From the category archives:
So many gifts to give, and so little time to go and shop for them! Doesn’t that seem like the mantra these days? I know that I sometimes feel overwhelmed when having to shop for gifts for friends and family, and I (while not sounding like a jerk) wished there was another way to go [...]
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When you see your friends buying nice things such as a new car or a second home, do you automatically think that they have gone deep into debt for the purchase or do you secretly envy them and think they must have come into some money? Do you think, some people have all the luck [...]
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If you want to make changes to the way in which your kitchen looks, you’ll probably be aware of the fact that it will cost money to carry them out. With that in mind, you’ll want to save money wherever you can without it being at the expense of the overall quality of the makeover. [...]
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The latte factor is a term coined by financial author David Bach to describe daily, wasteful spending. For those of us trying to save more and lessen/consolidate debt, knowledge of the latte factor can cause a sense of guilt as we slyly shuffle into a Starbucks to spend our hard earned money. On the weekend, [...]
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If you are just starting out, it can be expensive to furnish your first apartment. When I moved to graduate school and lived on my own for the first time, I spent about $500 furnishing my apartment, and that included having many pieces my mom was generous enough to give me from her home. If [...]
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The Super Bowl is just around the corner and if your house is about be invaded by party-goers, you might be worried about what hosting a huge party is going to cost you. Potlucks and BYOB are always a good way to host a party on the cheap, but if you want to keep the [...]
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I don’t like cleaning; and I make no secret of that fact. Dust can multiply for months, and I might notice that it is there, but I probably won’t clean it. I do have the basics that I do every day—dishes, and general picking up. I clean the bathrooms and sweep and mop the kitchen [...]
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It is not unusual for students to move several times over the course of their college career. They may move from the dorm to an off campus apartment with friends and then to their own apartment. However, before moving multiple times, think carefully about the expenses you will incur. When I was in graduate school, [...]
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I received the following email the other day. Here is the email below and my reply. What other stories / advice can you offer this reader. I asked her to check back here for more info from this great community! I am currently taking the Dave Ramsey Financial Peace University class that is being offered [...]
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Last week I adopted a puppy from the Humane Society. It’s no secret that any pet will cost money, so I figured it would be an interesting exercise to see how much the pup is costing per month. This is what was spent in the month of Feb. I adopted him on the last day [...]
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Yesterday I wrote about my encounter with an Internet scam artist. Fortunately, I’ve didn’t fall for his ploy or countless other ones encountered in the past. I’ve been shopping online for at least the last decade and don’t plan on slowing down. It’s convenient and you can find some great deals. While I’m certainly no [...]
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The hubby and I decided we wanted a puppy! Anyone that knows me knows I am a dog lover ~ always has been. So I’m very excited about bringing a puppy home. We knew we were going to get a dog once most of the major home renovations were out the way. Now that’s done [...]
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Every once in a while I like to do a financial check-up to make sure I’m getting the best deal possible. Sometimes, what was a good deal in the past is no longer a good deal. As old habits die and new habits emerge it’s important to make sure you’re not paying for something you [...]
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I’m not a fan of Kim Kardashian. In fact, I barely know who she is accept that she was featured in one of the challenges of this season’s Apprentice. What I did find interesting is the controversy surrounding her debit card. Even more interesting…and the point of this article, is the cancellation of the Kardashian [...]
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I won’t be winning the crown for the “queen of frugality” this year! There are areas where I still suffer from lifestyle inflation. OK, maybe suffer is a bit extreme because I’m enjoying my new toy that I am about to disclose below. When asked what frugality means to me for Almost Frugal This is [...]
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Over the summer, I wrote about a money hack that would save money when you find yourself tempted to dial information. Free 411 (a service I never used), and Google 411, a service that I used so often it was on speed dial. Well on Oct 8th…Google announced they will be shutting down the 411 [...]
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A few nights ago I was watching an episode of White Collar where Neal Caffery, the FBI’s criminal consultant is undercover working with some young risk-taking executive types. They invite him out for dinner where they play credit card roulette. The group goes out and runs up a high bill, the toss all the credit [...]
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For those of us that purchased homes this year, keep an eye on your mailbox because your tax credit is probably on the way if you have not received it already. Do you have a plan? For many of us, getting a check this large ($6,000 – $8,000) isn’t an everyday occurrence. It would not [...]
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Those of you that follow the stuff I write here, on Twitter, or a Facebook know about my car being rear-ended by a drunk driver, and that I’ve been asking the readers for advice as I prepare to purchase a slightly used vehicle. I’ve weighed my options and I’ve decided to finance through a local [...]
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If you are eligible to participate in the Armed Forces Vacation Club (AFVC), you can save a LOT of money on your next vacation. Eligible people include: Service members (United States Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marines, Navy) Adult dependents of service members Foreign exchange service members Retired service members and their adult dependents Civilian [...]
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