Articles on Frugal Living

15 Low Cost Ways to Beat Stress

Emotional spending and expensive junk food binges -- budget busters -- are often triggered by stress. Here are 15 ideas for diminishing stress without spending a lot of money.

Save a Bundle on Your Groceries: Consider Your Local Asian Market

Despite the coupons and the special offers, the major supermarket chains are not cheap. You find a deal now and then, but on the whole they really don’t give you great value for mo

Which Baby Products are a Waste of Money?

My husband and I are expecting a little baby boy this Halloween. Right now I am in the process of researching which baby products are necessary and which are a waste of money. He

Food, Inc. and the Origins of Your Food: 3 Reasons to Remain Ignorant (Plus Free Movie Screenings)

Food, Inc., a movie detailing the origins and production of food, came to theaters last month. While I'm glad I've become more knowledgeable about food, in light of Food, Inc.'s re

Mommy I'm Bored: 25 Frugal Ways to Beat Summer Boredom

My 9-year-old daughter does not start camp until later this month. This means I have to entertain her or endure a steady chorus of: Mommy, I'm Bored! Here's what we're doing to cu

How to Increase the Chance of Someone Returning Your Lost Wallet

It’s not a fun feeling. You’ve reached the checkout at the grocery store, you feel into your pocket, or purse, and realize that your wallet is missing. You heart stops, you walk ou

Close-to-Home Outdoor Adventure Basics

I know many people would like to spend more time outdoors, but may not know where to start. Here are some of my favorite modes of outdoor exploration that doesn't require too much

Pesky Pests: Easy Homemade Mosquito and Insect Traps and Repellent

Keep those insects, ants, wasps, rodents, and other creepy crawlies at bay with these easy homemade recipes.

I Won't Eat or Spend While Standing Up

When we make big purchases or large financial commitments -- a car, a home, college tuition -- at some point in that process, we actually have to sit down. Why don't do we do that

Ready To Buy Some Exercise Equipment? Read This First.

Don’t worry, this is not an exposé on bad equipment or faulty products; I’m no expert on exercise machines and products. But I do know a little about human nature and after many ch

Would You Accept $200,000 If You Didn't Know Where It Came From?

You know, I hear a lot of people say that frugal people would do anything for dime. Personally, I think that applies more to greedy people, but it got me thinking of a question tha

25 Things to Do With Used Corks (Including Making Money With Them)

So you've popped open a bottle of wine...now, what do you do with the wine cork? You have a surprising number of options.

Budgeting for Your Next Vacation: Yaycations

Here is a fun tool to help you figure out how you can save money, and then where that money can take you. It gives us a chance to dream big, and (even better) find ways to make tho

How to be the best customer

We've no shortage of "How to do good customer service" articles designed to be applied from the company's side. But what about customers?

DIY Plastic Surgery: This Is Not A Hoax.

I do a lot of research on the Internet for information about home-made solutions to everyday problems. In fact, I'll be posting one soon that covers recipes for home-made car wax,

Summer Freebies and Bargains for Kids

The best thing about public school is that it keeps kids occupied and not spending money for six hours a day or more. Now that it's summer, here re seven ideas for free or very che

Wine Tastings: Finding Cheap Wine That You Like

There is lots of advice out there on how to save money on drinking by buying this or that wine. But forget that—everyone's tastes are different and one person's "good wine" might b

Best Money Tips: C'mon In, The Water's Fine

Welcome to Wise Bread's Best Money Tips roundup. In this edition, we'll share how you can find online coupons, learn to sell your house in this depressing economy, look beyond e

Save Some Cash With These 6 Clever Cleaning Hacks

I’m a sucker for brand-name cleaning supplies, and while it’s no crime to be brand-loyal and use what works best for you and your family, often times there are shortcuts that can c

Supermarket Angst Part III: How to Buy Better Poultry

In my supermarket angst series, I've been researching questions that have puzzled me at the store. This time, I'm tackling poultry. Is organic poultry worth the price premium? What