http://www.miamiherald.com/1051/index.html http://media.miamiherald.com/images/logos/rss_sitelogo.gif http://www.miamiherald.com/1051/index.html 140 25 News, sports and entertainment from MiamiHerald.com en-us Copyright 2008 MiamiHerald.com Frugal Duchess | Sharon Harvey Rosenberg 60 Thu, 03 Jul 2008 03:49:06 EDT http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss McClatchy Interactive's PubSys miamifeedback@miamiherald.com http://www.miamiherald.com/1051/story/568898.html http://www.miamiherald.com/1051/story/568898.html Sun, 15 Jun 2008 03:01 EDT When our family car broke down and was beyond repair, we found an unexpected source of cash. Instead of paying to have our car towed away, a towing company paid us $250 for the car to resell as auto parts. http://www.miamiherald.com/1051/story/560612.html http://www.miamiherald.com/1051/story/560612.html Sun, 08 Jun 2008 03:01 EDT From an antique pearl collar for $1 to expensive suits, my husband and I have found great bargains at yard sales. At one yard sale, we picked up a large stack of new Ralph Lauren cloth dinner napkins in various colors and patterns for 50 cents each. The seller had purchased the napkins for a dinner party but changed her mind about the color scheme. http://www.miamiherald.com/1051/story/544426.html http://www.miamiherald.com/1051/story/544426.html Sun, 25 May 2008 03:01 EDT At a recent event, I met the interior designer who had arranged the large stately room in which the gathering was held. It was a lovely space, but the designer was concerned about the safety of the marble floors and staircase. http://www.miamiherald.com/1051/story/535711.html http://www.miamiherald.com/1051/story/535711.html Sun, 18 May 2008 03:01 EDT With a full plate of family, work and community commitments, one busy mom -- a neighbor -- saves time and money with a 20-cubic-foot freezer. She considers it a valuable household management tool. http://www.miamiherald.com/1051/story/517228.html http://www.miamiherald.com/1051/story/517228.html Sun, 04 May 2008 03:01 EDT Whether your child is a toddler, teen or 'tween, decorating a kid's bedroom can be complicated by tight budgets and personal tastes. http://www.miamiherald.com/1051/story/508457.html http://www.miamiherald.com/1051/story/508457.html Sun, 27 Apr 2008 03:01 EDT When the heat and rain come, ants and other insects seem to multiply. Keeping them in check doesn't have to wreck your budget. J.D. Roth, author of the personal finance blog Get Rich Slowly (www.getrichslowly.org), said he and his wife Kris were at war with the ants in their old home. The exterminator charged $100 per visit and did not solve the ant problem. http://www.miamiherald.com/1051/story/499590.html http://www.miamiherald.com/1051/story/499590.html Sun, 20 Apr 2008 03:01 EDT To make your kitchen function better, handle food and cleaning products with more care. That's the word from Chris Wagner, director of operations at Johnson & Wales University in Miami. http://www.miamiherald.com/1051/story/490409.html http://www.miamiherald.com/1051/story/490409.html Sun, 13 Apr 2008 03:01 EDT Twenty-years ago, 50 Simple Things You Can Do to Save the Earth became a New York Times bestseller. This month -- just in time for Earth Day April 22 -- an updated version of that classic text on green living is being released (Hyperion, $12.95). http://www.miamiherald.com/1051/story/482897.html http://www.miamiherald.com/1051/story/482897.html Sun, 06 Apr 2008 03:01 EDT Earth Day is April 20 and many consumers hope to do their spring cleaning with ''green'' or nontoxic products. Sometimes, it's hard to tell the environmentally friendly goods from the eco-pretenders. http://www.miamiherald.com/1051/story/473900.html http://www.miamiherald.com/1051/story/473900.html Sun, 30 Mar 2008 03:01 EDT Wedding guests spend about $19 billion annually on gifts selected from bridal registries, according to The Knot, a wedding planning resource. http://www.miamiherald.com/1051/story/465441.html http://www.miamiherald.com/1051/story/465441.html Sun, 23 Mar 2008 03:01 EDT The push to live green and save money is giving solar-powered gadgets and home systems a boost. Appliances charged by the sun provide an alternative source of energy, especially during power outages and emergencies. http://www.miamiherald.com/1051/story/454516.html http://www.miamiherald.com/1051/story/454516.html Sun, 16 Mar 2008 03:01 EDT The family garage is probably the most used and abused room in a home. ''The average two-car garage has basically become a no-car garage because it's crammed full of so much clutter,'' says Barry Izsak, author of Organize Your Garage In No Time (Que Publishing, $11.50). http://www.miamiherald.com/1051/story/445879.html http://www.miamiherald.com/1051/story/445879.html Sun, 09 Mar 2008 03:01 EDT Don Quixote battled windmills. We duel with junk mail. Americans tossed about 6 million tons of catalogs and other pieces of direct mail solicitations during 2005, the Environmental Protection Agency reports. Junk mail represents a waste of time, money and paper. http://www.miamiherald.com/1051/story/437113.html http://www.miamiherald.com/1051/story/437113.html Sun, 02 Mar 2008 03:01 EST The cost of a first-class stamp will increase to 42 cents on May 12. But between now and May 11, it's possible to lock in lower rates by purchasing ''Forever stamps.'' Introduced in April 2007, Forever stamps are valid first-class stamps regardless of future price increases. http://www.miamiherald.com/1051/story/427418.html http://www.miamiherald.com/1051/story/427418.html Sun, 24 Feb 2008 03:01 EST A few weeks ago, I wrote about the huge difference between my electric bill and a neighbor's despite our similar lifestyles and apartments. http://www.miamiherald.com/1051/story/419099.html http://www.miamiherald.com/1051/story/419099.html Sun, 17 Feb 2008 03:01 EST Whether or not to buy extended warranties is a hot topic in consumer circles. Here's an even better approach: buy products that come with extended warranties or lifetime service guarantees at no extra charge. http://www.miamiherald.com/1051/story/410025.html http://www.miamiherald.com/1051/story/410025.html Sun, 10 Feb 2008 03:01 EST A neighbor's electric bill shook me up. It was only half of what mine was even though our households and lifestyles are similar. Both homes include three children, pets and lots of appliances in comparable three-bedroom apartments. Her children occasionally sleep with the lights on. But my teen/tween household has lots of high-tech gadgets. Those differences, I figure, cancel each other out. http://www.miamiherald.com/1051/story/401013.html http://www.miamiherald.com/1051/story/401013.html Sun, 03 Feb 2008 03:01 EST From breakfast through dessert, a good cup of coffee plays a major role in South Florida. For many of us, that means buying a good coffee maker. http://www.miamiherald.com/1051/story/391754.html http://www.miamiherald.com/1051/story/391754.html Sun, 27 Jan 2008 03:01 EST To save water and energy, I'm giving my bathroom a makeover that will include a new clock and a shower head. There are also various municipal programs that will underwrite a portion of the bathroom makeover if I opt for water-efficient appliances. http://www.miamiherald.com/1051/story/383025.html http://www.miamiherald.com/1051/story/383025.html Sun, 20 Jan 2008 03:01 EST It was a satisfying afternoon. In two hours, I cleared several suits, skirts and blouses from my closet. While in excellent condition, they have languished unworn for too long. Gently used professional outfits as well as eyeglasses and electronics donated to various charities can help those less fortunate. http://www.miamiherald.com/1051/story/374076.html http://www.miamiherald.com/1051/story/374076.html Sun, 13 Jan 2008 03:01 EST There's a simple mathematical formula that will help you calculate the hidden value in your home. Divide your mortgage or annual lease by the total square footage in your home and use that value to calculate the cost of your living room, dining room or other underutilized rooms.