Recent Posts

  • Turning Happy Hour Into Dinner: A Cheapskate’s Guide

    Happy hour, once known as cocktail time, is that transition period between the end of work and the start of dinner. It used to be that you had to hang at a local bar for a happy hour deal —…

  • Secret Shows Feature Famous Performers for Less

    On Tuesday, Feb. 4, around 11 p.m., word hit the Internet that Prince would play an impromptu “open soundcheck” at the Electric Ballroom in London. Twitter was flooded with messages about the surprise performance and the venue was flooded with…

  • Top 6 Free Texting and Messaging Apps

    With the explosion of the mobile app market, a phone carrier’s costly text messaging service can be replaced by free texting and messaging apps. Most allow users to send free messages only to other users of the same app, but…

  • 5 Best Chinese Smartphones for Budget Shoppers

    China’s mobile phone tech sector is on the rise. Many brands are little known but synonymous with cheap prices. Indeed, several websites sell unlocked Chinese smartphones at prices far below what you’d normally pay for the hot sellers here. Some…

  • 6 Tips to Save Big at SXSW and Other Music Festivals

    It’s hard to believe, with arctic temperatures pummeling most of the United States, that the spring and summer music festival season is almost here. As any budget-conscious music fan knows, festivals are pretty pricey even as their siren song of…

  • Best Value on Valentine’s Day Diamonds: The Answer May Surprise You

    Valentine’s Day is fast approaching, so if you’re considering the purchase of jewelry or a similar keepsake, it’s time to start researching the options. A little forethought can save you money without compromising the quality of the gift.Regardless whether you’re…

  • 8 Things ‘Girls’ Can Teach Fans About Frugality

    Like generations of young people before them, the cast of HBO’s Girls came to New York to make careers in the arts — writing, acting, music. In the meantime, Hannah…

  • Lean Body, Fat Wallet Book Review

    According to Lean Body, Fat Wallet by Ellie Kay and Danna Demetre, you can hit that sweet spot with just a few simple lifestyle changes. Kay is a financial expert,…

  • 9 Contracts That Are Painful To Cancel (And How To Get Out Of Them)

    Contracts are a standard part of doing business, one that obligates both parties to the stated terms. As customers know all too well, trying to end the relationship before the…

  • Beyond Beer: 8 Non-Alcoholic Drinks for a Party

    Are you ready for some … hosting? If your living room has been designated the local Super Bowl venue, preparation is in order. Namely: party drinks and food. (We’re supposing…

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    Top 6 Most Affordable (and Growing) Cities in the U.S.

    The most desirable places to live are often among the most expensive. But some of the most popular cities in America now have below-average costs of living and affordable home…

  • Save Money With These 2-Wheeled Alternatives to Cars

    At the Consumer Electronics Show in January, compact electric scooters and stylish electric bikes with ranges of at least 20 miles caught the spotlight. But price points of $1,500 or…

  • How to Train Your Dog for Less

    Dogs are said to be humans’ best friend, but humans’ best friend originated in the wild and descends from wolves. The modern dog must be trained in household etiquette in…

  • Dogs vs. Cats: Which Makes the Best Pet?

    It’s an old question, and to some a first-date necessity: Are you a dog person or a cat person? In their respective roles as both work animals and pets (and…

  • Free and Cheap Ways to Monitor Your Credit

    In the midst of the busy 2013 holiday shopping season a security breach at Target led to the theft of 40 million (and counting) customers’ credit and debit card information.…

  • 4 Best Diet Plans for Tight Budgets

    Usher in the New Year with a new you. For many, this means resolving to eat better and exercise more. If that’s your goal for 2014, a well-balanced and easy-to-follow…

  • 5 Touchscreen-Friendly Gloves Under $25

    Record-breaking cold this winter has challenged even the most obsessive mobile device users. But do you really want to risk frostbite just to tap out a short message or snap…

  • Multitasking to Get in Shape

    We’re all pressed for time and eager to find ways to multitask — especially when it comes to exercise and getting in shape. We identified several activities you can pursue…