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
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How to buy and sell a house at the same time
Now that the real estate market is climbing out of the doldrums (or now that your family has grown by a member or even a few), you may be ready to buy a new home.But do you sell your old home first? Or do you buy and then sell?“It’s always a tough choice to make,” says Anthony Vitale, senior … [Read more...] about How to buy and sell a house at the same time
Best way to buy and sell furniture on Craigslist
The garage and the basement are full. You can’t stand that old entertainment center. You really want a new sofa but don’t want to pay new-furniture prices.In decades past, you might have put up a notice on the bulletin board at your local coffee shop or checked the newspaper classifieds. But … [Read more...] about Best way to buy and sell furniture on Craigslist
Why you should buy a wider suitcase
Let me say this up front – I hate to check luggage. I lived out of one suitcase for three weeks in China, two weeks in the United Kingdom and a week-long Caribbean cruise. Call it the impatience factor: When I arrive somewhere, I want to escape the airplane and be on my way, no stopping for … [Read more...] about Why you should buy a wider suitcase
How to consign your old clothes
Buying new clothes usually means spending money, no matter where you shop.One thing I learned not long ago was how to consign clothes for sale in order to better afford new ones. This is also a great way to make sure that your closet, drawers and other places you store clothes are more … [Read more...] about How to consign your old clothes
How to get a free breast pump through insurance
If you’re pregnant or a new nursing mother, you know that you’re going to either need a breast pump or will have to switch to formula feeding if you are going to go back to work or spend more than a few hours apart from your baby. While breast pumps can range from $25 for a manual pump to $300 or … [Read more...] about How to get a free breast pump through insurance
How to turbocharge your online home search
There was a time when the only way to find homes for sale was to engage a real estate agent to send you listings or drive up and down the streets scouting "for sale" signs.In the past decade, an explosion of online real estate listings services has drastically changed the way Americans look for … [Read more...] about How to turbocharge your online home search
The Coupon Insider: Save big in the clearance aisle
You can always spot a true cheapskate: We make a beeline for the clearance aisle. For novices, this can be tricky, as the clearance section is not always easy to find. In most cases, it's “hidden” in the store, most often in the back. However, each store is different: Some grocery stores keep it in … [Read more...] about The Coupon Insider: Save big in the clearance aisle
Why all-inclusive resorts are a vacation deal
Forget the stereotype of watered-down booze, tacky wristbands and bad buffets. Today’s all-inclusive resort boasts rooms with private pools, gourmet white-linen restaurants, butler service and spas, not to mention, golf courses, scuba diving and entertainers with names you know. Some tips before you … [Read more...] about Why all-inclusive resorts are a vacation deal
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
Use a travel agent to save money
The Internet may have become your go-to source for planning a vacation, but savvy travelers head to a travel agent when they want to save time and money. “Why spend four weeks planning a four-day vacation, when you could call a professional agent at no additional cost?” says Michelle Fee of Cruise … [Read more...] about Use a travel agent to save money
Which no-contract cellphone plan costs less?
Last year at Living on the Cheap, we covered a wide range of prepaid cellphone options if you were looking to save money on your cellphone bill. Prepaid plans are an alternative to the contract-based plans that the big cellphone companies are offering and they can save you some real money over those … [Read more...] about Which no-contract cellphone plan costs less?
New rules for buying a house in a sellers’ market
It wasn’t so long ago that you could shop for homes at your leisure, offer significantly below asking price and end up with a bargain.No more.In many parts of the country, buyers outnumber sellers, and homes listed for sale in the morning may be under contract by lunch. Homes in good … [Read more...] about New rules for buying a house in a sellers’ market
10 ways to get your retirement plan back on track
Back in 2001, David Raether was a comedy writer for the TV sitcom "Roseanne," earning $300,000 a year. He and his wife and their eight children lived comfortably in a big house in an upscale suburb of Los Angeles.That was before the recession, before Raether lost his career, his home and his … [Read more...] about 10 ways to get your retirement plan back on track
‘Pay later’ plans: The fine print may cost you thousands
Although the true tightwad saves up money before buying anything, that doesn't work for most of us all the time. Sometimes, a refrigerator breaks down before we have time to save for a new one, the couch of our dreams goes on sale two months before the bonus check arrives, or a retailer is offering … [Read more...] about ‘Pay later’ plans: The fine print may cost you thousands
