27 and Frugal

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: October 29-31 – Happy Halloween!

The Crazies
Genre: Horror
Mood: Zombies
100 mins; 2009
Leslie Rating: 4/5

The Descent 2
Genre: Horror
Mood: Monsters
93 mins; 2009
Leslie Rating: 3/5

Ghostbusters 2
Genre: Comedy
Mood: Ghosts
108 mins; 1989
Leslie Rating: 5/5

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I have previously written that my father lives on a fixed income in Wyoming. I have also mentioned that he borrows money from me.

It’s A Slippery Slope

Perhaps, I started it all. Every month or so, I would send my father a phone card so he could stay in touch. The $30 or so a month was not too much of a burden for me to help out my father who has a limited income. When I visited him two years ago, I bought him some groceries and asked if he needed anything else while I was there. Now, I do not have that much disposable income myself, but I do have more than my father and know that it is my responsibility as a daughter to take care of my parents.

Then, earlier this year, his old beat-up car really started having problems and he asked to borrow $600. I use the word “borrow” as he did but I am not expecting the money back very soon (if at all). I sent him the money.

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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: October 15-17 – Creepy Edition

Event Horizon
Genre: Sci-Fi Horror
Mood: Outerspace
97 mins; 1997
Leslie Rating: 4/5

Sixth Sense
Genre: Creepy
Mood: M. Night Shyamalan (the only good one)
106 mins; 1999
Leslie Rating: 4/5

Carrie
Genre: Teen Horror
Mood: Stephen King
97minutes; 1976

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There are so many cheap activities in the fall. Last weekend I went apple picking followed by the most beautiful, perfect trail run!

Getting outside for a run, walk, or hike is a great way to take advantage of fall weather and, best of all, it is free!

I am grateful for living in a beautiful part of New Jersey where I am centrally located between two parks and a gorgeous running trail along the Delaware & Raritan Canal.

As previously mentioned, I do not pay for a gym membership. I do not enjoy running most of the time but at least I am not paying for it. On gorgeous days, I would not want to be in a gym anyway!

Need a reason to work out for free, let me show you my running trail:

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There are so many cheap activities in the fall and apple & pumpkin picking is definitely one of them!

Most orchards are free to pick and the apples are fairly priced per pound.

There are often other activities like a wagon ride, corn maze, or pumpkin patch that get you outside feeling like a kid again in the crisp autumn air.

Even if you only go for apples, you can easily spend a few hours walking around the orchard, finding the best apples to add to your basket.

Some farms make their own cider or … Continue reading »

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Myself and most other frugalites push the idea that “it doesn’t hurt to ask” when dealing with companies.

When asking for a reduced interest rate, a credit on down service, or a policy discount, what is the worse that could happen? They say no? But if they say yes, you get monies!

However, I honestly have never thought of the other side of the phone. I have never thought about the person whose job it is to deal with all of us who are trying to save money.

Well, my friend does just that. She is a customer service representative for a major cable company and did not mind sharing with me some facts about her job that I was not aware of! I want to share them with you so that, while we should continue being frugal, perhaps we could be a little bit less selfish.

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I have been writing for a year! That’s amazing! As far as documentation goes, this certainly was a great year for it!

I started this blog after reading a Simple Dollar post. I felt Trent’s advice was out of touch to the younger-but-professional, committed-but-not-married audience. I began to realize that frugality in general is often geared to families. Few frugal blogs mention drink specials, discount tickets and free activities not appropriate for kids. I decided to write to this audience.

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Less than two weeks ago, I checked my credit report and saw a late payment on a closed account. When I called Chase to ask to have the payment removed, they informed me there was no record of my account in their system. Since, there was no proof my account ever existed, I decided to file a credit card dispute with Equifax to verify the information.

I submitted the dispute online and the entire process was very easy to understand. Once sent, Equifax sent me an email every few days saying they were still looking into my dispute … Continue reading »

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Looking for a cheap birthday meal or free gift? The following restaurants and stores give you free items on your birthday! All you have to do is sign up for their free mailing list and you’ll receive an email with a birthday gift coupon around the time of your birthday!

• Anthropologie - 15% discount.
• Applebee’s – Free entree available up to a month after your birthday
• Banana Republic – 15% discount available entire birthday month.
• Baskin Robbins – One free 2.5oz scoop/swirl available up to 5 days after your birthday.
• Benihana – One free entree ($30 maximum value) available entire birthday month.
• Cold Stone Creamery – One free small ice cream available up to 7 days before or after your birthday.
• Dairy Queen – Buy one blizzard get one free.
• Famous Dave’s – Free items depending on your “prize code” available up to 30 days after your birthday.

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There are plenty of personal finance tools available online. When beginning a personal finance journey, you might start with finance-tailored tools, thinking that if they have to do with money and a budget, they will get you on the right track. I suggest starting even simpler.

If a budget is the key to maintaining personal finances, then setting goals is the keyhole. Having a budget will not get you far if you do not have a reason to stick to it!

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