Category Archives: Uncategorized

This is going to be a short post, but I feel compelled to write something in the wake of the economic numbers released this morning. As you probably know, the Consumer Price Index rose 6.2 percent in October from a year ago, its fastest increase since 1990. Prices of clothes, lawn mowers, and car partsContinue reading “Shit is About to Hit the Fan”

I’ve noted several times in this blog that sending your kid to a four-year public university in 18 years will cost more than $200,000. Folks remain incredulous. “No,” they say. “Costs will stop going up at some point.” “Why?” I always ask. “Well, they just have to. Something’s got to give or no one willContinue reading “The “Something’s Got to Give” Argument”

A decent chunk of Americans feel wealthy at the moment. You may be one of them. The stock market is, after all, booming. That portfolio of yours might look pretty damn lucrative. But you and I both know how fickle the market can be. Instead of salivating over our 401(k) balances, let’s take a lookContinue reading “The Perfect Storm”

America is not the best place to have and raise kids. A recent New York Times article had this little nugget of information: “Rich countries contribute an average of $14,000 per year for a toddler’s care, compared with $500 in the (United States).” So, if you’re a parent, you’re basically on your own. You alreadyContinue reading “Early Parenting on the (Sort of) Cheap”

In addition to winning $307 playing Jewel-Osco’s Monopoly promotion, I also won the following 560-plus items. I’ll never have to buy floss again! Here’s my secret: I love yogurt, so I just wait for the Yoplait single-serve cups to go on sale (50 cents or below) and get a bunch. You get a Monopoly ticketContinue reading “Pass Go and Collect $307”

I haven’t posted in a bit.  There’s a reason.  I’ve been a busy boy. Here’s what I’ve done in the past month to advance my financial objectives: 1. I hired a financial advisor who abides by the fiduciary standard. It’s already paying off. You don’t know what you don’t know. 2. I set up aContinue reading “10 Things I’ve Done to Firm Up My Financial Future”

None of the below apps are going to make or save you tons of money. But in the aggregate, they can lead to something meaningful, especially if you invest properly. Warning: Use all of these apps VERY selectively. Don’t go out of your way to spend money just to get a little cash back. That’sContinue reading “Using Free Apps to Make That Paper”

Many are not in a position to save. I get it. We are, after all, living in an economy that has been circling the drain for almost 50 years. Still, if feasible, be kind to your future self and stash away as much as you can. It’s possible social security will be slashed. It’s possibleContinue reading “Saving for a Thousand Rainy Days”

I’ve spent a good deal of time exploring the “philosophical” underpinnings of frugality, but this post is more of a plea. Stop using vending machines. No, this is not a joke. Vending machines are a tool of the devil. (I can be hyperbolic if I want! This is my blog!) Each time you use aContinue reading “I Hate Vending Machines”

When I tell people I’m frugal, most express mystification and feel compelled to share some fortune-cookie wisdom with me: “You only live once, bro.” For our purposes, let’s assume that’s true. (Way to totally discount reincarnation.) I only live once. You only live once. But why does it follow that you have to be aContinue reading “YOLO and the Spending Fallacy”