Search Smart Spending:

Browse by Tags

  • How not to lose your mouthwash to the TSA

    Posted Mar 26 2008, 09:43 AM by Donna Freedman
    Filed under: , ,
    Rating:

    My grandmother is now under hospice care. Because I'd rather go for a visit than a viewing, I traveled to New Jersey last week to see her.

    As I went through security, I watched a couple of bottles of moisturizer being confiscated. Their owners had run afoul of the Transportation Security Administration's "3-1-1" rule for carry-on luggage: liquids and gels in 3-ounce containers, stored in one quart-sized zip-top bag, one bag per passenger.

    What "3-ounce" means is that each container can hold no more than 3 ounces. For example, if someone were carrying an 8-ounce bottle of hairstyling lotion that was only one-third full, it would still be taken away. Ask me how I know this.   Read More...

    Discuss ( 2 comments) 3,351 Views Digg this | Email this | Link to this

  • My frugal vacation, with cheesesteaks

    Posted Jan 04 2008, 09:28 AM by Donna Freedman
    Filed under: ,
    Rating:

    Some of you who read last week's "Always budget for a carousel ride" wrote to tell me to go ahead and splurge on a cheesesteak during a trip to visit family. I grew up near Philadelphia, home of that deliciously cheesy, greasy, oniony sandwich that's impossible to duplicate elsewhere.

    Turns out that the one store in my hometown offers a daily special: a 9-inch cheesesteak, small bag of chips and a can of soda for $4.59.

    At that price, how could I resist? And a 9-inch cheesesteak consumed at 2 p.m. eliminated the need for supper.

    This wasn't my only frugal hack, though.   Read More...

    Discuss ( 102 comments) 82,288 Views Digg this | Email this | Link to this