Because the advantages of trade (lower prices) fall into the hands of the person making the decision (the buyer), there's a constant tendency to move toward freer trade, unless
You can come out of the shadows, my fellow cheapos, skinflints and non-pathological hoarders. Thanks to the rise of eco-hip, frugal is becoming cool. Sorta.
To someone in the US, the decline in the value of the dollar has mainly made itself felt up to now in the form of increases in the prices of globalized commodities--everything from
Everyone who cares about frugality understands that it often involves becoming more self-reliant. The following is a list of kitchen staples that I quit buying, and how I’ve made i
A new study out today in PNAS confirms what we always suspected was true. The higher the price you pay for a product, the greater your subjective experience of pleasure in the prod
Given the tens of millions of Americans nearing the Golden Years, the fields of retirement and estate planning are expanding by leaps and bounds. Along with the growth of work f
I used to be afraid of bargaining. The thought of haggling over a price, or even asking for a discount, was embarrassing. Then I began visiting countries in which haggling is expec
Are you stuck on the coast paying a big mortgage on a tiny property? Do your kids spend more time with their daycare provider than with you? Do you worry that they've never see
How are your resolutions to get fit, exercise more, and lose weight going? If you need a nudge or some encouragement, check out my doable-with-a-busy-schedule approach to getting r
I eat lunch at a local fast-food place occasionally. My usual order runs to just over $4, so I was annoyed when I realized while walking over there yesterday that I'd forgotten to
How much is your time worth? What if you could find a way to have more quality time, less work, and possibly a higher income? Or - what if you need a new business idea, but don'
Wise Bread articles that are hot today.
Local Currencies
Because the advantages of trade (lower prices) fall into the hands of the person making the decision (the buyer), there's a constant tendency to move toward freer trade, unless
Finally, Frugal Rules
You can come out of the shadows, my fellow cheapos, skinflints and non-pathological hoarders. Thanks to the rise of eco-hip, frugal is becoming cool. Sorta.
The sinking dollar, as viewed from overseas
To someone in the US, the decline in the value of the dollar has mainly made itself felt up to now in the form of increases in the prices of globalized commodities--everything from
5 Foods I Grew Tired of Buying, and How I Quit
Everyone who cares about frugality understands that it often involves becoming more self-reliant. The following is a list of kitchen staples that I quit buying, and how I’ve made i
Avoid These 5 Common Holiday Budget Pitfalls
The season of giving can be extra hard on our wallets. Give yourself the gift of embracing a holiday spending budget!
How a Family of 4 Can Visit Hawaii for $1,000 or Less
Hawaii may be beautiful, but it's far from the mainland and expensive to visit. These tips can help you plan a Hawaiian vacation for $1,000 or less.
Marketing Messes With Your Head
A new study out today in PNAS confirms what we always suspected was true. The higher the price you pay for a product, the greater your subjective experience of pleasure in the prod
Debunking Common Estate Planning Myths
Given the tens of millions of Americans nearing the Golden Years, the fields of retirement and estate planning are expanding by leaps and bounds. Along with the growth of work f
I Lost My Tax Documents… Now What?
Now where did that missing 1099 go…? Never fear, here's how to deal with lost tax documents.
6 Reasons You're Not as Happy as You'd Like to Be
Stuck in a rut? Here are six reasons you may be feeling blue and ways to pick yourself up, from jolting your routine to clearing away clutter.
How Haggling Taught Me About Life
I used to be afraid of bargaining. The thought of haggling over a price, or even asking for a discount, was embarrassing. Then I began visiting countries in which haggling is expec
Plumas County: Hidden (Cheaper) California
Are you stuck on the coast paying a big mortgage on a tiny property? Do your kids spend more time with their daycare provider than with you? Do you worry that they've never see
Should You Move to a New City to Reduce Lifestyle Costs?
If high housing costs seem scary in your dream city, consider this — the lifestyle change may be worth the move!
Ask the Readers: How Do You Give to Charity?
Tell us how you give to charity and we'll enter you in a drawing to win a $20 Amazon Gift Card!
DVDs Freer than Free--No, Really, Really Free
I noticed Paul's interesting article (NEVER Pay for a Redbox DVD Rental Again ) about using Redbox codes to rent movies f
Tips For Starting (Or Jumpstarting) Your Exercise Regimen
How are your resolutions to get fit, exercise more, and lose weight going? If you need a nudge or some encouragement, check out my doable-with-a-busy-schedule approach to getting r
Ask the Readers: Have You Finished Your Back-to-School Shopping?
Tell us if you've finished your back to school shopping and we'll enter you in a drawing to win a $20 Amazon Gift Card!
Debasing not just the currency
I eat lunch at a local fast-food place occasionally. My usual order runs to just over $4, so I was annoyed when I realized while walking over there yesterday that I'd forgotten to
Outsourcing Your Life, and Creating New Businesses
How much is your time worth? What if you could find a way to have more quality time, less work, and possibly a higher income? Or - what if you need a new business idea, but don'
Control Your Debt With an Annual Clean Sweep
Do you use credit to manage cash flow fluctuations or to live beyond your means? Here's a simple, practical test for keeping your debt under control.