Recent comments

  • 10 Things I've Learned From Grocery Shopping on a Budget   13 years 37 weeks ago

    Very good tips! I agree, coupons definitely matter. You can save so much! It takes time, but it's worth it.

  • How to Get a Lower APR, or Possibly Not   13 years 37 weeks ago

    Why do people even wish to carry a balance on a credit card in the first place? It's a disaster waiting to happen, no matter what. Credit cards are only meant to be used as credit builders and reap benefits from using there money and paying it off with your money. Bottom line don't use money you don't have sitting in the bank. And if you need to carry a balance get a unsecured line of credit with your bank. I don't mean to judge, but credit card companies are never on your side or 'your friend'. They are in the most simplest of terms, a business. Live in symbiosis with it and you'll be fine, in fact you end up coming out better, but if you use it with little regard what else would you expect?

  • Frugal Changes You Don't Want to Make — But Can   13 years 37 weeks ago

    isn't it unsanitary to refill from the fountain?

  • 11 Ways to Update Peanut Butter and Jelly   13 years 37 weeks ago

    My guilty pleasure is PB&J with banana and mayonnaise. Trust me, it sounds gross but it's great.

  • Frugal Changes You Don't Want to Make — But Can   13 years 37 weeks ago

    The data plan on my phone only costs me $5. I keep thinking about getting rid of internet at home--that's 30/month, and I could just walk to the university and get internet for free. It is handy to have it at home: sometimes it does make research, writing, and editing easier, but I waste a lot of time online, too.

  • Ask the Readers: How Often Do You Eat Fast Food?   13 years 37 weeks ago

    my husband and i don't eat fast food, we rarely ever go out to eat. when we do, we prefer to splurge on a nicer restaurant. once every few months we meet our parents at chipotle.

  • Back to School: Saving on College Textbooks   13 years 37 weeks ago

    Students who are textbook shopping can benefit from a price comparison website such as FindersCheapers.com that specializes in used, rental, and new textbook prices. A price comparison website will search the inventories of 1,000's of book sellers and present the lowest prices along with free shipping offers and textbook coupons. Textbook coupons and more about textbook price comparison can be found here:
    http://finderscheapers.com/textbook-coupons/

  • 8 Little Luxuries That Go a Long Way   13 years 37 weeks ago

    I splurge on great tasteing (sometimes healthly) snacks for road trips & vacations. Since my kids ONLY get them durring these times...they aren't begging for "happy meals" and resturant meals while in the car.
    I buy fresh flowers or homemade goodies at farmers markets as a real treat for me.

  • 30 Signs That You Were Raised by Frugal Parents   13 years 37 weeks ago

    leftovers were ALWAYS saved...scraps of meat went into a canning jar in the freezer to flavor gravys later on......even 5 peas were saved in the veggie jar in the freezer for soups etc..
    Potatoes were reserved as hash, mashed or potatoe pancakes
    leftover pancakes had pb&j on them, rolled up, sprinkled with powered sugar for afterschool snacks.

  • 7 Fresh Ideas for Healthy Road Trip Snacks   13 years 37 weeks ago

    i just discovered a new product for our road trips...individual bags of freeze dried fruit! My fav's are the strawberries, peaches, blueberries. They are from disney for less than .99 a bag. (found at local food mart)
    As an RN & scoutmaster i can say that sun tea done right is perfectly safe! The key is start off with a CLEAN jar, fresh water & start a fresh batch each day. I've made many a batch of tea in my back window durring road trips & at a campsite. (never tried it backpacking yet)
    I also like to carry the individual cups of reg. peanutbutter & love the chocolate peanutbutter cups by JIF along with my freeze dried hummus.

  • 30 Signs That You Were Raised by Frugal Parents   13 years 37 weeks ago

    No ordering pop or alcohol at a restaurant - only water, please!

  • 30 Signs That You Were Raised by Frugal Parents   13 years 37 weeks ago

    You forgot buying two-ply TP and re-rolling one ply to make another roll! :)

  • Ask the Readers: How Often Do You Eat Fast Food?   13 years 37 weeks ago

    I eat fast food every friday morning with my aunt, we live about 45 minutes from town so we only go shopping once a week.

  • Horizon Organic Milk: Is it All Just Lies?   13 years 37 weeks ago

    Has anyone ever heard the saying, "The proof is in the pudding?" Horizon is clearly a superior product compared to other milk on the market. It tastes much better and lasts an incredibly long time. All other brands spoil within a couple weeks and that is being generous. Horizon is good for a couple months after it's exp. Whoever wrote this blog is reading into the message what they want to see. There are no lies or misleading information. Just people cramming their own warped perception between the lines.

  • How to Go Entirely Paperless at Home   13 years 37 weeks ago

    I can't tell people enough how great going paperless is. Me and my wife are paper free all of our bills etc.. even digital photos are a god send. The benefits are end less. Plus we save around $60 a month. By the way here is one of the sites I am using great comany

    http://www.osaminc.com

  • Your Money Problems: Why They're All Your Fault   13 years 37 weeks ago

    Hi Michael,

    Thanks for your comments. I'd love it if you'd link to this!

  • Frugal Changes You Don't Want to Make — But Can   13 years 37 weeks ago

    Agreed!! The Internet phone data plans are a ripoff. That's all there is to it. The only people who need them are those who feel the need to tweet their friends every 10 minutes. If I ever need to use the Internet, there's always a coffee shop somewhere nearby with free wi-fi. So, even if that's only twice a month, it's $4 in coffee as opposed to $20-30 in phone charges.

    I've spoken to people and asked how often they used their data plan. Most say, "never", but they still feel the need to keep it. ...Plus I can interact with Twitter, Facebook, and e-mail through text messaging, so why would I need the Internet?

  • The Comprehensive Guide to Changing Your Name After Marriage   13 years 37 weeks ago

    You are not alone.
    I don't plan on changing mine either, and all is well.

  • 30 Signs That You Were Raised by Frugal Parents   13 years 37 weeks ago

    Another: You can distinctly remember your parents engaged in a serious discussion on the cost of juice boxes.

  • 30 Signs That You Were Raised by Frugal Parents   13 years 37 weeks ago

    I score 23 out of 30, and thanks for a couple of new ideas.

  • Frugal Changes You Don't Want to Make — But Can   13 years 37 weeks ago

    I've stopped coloring my hair and let it go grayish (sigh). I've scaled back clothes shopping, but I still by a few classic pieces new (on sale). I've cancelled the data plan on my cell phone. I've put a filter under my kitchen sink and never buy bottled water anymore. One frugal change I'm prepared to make but holding in reserve is replacing our second car with a bike and public transportation. If I've done my math right, that could save us a minimum of $116 a month.

  • 5 Things to Spend More on Now   13 years 37 weeks ago

    I like that you included spending more money on making memories with loved ones. This one certainly applies to everyone. I agree with Bryan below; spending a little more on quality equipment or appliances like a washer and dryer can save you a lot of money in the long run rather than having to buy a new one a couple of years from now.

  • “Avoid These Fast Food Items,” Say Fast Food Employees   13 years 37 weeks ago

    Ew, some of these sound gross. I've heard that the Bloomin' Onion is the most high calorie and high fat item on any menu of any restaurant (fast food or not) and now I know part of the reason why. I love how employees of these places tell their little secrets to help other people out. The only food establishment I've ever worked at was a small breakfast place in my hometown, and the only thing I learned from working there is that not everyone knows how to wash dishes properly!

  • 20 Signs That You Were Raised By TRUE Money-Savers   13 years 37 weeks ago

    My grandmother used to make something similar. She called it American Chop-suey. Ground beef, onions, a can of Campbell's tomato soup mixed with a 1/2 can of milk and spaghetti. My father said it was a special occasion meal during the Depression & the 1930s.

  • 30 Signs That You Were Raised by Frugal Parents   13 years 37 weeks ago

    Ha! Cute! I am "guilty" of many of these!

    My mother was/is the bread winner, but she was raised by very sensible people, (AKA my immigrant grandparents), and although she made a very comfortable living, it was mostly all about need vs. want. Needs always came first. She is now very comfortably retired and enjoying travel.