Articles on Life Hacks

Walt Disney Offers Refunds for Baby Einstein DVDs

A group of lawyers threatened a class action lawsuit last year against Disney for deceptive practices since their Baby Einstein videos are heavily marketed as educational but resea

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

10 Ways to Make Money for the MySpace Generation

I can recall thinking that the internet was all fun to play with, but I didn’t see the big picture of how it would so drastically change the world that we live in. Luckily, all the

Tools to Get Organized, Family Style

Many people think I’m incredibly well organized because I can easily manage (certain) projects and recite dates, locations, deadlines, etc. for my family’s activities. The truth is

5 Online Tools to Help You Land a Job

There are social media tools out there that — when utilized properly — are a great resource to build a personal brand and online portfolio, as well as to network for a job (unlike

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

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

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

Recession Journal V: Mind, The GAP

Some well known mainstays of Corporate America have decided not to wait for an official recovery but to sell the idea of it to you. Can we collectively as corporate citizens and co

Phishing Scams Continue to Plague Social Media Sites

Social Media networks like Facebook and Twitter are going through unprecedented growth. Unfortunately, this growth makes them a target for spammers and scammers. We break down a

Ode to the Ecofan

Considering whether buying an Ecofan is worth the price to keep you warm this winter?

Is a Prepaid Debit Card Really Cheaper and Better than a Bank Debit Card?

A few month ago, my husband received an unsolicited Visa Debit Card from NetSpend and I wrote about it here on Wise Bread. What I found interesting was that several commenters defe

Cheap and Easy Halloween Costumes for Kids

I love Halloween but hate paying high prices for kids' costumes. Over the years, I have managed to create a few costumes cheaply.

Don't Go to College to Learn

There are good reasons to go to college. And, if you do go to college, you will no doubt learn a lot. But you can learn anywhere — and probably learn more, better, and fast

5 Ways Self Storage Units Are More Sad Museums Than Savvy Solutions

This week I did an intervention on Sarah, one of my dearest friends. Sarah has a substance abuse problem -- but not with drugs. Sarah has a problem with self storage.

Beyond the Slow Cooker: 10 Eco- and Budget-Friendly Household Helpers That Progress Left Behind

Cleaning? Cooking? Ugh, you say. Make friends with it, compadre; they’ve got to be part of the frugal warrior’s toolkit. I look for ways to make it easier and cheaper, because when

Can You Survive with One Car in Suburbia?

Do you live in suburbia? It seems everyone who does has two (or more) cars in their driveway. Is it a necessity for everyone, though? Is it possible to lead a one-car lifestyle whi

Tips and Tricks for Dealing with a Recalcitrant HMO

Most of us will, at one time or another, have to struggle with our insurance company over payment approval, referral approval, or any one of a myriad of other common issues. Here a

Six Ways an iPhone Can Save You Money

A lot of people find themselves wondering if phones like the iPhone are worth the money. Here are 6 reasons why they are.

9 Money Saving Reasons to Buy a Food Dehydrator

Food dehydrators can save you money and time, and are very affordable these days. Here are nine ways a dehydrator can help you stretch your budget

Reject Variable Terms and Conditions

Ordinary business transactions used to be governed by long-standing laws and customs that had been developed to make them fair to both sides. Over the last fifty years or so--basic