Recent Posts

  • person riding a bicycle in Amsterdam
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    20 Bike-Friendly Cities for a Vacation

    Whether you want to stay close to home or venture abroad, taking a bike for a spin is an ideal way to get the lay of the land in a new destination. And May is National Bike Month, so there’s…

  • Mama Hamil's, Madison, Mississippi
    Rachel L./Yelp

    Best Greasy Spoon in Every State

    When it’s time for a tasty, filling meal at a fair price, greasy spoons are there to satisfy the craving. Many of these unassuming joints aren’t much to look at, but most are filled with local flavor and colorful history…

  • computer hacker stealing data from a laptop
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    10 Ways to Prevent Ransomware Hacks Amid the Global Attack

    An unprecedented “ransomware” attack has hit tens of thousands of organizations in 150 countries around the globe. Victims of this epic attack include Britain’s National Health Service, universities, and delivery company FedEx. In these types of attacks, cyber-criminals infiltrate a…

  • Family playing with bubbles outdoors
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    20 Fun Ways to Get Outdoors as a Family for Cheap

    Outdoor activities can breathe a little fresh air into family life, as well as become the stuff of priceless memories. Simple pleasures are often the most rewarding — and the most affordable. These 20 activities range from light-hearted and laid-back…

  • cheerful man watering home garden
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    How to Stop Spending $400 a Year on Your Lawn and Garden

    Tending your yard isn’t cheap — homeowners spent an average of $407 on lawn and garden care in 2016, according to the annual National Gardening Survey by Harris Interactive. While do-it-yourself types can pocket savings by not hiring pros, the…

  • House Sold
    Monkey Business Images/shutterstock

    40 Essential Tips for Selling, Buying, and Owning a Home

    Buying or selling a home is one of life’s most important financial decisions. While it’s often intensely personal, some essential advice often applies no matter what the circumstances. These 40 tips can help homebuyers and sellers get the most out…

  • V. J. Matthew/shutterstock

    10 Tips for Reviving Your Outdoor Furniture

    Warm weather and sunny skies mean backyard barbecues are coming soon. Don’t let worn outdoor furniture bring down the mood. From making new cushions to painting chairs to restaining wood…

  • Earth Day illustration
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    27 Free or Cheap Earth Day Events

    On April 22, 1970, 20 million Americans took part in demonstrations across the country demanding a healthy, sustainable environment. Those gatherings on the first Earth Day led to the creation…

  • hands reaching out from a big pile of clothes and accessories
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    16 Ways to Live Like a Minimalist

    From the kitchen and closets to the home office and beyond, clutter doesn’t just overwhelm us. There’s evidence that even mild hoarding is bad for emotional health. Minimalism is freedom…

  • senior woman with laptop computer and credit card
    mimagephotography/shutterstock

    Advertisers Are Ignoring Senior Spending—But That’s Fine By Me

    In my salad days as a 40-something, I couldn’t understand advertisers’ fixation on the coveted 18-to-49 demographic. What was so special about us? What happens when you turn 50? Now…

  • A family of Grizzly Bear stroll down a main road in Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
    JackVandenHeuvel/istockphoto

    20 Free Adventures at National Parks

    Budget-conscious travelers love national parks, but many don’t realize how many free, unique activities they offer — beyond brief ranger-led talks or walks. These 20 enticing adventures give a taste…

  • selection of four craft beers during a tasting session on a wooden table
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    How to Pair 12 Beers With Food

    If you’re at a fancy restaurant and want to order a nice wine to pair with your entree, you consult the sommelier. But what if you want a beer instead?…

  • Rearview shot of a young couple arriving hand in hand at their wedding reception
    Hiraman/istockphoto

    15 Best U.S. Cities for a Destination Wedding on a Budget

    A destination wedding needn’t cost a fortune or involve a flight halfway around the globe. Plenty of U.S. cities provide memorable, budget-friendly wedding settings, from beaches to historic mansions. To…

  • couple at home checking expensive bills at desk
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    10 Ways Taxes Might Affect Your Relationship

    Death and taxes are not the only inevitabilities in life. Sooner or later, most people will also fall in love. How that overlaps with personal finance is explored in a…

  • customers wait in line to order meals from a popular food truck during their lunch hour
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    19 Great Cities for Food Trucks

    Food trucks have gone gourmet, sparking a deliciously affordable culinary nationwide trend. The trucks’ lower expenses mean foodies can usually sample gourmet flavors with international influences for less than in…

  • young woman choosing glasses in optical shop
    EmirMemedovski/istockphoto

    18 Places to Buy Glasses Online for Less

    With the cost of new frames and lenses often reaching well into the triple digits, the prospect of buying prescription eyeglasses leaves many wearers quaking. Enter online providers, which have…

  • female hands paying in cash
    ptnphoto/shutterstock

    20 Things You Probably Don’t Want for Free

    Let’s say you win a free vacation, but then everything goes wrong: The company booked the wrong flight. The hotel doesn’t have the reservations. And the destination itself turns out…

  • 'Buy Local' written on a brown paper price tag
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    10 Ways Shopping Local Can Save You Money

    Today’s “buy local” movement persists in spite of the popularity of online shopping hubs. While it’s convenient to order everything including the kitchen sink from your computer or phone, there…