ArcaMax

There are a few things I like to keep handy at all times -- nail file, a good pair of sunglasses, and binder clips. Yes, binder clips. The small, black ones with shiny silver handles that come in myriad sizes. The kind you can find in bulk at office supply stores for about the price of a fancy coffee.

I keep binder clips in nearly every room of...Read more

Longtime readers of this column may remember the reader who wanted to know where she could donate her fabric scraps. I offered details on a small organization in Texas that turns new fabric scraps into quilts for shelters, churches and other charities.

Apparently, reader G.W. was not the only reader with fabric scraps too good to throw away. "...Read more

Retired nurse Nancy Reed has been through the ringer trying to get insurance for her home next to a San Diego County nature preserve.

First, she was dropped by her longtime carrier and forced onto the state's insurer of last resort, the California FAIR Plan, which offers basic fire policies — something thousands of residents have experienced ...Read more

Would you be willing to accept a reduction in pay if you could work fewer hours to spend more time with your family? It is a lovely thought, but how realistic is it? Working less usually means earning less -- hardly an option for most people.

But that doesn't mean we cannot take small steps to simplify our complicated lives. A little bit here ...Read more

It might be the rising cost of groceries, or perhaps you've lost your job or have already been living paycheck-to-paycheck with no cushy emergency fund to fall back on. For whatever reason, suddenly this month you can't pay all your bills.

You're scared, angry, worried and overwhelmed. What are you supposed to do right now? Which bills should ...Read more

I used to think houseplants were nothing more than expensive dust collectors. Then I bought a pothos, neglected it shamelessly and watched it grow anyway. That's when it clicked: Maybe these leafy roommates are doing more for me than I realized.

Science agrees. Indoor plants aren't just for looks. They can help you breathe easier, sleep better ...Read more

Dear Mary: I've heard that adding someone to your credit card will help that person establish a credit history, even if they do not use the card. Is that true? How would I go about doing it? -- Pat

Dear Pat: It is true. You would add this adult (at least age 18) as an "authorized user" to your account by calling your credit card issuer's ...Read more

Cornstarch is a low-cost, readily available, humble miracle found in the baking aisle of just about every supermarket and grocery store in the country, and online. Extracted from corn and then processed into a very soft, white powder, cornstarch is sold in boxes and canisters.

Usually, we think of cornstarch as a pantry ingredient used to ...Read more

Well, you've done it again! You clever readers have come up with another batch of fabulous ways that you save time and money every day!

AUTO CLEANER

Use plain old baking soda on a damp rag to remove bugs, tar and anything else from your vehicle. Works great, even on the grill and chrome work. Leaves no residue or odor and won't harm the paint....Read more

Dust bunnies don't just multiply under your couch -- they're hoarding plastic. Scientists have discovered that everyday items we use, wash, wear and toss can release microscopic plastic fragments. These "microplastics" are everywhere: bottled water, teacups, indoor air -- even inside human arteries.

If you've ever dusted a sunny windowsill and ...Read more

In my perfect world, there would be no credit scores. And while I do not believe that credit is necessarily evil, in that perfect world of mine, there would be no need for any of that because it would be, well ... perfect!

Back to reality. There are myriad reasons we need to have good credit histories and excellent credit scores.

Like it or ...Read more

You know the feeling when you reach into the pocket of a coat or pants you haven't worn for a while and pull out a $20 bill? What would it feel like if you pulled out hundreds of dollars? And what if you found money like that month after month?

It's not magic; it can be done. Pin holes in your financial life can turn into massive money-gushers....Read more

I don't know about you, but when I learn some new and amazing household tip that promises to save me time and/or money, well, it just makes my day. I love it! Not all of the tips I get from you, my faithful readers, are brand-new. But since I am not good at keeping 20,000 or more of these delicious little tidbits cataloged in my mind (yes, you'...Read more

What would you pay for a good night's rest? A soccer club in England once spent nearly $200,000 on custom mattresses, pillows and even wallpaper designed to help players sleep before home games. Clearly, they believe sleep is nonnegotiable.

And they're right. Sleep isn't a luxury -- it's essential. Without it, we're cranky, forgetful and prone ...Read more

What would it feel like to check your bank balance and find a pile of money you didn't know you had? Stop wasting money on goods and services that don't matter in the long run. By plugging the money leaks in your life, it's possible you could see the financial equivalent of working a second job in your wallet.

BUYING FROM A TV OR INTERNET AD. ...Read more