I have heard many here debate the best price for a plane ticket for their wife to go back to visit the FSU, but I learned a couple of months ago that the real cost of the visit is the new luggage, the new wardrobe, and the requisite gifts for any possible acquaintance they might run into in their visit. My wife is on her second visit to Ukraine, so the luggage has been bought, but the wardrobe still required an update and the gifts remained mandatory.

I'm curious to hear the experiences of those who have sent their wife for a visit and what additional expenses they have encountered. It might be a nice eye opener for the newly married.

If you're entertaining thoughts of buying your first home now that the housing market is cooling off and prices are coming down, take note: The cost of home ownership might be a lot more than you think.

I'm not talking about the down payment or monthly mortgage payments. Although buying a home is a big investment, owning one comes with a new set of expenses you may not have had while renting or living with Mom and Dad. These extras can put a strain on your daily finances if you aren't prepared.