reducing expenses

Emergency belt-tightening

Posted 3 weeks 3 days ago by Philip Brewer

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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Start with recurring monthly expenses

Posted 1 year ago by Philip Brewer

Filed Under: Personal Finance, Budgeting

I tend to divide spending up into four categories. From best to worst they are: investments, items of enduring value, ephemeral items, and recurring monthly expenses.

Investments include not only stocks and bonds and such, but also anything that can help you earn money. Tools are an investment, as are a classes. I just bought two books that I'm reading before a possible job interview--they're an investment. Some investments may not pay off, but even unsuccessful investments are still investments.

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How to live on $12,000 a year

Posted 1 year ago by Paul Michael

Filed Under: Budgeting

saving jar

In my first job out of college, I was on 12,000 English pounds per year. That was back in London in 1996, i was single, lived with two friends and only had rent and travel to pay for. And I still remember how tough that was. Well, one person is doing that right now (right here in the US of course) and recording the experience for us all to share.

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