How to Escape the Tyranny of Too Many Choices
We live in a world overflowing with choices. From cereal and cookies to cell-phone plans and streaming services, we’re expected
Shopping
There are many ways to save money while shopping. Clipping coupons and skimping on quality is one way. But not the best. If you’re willing to time your shopping purchases, delay your need for instant gratification, and avoid shopping triggers, you can save yourself a bundle of money.
Check out Extreme Bargain Hunting: The Best Time to Save on Everything, to 11 Ways to Get the Best Online Deals and Discounts to 12 Shopping Triggers we All Fall For. You’ll find great information in this section to help you save money without sacrificing quality.
How to Fly Cheaper: 8 Booking Tricks Airlines Won’t Teach You
Airlines make it deliberately confusing to find the cheapest fares — because their profit depends on you not finding them.
The Donation Box Mistakes Thrift Stores Wish We’d Skip
You clean out a closet. You fill a box. You drop it at the thrift store and drive away feeling
How to Get a Refund on Almost Anything: 5 Consumer Rights You Should Know
You have more consumer rights than the customer service rep is telling you. Here are 5 escalation options — from
How to Save Money on School Supplies (Beyond Just the List)
The school supply list looks harmless — ten items, none over $5. Then checkout somehow lands at $87, and multiplied
7 Things to Always Buy Used (And 5 You Never Should)
Buying used isn't always cheaper — and sometimes it's downright risky. Here are 7 categories where the secondhand version is
Best Inexpensive Backpacks That Actually Last for Years
A $30 backpack that lasts three years is a better deal than an $80 one that lasts eight — but
Best Coolers for Camping, Road Trips, and Beach Days
I get asked constantly which cooler I’d actually buy, so here’s the honest rundown. No sponsored fluff, just the three
The Cheapskate’s Guide to Winning Prime Day 2026
Every year, Amazon throws the world’s biggest sale and dares you to overspend. Every year, I take that as a
How to Read a Grocery Store Sale Cycle (And Stop Overpaying)
Grocery stores run a predictable sale cycle — and once you know how it works, you can cut your bill
Is Buy Now Pay Later Risky? What the Data Reveals
Buy Now, Pay Later apps make splitting a purchase feel effortless… four tidy payments, no interest, no big deal. But
Best Inexpensive Trash Bags: What Really Matters
Trash bags seem like the simplest thing in the grocery aisle… right up until one splits open halfway to the
Congratulations, You’ve Been Scammed! (It’s Brushing Season)
If a surprise package shows up at your door this holiday, don’t celebrate — investigate. It’s likely a “brushing scam,”
Unusual Sources for Cheap Sunglasses That Protect Eyes
Sunglasses don’t have to cost a fortune to keep your eyes safe. From the tool aisle to the pharmacy shelf,
Are You Wasting Money? 12 Habits Draining Your Wallet
Want to give yourself a raise without working more hours? These 12 practical ways to stop wasting money will put
Back to School Shopping Tips to Keep You on Budget
Back-to-school shopping used to mean a fresh notebook and a new pair of sneakers. These days, it looks more like
The Secret Joy of Owning the Best Steam Iron
Call me quirky, but give me a wrinkled shirt, a hot steam iron, and five minutes of peace, and I’m
Christmas in June? Try This Amazon Prime Day Gift Guide
December will be here before you know it. I know, I know… you don’t want to hear that in June.
Your Guide to the Best Amazon Prime Day Deals of 2026
Deals last updated: June 26, 2026 • 4:45 pm Check back! We update throughout the day. Prime Day is here.
Smart Thrift Store Shopping in Today’s Economy
If walking into a thrift store gives you hives, this post is your allergy pill. From budget-friendly tips to hidden
How to Buy a Car with Cash: A Simple Step-by-Step Plan
Car payments don’t have to be a way of life. With a little planning and discipline, you can buy your
Best Everyday Dinnerware That’s Affordable & Built to Last
When it comes to dinnerware, you don’t have to spend a fortune to set a beautiful table. Whether you need
The Best Inexpensive Headphones & Earbuds for Every Age & Need
Whether you’re shopping for yourself or your kiddos, there are plenty of great headphone options that deliver quality sound at
Hot Deals • February 2025
Welcome to February! While the shortest month of the year, February is packed with big savings opportunities. With major events
The Valentine’s Gifts Your Loved Ones Won’t Expect
Valentine’s Day has a funny way of arriving right when life already feels full. One minute you’re settling into winter
Put Your Gift Cards to Work Before They’re Lost to Time!
Got a stack of gift cards from the holidays? You’re not alone. But before they disappear into the depths of
Hot Deals • January 2025
Hello, January! The New Year is here, and with it comes a fresh slate of savings opportunities. January may be
Forgot a Gift? These Digital Christmas Ideas Save You
Christmas has a funny way of sneaking up on even the most organized among us. One minute you’re feeling ahead
Hot Deals: Gift Edition • November 2024
Hello, November! The air is brisk, and holiday cheer is just around the corner. As we cozy up with our
Hot Deals • October 2024
Hello, October! The air is crisp, the leaves are turning, and it’s time to cozy up with sweaters, scarves, and,
Best Things to Buy in September: When the Price is Right
September is finally here, and it’s time to uncover the best things to buy this month. With amazing deals on
How to Stop Impulse Buying: Consider the Consequences Before You Purchase
If I had a quarter for every impulsive purchase I’ve made, I’d need a bigger piggy bank! Seriously, my financial
9 Grocery Shopping Mistakes That Are Eating a Hole in Your Budget
Inflation is hitting Americans hard these days. Rent, gas, and utilities are all more expensive, and rising grocery bills aren’t
Hot Deals • August 2024
As we step into August, the summer heat is still going strong, but the deals are even hotter! From fantastic
Best Things to Buy in August: Smart Buys and Big Savings
August is more than just the last month of summer—it’s one of the best times to shop smart and save
Amazon Prime Big Deal Days 2024: Your Guide to the Best Discounts
Deals last updated: October 8, 2024 • 11:35 am Amazon Prime Big Deal Days are here, and this two-day event
Hot Deals • July 2024
We’re more than halfway through the month, and the deals are still heating up! Our EC readers have scored some
Amazon’s Big Spring Sale: Everything You Need to Know
Amazon’s Big Spring Sale: Everything You Need to Know March 29, 2025/byMary Hunt Guess what? The Amazon Big Spring Sale
Best Gifts & Stocking Stuffers Under $10 for Everyone on Your List
Today, 12-15-23, these $10 Deals. Some are for limited time, some while supplies last but all less than $10 as
Best Christmas Gifts for Women 2025: She’ll Love These Affordable Gifts
Discover a thoughtful holiday gift guide for the special women in your life! This collection features some of my favorite
The Best Inexpensive Cotton Bed Sheets to Elevate Your Bedroom in 2025
Are you a cotton sheet enthusiast, but not keen on splurging? You’re not alone. Finding the best inexpensive cotton bed
Best Inexpensive Vegetable Peeler: Meet the Dreamfarm Sharple
Looking for the best inexpensive vegetable peeler? The Dreamfarm Sharple is here to revolutionize your meal prep. This budget-friendly, self-sharpening
Even Small Households Can Save Big at Costco
Whether a household of one or a big family, I believe anyone can stretch their money and improve their budget
9 Best (and Painless) Ways to Save Money and Grow Your Savings in 2025
As we step into 2025, the U.S. economy continues to show resilience with steady growth, a labor market gradually finding
Best Inexpensive Flannel Bed Sheets, Plus How to Prevent Pilling
There are few things as comforting as slipping between super soft, comfy flannel sheets on a cold winter night. But not
This Year Holiday Sales Starting Earlier Than Ever
Holiday creep is real. As Halloween costumes began filling store shelves in August, Starbucks was rolling out Pumpkin Spice Lattes—earlier
How to Stop Compulsive Shopping and Curb the Urge to Spend
When it came to compulsive tendencies, there's no question I received more than the standard allotment. I can sit down fully
How the Pain of Payment Can Save You From Overspending
I don’t care much for pain. In fact, I’ll do almost anything to avoid it. I also know that pain
Smart Wardrobe Tips: Build a Closet on a Budget
Cutting the cost of clothes is less about finding bargains and more about knowing what to wear, where to buy and when
Best Place to Buy Eyeglasses Online and In-Store
There are a number of ways to buy eyeglasses, including from local opticians, independent optometrists, optical departments in big-box retailers,
Deals Worth Sharing This President’s Day 2022
Traditionally, Presidents’ Day has come to mean extreme bargains. In fact, in the past, I have suggested that if you
Recipes for “Heinz” Ketchup and Other Favorite Grocery Items
Chances are good you've noticed the price of ordinary grocery items beginning to soar. The Wall Street Journal is reporting these
Fresh or Frozen? Large or Small? How to Choose the Best Turkey
Fresh or frozen? Large or small? Hen or Tom? Here is everything you need to know to select the best
Best Christmas Gifts for Men 2025: Gifts He’ll Actually Use
Hard to shop for, easy to please… if you know where to look. Finding the perfect gift for the men
The Grocery Math Most Shoppers Still Get Wrong
If you want to reduce cost of meat, poultry and at the same time raise your grocery shopping IQ, think
Saving on Food: Slash Your Grocery Bill by 25% with This Easy Method
Grocery prices might not be spiking like they did in 2022, but they’re still keeping our wallets on edge. Inflation
Best Gifts for Grandparents 2025: Ideas They Will Truly Love
Here are our best gift ideas that are sure to delight grandparents everywhere, whether this is their first year on the job or
Top 10 Holiday Shopping Mistakes to Avoid This Season
Black Friday may have started as a one-day dash, but today holiday shopping has gone full-on digital, weeks before Thanksgiving
What to Buy in October: 12 Smart Shopping Deals
Oh how I love this time of year! Cooler weather, sweaters, scarves, pumpkin pie, and beautiful fall colors make this
They Stopped Spending for a Year. Here’s What Happened
A few years back, Eric and Donna Reed shopped for groceries and household products only once a year. How on
How to Save on Groceries with Smart Reserve Shopping
It's no secret that supermarkets and grocery stores purposely design their layouts to entice us to buy more than we'd
12 Shopping Triggers and How to Outsmart Them Fast
I blame my suspicious nature on my neighborhood grocery store. The store used to be a logically arranged market with
The Best February Deals You Shouldn’t Miss This Year
February is a busy month. First, we have the Super Bowl, then Valentine's Day, and Presidents' Day with its 3-day
8 Ways Online Grocery Shopping Can Actually SAVE Money
There are few things more annoying than stopping at the supermarket to pick up a few things, hauling bags of
Remember Mr. Diderot and His Red Robe Before You Head out Shopping
The eighteenth-century French philosopher Denis Diderot wrote an essay entitled “Regrets on Parting with My Old Dressing Gown.” It seems
Best Teacher Christmas Gift Ideas 2025: What Teachers Really Want
I’ve never been a school teacher, but I am a parent. I wish I’d known years ago what I know
11 Ways to Get the Best Online Deals and Discounts
Just about everyone who shops online knows to look for a promotional code of some kind before hitting checkout. But
How to Avoid Christmas Debt When Cash Is Tight
And just like that, we’re hurtling into the most wonderful time of the year. The season of twinkling lights, jingling
Tricks and Treats to Outsmart Retailers Every Time
You think shopping is what you do when you buy things. That’s true, but it’s more than that. Shopping is a
How to Choose the Best Inexpensive Conditioner
Hair conditioners fall into general categories according to what they do and the problems they solve. Using the wrong product for
Your Consumer Behaviors Are Keeping You Broke!
Our consumer behaviors—the ways we react and respond in stores and online—can unwittingly keep us broke! Truth be told, merchants
23 College Dorm Room Essentials Every Student Needs
Should you or someone you love be turning into a dorm dweller, consider this list of essentials that will go
Why You Feel Broke After “Just Browsing” Online
I had one of those moments recently. You know the kind. I opened something “just to browse,” fully convinced I
The Ugly Truth About No-Interest No-Payments Offers
Have you ever wondered how retailers can possibly afford to offer the no-interest, no-payments kind of deals you see advertised?
Shopping With Cash is Still the Best Way to Save Money
It used to be so easy to shop with cash. Get cash. Shop. But things have changed, perhaps you've noticed.
How to Earn Cash Back Shopping Online with Rakuten – It Really Works!
I could teach you how to be an extreme couponer. I've had a lot of experience, including the time I
How Restaurant Menus Quietly Push You to Spend More
Before restaurant menus ever make it to print, restaurant owners hire menu engineers and consultants to bury super sneaky psychological
How to Comparison Shop the Price of Bath Tissue with Confidence
Knowing how to confidently compare the price of bath tissue has become a big topic in light of shrinkflation, soaring
Baking Supplies: Best Time to Buy, Shelf Life Secrets + FREE Printable
One of my basic rules of grocery shopping is this: When it's on sale, buy enough to last until the
16 Hobby Lobby Money-Saving Hacks, Tips, and Tricks
I was late to the party but somehow managed catch up quickly. While Hobby Lobby has now expanded to California,
22 Things You’d Be Smart to Buy at the Dollar Store
A dollar store is the place I go when I need something to last just until the end of the
7 Quick and Easy Ways to Give Yourself a Tax-Free Raise
Is money a little tight? Hoping a raise will come through soon? I hate to burst your bubble, but even
11 Money Savers That Will Pay for Themselves in a Year or Less
Gadgets that do cool stuff are awesome. And when they also function to save money? That is amazing. Consider these
The Best Time to Buy Anything in 2024
Over the years, I have learned an important lesson about getting the best deals on just about everything. Extreme bargain hunters
An Incredibly Easy Way to Save Money Shopping Online
With the year's biggest shopping season now coming into clear view, it's time to gather our wits, sharpen our resolve
Best Inexpensive Umbrellas That Actually Last
What we should expect are umbrellas that are waterproof, sturdy, and above all, reliable for a decent period of time.
Where to Buy Nok-Out Now That NokOut.com Is Closed
Nok-Out and I met quite by accident. In searching for ways my readers could deal with offensive odors, we found
How to Safely Shop Online and Pay With CASH!
You really can shop with CASH online at Amazon, Target, Kohl's, Walmart ... absolutely no credit card or debit card
Before You Toss That Old Phone, Read This First
Upgrading a phone is easy. Deciding what to do with the old one is where most people stall. Perfectly usable
Dermatologist-Approved Skincare: The Best Drugstore Products You Can Buy Today
If the high-price of quality skincare is enough to give you a rash, good news. You don't have to spend
A Beginner’s Guide to Instant Pot: Accessories, Tips, and Must-Have Recipes
Instant Pot comes with an owner manual and recipe book. Both should be considered required reading but honestly, I found them
The Best Cordless Handheld Vacuums for Every Budget
Can't anyone make a decent cordless, handheld vacuum cleaner that is convenient to use, holds a charge well, runs for
My Shopping Addiction Rehab Program
Shopping is my thing. I love the thrill of the hunt, that feeling of discovery and the joy of a bargain.
With Sincere Apologies to Pawnshops Everywhere
In the wake of America’s big economic wake-up call back in 2008, dollar stores and thrift stores saw—and continue to
Top Ten Signs a Website is Not Legit—It’s a Scam!
Every day millions of people get sucked into Internet scams and tricks that end up costing them dearly, something I
The $150 Starter Kitchen
For less than the cost of a week’s worth of restaurant meals, I can show you how to set up
How to Buy Carpet That Lasts and Looks Great for Years
It’s not something you buy every day. But when it’s time to buy carpet, you'll want to know your stuff.
Affordable Christmas Gifts for Teens 2025: Gifts That Say ‘I Get You’
Finding the perfect gift for teen boys and girls is almost impossible. Teenagers like what they like. Funny thing. I’m
How to Buy Prescription Glasses Online (and Save a Ton!)
Honestly? When I first heard about ordering prescription eyeglasses online, I scoffed. I rolled my eyes. What next? Mail order surgery?
6 Winners in the Generic vs. Name-Brand Showdown
The truth is that generics are often a great buy because the quality of the product is exactly equal or
7 Best Things to Buy in July for Huge Summer Savings
Finding authentic hot bargains and deep discounts on the things you need often has more to do with when you