Recent Posts

  • 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 alternative to buying. The upshot is less personal debt, less…

  • 10 Ways to Waste Less Food (and Money!)

    Every bit of unused produce, leftover dinner, and expired canned food equates to dollars lost from your pocket. Over the course of a year, this can add up to a loss of $2,275 for a family of four, according to…

  • 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 check for these 10 types of contingencies, perhaps in a…

  • 10 Ways to Lower the Costs of a New Baby

    It’s no secret that a baby costs a lot in the first year (and the second, and the third …). A middle-income family welcoming a child can expect to spend about $245,000 per child from newborn to the age of…

  • Comparing Healthcare Costs? Here’s Where to Start

    The open enrollment period for purchasing health insurance under the Affordable Care Act began on Nov. 15, 2014, and consumers have until Feb. 1 to enroll. For those who are already covered, there are new prices and plan options. For…

  • 10 Top Gadgets You Can Get for Less

    Consumers have more choices than ever when it comes to gadgets, including a range of options in categories that didn’t even exist a few years ago. In 2014 we saw the ascension of 3D printers, smartwatches, drones, and action cameras.…

  • 12 Gadgets That Help You Save Time and Money

    Smart thermostats are all the rage these days. If you don’t want to make the large initial investment — or you’re wary of omniscient mobile apps and electronics — you…

  • 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…

  • 6 Ways to Find Free and Cheap Yoga Classes

    With all the stresses of modern life, quiet, meditative movement seems like the perfect antidote. Yoga classes and instruction have a reputation for being expensive, with drop-in rates hovering around…

  • How Grandparents Can Save New Parents Thousands Per Year

    The average cost of raising a baby during the first year is $12,000 to $24,000, which totals more than $245,000 to age 18. Once the initial sticker shock wears off,…

  • 6 Ways to Avoid Annoying Baggage Fees

    About 90 million Americans have travel plans this holiday season, according to a recent American Express survey. Although some people will drive or take a train, many will journey by…

  • The 5 C’s of Finding a Diamond for a Christmas Proposal

    Dreaming of ringing in the holidays with a sparkling diamond? Multiple surveys show that December is the most popular month of the year to get engaged. Finding the perfect diamond…

  • 6 Stocking-Worthy Smartphone Battery Cases

    This is a top seller on Amazon, where it averages 4.5 stars. The 3,100 mAh battery can completely recharge the 4.7-inch iPhone 6 (and then some). Put another way, it…

  • New Year’s Tickets Too Pricey? Try These Alternatives

    New Year’s Eve doesn’t have to mean bidding a frantic farewell to your budget. It’s possible to send the year off with a bang and barely spend a buck. According…

  • Airbnb

    7 Big-City Vacation Rentals as Low as $10 a Night

    $10/Night Book It For about the cost of a movie ticket, you can get an entire apartment to yourself in Oakland, Calif. This one-bedroom suits a solo visitor or a…

  • Price Survey: Stay Away From the Biggest Drugstore Chains

    Is a chain drugstore the first place that comes to mind when you’re out of toothpaste or need to have a new prescription filled? You may be better off heading…

  • Do You Know Your Credit Score?

    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…

  • Should You Sign Up for Store-Branded Credit Cards?

    Store-branded credit cards come with tempting offers like reward points and exclusive access to coupons and sales events. With the high-spending holiday season closing in, shoppers no doubt are looking…