"By saving frugally, we reap liberty, a golden harvest.” The Spartan King, Agesilaus, spoke those words 24 centuries ago, and they are still true today. Here are some financial goals to consider when choosing your New Year’s Resolutions.

Returning your Christmas gifts can be an OK experience or the bah-humbug misery of the season. Here are a few helpful tips. First, call the store to find out when lines might be shortest. Second, ask yourself, “Do I really need to return things at the crack of dawn on Dec. 26?”

Ask Santa for new tech stuff and, most importantly, ask for a techno-wizard elf to keep your stuff running.

Check this deal. Take four people out to an evening movie; buy each a ticket, a small popcorn and a small drink for a total of $24. Where? Well, you are about to find out. The costly holidays are upon us, so let’s save some money on movies.

Bargain hunters alert! Santa, wearing a red-and-green sombrero, is flying in early this year riding on an Indian thunderbird. Sitting behind Santa, Kokopelli is holding on with his knees while he plays “Jungle Bells” on his flute.

I can sniff out a sweet-smelling bargain the same way that Australian Aborigines can smell rain on the far side of the horizon. I was going to depend on this talent sooner than I thought.

Why should government take so much of the bread of our labor? Are we to be slaves? Can’t we just tax the rich? The answer is: not really. Ask yourself: from where do the rich get their money? The rich get their money from us. When we purchase various products, we pay the seller; and the seller delivers a product. How does government taxation compare? We give our tax dollars to the government, but what do we receive?

The bugle is calling assembly for all Leathernecks, Deck Apes, Wingnuts, Dog Faces, Bubbleheads and Shallow Water Boys. No, this is not about throwing a costume party or casting a horror movie.

Editor's Note: These letters to the editor have been sorted by topic by the Tribune editorial staff in an effort to allow readers to read varied opinions on the issues, candidates, and other circumstances surrounding the 2012 general election. These submissions are the opinions of the author, not the Tribune, and have not been edited for grammar or content.

Dave and Marla Stern of Ahwatukee Foothills describe their 30-year marriage as a wave of ups and downs.

Q: Does couponing have its own language? I’m trying to figure out this whole world of couponing. However, I feel like I’m reading a different language. Help! Please translate.

Lina Darnell’s daily routine is like that of most stay-at-home moms, taking care of the kids, getting lunches made, and keeping up the home.

Moms are on the front lines of doling out allowances and shaping their children’s money habits.

Mesa’s elected leaders are raising concern that deep staffing cuts triggered by the recession could hamper the city’s economic recovery as home renovations and large commercial centers are increasing.

We have this running joke about our frugal practices in the early days of our marriage. I married a man who saved a percentage of every single dollar he’d ever received from childhood gifts, household chores, and grocery store paychecks. I wasn’t nearly as disciplined, but still, pretty cautious with spending. For 10 years in fact, we never even bought a headboard for our bed — we just let those mattresses sit on the floor in our master bedroom like college kids.

We have this running joke about our frugal practices in the early days of our marriage. I married a man who saved a percentage of every single dollar he’d ever received from childhood gifts, household chores, and grocery store paychecks. I wasn’t nearly as disciplined, but still, pretty cautious with spending. For 10 years in fact, we never even bought a headboard for our bed — we just let those mattresses sit on the floor in our master bedroom like college kids.

On April 18, you published the article “Smart Spending.” Although the tips mentioned were useful, some could take up more time and possibly more money than necessary. Although I’m only 14, I know four easier and cheaper ways to save money at the movies.

As it is a leap year, 2012 has an extra day that occurs this week, Feb. 29, which doesn’t mean that your life got a day longer (sorry) but your year and your month definitely did.

Watch out taxpayers, we are about to get skinned again. The East Valley Tribune (Sunday, ‘This year, lawmakers have more money to fight over'), reports that the state anticipates having "$416 million to $650 million left over" this fiscal year. And already legislators are salivating over the spending possibilities that gleam in their eyes.

I must say I'm impressed. I must also say like Derek Anderson being hit on a corner blitz, I never saw it coming.

At a time when families are watching dollars, unexpected treasures are an increasingly important strategy for stores.