ArcaMax

Whether "last minute" for you means any time after Thanksgiving or 11:30 p.m. on Christmas Eve, it's nice to have a repertoire of standby gifts that don't require expensive overnight shipping. My standbys are edible gifts -- decadent treats that offer my love and best wishes for the season.

By their very nature, edible gifts are often best when...Read more

Dear Cheapskate: I am retired and my son wants to give me money to buy a house as a gift. Will I be taxed on the money? If so, are there ways to avoid or reduce the amount I will be taxed? -- Lucy

Dear Lucy: Gifts between individuals are tax-free for the recipient. That means you, as the fortunate recipient of your son's generosity, don't have ...Read more

Let's talk about one of the most underrated items in your bathroom cabinet -- Epsom salt. It's cheap, it's unassuming and it has more uses than a Swiss Army knife at a Boy Scout jamboree.

But what is Epsom salt anyway? Is it salt? Is it magic? Nope. It's a naturally occurring mineral compound of magnesium and sulfate -- nothing close to (...Read more

One of the unfortunate side effects of embracing a frugal lifestyle is that gnawing tendency to never throw anything away. Fight the feeling, folks. Turning into a hoarder will only create a new problem in your life. Now, about all those useless candle stubs you're hanging onto -- get them out and keep them by your fireplace or wood burning ...Read more

Once upon a time, a big "SPECIAL" sign was enough to make us think we were getting a deal at the grocery store. But today's shoppers aren't so easily fooled. We've become wiser, knowing there's more to shopping smart than flashy tags and end-of-aisle displays.

A number of studies now promise we can categorize ourselves into four grocery-...Read more

Chair yoga -- it's the latest exercise trend making waves on social media, popping up in feeds with promises of gentle stretches and easy movement for all ages. And let's be honest, who hasn't felt the appeal of something that requires little more than a chair and the willingness to try?

But are the promises real or just another passing fad? ...Read more

When the Instant Pot hit the scene back in 2010, it wasn't just another kitchen gadget -- it was like someone had unlocked a secret to faster, easier home-cooked meals. And if you ask the millions who swear by it, it's become as essential as salt and pepper in the kitchen

When this magic pot made its debut, it introduced a new way of cooking ...Read more

Dear Cheapskate: As a teen, my daughter wanted name-brand jeans, clothing, shoes -- whatever she thought all the "cool" kids had. She wouldn't step into a thrift shop or discount store. It was a constant battle until I decided she would have a clothing/necessity allowance.

I gave her a set amount of money each month to cover those expenses. If ...Read more

Psssst! Could you use an extra $300? You might want to take a look in your garbage.

Recent studies indicate that food waste remains a significant issue in American households. The U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates that 31% of the food supply at retail and consumer levels is lost or wasted, amounting to approximately 133 billion pounds ...Read more

A friend -- I'll call her Sally -- in her early 30s moved from Arizona to Florida in search of a better job and a new life. Not that many months later she decided a change of scenery wasn't the solution she thought it would be and moved back.

She decided that what she really wanted was to settle down and buy a house.

She'd had surgery the year...Read more

Ah, the blissful day when your young adult finally moves out. You revel in the newfound quiet, reclaim a closet or two and might even consider turning that old bedroom into a hobby space. But just as you're settling into this next phase, in walks your fully grown child, suitcase in hand, declaring that they're home again. Welcome to the world of...Read more

A lovely new assisted living complex is under construction close to where I live. As beautiful as this place is, it has become a daily reminder to me of how difficult it can be to talk to aging parents about their health and future needs.

If you're 40 or older, you're part of the Sandwich Generation, which refers to middle-aged individuals who ...Read more

I love to discover a second use for something most of us have around the house or can easily find. Today's first tip may give you a big surprise but for sure a big laugh. By the way, this really works!

Plant Potty Liner: Line the bottom of baskets and pots with a disposable diaper (yes, clean and unused!) before you put in the potting soil and ...Read more

Got a question? Lots of readers do, and chances are pretty good their questions just might be your questions too. At the very least, you may find these answers to be somewhat educational, if not entertaining!

Dear Cheapskate: I have a big problem and have told my daughters and their daughters that I am going to accept your advice to solve it. I...Read more

Who among us hasn't at some time during the hectic days of December said those old familiar words, "Next year I'm going to get started earlier!" I don't know what you meant by "earlier," but today seems about right.

Here for your consideration are three ideas meant to encourage you to head off the heartbreak of post-holiday stress disorder ...Read more

Years ago, I read a news story about Starbucks Corp. that left me stunned. In a nutshell, it seems that the company practice has been to place "tip jars" by the cash registers where customers can drop their loose change to tip the baristas. In California, there is a law that prohibits managers and supervisors from sharing in employee tips. And ...Read more

As the story goes, the local inventor invited the town's pastry makers to observe his latest invention: an automated pastry-making machine. To his dismay, the bakers deemed it unfit because it could not consistently turn out perfect pastries.

Not one to give up easily, the inventor took one of the chefs aside and asked, "What do YOU do when you...Read more

Let's face it: Life loves to throw curveballs when you least expect it. One day you're breezing through your to-do list, and the next, you're staring at your flashlight like it's the Holy Grail because the power's out and you have no idea where the batteries are.

We've all been there, unprepared. It's time to change that. Let's chat about what ...Read more

Having lived and breathed time- and money-saving tips for over three decades now, I thought I knew it all. I cannot fathom how many thousands of tips and tricks my readers have shared together with all I've discovered on my own (borne out of desperation or just plain frugality). So far, I've learned enough to fill three hefty published books ("...Read more

These days, grocery prices can make you feel like you need a financial adviser just to navigate the supermarket aisles. But instead of cringing every time you see the price of your favorite items, there's a better solution -- thrifty meals that don't sacrifice taste or nutrition. I'm talking about meals that fill us up, make us smile, and don't ...Read more