Several factors come into play when calculating your credit score. According to FICO.com, your credit score is affected by five major elements, in this order of importance: payment history, amounts owed, length of credit history, new credit and types of credit used.That said, here are some … [Read more...] about 5 surprising things hurting your credit score
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How to get a new gas grill on the cheap
Grilling season is officially here. The summer holidays and extra time spent with family and friends outside beg for meals cooked on a grill. If you plan to cook many meals on a grill, you may think it's time for an upgrade — and you've got your eye on one of those fancy gas grills with side … [Read more...] about How to get a new gas grill on the cheap
How to donate, trade or recycle your stuff
If you want to get rid of extra stuff around your house, but don’t want to bother with selling items online or holding a garage sale, here are our frugal living tips for good ways to trade, recycle or donate unwanted items.Trading or swapping gets more of what you want without spending any cash. … [Read more...] about How to donate, trade or recycle your stuff
Find the best deal on $4 generic drugs
Many prescriptions go unfilled because people can’t afford to pay for them. But those prescriptions may be more affordable than you think. In recent years, major discount stores, and also some grocers, have started generic drug programs that will allow you to buy a 30-day supply of commonly used … [Read more...] about Find the best deal on $4 generic drugs
How to sell stuff online via Craigslist and eBay
Would you like to learn how to sell your unwanted stuff online and turn it into cash? Two of the most popular websites to sell things online are Craigslist and eBay. Before you can make money online, you need to learn the basic process and to understand some of the risks.For your first online … [Read more...] about How to sell stuff online via Craigslist and eBay
DIY plumbing projects that save you money
When you think about some of the most expensive home improvements and repairs, plumbing problems no doubt make the short list. After all, since the largest expense of a repair is labor and you likely have little to no plumbing knowledge, it follows that you are doomed to call in the experts and … [Read more...] about DIY plumbing projects that save you money
How to make your own toothpaste
Toothpaste varieties take up a large percentage of shelf space in the supermarket. A 2010 study predicted that the toothpaste market will reach more than $12 billion by 2015.Toothpastes come in packages of every color. There are ones that cater to kids; striped toothpastes; minty, cinnamon or … [Read more...] about How to make your own toothpaste
Where’s the best place to save your money?
You're "saving" money, but what does that mean? If your frugal living is a means to generating money for retirement, a college fund or a down payment, you need to figure out how to get those savings out of your wallet and into some sort of account.It's a strangely mechanical problem, isn't … [Read more...] about Where’s the best place to save your money?
Make your own dishwasher detergent
I first tried my hand at do-it-yourself, homemade cleaning products when I concocted my recipe for laundry detergent. Years later I'm still using it, and I know that many of you are, too, as it continues to be a popular post here on Living on the Cheap. After my success with laundry detergent, I … [Read more...] about Make your own dishwasher detergent
How to plan a fun bachelorette party for less
Bachelorette parties can be a blast, but like any night out, costs can quickly spiral out of control. Now, bachelorette weekends are gaining in popularity, but costs on lodging, swag and outings can quickly add up. The event is a tribute to the bride-to-be's last hurrah as a single lady, but it's … [Read more...] about How to plan a fun bachelorette party for less
The Coupon Insider: Buy less, save more
Die-hard couponers know all of the tips and tricks to saving money that most shoppers overlook. Many think bigger is better, but that's not necessarily true. When you use a coupon, the smartest move financially may be to buy the smallest size possible. The savings are in the numbers: Using a $1 off … [Read more...] about The Coupon Insider: Buy less, save more
Wheel deals: How to save on a baby stroller
With so many to choose from, selecting the right stroller is no walk in the park, especially considering that you’ll use the purchase for years. To get it right, here’s the process I recommend for nabbing the right stroller at the right price. You'll want to make sure you avoid costly mistakes, such … [Read more...] about Wheel deals: How to save on a baby stroller
Where to buy and sell used kids’ gear
To save big on baby and kids’ clothes, why not buy someone else’s gently used stuff? Or put some cash in your pocket by offloading the kids' clothes you can no longer use? After all, babies and kids grow fast, often blowing through clothes before getting the chance to wear them out — or even at all. … [Read more...] about Where to buy and sell used kids’ gear
How to stay safe during a tornado
With all the crazy shifts in the weather this year, it is already turning out to be an active tornado season. Here are some tips to help you stay safe.Get a free warning app. Many people who have survived tornadoes say that they didn’t hear the sirens until it was too late. Tornados often pop up … [Read more...] about How to stay safe during a tornado
7 questions you didn’t know you could ask your pharmacist
Pharmacists do a lot more than count pills and pack them into a bottle. “Think of us as air traffic controllers and customers as airplanes in flight,” says Heather Free, a practicing pharmacist in Washington, D.C., and a spokeswoman for the American Pharmacists Association. “We want to prevent … [Read more...] about 7 questions you didn’t know you could ask your pharmacist