If you’re a frequent flyer, you know the perils of airport travel. These days, it seems like every flight is delayed, which leaves you wandering around the airport bored. And boredom inevitably leads to spending, which is bad for the budget. But there are some ways to keep your savings account intact during a layover.

Carry-on items

It’s hard to get things past airport security, which is probably a good thing. But if you follow the rules, you can bring snacks, water and entertainment with you. For hydration, bring an empty water bottle. TSA allows empty water bottles through the security check. You can fill it up after you get through.

Snacks are also allowed. Bring some fruit or packaged food to eat while you’re waiting for your flight. That will prevent you from sitting down at the closest restaurant to your gate.

Finally, bring something to read. Finish up a book or bring a few magazines from home. It doesn’t hurt to bring you laptop either. Just make sure to avoid plugging in at an airport restaurant, where they may require you to purchase something.

Call a friend

If you know you’re going to be delayed for a while, and you have a friend in the area, call them up. As long as you’re checked in, you should be able to go hang out for a while and make it back for your flight. Most airlines will send you a notification of your flight times straight to your email (American Airlines gives you the option to set notifications for flights directly on their website), so you can leave the airport and get back before your flight leaves. Even if you spend some money outside of the airport, you’re still keeping more money in your savings account.

What are your tips on how to be frugal during a layover?

Despite my best efforts, some of my friends still stray away from investing. Their claim is that it’s too complicated and boring. And while I can’t always help the latter, the former is something I can help with. Investment doesn’t have to be complicated. In fact, many successful investors build a solid nest egg by using simple principals. So if you’re the type that thinks the investment game is too complex, here are some ways to keep it simple and still make your money work for you.

Start with a plan

If you dive right into investment, you’re going to get swamped. Start out by evaluating your time frame. When do you want to retire? Then calculate the amount of risk you can take. If you’re older, then you’ll want to take less risk with your money. The old rule of thumb is that your portfolio should contain 120 minus your age in stocks. If you’re 50, then you’d want to have around 70 percent of your portfolio in stocks. The rest of your asset allocation can go between fixed-income investments and other asset classes.

Consider buying a low-risk index fund and holding on to it long-term. You’re almost guaranteed a return of around 9 percent. And it’s an easy strategy that avoids the complexity of investing.

Know the basics

You may already be contributing to your employer 401(k) or other defined contribution plan, but you still have some decisions to make. Knowing the basics can help you out tremendously with those decisions. And you’ll be able to pick the investments with the lowest risk and highest return. Get online and start reading up on investing basics.

Skip analysis

Knowing the volatility of a particular stock may help with a decision, but it’s often information overload. Instead, look at the big picture. Which strategy will help you get to retirement? Let your financial adviser worry about the small stuff. Stick with simple investment for a straight path to retirement.

When it comes to currency exchange advice, it’s sometimes difficult to separate the wheat from the chaff. But there are some things that are universally true. Here are some quick facts on exchange that I’ve found to be almost always true.

Credit cards have good exchange rates

A good credit card is almost always the best way to spend abroad. Look for one that doesn’t charge an extra fee for currency conversion — some companies charge an extra percentage for exchange.

Capital One’s VentureOne Rewards credit card doesn’t have any foreign transaction fees. Of course, you should make sure to pay it off in full every month to avoid paying the interest – a 11.9- 19.9 percent variable annual percentage rate.

Avoid the airport

Exchanging at an airport is a sure way to lose some money. Airport exchange desks generally give the worst rates. That’s because most travelers arriving at their destination need cash immediately, so exchange desks can tack on a hefty fee to the rate. If you need cash, try to exchange in the U.S. before you travel. Or find a place in your travel destination with decent exchange rates.

Pay in the currency of your destination

Sometimes merchants abroad will give you the option to pay in U.S. dollars, which seems like a great deal. But in reality, the merchant can charge you more by doing the currency conversion at their place of business and giving you a higher rate than you’d receive by just using your credit or debit card. If you’re in Europe and the merchant offers to let you pay in U.S. dollars, just say no.

I’m a big advocate of savvy shopping, which is why I think it’s rarely necessary to pay what’s on the price tag for an item. The internet, apps and marketplace competition can all help on your journey to savings. Here are some ways you can start to save.

Go for older electronics

If you’re fine with having a TV or laptop model that came out the previous year, then you’re going to save some money. The latest and greatest on the market is enticing, but newer models send the price of older models south. Warehouse stores often have great deals on TVs and laptops. And remember, just because is brand new doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the best. For a comparison, check out CNET’s reviews on electronics.

Go online for books

E-books convenient and cheaper than the real deal. Plus, many stores like Amazon’s Kindle Store have started to offer free e-book rentals on their website. But if you’re the kind – like me – that likes to hold the book in your hands, then look for deals from Barnes and Noble and Books-a-Million. Both have rewards programs that are free to sign up. And if you really want to pile up the savings, go to the library.

For theater ticket savings, buy in bulk  

Movie tickets are expensive, if you buy them at the theater. Lately a lot of warehouses have been selling movie tickets in bulk or by the couple. It’s often a much better deal than buying at the theater. Check out How to find movie ticket savings for more ways to save on tickets.

Look before you leap

The best way to find savings on just about everything is to look before you leap. Compare prices on the internet before you head out to shop, and look for specific shopping tips at your favorite stores. Many retailers offer a variety of ways to save in-store.

I was talking with friends the other evening about finance and we came across an important topic. One of the keys to successful investing is setting goals for your finances. In order to achieve them, your goals must be realistic, concentrated and prioritized.

List by importance

Identify which financial achievements are most important to accomplish for your personal situation. Write out all of your financial goals, but put the ones that must be achieved at the top of the list. If college tuition for your children is extremely important to you, then make it a priority. The less important financial goals can be side aside for a later time. If you’re comparing two goals and can’t decide, think about whether or not they benefit more than one person. It also helps to list out the pros and cons of each goal.

Don’t waste time

When it comes to investing and reaching financial goals, time can be your best friend or your worst enemy. The more time you have, the more likely you’ll reach your goals. That’s because compounding interest works very well over longer periods of time, and the younger you are the more risk you can take – that means bigger profits.

Think before you buy

Major purchases, like a month-long vacation, can really put a damper on your goals. Keep your list of goals with you and always evaluate whether a purchase is helping them. That month-long vacation in the Caribbean sounds relaxing, but is it as important as your kids’ college fund? That said, don’t be afraid to let loose on occasion. It’s OK to have a little fun, as long as you’re meeting your investing goals.

Currency conversion calculation is always useful when traveling to a foreign destination – knowing the exchange rate can save you some money overseas. But it can also be useful if you’re a trader. Savvy investors can make plenty of cash by trading currencies.

Here are a few things you need to know before you start investing in currency:

The forex market

Forex, or FX, are just abbreviations for the foreign exchange market, which is a worldwide market for currency trading. It’s decentralized, meaning that it is not regulated by a governing body. The trades are not guaranteed. Instead, trades that are made are guaranteed with more of a virtual handshake. It works because all members of the FX have to cooperate and contend with each other to consistently make money.

There are no commissions

Outside the forex market, brokers serve as a middle man between the investor and the actual investment. They may give advice, but for the most part, brokers are taking instructions from an investor and following through with them as accurately as possible. The broker gets a commission for that service.

The FX market operates on a different set of rules. Firms are the dealers and take on risk. They make money only through the bid-ask spread — the difference bid price and the asking price. After the spread is cleared, you – the investor – start making money.

Traded currencies

Currencies that are traded on the FX include the seven most liquid currencies in the world. The four majors are the combination of the euro/dollar, dollar/yen, pound/dollar, and dollar/franc. The three commodity combinations include the Australian dollar/American dollar, American dollar/Canadian dollar and New Zealand dollar/American dollar. Some investors do trade exotic currencies, but it’s not very common.

What are your tips for currency conversion and trading?

Valentine’s Day is less than a week away, which is music to the ears of the retail business. But celebrating with your loved one doesn’t have to be a hit to your checking account. Some of the best Valentine’s dates are the most creatively thrifty ones. Here are four ways to get your thrift on and keep some cash in your savings account for the heart shaped holiday of the year.

Romantic dinner and a movie at home

It sounds simple enough, but a planned romantic dinner and a movie at home can lead to a stress-free and inexpensive V-day evening. But get creative with it — make it an event. Cook both of your favorite meals and set up a restaurant style dinner table in a separate room of your home — light some candles, put on some music and pretend like you’re out at a restaurant. Afterward, watch a romantic movie. Turn the lights off, pop some popcorn and get a couple of drinks to add to the ambiance.

Hit up a wine bar after dinner

If you’re the kind of Valentine couple to brave the crowds, head out to a wine bar after dinner at home for a quick glass of your favorite vintage. It’s a quick, easy and cheap way to celebrate and spend some time with the one you adore. Your savings account will thank you later.

Game night

Really want to save some money? Set up a table, put out all of your favorite games and get to the fun. V-day doesn’t have to be a big event. After all, it’s really just a day out of the year to spend some time with the one you cherish. To add a little competition to it, make a bet or have a prize for the overall winner.

Budget shopping spree

V-day falls on a Tuesday this year. If you work during the day, picking up a last-minute gift isn’t the easiest thing to do. Instead, opt to go on a shopping spree with your loved one right after work. Go to the mall and set a price limit — $20 is usually a good one. Then set a time limit — 30 minutes to an hour at the most. On your mark, get set, go! The object is to stay under budget and still pick out a fun gift for the other. It’ll force you to get creative.

How are you spending your savings on Valentine’s Day?

If we’re at all alike, you despise bank fees just as much as I do. Years went by without fees, and now they are popping up like dandelions. Thankfully, I’ve found a few ways to dodge those fees when investing, and you can as well.

Never settle

If your current bank has fees, chances are you can do better. Smaller banks and credit unions don’t always have strict rules for charges. In fact, they might not have any fees at all. The downside is that you’ll probably sacrifice some services and ATM availability.

Online banks generally offer free checking accounts, especially if you use a service like direct deposit or paperless billing. Make sure to check around the internet in order to find the best rates.

Stick up for yourself

Tell your bank you don’t want fees anymore. They’ll probably give you some ways that you can opt out, which is sometimes as easy as opting into paperless billing or direct deposit. Some banks will make you combine a few services to get out of charges, but it’s usually worth it.

You should also consider putting all of your money into one bank — if you do a lot of business at one institution, they’ll be more likely to drop fees. Just remember that the FDIC only insures your money up to $250,000 per depositor per bank.

Just avoid them

Sometimes you can avoid bank fees altogether and never have to start investing in another institution. Try signing up for automatic email notifications about your balance to avoid overdraft charges. And stay in-network when it comes to ATMs, which are getting more and more expensive to use. There are still some banks that will reimburse for charges at out-of-network ATMs, but they are becoming few and far between.

When I travel, I’m all about convenience. That’s why instead of cash, traveler’s checks or debit cards, I use a credit card whenever I can. The currency conversion fees are usually decent and there is an automatic record of transactions available online. In the case that my card is stolen, I simply report it and I’m not responsible for fraudulent charges.

But even though credit cards are generally one of the better options for making purchases overseas, there are still some things you need to watch out.

Check currency conversion fees

Fees for exchanging via credit card abroad vary greatly from one company to another. Some of the worst cards can offer extremely high interest rates. And some companies will even charge an additional percent for using your credit card. Call your credit card company and ask about using their card in your future travel destination. Then compare their rate with the rates of other credit card companies. Capital One historically has some of the lowest fees, but keep in mind that large companies, like Visa, are generally accepted everywhere.

Call your credit card company

It’s wise to advise your credit card company on where you’ll be traveling. That way they won’t freeze it when you make purchases in a foreign location. Credit card companies often freeze credit cards if there is any suspicion of fraudulent activity.

Pay in foreign currency

Sometimes merchants abroad will offer to charge you in U.S. dollars instead the local currency. While this seems like a nice gesture, it’ll actually cost you more money. They generally use a higher currency conversion rate, and you could still end up getting charged for an overseas purchase on your credit card.

If you’re looking for a new TV, now is the time to buy. Some TV sales before the big bowl game on Feb. 5 are beating out holiday-season prices. January is the time that retailers set aside for clearing out house, and prices generally drop even lower leading up to the game.

But you don’t want to be hasty when you’re shopping. If you’re thrifty, you can get a great TV at an amazing price and be happy with your savings.

Do your research

Not all TVs perform the same. Granted, today’s TVs are 10 times better than they were 10 years ago, but it’s still wise to compare and contrast. Models even differ in quality within the same manufacturer. To get an accurate review of TVs, check out Consumer Reports and CNET. They rate TVs based on HD picture quality, sound quality, versatility, on-screen ease of use and the energy cost per year. Consumer Reports will require a membership, but CNET is free.

Get a big one

If you’re looking for a big game flat screen to replace your main set, you’ll get more savings if you go bigger – 50 inches or more. TV prices shot down last year and now big screens are the new best deals. LCD TVs will be more than plasma sets, but that doesn’t mean that LCDs are better. In fact, plasma is the way to go if you’re going big. Plasmas sell for significantly less than LCD or LED screens and the picture quality is often better, if you have a dimly lit room. According to Consumer Reports, new plasmas last just as long as LCD or LED sets. If you’re looking for a big game TV deal, plasma is the way to go.

Go for older models

If you’re the kind that likes the latest and greatest, then by all means, buy a 3D TV. But if you can wait, you’re going to save some money. Standard 3D TV viewing is far off – the big game won’t be broadcast in 3D. And if you’re worried about connecting to the internet, chances are your Blu-ray player already has a wireless feature. Go for an older model, but get one with 1080p instead of 720p picture quality – you’ll enjoy the extra boost in picture quality while watching Blu-ray movies.