Kids go through clothes like boxes of Cheerios. We say: don’t spend a lot of money on play wear and school clothes. By the time kids wear them or use them once or twice, who can tell if they’re new or used anyway? You can find some kids’ clothes in excellent condition at thrift stores like … [Read more...] about Clothing the kids without busting your budget
Back to school
How to save with price matching
The sales circulars are full of great buys on groceries, electronics and more just about every week, but running around to all of those stores to snag the bargains can be a drain on time and gas. To avoid that inconvenience, stick to your local store and employ a price-matching strategy. What is … [Read more...] about How to save with price matching
11+ 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 11+ great free educational websites
Free and low-cost resources for homeschooling
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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, and their numbers continue to rise. A large number of families are choosing the homeschooling option, and online courses, group classes and boxed curricula … [Read more...] about Free and low-cost resources for homeschooling
Healthy school lunches kids won’t toss in the trash
If your child regularly brings their lunch to school, you've faced the "what to pack" dilemma. You want to pack something nutritious, but you also need to be sure your kids will eat it. A thrown-out lunch does nothing for your child's health or your wallet; it's basically cash in the … [Read more...] about Healthy school lunches kids won’t toss in the trash
How to teach your children to budget
We’ve all heard the horror stories: young people who graduate from college, move back home with their parents, make very little money and mishandle the cash they do earn. As many as 40 percent of millennials still receive financial help from their parents, according to 2015 statistics … [Read more...] about How to teach your children to budget
How to leave college with less student loan debt
More than half of students who attended college left school in debt, according to the May 2019 report by the Federal Reserve. The amount of education-related debt in 2018 was typically between between $20,000 and $24,999, and two in ten of those students who still owe money are behind in their … [Read more...] about How to leave college with less student loan debt
10 things college students should learn about money
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Heading off to college? Congratulations. You’ll be surprised that much of the learning you’ll do over the next four years has less to do with the classroom than with life. If you’re like many young adults, college is the first time you’ll keep your own schedule, plan your own meals, manage your … [Read more...] about 10 things college students should learn about money
30-plus discounts teachers can use all year long
Teachers are rarely paid what they're worth. Recognizing that, many businesses offer discounts to teachers year--round. Living on the Cheap has been rounding up great school supply deals, providing tips on how to save on school lunches and dressing for fall without breaking the bank. This is also a … [Read more...] about 30-plus discounts teachers can use all year long
How to score little-known college scholarships
College tuition is outrageous and full scholarships are hard to come by. If a student isn't the valedictorian of a huge school, or a nationally ranked high school athlete, taking out massive loans may seem like the only option available to finance the soaring costs of higher education. But there are … [Read more...] about How to score little-known college scholarships
Back to school: Is it time for your student to have a cellphone?
With a son going into fifth grade, I’m one of the few holdouts among the class parents who hasn’t given into peer pressure and gotten my child a smart phone. I have my reasons, most notably among them, he hasn’t asked for one ... yet. Truth be told, I also don’t think he’s ready for the … [Read more...] about Back to school: Is it time for your student to have a cellphone?
How to shop for your college student: Don’t
It's finally time to send your first child off to college. The stores are starting to bombard you with tons of off-to-college sales, and you find yourself getting sidetracked and sucked in by all of the offers. You can't help thinking that your best bet is to buy her everything she might possibly … [Read more...] about How to shop for your college student: Don’t
Easy ways to save money on school supplies
It's the most exciting time of the year for bargain shoppers who have kids in school (or for anyone who likes cheap office supplies).  For some people, school supply shopping is a big, fun, traditional spending spree. It was for my mom and me. But I’ve made this time of year into a big, fun, … [Read more...] about Easy ways to save money on school supplies
10 tips to organize your back-to-school life
When the kids go back to school, life should get easier, right? Nope. It gets way more complicated. You need to get the kids to school and back (if they don’t ride the bus). You need to get them to soccer,swim or ballet practice. They need lunches and after-school snacks. They have homework. And … [Read more...] about 10 tips to organize your back-to-school life
How to find cheap student loans and student loan refinancing
It used to be that federal student loans were always the better choice over private loans. However, in recent years, private loans have started offering rates at half the rate of graduate school and parent loans. But it’s still difficult to compare private student loans in the same way you’d … [Read more...] about How to find cheap student loans and student loan refinancing
