The old saying is that in real estate, everything is negotiable. But is it really? When you go to buy a house, you’re … [Read More...]
Home & Garden
Buying, Selling and Renting a Home
5 things renters should negotiate before signing a lease
This post is by Catey Hill of Zillow.com. While many people fear negotiating with landlords, car dealers or salesmen, … [Read More...]
How to find the best home inspector
Before you buy a home, it’s always a good idea to get a professional home inspection. In most cases, you can make your … [Read More...]
How to get along with your HOA
If you buy a condominium, townhouse or single-family home in a newer development, you’re likely to become a member of a … [Read More...]
How to buy your first house
Buying your first home is intimidating, and the current economy makes it even tougher. According to a recent article in … [Read More...]
How to buy a house with 5% (or less) down payment
One hurdle many would-be home buyers face – or think they face — is the need to come up with a big chunk of cash to make … [Read More...]
Home Improvement
Get organized using containers you already own
Ever want to get organized but the thought of spending money on containers talked you right out of it? Marie Kondo's The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and … [Read More...]
17 tips to save water, reduce bill in summer
Much of the nation still is suffering from drought. (The areas that aren’t flooding, that is.) Water … [Read More...]
12 spring-cleaning tasks that can save you money
Spring cleaning is a long tradition, often in cold climates, but also in cultures around the world … [Read More...]
Cheap and easy carpet cleaning solutions
If you have an active household, the celebrations, the pitter-patter of little feet and an animal or … [Read More...]
Got clutter? Donate and save on taxes
Most people will agree that clutter is bad. It takes up valuable space in your home, is difficult to … [Read More...]
Mortgage Tips
How to buy your first house
How to buy a house with 5% (or less) down payment
How to pay for major home improvements
How to get the best deal on a mortgage
How to get the best refinancing deal
How to pay off your mortgage early
When it pays to refinance your mortgage
Considering a reverse mortgage? Ask these questions
Do It Yourself
Cool things to do with used Christmas cards
Every year before Christmas, our mailbox fills with holiday cards from family and friends. I hang them on the … [Read More...]
10 ways to reuse and recycle old calendars
Your calendar has been hanging on your wall for a whole year now, and it's almost time to take it down. Maybe … [Read More...]
New ways to use old sweaters
They take up space in your closets and drawers. Some of them have issues — they pill, they pull, they snag, they shrink. … [Read More...]
Make a scarecrow from items you have at home
For less than $20 you can purchase a ready-made scarecrow-on-a-stick from a craft store. Or, you can make your own … [Read More...]
16 post-summer uses for pool noodles and other summer clearance items
The bargainista part of me just loves all those end-of-season sales. I get bargain-priced holiday wrap, Halloween … [Read More...]
Gardening
Great gifts under $25 for organic gardeners
Home gardening is a popular pastime across the country. Here are our gift ideas, especially for those who practice … [Read More...]
Green Beans: More than just a side dish
Most of us think of vegetables as just an accompaniment to meat loaf, a broiled steak, grilled fish or roast chicken. … [Read More...]
5 things to consider when buying a used lawn mower
One of my readers, Amanda, recently moved into her first home with a yard and grass that needs cutting. "It's huge," she … [Read More...]
How to do your own landscaping
If you want a garden that turns heads but don’t want to empty your wallet in the process, do your own landscaping. It’s … [Read More...]
Seed your spring garden indoors for less
Get a jump-start on your spring garden and save money by seeding veggies and flowers indoors. Seeds are a cheap way to … [Read More...]
