ArcaMax

Q: Our landlord recently sold the house we have been renting. The sale happened in the middle of the month, and now the new owner wants us to pay him for the remainder of the month even though we have already paid the prior landlord for the whole month. And he wants us to pay the water bill, even though we never have in the past. What are our ...Read more

A perfectly orchestrated backyard party took an ugly turn as the bounce house emptied all 15 little friends who, joined by twice as many adults, gathered around to watch the 5-year-old open a mountain of gifts. At that moment the birthday girl melted into a puddle of tears.

Little Emily's embarrassed parents threatened punishment if she didn't ...Read more

U.S. mortgage rates declined last week to the lowest level since September 2022 in anticipation of Federal Reserve interest-rate cuts, stoking an influx of applications for home purchases and refinancing.

The contract rate on a 30-year fixed mortgage dropped 14 basis points to 6.15% in the week ended Sept. 13, Mortgage Bankers Association data ...Read more

Once a week I worry that after all these years my faithful readers will simply run out of ideas. New and clever tips, tricks and clever hints will fade into extinction. But every week I get to put my worries to rest. Just look at all the great tips that recently showed up in my inbox.

PIE PROTECTORS

If you ever need to transport a pie but don'...Read more

A recent report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reveals a shocking reality: Poor diet is still a major threat to our health. In fact, unhealthy eating habits now contribute to over 678,000 deaths in the U.S. each year, surpassing even tobacco use as the leading cause of preventable death. This means that what's on our plates ...Read more

If your grocery bill feels more like a mortgage payment these days, you're not imagining it. Even though inflation's been slowing, grocery prices have climbed about 21% over the past few years. Unlike that fancy latte, groceries aren't optional. But while we can't control the prices, we can outsmart them with a few clever strategies.

REMEMBER ...Read more

Landlords for offices, apartment complexes and other commercial real estate have $1.5 trillion of debt due by the end of next year, according to Jones Lang LaSalle Inc. That leaves a gap of as much as $400 billion between the amount owed and the capital available for refinancing.

The value of buildings has broadly dropped after higher interest ...Read more

Q: We live in a small condominium. Our board just told us that we need to pay extra each month for the next few years to cover the cost of renovations, including the little gym near the lobby. They did not ask us if we were OK with this or put it up for a vote. We never use the gym. Can they make us pay for this? —Henri

A: In condominium ...Read more

Compared to my grandmother, I'm a lazy bum. While my generation hires out domestic tasks without a second thought, she and my grandfather focused on how much money they could sock away for emergencies and their "old age."

They both lived to just shy of 100, never needing Medicaid, government assistance* or a handout. They owned their home ...Read more

It's official. My readers are the best (and not bad-looking either). Not only are you loyal, but you've also made mail time the highlight of my day. Your letters and tips are fantastic, and when you send in advertisements, credit offers and consumer ripoffs, it shows me you're paying attention. And it seems you're getting pretty good at it too. ...Read more

Did you happen to catch the episode of "Dr. Phil" on weddings? One couple was having a major disagreement over the cost of their impending nuptials and came to Dr. Phil to help them find a solution. He has $2,500 in savings, she has none. That's OK, I thought. At least they are talking in terms of cash.

Then the bride dropped the bomb: Because ...Read more