Blog Posts by Cheapism.com

By Louis DeNicola, Cheapism.com

For many consumers, Santa's sleigh takes the form of a white or brown truck, and gifts arrive by way of the doorstep rather than the chimney. FedEx, UPS, and the U.S. Postal Service all promise to whisk a package shipped today across the country in time to go under a tree tomorrow. But can they do it without blowing your holiday budget? Cheapism obtained rate quotes for a variety of services from all three providers and, in every case, the Postal Service proved the cheapest option.

Are you shipping packages for the holidays?

Related: How to send holiday cards for less

Take, for example, a 5-pound package going to San Francisco from New York. In its search for cheap shipping, Cheapism found that overnight service would cost $85.07 (for delivery by 3 p.m.) or $91.76 (by 10:30 a.m.) with either FedEx or UPS and $52.20 at the Post Office, with guaranteed delivery by noon. If you print a shipping label at home and schedule a pickup through USPS.com, the rate is only $39.14.

Cheapism's

By Raechel Conover, Cheapism.com

Holiday shopping is in full swing and it seems as though Black Friday deals will never end. Smart consumers know, however, that just because everything appears to be on sale this month doesn't mean this is the moment to purchase certain items. What then, should you buy in December? The answer: toys, select electronics, select home goods, some Christmas goods, wedding dresses, and real estate. Although you may be in a splurging frame of mind, don't get sucked into deals on a gym membership, jewelry, or watches.

Toys like Legos are excellent buys for at the end of the month.

Related: Inexpensive children's toy recommendations

Toys. Toys may be on sale right now, but rushing out today to buy all the goodies that will go under the holiday tree doesn't make sense. The best toy deals of the year are yet to come. The two weeks leading up to Christmas see the deepest toy discounts, so hold off before hitting up the toy store.

Electronics. Electronics are a big holiday purchase for many folks. The best

By Raechel Conover, Cheapism.com

If you have a smartphone, there's a good chance you've installed at least a couple of free apps on it. But free software isn't just for smartphones. There are plenty of free PC downloads available for Windows 7 as well. Why are software makers willing to give away this "freeware"? Some free programs are basic but fully functional versions of paid programs. The software company gives away the free version in the hope that you'll upgrade to the full version. Other freeware comes with additional programs or features, such as toolbar add-ons, that companies pay the software maker to include. However, you should be able to opt out of those extra installs. Some software makers simply want to share their creations with everyone, so they give them away with no strings attached. Here are some of our top picks.

Check out these free computer programs.

Related: Best desktops Under $500

Picasa 3. If you have hundreds or even thousands of photos stored on your PC, you know that managing so

By Louis DeNicola, Cheapism.com

It's hard to beat curling up in bed on a cold winter day -- assuming you don't have old, shrunken, pilling sheets. If that describes your bedding, it's time to get a new set of sheets. You'll be using them every night, so it's worth spending a little money to make your bed inviting. Still, you don't need a stash of cash under your mattress to afford a decent set of sheets. Holiday sales often bring discounts on household linens, and Cheapism has found two queen sheet sets that retail for $50 or less -- no seasonal markdown necessary.

Snuggle up with these affordable alternatives to expensive bed sheets.

Related: Inexpensive space heaters

• Royal Velvet Pure Perfection sheets (starting at $50 for a queen set) have a thread count of 325 and come in a variety of colors. Reviewers note that the color and fabric hold up well, even after several washes. These sheets are made with Egyptian cotton, which is known for its high quality. The sateen weave adds softness. Another desirable feature is the elastic around the

By Louis DeNicola, Cheapism.com

Consumers have become accustomed to constant internet access, no matter where they are, without being tethered to a wall. With the range of wireless routers available today, setting up a home wireless network is fairly easy and inexpensive. After analyzing features and consulting expert and consumer reviews, Cheapism has singled out three reliable routers that can be had for less than $50.

Read our top three wireless router recommendations and decide for yourself.

Related: Best budget desktop computers

• The Linksys E1200 (starting at $44) is one of the more basic routers the company offers. The signal reaches about 175 feet, according to one expert review, and connects to 802.11b/g/n devices. The letters represent wireless standards overseen by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. Wireless-n is the latest and fastest to be ratified by the IEEE, with a maximum transfer speed of 300 megabits per second. In real-life testing, this router managed approximate speeds of 36 to 54 Mbps. The ease of

By Raechel Conover, Cheapism.com

In the perennial war among discount superstores Walmart, Target, and Kmart for shoppers' dollars, the edge goes to the retailer with the best and the most bargains. Cheapism found that Walmart scores a clear win with the cheapest prices and largest selection and holds its own in other realms that frugal and savvy customers consider important -- convenience, a pleasant shopping environment, and products they consider a good value. Target is pressing in from a position of strength and Kmart, once the biggest of the three, no longer competes in any aspect we considered important.

For this in-depth comparison of Walmart, Target, and Kmart in the 50th anniversary year for each, Cheapism took a multi-pronged approach. We sent a researcher into each store to check prices and evaluate the shopping experience. We also conducted consumer and expert interviews, fielded a Facebook poll, and analyzed online reviews.

By Teal Pelish, Cheapism.com

When winter weather renders your skin dry and scaly, resist the urge to reach for pricey creams and serums. Here are some simple winter skin care tips to get you through the season.

Related: Inexpensive women's shavers

Humidify Your Home. As the temperature falls, humidity tends to do the same, and the dry air leeches moisture from your skin. Indoor heat sources only make matters worse, so set the thermostat as low as you can bear. Dermatologists offering winter skin care tips online suggest using a humidifier in the rooms where you spend the most time. Consider investing in cheap humidifiers for your bedroom and your office. The best ones we found start at about $30 but will last longer than a jar of lotion.

Keeping dry skin at bay is the key.

Alternative ideas include simply placing bowls of water around your home. The water will slowly evaporate and add moisture to the air. People with notoriously dry radiator heat can place pots of water directly on their radiators.

By Louis DeNicola, Cheapism.com

As winter rolls in and the temperature begins to drop, the extra-warm comforters come out of the closets and the heat gets turned on. Using a programmable thermostat to run the heat only when you need it most can help keep your heating costs down and still keep your home nice and toasty. According to an estimate by the government's Energy Star program, if you use the recommended settings on a programmable thermostat, you can save an average of $180 a year.

A programmable thermostat can help you save money on your heating bill.

Related: Top reasonably-priced furnaces

At Cheapism we researched a variety of budget thermostats and found four models that should help you save money and stay warm.

• The Hunter 44260 (starting at $34) lets you set three different heating or cooling schedules: one five-day program (for the workweek) and two one-day programs (for the weekend). Reviewers note that the backlit display makes adjusting the thermostat easy at night. Some consumers say they've stuck with the Hunter brand