When I started this blog, I had several high interest debts and a strong desire to get my personal finances under control. I was focused on financial information and my debts weighed heavy on my thoughts.

Between writing about frugality and practicing it, it was something I thought about often.

Then, life happened.

I got a new job that, between commuting and working, takes up 13 hours of my day. I paid off my high interest debts and only have an interest deductible student loan remaining. While I do not have as much savings as I would like, I do something of an emergency fund that would work for, well, an emergency.

Also, I ended a four year romantic relationship and dealing with that as a personal issue has consumed my thoughts far more than the debt has.

Budgeting on Autopilot

I still keep my budget and in fact, am glad that I practiced tracking my expenses when I did. Now, budgeting is an automatic behavior. Even though my mind is consumed with other thoughts, I still complete my monthly budget.

My passion for finances may have dwindled temporarily, but the exercises have not failed.

What is failure?

Some may consider this temporary mental detachment from finances to be worrisome. However, you do not need to be thinking about personal finances all the time to practice them successfully.

I consider the fact that I can track and stick to my budget while dealing with serious personal issues, to be a great success!

Many times it is when we undergo life stress that our finances begin unraveling as well. Whether that is because of retail therapy or a break-up makeover, both of which can be helpful in moderation, being able to do these things and keep your budget under control can help.

Because you can control your spending

Being a habitual budget-er means money is one less thing to stress about. It is nice knowing that while you may feel out of control of your life for this moment in time, your finances are something you can control!

If you have recently been broken up with or laid off, you can still control your budget even if you cannot control what just happened to you.

Personal finance & budgeting should not be treated as a phase that someone only does when they are having serious financial woes or moved into a new apartment or started a new job.

It should be integrated into your life to the point that it becomes as automatic as brushing your teeth.

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With busy schedules, finding time to cook, especially if you do not enjoy it, can be difficult. Many “quick and easy” recipes are subjectively so. Numerous steps and ingredients can be overwhelming to someone who is used to take-out. When cooking solely for yourself, things like plating and appearance can take a back seat to quickness.

For those of you who don’t know, I spend a minimum of 13 hours a day doing work activities (including commuting) and am never home before 7p. Although I do enjoy cooking, I do not want it to occupy my entire evening. Since I am only cooking for myself, the quicker the meal is to make, the better.

Some might scoff that this isn’t a recipe at all, but we all have to start somewhere. Putting together this easypeasy pesto pasta (say that three times fast!) is still better than take-out.

Yes, I know fresh-made pesto will taste better, but it’s winter. And sometimes, there just is not time for that.

What You Need

1/4 box pasta (pick your favorite type)
2T (to taste) Pesto (Classico is good; Your local grocery store deli probably sells some as well)
Parmesan Cheese

What You Do

1. Prepare pasta as usual. Drain.
2. Stir in Pesto
3. Stir in Parmesan cheese

In under 15 minutes with absolutely no hard work and dirtying only one pot, you will have an absolutely delicious dinner. It reheats well so make extra to use it for lunch the following day.

Additions

If you have the time, you can get fancy by grilling chicken on a george foreman while the pasta water is boling, then cut that up and stir it into the pasta with pesto.

You can also add vegetables like broccoli in with the pasta and chicken.

Readers…

What is your favorite go-to meal after a long day?

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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

Sunday

On Sunday, I made another loaf of fail bread then watched Gangs of New York. Since I covered pizza last weekend, my boyfriend paid for Thai food this weekend.

Sunday Total Cost:$0

Total Weekend Cost: $0! Whoo!

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There’s been quite a few posts highlighting objects people do not own and why they are happier with their decision. Admittedly, many of the objects I do not own is because I still move quite frequently, I am still living quite comfortably without them.

10 Items I Consciously Choose Not To Own

1. A Big Desk. I bought my desk at Ikea six years ago. It is basically a slab of wood on four metal legs. I can disassemble and transport it myself since it fits right in my car. Less drawers means less clutter.
2. Desk Chair with Wheels. This just is not practical for me. It is not easily transportable and does not roll very well on thick carpet. I have been using three folding Ikea chairs for six years, lugging them from apt to apt and love them.
3. Jewelry box. I was going to purchase one, when I decided to simply use a belt as an earring holder instead. Problem solved.
4. Watering can. I use a cocktail shaker. I don’t have a huge garden so this works just fine.
5. Popcorn Popper. I make my own microwaveable popcorn. The paper bags take far less room in the kitchen than a popper.
6. Bread machine. With a KitchenAid mixer, I really do not see this as necessary. Kneading is the most difficult part and the mixer does that for me. Timing the rises is tricky, but manageable.
7. Blender. My roomate has one. The three years it has been in the kitchen I have not once touched it.
8. Chemical cleaners. Hello baking soda and vinegar.
9. Ziploc baggies. I gave these up as a test to see if I could get by with just containers and jars. I don’t miss the bags.
10. A Dresser. I do not have the room in my bedroom for a cluttering piece of big furniture. I also cannot fit one in my car (or move it myself). So instead I simply use closet for everything. I have small foldable drawers for my undergarments/pj’s and hang the rest of it. This also makes it more difficult for me to “forget” about clothes buried in the back of a drawer.

Readers, what common items do you live without by choice?

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Alton Brown may not be a frugal expert but his kitchen-item buying advice is dead-on: “Do not purchase uni-taskers.”

However, there are items that we eventually need to purchase. Here are some of my personal recommendations, items which I could not cook or bake without!

Magnetic Double-Ended Measuring Spoons – These are far better than any metal spoons on a ring. Being able to use one spoon for both dry and liquid ingredients is extremely convenient. You will never lose the spoons either due to their brilliant design.

Cheese Graters/Containers – I love that these containers make it so easy to grate cheese without making a mess. When you have extra, just put the lid on top and store it in the fridge.

Bendable Cutting Boards – I love using these for chopped veggies and chocolate. Makes it so easy to dump chocolate pieces into the mixing bowl.

Rice Cooker – I never even bothered with rice until my roommate brought one home. I definitely couldn’t live without it now! Being able to pour three ingredients into the bowl then walk away, is the easiest side dish I can think of.

A Good Knife – Until I received this knife as a gift, I was using dull blades that took forever to chop through anything. A good knife means preparing food is not only quicker but is also more enjoyable and less tedious.

KitchenAid Mixer – Sorry but it’s true! I know this is an expensive one, but if you bake often (say, once a week) the amount of time this will save you is immeasurable!

One Measuring Cup – A set of measuring cups is not necessary. This all-in-one measuring cup is all you need.

Set Of Mixing Bowls – A good set of mixing bowls can be used for everything! Serving salad, holding potato chips, along with cooking and baking.

George Foreman Grill – This is another time saver. I can season chicken breasts and throw them on the foreman grill in just a few minutes. Several minutes later and they’re done. As a bonus, it does not take up much counter space at all.

Food Chopper – I love this for chopping up nuts, vegetable, oatmeal, anything! I consider this a decent substitute for a food processor.

Flexible Prep Bowls – I thought these were silly at first but I have found them to be very useful. They are a perfect size for dipping. I use them the most for making my spice mixes. I can measure out the spice into the bowl, then squeeze the bowl into a funnel to pour into a small spice container. Works perfect without making a mess.

Fleximat – Think of this as permanent parchment paper. It does make a difference for my cookies. I use it as a cheat actually, instead of upgrading my cookie sheet. Granted, if you never bake this will be useless to you.

Pampered Chef Stoneware – I love stoneware. For cookies, potatoes, breads, brownies, casseroles and other yummy foods I cannot think of, stoneware will bake them perfectly every time!

Readers, what are your favorite tools in the kitchen?

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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

Add-Ins
Chicken
Rice
Corn
Peppers
Onions
Black beans
Anything!

This recipe is so flexible it’s ridiculous! You can add pretty much any vegetable inside your quesadilla, just allow for longer cooking times. I suggest sprinkling the mexican seasoning on any of the additional items you prepare. Rub it on the chicken, sprinkle over peppers, etc. If you get the quesadilla pretty stuffed, just one or two triangles will be more than enough to fill you up. Feel free to serve with sour cream and guacamole as well.

Share your favorite quesadilla combinations!

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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

Sunday

On Sunday, I went to the mall to see if I could get my dress fixed. The final result was a $140 credit and my dress was sent off to the seamstress. Afterward, I had lunch at Chipotle, then walked it off at the Ken Lockwood Gorge. Then put it all back on with some ice cream at Gronsky’s Milk House.

Sunday Total Cost:-$130.80

Total Weekend Cost: -$127.80!

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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

Sunday

I spent Sunday morning chatting with a friend at Pantera Bread ($2) then lounged around in the afternoon. I met up with some friends to watch fireworks in the evening. We had a great time! I had some pizza and beers there as well.

Sunday Total Cost:$7

Monday

I spent my long weekend day just being a bum. I made beer pancakes for breakfast and they were oh-so-delicious. Since, it was ridiculously hot outside, I stayed in and watched Zombieland on Instant Watch. Then made myself a quick dinner of grilled chicken, broccoli and a baked potato with my seasoning salt.

Friday Total Cost:$0

Total Weekend Cost: $27

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When it comes to commuting to work or school, there is much more to be concerned about than just the price of gas and oil changes. Your mental well-being takes a toll when driving in congested traffic, bad weather, or in a hurry. Some folks like to have a good 20 minute drive from work to home to give them some “downtime” to transition into home-mode. On the other hand, some just cannot bear commuter traffic. We all have our driving preferences and limits. What are yours?

Driving Across The State

A few years ago, I took a job that involved an hour commute. Gas alone cost over $300/month plus constant oil changes. I did that for a year, then caved and moved closer. It was not because of the cost (my rent was super cheap), it was the traffic that drove me crazy.

Some days it would take me 2 hours to get to work. I worked until 6:30p just to avoid heavy traffic. Even with all the shortcuts I learned, it was very stressful. Sometimes I would be exhausted by the time I got to work!

After a year, I moved closer decreasing my commute back to 30 minutes. Even though rent was more costly, it evened out with the money I had been spending on gas and car maintenance

Driving To Another State

My new and current job involves commuting to NYC from NJ. I knew it would be expensive from the beginning; the train, the taxes and the more expensive everything in the city. I also knew I would be back to another long commute.

But I took the job and I am definitely glad I did. I cringed at the $279 monthly pass but really grew to like the stress-free, drive-free train ride. I can sleep in the morning and relax (or write blog posts as I am doing now) on the way home. It is an hour to myself, which is a pretty rare occurrence.

Recently, New Jersey Transit increased fares by 25%. My 1hr 15min commute is now $349/month! Part of me wants to find a cheaper alternative even though it will definitely involve driving on traffic-heavy roads. The other part of me just wants to keep my stress-free albeit expensive commute.

I calculated that driving closer with a friend might save me $40/month; but would include driving in heavy traffic. Something I truly dread.

So readers…

What are your thoughts on long commutes? Commutes involving public transportation? The cost of commuting?

Also, how much more are you willing to pay for convenience in general? I have written about the cost of convenience before but, at the risk of sounding hypocritical, I truly like this convenience.

I am genuinely interested in opinions and advice so please share.

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Free samples are a great example of how frugality is more about being resourceful than it is about being cheap.

Cheap people will use free samples solely because they are free. They have no intention of ever buying the product and simply think of the item as a free meal, free lipstick, free soap, etc.

Frugal consumers, on the other hand, will focus more on the fact that it is a sample. Samples allow you to try a product with no investment. If you like the sample, then spending money on it will be a smart purchase. If you do not, then no harm done. You did not waste your money.

Trying New Foods

The sample can be something petty like a new ice cream flavor. Step outside your boundaries and ask your local ice cream parlor to try a small sample spoonful of a new flavor. This is how I grew to love gelato.

Even Chipotle will give you a sample of their different seasoned toppings. This way you can try the food without risk.

Trying New Make-Up/Beauty Products

One of the most financially savvy examples of free samples is with make-up/beauty products. Sephora is great with offering free samples with your online purchase. In the stores, you can ask for a sample of any of their perfumes. Used wisely, this sample will definitely last you a few weeks. What a great way to see just how that scent reacts to your skin without spending $40.

Sephora also offers samples in the form of actually trying out the make-up right there in the store. Just find a color you want to try but might be a little afraid to. Ask one of the staff if they can apply it on you. Be sure to take advantage and ask questions about matching, weight, and application.

It is especially important to use free samples for expensive items. Lush products have a hefty price tag but the cashiers are more than willing to give you a free sample of everything there. Definitely take advantage of this. From experience, I have learned to always request a sample before trying a new product.

Trying New Medications

You can also receive samples of prescription medication. This is especially useful if you are sensitive to various prescriptions. If you are prescribed a new medication or want to change from one that is not working, ask your doctor if she has any samples available so you can see how your body reacts to the new medication without spending your money on the full prescription. This will save you money, time and frustration.

Risk-Free, Guilt-Free Spending

I’m happy to hear some twitter favs use free samples wisely, as well. @eemusings takes advantage of the free samples at Lush and The Body Shop and @pintucked likes the samples offered by Sephora.

Next time you see a product you want to purchase but are not sure you will like it, ask for a sample Most places are more than willing to take a little sacrifice in hopes you will make another purchase This way you are spending your money on products that work for you and you are making a smart, informed decision.

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