Spring Cleaning Your Financial Life!

On a sunny, beautiful day like today, our thoughts all turn to Spring. It is Spring cleaning and tax prep time here at Lantern Financial! What a better way to get your financial life in order than to plan a "Financial Spring Cleaning Day" for yourself? Which day will you set aside to get organized? What challenges will you tackle? We have some suggestions for you!

TIP #1: Update your filing system. Make sure your organizational system is working for you. It should be something that works well for you and that you will stick with after you set it up. Are you a "filing cabinet" type of person? Would you do better with a shoebox for receipts and papers that you organize once or twice a year? Whichever system you choose, the important thing is to set yourself up for success by getting organized! How do you keep your files under control?

TIP #2: Are your beneficiaries up-to-date on your retirement accounts and life insurance policies? Do you still have your mom listed, or (yikes!) that old girlfriend you were dating when you first started your job? Beneficiary designations trump any desires you might indicate in your will, so even if you think you remember - it's always worth a double-check! Maybe you should call HR over lunch, just to be sure.

TIP #3: How balanced and diversified is your 401(k)? Has it been a while since you considered whether the mutual funds you picked are working well for you? You should review and consider rebalancing your investment portfolio at least once per year to make sure it doesn't drift too far from your intended target.

TIP #4: Who will get your house if something happens to you? Who will take care of your kids? Have you decided? Does anybody know? It's always tough to think about these things, but there is no time like the present to have a will created. It is much preferred to get it done now, rather than leave the confusing decisions (and potential arguments - not necessarily ending with your intended conclusions!) for your loved ones to deal with during such a difficult time.

TIP #5: What big changes have occurred during the past 12 months for you? Chances are (and based upon our Facebook newsfeed!) there has been lots of good news to report - new houses, marriages, babies, job changes, new cars, etc. Congratulations! Whenever new life events are afoot, it is time to consider your various insurance coverages to make sure you are adequately covered. Life, Long-Term Disability, Homeowners, Renters and Auto insurance policies are all worth reviewing. When is the last time you checked?

TIP #6: You wish you could be saving more toward retirement but with all of your "here and now" responsibilities to worry about, it can be stressful to think about your future. One way to do so with less pain is to increase your retirement contribution this month by 1% of your income. You will hardly notice (we promise!) but it will make a big difference later! Commit to increasing again by 1% (or more) next year, and each year after until you reach the government allowed maximum.

TIP #7: How is your credit? Do you know? There are lots of new rules swirling around about credit use these days, and it is more important than ever to know where you stand. If you have not done so in the past 12 months, order your free credit reports today from http://www.annualcreditreport.com. It is a law that you are entitled to one free credit report from each of the three reporting agencies each year (your credit score is available as well for a small fee, but may be worth considering).

TIP #8: What would you do if you found a bunch of money lying around your house? You should think more seriously about that question, because you probably have more "money" hiding in the nooks and crannies than you realize! Are you using all of the employment benefits you are signed up for at work? Often people don't think to do things such as get a new pair of glasses/contacts each year they are eligible, or use every last bit of the money in their flexible spending accounts. Spend some time reviewing the benefits you signed up for, since you might have some great things available to you!

TIP #9: When figuring out how to trim your budget, you might think that you can't do anything about your fixed expenses... but is that actually true? A little research and a conversation or two might save you some serious cash! Have you ever realized that you are probably paying more than you could be for services like cable TV and internet? Look around online and compare. Then give your provider a call - tell them that you would love to continue as their customer, but have been offered a better deal? What can your provider do to keep you? You might be surprised at their willingness to help you out and keep you happy! This tip applies to bigger expenses as well. Have you considered refinancing your mortgage to take advantage of lower interest rates? How about looking for a more affordable apartment when your lease is up? Your fixed expenses may be less fixed than you think!

TIP #10: Have you completed your tax return? The deadline is quickly approaching and you may be annoyed with all the extra time it takes to gather all of your paperwork, forms and receipts. Now is a great time to set up a simple system for next year to gather all of your tax related documentation throughout the year. It could be a filing system or as simple as a dedicated box for all tax related paperwork. You may be pleasantly surprised in 12 months when you find you have more deductions than you might have remembered without keeping careful records!

Which of these 10 tips do you think is most important and why? Either comment here in response to this blog post, or visit us on our Facebook fan page and leave a comment there to let us know. The best answer in our opinion will win a $25 gift card to Bed, Bath & Beyond! We look forward to hearing from you! Click here to read more!

Couples and Money: Tips for Fun Communication

February is the month of love. This year, instead of buying silly pink brick-a-brack, heart candies that go uneaten, or cards with sappy messages, vow to do something truly special and romantic with your partner: have a conversation about money. This suggestion might seem absurd, but in reality it is easy and fun to make talking about money sexy and even romantic in your relationship. Use the following 8 tips that we have put together to inspire amorous money conversations between you and your partner this month, and in the future.

1. Switch Roles: If the two of you have been together for a while, each of you has probably settled into your comfortable financial roles (for example, one of you pays the bills, the other keeps the records, or one of you handles the family finances while the other is the primary cook). Consider changing it up this month. By switching roles you get to learn new skills, gain appreciation for your partner’s important contribution to the household, and get a break from your own regular tasks. This can be an exercise in empathy and learning, which will be fun and strengthen your financial communication.

2. Reward Each Other: It can be easy to procrastinate when it comes to the more mundane financial tasks (like updating your beneficiaries on your retirement accounts, for example). However, delaying these important financial responsibilities can have serious consequences. This month, you and your partner can finally start checking things off your list by making a rewards system! At the beginning of the month, sit down and together make a list of all of the things you need to do to reach success in your financial life, in order of your likelihood to avoid each task. Next, assign rewards for each of the items. The more difficult or unappealing it is, the greater the reward. For example: #19: Get a will. Reward: 20 minute back rub during your favorite movie. Whoever initiates the task reaps the reward. Make this system into a fun game, and check all the items off your “Financial To-Do List”.

3. Speak Freely: Communication about money can be very difficult because many of us have been raised to believe that it is a very private topic and one that is inappropriate to discuss. This month, challenge yourself to shed the shame you might be feeling and talk about money together, even in public! Go on a walk or grab a coffee out and talk about the progress of your retirement accounts, your hopes of paying off your home faster than the terms of the mortgage, and goals for retirement. It’s important that you are not afraid or embarrassed to talk about money with your partner, at any time. Any stress that might be caused by this lack of communication will start to melt away. Of course, we recommend that you do not talk specifics, like account passwords or social security numbers, when you are out on the town!

4. Ask the Experts: Sometimes talking about money with your partner is too frustrating, stressful or confusing for it to be romantic. In this case we suggest that you invite a professional into the conversation. A CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERTM Professional can help you take the mystery out of your financial life, and jumpstart you on the right path toward accomplishing your shared goals. If you are in the Boston area, we would love to help you with your financial planning needs and, in addition, we specialize in helping couples to get on the same team to work toward financial success with our innovative service, Harmoney: Couples Financial Counseling, which we offer nationwide. Please contact us to discuss how we might help you toward a bright financial future together!

5. Make it a Date: The best way to make talking about money romantic is to have a financial conversation in a romantic setting. The concept of having a “Money Date” is foreign to most couples, but once they’ve tried it, they’re hooked. Prepare a nice dinner, set some candles, have a glass of wine, and talk about your finances. Your “financial romance” is bound to thrive!

6. Create a Financial Sanctuary: If you have a corner of the house where you keep your financial records, receipts and budgets, beautify that space to reflect its importance. Your financial lives should not be relegated into a dark corner, but rather should be bright, calm, hopeful and full of promise. Financial organization promotes financial success, and financial success allows you to achieve your hopes and dreams. This space should be full of that promise. Keep the area clean and welcoming – organize your files in a way that works for you and keep the surfaces clutter free. Consider regular fresh-cut flowers. If you and your partner have always wanted to retire on a lake, hang a picture of your dream home on the lake where you’ve always wanted to live. If you are saving for a special trip to Paris, hang a photo of the Eiffel Tower. If you are putting away money for your young son’s college fund, put up a photo of your baby wearing a mortarboard. It will serve as a constant reminder of what you are working toward together as a team – what could be more romantic than that?

7. Quick Updates: You may find that you and your spouse delay talking about money because there is just so much to say. There is no reason to let it all build up to that point. Financial conversations don’t always have to be heavy, in-depth discussions – there is an alternative: the quickie! If you just have a few minutes before you both leave for work in the morning, or you make time for a short phone call during your lunch break, bring up your finances. Example: “Honey, I just increased my 401k contributions by 1%.” By having frequent, quick conversations, you make talking about money natural, fun and easy – just like your relationship. An added bonus is that there won’t be any big surprises when it comes time for your money dates!

8. Write Each Other Financial Love Letters: These romantic communications about your shared goals, hopes and dreams will serve as a constant reminder that you are a team and you can get through anything, whether it is layoffs, a tight budget due to aggressive savings goals, or different perspectives about money, you both want to show each other love in your communication. You are a team now, and you should resolve to always aim to be on the same page. Work together toward the same goal of financial success rather than against each other and live a true financial romance for the ages!

Please share your tips for healthy communication about your finances in your own relationship. We would love to hear about your challenges as well. Leave your ideas in the comments section below!

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What Sticking to Your New Year's Resolutions Can Save You

Happy 2010!

It’s the beginning of a new year, and a new decade! As with every year, we have all set New Year’s Resolutions to improve our health, grow our wealth, and make ourselves better people. These goals are always noble in intention, but not always easy to keep. To inspire you to stay on track this year, we have quantified what your vices are actually costing you! It’s not all bad news however. Read on to learn the cool things you would be able to afford once you do succeed. Best wishes to you in your efforts.

1. Drinking. It’s been a month of holiday cheer, swilling spiked eggnog and clinking stemmed glasses of bubbly. Your holiday hangover is scheduled to end in March. If one of your resolutions this year is to reduce your alcohol consumption, you are about to save some serious money. Drinking is the first expensive vice that we will address in this blog. Americans spend over $100 billion dollars every year on beer, wine and spirits. Shared equally by all 300 million Americans, the per capita spending on alcohol is about $330 per person per year (however if you consume alcohol on a regular basis, you know that the costs of drinking, especially drinking at a restaurant or bar, are much higher than that, but for the sake of this blog, we will work with $330). With an extra $330 this year, you could get a four hour, full body spa treatment including a Swedish massage, facial, pedicure and manicure right in the heart of Boston (http://www.beaucage.com/). Or, if you choose to invest that $330 annually for the next 30 years (for this example and for the rest of the blog we will assume an 8% annual rate of return), you will pocket an extra $37,383!

2. Speeding. The cost of speeding includes much more than that occasional ticket you are unable to avoid. In addition to the cost of tickets, speeding increases wear on your car (meaning you will need to purchase your next car sooner) and worsens fuel efficiency (increasing your monthly spending on gas). Your likelihood of getting in a crash increases when you speed, and there are costs associated with repairs, any medical and disability costs as a result of injury and increases in your insurance premiums. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in 2000 the cost of speeding-related crashes was estimated to be $40.4 billion. If you plan to drive more safely and slowly in 2010, remember how much money you will save if you do!

3. Smoking. Quitting smoking is one of the top 5 most common New Year’s Resolutions, and with good reason. Aside from the obvious health benefits, quitting smoking can save you a LOT of money! A pack-a-day habit costs a person about $2,555 per year (assuming a pack costs about $7.00, including sales tax). Then of course there are the additional costs of increased health care premiums, which are an average of 40% more than a non-smoker, and life insurance rates which are approximately 25% higher. On average, this amounts to about $220 extra in insurance premiums a month. It’s tricky to quantify the other variables, like the costs of illness as a result of increased susceptibility to disease, but it is certain that costs grow significantly over the course of a person’s life. In one year, the cost of smoking a pack a day can be assumed to be about $2,775. For this amount you could get SEVEN Caribbean 7-Night Cruises (http://www.carnival.com or http://www.ncl.com)! Or, if you choose to invest that amount annually for the next 30 years, you could have $314,361 for retirement. There are many great reasons to quit smoking. We hope this will help you to stay focused and quit, once and for all!

4. Going out to eat. One of our primary responsibilities as financial planners is helping people see where their money slips through their fingers. Dining out is one of the areas where people spend the most without realizing it. According to the Consumer Expenditure Survey by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average American spends $2,434 annually dining out. Americans who had incomes of $70,000 or more spent $4,308 dining out. This number was almost certainly much higher in Boston, in 2009. If we make the assumption that the average Bostonian spent $4,500 dining out last year, and they resolve in the New Year to cut their dining out expenses in half, they would be saving $2,250 in 2010. Alternatively, you could invest that money, and in 30 years you would have $254,887! You could literally buy a Caribbean Island for that amount (http://www.caribbeanislandbrokers.com/islands-for-sale/Frigate-Caye).

5. Impulse Spending. We’ve all been there. You sat down, put together a budget, planned each month out to the last dollar, and committed to stick to it. And then bought that shiny new (INSERT WEAKNESS HERE) 12 days in. This year, when feeling tempted to bust your budget on an impulse purchase, slow down, pause, and think about the consequences. According to one study (http://www.uie.com/publications/whitepapers/ImpulseBuying.pdf) nearly 40% of all money spent shopping online is spent on impulse purchases. In this example, instead of illustrating all the money you’ll save if you don’t fix this vice, I’m going to illustrate how much it will actually cost you if you go into debt. If you carry only $50 each month of new charges on your credit card this year (less than many people do) and have an interest rate of 20% (fairly standard these days), by then end of 2010 you will have $1,979 of debt. So stick to your budget this year, and don’t get sucked into impulsive purchases.

6. Coffees/lattes/snacks/ etc. Benjamin Franklin said it best: “Beware of little expenses. A small leak will sink a great ship.” Often times little things, like snacks, coffees, gum, and other expenses that we hardly notice can make a great difference in our financial success. If I’m not being intentional about it, I will succumb to my vice of snacking. Every now and then I’ll grab a bag of candy here, a pint of ice cream there and the occasional six serving bag of Turtle Chex Mix that I’ll down while watching a marathon of The Office. It probably doesn’t cost me more than $6 a week, but eating these snacks is certainly a habit, and not a love of mine, and those expenses add up. For an easy way to determine how much the little things are costing you, check out David Bach’s Latte Factor® Calculator for Facebook (http://apps.facebook.com/lattefactor/fb/home). Using this simple tool I calculated that my vice, snacks at about $6 a week, will actually cost me $38,172 over the next 30 years. With that money, I could spend 1,031 days in a 4 Diamond Resort and Casino right on The Strip in Las Vegas (http://hotels.travelzoo.com/las-vegas-hotels/710695?ptl=done&rating=&tppct=). Now that’s food for thought.

7. Gambling. According to the 2006 Gross Annual Wage Report, Americans lost nearly $91 billion on all forms of gambling combined, or about $300 per capita. Aside from the social costs of gambling addiction, this form of entertainment is very costly to your wallet in the long run. It is important to think about gambling in this way, as “entertainment” and not “revenue generation”, because it COSTS money, in general, it does not RETURN money. We have all heard the saying, “The house always wins” and it is so true! An average for payout on slots is 90 cents on every dollar, alternatively stated, in this case, your average return on gambling is -10%. (It is possible that these numbers are more extreme for other forms of gambling.) If instead of gambling and losing that money, you were to invest $300 each year for the next 30 years at an average return of 8% (positive of course) you would have $33,985 at the end. It is more of a “Get Rich Slowly” than “Get Rich Quick” plan, but rather than leaving each weekend with empty pockets, with that amount, you and 113 of your closest friends could go to the VooDoo Lounge, see Cirque du Soleil, dine at the Fleur de Lys and stay at the Mandalay Bay Hotel in Las Vegas. Jackpot!

8. Keeping up with the Joneses. We all feel pressure to have expensive things. We want to impress our friends and neighbors, show our families our successes, and be taken seriously by our clients. If your resolution is to spend your money according to your own values and not to impress other people, we have some numbers for you! When spending money, make sure you think about your motivation – are you keeping up with the Joneses or are you working toward your long-term financial health? Are you going to buy a fancy car, or put that money into your nest egg? Consider the following example: Kevin and Devin both need to buy new vehicles every 10 years. Kevin chooses to own luxury vehicles so that his boss and clients will take him seriously, while Devin purchases economy vehicles, because he feels his professional track record speaks for him. Over the next 30 years Kevin will spend $135,000 on BMWs, while Devin will spend $45,000 on Toyotas. The difference, $90,000, Devin has invested into his retirement accounts and will live much more comfortably once he is out of the work force. We understand the pressure that people feel trying to impress clients, friends and neighbors with their stuff, and what better way to look wealthy than by showing up in a fancier car? However, a better way to actually be wealthy is to stop trying to keep up with the Joneses.

9. Fast Food: A decade ago (2000 really was 10 years ago!) American’s spent over $110 billion dollars on fast food. This past year that number was closer to $150 billion. That’s about $500 per person each year. Over 30 years, $500 invested annually at an average return of 8% would be $56,642. You could buy a brand new Mercedes Benz for that amount! (http://www.mbusa.com/mercedes/#/vehicleComparison/byoAppearance/?vmf=CLK350A&vc=CLK&yr=2009) Of course the annual cost of money spent on fast food doesn’t really summarize the full cost. There are the costs of health care as a result of obesity related illnesses and the social cost of less family dinners together. According to the CDC, the total cost of obesity and overweight health issues was about $92.6 billion in 2002. (http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/causes/economics.html). If as a nation we eliminated the health care costs of obesity and overweight related illness, we could nearly fund Universal Health Care (as proposed by Senate Democrats in 2009) and provide health insurance for every person in the United States. If your New Year’s Resolution this year is to cut out fast food, remember what it is costing you and your country and stick with it!

10. Wasting Time: According to a Web survey by America Online and Salary.com, the average worker admits to frittering away 2.09 hours per day, mostly surfing the web. If you have resolved this year to spend less time on Facebook, YouTube and HGTV.com (…is that last one just me?), but need some inspiration, then consider how much better off you could be if you used that time productively. Two hours a day translates to an additional 10 hours each work week that we could be doing something industrious, like getting a second job. Even 10 extra hours a week at Massachusetts minimum wage ($8 an hour) ends up being an additional $4,000 each year! With that amount, you could get a 2004 Harley-Davidson Sportster. If you choose to invest your $4,000 a year instead of spending it, you could have an additional $453,133 for retirement!

We hope this insight will help you stick with your New Year's Resolutions in 2010, and we would love to hear your feedback. What is motivating you this year to succeed financially? We look forward to hearing your own ideas, either on this blog on on Twitter (@LantrnFinancial). Thanks for reading!

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Find That Special Someone… Without Cheating On Your Budget.

When trying to meet someone special, most people gravitate towards the places where they know they can meet other singles: bars and clubs. In fact, When Bostonians were asked in a CityVoter poll: “where is the best place to meet other single people in Boston?” 75% of respondents answered with a bar or restaurant. While these spots are usually populated with other people, they can end up being prohibitively expensive options (a couple of $12 mojitos in, and your “socializing” budget is blown for the month!). Fortunately, there are plenty of other places to meet people that won’t cost you an arm and a leg… and may even bring you to your financial soul mate.

Please enjoy these 10 suggestions on creative and cheap ways to meet someone special, and begin your own financial romance. I hope to hear your own tips! Please leave your comment son the blog, or tweet them to me at @LantrnFinancial. Enjoy!

1.Get Physical

Playing a sport is a great way to get exercise and bond with new people who have common interests. Additionally, all of those chemicals that your body is producing during exercise (endorphins, adrenaline and serotonin) are also released when two people are attracted to each other and falling in love, so it’s kind of like a head start! And the best part about meeting someone this way? It is cheap to join an intramural sports team!

Check out the Boston Ski and Sports Club (www.bssc.com) to see all of the different intramural sports teams that are available. They offer everything from Soccer to Hiking to Golf. They also have plenty of social events, like cruises and rooftop mixers. And for an even better deal, enter our contest at www.lantern-financial.com to win a One Year Membership to the BSSC, for free!

If you enjoy running, try a club such as Community Running that welcomes all ages and abilities! The cost is $10 a month and includes coaching! (www.communityrunning.org ).

Of if you are trying to expand your horizons, stretch out with free Yoga offered for free every Wednesday morning through August at the Rose Kennedy Greenway in the North End (http://www.trumba.com/eventscalendar/ma/boston/rose/fitzgerald/kennedy/greenway/conservancy/boston/parks/big/dig/central/draft-calendar).


2.Take a Class

Boston offers a wide array of fun, skill-building classes that can lead your life in a new direction, many at little or no cost.

MIT offers free beginner Salsa lessons on Mondays (http://web.mit.edu/salsaclub/www/). A friend of mine had success with this tip: she has already been on two dates with her dance partner!

Take a climbing class at MetroRock in Everett (www.metrorock.com ). Don’t worry, it’s easy to get to off the Orange Line and they offer a free shuttle to pick you up. If you want a day of climbing for 50% off the normal price, contact us at info@lantern-financial.com to join the Lantern Team for a day! (Date TBA… some time in August.)

Feel like cooking up something spicy in your romantic life? Try a cooking class from Boston Center for Adult Education www.bcae.org that teaches you to stretch $40 into a week’s worth of healthy meals. This class is a bit more expensive but you will be learning something cool, opening the floor to interesting conversation, and meeting someone with similar interests. Some places like the BCAE even have singles nights, where classes are geared specifically towards helping singles meet each other.

3.Go to a Museum

It may sound geeky (it is) but a museum is a perfect place to strike up a thoughtful conversation. It also provides for an easy fix for awkwardness. At a bar, any moment of silence is awkward, but at a museum, silence is pensive, mysterious, even sexy!

The Museum of Fine Arts offers free general admission museum nights on Wednesdays 4:00 -9:45 P.M.

If you want a little extra romance for $12, (think ivy in a nighttime open courtyard) the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum on the Fenway combines art with live music every third Thursday from now until September. (http://www.gardnermuseum.org/afterhours/afterhours.asp ) Admission for college students is $5.00 with I.D. Check the website for additional admission deals if you are a Red Sox fan!

4.Join a religious group

As with all of these suggestions, in order to meet that special someone, you will have the most luck if you are doing something that is fun and important to you. This is especially true for this tip. If expressing your faith is important to you, or you are seeking to explore faith, this may be a perfect opportunity to do so, and meet someone else special that is doing the same thing. There are study groups, prayer sessions, and even outings and field trips! A Google or Yellow Pages search will provide you with plenty of options within many faiths. And of course, it’s free! Ever heard of a Bible Study cover charge?

5.Go Outside and Hang Out in a Park

So far this “summer”, being outdoors has not been an option in Boston, but we are keeping our fingers crossed. Especially because when the weather gets nice, our beautiful parks fill with people! And my favorite part about hanging out in the park, of course, is that it is absolutely free.

Besides the Common and the Public Garden, check out the Charles River Esplanade, The Arnold Arboretum in JP, The grassy quad on MIT’s campus, The Kennedy Greenway in the North End or the Evans Way Park on the Fenway. Strike up a conversation with someone else enjoying the sun, bring a Frisbee and find a partner, or bring a pet along: it’ll be a great conversation starter.

If you’re looking for the Backyard BBQ feel that is hard to find in the city, you’re in luck. Every Friday through Aug. 21, backyard games like badminton, bocci and tether ball are on the Rose Kennedy Greenway from 12:00PM – 2:00PM.

6.Don’t Give Up on Online Dating

Of course the popular dating sites like www.eHarmony.com get a lot of attention and can be very successful, but it may cost $40 to send an email! However there are cheaper online alternatives to internet dating, ones that don’t require any fees at all.

An example is www.Meetup.com, which is an event site where people post things that they are doing around the city. Dodgeball, Ultimate Frisbee and Guitar Hero are a few examples of Meetups in the Boston area. A member of the Dodgeball Meetup said, “It was a wonderful way to meet new people!” Reach out through one of these websites to find people who like doing the same sorts of things that you do, and then meet in a neutral location, or with a group.

Twitter (www.Twitter.com) could also be a useful tool to help you meet someone special. Tweetups (a Twitter Meetup) are fun gatherings with lots of local adults. (As always, remember to be smart and safe about online dating, and connect with people in neutral locations.)

7.Volunteer

Volunteering is free, fun and it feels good. You give back to the community, usually in ways that are enriching and enjoyable. And you often meet other people who care about the same things as you. It is also a great way to find people who are generous, responsible and thoughtful… a recipe for a great romantic partner.

Here are a few places to volunteer to get you started:
a. Boys and Girls Clubs of America, (http://www.bgca.org),
b. Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Massachusetts Bay (http://www.bbbsmb.org),
c. The Women’s Lunchplace(www.womenslunchplace.org),
d. Boston Cares (www.bostoncares.com),
e. Young Alumni Volunteering Association, or YAVA, great for recent college graduates (www.yava.com),
f. or Habitat for Humanity (www.habitat.org).

8. Wine and Cheese Tastings

Many wine stores offer free wine tastings throughout the week in order to showcase their products to their customers. Some times they even set out appetizers. These types of events are perfect for meeting people because they already have a date feel, but they are completely free.

On Tuesdays, Best Cellars on Boylston Street offers free tastings from 5:00PM – 8:00PM. Not into wine? Boston also does beer tastings. Check out Wine Gallery on Boylston Street in Brookline from 5:00PM – 7:00PM on Thursday nights for a free tasting.

Looking for something a little more upscale to end the work day? Looking to meet someone in a suit? Vinalia in the Financial District has free wine and cheese tasting at 6pm every Wednesday! (http://www.vinaliaboston.com/calendar.asp?month=8&year=2009)


9.Participate in Local Events

There is always a lot going on in Boston, especially during the summer. This time of year is all about enjoying entertainment, food, and beautiful weather (even though we haven’t yet arrived this year) for very reasonable prices.

Consider the free Boston POPs concert at the Hatch Shell (July 3rd) (http://www.searchboston.com/happenings.html), the Cultural Survival Bazaar (http://www.culturalsurvival.org/) on July 11th or many of the restaurants that offer deals to both ladies and gents throughout the week. For example, Match on Newbury Street has Ladies’ Night on Thursdays ($5 entrees for women) and will soon be announcing a Gentleman’s night (www.matchbackbay.com) . With all these great opportunities, saving money and meeting new people who are doing the same is a recipe for romance!

Read the Improper Bostonian and Stuff and Night to find out what else is happening that is cheap and attracting other people in the same mind set. To make it even easier to find all of the great goings on in Boston, follow us on Twitter as we announce these steals @LantrnFinancial.

10.Throw a Singles Party

At Lantern Financial, we are big believers in “Do It Yourself” to save money. Instead of going out, stay in and invite the singles to you! By creating an MeetUp.com group, a Facebook event page, and inviting all of your single friends and having them do the same, you can create a gathering of fun, interesting people, all looking for romance.

Host a potluck to save money- your guests will be happy to participate in making the party a success and showing off their cooking or baking skills. And read our blog from April, “Party Planning on a Budget”( http://lantern-financial.blogspot.com/2009/04/party-planning-on-budget.html) , for inspiration on how to make your bash a smash!



At Lantern Financial we believe that romance and finance go hand in hand. I hope that these tips will help you find your own financial romance! This list is just the beginning, and I look forward to hearing your own ideas on meeting someone special and maintaining your relationship with your budget, either on this blog or on Twitter (again, @LantrnFinancial). Thanks for reading! Click here to read more!

Days and Nights of Summer

Picnics on the Esplanade by day...

Trivia at local hot spots by night...

And many more fun, free and affordable things to do in Boston this summer!!

It is June and summertime is here! Those of us who live in the bean, and those who love to visit, know that Boston summers are bursting with fun things to do! Fortunately for us, there are also lots of FREE and affordable fun things to do! To help you plan your summer full of fun and budget- friendly activities, I have compiled a list of a few local happenings going on throughout the summer.

MONDAY:

1. Johnny D’s of Davis Square in Somerville has an especially fun Monday night. FREE pizza from 6:00PM – 8:30 PM precedes a lively night of trivia (team or individual). And if you miss the pizza but don’t want to buy restaurant priced food, don’t worry! You are invited to pack your own and bring it right in. (http://johnnydsuptown.com/ )

2. If you are a student and are looking to go out to eat, look no further than Fire and Ice in the Back Bay. The all you can eat, self-serve “improvisational grill” is just $9.95 per person! Just make sure you have your student ID. (http://www.fire-ice.com/locations/boston.html ) **And if you love Fire and Ice, check out our contest for June: we are giving away a $50 gift certificate to Fire and Ice!**

3. Students get all the good discounts, don’t they? Well never fear, because there are good deals for those of you in the work force too! Monday nights means FREE bowling and billiards at Kings in the Back Bay. It is “Industry Night”, so just bring a business card, or a stub from your hotel to play for free! (http://www.backbaykings.com/kings/events.php) They have other fun events going on all week, so make sure to check out the whole list.

TUESDAY:

1. Looking for some classy entertainment? Nothing says sophistication like a wine tasting, and Best Cellars on Boylston street offers them FREE from 5:00PM – 8:00PM. Keep in mind though, that you will probably find something you love and want to buy it. Discovery is the whole point of a wine tasting, just remember your budget. It may be wise to commit to not spending over a certain amount before even walking into the store. (http://www.bestcellars.com/)

2. You haven’t really experienced a Boston summer unless you’ve hung out at an Irish Pub. Crossroads on Beacon Street offers free Dart Nights on Tuesdays starting a 8:30PM, so get on your best fake Irish brogue, drink a Guinness, and throw some stuff at other stuff for FREE! (http://crossroadspubboston.com/ )

3. This last Tuesday recommendation is neither free, nor every Tuesday of the summer, but it is a great, affordable event that happens to fall on a Tuesday! The 27^th annual Scooper Bowl will take place on June 9^th (through 11^th) from noon until 8:00PM. It is only $8 for adults, $4 for kids 9 and under, and free for kids under 3, to eat all of the ice cream you can handle. The best part, of course, is that all of the proceeds go to benefit the Jimmy Fund. (http://jimmyfund.org/eve/event/scooper-bowl/default.html)

WEDNESDAY:

1. Beginning in July, the Landmark Orchestra offers FREE concerts at the Hatch Shell on the Esplanade beginning at 7:00PM. So pack up a picnic, a blanket, feel the breeze off the Charles River and enjoy the sounds of Tchaikovsky and Brahms. All you have you pay… is your attention. (http://www.bostonfamilylife.com/2009/05/boston-landmarks-orchestra-free-summer.html)

2. When the music is ending, the stars will be coming out. To get a better look, head over to Boston University to check out the Coit Observatory. They offer FREE stargazing after 8:30PM on Wednesdays throughout the spring and summer, as long as the skies are clear. (http://www.bu.edu/dbin/astronomy/?q=AS_open)

3. Didn’t make it to trivia on Monday? Well McGreevy’s Sports Bar on Boylston Street is there for you, just so long as the Red Sox are out of town. On away nights, McGreevy’s offers FREE trivia from 7:00PM – 9:00pm, and $3 drafts for participants, as well as the chance to win lots of great prizes and giveaways. (http://www.mcgreevysboston.com/default.htm)

THURSDAY:

1. Normally entrance into the Institute of Contemporary Art runs a person $15 for general admission. Not on Thursday nights! Between 5:00PM and 9:00PM general admission is absolutely free! (http://www.icaboston.org/visit/hours-and-admission/)

2. Wine tasting isn’t just for wine anymore. If you’re more of a beer person (like I am) head over to the beer tasting at the Wine Gallery on Boylston Street in Brookline from 5:00PM – 7:00PM on Thursday nights. It’s FREE, and you just may discover a new brew that you love without hurting your wallet. (http://www.wine-gallery.com/)

3. Wall sconces, huge wine racks, a contemporary twist on medieval décor… and $1 tacos. This tasty and affordable offering seems totally out of place at Bonfire, a Todd English Steakhouse in Park Plaza, but who’s complaining? (http://www.bostonchefs.com/news/2009/5/29/bonfires-1-taco-thursdays/)

FRIDAY:

1. The end of the work week has arrived! This is the moment to treat yourself to something entertaining, and the movie theatre is a classic location. But there is a reason that American Cinema is a billion dollar industry – movie tickets are expensive! This summer, check out recently released movies for FREE outdoors at the Hatch Shell with Boston’s 24^th annual Free Friday Flicks. There are also giveaways, food samples, and more. (http://www.wbz.com/Free-Friday-Flicks-2009/4419168)

2. Now that it is warm out, pledge to do something great for the environment, your health and your budget! Instead of driving or taking the T, start biking to work on Fridays! You also get a free breakfast at government center, a police escort for your convoy, and the chance to be part of a life WZLX radio broadcast. (http://bikefridays.kintera.org/faf/home/default.asp?ievent=301166)

3. The last tip for Friday is not free, but it is a good deal. Havana Club in Central Square offers a $12 deal which includes cover charge, coat check and a salsa lesson! Not bad for a Friday night! (www.havanaclubsalsa.com)

Then of course there are wonderful things to do around Boston that are FREE EVERY DAY OF THE WEEK!

1. Have a picnic in any of our beautiful parks. If you’ve already spent plenty of time in the most famous ones, the Boston Common and the Public Garden, check out some of the other lesser known spots, like the Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway, which is the park between Haymarket and The North End, or the Arnold Arboretum in Jamaica Plain.

2. Head over to the USS Constitution – a floating museum and a retired US Navy Ship. It’s FREE to the public every day during the summer!

3. Instead of paying to get into a museum, check out the Boston Public library, or go into any of the many art galleries along Newbury Street.

4. Tour of the Sam Adams brew house. FREE or by donation entrance, and free beer samples with a glass to keep!

These are just a few of the wonderful things to do around Boston, and I would love to hear what free things you do on your summer nights! I look forward to hearing from you! Please comment and share your own tips here!

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