Jody Mace

About Jody Mace

Jody Mace is a freelance writer who has written for publications like O Magazine, Washington Post, and Parents. She lives in Charlotte, North Carolina with her husband and two teenaged kids. Her colleagues are dogs named Harlow and Shaggy. She publishes Charlotte on the Cheap and takes the “cheap” seriously. For fun she plays mandolin and browses at her local Goodwill Store, where she is “Foursquare Mayor,” as long as that Russell G. doesn’t steal it from her again. You can see her celebration of thrift store finds at Thrift Wrecks.

No sled? No problem. 23 DIY ideas

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Embrace the thrill of winter by exploring creative alternatives to traditional sleds! When snow blankets the ground, there's no need to fret if you don't have a sled on hand. Everyday items can transform your sledding experience into an exciting adventure.If you're in the South where snow is a … [Read more...] about No sled? No problem. 23 DIY ideas

October Amazon Prime Day Big Deals

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Amazon often celebrates Prime Day and has major discounts of their products. These deals are for Prime members only and they happen to fall on October 8th and 9th this year! To get the Amazon deals, you need to sign up for Amazon Prime before you go shopping. But what if you don't … [Read more...] about October Amazon Prime Day Big Deals

Amazon Pet Days May 7-8 — shop for the best deals on pet supplies.

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Amazon is holding its annual Pet Days sale on May 7 and 8, 2024. This is a time to shop for the best deals on all the things your pet needs or wants. You'll be able to find the deals here.We're listing just a few of the deals below. All of the following are "Limited time deals." The prices will … [Read more...] about Amazon Pet Days May 7-8 — shop for the best deals on pet supplies.

Snag the best thrift store finds with these insider tips

Thrift store shopping has long been a necessity for those with limited resources, but these days it’s embraced by people of all economic levels who love the thrill of the hunt. Not only is thrifting a dependable way to save money, but it’s fun. Where else can you find a Liz Claiborne skirt (new, … [Read more...] about Snag the best thrift store finds with these insider tips

How to make tasty, ghoulish Halloween ‘fingers’

These creepy witch finger cookies are the perfect centerpiece for a Halloween party, but they are also tasty. The crisp, almond-flavored shortbread tastes even better after being stored, so make these ahead of time.Kathy Mayers of Portland, Oregon, developed this Halloween finger cookie … [Read more...] about How to make tasty, ghoulish Halloween ‘fingers’

Frugal Halloween decor: Create a haunted wedding

As Halloween approaches, witches, ghosts and zombies are starting to appear in front yards. For an entirely different approach to decorations, one that is elegant but eerie, consider the Haunted Wedding. The materials are inexpensive, but it will take some time and creativity. At night, the clothes … [Read more...] about Frugal Halloween decor: Create a haunted wedding

Free or cheap SAT and ACT test prep

College admission pressure is getting more intense, and both students and parents are feeling the heat. Many, seeing SAT or ACT scores as an area for improvement, are shelling out big bucks for prep courses. An SAT course can cost $1,000. An SAT tutor can cost (hold onto your hat) as much as $6,600. … [Read more...] about Free or cheap SAT and ACT test prep

5 easy, frugal steps to sustainable living

I’d like to live more sustainably and make choices that are kinder to the earth. However, the magnitude of the changes can feel overwhelming. I can’t see myself living off the grid in a yurt with a herd of goats doing my landscaping. I need simple ideas — baby steps. So I went to the expert, Kris … [Read more...] about 5 easy, frugal steps to sustainable living

12 great free educational websites

Education doesn't end at the school building's doors. In fact, with the aid of these free websites, students of all ages can get extra practice, learn subjects in different ways and explore their own interests independently. These websites are just a few of the many that help kids (and adults) … [Read more...] about 12 great free educational websites

10 ways to save on college textbooks

College students, as well as their parents, can experience sticker shock when they shop for textbooks. Books for a full schedule can easily add up more than $1,000 or more a year. I asked my daughter, who is the most resourceful and thrifty textbook shopper I know, for some tips. What follows is her … [Read more...] about 10 ways to save on college textbooks

Free and low-cost resources for homeschoolers and others

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Homeschooling is the most rapidly growing educational segment in the United States. An estimated 2.5 million students were homeschooled in 2019, the year before the pandemic forced many students to learn from home. In 2021-22, the number was 3.1 million. A large number of families are choosing the … [Read more...] about Free and low-cost resources for homeschoolers and others

Earn cash using the Ibotta app to shop

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The word is spreading about Ibotta, a popular app that lets you receive rebates when you shop, so we want to make sure that you have all the information you need to get started. If you have an smartphone with iOS or Android you can use Ibotta. (There's also a browser extension to use when shopping … [Read more...] about Earn cash using the Ibotta app to shop

Best meal kit delivery services compared: Blue Apron vs. Hello Fresh vs. Home Chef

Have you thought about trying one of the many meal kit services? I’ve often wondered if they're worth the money and what's the difference between the different dinner prep and delivery services.I decided to do some research to find out once and for all if the fuss over meal kit services is … [Read more...] about Best meal kit delivery services compared: Blue Apron vs. Hello Fresh vs. Home Chef

Turn Christmas leftovers into New Year’s Eve BBQ

No matter how delicious a holiday turkey is, after a day or two, eating leftovers gets old. Instead, why not try something different? Turn that leftover turkey into a dish that's a surefire hit at a New Year's Eve party -- or even a Superbowl Party. This recipe costs practically nothing, since you … [Read more...] about Turn Christmas leftovers into New Year’s Eve BBQ

Make sure that daily deal is really a deal

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Daily deal websites such as Groupon are a popular resource of the frugal. Many consumers would never plan a restaurant trip or an evening of entertainment before first checking to see if there was a daily deal available, and for good reason. It’s easy to save 50% off everything from meals to Zumba … [Read more...] about Make sure that daily deal is really a deal

Jody Mace

About Jody Mace

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