Blog Posts by Cheapism.com

By Raechel Conover, Cheapism.com

Congratulations, you're getting married! Now hand over the credit card. Seriously. USA Today reports that last year the average couple spent $26,989 on their wedding, and that's down from the $28,082 mark in 2008. But there's no reason to take on massive amounts of debt as you begin your life together. Wedding budgets can be kept to a minimum with some help from wedding websites and wedding apps.

Related: Our smartphones buying guide

For starters, there are three easy ways to cut costs and stay within your wedding budget. Catey Hill, author of Shoo, Jimmy Choo! The Modern Girl's Guide to Spending Less and Saving More, suggests these:

1. Limit the guest list. The biggest cost factor is the number of guests. If you haven't already mailed out invitations, Hill says, "think long and hard about who you really want to invite and who you can cut." Make an A list with definite people to invite and a B list with people to invite only if the wedding

By Louis DeNicola, Cheapism.com

We haven't hit the mad scramble that comes during the second week of April, but taxes are already on peoples' minds. Perhaps you've gotten a W-2 or 1099 and put it away for "later." If you're thinking about handing off those documents to a tax professional, you may wind up spending more than necessary. Many taxpayers with straightforward returns can use free online software to prepare and electronically file federal taxes for free and state taxes for less than $20. Compare that to $80 for a popular software package or well over $100 for professional tax preparation at a brick-and-mortar location.

Don't be late for tax filing!

Related: Our inexpensive laptops buying guide

Here are Cheapism's top picks for free online tax software:

• TaxAct ($14.95 for state returns) can hold its own when compared with better-known competitors TurboTax and H&R Block, according to expert reviewers. The company provides not only online tax prep but also downloadable software and CDs.

By Teal Pelish, Cheapism.com

Wintery weather may linger for a while in many parts of the country but spring is just around the corner. Now's the perfect moment to look for spring break deals. Fox News notes that "smartcations" are more in vogue this year than "staycations," the epitome of cheap spring breaks. Here are a few pointers to get you started.

Whisk away to a Caribbean getaway.

Related: What are the best cheap airlines?

Home in on Package Deals. What exactly is a smartcation? A string of deals patched together that dramatically cut the overall cost. Spring break deals apply to a variety of locales and come in an array of durations, opening up the possibility for creative and cheap spring break plans. Deal sites such as Groupon and Living Social offer an abundance of every type of vacation scenario imaginable, from Caribbean island getaway packages and wellness and weight-loss spas to fun-filled family vacation deals, to name a few. Pick a trip location and grab additional discounts on hotels,

By Louis DeNicola, Cheapism.com

It may be old news, but the end of the payroll tax holiday is an ongoing reality that affects everyone's paycheck. For an individual earning $50,000 a year, the two percent increase amounts to an extra $1,000 in taxes annually, the equivalent of $83.33 a month or $2.74 a day. For many taxpayers, that's enough to affect daily life. If you've had a little trouble adjusting to the 2013 tax increase, perhaps we can help you out.

These helpful tips can lower your tax woes.

Related: Our cheap tablets buying guide

The first and most commonly cited suggestion: Eliminate that expensive coffee habit. But anyone who enjoys a good cup o' Joe already knows the price and has decided it's well worth the cost. Indeed, there are certainly easier and more productive ways to offset the sting of the 2013 tax increase.

Start by looking at your basic monthly expenses, including mortgage or rent payments, cell phone bills, Internet and/or cable service, and the insurance policies you hold. These

By Raechel Conover, Cheapism.com

Planning and timing is everything, especially for frugal consumers who need to make a big purchase. Knowing the best time to buy something -- from cars and houses to televisions and appliances -- goes a long way toward saving big bucks.

Related: What are the top inexpensive digital cameras?

The best time to buy a big-ticket item is usually when a newer model is introduced. For example, new furniture styles are released twice a year, so the best time to buy furniture is the month before the new products hit the stores. Season's end is also an excellent buying time. Consider lawn mowers, which are best bought in August and September when winter is on its way and the grass won't need mowing until spring.

Note, though, that following the best-time-to-buy rules to get the best bargains means you must be prepared to sacrifice. In other words, forget about having the latest and greatest new model. Older models -- typically equal in quality

By Louis DeNicola, Cheapism.com

Breakups suck. Unfortunately, falling out of love is part of life for many. With Valentine's Day looming, it may be hard to resist a quick trip down memory lane recalling relationships past. So here's an idea for those dealing with a breakup: Sell the leftover baubles and even the cancelled wedding.

A broken heart can be a new start.

Related: Our cheap cruise buying guide

A few Internet entrepreneurs have taken a pragmatic look at the implications of falling out of love and found there's money to be made -- and saved -- in the aftermath. The sites may seem a bit brash, but they can help salvage some cash from the trauma of dealing with a breakup.

The first site, Exboyfriend Jewelry, focuses on unloading the gems and trinkets that remind you of a former flame. Some men's jewelry is available on the site, and occasionally men offer up gifts bought before the whole falling out of love thing. As the site's name suggests, though, the bulk of the items are adornments such as

By Alyssa Goldman, Cheapism.com

Warning: Flu season is in full swing and the common cold is making the rounds. If you or a loved one happens to catch either or some other everyday bug, treatment can get pretty costly pretty quickly. There are numerous brand-name over-the-counter medications targeted at such ailments, but what about their cheaper generic counterparts?

Save money by buying generic medicine.

Related: Best budget humidifiers

We scoured review boards to learn whether the outcomes differ when using generic medications or their brand-name counterparts to counter flu and non-flu symptoms. The FDA requires that generic over-the-counter medications include the exact same active ingredients as those of the popular brands, which makes them acceptable substitutes. The same rule does not apply to prescription medications, however, so speak to your physician before switching to generics.

Generic over-the-counter medications cost less than the brand-name equivalent largely because the latter are backed by

By Louis DeNicola, Cheapism.com

Losing power when a storm strikes is frustrating and potentially downright dangerous in the cold winter months. The storm bearing down on the Northeast no doubt has many thinking of investing in a backup power source, rather than risk waiting out the electric company and prevailing on family or friends for a hot shower. To help frugal homeowners keep the lights and the heat on if the power goes out, Cheapism recommends well-reviewed portable generators with convenient features and price tags of less than $500. Here are the top picks:

Be ready for Nemo with a cheap generator.

Related: Our inexpensive generators buying guide

• The Champion Power Equipment 46539 (starting at $493) runs for 12 hours on a tank of unleaded gas, according to the specs, which assume the generator is operating at a 50 percent load, or half its 3,500 watts. In total it provides enough power to keep several appliances, including a refrigerator and boiler, running at once. Reviewers call this a reliable machine