Did you know ice cream has been around since at least the 18th century? It has. And today, the ice cream industry is bigger than ever, churning out hundreds of flavors each year.
In case you're wondering, the four most popular ice cream flavors ...
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Gas or Charcoal Grill: Which Is More Cost Effective?
With warmer weather finally here and the recent demise of my old grill, I once again find myself considering one of the great debates of all time: Is a gas or charcoal grill better?
When it comes to the question of grilling with propane or ...
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The 5 Worst Store Brand Grocery Products
Yes, buying store brands is a great way to save money on your grocery bill -- but the truth is, sometimes you're better off sticking with the name brand product.
Long-time readers who have been following my blog probably know that, since my first ...
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Blind Taste Test: Does Bottled Water Really Taste Better Than Filtered Tap?
Does bottled water taste better than filtered tap? You'd certainly think so, based on the number of people who drink it today.
And that's too bad because, compared to tap water, the bottled stuff is absurdly expensive. It also generates a lot of ...
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Why Premium Gasoline Is a Lot Like Male-Enhancement Drugs
The things I do for this blog in the name of personal finance.
One day last month I got into a lunchtime conversation at work with a contractor who tried to convince me he had good reasons for putting premium gasoline in his Toyota Corolla, the ...
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The Great Paper Towel Test: What Brand Is Your Best Value?
The paper towel is one of the greatest inventions ever and, frankly, I think too many of us take them for granted.
Think about it: They're not only invaluable for cleaning up spills and other messes, but the best ones can also handle tough jobs ...
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My Peanut Butter Taste Test: What 8 Choosy Mothers Really Chose
Before the average American kid gets his high school diploma he or she will supposedly eat 1500 peanut butter sandwiches. That being said, most Americans' passion for peanut butter doesn't stop after childhood.
And in case you're wondering, a ...
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Approximate Energy Costs of Your Home Appliances
Our homes today are loaded with more electronic media and electric appliances than ever before. According to data published by the Energy Information Administration (EIA), US household electricity consumption is expected to grow about 29% from now ...
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The Best Personal Finance Book I’ve Ever Read
It seems like every week I get at least one note in my inbox asking me about personal finance books and a suggestion for which one to buy.
Well ... The other day somebody asked me to recommend a personal finance book they could give to their ...
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My Cola Taste Test: Is Coke Really Better Than Pepsi?
People have been enjoying cola-flavored soft drinks ever since 1886 when the first glasses of Coca-Cola were being served up for five cents each (about $1.44 in today's dollars) at a local Atlanta pharmacy.
Today, soft drinks are a key part of a ...
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Are Gas Clothes Dryers Worth the Extra Money?
People looking to save money on appliances quickly learn that gas dryers typically cost between $75 to $150 more than their electric counterparts, primarily because the components are more expensive; for folks on tight budgets, that price premium can ...
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8 Store Brand Items That Are Superior to Their Name Brand Twins
Even though buying store brands is a great way to save money on your grocery bill, many people refuse to try them because they believe they're automatically inferior to their name brand counterparts.
That can be a costly assumption.
Since my ...
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My Margarine Taste Test: Which Brand Tastes Most Like Butter?
Did you know margarine was invented in 1869 after a challenge from Emperor Louis Napoleon III, who was looking for a satisfactory low-cost substitute for butter that could be used by commoners and his military? It was.
Over the years, butter ...
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The Honeybee Helps Me Review Blue Apron’s Home Delivery Meal Service
This is a product review for Blue Apron.
Product Overview: Blue Apron is a fresh ingredient and recipe delivery service designed to help home chefs of all skill levels cook creative and tasty meals at home. Each week, Blue Apron does the menu ...
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Taste-Test Experiment: 11 Kids Evaluate Name-Brand vs. Generic Cereals
When it comes to breakfast, kids can be real cereal killers. Unfortunately, for those of us trying to lower our grocery bill, name-brand cereals can be a very expensive proposition.
That got me thinking: Can kids really tell the difference between ...
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My Potato Chip Taste Test: Are Lay’s Really Worth Paying More For?
Potato chips are big business. According to AIB International, over $7 billion of the salty snacks were were consumed in 2009.
It's been reported that over 1.2 billion pounds of potato chips are consumed annually; I know I'm probably good for ten ...
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My BBQ Sauce Taste Test: My Family Bucks Conventional Wisdom (Again)
Depending on who you talk to, barbecue sauces have been around since the days of the American colonies.
Wikipedia claims that the first commercial barbecue sauce appeared around 1909. I know; please don't grill me on my source, folks.
And while ...
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My Ketchup Taste-Test: Upset! Guess Which Brand Topped Heinz
Ketchup is the most popular condiment in the United States, and if you ask one hundred people what their favorite brand is, ninety-nine will usually say Heinz. As for the other guy, he'll simply say he doesn't like ketchup, period. It's true.
Then ...
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My Store-Brand vs. Name-Brand Blind Taste-Test Experiment #3
Okay. If you are a regular reader here you know the drill by now, so feel free to skip to the juicy parts!
Are name-brand groceries really worth the extra cost when alternative cheaper store-brand groceries are available? More specifically, when ...
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My Store-Brand vs. Name-Brand Blind Taste-Test Experiment #2
Are name-brand groceries really worth the extra cost when alternative cheaper store-brand groceries are available? More specifically, when it comes to edible products, does the quality and taste of name-brand products always justify the price premium ...
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