I’m not sure what it is about the summer months, but I feel like our spending goes into overdrive. Between the need for seemingly endless groceries to satisfy the savage young beasts who are usually in school and the cost of keeping them active and entertained, I freely (but not proudly) admit to spending more than I should.

Weekly financial Q-and-A, with advice on moving back home after college in order to save money, and whole life insurance policies.

I recently read a quote by Abigail Van Buren, aka Dear Abby, who said, “If you want your children to turn out well, spend twice as much time with them and half as much money.” Since I’ve been doing my daily errands with three kids in tow who used to be in school, this quote hits home. Nearly every time we leave the house, I field requests for everything, from big to small.

Weekly financial Q&A, with advice on college and chasing a dream in Hollywood.

Uttering the phrase “back-to-school” might be taboo these days, but that time of year will be here before we know it. (Sigh.) Don’t let it get you down, just keep it in the back of your mind, because now is the time to stock up and save on what you’ll need next year. With a little planning and attention to detail, you can set yourself up for the smartest and most savvy back-to-school shopping yet. Just think how good it will feel when supply time rolls around and you’re already done shopping smart.

For our family, summer is just one more school day away. Parents everywhere are screaming for a change in the routine and I am no different. I’ve announced a moratorium on lunch making, can barely push myself through our get-out-the-door rituals and updated my Facebook status this morning with, “Will this school year ever end?”

The world is abuzz with excited kids who are just days away from the LAST DAY OF SCHOOL. While this is good news for those of us who are dying for a break in the regular routine, it also conjures up concern regarding chores and allowance. Summer is the perfect time to begin an allowance system, if you don’t already have one in place. It’s also the best time to put kids to work! Here’s my best advice for successful implementation of your new allowance system.

Love it or not, it’s a costly couple of months. With hoards of tiny humans visiting for meals and snacks and exciting activities on the docket, it’s easy to overspend. This year, I have a few ideas in mind to keep us happy, organized and financially sound. Here are some thoughts on what we can all do to save during the coming months.

Weekly financial Q&A, with advice on teens and bank accounts, and life insurance.

Financial planning for your children may seem like a stretch. But not doing it can be just as dangerous as not planning when you are older and have issues and assets.

Weekly financial Q&A, with advice on working far from home and updating your will when irresponsible children are involved.

We’re in a post-holiday, pre-tax return financial slump. Add in three of our five family birthdays being in January, and I’m sure you can understand that this time of year is always tough for us. Almost everything I write about in this column has a personal connection to my own life, and this edition is no different. While doing a bit of brainstorming, I came up with an idea that might help us and just might help you, too.

Weekly financial Q&A, with advice on getting out of debt and attending an expensive college.

Staying connected is imperative when it comes to matters of finance. Regular meetings help key parties feel ownership in decision-making, setbacks and victories. Planning sessions leave no stone unturned, no expense unaccounted for. If you vow to make one financial resolution this year, I urge you to get on the same page with your family. You decide when kids are old enough to participate, but make time for you and your partner to meet often and productively to ensure your chance of financial success in 2012.

Weekly financial Q&A, with advice on Dave’s debt plan and paying off a student loan.

Weekly financial Q&A, with advice on credit card debt and family with money problems.

It’s resolution time; have you given up on yours yet? I hope not. January just seems like the perfect time to harness the motivation in our environment and bring our goals into reality. Sometimes though, our goals seem akin to mountain moving and that’s no easy task.

Weekly financial Q&A, with advice on how to balance getting out of debt and your marriage, and when to buy a house.

Weekly financial Q&A, with advice on mobile homes and expensive colleges.

I can already feel it; the frenzy is starting build a bit at a time. Whether I’m reading about friends wrapping gifts on Facebook or passing an uber-organized mom with a full cart at Target, I feel myself falling behind. Lists that I started in July still only boast the one item that inspired me to start keeping track in the first place and fear of holiday-related financial ruin is keeping me from darting off the starting block.