Recent Posts

  • 10 Defensive Shopping Tactics

    One of the best ways to save money at the store is to be prepared. Especially during the holidays, it’s easy to be swept into a shopping frenzy –- the desire to give the perfect gift, the pull of big…

  • 10 Easy Ways to Give to Charity Without Spending an Extra Dime

    The holiday season is upon us, and many are feeling the stress of shopping, cooking, entertaining, and other obligations. Charitable giving can weigh on the minds of people who want to help but are strapped for cash or time and…

  • 50 Ways to Make Most of Holiday Shopping

    Holiday shopping isn’t just the usual mall scene decked with boughs of holly; it’s a whole lot crazier. With many so things to buy and so many people crowding the aisles, skill and patience are mandatory. The following 50 tips…

  • Do Stores Price Match on Black Friday?

    As shoppers line up and count down the hours before stores open on Black Friday (or on Thanksgiving, depending on the store), some will come prepared with ads — but not from the stores where they are waiting. Price-match policies…

  • Dress for Less: Where to Rent Party Clothes

    Ugly sweater parties aside, the holidays are filled with social outings that demand formal attire. But with wish lists in one hand and travel bills in the other, few people have much left in the budget for new duds. The…

  • 10 Rock Climbing Gyms to Conquer Nationwide

    Some indoor rock-climbing gyms cater to children celebrating birthday parties or company team-building retreats. Gyms for serious climbers can be much more exciting. Even the ones with the toughest routes have beginner-friendly areas and rent out harnesses, shoes, chalk, and…

  • Hosting This Holiday? 18 Ways to Cut Stress and Spending

    Holiday entertaining can be stressful — and expensive. Instead of slipping down that rabbit hole, try these 18 tips for saving money, time, and sanity without detracting from the event.…

  • 15 Ways to Cut Heating Costs This Winter

    Chilly winter weather is synonymous with cozy sweaters, hot cocoa — and steep energy bills. It’s no surprise that running the heating system on high nonstop pushes monthly costs sky…

  • 10 Cheap Ways to Stay Connected With Your Family

    Considering how busy families always seem to be these days, it’s a good thing to have technology to keep in touch. There’s little excuse for letting weeks go by without…

  • 36 Tasty Places to Eat for Cheap in Chicago

    The Windy City has a well-deserved reputation as one of the top foodie-friendly cities in America. From Chicago’s patented hot dogs and pizza to authentic international cuisine, there’s a wide…

  • 10 Cheap Substitutions for Pricey Ingredients

    Gourmet dishes and special diets may call for some expensive ingredients, but frugal home cooks can turn to cheap alternatives that don’t skimp on flavor. These ingredients are readily available…

  • 7 Things to Do Now to Afford a Wedding Next Year

    Sure, the wedding may not be until next year, but to shave some serious money off the bottom line, now is the time to start saving and planning. Thinking long…

  • Can’t Get a Small Business Loan? Look Online

    Since the financial crisis of 2008, it’s been harder for small businesses to get the money they need to operate or grow from traditional lenders. There are several reasons —…

  • 10 Cheap Recipes for National Nut Day

    National Nut Day, on Oct. 22, is the perfect time to crave hearty nut-packed dishes and treats. High in vitamins, protein, and healthy fats, nuts top the charts of healthy,…

  • 7 Ways to Save on Health Insurance

    Health insurance costs are creeping ever higher. The Kaiser Family Foundation reports that average premiums will rise 5.1 percent in 2016 for the lowest-cost marketplace silver plans available to a…

  • 10 Things You Should Never Buy Secondhand

    For many types of durable consumer goods, “shop secondhand” is a valuable money-saving tip. Books, cars, dishware, décor, and most clothes can often be bought for pennies on the dollar…

  • 10 Easy Halloween Costumes for Couples on a Budget

    We’ve all been there: It’s the night before the big Halloween party and you and your sweetie only have the clothes on your back, a roll of duct tape, and…

  • 4 Smart Places to Put Your Short-Term Savings

    Short-term savings often take the form of an emergency fund — the three to six months’ worth of living expenses everyone should have in case of a layoff, family crisis,…