Summer is a great time to travel. Not only are the kids out of school, you don't have to worry about bad weather getting in the way of your carefully laid plans. Smart travelers know to follow their favorite airlines, hotel chains and vacation spots on Facebook and Twitter, where spur-of-the-moment … [Read more...] about Great ways to save on summer travel
Features
18 cheap and easy D-I-Y home improvement projects
You bought a new home, and the list of projects that need to be done is larger than your bank account. Or, the home you bought years ago is looking a little dated, and you don’t have the money to hire someone to give it that much-needed face-lift. Many easy do-it-yourself projects that will … [Read more...] about 18 cheap and easy D-I-Y home improvement projects
Cheap summer fun for kids of all ages
Most parents learn about child development as they go. Moms, dads, grandmas and grandpas try to tailor plans that keep everyone happy — but anyone who has spent more than a few minutes around little ones knows that children's attention spans are short. Sometimes parents (and teachers) can run out of … [Read more...] about Cheap summer fun for kids of all ages
Deals on summer camps or DIY summer camp for kids
Summer camp and cheap rarely appear in the same sentence, especially for working parents who need full-day programs that run throughout the summer. For many, summer camps have become as integral a part of childhood as school. They provide a safe place for the children of working parents, allow … [Read more...] about Deals on summer camps or DIY summer camp for kids
11 tips to avoid DIY home repair disasters
The idea of saving hundreds, or maybe even thousands, of dollars when making home repairs is enticing. Surely you can repair those cracks in the wall, right? Or caulk around the bathtub. Or install a new toilet. Or change a light fixture. Or, emboldened by the seeming ease of repairs on home … [Read more...] about 11 tips to avoid DIY home repair disasters
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 … [Read more...] about What to give Mom when you’re all grown up
Make homemade tamales and fun crafts for Cinco de Mayo
If you’ve got a craving for tamales you’re not alone. Tamales, made of masa (dough, usually corn-based) with filling, steamed in corn husks, have been eaten since at least 5000 BC, possibly as early as 8000 BC. The Mayan and Aztec civilizations both used them as portable food for hunters, armies and … [Read more...] about Make homemade tamales and fun crafts for Cinco de Mayo
Thoughtful Mother’s Day gifts on a budget
Mother’s Day is a tough one. If you’re an adult yourself, especially. In many cases, your Mom already has everything she really needs, except maybe a pricey spa day or a cruise to the Mediterranean. So what can you get her that won’t cost a lot but might mean a lot? Make it personal. My own … [Read more...] about Thoughtful Mother’s Day gifts on a budget
Frugal and effective housecleaning tips
You can spend a fortune on expensive cleaners you don’t need and that don't really work well at all. And you might find yourself cleaning more often than you would like, or buying those nifty cleaning products you saw in the commercials. But you don't have to. Here are some quick and easy tips to … [Read more...] about Frugal and effective housecleaning tips
Restaurants where kids eat for less
Sometimes parents don't have time to whip together a great meal for the family. And when you take a whole crew out to eat, it can burn your budget. So we looked for restaurants that offer deals and freebies on their kids' menus. Many of them have age limits, and not all restaurants participate in … [Read more...] about Restaurants where kids eat for less
Ways to save on a wedding dress and bridesmaid dresses
The cost of the average wedding dress in 2018 was $1,631 according to popular wedding website The Knot, but in some parts of the country it can be more than $2,000. Bridesmaids dresses usually average $150 each. Weddings are expensive, and a wedding dress is likely to cost to more than any other … [Read more...] about Ways to save on a wedding dress and bridesmaid dresses
DIY Easter eggs, plus ideas for the leftovers
Easter egg decorating, for some, can be an art. I love the idea of doing something a bit beyond the run-of-the-mill dye kit but I don't want to spend a fortune or hours to achieve my decorative eggs. In our family, egg dying is a tradition my kids, my mom and I do together on Easter. So it's … [Read more...] about DIY Easter eggs, plus ideas for the leftovers
