ArcaMax

I love houseplants, and boy, do I have some beauties! The truth is I don't have a green thumb; I just know a few secret tricks and tips that I will gladly share with you.

KNOW YOUR VARIETIES

Only consider plants in what I call the "thrivus neglectus" family, which comes from the Latin root meaning "really cheap" and thrives even under the ...Read more

Now here's a question I'll bet you ask yourself from time to time: Can I really save money by shopping at a discount warehouse club? You can find great deals there, but you can also get into a lot of trouble if you have, shall we say, an impulsive propensity. You can really stretch your dollars if you are willing to stick to a few basic rules:

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Have I told you lately how much I love my readers? Especially those who send me messages, questions, and tips. EC is crazy for great reader tips. Some I receive are startling and send me running to verify; others bring on gales of laughter. But mostly, they leave me wondering, "Wow, really? Why didn't I think of that?!" Now, before we get going,...Read more

Dear Cheapskate: Help! I dripped latex paint on my new carpeting and discovered it too late. It dried hard and I'm afraid the carpet is ruined. -- Ruby R., California

Dear Ruby: Relax. Even if it's been there for a long time, you can get latex paint out of carpet or any type of fabric with lacquer thinner (not paint thinner!) available at ...Read more

My readers have no doubt that I am a big fan of finding every possible way to save time and money. And when they take time to send me their latest ideas and efforts, it pretty much makes my day! Check these out:

TEACH THE KIDS

In an ongoing effort to educate my 12-year-old I have started a new tracking system. On a large white board I have a ...Read more

Money is an excellent tool to teach kids how the world operates. You can use financial principles to teach them about social issues, too. That's because money is about values, relationships, choices and self-worth.

One important lesson you need to teach your kids before they leave home is about how to build and maintain good credit. Let's title...Read more

When our lives get chaotic, we pay dearly in terms of stress and money. There are hundreds of things you can do to simplify your life. Here are seven to help you get started ... one a day for the next week.

1. Carry only the keys you use every day. Clean everything else off your key ring. If you don't recognize what a key is for, toss it. If ...Read more

Have you ever noticed that no matter the size of your apartment, condominium, house, garage, drawers, closets, hard drive, handbag or briefcase -- it mysteriously fills to capacity?

Our first apartment was 300 square feet. We were newlyweds and still in that "cozy stage," so it wasn't a problem. Three years later, we were packed to the gills ...Read more

I can't tell you how many times I've heard from readers who are stuck in a mindset that says in order to be frugal in the grocery store, one must live on a diet of high-carb, low-quality and basically unhealthy junk food. And conversely, sticking to a healthy diet is expensive and generally out of reach for most families.

Today, I would like to...Read more

Dear Cheapskate: I just love your column, it has certainly helped me. My question has to do with wedding gifts. Recently I've been swamped with invitations. I was wondering if you had some good ideas for affordable gifts. I'm tempted to give money or gift certificates, even though they say that is rude. -- Avid C., Texas

Dear Avid: If the ...Read more

No sooner had I read the latest statistics on consumer debt in the U.S. (also known as household debt, credit card and other unsecured debt) than a message washed up on my desk echoing the same matter, but on a much smaller level. This reader's debt situation pales in the face of total U.S. consumer debt that has now climbed to $17,300,000,000,...Read more