Yes, we know you've resolved to eat healthier and work out more. Haven’t we all decided to strap on a pedometer and order the side salad instead of the fries? This should last ... oh about another week. Or maybe, by mixing up your routine and/or finding a place you really like to exercise you could do your part to fight the American obesity epidemic. Forget the skinny jeans and the scale, incorporating a little movement into your life could potentially give your mood a boost. The following is a list of free passes to gyms around LA. No more excuses.

Happy 2012 everyone! We've decided this is our year of abundance: money, friends, and good ideas (not necessarily in that order). To kick this year off in that spirit, we've worked together with awesome RFB aficionado Claudia Cooper to share her list of most appreciated resources (thanks for sharing, Claudia!). Read on to learn about free DVD rentals, saving on groceries, and more.

The holidays are hitting full force next week: Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa are rolling in...with presents. Hopefully. Though we are big fans of the popsicle stick picture frame and dried macaroni pencil holder, you might be a little short on time for making your own creations. If so, we're into buying from independent artists, craftsman, and store owners.

During the holiday season, you may find yourself welcomed into someone else's family. If you're going to spend the holidays with a family that's not your own, there can be some pressure associated with choosing thoughtful and affordable gifts. Never fear, RFB is here! Okay, that was super cheesy. Sorry. But we have put some thought into this so read on for ideas for little somethings for families.

We may not be having freak snowstorms, but it's still pretty chilly here in SoCal. Turning on that space heater can end up costing quite a pretty penny, so it's a good time to get a little more strategic about staying cozy. We've got some tips on getting the most warmth out of your budget this fall/winter season so you can save money on heating.

With the approach of Halloween it's fun to stroll around looking at the front lawn cemeteries and spooky(ish) cobwebbed shrubs. If your house is the last one on the block to deck the front stoop with holiday garb, grab some friends and throw a pumpkin carving party. Decorating pumpkins can be inexpensive and enjoyable holiday entertaining, so we're fans. Here are some general guidelines and suggested variations.

I’m borderline obsessed with getting the best deal and it’s a fact that buying in bulk can be a great way to save money. If you share a place with other people or team up with the apartment across the hall, that's even better! This is a great way to save cash and stock up the pantry or gear up for your next party (here in CA they have great prices on beer, wine and liquor - although I’m still a HUGE fan of BevMo!.) Because I love saving money, I’m a huge proponent of shopping at bulk discount stores.

 

My budget may protest, but my split ends and raggedy cuticles are begging for some attention. In order to broker a peace treaty, I’m checking out beauty schools. Though it’s a risk (we all remember Frenchie from Grease), there are some big benefits to allowing a student to take a scissor to your locks or rub some cream into your hands. Namely, it’s usually pretty cheap. There are, however, some things to keep in mind before you head into the student salon.

Pardon the cheesy pun, but it was just dying to be written. Okay, okay, done. The point is that with a little box of dye you can have yourself a newly attractive piece of clothing. Though some items should be donated, others can be revitalized and put back into rotation with just a little color change. For less than $5 you can have yourself some better-than-new clothes.

I grew up in the age of Napster and Kazaa as well as DC++ and MyTunes in college dorms. If somebody wanted to listen to a song they could pretty easily grab it and build out their music library instantly. The size of people's collection not only became a contest, but a source of gigabyte based pride. Nowadays the trend of illegal file-sharing is pretty dead. Sure you can still hop onto BitTorrent and grab some music, but with the advent of solid streaming services who really wants to fill up their hard drives with an overwhelming amount of songs you'll never have the time to listen to? There are a number of free services out there to help you get your music fill.