Will frugality ever be ready for prime time?

Jim tweeted this question a little while ago (I expanded his text a bit with his permission because I’m not limited to 140 characters here): “Why do people love stories about people paying off thousands in credit card debt? Why is there no love for people who don’t have debt to begin with? It’s disappointing.” … Read more

Maybe buying a Wii was frugal

I’ve created a monster. The monster is my mother-in-law. (I know. You’re thinking, “And?”) Actually, she’s hooked on the bowling game in Wii Sports. She has a really, ummm, unconventional way of launching the ball down the lane, but who am I to argue when she wipes the floor with me? She bowled six freakin’ … Read more

Why are some gift cards more “expensive” at MyPoints?

MyPoints is a rewards program that gives you the opportunity to earn free gift cards by reading e-mails, completing surveys, and purchasing from online retailers through their site. Each action has a point value associated with it, it doesn’t take too long to earn gift cards, and many of the point opportunities are free. There … Read more

Pearls of financial wisdom for graduates

We’re having some good articles included in the Money Blog Network’s June 2008 group writing project on finances at graduation. I’ll be sharing some of my favorite words of wisdom from these posts here and in future posts. From Wise Bread: “I wish that I had taken a year off after graduating and just traveled … Read more

Ten ways being fat costs money

I’m fat and I’m trying to deflabbify myself for my health, my longevity, my self-esteem — and my wallet. Here are ten ways that being fat costs money: Eating more costs. Eating too much made me fat, and staying fat means I need more food. More food costs money. 2XL sizes and above are more … Read more

Buying a cheap gas guzzler may backfire

With dealers starting to refuse gas guzzlers for trade-ins, monster, expensive-to-power vehicles are going to drop in price. Buying someone else’s problem can make for a good deal for the buyer. But even if these vehicles could be traded in, trading an SUV for a fuel-efficient vehicle may not make financial sense. (It does make … Read more