Personal Finance
9 Generic Products You Should Be Buying at Costco
There’s a lot to love about Costco. The one-stop bulk shop has a generous return policy and hands out plenty of yummy samples at its warehouse stores. Followers also love Costco’s generic label, Kirkland Signature, but many will point out that you’ve got to know when to choose the Kirkland label…
Here Are the Days You Can Get Free Admission to National Parks in 2026
Editor’s Note: This story originally appeared on Living on the Cheap. America’s best idea — our national parks — is even better when admission is free. Mark your calendar now for entrance fee-free dates for the coming year. On these dates, free entrance is available to 108 national parks across the…
45-Year-Old Ted Rodrigue Was Intelligent, Articulate — and Homeless. Could a No-Strings-Attached Gift of $100,000 Change His Life?
The idea that a single windfall can solve every problem is a persistent fantasy in America. We imagine that if the person sleeping under the bridge just had a few thousand dollars, they could rent an apartment, buy a suit and rejoin the workforce. It is a comforting thought because it suggests that…
Airlines Blame Fuel for Sky-High Fares. The Real Reason Is Worse — 6 Ways to Beat It
Oil is sliding hard again this week. And I’d bet a week’s pay your next plane ticket won’t drop a dollar because of it. Over the weekend, President Donald Trump said he’d hold off on new strikes against Iran, and crude prices fell sharply on the news. It’s the third time this year oil has
I Buy and Resell Secondhand Finds for a Living. These 15 Mistakes Keep Shoppers From the Best Deals.
Zurijeta / Shutterstock.com I’ve been an enthusiastic thrift shopper for the better part of 30 years. It’s my entertainment, my therapy and a big part of what feeds my online resale business. But successful thrift store shopping doesn’t happen by accident; you have to know what to do and what not…
The Golden Rules of Negotiating: How to Save 5% to 50% on Everything
ALPA PROD / Shutterstock.com Most people treat the price tag like it’s a law of nature. It’s not. In most cases, that number is just a suggestion—a “starting point” for the conversation. If you’re not negotiating your recurring bills, your big-ticket purchases, and even your medical expenses…
I’m 50 and Felt Hopelessly Behind on Retirement. Then I Ran the Real Numbers.
Turning 50 could cause you to take another look at your retirement savings. If your balance is lower than expected, you may wonder whether you’ve fallen too far behind to reach your goals. The good news is that your current balance is only part of the picture. Depending on when you expect to…
A Backwards Tax Identification System For Determining Your Freedom
Ever since two park rangers approached me at an empty public court while I was teaching my own children tennis, I’ve been thinking about how to make sure it never happens again. Not just to me. To anybody. The problem that afternoon wasn’t that the rangers were doing their jobs. The problem was…
5 Ways to Save on Car Costs, Starting With Not Buying a New One
Ground Picture / Shutterstock.com Advertising Disclosure: When you buy something by clicking links within this article, we may earn a small commission, but it never affects the products or services we recommend. A car is essential in most of the U.S., especially where walking or public transit…
New Car Prices Keep Climbing. These 5 Vehicles Are Still Under $30,000
USA TODAY Network / Reuters New car prices may be sky-high, but you don’t have to break the bank to buy a new car in 2026. There are plenty of new vehicle options that start under $30,000 before taxes and additional fees. If you’re looking for a value-oriented new car, there are sedan and even