Posts by Katy Willis

Frugal doesn’t have to mean boring, stingy, or saying “no” all the time. For most families, it just means this: there’s more month than money, and you’re tired of feeling behind. Groceries, activities, birthdays, and random school fees keep popping up, and it feels like you’re always one step away from overdraft. Becoming a frugal […]

If you’ve ever seen a six-figure salary and thought, “That must take 10 years of experience,” that’s not necessarily the case. A lot of high-paying roles are open to people with little or no prior work experience in that field. The catch is usually education or training, not years on the job. These jobs still […]

Thanksgiving freebies that are completely free, no questions asked

Some holiday pieces were made so well, or tap so hard into nostalgia, that they sell fast the minute you list them. If it’s heavy, mid-century, boxed, or looks like something your nan kept wrapped in tissue, give it a second look. Weight is your best clue; heavy glass, solid ceramics, cast bases, real metal […]

Thanksgiving dessert doesn’t have to be a lonely pumpkin pie holding down the center of the table. There’s a whole world beyond that one classic, and this roundup pulls in pumpkin, pecan, apple, sweet potato, plus a few adorable turkey-themed treats for good measure. It gives you something for the kids, something for the traditionalists, […]

Old tech has a way of coming back around. The gear we tossed in closets a decade ago is now getting snapped up by collectors and nostalgia buyers who want the look, the sound, or just that satisfying click of real buttons. If you find something heavy, boxy, and full of knobs at a yard […]

If you love a good treasure hunt, yard sales are still one of the best places to strike gold. The trick is spotting what’s actually worth grabbing before someone else does. Most people walk right past old Pyrex bowls, rusty tools, or weird lamps, but those are often the exact things collectors will pay real […]

Want solid pay without giving up your Saturdays? These roles commonly run Monday–Friday schedules (or offer weekday-only options) and land in that $75,000–$85,000 sweet spot. Real life varies by employer and industry, so always ask about schedules before you sign, but if you’re aiming for predictable weekdays, these are strong bets. Accountant or auditor If […]

Winter creeps up on your budget the way cold air sneaks under a door, quietly, then all at once. The fix isn’t a single gadget; it’s a handful of practical moves that lower your thermostat’s workload without making the house feel cold. Think “set and forget” settings, a few $10 supplies, and smart habits you […]

Thinking about picking up shifts next year? Good move, just know how Social Security’s “earnings test” works in 2026 so your cash flow isn’t a surprise. The test can temporarily withhold checks if you earn over set limits before full retirement age, then boosts your payment later to make up for it. The rules didn’t […]

Remote work used to mean low pay and phone-heavy customer service. Not anymore. Plenty of business, tech, and even healthcare roles now hire people who are early in their careers, let them work from home most or all of the time, and still pay at least $75,000. Below are 12 roles that currently clear that […]

Social Security looks simple on the surface: you work, you pay in, you get a check. But the benefit you actually receive in 2026 can be smaller than you think because of rules about earnings, taxes, timing, and pensions. Most of these traps are avoidable if you know about them ahead of time. Here are […]