Author: Mario P
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Annual Crawlspace Inspection: A Dirty Job That Can Save You Money
Owning a house means occasionally putting on a ridiculous outfit and crawling around in the dirt. This was one of those days. I headed into the crawlspace for my annual inspection, looking for leaks, pests, and anything else that might eventually come with an expensive repair bill. Suit Up and Bring the Right Tools My…
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Why You Should Never Lease—or Buy a New Vehicle!
Leasing is sold as an affordable way to drive a new vehicle. The payment looks lower, the car is under warranty and you can trade it for another new model every few years. It sounds convenient because the dealership wants it to sound convenient. Leasing was not created to help you build wealth. It exists…
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Inherited a Collection? Here’s the Best Way to Turn It Into Cash
A lot of millennials are reaching the age where they are inheriting collections from their parents. It could be toys, records, sports memorabilia, antiques or just a house full of things collected over 30 or 40 years. I deal with this all the time through my resale business. I buy large collections from people who…
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How to Save for a Car One Paycheck at a Time
Buying another car is one of those expenses most of us know is coming eventually, yet it is easy to ignore while our current car is still running. Then the transmission fails, the repair bills start piling up, or the car suddenly becomes unreliable. That is usually the worst time to start figuring out how…
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How to Plan and Successfully Replace Your Own Window
A few years ago, I paid $2,500 to have two vinyl windows replaced in my house. That worked out to about $1,250 per window. When it came time to replace my own window, I decided to see if I could do it myself. This isn’t a how-to guide. There are plenty of those online already.…
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Facebook Creator Claims Her Family Flushes the Toilet Only Once a Week. We Looked at the Savings.
Saving money often means making small changes around the house. Taking shorter showers, fixing leaky faucets, and installing efficient appliances can all help reduce your monthly water bill. In a series of viral videos, Jazminer17 claims her family only flushes their toilet once a week, choosing to flush every Friday instead of after each use.…
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Save Money on Summer Vacations: Cut Costs by 50%
Looking for ways to save money on summer vacations? Over the years I’ve developed a simple strategy that regularly cuts my travel costs by 50% or more without sacrificing the experience. By staying flexible, booking vacation rentals at the last minute, and focusing on low-cost activities, I’ve been able to enjoy amazing trips for a…
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How I Keep My House 15 Degrees Cooler During a Heat Wave Without Running the AC
When summer temperatures climb into the 90s and beyond, many people immediately turn on the air conditioner and watch their electric bill climb right along with the temperature. Over the years I’ve developed a simple strategy that often keeps my house 10–15 degrees cooler than the outside temperature without relying heavily on air conditioning. In…
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How Much Money Can You Save Working on Your Own Car?
By learning to work on your own car, you can realistically save yourself over $100 an hour — the same rate many repair shops charge. I use simple methods such as an official mechanics manual, YouTube videos to watch others do the same repair, and finding OEM parts on eBay for major savings. How much…
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How I Saved $9,000 a Year Using a Simple 3-Envelope Cash System
I saved $9,000 in a single year by making one simple change: I stopped paying with plastic. By using a “3-envelope cash system” to manage our family’s variable spending, we cut our monthly “leak” by 18% and finally killed the “Swipe Anesthesia” that was draining our bank account. Here is the exact breakdown of how…