Shopping Tips

Halloween is going to be big this year, but not as big as 2023. According to the National Retail Federation, projected 2024 spending is 11.6B, down 5 percent from last year’s whopping 12.2B. This year’s projection is still higher than 2022’s record of 10.6B. 72 percent of us will celebrate, spending an average of $104 per person.
If the spooky holiday is your jam, here are 8 ways to save money on Halloween so you don’t break the bank.

Remember the days when if you needed to buy something, your only options were to go to a store or maybe place a mail order (I’m clearly dating myself)? With the ever-changing shopping landscape, the way we shop shifts a little bit every year. These days, there are so many ways to shop, from browsing the aisles of a traditional brick-and-mortar to clicking “shop” on our favorite social channels. And as shopping on social media grows, savvy shoppers are looking for ways to save.

My family and I love to travel. We recently took a trip to Croatia, which had been on our list for ages! Croatia has become increasingly popular in the past decade or two, made even more so by the fact that several Croatian locations were used in HBO’s Game of Thrones series.

While brick-and-mortar stores still account for most shopping purchases, ​​20 percent of retail purchases are expected to occur online this year, a projected 9 percent jump YOY, according to Forbes.

If you’re like me, you love the convenience of shopping in your PJs. But how do you find the best deals while you scroll? The following tips will help you score the very best price on all your purchases, from books to the shelves that hold them.

If you’ve been to a wholesale club warehouse, you know the thrill of the cavernous interior with snacks, spices, and home office staples stacked to the ceiling. You know the joy of the scent of food samples in the air. But you also know that “holy crap” feeling at checkout when you go overboard. Here are several tried-and-true ways to save at wholesale clubs in general, as well as tips specific to the big 3: Costco, Sam’s Club, and BJ’s.

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.

The reuse and resell market is booming, and it’s no surprise. Buying used is an excellent way for you and your family to stretch your dollars and reduce waste. Here are some useful tips on how to buy used.

Are you excited for Amazon Prime Big Deal Days? This now-massive sale event kicked off on July 15, 2015 as a 24-hour sale. Each subsequent year through 2019, Prime Day occurred in the second week of July and the sale grew from 24 to 48 hours.

Giving gifts can be fun but it can also be overwhelming, especially during the holiday season or during a month … Read More

Looking to treat yourself to a new beauty goodie? TikTok is a great place to discover the latest and greatest and these seven products have gone seriously viral. Read on to learn why you’ll want to add them to your beauty arsenal.

Customized gifts are unique, conveying thoughtfulness and care. This curated list of holiday gifts is designed to surprise and delight, ensuring that your loved ones feel truly special this season. The best part? These gifts are all monogrammed or customized by you, so the manufacturing process doesn’t take as long as a gift that’s made from scratch.

Planning a trip abroad can seem overwhelming. From having up-to-date passports to accessing Wi-Fi on the go, there’s so much to think about! Because being well-prepared can make all the difference in your travel experience, we’ll explore five crucial areas to focus on when planning your international getaway, helping you make the most of your international adventure.

Finding the perfect gift can be daunting, but personalized clothing and accessories make a memorable gift for your favorite fashion plate. From made-to-measure sneakers to engraved jewelry, these thoughtful gifts are fabulous and functional for any gift-giving occasion.

You know those folks who are impossible to find gifts for? These customized options will make gift-giving a breeze. For the person who has everything or the one who is pickier than picky, these personalized gifts will delight them and express how much you care.

At my house, we cook a lot – or more accurately, my husband cooks! Even though we love a home-cooked meal, sometimes it’s nice for someone else to do the work. The downside of takeout? The toll it takes on our wallets. Here are some ways you can save money the next time you order in.

We love to get out and do things, like going to concerts, museums, sporting events, and theme parks, but the cost of these activities can really add up! Thankfully, with a bit of creativity and planning, it’s possible to get out there and have fun without doing too much damage to your wallet. This article explores money-saving ideas that will allow you to enjoy the recreational activities you love without the hefty price tag.

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. 

Whether you order online once a day or once a year, one thing that sticks in everyone’s craw is paying for shipping. We used to accept it as par for the course and didn’t mind paying for the convenience of having items delivered right to your door. But, times have changed. Free shipping is more widely available now so we’ve become spoiled. Here are seven ways to avoid paying that dreaded shipping fee.

Jewelry is magical. It can warm one’s heart, make a statement, or remind a special someone of a cherished moment. Jewelry also tends to be expensive, especially if you’re buying fine jewelry with precious metals and gemstones. Because of the expense, it’s important to shop wisely to ensure you’re getting the best deal, or employ some clever workarounds to save on pieces that would otherwise top out your budget.

You know that you can spend money shopping with your favorite retailers, but did you know that you can also learn from them and it won’t cost a thing? From Home Depot to Hobby Lobby, select national retailers offer free online and/or in-store classes. Some are for adults and others for kids, so there’s something for everyone!  Here are 15 retailers who offer free workshops.