2009 Biggest Headlines

Did 2009 leave you feeling a little stressed? Thought so. Achieve rejuvenation on your next trip, whether it's a long weekend or a little more. No need to dig out your passport for that signature vacation glow; you can get it without leaving the US and while keeping your spending in check. Check out our guide to 10 Rejuvenating and Affordable US Destinations — a 2009 classic — before you plan how you are going to unwind in the new decade.

What else wowed us this year? Check out some of the biggest headlines of 2009 and cast your votes in my Best of 2009 polls!

Tough times have made us all a bit more cautious about whipping out our wallets on a whim. When it comes to spending with discretion, most of us have heightened our priorities about things we think are worth the money and those items or services that are not. Take a look back at the list of worthy investments before we ring in the new year.

What else wowed us this year? Check out some of the biggest headlines of 2009 and cast your votes in my Best of 2009 polls!

Almost exactly one year go, I first told you about a little show called Glee. It was love at first sight, but little did I know that the quirky show would turn into a cultural phenomenon. Capitalizing on the smash success of High School Musical and the acclaim for the short-lived Freaks and Geeks, Glee combines the elements to bring us a show that has it all: singing, dancing, dark humor, and a big heart.

As we progressed toward the show's premiere, the hype slowly built up — from promos to guest star news. The pilot finally aired in May, and an overwhelming majority of you were hooked. But that was just the beginning . . .

To recap the show's first mini-season, just read more

You work hard for your money, so spending it on things that just aren't worth it is a cruel thing to do to yourself. When it comes down to it, you're better off putting your cash toward some expenses than wasting it on others. Before you whip out your wallet again, take a look back at your favorite list of money wasters.

What else wowed us this year? Check out some of the biggest headlines of 2009 and cast your votes in my Best of 2009 polls!

Reflecting on the past year also means revisiting our best tips to help you usher in the New Year, just a little wiser. So, let's continue our look back at the Best of 2009 with a recap of your favorite lil bits of advice.

For new mothers accepting the changes that come with a post-baby body can seem almost as much of a challenge as the delivery — so our guide to understanding your postpartum body was a reader favorite. Be sure to read up on the 10 Postpartum Body Surprises to learn all about body after baby.

On Oct. 1, David Letterman announced during a taping of his show that he'd had affairs with female staffers in the past. While it didn't come as a surprise to a majority of you, there's no doubting that this was huge news (PopSugar Rush even mentioned it in their biggest stories this year).

The late-night host revealed that he had been the victim of an extortion attempt, with a man threatening to go public with the information unless Letterman coughed up $2 million. Instead, Letterman chose to have the blackmailer arrested and come clean to the public about his indiscretions himself.

It was a bold move and one that put the funny man on the receiving end of the jokes. To take another look at what happened, read more

It was a big year for credit card companies in the news — mostly because of ridiculously high interest rates — but, in any case, they remained a hot topic all year long. Still, maybe nothing was as shocking as the news of one family who received an outrageous total of 445 credit card solicitations, weighing over 23 pounds. Isn't that timely? Just when we're all working hard to keep our credit in check along comes not just one or two card offers, but a whole slew of credit solicitations, including a couple for the family's 8- and 11-year-old children. It sure was one crazy year.

What else wowed us this year? Check out some of the biggest headlines of 2009 and cast your votes in my Best of 2009 polls!

Source: Flickr user GoldenEel

Some mamas-to-be want to have a baby cake and eat it, too! While most everyone enjoys a pretty pastry, our readers were fascinated with these freakish and oftentimes funny baby shower cakes. Have another look at these offbeat desserts.