ArcaMax

I have so enjoyed the unique holiday tips and tricks you, my dear readers, have sent my way during the holidays. Over and again I find myself saying, "Wow! Why didn't I think that?"

A few weeks before Christmas, I was boiling mad at myself when I opened boxes marked "Christmas" to find supplies of cards, tags and gift wrap purchased on sale, ...Read more

Need a last-minute gift for an office party, a beloved friend, neighbor, coworker or anyone else on your gift list, and for any occasion? Here are seven great ideas that won't take much time and certainly won't break the bank.

GIVE AN EXPERIENCE

Think about fun activities you could do with different people on your list: dinner for a friend, ...Read more

Years ago, I discovered money was a great antidepressant. I spent to change my mood, to reward myself and to make myself feel better after a stressful week. I spent money when I felt sad and when I felt glad. I spent to get approval, to make my kids more popular, to impress people I didn't even know. The list goes on and on.

Who hasn't indulged...Read more

Ah, sleep -- that elusive friend we all need but sometimes can't seem to find. I don't know about you, but I've spent plenty of nights staring at the ceiling, wondering why my brain insists on replaying every awkward thing I've ever done instead of letting me snooze. The good news? You don't need fancy gadgets, pricey pillows or lavender-scented...Read more

Planning for an uncertain future can feel downright overwhelming -- like trying to pack for a trip without knowing the destination. Whether you're making arrangements for elderly parents or figuring out your own plan, I am confident that the following books, websites and organizations will give you the kind of help, support and information you ...Read more

When money is tight, the grocery bill isn't the only thing that makes us sweat. For pet owners, the cost of keeping furry family members fed and happy can feel like an added burden. But cutting costs doesn't mean you have to skimp on quality or compromise your pet's health. With a little creativity, you can keep tails wagging without breaking ...Read more

Wellness. Health care. Both are on everyone's mind these days, and for good reason. Between the soaring cost of health insurance premiums, increasing copays and skyrocketing deductibles, plus the outrageous cost of some medications, it's enough to give you a heart attack.

But lest you think there's nothing you can do to keep your family's ...Read more

Dear Cheapskate: Thank you for your many helpful articles. In a past column you wrote about how to unshrink a wool sweater. All I can remember is that it involved baby shampoo. Could you print the instructions again? Thanks! -- Linda

Dear Linda: Sure, here it is: Mix a solution of 1 gallon lukewarm water and 2 tablespoons baby shampoo. Soak the...Read more

If I had a dollar for every person who has ever asked me, "Why didn't anyone ever tell me how to manage money and stay out of debt when I was a kid?!" I'd be a wealthy woman. If you have kids in your life as young as 3 and up to young-adult age, consider these excellent books to get those conversations started that can open the doors to ...Read more

Is your monthly grocery spending eating up a big portion of your income? You're not alone. Figures from the U.S. Department of Agriculture show that as of March 2024, on average, a family of four spends $1,341 per month on groceries to be eaten at home. Here, let me do the math: That's $16,092 annually! And that doesn't take into consideration ...Read more

There's nothing enjoyable about credit card debt. An outstanding balance of $5,000 at 29.99% interest means you're paying about $1,500 a year just in interest. Imagine if that $1,500 could instead go toward repaying the balance. You'd pay it off much faster instead of stretching it out over years. And years.

If you're carrying credit card debt,...Read more

Whether "last minute" for you means any time after Thanksgiving or 11:30 p.m. on Christmas Eve, it's nice to have a repertoire of standby gifts that don't require expensive overnight shipping. My standbys are edible gifts -- decadent treats that offer my love and best wishes for the season.

By their very nature, edible gifts are often best when...Read more

Dear Cheapskate: I am retired and my son wants to give me money to buy a house as a gift. Will I be taxed on the money? If so, are there ways to avoid or reduce the amount I will be taxed? -- Lucy

Dear Lucy: Gifts between individuals are tax-free for the recipient. That means you, as the fortunate recipient of your son's generosity, don't have ...Read more

Let's talk about one of the most underrated items in your bathroom cabinet -- Epsom salt. It's cheap, it's unassuming and it has more uses than a Swiss Army knife at a Boy Scout jamboree.

But what is Epsom salt anyway? Is it salt? Is it magic? Nope. It's a naturally occurring mineral compound of magnesium and sulfate -- nothing close to (...Read more

One of the unfortunate side effects of embracing a frugal lifestyle is that gnawing tendency to never throw anything away. Fight the feeling, folks. Turning into a hoarder will only create a new problem in your life. Now, about all those useless candle stubs you're hanging onto -- get them out and keep them by your fireplace or wood burning ...Read more

Once upon a time, a big "SPECIAL" sign was enough to make us think we were getting a deal at the grocery store. But today's shoppers aren't so easily fooled. We've become wiser, knowing there's more to shopping smart than flashy tags and end-of-aisle displays.

A number of studies now promise we can categorize ourselves into four grocery-...Read more

Chair yoga -- it's the latest exercise trend making waves on social media, popping up in feeds with promises of gentle stretches and easy movement for all ages. And let's be honest, who hasn't felt the appeal of something that requires little more than a chair and the willingness to try?

But are the promises real or just another passing fad? ...Read more

When the Instant Pot hit the scene back in 2010, it wasn't just another kitchen gadget -- it was like someone had unlocked a secret to faster, easier home-cooked meals. And if you ask the millions who swear by it, it's become as essential as salt and pepper in the kitchen

When this magic pot made its debut, it introduced a new way of cooking ...Read more

Dear Cheapskate: As a teen, my daughter wanted name-brand jeans, clothing, shoes -- whatever she thought all the "cool" kids had. She wouldn't step into a thrift shop or discount store. It was a constant battle until I decided she would have a clothing/necessity allowance.

I gave her a set amount of money each month to cover those expenses. If ...Read more

Psssst! Could you use an extra $300? You might want to take a look in your garbage.

Recent studies indicate that food waste remains a significant issue in American households. The U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates that 31% of the food supply at retail and consumer levels is lost or wasted, amounting to approximately 133 billion pounds ...Read more