Paul Michael's blog

What to Buy (and Avoid Buying) in December

It's peak shopping season, but not every buy is a peak deal. Learn where to find the big discounts this month — and where to freeze your spending.

Another 7 Travel Destinations Not Worth the Money

Travel can be an expensive headache — especially if your itinerary includes any of these seven pricey places.

10 Unexpected Jobs With Insane Travel

Sure, airline pilots travel a lot for work. But elevator repair techs? Learn about that and nine other careers that can satisfy your wanderlust.

Always Use Cash for These 5 Things

Nothing's easier for paying than swiping plastic, but cash is still king, and sometimes it'll save you some money, too.

10 Surprising Ways to Use Bungee Cords

Bungee cords come in many colors and sizes and that means you can be stylish when you're using them for more than tying down loose loads.

8 Things in Your Garage You Should Throw Out Today

It's likely your garage has become a safe place for all your old clutter. Quit hanging onto old junk and let it go. Start with this short list.

10 Surprising Things You Can Rent

In the long run, renting costs more. But if a short term fling is your thing, you can probably rent it — whatever "it" is.

What to Buy (and Avoid Buying) in November

Skip the iPad 3 Mini, but do reach for a new HDTV, which are stupendously cheap this month.

10 Ways to Repair a Burned Bridge

We've all ended a work or personal relationship badly. Mend a broken connection and you'll regain a valued friend or a colleague -- forever this time.

10 Types of Bargains You Should Skip

It's easy to be drawn in by BOGO's siren song — sometimes with actual sirens! But check the fine print and the math to make sure the deal is real.

12 Surprising Things You Should Keep in Your Fridge

No, this is not a list of 12 strange foods to keep in the refrigerator. It's a list of common non-food items that will benefit from the cold, too.

5 Customer Service Battles You Just Can't Win

Put your phone scripts away, give up escalating, and don't bother screaming because whatever happens, you're not getting your money back.

7 Things That Make You Look Cheap Without Actually Saving Much Money

We all should be sensible with our spending, but sometimes we go too far. Are you guilty of any of these false economies?

What to Buy (and Avoid Buying) in October

Scare up some deals on lawn care and denim this month, but hide from winter clothing and appliances, which are frightfully pricey this month.

7 More Travel Destinations That Aren't Worth the Money

These popular destinations get a lot of hype, but for the travelers who visit them, there's mostly a lot of disappointment. Don't be one of them!

The 8 Scariest Things Probably Coming to Air Travel

If you think flying coach is uncomfortable now, just wait until you see what the airline industry has planned for you!

8 Dark-Side Motivations to Start Saving

If the usual motivations to save aren't working (emergencies, big purchases, your future), let your dark side guide your money.

Are You a Hothead? 10 Things Patient People Never Say

Sometimes even the best of us lose our cool. If you find yourself belting out any of these phrases frequently — you may need to tone it down.

10 Little Words That Will Get You the Best Price, Every Time

There's nothing complicated about getting the best price — you just need to know what to say.

What to Buy (and Avoid Buying) in September

Autumn leaves will be falling soon and these are the deals you should rake up — as well as the over-priced stuff you should leave on the shelves.