This article gives 50 tips for frugal living, all helpful suggestions to help control your finances, with the top 20 listed here to get you started. Go with one car. Go with a smaller house. Go with a smaller car. Rent rather than own. Look for used first. Eat out less often. Eat out frugally.… Continue reading The Cheapskate Guide: 50 Tips for Frugal Living
Category: Money Psychology
The Conversation You’re Not Having, but Should Probably Start
Alarming statistics include the fact that 50 percent of Americans have less than a month’s worth of savings for emergencies. One in four of us have no savings whatsoever. More than half of us have no budget. Credit card debt averages $15,000. That is the tip of the fiscal iceberg. While this debt looms, no… Continue reading The Conversation You’re Not Having, but Should Probably Start
How to Budget: Avoiding Retail Therapy
In these times of economic downturn, it is crucial that people take control of their finances. In every adversity are the seeds of equal or greater benefit, and that includes the current economic climate. Let the uncertain times be a motivator for you to think seriously about taking control of your spending and your life.… Continue reading How to Budget: Avoiding Retail Therapy
Menstruation and the Mall
A recent study conducted by the University of Hertfordshire shows that women are more likely to be involved with over-shopping behaviors at certain times of their menstrual cycle. British psychologists, Karen Pine and Ben Fletcher, whose research results are published in the journal Personality and Individual Differences, studied 443 women ages 18 to 50. They… Continue reading Menstruation and the Mall
Six Traits of Financially Smart Women
Women with fiscal acumen have several traits in common. First, they abide by a realistic budget and regularly save money toward a predetermined goal. They know the difference between returns on various savings’ programs. These women often have a financial planner or accountant. They are not hooked on credit cards. In fact, they may rarely… Continue reading Six Traits of Financially Smart Women
The Parable of the Lorelei
A mermaid, beautiful and alluring, sings from the top of a rocky point in the most dangerous section of the Rhine River. Like the sirens of the Homer’s Odyssey, she causes sailors to jump overboard and captains to forget about the deadly dangers surrounding them. Is this German legend about a seductive mermaid a parable… Continue reading The Parable of the Lorelei
3 Doorways: Which One Needs Your Attention Today?
Our relationship with money is complicated. Financial Therapist Bari Tessler Linden talks about her 3 Doorway Method to help think about money. Doorway #1 is Financial Therapy, or “Money Healing.” Paying attention to our financial history, family dynamics and patterns with money can lead to healing and growth. Doorway #2 is Values Based Bookkeeping or… Continue reading 3 Doorways: Which One Needs Your Attention Today?
When Everything is Taken Away, We See Who We Truly Are
Becoming Minimalist blogger Joshua Becker shares the story of Gracia and Martin Burnham, who were kidnapped and taken hostage by terrorists in 2001. The couple spent a year in the jungle, and her husband was killed during the rescue attempt. She talked with Becker about her experience and what became important when they had no… Continue reading When Everything is Taken Away, We See Who We Truly Are
A Quick Question That Could Save You Hundreds
“Do I feel lighter or heavier with the thought of purchasing this item?” This is the question blogger Jill Chivers suggests asking next time you’re tempted to make a purchase. She used this technique on a recent shopping trip when she found a heavily discounted sweater that she fell in love with. As she went… Continue reading A Quick Question That Could Save You Hundreds
Why Do We Enable People to Spend Money While Shopping?
“Former Shopaholic” Erica reflects on her habit of encouraging friends and family to spend money when they’re shopping together. She says, “We end up justifying purchases together…” Trying to analyze why she and her friends do this, she wonders if she’s living vicariously through her friend’s purchases. Or, is she secretly wanting to sabotage them… Continue reading Why Do We Enable People to Spend Money While Shopping?