Joining in the royal wedding frenzy, and arguably slightly more tasteful than souvenirs like Crown Jewels condoms, here’s this week’s roundup of consumer and personal finance tips—including some money-saving advice to take away from William and Kate’s nuptials.
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112 Money Tips: Smart Home Renovations, a Guy’s Guide to At-Home Dinner Dates, and Savings Strategies Too Extreme for Most
This week’s roundup also features tips from a couple who manage to throw a wedding for mere $2,500.
96 Money Tips: Smart 401(k) Saving, Dumb Pawn Shop Purchases, and More
This week’s roundup also includes insights on technology rip-offs, the future of coupons, and tactics for handling everything from hard-nosed negotiations to selling stuff on Craigslist.
134 Money Tips: Help with Old Furniture, Old Wedding Dresses, Old Yard Sale Junk, Old Bread, and More
Also, why you should forget about self-help gurus—and follow the lead set by leprechauns instead.
Used iPads Flood the Resale Market
So does that mean you’ll be able to scoop up a used, first-generation iPad on the cheap?
Cheapskate Wisdom … from an Expert Flea Market Shopper
“If you’re buying trendy stuff, you’re going to spend more on it.”
Is Best Buy’s ‘Buy Back’ Program a Good Buy?
“This plan seems more like a way for a retailer to add a higher-profit item to a low-margin sale than a great way for consumers to get a break on new gear. And it will make even less sense after Saturday when the program is no longer free.”
Trade In & Upgrade: How Buying a Cell Phone Is Like Visiting a Car Dealership
When buying a new car, trading in an old one is often part of the deal. Now, when consumers feel the need to upgrade their cell phones, it’s easy to trade in or sell their old handsets at the same store where they’re making their new purchase—including retailers like Kmart, Target, Office Depot, and RadioShack.
Quick Tip: Why Right Now Is a Great Time to Shop Secondhand Stores
“Ever wonder what happens to the returned items that retailers take back from consumers, but can’t sell back on their shelves? A trip to a thrift store during this time of year will answer that question.”
Secondhand Challenge: No Buying New Stuff for an Entire Year
A family from Alberta, Canada, has nearly completed a year-long experiment in which everything they buy—with a few exceptions for things like food and hygiene—must be previously owned.
Friday List: 191 Good, Bad, and Ugly Money Tips
Good, as in karma from accepting hand-me-downs graciously. Bad, as in “money jerks” who don’t pitch in for their share of restaurant bills (tips included) or who are constantly hitting you up to contribute to fundraisers. And Ugly, as in regularly checking the obituaries—so that you can anticipate where you’re likely to be able to …
Why Buy Something If You’re Only Going to Use It Once?
Even if you think you’ll need the item multiple times, why bother paying full price for a new one when you can get it secondhand for a fraction of the retail cost?
