Monthly Archive: February 2018

26 Feb, 2018

Reader Suggestions: What To Pack For Lunch (And How To Remember It)!

Food, glorious food! This month’s Reader Suggestions is devoted to none other than the very favorite, the preeminent, the most-discussed, most-loved/hated aspect of frugality: FOOD! Specifically, bringing food with you wherever you go. We all know it’s expensive and (often) unhealthy to buy our lunches out while at work, or run through the drive-through while running errands, or stop off for coffee in the afternoon. And yet… I hear from many of you that this...

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Kids

22 Feb, 2018

Introducing Littlewoods!

Mr. Frugalwoods, Babywoods, and I are thrilled to introduce you to the newest member of our family: Littlewoods! Our second daughter was born on February 17th and tipped the scales at 8 pounds, 2 ounces and 20.5 inches long. I always thought it was hilarious that parents shared the weight and length of their children, but, we’re so proud of them and there’s not really anything else to report about them at this stage other...

This Month On The Homestead

20 Feb, 2018

This Month On The Homestead: Turkeys, Foxes, And A Fisher Cat!

January 2018 It’s tempting to say that January is a barren, desolate time of year here in Vermont. But it’s not. Not really, anyway. And not if you’re attuned to the ever-present, ever-changing ecosystem of life that populates our woods. True, we’re shrouded in snow. True, we have more ice than greenery. True, some critters are hibernating. Equally true is the shimmering beauty of sun on snow and the exhilaration of inhaling frigid air while...

Marriage & Money

12 Feb, 2018

8 Money Questions To Ask Your Partner This Valentine’s Day

“My spatula broke and I need to buy a new one (pauses; frowns). Is that OK with you?” -Mr. Frugalwoods “Oh the blue spatula? Sad (pauses; frowns for empathy)! Yes of course, get yourself a new one.” -Mrs. Frugalwoods This is a verbatim transcript of a conversation I had with my husband a few weeks ago. I know you’re riveted with jealousy over how exciting our lives are. As the cook of our household, Mr....

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Reader Case Studies

7 Feb, 2018

Reader Case Study: From Brooklyn to LA With a Baby

We’re headed to Brooklyn, NY this month to talk future plans with a young couple and their two-month-old infant. The FrugalBrooklyns, as they’d like to be called, are loving their new roles as parents and, while they enjoy life in the Big Apple, are plotting a cross-country move to Los Angeles, CA. 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...

Monthly Expense Reports

2 Feb, 2018

Cider Keg Equipment And Other January 2018 Expenditures

Remember a few months ago when Mr. Frugalwoods, Babywoods, our friends, and I harvested all of our apples, pressed them into cider, and popped the cider into glass carboys to ferment? Well, the time has arrived to keg this cider up! These past few months our relatively massive quantity of cider has been fermenting away down in our (now clutter-free) basement and we posit it’s just about time to begin imbibing. This month we purchased...