Blog Posts by Cheapism.com

By Raechel Conovoer, Cheapism.com

Right now, your kids are no doubt on cloud nine - school is or just about out for the summer. But in short order, boredom will sink in, and whining, crankiness, and overall dissatisfaction - a major buzz-kill for the whole family - will no doubt follow. To hold boredom at bay, here are some kids' activities for summer that will keep their minds and bodies busy.

Get your kids excited about their summer reading with the Barnes & Noble rewards program.

1. Water play tops the list of fun summer activities for kids. Try these water activities for kids in the summer: organize a water balloon fight; set up the sprinkler so the kids can romp through; tape trash bags together and spray with the hose for a homemade slip n' slide. And don't forget to pull out a water table or kiddie pool for the really little ones. Don't have a water table? Improvise with any large plastic container.

2. Put up a lemonade stand or organize a bake sale. Teach kids about money and responsibility with one of these popular summer activities for kids. Give

Read More »from Keep Boredom at Bay with 10 Cheap Summer Activities for Kids

By Raechel Conover, Cheapism.com

The first day of summer ushered in record temperatures in the Northeast and sweltering weather throughout the country. In this kind of heat, keeping a lid on the air conditioning bill during the summer is a challenge. It's so tempting to just reach for the dial. But before you do, consider these beat-the-summer-heat alternatives.

Creating a breeze with a cheap fan is a frugal alternative to lowering the thermostat.

Keep curtains and shutters closed. During the day this keeps the sun from streaming directly in. If it's still warm, invest in dark or heat-blocking curtains -- a cash outlay, yes, but surely cheaper than several months of steep AC bills.

Related: Cheap air conditioner reviews

Don't leave windows open. Except at night. That's right -- open your windows at night to let in cooler air and shut them first thing in the morning (preferably before the sun comes up) to lock in the cool air and beat the summer heat.

Hang wet sheets in front of windows. Some summer nights just don't cool down and the house still

Read More »from Tips for Keeping Cool Without Cranking Up the AC & the Best Budget Air Conditioners

By Kym Pham, Cheapism.com

Some may like it hot, but most don't like it humid. The dampness that often accompanies warm weather can be blamed for allergic reactions, musty smells, mold, mildew, and bad hair days. A dehumidifier to combat these ills could easily set you back several hundred dollars, or even a few thousand dollars for a whole-house system. Cheapism's top budget dehumidifiers can remove excess humidity from large spaces without removing too much money from your wallet.

Users like that this Frigidaire dehumidifier is easy to use and effective.

• The Soleus Air DP1-70-03 boasts a capacity of 70 pints per day and starts at $179. A three-speed fan gives you the option of turning the unit down so it runs little more quietly. In online reviews, many consumers say this dehumidifier is just the thing for a damp basement. Among its many useful features: It restarts automatically after a power outage, can be set to turn off after two or four hours, and automatically defrosts if it's cold enough for the coils to freeze.

• The Frigidaire FAD504DUD is a

Read More »from The Best Dehumidifiers that Won't Bleed You Dry

By Gina Briles, Cheapism.com

Outlet malls attract bargain-hunters in droves and claim to offer significant savings over retail, but have you ever wondered what you're really getting for your money? Is it worth making a special trip to the factory outlets for summer gear, or will you do better shopping the sales at your retail mall?

Cheapism enlisted a secret shopper to find answers to these questions. Our researcher compared summertime staples in the areas of quality, selection, and price in order to separate good deals from clever marketing. We conducted a similar exercise prior to the holiday shopping season.

Jewelry was 40% off at the Banana Republic outlet.

Here's what we found: Outlet shopping can yield good deals if you know what to look for and forswear illusions about what you're buying. For the best selection of sizes, colors and styles, and often for the most convenient locations, retail malls are destination of choice. Moreover, product quality and customer experience are generally on a higher level. But if

Read More »from Outlet Vs. Retail - Summer Shopping Comparison

By Raechel Conover, Cheapism.com

The next time you need dinner in a hurry or don't feel like cooking, skip the costly drive-thru and check out your freezer. With just a little planning you can freeze food ahead of time and enjoy quick, cheap, and nutritious meals when you want them. Here are some tips for how to freeze food.

If done properly, dairy, meats, vegetables and fruits can all be frozen.Food to Freeze. The good news is that just about any fresh food can be turned into frozen food, and that includes milk and dairy products, bread, produce, and meat. The key is knowing how to freeze food and how long any particular item should remain frozen. According to the USDA, food can be frozen indefinitely if proper procedures are followed, although longer stints in the freezer are a drag on quality.

Here's a rundown of the maximum length of time to freeze food:

• Milk: six months
• Cheese: up to three months
• Yogurt: up to three months
• Casseroles, soups, and stews: up to three months, but go by the ingredient with the shortest freezing

Read More »from Stretch Your Dollar: Freezing Food to Save Money

By Kara Reinhardt, Cheapism.com

Do you have a dad or husband who's tough to buy for? With Father's Day fast approaching, standbys such as watches, tools, and ties beckon. Unfortunately for anyone on a budget, these often prove to be pricey gifts. If, instead, you opt for a synthetic tie over a silk one or neglect to get your guy's preferred brand of drill, the difference between upscale and down is usually quite apparent. Wrap up a high-quality budget watch, however, and he's less likely to suspect how little you spent (although you may want to tip your hand and impress Dad with your financial responsibility). Below are Cheapism's top picks for watches under $35, including a couple of options for women, too.Our top pick for men's waches is the Timex Easy Reader.

Related: Inexpensive eyeglasses

• The Timex 1440 T5J151 is a sporty digital watch for women that starts at just $12. The complications include a 24-hour timer, a calendar, an alarm, and a stopwatch. In online reviews, women who've worn this watch deem it comfortable and

Read More »from Buying Time: The Best Budget Watches

By Richard Moy, Cheapism.com

A cute, cheap pair of sunglasses is easy enough to find at a street fair or mall kiosk. But budget shades that will fully protect your eyes and stand up to the demands of summer sports? They can be as scarce as sunny days in Alaska. Instead of adding to the pile of busted bargain sunglasses or investing in an expensive pair only to lose them, check out Cheapism's top picks for sunglasses on a budget.

• JiMarti sunglasses are geared toward anyone itching to spend most of the summer outside. They win fans for their wraparound style and overall fit and comfort. Consumers posting reviews online comment that, at times, they forget they're even wearing these sunglasses. The line starts at $13 and stands out with a lifetime breakage warranty.
• Sunbelt sunglasses excel at blocking out the sun without sacrificing fashion, according to online reviews. This brand offers a wide variety of styles, including more than 30 specifically for women. The

Read More »from Budget Sunglasses that Will Stand Up to Summer Fun

By Richard Moy, Cheapism.com

Dad may say he doesn't need anything for Father's Day, but that doesn't mean a thoughtful gift won't mean a lot to him. If you're having trouble finding something that won't end up at the bottom of a sock drawer (or, worse, at the bottom of a return bin), here are a few memorable yet cheap Father's Day gifts to consider.

Get dad out on the course with deals on golf memberships.Get him out on the golf course. This classic idea may not seem like a cheap Father's Day gift, but if your dad sometimes fancies himself the second coming of Tiger Woods, there are plenty of daily deal websites that can bring the gift of golf within reach. Sites such as Yipit, which aggregates daily deals, offer dedicated golf or sports categories to make your gift-buying quest easier. Groupon is offering a one-year membership to Golf Card International for $29, which entitles Dad to discounts on green fees at nearly 3,000 golf courses. (Check the course directory to see how many are nearby.)

Try online retailers such as

Read More »from Go Beyond Socks and Ties: Affordable Father's Day Gifts