27 and Frugal

Moving into temporary student housing (dorms, student apartments) is quite different from moving into an apartment. Often times basic furnishings are provided but nice-to-haves are not (carpeting). After living in student housing for five years and moving twice a year, I have become a pro at balancing minimal, affordable furnishings that are easily mobile.

Keep practicality in mind when going dorm room shopping. Here are some rules:

• All items should easily fit into a car (not necessarily at the same time, but just size-wise). You will not need a moving truck.
• You should be able to carry everything by yourself. You … Continue reading »
  

Every Friday I will list personal recommendations of movies that are available on Netflix Instant Watch so you can enjoy a frugal weekend instead of buying that $10 movie ticket.

Weekend Picks: July 23-25

X-Men
Genre: Superhero, Action
Mood: Mindless action fun
104mins; 2000
Leslie Rating: 3/5 Continue reading »

We learn a lot from our parents. Life lessons and skills but also their mannerisms and habits; both good and bad. If your parents have poor spending habits, is it more likely that you will?

Watch and Learn

As a child, I learned how to avoid creditors. In fact, I normalized the fact that creditors called the house at all. I was not the only child to have learned this behavior. My mother’s spending habits have been passed down to my brother. He is in his mid-40’s, yet his credit score is still suffering from the years he spent paying the minimum balance; something he learned from our mother. Continue reading »

Quesadillas are not only quick and easy, but also flexible!

What You Need (Core)
2 Tortillas
Shredded cheese (cheddar, pepper jack, your preference)
Mexican seasoning (you better use mine!)

What You Do (3 Options)
1. Toaster Oven: Put quesadilla in toaster oven and toast until cheese melts
2. Oven: Put quesadilla on a baking sheet and bake at 350 for 10 mins or until cheese melts
3. Stove Top: With olive oil on a pan, place your quesadilla and cook for ~10 minutes then flip Continue reading »

Every Friday I will list personal recommendations of movies that are available on Netflix Instant Watch so you can enjoy a frugal weekend instead of buying that $10 movie ticket.

Weekend Picks: July 16-18

Good Will Hunting
Genre: Feel Good
Mood: Matt Damon with a boston accent
126mins; 1997
Leslie Rating: 4/5 Continue reading »

Every weekend, I will detail my activities and expenses to provide an example of how to implement a frugal mindset while still having a fun and active life.

Friday

I had plans to meet up with some friends for dinner on Friday night. I fixed myself a grilled cheese after work and snacked on some cashews on the way over. I did not purchase anything at the restaurant but still enjoyed myself. It was nice chatting with friends, some who I had not seen in a while. After dinner, we went to a local ice cream shoppe. I ate a delicious chocolate chip ice cream cone and socialized some more with friends.

Friday Total Cost:$3

Saturday

My friends were married on Saturday, so I spent most of the day getting ready for and attending to wedding things. They had an open bar so no money was spent!

Saturday Total Cost:$0
Continue reading »

They always say “quality over quantity” right? That is exactly what I thought when I dished out $300 (the most I have ever spent on an article of clothing) on a dress to wear to some planned weddings later this year. The dress was from London-based company Lipsy. I fell in love with the dress and really liked the rest of their collection, with the intention to purchase more of their clothing.

So Much for Quality

I wore the dress for the first time since purchase, to a wedding over the weekend. It was comfortable the entire time and I received many compliments. I was enthusiastic to tell my friends the name of the company and where they could purchase similar dresses.

Then, I took it off at the end of the night and saw the zipper had broke off. Continue reading »

Every Friday I will list personal recommendations of movies that are available on Netflix Instant Watch so you can enjoy a frugal weekend instead of buying that $10 movie ticket.

Weekend Picks: July 9-11

Airheads
Genre: Comedy
Mood: Brendan Fraser, Adam Sandler, Steve Buscemi
91mins; 1994
Leslie Rating: 4/5 Continue reading »

Every weekend, I will detail my activities and expenses to provide an example of how to implement a frugal mindset while still having a fun and active life.

Friday

Since this was a long weekend, I took advantage of the extra day by doing nothing on Friday. I made a small dinner and got caught up with bills and things. Not too exciting, but it had to get done.

Friday Total Cost:$0

Saturday

I spent Saturday at the shore with some friends. I packed a lunch, brought a drink and some snacks. We took a route without any tolls and less traffic. An hour later, we were relaxing on the beach. My friends ate lunch at a place on the boardwalk where a slice of pizza and a drink was $8. I sat at the table with them eating my yummy sandwich.

Later that night, I had plans to watch the UFC fight at Buffalo Wild Wings. I knew I would eat there, which is why I did not want to eat out earlier in the day. Unfortunately, BWW changed their boneless wings into disgusting fried crap so that was rather disappointing. The Blue Moon’s helped washed the ickiness down.

Saturday Total Cost:$20
Continue reading »

These pancakes have the perfect amount of flavor and density. It is more common for me to have beer than milk on hand, so I directly substitute the two. I actually prefer the flavor as it creates a perfect counter to the sweetness. You barely need any toppings on these lil’ pancakes. They melt in your mouth, are a perfect texture and a perfect sweetness.

What You Need

1 egg
1C white or wheat flour
3/4C Yeungling (or any light-medium flavored beer)
1T white sugar
2T vegetable oil
3t baking powder
1/4 t salt
1 capful of vanilla Continue reading »

Every Friday I will list personal recommendations of movies that are available on Netflix Instant Watch so you can enjoy a frugal weekend instead of buying that $10 movie ticket.

Weekend Picks: July 2-4

Robin Hood: Men in Tights
Genre: Comedy, Satire
Mood: Silly
104mins; 1993
Leslie Rating: 3/5 Continue reading »

Back in December, I made some life goals for 2010. Since then I was laid off, unemployed for two months, found a new job and doubled my commuting costs (and time).

Amazingly, I have been able to cross some of the goals off my list! Let’s review:

Financial Goals

• Pay off my car
• Focus on reducing Student Loan

In progress

• Focus on emergency fund

In progress

• Start a travel fund

Personal Goals

• Be out of high-interest debt
• Take a real vacation to somewhere new
• Increase skills in one hobby

In progress

• Have a stable side-project
• Build and maintain a new close friendship
• Continue living life to the fullest

In progress

The … Continue reading »

Every Friday I will list personal recommendations of movies that are available on Netflix Instant Watch so you can enjoy a frugal weekend instead of buying that $10 movie ticket.

Weekend Picks: June 25-27

Jaws
Genre: Thriller, Suspense, Classic
Mood: Summer, Crazy Animals
125mins; 1975
Leslie Rating: 4/5 Continue reading »

Every weekend, I will detail my activities and expenses to provide an example of how to implement a frugal mindset while still having a fun and active life.

Friday

I’m just going to warn you now, this was the most non-frugal weekend ever! Fortunately, all of the extra spending was budgeted. Friday night started out cheap. We stayed in, ordered Thai food ($7) and watched Shutter Island.

Friday Total Cost:$7

Saturday

I knew that Saturday would be an expensive day. I spent the morning getting highlights ($115) then stocked up on a prescription ($80). I came home in time to watch the World Cup game then headed out again to eat yummy Mexican for dinner ($6). After dinner, I played poker at a friend’s house and lost a buck.

Saturday Total Cost:$201
Continue reading »

Every Friday I will list personal recommendations of movies that are available on Netflix Instant Watch so you can enjoy a frugal weekend instead of buying that $10 movie ticket.

Weekend Picks: June 11-13

The Host
Genre: Action / Drama / Foreign
Mood: Monster / Social Commentary / Subtitles
119 mins; 2006
Leslie Rating: 4/5 Continue reading »