ArcaMax

For this mother of two young, world-class whiners, the techniques described in the booklet seemed way too simple to be effective, the promised results too good to be true. In desperation, however, I decided to give the anti-whining program -- guaranteed to be appropriate for toddlers and up -- my best shot by following the simple daily ...Read more

I didn't set out to overthrow three cleaning products in one afternoon. I was simply standing in my laundry room, staring at a shelf crowded with half-used spray bottles, when I realized two things. First, none of them was empty enough to throw away. Second, none of them was impressive enough to justify buying again.

That was the day a humble ...Read more

Los Angeles, Long Beach and San Diego are among the world's least affordable cities for homebuyers, a recent report says.

When the price of a regular home is compared to regular local salaries, Los Angeles, Long Beach, San Diego and San José were among the five least affordable cities in the world, according to a survey from financial ...Read more

Westminster Mall, a once-popular shopping center that has been desecrated by graffiti and vandalism since it closed last year, is on track for demolition soon.

It will be replaced with housing, a hotel and some shops and stores, part of a nationwide trend that is seeing outdated, failed malls in high-traffic locations swapped for mixed-use ...Read more

Sales of previously owned U.S. homes fell in January by the most in nearly four years, a month marked by a massive winter storm.

Contract closings decreased 8.4%, the biggest drop since February 2022, to a 3.91 million annualized pace in January, according to National Association of Realtors data released Thursday. That trailed the median ...Read more

Q: I let my cousin stay with me for a couple of weeks while she was having some issues. Those couple of weeks have now turned into a couple of months, and I can’t really deal with her anymore. How do I get her out? — Sheila

A: Sometimes situations that begin with good intentions become more complicated than expected. Offering a helping hand...Read more

I couldn't pass it up, and I mean that quite literally. Someone dumped it right in the middle of my shortcut through the back of a neighborhood center. I had two choices: hit it head-on or stop to investigate.

Closer examination revealed a unique piece of furniture -- a child-size, solid wood combination five-drawer dresser wardrobe. I dragged ...Read more

To the person drowning in debt, a debt-consolidation loan looks like a lifesaver. But reaching for it without knowing exactly what it's made of could be a severe mistake.

The way it's supposed to work: You pay off all your small high-interest consumer debts with the proceeds of a new low-interest loan whose payment is less than the total of the...Read more

It is difficult to imagine: Our wedding cost a whopping $200. I borrowed my dress and veil; I made the bridesmaid's dresses; a friend made and gifted the cake; we had one bouquet for the church; and our fathers (both ministers) performed the ceremony. We opted for the photographer's monthly special ($100 for eight 8x10s) and paid cash for ...Read more

Electric bills have a way of creeping up quietly, like a cat on a countertop. One day you glance at the bill and think, "Surely this can't be mine." But unless someone plugged in a cotton candy machine while you were sleeping, the explanation is much simpler: Energy prices rise steadily, and many homes waste electricity without realizing it.

...Read more

You should see the big wad of lint I just plucked from the trap of my clothes dryer. Ack! Where does all of that come from? I know I emptied all pockets, and I'm certain I did not wash a bag of pillow stuffing.

I'll tell you what it is, and I am not happy about this: It's visual proof the dryer is wearing out our clothes. Those fibers were ...Read more

Performing a deep clean on a coffee maker is important to extend its useful life and ensure you're brewing the best-tasting coffee possible.

A buildup of hard water scale and rancid coffee oils in a coffee maker is to be expected. Allowing that buildup to remain (and multiply) can be very hard on the machine and make the coffee that comes from ...Read more

Several years ago, my son gave me the bounty from the two fruit trees that pretty much rule his backyard. My Mother's Day gift of Meyer lemons weighed in at 124 pounds. I know, lucky me!

I had to figure out ways to use, share and preserve lemons in a big hurry. I juiced, cooked and baked all kinds of lemon things. And I learned so many ways to ...Read more

We've all faced that moment of truth: You open the refrigerator door and there sit the Chinese leftovers from last night's dinner, looking a little wilted and more than a little judgmental. You didn't throw them away -- good for you. But what do you do with them now?

Before you resign yourself to eating cold lo mein over the sink, let's rethink...Read more

Some days, my email inbox fills me with joy. And then there are the days that a message nearly breaks my heart. That was the case when I opened this letter from one of my dear readers who lives in Missouri.

Dear Mary: In one of your columns ("What To Do When You Can't Pay Your Bills?" EverydayCheapskate.com/bills), you recommend paying your ...Read more

From regular oil changes to changing furnace filters and annual trips to the dentist, smart consumers know that preventive maintenance can avoid costly repairs down the road. Insurance is another item that needs to go on your routine maintenance list.

Here's the challenge: No one wants to think about insurance unless forced to. But at least ...Read more

Dear Mary: We are one month behind on our mortgage payments and plan to catch up this month. We have told our credit union we will pay half on the 1st and the second half on the 13th. This will bring us current. Still, they call all day, every hour. When we answer they say they have to call us constantly until the amount due is paid. That is ...Read more

We all know the laundry pile never goes away. But instead of guessing your way through life, here's a no-nonsense guide to how often you should launder key household fabrics -- and yes, that includes your sheets, towels and all those overlooked blanks and throws.

BEDDING

Your nightly contact zone deserves weekly attention. You spend roughly 50...Read more

Using aluminum foil to line cookie sheets or to keep a steak hot while you finish getting everything ready to eat are nothing new when it comes to useful household tips. But there are many other ways to use aluminum foil you haven't heard of -- ways that can save you time, money and effort.

CLEAN SILVER

Line a bucket or bowl with aluminum foil...Read more