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Everyday Cheapskate: 14 Food Items You'll Regret Feeding Your Dog

Consumer / Everyday Cheapskate /

Loving and caring for a furry four-legged friend means more than a life of snuggles and chew toys. Dog ownership comes with a level of responsibility that is reasonable and will inevitably keep veterinarian and hospital bills at the bare minimum. That includes guarding what your four-legged friend eats.

Most dog owners have at least a vague ...Read more

Everyday Cheapskate: 7 Things You Should Never Buy Used

Consumer / Everyday Cheapskate /

The secondary market in this country offers tremendous opportunities to save money on the things we want and need. Who doesn't love a great garage sale or super find on eBay or Craigslist? But there are times when wisdom must prevail because the allure of a bargain comes at such an intolerable cost. Whether it's for safety reasons, hygiene ...Read more

Everyday Cheapskate: How and When to Let Go of Household Clutter

Consumer / Everyday Cheapskate /

Now and then I hear from readers who are facing a dilemma that strikes a chord with me personally. I've been there, I know what they're facing, and I've discovered solutions that just might help.

Dear Mary: As a fellow cheapskate, I have a question for you: When and how do you decide whether something that is still functional can be discarded ...Read more

Everyday Cheapskate: Chicken Soup for the Sick?

Consumer / Everyday Cheapskate /

Have you ever wondered if chicken soup really does have medicinal effects against colds and the flu? Me, too. Recently, I decided to find out.

Here's what I learned: There is some scientific evidence to suggest that homemade chicken soup contains several ingredients that affect the body's immune system. Dr. Stephen Rennard of University of ...Read more

Everyday Cheapskate: The Dark Side of Gift Cards

Consumer / Everyday Cheapskate /

These days, you can buy gift cards (the modern replacement for the gift certificate) from just about every store imaginable. They are convenient, and for many people, gift cards appear to be the perfect gift solution. They're not. I am so opposed to gift cards that I'm this close to declaring an all-out boycott. Why? Oh, please let me count the ...Read more

Everyday Cheapskate: Smart Ways to Save Money on Pet Care

Consumer / Everyday Cheapskate /

Recently, I read about a family who spent $1,000 to cat-proof their backyard so their two cats, who they consider full-fledged family members, could roam outside without escaping to the outside world.

And that's not all. Their felines also have lots of cat furniture, and they regularly dine on cat food that costs north of $7 per pound.

Perhaps...Read more

Everyday Cheapskate: A Number as Useful as Your Credit Score

Consumer / Everyday Cheapskate /

Looking to become a homeowner this year? Or maybe you want to sell your current home to move to a different location or into a larger property. More than likely, that means you'll be shopping for a mortgage -- a home loan that will allow you to make that move.

Whether you know your credit score or not, by now you are aware that you have one and...Read more

Everyday Cheapskate: 8 Ways to Jump-start the New Year

Consumer / Everyday Cheapskate /

Feeling a little sluggish? Well, perk up, my frugal friend! Here are eight ways to get a jump on 2024.

No. 1: Get your credit reports. Annualcreditreport.com offers the most reader-friendly format, and your personal credit reports from each of the big three credit reporting agencies are free, once every 12 months. You can order online at www....Read more

Everyday Cheapskate: Secrets of Financial Survivors

Consumer / Everyday Cheapskate /

Almost everyone I know has faced -- or is coping with -- some financial challenge or adversity.

If it's not a load of student debt, it's unemployment, a mortgage crisis, foreclosure, staggering medical bills or worse.

I have observed over the years that not all individuals can handle financial adversity similarly. Some, whom I call financial ...Read more

Everyday Cheapskate: 1 a Day, and Then There Were 4,000

Consumer / Everyday Cheapskate /

Today marks a milestone I didn't think I would pass: 4,000 columns. It's not that I thought I would fail. It didn't occur to me how quickly one column at a time can run up to 4,000. It all started with a monthly newsletter, then a daily blog post, a syndicated column and more than a dozen published books.

I am proud of my achievement, but not ...Read more

Everyday Cheapskate: Would a Boatload of Money Get You the Life You Love?

Consumer / Everyday Cheapskate /

Here we are again, the start of a new year. A clean slate, a blank canvas. It's beautiful. Perhaps you've made resolutions for how things will be different in 2024, with a level of determination like you've never felt before. I only know that because I know myself. For years, I resolved at the start of every year to get out of debt, get our ...Read more

 

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