Monthly Archive: December 2014

67

Not So Great Trash Finds: New Year’s Resolution Edition

It’s the time of year when resolutions abound and everyone is committing themselves to a cleaner, leaner, serener 2015. I have a bold resolution to add to the list: find better trash in the new year. Are you less than enthusiastic about your trash finds in 2014? Do you long to roam the streets confidently picking up the choicest roadside discards? Well, dream no more. Resolve to bring home the top shelf trash in 2015 and prosper. To assuage...

84

Here’s To A Frugal & Woodsy 2015

Frugalwoods is my manifesto. I’ve never felt so passionately about a project nor poured so much energy into any single venture. As 2014 comes to a close, I want to share how grateful I am to all of you for reading along as Mr. FW and I navigate our journey to financial independence. Thank you for being here with us! What Frugalwoods Means to Me I published my first post here on April 9th and felt...

44

Frugal Hound Sniffs: Ridinkulous

A note to new readers: while we often delve deeply into financial topics (such as Behind the Scenes of a Happy Frugal Marriage and How We Save 65% Annually), we also like to keep it irreverent and downright silly. Because hey, who doesn’t need an investigative interview series conducted by a dog?! And so, I hope you’ll enjoy Frugal Hound Sniffs! If you’d prefer a more, ahem, financial independence-related post, start here. Greetings Internet. Frugal Hound here. I’m delighted...

120

Our Festive and Frugal $100 Christmas

We spent $104.17 on Christmas this year. Yes indeed, yet again we’ve managed to frugalize what is possibly the most consumeristic holiday of the entire year. Mr. Frugalwoods and I routinely disappoint retailers and let down the economy, but it’s particularly egregious during this season of revelry. Basically, we’re a menace. But, despite this meagre amount, we’re not skimping on the mistletoe or giving used dental floss as gifts. Nope and nope. We’re having a lovely Christmas while still...

131

Weekly Woot & Grumble: Mom’s On Email and My Hands Are Dry

Woot I invited ya’ll to sign up for our Frugalwoods email system on Wednesday in the first installment of our Frugal Homestead Series, and lo and behold, it worked! My mom has successfully signed up to receive our emails. This is a huge step coming from a woman who once accidentally bought something on Ebay (sorry mom, it’s true). My mother-in-law signed up awhile back, so we’re feeling pretty good about our metrics over here. Mr. Frugalwoods and...

19

Frugalwoods? More Like Frugalweirdos: An Interview of Sorts

We were interviewed today by Even Steven Money! And it didn’t even hurt! Things you will learn in this interview: Where we went to college Who would win in a race between Frugal Hound and Mr. Frugalwoods (obviously I’d beat them both) Whether or not we’ll reveal our identities What’s in store for Frugalwoods in 2015… Things you will not learn in this interview: Crafts you can make from greyhound fur dust bunnies 9 secrets...

129

The Frugal Homestead Series Part 1: Why The Woods?

I’ll admit it right now: I talk about our future homestead a lot. If you’re a regular reader, you’re probably sick of me starting sentences with, “when we move to our rural homestead…” In case you’re new here (or you’ve selectively tuned out my near-constant mention of the H word), Mr. Frugalwoods and I plan to buy 20+ acres of wooded land, likely with an existing home and outbuildings, in rural southern Vermont. We’ll purchase the property as...

14

How We Live Frugally In The City

Mr. Frugalwoods and I have done the city thing. Since graduating from college, we’ve lived in New York City, Washington, DC, and Cambridge, MA (twice). Why would we, as notorious frugal weirdos, live in some of the most expensive cities in the world? Come find out on my guest post over at Canadian Budget Binder today!

75

Weekly Woot & Grumble: Deck Those Frugal Halls

Woot Decorating for Christmas is a frugal affair around here. We just string a few bits of tinsel on Frugal Hound’s tail and call it a day. NOT! Mr. Frugalwoods and I are ardent devotees of Christmas and decking our frugal halls* is a momentous occasion every year. I’m always trying to sneak the decorating in earlier and earlier… I made an attempt at pre-Thanksgiving decor this year, but Mr. FW wasn’t swayed. And on the other side of things, I’d...

96

Reader Case Study: What Would You Do With $250K?

We love getting emails from readers here at Frugalwoods HQ and were intrigued recently by reader Jeff’s question as to what he and his wife should do with a $250,000 windfall they’ll soon receive. A good problem to have! Other than swim in it, buy treats for Frugal Hound, or shove it under a mattress (none of which we would actually advise), what’s a person with an unexpected lump sum to do? I want to put this one...