ArcaMax

Years ago, I read a news story about Starbucks Corp. that left me stunned. In a nutshell, it seems that the company practice has been to place "tip jars" by the cash registers where customers can drop their loose change to tip the baristas. In California, there is a law that prohibits managers and supervisors from sharing in employee tips. And ...Read more

As the story goes, the local inventor invited the town's pastry makers to observe his latest invention: an automated pastry-making machine. To his dismay, the bakers deemed it unfit because it could not consistently turn out perfect pastries.

Not one to give up easily, the inventor took one of the chefs aside and asked, "What do YOU do when you...Read more

Let's face it: Life loves to throw curveballs when you least expect it. One day you're breezing through your to-do list, and the next, you're staring at your flashlight like it's the Holy Grail because the power's out and you have no idea where the batteries are.

We've all been there, unprepared. It's time to change that. Let's chat about what ...Read more

Having lived and breathed time- and money-saving tips for over three decades now, I thought I knew it all. I cannot fathom how many thousands of tips and tricks my readers have shared together with all I've discovered on my own (borne out of desperation or just plain frugality). So far, I've learned enough to fill three hefty published books ("...Read more

These days, grocery prices can make you feel like you need a financial adviser just to navigate the supermarket aisles. But instead of cringing every time you see the price of your favorite items, there's a better solution -- thrifty meals that don't sacrifice taste or nutrition. I'm talking about meals that fill us up, make us smile, and don't ...Read more

I know what you're thinking. "Unstealable"? That's a pretty bold claim. But hear me out. You might not be able to make your car completely theftproof, but you can make it such a pain to steal that thieves will take one look, roll their eyes and move on to an easier target.

LOCK YOUR DOORS AND WINDOWS (NO, SERIOUSLY)

This is where I hit you ...Read more

Let's be honest. Most of us have dabbled in hobbies that didn't quite lead to anything. We've all spent a little too much time scrolling social media or binge-watching shows (I see you, entire weekend lost to Netflix). But what if your hobbies could actually make you smarter? I'm talking about productive hobbies -- the ones that not only fill ...Read more

Over the years I've received thousands of money-saving tips from readers -- many of which I've shared in books, newsletters and this column. And there are plenty that I've not shared for a variety of reasons, but mostly because they don't work. Some work so poorly, they end up costing time and money and not saving a thing! Today's first question...Read more

Does this happen to you? You get so involved in doing something that you completely lose track of time? You're shocked to look up and see it's time to go home when it feels like you just got back from lunch. Or you sit down for a few minutes to start a new book and suddenly you're on Chapter 21?

Happens to me when I open my email inbox. I can ...Read more

Today I have surprising uses for the dishwasher as recommended by my awesome readers, plus a few tips for making sure that machine does its official job well.

Safe from the Storm: Here in hurricane country, it is recommended that you stick all your important papers into freezer bags and put them in the dishwasher when a storm is approaching. ...Read more

Clogged drains -- ah, the household menace that strikes when you least expect it, right in the middle of washing dishes or taking a shower. It's like they're in cahoots with your Monday morning. But before you throw in the towel, take a breath: You've got this. Here are five tried-and-true methods to unclog a household drain that don't involve ...Read more

The nicest thing happened to me one day as I rifled through the mail. I got a letter from Dr. C. Eugene Allen, a professor and food scientist at the University of Minnesota who just happened to be a fan of this column. He was responding to a teriyaki marinade recipe for venison I'd offered to a reader who asked about how to prepare that ...Read more

Dear Cheapskate: In light of recent fires in across many states in the U.S., do you have a list of paperwork one should keep in a travel case or fireproof box? -- Cyndi, Ohio

Dear Cyndi: At the top of the list should be insurance policies and visual inventory (DVD or video) of your home and its contents. Follow that with photo IDs, health cards...Read more

As a parent, I've gained insights over the years into what teachers truly appreciate as gifts, not just during the holiday season but at any time of the year. Instead of the typical "Teachers Have Class!" coffee mugs, let's focus more on practical items that enhance the classroom experience.

Wanting to know how they really feel about gifts, I ...Read more

I am always entertained and often educated by the tips readers mail in. Today is no exception. I'm pretty sure you will agree with me.

SAFELY FROZEN: I am on a waiting list to get a safe deposit box at my bank. While I wait, I am keeping my important papers in a heavy freezer bag in the deep freeze. I hear that, in a fire, the inside of the ...Read more

Got a hunk of meat that feels like it could double as a doorstop? The slow cooker says, "Challenge accepted!" Toss in that tough cut, add a splash of broth and the magical ingredients, and by dinnertime, you'll have something that's practically falling apart in deliciousness. Expensive cuts? Who needs 'em when your slow cooker can turn a $5 ...Read more

Dear Cheapskate: With all the suggestions you have made for the "best inexpensive" products in your blog EverydayCheapskate.com (which I get in my email box every weekday and love it), I don't believe I have ever seen a recommendation for dry cat food, canned cat food or cat litter. Or even pet products, for that matter. That's where I really ...Read more

Experts tell us, and I can concur wholeheartedly from my own experience, that when people admit to the worst financial decisions they've made in their lives, they often recall choices made in the grip of visceral emotions like anger, lust, anxiety and greed.

Imagine how our lives might be different if we had a couple dozen "undo" buttons to use...Read more

I won't try to kid you into thinking I'm some kind of organizational expert. I am the most disorganized person ever. My professional office is a mess. My home, remarkably, appears to be orderly, as long as you don't open a cupboard, drawer or closet.

Being disorganized steals my time, energy and money. I buy things I have already because I can'...Read more

Money advice -- it's available everywhere. But that doesn't mean you should take it. The wise person knows how to separate the good from the bad. Here are a few timely examples:

Bad advice: Do not save money for yourself until you have paid off your credit cards. Direct every cent you can scrape together to pay down your credit card debt as ...Read more