DEAR SARA: Do you have your kids do chores for their allowance, or do they get it regardless? –Michelle, Massachusetts
DEAR MICHELLE: I don’t give my children an allowance for chores. Our children have chores and responsibilities that they have to do because they should. We give rewards if they go above and beyond their daily responsibilities. Sometimes it’s monetary, and other times it’s not. I don’t want to get into …

photo by noel zia lee

Even small impulse purchases can result in overspending because they add up quickly. It helps to have a list of frugal activities to do when the urge to splurge strikes. Avoiding temptation is an important part of reaching your goals. It’s a powerful feeling to be in control. Simply avoid situations that cause you to spend unnecessarily.
Retail merchandising is designed to lure you in. It’s …

photo by kk+

The first step on the frugal path is different for everyone, but a handful of immediate lifestyle changes are popular for people just beginning the journey. These simple changes show quick results and easily become a force of habit. Try one or try them all, and you’ll be well on your way to saving money painlessly. Do the math and you’ll soon recover money you didn’t know was …

photo by jslander

It makes sense to know when to buy and how to store produce so it will last longer and taste fresher. No one wants to find a great deal on fruit and later find a rotten, slimy mess in the refrigerator.
Buying marked-down produce is OK if you plan to eat it right away, but if you plan to store it, you’ll want to buy just enough of …