Make no mistake, this section is what not to do. But, in honor of LearnVest’s Travel Week, we thought that it would be a nice group catharsis to send along some travel-themed financial confessions from our users. We advise you to read ‘em, learn from ‘em, and NEVER repeat ‘em.
Confession: Annie, 21, Princeton, NJ
“My friends and I didn’t negotiate a cab fare in Naples before we got in the cab. We didn’t realize that there wasn’t a meter until we arrived at our hotel…we ended up paying 20 euros for a 10 minute ride!”
Confession: Jessy, 23, Astoria, NY
“I [...]

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The LearnVest team has celebrated a lot of birthdays recently, so we’ll be the first to admit that the cost of gifts really adds up. A lot of us are aching to know: Which friends do you actually have to buy gifts for? When is a simple celebratory drink okay? Is your mere presence ever enough?
There’s no need  to pull a no-show to your friend’s party in order to get out of the gift-giving obligation. We sought the expert opinion of Lizzie Post, the great granddaughter of Emily Post, one of the nation’s leading experts on etiquette.
LV: Is it appropriate [...]

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Money is a touchy enough subject for people in love; add in the sticky dynamics when one partner makes significantly more than the other, and there are plenty of chances for complication.
You’re The Breadwinner.
Making more money than your partner comes with perks, but can also lead to an uncomfortable dynamic, say experts. If you’re paying, make sure you’re both past common stereotypes; paying for a meal shouldn’t make you feel apologetic or guilty, even if you do it more frequently (and at pricier places) than your partner. Handling the check at a fancy dinner might be a good idea, since [...]

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Love wine, but wish you knew more about how to choose it?  Well, here’s to you, LearnVester! We’ve come up with 9 ways to enjoy lovely wine on the cheap…without settling for cheap wine:
Check Your Phone.
Wine Enthusiast Magazine has a nifty iPhone app for $4.99, which will function as your virtual sommelier. Search the extensive database for the perfect wine to complement your meal. Savings will vary, but ordering with confidence is priceless.
Be A Trend-Breaker.
Typically, the biggest bargains are unknown, or off-trend. “Spanish Cava—Spanish sparkling wine—tends to be very good, even at $7 and $8 a bottle,” says Dara Moskowitz [...]

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We love having a roommate. She’s a blast for those wine-and-trashy-TV nights, and she’s also right there when we need a friend the most. That said, splitting bills and tracking who’s paid her share—and when—for rent, electricity, wine, and other expenses can get messy.
The Problem.
We love having a roommate. She’s a blast for those wine-and-trashy-TV nights, and she’s also right there when we need a friend the most. That said, splitting bills and tracking who’s paid her share—and when—for rent, electricity, wine, and other expenses can get messy.
The Solution.
Instead of straining your friendship by nagging, get geeky. Use an app [...]

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