All The Simple Dollar

Salad dressing is simple to make at home for a fraction of the store cost. Why would you buy it?

Student loans, credit card debt and the expenses involved in moving to a new city can all ratchet up costs after graduating from college. Looking back at his own decisions, Hamm offers readers his game plan on how to spend wisely.

Tired of spending money to go out? Entertain your friends and family at home with these seven, inexpensive boardgames, Hamm says.

Wouldn't it be great to get money on a regular basis while spending very little effort to maintain that stream? That's the magic of passive income, Hamm says. He walks readers through how they can establish a passive income stream.

Is your bathtub drain all clogged up? You may not have to call the plumber and spend a fortune to repair it. Hamm walks readers through DIY repair.

With a few simple steps, you can stop spending money on fast food and start eating healthier (for cheaper). Hamm tells you how.

How do you reuse things around the house? Simple Dollar readers share their best tips. 

Forget the expensive store-bought gift. Homemade cookies, a sit-down dinner at home, or even a hand with the honey-do list can all be great ways to wish someone 'Happy Birthday,' Hamm says.

Whether it's by telecommuting or tapping into extended families for support, Hamm says there are ways parents can reduce child care costs — even before the baby arrives.

From taking advantage of Amazon's 'Subscribe and Save' program to watching prices and daily deals online, Hamm offers his advice for readers looking to save money on Amazon.com. 

Hamm says he wouldn't. Are there goods that you shell out money for unnecessarily?

Can young children begin to learn about shopping frugally? Hamm says yes — and shows readers how he taught his seven year old about maximizing dollars at the store.

A large, unexpected sum of money is a dream many of us have. The amount you gain should determine how you spend it. 

For those of us who have reached a financial low point in our lives, Hamm writes, the Detroit bankruptcy sounds pretty familiar.

Impulse buying is much more difficult to control online than it is in a store. Tricks like not storing your billing information and keeping a running list of purchases can help control online spending impulses. 

Techniques like putting spare change in jars or writing down all your expenses in a notebook don't work well when you mostly spend money using credit cards or debit cards. Hamm offers advice for budgeting in a post-cash world.

A day? A week? Hamm says imagining how long you could go without spending any money is a good way to figure out what your financial priorities are.

When mortgage rates sink, you might think it's smart to invest your money elsewhere. Hamm says otherwise: make extra payments on your mortgage when you can, because paying off a low-interest mortgage early is a smart long-term decision.

Should you fly, drive, or take a train to your destination? Hamm breaks down your options.

Big goals, like writing a novel or running a marathon, can seem daunting. Breaking them down into several, more manageable goals is an effective way to get them done.