April. Europe. Our first proper holiday, and I haven't left the country in eight years. Where to go? [more inside]
posted by mippy on Nov 4, 2009 - 24 answers

I need help buying groceries. [more inside]
posted by mudpuppie on Oct 30, 2009 - 34 answers

Am I being gullible for considering cat insurance? [more inside]
posted by Tarumba on Sep 30, 2009 - 28 answers

I bought a beautiful leather handbag... impulsively. Should I return it? [more inside]
posted by moiraine on Sep 30, 2009 - 33 answers

When is it ok to finance "toys"? We have a budget, all bills are paid, we are saving a set amount every month, the only debt we have is our cars and house. No credit cards. Each month we have about $900 left over. Between the both of us, we have a wish list including: a four wheeler, a vacation and cosmetic home improvements. Facts and opinions welcome. Should we save til we can pay cash? Or is it "ok" to finance, some or all of our wish list? [more inside]
posted by kgreerRN on Sep 16, 2009 - 32 answers

Have you used the Canrailpass? Or traveled across Canada in a similar way, by train or bus? [more inside]
posted by skwt on Aug 22, 2009 - 17 answers

Best modern/ contemporary office furniture maker on a budget? [more inside]
posted by priested on Aug 21, 2009 - 4 answers

One month in Europe on a budget, what should we not miss? Landing in Frankfurt tomorrow! [more inside]
posted by thewalrus on Aug 20, 2009 - 12 answers

Relatively cheap restaurants in Manhattan that have good vegetarian options? [more inside]
posted by exolstice on Aug 18, 2009 - 33 answers

Small wedding in Yosemite: know of an amazing photographer with a package under $3K? Caterers too? [more inside]
posted by scazza on Aug 18, 2009 - 4 answers

I'm looking for a financial coach, someone who can help me develop better financial habits. Does such a thing exist? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Aug 12, 2009 - 12 answers

What are some tips on wisely handling an increase in income? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Aug 5, 2009 - 19 answers

Just moved my boyfriend into a new apartment, and he will be unable to afford cable tv for quite awhile. As admitted boob toob junkies, we are quickly running out of things to do when we just feel like being around the house. Suggestions of fun and relatively budget friendly (under $30 to accomplish, preferably with a re-usability factor) activities to do at home, without the magical box. [more inside]
posted by Gonestarfishing on Jul 24, 2009 - 41 answers

Help me find my university-bound sister a nice, reliable laptop. Are they any brands you especially recommend? [more inside]
posted by flibbertigibbet on Jul 12, 2009 - 37 answers

TravelFilter: What are the cheapest (but best) travel destinations in the Caribbean, Africa, and Asia (specifically, Southeast Asia)? [more inside]
posted by the NATURAL on Jul 8, 2009 - 14 answers

Can anyone recommend a good template for tracking multiple savings account balances in Excel? [more inside]
posted by IanMorr on Jul 6, 2009 - 5 answers

Having trouble with Travel Budget.... destination is Sao Paulo, Brazil. [more inside]
posted by cheechman85 on Jun 26, 2009 - 2 answers

Dating on a budget. What are your fabulous, creative & romantic ideas for a 30-something couple to do that cost little or nothing? [more inside]
posted by Alpenglow on Jun 17, 2009 - 14 answers

If you needed to pick a single winery for your entire selection of wine for a party, with a max budget of $8-10/750 mL, what winery would you choose? Something along the lines of Beringer, Yellow Tail, Woodbridge, etc.? [more inside]
posted by erin_trying on Jun 10, 2009 - 20 answers

Where can I find a nice cheap short-term furnished apartment in Toronto? [more inside]
posted by Newbornstranger on Jun 6, 2009 - 4 answers

Seeking techniques for aiding/supporting/educating a financially irresponsible spouse who talks the talk but won't walk the walk. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Jun 3, 2009 - 27 answers

Help me plan a trip to Western Europe (Paris, London, and Rome) on the cheap. More details inside. [more inside]
posted by Tamanna on May 23, 2009 - 14 answers

How to you curb your desire for material goods? [more inside]
posted by Fairchild on May 21, 2009 - 38 answers

I need to eat cheaply. Can I do so while extending my cooking ability in a specific direction? What cuisines, categories, or focuses can my home cooking pinpoint while living on a budget? [more inside]
posted by Picklegnome on May 21, 2009 - 22 answers

Is is possible to live in NYC on a $1000 a month living stipend without incuring lots of debt? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on May 18, 2009 - 34 answers

How do we plan a high school reunion without having to put large amounts of our own money into the budget? [more inside]
posted by bristolcat on May 12, 2009 - 10 answers

Why are CGI-animated films so expensive? [more inside]
posted by zardoz on May 11, 2009 - 21 answers

Household-budgeting-filter: how can I determine how much "wiggle room" or safety margin will be needed to cover unexpected expenses? How much do you allow, and has it been sufficient? [more inside]
posted by yersinia on May 11, 2009 - 15 answers

Explain (in an easy to understand way) Budget Reconciliation in the Senate? And its impact on health care reform this year? [more inside]
posted by paulinsanjuan on Apr 30, 2009 - 8 answers

Decent (cough *CHEAP*) beach accommodations within a few hours' drive of Tampa, FL? [more inside]
posted by alleycat01 on Apr 18, 2009 - 10 answers

This moving out thing, uh...how do I do this (financially)? [more inside]
posted by sixcolors on Apr 6, 2009 - 37 answers

I'd like to get more out of Mint.com, but can't figure out how to do what I'd like to do. The crux of the problem is that Mint.com mistakenly identifies some of my recurring monthly expenses as being payments to Marshall's (the store). Payments that Mint.com assumes are to Marshall's are actually to more than one payee, and the Rules feature doesn't seem to be customizable enough to handle that. [more inside]
posted by emelenjr on Apr 5, 2009 - 6 answers

What are some cheap or easy things I can do to improve my crummy road bike? [more inside]
posted by one_bean on Mar 29, 2009 - 28 answers

How much does it cost annually to keep a large-ish (50 - 80lb) dog? [more inside]
posted by sponge on Mar 25, 2009 - 16 answers

What responsibility does the Bush administration bear for the current financial crisis? [more inside]
posted by Lownotes on Mar 25, 2009 - 28 answers

I'm going to Lyon this weekend and will be free from late Saturday evening to about noon on Sunday. I'm into food and photography but am on a super-tight budget, so I'm looking for both some cheap, tasty delights and some particularly pretty little corners of the city. I'm staying in Vieux Lyon, going to a concert in Villeurbanne, and can speak French.
posted by mdonley on Mar 19, 2009 - 4 answers

Last minute spring break starting from Seattle for under $500? [more inside]
posted by handabear on Mar 16, 2009 - 8 answers

Where should I be shopping for clothes? 28-year-old straight guy. Long, thin torso; long arms; wide shoulders; ~5'11''; ~165 lbs; USA; East coast/access to NY; athletic and muscled but borderline thin; and a graduate student budget. [more inside]
posted by zeek321 on Mar 1, 2009 - 22 answers

How much does your two-person household budget for food every month? [more inside]
posted by theantikitty on Feb 22, 2009 - 65 answers

I'd like to read some good books, preferably autobiographical, about managing a household in hard times. [more inside]
posted by Catch on Feb 15, 2009 - 29 answers

How can I find the best foam mattress on a limited (<$400) budget? [more inside]
posted by fermion on Feb 13, 2009 - 8 answers

Shopping filter: Are there any factory outlets or good deals to be had along the I-75? [more inside]
posted by kaudio on Feb 8, 2009 - 7 answers

Rice and beans for the inexperienced and time-pressed cook? [more inside]
posted by availablelight on Jan 29, 2009 - 19 answers

Especially now, during this time of economic downtown, it would seem to me that many small cities across the nation are probably struggling with budget shortfalls. Are their online resources, forums or blogs that deal with collecting and discussing creative cost-saving measures for small cities ? I'd be especially interested in internal measures as opposed to citizen-related (external) programs, but any good links for either type would be appreciated. [more inside]
posted by jmnugent on Jan 13, 2009 - 1 answer

I was born in the US, lived in Canada for ten years, and moved back to the States last year. While I was in Canada, I built up a solid credit rating- I had two credit cards, an unsecured line of credit with low interest (7%) and overdraft protection on my checking account up to $3,500. At one point when I was underemployed I built up some credit card debt, but I payed it off. Last year, when I moved back to the US for grad school, I got into a bad pattern of leaning on my credit cards and low-interest line of credit to pay for moving and start up expenses. This June, the world financial collapse coincided with one of my own- I was employed super part time, was making around $750 a month and was struggling to pay rent and buy $20 worth of groceries a week. I just couldn't pay my debt, and I paid very minimally, then not at all. I know I probably should have called the bank and tried to work something out, but what can I say- I panicked and froze. Currently, my total debt load is $14,000 on the line of credit, $3,700 on the overdraft and $1,400 on my Visa. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Jan 13, 2009 - 6 answers

Cheap, lightweight(ish) PC laptop with an optical drive? Or should I just spring for a MacBook? [more inside]
posted by lunasol on Jan 6, 2009 - 14 answers

[Interior decorator filter] Help us arrange/decorate an 11-x-16 living area cum office cum tv room for minimal dollars and maximum effect. [ghetto blueprint and list of requirements included] [more inside]
posted by mr. remy on Dec 19, 2008 - 6 answers

I'm going to Rome for one week in February. How can I cheap out on lodging while there? [more inside]
posted by mustcatchmooseandsquirrel on Dec 9, 2008 - 10 answers

Are there any emergency cheap meal plans for single people? [more inside]
posted by craichead on Dec 5, 2008 - 22 answers

Poor but picky man needs shoes both sturdy and stylish. [more inside]
posted by waltzing astronomers on Dec 3, 2008 - 3 answers