Hot Today

Wise Bread articles that are hot today.

Voluntary simplicity as hedonism

When people talk about voluntary simplicity (or living a frugal lifestyle under any of its many names), they often do so in terms of deprivation. The descriptions are all about doing without stuff. To me, that's completely wrong. [more]

Good Debt, Bad Debt

Whether debt is good or bad depends on how you spend the money. From best to worst, here are the four categories of debt that one writer uses.

There is no Tomorrow.

Are you waiting for tomorrow for things to be different? To make changes, or refocus? I've got news for you...

Perfect Peanut Sauce

Shake up your usual vegan fare with these kick-ass peanut sauces!

Our Lovely Lady Links

It's time once again for our linky love-fest. Jessica's post about security briefs got a lot of people thinking about where to stash their cash. Will caught the eye of It's Electric with his post about your chances of getting audited by the IRS. [more]

Book Review: The Trap

For more than two years now writing at Wise Bread, my whole thesis has been that frugality leads to freedom—if you can live cheaply enough, you can choose whatever work calls you,

How to be happy

A lot of happiness (and unhappiness) comes from within. But there are other things that matter a lot: relationships, doing important work, living your life according to your valu

The sinking dollar

It takes more than $1.40 to buy one euro today. It cost less than $1 as recently as late 2002. A Canadian dollar is worth just about exactly a US dollar--a parity not seen since

11 Ways to Eat Oats When You Hate Oatmeal

Oats are jam-packed with nutritious goodies, but what to do if you hate oatmeal? Here are 11 (other) ways to enjoy this amazing grain.

Federal Perkins Loans

Where a Stafford Loan or Parent PLUS Loan is available to just about any college student, a Federal Perkins Loan is only available to students who can expect only a minimal level o

Passing for Middle Class

Keeping up with the Joneses isn't necessary, but sometimes it can be helpful to look like you are. Here's why — and how to do it.

The College Freshman Budget

College can be where you get your first taste of independence...including financial independence. Make sure you enjoy it without blowing all your cash.

How to hire employees

I worked one place that was much, much better than anyplace else I ever worked. The guy who ran it told me that the secret was in how to hire people. Most managers do it the wron

Peak Debt and Income

When stimulating the economy, is it better to invest in the rich or the poor? Learn whether supply- or demand-side techniques are best.

The Truth about Wealth

Is wealth about money, or having goals, or achieving milestones, or something completely different? Read on for a description of what a wise friend told me wealth might actually b

Book review: Internet Riches

If you've never considered starting an internet business--but now that I mention it, it seems like a good idea--this is the book for you. If you've considered starting an internet

Plan for expensive fuel

Does your budget include a contingency for fuel to get much more expensive? Because it ought to. I learned about the need for contingencies early. [more]

Wills: The Basics

It's not all about money and cash grabs in making a will: issues like guardians for your children, protection of assets and belongings, and saving income tax are things that ca

Book review: Supercapitalism

For most of the 20th century, capitalism and democracy seemed to go hand-in-hand. After all, every democratic country was largely capitalist and nearly every capitalist country wa

Top 5 Ways Thieves Use Your Stolen Credit Card

Your credit card is gone. By the time you report the loss, it's likely one of the following crimes has already happened.