Click on the image for an expanded view. More information about the Quicken survey and findings can be found here. 

When it comes to saving for retirement, many Americans have some catching up to do.

Since the IRS has raised contribution limits on 401(k)s and IRAs for 2013, taking full advantage of these accounts could get you a lot closer to your retirement goals.

But whether you’re a baby boomer or a member of Generation Y just beginning your career, building your nest egg should get a little bit of a boost thanks to next year’s increase in contribution limits for 401(k)s and IRAs.

So, follow these steps.

Max out your 401(k) plan contributions this year and next.

If you haven’t hit the max, in the next two months, increase the percentage of pay that goes to your workplace retirement plan. The maximum contribution to 401(k)s for 2012 is $17,000.

Next, plan to slightly increase your contribution rate next year. The maximum 401(k) contribution will increase $500 to $17,500 in 2013.

Contribute at least as much as the company’s matching contribution.

Always make sure you’re contributing at least enough of your pay to your 401(k) plan to qualify to receive the full matching contribution that your company may offer.

A 2011 study by Fidelity found roughly 40 percent of company match dollars were “left on the table.” That’s free money, wasted.

Make IRA contributions up to the April tax deadline of the following year.

Of course, you should contribute the maximum contribution to IRAs, too: up to $5,000 for 2012 and $5,500 for 2013. That’s another $500 boost.

If you’re self-employed, you can really stash away a lot of cash. A SEP IRA allows you to contribute up to 25 percent of your compensation into this retirement plan. The maximum contribution to a SEP IRA is $50,000 this year and $51,000 in 2013.

The good news is you don’t have to get all of your 2012 IRA money in by the end of the year. You have until April 15, 2013, to make your IRA contribution count for the 2012 tax year.

Catch-up contributions give those 50 and over an extra boost.

If you’re 50 or older, you can really bulk up your retirement savings by taking advantage of the IRS’ “catch up” provisions. You can add $5,500 to your 401(k) this year and next, for a maximum contribution of $22,500 in 2012 and $23,000 in 2013.

The catch-up contribution for regular and Roth IRAs in 2012 and 2013 is $1,000. So for those 50 and older, you could be stashing away $6,000 in an IRA this year and another $6,500 next year.

There is no catch-up contribution for a SEP IRA, but if you can stash away $50,000 or more this year and next, you should still be in pretty great shape.

“New IRS Rules Help Retirement Savers Catch Up” was provided by CNBC.com. 

When you're required to report to an office each day, having the option to work from home may sound like the answer to your professional prayers. In fact, if projections by the TeleworkResearchNetwork.com come to fruition, those aspirations will become reality in the near future.

Based on current trends, it estimates that “regular telecommuters will total 4.9 million by 2016,” representing a 69% increase from the current level of remote employees.

Though a remote work arrangement can certainly eliminate many of the headaches and expenses that accompany reporting into an office each day, it doesn't lessen performance demands. In fact, working from home presents an increased obligation to maintain a stellar professional reputation that will keep your career moving forward, regardless of your locale.

Here's how to make working at home, work for your career:

Don't overthrow your current schedule.

Depending on where you reside and how far from home you currently work, you'll gain anywhere from a few minutes to several hours in your day, by simply eliminating your daily commute.

In fact, the 2011 Texas Transportation Institute Urban Mobility Report estimates that the average commuter loses 34 hours a year, just waiting in traffic. In addition, when you work from home your auto insurance premiums may become cheaper, thanks to less time spent in the car during peak drive times.

However, that doesn't mean working from home is a “free pass” to hit your alarm's snooze button. A lack of physical presence increases your responsibility to prove to superiors and peers that you are performing, and productive, from home. One easy way to establish such trust is keeping the same (or earlier) hours than your counterparts (even if you're still in your pajamas)!

Need an additional incentive to rise and shine? Waking early can be a natural means at mitigating the socially isolating effects that some work at home employees sometimes experience as a result of a lack of organization culture and face to face support. One study from the University of Toronto suggests that morning risers are have a more positive and upbeat outlook than night owls.

Structure your workday accordingly.

You're probably aware of the times of day when you're sharpest, and one key benefit of working from home is having the freedom to structure your workday in a manner that complements your work style–provided of course, that you're adhering to mandated deadlines and communication standards.

Scientists at the International Brain Education Association Sung say that from early morning until about 11 a.m., your brain has moderate levels of cortisol, a stress hormone that promotes focus. This is when you're neurologically prepped to tackle tasks that require analysis or creativity.

If you're trying to move quickly through administrative actions, like emails, returning phone calls, or attending meetings, your mental quickness is at peak levels from 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., due to reduced levels of the sleep hormone melatonin. Try to grab lunch and take your dog for a quick stroll around 2 p.m., when your brain is most in need of a break.

Eliminate all distractions.

Once you've gotten the green light to work from home, it's tempting to imagine all the tasks that you'll be able to conquer, while maintaining your day job. Before you cancel the housekeeper, be realistic about how much attention working from home actually requires–and how distracting additional responsibilities at home can be.

While you may find additional time to load the dishwasher, make a healthy lunch, and let the dog out, working from home won't free up as much time as you might imagine. There's nothing wrong with taking advantage of the cost savings working remotely allows, but don't cut expenses that will jeopardize your work at home arrangement.

Likewise, be aware of your own level of self-discipline when working from home. Arrange a spot in your home that is dictated solely to your job, and keep it free of clutter and distractions.

Don't be a stranger.

As the author of It's My Company Too! How Entangled Companies Move Beyond Employee Engagement For Remarkable Results and CEO of Tasty Catering, where he encourages his own employees to explore virtual arrangements, Tom Walters has seen plenty of successful remote work situations and says they all hinge on communication, and trust.

“For a remote working situation to really function, the boss and peers must believe that the remote worker is productive. The remote worker must trust that he or she will be kept informed and updated with any and all news,” says Walters.

He suggests taking advantage of all the tech tools that keep parties connected, including Skype, email, chat functions, and social media. “Seeing and hearing the remote worker is beneficial for all employees because it reaffirms their commitment to the organization.”

He also suggests making a solid habit of ongoing communication, including daily or weekly internal newsletters and status reports, both to keep all parties aware of what is being handled, and to reaffirm the trust that ultimately holds the remote working relationship intact.

Document your progress.

You know that establishing a system of ongoing communication with your manager and peers in a remote relationship is key to work at home success, but don't assume that will be enough to keep you on the “radar” when it comes time for performance reviews, promotions, and bonuses.

Though your boss should know what you're doing, and how we'll you're doing it via your regular meetings, it's your responsibility to document all the important contributions you make that may “top of mind” for your boss. Depending on the type of work, small business management software may be useful to help keep track, manage and document certain aspects of your daily work. Walters also suggests openly asking for feedback on projects to solidify your position, and role in the company.

Joanne Cleaver, author of The Career Lattice suggests keeping tabs on all the technical, business, and problem-solving skills you gain through remote employment, too, with ongoing and regular self-progress reports or business cases that you share with your boss on occasion.

Stephanie Taylor Christensen is a former financial services marketer based in Columbus, OH. The founder of Wellness on Less, she also writes on small business, consumer interest, wellness, career and personal finance topics.

Imagine you have been injured in some way and the responsible party is a large company or wealthy individual. You think you can sue and win in court and your attorneys agree, but between legal costs and living expenses, you can't afford to fight for years to get the payout.

Now, imagine that someone offers to give you cash now and be repaid when and if you win your case.

Litigation Financing

Stop imagining. Litigation financing, also called lawsuit financing or legal financing, is an emerging industry that provides money to help plaintiffs cover legal bills and living expenses while waiting to resolve their cases.

While new and somewhat controversial in the United States, lawsuit financing has long been used in other countries and has been growing in popularity in America since appearing in the late 1990s.

The basic idea is straightforward: if someone has a legal claim for injury, such as one resulting from a car wreck, a legal financing company puts up money to pay for the injured party's legal, living, or other costs while the lawsuit is being pursued.

The money is treated as a non-recourse loan to be paid back if there is an eventual settlement.

Does It Level the Playing Field?

Litigation financing can help level the legal playing field for ordinary plaintiffs and well-funded defendants.

It can provide someone who lacks deep pockets the wherewithal to pursue a claim, or it can provide a plaintiff who prefers to have money now the option of collecting sooner rather than later.

What Litigation Financing Pays For

Legal financing isn't just for attorney's fees and court costs. The American Legal Financing Association, a group formed in 2004, says that its members provide money to pay for plaintiffs' medical care, cover children's college expenses and make up overdue child support payments.

The group says one of its members claims over 62 percent of funds it hands out go to stop foreclosures or evictions.

For impoverished plaintiffs, a good lawsuit finance service can sometimes fill a need and help their personal finance standing better than other financial institutions can. Banks, for instance, don't consider potential lawsuit awards as good collateral for loans, so they won't lend money to plaintiffs who lack good credit.

That is often the situation for people who are injured and can't work or have large medical bills. Plaintiff's attorneys, meanwhile, are barred by ethics rules from giving their clients' money.

Does It Encourage Frivolous Lawsuits?

One criticism of legal financing is that it might encourage frivolous lawsuits. Arguments against this note that if a lawsuit fails, legal financing firms lose their investment — plaintiffs don't have to repay money if cases are unsuccessful — so they are unlikely to back meritless causes.

Another issue is the cost to plaintiffs. Legal financing firms charge higher interest rates than banks, around 2 percent to 3 percent a month. If it takes a long time to settle or win a case, the plaintiff may receive little of the eventual proceeds. But individuals can have a better sense of what they will walk away with if they use their finance management software in order to estimate total interest charges if they were to go about financing lawsuits with a legal firm.

And legal financing isn't likely to be a gold mine for people who have been injured. One study reported cash advances average between $1,750 and $4,500 and rarely exceed $20,000. Advances were also typically less than 10 percent of the total estimated value of the claim.

A Side Benefit

A side benefit of legal financing is that it can provide an attractive investment alternative. Legal judgments aren't tied to the stock market, unemployment rate, or any of the other factors that affect most investments.

For people seeking returns insulated from the economy, investing in legal financing is a promising — although not risk-free — option.

The Bottom Line

The basic concept of legal financing isn't completely new. Personal injury attorneys routinely take cases on contingency, paying legal expenses out of their pockets and foregoing their own fees until the case is settled.

Many cash-strapped plaintiffs have also financed legal fees and living expenses with bank loans (if their credit is good enough) or credit cards while waiting for their claims to be resolved.

But the idea of treating a potential lawsuit payout as an investment opportunity is relatively new, and, for better or for worse, it promises to change the way we use the courts to seek financial remedies.

“Lawsuit Financing Could Change the Way We Sue” was written by Mark Henricks.

My house’s previous owner put a cement pad in the back yard along with a gate to the street and a curb cut to make it easy to park a boat, RV or other vehicle. I don’t need the parking space, but I could use a little extra cash. With a post to Craigslist, I found a local guy whose wife wanted his fishing boat out of their driveway.

Voila! I have a tenant who pays $40 a month to park his boat in my backyard, which is about a third of what a local boat dealer would charge him. And it’s infinitely more than what I’ve been getting for this unused space. In fact, after doing this for a couple of years now, I have made more than $1,000 from what used to be an empty space.

I’m not alone, either. Online classified ads sport many offers to rent parking spots in backyards and driveways. There’s a good reason for that: parking rental is an easy way to make steady money off of an asset that most people don’t even recognize is an asset. If you’re interested in looking into this, here’s how:

Consider your location.

Parking spaces in or near city centers are easiest to rent and command the highest prices. But you can also turn parking spaces into cash if you live near high-traffic areas like an airport, popular tourist attraction, sports stadium, hospital, or a major employer.

And that’s just for parking for commuters, travelers and the like. I live in a sleepy suburban neighborhood without any of these. But many people around here have boats, RVs and trailers without good places to park them.

Set your price.

Look at what commercial parking lots and boat storage places are charging, then offer a discount. You normally can’t charge as much as a commercial parking lot because you probably lack amenities like fencing, 24-hour lighting and security patrols, which many parking lots offer.

In my neighborhood, boat storage companies charge $120 a month and up to park a boat and trailer behind a high fence in a well-lit lot. I charge less because I offer less.

Advertise your parking space.

A Craigslist notice, a mention on a neighborhood newsletter, a community newspaper classified ad or other low-to-no-cost medium will work. Websites dedicated to connecting parkers with spaces such as Parkatmyhouse.com charge fees that may be a flat rate or a percentage — 15 percent is typical — of the rental price.

If possible, your ad or listing should describe location and size of the lot, price and special features. I noted mine was behind a locked gate, to which the tenant would have the key. I neglected to include, at first, the fact that the gate was fairly narrow, so wider trailers wouldn’t fit.

Research the risk, rules and regulations.

Renting out your space may violate homeowner’s association rules, zoning regulations or deed restrictions. Likewise, city rules may require you to obtain a business license. Check it out to make sure you’re legal and have filed any required paperwork. And don’t forget that any money you make off the space is income for tax purposes.

Liability is another possibility. Homeowner’s insurance may not protect you against a financial claim for damage or loss if you are renting the space as a business.

To manage risk, have renters sign a short contract including a statement that you are not liable for anything that happens to their vehicle while parked. YourParkingSpace.com offers a blank parking contract you can download for free and modify as needed.

I added a request that renters call before picking up or dropping off their trailer, so I could put the dogs in the house.

Renting out a parking space is usually no more than a slight inconvenience, and offers the chance for modest but steady income. Personally, I wish the previous owner of my house had put in two parking pads.

“Turn Empty Pavement Into Cash by Renting Out Your Parking Space” was written by Mark Henricks.  

As anyone who's been there knows, there's no such thing as a friction-free marriage. But arguing can be ominous when the topic is money.

Marriage and money problems can have devastating consequences. Couples who reported disagreeing about finances once a week were 30 percent more likely to get divorced than couples who reported disagreeing about them once a month, according to a Utah State University study.

In another survey, published in the Forum for Family and Consumer Issues, finances proved to be the leading cause of conflict in marriage, with 39 percent of respondents listing it as their primary issue and 54 percent as their secondary issue.

How can you be sure money matters won't sabotage your marriage?

Here are 10 of the most common mistakes couples make when dealing with money.

Not talking enough about finances

There's a time and place for everything, but it's often difficult to find the right time and place to talk money.

Some couples benefit from scheduling a time to talk about money matters, just like they would for a date night or business meeting. Other couples might choose to set a monetary limit that would initiate a conversation: Let's say, for example, they decide purchases under $500 are discretionary but spending money over that amount warrants a discussion.

Find what works for you and your spouse and commit to it. It might not be the most enjoyable way to spend time together, but you'll thank yourselves later.

Thinking you can buy love

If you think splurging on a new diamond ring or luxury car will help improve your marriage, think again.

A Brigham Young University study found couples with two materialistic spouses were worse off on nearly every measure. Following behind were couples with one materialistic spouse.

Couples who claimed money was not important to them, however, were lucky in love: They scored 10 to 15 percent better on marriage stability and other measures of relationship quality than couples with one or two materialistic spouses.

Interestingly, it didn't matter how much money they had, but how much value they put on money. In the study, couples who were better off financially but admitted to having “a strong love of money” found that money was a bigger source of conflict.

Ignoring conflicting spending habits

Scholars have found that individuals gravitate toward spouses who look, sound, and act as they do – except when it comes to money, according to surveys conducted by the University of Pennsylvania, University of Michigan, and Northwestern University.

Penny pinchers and reckless spenders tend to marry the other, but these couples report unhappier marriages than those in which both spouses had similar spending habits, the studies revealed.

Disparity in spending can be manageable, but if issues aren't addressed, research says this could increase your likelihood of money problems in marriage and possibly even divorce. The Utah State University study found individuals who feel their spouse spends money foolishly reported lower levels of marital happiness and gauged their likelihood of divorce at 45 percent.

Not agreeing on how to divide money

Whether you have joint or separate accounts – or both – doesn't really matter. What does is whether your financial plan is the right one for your marriage.

This comes down to you and your spouse's spending habits and money values. If you're unnecessarily stressing about small, day-to-day purchases, for example, it might be better to put part of your finances in separate accounts – so you're less likely to question your spouse's every buy.

If you work better as a team knowing where all your money is and where it's going at all times, then merged accounts could be better.

Taking on too much debt

About 76 percent of Americans admit money is a significant source of stress in their lives, according to an American Psychological Association report.

There's nothing more stressful about money than debt – especially the high-interest, hard-to-pay-off kind. If there's debt hanging overhead that's threatening to come between you, focus on paying it off – together. Money management software, such as quicken deluxe can help accomplish this.

Hiding purchases or debts

Eighty percent of married couples hide some purchases from their spouse, according to a survey by nonprofit CESI Debt Solutions – with men admitting they're more likely to routinely cover up their spending.

The survey revealed 30 percent of respondents view financial infidelity as being just as harmful as sexual infidelity. What's more, 79 percent of married respondents were more likely to confess about their financial infidelity to a friend than their spouse.

Lending or borrowing money from family

Borrowing money from family comes with major strings attached. After all, you're risking your relationship if the deal goes bad.

These waters are even more treacherous for married couples. Rule of thumb: Whether it's borrowing or lending, the fewer in-laws involved, the better.

Of course, with the right scenarios, borrowing money from or lending it to family can be a success. But proceed with caution: Consider drafting a legal document to ensure everyone's on the same page, and resist splurging on luxury items while you still owe family members money.

Believing you need to split up financial responsibilities traditionally

Traditional roles suggest that women manage the day-to-day finances, like balancing the checkbook and paying the utility bills, and men typically handle investing and financial planning. But traditional isn't always best.

A better option: Recognize each other's individual strengths and divvy up the financial tasks accordingly. You want the best candidate for the job, regardless of what other couples do or used to do.

Failing to recognize that money matters carry emotional weight

Compared with disagreements over any other topic, research shows financial disagreements last longer, are more salient to couples, and generate more negative conflict tactics, such as yelling.

Money conflicts in marriage particularly affect men. Research suggests that since they are socialized to be providers, men tend to take financial conflict harder than women.

Not enjoying your money together

Money doesn't always have to be a source of stress or conflict. It can also be a source of pleasure. Some of my happiest memories with my husband wouldn't have been possible without us spending money – on things like exploring Italy, or taking our daughter on her first trip to Florida.

In fact, research indicates that spending money on new experiences, like concert tickets or a wine tasting, produces longer-lasting satisfaction than spending money on material possessions. Experiences bring us happiness not only when we're experiencing them, but also whenever we reflect back on them as memories.

Fond memories, after all, usually turn out to be one of the most valuable assets in a marriage.

“10 Money Mistakes That Can Ruin a Marriage” was provided by MoneyTalksNews.com.

In the 21st Century, it seems retail is for the birds and no one is willing to pay full price anymore.

Hands down, the best way to comparison shop is online. This allows you research wholesale prices and get the best deal on new and used anything, including cars.

While buying a car online comes with some degree of peril, knowing the process before you begin shopping will help ensure that you get the best deal with the least amount of mess for your personal finance situation.

Cast a Wide Net

The more places you look, the closer you can get to your dream car. Check Craigslist, as well as major online car shopping sites, such as AutoTrader, CarMax, CarsDirect, Cars.com, Carwoo and AutoBytel.

If you are looking for a little extra assurance, eBay Motors is the only major online vehicle-purchasing website offering protection for buyers, so you should always exercise caveat emptor.

A car in another city or state might need to be shipped to you, but sometimes you can pay for shipping and still save money if you shop right and are carefully following the best money management advice.

Check the Book

“What is a car worth?” isn’t a hard question to answer.

Kelly Blue Book, the official guide to the price of cars, can now be accessed online for free. Put in the year, make, and model of a car, along with its mileage, overall condition, and any extras and add-ons it might have, and Kelly Blue Book tells you exactly what it’s worth.

Market prices may vary slightly due to location and the seller’s willingness to get rid of the car, but when you know the Blue Book value of a vehicle, you have a starting point for negotiations and pricing.

Get the Papers

Another perk of car buying in the Internet age is that you no longer have to guess if a car is a lemon or be blissfully ignorant of the five-car pileup it was in the middle of.

CarFax and AutoCheck are two sites where you can run the vehicle identification number (VIN) of car and find out everything you need to know before you buy a car online.

AutoCheck offers some advantages over CarFax, including:

• Mobile app support.
• A scoring system that tells you how the vehicle’s history informs the market value of the car.
• CarFax costs $50 per VIN but you can purchase a membership to AutoCheck for $44.99 and run unlimited reports. A single report costs $29.99.
• AutoCheck is also used by many of the top guides and online vehicle marketplaces.

Escrow Due Diligence

You can’t rest easy just because the payment for your car or truck is going into escrow. Gather information before blindly accepting the escrow company suggested by the buyer. Do online searches for third-party reviews and even pull up a satellite image of the business if you have to.

Also keep in mind that the presence of logos from the Better Business Bureau. TRUSTe and VerSign do not constitute proof that the company is reputable. Call these organizations to find out if the escrow company really has their seal of approval.

Sign of a Scam

Everyone knows you can be scammed when buying a car online. Some common signs of scams include:

• A seller who refuses to speak to you on the phone.
• A seller who refuses to meet in person.
• A seller who refuses to let you inspect the car before purchasing it.
• A price that’s just too good to be true.
• The seller and the vehicle are at two different locations.
• The seller’s story keeps changing.
• Sellers offering protection plans on used cars.
• Sellers who use wire transfer for payment or want payment up front, rather than through escrow.

In general, if something seems a little off, do an old-fashioned “gut check.” If you have any doubt, keep looking. There are tons of cars out there waiting for an owner, and you do not have to violate basic money management tips to get one.

Nicholas Pell is a freelance writer based out of Hollywood, CA. He still owns his first car.

Marriage prompts more life insurance purchases than any other life event, according to a new poll from Northwestern Mutual. The survey of more than 2,000 American adults found that 32 percent of those who purchased life coverage on their own, as opposed to through an employer, did so as a result of getting married.

Other popular reasons for getting life insurance coverage were planning for retirement (25 percent) and becoming a parent (22 percent).

On the flip side, another recent poll looked at reasons people cite for not purchasing life insurance. The 2012 Insurance Barometer Study found that “other financial priorities” were named by 85 percent of people without life insurance as the main reason they lacked the coverage.

The study, sponsored by the non-profit Life and Health Insurance Foundation for Education (LIFE) and LIMRA, a life insurance marketing association, also found that the second-leading reason people gave for not buying coverage, picked by 83 percent, was that it’s “too expensive.”

LIMRA said that 95 million Americans, a third of all U.S. households, have no life insurance. The number of insured is also growing. Today 11 million fewer American households have life insurance compared to six years ago, according to LIMRA.

Why Purchase Life Insurance Now?

Results of both these recent survey suggest prospective life policyholders have some inconsistencies in their knowledge about life insurance.

For instance, getting married is probably a sound reason for purchasing life coverage, since new spouses now have someone else depending on them.

Marriage also may involve large joint purchases, such as buying a home. So one’s unexpected death could easily create a financial hardship that would be mitigated by life insurance.

But Insurance Barometer survey respondents who said life insurance was too expensive probably weren’t well acquainted with the fact that, according to LIFE, life insurance premiums at the moment now are lower than they normally are.

Married or single, with kids or without, near retirement of just starting out, life insurance has rarely been a more affordable option, the group said.

The Role Life Insurance Plays

The Northwestern Mutual poll also found many people were overlooking important factors when determining the amount of life insurance they needed.

For instance, the pollsters said just 15 percent of the uninsured people surveyed included the prospective costs of paying for a child’s education when figuring out how much insurance they should purchase.

Even fewer, just 11 percent, considered childcare costs, which can be as significant as college for younger children.

Northwestern Mutual says its poll suggests consumers are not considering all possible roles life insurance can play in a family’s financial plan. For instance, most (52 percent) of those who did get life insurance coverage were motivated by a desire to provide for loved ones.

However, just 6 percent said they were doing it in order to fund a financial bequest for heirs or to support a posthumous contribution to a charitable cause or non-profit group.

Common Misconceptions About Life Insurance

In announcing The Insurance Barometer survey, LIFE listed several examples of what it called misconceptions about life insurance.

One is the idea that people who are near retirement and whose children are adults don’t need life insurance. LIFE said that benefits from a life insurance policy can help provide financial security for a spouse if one dies.

LIFE said another misconception is that employer-sponsored coverage is probably adequate. Employer-provided coverage typically has modest benefits that may not cover a family’s actual life insurance needs, the group said.

The organization also warned that employees who purchase coverage through employers can’t take coverage with them if they change jobs.

The insurance surveys were released as part of Life Insurance Awareness Month, an event begun in 2004 as an industry-wide effort to educate consumers about life insurance and its role in personal finance.

This article was written by Mark Henricks.

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In order for your business to achieve long-term profitability in today's competitive consumer marketplace, it's imperative you understand the power of digital marketing.

More than 78 percent of U.S. adults (98 percent of teenagers) are Internet users. The Internet user's primary on-line activity includes email, search, social media, and shopping.

This is a vast window of advertising opportunity when viewed from a marketer's perspective.

Major retailers, corporations, and financial institutions have already harnessed the power of digital marketing and the influence the Internet has on consumer behavior and have launched elaborate digital marketing campaigns as a result.

Yet, many small businesses fail to take advantage of the basic digital marketing tools available to them that can help grow their business.

Internet User Statistics

In a 2012 Pew Research Center Report (Digital Difference, Zickuhr & Smith 2012) on digital disparities in America, conducted July 25, 2011- August 26, 2011, it was concluded that adults 18 and older access the Internet to engage in the following activities an average of:

• Email: 91%
• Search: 92%
• Social Media: 64%
• Shopping: 71%

Do It Yourself Digital Marketing

There are three chief areas of digital marketing that you should focus on: web, email, and mobile. Launch your business' digital marketing campaign by integrating these three easy to manage strategies.

Email Marketing: Email marketing is cost-effective, easy to implement, and a powerful direct marketing tool. It's reported that 77% of consumers prefer permission-based email marketing communications, and 66% make purchase decisions after receiving direct email communication as part of a business's digital marketing strategy.

Build an email campaign using a popular engagement marketing solutions provider such as Vertical Response, Constant Contact, or iContact. These providers offer valuable digital marketing solutions, tutorials and other resources to assist small to mid-sized businesses launch successful email campaigns.

Social Media: Don't' under estimate the power of word-of-mouth. Create vibrant social media pages and regularly post photos, videos, and questions in addition to plain text. And always be sure to add your social media page tags to your email blast communications.

Search Marketing: Submit your website to major search engines to ensure your business is visible in local search. Create company profiles with on-line directories such as Manta and Yelp, and industry specific directories like Zagat.com for restaurants and BnBFinder.com for bed & breakfast businesses.

To effectively manage your digital pages, monitor their activity, update necessary information, and periodically review and respond to users to engage and build trust amongst your audience. You can try implementing marketing small business software to make these activities even easier.

Qiana Chavaia is the CEO and Founder of Q Arts & Media, LLC, a New York City-based marketing firm. She's also a digital and interactive marketing strategist, and small business and personal finance columnist for mint.com and quicken.com.

The phrase “shopping for a college” takes on new meaning with buyers’ programs that plow rebates into savings accounts that can be used to pay for higher education. These programs help make saving for college easy, automatic and almost painless. Here are three:

Upromise

Upromise is a program sponsored by student lender Sallie Mae that kicks back up to 10 percent of what you spend when shopping online, buying groceries, eating out and other purchases made with a credit card enrolled in the program.

You accumulate cash that can be directed into a 529 education savings plan or other financial account. Typical rebates are 5 percent for shopping at participating retailers, 8 percent for dining out at affiliated restaurants, 4 percent for travel purchases, and 1 percent when you shop anywhere using the Upromise credit card.

Upromise is flexible and offers appealing financial advantages. To begin with, it doesn’t cost you anything to participate in the program — although purchases with the affiliated credit card may incur interest charges if you carry a balance.

The participating retailers pay the kickbacks in hopes of getting more sales from people choosing to patronize Upromise members. But Upromise members pay the same prices as other consumers. Members also pay no taxes on the cash they accumulate from making purchases through the plan.

The money doesn’t have to be saved for upcoming college expenses either. For instance, graduates who owe Sallie Mae for financing their education can pay down student loans using Upromise.

People can use Upromise to help build accounts for their children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews and friend’s kids. Those who haven’t been to college, don’t plan on attending and don’t know anybody else who want to go to college, can use earnings for other educational purposes, such as career-related education, language instruction, etc.

Plans change, of course, and if someday you find yourself with a child who is ready to go to college or have decided to go back yourself, your Upromise earnings will be ready to help, because earnings don’t expire. Upromise doesn’t place an annual or lifetime limit on how much members can earn and the company claims some earn as much as $1,000 per year using the program.

There are some limitations. Online purchases must be made from Upromise partners and by using links on the Upromise website. Restaurants have to be paid with a credit or debit card registered to the Upromise Dining program and purchases at participating groceries and drug stores only count if you swipe your Upromise-registered store card.

Upromise accounts don’t earn interest, but you can transfer money from your account into an eligible 529 account, or use them to pay down student loans. Members can also draw funds directly from the accounts with a check made out to themselves, then using the money to pay current school costs or to invest on their own.

BabyMint

BabyMint is similar to Upromise, but it includes optional participation in the Sage Scholar Tuition Rewards program in addition to the cash rebates. Tuition Rewards lets you use earnings to fund “scholarships” that help cover tuition costs at participating schools.

Tuition Rewards can only be used at participating schools — all of which are private not-for-profit, four-year colleges and universities — and can’t be used for books, fees or anything but tuition. Currently, the list of schools includes mostly small 175 institutions in 34 states.

BondRewards

BondRewards takes a different approach, letting members who patronize more than 600 affiliated online merchants earn points that are convertible into Series EE U.S. Savings Bonds as well as cash.

Besides being highly secure — guaranteed by the U.S. government — the earnings from the savings bonds are exempt from federal income taxes when used for college. In addition to making purchases, you can earn money by referring friends, taking surveys or updating your profile.

None of these programs is likely to pay all of a student’s college costs. But they could be able to help at least a little, without costing much or anything. And that’s good news for people who are looking for creative ways to pay for college.

“Shopping for College: Using Rewards Programs to Pay Your Way Through School” was written by Mark Henricks.