Lifestyle

  • Are Walmart’s Back-to-School Sales Worth an Early Shopping Trip?

    August is back-to-school month for students across the country, but is it really time to shop for lunchboxes and laptops already? Walmart is catering to college students with sales starting Aug. 1. The retailer’s now-annual “Back-to-School Cyber Monday” event on…

  • Is It Cheaper to Raise Boys or Girls?

    Kids are expensive, no two ways about it. They must be fed, clothed, educated, cared for, entertained — the list is endless. In 2013, the average price of raising a child until the age of 18, according to the U.S.…

  • How to Stop Spending $350 a Year on Your Yard

    Americans are obsessed with their lawns. That verdant expanse of green serves as play space for kids and a pleasing surface for adult lounging. Some homeowners’ associations and even municipalities insist on maintaining a mowed, green lawn, the better to…

  • How to Save Hundreds on Your Wedding Cake

    Anyone who has gotten married lately, or plans to do so soon, knows that weddings are expensive affairs. Media reports peg the average cost at close to $30,000. And the cake — would you believe — can add a thick…

  • How to Get Tan on the Cheap Before Beach Season

    When the sun is out in full force and everyone heads to the shore, you probably don’t want to be the palest person on the beach. Millions of Americans choose indoor tanning to get the coveted bronze glow every year,…

  • When Does It Pay to Spend More on Home Goods and Services?

    When does it make sense to spend a little extra money on a purchase? We took a stab at answering that question by looking around the house. We found many items on which you could save money in the long…

  • What Kind of Cat Is Cheapest to Own?

    The short answer to the question “which cat breed is the cheapest?” is…a mixed breed. Obviously, that doesn’t offer much guidance but it does rule out pure-bred cats. These fancy…

  • Is Social Media Killing the Garage Sale?

    As garage sale season fast approaches, driven bargain hunters may notice a considerable drop in garage sales and the range of offerings. The reason seems to be the boom of…

  • Is It Cheaper to Buy a Printer or Go to the Copy Shop?

    Whether you have a project that needs to be printed or two tickets to the biggest show in town, access to a reliable printer is a must. But if you…

  • Where to Find Concert Tickets for Far Less

    With spring starting to bloom, the concert season also swings into high gear. For music lovers and dedicated fans, there is little better than seeing a favorite artist playing a…

  • How to Be in a Wedding Without Breaking the Bank

    Getting married is a major social event that involves family and friends. Pre-wedding celebrations abound, from the engagement party to the shower to wine and cake tastings. Post-wedding festivities are…

  • Free Prom Apps to Help You Plan a Perfect Night

    For students of a certain age, the end of the school year is synonymous with prom. Whether attending this penultimate high school event in a group or with a date,…

  • 4 Ways to Teach Your Kids About Frugality

    “Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without” was, at one time, the modus operandi of many families in America. Since then, we’ve become a consumer-oriented,…

  • Dry dog food being poured into a stainless steel bowl on floor

    4 Best Low-Cost Dog Foods and How to Choose the Right One

    Who knew picking out the best food for your dog could be such a challenge? Dog owners these days are faced with all sorts of conflicting advice: dry kibble only;…

  • How to Get a Cheap or Free Pregnancy Test (and Not Worry It’s Wrong)

    When women think they may be pregnant, they often feel the need to take several at-home pregnancy tests “just to be sure.” Because pregnancy tests can be expensive, a few…

  • Secret Shows Feature Famous Performers for Less

    On Tuesday, Feb. 4, around 11 p.m., word hit the Internet that Prince would play an impromptu “open soundcheck” at the Electric Ballroom in London. Twitter was flooded with messages…

  • Top 6 Free Texting and Messaging Apps

    With the explosion of the mobile app market, a phone carrier’s costly text messaging service can be replaced by free texting and messaging apps. Most allow users to send free…

  • 5 Best Chinese Smartphones for Budget Shoppers

    China’s mobile phone tech sector is on the rise. Many brands are little known but synonymous with cheap prices. Indeed, several websites sell unlocked Chinese smartphones at prices far below…