@Bonsai_halcyon: One option would be to heat the water on a stove (or fire, if camping) in a pot and make sure to keep a thermometer handy.

I remember reading this on a popcorn bag about 15 or more years ago. I tried it a couple times, but I don't remember it making *that* big of a difference. Then again, I was only 11 15 years ago...so I might not have cared all that much.

@jmblackmer: Feel free to click the link above. It is a calculator that shows what making payments every half month does over the term of the loan. This is a total of 24 half payments throughout the year...exactly what the article was focused on. I mis-worded my response when I said bi-weekly. It should have been…

@jmblackmer: Considering that a "standard" mortgage is 360 months, you really need to consider the remainder of years on the back end. There are multiple calculators online that will help you tell the difference. I recommend googling 'bi-weekly mortgage calculator' and see what you can come up with.

I generally search kayak first. After I search kayak and a few other smaller sites and find the cheapest ticket, if I don't have a specific time I have to leave, I "name my own price" on priceline.com. I structure my offers starting with 50% off, and gradually offering more, in increments of 5% or 10%. I generally…

@The Amazing Ant: I agree. I'm off to see the same Wizard of Oz that you are...only hopefully with less witches and flying monkeys.

@gemcosta: Not necessarily. To get a score that high, you also need a proven long-time history with both revolving credit lines and installment loans. The debt-to-limit ratio needs to be kept under control (I've seen anywhere from 25% to 33% recommended...and in a couple cases, even under 50%), and many other…