Central Air vs. Window Air Conditioning Is it worth it to upgrade to central air? Or should you keep cooling your home through window air conditioning units. What about those new fangled mini split air conditioning units also called heat pumps for the winter? This post, on central air versus window air conditioning, is perpetually…
Save Money
Excerpt: The Ultimate Guide to Coupons
Excerpted from The Ultimate Guide to Coupons (Mears Media, 2017, All Rights Reserved). The Ultimate Guide to Coupons, which details how to save more money in less time with coupons, is available as a downloadable PDF for $10 or as a paperbook guide for $14.95. For a limited time, get $2 off the download version…
Save Money on Car Insurance
You probably knew that being a bad driver could cost you more for insurance. But did you know that being a good driver could help you save money on car insurance? I’m not just talking a driver who doesn’t get speeding tickets or have car accidents. I’m talking about driving habits like not braking hard…
Save Money on Your Divorce
I am not getting a divorce. In fact, this November, my husband and I will celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary. I realize that not all marriages make it to the quarter-century mark and, unfortunately, end in divorce. If this describes you, then you may need information on how to save money on your divorce. If…
How a Refillable Cup Saves Money on Coffee
(I’ve updated this popular post from 2013 to include 7 places where it might be possible to get a discount on your cup of coffee when you bring your own refillable cup.) Starbucks is hardly alone in the coffee shop world in selling reusable tumblers. In 2013, Starbucks introduced a refillable cup that was supposed…
Smart Financing for the First Time Car Buyer
Thank you to Capital One for sponsoring this post. It’s an exciting time in your child’s life. They’re getting ready to buy their first car. Next to getting their driver’s license, this is a big deal for any young driver. Money Lessons in a First Car Purchase As a parent you likely want a few…
Do You Know Your FICO® Score?
Recently, my husband and I applied for a home equity line of credit (HELOC). We’d been watching our FICO® Score via one of our credit card statements. We knew that being in the 700s and 800s meant we should have no problem getting the HELOC. We were wrong. Do You Know Your FICO® Score? Though…
Q&A Erin Chase Five Dollar Dinners
Eight years ago, before the recession hit, Erin Chase’s family was starting to feel a pinch in their personal budget. (Sound familiar? I launched Suddenly Frugal in 2007 for the same reason!) “I knew if we were,” says Erin, founder of a blog that focuses on five dollar dinners, “then others were, too.” When she…
National Parks Service: Free Admission
In 2016 the National Parks Service celebrates its 100th birthday. Because of this, you can expect lots of celebrations at the more than 365 National Parks locations throughout the United States. Many may even offer free admission. National Parks Holidays Most noteworthy is this fact: there are a handful of times each year when the…
New Challenge: Save Money on Back to School
What family with children doesn’t need to save money on back to school? Even families without children can take the back-to-school time to get great deals on things they need–for their home office, for future holiday gifts and more. Free Money-Saving Challenge With that in mind I’m launching the FREE Suddenly Frugal Challenge: 15 Days…
Easy Ways to Save on Back to School Shopping
Here are 5 easy ways to save on back to school, including shopping tips for Target, Walmart and Staples. Plus I discover a Smartphone app that can help you save even more.
Save Time and Money with Petco Repeat Delivery
The first of the month is when I always give my dogs their monthly medicine. This includes heartworm preventative medicine and flea and tick medicine. I make it the first of the month so it’s easy to remember: “Oh, yes, it’s the first of the month, time for doggie medicine.” I usually buy both in…
5 Free and Cheap Festivals for Summer 2016
Do your summer plans include attending free and cheap festivals–whether they be food festivals, music festivals or some other kind of festival celebration? If you’re into funky and off-beat festivals, I can help. Motel 6 has put together a list of free and cheap festivals that fall under the heading of off-beat and fun and…
What Dads Really Want for Father’s Day
In May of each year we have Mother’s Day–and the quandary of what gifts moms really want on Mother’s Day. Then the next month, in June, there’s Father’s Day, celebrated on the third Sunday of the month. Turns out that dads are a lot like moms when it comes to giving gifts for that special…
Rent Versus Own A Home
If your neighborhood is like mine, then “For Sale” signs are popping up faster than dandelions on front lawns. That’s because spring is real estate season. Even so just because you’re getting ready to move doesn’t mean you have to buy a home. Sometimes it makes more sense to rent versus own a home. There…