* You are viewing the archive for the ‘Expenses’ Category

Dealing With Money & Family Guilt

leslie October 20, 2010 Budget, Expenses 34 Comments

Used Car

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.

Continue reading »

Frugal Fall: Trail Running (in pictures)

leslie October 14, 2010 Expenses 4 Comments

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:

Continue reading »

Frugal Fall: Apple Picking (in pictures)

leslie October 12, 2010 Expenses 7 Comments


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 »

Life In A Call Center

leslie October 11, 2010 Expenses 13 Comments

Old School Call Center

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.

Continue reading »

27 And Frugal’s First Birthday!

leslie October 06, 2010 Expenses 16 Comments

First Birthday yay!

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.

Continue reading »

A Successful Credit Card Dispute

leslie October 03, 2010 Expenses 6 Comments

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 »

Ultimate List of Birthday Freebies!

leslie October 02, 2010 Expenses 9 Comments

happy birthday

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!

Using Every Day Tools for Personal Finance

leslie October 01, 2010 Expenses 2 Comments

Joes Goals Screenshot

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!

Continue reading »

Balancing Consumerism With Frugality

leslie September 24, 2010 Expenses, Shopping 18 Comments

Frugality & Consumerism

The Path To Frugality & Beyond

First, you buy stuff and spend money. You do not care how much oatmeal costs, you just buy the kind you want. There are no sacrifices. Choice dictates purchases.

Then, you start to care about the price but still only buy what you want. You start using coupons and look for discounts/sales on your favorite oatmeal. You sacrifice your time. You still buy your favorite kind and save some money in the process. Choice still dictates purchases.

Then, you learn that the generic oatmeal is even cheaper than the brand-name even after coupons. Price is beginning to dictate your purchases. You sacrifice some quality/preference to save money.

Then, you learn how to make your own oatmeal! This is much cheaper than even the generic stuff and you can make it just how you like it. Choice & price dictates the purchase of ingredients. You sacrifice some convenience, as you now have to plan ahead to have time to make it. This is frugality.

Continue reading »

How To File A Credit Report Dispute

leslie September 19, 2010 Expenses 4 Comments

I checked my credit report last week and noticed there was a late payment listed that might negatively affect my credit score.

The payment was on a credit card that was opened and closed five years ago with Bank One who is now owned by Chase. I spoke with Chase (on the phone and in person) and was told that they do not have any record of me in their system.

There is no proof that the credit card even existed.

I decided to file a dispute against the account with Equifax. I … Continue reading »

Cheese Bread!

leslie September 18, 2010 Expenses 2 Comments

Cheese Bread

This is a delicious, guilty pleasure quick bread taken from the food genius Alton Brown. It is an easy recipe that makes a loaf of a very filling snack.

Add some butter and a frying pan and you have your own grilled cheese with just a slice!

Continue reading »

Frugal Vacation Planning

leslie August 23, 2010 Expenses 7 Comments

We all need to take a break from our lives and get away from time to time. Travel is costly but the experience is worth it. There are many ways to keep vacation costs down so you can focus on enjoying yourself without worrying about your credit card statement when you get home.

Save Throughout The Year

Create a travel fund so you can save up for your trip throughout the entire year. I suggest determining your expenses by separating the actual travel costs from the vacation costs.

Travel costs are: Airfare, trainfare, busfare and gas.
Vacation costs are: … Continue reading »

Managing A Savings Account

leslie August 19, 2010 Budget, Expenses 6 Comments

I have previously written about tracking your savings within a budget just as you track your expenses. However, this is assuming that you already have a savings account, savings goal and long-term financial plan in mind. So, this time, let me start from the beginning.

Why Save?

  1. Emergency Fund: This savings is essential for financial stability. Unexpected problems will always come up in life that cost money. Car issues, home problems, medical emergencies, job loss, computer malfunctions and family emergencies are all things we must plan for, even if we hope they never happen. The experts suggest saving 6-8 months living expenses.

    To get started, let’s set a reasonable goal of 3 months. Using your budget, calculate your monthly fixed expenses (only) and multiply by 3. At a minimum, this is how much you need to survive for three months.

  2. Travel Fund: Everyone wants to go on a guilt-free vacation! Start saving early so you have enough “splurge” money to not dread coming home to credit card bills.
  3. Car Fund: If you are thinking about purchasing a car, start putting some money in savings now for it. Set your goal to be the down payment.

Continue reading »

“PF” Does Not Mean “Perfect Finances”

leslie August 17, 2010 Budget, Expenses 5 Comments

My new roomate saw me in the kitchen the other day and said she was impressed with my cooking skills. When I asked if she cooked, she replied, “by necessity.”

“By necessity” is exactly how most of us learn to handle our finances. Very few people have been taken step-by-step through balancing a budget, reviewing a check book, tracking bills and managing a savings. Instead, we are expected to figure this out for ourselves. It is no wonder so many people fall into debt.

Invisible Money

There are a plethora of cooking shows on tv. Every cuisine, style, and cook time is shown with complete details and visual instructions of how to prepare each dish. Then you have personal finance, which is rarely mentioned on television.

When money is shown in the media, it is often because someone won or lost a large amount of it. Sitcom couples are rarely shown balancing their budget or saying they cannot afford something (without it being the joke of the episode). In fact, the only time money is usually discussed on television is during a credit card commercial.

Society in general tends to hush conversation about money. Salaries are never to be mentioned among friends, budgets are a boring topic, and no one wants to be the one who “can’t afford it” in the group.

As a child, money is invisible. It is not until your first job that money becomes relative and even then, it is merely disposable income as most 16 year olds live at home without many bills.

Without being taught how to handle money or given real life examples of proper budgeting, along with being surrounded by credit card companies, it is no surprise that we make financial mistakes! Continue reading »

Weekend: August 13-15, 2010

leslie August 15, 2010 Entertainment, Tips, Weekly Expenses No Comments

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 spent Friday night grocery shopping, making delicious Macaroni & Cheese with Spinach then watching more Dexter Season 3.

Friday Total Cost:$0

Saturday

Saturday early afternoon I finally won a platinum trophy in Ratchet & Clank: A Crack in Time! The rest of the day was spent at a friend’s birthday cookout. I had a great time visiting with friends and meeting new ones. All food and beer was provided.

Saturday Total Cost:$0
Continue reading »

« Older Entries