Blog Posts by Cheapism.com

By Raechel Conover, Cheapism.com

This February we invited readers to take the Frugal Month Challenge and commit to what some have called a "no-buy month." My family of three embarked on this cheap challenge and now I'm back to share the results. But first a quick refresher on the rule: Buy nothing extra -- only the bare necessities. For my family, that meant we paid rent and other monthly bills and bought groceries, dog food, and gas, but that's pretty much all the spending we did. Doesn't sound like much fun, does it? Surprisingly it wasn't too bad -- and wait until you see how much we saved.

Learn ways to save money on monthly expenses.

The Results. Okay, I'll admit it: I wasn't a huge believer that this cheap challenge would save us much more than $50 by the end of the month. I thought our budget was pretty tight to begin with, but the results have proved otherwise. During the month of February my family ended up saving $472. That's right -- 472 big ones. Here's a look at where we cut expenses:

Related: Which is

By Pamela Druckerman for Cheapism.com

The French approach to child-rearing doesn't just produce kids who throw fewer tantrums and (mostly) eat their vegetables. It can also save their parents some money. Here, for the first time ever on American soil (well, cyberspace), are 10 commandments for budget parenting á la française:

Bébé, Day by Day

Give kids one snack a day. True, cookies probably aren't your biggest household expense. But consolidating family eating into three meals a day, plus an afternoon snack, means you aren't constantly shelling out fivers for treats. An added benefit is that, at mealtimes, your kids will actually be hungry.

Related: Top inexpensive jogging strollers

Everyone eats the same thing. French kids don't eat "kids foods" - they typically eat the same foods as their parents. Imagine the savings in time, groceries and gas bills when you don't have to cook two separate dinners.

Drink water. Make water (from the tap, if it's potable) your family's de facto

By Raechel Conover, Cheapism.com

With fond memories of cabin mates, campfires, swimming pools, and s'mores, it's no wonder summer camp is a natural choice for parents looking to give their children the same enriching experience they enjoyed. At summer camp, whether a sleep-away or day program, kids can gain new skills, experiences, friends, and their own memories to cherish.

Read our cheap camping trip ideas!

And the good news is, you don't need a bottomless bank account to afford summer camp. There are plenty of city, state, and non-profit groups that offer cheap summer camps for kids; some even offer financial aid to help families with the expense. Our guide to cheap summer camp programs can help you find day and sleep-away options that are a good, inexpensive fit for your child.

Related: Best cheap tents for camping trips

Cost. Before investigating the options, look at your budget and decide how much you're willing or can afford to spend on a summer camp program. In general, sleep-away summer camps

By Louis DeNicola, Cheapism.com

Spring may still be a few weeks away but if you're a first-class budgeter you know that snaring summer vacation deals means planning ahead. Between flights, car rentals, and lodging, the relatively fixed costs associated with time away from home add up quickly. Of course, the variable costs of food, gas, souvenirs, entrance or entertainment tickets, and unexpected outlays must also be factored in.

Whisk away to a beach for cheap.

Related: Best budget luggage reviews

To maximize the fun of a cheap summer vacation while minimizing the expense, plan early and heed the tips below.

Making Plans. Start with a bit of introspection. Imagine where you want to be and what you want to do this summer. If you think "Florida" or "Yellowstone," figure out what's leading you there. Perhaps you've always wanted to see Yellowstone. But if communing with nature is the true motivation, Yellowstone probably isn't the most budget-friendly destination. Moreover, a less crowded spot may be

By Raechel Conover, Cheapism.com

Although the weather may be variable, retailers stick to a seasonal schedule, which means savings for the smart consumer. Use this post-holiday, season-transition month to score deals on winter sports equipment and luggage. Many of our February deals may still be in effect, albeit with smaller selections on goods such as boats and Valentine's Day chocolate. Other items to buy in March include jewelry and an array of in-season fruits and vegetables and discounted frozen foods.

Now is an excellent time to purchase jewelry.

Related: Cheap treadmills buying guide

Jewelry. Now that Valentine's Day has passed and there aren't any major gift-giving holidays on the horizon, jewelers are even more eager to sell merchandise. And let's not forget all the Valentine's Day gifts returned by picky romantic partners. With a lull in sales compared to February and higher inventory due to returns, March may be one of the best months to buy diamonds, gold, and other jewelry.

Frozen Foods. March is

By Alyssa Goldman, Cheapism.com

Remember when you cut coupons from the Sunday newspaper in order to cut your grocery bill? That chore is a relic of the past now that technology has revolutionized the coupon-clipping game. The current generation of mobile apps and grocery websites not only saves you money, but also helps you earn cash back.

Related: What's the Best Free Tax Preparation Software?

Following is a list of free, must-have mobile coupon apps you should download ASAP and two grocery websites to add to your favorites.

Use coupon apps to save money on your grocery bill!

ibotta and Endorse. Both of these free mobile coupon apps work with Android, iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad devices. These apps turn smart phones into the ultimate tool for collecting on cash-back opportunities. ibotta and Endorse let users upload grocery receipts for return cash thatgoes directly into your PayPal account or can be donated to a U.S. school. With both mobile coupon apps you'll receive personalized product deals based on past

By Alyssa Goldman, Cheapism.com

This is a myth: The quest for cheap organic food is a lost cause. This is a fact: There are many ways to save when buying organic food. Here are six tips.

Prioritize your spending. Consult the Environmental Working Group's "Dirty Dozen Plus" list of 14 fruits and vegetables containing the highest levels of pesticide residues before running to the organic grocery aisle. Limit your organic purchases to apples, celery, sweet bell peppers, peaches, strawberries, imported nectarines, grapes, spinach, lettuce, cucumbers, domestic blueberries, potatoes, green beans, and kale/collard greens.

Related: Top inexpensive refrigerators

There are many options for cheap organic food.

Buy the store brand, shop at warehouse clubs. Yes, even grocers (including Safeway, Kroger, and Target) sell their own line of relatively cheap organic food. If you go to a warehouse club, such as Costco, you can purchase organic products in bulk. Buying the house brand rather than the name brand also nets big savings.

By Alyssa Goldman, Cheapism.com

Nearly everybody enjoys traveling. But the planning and spending? Not so much.

As the saying goes, there's an app for that. In fact, there are several free travel apps for iPhones, iPads, and Androids that will save you time and money. An added bonus: You won't look like such a tourist.

A dream vacation is only an app away.

Related: What are the best cheap airlines

Hotel Tonight: Go-to app for a last-minute hotel room. Say you decide to take an impromptu road trip but neglected to book a hotel room. Hotel Tonight has you covered. While last minute room reservations usually mean higher rates, this free travel app guarantees the complete opposite -- book a room the same day and save up to 70 percent on the hotel's usual prices.

With 4.5 stars on iTunes and 4.4 stars on Google Play, this app upends the usual "too good to be true" adage. One Android user had her doubts but became a believer after booking a room in a Harrah's Hotel in Reno, NV for $34 for the night. Note,