ArcaMax

If there's one subject that shows up in my inbox more often than any other, it has to be rust. Ugly, orange-ish stains on tubs, showers, toilets, washing machines, sinks and even stainless steel.

One reader (who shall remain nameless, as I have hopelessly misplaced your message) wrote that tiny rust marks have appeared on his new stainless ...Read more

Contrary to popular belief, you can put silver in the dishwasher without causing harm, provided you are careful to follow a simple set of rules.

I grew up being fearful of the oddest things. I wasn't bold enough to question why, so I just did as I was told. Here's one: Never, ever put silver in the dishwasher. Ever!

I didn't know what would ...Read more

It was Christmas Eve several years ago. Everything was ready. Our overnight company would be arriving in a matter of hours. I opened the refrigerator to discover the inside had reached a balmy 70 F. This could not have happened at a worse time. Away to my computer I flew like a flash, straight to RepairClinic.com, where I entered the make and ...Read more

Dear Mary: Is there any problem with disposing of cooking grease and oil down the kitchen drain, as long as one is careful to follow with very hot water? My wife and I are at odds on this and have agreed to let you settle the argument. Hope to hear back soon. We could use some harmony. -- Ben

Dear Ben: While I'm not exactly a marriage counselor...Read more

From pasta to vinegar, there are all kinds of things in your kitchen pantry that could save you all kinds of money -- and frustration too! You're going to wonder why you didn't think of that!

CANDLELIGHTER

If you can't light a candle without using a long lighter, grab a piece of dry spaghetti from your pantry. Strike a match and hold the flame...Read more

Dear Mary: Several years ago, I visited a friend and was introduced to an item that keeps butter out of the refrigerator and on the counter to be nice and soft and fresh until consumed.

The butter somehow stays in a top container that is then suspended over a container of water. I don't know the name of this thing, nor where to buy one. I have ...Read more

Let me guess: There's an old can of car wax lurking in your garage, possibly next to a stash of mystery keys and a box labeled "random screws." Well, it's time to dig it out, dust it off and hope it hasn't turned into fossilized goo. By the time you're done reading, you'll be itching to give these unexpected tips a try. Who knew car wax could be...Read more

What I love even more than the genius tips my readers send in are the little love notes and thank-yous tucked in alongside them. Honestly, I'm a complete sap for that kind of friendship, and it means more to me than I can say. Knowing there's a whole community of friends out there reading and enjoying these columns? That's the wind beneath my ...Read more

I wouldn't call it a radical new idea, although a recent issue of a popular women's magazine did say that living below your means is the hot new trend.

It is a simple concept -- spend less than you earn. Still, LBYM is seen by many as a life sentence, not the lifesaver that it is. It can take a crisis like unemployment or a sudden illness to ...Read more

You've rounded up your receipts, figured out all your deductions, and now you're ready to load that onto your tax forms. This is not the time to get sloppy. Make sure you don't run any of these red flags up the flagpole of your tax return, and you will greatly reduce the chances of getting hit with the most dreaded of all tax events -- the audit...Read more

I have so enjoyed the unique holiday tips and tricks you, my dear readers, have sent my way during the holidays. Over and again I find myself saying, "Wow! Why didn't I think that?"

A few weeks before Christmas, I was boiling mad at myself when I opened boxes marked "Christmas" to find supplies of cards, tags and gift wrap purchased on sale, ...Read more

Need a last-minute gift for an office party, a beloved friend, neighbor, coworker or anyone else on your gift list, and for any occasion? Here are seven great ideas that won't take much time and certainly won't break the bank.

GIVE AN EXPERIENCE

Think about fun activities you could do with different people on your list: dinner for a friend, ...Read more

Years ago, I discovered money was a great antidepressant. I spent to change my mood, to reward myself and to make myself feel better after a stressful week. I spent money when I felt sad and when I felt glad. I spent to get approval, to make my kids more popular, to impress people I didn't even know. The list goes on and on.

Who hasn't indulged...Read more

Ah, sleep -- that elusive friend we all need but sometimes can't seem to find. I don't know about you, but I've spent plenty of nights staring at the ceiling, wondering why my brain insists on replaying every awkward thing I've ever done instead of letting me snooze. The good news? You don't need fancy gadgets, pricey pillows or lavender-scented...Read more

Planning for an uncertain future can feel downright overwhelming -- like trying to pack for a trip without knowing the destination. Whether you're making arrangements for elderly parents or figuring out your own plan, I am confident that the following books, websites and organizations will give you the kind of help, support and information you ...Read more

When money is tight, the grocery bill isn't the only thing that makes us sweat. For pet owners, the cost of keeping furry family members fed and happy can feel like an added burden. But cutting costs doesn't mean you have to skimp on quality or compromise your pet's health. With a little creativity, you can keep tails wagging without breaking ...Read more

Wellness. Health care. Both are on everyone's mind these days, and for good reason. Between the soaring cost of health insurance premiums, increasing copays and skyrocketing deductibles, plus the outrageous cost of some medications, it's enough to give you a heart attack.

But lest you think there's nothing you can do to keep your family's ...Read more

Dear Cheapskate: Thank you for your many helpful articles. In a past column you wrote about how to unshrink a wool sweater. All I can remember is that it involved baby shampoo. Could you print the instructions again? Thanks! -- Linda

Dear Linda: Sure, here it is: Mix a solution of 1 gallon lukewarm water and 2 tablespoons baby shampoo. Soak the...Read more

If I had a dollar for every person who has ever asked me, "Why didn't anyone ever tell me how to manage money and stay out of debt when I was a kid?!" I'd be a wealthy woman. If you have kids in your life as young as 3 and up to young-adult age, consider these excellent books to get those conversations started that can open the doors to ...Read more

Is your monthly grocery spending eating up a big portion of your income? You're not alone. Figures from the U.S. Department of Agriculture show that as of March 2024, on average, a family of four spends $1,341 per month on groceries to be eaten at home. Here, let me do the math: That's $16,092 annually! And that doesn't take into consideration ...Read more