When I graduated from high school, I received a matching set of luggage to take me off to college. I used it for years. When I graduated from college, the best gifts I got were cash, because I had student loans to repay.Surprisingly enough, those two gifts still stand the test of time.But … [Read more...] about Graduation gift ideas for less than $50
How and when to sign up for Medicare
Think of it as a birthday with benefits. You turn 65 and you are finally eligible for Medicare. Signing up can be a breeze – under the right circumstances. Or it can be a confusing hassle.Lori McGinnis, a counselor with SHIP (State Health Insurance Programs), a federally funded program that … [Read more...] about How and when to sign up for Medicare
Changing careers? Know the income potential
If you’re thinking of going back to school, or have a college-bound senior in high school, you should know the opportunity for financial payback from the career you choose. PayScale's 2013-2014 College Salary report is out, and the fiscal news is good for some careers (not so much for others).If … [Read more...] about Changing careers? Know the income potential
Save money by dehydrating home-grown foods
My sister, Andrea Vargo, lives in Minnesota and is an avid gardener. She also is a dedicated dehydrator. She says if you grow a garden, dehydration is the best method for preserving all that bounty. It’s easy, the food retains its flavor, and it takes up way less space and equipment than … [Read more...] about Save money by dehydrating home-grown foods
How to make money working from home
When day care costs overtake your take-home pay, it might be time to think about working from home. No commute means saving gas and wear and tear on your vehicle. You can work in your sweats, so no power suits will show up on your credit-card bill. No child care expenses results in a huge … [Read more...] about How to make money working from home
Are name brands really better than generics?
Shakespeare was ahead of his time. He asked if a rose by any other name would smell as sweet. And guess what? Call it what you will, a rose is a rose is…. You get the idea.Maybe the same goes for name brands of products versus generic brands. Are they equal in quality? Well, the answer to that … [Read more...] about Are name brands really better than generics?
Avoid home-repair scams: advice from the BBB
Hiring a roofer or a plumber or a deck builder can be tricky business. Hiring the wrong roofer or plumber or deck builder can cost you a lot more money than it should, not to mention the time it takes to right a wrong.That’s why the Better Business Bureau exists, says Katie Carrol, an … [Read more...] about Avoid home-repair scams: advice from the BBB
Pack light to save extra baggage fees
After more than 30 years as a travel writer, I’ve learned a few things about packing. There are few travel annoyances more avoidable than paying an overcharge for luggage that’s too heavy. If the charge for overweight luggage is $50 each way, that’s $100. So pack smart and keep from paying … [Read more...] about Pack light to save extra baggage fees
Cheap! cheap! cheap! 1 chicken yields 4 meals
The goal of the government during the Great Depression was to have “a chicken in every pot.” Well, there’s a good reason they picked chicken. Even though the prices on poultry have gone up, along with everything else, it’s still a bargain. When my kids were growing up, a Sunday’s roast chicken was … [Read more...] about Cheap! cheap! cheap! 1 chicken yields 4 meals
Can’t afford a spa? Throw a spa party
Anyone who has been to a salon or spa recently knows that it’s a high-ticket indulgence. It can cost hundreds of dollars for a manicure, hairstyle, foot massage and facial mask. So why not do it at home? And why not make it fun with a group of friends? A group can gather for a day of penny-pinching … [Read more...] about Can’t afford a spa? Throw a spa party