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Real estate Q&A: Do I get more equity credit for covering house expenses after our divorce?

Consumer / Home and Consumer News /

Q: When I got divorced a decade ago, I was allowed to continue living in the house until our son grew up, but I had to cover all the expenses for the house, including the mortgage. Now that he has gone off to college, I want to sell the house, take my share of the equity, and move to a smaller apartment. My former spouse wants to split the ...Read more

Everyday Cheapskate: 7 Ways to Get Rid of Flies in the House

Consumer / Everyday Cheapskate /

Flies are a nearly unavoidable nuisance in most homes, especially during the warmer months of the year. Annoying for sure, but more than just pesky, houseflies (Musca domestica) can carry and transmit disease and cause illness. Consider these seven simple ways to banish these pests from the house and keep them out for good.

BLOCK THE ENTRANCES ...Read more

Everyday Cheapskate: How to Upsize a Cake Mix That's Too Small for the Recipe

Consumer / Everyday Cheapskate /

In my kitchen, I have a small collection of cookbooks, which I consider prized possessions. One of them, the classic Betty Crocker Cookbook, was a wedding gift, and trust me, it's seen more than its share of splatters and dog-eared/ripped pages. And I wouldn't part with it for anything.

Another features 100 things to do with an ordinary cake ...Read more

Everyday Cheapskate: 6 Generics That Are Truly a Great Buy

Consumer / Everyday Cheapskate /

What do you associate with the word "generic?" Do the words "inferior" or "tastes like cardboard" come to mind? Or do you, like many people, associate name brands with people who are well-to-do, while people in poverty opt for generics? That's complete nonsense but a commonly held attitude. The truth is that generics are often a great buy ...Read more

Sasiseviowork/Dreamstime/TNS

Why high mortgage rates mean it's time to save, not buy

Consumer / Home and Consumer News /

If you’ve been watching mortgage rates hover near 7% this year, you’re probably feeling frustrated.

The dream of homeownership feels more expensive than ever. And for many prospective buyers, purchasing when rates are high means stretching their budget, settling for less house than they want or risking financial strain.

But here’s what ...Read more

Christian Gooden/The St. Louis Post-Dispatch/TNS

St. Louis was a brick 'epicenter.' Can it keep its bricks after the tornado?

Consumer / Home and Consumer News /

ST. LOUIS — Beyond immediate needs tied to shelter and safety, preservation experts and local officials say they’ve heard a common refrain in the aftermath of last month’s deadly tornado that ravaged parts of St. Louis, bringing down multiple brick structures:

What’s going to become of all that brick from damaged buildings — and how ...Read more

DREAMSTIME/TNS

This one mindset shift helped me make it easier to save money

Consumer / Home and Consumer News /

“Focus on facts, not emotions.”

I wrote that once, but I’ve come to realize that sometimes saving money is as much about contending with your emotions as it is about budgeting. Here’s what I mean.

I usually have this gnawing guilt anytime I spend a few hours at home doing “nothing.” To be clear, I don’t mean staring at the wall...Read more

Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group/TNS

To keep the middle class in California, should developers build homes to rent? Or own?

Consumer / Home and Consumer News /

When you imagine a renter of affordable housing, Christopher McCormick is probably not who comes to mind.

The 38-year-old software developer was on his way to work in early 2020 when he passed an affordable apartment building under construction in Emeryville, California. He was surprised to find that his annual income — $79,400 — qualified ...Read more

Everyday Cheapskate: Staying Cool for Less in a Home Without Air Conditioning

Consumer / Everyday Cheapskate /

Living without air conditioning in the middle of summer is like camping ... inside your house ... with all the bugs and none of the marshmallows. But before you decide to store your pillow in the freezer or start googling "affordable igloos," take heart: You don't need a high electric bill or a window unit that rattles like a shopping cart to ...Read more

Everyday Cheapskate: Practical Tips to Help With Home Maintenance and Repair

Consumer / Everyday Cheapskate /

Maintenance costs can put a serious dent in your budget and savings -- a dent that's tough to repair. While there are certain things you definitely need an expert to handle, there are plenty of other situations in which you can make minor but meaningful repairs without calling for professional support -- while saving serious cash.

From closet ...Read more

Everyday Cheapskate: Surprising Other Uses for Automatic Dishwasher Detergent

Consumer / Everyday Cheapskate /

It's no secret that dishwasher detergent is specifically formulated to be used in automatic dishwashers whether it comes as powder, pods, pacs, liquid or gel. What may come as a big surprise is that these products' grease and dirt-busting abilities can be used outside the dishwasher in many useful ways.

Case in point: my microfiber cloths. I ...Read more

Everyday Cheapskate: How to Make Proper Iced Tea, According to My Mother-In-Law

Consumer / Everyday Cheapskate /

The only thing more comforting than a tall glass of iced tea on a hot day is knowing how to make that perfect iced tea yourself with confidence -- for just pennies per serving.

My mother-in-law, a proud Canadian, taught me the difference between proper iced tea and the "swill" most restaurants pour, which in her opinion was, at best, a very ...Read more

Everyday Cheapskate: Frugal Fixes for Aging Skin and Hair

Consumer / Everyday Cheapskate /

Let's face it -- slowing the aging process can be a full-time job (without benefits). Skin loses its bounce, hair forgets how to shine, and suddenly your eyebrows need a motivational speaker. But here's the good news: You don't need a trust fund or a drawer full of fancy potions to look and feel great. You just need a little humor, a few kitchen...Read more

Everyday Cheapskate: Quick and Easy Outdoor Cleaning and Storage Tips

Consumer / Everyday Cheapskate /

Many outdoor cleaning and storage solutions can be rather expensive, especially when compared with Everyday Cheapskate do-it-yourself or homemade alternatives. Here are some of my favorite cleaning tips and storage solutions for the garage and patio that will give you the results you need without the costs you don't.

BARBECUE COVER

Protect ...Read more

Everyday Cheapskate: How to Liquify Crystallized Honey and the Best Way to Store It

Consumer / Everyday Cheapskate /

It's discouraging when you reach for the honey, only to discover it is no longer a smooth liquid, but all grainy -- like sugar. You may have even tossed it into the trash assuming that it had gone bad and was no longer edible. Truth be told, it is still perfectly delicious and nutritious. It's easy to turn crystallized honey back into its liquid...Read more

Everyday Cheapskate: How to Save Money and Get Financially Confident

Consumer / Everyday Cheapskate /

For a good deal of my life, I lived under a dark cloud of fear that I would end up financially destitute -- a bag lady. Studies reveal that I'm not the only one. Most of us have felt that way, not because we're broke but because we lack confidence. That makes us timid, worried and financially insecure.

Look, we don't have to accept financial ...Read more

Everyday Cheapskate: How to Break the Plastic Wrap Habit in Your Kitchen (and What to Use Instead)

Consumer / Everyday Cheapskate /

Let's talk about plastic wrap. That clingy, crinkly roll we all keep in the drawer -- the one that never tears straight and sticks to everything except the bowl you're trying to cover. It's convenient until you stop and ask: Is this really the best we can do?

Spoiler: It's not. And honestly, it's time to break the habit.

THE TROUBLE WITH ...Read more

Everyday Cheapskate: At-Home Adventures

Consumer / Everyday Cheapskate /

Are you feeling jittery about taking a family vacation this summer? You're not alone. Whether it's your family's safety abroad, the high cost of gasoline or a thin bank account that has you unsettled, this might be a great time to consider a dramatic alternative: a stay-at-home vacation!

You can become tourists in your own town by uncovering ...Read more

Everyday Cheapskate: The Heartbreak and Effects of Filing for Bankruptcy

Consumer / Everyday Cheapskate /

Dear Mary: Please give me some pointers on bouncing back from bankruptcy. Will this have any effect on future employment opportunities? -- Emmaline

Dear Emmaline: Pay your bills on time; never be late. Do not run up big balances. Do not apply for a lot of credit. Never use more than 30% of your credit limits. Never allow a credit card balance ...Read more

Everyday Cheapskate: Saving by Choice, Not by Chance

Consumer / Everyday Cheapskate /

A question that I answered in a previous column brought a small avalanche of mail, mostly from readers who were aghast that I would suggest they save such a significant portion of their paychecks for retirement. It was money they insisted they could not afford to save.

I can only imagine that for a person who saves nothing, suggesting they ...Read more

 

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