My uncle comes from a family in the garment industry. I remember once going shopping with him at a fairly low-end clothing store. Before he let me buy anything, he carefully inspected the seams and the fabric, making certain that even the very inexpensive items I was picking out had been built to last. He…
Last year, on a trip back to my parents’ house in Baltimore, I discovered the day after my arrival that I had lost my wallet. It must have fallen out of my purse at some point while I was on the plane. Luckily, the airline found it and sent it overnight to me, so what…
Sometimes our quest to cut down expenses can lead us astray. Not all frugal tips and hacks are created equal, and trying something that worked for someone else might even end up costing you money. Here are four common frugal living tips that often backfire, and what you can do instead: Cut Your Own Hair…
Unlike health and auto insurance, umbrella insurance may not seem like a necessary expense. But the fact of the matter is that umbrella insurance can protect both your assets and your future earnings in the event of a lawsuit. Here is what you need to know this under-utilized insurance: What Is Umbrella Insurance? This insurance…
One of the oldest debates in the personal finance realm has to do with the tough choice between paying down debt and investing. The argument goes something like this: Paying down debt is pretty emotionally draining (it’s hard to send your money to a creditor each month without feeling like you get anything tangible in…
There seem to be two types of holiday shoppers: those who are so well organized that they have all of their Christmas presents purchased, wrapped, and paid for in cash before the Thanksgiving leftovers have all been eaten—and the rest of us who are stalking wild-eyed through the mall a week before Christmas wondering how…
Believe it or not, gentlemen, the ladies in your life really don’t need an expensive piece of jewelry from you for Christmas. In fact, you can spend very little and still melt her heart. But, you need to remember that there is a difference between spending very little and putting in very little effort. Finding…