Mary Hunt

Mary invites you to visit her at EverydayCheapskate.com, where this column is archived complete with links and resources for all recommended products and services. Mary invites questions and comments at https://www.everydaycheapskate.com/contact/, "Ask Mary." Tips can be submitted at tips.everydaycheapskate.com/ . This column will answer questions of general interest, but letters cannot be answered individually. Mary Hunt is the founder of EverydayCheapskate.com, a frugal living blog, and the author of the book "Debt-Proof Living."

Little-Known Airline Rules That Can Trip You Up

Imagine this: You're off on a dreamy New York-London-Paris adventure. Somewhere over the Atlantic, someone swipes your carry-on. The airline…

3 hours ago

How to Soften New Denim, Make Homemade Eyeglass Cleaner and More

Dear Mary: I used to buy a packet of "blue jeans softener" in a store that has since gone out…

4 days ago

Frugality on the Fun Meter of Life

I was not born with a natural bent toward frugality. Everything in me cries out to spend, acquire, spend, achieve,…

5 days ago

Financial Planners and Other Mysteries of Life

I am noticing a growing trend in my mailbox — readers in search of financial planners or advisers. Or assistants.…

6 days ago

The Cheapest Mother’s Day Gift Might Be the One You Don’t Buy

Mother's Day has become one of those occasions that comes with a lot of expectation — and a lot of…

1 week ago

A Shelter in the Time of Storm

The most important thing you can do to make your personal economy strong is to have an umbrella — a…

2 weeks ago

The Ultimate Risk-Free, High-Yield, Guaranteed Investment

From time to time, this kind of question pops up in my inbox: How can I get started investing in…

2 weeks ago

Easy Ways to Cut the High Cost of Pet Care

If the cost to keep your pets fed, healthy, cared for, and looking good has gotten so high, you're the…

2 weeks ago

Spring Yard Fixes That Don’t Require a Store Run

Every spring the same thing happens. The sun comes out, the grass wakes up, and suddenly the yard starts whispering…

2 weeks ago

7 Ways to Keep Brown Sugar Soft

How maddening to reach for the brown sugar, expecting it to be soft and fluffy, only to find a rock-hard…

3 weeks ago

A Valuable Money Lesson for the Kids

Don't assume your kids are going to learn in school how to manage money well. There is a growing recognition…

3 weeks ago

What I Learned After Timing My Own Housework

One afternoon not long ago, I decided to conduct a little experiment. Nothing scientific. No clipboard required. Just a kitchen…

3 weeks ago

Physical and Emotional Clutter

Not long ago, a Realtor dropped off the flier announcing plans for the annual neighborhood garage sale. "Join us to…

4 weeks ago

The 10-Year Bar of Soap, Plus More Great Reader Tips

In the cupboard right above my washing machine, there's a bar of Fels-Naptha laundry soap standing in a coffee mug.…

4 weeks ago

The Value of Trivial Pursuits

For decades, I've been collecting and disseminating timesaving and money-saving tips. Readers email them to me, comment with them on…

4 weeks ago