March Madness is quickly approaching and throwing a party to cheer for any of the 68 teams in the weeks-long tournament is what a devoted fan of college basketball does. From decorations and themed baked goods to snacks and booze,…
The first week of March is National Consumer Protection Week, and government and private organizations across the nation have been sharing advice and resources for consumers. Topics discussed range from online privacy and scams to debt and money management. Cheapism.com…
The Affordable Care Act has helped millions of people sign up for health insurance, but it also penalizes anyone who opts out of coverage. If you failed to sign up for health insurance by the cutoff date of Feb. 15,…
Valentine’s Day is approaching, which means many Americans will be dropping dollars in the name of love. Among respondents in a recent survey by the National Retail Federation, women plan to spend an average of $96.58 to show their affection…
Housing is one of the biggest expenses most people shoulder, so reducing your monthly housing bill can make a big difference in your overall budget. For the millions of people who have a mortgage, refinancing provides one of the best…
Taylor Swift is the new queen of girls’ night in. Every week, it seems, Swift posts another photo on Instagram of herself with her famous friends cooking, singing, and dancing in the living room. No doubt guys and girls alike…
Automatic bill pay is yet another perk of the ever-evolving instantaneous Internet age. Many consumers take advantage of this convenient, rewarding way of paying bills. Others remain wary about authorizing…
The holidays may provide a festive reprieve from the daily grind, but as a rule of thumb, they’re not good for your wallet. With January comes a return to real…
Sewing does require skill, no doubt about that. But for certain projects around the house or in your closet, it may be a worthwhile skill to learn and put to…
Recent years have seen the flowering of the rental economy. What started with streaming services such as Netflix and Pandora has become a full-on profusion of rental options as an…
Have you ever carefully read your auto insurance policy? Understanding what’s covered and what’s not is critical, not least because knowing the details can save you money. Be sure to…
My banker husband has always said, “Time is money.” I understood the point but never put the old adage to the test. We all probably have a different bottom line…
Another year is coming to an end, presenting a chance to reflect on what we learned during the past 12 months. From electricity costs to credit cards, we’ve covered it…
Opinions differ on whether extended warranties for electronics and other expensive items are worth the cost. But the peace of mind that comes with having phone insurance if your hand…
It’s almost a monthly occurrence: The servers of large retailers, banks, and medical facilities are hacked and customer data, including names, addresses, credit card information, and even Social Security numbers…
Veterans Day provides an occasion to honor those who have served in the armed forces, but veterans are also recognized in small ways throughout the year. Although veterans discounts may…
At the end of last year Heather Leikin travelled from Los Angeles to Mexico for a birthday and New Year’s celebration. But what was planned as a pleasant getaway turned…
Whether you’re renting a car for a day or an entire week, you’ve probably had a friend or relative tell you to waive the offered insurance. “Your credit card has…