Paul Michael's blog

‘Tis The Season To Get A Speeding Ticket! Are You Next?

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 o

The Cell Phone App That's Saving Me A Small Fortune

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 l

I’ve Lived Both Sides of the Healthcare System. This Is What I've Learned.

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 wa

When They Say Extreme Deals, They’re Not Kidding!

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 shipp

Secrets of Telemarketing From an Industry Insider

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

Halloween Is Over. Now, Go and Buy Your Costume.

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

How to Get Laid Off: A Step-By-Step Guide

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

Should There Be a "Fat Tax" on Junk Food?

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

Being Healthy Can Have Big Cash Rewards

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 di

51 Unusual Money-Saving Tips from Readers

Looking for some unusual ways to save money? This list of 51 tips and tricks is bizarre but may just give you some ideas.

5 Quick Remote Control Hacks to Save You Time and Money

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.

Are Most Businesses Going Green Just to Save Some Green?

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 kin

A Cheapskate’s Guide to Eating Out

Are there ways to chop the bill and eat out for less? You bet.

Quick Hack: How To Age a Digital Photograph in Seconds

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

Cost of Rearranging the Furniture - $0. New Living Room - Priceless.

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

The Three F Rule Can Lead You to Happiness

In advertising, my chosen career, there is an unwritten rule for working with clients that makes everyone’s lives just a little better. It’s the three F rule. But when I explained

You Trade-In Your Car…Why Not Your Home?

Here’s a question for you that has been bugging me for years; why can’t home-builders follow the auto dealer’s classic model of old for new, and let people trade-in their old homes

How to Turn Average Talent into Fame and Fortune

Some people have great talent. Some don’t. And then, there are those people who are OK at something and yet, through smart thinking and ingenuity, create a niche for themselves tha

Cashflow: The Board Game That Will Teach You To Be Rich, If You Can Afford It.

Can a simple board game teach you the secrets of the wealthiest people alive? Is it possible to change your mindset, and your attitude to money, by playing a game? And can a board

Save Over $100 a Year by Shaving with a Cutthroat Razor

I despise paying the ridiculous prices Gillette and the like charge for razor cartridges. It seems as though the prices are directly aligned with the number of extra blades they pu