Blog Posts by Cheapism.com

By Louis DeNicola, Cheapism.com

Considering moving in with your significant other to save money? The prospect can certainly be tempting, particularly if you live in a city as notoriously pricey as New York or San Francisco. It can also be scary. What if things don't work out and you're left with nowhere to go? A fellow Cheapist recently suggested an appealing half-measure: Instead of abandoning your place completely, list it on Airbnb, an online service that can help you rent out your apartment or house on a short-term basis. That way, you can earn some extra income to help cover your rent or mortgage payment and still have a safety net for the next big leap in your relationship. Unfortunately, a little digging reveals that the risks associated with putting your home up for rent on a website such as Airbnb or Roomorama may outweigh the potential gain.

Renting out your apartment through Airbnb might not be such a good idea.

Related: Best cheap restaurants near you

In the past we've suggested that frugal vacationers look to sites like those for

By Louis DeNicola, Cheapism.com

As people around the world mark Earth Day by volunteering to pick up trash or plant trees, many look for ways to continue in that spirit long after April 22. One option is to try composting, which recycles food waste that would otherwise end up in the trash and has the added benefit of being an economical way to get excellent fertilizer. As the Environmental Protection Agency explains, it can be as simple as piling up compostable material in your yard, but that method may take up to two years to yield usable compost. For less than $50, a compost bin can help speed up the process, keep animals at bay, and keep your space a little neater.

The Redmon Green Culture compost bin is our top outdoor choice.

Related: Our cheap hybrid cars buying guide

Cheapism.com has researched two different kinds of compost bins for frugal-minded gardeners. Two of the recommendations are kitchen pails for storing compostable (and potentially smelly) food scraps for transportation outside later. The other two live outdoors and

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