Five Ways to Start Saving Money in the New Year

If your New Year’s resolution is to get your finances in order, these guidelines will help you get started.

In this economy—and especially during this time of year—many of us are facing our very own fiscal cliff. While we may not be able to raise revenue as easily as the federal government can, these five steps may help you reach solvency and put savings in the bank, financial planners say. Once you’re free of debt and ready to grow your savings, you can look to financial services companies for investment advice, including banks, insurers and brokers. Good luck! Like Us on Facebook | Follow Us on Twitter Check out some of today's other top stories here.

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Only One Day Left to Vote in Patch's Deck the House Contest

Vote now in our Deck the House contest and help someone win $100,000 for his or her local schools.

Thanksgiving in Sewickley Valley: What's Open? What's Closed?

Need to run some last-minute errands on the Thanksgiving holiday? Patch gives you a rundown of local openings and closings.

Safran's Market – Open until 9 p.m. Wednesday; closed Thanksgiving Day Giant Eagle – Open until 1 a.m. Wednesday; open from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thanksgiving Day Rite Aid - Open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thanksgiving Day, with pharmacy hours until 3 p.m. Doors open at 7 a.m. Friday Sewickley Public Library – Closes Wednesday at 5 p.m.; Closed Thanksgiving Day, open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday Sewickley Valley YMCA - Open 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thanksgiving Day Post Offices – Closed Thanksgiving Day State Stores - All stores closed Thanksgiving Day District Judge Office - Closed Thanksgiving Day and Friday. Quaker Valley School District – Closed Nov. 22 to Nov. 26 Sewickley Academy – Closed Nov. 21 to Nov. 26 St. James School – Closed Nov. 22 to Nov. 26 …

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Before Black Friday Poll: How Early is Too Early for Christmas 2012 Gift Shopping?

It used to be Black Friday was for the earliest of birds. Not anymore.

It's only one day past Halloween (with trick or treating still to come), but it's already starting to look a lot like Christmas around the Sewickley area. Yup, the early birds no longer wait until Black Friday to do their holiday shopping. This year, Black Friday is on Nov. 23, but big retailers and mail-order companies are starting well in advance. Amazon, for example, is beginning its Black Friday on Nov. 14. Step into the local Target, Bed Bath & Beyond or Lowe's and you'll see a full array of Christmas items. Some people, no doubt, will be purchasing gift cards from the most popular establishments in the Sewickley area, listed as our Sewickley Patch 2012 Readers' Choice Award Winners. Crazy or crazy smart? Just how early is too early …

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Allegheny County Plans Annual Gift Drive to Benefit Children & Youth

A new online list makes it easier to support Allegheny County's Holiday Project for children and youth.

Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald has kicked off the 2012 Holiday Project gift collection drive for children and youth who receive services through the county Department of Human Services Office of Children, Youth & Families. The gift drive runs through Dec. 3. This year, DHS is seeking help with direct sponsorship of individual children in an effort to ensure the Holiday Project reaches its goal of providing each child with at least one meaningful gift.  “It is through the generosity of our community that gifts are collected for the thousands of children who receive services through CYF,” Fitzgerald said. “I encourage the business community, nonprofit organizations and individuals to sponsor as many children as possible.” Project…

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Allegheny County's Annual Tree Recycling Program Begins This Week

Is your Christmas tree dropping its needles or looking a little tired? Drop it off to be turned into mulch at a county park near your home.

Allegheny County's fifth annual Christmas tree recycling program begins Wednesday, Dec. 26 and will run through Saturday, Jan. 19 at all nine regional parks. County residents may drop off trees from dawn to dusk daily. All lights, decorations, tinsel and stands must be removed from trees.  The trees will be turned into mulch for use in Allegheny County’s nine regional parks. Trees may be dropped at these locations in the parks:

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Christmas in the Sewickley Valley: What's Open? What's Closed?

Need to run some last-minute errands? Forgot to grab someone a gift? Patch gives you a rundown of local openings and closings for the holiday.

  Safran's Market – Open until 9 p.m. Friday, open until 5 p.m. Saturday and closed on Sunday.  Giant Eagle – Open until 1 a.m. Friday, open until 5 p.m. Saturday and Closed on Sunday. Rite Aid - Open 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday. Open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, with pharmacy hours from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, with pharmacy closed.  Sewickley Public Library –  Closed Saturday and Sunday. Sewickley Valley YMCA - Open 5:15 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday and closed Christmas Day. Post Offices – Closed Christmas Day and Monday. State Stores - All stores closed Christmas Day and Monday, the state's official holiday observance.   District Judge Office - Regular hours Friday. Closed Saturday and Sunday as …

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Thanksgiving in Sewickley Valley: What's Open? What's Closed?

Need to run some last-minute errands on Turkey Day? Patch gives you a rundown of local openings and closings for the holiday.

  Safran's Market – Open until 9 p.m. today, Nov. 23; closed Thanksgiving Day Giant Eagle – Open until 1 a.m. today; open from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thanksgiving Day Rite Aid - Open until 9 p.m. today; open Thanksgiving Day from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., with pharmacy hours from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.  Sewickley Public Library – Closes today at 5 p.m.; Closed Thanksgiving Day, open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday Sewickley Valley YMCA - Open 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thanksgiving Day Post Offices – Closed Thanksgiving Day State Stores - All stores closed Thanksgiving Day District Judge Office - Closed Thanksgiving Day and Friday; also closed Nov. 28 to Dec. 2 for training Quaker Valley School District – Closed Nov. 24 to Nov. 28 Sewickley Academy – Closed Nov. 22 to Nov. 28…

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