ArcaMax

One day the market is crashing, inflation is climbing. The next day it seems like everything's coming up roses. No matter how the economy's swinging, your mortgage and car payments are still lurking in the shadows, waiting to pounce. And then there are the big-ticket items. A busted water heater often comes without warning and with the potential...Read more

Lyft driver Elwin Green knew exactly what he was paying to insure his home in Pittsburgh's Homewood neighborhood.

What he didn’t know was that his homeowners insurance bill was more than twice what the average homeowner in some of Allegheny County’s wealthiest communities are paying.

Green, 74, pays Allstate $3,875 a year to insure his 2,...Read more

I have a confession to make.

When I see "Dry Clean Only" on a clothing label, I don't automatically head for the dry cleaner.

I pause.

Then I ask myself whether the garment is truly asking for professional care -- or whether the manufacturer is simply taking the safest possible position.

A tailored wool suit? Absolutely. A structured blazer ...Read more

Q: We bought our first house two months ago and signed an “as-is” contract. After the first heavy rain, water poured in around a bedroom window. When we pulled up the new laminate, we found the subfloor was already rotted and had been painted over. The sellers must have known. Do we have any recourse, or did we give that up when we agreed to...Read more

Have you ever discovered you're all out of a certain ingredient when you're in the middle of preparing a recipe? I hate when that happens. And I don't want to run to the store.

For me, an unscheduled trip like that could easily cost $40, maybe more. That's just how impulsive I can be. I've learned that when I'm in a pinch, I need a pinch hitter...Read more

You need more money, and you need it now. What are your choices? You have two: You can increase your income, or you can reduce your spending.

There are several ways you can increase your income:

INCREASE INCOME

Get a bigger paycheck. Ask for a raise; land a new job that pays a lot more; or get a second (or third) job to supplement your income...Read more

Frozen fruits and vegetables take a lot of heat because most people assume that, if it's frozen, it must be of a lesser quality and nutritional value than the same items fresh in the produce department.

Is it true? Is fresh really better than frozen? And if so, is the difference great enough to spend more money to make sure we're always eating ...Read more

Dropping off a box of donations always feels good. You clean out a closet, gather up things you no longer use, and drive away with that wonderful sense of accomplishment. The house is less cluttered, someone else may benefit from your generosity, and everybody wins.

Well ... almost everybody.

The people who sort donations at thrift stores will...Read more

Q: I am 71 and retired. My house is paid off, but money is tight every month, and I keep seeing ads for reverse mortgages. My son says they are a scam, and that the bank will end up owning my home. Is that true, or is this something I should actually consider? — Patricia

A: A reverse mortgage is not a scam, nor is it a miracle. Like any loan,...Read more

Dear Mary: My wife and I made a terrible mistake and bought a house that I don't think we can afford. We dumped all of our money from the sale of our last home into it and now we have run out of money. It is not even close to being done. My wife is a stay-at-home mother of three and I work full time. I bring home about $5,500 per month with a ...Read more