Monthly Archive: December 2017

22 Dec, 2017

Reader Suggestions Of Frugal And Fun Winter Activities

Welcome to my monthly Reader Suggestions feature! Every month I post a question to our Frugalwoods Facebook group and share the best responses here. The questions are topics I’ve received multiple queries on and my hope is that by leveraging the braintrust of Frugalwoods nation, you’ll find helpful advice and insight. Join the Frugalwoods Facebook group to participate in next month’s Reader Suggestions! Here in Vermont we are finally and firmly entrenched in a lovely, snowy, cold winter season. Living out here...

Charitable Giving / Featured / Frugalwoods Philosophy

20 Dec, 2017

How We Donate To Charities Like Billionaires

Think strategic philanthropy is just for billionaires? Heck no! It’s for everyone who gives away money. We’re all some strategic bosses with our spending, savings, and investments–charitable giving is absolutely no different. Today we’re going to discuss opportunities to maximize your philanthropic impact, support charities you believe in, and ultimately, make wise financial decisions that’ll benefit others–in other words, how to donate like a billionaire! What could be better? Cookies maybe, although I did eat...

This Month On The Homestead

14 Dec, 2017

This Month On The Homestead: Trail Building 101 And A Second Birthday Party

If you’re just tuning in, this is a recurring series in which I document each month of our lives out here on our 66-acre Vermont homestead. After leaving urban Cambridge, MA in May 2016 to chart this wholly different life, we’re experiencing a constant learning curve of exploration (and plenty of stupid novice moments). Check out last month’s installment here and enjoy the best and worst (ok, mostly the worst) moments of our first year on the homestead here. November 2017 Snow fell...

Reader Case Studies

11 Dec, 2017

Reader Case Study: Londoners Wonder About Buying A Property

We’re headed across the pond for this month’s Reader Case Study as we delve into university lecturers Betty and David’s query on whether or not to buy a home in an expensive area near London, England. 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, insight, and feedback in the comments section. For...

Uber Frugal Month

8 Dec, 2017

Transform Your Life: Join The January Uber Frugal Month Group Challenge

You guys! Get excited! It’s happening again… the January Uber Frugal Month Group Challenge (UFM) is BACK! Like an attack! (but a good sort of attack). I cannot possibly think of a better way to kick off 2018 than with a month of extreme frugality!! I know you’re totally hooked by the incredibly tempting words “extreme frugality.” However, the Uber Frugal Month is so much more than a mere money-saving challenge. Yes, you will save...

Monthly Expense Reports

4 Dec, 2017

Tractor Pallet Forks And Other November 2017 Expenditures

November epitomized large unexpected expenses and semi-annual (or simply annual) expenses lining up and hitting us all at once. It was, as they say, one of those months. But we don’t sweat it because our overarching approach is to live frugally every month so that unexpected or infrequent expenses aren’t a burden. By not spending our money frivolously or out of alignment with our goals, we can always rest assured that pricier months aren’t a...