ArcaMax

Would you be willing to accept a reduction in pay if you could work fewer hours to spend more time with your family? It is a lovely thought, but how realistic is it? Working less usually means earning less -- hardly an option for most people.

But that doesn't mean we cannot take small steps to simplify our complicated lives. A little bit here ...Read more

It might be the rising cost of groceries, or perhaps you've lost your job or have already been living paycheck-to-paycheck with no cushy emergency fund to fall back on. For whatever reason, suddenly this month you can't pay all your bills.

You're scared, angry, worried and overwhelmed. What are you supposed to do right now? Which bills should ...Read more

This year, renters were burdened by housing costs, pessimistic about the economy, and less likely to say homeownership is part of the American dream, according to a survey by the national rental listing platform Zumper.

Zumper surveyed more than 6,000 renters across the country as part of its annual report about the state of renting. The report...Read more

The U.S. stock market is poised to be kept on edge next year as investors are caught between fear of missing out on the artificial-intelligence rally and concern that it’s a bubble just waiting to burst.

Big selloffs and quick reversals have been a feature of stock markets for the past 18 months. That trend is likely to continue heading into...Read more

Currently, you can lock in annual percentage yields (APYs) on certificates of deposit (CDs) at and slightly above 4% with many nationally available CDs. Only a select few financial institutions offer promotional CDs that earn a 5% APY or greater, and most are closed-membership credit unions.

As a reporter who tracks CD rates daily, I take ...Read more

I used to think houseplants were nothing more than expensive dust collectors. Then I bought a pothos, neglected it shamelessly and watched it grow anyway. That's when it clicked: Maybe these leafy roommates are doing more for me than I realized.

Science agrees. Indoor plants aren't just for looks. They can help you breathe easier, sleep better ...Read more

Q: Ever since our new neighbor moved in six months ago, they have constantly left their dog out, and it never stops barking. We try to be patient, but it’s getting intolerable. What can we do? — Katya

A: Dealing with inconsiderate neighbors can be frustrating and stressful. For some people, it might be a barking dog; for others, it could be...Read more

Dear Mary: I've heard that adding someone to your credit card will help that person establish a credit history, even if they do not use the card. Is that true? How would I go about doing it? -- Pat

Dear Pat: It is true. You would add this adult (at least age 18) as an "authorized user" to your account by calling your credit card issuer's ...Read more

Cornstarch is a low-cost, readily available, humble miracle found in the baking aisle of just about every supermarket and grocery store in the country, and online. Extracted from corn and then processed into a very soft, white powder, cornstarch is sold in boxes and canisters.

Usually, we think of cornstarch as a pantry ingredient used to ...Read more

Well, you've done it again! You clever readers have come up with another batch of fabulous ways that you save time and money every day!

AUTO CLEANER

Use plain old baking soda on a damp rag to remove bugs, tar and anything else from your vehicle. Works great, even on the grill and chrome work. Leaves no residue or odor and won't harm the paint....Read more

Dust bunnies don't just multiply under your couch -- they're hoarding plastic. Scientists have discovered that everyday items we use, wash, wear and toss can release microscopic plastic fragments. These "microplastics" are everywhere: bottled water, teacups, indoor air -- even inside human arteries.

If you've ever dusted a sunny windowsill and ...Read more

In my perfect world, there would be no credit scores. And while I do not believe that credit is necessarily evil, in that perfect world of mine, there would be no need for any of that because it would be, well ... perfect!

Back to reality. There are myriad reasons we need to have good credit histories and excellent credit scores.

Like it or ...Read more

You know the feeling when you reach into the pocket of a coat or pants you haven't worn for a while and pull out a $20 bill? What would it feel like if you pulled out hundreds of dollars? And what if you found money like that month after month?

It's not magic; it can be done. Pin holes in your financial life can turn into massive money-gushers....Read more

I don't know about you, but when I learn some new and amazing household tip that promises to save me time and/or money, well, it just makes my day. I love it! Not all of the tips I get from you, my faithful readers, are brand-new. But since I am not good at keeping 20,000 or more of these delicious little tidbits cataloged in my mind (yes, you'...Read more

What would you pay for a good night's rest? A soccer club in England once spent nearly $200,000 on custom mattresses, pillows and even wallpaper designed to help players sleep before home games. Clearly, they believe sleep is nonnegotiable.

And they're right. Sleep isn't a luxury -- it's essential. Without it, we're cranky, forgetful and prone ...Read more

What would it feel like to check your bank balance and find a pile of money you didn't know you had? Stop wasting money on goods and services that don't matter in the long run. By plugging the money leaks in your life, it's possible you could see the financial equivalent of working a second job in your wallet.

BUYING FROM A TV OR INTERNET AD. ...Read more

A new leather sofa or leather handbag -- so beautiful. Or perhaps it's the car you've had for a long time, the one with leather upholstery that still looks fantastic because that you've babied and protected it against spills and stains. And then somehow, that beautiful leather gets hit with an ink stain. It shouldn't happen, but life being what ...Read more