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 a pretty penny. We found ways save…
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 essence of the holiday season? More often…
What would we do without Pinterest? We at Cheapism consider it a fount of useful tips for getting the creative juices flowing while saving time and money. So we wondered, can a frugal consumer plan a cheap Christmas by relying…
Cyber Monday and Black Friday. Is there really a difference? Cyber Monday is a marketing tool created in 2005 by online retailers. Making the day following the long Thanksgiving weekend a retail holiday was an attempt to sustain the hype…
Apple’s announcement this week of the new iPad Mini was widely expected, but the iPad 4 came as a surprise, given that the previous version just came out in March. The news has left many consumers with buyer’s remorse. With…
The concept is a bit mystical, a little unsettling, and no doubt a glimpse into the world to come: shopping without any cash or credit cards, just a smartphone. It’s possible already at thousands of stores, via mobile payment apps…
If you have a smartphone, there’s a good chance you’ve installed at least a couple of free apps on it. But free software isn’t just for smartphones. There are plenty…
One of the easiest, cheapest, and best ways to improve your PC’s performance is to add more memory to your system. Installing cheap PC memory sticks isn’t difficult to do,…
There are hundreds of dining apps that will help you find a place to eat, but which ones will save you money on the bill? The average American family forks…
Gardening, as a hobby, can be expensive if you’re not careful. You start off with a few planters and a rose bush, next thing you know you’ve got scalloped stone…
While longer days and warmer weather are obvious indicators of a fast-approaching summer, for many people it also signals the beginning of a fast-paced wedding season. If you’re planning multiple…
It’s always exciting to bring home a new TV, home theater receiver, printer, or other electronic gadget, but many of these products don’t include the cables you need to connect…
City living has its perks, but a backyard garden is usually not one of them. Urbanites can still reap the benefits of cheap gardening and growing their own food by…
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…
Should I buy generic window cleaner or splurge on that bottle of Windex? Clorox or store brand bleach? Generic or brand name is a decision we often have to make…
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,…
For travelers seeking a bargain, New York City is probably not at the top of their list: The Big Apple is notoriously and often prohibitively expensive to visit. The high…
A smart grocery trip today can keep the pizza deliveryman away. A well-stocked refrigerator and pantry are essential for cooking quick, cheap meals (see our earlier blog post for ideas).…