Money

  • 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 some items demand replacements, other types of kids’ clothes can…

  • 12 Steps to Hiring a Contractor for Less

    This is the time of year when you look at your home afresh and think about all the improvements you’d like to make. The prospect of some tax refund cash might be just the spur you need to get started.…

  • Credit Reports and Scores: What 20-Somethings Need to Know

    The intricacies of the credit system and how your credit score and credit report are calculated is a dull subject for most consumers. Getting a handle on how this all works while in your 20’s can set you on a…

  • How I Saved More Than $500 in a Month

    This February we invited readers to take the Frugal Month Challenge and commit to what some have called a “no-buy month.” My family of four embarked on this cheap-living challenge and now I’m back to share the results. I am…

  • 4 Best Sites for Free Online Tax Prep in 2015

    The annual ritual of filing income tax returns is often complicated, time-consuming, and costly. Enlisting a tax preparer can cost hundreds of dollars. Instead, many taxpayers can prepare and e-file a federal tax return for free and a state return…

  • 11 Ways to Throw a March Madness Party on the Cheap

    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,…

  • No Health Insurance? How to Avoid Obamacare Penalty Fees

    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…

  • 10 Ways to Save on Valentine’s Day

    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…

  • Score Savings by Refinancing Your Mortgage

    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…

  • 10 Ideas for a Budget-Friendly Guys’ or Girls’ Night In

    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…

  • What It Costs to Opt Out of Obamacare

    While filing taxes this year you may notice a new question on the form: Did you have health insurance throughout 2014? If yes, check the box. If no, a penalty…

  • Enroll in Automatic Bill Pay and Save

    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…

  • Save $400: Take the Frugal Month Challenge in February

    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…

  • 10 Tips for Sewing Your Way to Savings

    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…

  • 11 Things You Should Be Renting Instead of Buying

    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…

  • 10 Things You May Not Realize Car Insurance Covers

    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…

  • 10 Deal Finders to Follow in 2015

    Bargain hunters, rejoice: There are more tools than ever to help you find sales, deals, and coupon codes. Companies whose sole purpose is to make finding coupons and coupon codes…

  • What’s Worth More: Your Money or Your Time?

    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…