Credit scores. . . To many of us, they seem like arbitrary numbers that can be frustratingly impossible to manipulate. To others, credit scores are quite the opposite; understanding and improving them has become a challenge from which many financial benefits can flow. When I sit down with a client who has been dealing with less-than-wonderful credit, they usually know which financial mishaps and choices got them there. And although time and the responsible use of credit cards for bad credit should help them finally regain control, understanding what makes up a credit score could have kept them out of trouble in the first place.

So you’ve seen the sun, the surf, the sand, and you’re ready for a vacation that doesn’t give you bathing suit anxiety or an empty bank account. You’re not alone.

Conventional vacations can be costly, stressful and leave you feeling like you’ve been through a triathlon rather than tranquility. Many wise travelers have opted for “stay at home vacations”, or staycations, to avoid the expensive hassle and enjoy their immediate environment more than ever before.

How do You Savor a Staycation?

Master the Art of Laying

When’s the last time you curled up under the covers while nibbling on a croissant? You haven’t? I knew it. There’s nothing better than being still and getting cozy.

Sleep in. Eat breakfast in bed. Cultivate calm.

There's no doubt you felt some pain at the pump this weekend if you hit the road for a 4th of July getaway. With the national average for a gallon of regular gas hovering around $3.57, even Prius owners can be overheard complaining about gas prices these days. But the big question is where will prices head the remainder of the year? While no one really knows, I think it's safe to say we'll all be better off if we seek ways to limit our gas consumption and prepare for higher prices to stick around permanently. I've had several friends completely ditch their cars this year in exchange for bikes, but I also live in a city that makes this switch fairly easy. Even without a bike, you can get around just fine in Seattle on foot and public transportation. For many though, ditching their cars just isn't a feasible option, so we turn to gas rebate credit cards as an excellent way to at least ease some of the pain at the pump. If you're on the hunt for the best gas credit cards, here's my pick for the one card that truly stands out among the rest:

Credit cards can certainly serve as a status symbol. Why do you think so many Visa commercials feature a James Bond-esque motif? In particular, credit cards made of metal have long been a symbol of wealth and luxury. Now, such cards are extremely limited (many believe there are less than 10,000 in circulation), and they are generally distributed by invitation only.