ArcaMax

Q: My downstairs neighbor often hangs out on his porch, which is directly under ours, and due to his drinking and smoking pot, we hear loud, explicit conversations into the early morning hours at least twice a month. Our bylaws state that “quiet time” is between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m., but the HOA says they can only send him a reminder letter. I...Read more

These days, grocery prices can make you feel like you need a financial adviser just to navigate the supermarket aisles. But instead of cringing every time you see the price of your favorite items, there's a better solution -- thrifty meals that don't sacrifice taste or nutrition. I'm talking about meals that fill us up, make us smile, and don't ...Read more

I know what you're thinking. "Unstealable"? That's a pretty bold claim. But hear me out. You might not be able to make your car completely theftproof, but you can make it such a pain to steal that thieves will take one look, roll their eyes and move on to an easier target.

LOCK YOUR DOORS AND WINDOWS (NO, SERIOUSLY)

This is where I hit you ...Read more

Let's be honest. Most of us have dabbled in hobbies that didn't quite lead to anything. We've all spent a little too much time scrolling social media or binge-watching shows (I see you, entire weekend lost to Netflix). But what if your hobbies could actually make you smarter? I'm talking about productive hobbies -- the ones that not only fill ...Read more

I am a single Black woman, and I can apply for a credit card all by myself.

Thankfully, this is an easy (and obvious) declaration for me to make today. Unfortunately, it wasn’t so long ago that things were a lot more complicated. Before 1974, it was perfectly legal for lenders to deny me credit based solely on my gender and race.

The Equal ...Read more

When the letter came, Sonia Wignall didn’t believe it.

Why would she? Her debt was a stress-inducing albatross on her financial health and a stain on her credit rating. And, yes, she owed that $33,000 for a good reason, as she borrowed the money when she’d been forced to cut back on work to care for her dying father. But, really, who was ...Read more

Over the years I've received thousands of money-saving tips from readers -- many of which I've shared in books, newsletters and this column. And there are plenty that I've not shared for a variety of reasons, but mostly because they don't work. Some work so poorly, they end up costing time and money and not saving a thing! Today's first question...Read more

Q: I recently graduated and landed a good job. I am about to rent my first apartment and want to make sure I don’t make a mistake. What should I look out for? — Christine

A: Renting a home is a significant commitment, not only because of the legal agreements involved but also due to the time and effort it takes to find and settle into a new...Read more

Does this happen to you? You get so involved in doing something that you completely lose track of time? You're shocked to look up and see it's time to go home when it feels like you just got back from lunch. Or you sit down for a few minutes to start a new book and suddenly you're on Chapter 21?

Happens to me when I open my email inbox. I can ...Read more

Today I have surprising uses for the dishwasher as recommended by my awesome readers, plus a few tips for making sure that machine does its official job well.

Safe from the Storm: Here in hurricane country, it is recommended that you stick all your important papers into freezer bags and put them in the dishwasher when a storm is approaching. ...Read more

Clogged drains -- ah, the household menace that strikes when you least expect it, right in the middle of washing dishes or taking a shower. It's like they're in cahoots with your Monday morning. But before you throw in the towel, take a breath: You've got this. Here are five tried-and-true methods to unclog a household drain that don't involve ...Read more