It’s holiday shopping season, and major retailers including Amazon, Target, Walmart, and Toys R Us have released their lists of 2016’s hottest toys. The 40 toys rounded up here have popped up on multiple lists and cater to a variety…
Puffer coats are a trendy and time-tested way to ward off winter’s chill. They’re filled with down (the voluminous feathers of a goose or duck) or synthetic materials that trap body heat and insulate the core. When looking for the…
Prices for this year’s top toys — including classic brands and new dolls, electronics, and Star Wars merchandise — seem clustered in the $35 to $70 range, and the cost of filling up stockings and wrapping gifts for kids, grandkids,…
Some enthusiasts spend a good chunk of the year planning the perfect Halloween costume that expertly straddles the line between clever and spooky. Others desperately search for something they can throw together 20 minutes before a Halloween party. Those who…
Staying healthy is a goal that especially important to families with children. The cost of medical bills and prescriptions can dig huge holes in the household budget. Kids are most vulnerable at school, where germs and bacteria run riot in…
Skiing and snowboarding are notoriously expensive pastimes. Last season, the average price of an adult weekend lift ticket at the nation’s resorts was $109. Frequent skiers and riders, however, can cut the cost significantly by purchasing a season pass to…
Kellogg’s announced plans earlier this year to add peanut flour to some previously peanut-free snacks, leaving fewer options for parents scrambling for quick and cheap snacks safe to bring along…
Aquarium ticket prices can be scarier than great white sharks, but as a way to see exotic marine life, an aquarium visit is a bargain compared with the cost of…
In a landscape of rising tuition costs and long school supply lists, online tutoring is one area where an investment in a child’s education doesn’t have to cost a cent.…
If you’ve ever seen the MTV show My Super Sweet 16, then you know about the parents who spare no expense to indulge their child’s every desire for one birthday…
Many parents worry about the financial and environmental impact of disposable diapers and toy with the idea of using cloth diapers instead. But the hassle and mess put many people…
Buying gear for a baby — necessities and occasional splurges — swallows up cash in a hurry. New parents can make baby essentials at home to lighten the budgetary load.…
It’s funny how spending priorities change from the first child to the second or, gasp, the third. With my first son, I registered for all the newest, brightest, and most…
Homework, extracurricular activities, electronics, and other distractions take away so much family togetherness that many parents feel like they need to spring for a group getaway just to spend some…
Part of being a parent is setting boundaries and rules, and among the most important is the family budget. There are an endless number of expenses to factor in —…
With fun costumes, spooky haunted houses, and creepy games, it’s no wonder Halloween scares up so much excitement among kids of all ages. If you’re planning festivities but don’t have…
By now many parents are facing the school lunch dilemma: Go to the trouble of packing lunch every day? Or give in to the easy and possibly less nutritious option…
There are a number of small, simple ways a family can reduce their carbon footprint and live a more eco-friendly lifestyle — even saving money in the process. These easy-to-incorporate…