Many of the nation’s top retailers tout low-price guarantees: Someone else is advertising a lower price? No need to go to the other store -- we’ll match it. In practice, though, a price-match guarantee is no guarantee a store will match a competitor’s price. A new report by Cheapism.com compares the price-matching policies at more than half a dozen retailers and looks at how they’re applied in-store. It finds that even the most permissive retailers use careful wording and litanies of exclusions to deny customer requests. Shoppers unfamiliar with the fine print face frustration and stand to waste valuable time.

Here are some of the most common reasons a retailer may refuse to match a competitor’s price.

• The competitor isn’t local. Best Buy, for instance, confines its policy to stores that fall within a 25-mile radius. Other retailers use vague phrases such as “reasonable distance” and “same market area,” which are open to employee interpretation. Cheapism’s report on price-match policies cites an account from one shopper who says Target wouldn’t match a store a mile away because it was in a different ZIP code.
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• The competitor is an online retailer. Many companies extend their price-matching policies only to brick-and-mortar stores and, in some cases, the websites of local competitors. But until recently none included online-only competitors in their price-match guarantees. That’s why Target and Best Buy turned heads in recent months when they announced they would match prices offered by select online retailers, including Amazon, regardless whether there was a corresponding store in the same market. As Cheapism explains, however, online price matching comes with its own fine print. A bottle of contact solution was going for almost $4 less on Amazon, but Target wouldn’t match the price because it was listed by a third-party seller on the Amazon Marketplace, not by Amazon.com.
• The competitor is a warehouse club. Retailers including JC Penney and Target won’t match prices that require a club card, so forget about pointing to a lower price at Sam’s Club or Costco. Best Buy does match warehouse-club pricing, as long as the store is local, and Sears requires that customers show a valid membership card for the club store before matching a lower price.
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• You didn’t bring in a print ad. Most retailers don’t simply promise to match competitors’ prices; they promise to match competitors’ advertised prices. Not only that, many require a print ad as proof of the lower price -- a photo, photocopy, or mobile version may not cut it. At Walmart, the official policy states that you don’t have to have an ad with you (an employee may call to verify the price), but customers have found that cashiers often say they need to see an ad in order to match a price.

• The items are not identical. The lower-priced product at the other store must be the same brand, model, style, color, size, weight, quantity -- identical in every way. It also can’t be a used, refurbished, damaged, open-box, or display item. This often comes into play with appliances and electronics. A product at Home Depot might have a different model number than the same product at Lowe’s, making it ineligible for price matching. Non-branded items such as fresh produce also may not qualify, although Walmart promises to match food prices if they’re listed in the same unit of measure (e.g., per ounce).
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• The lower-priced item is … advertised as limited-time, limited-supply, or limited-quantity or part of a clearance, closeout, liquidation, or going-out-of-business sale.

You get the idea. Retailers are happy to use ad-match policies to burnish their reputations for low prices, but they’re far from eager to honor those guarantees. Still, there’s some variation in the policies and how they’re applied in practice. Cheapism has identified some of the best price-match guarantees and a couple that may not be worth the effort. If you choose a relatively lenient retailer and go in with knowledge of the rules, you could save yourself time and money.

toysrus.com

Price match guarantees aren't so simple and include a list of caveats, as seen here in the Toys R Us price-match guarantee guidelines.

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Comparing stores that price match

The Saucony Kinvara 3 comes in men's and women's styles and starts at $65.

Barefoot running has gained a relatively small but fervent following in recent years, inspiring a Barefoot Runners Society and the third-annual International Barefoot Running Day this past weekend. Its reputation for improving technique and preventing injuries may be up for debate, but there’s one undeniable benefit of running unshod: You don’t have to buy new shoes. (Predictably, footwear companies have countered the trend with oxymoronic “barefoot running shoes.”) If you prefer a bit more cushioning between you and the asphalt, you can find comfortable, breathable, lightweight shoes from respected brands starting at $65.

Below are the top picks from Cheapism.com for both men and women.

• The Saucony Kinvara 3 (starting at $65) is a durable and justifiably popular shoe, according to expert and consumer reviews. It’s lightweight and flexible, yet it provides ample support, with memory foam heel pods and proprietary cushioning technology. (Where to buy)
• The Saucony Guide 6 (starting at $100), a stability shoe, is best for people whose feet tend to roll inward somewhat when they run. Many online reviewers are longtime fans of the line and give it credit for helping refine their stride and alleviate pain. (Where to buy)
• The Asics Gel-Blur33 2.0 (starting at $68) features gel and memory foam for shock absorption, a sock-like liner, and flashy color combinations. Reviewers note that the shoe seems to run about a half-size small and a bit wide in the heel but proves comfortable if you can find the right fit. (Where to buy)
• The Brooks PureConnect 2 (starting at $90) is the lightest and most minimalist shoe on the list, weighing in between 5.2 ounces and 7.2 ounces, depending on size and gender. An unusual design isolates the big toe to give runners a better feel for the road. Even reviewers who initially had reservations about the split toe have found that it gives them a more powerful stride. (Where to buy)

Before you buy, try this test from Runners World to help determine the right type of shoe for your foot: Pour some water onto a baking sheet and wet the sole of your foot, then plant it on a paper grocery bag (or just step purposefully onto a bath mat the next time you get out of the shower). Compare your print with the examples provided to find out if you have normal arches, high arches, or flat feet.

Most people with normal arches can wear any of the shoes listed above. A high arch encourages the foot to roll outward, a motion known as supination or underpronation. So-called supinators should opt for a neutral shoe like the Saucony Kinvara 3, Asics Gel-Blur33 2.0, or Brooks PureConnect 2, rather than a stability shoe like the Saucony Guide 6. That model suits runners with flatter feet who are vulnerable to overpronation. Severe overpronators may want to try a motion-control shoe like the Brooks Addiction 10. It starts at $110, but we’ve seen the women’s version listed for $65.

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The Garmin Nuvi 40LM comes with free lifetime map updates.

When you’re driving unfamiliar streets or seeking a nearby spot to fill up your tank and your belly, it helps to have that patient, all-knowing GPS voice directing you to “exit to the right,” or, if you’ve ventured off-course, “make a legal U-turn when possible.”

Increasingly that voice comes from a smartphone, rather than a stand-alone device. With the right app, a windshield or dashboard mount, and a car charger (so you don’t drain the battery), you’ve got yourself an inexpensive navigation system. If you don’t own a smartphone, you can find a reliable, easy-to-use GPS starting at less than $100.

Below are the top budget picks from Cheapism.com.

• The Garmin Nuvi 40LM (starting at $90) has earned the approval of hundreds of online reviewers with fast, accurate directions and attractive features. It lets you know which lane you should be in, identifies streets by name when telling you where to turn, warns you if you exceed the speed limit, and comes preloaded with more than 5 million points of interest. The purchase price includes free map updates for the life of the device. (Where to buy)
• The Garmin Nuvi 50 (starting at $80), like the 40LM, has impressed users and experts with its pinpoint accuracy and user-friendly interface. But it differs from that model on two fronts: It has a larger screen that measures 5 inches diagonally, compared with 4.3 inches, and it requires users to pay a fee for map updates. To get a lifetime subscription, consumers must upgrade to the 50LM, which costs about $50 more on Amazon. (Where to buy)
• The TomTom Via 1405TM (starting at $114) incorporates not only free map updates but also lifetime traffic alerts to help users avoid delays in real time. Reviews note that this 4.3-inch model may take a minute to come up with directions, but users can generally count on efficient routes that factor in real travel times and even fuel efficiency. (Where to buy)

The maps on these devices cover the continental U.S., Hawaii, and Puerto Rico. The TomTom model also includes Alaska, Canada, and developing coverage of Mexico, whereas Garmin charges extra for full coverage of the U.S. and Canada. Users can download additional points of interest to supplement the millions of hotels, gas stations, and other so-called POIs that are already installed on the three units. All Things Nav is affiliated with Garmin’s maps provider but explains how to customize any GPS with POIs ranging from historic sites to red-light-camera locations.

These devices are portable, but their rechargeable lithium-ion batteries last only a couple of hours. For consumers who venture far from their vehicles, Cheapism highlights a different take on a GPS: the handheld Bushnell BackTrack D-Tour (starting at $80). This model homes in on your location and keeps track of where you’ve been, so you can find your way back to a trailhead or campsite -- or, if you’re less outdoorsy, to your car in a megamall parking lot. Users who bring it on runs, hikes, and road trips get a kick out of seeing their routes rendered on a mapping app when they return.

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Does raising kids always have to be so hard on the wallet? Not necessarily, as I learned after moving to Japan with my husband and young children. Here’s a smorgasbord of 10 frugal parenting insights from Japan and other cultures. Although they can help us save a few pennies, their greatest value lies in what they teach us (and our kids) about being content with less.

1. Tone down the birthday parties. I almost couldn’t believe it when I realized that the kids we knew weren’t making lists of things they wanted for their birthday or at holiday time. In Japan, gift-giving isn’t a focus of these events. Instead of holding a big birthday bash and getting lots of presents, Japanese kids celebrate with a family dinner and one gift at most. In France, holidays like Christmas (another occasion for gift-giving in the U.S.) are traditionally celebrated with a family dinner. And while Christmas dinner is followed by a few carefully chosen presents, enjoying a meal together is the focal point. In Germany, birthday parties are simple, at-home affairs, which keeps costs to a minimum. In the U.S., informal surveys indicate that in some regions parents spend at least $200 on their child’s birthday party; that’s $400 for two kids. Assuming two children each bring a $10 present to 10 birthday parties, that’s a yearly outlay of $200. Go light on the parties and the gifts and save several hundred dollars.

2. Play outside. Consider doing away with toys completely and just have the kids play outside, as many parents do in Brazil. Brazilian parents aren’t in the habit of buying many toys for their kids because they expect them to play with friends or cousins, on their own -- and you don’t need much for that.

3.  Two wheels beat four. People commute to work or school by bicycle in places such as China, Denmark, and especially the Netherlands, a famously bike-friendly nation. In Japan, bicycles can be fitted with two child seats -- one in front, one in back -- for the ride to and from preschool or the grocery store. Once a child is in elementary school he walks to school on his own or takes public transportation. It is almost never the case that a child commutes to school by car -- if his family even has a car. (Two cars per family is a true rarity.) The average American family spent $4,416 on gasoline for the car in 2011, according to CNN Money. Think of the savings if you eliminate the twice-daily back and forth to school. 

4. Borrow your toys. Parents in New Zealand are lucky -- instead of buying new toys, they can borrow them from the widely available “toy libraries” that lend out toys and DVDs for the price of a yearly membership that costs about $100. Not only do parents stave off boredom/clutter syndrome (i.e., a new toy gathers dust after an initial wave of interest), borrowing toys reinforces the message that kids don’t have to own everything. According to the NPD Group, parents in the U.S. spent an average of $284 a child on toys in 2010, or $568 for a family with two kids. Reach out to a couple of friends and see if they’d like to start a toy rotation. The potential savings are significant.

5. Share your toys. Due to small living spaces and the lack of a heavy toy-buying tradition, children in South Korea claim title to just a few toys. Any toys a family owns are always meant for sharing among siblings. Sharing of toys and clothes extends beyond the family in South Korea, as well -- many neighborhoods hold a swap event twice a month for families to exchange clothes and toys for free. Here in the States, this is another opportunity to cut costs by joining forces with friends. 

6. Eat meals together. In countries with robust food traditions such as France, Italy, Spain, and South Korea, there’s simply no such thing as a separate kids’ meal. Kids eat and enjoy the same food as parents do, which saves money and time (no separate ingredients to buy and prepare or separate dishes to wash) and has the added bonus of teaching kids to eat widely and well. My friends in the U.S. report spending between $20 and $40 a week on an assortment of kiddie food items, such as frozen kids’ meals, chicken nuggets, pasta and sauce, macaroni and cheese, and apple juice. Potential savings are ample when everyone at the table feasts on the same menu.

7. Make your own toys. The first time I saw my friend’s 4-year-old daughter come home proudly from preschool lugging a used grocery bag full of what looked like trash, I didn’t get it. But once my own kids started school, I understood. It’s common for Japanese preschools to use recyclables -- bottles, caps, milk cartons, egg cartons, cardboard boxes, newspapers -- extensively and regularly for crafts instead of buying new supplies. Not only does this give kids a chance to exercise their creativity, it teaches them about the value of recycling in a concrete way. Kids also see their parents reuse everything, including paper and shopping bags. Based on prices posted at Walmart.com, a rough estimate of the cost of new craft supplies, including paper, sequins, markers, glue, paints, etc. in the U.S. comes to about $100 dollars a year. Repurpose what you might have thrown away and you’ll save a hefty portion of that sum.

8. Forage for your food. In Finland, an extremely modest and frugal mindset prevails. The high cost of new items means parents often go to one of the country’s many flea markets or secondhand stores to buy clothing. And it’s a tradition for families to forage for berries and mushrooms together in the summer, gathering enough to stock the freezer with a winter’s supply for the entire family. Consider joining a community garden to cut down on produce costs during harvest season.

9. Get out those handkerchiefs. I hadn’t seen anyone use a handkerchief since I was a little girl. I didn’t even know they still existed. But in Japan, everyone carries one -- from preschoolers to old men and women. Hankies are used to wipe hands after washing, to mop off a sweaty brow or clean a smudge of dirt. Little children learn early on how important this is: They’re required to bring a hankie to preschool, and elementary school teachers sometimes hold “handkerchief checks” to make sure the habit is ingrained. If a family of four in the U.S. uses two boxes of tissues a month, each priced at $3.69, the annual cost approaches $90. Use handkerchiefs instead and save $90 (minus the initial investment and the ongoing cost of cleaning them).

10. Buy fewer back-to-school supplies. In Japan, the list of back-to-school supplies a first-grader needs is daunting: a set of colored pencils, regular pencils, scissors, erasers, glue, pencil box, gym clothes, and a few notebooks, all to be stored in a special backpack that is meant to last throughout elementary school. (The same tradition prevails in Germany.) That sounds like it could be costly, but think about it: there’s no buying new backpacks every year or two. And while there’s a large initial purchase of school supplies, each pencil and every last eraser is labeled with the child’s name so he’ll take care of them and use them until there’s nothing left. Assuming a backpack costs about $40 in the U.S. and school supplies run about $48 a year, according to a survey by Parenting.com and Women & Co., a Citibank personal finance service, you can save at least $50 a child by reusing last year’s backpack and cutting down on supplies. 

A parenting expert with a Ph.D. from Harvard University, Christine Gross-Loh raised her own children in Japan for five years. Her writing has appeared in Mothering magazine, Parenting magazine, Shape magazine and on Mothering.com. Christine’s new book, Parenting Without Borders: Surprising Lessons Parents Around the World Can Teach Us, will be published on May 2 by Avery/Penguin. For more information visit www.christinegrossloh.com.

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The iHome iD55 speaker dock is big enough for an iPad.

A DIY idea that has ping-ponged around Pinterest and other social media suggests you can fashion a speaker for a smartphone or MP3 player from nothing but a few pushpins and a toilet paper roll. That’s right -- a toilet paper roll. Although this may cost basically nothing and boost the volume a bit, it won’t exactly impress with its style or sound quality. On a $100 budget, you still won’t get a 100 percent audiophile-approved speaker system, but you can certainly find one that will blow a TP speaker out of the water.

Below are Cheapism.com’s top picks for affordable iPod/iPhone speakers.

• The iHome iD55 (starting at $76) is a dock wide enough to accommodate an iPad yet small enough to be portable. The 30-pin connector accepts most Apple devices, although not the latest generation with the newer, narrower Lightning connector. Expert reviewers admire the dock’s sophisticated design, which features a sliding cover, and solid audio performance. (Where to buy)
• The JBL Flip (starting at $85) is a wireless speaker that connects to Bluetooth-enabled MP3 players, smartphones, tablets, and computers. It has earned rave reviews online for loud, clear sound, especially given its small size. A built-in microphone and call-answer button let it double as a speakerphone for FaceTiming, Skyping, or talking on the phone. (Where to buy)
• The JBL OnBeat Micro (starting at $100) beat many competitors to market with a Lightning connector for the newest iPod Touch and iPod Nano, as well as the iPhone 5. This small dock pleasantly surprised reviewers with its considerable volume and well-balanced audio. (Where to buy)
• The NuForce Cube (starting at $99) is a 2.3-inch block that plugs into a headphone jack or USB port. Its tiny size and eight-hour battery life make it the most portable speaker on this list. Don’t expect deep, thumping bass, reviewers say, but the sound is pleasingly crisp and detailed. (Where to buy)

Consumers looking for a speaker dock should note whether their devices use the older, wider 30-pin connector or the smaller Lightning connector. The specs for most speakers include a list of devices they support. If you find yourself unsure which generation of iPod you have, this page on the Apple website can help you sort out the different models. Although only compatible devices can be docked and charged on the iHome iD55 and JBL OnBeat Micro, or connect wirelessly to the JBL Flip, all the speakers on the list above have 3.5 mm inputs on the back where users can plug in most any device, including a computer or a non-Apple MP3 player.

Every one of the speakers on this list is small and light enough to carry with you on the road. Battery power, whether it be from AA batteries, AAA batteries, or a rechargeable lithium-ion battery, makes it possible to listen even outside or away from an outlet.

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OXO

The OXO Good Grips bin is a cheap and popular option for composting food scraps.

Earth Day, coming up on Monday, April 22, will no doubt spur some to take recycling beyond the blue bin. Composting, which gives food scraps and yard waste a second life as fertilizer, entails a little more effort (and a little more ick factor) than rinsing out bottles and cans.

The Environmental Protection Agency explains how to do it and even provides instructions for fashioning a compost bin from a couple of spare trash cans. If you’re not the DIY type, you can pick up a basic compost bin for less than $50. While that may seem like a bit much for a glorified garbage can, just think of all the bags of Miracle-Gro you won’t be buying, not to mention all the methane your waste won’t be releasing in a landfill.

Start by collecting compostable material -- bits and pieces of produce, eggshells, tea bags. This can go in a coffee can, but a dedicated kitchen pail comes with a lid for odor control and a handle for easy transport. Here are the top picks from Cheapism.com:

• The OXO Good Grips compost bin (starting at $20) serves as a tightly sealed repository for all those banana peels and coffee grounds until you have a chance to add them to a compost heap or outdoor bin. Users who have posted reviews online appreciate that this container is stylish and compact enough to sit on the kitchen counter, not to mention dishwasher safe. (Where to buy)
• The Gaiam compost bucket (starting at $18) comes in two different sizes and features a carbon filter to minimize odors. Reviewers marvel at how well the filters, which last three months, effectively quash any smell. (Where to buy)

The cheapest place to deposit your raw material is in a heap in a corner of the yard. However, a covered bin will neatly contain and hide the debris, ward off critters and rain, and help speed up the composting process, which can take up to two years unaided. Here are Cheapism’s top picks:

The Redmon Green Culture compost bin helps the material inside decompose into so-called 'black gold.'

• The Redmon Green Culture compost bin (starting at $47) moves things along with holes in the sides for air circulation and a dark exterior to capture heat. Reviewers point to the doors on all four sides of this 65-gallon bin, which make it easy to retrieve the compost when it’s ready. (Where to buy)
• The Fiskars Eco Bin (starting at $40) gains notice in reviews for its novel design. The 75-gallon bin collapses for easy storage and has an open bottom that invites worms and microbes in to facilitate decomposition. Consider your local climate, though, as the mesh construction could make it more difficult to keep the compost pile warm and moist. (Where to buy)

Basic bins like the ones above won’t turn trash into so-called “black gold” overnight. Even if you regularly aerate the pile by turning it with a shovel or pitchfork, to speed up the process, be prepared to wait at least several weeks for the finished product. Impatient composters may choose to opt for pricier tumblers, which can be rotated frequently so the compost “cooks” faster.

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jzlomek / SXC

No matter what color your thumb, turning a patch of bare earth into the envy of the neighborhood takes quite a bit of green. American households spend about $350 a year on gardening and lawn care, according to the most recent annual survey by the National Gardening Association. Cheapism.com set out to find the best garden center for a novice on a budget and found a winning combination of price, inventory, and service at Home Depot, where a predetermined list of plants and supplies totaled $173.92.

A selection of similar or identical items came out to $172.16 at a nearby Lowe’s, a difference of less than $2, although employees there didn’t seem to have the same level of expertise. At Walmart, a lower total of $164.69 didn’t reflect lower prices but rather a more limited inventory: The superstore didn’t stock a desired plant that other garden centers sold for between $9 and $17 -- more than enough to erase any advantage. Kmart carried only about half the products on the 14-item list and all but one were cheaper elsewhere.

Cheapism’s recipe for a starter garden called for essential tools such as a hose and a trowel, garden soil, vegetable seeds, and low-maintenance plants that would thrive in partial shade and afternoon sunlight. Setting up such a plot proved doable on a budget of less than $200 at the national chains but not at a local independent garden center. Even without an oscillating sprinkler, which wouldn’t be in stock until later in the season, the total came to $270.96 -- about $100 more than any big-box store.

Here’s a closer look at the rankings:

1. Home Depot charged higher prices than second-place Lowe’s for garden implements including a hose and a rake but lower prices for certain plants. Primroses, for example, cost $13.20 for 15 plants, compared with $18.75 at Lowe’s. In the well-stocked garden center an experienced veteran was ready with planting tips and practical money-saving advice.
2. Lowe's featured competitive prices across the board and a similar though slightly narrower selection than Home Depot. Employees offered contradictory advice, however, and staffers had to consult a reference book when asked about deer-resistant plants.
3. Walmart displayed an ample inventory of tools and supplies but considerably less in the way of flora than the home improvement stores. The staffing was also relatively thin and the only source of gardening advice was a hobbyist who worked in the electronics department.
4. Kmart lagged well behind the other chains in stocking its store for the season. It provided only one trowel and one bypass pruner from which to choose. A meager display of plants at the front included none on the list and stood in contrast to entire greenhouses brimming with foliage. The only employee in sight was friendly but lacked any knowledge of the inventory.

Many consumers assert there’s better value to be found at independent garden centers. Cheapism noted impressive employee expertise at a local nursery and a vast number and variety of plants, although not as many gardening implements and supplies and often far higher prices than the national chains.

Many big-box stores head off concerns about quality with one-year guarantees: Customers who keep their original receipts can dig up plants and trees that don’t last and bring them back for replacements. To find plants with the best chance of flourishing, try these tips from HGTV Gardens. Consumers in the know also recommend finding out when shipments are due to arrive at big-box stores. That allows access to plants that haven’t had a chance to fade under inadequate care and to knowledgeable distributors who may be able to offer advice.

Cheapism’s research was limited to a particular suburban market, and despite the chain stores’ quest for consistency, the customer experience may vary elsewhere. Certainly independent garden centers are known for their uniqueness. What have you found at the garden centers in your area?

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The Merrell Moab Ventilator is a low-cut hiking shoe, an increasingly popular and affordable alternative to higher-cut boots.

April showers and spring snowmelt signal that it’s time to trade in ski boots and snowshoes for hiking boots. Of course, those harbingers of warm weather also turn hiking trails to muck. Opt for a cut-rate pair of boots, and you could easily wind up with wet, blistered feet and a muddy rump. You could also wind up with a high-quality hiking shoe or even a reliable mid-cut boot for under $100.

Cheapism.com has highlighted four top picks, all of which come in men’s and women’s versions.

• The Merrell Moab Ventilator (starting at $72) has been labeled an excellent value in side-by-side comparisons by outdoor gear experts. This is a supportive hiking shoe that grips the trail with deep 5-millimeter lugs, or treads, yet it’s lightweight and very comfortable, according to online reviews. While the Ventilator is not waterproof (pricier Moab models are), it has a highly breathable mesh upper that allows it to dry out quickly in warm weather. The namesake ventilation further helps prevent blisters by airing out hot, sweaty feet. (Where to buy)
• The Keen Alamosa WP (starting at $72) caters to hikers who prefer a waterproof shoe. In this price range the term is often used loosely, but reviewers verify that the waterproof membrane that lines this shoe prevents water from leaking through. They also note the sturdy yet extremely lightweight construction, including durable, suede-like nubuck leather and a rubber bumper on the toe. (Where to buy)
• The mid-cut L.L. Bean Waterproof Trail Model Hikers (starting at $90) are classic hiking boots that come up higher on the ankle to provide additional support and protection. The mid-cut design alone is often enough to price a shoe over $100 and this budget pair is waterproof to boot (no pun intended). Again, numerous reviewers vouch for the effectiveness of the waterproof lining. (Where to buy)
• The Salomon Synapse (starting at $60) is uniquely designed for trail running, or for covering a lot of ground quickly. The midsole is tilted downward, toward the toe, to propel the wearer forward. A record holder who completed the fastest end-to-end hike of the Appalachian Trail wore these inexpensive shoes to accomplish her feat. Novices, too, have found them durable and supremely comfortable. (Where to buy)

Light hiking shoes dominate the low end of the market and have become a popular alternative to heavy-duty backpacking boots. A multi-day trip with a heavy pack over rough, uneven terrain calls for a burly boot with a higher price tag. But for day hikes that don’t venture off the trail, many hikers prefer nimbler footwear. While that often means a low-cut shoe, a few mid-cut boots, such as L.L. Bean’s Trail Model Hikers, offer similarly light weight and low cost.

Another hallmark of this type of shoe is a sole that’s supportive without being too stiff. All four pairs listed above manage to walk that line, reviewers say. They feature foot beds made from cushy EVA, or ethylene vinyl acetate. However, nothing will make a boot comfortable if it doesn’t fit correctly. Outside magazine explains exactly how to find the right one for you.

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The SwitchEasy Tones case comes in seven colors.

By Kara Reinhardt, Cheapism.com

Soon it will be cheaper than ever to get your hands on a new iPhone 5. Beginning April 12, T-Mobile will offer the coveted Apple handset contract-free for $100, although customers will be on the hook for $20 a month until they’ve paid a total of $580. Even at a subsidized price of $199 with a two-year plan from another carrier, if you’re not careful, you’ll be looking at quite a bit of money down the toilet — or shattered on the sidewalk, as the case may be. A study last year by SquareTrade estimated that repair and replacement had cost U.S. iPhone owners nearly $6 billion since Steve Jobs unveiled the original in 2007. Even if that’s overstating it a little (the company sells iPhone warranties, after all), you’ve no doubt seen what a drop from a lap or table will do to a phone. A protective case can cost less than $25 but have the potential to save hundreds. Here are Cheapism’s top picks.

• The SwitchEasy Tones (starting at $17) stood out in an expert comparison of iPhone 5 cases for delivering excellent protection without bulking up the phone’s svelte design. The key is a combination of materials. Rubbery TPU, or thermoplastic polyurethane, covers the top, bottom, and vulnerable corners of the phone. Scratch-resistant polycarbonate gives the back a sleeker look and feel and lets the phone slide easily into a pocket. The package comprises not just the case but a full set of armor, including screen guards and protectors for the headphone and power jacks. The case comes in seven colors. (Where to buy)
• The Speck CandyShell Flip (starting at $20) was designed with docking in mind. Many cases impede the port on the bottom of the phone and must be removed completely, but this one has a panel that flips open at the back. Again, reviewers point to the use of multiple materials: a hard plastic shell and a shock-absorbent lining. This is a top pick for the iPhone 4 and 4S, as well as the iPhone 5. Buyers can choose from six color combinations for the iPhone 4/4S and 10 for the current model. (Where to buy)
• The Griffin Protector (starting at $15) is a simple, cheap silicone case that wraps around the back and edges of the iPhone 5. Reviewers say the rubbery material provides a good grip and effectively cushions the phone if it happens to tumble. Overall this case is less bulky but just as protective as many pricier options. It’s available in seven colors. (Where to buy)
• The TuneBand from Grantwood Technology (starting at $23) marries a silicone skin with an elastic strap that fastens around the upper arm, so you can listen to music on your phone while you work out. Reviewers appreciate that this armband not only secures the handset but also shields it from sweat. The iPhone 5 case comes in four colors and the iPhone 4/4S version is available in six hues, including glow-in-the-dark, an intriguing option for owners who go running before dawn or after dark. (Where to buy)

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By Kara Reinhardt, Cheapism.com

A sound bar (shown here with a subwoofer) is a popular alternative to a full set of speakers.

Can’t make it to the Georgia Dome next weekend for the Final Four? A home theater may not replicate the experience of being in the arena, but it sure beats streaming the games on your work computer with earbuds (not that you’ve been doing that). Accumulating a full range of surround-sound speakers can easily cost more than tournament tickets and airfare to Atlanta. Even with a cheaper audio package, though, you’ll notice a marked improvement over your TV’s built-in speakers.

After comparing features and analyzing online reviews of home-theater systems, Cheapism.com has highlighted these top picks under $400.

• The Boston Acoustics TVee 26 (starting at $300) contains two speakers in a long, slim sound bar, an economical alternative to full surround sound. It comes from a brand dedicated to speakers and features a separate, wireless subwoofer. Reviewers note the clarity and strength of the sound and admire the system’s simplicity and value. (Where to buy)
• The Zvox Z-Base 220 (starting at $200) packs three speakers and a subwoofer into a single wooden case, a design that yields better sound quality than plastic housing, according to one expert. The bass comes in for particular praise, as do features that make dialogue stand out and dampen the volume of commercials. (Where to buy)
• The Panasonic SC-BTT195 (starting at $358) is what most consumers probably picture when they think of a home theater: a 5.1 speaker configuration, with five speakers and one subwoofer, plus a Blu-ray player. This type of complete package is becoming less common, as consumers opt for inexpensive audio-only packages (like the others on this list) and prefer to choose their own Blu-ray players. Reviewers say the included player, a 3-D model, provides excellent playback, and buyers appreciate the convenience of this “home theater in a box.” (Where to buy)
• The Panasonic SC-HTB350 (starting at $198) is a classic 2.1 system with two speakers and a subwoofer, as well as a control unit. Experts commend the system’s flexibility: The speakers can be combined into a single sound-bar-like unit, or placed separately on either side of the TV. The subwoofer is wireless, so you can put it anywhere in the room without a cord to get in the way. Bluetooth support lets an MP3 player or smartphone feed music through the speakers wirelessly, where other systems rely on a 3.5mm jack or USB input. (Where to buy)

Dolby offers a helpful guide to speaker positioning, whether you have a 2.1, 5.1, or pricier 7.1 configuration. With a sound bar, setup is less complicated and there aren’t so many wires to wrangle. The unit simply sits directly above or below the TV. All-in-one systems such as the Zvox Z-Base 220 use technology intended to mimic a 5.1 surround-sound setup. Still, some reviewers emphasize that there’s no substitute for physical speakers. True surround-sound systems like the Panasonic SC-BTT195, with two front speakers, a center channel, and two rear speakers, promise a more immersive experience.

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By Kara Reinhardt, Cheapism.com

Pizzaioli will tell you that a perfect pie with exquisitely crisp crust comes from a brick oven heated to upward of 800 degrees.

If you don’t often have the luxury of eating out (much less a kitchen with a brick oven), pizza is more likely to come from a freezer set to 0 degrees. Frozen pizza may be no match for a Neapolitan pie, but it has its own appeal for cash-strapped parents with picky kids and time-strapped professionals with otherwise dormant kitchens. Cheapism.com set out to find the best cheap alternatives to restaurant, delivery, and pricey cook-at-home pies by conducting a blind taste test of 10 frozen cheese and pepperoni pizzas. All the sample pies cost less than 30 cents per ounce.

Here are the ones that received the highest scores from the nine-person panel:

• Freschetta Signature Pepperoni (purchase price: $5.99 for 27.35 ounces, or 22 cents an ounce) stood out from typically anemic frozen pizzas for its flavorful, plentiful sauce. Panelists also appreciated the spice they detected in this pepperoni pizza. All but one considered it tasty enough to buy and eat again. (Where to buy)
• Freschetta 4-Cheese Medley ($5.99 for 26.11 ounces, or 23 cents an ounce) took the top spot among cheese pizzas with its well-balanced ingredients, including piquant sauce, flecks of herb, and a mix of cheeses. Even the crust, often a weakness of frozen pizza, came close to inspiring a positive consensus among the panelists. (Where to buy)
• Trader Giotto’s Pizza 4 Formaggi ($3.99 for 13.4 ounces, or 30 cents an ounce) is a private-label product that takes its Italianized name from the specialty grocer Trader Joe’s. It may not have been the prettiest pizza in the group, but tasters found it one of the most flavorful -- particularly for plain cheese. This is a smaller pie with a higher price per ounce, but those who preferred it were fervent admirers. (Where to buy)
• DiGiorno Half & Half ($5 for 30 ounces, or 17 cents an ounce) makes an attractive choice for anyone with a household divided between cheese and pepperoni loyalists. However, the pepperoni people will be happiest with this pizza, according to the panel. Testers liked the spicy pepperoni and tangy sauce but not the stiff cheese. (Where to buy)

Panelists rated each pizza on a scale of 1 to 5 based on appearance, aroma, texture, and, above all, taste. While these are undeniably subjective measures, testers tried to assess the pizzas as objectively as possible. Nowhere was this more apparent than in their evaluation of Totino’s Party Pizzas, the cheapest on offer at just $1 per pie, or about 10 cents an ounce. Two panelists gave the brand poor scores and acknowledged the pizza’s low quality even as they called it a personal favorite and went back for seconds. One explained that it brought back memories of college and the other admitted that she loved the fake, processed taste. Some online reviewers likewise seem to embrace the product for what it is, rather than seek out a closer yet still subpar imitation of a proper pizza.

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The Olympus VR-340 features 10x zoom.

By Kara Reinhardt, Cheapism.com

For years now consumers have been turning to smartphones instead of cameras to shoot and share good-enough-for-Facebook photos. For those who lack a fancy phone with a decent camera or still prefer a dedicated device, respected names such as Canon and Olympus make well-reviewed digital cameras for less than $100. The best budget models promise reliable image quality and include features such as 10x optical zoom. That’s something you won’t see in a smartphone camera.

Here are the top picks from Cheapism.com.

• The Canon PowerShot A3400 IS (starting at $89) is yet another excellent entrant from a brand that seems to consistently excel in the budget arena. This camera has a touchscreen LCD -- an unusual feature for this price range -- and reviewers say the controls are simple to navigate. (Where to buy)
• The Olympus VR-340 (starting at $89) boasts a 10x zoom lens in a category where 5x is the norm. The 3-inch LCD also has a higher resolution: 460K dots, compared with the standard 230K. Expert reviewers note the camera’s solid metal body and laud its overall quality. (Where to buy)
• The Canon PowerShot A2400 IS (starting at $88) earns plenty of praise for its performance. Experts point to the sharpness of the photos and outstanding color accuracy. On the features front, this model looks much like the A3400, but for a 2.7-inch LCD in place of a 3-inch touchscreen. (Where to buy)
• The Fujifilm FinePix T400 (starting at $89) stands out for its ease of use, according to expert reviews. Automatic settings on this and other point-and-shoot cameras take the guesswork out of shooting a portrait, sunset, sporting event, or any number of other scenes. This camera’s slim body houses a 10x zoom. (Where to buy)

In general budget cameras tend to struggle in low light, producing images marred by “noise” or graininess and other distortions. In more favorable conditions, however, the best models continually turn out frame-worthy photos. The four cameras listed above can also record 720p HD video.

It would be remiss not to mention that these are all 16-megapixel cameras. High resolution does not necessarily make for high-quality images, however. In some cases the megapixel count may even be too high, as NBC News explains. Regardless, digital photos taken at 16MP will be plenty large enough to blow up to poster size and beyond. More megapixels may not translate to better pictures, but it certainly translates to larger image files. Luckily consumers can find high-capacity SD cards for less than $10.

One thing to check for as you compare the specs on digital cameras is an optical image stabilizer, which helps keep pictures taken in low light from turning out blurry. Low-cost models used to rely largely on digital machinations to produce sharp photos without a tripod, but now any camera you buy should have optical image stabilization built in.

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