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. Read the rest of this entry »

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! Read the rest of this entry »

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? Read the rest of this entry »

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. Read the rest of this entry »

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. Read the rest of this entry »

I once had a neighbor whose electric meter spun about eight times faster than mine—even when she wasn’t home! I couldn’t imagine what kind of gadgets she was running to consume all that electricity, but I imagine it must have cost her a bundle! If your meter is spinning out of control, here are seven easy ways to save money on a pricey electricity bill. Read the rest of this entry »

The Wall Street Journal reports this morning that competition is heating up among high-speed Internet service providers, resulting in consumers being able to save money on their Internet service. Problem is, providers still require bundled services to get the best rates. Read the rest of this entry »

Eating out—whether it’s at nice sit down restaurants or a drive-through window—is one of the biggest leaks in a lot of people’s budgets, including mine. Eating out has always been money-sucker for me. And eating out is hard to stop doing because after a while, where we eat becomes more than a choice—it becomes a habit. Read the rest of this entry »

Soaring gas prices have sparked a newfound national interest in a very old piece of technology: the bicycle. I’m in the process of preparing to make my 14 mile round-trip daily commute by bike. While I’m doing it mostly for fitness, fun, and the environment, it will surely save money too. Here are a six tips for anybody considering trying a bike commute. Read the rest of this entry »

It’s great to get out and see the world while you’re young. Unfortunately, you will also never be so poor. Problem solved. Here are five frugal travel secrets to save you some yen, dinar, Euros—or whatever it is you’ll be spending. Read the rest of this entry »