Have you figured out ways to keep things cool indoors this summer without sending your utility bills through the stratosphere? If you could us…
For this mother of two young, world-class whiners, the techniques described in the booklet seemed way too simple to be effective, the promised…
Budgets are like training wheels: They help you get moving and offer you confidence as you learn how to balance.
I couldn’t pass it up, and I mean that quite literally. Someone dumped it right in the middle of my shortcut through the back of a neighborhoo…
It is difficult to imagine: Our wedding cost a whopping $200. I borrowed my dress and veil; I made the bridesmaid’s dresses; a friend made and…
To the person drowning in debt, a debt-consolidation loan looks like a lifesaver. But reaching for it without knowing exactly what it’s made o…
If soaring costs are getting you down, finding realistic ways to reduce expenses will keep your head above water and your spirits high. In thi…
One of the most memorable letters I’ve received in my writing career came from a mother, reporting on how she and her husband took a big finan…
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 a…
Performing a deep clean on a coffee maker is important to extend its useful life and ensure you’re brewing the best-tasting coffee possible.
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…
Some days, my email inbox fills me with joy. And then there are the days that a message nearly breaks my heart. That was the case when I opene…
Paying off credit card debt is an uphill battle. If the majority of your minimum monthly payment is going toward interest, that makes the clim…
From regular oil changes to changing furnace filters and annual trips to the dentist, smart consumers know that preventive maintenance can avo…
A cash shortage need not eliminate the idea of a family vacation. Clever and creative parents can turn several days off work into an amazing v…
Dear Mary: We are one month behind on our mortgage payments and plan to catch up this month. We have told our credit union we will pay half on…
News flash: Food is expensive! Food prices were up 10.8% for the year ended April 2022, the largest 12-month increase since November 1980. The…
If you’re looking for ways to get cash for stuff you no longer need or want, there are a number of options both online and locally where you c…
If you're looking for ways to get cash for stuff you no longer need or want, there are a number of options both online and locally where you c…
It pretty much kills me to spend money for things I know I can make myself for less than their pricey commercial cousins.
A restaurant menu is no big deal, right? It’s just a list of the food items that a restaurant offers its customers. Sure it is. Plus a whole l…
Comparing prices on toilet paper is confusing because no two rolls or packages are alike. There are no set standards for toilet paper (and I’m…
Some time ago, I wrote about simple things you can do to get better gas mileage, which means less time and money spent at the gas pump.
Shopping is my thing. I love the thrill of the hunt, that feeling of discovery and the joy of a bargain. I find it satisfying in ways I cannot…
I love a beautiful yard, but I hate spending a lot of money to get it that way, which explains why I am always looking for do-it-yourself, che…
So you’re getting ready to sell your house. Just thinking about it can be an overwhelming experience.
A quick Instagram search for #suntea turns up more than 36,000 results confirming that the summer months are prime time for this classic tea b…
Dear Mary: What is a safe disinfectant for colored clothes, such as underwear and bath towels? I can’t use chlorine bleach, and since I usuall…