Paul Michael's blog
Posted February 8, 2010 - 06:00 by Paul Michael
Lifestyle
What if the we suddenly stopped celebrating every single birthday in our lives, and instead concentrated on just the important ones? Would you care? Would you support it? I’ll tell you one thing…we’d all save a bunch of money.
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Posted January 27, 2010 - 09:00 by Paul Michael
Health and Beauty
Economically, times are still tough. And with healthcare being at the top of a long list of concerns about money, anyone taking medication should invest in a small gadget that can literally save you a small fortune every year. The gadget in question...a simple pill splitter.
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Posted January 19, 2010 - 06:00 by Paul Michael
Consumer Affairs, Cars and Transportation
In this day and age, with heightened airport security and insane flying fears, it may seem like an odd piece of advice. But for at least one guy, it's working. Put a gun in your checked bags and keep your valuables safe.
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Posted January 7, 2010 - 07:00 by Paul Michael
Frugal Living, Technology, Lifestyle, General Tips
So you love watching movies for free, and you also love getting instant access to them. Well, if those movies happen to be documentaries, there is a great free online resource for you. And it's legal.
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Posted December 31, 2009 - 09:37 by Paul Michael
General Tips, DIY, Consumer Affairs
I buy things based on how they look as well as what they do. But what attracts you to objects also attracts thieves. And so, has the time come to "uglify your stuff?"
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Posted December 22, 2009 - 12:00 by Paul Michael
Consumer Affairs, Cars and Transportation
Yes, speeding tickets suck. And yes, they’re also a necessary deterrent; they come not just with fines and points on your license, but insurance rate hikes. This is also the time of year when more speeding tickets are issued, and you may be more likely to get one based on a few factors. Find out what they are.
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Posted December 14, 2009 - 06:00 by Paul Michael
Technology, Shopping
Recently, I upgraded to my very first smartphone. And, being the frugal shopper that I am, I quickly searched for the best apps I could find that would help me save money. I was lucky enough to come across Shop Savvy the same day I bought the phone, and so far, it has saved me hundreds of dollars.
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Posted December 7, 2009 - 07:00 by Paul Michael
Health and Beauty
This debate has been furiously argued on both sides for several months, so I thought I’d throw my hat in the ring. I lived with the British National Health Service (NHS) until I was 26 years old, and then I moved to America. For the last 9 years, I have lived with private healthcare. I am only one man with my own, personal opinions, but with so much being said about this, I thought I owed Wise Bread readers my point of view.
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Posted November 17, 2009 - 08:36 by Paul Michael
Shopping
I stumbled upon a website last week that gave me that feeling of being a hungry kid in a free candy store. The site offers amazing discounts on thousands of gadgets, and free shipping is the norm. This is one hot bookmark.
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Posted November 6, 2009 - 12:15 by Paul Michael
Shopping, Consumer Affairs
Recently, someone from "behind enemy lines" came forward to give us all invaluable tips on dealing with those harassing calls from telemarketers. Learn the secrets you need to know to protect yourself.
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Posted November 2, 2009 - 08:00 by Paul Michael
Shopping, Deals
With the exception of Christmas, Halloween is the most lucrative holiday for retailers. But as a frugal shopper, you can still be the star of the show next year, and you can spend a lot less money on costumes and spooky supplies.
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Posted October 23, 2009 - 07:00 by Paul Michael
Career Building
It seems ironic in this economy, and with a high unemployment rate, that anyone would want advice about getting kicked from a job. But last week a question was posed to me, and it was genuine — “How do I get laid off?” Here is some advice to follow, and even more advice to avoid.
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Posted October 15, 2009 - 07:00 by Paul Michael
Health and Beauty, Food and Drink, Consumer Affairs
Yes. Well, that's just my humble opinion, but I really don't see why this has so many people throwing their arms up in the air with shock. We tax liquor and cigarettes, neither of which are essentials in life. Why not tax something that is bad for our health, preventing more people from buying it and generating much-needed cash in the process?
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Posted September 24, 2009 - 07:22 by Paul Michael
Health and Beauty
I recently became a member of my wife’s gym. I had always hesitated, being a frugal person I preferred to work out at home with a few weights and some exercise DVDs. But, when I did join, I found out that my membership gives back in more ways than just my health. Cha-ching!
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Posted September 21, 2009 - 07:00 by Paul Michael
Frugal Living
As a writer for Wise Bread, I get a fair number of emails that actually offer advice, rather that asking for it. Most of the time that advice is sound. Usually, I will either already know about it, or feature it in an upcoming article. But occasionally I get stuff that makes me scratch my head. This is one list you do not want to miss.
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Posted September 8, 2009 - 13:01 by Paul Michael
Technology, DIY
If time is money, and I sincerely believe it is, then these five remote control hacks will save you a little of both. Some are time savers, others money savers, and some do both. They're all quick, easy and require very little, if any, extra materials.
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Posted September 2, 2009 - 06:00 by Paul Michael
Green Living, Consumer Affairs
I heard an interesting story the other day. A radio DJ was annoyed because when he went to pick up his boarding passes from the check in counter, he was handed them without any kind of ticket wallet to keep them together. The reason: “It’s our effort to save the environment sir.” But was it really just an effort to save money?
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Posted August 26, 2009 - 08:00 by Paul Michael
Food and Drink, Budgeting, Consumer Affairs
When I was a young lad, eating out was something of a luxury for my family. Most of our meals, at least 95%, were prepared and eaten at home. This was the model for most people my age or older. But these days, society has migrated to eating out of the home way more often. The result is that we’re spending a lot more on food than we used to. So, are there ways to chop the bill and eat out for less? You bet.
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Posted August 18, 2009 - 11:00 by Paul Michael
Technology
Aging a photograph used to be quite a skill. In fact, only the best retouchers could pull it off convincingly. Computers made the process easier; and programs like Adobe Photoshop have "actions" that can make it happen ever quicker and easier. But now, all you need is your digital photo and one Japanese website that can do the conversion in seconds.
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Posted August 14, 2009 - 12:00 by Paul Michael
Frugal Living, Life Hacks, General Tips
They say a change is as good as a rest. Well, they're right. My wife and I have had the same living room layout since we moved into our home. As our home is small, we just assumed it was the best arrangement for the space we had to work with. Then, one night as I steam-cleaned the carpets, my wife had a moment of inspiration that made all the difference.
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