The average American wedding costs almost $29,000, according to The Wedding Report, a market research publication. $29,000! That money could buy a nice new car or be a 20% down payment on a $145,000 home. It’s also more than many Americans earn in a year. How do wedding costs get so out-of-hand? And what can you do to keep costs down when it’s your turn to tie the knot? I’m getting hitched in less than three months, so I’ve been thinking about this quite a bit. Here’s what I’ve found. [...]

Tips on being frugal and raising extra cash are a dime a dozen these days and, chances are, you’ve heard them all before. We all know what we need to do to save money (or earn more); sometimes we just don’t know how to do it. One of my favorite tips for getting some extra cash is selling stuff you don’t use (or can live without). Not only will you make money to save or pay off debt; you’ll declutter your home, too! Here are a few secrets for selling your unused stuff quickly while still getting the best price possible. [...]

High fuel prices and Hollywood hype made 2008 the year to “go green”. But we shouldn’t table efforts to reduce our impact on our planet just because the economy has soured. In fact, you can do a lot of things to be green and save green at the same time. In celebration of Earth Day, here are a few suggestions. [...]

I’ve never been a fan of “extreme” frugality. Of course, I have been working on (and succeeding at) eating out less, buying things used or on sale whenever possible, and practicing common sense conservation. But I doubt I would ever go through others’ trash, split one roll of 2-ply toilet paper into two rolls, or use old dish water to flush my toilet. That said, in today’s economy, I wouldn’t blame some people for trying these or other extreme ways to save money. So I want to know, what’s your most “extreme” frugal habit? Let me know in a comment!

Often times, it seems that healthy food costs a lot more than junk food. But sticking to a budget and living frugally doesn’t have to mean forgoing eating healthfully. After all, what good is health without wealth? [...]

If you have ever considered selling old gold or other unwanted jewelry for cash, you need to know that the many companies that advertise on TV and online, including Cash4Gold.com, will NOT give you “top dollar” for your silver, gold, or platinum. In fact, they may only offer you a fraction of what you could fetch at a reputable local dealer. [...]

A reader asked me to follow-up on post about alternatives to store bought Christmas presents—especially given this year’s gloomy economy. Cheer yourself up with no less than 53 free or very inexpensive holiday gift ideas! [...]

I admit, I’m usually a last-minute kind of guy around the holidays. But I’ve realized over the years that procrastinating can be costly. Not only are the best presents gone, but I’ve missed out on the best sales—and the ability to comparison shop. A little holiday preparation can save you money on gifts—and more. And who couldn’t use a few extra bucks in this economy? [...]

Layaway—the way to purchase big ticket items in weekly or monthly installments before taking possession of the merchandise—is making a quick comeback at U.S. retailers in advance of the 2008 holiday season.

As creditors reign in credit limits and consumers become less inclined to go into more debt, layaway may be an ideal solution for retailers and shoppers alike. [...]

When given the choice, cooking meals yourself will always be healthier and less expensive than eating fast food burgers. But oh, how tasty—and cheap—those burgers are. So if you must drive through for dinner, here are five fast tips for saving money and eating better at the same time. Plus, get four fast food meal ideas that costless than $5. We’re not saying you can call the meals healthy, but hey, you probably already knew that. [...]