Real Estate & Homes

Cheapskate Wisdom from … a Locksmith

“People assume that the locks sold to the general public are secure. A lot of times, when the label says ‘fortress’ or ‘faultless’ or ‘defiant,’ they’re easy to pick, and the strength of the bolt isn’t very strong. The bottom line is, you get what you pay for.”

Houseplants So Low Maintenance Even You (Probably) Won’t Kill Them

Who needs a high-maintenance houseplant? If you’re going through the trouble of decorating your home with some greenery, it makes sense to buy something that’ll last—even if your home is as dark as a basement, your ability to remember to water is nearly nonexistent, and your thumbs aren’t remotely green.

Maximizing Your Halloween Candy Haul with Zillow

The real-estate site Zillow has created a trick-or-treat index. Factoring in data like home values, population density, walkability, and safety, the site tells trick-or-treaters what neighborhoods give the best chances of bringing home enough candy to scare any dentist silly.

Q&A with the IKEAhacker

Following the directions to put together a piece of IKEA furniture is so pedestrian. Sure, it’ll be cheap and functional, but where’s the challenge? And where’s the creativity? The Cheapskate Blog chats with the author of blog where people explain how they transformed IKEA products into things you’d never find in the catalogue—like, …

Ten Bizarre Theories on Saving and Spending

Poker teaches important lessons about saving and investing. Foreclosures are better than mortgage modification programs. Debit card overdraft fees are good for consumers. PMS is responsible for impulse purchases. There is no shortage of strange theories out there—and some of them are actually plausible.

Are You Stupid to Trust SmartMeters, Unit Prices, and Energy Star Labels?

The Energy Department admits it doesn’t properly track how and when manufacturers put Energy Star labels on products. The labels’ ratings, which are supposed to indicate a product’s energy efficiency, were “not accurate or verifiable,” according to the agency. In other words, products that are supposed to save you money, and that are …

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