Author Archives: thefrugalfight

My quest to become a (somewhat) quiet millionaire hinges on our household’s ability to increase our net worth by 13.1675% annually for the next five years. It’s definitely possible. Here’s how: -Maxing out my 401(k) contributions at work with a 6% return on investment while maximizing the company match  -My wife putting 18% of herContinue reading “10 Simple Steps I’m Following to Become a (Somewhat) Quiet Millionaire”

I’m passionate about frugality because it’s saved my ass. It could save yours, too. My wife and I have been fortunate in so many respects, but we’ve been dealt some shit hands economically. For starters, I was raised in a single-parent household, which statistically signifies fewer economic opportunities. Neither of my parents went to college;Continue reading “Frugality Saves the Day”

It’s always a good time to be frugal. That’s especially true during these troubling economic times. Sure, the stock market is soaring and some macroeconomic trends are looking rosier, but the overall picture is still gloomy. This is especially true if you’re a millennial who is looking to make your way in the world andContinue reading “No Shelter Here”

It doesn’t matter if it’s Monday or Wednesday or Friday. Every time I drive by a restaurant at night, the parking lot is packed. How can this be? Inflation is still soaring. Interest rates are ballooning. The overall cost of living is rising in every conceivable way. How the hell do these people afford this?Continue reading “Finances and The Obliviousness of the Masses”

My wife says our decorating aesthetic is either thrifty librarian or secondhand bougie broke. Fair enough! Almost every furnishing in our new house was snagged for free!  At worst, it came from a Habitat for Humanity ReStore. Primarily, though, we have used local Buy Nothing chapters. There was also a local nonprofit that closed thatContinue reading “Our Buy Nothing Bonanza”

When deciding whether to get a vasectomy, one must first acknowledge new political realities and that it now costs an average of $310,605 to feed, house and otherwise care for a child to age 17. So says the Brookings Institution. Notice how the stat stops before 18? College, right? Now you’re at half a millionContinue reading “The Vasectomy Appeal”

I can’t help myself. I price out everything.  Looking to get a new dog? That’ll cost approximately $36,000 over the pooch’s lifespan. Starting a family? Each child will cost approximately $500,000 to raise.  I don’t just see a pool or a hot tub. I see the entire lifetime of affiliated costs.  It’s just how myContinue reading “My Financial Lens: Pricing a Pooch”

A lot of what I write about in this blog is common sense. That’s painfully true for this post. Ready? Avoid things that are severely impacted by inflation. I know, some things are unavoidable: rising rents, rising healthcare premiums, rising childcare costs, rising education costs, etc. But no one is forcing you to buy chickenContinue reading “You Don’t Have to Get Absolutely Clobbered by Inflation”

American households are taking on record amounts of debt. Inflation is at a 39-year high. Still, Americans managed to spend more on Christmas than they have in 14 years. Not this household. We spent less than we ever have due to my wife’s ingenuity and our local Buy Nothing chapter. It was the perfect endingContinue reading “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year”

You think I’m Ryan Davis, but I’m actually the Grinch. And I’m here to remind you that if you spend $250 online today, you’re giving up $4,250 in retirement savings. That’s actually a pretty fun game! By some estimates, an investment of $1,000 in a retirement account today would balloon to about $17,000 in 30Continue reading “That $550 T.V. Actually Cost You $9,350”