Teresa Mears

About Teresa Mears

Teresa Mears is a website publisher, writer, blogger and editor who was raised to be frugal. In her 35 years as a journalist, she has written for papers ranging in size from the weekly Portland (Tenn.) Leader to The Los Angeles Times. She was an editor for the Miami Herald for more than 17 years, overseeing coverage of home, real estate, family and other subjects. She has also been a contributor to The New York Times, The Boston Globe, The Dallas Morning News and other publications. Teresa owns and operates Miami On The Cheap, Florida On The Cheap, Fort Lauderdale On The Cheap, Palm Beach On The Cheap and Orlando On The Cheap.

Restaurant deals by day

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Looking for food deals near you? On the hunt for a cheap lunch deal today? Or are you searching for the best restaurant deals in the coming week? Trying to Google and find the "food deals near me" to get the best deals? Look no further. Here we've rounded up the current food specials at … [Read more...] about Restaurant deals by day

6 ways to save on air conditioning

As the temperature exceeds the triple digits this summer, our electric bills are spiraling upward with the heat index.Except for a hardy few, going without air conditioning is probably not a practical cost-cutting measure. Still, there are ways to save energy and cut your electric … [Read more...] about 6 ways to save on air conditioning

10 cheap, easy ways to stage your home for sale

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You’ve decided to sell your home, and you want to get top dollar for it. That means you need to stage your home for sale — in other words, prep your house so it looks more appealing to potential buyers. You’ve seen the TV shows where homeowners spend thousands of dollars to bring in new furniture … [Read more...] about 10 cheap, easy ways to stage your home for sale

12 fixes that will get you a higher price for your house

If you’re looking to sell your home quickly and for top dollar, there are some lesser-known words that match the importance of the famous real estate phrase "location, location, location."Those all-important words? Curb appeal.As the saying goes, "You don’t get a second chance to make a … [Read more...] about 12 fixes that will get you a higher price for your house

Projects to bring your 1950s house into the modern age

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Perhaps you’ve inherited your grandparents’ house. Or, maybe the best house you could find was a 1950s place that looked like your grandparents’ house.You may actually be lucky. A house built in the 1950s can be easily and fairly inexpensively remodeled into a home that looks … [Read more...] about Projects to bring your 1950s house into the modern age

How to save money on food without using coupons

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Groceries for a family of four with young children cost an average of about $1,000 a month in the summer of 2023, not including takeout and restaurant meals, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. That’s a big chunk of change.But there are ways to spend less on food and still eat a … [Read more...] about How to save money on food without using coupons

12 tips to avoid DIY repair disasters

The idea of saving hundreds, or maybe even thousands, of dollars when making home repairs is enticing. Surely you can repair those cracks in the wall, caulk around the bathtub, install a new toilet or change a light fixture. Maybe you can handle all these do-it-yourself projects – but, then … [Read more...] about 12 tips to avoid DIY repair disasters

How to pay off $100,000 in debt

A few years ago, Travis Pizel and his wife, Vonnie, found themselves in crisis. The Rochester, Minnesota, couple had good jobs and lived well, eating out frequently, buying what they wanted and taking vacations to water parks with their two children.But a letter from their credit card company … [Read more...] about How to pay off $100,000 in debt

18 cheap and easy DIY home improvement projects

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You bought a new home, and the list of projects that need to be done is larger than your bank account. Or, the home you bought years ago is looking a little dated, and you don’t have the money to hire someone to give it that much-needed face-lift.Many easy do-it-yourself projects that will … [Read more...] about 18 cheap and easy DIY home improvement projects

12 ways to save money on health care

The last time I went to the pharmacy to fill a prescription, for generic ear drops to treat eczema, I almost had a heart attack when they handed me the bill: $184. The last time, I had paid $10.I whipped out my phone and found a coupon that cut the price to $23, as long as the purchase … [Read more...] about 12 ways to save money on health care

Should you renovate your house or buy a new one?

Most families at some point reach a difficult real estate crossroads: Do they renovate an existing home to fit their current needs, or do they go out and buy another house that’s already the way they like it?This is a question with no one-size-fits-all answer, although most families can make the … [Read more...] about Should you renovate your house or buy a new one?

Why your home renovation won’t be like the TV shows

We've all seen the home renovation shows where the nice young couple buys a decrepit home with a kitchen so ugly even 1960 wouldn't take it back. In 30 or 60 minutes, that ugly house becomes a veritable dream home, with every detail perfect, down to the color-coordinated stand mixer and coffee maker … [Read more...] about Why your home renovation won’t be like the TV shows

How to save on bathroom renovations

Nobody likes a house with an outdated bathroom. Of course, you can use a blue toilet and bathe in a pink tub, illuminated by eight naked light bulbs shining on a stained 1970s laminate countertop. I do, for now. But do you really want to?Building the spa bathroom of your dreams may … [Read more...] about How to save on bathroom renovations

How to find a reliable, honest home contractor

For most homeowners, the hardest part of any home renovation project isn’t the work itself, it’s finding a competent and reliable contractor to do the job. Installing kitchen cabinets, knocking down a wall or tiling the bathroom is simple compared with the struggle of hiring a quality contractor who … [Read more...] about How to find a reliable, honest home contractor

How to remodel your kitchen for less

We always hear that remodeling a kitchen is one of the most expensive home improvements. And it can be. The Remodeling 2023 Cost vs. Value Report listed the average cost of a major kitchen remodel at $77,939, and even a minor remodel came in at $26,790. But kitchen remodeling doesn't have to … [Read more...] about How to remodel your kitchen for less

Teresa Mears

About Teresa Mears

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