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Six benefits of joining Amazon Student

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Attention, college students: Whether you're headed near or far to college this year, you're going to need "stuff." Join Amazon Student and get FREE two-day shipping for college students. The online shopping mecca is offering its Amazon Student program free for six months, so you can get all of the … [Read more...] about Six benefits of joining Amazon Student

House-Hacking: Eliminate your housing expense using other people’s money

This blog post provides an overview of some concepts discussed at length in my new book, "Set for Life." The book walks full-time employees from little to no net worth to hundreds of thousands of dollars in after-tax wealth not including home equity and retirement accounts and towards early … [Read more...] about House-Hacking: Eliminate your housing expense using other people’s money

What to give Mom when you’re all grown up

This annual Mother's Day conversation is so predictable it's aggravating: “Mom, what can I get you?” "Oh, I don't need anything!" She means it. Most mothers really don’t need anything. But handing her an overpriced store-bought card and saying “Thank you for being my mother” won’t settle your … [Read more...] about What to give Mom when you’re all grown up

Creating the perfect gift closet

Gift giving, such a bitter sweet act of kindness. Giving gifts shows an extension of our love for someone, however giving gifts so it doesn’t break the bank can prove to be rather difficult at times. Doesn’t it always seem to happen that in July you find the perfect gift for someone, but their … [Read more...] about Creating the perfect gift closet

Save money with these 18 popular salad dressing recipes (and 1 secret)

Bottled salad dressing is common on the dinner table in households across America. While convenient, these prepared salad dressings are much more expensive than those you prepare from scratch. None of the most popular salad dressings are hard to make and many can be prepared using common ingredients … [Read more...] about Save money with these 18 popular salad dressing recipes (and 1 secret)

How to keep spring veggies fresh to avoid food waste

This article is part of a Don't Throw It Out! series on how to preserve fresh foods and avoid food waste. Food waste by the average American family is estimated at 25 percent of your grocery shopping dollars -- or a little more than $2,000 a year. Fresh vegetables top the list. If you have a … [Read more...] about How to keep spring veggies fresh to avoid food waste

How to build and grow your own salad table

Do you love vegetables and salad, but can't plant a regular garden? A salad table is a portable, waist-high table just deep enough to grow salad greens, herbs and other shallow-rooted plants and vegetables. The shallow wooden box frame has a large surface area and a mesh bottom that allows water to … [Read more...] about How to build and grow your own salad table

D-I-Y home office organization

My home office often looks more like a kindergarten classroom with paper, pens, markers and more strewn around. I have visions of a perfectly organized space with a spot for everything and everything in its spot. But to get from the kindergarten-like chaos to the Martha Stewart-like organization, … [Read more...] about D-I-Y home office organization

How to make your own laundry detergent

When our family started living frugally, we looked at all aspects of our daily life to find ways we could cut back. One money-saver I never considered was homemade laundry detergent because I didn't think anything but the store-bought kind worked. Boy, was I wrong. So I came up with a recipe … [Read more...] about How to make your own laundry detergent

Make dryer balls, a cheapskate’s fabric softener

Here's a project that will help you save on electricity from your dryer and eliminate the need for fabric softener. Wool dryer balls are simple to make and can cut your drying time by 25 to 50 percent by separating clothing and allowing warm air to circulate more evenly. By soaking up some of the … [Read more...] about Make dryer balls, a cheapskate’s fabric softener

8 resolutions to make before next Tax Day

Phew.... That’s the collective exhale you hear as another Tax Day comes and goes. Maybe you file early and already have that refund in hand. Perhaps you wait until the last minute to dig out those dog-eared receipts, credit card statements, and 1099s and your return wings it’s way electronically to … [Read more...] about 8 resolutions to make before next Tax Day

How to get the best deals at thrift stores

Thrift store shopping has long been a necessity for those with limited resources, but these days it’s embraced by people of all economic levels. Not only is it a dependable way to save money, but it’s fun. Where else can you find a Liz Claiborne skirt (new, with tags) hanging next to one from … [Read more...] about How to get the best deals at thrift stores