Shopping Tips

With the summer travel season kicking off, consumers are packing their bags and looking forward to another vacation. According to a recent Bread Financial study, 8 in 10 summer travelers have adjusted their travel plans due to rising costs; 22 percent will travel domestically instead of internationally, and 21 will opt for a road trip instead of flying to save money.

Road trips can be a more budget-friendly option, but with the price of gas exceeding $4 a gallon and food & beverage prices 25 percent more expensive than they were in 2020, a road trip can cost more than we anticipate.

Here are our favorite ways to save money on your road trip.

With the recent announcement that Party City will be closing all its stores across the U.S. this year, many are left seeking alternative sources for affordable party supplies. The good news is, with a bit of creativity and planning, anyone can create a fun and festive atmosphere on a budget. Here are our strategies to help you save on party decorations without compromising on style.

Victoria’s Secret was where I purchased my first undergarments as an adult, so I have a soft spot for it. I love the pull-out drawers filled with pretty underthings, the helpful staff, and the sales…of course! But, besides the sales that you might stumble upon if you wander into a store, there are lots of ways to save even more money with these Victoria’s Secret hacks.

With Father’s Day coming up, we have curated a roundup of top home gadgets, gourmet treats, and tasty beverages that look and feel expensive but cost under $200.
From smart home gadgets to indulgent foods, these thoughtful picks deliver maximum impact for Dad without stretching your budget.

This Father’s Day, skip the generic tie and give Dad the gift of an upgraded daily routine. Whether he is a low-maintenance minimalist who likes to freshen up on the go, or a discerning Dad who only uses organic products, our curated grooming guide has something for every style. We have rounded up the finest high-quality sets and multi-purpose products to help him look, feel, and smell his absolute best.

Whether he is hitting the trail, commuting to the office, or running errands, the dad on-the-go deserves gear that keeps up with his active lifestyle. This Father’s Day, skip the predictable gifts and upgrade his adventures with our curated roundup of eight essentials. From rugged outdoor gear to clever travel upgrades, every item on this list delivers high-quality performance and utility without breaking the bank, keeping your budget under $200.

We all love free stuff, right? If you’re willing to provide your email address to receive ongoing offers, there are lots of ways to get free food, especially on special occasions like your birthday or anniversary. Because signing up often means receiving a steady stream of promotional emails, consider setting up an extra email address (via Gmail or another free provider) just for emails like these. That way, you can peruse the offers when you feel like it, but they won’t clog up the email address that you use every day. 

We’d been hearing about Croatia’s beauty for several years. Friends would return starry-eyed about the place, but we’d also heard that it had become a go-to destination, which meant crowds in high season. No thanks. Then, we started planning a trip to celebrate our daughter Sadie’s high school graduation, and Croatia bubbled to the top. We’d just heard too many rave reviews, and since we’d be traveling in early September, the tail end of high season, we’d miss the masses. Plus, Croatia has castles, Sadie’s one request.

Prescription glasses can be a pricey necessity, especially if you need multiple pairs, specialized lenses, or if you prefer trendy frames. Between customizations, coatings, and accessories, the price for a pair of glasses can quickly add up.
Luckily, there are plenty of smart ways to cut costs without sacrificing quality, comfort, or style. By knowing where to shop, what discounts to look for, and how to care for your eyewear, you can stretch your budget while still getting exactly what you need. Here are some practical tips for saving money on glasses.

Refreshing your look for summer doesn’t have to mean spending a ton on a wardrobe overhaul. Fortunately for trend-conscious consumers, some of the most wearable and stylish summer 2026 trends are also among the most budget-friendly. The key is knowing which trends are versatile, easy to style, and therefore, worth adding to your rotation. Instead of chasing every new fad, you can incorporate a few well-chosen pieces into your wardrobe. This simple approach helps keep your spending in check while rocking looks that feel free and new this summer. Here are five affordable fashion trends you should definitely check out.

Saving money upfront always feels like a win, but sometimes the cheapest option ends up costing more in the long run. From low-quality materials to higher per-unit costs, “budget-friendly” purchases can quietly add up over time. That doesn’t mean you should always buy the most expensive option, but it does mean it’s worth looking beyond the price tag. Understanding the true cost of what you’re buying can help you make smarter, more intentional decisions. Here’s how to spot when “cheap” isn’t actually a good deal—and how to find better value instead.

Our eight-day family vacation to Mexico City was unforgettable, from mouth-watering street tacos to sprawling outdoor markets, grand ruins and museums and parks, and kicking back on a boat ride down ancient Aztec canals. Mexico City is a vast (vast) metropolis–nearly twice the size of NYC’s five boroughs, and each day was an adventure. We walked for miles and miles, crossed the city on subway trains, buses, trollies, and Ubers, and discovered hidden gems that we’ll never forget. Join us as we recap the highlights of an incredible week and share some of our money-saving secrets!

You’ve heard about how expensive weddings can be — now you’re experiencing it firsthand. Whether you’re fortunate enough to have family members who are footing the bill or you’re scraping the cash together on your own, there are many ways to cut costs without feeling like you’ve made sacrifices.

For the mom whose “me time” happens at the beach, the local market, or mid-commute, the best gifts are those that keep up with her pace. We have curated this guide for the woman who finds her balance in motion, blending the practicality of the best beach wrap with the paddleboard she’s always wanted. Whether she’s ticking off a to-do list or on an adventure, these essentials ensure she stays energized, organized, and inspired through every mile of her day.

Formal events like prom, weddings, and milestone celebrations provide the perfect excuse to dress up—but the expenses that come along with dressing your best can put a dent in your wallet! Finding the right outfit for formal events often means navigating high price tags for dresses, suits, shoes, and accessories that you may wear only once.
But, looking polished and event-ready doesn’t have to mean paying designer prices or blowing your budget. With some smart planning and the right resources, you can find stylish, high-quality formalwear at a fraction of retail cost. From rentals and secondhand gems to strategic shopping hacks, there are more affordable options than ever.
Here’s how to dress for that special occasion without overspending.

Give Mom’s sanctuary a well-deserved upgrade without breaking the bank! While flowers are a lovely gesture, mix things up with gifts that make her daily life a little more comfortable, stylish, and serene. From cozy textures to personalized accents that tell a story, we’ve curated six thoughtful home essentials—all under $150—that prove you don’t have to spend a fortune to show her how much she’s cherished.

This Mother’s Day, skip the bouquet and the chocolates and give the woman who does it all an excuse to slow down. Moms rarely put themselves at the top of the to-do list—but a little intentional pampering can go a long way. From high-tech skincare tools to luxurious bath essentials that turn her powder room into a private sanctuary, we’ve curated eight personal care gifts designed to help her recharge. Whether she’s into high-tech beauty tools or prefers something traditional, these thoughtful picks are the perfect way to say “Happy Mother’s Day.”

Finding the perfect gift for the woman who does it all is no small feat, but in our opinion, something pretty that she can wear is a great choice. Whether she’s a fan of effortless elegance or loves a bold statement accessory, our curated Mother’s Day edit features 10 standout apparel and accessory items designed to elevate her wardrobe. From the perfect sandals to timeless jewelry, these thoughtful picks are sure to make her Mother’s Day bright.

Do you want an instantly giftable gift? These 10 gifts are beautifully boxed, so you can ship them directly to Mom without worrying about how it will look upon arrival, or ship it to yourself and give the gift to her in person. No wrapping required, and with some, you won’t even need a bow!!

We recently spent 8 magical days on the island of Dominica (pronounced Dom-in-EEK-a), located in the Eastern Caribbean between Guadeloupe and Martinique. It is known as the “Nature Isle of the Caribbean”, and it lives up to that name.

Sixty percent of the mountainous 29-by-16-mile volcanic island is covered by rainforest. There are 365 rivers, dozens of waterfalls, world-class scuba diving, hot springs…It is a gem. It is also grittier and less developed than many Caribbean islands that some tourists are used to. Not dangerous, just developing. Beyond a scattering of small high-end resorts, it’s largely small working-class towns. And the island still bears the scars of Hurricane Maria, which destroyed or badly damaged more than 90 percent of structures in 2017.

Rest assured, we never felt unsafe, and, as you will read below, we repeatedly encountered graciousness and generosity.