Articles on Shopping

Are Extended Warranties Ever a Good Deal?

I've never bought a lottery ticket, but I do often buy extended warranties. Why? Because I am brutal on my possessions. I drop them, I spill things on them, I crash them into thing

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

The Law (of) Suits: Insurance for Men

If you are of working age and not independently wealthy through some sort of athletic ability, pop song, technological innovation or government bailout or defense contract, you nee

Are Americans Experiencing Frugality Fatigue?

Are Americans suffering from "frugality fatigue"? After a year of tightened belts and tighter fists, we're reaching for our wallets again and returning to our bad old ways. Or so t

Network Marketing Parties: Opportunity or Emotional Blackmail?

The crux of network party-marketing: feelings. Should your emotions enter into your shopping experience? At these parties, I have experienced the feeling of largesse because I coul

Cheapism.com: Where Cheap is Chic

Cheapism.com is a free service that helps consumers find the best of the cheapest items, weeding out cheap junk in favor of quality inexpensive items. Just because it is cheap, doe

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

What Is a “Value-Added Tax,” Anyway?

Probably due to the fact that my monthly health insurance premiums rose dramatically this year, and also because I am about to take a state-mandated 5% pay cut, my ears really per

$80 for an HDMI Cable? Give Me a Break!

"You should never pay more than $10 for a standard six-foot HDMI cable" -CNET

How to Save Money During the Halloween Rush

With the Halloween season upon me, I realize that there is a great push to spend money. Even if I'm on a budget and saving money, that temptation to blow my budget isn't too far ou

28 Ways to Have Cheap Halloween Fun

Halloween spending has come to rival the Christmas shopping season -- a boon to retailers but not so much to debt-strapped consumers. Here are some ideas for skipping Halloween exp

5 Reasons We’re Spending MORE on Halloween Costumes This Year

The frugal gal in me would seem poised to present several homemade options for the trick-or-treat crowd. After some careful thought and an analysis of what we truly needed for cost

Who has the time (or money) for deals?

I pay almost no attention to "deals" sites. I scarcely even read the lists of deals here on Wise Bread. There are several reasons, but they pretty much come down to two things: I d

7 Ways to Get the Best Fall and Holiday Travel Deals

This year especially, traveling will be easier on the wallet. If you're planning to get away in the next few months, here are some tips to get the best travel deals.

The Ultimate Thrift Store: How Far Will You Go for a Bargain?

Do you brag about your thrift-store finds? You might be overpaying! Find out about "dump" thrift stores.

Outfit Your Nursery for Less: 10 Tips for Finding Low-Cost, High-Quality Things You Need for Your Baby

Are you having a baby or do you know someone who is? It's an expensive process, particularly when it comes to buying all the accessories that seem to come along with having childre

Craigslist Shopping 101

Here are the basic details of how Craigslist works and the tools that can give you the advantage in buying only the best!

Menu Planning Backwards and Forwards

We all know it saves time and money to plan a weekly dinner menu. You're also more likely to eat a healthy diet and less likely to cop out and pick up a Big Mac, because you know y

50 Best Deals and Coupon Sites

Coupon users are no longer scrooges but sages, wisely spending by saving. Here are a list of 50 great deals and coupon sites dedicated to serving savvy shoppers like you.

Twitter Can Save You Money with Deals and Coupons

Want a coupon to try out Yoplait Whips for free? Bargainbriana shared one on Twitter. How about a buy-one-get-one-free deal at Denny's? Coupondivas offered one on Twitter, as well.