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.

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.

One of the easiest way to keep your savings account growing is simply not to spend money. It would make sense to always search for and go with the best deal, but that’s not always the case. Their are two other important aspects to consider when bargain shopping: time and long term value. The cheapest items can sometimes end up costing you a great deal more than you’d think.

Whether you’re looking for a loan or to pay with cash, look at your budget and determine the maximum you can spend. It is important to determine this price or monthly payment before even researching or getting ready to buy. It’s easy to see different models or more features and think the price in manageable in the heat of the moment. Be honest with yourself about what you can afford, as much as your car is a statement as to who you are and your style, most importantly it’s a tool and a big financial commitment.

Credit card debt is a reality for a lot of people. I feel like it’s almost a little more common when it comes to people in the entertainment industry. Many people when the first start out end up having to put a lot on credit whether it be relocation expenses, personally funding productions or just plain living expenses between jobs. No matter how you go it, paying the minimum with a likely 18 to 20 percent interest rate can be downright depressing.

The first step is admitting you’ve got a problem and it turns out that I probably do. Okay that may sound like latent denial but let’s just say I’m making my confession with some caveats. Bums, I am a deal addict. My inbox is filled with coupons, freebies, and deals of the day. It’s gotten so bad so that I need to clean it out several times a day. There’s nothing wrong with saving money (in fact, it’s a very good thing) but there comes a point you need to assess whether your addiction is helping or hurting you. Someone should profit off of my silliness, so read on for tips for the prospective deal-buyer.

In an age where cloud computing, in which you can listen to music or watch a movie on a shared digital space without having to own it, is on the horizon, and stealing music off your friends’ iPods is easier than baking brownies from a Betty Crocker mix, it’s a small wonder why record sales actually went up last year (by a whooping 14%). Perhaps because listening to an album still reigns supreme in a lot of ways. So what better way to support your local music retailer than dropping in this Saturday, April 16th to celebrate the 4th annual Record Store Day?