Living on a Budget
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Frugal Redditors Share Their Favorite ‘Cheap Gift’ Ideas
Persistent inflation is changing the way Americans think about holiday shopping, according to a recent Bankrate survey. But belt-tightening doesn’t mean you have to give up on gifts altogether. Ahead of the holiday season, Reddit’s thriftiest members shared how they…
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Walmart, Kroger, and Other Grocery Rewards Programs That Will Save You Money
Loyalty programs — almost a given at major supermarkets — are a win-win: Customers get access to special deals and discounts, while stores keep them spending in one place and gain access to an ever-growing mountain of data on their…
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26 Reasons Why Staying at a Hotel Beats a Vacation Rental
Whether you’re Camp Hotel or Camp Airbnb/Vrbo, there are pros and cons when booking either option for your vacation or business trip. For some, hotels have been priced out of their budget, hence the preference for value-for-money, short-term vacation rentals.…
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11 Affordable Used Cars Most Buyers Overlook
After a global microchip shortage led to fewer new cars and higher prices, buyers poured into the pre-owned market looking for deals. That perfect storm led to an inflated used market in which some old vehicles are selling for more…
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I Stopped Shopping on Amazon and This Is What Happened
It took some time to recognize it, but … I’m an Amazonaholic. I had an addiction to clicking “Buy Now” in my spare moments. For many of us, the pandemic exacerbated the tendency to go to Amazon for anything and…
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A Look Back at the 1970s Energy Crisis
While Americans struggle to pay for necessities like food and gas, oil companies are raking it in. Exxon Mobil reportedly made a $17.85 billion profit for the second quarter, and Chevron came in at $11.62 billion. It’s a complete turnaround from…
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30 Cheap Choices That Can Cost You in the Long Run
We are a society that loves being cheap. Walmart built an empire on being cheap. Outlets including Amazon, Overstock, and eBay wooed U.S. consumers out of stores and online by…
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22 Cities Where You Can Live Car-Free
There are a lot of benefits to owning a car, not the least of which is being able to travel whenever and wherever you want. But that freedom ain’t free,…
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30 Products That Are Worth Spending More On
We don’t always advocate buying things on the cheap, especially something you’ll use daily or potentially have for years. There are plenty of companies with products that their owners say…
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12 Free or Cheap Things You Must Do in Chicago
Exploring a new city these days isn’t cheap: There are vacation rentals to pay for, restaurants to explore, and museum fees to fork over. But every city — including Chicago — offers…
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50 Ways to Prepare for a Recession
With consumer prices soaring, interest rates rising, and the looming threat of an economic downturn, many U.S. households are looking for ways to tighten their budgets, do more with less,…
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The Big Short: How Popular Consumer Products Are Shrinking
As if inflation isn’t enough to deal with, companies have decided to add insult to injury by shrinking products without lowering prices. It’s called “shrinkflation,” and it’s getting out of…
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12 Ways to Save This Summer at Costco, Sam’s, and BJ’s
When shoppers think of the savings found at Costco, Sam’s Club, or BJ’s Wholesale Club, food and paper goods likely spring to mind. But the warehouse clubs offer deals on…
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Ways to Become a Product Tester and Get Free Stuff
Free samples have evolved from freebies in supermarket aisles to items that arrived with a newspaper or magazine subscriptions to free perks for influencers and loyal customers. Free samples are…
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Credit Horror Stories That Will Keep You Up at Night
Your credit isn’t your life, but it affects much of it. Your credit score determines not only your credit card limits, but how worthy you are to rent or buy…
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15 Smart Purchases That Pay for Themselves
Cutting expenses is always appealing, but a small upfront investment can reap ongoing savings. These products and services pay for themselves — and then some — in relatively short order.…
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Beauty Products Worth Buying at Costco
Costco may not spring to mind as a go-to spot for beauty buys, but our research shows it’s a great place for deals on many products you can stockpile, especially…
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12 Hacks and Secrets for Shopping at Walmart
Walmart is known for “everyday low prices” and its famous “Rollback” discounts. But there are so many other ways to save real money at Walmart on a regular basis. These…
