Blog Posts by Cheapism.com

By Louis DeNicola, Cheapism.com

It's just about time for swimming pools, water slides, and beach days and that means cheap swimwear for men and the kids are must-have items. If the youngsters have outgrown last year's swimsuit and your guy's trunks are now too big (or too small), check out any or all of the retailers noted below as you search for budget-friendly replacements.

Related: Reviews and recommendations for the best inexpensive diet plans

Find styles for her, him and child.

Taking a not-so-scientific approach to finding cheap swimwear, we scoped out the cost of bathing suits for men, boys, and junior-size girls offered through the online shops of six major retailers. After estimating average costs at Gap, JC Penney, Macy's, Old Navy, Target, and Walmart, we found that men's and boy's swimwear or a junior girl's one-piece swimsuit or two-piece bikini are readily available for less than $25. In several cases we found a cheap bathing suit priced below $10, although in limited styles and colors. At the

By Louis DeNicola, Cheapism.com

With dinner and a movie easily costing upwards of $70, the stereotypical date night has been priced out of many peoples' budgets. Indeed, it's natural to wonder whether cheap movie tickets are just a relic of days gone by. In some cities matinee tickets go for more than $10 a pop, and IMAX, 3-D, and other special screen options often add on extra charges.

Save money at the movies!

To give you some relief from sticker shock, we hunted down ways to save when going to the movies. Solutions come from startups, corporate promotions, and even from theaters that reward loyal customers.

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Launched last July to help college students in Santa Cruz, CA afford summer movies, Dealflicks has since spread to theaters across the country. The company helps movie theaters fill up seats that would otherwise sit empty by allowing them to discount ticket prices at the box office (exactly how much is at the theater's discretion). Through the company site or app

By Alyssa Goldman, Cheapism.com

The only thing more frightening than trying on a swimsuit? Seeing its price tag and shelling out big bucks.

But fear not. Whether you're a beach bum or a pool-side mom, there are plenty of cheap swimsuit websites for women. The best part -- you can try on the swimsuit in the privacy of your own home.

Swimwear-Country.net. This site aims to be the one-stop shop for affordable and fashionable swimwear. Regardless of the need -- a bathing suit for a water aerobics class or for a cruise - Swimwear Country stocks a suit for every occasion. Shoppers can find big-name brands at budget prices at this cheap swimsuit website, and most of the inventory sits within the $30-$50 range. Even swimwear in the "designer bikinis" subsection is priced at relatively reasonable rates ($50-$190). In the "clearance" section, some bathing suits cost as little as $16. To minimize returns and exchanges, the site provides a sizing chart for each suit. As for shipping

By Cheapism.com

Like many things in life, preparing and enjoying cheap healthy meals requires just a bit of forethought. Keep your kitchen stocked with staples like canned beans, pasta, brown rice, quinoa, nuts, and frozen veggies. Liven things up with perishables like fresh fruits and veggies from the farmer's market, lean cuts of meat, low-fat dairy, and cheap bags of baking potatoes. And make sure the spice cupboard isn't bare: seasonings are your best friend in healthy cheap recipes because they let you cut the sodium that's often added to boost flavor.

There are numerous options for cheap vegetarian cuisine.

Related: Cheap cookware buying guide

You can easily turn cheap healthy recipes into vegetarian delights by skipping the meat and adding protein in the form of beans or eggs. If you're looking for cheap low-calorie vegetarian meals, just avoid recipes that call for meat. And that means fish and seafood, too -- strict vegetarians don't eat these foods, either.

Good recipes are a must-have resource for the vegetarian

By Alyssa Goldman, Cheapism.com

Whether your graduate has completed high school or college, he or she should be equipped with certain tools for the next chapter in their lives. We've compiled a list of cheap graduation gift ideas that will help your soon-to-be college student survive the dorms and help your new adult survive the real world.

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1. Toolbox. Because grown-ups are responsible for fixing things in their apartment or dorm room, the first item on the life-kit list is a toolbox. A hammer will come in handy for hanging artwork, a screwdriver is perfect for assembling furniture, and a wrench will stop that leaky sink. A 53-piece tool set from Apollo Precision Tools includes all the essentials for home repairs and costs less than $30.

2. Shower caddy kit. For a high school graduate heading off to a college dorm room in the fall, a shower caddy is a must. Make the pre-college shopping a bit easier by stocking the caddy with personal

By Alyssa Goldman, Cheapism.com

Take a look at your yard -- the grass can always be greener.

If you're like many homeowners, you pay more attention to the interior of your house than to your garden. But consider this: More people see (and judge) your landscaping.

Fortunately, sprucing up the yard or porch is cheaper than redoing the kitchen or bathroom. We've compiled a list of eight cheap landscaping ideas.

Related: Which garden center chain gives the best value?

1. Contain your plants. Add pizazz to your front porch with container plants. This simple trick instantly makes your home more welcoming. Containers and plants should be different in type and size and placed on varying levels. Stick with the cheap landscaping theme by repurposing metal tubs, buckets, and pails as planters.

Make your yard more inviting with cheerful flowers.

2. Stock up. Gardening isn't much different from shopping at Costco. The more plants you buy, the lower the per item cost. For example, at an online nursery a bag of 100 tulip

By Teal Pelish, Cheapism.com

Apartment hunting in NYC can be an emotive dance: simultaneously frustrating and exciting. Dealing with landlords, competing with other renters, and wending your way from one flat to the next can seem worth the chase for that special abode. Intensity hits stratospheric highs in the fiercely competitive cosmopolitan markets of cities like New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago.

If you find yourself in such a setting, follow the apartment hunting tips for NYC and beyond that we've outlined below.

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Set Your Priorities. It's easy to get caught up in the whirlwind, so stay grounded. Know what you want in an apartment, a neighborhood, and a rental agreement. Research the neighborhoods that interest you to learn what constitutes a desirable apartment and what options are actually available. Organize all the data using this comprehensive checklist from Lifehacker.

Follow these steps to grab a deal on an apartment.

Be Open to Chance. Big, thriving cities

By Raechel Conover, Cheapism.com

As the warm weather moves in and schools let out for summer, May is the month to buy household goods and entertaining essentials. It's the perfect time for stocking up ahead of summer celebrations. Prepare for graduation parties and Memorial Day barbecues by finding deals to prep your food (cookware and BBQ supplies) and make your guests happy (party supplies).

Cookware and Small Appliances. Continuing on from April, cookware promotions are plentiful in May as retailers target college graduation and wedding season. For more discounts, keep an eye out for Mother's Day promotions -- cookware makes a great practical and welcome gift for mom. Give your college grad a set of new pots and pans for his or her first apartment, or shower newlyweds with cookware that will last for years.

Cookware is a great buy during the month of May!

Related: Best affordable cookware

Party and BBQ Supplies. Party supply stores gear up for summer when graduation parties, wedding events, pool parties, and