Blog Posts by Cheapism.com

By Louis DeNicola, Cheapism.com

We're about halfway through what could be one of the hottest summers on record and many lawns are looking baked, brown, and maybe a bit too long. Getting the grass green again might require a water bill to rival Sea World's, but keeping it trimmed requires only a reliable lawn mower. Prices for mowers can vary from as little as $100 to more than $1,000. Cheapism has done the research and found four low-cost models that are easy to start, maneuver, and maintain. Here are the top picks:

Related: Best budget lawn mowers

• Black & Decker MM275The lightweight, easy-to-use Black & Decker MM275 (starting at $169) is best for smaller lawns. It's an electric model with a cord, so you can't stray farther than 100 feet from an outlet. The 18-inch blade can be adjusted to cut the grass at any one of six heights from 1 to 3.5 inches. This model claims legions of admirers who have posted positive reviews online.

• Toro 20371The gas-powered Toro 20371 (starting at $299)

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By Richard Moy, Cheapism.com

Summer is ideal for getaways, both short and long. But the rising costs of airfare have made cheap summer travel a thing of the past. Still, there are plenty of ways to get your travel fix at a price you can afford. Here are a few tips on how to find cheap summer airfare.

Book early to save money on airline tickets.

Book early. Ticket prices rise as your desired travel date approaches, so book your flight as soon as you've decided to take a trip. The New York Times recently reported that a round-trip flight from Seattle to London jumped 35 percent in just four days. Once you find a cheap summer airfare, book it.

Related: Best budget airlines

Go directly through the carrier. Online resources such as CheapOair and Kayak are great resources for cheap summer travel. But airlines often guarantee the lowest fares through their own websites. Although travel websites offer cheap summer airfare, always check your preferred airline before booking.

Be flexible. Leaving for vacation on a

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By Kym Pham, Cheapism.com

Here's to lazy summer days: four cool, refreshing, and cheap summer treats you can make from the comfort of home.

Sparkling juice is a no-fuss summer treat.Sparkling juice. With temperatures climbing to record highs, turn up the cool with a little sparkle in your juice. JoyfulHomemaking shares a simple recipe: Pour a container of your favorite juice concentrate into a pitcher and add as much chilled seltzer as you would regular water.

Related: Best inexpensive blenders

No-cooking chopped salad. We were inspired by SmittenKitchen's recipe for a chopped salad using feta cheese, lime, and fresh mint. The cooking blog instructs home chefs to mix 3 cups of chopped vegetables (suggestions include radishes, cucumbers, cooked but still crunchy green beans), 1/2 cup of crumbled feta, 2 sliced scallions, about 2 tablespoons of chopped mint, and 1/3 cup toasted sunflower seeds. Separately, whisk 2 tablespoons of lime juice, 2 tablespoons of olive oil, and 1/4 teaspoon salt, and a pinch of

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By Kym Pham, Cheapism.com

Sometimes, summer means skipping out on grocery shopping day because the beach or a walk outside plead for your attention. And, well, you can always fall back on your pantry to concoct a cheap summer meal.

Quick and easy meal ideas for busy summer days.

This, of course, requires a well-stocked pantry. With budget-friendly staples in hand, you've got the foundation for a variety of cheap summer meals and a strategy for keeping your grocery bills in check.

Related: Cookware set reviews

Here's what you need to get started: sea salt, black peppercorns, olive oil, chicken bouillon, dried pasta, cooking wine, vinegar, herbs and spices, assortment of nuts, cans of diced tomatoes. Items to store in the fridge include garlic, lemon, and parmesan cheese.

Try spicing up your cooking repertoire with the following three recipes. Each uses some of the above ingredients, makes enough for two, and costs less than $3.

Related: Best inexpensive white wines

1. Lemon Garlic Pasta
Inspired by

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By Kym Pham, Cheapism.com

Many summer blockbusters just beg to be seen on the big screen (ahem, "Magic Mike"). But with ticket and concession prices so high, going out to the movies adds up quickly. These days, good budget Blu-ray players go for less than $150, making home viewing an enticing alternative. If you're willing to wait a few months for the Blu-ray release, you can ogle Channing Tatum in high-definition whenever you like.

Related: Best budget blu-ray players

See below for a preview of Cheapism's top picks for affordable Blu-ray players.

Panasonic DMP-BDT220The Panasonic DMP-BDT220 (starting at $130) provides outstanding video quality and features, according to expert reviews. In addition to the usual video and audio outputs, USB ports, and internet connectivity, it has an SD card slot for photo slide shows. Like many of the latest budget models, this one can not only play movies but also stream media from Netflix, Amazon, Hulu Plus, YouTube, and Pandora.

LG BP620The LG BP620 (starting

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By Raechel Conover, Cheapism.com

Blue skies abound, the sun is warm, and the grass is green - and you want to enjoy it with your special someone without busting the summer budget. Don't worry, we've got you covered with these low-cost, romantic summer date ideas.

These summer date ideas are great for couples on a budget.

1. Play in the park. Remember how much fun it was to play in the park when you were a kid? It's still fun for adults and makes for a carefree and cheap summer date. The next time you take out your special someone, hit up the local park and go prepared with games and activities. Items to bring along for the perfect summer date in the park: kite, Frisbee, football, baseball mitts and ball, blanket for lounging, snacks, sunscreen, bug spray, and plenty of water.

2. Attend a local fair or festival. Forget the local pub, you can do that in the winter. Instead, head out to the community fair or festival for a merry summer date. Take a spin on cheap rides, play cheap games, sample local foods and drinks, and enjoy

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By Victoria Kichuk, Cheapism.com

Gardening, as a hobby, can be expensive if you're not careful. You start off with a few planters and a rose bush, next thing you know you've got scalloped stone edging, custom trellises, and the finest organic tomato plants money can buy.

Growing your vegetables from seeds will save you money.

But there is another way: Keep your backyard and your wallet full of greenery with these cheap gardening tips.

The key to keeping gardening costs in check means taking a resourceful approach and getting your hands dirty. While your local garden center might carry hundreds of specialty plants, pots, and assorted green-thumb tools, most are unnecessary for a successful garden, particularly when growing vegetables.

Check the dollar store. We've already showcased our deep love for the dollar store in previous posts, but they are a cheap gardening tip not to be overlooked. Dollar Tree and other dollar-store chains often carry a limited selection of seeds, gloves, pots, and other supplies in season. While

Read More »from Cheap Gardening Tips for Starting Your Vegetable Garden

By Elizabeth Sheer, Cheapism.com

Along with summer come all kinds of sensory reminders about the pleasures of outdoor grilling. Staples like hamburgers and hot dogs, prime examples of cheap barbecue meats, are nearly universal on these shores. But that's no reason to limit your options. There are regional preferences worth considering and a wide assortment of relatively inexpensive cuts of meat that can liven up your barbecue feasts.

We spoke with several grilling aficionados and butchers to learn about their favorite cheap barbecue meats and were quickly convinced that delicious outdoor cooking needn't singe your household budget. In fact, some of the best barbecue treats come from cheaper cuts of meat. We've set our sights on beef, poultry, and pork. Generally speaking, lamb and exotic meats like bison and ostrich are way out of our price range.

Related: Best Budget BBQ grills

A bit of clarification is called for here: If you come from the south, you know there's a

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