Blog Posts by Cheapism.com

By Alyssa Goldman, Cheapism.com

Mosquitoes and fleas and wasps … oh my! Insects are a major drawback of the summer months but there are simple and cheap ways to repel bugs naturally. We've compiled a life of tips and DIY projects that can minimize the ick factor this season.

DIY bug repellent. To cut costs, repel bugs naturally by making your own bug spray and lotion. Aside from the gratification of doing it yourself, you're sure to benefit from the chemical-free composition.

Don't let the bugs bite you.

Related: Best inexpensive lawn mower recommendations

Ingredients needed for a bug-repellent lotion bar include coconut oil; shea, coconut, or mango butter; beeswax; dried rosemary leaves; dried whole cloves; dried or fresh thyme; cinnamon powder; dried catnip; and mint leaf. The instructions at Wellness Mama are a bit time-consuming, but don't let that deter you.

An easier (but possibly less effective) way to keep the bugs away is DIY bug spray, with directions courtesy of the same site.

Read More »from How to Repel Bugs Naturally (and Cheaply)

By Alyssa Goldman, Cheapism.com

Summertime: The weather can sometimes bring delight and sometimes bring sweat and sunburn. Trading a spring jacket for a sun hat helps ward off those twin evils. Any cheap hat with a wide brim can help keep the sun off your face, but we looked for additional features such as breathable fabric and UV protection. Here are some of the best sun hats for men, women, and children for $25 or less.

Related: Cheap summer sunglasses

Henschel Aussie Breezer

Best Sun Hats for Men

Henschel Aussie Breezer
Price: $25
This American-made hat earns a very high rating on Amazon, where buyers say they often get compliments on the style. They credit the so-called CoolMax band with keeping moisture at bay and the mesh crown with keeping their heads cool. While this particular Breezer hat is made with cotton twill, you can find one with UPF 50+ fabric for greater protection from ultraviolet rays and slightly more money. Reviewers praise the quality construction and generous 3-inch Read More »from The Best Cheap Sun Hats for Women, Men, and Children

By Elizabeth Sheer, Cheapism.com

Cooking al fresco is one of the great delights of summer and cries out for cheap meats for grilling. Although you can cook just about anything over the coals, the centerpiece is usually a piece of meat.

Rib steak and T-bone are made for grilling but priced above many consumers' budget constraint. Cheaper cuts of beef, along with budget-friendly pork and poultry, are not only fine but potentially glorious. In a search for the best cheap meats for grilling we informally surveyed a random group of butchers and ardent outdoor cooks who pointed us to cuts that please the palate and reduce the cost of feeding a crowd.

Related: Recommended BBQ grills under $250

Beef. A grill aficionado who hails from South America, where grilling is very serious business, says the meat should be as plain as possible but accompanied by spicy and flavorful side dishes and dipping sauces. Many cheap meats for grilling are tough, though, and require a soak in a

Read More »from Best Cheap Meats for Grilling

By Louis DeNicola, Cheapism.com

Print books may not be dead yet, but ebooks are undoubtedly the future. They're space-saving, environmentally friendly, and often cheaper than their dead-tree counterparts. Ereaders and tablets are more affordable than ever. So, is it time for budget-conscious consumers to dump print and go all digital? Probably not.

Are eBooks a better bargain?

Related: Our cheap ereaders buying guide

The price point for ebooks has been in flux. Apple, one of the largest ebook sellers, is headed to court in June over an alleged price-fixing scheme. A Justice Department lawsuit accuses Apple of conspiring with publishers to put pressure on Amazon and up the cost of a new ebook from a standard $9.99 to $12.99 or $14.99. Still, ebooks are often cheaper than their paper cousins. While the Kindle edition of Gillian Flynn's Gone Girl is going for $12.99, the bestselling hardcover costs $16.25 on Amazon. Overall the average price of a top-25 ebook has fallen in recent months, according to

Read More »from Can Readers Save by Switching to Digital?

By Louis DeNicola, Cheapism.com

The best way to get a good deal is to shop around, right? But running from store to store can gobble up time and gas. That's where price matching comes in: Top retailers from Best Buy to Walmart have pledged to match competitors' prices, so you can get the best deals from around town with only one stop. Problem is, these guarantees are far from straightforward. Cheapism recently examined eight retailers' price-match policies and found scads of rules and exclusions. Here are seven things every bargain shopper should know about price matching.

Related: Which retailers offer the best price matching policies?

1. Most policies require the competitor to be a local store, but what qualifies as "local" may be up for debate. Retailers tend to leave it to store managers familiar with the area to decide what lies within the same market or within a "reasonable distance." Best Buy sets a specific radius of 25 miles, while JC Penney in Alaska will match the prices of

Read More »from 7 Keys to Successful Price Matching

By Teal Pelish, Cheapism.com

Memorial Day weekend is the official start of beach season. And while May is a bit early to hit the sale racks in search of cheap beach gear, there are still bargains to be had. Here are some deals on basic beach necessities for everyone under the sun.

Flip Flops. It's time to ditch the shoes and don the sandals. Old Navy is offering its all-time favorite flip flops in a wide range of sizes and colors at the extraordinarily economical starting price of $3.94 a pair; grab two or more at $2.50 a pair. If you're in the market for a more stylish deviation of this cult classic, you'll find an abundance of reasonably priced varieties from which to choose.

Be stylish with cheap flip flops!

Related: Top low-priced sunscreen available

Beach Basics. Sun bathe on the sand or dry off after a swim with a fun and festive beach towel, an absolute must-have piece of cheap beach gear. Colorful printed beach towels are available at Kmart, starting at $4.99 and topping out at less than $10. Walmart carries

Read More »from Where to Find Fun Beach Gear for Less

By Louis DeNicola, Cheapism.com

It seems that every month the official job report tells a different story. First it's all bad, then we're slowly climbing out of the recession, then there's a retreat. For all the back and forth uncertainty, the simple fact is you need a steady income to sustain yourself, and your family.

For many people these days the temp agency is a surefire way to land a job, even if it's part-time or short-term. For employers facing ambiguous economic signals, temporary workers provide the necessary labor without the cost of benefits or the complicated process of letting someone go if work dries up.

If you're shying away from a temp job while continuing your search for a full-time position, don't. Here's why you should consider pursuing both routes simultaneously.

Related: Top inexpensive desktop computers

1. They're working for you. Temp agencies, also known as staffing agencies, respond to the needs of their paying customers -- the companies

Read More »from 6 Reasons Why Temp Jobs Can Be Great

By Alyssa Goldman, Cheapism.com

Renting an apartment can be daunting, not to mention anxiety-inducing. So start with the most fundamental apartment-hunting question: What should I be looking for?

Friends, family, and coworkers all have opinions. But the key to apartment hunting is finding a space that you like and feel safe in. Here are some practical tips to help you locate your home sweet home.

1. Set a price range. Browsing through Craigslist might be entertaining, but knowing what you can afford will save you lots of time and energy. More importantly, being realistic will stave off disappointment.

Related: Top cheap GPS systems on the market

The first step in apartment hunting is determining how much your life costs each month (think entertainment, food, medical expenses, savings, clothes, fitness, etc.). Subtract that total from your monthly income and whatever remains can go towards rent. Remember to figure in an average cost for utilities (if they're not

Read More »from The 5 Must-Dos of Apartment Hunting