Mix and Match Studio / Shutterstock.com Frugality is sometimes held up as the way to get ahead financially. After all, every penny you pinch is one that you can save (and invest) for future wealth. But sometimes those frugal habits aren’t worth it in the long run. Following are well-worn ways to legitimately save money … Read more
Though it’s not much fun to think about, getting life insurance is a good idea for most people, because when you die, it provides money for surviving family members (or whomever you have designated), helping them cover costs such as mortgages, unpaid debts, college tuition and your funeral. Most people know this. What they don’t … Read more
Strawberries again rank as the “dirtiest” produce, at least according to the annual analysis of one nonprofit. The sweet summertime staple earned the No. 1 spot on the Environmental Working Group’s latest ranking of fruits and vegetables with the most pesticide residue — the “Dirty Dozen” list. More than 90% of strawberry samples tested positive … Read more
file404 / Shutterstock.com I’ve been an enthusiastic thrift shopper for the better part of 30 years. It’s my entertainment, my therapy and a big part of what feeds my online resale business. But successful thrift store shopping doesn’t happen by accident; you have to know what to do and what not to do. Here are … Read more
Pereslavtseva Katerina / Shutterstock.com When you’re in a hurry to do laundry, it may be tempting to just toss a mix of clothing and other items into the washer, hoping for the best. However, haphazard laundry habits can lead to ruined clothing, costly repairs — and even washer replacement when repair estimates outweigh the cost … Read more
iofoto / Shutterstock.com Editor’s Note: This story originally appeared on Smartest Dollar. While recent economic trends have encouraged companies to relax degree requirements as a way to attract more workers, for the last several decades higher education has been tightly coupled with economic opportunity in the U.S. Unemployment rates tend to be lower for people … Read more
Monkey Business Images / Shutterstock.com Editor’s Note: This story originally appeared on Living on the Cheap. In today’s crazy-busy world, family dinner is especially important. Even though Susie has karate, Joey has swim lessons and Mom and Dad commute to work, you need time to connect as a family and eat a nutritious meal. Even … Read more
Every Friday I recap “news you can use” from the week: a handful of quotes from major (and often expensive) news sources, so you can stay up to date on the news that affects your money without spending a dime and in less than a minute. Here’s an overview of what happened this week. Banking … Read more
Inside Creative House / Shutterstock.com You’ve worked hard for your Social Security retirement benefits, and you probably want every dollar you’re entitled to receive. Unfortunately, the sad reality is that there are reasons why your Social Security payments could decrease. Many are in your control, but some are not. Keep reading to find out how … Read more
Krakenimages.com / Shutterstock.com Editor’s Note: This story originally appeared on Living on the Cheap. When you think about cutting your budget, do you immediately think about everything you’re going to need to sacrifice? It’s not very motivating to focus on what you’re going to lose, rather than how much you can gain by getting out … Read more