If you’ve enjoyed saving money and higher quality food by shopping at farmer’s markets and produce stands all summer, you might in for a shock this winter when the market closes. My Los Angeles farmer’s market is open year-round, so I don’t need to worry about finding affordable local produce in the dead of winter. …
How to Prepare for Produce Stand and Farmer’s Market Closures Read More »
Memorial Day is the official start of barbecue season. If you can’t grill year-round, this is the time to pull out the Weber and fire it up. Of course, hosting a party can be expensive, but a barbecue can be done for much less money if you follow these tips. Shop the Manager’s Specials for Memorial Day …
This year, as has happened before, some states are announcing that their tax refunds will be delayed due to budget woes. If you filed a Federal return and applied for the First Time Homebuyer Credit, you’re also in for a delay of two months or more. We filed in mid-February and the IRS says to expect our refund …
I prepared my taxes a couple weeks ago using my favorite tax software: TaxAct. I threw caution to the wind and only prepared my taxes with one type of software! I ended up getting a larger refund than I expected. As I’ve said before, I try to avoid owing taxes when I file or getting …
I’ve mentioned CD ladders as good options for tax refunds and emergency funds. They’re a safe way to earn a bit more in interest than the basic savings account. Currently, you won’t earn significantly more, but in the past I’ve seen CD rates go as high as 7% on a 5-year CD. What is a CD …
It’s spring! Get out your eggs and try to stand them on their ends at the precise moment of the equinox. No, it won’t actually work, but it’s a nice theory. Here are 13 more effective ways to celebrate the return of spring. Plant Fresh Flowers Whether you have a garden or a small container …
Let’s get this out of the way right now: I am not one of those people who carefully opens a gift so that I can fold and save the Christmas wrapping paper. One of my aunts used to do that, and it was really annoying to watch her open a gift. It took forever because …
Saving Money: Christmas Wrapping Paper and Gift Bags Read More »
I don’t recall retailers going after our tax rebate checks so aggressively the first time Bush did this, but this time the pleas to spend our money are almost deafening. Are these deals really a good use of your money? Rebate Check Offers: Good Points These rebate check offers can be a good thing if …
First, let me say, that if you must take out a loan or go into debt to take the vacation you want, then you can’t afford it. You’d be better off taking a summer vacation within your budget now and waiting to take the dream trip when you can afford it. You don’t want to be stuck …
As I said last year when Heath Ledger died, my first thoughts always go to the children of the deceased. I worry that stars with young children haven’t prepared for the possibility. In Heath’s case, he hadn’t updated his will to include his daughter. Now we have the even more challenging situation of Michael Jackson’s death. According …
