Every year around this time, the fall bug bites me. All of those bright orange, yellow and red decorations jump from store shelves screaming, “Buy me! I’ll look the best on your front door!” Every year, I want to buy a brand new autumn-themed wreath. But wants and needs are two different things. I’m just too thrifty to drop $20 on something new to hang on my door every time the seasons change. Here are some simple options for inexpensive autumn decorating. They might take a little more time and effort, but time is money, and in this case, worth every penny for a savvy fall-themed home. Nature…

With our 2011 rainfall well above average for this time of year, some of us might have issues with excess moisture in our homes. Outside of hiring a waterproofing professional to come in and charge you half of next month’s salary, here are some simple and affordable ways to get your home back to a healthy state. Ceiling Fans For our family, moving into an old farmhouse meant adding some extra fixtures. One of the first investments we made was the purchase of a $70 ceiling fan for the kitchen. A house this old had some interesting smells. It’s an initial expense, but the value in keeping the …

New seasons often bring with them new opportunities to save, and fall is no exception. Here are six shopping categories in which you and your family may find deals this month: 1. Landscaping Plants and Trees Local nurseries know another harsh winter is on the way. Many landscaping plants won’t make it unless they’re offered a permanent home. Businesses also want to make room for holiday greens. This time of year often brings huge sales and discounts to existing stock. We hit a plant and tree auction last year at this time and scored BIG TIME, purchasing 10- to 15-foot trees for just $1 to $5 …

Did you know that the first coupon was a hand-written discount for Coca-Cola in 1886? Thank you Coca-Cola! For our family, it’s nearly sacrilege to purchase something without applying some sort of coupon, discount card or promo code. As a matter of fact, I stopped by McDonald’s on a whim last week, pulled into the parking lot and realized I had left my coupon book in the other car. It occurred to me to pull back out and drive all the way home just to get that coupon I had for “Buy One, Get One Free Menu Sandwich.” It felt sinful to make a purchase without using a coupon. I’m still asking for …

Gas prices are still near their all-time high. However, despite high fuel prices, many people still consider driving a necessity rather than a convenience.   It’s generally understood that speeding equates with poor gas mileage, but in addition to slowing down, there are other ways to save while you drive. Here are a few gas-conserving suggestions that will help you cut your fuel costs: Don’t do the drive-thru. Rather than sit in a line of idling vehicles as you wait for your fast food purchase or deposit your paycheck, park the car and walk inside the building. Instead of burning fuel, you’…

It never ceases to amaze me how quickly kids grow out of their shoes, or simply wear them out. By the end of summer, shoe replacement is more of a necessity than a desire. But in some cases, freshening up shoes that still fit can extend their lifespan. Either way, here are some easy ways to save on back-to-school shoes: Hit the local outlets. For example, Philadelphia Premium Outlets in Limerick offers 26 name-brand shoe retailers, such as Adidas, Bass, Converse, Crocs, Merrell, Skechers and Stride Rite Keds Sperry. My son found a great pair of Adidas sneakers here for just $10. For kicks, we…

It’s hot. It’s humid. It seems like any time of day is the right time for a cold treat. But how many days in a row can you realistically spend $3 (or more) at a commercial establishment just to keep that core body temperature down? It’s fun to splurge on a sweet treat every now and then, but wouldn’t it be nice to enjoy one every single day without the guilt that comes from spending money on 'to-go' beverages? This is also the time of year when fruit doesn't seem to last quite as long in the kitchen, and fruit flies seem to appear out of nowhere. Those of you with fruit trees certainly know …

For part one in this series, click here. One might assume that renting a private vacation house is more expensive than staying at a mid-range hotel. However, the savings you’ll see at the end of your vacation will surprise you if you consider this unique option. Popular vacation home rental websites such as www.vrbo.com, www.tripadvisor.com and www.homeaway.com are safe, reputable and offer guarantees on their rentals. The sites are free to use and list vacation properties internationally. A standard hotel room with two queens can average anywhere from $100 to $200 per night. Add your daily …

Vacation expenses can add up fast when going the traditional route of booking flights, hotels and rental cars directly through major transportation corporations. Over the next few weeks, we will offer some tips on how to enjoy a great vacation the “Savvy Saver” way. This week, we’ll focus on transportation. Use websites to book airfare and rental cars. A great resource for all of these is www.kayak.com. Kayak searches all of the major travel sites such as Expedia.com, Orbitz.com and Priceline.com to compare prices on car rentals, hotel rooms and airfare. Prices tend to fluctuate, so plan well…