Living on a Budget

  • Senior woman buying vegetables at farmers market

    Spending Diary: Why I Shop at Farmers Markets

    The first sign of summer, to me, is strawberries. I don’t eat fruit out of season, and come April I am thoroughly sick of oranges. By the time the first week of June rolls around, I have a strawberry jones…

  • Forget Paid TV: 10 Popular Free Roku Channels

    There are lots of streaming devices on the market, from smart TVs to Chromecast to Amazon Fire TV. But the household leader, at least for now, is Roku, which entertains 10 percent of households in Canada and the United States.…

  • 10 Tips for the Ultimate Summer Staycation

    Everyone deserves a break from the daily grind, whether it’s an all-out excursion to somewhere tropical or some low-key vacation time. In a recent survey commissioned by FatWallet, 81 percent of respondents said they were planning a summer vacation this…

  • 6 Ways to Churn Cheaper Ice Cream

    The average price of ice cream has been steadily increasing over the years, to $5.04 a gallon in 2014 from $3.84 in 2004, according to data compiled by Statista. But you need not give up indulging in America’s favorite summer…

  • Overcharged for Groceries? 5 Ways to Keep Stores Honest

    Whole Foods is facing fines in New York City for regularly overcharging customers by skewing the price per pound on packaged items — and this isn’t an isolated problem. Earlier this year Target shelled out nearly $4 million to settle…

  • Ranking Hotel Rewards: Where Should Your Loyalty Lie?

    Even for infrequent travelers, hotel loyalty programs are worth joining. Membership is free and often yields benefits right off the bat. It may be just a small perk, such as late checkout, or a true money saver such as free…

  • 10 Ways to Save on Amusement Parks

    Americans love amusement parks, the classic summer retreat for people of all ages for more than a century. This is a $12 billion a year industry, according to the International…

  • Amazon Prime members offer in front of the Whole Foods stores

    10 Memberships That Pay for Themselves

    Many buying clubs and online services charge a monthly or annual fee. Before paying for membership, it’s important to weigh the costs and benefits of joining. Cheapism.com found 10 memberships…

  • Don’t Touch the Minibar! How to Avoid 10 Annoying Hotel Fees

    It’s easier than ever to find good deals on hotel rooms online, but the actual price at the check-out counter is often higher due to fees and charges that are…

  • 13 Money-Saving Apple Watch Apps

    With a starting price of $349, the Apple Watch is anything but cheap. Money-saving apps available on the latest smartwatch, however, can help recoup some of the cost. From budget…

  • 13 Foods to Keep Your Wallet and Waistline in Check

    Saving money and slimming down are top priorities for countless people. Luckily, many foods that naturally encourage weight loss and a healthy lifestyle are among the least expensive products at…

  • 10 Tips for Getting a Private Jet for Less

    Skip the lines, forget taking off your shoes, and hop aboard your private jet. Now it’s time to unbuckle your wallet. Regardless whether your thoughts veer towards purchasing one outright…

  • Is Switching to Solar Power Worth It?

    For eco-minded consumers, residential solar power is an attractive alternative to relying on a utility company. Harvesting energy from the sun provides electricity without the greenhouse gas emissions of traditional…

  • 21 Common Household Items to Reuse and Upcycle

    The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that the average American generates 4.38 pounds of waste every day. About 1.51 pounds of that is recycled or composted, but that leaves a…

  • 10 Life Hacks to Save You Money

    Every year, new products pop up that seem important to buy, at least for a little while. It could be a banana slicer, a portion control basket for pasta, or…

  • How to Make the Most of Facebook Yard Sales

    Facebook tag sale groups are the hot way to buy and sell these days. With hundreds, if not thousands, of buy/sell/trade groups targeting everything from your town to your interests,…

  • Is Your Grocery Budget Too Big?

    Are you a thrifty shopper or do you go all out when stocking the fridge? Do you head to the market to buy whatever looks good regardless of cost or…

  • Skip the Flip-Flops: 10 Ways to Save on Kids’ Clothes

    Kids tear through their clothes, literally. They either outgrow things at an alarming rate or wear them so hard that they don’t last longer than a few months. And while…