Keeping It REAL - by Bettsy Tyler

    You don't have to break the bank to celebrate the holidays in style—even in this season of inflation. Prices may be higher on everything from food to gifts to decorations, but there are still plenty of opportunities to squeeze out extra savings.   For example, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), you can save a couple of hundred dollars a year just by sealing your home and boosting its insulation. 1 Other small fixes—such as swapping old light bulbs for LEDs and plugging electronics into a power strip—can boost your yearly savings enough to pay off some of your holiday budget.   And thanks to a pandemic-era boom in online shopping, it is easier than ever to find deals on new and pre-owned furniture, thrifted gifts, DIY decor, and more. Even secondhand stalwarts like Goodwill have joined the digital fray, making it a cinch to score gently-used treasures at extra-low prices. 2   You won't be the only one bargain-hunting yo...