Does it seem as though the packages lining grocery store aisles are getting smaller? They are. It’s a strategy some packaged goods manufacturers are using to pass along their higher costs. Instead of raising the price on a normal sized container, they are shrinking the container but charging what they used to charge for the […]
Archive | Spending Smart
When Not to Reduce Spending
High gasoline and food prices have people tightening their belts in one place where frugality is not likely to pay off: their healthcare. MarketWatch reported on a survey by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, in which about one in five (22 percent) Americans said they have reduced their visits to the doctor in order […]
Changing Our Money Ways
With our tough economy leading people to eat out less often, switch from SUVs to gas sippers, and generally spend less, an MSN columnist recently wondered what would happen if we all suddenly got and stayed money-smart? That is, what if we paid our credit cards in full each month (46 percent of households carry […]
Don’t Get Fleeced by Fido
Are you among the 60 percent of households that have a pet? Then you know the dangers of investing in anything that eats! Seriously, though, while pets are usually viewed as a member of the family, there are costs to consider. And if you haven’t chosen a pet yet, perhaps a glance at the estimated […]
Economizing in a Tough Economy
Lots of us are cutting back on discretionary spending – 9 out of 10 people, in fact, according to a survey from market researcher GfK Roper Consulting. Still, as noted in a CNNMoney.com article about the study, there are some things that people just can’t seem to live without – like TV. A whopping half […]
Price Check in Aisle Two
You’re in a store looking at TVs or T-shirts or tea bags. The price looks good, but is it really? The answer may be a quick text message away. As noted in a Real Simple article, send a text message to Google at 466453 (“Google” on most devices), type “price,” and then enter the name […]
Fresh Foods for Less
Doesn’t it seem expensive to eat well? Everything from hormone-free milk to pesticide-free potatoes cost more. But if you know where to look and when, you can buy fresh, chemical-free food without breaking the bank. That’s the theme of an article from The Simple Dollar, which provides helpful links for finding nearby farmers’ markets, knowing […]
Competition for Craigslist
Craigslist has enjoyed a virtual monopoly in the free online classified ad industry. However, Time magazine reports that there are now two competitors–Kijiji (the Swahili word for “village”) and Oodle. Both are trying to steal share from Craigslist by making their sites easier to navigate. Oodle puts a Google map next to each listing so […]
The Bus is Back
When’s the last time you took a bus for an out-of-town trip? With airline ticket prices on the rise and some airlines now charging for luggage, several bus lines are trying to win new business with upgraded vehicles, low prices, and high-tech amenities like free Wi-Fi. The financial blog WalletPop highlighted BoltBus (a subsidiary of […]
A Good Green Guide
Bankrate.com has put together a helpful list of over 100 eco-friendly tips, many of which are also easy on the wallet. The ideas are grouped in eight broad categories, each of which is further grouped by “quick fixes,” “short-term,” and “long-term.” For example, under the category of “Leisure & entertainment,” a quick fix idea is […]