fixed expenses

Emergency belt-tightening

Posted November 7, 2008 - 15:33 by Philip Brewer

Frugal Living

Firetruck

Typical personal finance advice would have you divide your budget categories into two groups: Your fixed expenses and your discretionary expenses. I generally don't like that distinction much--how is your power bill more fixed than your grocery bill? When you reach the point of emergency economizing, though, it's a useful way to structure your thinking.

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Manage your fixed expenses

Posted February 17, 2008 - 15:27 by Philip Brewer

Personal Finance, Frugal Living

Gas meters

When you think of people ruining their lives with foolish spending, it's easy to focus on the little things that add up--the meals out, the hefty bar tab, the daily Starbucks habit, and the retail therapy (whether for new clothes, new shoes, or the latest must-have electronic gizmo). The fact is, though, that these expenses (although they can make it tough to save for the future) are not the ones that ruin people's lives. It's the fixed expenses that do that.

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