The first quarter of the year has blown by and we’re almost a third finished with the second quarter of 2013. (My, how time flies!) Now’s a great time to check your goals, tweak your budget, and get serious about the rest of the year.

I love spending time outdoors when the weather warms up. Although my patio’s footprint isn’t much larger than a walk-in closet (about 9 feet long by 3 1/2 feet deep), I’ve managed to design a perfect hang-out for two.

You say you know where your money goes and you don’t need to track your expenses to keep up with it? I issue you this challenge: Keep track of every penny you spend for one month and I do mean every single penny.

Don’t forget to write off closing costs on the purchase of a new home, home improvement receipts, and volunteer related expenses!

For those who live in apartments and small suburban homes, a proper garden can seem like a real luxury. If you only have a small outdoor space, it’s often tempting to ignore or overlook it, as it feels like there are limited options for improvement.