5. Stick to a budget. With this post, I’m not trying to say that you should cut out all spending. Instead, you should create a budget for yourself and still include some fun spending as long as it fits in your budget. A budget is great because it can help keep you in check when it comes to your spending. Once you realize how much money you have to work with, you will most likely spend less because Read more…
As a decluttering expert, the work I do sometimes overlaps with the efforts of researchers who study hoarding. There are differences between people who are merely heavily cluttered and those who are hoarders. But they’re not always far apart when it comes to specific attitudes. via The weight of our possessions – Real estate – The Boston Globe.
Suddenly, an ominous red bar interrupts my handheld activities, accompanied by a warning: low battery. My first reaction: frustration, irritation, annoyance. Why the hell is my phone about to die? I can’t believe this stupid freaking thing! via Why Is My Phone About to Die? – The Minimalists.
“When are you guys going to have kids?” This seems like a common, fairly innocuous question. Except when the couple you level your query at has been trying to have kids without success. Then your friendly question just becomes another shake of salt on the wound. And there’s no good response for the couple to give in this situation, as they probably don’t want to share details of their fertility problems with you. Or perhaps Read more…
“You don’t get it! He’s not gonna make it….there’s something he clearly does not get. He’s put himself in such a bad position” – yelled one. Another chipped in, “Well, he’s just being ungrateful. Why would anyone give up the stability of a job and a paycheck for something that’s uncertain?”. “I think he should just stop this senseless idealism and get back to the grind. Life’s not a bed of roses. The job market Read more…
This blog goes out to those of you that think picking at your calluses while in a social setting it acceptable behavior (which totally is); those of you who proudly participated in the “aerobics era” (and have the thong leotard to prove it) and are still stepping along; those of you who call gym clothes “normal clothes.” There is something wonderfully addicting about exercise and we do it day after day, year after year. Along Read more…
More important than our practical applications of frugality (say through our $0.39 rice-and-beans lunches) is our shared financial outlook, which guides how we’ve decided to structure our lives. Mr. Frugalwoods and I feel incredibly fortunate that we found each other and evolved together into the frugal weirdos we are today. Our united approach to money enables us to pursue our goal of quitting our jobs, reaching our version of financial independence, and moving to a Read more…
So, here we go – a hundred fun ways to spend a money-free weekend. The list below includes the first 45 (with duplicates removed), plus about 60 new ones. If you’re inspired to try your own money-free weekend, hopefully this guide can act as a master list of things to do to make it more enjoyable. (Also, another productive way to spend that time is by working on your own business. Here are 50 small business ideas you could work Read more…
Insight problems involve thinking outside the box. This is where susceptibility to “distraction” can be of benefit. At off-peak times we are less focused, and may consider a broader range of information. This wider scope gives us access to more alternatives and diverse interpretations, thus fostering innovation and insight. Indeed, [the study] found that participants were more successful in solving insight problems when tested at their non-optimal times. via Why You Need Boredom, Distraction, and Read more…
For example, many people will encourage you to invest in a quality bed and mattress. Healthy sleep is important because it provides the foundation and energy for how we spend our days. This seems like wise advice. Buying a quality bed is an investment into my life. Additionally, I would argue that healthy food, quality running shoes, and opportunities to learn are also smart investments. They may cost a little bit more, but they improve Read more…