Kentin Waits's blog

Why I Like My Flip Phone: The 5 Smartphone Effects

A smartphone might be a smart financial decision...for some people. One writer shares why he's sticking with his humble flip phone.

Achieve More With Goal Sequencing

What's the secret to achieving any goal you set? Breaking it down into many smaller sequential goals and tackling each one at a time. Here's how to do it.

Defensive Dentistry: How to Avoid Expensive Dental Problems

Dental issues can be painful and expensive...and they're not particularly fun, either. The solution? Taking good care of your teeth, so problems don't occur.

Ingenuity: The Ultimate Frugal Skill

At Wise Bread, we talk a lot about frugal skills. But in many ways, there's one skill that trumps them all — ingenuity.

7 Reasons Why Self-Storage Is a Really Bad Idea

Self-storage makes it easy to save stuff when you're moving or simply out of space. But just because you can use it doesn't mean you should. Learn why.

30 Signs That You Were Raised by Frugal Parents

Were you raised by frugal parents? Here are 30 ways to tell if there was a frugalista in your family tree.

Taming Your Debt: Aggressive Repayment Strategies

Getting into debt is easy; getting out is the hard part. These strategies will help you aggressively attack and defeat your debts.

Vacation Safe: 11 Tips for Hotel Safety

You shouldn't have to worry about your safety while on vacation. And, if you follow these suggestions, you won't.

The Parable of The Flat-Screen TV

A carefully considered purchase is a wise purchase. On the other end of the spectrum? Meet Dan and his not-so-new flat-screen TV.

The Slow Bleed: Plugging Your Financial Leaks

Don't let your finances suffer death by a thousand cuts! Learn to stop the little leaks that add up to big bucks.

6 Attitudes That Breed Financial Failure

Can changing our minds about money change our fortunes? Yup. Here are six ideas about finances that you might want to ditch.

Frugality: Are You Still in the Closet?

Are you open about your frugal lifestyle? If you've been keeping it hidden, maybe it's time to celebrate your thrifty ways. Here's why.

Is It Time to Starve Your 401(k)?

We're told again and again that feeding a 401(k) guarantees a sturdy retirement. But is that really your best savings option?

City Shopping: Finding Your New Frugal Home

Considering a move? Make sure you consider these frugal factors when choosing where you're going to live.

Deal Killers: 5 Phrases to Avoid When Negotiating

Negotiating can sometimes be stressful, and that stress can make buyers and sellers say dumb things. Learn to score better deals by avoiding these phrases.

Simple-Living Lessons I Learned From "Hoarders"

TV shows like "Hoarders" are hot right now. But beyond the voyeurism, what lessons can we learn from them about our own relationships with stuff?

In Praise of Complainers: Why Complaining Is Good

Slow Service? Cold soup? Learn the ins and outs of constructive complaining and how it can help improve things for all consumers.

Guide to Better Style: The Curated Closet

Closet a mess? Wardrobe uninspiring? Take a look at how to transform the chaos into a collection that reflects your personal style.

How to Avoid New Carry-on Luggage Charges

New fees for carry-on luggage have started creeping up on consumers. Discover how to pack defensively and avoid these extra charges.

4 Quirky Ways to Spend Less and Kick-Start Saving

Learning to spend less and save more doesn't isn't intimidating when you follow these enjoyable, unconventional strategies.