ArcaMax

Readers know that we pull out all the stops around here to celebrate Christmas early. Or at least start thinking about the holidays, which are just a couple months down the road. If you are or have ever been plagued by credit card debt, I can nearly guarantee that revolving expenses related to Christmas have contributed greatly to that miserable...Read more

There is an old marketing adage that insists that for a business to make money, it has to spend money. There's truth in that for business, but when it comes to personal money management, don't count on it unless you have a clear strategy. That's exactly what these inexpensive yet handy gadgets offer: clear strategies to reduce the high cost of ...Read more

It was the worst day of my life. Not one of the worst days. Not a day where not one thing seems to go right. Worse than that. Worse than any day I'd ever experienced before that day. Worse than any day since. And I would say that, like most people, I've had some real doozies.

We were four months behind on our mortgage. All of the credit ...Read more

Several years ago, my son gave me the bounty from the two fruit trees that pretty much rule his backyard. My Mother's Day gift of Meyer lemons weighed in at 124 pounds. I know, lucky me!

I had to figure out ways to use, share and preserve lemons in a big hurry. I juiced, cooked and baked all kinds of lemon things. And I learned so many ways to ...Read more

It's called Dump Chicken, and it's genius. Here's why: You dump chicken pieces and your choice of sauce ingredients into a 1-gallon freezer bag, seal it and stick it in the freezer. When you're ready to eat it, thaw it overnight in the refrigerator; dump it into a pan (or slow cooker); and bake it. That's it!

The following recipes can be made ...Read more

Let's not beat around the bush. Eating out is eating up your future. It's gobbling down your present and keeping you stuck in the past. That heavy debt you're hauling around didn't happen while you were asleep. Chances are pretty good you're eating your way into debt.

Breaking the eating-out habit isn't easy to do, but it can be done. What it ...Read more

Fruit flies are amazing, and by that I mean amazingly annoying! These tiny creatures can detect the smell of ripe fruits and vegetables from miles away. If there's a bowl of fruit on your kitchen counter, there's probably a fruit fly or two looking for a way into your home to get to it. They're so small they can get in through window screens or ...Read more

You should see the big wad of lint I just plucked from the trap of my clothes dryer. Ack! Where does all of that come from? I know I emptied all pockets, and I'm certain I did not wash a bag of pillow stuffing.

I'll tell you what it is, and I am not happy about this: It's visual proof the dryer is wearing out our clothes. Those fibers were ...Read more

If you've ever had to deal with an invasion of ants, you may know the meaning of exasperation. While the kids think ants are so cute because of the way they march in formation, stop to help one another and work hard to prepare for their life challenges ahead, it's better to study these amazing creatures than to wake up and find a million or so ...Read more

It is not the most elegant question I get but certainly one of the most common. "I've tried everything I can think of, but that stubborn, ugly toilet bowl ring won't go away!" readers say. "It goes away but just keeps coming back!"

Toilet bowls develop discolorations for many reasons that have nothing to do with the quality of the housekeeping....Read more

Getting our outdoor grill cleaned, polished and ready for the warmer months had me thinking about how much fun it would be to celebrate. Why not do things up right with an amazing menu and a few good friends, even if that means grilling on a budget?

What happened next I can only attribute to a momentary lapse of good judgment.

I visited the ...Read more

Most ceiling fans have a switch with two options. Forward spins one way and Reverse the other. But why? What for? Who made that rule?

Years ago, a reader sent in her handy tip, passed along from her husband, a heating and air conditioning specialist: "In the winter, make your ceiling fans spin counterclockwise." Or was that clockwise? To be ...Read more

Seasoning packets from the supermarket may be convenient, but they have drawbacks -- not the least of which is they're relatively expensive! I just checked Lawry's Taco Spices and Seasonings Mix -- $1.57 for one packet! I just hate to pay that much for so little. And I don't have to because I've got a great recipe to make taco seasoning mix ...Read more

Corn on the cob is a summer staple that should be part of every summer celebration and backyard cookout because not only is fresh corn cheap when it's in season but it's also quick and easy to prepare!

There must be as many ways to prepare fresh corn on the cob as there are people who love to eat it. Here are four of my favorites:

1. Stovetop ...Read more

For many of my readers, their pets are like children. So, of course, you love your furry friends and want the best for them. But if the cost to keep them fed, healthy, cared for and looking good has gotten so high and you're the one coughing up fur balls, take heart. There are lots of little ways to cut pet expenses that together will help you ...Read more

Somewhere back in my dark financial past, I discovered that emotional spending was a great antidepressant. I spent to change my mood, to reward myself and to make myself feel better.

I spent money when I felt sad and when I felt glad. I spent money so I wouldn't feel broke. I spent to get approval, to make my kids more popular, to impress ...Read more

A number of years ago, I met Kathryn and Galen. They'd won a contest sponsored by Woman's Day magazine. The prize? A money makeover and financial coaching with ... me!

Not only were they drowning in debt but Galen was also dealing with a protracted season of unemployment.

Even with our new scaled-back lifestyle, my students were $1,000 short ...Read more

Our homes are well-accessorized with glass from windowpanes to shower doors to tabletops to lovely glassware. While glass is both beautiful and durable, normal wear and tear or mindless abuse can result in ugly surface scratches.

I wanted to kick myself around the block. Rather than stop and think, I grabbed a razor blade to remove adhesive ...Read more

Whether you're a newlywed, a recent grad moving into your first apartment or one of the 25% of millennials who Forbes recently reported will be moving back home with Mom and Dad, surely the idea of furnishing a kitchen has crossed your mind.

I'd love to help you get started. Here's the deal: There are a few basic kitchen tools you absolutely ...Read more

So you're getting ready to sell your house. Just thinking about it can be an overwhelming experience.

Should you hire a real estate agent? Should you do a FSBO (for sale by owner) to keep from paying that big commission? Should you spend a lot of money to paint and re-carpet -- at least the front rooms?

Where do you start, and what can you do ...Read more