This will be your only posting for today, because there are over 40 submissions (not counting the ones I deleted---these are the ones I kept). Rather than be tied to this terminal for the next 5 hours, I'm skipping today's news read, and am getting right into it. These are in no particular order. You'll LOVE the ending!
MoneyNing tells us how to Winter on a Budget, and names 20 Frugal Winter Activities. The northernmost states are probably experts at this by now! Since most of us are fixing to get snowed in again on Thursday, he also sends in instructions on 6 Ways to Resist the Temptation to Eat Out, adding, “Do you always want to eat out? Here's how to avoid always spending too much on food.” This would be a good thing to practice for when you CAN’T go out because of the snow.
Nicole C. asks, “A Green Funeral?” The last I heard about them was someone getting stuffed into a burlap bag and buried under a tree—if this is green, then the mob’s been getting’ it right for years. Sign me up for cremation and no more MENTAL pollution for the rest of the world. My mother's funeral plans included an orange crate, a pack of cigarettes, and a jug of wine. Being about 6 at the time, I asked about matches for the cigarettes, and her response was, "Where I'm going, I'll always have a light." That would've been a green funeral!
Decades later, she got cremated. This is as close as we could legally get to her wishes. Never ask an alcoholic about estate plans--they don't have any, and that's why it's going to be up to me to remember to bring the marshmallows and hot dogs when I die, because she's saving a seat for me by the fire.
“Private Label Doesn’t Have to be Bland” says David McGowen, and he’s right—it’s what you do with it that counts.
Leave Debt Behind sends us a BOGO: Tips for Trimming Your Grocery Bill and and How to Live Frugally With Excessive Credit Card Debt. With that last one, I’d think frugal living was required!
Molly Cunningham sends in 5 Tips to Stick to Your Budget.
Mr. Cents explains Eating Out on a Budget and says, “Would you like to eat out more, but can’t seem to justify the costs? Depending on how many people are going and where you go, but, for now, we’ll assume two people at a fairly average restaurant (in my area), you’re easily talking $25-$30. When you have a family, the costs skyrocket even further. When you think about the costs in a one-meal manner, it’s simply not sustainable. As a result, many people simply aren’t eating out anymore, or are doing so far less. However, if you’re smart about it, you can make better use of the food that you get when you go out and make it closer to the value you paid for.”
Mark Macaluso shares The First 8 Things to Do When You’ve Lost a Finance or Accounting Job. Looking over the list, I’d think this could be extended to ANY job—not just finance or accounting!
Rich D. says IRA Rules! (no, not like that—just that there are new IRA rules now in place). Along with his praise for IRAs, he asks, “Are you confused about the different types of IRA and the individual rules and regulations? Read through our IRA basics guide which will answer all your IRA questions.”
Janet Murray gives us The Top 10 Reasons People Suck at Personal Finance , and I bet it has to do with emotions—just like investing. And speak of the devil, she also sends us the Five Practical Investment Tips You Must Know. She needs to visit David Letterman. :) She also sends us The A-Z of Financial Freedom.
Marvin Grossman brings to our attention Six Important Health Reform Law Changes for 2011.
Here are 5 Important Reminders About Your Family Budget direct from Leave Debt Behind, along with another freebie: Frugal Living Tips for a Debt-Free Life, adding “If you are in debt or just wanting to stay out of it, living a frugal simple life just may be the answer. Sometimes we forget that there was a time without cell phones and cable television. Here are ten great tips for those looking to live a frugal debt free lifestyle.”
Barbara Jones knows 10 Reasons Why People Flock to Flea Markets.
On a cloudy day, Sun comes out to show us we should Resolve to Plan Meals to Save. I’ve got another plan.
Saymour Hodge knows a secret about Fitness On a Budget. I have a suggestion: turn your library card into a gym membership. Saymour says, “It can seem hard to stay physically fit when you don't have money for gym memberships, in-home workout equipment, yoga classes, or a personal trainer.”
Mike @Jammer(six) has a clever idea for Blocking a Cold Draft Around Your Gas Fireplace--you gotta see this! I just wish he had an equally-elegant solution for wood-burning inserts.
“Eating Out is for Broke People” says Andy–this may not make sense at first, but the article explains it all.
To counter Andy above, Alisa says “We Don’t Make Enough Carrot Salad!”, and says “Carrots are cheap to come by...but this salad is indeed an antioxidant feast”
April Davis knows How to Get through College Debt-Free, and it doesn’t involve sleeping with the dean, either.
Ahhh…just what I need from Thailand Breeze—a recipe for Honey-Citrus Yogurt Drink. I’m substituting coconut milk yogurt for the dairy stuff—it should add to the authentic flavor.
Now that we’ve had a drink, Craig Charles is going to give us Frugal Car Shopping Tips, adding, “Shopping for a car can be an anxiety-inducing experience. It’s a major expense and a purchase most people usually only make once every handful of years. The goal in shopping for a car is to walk away feeling good about your purchase. Follow these tips to achieve that goal”
Grab some popcorn and watch Connie’s video of “Going to the Mall—Youthful Excess and Overspending”–it’ll shock you back to the frugal life. This is perfect for anyone suffering from frugal fatigue.
FIRE Finance says, “Carpool, Ride Share, or Hitch Hike Your Way to Fun and $$”–I don’t think they’ve seen enough Criminal Minds episodes! Nevertheless, they add, “There are days when we wished someone else was at the wheels so that we could relax for a while. Bad boss, uncooperative colleague, difficult deadlines, too many meetings - often build up a lot of stress. Imagine how risky it is if we had to drive on such a day when our nerves were already strained. To add insult to injury we could end up being late for dinner, courtesy bumper to bumper traffic. Sounds familiar?”
PT asks an earth-shattering question: What Happens When You Stop Using Credit Cards? Some philosopher somewhere would probably answer with this: How else can you prove your existence? You charge, therefore, you am. :) Fortunately, PT refers to inactive cards, and not ripping holes in the space-time continuum-fabric thingie.
The Amateur Financier has a story to tell, called Another Crazy Week—Keep Your Emergency Fund Handy. On the backflap, it says, “A story of how my car let me down, and how I was reminded of the importance of keeping an emergency fund around for such occasions.” Destined to be a best-seller!
Amanda Grossman (any relation to Marvin Grossman?) reveals her List of Stupid Money Spent in 2010. I’m sure we all made plenty of money mistakes over the course of our lives, and we aren’t through yet—the older we get, the more fallible we become making money decisions. Mandy, next year please give us a list of List of Stupid Spending Corrections From 2010, or at least a shortened list of mistakes from 2011.
Lending Money To Friends? Here’s What You Should Know, courtesy of Judith Leeson.
Recession? The Best Time For Home Improvement, says Amy Cook.
Ryan Hudson asks, “Can Using a Credit Card be Considered Frugal?”–read the article to find out.
Pinyo at Moolamoney tells us all How to Become a Millionaire–it’s easy, really. Just make more than you spend, and bank the savings over a lifetime. There are ways to speed the process up, and to screw the process up.
BankMan (not a superhero, but close) says we should Simplify Our Banking Needs, and tells us how. On the heels of that, a recommendation was made (which I can't locate just now) to take money away from poor people by encouraging them to direct-deposit, thinking that less loose money in hand makes better savers (you now, the out-of-sight, out-of-mind thing).
Joanne has come to save the day from kitchen drudgery by Getting Started in Once-a-Month Cooking. It’s been a while since anyone’s mentioned that around here, but hey—with oil and gas prices scheduled to do their thing this summer, once-a month cooking, shopping, and anything else will be a godsend, I’m sure. Now if someone could come out with a once-a-month LAUNDRY or DISHES, I’d be all set!
Ken knows Where to Find Tax Help and Free Tax Preparation–now you do too.
Leave Debt Behind left this tidbit behind as well, and I’m glad: Have a Ball and Spend Nothing—Frugal Can Be Fun. It’s true—the best things in life are free.
Tom Tessin has 4 Helpful Ways For Paying Off Credit Card Debt.
The Digerati Life sends us a BOGO: How Do Groupon Deals Really Work?, and How to Get Free Coupons.
Cindy Cullen sends us a cullen-ary (ha-ha!) collection of 5 Surefire Ways to Great Cooking.
At lastly, a job we’d all like to have, sent in from Kyle Taylor: NASA Will Pay You $5,000/Month to Stay in Bed. –with millions of unemployed people out there, NASA’s bound to get plenty of volunteers. I’d sign up, but they want 87 straight days of bed-riding, and I have way too much to do around here! Maybe Hubby could get leave from work to pursue “outside interests” if you know what I mean—god knows this “job” would pay more than he’d make in those days at his regular job!
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