Hot Today

Wise Bread articles that are hot today.

Plan for expensive fuel

Does your budget include a contingency for fuel to get much more expensive? Because it ought to. I learned about the need for contingencies early. [more]

Avoid Bank Fees

How do you avoid bank fees? Read the stuff from your bank and understand what services are free and what services aren't.

The Key to Frugality: Avoid the Fear Tax

Learn how to eliminate purchases made out of fear by asking yourself two simple questions.

Good Debt, Bad Debt

Whether debt is good or bad depends on how you spend the money. From best to worst, here are the four categories of debt that one writer uses.

Hungry? Have a drink.

The chances are, you're dehydrated right now. In fact, over 75% of the American population is deyhdrated, and worse still, over 80% know they are. No big deal? Well, it is actu

Perfect Peanut Sauce

Shake up your usual vegan fare with these kick-ass peanut sauces!

Our Lovely Lady Links

It's time once again for our linky love-fest. Jessica's post about security briefs got a lot of people thinking about where to stash their cash. Will caught the eye of It's Electric with his post about your chances of getting audited by the IRS. [more]

How to be happy

A lot of happiness (and unhappiness) comes from within. But there are other things that matter a lot: relationships, doing important work, living your life according to your valu

The sinking dollar

It takes more than $1.40 to buy one euro today. It cost less than $1 as recently as late 2002. A Canadian dollar is worth just about exactly a US dollar--a parity not seen since

Federal Student Loans

Depending on the type of help you need with paying for college, knowing the differences between government financial aid programs can make a big difference in finding a loan that r

Carry some cash

I recommend carrying some actual cash money. When I do that, a lot of people say, "Why? Everyplace I go takes credit and debit cards." In fact, I know people who brag about spen

Frugality goes international

The existence of a strong frugality movement in rich countries may be more of a surprise to people in the poor countries than the other way around. Still, with the economy the way

Germ Killin' Machine

Guarding against germs doesn't have to be a chemical-filled experience. To get rid of germs in your kitchen sponge (and there ARE germs in you kitchen sponge), do the following: [more]

Taxes on irregular income

This is really a non-issue, if you work a regular job:  Your employer withholds taxes.  It's also not much of an issue if you're self-employed and your income is reasonably

Check your statements

If a bogus transaction gets posted to your bank account or credit card, you have almost complete protection--just notify the bank that the transaction wasn't authorized and they ha

Quick travel ideas

So, I'm finishing up at my old job this week and things are crazy. Thus, I offer you some of the best travel tips that just might save you some money.

Peak Debt

Is there a limit to how much Americans can spend? Clearly there is: All they earn, minus savings and service on their existing debt, plus new borrowing. Since the Bureau of Econ

Get enough sleep

I have a theory about sleep. My theory is this: everyone who routinely uses an alarm clock suffers from chronic sleep deprivation. Using an alarm clock a few times a year (to c

20 Office Potluck Dishes Everyone Loves

Time to bring a dish to pass at the office? Win all the accolades with one of these workplace potluck recipes that never fail.

Food Hacks: Recipes

Stop spending money on pre-packaged foods you can whip up at home! These stables are so simple — we promise.