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Everyday Cheapskate: Cetaphil's New Anti-Aging Collection: A Review

Consumer / Everyday Cheapskate /

In the ever-evolving world of skincare, finding effective anti-aging products that deliver noticeable results without breaking the bank can feel like an endless, expensive quest. However, Cetaphil, a trusted name in skincare known for being gentle yet effective, has recently introduced a new line of four anti-aging products I've been using since...Read more

DREAMSTIME/TNS

American debt stings like never before in new era for households

Consumer / Home and Consumer News /

After years of managing household budgets through the stress of the worst inflation in a generation, U.S. families are increasingly pressured by a different kind of financial squeeze: The cost of carrying debt.

Two years after the Federal Reserve began hiking interest rates to tame prices, delinquency rates on credit cards and auto loans are ...Read more

With the Better FAFSA still in limbo, here's what to do as college decisions loom

Consumer / Home and Consumer News /

When the U.S. Department of Education rolled out the "Better FAFSA" at the end of last year, the intent was to make the Free Application for Federal Student Aid a simpler process for the millions of college students hoping for financial help for the 2024-25 school year.

But so far, the new FAFSA has created a series of headaches for students, ...Read more

Everyday Cheapskate: My Secret Housecleaning Weapon

Consumer / Everyday Cheapskate /

Keeping a pristine home doesn't have to be a daunting or expensive task. I want to let you in on my secret weapon sitting front and center in my cleaning cupboard. It's Bar Keepers Friend (BKF) and I wouldn't want to clean without it.

BKF is a simple, versatile cleaning product that has been trusted by homeowners for over a century. Developed ...Read more

Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times/TNS

California's home insurer of last resort sees enrollment surge, raising concerns over its finances

Consumer / Home and Consumer News /

With home insurers scaling back coverage in the state, enrollment is surging in California's backstop insurance plan — as is the plan's risk of sustaining losses that it can't cover.

Victoria Roach, president of the FAIR Plan Association, told lawmakers this week that property owners even in areas with low wildfire risk were finding it ...Read more

Realtors group to pay $418 million to settle litigation over broker commission fees

Consumer / Home and Consumer News /

The Chicago-based National Association of Realtors will pay $418 million as a part of a settlement agreement to resolve litigation against the organization and its members brought on behalf of home sellers related to broker commissions.

The settlement comes after a Missouri federal jury issued a landmark $1.8 billion verdict in October of last ...Read more

Ryan Deberardinis/Dreamstime/TNS

NYC rents hit record highs in Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens

Consumer / Home and Consumer News /

Median rents in Manhattan, Brooklyn and Northwest Queens hit record highs in February as New Yorkers grapple with an ongoing affordability crisis, a new report found.

New lease signings also climbed, setting year-over-year records in Manhattan and Queens and the second-highest record for Brooklyn, according to the latest analysis by real estate...Read more

Real estate Q&A: My fiance died and left home we lived in to a friend. What are my options?

Consumer / Home and Consumer News /

Q: I have been living with my fiancé in his house for a few years. Unfortunately, he passed away recently. When I checked the deed, I found out that the house was set up as a life estate to go to his friend, who also lives there. The friend is now eager to sell the house, but I have been helping to support it and make repairs for the last ...Read more

FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP/Getty Images North America/TNS

Rents are finally falling in Los Angeles. But it's still not enough for many

Consumer / Home and Consumer News /

As Angelenos continue to suffer through a housing crisis, new data suggest that Los Angeles County's notoriously brutal rental market may be cooling while rental prices continue to climb in some of the most populous regions of Northern California.

Rental prices were down 2.5% in Los Angeles County in February 2024 versus the same month a year ...Read more

RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post/TNS

When Colorado mountain towns couldn't find affordable housing for workers, they started building homes themselves

Consumer / Home and Consumer News /

Decades ago, Colorado’s mountain communities, struggling with sky-high real estate values, implemented “inclusionary” ordinances that required developers to set aside a share of the units they built at a lower price or lower rent.

In a nod to just how expensive things have become, the definition of affordable has risen to include ...Read more

Everyday Cheapskate: How to Remove Stains on Aluminum Cookware After an Unfortunate Trip Through the Dishwasher

Consumer / Everyday Cheapskate /

When aluminum pans get stained and discolored from frequent use, it's time for a thorough cleaning. But what happens when these pieces appear to be all but ready for the landfill after an unfortunate trip through the dishwasher?

Dear Cheapskate: I inherited a lovely set of vintage aluminum cookware. For some reason, I assumed I could clean ...Read more

Everyday Cheapskate: The People You Meet, the Books You Read

Consumer / Everyday Cheapskate /

The late humorist and master of salesmanship, Charlie "Tremendous" Jones, said one of my favorite quotes of all time: "You are the same today that you are going to be in five years from now except for two things: the people with whom you associate and the books you read."

While he didn't specify, I'm nearly certain Jones was talking about ...Read more

Vanessa Abbitt/St. Louis Post-Dispatch/TNS

Missouri sues Florida firm tied to controversial brokerage contracts

Consumer / Home and Consumer News /

JEFFERSON CITY, Missouri — Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey last week sued a Florida real estate company that has drawn complaints and lawsuits around the country for what critics call "deceptive" real estate contracts that offer homeowners upfront cash in exchange for thousands of dollars in future brokerage fees.

The lawsuit accuses ...Read more

Everyday Cheapskate: Saving: An Acquired Addiction

Consumer / Everyday Cheapskate /

As personality traits go, "compulsive" and "addictive" are not generally considered all that terrific. Those of us with an inclination to be obsessive struggle to overcome our obsessions.

But hold on a minute! Being compulsive -- easily addicted and slightly obsessive -- can be a good trait when that propensity is harnessed and channeled in the...Read more

DREAMSTIME/TNS

Will CFPB's $8 cap on credit card late fees encourage late payments?

Consumer / Home and Consumer News /

On March 5, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) finalized a rule capping credit card late payment fees at $8 for the biggest card issuers after inviting public comment on the matter last year. According to the consumer protection agency, the move is an effort to rein in “excessive” credit card late fees.

“For over a decade, ...Read more

Everyday Cheapskate: How to Clean Suede Shoes and Keep Them Looking Sharp

Consumer / Everyday Cheapskate /

Suede shoes are a timeless fashion statement, but let's face it, they're not the easiest to keep clean. Whether it's dirt, water or oil stains, suede seems to attract them all. But fear not! With a little know-how and some TLC, you can keep your suede shoes looking fresh and fabulous. In this guide, I'll walk you through the process of cleaning ...Read more

Real estate Q&A: How do we get builder to deal with construction site eyesore?

Consumer / Home and Consumer News /

Q: They have been building a house down the block for the last several months. Besides the trucks coming and going, the site is a mess, with debris in the yard and a porta-potty out along the street. While I understand the realities of construction, there is no reason for this ongoing eyesore. What should we do? — Alejandro

A: Constructing a ...Read more

Dreamstime/Dreamstime/TNS

How to update your apartment to feel like home (without making your landlord angry)

Consumer / Home and Consumer News /

Ben Everette Moore rented in Philadelphia for 15 years, and he transformed every place he stayed.

In a Center City apartment, he spent six hours filling a wall with patterns by hand using a stencil, gold spray paint, acrylic paints, and a small brush, and his landlord loved it.

“Normally, we’re supposed to paint the walls back, but she’s...Read more

Tyger Williams/The Philadelphia Inquirer/TNS

Rentals can be 'renovated,' too -- just ask this social media creator

Consumer / Home and Consumer News /

Kate Levy knew she wanted to transform her apartment into a beautiful, cozy home. She didn’t know that tens of thousands of strangers would be invested in how it turned out.

About 75,000 TikTok followers and more than 32,000 Instagram followers ooh and ahh and ask where she got her furniture (pretty much all secondhand) through her my.philly....Read more

Everyday Cheapskate: Reader Mail on Cleaning Mushrooms, Whiteboards and Pfaltzgraff Dishes

Consumer / Everyday Cheapskate /

Dear Mary: In a recent column, you suggested to not wash mushrooms but to simply brush them well with a vegetable brush or clean towel. While I agree with you 99% of the time, on this one I had to write. Did you know that mushrooms are usually grown in manure? You must wash them. I use a commercial veggie wash and brush, too. -- Patricia

Dear ...Read more