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You've probably heard of Ebeneezer Scrooge, the curmudgeonly old man who stars in A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. Scrooge is memorable for his cruel treatment towards his peers, but one could argue that he didn't treat himself much better. Scrooge amassed a healthy fortune, yet he kept his office at freezing temperature. His house was dark and dreary. He ate gruel instead of something tasty. He kept backbreaking work hours, never allowing himself to truly rest. Scrooge sacrificed his relationships and personal comfort in the name of money that he was never going to enjoy. I can't think of a better example of a person who blew right past frugal living and straight into being miserly. Frugal living is a great way to build your...

Even in these tough economic times, it’s hard to quell a natural-born host. No party is more memorable, intimate, and fun than a home-cooked meal shared with friends or family. You don’t have to break the bank with fancy ingredients or a room full of flowers. Impress your guests and go easy on your wallet with these fabulous and frugal dinner party tips. Use ingredients that are fabulous and frugal (Yes, they do exist) Pricey ingredients like prime rib, foie gras, or caviar, while delicious, aren’t necessary for making a big impression on your guests. Instead, find items that are out of the ordinary rather than expensive. Quinoa and farro appear on dinner tables less frequently than rice or potatoes, and can be found in most...

Whether you live in the city and only have room for container gardening or you have plenty of sunny space, you can derive major benefits from growing your own veggies and fruits. They will be free of mystery pesticides, they'll taste better, you can save some money, you'll get more exercise and be healthier, and you'll even be doing your part to reduce the demand for imported produce. Growing your own can be cheaper The initial expense associated with getting started in gardening isn't that great. Although you may need to do some soil remediation once you choose your garden spot or buy some good potting and raised bed mix, the cost of growing your own will drop significantly with subsequent harvests. Dr. Bob Randall, an ecological...

A hobby can provide a welcome respite to the day-to-day worries of your life. Having a hobby can decrease your stress levels, reduce boredom, and give you something to look forward to in your life. Hobbies allow us to try something new and learn new skills. However, hobbies can also be costly and can stretch your budget beyond its limits, but they do not have to. The best hobbies can provide you with enjoyment, but not take a lot of money from your budget. It is possible to have fun and pick up a hobby for next to no cost that will please even the most frugal person. 5 examples of hobbies that are easy on the wallet and great for frugal people include: • Gardening: Gardening can be a great frugal hobby and can provide you with a...

The word frugal conjures up many thoughts in the minds of people, and half the time those thoughts could not be further from the truth. Being frugal simply means spending wisely and knowing how and where to cut expenses. Does being frugal mean you can never have a name-brand pair of shoes? Of course not, however, you may have to use creative ways to obtain those shoes. There are steps to take if you want to have more without working more, and it also takes commitment on your part. The amount of money that people waste is staggering. Most people have no idea where the money went, and that's very saddening. It's time to take charge of your finances and create a budget that works for you and your family. Understanding where your money...

The textbook difference between a definition and an explanation is that an explanation is an example of a definition. That being said, defining frugal living requires us to understand the real example. It is not an alien concept once we see how it tightly connects to the basics of living. Most people may associate a frugal lifestyle with a bare-bones living room with sparse furnishings that are roughly 50 years old. While that is one example of frugality, it is by no means the most current. These days, frugal living can be best summed up as someone who does not spend money frequently, but when they do, they buy as close to the best that their budget will allow. Higher-end shoppers frequent the stores about once a month rather than...

In a world of endless selfies and social media entries, there's some pressure to look polished. But can you do it on a budget? Absolutely yes, and this frugal fashion guide will tell you how. What is frugal fashion? Frugal fashion is not just about saving money; it's about getting the best value for your buck. Fashion trends are changing rapidly today, and there's no shortage of ultra-cheap clothing at your fingertips. Although you might feel good about the price tag, more often than not the garment won't last beyond a season. The garment will start to stretch out, the fabric will pill, and the colors will fade. Sometimes that's okay. Since trendy looks rarely remain popular beyond a single season, it's not like you need the garment...

Taking the definition of frugality from the dictionary is as simple as it is direct: "simple, plain, and costing little." An exercise in frugality in and of itself, as it lends itself to a “small” lifestyle that is all-encompassing in personal and social acts. A family member of mine had started on this journey long before the frugal and minimalist lifestyles came into vogue. I just thought he was being a tightwad at the time, but his aggressive savings habits started when he was a teenager, and he would not budge himself off that rock. Over the years, a person could see the correlation between aggressive savings and his continual frugal lifestyle. He was more concerned with saving than spending, so he naturally embraced frugality even...

Saint Augustine once said, “The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page.” Traveling is entertainment as well as a deserved downtime for our mental health. After working hard and saving up all year, you've earned those weeks lying at your dream beach, taking in the view from that mountain you wanted to climb, or enjoying nature at your favorite camping spot. Everything sounds extravagant, but your pocket does not necessarily have to suffer for it. Traveling on a budget and within frugal lifestyle is not equal to never having a great time. The trick lies in planning well in advance and choosing the best elements for the plan. Here are some tips by experience on creating a low-budget-but-highly-satisfying vacation...

Our capitalistic economy naturally cycles through booms and busts. One of the biggest lessons that arose from the pandemic is that sometimes you need to prepare for economic hard times. There are no job guarantees, the government is slow to act, and you can't rely on social services to get you through those times of financial uncertainty. Instead of leaving it up to chance, you can prepare for economic hard times by building an emergency fund and by saving money to float your living expenses while you look for work. Start by creating an emergency fund If you've ever run into car trouble, broken a tooth, or had a major appliance break down outside of its warranty period, then you know how hard these sudden expenses can hit you...

Are you planning on getting your tires replaced? Are you confused about how you should purchase your new tires? There is no need to worry because a lot of people face this confusion before purchasing new tires. If you wish to get the best quality tires for your vehicle then you should only contact a reputed tire shop in Kansas City. Only a reputed shop would be able to provide you with the best quality tires. But if you do not know how to buy new tires for your vehicle, don’t worry because we have got your back. We have listed down the top 5 things to keep in mind while buying new tires. 1. There are several types of tires available in the market. When you are thinking of buying new tires, you must research them to find out which one...