In an era of fluctuating fuel prices, saving money on gas is more important than ever for the budget-conscious driver. As fuel costs continue to impact household expenses, discovering effective strategies to reduce these costs can significantly ease financial strain. This article explores a simple … [Read more...] about Get cash back on gas and other everyday purchases (yes – for real!)
cut expenses
6 ways to save on air conditioning
As the temperature exceeds the triple digits this summer, our electric bills are spiraling upward with the heat index.Except for a hardy few, going without air conditioning is probably not a practical cost-cutting measure. Still, there are ways to save energy and cut your electric … [Read more...] about 6 ways to save on air conditioning
6 ways to get a cheap gym membership
The ever-increasing price of gym memberships may have you running for the hills, but if outdoor recreation doesn't give you everything you need in a fitness program, then try these tips to get a great deal on a membership at a gym in your area. Try before you buy With any … [Read more...] about 6 ways to get a cheap gym membership
Do a no-spend challenge to see where you can save
If your spending has gotten out of control or you want to cut down on unnecessary expenses, it might be time to embark on a no-spend challenge. Going an entire month without spending beyond necessities can be an eye-opening experience. We think any budget-minded individual should try a no-spend … [Read more...] about Do a no-spend challenge to see where you can save
4 phone calls that can lower your bills
Putting money back into your pocket every month by lowering your bills would be great, right? By making a few key phone calls and being a smart consumer, you can do just that. All you need to get the job done is some dedicated time to get the right person on the phone. Easier said than done, right? … [Read more...] about 4 phone calls that can lower your bills
Save money on gas with hypermiling techniques
Experienced drivers have all kinds of tricks for saving gas while they drive, so they can save money by not refueling as often. These run the gamut from keeping the trunk empty to turning off the engine instead of idling. If you have mastered those and want to try something more extreme to keep you … [Read more...] about Save money on gas with hypermiling techniques
How to save money on food without using coupons
Groceries for a family of four with young children cost an average of about $1,000 a month in the summer of 2023, not including takeout and restaurant meals, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. That’s a big chunk of change.But there are ways to spend less on food and still eat a … [Read more...] about How to save money on food without using coupons
11 ways to save on prescription drugs
When my friend Mark developed whooping cough for the second time, he knew what to expect. A quick phone call to his doctor got Mark the antibiotics and cough syrup he needed.His only mistake? This go-round, Mark had the prescriptions called in to his nearest drugstore rather than heading to … [Read more...] about 11 ways to save on prescription drugs
How to profit from your old CD and DVD collections
Before high-speed internet and digital music and movies, it wasn't rare for people to spend thousands of dollars on a DVD and CD collection. But with today’s options for online streaming and on-demand content, the need for physical media has gone by the wayside as easier and cheaper versions of … [Read more...] about How to profit from your old CD and DVD collections
The secret to serving a quick, cheap family dinner every night
In today’s crazy-busy world, family dinner is especially important. Even though Susie has karate, Joey has swim lessons and Mom and Dad commute to work, you need time to connect as a family and eat a nutritious meal. Even better if that meal's a home-cooked one.The idea of cooking dinner every … [Read more...] about The secret to serving a quick, cheap family dinner every night
Credit cards to help you save money on gas
With today's gas prices, it’s even more important to manage your expenses. The rising cost of groceries is made worse by the rising cost of driving to the grocery store. And as road trip season approaches, vacationers are going to need to budget a lot more for filling up their gas … [Read more...] about Credit cards to help you save money on gas
How I slashed $25,000 in credit-card debt to zero
A few years ago, my long-term partner and I were living in his home country of Canada, and I put a lot of time and money into obtaining permanent residency. But relationships sometimes don’t move forward as planned. I returned to the U.S. with only a truck full of belongings, my dog and about … [Read more...] about How I slashed $25,000 in credit-card debt to zero
12 hacks to slash your grocery bill
Of course, everyone would like to cut the supermarket bill by 50% or more. For a moderate budget for a family of four, the most recent figures from the U.S. Department of Agriculture estimate you would spend between $1,068 and $1,455 a month for groceries. But you don’t have to go to the … [Read more...] about 12 hacks to slash your grocery bill
Smart habits of millionaires you should adopt
The best way to become a self-made millionaire is to learn from people who are already there. And as you can see from the list below, these habits of self-made millionaires are pretty easy to follow in your daily life. Because becoming a millionaire isn’t about spending like you are rich; it's … [Read more...] about Smart habits of millionaires you should adopt
18 strategies for $10-a-day budget meal planning and grocery shopping
The trend for extreme budget meal planning was popularized by Leanne Brown in her free online book Good and Cheap, developed primarily for those using SNAP (food stamp) benefits.At the time the book was written, the budget was $4 a day. When I heard about the project, I decided to try that … [Read more...] about 18 strategies for $10-a-day budget meal planning and grocery shopping