https://howlane.com/frugal-weekly/Practical ways to spend less without making life smaller.enMon, 19 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMThttps://howlane.com/frugal-weekly/buy-now-pay-later-fees-credit-and-missed-payments/https://howlane.com/frugal-weekly/buy-now-pay-later-fees-credit-and-missed-payments/Mon, 19 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMTCFPB says BNPL splits a purchase into four or fewer payments, often interest free, but most charge late fees and may send unpaid loans to collectors.https://howlane.com/frugal-weekly/what-to-do-with-a-medical-bill-you-cannot-pay/https://howlane.com/frugal-weekly/what-to-do-with-a-medical-bill-you-cannot-pay/Sun, 18 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMTCFPB and IRS rules: ask for an itemized bill, apply for hospital financial assistance, and note the 120-day and 240-day windows before collections.https://howlane.com/frugal-weekly/how-to-read-a-water-bill-ccf-tiers-and-fixed-fees/https://howlane.com/frugal-weekly/how-to-read-a-water-bill-ccf-tiers-and-fixed-fees/Sat, 17 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMTEPA says 1 CCF equals 748 gallons and bills mix a fixed fee with a usage fee; tiered, seasonal, and flat rates change what extra water costs.https://howlane.com/frugal-weekly/earned-income-tax-credit-who-qualifies-tax-year-2025/https://howlane.com/frugal-weekly/earned-income-tax-credit-who-qualifies-tax-year-2025/Fri, 16 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMTIRS tables for tax year 2025: the EITC tops out at $649 with no children and $8,046 with three or more, with income limits from $19,104 to $68,675.https://howlane.com/frugal-weekly/free-tax-filing-vita-and-irs-free-file/https://howlane.com/frugal-weekly/free-tax-filing-vita-and-irs-free-file/Wed, 14 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMTIRS Free File offers free guided software at $89,000 AGI or less; VITA sites help people earning about $70,244 or less. How each option works.https://howlane.com/frugal-weekly/generic-vs-brand-name-drugs-what-fda-says/https://howlane.com/frugal-weekly/generic-vs-brand-name-drugs-what-fda-says/Wed, 14 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMTThe FDA says approved generics match brand drugs in active ingredient, strength and route, and 9 in 10 US prescriptions are generics. What can differ.https://howlane.com/frugal-weekly/help-with-energy-bills-liheap-and-weatherization/https://howlane.com/frugal-weekly/help-with-energy-bills-liheap-and-weatherization/Wed, 14 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMTLIHEAP helps with heating and cooling bills and shutoffs; DOE's Weatherization program cuts costs by upgrading homes. Eligibility is by income and state.https://howlane.com/frugal-weekly/how-to-avoid-overdraft-fees-cfpb-options/https://howlane.com/frugal-weekly/how-to-avoid-overdraft-fees-cfpb-options/Wed, 14 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMTMany banks charge $30 or more per overdraft. The CFPB lists three ways to cut the fee: opt out of debit coverage, link savings, or use a credit line.https://howlane.com/frugal-weekly/how-to-cancel-subscriptions-and-stop-automatic-payments/https://howlane.com/frugal-weekly/how-to-cancel-subscriptions-and-stop-automatic-payments/Wed, 14 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMTYou can revoke a company's permission to debit your bank account. The CFPB's steps, Regulation E's 3-business-day stop-payment deadline, and an audit.https://howlane.com/frugal-weekly/how-to-cut-laundry-costs/https://howlane.com/frugal-weekly/how-to-cut-laundry-costs/Wed, 14 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMTENERGY STAR says water heating is about 90% of a washer's energy. What cold water, full loads, high spin and a certified washer do to laundry costs.https://howlane.com/frugal-weekly/how-to-find-and-fix-water-leaks-to-lower-your-bill/https://howlane.com/frugal-weekly/how-to-find-and-fix-water-leaks-to-lower-your-bill/Wed, 14 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMTHousehold leaks waste thousands of gallons a year. Use these EPA WaterSense checks, a meter test and a dye test, to find leaks and cut your water bill.https://howlane.com/frugal-weekly/how-to-find-unclaimed-money-for-free/https://howlane.com/frugal-weekly/how-to-find-unclaimed-money-for-free/Wed, 14 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMTState governments hold most unclaimed money, and every state offers a free search. Federal databases cover back wages and pensions; scam red flags.https://howlane.com/frugal-weekly/how-to-get-your-free-credit-reports-without-paying/https://howlane.com/frugal-weekly/how-to-get-your-free-credit-reports-without-paying/Wed, 14 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMTAll three credit bureaus give free weekly reports at AnnualCreditReport.com. The FTC explains how to order, when a report is also free, and what to avoid.https://howlane.com/frugal-weekly/how-to-save-money-on-gas/https://howlane.com/frugal-weekly/how-to-save-money-on-gas/Wed, 14 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMTfueleconomy.gov says aggressive driving cuts mileage 15% to 30% at highway speeds. What speed, roof boxes, tires and oil are worth for a 25 mpg car.https://howlane.com/frugal-weekly/lifeline-program-phone-and-internet-discount/https://howlane.com/frugal-weekly/lifeline-program-phone-and-internet-discount/Wed, 14 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMTLifeline takes up to $9.25 a month off phone or internet bills for eligible households. See who qualifies in 2026, the income limits, and how to apply.https://howlane.com/frugal-weekly/sinking-funds-how-to-plan-for-irregular-expenses/https://howlane.com/frugal-weekly/sinking-funds-how-to-plan-for-irregular-expenses/Wed, 14 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMTA sinking fund saves yearly cost divided by 12 each month. With Federal Reserve data on unexpected expenses and a worked example of $3,360 a year.https://howlane.com/frugal-weekly/how-much-does-it-cost-to-run-an-appliance/https://howlane.com/frugal-weekly/how-much-does-it-cost-to-run-an-appliance/Mon, 12 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMTFind what an appliance costs to run from its wattage, hours of use, and your electricity rate. Examples use the latest U.S. average residential price.https://howlane.com/frugal-weekly/how-to-compare-unit-prices-at-the-grocery-store/https://howlane.com/frugal-weekly/how-to-compare-unit-prices-at-the-grocery-store/Sun, 11 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMTThe unit price on a shelf label shows what you pay per ounce, pound, or count. Here is how to read it, check it, and use it to spot shrinkflation.https://howlane.com/frugal-weekly/how-to-lower-heating-and-cooling-costs/https://howlane.com/frugal-weekly/how-to-lower-heating-and-cooling-costs/Sun, 11 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMTHeating and cooling are the largest energy users in most homes. See what the Department of Energy says each fix is worth, with math on a sample bill.https://howlane.com/frugal-weekly/building-an-emergency-fund-the-math-behind-3-to-6-months/https://howlane.com/frugal-weekly/building-an-emergency-fund-the-math-behind-3-to-6-months/Fri, 09 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMTCFPB sets no single required figure. See how to turn 3 to 6 months of essential expenses into a dollar target, using a $2,800 a month example.https://howlane.com/frugal-weekly/the-52-week-savings-challenge-with-the-math/https://howlane.com/frugal-weekly/the-52-week-savings-challenge-with-the-math/Fri, 09 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMTSaving $1 in week one up to $52 in week 52 totals $1,378. The second half carries $1,027 of it; a reverse version moves heavy weeks away from December.https://howlane.com/frugal-weekly/what-a-grocery-budget-actually-costs-by-the-official-numbers/https://howlane.com/frugal-weekly/what-a-grocery-budget-actually-costs-by-the-official-numbers/Fri, 09 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMTUSDA's August 2026 Thrifty Food Plan prices home-cooked food at $253.70 a month for a woman 20 to 50 and $318.90 for a man, plus the four plan tiers.https://howlane.com/frugal-weekly/the-50-30-20-budget-rule-with-real-numbers/https://howlane.com/frugal-weekly/the-50-30-20-budget-rule-with-real-numbers/Fri, 09 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMTA worked example of the 50/30/20 budgeting guideline on a $4,000 monthly paycheck, including what to do when the split does not fit.