If you’ve wanted a cell phone but couldn’t afford one, the federal government may be able to help. Thanks to the Lifeline Assistance program, everyone who needs a telephone for emergencies can get one. Back in the day, that meant a landline, but since 1996, the subsidy has been available to wireless … [Read more...] about Free cell phones with texting for eligible households
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Craft store smartphone apps save money on the spot
If you've ever tackled a do-it-yourself project of the crafty nature — or simply wanted to buy a cool picture frame as a shower gift — you know the frustration. You are face to face with that edge punch, that set of artist's brushes, that stem of artificial flowers, and the disappointment nearly … [Read more...] about Craft store smartphone apps save money on the spot
10 ways to wipe out your student loan debt
Beginning July 1, new federal student loans will carry an interest rate of 6.8%, twice the 3.4% rate on loans issued last year. Given that student loans cannot be discharged in bankruptcy, the rate should be close to zero, as the lender has very little risk. But no one is listening to me!Student … [Read more...] about 10 ways to wipe out your student loan debt
8 ways to save when moving into a new home
Congratulations: You’ve been given the keys to your new home. Now the physical work begins. Moving, even locally, can be a very expensive process. Here are eight money-saving tips that I discovered during our move within the same city last year. Get free boxes and use towels as packing … [Read more...] about 8 ways to save when moving into a new home
5 best websites for do-it-yourselfers
A lot of my DIY knowledge came from my father. He taught me at a young age that French cleats are not shoes, tire irons do not flatten tires, and doing things myself can bring satisfaction. I held onto those tattered old Family Handyman books for years before passing them on to one of my sons. But … [Read more...] about 5 best websites for do-it-yourselfers
What you need to know before buying a home
With interest rates still at an all-time low, many first-time homebuyers are looking to make the leap into home ownership. Choosing a home is the easy part of the process – you’ll also need to deal with contract offers, inspection, securing a mortgage and insurance, and the closing, all of which … [Read more...] about What you need to know before buying a home
5 steps to start saving with an IRA
A key savings goal for many people is retirement. To make it easier to reach that goal, the U.S. tax code offers a lot of advantages for saving through an Individual Retirement Account, sometimes called an Individual Retirement Arrangement, but most commonly known as an IRA.The bad news is that … [Read more...] about 5 steps to start saving with an IRA
5 surprising things hurting your credit score
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
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?
