All you really need to enjoy a summer picnic is a blanket, warm weather, good food, loved ones, and an assortment of cheap picnic supplies. Here are some of our favorites, chosen for convenience and...
Memorial Day weekend has arrived and it's time to set summer in motion. Grill an array of inexpensive yet savory meats while sporting a snazzy sun hat. Take a camping jaunt but be sure to keep the bugs...
We've compiled a list of eight cheap camping tips to use this summer. Why? Because camping, believe it or not, can cost as much as hotel/motel stays. In an ideal world the outdoors would always be free,
Mid-May is the perfect time to hunt for an apartment or a temp job. Learn to unlock the mysteries of price matching and use it to your advantage. Beach season is almost here so get ready with cheap...
With Mother's Day upon us, Memorial Day weekend is just around the bend. Swimsuit season is ready to bust open, so be prepared with the proper swimming attire -- for her, him, and the kids. Get in shape...
It's just about time for swimming pools, water slides, and beach days and that means cheap swimwear for men and the kids are must-have items. If the youngsters have outgrown last year's swimsuit and...
April is National Car Care Month, so protect your investment and save money down the road. After spring cleaning indoors, enjoy the warmer weather outdoors in a pair of durable hiking shoes. For those...
It's no secret that a baby costs a lot in the first year (and the second, and the third ...). A middle-income family welcoming a second child can expect to spend about $12,370, according the most recent...
With Easter on the calendar for next Sunday, get ready with homemade Easter decorations. Entertain your guests with a jamming new home theater system. Take some time to plan for a cheap summer family...
Summer is prime time for a family get-away. If you're concerned about costs, now's the moment to start planning a fun summer vacation that fits your budget. Whether your family enjoys the great outdoors...
Given that the Easter Bunny often arrives in April, you may be surprised to see that the holiday is coming up quickly this year, on March 31. Before you run out and purchase ready-made Easter decorations,
We've all been there - tempted to buy anything and everything in bulk. At the time it seems like a good idea to take advantage of lower per item costs and stock up. But some items are just not meant...
Spring will be taking the stage any day, and we're covering all the opening acts, including St. Patrick's Day and spring break. We've also updated our buying guide to cheap digital cameras so you can...
It might be too late to book spring break tickets to the Bahamas, but forgoing a big trip will certainly save you money, and you and your family don't have to travel to an exotic location to have fun.
This February we invited readers to take the Frugal Month Challenge and commit to what some have called a "no-buy month." My family of three embarked on this cheap challenge and now I'm back...
With fond memories of cabin mates, campfires, swimming pools, and s'mores, it's no wonder summer camp is a natural choice for parents looking to give their children the same enriching experience they...
Spring may still be a few weeks away but if you're a first-class budgeter you know that snaring summer vacation deals means planning ahead. Between flights, car rentals, and lodging, the relatively...
Wintery weather may linger for a while in many parts of the country but spring is just around the corner. Now's the perfect moment to look for spring break deals.
The holidays may provide a festive reprieve from the daily grind, but as a rule of thumb, they're not good for your wallet. With January comes a return to real life and living on a tight budget as you...
Are you wondering what to do for Valentine's Day? You're not alone. For the single guy or gal it can be a day of loneliness and self-doubt. For couples, choices abound -- from a romantic outing to a...
Are you ready to hit the slopes but don't want to blow all your money on a long winter weekend? No problem. Here are 10 easy ways to ski for cheap without any loss of fun for you and the family.
Not planning on watching the Super Bowl on Feb. 3? You might be the real winner.
While most Americans are glued to their couches watching TV and rooting for their respective team, you'll...
Whatever your political persuasion, this weekend is an exciting one indeed. Watch the inauguration on a cheap tablet or download a free fitness app to jump-start a workout routine. Planning for deals...
Long winter weekends will be with us for a while. We're surrounded by kids, responsible for keeping them entertained, and it seems like there's nothing to do. But wait … We found six fun and cheap indoor...
It's only the beginning of January, but cold and flu season came on early and is shaping up to be one of the most severe in recent years. Doctor's visits for fevers, coughs, and sore throats have spiked...
Christmas Eve arrives on Monday and 2013 shortly thereafter. Get ready for the parties and family gatherings with Christmas tree decorating, cheap liquor, slow cooker recipes, and tips for celebrating...
Crock-Pots and other slow cookers tend to emerge from cupboards around this time of year, pressed into service for creating hearty winter meals. This simple appliance has stayed in style since the 1970s...
As Christmas and New Year's loom ever closer on the horizon, festivities brimming with cocktails and other alcoholic beverages are in full swing. But quenching the thirst of your guests with can cost...
American consumers expect to shell out, on average, about $750 for gifts, decor, and other holiday items this year, according to a National Retail Federation survey. But is all that spending the true...
With Christmas two weeks away and Hanukah nearing its end, gift giving is center stage. We have cheap gift ideas for pets, kids, foodies, and even the fellow travelers in your life. We also help you...
After studying this year's top toy lists from retailers like Toys R Us, Kmart, Target, Amazon, and Walmart, we identified three best Christmas gifts for kids under $20, with a fourth costing more...
Weekly Update:
Delight in fall's color showcase with your two little ones comfortably seated in a double stroller or opt for a cheap fall getaway with family and friends.
Fall is one of the best times of year to travel. The season arrives after the busy summer travel months and before the holiday travel rush. Moreover, much of the U.S. is swathed in breathtaking landscapes...
There’s nothing you won’t do for your pet -- but wait until you see the vet bill. According to a poll conducted by AP-Petside.com and reported on NYDailyNews.com, vet visits during 2010 cost...
Frugal shoppers take note: Back-to-school ads and deals may be aimed at parents and students, but anyone can take advantage of all the discounts. Here’s how to make back-to-school sales work for you...
Believe it or not, retailers are already gearing up for back-to-school season. Here are our favorite back-to-school sales and deals.
(We'll be updating this list regularly, so make
Right now, your kids are no doubt on cloud nine - school is or just about out for the summer. But in short order, boredom will sink in, and whining, crankiness, and overall dissatisfaction - a major...
A spa day and jewelry are popular Mother's Day gifts, but a meaningful present need not be expensive. What mothers truly appreciate are the thought and/or the time (really!) family members devote to...
If you're already on the hunt for cheap summer vacation ideas, you're a step ahead: Smart travelers know that scoring the best deals means starting their research early. And with spring already here,
You don't need a bottomless bank account to be able to afford summer camp or summer activities for your children. There are plenty of city, state and non-profit groups that offer cheap summer camps...
With more Americans choosing chain restaurants over independents, according to recent market research, we set out to find the best casual dining chains for families on a budget and published our rankings...
In the fight against boredom, parents can always use a new weapon or two in their arsenal of distractions. If your children have exhausted their DVD and video game libraries, try these fun, cheap activities...
April is a double-header month: It brings the first blush of spring weather and the start of baseball season. So score a home run with your family by taking them out to the ball game -- cheaply. Because...
It may seem as if everyone is jetting off to warm, far-off destinations for spring break: Cancun, Mazatlan, Hawaii, Disneyland, Ft. Lauderdale. But for those on a tight budget, there are alternative...
For those of you who are planning on throwing an Academy Awards party, here are some cheap party tips to help you throw a party on a budget, courtesy of Teri Gault, CEO of The Grocery Game, a site devoted...
This week we're gearing up for Valentine's Day, with great daily deals on gifts and lots of tips to celebrate on a budget. We also have new reviews of cheap cribs and snowboard bindings.
New
This week we posted several new frugal tips, ranging from deals on vacuums and dishwashers to buying guides for seasonal products and cheap makeup. Check out our busy week below. Also, you can now find...
No one likes to be stuck inside, particularly high-energy youngsters. But with the falling temperatures outside, cabin fever is setting in, accompanied by the attendant temper tantrums and crankiness.
Check out the latest from this week at Cheapism:
New Articles.Lego. Legos generally don't come cheap, yet fans of the brand tend not to accept substitutes.
If you're one of the millions of Americans planning to celebrate the Christmas holiday with a real Christmas tree, you're no doubt trying to decide when and where to buy one without chipping away at...
With the holiday shopping season in full swing, here's a look at what we've been working on to help save you money.
New Articles.
Outlets...
Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanzaa, Warm Wishes for the New Year -- whatever you want your holiday cards to say, there's a website ready to offer you deep discounts around this time of...
Planes, Trains and Automobiles: 10 Ways to Travel Cheap this Holiday Season
With the holidays upon us, finding holiday travel deals that won't put you in the poorhouse is both a necessity...
Weddings are expensive -- and not just for the bride and groom (and their families). What we're getting at here is the cost of attending a wedding as a guest. As Engagement Experts points out,
Nearly one quarter of annual candy sales -- the equivalent of $2 billion -- occur around Halloween. That's a lot of sugar. But if you think it's just Snickers and Butterfingers dominating the supermarket...
This week at Cheapism, we're focused on getting you ready for the colder months. We revamped our cheap snow blowers buying guide, bringing you more information on what to look for, what to avoid,
On the off chance that you're shopping for a digital photo frame and your budget is tight, you probably want to know: what's the cheapest digital photo frame? The answer, based on our research, depends...
Frugal news stories we're reading this week:
Materialism Can Ruin Marriages, According to Brigham Young Researchers (Christian Post)
Your child probably wanted his or her Halloween costume yesterday. With only two weeks to go before the spooky, sweets-filled holiday, you're under the gun to grab an outfit that won't frighten your...
Through our partnership with Groupon, we're now able to get you deals that you can't find on their website! Check out these special deals:
The search for cheap child care has many American families on edge. The dearth of affordable child care options periodically crops up in the news as parents continue to struggle with the lingering after-effects...
Here are some money saving stories we're reading:
Should You Move to a Low-Tax State? (Morningstar)
Top 8: What to Buy in July (ABC News Money)
It's tempting to go to the hilt when decorating and furnishing your baby's room, especially if it's your first-born. Major retailers peddle pretty -- and pricey -- cribs, dressers, wall hangings, and...
Here are some money stories we’re reading:
Aldi tops survey of low-cost grocers (Chain Store Age)
Tips How To Plan A Great (And Cheap) Summer Birthday Party (Parenting...
Insurance is necessary to protect things like your car and your health, but it's also costly. The goods news is that you may automatically qualify for a lower rate once you get hitched, writes Investopedia. Read more on Investopedia »
Grocery bill savings tips are yours for the clicking at ABCactionnews.com. This post points you to another link that helps you save time and money with recipes and details about sales on the items... Read more on abcactionnews.com »
Cheap organic food sounds like a contradiction in terms, but WKYC.com walks you down the grocery aisle while feeding you with tips about how to choose the organic food items that won't weigh too... Read more on wkyc.com »
Bringing up baby is costly, so you sure want to know where to find the cheapest diapers. Savings.com suggests you turn to the Internet, where you can often find good deals on this can't-live-without... Read more on savings.com »
"If you're looking for a cut-rate vacation with the kids, The Disneyland Resort of Southern California may not be the first place that comes to mind. But a visit to the self-proclaimed Happiest Place... Read more on Calgary Herald »
If you think you're obsessive about recycling, be it to save the planet or your wallet, think again. Time reports on a family that only bought gently used items for a year. Could you rise to this... Read more on Time »
Planning a wedding in the near future? Before you decide where to get hitched, check out this list fromtheknot.com, which lists the cheapest (yes!!) and the priciest places in the U.S. for that... Read more on theknot.com »
It almost seems counterintuitive. Spend more to save more. But that's what Moneycrashers.com suggests when it comes to buying clothes. Learn the secrets of smart and frugal shopping. Read more on Moneycrashers.com »
As unpleasant at is may seem, there comes a time when you have to write a will. To save yourself -- and your heirs -- a bit of money, Bankrate offers some guidance about taking care of this chore... Read more on Bankrate.com »
Confused about the new health care reform bill? Join the club. CBS Money Watch tries to help you sort things out with this report. Read more on CBS Money Watch »
Save money while enjoying life. That's one of the take-aways from this list of frugal tips. Thanks to Time for pulling it all together. Read more on Time »
Calling all diaper-changers. Amazon is offering a new service -- free shipping and healthy discounts on diapers and wipes -- for anyone (dads, that includes you) who signs on as a member. Wallet Pop Read more on Wallet Pop »
Parents, forget date night. The cost of sitters often exceeds the cost of your fun, as Momlogic notes. But the sting is worse in some cities than in others, and this post names names. Read more on Momlogic »
Weddings can cost tens of thousands of dollars -- or a few hundred. How big is your budget? Thedigeratilife presents several ideas for keeping costs in line with what you can afford. Read more on thedigeratilife »
Having children is not cheap -- and neither is buying maternity clothes. Wisebread suggests some ways to get over the hump (as in, how to avoid shelling out lots of cash for clothes you'll only... Read more on WiseBread »
There's no end to tips for saving money. Here are the latest ideas from Time. Read more on Time »
Need a nanny? Start by looking in Silicon Valley, where Gawker reports rates have fallen as more unemployed techies stay home with their kids. With wages so low, you might find someone willing to... Read more on Gawker »
Hiring a babysitter while you go out with the spouse often pushes date night out of the cheap range. That's no less true when traveling abroad. The New York Times offers a few strategies for finding... Read more on The New York Times »
You're probably tired of hearing this, but you can cook dinner for four for $10 or so. To prove the point, The Denver Post serves up 10 recipes for healthy and cheap eating, along with some reminders... Read more on The Denver Post »
Getting back to basics is what it's all about these days. And that includes getting back into the kitchen. The Boston Herald reports on an adult education class that teaches students how to plan... Read more on Boston Herald »
Start couponing and save big time on groceries. Get some tips from this story in the Star Tribune and you may buy so much for so cheap that you wind up giving some away. Read more on Star Tribune »
You know that rickety crib up in the nursery? the tottering high chair in your kitchen? WalletPop informs us that Toys R Us is launching a three-week deal that may be too good to refuse: turn in... Read more on Wallet Pop »
We've researched side-by-sides, tandems, and sit-and-stands, and identified the best cheap double strollers between 120$-$300. Factors to consider include safety, maneuverability, storage, comfort, Read more on Cheapism »
Kids love Mickey and all the Disney magic. Parents shudder at the cost of a trip to the Magic Kingdom. So, MSNBC offers up its travel guru to help you plan a visit that just might keep you smiling. Read more on MSNBC »
How deep does that new frugality vein run in American consumers? An article in The New York Times explores that question and cites some surveys about our economic mindset, shopping patterns, and... Read more on The New York Times »
There are all kinds of ways to save money these days. Now you can bid at auction for your groceries(!) and spend far less than you would at the grocery store. WKYC reports on this growing phenomenon. "How... Read more on WKYC »
WalMart is taking that cradle-to-grave thing to new heights. In addition to diapers and cribs, WalMart is now stocking caskets. Better yet, reports Associated Content, the megastore will deliver... Read more on Associated Content »
"The news that Wal-Mart's going to cease cutting paper checks for employees who don't have direct deposit has prompted all sorts of reactions -- applause for reducing paper waste, debates over whether... Read more on San Francisco Chronicle »
What a deal: bring in your used baby products, get a discount on new products, and leave fewer unsafe baby products out in the world. The offer comes from Toys R Us and was brought to our attention by... Read more on Wallet Pop »
Mickey and Minnie are waiting for you this season. So do some advance planning, and go...and you won't even need to empty the piggy bank. The Miami Herald tells you how to pull off this amazing... Read more on Miami Herald »
Summer may be almost over but vacation season lives on. Here are some family-fun suggestions from WAPT.com for destinations within driving distance that keep your budget on track. Read more on WAPT.com »
If you've got a hankering for some cheap Chinese food, head on over to New YOrk City's Chinatown. TimeOut NY suggests this list of places with tasty deals. Read more on Time Out NY »
Golf is one of those sports that seems to scream money. But if you're hankering to see how far you can hit that little white ball, or how many putts it takes to knock it into the hole, and can't or don't... Read more on Nashua Telegraph »
Forget about all those designer namebrand onesies and nursery accessories for your new little bundle of joy. The times have radically changed: even affluent parents are now discovering the miracle of the... Read more on The New York Times »
The great outdoors...always an adventure, but one that forges great memories and comes at a relative bargain. You might be inspired to take the family camping this summer after reading this guide from... Read more on CNN »
