ArcaMax

As a parent, I've gained insights over the years into what teachers truly appreciate as gifts, not just during the holiday season but at any time of the year. Instead of the typical "Teachers Have Class!" coffee mugs, let's focus more on practical items that enhance the classroom experience.

Wanting to know how they really feel about gifts, I ...Read more

I am always entertained and often educated by the tips readers mail in. Today is no exception. I'm pretty sure you will agree with me.

SAFELY FROZEN: I am on a waiting list to get a safe deposit box at my bank. While I wait, I am keeping my important papers in a heavy freezer bag in the deep freeze. I hear that, in a fire, the inside of the ...Read more

Got a hunk of meat that feels like it could double as a doorstop? The slow cooker says, "Challenge accepted!" Toss in that tough cut, add a splash of broth and the magical ingredients, and by dinnertime, you'll have something that's practically falling apart in deliciousness. Expensive cuts? Who needs 'em when your slow cooker can turn a $5 ...Read more

Dear Cheapskate: With all the suggestions you have made for the "best inexpensive" products in your blog EverydayCheapskate.com (which I get in my email box every weekday and love it), I don't believe I have ever seen a recommendation for dry cat food, canned cat food or cat litter. Or even pet products, for that matter. That's where I really ...Read more

Experts tell us, and I can concur wholeheartedly from my own experience, that when people admit to the worst financial decisions they've made in their lives, they often recall choices made in the grip of visceral emotions like anger, lust, anxiety and greed.

Imagine how our lives might be different if we had a couple dozen "undo" buttons to use...Read more

I won't try to kid you into thinking I'm some kind of organizational expert. I am the most disorganized person ever. My professional office is a mess. My home, remarkably, appears to be orderly, as long as you don't open a cupboard, drawer or closet.

Being disorganized steals my time, energy and money. I buy things I have already because I can'...Read more

Money advice -- it's available everywhere. But that doesn't mean you should take it. The wise person knows how to separate the good from the bad. Here are a few timely examples:

Bad advice: Do not save money for yourself until you have paid off your credit cards. Direct every cent you can scrape together to pay down your credit card debt as ...Read more

Dear Cheapskate: I have become more thrifty and aware now that I read this column. Thank you! I wanted to return the favor by sharing a recent experience:

My family of six wanted me to make chili. I didn't have ground turkey or beef in the freezer, and I only buy meat on sale. I couldn't find either on sale in my area. I was just about to cave ...Read more

Imagine paying outrageous amounts of interest to a greedy finance company and loving every minute of it. Or how about making off-the-record, back-alley deals with a loan shark so you can skip all the credit checks and paperwork?

Impossible? Not if that loan shark is you. You'll be borrowing from yourself, making payments to yourself and ...Read more

One day as I was hurriedly putting groceries away, the fruit bowl was not within reach, so I put the fruit into the colander. It worked so well that I've been using the colander in that way ever since. And when I need a colander, no problem. I turn the fruit onto the counter, drain whatever I need to drain, then replace the fruit. Giving one ...Read more

If things are so hectic in your household that you can't remember the last time you took a break for some family fun, perhaps it's time to revisit an important concept: Time is like money. If you wait until you have some left over, you might be waiting forever. You may believe you don't have time or money for family fun, but let me help you see ...Read more

Anyone with a lick of fashion sense knows the secret of style is found in the accessories.

Men have it easy when it comes to accessorizing. All they have to worry about is a tie, a watch, a belt and maybe a briefcase. Their shoes don't really count as accessories because they're almost always the same color and height.

But women? We have to ...Read more

The best way to become a great home cook is to learn proper techniques, then practice. Learning some of the best secrets from professional chefs can't hurt! Here, for your cooking pleasure, are secrets from the pros that will help you avoid making these five mistakes.

1. NOT READING THE RECIPE

Home cooks invariably make the mistake of reading ...Read more

In all my years of writing this column, I've steered clear of politics. But every rule has its exception, and today, it's political fundraising scams. As we inch closer to the elections, the heat is on. I think it's time we have a little heart-to-heart about staying safe.

With billions of dollars pouring into the 2024 House, Senate and ...Read more

Stockpiling groceries sounds like something only the most dedicated coupon clippers would do. But the truth is, it's a smart way to stretch your grocery dollars without needing a doctorate in bargain hunting. Think of it as building a little fortress of savings in your pantry -- one that protects you from outrageous prices and unforeseen food ...Read more

A perfectly orchestrated backyard party took an ugly turn as the bounce house emptied all 15 little friends who, joined by twice as many adults, gathered around to watch the 5-year-old open a mountain of gifts. At that moment the birthday girl melted into a puddle of tears.

Little Emily's embarrassed parents threatened punishment if she didn't ...Read more

Once a week I worry that after all these years my faithful readers will simply run out of ideas. New and clever tips, tricks and clever hints will fade into extinction. But every week I get to put my worries to rest. Just look at all the great tips that recently showed up in my inbox.

PIE PROTECTORS

If you ever need to transport a pie but don'...Read more

A recent report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reveals a shocking reality: Poor diet is still a major threat to our health. In fact, unhealthy eating habits now contribute to over 678,000 deaths in the U.S. each year, surpassing even tobacco use as the leading cause of preventable death. This means that what's on our plates ...Read more

If your grocery bill feels more like a mortgage payment these days, you're not imagining it. Even though inflation's been slowing, grocery prices have climbed about 21% over the past few years. Unlike that fancy latte, groceries aren't optional. But while we can't control the prices, we can outsmart them with a few clever strategies.

REMEMBER ...Read more

Compared to my grandmother, I'm a lazy bum. While my generation hires out domestic tasks without a second thought, she and my grandfather focused on how much money they could sock away for emergencies and their "old age."

They both lived to just shy of 100, never needing Medicaid, government assistance* or a handout. They owned their home ...Read more