ArcaMax

At the foundation of your children's financial intelligence should be this undeniable truth: It is not the amount of money you have but what you do with it that matters.

This is true for a child managing a $5-a-week allowance or a corporate executive with a $5,000-a-week salary.

For the better part of my life, I didn't know this truth. On the ...Read more

I have been told if you attempt to pop a frog into a pot of boiling water, he'll jump out every time.

But if you put the little fellow into a pot of cold water, set it on a low flame, and warm it slowly, he'll sit back, relax and let you cook him to death.

The frog is so impressed by the nice warm, cozy feeling he doesn't pay attention to what...Read more

Dear Cheapskate: This is petty perhaps, but how does one ever completely pay off a credit card account?

We paid off a credit card recently (Hallelujah!) by sending a check for the exact amount of the balance due taken from the monthly statement. The following month we received a bill for $1.91 -- all of it a finance charge! Sure, it's not much,...Read more

You've finally done it.

After weeks of watching tiny armies march across the patio, tunnel through the lawn, or pop up between steppingstones, you located the ant hill and treated it. Victory at last.

Or so you thought.

A few days later, there they are again. Maybe not in the exact same spot but close enough to make you wonder if they're ...Read more

Of all the things I've ever dreamed of being, advice columnist was never on the list. But here I am, playing one every day. That's because while my inbox loads up with tips, hints and questions related to frugal living and getting out of debt, many questions spill over into dilemmas -- family, life and love.

Dear Cheapskate: I have been dating ...Read more

Years ago, I made a terrible mistake. I froze 10 pounds of ground beef. That big block of frozen burger languished in the freezer for years. What was I thinking? I should have browned it first and then frozen it in usable portions. But browning beef can be so messy. Lesson learned.

A few weeks ago, I came upon another cheap ground beef ...Read more

If you have a bathtub with a slip-resistant bottom that still looks dingy, grungy and downright grimy no matter what you use to clean it, I have really good news and at least one surefire solution that will even bring an older tub bottom back to being clean and like new!

Since the Americans with Disabilities Act became law in 1990, all bathroom...Read more

Every summer it happens.

The weather turns hot, the lawn starts looking a little tired, and otherwise sensible people begin dragging sprinklers around the yard as though they're trying to rescue the Sahara Desert one gallon at a time.

Water bills climb. Grass still looks unhappy. And somewhere in the neighborhood, there's always one sprinkler ...Read more

Dear Mary: Please give me some pointers on 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 every month. Refuse all other offers of credit, and take on no unsecured debt. Pay all of your bills early;...Read more

A habit is defined as a behavior repeated so often it becomes almost automatic. I am in awe of the power of a habit. It's a force to change your life, and it is available to anyone, no matter their situation or circumstances.

For five years, author Tom Corley observed the daily habits of the rich and the poor, and documented his findings in his...Read more

With the price of beef skyrocketing, chicken is becoming the backbone of the frugal kitchen. And why not? Chicken costs far less than beef and often less than pork too. Better yet, it's useful right down to the bones.

DON'T PAY FULL PRICE

Chicken is always on sale somewhere. If you don't want to store-hop, watch for specials at your favorite ...Read more

Feeding a family is complicated enough without worrying about the cost of groceries. But here we are in a world where food costs continue to soar. If you're feeling a particularly sharp pinch at the supermarket, you're not alone. Inflation and continued supply chain issues are impacting consumers around the globe. Luckily, there are plenty of ...Read more

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. Today's first great reader tip is a good reminder for anyone with a dishwasher.

EASY DISHWASHER MAINTENANCE

Dear Mary: We ...Read more

If you were to take a peek inside my refrigerator, you'd have to stand on your head to read labels. Food seems to last longer when stored upside-down in a container with a tightly fitting lid. It's something about the food sealing itself. All I know is it works. I can't remember the last time I had to toss out sour cream, cottage cheese, etc. ...Read more

Every summer, we're told the same thing: Turn up the thermostat. Raise it a degree. Maybe two. Learn to love being slightly uncomfortable.

While that advice certainly has merit, it's not the only way to reduce cooling costs. In fact, some of the most effective ways to keep your home cooler have nothing to do with the thermostat at all. The real...Read more

As you may know, the mission of this column is to discover ways to save time and money every day. You help me by sending me your great tips, tricks and ideas; I help you by boiling it all down here. That answers what the column is for, but why should you read this column?

Why should anyone be concerned about saving money? Have you ever thought ...Read more

I have a theory that most of us would be more than willing to let go of the stuff that's cluttering our homes if we knew these things would serve a worthwhile cause or help someone else. And I know too well the conflict.

It's nearly impossible for me to let go of things that are not worn out or broken -- clothing or household items that are ...Read more

Any time I can eliminate or lower my stress level when traveling, I'm a happy camper. I am always on the lookout for travel tips and tricks. Now I can't wait for my next flight so I can try today's first great reader tip!

ARRIVALS FOR DEPARTURES

Dear Mary: I travel a lot, and sometimes if I'm in a time crunch getting to the airport, I pull ...Read more

Summer has a way of making us appreciate cold things: cold drinks, cold watermelon, cold air conditioning and, sometimes, cold relief for a headache, a sore muscle, a bee sting or a lunch that's trying to survive a long afternoon in the car.

Many of these kinds of cooling products sold in stores are simply inexpensive materials packaged with a ...Read more

My vacuum sealing machine is one of my favorite kitchen appliances. I vacuum seal fresh fruit to extend the use by at least two weeks, often much longer. I vacuum seal meat before I freeze it to stave off freezer burn, which keeps it perfect for a year or longer. I could go on and on about how my FoodSaver (www.everydaycheapskate.com/...Read more