ArcaMax

Fast food runs, deli detours and a grocery cart loaded with preprepared food can drain a food budget faster than a houseful of hungry teenagers. The secret to slashing your family's food bill is to cook at home. And the way to become confident in the kitchen is to learn a few strategic "trucs" of the trade.

Truc (rhymes with "fluke") is a ...Read more

Get ready for another round of your burning questions and my hopefully not-too-scorched answers as we tackle the financial dilemmas that can make even the savviest penny-pincher break into a sweat -- from the joys of insuring your teenage driver (and by joys, I mean sticker shock) to the temptation of throwing every windfall at those relentless ...Read more

Job redundancy, downsizing, cutbacks, layoffs -- whatever you call it, when that dreaded pink slip lands on your desk, it's about as welcome as a root canal. But living in constant fear that your job could disappear any day now? That's like waiting for a surprise party you really, really don't want.

Even if you're convinced your job is solid, ...Read more

Homeowners, gather 'round and clutch your wallets. These days, home loan scam artists are lurking in the shadows like that weird neighbor who's always "just checking in." They're hungry, they're relentless and they've got their beady little eyes on your home equity.

Meet the loan sharks -- or as I prefer to call them, predatory lenders. They've...Read more

As you know, because I tell you all the time, I get a ton of mail! Today, I reached into my virtual mailbag and pulled out two reader questions, neither of them having easy answers. But hopefully this will make you think of your own situation in light of these questions and my responses.

Dear Mary: I borrowed more money on my student loan than ...Read more

I love it when I open my email to find a question that makes me go "Oh, boy. Do I know about that feeling! That's exactly what happened to me. Been there, done that!"

Today's first great reader question is a perfect example. Yep, I've gone to get rid of shrunken clothing because I didn't know there was a possible remedy. But now I do, and you'...Read more

Dear Cheapskate: I often keep onions, garlic and potatoes in my cupboard for weeks before finding the time to cook with them -- and by then they've gone soft or sprouted! What's the best way to store these ingredients to keep them fresh as long as possible? Your column is fabulous! Keep up the good work. -- Amy M.

Dear Amy: Never refrigerate ...Read more

Inflation is hitting Americans hard these days. Rent, gas and utilities are all more expensive, and rising grocery bills aren't helping matters. Increased costs and supply chain shortages have pushed prices up, with food prices climbing around 11% recently -- though some folks have seen even steeper increases. Sticking to a reasonable grocery ...Read more

Every year around this time, just as summer is getting into full swing, I experience the same shock. You'd think that by now I would see it coming. I'm still rolling my eyes at the Halloween, Thanksgiving and even Christmas sections developing at my local Costco! And that rack of really nice winter down-filled jackets -- in August!

I'll admit ...Read more

Insurance. It's complicated and confusing, which is why many people end up with insurance they don't need, while neglecting to carry the type of basic insurance they do need. So how are we to know? Today, I have a few common-sense guidelines to help untangle the mystery known as insurance.

Generally, you need four types of insurance:

TERM LIFE...Read more

Money's tight, and time's ticking. So here's my top-notch advice to keep back-to-school clothes shopping from draining your wallet.

First things first, set your budget. Seriously, how much cash (not credit) do you have for school clothes? Write that number down. Next, figure out needs. Each kid has different requirements. Little boys and older ...Read more

Moving to a new home can be an exciting adventure, but it often comes with a hefty price tag. As someone who's been through the moving process, I've picked up a few tricks to keep the costs down. Whether you're moving across town or across the country, these tips will help you save money and make the transition a lot smoother.

DON'T PUT IT OFF ...Read more

In the three decades since Debt-Proof Living (formerly known as Cheapskate Monthly Newsletter) began, I've racked up more than 1.4 million air miles on book tours, speaking gigs and TV and radio appearances. It's been a blast, and I've mostly loved every minute of it.

The year was 1998. I was in San Francisco, getting ready to appear on a local...Read more

Got creepy-crawly insects like ants, centipedes, cockroaches, silverfish, even -- gasp! -- bedbugs trying to take over your home or garden? Don't call an exterminator quite yet. I'm confident this is a problem you can fix yourself -- cheaper and faster!

If you want to treat your home for insects but don't want to poison yourself, your pets or ...Read more

It appeared that my only option was to throw my custom Levolor blinds into the trash when the mounting brackets became hopelessly missing after I painted the room.

Because these particular blinds were no longer manufactured, I figured I was out of luck. In a last-ditch effort, I contacted the folks at Levolor's customer service and got the ...Read more

Imagine this: You've just moved into a new home, and the kitchen is equipped with a shiny, sleek induction cooktop. You're excited to cook your favorite meals, but then you remember your beloved cast-iron skillet that has been your kitchen companion for years. It's got that perfect seasoning, and you've made countless delicious meals with it. ...Read more

A recent column brought a flood of messages to my inbox, most of them with the same message that goes something like this: I want to save, I need to save, but I don't have any money to save! How can I even get started when I am so close to the edge?

First, let's review: When it comes to saving money, we Americans are a pathetic lot. Here we are...Read more

Pop quiz: You pull a chicken from the fridge to fix for dinner and notice that yesterday was the "Sell By" date. You should:

A. Throw it away because not many emergency rooms offer a stomach pumping family plan.

B. Cook it to an internal temperature of 195 F minimum to kill the salmonella; serve with a pungent sauce to mask any residual foul ...Read more

If you enjoy the thrill of finding bargains and super steals, it's a safe bet that you love thrift stores. These treasure troves offer a unique blend of eclectic finds and budget-friendly prices. But lately, thrift shopping isn't what it used to be. With inflation hitting almost everything, even thrift store prices are on the rise.

It's not ...Read more

Let's chat about something we all face from time to time: clutter. Who hasn't had a moment when the junk drawer is overflowing, or the garage looks like a scene from a disaster movie? Oh, my! But beyond the annoyance of misplaced keys or a missing shoe, there's a bigger issue at play. Today, I want to talk about the high financial and mental ...Read more