Katy Wolk-Stanley, a.k.a. The Non-Consumer Advocate is a Portland, Oregon based RN and writer who describes herself as a utility bill scholar, library patron, laundry-hanger-upper and teenage boy wrangler. She’s been featured on The Today Show, The NY Times and The National Enquirer.

More posts by Katy Wolk-Stanley

12 Things You Never Knew You Could Get From Your Local Library
12 Things You Never Knew You Could Get From Your Local Library Life March 25th, 2024
If your notion of what a library has to offer is based on your childhood, you're woefully behind the times.…
7 Most Common Financial Regrets
7 Most Common Financial Regrets Money & Credit February 27th, 2024
Unless you're a fictional character, you're likely to have a few financial regrets in your life. Hopefully, they can be…
9 Ways To Keep Costs Down at Home While You’re Away on Vacation
9 Ways To Keep Costs Down at Home While You’re Away on Vacation Money & Credit December 13th, 2023
When the subject of frugal vacationingcomes up, the focus is understandablyon the cost of the actual vacation. You know, theairfare,…
How To Squeeze Every Single Last Drop From Household Products
How To Squeeze Every Single Last Drop From Household Products Life August 28th, 2023
Do you get frustrated by things you buy that don't last as long as they should? Well then, you're in…
Using a pressure washer to clean furniture can help you save money
6 Ways a Pressure Washer Can Save You Money Save Money May 4th, 2023
Whether or not you've used a pressure washer, you're likely already aware of its cleaning ability. There are entire YouTube…
12 Ways To Practice Extreme Frugality
12 Ways To Practice Extreme Frugality Deals & Savings June 28th, 2022
If you're a fan of Clark Howard and Clark.com, you may already be using some of our favorite money-saving tips…
Budgeting Basics: What You Need To Know To Get Started
Budgeting Basics: What You Need To Know To Get Started Money & Credit April 22nd, 2022
To most people, "budget" is a negative word: a barrier to the enjoyable things in life. Ask a person to…
How To Price Garage Sale Items
How To Price Garage Sale Items Make Money April 2nd, 2022
Whether you've been bitten by the KonMari bug or you're simply indulging in a classic spring cleaning session, now is…
5 Things You Should Repair Instead of Replace
5 Things You Should Repair Instead of Replace Shopping & Retail November 5th, 2021
Consumer goods are so cheap these days, you may assume that it's betterto buy newinstead ofrepairing items. But that's not…
Putting the Dollar Tree Cleaner ‘LA’s Totally Awesome’ to the Test!
Putting the Dollar Tree Cleaner ‘LA’s Totally Awesome’ to the Test! Life October 22nd, 2021
If you have a home to clean, you likely already have your favorite brands of products. Maybe it's Shout to…
The Key to Super-Easy Furniture Refinishing
The Key to Super-Easy Furniture Refinishing Homes & Real Estate August 26th, 2021
I grew up in a family that enjoyedrefurbishing antique furniture. It was hours of work for my parents and involved…
How To Make Some Serious Extra Cash With Focus Groups
How To Make Some Serious Extra Cash With Focus Groups Jobs May 29th, 2021
If youwantto bring in extra money without making a long-term commitment, then you might want to look into participating in…
Keep Your Car Spotless With These 5 Easy Cleaning Hacks
Keep Your Car Spotless With These 5 Easy Cleaning Hacks Cars February 10th, 2021
After your home, a car is likely the most expensive purchase you'll make in your lifetime. Because of that, it's…
Custom drawer organizer inspired by KonMari
How to KonMari Your Home on a Budget Life January 5th, 2021
You don't have to be a minimalist or a decluttering guru to have come across the tiny dynamo (and hugely…
5 Inexpensive Christmas Gift Ideas
5 Inexpensive Christmas Gift Ideas Shopping & Retail November 11th, 2020
Did you run out of money before you crossed everyone off your holiday shopping list? Fear not, as there are…
8 Money-Saving Tips for Renters
8 Money-Saving Tips for Renters Homes & Real Estate October 16th, 2020
Do you click on money-saving real estate articles only to find that everything is geared toward homeowners? This time, dear…
7 Things You Can Save Money On by Doing Them Yourself
7 Things You Can Save Money On by Doing Them Yourself Save Money July 24th, 2020
Back in the day, no one would say that it was cheaper to buy your necessities than to make them.…
4 Home Cleaning Hacks That Actually Work
4 Home Cleaning Hacks That Actually Work Life July 21st, 2020
What is it about the word "hack" that elevates a mundane chore into something more fun? Is it because a…
How to Clean, Season and Care for Your Cast Iron Cookware
How to Clean, Season and Care for Your Cast Iron Cookware Food & Restaurants April 3rd, 2020
In an era of planned obsolescence, cast iron cookware is an exception. Made without moving parts or connecting pieces, cast…
Can These Beauty ‘Hacks’ Really Save You Money?
Can These Beauty ‘Hacks’ Really Save You Money? Life April 3rd, 2020
It seems that the internet these days overcrowded with tips for just about anything you can imagine. You know the…
Condiment packets
Save Money on Meals Using Extra Condiment Packets Deals & Savings April 3rd, 2020
When keeping to a food budget it's important to keep your recipes simple and classic. But no one wants to…
20 Tips to Help You Have a Profitable Garage Sale
20 Tips to Help You Have a Profitable Garage Sale Homes & Real Estate March 26th, 2020
With sunny days starting to overtake the dreariness of winter, garage sale season is once again upon us. You may…
Altoids tin
6 Things You Might Not Have Considered Selling on eBay Shopping & Retail February 2nd, 2019
eBay touts that you can utilize their website to buy and sell “Electronics, Cars, Fashion, Collectables, Coupons and More.” Of…
How to get the most out of your gift cards when you’re ready to start spending them
How to get the most out of your gift cards when you’re ready to start spending them Shopping & Retail November 13th, 2018
If you're like 93% of Americans, you've either given or received a gift card this holiday season. It's no wonder…
How to get that HGTV decorating look you love for a fraction of the cost
How to get that HGTV decorating look you love for a fraction of the cost Homes & Real Estate October 11th, 2018
Do you watch the HGTV channel and lament that you'll never be able to afford the luxurious home accents featured…
How to save money by adding unique alternatives to your grocery routine
How to save money by adding unique alternatives to your grocery routine Shopping & Retail July 27th, 2018
The average American spends roughly $4,015 per year on "food at home,"  according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. That…
5 financial New Year’s resolutions you can actually keep
5 financial New Year’s resolutions you can actually keep Money & Credit May 22nd, 2018
The Christmas holiday dominates the month of December, but it seems that the moment the clock strikes twelve on the…
How to optimize tax deductions when you donate stuff
How to optimize tax deductions when you donate stuff Money & Credit May 22nd, 2018
Spring and summer are the seasons for renewal, which for many of us means getting our homes in tip top…
Keep an eye out for these garage sale items for big savings
Keep an eye out for these garage sale items for big savings Deals & Savings June 30th, 2017
Garage sale season is upon us, which can mean either: A) Time to get rid of the excess within your…
Want to brag about your Harvard Education? Now you can for free!
Want to brag about your Harvard Education? Now you can for free! Education May 16th, 2017
If you missed out on attending an Ivy League university due to your less than stellar grade point average, then…