Free summer fun for kids: books

When I was a kid, I never could get enough books. We didn’t have many at home, but my father took all the kids old enough to read to the library every Saturday. Each of us could check out 10 books, and mine didn’t always last the week. I, of course, grew up to be [...]

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Buy hurricane food you’ll really eat

With so many people in South Florida struggling to make ends meet, the last thing you want to do is waste money on food you’ll never eat if we don’t have a major storm — and maybe even if we do.

When you do your pre-hurricane shopping, keep in mind the types of food [...]

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Find deals on concert tickets

I still remember my first concert: A friend and I went to see the Carpenters perform in 1970. We weren’t yet old enough to drive, so we had to take our mothers.

I saw a few free concerts in my youth: Harry Chapin, James Taylor. And a few I paid for: Bob Dylan, Joan [...]

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Advice to new college grads

If you’re a 2010 college graduate, we’re sure you have received all kinds of uplifting and inspiring advice. We’re going to give you some mundane, down-to-earth advice: Start managing your money right now.

We agree with everyone who has advised you to get a job, buy health insurance, avoid credit card debt, draw up [...]

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Free craft classes for kids

Would you like your children or grandchildren to learn how to build things even though you’re not the crafty type? National chain stores and local museums offer regular “make and take” classes for kids in which the little ones can make items and take them home.

Among the stores that offer free craft classes:

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Clipping coupons may not pay

As a personal finance columnist, I am supposed to advise you to clip coupons to save money. The truth is, it may not be worth your time.

Whether clipping grocery coupons will save you enough to compensate you for the time it takes to organize them depends upon your shopping habits and, even more, [...]

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It’s OK to buy bagged salad

I could be drummed out of the frugalista corps if this secret got around: I buy my salad ingredients already cut up.

Yes, I could save money if I bought heads of lettuce, washed, dried and cut them up myself. But I don’t save a thing if they sit in the refrigerator until they [...]

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