I have a complicated relationship with stuff. My grandfather grew up during the Great Depression and instilled in his children–my mom included–the ethos of never throwing anything away. Of reusing, of finding good deals, and of making do with what you have. These were valuable lessons for me and they form the basis of my frugal worldview. However, the dark side is that this approach can engender a scarcity mindset. It can make me feel...
Lynn is an art teacher in southern Maine, where she lives with her husband Lucas, a carpenter, and their ten-year-old son. Lynn loves teaching art but loves creating art even more and would like to have more flexibility and balance in her life. Case Studies are financial (and life) dilemmas that a reader of Frugalwoods sends to me requesting that Frugalwoods nation weigh in. Then, Frugalwoods nation (that’s you!), reads through their situation and provides advice, encouragement,...
June 2019 A time of idyl and pleasures, summers in Vermont are hedonistic romps through finally-thawed ground. For two months, maybe three, we denizens of the Northeast are made ecstatic by green grass and ripening gardens. Then we get hot, retreat to the porch, and complain that it’s only 10am and already 75 degrees. We sweat and wonder aloud when fall will start. Vermont is comprised of folks who pretend to love all four seasons,...
I used to pay $81 a month for my cell phone service. Now, I pay $10.65 a month. It’s rare that there’s one weird trick to saving money. Usually, saving entails hard work and sacrifice. Today, I bring you an exception. Today, I bring you a way to save money every month that’s easy and painless. Today, I introduce you to the world of MVNOs. I know, you’ve been thinking about your Moonbeam Vector Newt...
It’s the first day of the Uber Frugal Month Group Challenge! If you haven’t signed up yet, there’s still time to join us. Put your email address into the box below by 11:59pm EST tonight (July 1, 2019) and you’ll be on track with the group: Note: you can take the UFM Challenge at any time throughout the year, but we take the Challenge together every January and July. The Uber Frugal Month Challenge is...
