques to lower utility bills or being mindful of overspending, a few small changes here and there can ensure that consumers can weather this somewhat dreary winter.

For those who need a fast, convenient solution to cover increased energy bills or seasonal expenses, there is an obvious choice. An online cash advance from CashNetUSA is not only convenient (you apply online from your own home – no braving the winter weather) but it’s fast, getting you money directly in your checking account as quickly as the next business day.

Check back with CashNetUSA.com in the future for more money saving tips or apply anytime – day or night – for a fast, private and convenient lending solution. Cash advances only from CashNetUSA.com.

Now there’s an easy way to cover monthly bills between paydays! Apply for an online loan from CashNetUSA in just minutes from the comfort and privacy of your own home. You’ll receive fast approval and the money will be deposited directly into your checking account the next day.

Online payday loans are a convenient and private way to get the money you need for monthly bills, emergency expenses or cover everyday needs. There’s no waiting in line, nothing to fax and no extra paperwork.

Apply from anywhere, anytime. Less-than-perfect credit is not a problem. Get the money you need, when you need it most with an online loan from CashNetUSA.com.

Are your bills getting larger but paycheck still coming up short?

Now there’s a fast, convenient and hassle-free way to bridge the gap between paychecks. An online cash advance from CashNetUSA can help you get the money you need to cover emergency expenses, monthly bills or any other fast cash need.

The process is simple: apply online in just minutes. There’s nothing to fax and less-than-perfect credit will not prevent you from getting a loan. In many cases, your approval will come in just minutes. You can select your loan amount and have the funds transferred directly into your checking account by the next day. No waiting in line, no extra paperwork and no driving to the store.

Next time it seems like your paycheck just doesn’t quite cut it, turn to America’s trusted online lender, CashNetUSA.com.

As the state of the economy gradually turns from bad to worse, many Americans are trying their best to hold on for dear life. Despite doom and gloom coming from Wall Street, this can be a great time to actually begin to improve your credit.

A great way to start to improve your credit is to take a good hard look at your expenses. In a time of economic recession, everyone is tightening their belts, so it’s a great time to do so yourself. Cut back on going out to eat, rent movies from the library instead of the video store and brown bag it to work more often than not.

However, there’s a silver lining to this cloud. The downturn in the economy can actually be beneficial to consumers, if you know where to look. Companies are just as affected by this belt-tightening and have to work that much harder to get your business. Look for extraordinary deals at grocery stores, increased benefits on your credit card or promotions such as free gas cards or other promotions.

The goal of saving and being frugal is to keep up with those major monthly expenses. Keeping a little extra stash put away can mean the difference between paying bills on time or suffering late fees.

Missing a due date can hurt you in two ways: first by costing you extra money on late fees, overdraft penalties or reconnection costs and secondly by putting a damper on your credit score. A lower credit score means less credit and higher interest rates in the future. Keeping track and paying bills on time is one of the easiest – yet most influential – ways to help rebuild credit.