Blog Posts by Cheapism.com

By Elizabeth Sheer, Cheapism.com

With the onset of spring comes the prospect of wearing a lot less clothing. And that, for many of us, means rigorous commitment to an exercise routine. But don't be deterred by thoughts of a pricey gym membership or in-home exercise equipment, because all you need is motivation.

Try these cheap exercises to get in shape.

Related: Best inexpensive hiking boots and shoes

We spoke with Kira Stokes, a personal trainer and founder of Stoked Method, and learned how to master fitness on your own. Her focal point is transforming both body and mind. Here is her approach to fitness on your own:

1. Start moving. That means picking up your pace and getting out of your comfort zone. If it normally takes seven minutes to walk around the block, says Stokes, aim for five. Run from one street sign to another and then walk to the next few.

2. Set goals. Setting and then reaching new goals will keep you motivated. Write down both short- and long-term goals, and make the former reachable.

By Louis DeNicola, Cheapism.com

Have you ever walked into a thrift shop and found a deal you couldn't refuse? Perhaps an almost-new pair of jeans for $5 or a couch for less than a day's wages. Have you ever noticed the section near the front of the grocery store stocked with dented cans and slightly damaged boxes? The contents are still fine, but the prices are much lower.

Related: Which is cheaper: Amazon or Walmart?

Amazon Warehouse Deals

The ecommerce equivalent of the neighborhood thrift store and sale aisle is the burgeoning universe of warehouse deal sites. Amazon Warehouse Deals, for example, sells items that can't be sold as new on the pages of its primary site; proffered wares include goods that have been returned or bought by Amazon from third-party sellers. Before posting, Amazon assesses the items and rates them from "acceptable" to "new." In some cases, returned products were never opened and a dented box is the only defect.

We checked out Amazon Warehouse Deals and found some

By Louis DeNicola, Cheapism.com

Spring break recently ended and finals are a few weeks away. In other words, this is the moment to find a summer job or internship. Knowing how to get a summer job isn't exactly rocket science, and while the job market may be tough, there are opportunities out there. Whether you're looking for a technical placement that fits with your area of study, an internship to improve your skills, or a way to pad the savings account (or pay off student loans), there's no time to spare.

Summer is just weeks away.

Related: Best travel sites to grab deals

We know all about sending countless resumes and cover letters into the dark abyss of the Internet. Never getting a response is downright frustrating and not getting an offer after an interview is disappointing and painful. After weeks of rejection you may start asking yourself if anyone knows how to get a summer job. The answer is "yes," and the trick is learning the correct approach.

Many tactics that work for fulltime job

By Raechel Conover, Cheapism.com

It's no secret that a baby costs a lot in the first year (and the second, and the third ...). A middle-income family welcoming a second child can expect to spend about $12,370, according the most recent estimate by the USDA, which releases an annual report on the subject. For parents, the numbers are downright scary. But as I prepare for my second baby, who is due to arrive very soon, I realize I've picked up some ways to cut baby costs this time around. These seven tips should help even first-time parents spend a lot less.

More from Cheapism:
Inexpensive baby strollers
Which is the better buy: Sam's or Costco?
Our cheap baby diapers buying guide
Best budget blender reviews

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By Gina K. Briles, Cheapism.com

This time of year, longer days and warmer temperatures prod even novice gardeners to beautify their outdoor spaces. Americans devote about $350 per household to repopulating flowerbeds and tackling other lawn and garden projects, according to the most recent annual survey by the National Gardening Association. Home improvement centers and mass merchants account for just over half the total spending, compared with 17 percent for local garden centers and nurseries. Cheapism.com visited garden centers at four national chains, as well as one local nursery, to compare prices, stock, and service. The one retailer that didn't disappoint on any front was Home Depot, where a wagon full of supplies for a starter garden came to $173.92.

Which garden center ranks on top?

Related: Our full budget garden centers guide

Home Depot didn't record the lowest total for the 14 items on the list, but it came within $2 of Lowe's, where the tab was $172.16, the plant selection was slightly

By Cheapism.com

The search for cheap child care has many American families on edge. The dearth of affordable child care options periodically crops up in the news as parents continue to struggle with the lingering after-effects of the recent recession, which include reduced funding for some child care programs targeted to low-income families. Child care costs vary substantially around the country, ranging from about $3,800 at year up to nearly $19,000; in major cities like New York and L.A., cheap child care is almost an oxymoron. Your child's age affects costs, as well; rates for infant care are usually higher than for toddlers and preschoolers because babies require more attention.

Affordable child care is possible.

Related: Best cheap family restaurants

There are several ways to minimize the expense of making sure your children are well cared for while you're at work.

Check to see if your employer offers what's known as a flexible spending account. These accounts let you set aside several thousand

By Louis DeNicola, Cheapism.com

Artist Brendan O'Connell

Walmart and high-priced art aren't often mentioned in the same sentence. But artist Brendan O'Connell turns the Walmart shopping experience into upmarket culture. His paintings, the largest of which fetch about $40,000, often feature the colorful displays, iconic blue-vested employees, and bargain-hunting shoppers at the ubiquitous warehouse store. Interested in how people interact with their environment, O'Connell zoomed in on the grocery store and made Walmart his setting of choice.

Related: Walmart, Target & Kmart showdown

No, O'Connell didn't sit with an easel in the middle of Aisle 5. Rather, beginning in 2003 he traveled the country taking pictures inside Walmart stores and recreating the images on canvas later in his studio. "I was struck by the notion of capturing everyday American life," he told The Boston Globe. "Walmart has replaced the church as the place where people congregate." He counts actor Alec Baldwin among the fans of

By Teal Pelish, Cheapism.com

It's spring cleaning time. Whether DIY or otherwise, everyone seems to have their own preferred methods and magical concoctions. We asked fellow Cheapists for their take on the annual spring rite. Here's their list of spring cleaning tips:

We asked our fellow Cheapists their take on the annual rite.

Related: Best inexpensive vacuum cleaners

Spring Cleaning Checklist. Organization is key to effective and efficient spring cleaning, which makes a complete to-do checklist absolutely essential. Many sites offer helpful ideas, but our followers say that Martha Stewart provides one that's thorough and packed with information.

Spring Cleaning Tips. A thorough cleaning of the entire house may seem overwhelming, but there are ways to get control. One of our Facebook followers advises compartmentalizing; that is, clean one room at a time. Another takes a similar approach and adds a focused methodology. She starts by working ceiling to floor all the way around into the center by wiping, dusting, and