ArcaMax

Got a question? Lots of readers do, and chances are pretty good their questions just might be your questions too. At the very least, you may find these answers to be somewhat educational, if not entertaining!

Dear Cheapskate: I have a big problem and have told my daughters and their daughters that I am going to accept your advice to solve it. I...Read more

Who among us hasn't at some time during the hectic days of December said those old familiar words, "Next year I'm going to get started earlier!" I don't know what you meant by "earlier," but today seems about right.

Here for your consideration are three ideas meant to encourage you to head off the heartbreak of post-holiday stress disorder ...Read more

Years ago, I read a news story about Starbucks Corp. that left me stunned. In a nutshell, it seems that the company practice has been to place "tip jars" by the cash registers where customers can drop their loose change to tip the baristas. In California, there is a law that prohibits managers and supervisors from sharing in employee tips. And ...Read more

As the story goes, the local inventor invited the town's pastry makers to observe his latest invention: an automated pastry-making machine. To his dismay, the bakers deemed it unfit because it could not consistently turn out perfect pastries.

Not one to give up easily, the inventor took one of the chefs aside and asked, "What do YOU do when you...Read more

Let's face it: Life loves to throw curveballs when you least expect it. One day you're breezing through your to-do list, and the next, you're staring at your flashlight like it's the Holy Grail because the power's out and you have no idea where the batteries are.

We've all been there, unprepared. It's time to change that. Let's chat about what ...Read more

Having lived and breathed time- and money-saving tips for over three decades now, I thought I knew it all. I cannot fathom how many thousands of tips and tricks my readers have shared together with all I've discovered on my own (borne out of desperation or just plain frugality). So far, I've learned enough to fill three hefty published books ("...Read more

These days, grocery prices can make you feel like you need a financial adviser just to navigate the supermarket aisles. But instead of cringing every time you see the price of your favorite items, there's a better solution -- thrifty meals that don't sacrifice taste or nutrition. I'm talking about meals that fill us up, make us smile, and don't ...Read more

I know what you're thinking. "Unstealable"? That's a pretty bold claim. But hear me out. You might not be able to make your car completely theftproof, but you can make it such a pain to steal that thieves will take one look, roll their eyes and move on to an easier target.

LOCK YOUR DOORS AND WINDOWS (NO, SERIOUSLY)

This is where I hit you ...Read more

Let's be honest. Most of us have dabbled in hobbies that didn't quite lead to anything. We've all spent a little too much time scrolling social media or binge-watching shows (I see you, entire weekend lost to Netflix). But what if your hobbies could actually make you smarter? I'm talking about productive hobbies -- the ones that not only fill ...Read more

Over the years I've received thousands of money-saving tips from readers -- many of which I've shared in books, newsletters and this column. And there are plenty that I've not shared for a variety of reasons, but mostly because they don't work. Some work so poorly, they end up costing time and money and not saving a thing! Today's first question...Read more

Does this happen to you? You get so involved in doing something that you completely lose track of time? You're shocked to look up and see it's time to go home when it feels like you just got back from lunch. Or you sit down for a few minutes to start a new book and suddenly you're on Chapter 21?

Happens to me when I open my email inbox. I can ...Read more