It's that time of year when we all seem to be mired in alphabet soup – and not the kind you eat. Open enrollment for benefits plans is here, and that includes choosing health insurance coverage.As employers and insurers shift more of the cost to users, the annual choice gets harder, whether you … [Read more...] about HMO vs. PPO vs. EPO vs. POS: Decoding the alphabet soup of health care
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Health Savings Accounts: the triple tax advantage
Health Savings Accounts (HSA) are great way to save for future medical expenses and to reduce your current taxes.As we all face increased out-of-pocket medical expenses, one method to prepare is to open an HSA, which is like an IRA but offers a triple tax advantage. Your contribution is … [Read more...] about Health Savings Accounts: the triple tax advantage
How to get the best new car deal
You are ready to buy your first car. You can see yourself, driving in that shiny red convertible, feeling the wind in your hair. You might even go look at one in the dealership. But then, reality hits. The payments for that glam roadster are more than your rent payment. So it's time to shop smart. … [Read more...] about How to get the best new car deal
Tips for donating your car to charity
Donating a car to charity requires almost as much research as buying one. These tips will ensure there’s a tax benefit for you and that you're donating to a legitimate group.Know what your car is worth. Your vehicle does not have the same value to a used car dealer and to a charity. Current … [Read more...] about Tips for donating your car to charity
Learn the secrets of saving more money with coupons in less time
Want to discover the secrets of super savers? Living On The Cheap's Teresa Mears and Laura Daily have published "The Ultimate Guide to Coupons". We share the smart way to use coupons, investing just minutes to save dollars. To make it super simple, the guide can be downloaded as an … [Read more...] about Learn the secrets of saving more money with coupons in less time
Supermarket savings: Free apps for savvy shoppers
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Whether you love or loathe grocery store visits, they're a necessity that can quickly bust your budget if you arrive unprepared. Instead of aimlessly wandering and impulsively filling your cart with unnecessary items, use these free grocery shopping apps to find savings, organize your list, … [Read more...] about Supermarket savings: Free apps for savvy shoppers
Green Beans: More than just a side dish
Most of us think of vegetables as just an accompaniment to meat loaf, a broiled steak, grilled fish or roast chicken. But green beans – cheap and bountiful this time of year in both supermarkets and at farmer’s markets – can be the star of the meal.Green beans, also called string beans or snap … [Read more...] about Green Beans: More than just a side dish
Preserve food with cheap canning equipment and free recipes
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This article is part of a Don't Throw It Out! series on how to preserve fresh foods and avoid food waste.Do you want to can food at home, but are put off by the cost? For around $15, you pull together most of the essential equipment by using equipment you probably already own. Below we list … [Read more...] about Preserve food with cheap canning equipment and free recipes
Free or cheap summer fun activities with kids
Involving children with cheap activities this summer will help to not only keep your kids entertained, but will also ensure they’re tired come the end of the day. But coming up with ideas that don’t cost a fortune can sometimes be a problem. Maybe this list of free/cheap summer fun … [Read more...] about Free or cheap summer fun activities with kids
5 things renters should negotiate before signing a lease
This post is by Catey Hill of Zillow.com.While many people fear negotiating with landlords, car dealers or salesmen, finding the courage to negotiate up front can save time, money and a lot of hassle down the road. For most people, housing is the largest monthly bill they pay, whether that’s … [Read more...] about 5 things renters should negotiate before signing a lease
How to find the best home inspector
Before you buy a home, it’s always a good idea to get a professional home inspection. In most cases, you can make your purchase contract contingent on a satisfactory inspection. That means if you don’t like the inspection results, you can cancel the contract, get your deposit back and walk away from … [Read more...] about How to find the best home inspector
How to get your adult child out of your basement
It’s become somewhat of a stereotype: Young adults are living in their parents’ basements, unable to secure gainful employment and unwilling to grow up. While that’s a bit of an exaggeration, 33% of 25- to 29-year-olds were residents of multi-generational households in 2016, according to a Pew … [Read more...] about How to get your adult child out of your basement
Make your Greek yogurt multitask
Greek yogurt has grown in popularity in recent years. It can be more expensive than regular yogurt, but with at least double the protein and less than half the sugar, in my opinion, the health benefits outweigh the cost. You can also save by purchasing in bulk from stores such as Costco and BJ's. … [Read more...] about Make your Greek yogurt multitask
The Coupon Insider: Double-check your receipt
After spending time organizing your shopping trip for maximum savings, your work is not quite done. The final and most important step is to review your receipt. There’s no benefit in shopping smart only to find out you did not receive a sale or promo price. (Grocery stores often express pricing … [Read more...] about The Coupon Insider: Double-check your receipt
Expert advice on teaching kids about money
Do you remember your dad asking: “Do you think money grows on trees?” or “Do you think I’m made of money?” Well, yes, as a matter of fact, we kind of did. If anything, that attitude is multiplied many times by today’s kids.The time to teach our children about money is when they’re young, so when … [Read more...] about Expert advice on teaching kids about money
