All The Simple Dollar

Potlucks let you spend evenings with people whose company you enjoy while also enjoying very inexpensive food, Hamm writes.

Buy clothes based on off-season discounts, not based on need or want, Hamm writes.

When it comes to spending, A Christmas list can be a teachable moment for young children. 

Community groups are a big win for a frugal person, Hamm writes.

You don’t have to make a big show of affection every day, Hamm writes. It’s the smaller, priceless things that really add up to a loving relationship.

Partners should encourage one another to make low-cost choices, Hamm writes.

A healthy relationship relies on having regular talks about everything in your marriage – and finances are one important part of that, Hamm writes.

Marriages fray because of the relationship, not a lack of money, Hamm writes.

Personal finance seminars should offer you something beyond what you can get for a very low cost through a blog or at the library. Especially for those who learn through listening, personal finance seminars can be quite helpful. 

College savings can be tricky, because some come with a tax penalty if too much is put away. A Roth IRA for your child, to be used for educational purposes, can be a good college savings option. Question 6 in this week's mailbag. 

Many professional and financial mistakes can be traced back to bad ideas in your head. But by thinking long-term, many such mistakes are easy to avoid.

Keep your honeymoon focused on the two of you and you’ll leave with a healthy financial base for your marriage, Hamm writes.

Instead of buying something right when you want it, Hamm suggests delaying your gratification. The result is more money in your pocket and a greater appreciation of the products you have.

When you commit to someone, you don’t commit to being a lesser or greater part of the relationship, and the same should apply to your pocketbook, Hamm writes.

A shiny new car, fancy clothes, and a big house might indicate success to the outside world. But 'internal' financial success – being debt free with a rewarding job, for instance – will lead to greater security and happiness in the long run. 

Love notes are an easy and cost-effective way to let a special person in your life know that you care, Hamm writes.

Walking is a great way to get some fresh air and exercise, Hamm writes. Best of all: It's free.

A stroll through the park. Holiday window shopping. A starry-night walk. What do they have in common? They make romantic dates—and they're free!

Think about the special gifts you've received in your life. Chances are, Hamm writes, the ones you remember the most didn't cost a penny.

Spending money to impress a partner or potential partner rarely works over the long term, Hamm writes.