Part of being thrifty and frugal is also being wise. Wisdom guides our decision making and we all know that if you make poor decisions they’re going to come back to bite you. Many of those poor decisions can affect your wallet – and we ALL hate that!
So, what if I told you there was something you could do today that would make you more prepared for the unexpected? How about if it could also increase your chance of avoiding dangerous situations? Surely this bit of wisdom could help you make some good decisions, right? ‘But…’, you say, ‘it must be something difficult! Something that will surely take time and effort. Maybe it will even cost me money!’ Not in this case. The 2 second rule takes exactly 2 seconds to learn and 2 seconds to apply. (Click to Continue…)
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There’s an interesting article at Consumer Reports Health called Dieting on a Budget. They surveyed over 21,000 people and have published much of the results online. There are some very interesting results, and I highly recommend taking a few minutes to read a few of the articles in the report. They’re short and to the point and have some great strategies and motivational nuggets.
One aspect of the data they collected speaks directly to the question of cost relating to dieting and staying in shape. (Click to Continue…)
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I just read a post by Laura over at No More Spending called Never reaching my emergency fund goal. Like many people, I’ve struggled with putting together an adequate emergency fund. The decision often centers around a choice between paying off debt and saving for an emergency fund. The argument I’ve experienced and seen shared most often is that it’s hard to keep money in your bank account knowing that you have debt out there accumulating interest. So instead of building up your emergency fund, most people just continue to pay off the debt.
The problem with this approach is that if you do have an emergency – and you will, we all do – you will have to rely on your credit to cover the emergency costs. So if your refrigerator breaks or your car dies, you’re left with no other options and will end up paying interest on those emergency expenses.
So why not try a different approach. This worked for me and may do the trick to get you over the emergency fund hump as well. (Click to Continue…)
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One of the biggest monthly categories of spending that most people deal with is healthcare costs. Health insurance, prescriptions, medications, doctor’s visits – it all adds up. When you’re trying to pay off debt and save on expenses, it may seem like there are very few options for saving on healthcare costs. But I bet that you’re overlooking two of the most obvious ways that you can cut your healthcare costs without sacrificing your health in the process.
(Click to Continue…)
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Bryan over at Frugal-Logic has a great post on why you should consider cutting soda from your diet. Besides the fact that a soda habit, and it IS a habit. Soda’s not cheap! And soft drinks aren’t the healthiest option either.
I loved soda! Like most of us, I used to drink it all the time. (Click to Continue…)
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Several blogs are running compilations of the best financial posts of 2008. There’s a lot of reading here and a ton of great ideas an insights. One of the things I like best about compilations like this is that they come from a wide range of authors who have different points of view on similar topics. The first blog running a nice list is Green Panda Treehouse. Take a look through their 2008 Best Personal Finance Posts and see what peaks your interest.
The second blog running a similar list is Money Smart Life. They’re took a different angle in The Best Money Posts of the Year and asked personal finance bloggers to submit their best posts of 2008 and more importantly tell everyone why they thought is was their best. Again, you’ll find lots of great info so grab a pen and paper and start taking some notes!
What’s was the best post you read this year? What tip sticks out in your mind and will help you save some money going into 2009?
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Did you book that $250 a plate New Year’s Eve gala yet? No? Me neither. New Year’s Eve can be one of the most expensive nights of the year. Lavish parties and pricey dinners are the norm, but they don’t have to be. So if you’re like me and you’re looking for some cheap and fun alternatives to ring in the New Year, I’ve got a few ideas to share that may save you an expensive dinner and a baby sitter. (Click to Continue…)
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This is a guest post by Chris Turner a friend and contributor to The Thrifty Life.
You remember a lot of important things: The first time you saw Star Wars on the big screen. The first time someone looked at you in that that way. The first time you realized that childhood was over. I remember all those things too, plus other bits of detritus floating around in my long-term memory file. Like the first time I ever heard the word “thrift.” (Click to Continue…)
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Editor’s Note: From time to time I will be featuring the thoughts and strategies offered by those who have, and continue to, influence my thrifty life. One such person, who I hope will become a regular contributor, is my mom. This is a guest post by my mom, Linda Roberto.
As the child of depression-era parents, I grew up in a time where money was spent carefully and always with an eye toward saving for a rainy day. Having one pair of shoes was the norm, and small ranch homes (800-1000 square feet) with three bedrooms and one bath housed a suburban family of five comfortably. We played outside, so didn’t need lots of toys; everyone was in the same boat, so none of us felt deprived. (Click to Continue…)
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