Cara Reynolds – SUM180 Community Manager

If saving money is a priority, then consider cutting your grocery bill by growing your own food. It’s easier than it sounds.

Why might a non-gardener consider starting a fruit or vegetable garden?

Aside from the superior taste of fresh produce and the health benefits of having it readily accessible, it’s also quite likely that your gro…[Read more]

A few simple tricks can make a big difference in your monthly electric bill.

Use your curtains. Leave curtains open during the day in winter time, to allow sunlight to naturally warm your home. In the summer, keep curtains shut in rooms where sunlight hits.
Launder everything in cold water. 90% of the energy used by a top-loading washing…[Read more]

Furniture is a big ticket purchase for most of us. Here are some shopping strategies that others have used to maximize their furniture budget.

1. Shop big seasonal sales. If you can afford to wait for the right time of year (typically from December to January, then again from May to August), you can often find furniture bargains at up to…[Read more]

Renting a room in your house is one way to make your monthly mortgage payment easier on your budget. This solution can be particularly appealing to empty nesters who suddenly find themselves with more house than they absolutely need.

If you’ve never rented out part of your house before, it may seem like a daunting prospect. Can you make t…[Read more]

Some scholarships are merit-based while others are designed for a specific group of people. Some are small while others can cover the entire cost of your tuition. In general, it’s worth applying for any and all scholarships for which you may qualify. This is money that never needs to be repaid and will lower the cost of your e…[Read more]

Okay, full disclosure. I had to do some serious research to write this post, because frankly, it’s not something that comes naturally. I’m frugal about things like entertainment or dining out, but I rarely think about my monthly beauty expenses as something to be actively managed. And, I’ll be honest – many of the beauty savings strategies I did l…[Read more]

Okay, full disclosure. I had to do some serious research to write this post, because frankly, it’s not something that comes naturally. I’m frugal about things like entertainment or dining out, but I rarely think about my monthly beauty expenses as something to be actively managed. And, I’ll be honest – many of the beauty savings strategies I did l…[Read more]