Articles on Frugal Living

How to bake sourdough bread (and save a buck on every loaf)

I doubt if the cost of yeast is really breaking your household budget. If you bake a lot you probably already buy yeast in bulk, so you're not paying the per-packet price anyway.

Avoid Big Dental Bills with Safe and Inexpensive Products

Dental care is one of those big expenses that hits us in the pocketbook when we least expect it. Most people pay at least some of their dental bills out-of-pocket. Some people go i

Where Did Your iPod Come From? The Story of Stuff

Do you know the difference between planned and perceived obsolescence? Do you know why high heels are fashionable with chunky heels one year, and thin heels the next year? Why is

On choosing temporary freedom

On one side there's your typical job. It's clearer than ever that it doesn't offer the security it once did, but it still offers some, and it offers other things--predictable inco

New Mac minis: Beware small gains at a big price!

Are you interested in a new Mac mini? Read this first: be informed about which upgrades don't make sense and what to do about it.

Help End Hunger, Get Kindled, and 3 More Positive Web Tips You Should Know About

There are days when little bits of good news can help undercut the bad. With a recent initiative by Tyson to end hunger, a new super-groovy Kindle-esque iPhone app, and a killer c

How to find the cheapest college textbooks

I’m not in college any more, thank goodness, but I remember every penny-pinching moment. Some days I hardly had enough money for food, mainly because the materials and textbooks I

DIY Entertainment--A Recipe for the Recession

Live in one of those godforsaken next to the highway hamlets? Pining for a night out on the town but can't afford it? Don't sit home. DIY your own entertainment and bring some liv

Hands in Your Pocket: The Cost of Standby Power - Environmental and Otherwise

Go check your electricity meter box. Is the wheel turning and clicking over, recording your power usage? Probably. Now go back inside, and turn everything off. The lights, the coff

Details of Obama's mortgage plan released - Will you benefit?

Today the Obama administration officially released the final details of the mortgage plan that was announced a few weeks ago. Here is a quick summary on what is in the plan and h

Armor Etch can be a cheap fix for your scratched eyeglasses

Have you heard the rumor that goes, "Did you know Armour Etch can fix eyeglass scratches?" I had to see (ha!) if it was true for myself. Read on to find out what happened...

Oprah Asks A Great Question; What Can You Live Without?

My wife brought this to my attention. I’m not an avid Oprah viewer, but usually when I tune in I hear good advice. And with the help of financial guru Suze Orman, she’s asking fami

Eat Dessert, Save!

Are you skipping dessert because it just costs too much, either in money, time, or calories? Skip no more! Read on for ideas to make dessert easy, affordable, and healthier than ev

The Gettin'-Baptized-in-the-Watah Epiphany

In an average week, an average chunky-blooded professional American could easily spend up to $140 on a combination of drinks that come with meals such as morning coffee, herbal tea

Beware of Pretty Things: 4 Reasons I’m Keeping My Ugly, Old Stuff

Last night I strolled through the furniture showroom with my jaw unhinged and my heart thumping: “Look at all this good-looking stuff!” After some careful consideration th

Did your car break down? Check for recalled parts and fix it for free!

I drive a ten year old car and it has been out of warranty for quite a while. Over the years I have received recall notices in the mail for various parts of the car and got fixes

Using PAPER Coupons When You Order Online

Even if you live the all-digital lifestyle, don't put away those scissors yet. Some Web sites are now taking manufacturers' coupons.

Book review: Wabi Sabi Simple

I think so. To me, living large is about the breadth and width of my life, not about how high I can pile up stuff. If that is how you want to live large, you'll find a lot of

What frugal lessons can we learn from the demoscene?

The "demoscene" loosely refers to an underground computer art movement where the emphasis is on creating amazing-but-compact demonstrations — hence the name. What can its evolution

Cheap Decorating: Three Simple Hacks for Style on a Dime

Going for an affordable little spruce up? Not wanting to spend an entire weekend sanding down Grandma's old bureau? Here are three easy and cheap decorating ideas to add unexpected