Everyday Cheapskate
- Whether online or in store, shop smart
- By Mary Hunt/Creators Syndicate
- Dear Mary: I do a lot of online shopping. My sister, on the other hand, refuses to buy anything online because of the extra charges, like shipping and handling. Her position does make sense, but I'm not ready to abandon the Internet forever. Are ther... Full story
- Settling can be really bad for you
- By Mary Hunt/Creators Syndicate
- Dear Mary: What do you think about settling a debt with a creditor? I recently agreed to one for a credit card, and the bank did notify me that the forgiven debt will be considered income by the IRS.
I will have to file taxes on this amount using fo... Full story
- You can bounce back from bankruptcy
- By Mary Hunt/Creators Syndicate
- Dear Mary: Please give me some pointers about bouncing back from bankruptcy. Will this have any effect on future employment opportunities? — Henry, email
Dear Henry: Live on cash. Have only one credit card, and if you use it, pay it in full ev... Full story
- Get back on that wagon
- By Mary Hunt/Creators Syndicate
- Dear Mary: My husband and I were excited to start our rapid debt-repayment plan and did well the first month. Now we have fallen off the wagon and are behind on payments again. We haven't used our credit cards, but we feel discouraged. Now what? &mda... Full story
- Choose wisely when building credit
- By Mary Hunt/Creators Syndicate
- Dear Mary: I am 24 and will be a senior in college next year. I plan to apply for my first credit card to start building credit. I am also planning on traveling, so I would like a card that can be used abroad.
However, looking into credit cards has ... Full story
- Pay kids a 'salary' instead of allowance
- By Mary Hunt/Creators Syndicate
- If you've been reading this column for long, you know that I am passionate about the subject of kids and money. In addition to the many articles I've written, my book about raising financially confident kids has been revised and updated several times... Full story
- Condensed soup recipe saves money
- By Mary Hunt/Creators Syndicate
- Dear Mary: I am trying to find recipe substitutes for the popular creamed soups, like cream of celery, cream of mushroom, etc. These condensed soups are killing my budget. I don't even want to pay a buck a can for the generic option at Walmart. &mdas... Full story
- When it comes to credit, knowledge is power
- By Mary Hunt/Creators Syndicate
- Dear Mary: My credit card company raised my minimum payment from 2 to 5 percent of my outstanding balance each month and added a $10 monthly administration fee on top of interest. I complained. They offered to let me keep my lower minimum payment, bu... Full story
- Self employed? Don't break these money rules
- By Mary Hunt/Creators Syndicate
- Dear Mary: My husband and I have really gotten ourselves in deep. We thought at the time that starting a franchise using our personal credit cards was a good idea. The manager we hired was inept and untrustworthy. Now we are in credit card debt to th... Full story
- Insurance policies bring confusion
- By Mary Hunt/Creators Syndicate
- Dear Mary: My mom bought 20-year term life insurance policies for my two sons when they were young in the 1970s. I know she finished paying on them, and I know she didn't cash them out.
When my kids were in their late 20s, Mom told me she was going ... Full story
- Mom ready to stay at home
- By Mary Hunt/Creators Syndicate
- Dear Mary: I am eager to be a stay-at-home mom to my 2-year-old. We are paying down the bills. What are some of the common mistakes working moms make when changing their lifestyles to be at home with the kids? — N.R., email
Dear N.R.: Your No.... Full story
- Everyday Cheapskate: Credit card payment date affects your balance
- DEAR MARY: Is there any advantage to sending in my credit card payment early? Or is it better to keep the money in the bank where it is earning interest and then sending it closer to the due date? — Jeff, New Jersey
DEAR JEFF: Because interest... Full story
- Everyday Cheapskate: Is that big bank of yours robbing you blind?
- Bank fees are like a leaky faucet. Drip by drip, there goes your money right down the drain.
Remember the good ol' days when virtually every bank was offering totally free checking? Well, you can kiss those days goodbye. Even on accounts that are st... Full story
- Everyday Cheapskate: How to simplify your life without earning less
- A study conducted by Trends Research Institute revealed that about 80 percent of those questioned said they would be willing to accept a reduction in pay if they could work fewer hours to spend more time with their families.
It is a lovely thought, ... Full story
- Everyday Cheapskate: Be savvy if getting in shape is your resolution
- DEAR MARY: It's time for New Year's resolutions, and once again my husband's goal is to get in shape. He wants to sign us both up for gym memberships, even though I'm sure this is just a phase that will fade. In the meantime, what should we consider ... Full story
- Everyday Cheapskate: Secondhand clothes can offer first-class style
- Consignment shopping is an excellent way to purchase kids and baby clothes, often brand new and for less than one-third of the retail price. And most cities now have specialty consignment shops for babies, children and teens.
The consignment process... Full story
- Everyday Cheapskate: Grab your calendar: It’s bargains by the month
- OK, I'll say a word, and you respond with the first thing that pops into your head:
Me: January
You: White Sales!
Excellent response — the very one I was hoping for to set the tone for this column. It's important to note that times have chan... Full story
- Everyday Cheapskate: Pay ahead or pay down? It can be confusing
- Several months ago, we refinanced our mortgage. The transaction closed in August with the first payment due in October. Rather than take a month off from making a mortgage payment, we made an unscheduled payment in September to reduce the principal r... Full story
- Everyday Cheapskate: The true meaning of frugality
- Frugal, thrifty. Those words repulsed me. Being thought of as cheap was to me the ultimate insult. I equated frugality with digging through dumpsters in search of food and who knows what else.
To me, cheap people skipped out without leaving a tip. T... Full story
- Everyday Cheapskate: Tips for taking that fantasy vacation for less
- DEAR MARY: My husband and I have been saving for the past year to take a long-overdue romantic getaway, and we've narrowed our dream destination down to Aruba. Because staying there can be pricey, our travel agent suggested we consider one of those "... Full story
- Everyday Cheapskate: A little appliance know-how saves money
- If you've been reading this column for any length of time, you know that my husband and I have repaired or performed regular maintenance on a number of our home appliances. And I love hearing when my readers do the same.
EASY DISHWASHER MAINTENANCE.... Full story
- Mary Hunt: Handy reminders save money
- Coupon Reminder
I used to have such a challenge remembering to use the instant coupons that came stuck to the front of a product. I'd get home from the grocery store, and there it was, still stuck to the product. One day, it dawned on me what to do.... Full story
- Everyday Cheapskate: Let someone else plan your dinner tonight
- If the question "What's for dinner?" ever fills you with a sense of dread, do what I did — let someone else plan your dinner menus. No, I haven't hired a domestic staff, I'm using the eMeals menu-planning service. We love it, and I wanted to sh... Full story
- Everyday Cheapskate: Five ways to drought-proof your grocery bill
- The summer of 2012 is sure to go down in history as having produced one of the most severe droughts in the heartland of America.
Corn especially was all but wiped out, and that is bound to have a major impact on supermarket prices as we head into wi... Full story
- Everyday Cheapskate: Creditor may be able to intercept wages
- DEAR MARY: My nephew is having his wages garnished by a credit card company for a past due account. Are they allowed to do that? — Bonnie, New Hampshire
DEAR BONNIE: Generally, if your nephew has a job and the creditor has sued, won in court a... Full story
- Mary Hunt: Here is how you quiet the urge to splurge
- When it comes to compulsive tendencies, there is no question I received more than the standard allotment. I can sit down to watch the news and end up owning a pasta machine. I can stop by the mall to window shop and come out with three outfits and se... Full story
- Mary Hunt: Finding a Christmas compromise
- DEAR MARY: Every year, my husband and I spend most of the holiday season arguing over how much to spend on the kids. My husband makes good money, so I see no problem with splurging on our three girls. However, he thinks they should be given one nice ... Full story
- Mary Hunt: Are programmable thermostats worth the cost?
- Dear Mary: A co-worker had a programmable thermostat installed in her home. She says the temperature is always perfect, and her utility bills are lower. Hers cost over $200, plus installation. Is it really worth it? — Martha, Vt.
Dear Martha: ... Full story
- Mary Hunt: Bankruptcy is rarely a good strategy
- DEAR MARY: My son owes $25,000 on credit cards and student loans. He wants to file for bankruptcy. Do you think this is a good idea? — Kae, EC blog
DEAR KAE: That's like asking, "Is chemotherapy a good idea?" Well, yes, if we're talking about ... Full story
- Mary Hunt: How to keep your mind focused on saving
- Here's why I love it when readers send me their time- and money-saving tips: Reading them makes me think and stay focused. And that's the secret to staying on track with managing my time and money. I move in the direction of my thoughts, so whether a... Full story
