The Upside of Frugal

Inexpensive Home Decor

2012-02-02T05:00:00.000-08:00

It has been over a year since we moved into our home, and I am still working at putting items up on the walls. Home decor is not my strong suit, and between running a legal practice and parenting two children in diapers, it is not a priority for me. Plus, I hate spending money on decorations. That is unless I can find frugal decorations. And recently I did just that.

Around the holidays my mother brought over some items that had belonged to my grandmother and great-grandmother. Included was a pristine needlepoint, stitched in Swedish. The green, gold, and cream complimented a hanging quilt I already had on the wall The quilt was made by an Aunt of mine who has since passed on. I knew the two would work wonderfully together, and I set out a plan to have the needlepoint properly displayed.

A few weeks ago I took it along with a coupon to a frame shop when the frames were also 60% off. I spent $125, but now have a family heirloom gracing my wall. The actual cost of the item, especially when factoring in time NOT spent shopping for something to hang on the wall, was relatively inexpensive. And it is a piece that I one day hope to pass on to one of my children (if they want it).

Even if you do not have creative relatives in your family tree, inexpensive and unique items can be found at thrift stores, flea markets, garage sales, and street artists. Whether it is the store down the road of the stand you pass while traveling, it pays to keep an eye out for some to decorate your home with. How about you, what is your favorite frugal decorating find?

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle -- A Progress Check

2012-02-01T05:00:00.000-08:00

In January I declared it my New Years resolution to more fully embrace the idea of "reduce, reuse, recycle" -- which places greater importance on reduction, then reuse, and finally recycling. One month into the year and I have made some small positive steps. But, there seems to be more I could do.

On the reduction front, I have reduced the number of restaurant meals we consume. I had often said "Saturday is take-out night" and declared the night off. After a bit of reflection, that seemed wasteful and expensive. Especially since my kids still seemed to end up eat peanut butter, cheese, and fruit. Running out for take-out is not all that easy with two small kids anyway. I have replaced it with "crock pot night". Beef stew with homemade muffins has been a big hit.

Reuse has been an area where I've made the most progress. I'm keeping wine corks in a jar so that I can glue them together to make coasters. The idea was sparked by a handmade birdhouse I saw at a train display (Olbrich Gardens) -- it was made entirely from wine corks. Now I don't drink much wine, so this will be a slow moving project. I also noticed that the cardboard backing that had come with posters we bought our kids for Christmas (yes, we just got around to actually putting them in a frame and on the wall) would be a great canvas for painting. They are set aside waiting for a warm summer day....and paint.

On the recycling front, I plan to replace some of our bedroom pillows in the next month. And instead of tossing the old ones in the trash as I have done in the past, I will set them aside to donate at our local animal rescue / humane society. I had seen this idea posted months ago on Facebook. What a great way to get additional life out of old pillows. Now I just need to manage a drop off without adopting another cat.

How about you? Have you been able to up the effort on reduction, reuse or recycling? Other readers would enjoy your input.

And yes, I am recycling this video link. Jack Johnson makes the 3 Rs delightful. Enjoy.

Whole Wheat Corn Muffins

2012-01-31T05:00:00.000-08:00

If you are looking for an item from the "grain food group" to put on your table, look no further than this simple and tasty whole wheat corn muffin recipe. It is from one of my favorite cookbooks, The Tassajara Bread Book. It pairs well with soups, quiche, or a plate of fruit and cheese. I prefer to make them with my mini-muffin pan. In just under 25 minutes (prep and bake time) you can have 2 dozen on hand. Serve them at a party or toss 3/4 in the freezer and pull out when needed.

Combine 1 cup whole wheat flour; 1 cup fine cornmeal; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 2 teaspoons baking powder. Add a dash of spice (Cumin, chili powder, etc).

Combine 2 eggs, 1/4 cup oil or melted butter; and 1 1/4 cup milk (I use soy). Mix.

Combine the dry and wet, dish into mini-muffin ban, regular muffin pan, or a dish for corn bread. Bake at 400 degrees (15 minutes for muffins, 15 minutes for bread).

Homemade Pizza - A Success!

2012-01-30T05:00:00.000-08:00

Inspired by a recent lunch at a friend's house, where we made pizza with 3 toddlers, I decided to give it another whirl here at our frugal home.

First, I made a whole wheat pizza dough in our bread machine. I'd seen fresh dough at our gourmet grocery store at a cost of $2.98 a bag. This recipe will cost you pennies because you probably have most of the ingredients at home.

3/4 cup water, 80 degrees F
1 tablespoon oil
2 1/4 cups whole wheat flour
1/2 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons active dry yeast or 1 1/2 teaspoons fast rise yeast

Add the items, in order, into the canister. Create a well in the middle for the yeast. It took about 1 hour in the machine. I kneaded it for 1 minute, let it "rest" for 15 minutes. I then divided it in half and rolled out two crusts. The recipe says to let it sit for 25 minutes. I got distracted, which is common when cooking with a 3 1/2 and 1 1/2 year old. But it turned out just fine.

I sprinkled some cornmeal on the pizza stone, added the dough followed by sauce. I used some from a jar, but our friend simply used tomato sauce and oregano, creating the most divine pizza. Add your toppings and shredded cheese. Bake at 425 degrees for about 12 minutes.

Hands down the best pizza ever to come out of my oven. Yes, it is work. But the quality was superb, the cost minimal, and we had fun in the kitchen.

Thanks for the inspiration to give this another try -- what a success!

Photo credit: www.sxc.hu - free image

Blogger note: no, this is not a photo from my kitchen. I loved the warmth this offers. We gobbled our food up before I remembered to snap a photo. Next time.

Frugal Women Leaves $1.7 Million to Charity

2012-01-27T05:00:00.000-08:00

Have you ever been called "frugal" and it sounded like a four-letter word. I've been asked repeatedly why I would opt to live on less than I make. Loyal readers know my response -- it allows me to fund things that are important to me.

And earlier this week I read a wonderful story of another women of the frugal nature, who upon her death at age 96 was able to leave $1.7 Million to St. Vincent de Paul. If you are looking for motivation, this is a great story. It does not say how the women earned a living, but it appears that she amassed the money on her own -- there was no windfall to her. And her frugality is allowing her legacy to continue well beyond her years here on earth. How can that be a bad thing?

Photo credit: www.sxc.hu - free image

What about you -- why are your frugal or why are you trying to become frugal? I'd love to hear your stories.

Hidden Cost of On-Line Coupons

2012-01-26T05:00:00.000-08:00

I'm a skeptic about coupons. There is a reason manufactures hand them out; they get you to spend money. Now that does not mean I avoid coupons, I just don't think couponing as it is now called is that wise. My husband recently shared an article with me from Bankrate.com, Printing Coupons Can Waste Money. If you print out a lot of on-line coupons, read this article. Why? Companies have brilliantly shifted the costing of printing those coupons to the consumer. Quick -- how much does it cost to print one sheet of paper on your computer? No idea? Do you print colored coupons too? Any idea what that costs? Depending on the printer and required ink, it could be as high as 0.10 cents a page. And if you don't use the coupon, then it is a pure waste of time, money and resources.

Coupons -- make sure you use them wisely instead of being used by them to increase profits.

Tax Software vs. An Accountant

2012-01-25T05:00:00.000-08:00

1099s are showing up in the mail box, it is Tax Time! Loyal readers may be surprised to read that in our home we send our taxes out to a CPA for completion. This will be our third year of using a CPA, and it took a lot for me to convince my number loving I-can-do-anything engineer of a husband to agree. The fee is usually about $300. We still have to gather all the necessary paperwork, but no longer do we spend an entire weekend with Turbo Tax. Our life just got too complicated. We are both self-employed, I have an office assistant, we have household payroll for the nanny, and on and on.

Photo Credit: www.sxc.hu - free image

Yet, this past fall I attended a continuing legal education course on tax law and a very prominent tax attorney said "it is amazing how often software can save you, Iwould have never thought of that offset on my own!". Hmmm, maybe software isn't that bad. We'll see how this year goes. Will the accountant come up with some things we would have never thought of? I don't necessarily want to go back to an entire weekend of tax forms, but Turbo Tax worked very well for us previously. In my year devoted to reduction, reuse, and recycling, my accountant needs to perform.

How about you? Are you do-it-yourselfers with taxes? What is your favorite program? Or, like us, do you outsource?

Happy Tax Season everyone.

Broken Dishwasher, a Budget, and Staying on Track

2012-01-24T05:00:00.000-08:00

I hit the START button, but it didn't start. Ever happen to you? The uncooperative appliance was our dishwasher. Not an essential home appliance, but one I had grown to enjoy. Hmmmm. I press the button again, nothing. I poked around a bit, but it was clear there was no power.

Photo credit: www.sxc.hu - free image

In our home power problems are handled by my husband, an electrical engineer. He came over looking for a breaker switch (whatever that is). None. He checked the circuit breaker in the garage, nothing tripped. We stared at it a bit and decided we'd call the Home Warranty Company in the morning.

We bought our home in November 2010 and it came with a home warranty. We used it several times that first year: the garbage disposal broke as did the garage door opener. As we approached the one year mark we were given the option to extent it for one year, at a cost of $425. We'd have to pay a $85/event deductible. We took a gamble because our furnace has reached its life expectancy, and the air conditioner has exceeded its.

The gamble paid off. When the appliance technician came out for a look it was determined that the control panel and touch pad system, essentially the brain, were gone. Total repair bill would be $398 but for the insurance. We could either pay the $85 deductible and have it repaired or take a credit of just over $300 and get a new system. I told him we'd think about it and get back to him.

Initially I leaned towards a new dishwasher; if this had broke, what was next? But then I thought about tossing this otherwise very nice dishwasher in the dump. I also thought about our budget goal for this month. Did I want a couple hundred dollars to go out for a dishwasher or go towards our savings goal? Plus, even if it did break in the future it is possible to live a while without a dishwasher. Repair it was.

Currently we are waiting for the part to come in, it is on back order. I feel very happy with our decision. It seems like the modern approach would be to toss it, use the credit, and get a new machine. But that seems so wasteful. Time is short at our home, and do I really want to hire a sitter to go and look at appliances? No. I am happy we are salvaging this one, and wonder how many years we'll get out of it. I also wonder, will the furnace go this winter too? If so, what a gamble we took!

Homemade Granola

2012-01-23T05:00:00.000-08:00

If you enjoy a good granola, you'll love this recipe. It was past on to me by a friend who had given me a jar of this delicious treat as a housewarming gift.

4 1/2 cups old-fashioned oats (not quick or instant)
1/3 cups sliced almonds
1/4 cup unsweetened apple juice
1/4 cup maple syrup (the real stuff, not imitation)
1 tablespoon canola oil
2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp sald
1/2 cup unsweetened coconut
1/2 cup raisins

In a large bowl combine the oats and almonds.

In a small sauce pan combine the apple juice, syrup, oil, cinnamon, and salt. Cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring. Pour over oat and nut mixture.

Take a baking pan, spray, and spread mixture in evenly. Bake for 20-25 minutes at 350 degrees. Stir every 10 minutes. Let cool completely. Add coconut and raisin.

Feel free to toss in other nuts and dried fruits: walnuts, pecans, cranberries, apricots, etc. It is a very flexible recipe. I keep my in a sealed container, stored in the fridge.

This is great with fruit and yogurt.

Enjoy homemade granola -- far less expensive than store bought versions, and easier on the sugar too!

Saving Money for the Future: Can't vs. Won't

2012-01-20T05:00:00.000-08:00

It was several years ago when a relative of mine made an odd statement, one that has rattled around in my head ever since. "I don't understand, we are wealthy by most standards, but we just can't save for college." It was one of the moments where I was puzzled at first, and then decided it was not a conversation I wanted to explore. Why? I would challenge her on the word can't. I'd offer that she won't save for college. There is a difference, a big difference.

College savings is a sensitive issue for me. I am a huge proponent of saving for college. Within 24 hours of receiving the Social Security Number in the mail, both of my children had 529 plans set up. For those who do not have young children or haven't set up an account, a 529 is like an IRA, but for college. Money going in gives you a tax break, it grows tax free, and so long as it is used for "college" it comes out tax free. 529s -- I studied those more than any other baby gadget item or accessory. Why? Paying for college is very, very important to me. Even if it is not something important to you, this post can be applied to any number of financial goals -- paying off the mortgage early, saving for retirement, etc.

It all started on a fall day in September of 1973. My mother held her newborn daughter in her arms and said "you are going to the University of Wisconsin." She herself had finished high school, my father, a trades program. Higher education was not something common in my family tree. Seventeen years later I moved into the dorms and began a nine year odyssey through higher education. I left with a B.A., a Masters in Public Administration, a law degree, and $97,000 in student loans. Throughout those years I worked various jobs, sometimes more than one at a time, to keep the debt as low as possible. When I sent in my final student loan payment I vowed that my children (should I ever have them) would never be saddled with that much debt. It limited my career choices far too much!

When people here I am a lawyer with a solo practice they wrongly assume that my father had been an attorney, and I am following in his footsteps. No he wasn't an attorney. First he worked in construction, and then after an injury eked out a living as a used car dealer. My mother cared for other children in our home until I was about 12, and then she took a job in a plastics factory. There were some lean years, sometimes we lived at the federal poverty level. I appreciate the role model my parents set of running your own business and working long hours. But, like my relative above, they often said "we couldn't save for college."

In fact they could have saved for college. At age 5 I had a princess canopy bed with two matching dressers. I didn't ask for them, my parents thought they were nice. Over the next five or six years each Christmas and Birthday brought an infusion of the latest Barbie merchandise -- my mother insisted I have them: the mansion, corvette, store, camper, styling head, two Barbies (Ken and Skipper), even the damn dog. The stuff was eventually placed in the den closet where it sat until I sold it in 2005, on Ebay, putting the proceeds towards my student loan debt. In reality my parents chose not to save for college. Instead, they chose to purchase consumer products. They also chose things that they enjoyed. I won't deny them the right to enjoy t-bone steaks every week, or cigarettes, or lottery tickets. I will, however, deny them the ability to claim they simply could not save for college. Am I too harsh? Possibly, but sometimes recognizing the truth is harsh.

Whenever I see a headline declaring "Jury Finds So-and-So Innocent" I cringe. The person was found "not guilty", innocent is not the same thing. The same goes for hearing people say "I can't save for retirement". Really? How about you? Are you claiming that you cannot save for something? In some cases that may be very true. However, it may also be that you value something else more than what you would like to save for, but haven't. Living frugally allows people to have more money to put towards savings. But it helps to know what your true priorities are.

Please come back Monday when I'll have a much lighter post -- my recipe for homemade granola. Enjoy your weekend dear readers!

Any Size Coffee for $1 at.....McDonalds

2012-01-19T05:00:00.000-08:00

Regular readers will know that I am a coffee fan. Not a coffee snob, but a coffee fan. And I am delighted to share the news that any size coffee, small, medium or large, can be obtained from McDonalds for $1. I have no idea when the offer will end, but I am enjoying it while it lasts. With the cold days of winter (not as cold as normal here in Madison, Wisconsin, but still cold), small children, and drive-thrus, I am lovin' my $1 McDonalds' coffees. A far better price than Starbucks!

Frugality and Big Box Stores

2012-01-18T05:00:00.000-08:00

Last week a regular reader posted a great comment on my blog post about free liquid syringes at Target. A Target shopper herself, she posed the question "how can we balance our desire to save money with our desire to avoid supporting the Big Boxes?" I think it is a great question, and doesn't not have an easy or perfect answer. Here is my approach.

Decide which one you want to frequent. Yes that says "one". I do not routinely shop at Big Box stores. Doing so would not keep with my frugal philosophy. The frugal upside is not just about saving money, but about saving time and resources as well. Driving to the edge of my city to save a few bucks isn't worth the gas or the time. Target caught my frugal eye with its baby supplies (diapers, wipes, formula) and became a constant because it is located within a mile of my home. It is possible to walk or bike there, and we have on many occasions.

Avoid "retail therapy" where you simply wander around a store to "see what they have". Never shop without a list created before you left home. You need to use the store for your own agenda, don't let them use you for theirs. My list is almost always the same: diapers, wipes, medications, cat food and litter, and a few boxed food items.

Treat the Big Box as though it were a locally owned store. I have routinely asked my urban Target to get paper bags. Unless it is a "Super Target" they won't offer paper. I still ask though. Until they do, I bring my own re-usable bags....and they give my 0.05 cents off for each one I use. The market can be tough, and some Big Boxes are willing to make adjustments to fit the needs and desires of the neighborhood. Change may be slow, but it can still happen.

And finally, articulate your priorities. In our household that is financial health. We live below our means so that we can save aggressively for retirement and college. To achieve this we spend about $5,000 a year at Target. Knowing this makes it easier for me to decided where to shop. Promoting locally owned is great, but securing mine and my children's future is a little more great.

In the end, my opinion is that it is not so much where you shop, but how you shop that has the biggest impact on the earth. Thanks for the question. Please keep the comments coming!

Waiting For Property Tax Refund

2012-01-17T05:00:00.000-08:00

For the past few weeks my husband has routinely played this song on YouTube -- I Want My Money Back. Why? We are eagerly awaiting a refund check owed to us by the City of Madison for excess property taxes paid. Yes, a refund. We bought a house in 2010 for $80,000 less than assessment. When we got our property tax bill we successfully challenged the assessment and it was lowered to the purchase price. However, the escrow taken as part of our mortgage payment could not be adjusted. At the end of 2011 the mortgage company mailed us a check, payable to us and the City of Madison. The amount exceeded what we owed by about the same amount as a monthly mortgage payment. I paid the taxes as soon as possible, and now we wait. We were told it would take about 6 weeks. I hope it comes soon...this song is getting old fast!

Frugal lesson from this story -- challenge assessments and other prices set by others. You never know when you'll find some big savings!

Beware of Mortgage Debt to Save on Taxes

2012-01-16T05:00:00.000-08:00

Until 2010 I was a renter. This seemed to annoy quite a few people. I am not sure why, but it did. Some wanted to sell us a home, others wanting to sell us debt to buy a home, and those who believed home prices would continue to soar. We did buy, once we found a home where the cost per square foot was slightly less than we were paying in rent. We moved 4 blocks. No big change, just a decision driven by the numbers.

During those years as a renter we kept hearing the same old question "but don't you want the tax write-off?" I was always surprised that those asking the question did not really seem to understand what the write-off was. Sure, they knew that interest on a mortgage and property taxes were deductible from their federal income tax. What they didn't seem to know was that we already got a write-off. It was called the "standard deduction". In order for a home purchase to actually save me money, my mortgage interest, taxes, and other itemized deductions would need to exceed the standard deduction. In most cases that translated into a hefty mortgage payment on a home with high property taxes. I'm frugal, and that was not my plan.

If you are currently a renter and are considering a home purchase, keep the following in mind. The 2012 standard deduction is $11,900 for a married couple, $8,700 for head of household, or $5,950 for a single filer. That means in 2012 mortgage interest, property taxes, and other itemized deductions (charitable deductions for example) need to exceed $11,900 for a married couple to "save money". Even if it does exceed that amount, the savings may not be that great. For example, a couple earning $80,000 that has $15,000 in deductions may save $620 that year, or $50 a month (using back of the envelope calculations). I can think of several ways to save $50 a month that do not involve taking on mortgage debt.

To be frugal means you need to be skeptical. If someone is telling you that a purchase will save you money, remember, that person makes a living off of what they sell. They are biased. Run the numbers yourself and determine if it really saves you money.

Casual Hypermiling

2012-01-13T05:00:00.000-08:00

If you live in southern Wisconsin you are probably familiar with the steep decline on I-94 as you approach Milwaukee. Last year on our annual pilgrimage to Ham Fest (don't ask) both my husband and I said the same thing as we descended "put the car in neutral to save money". For those who know us, this is not a surprise.

We do not own a hybrid vehicle, although we like to pretend we do. How? We use a casual hypermiling approach with both cars, a 2005 Honda Civic and a 2003 Mazda.

Hypermiling consists of various techniques used by drivers to gain better fuel efficiency. On the extreme end are those who drive with the windows up, never use the air conditioning, and turn the car off before stopping. My husband is closer to that end than me. My main hypermiling technique is to put the car in neutral and coast. Why? Coasting does not require your foot on the gas pedal, which means you're using less fuel. It takes a little getting used to, but becomes second hand in no time. This is especially true if you drive a stick shift and are used to changing gears.

Other approaches I follow are making sure the tires are properly inflated and to avoid caring extra weight in the car. With two small children I have a double stroller. It is on the light end, weighing about 30 pounds. Unless I need it, it stays parked in the garage. No need to cart it around town.

Are there any other casual hypermilers out there? If so, what is your favorite way to increase fuel efficiency?

Photo credit: www.sxc.hu - free image

Frugal and Gas Mileage

2012-01-12T05:00:00.000-08:00

It was New Year's Eve and we had just taken the kids to see the Fantasy In Lights display in Madison, a very low cost way to say good-bye to 2011. On the way home we stopped for gas. As usual my husband hopped back in the car, pulled out his phone and calculated the gas mileage.

"Hmm, you got 27.5 miles to the gallon" he said with a twinge of annoyance.

"Is that a bad thing?" I responded.

"No. I got 26.3 in my car...have you been hypermiling again?"

"Of course -- I'm trying to save money and resources".

"Hmmmm.....you're better than me at this".

For an engineer I think that was difficult for him to admit. And I'm certain that he is hard at work trying to get better gas mileage in his Mazda. If you are trying to live a frugal life, then I'd urge you to monitor your gas mileage (assuming you drive a car). Math is not my passion, so I don't really watch this as closely as my husband, but I hope to in the year ahead. If you've never done this before, here are a few tips on how to calculate gas mileage:

fill up your gas tank;
set the trip odometer to zero;
drive as usual;
when it is time for gas fill up, writing down both the gallons put into the car as well as the miles you recorded (the back of the receipt is ideal).
set the trip odometer to zero again;
then do the math -- divide the miles by the gallons.

Why bother with the math? Personally, I find that monitoring numbers, data, etc. helps motivate me to be more efficient, more frugal, etc. It can also help you detect if you need to add air to your tires, get a tune up, and other routine maintenance. If you are competitive it is great feedback.

As for my "hypermiling", check out tomorrow's post for that story.

Plan Ahead, Save Money

2012-01-11T05:00:00.000-08:00

Without question, I am Type A. Several years ago at a professional development seminar I took a test on personality, I was the strongest Type A in the room....a room of 100 people. Being Type A has its downsides, but it has its ups as well. It proves to be a great asset in my professional wold -- my estate planning clients appreciate my organized manner.

As a parent, Type A habits can be troublesome. But those habits can also save money. Type A means I am not only organized, but a planner. Here are two recent examples of ways I've saved money because of my natural tendency to think ahead and organize:

Took a neighbor of my mother's up on an offer to take a kids bike from her garage....her husband had recently died and she was cleaning house. We found numerous bikes, all used by her grandchildren. We decided on a small red bike, which will become our son's once he is a bit older. The only expense we'll have is getting it "tuned up" and some training wheels. For that we'll go to Dream Bikes in Madison; great prices, quality service, and a non-profit! and
Purchasing next summer and winter clothing for the children now, with a 20% off coupon, and the second hand store Savers. On the last day of 2011 I did my monthly "thrift store" shopping. I opted for that day because I had a 20% off coupon that expired on 12-31-11. Coupon in hand I found brand new 4T snow pants. A lovely light gray, they'll be perfect for our 3 year old next winter and our daughter in the years to follow. The cost was $8. They are cleaned and tucked in the 4T bin I keep in the basement.

Even if you are not a natural type A, you can predict some future expenditures. Keep a list of items you will likely need, then watch for them at second hand stores or end of the season blow outs at retailers. Set aside a spot in your home where you can store them, and you'll be on your way to frugal savings in no time. The key, plan ahead and have a organizations system so that you can easily find those savings when you need them.

Pay With Cash, Live Frugally

2012-01-10T05:00:00.000-08:00

Reduction, it is the first part of my new years resolution to reduce, reuse, and recycle more this year. After a recent shopping trip this past weekend, I feel like I am accomplishing my goal. And using cash was key. Last week I took $120 cash out of the bank and earmarked it for groceries. On Friday I used $82 to pay for groceries, leaving $38 in my wallet for food we'd need over the week. Sunday I realized that we were running low on whole milk and that I was out of olive oil. I started putting together a list and planned to run over to Woodmans, our local warehouse grocery store.

With my son along for the trip I entered the store with list in hand. After a glance I thought "I'll never get out of here spending only $38 -- this place always runs me close to $100 -- I guess I'll have to use the debit card. Wait, wait, this is not how I want to shop. I have $38 and that is what I'm going to spend". Even with a 3 1/2 year old shopping partner, I was able to focus on my list, cross of things that I would not really need before my next weekly shopping and find a few bargains. For example, instead of picking up a loaf of bread that I normally pay $3.99 for, I decided to make a loaf at home (ingredients all on hand) if I really wanted bread.

We set a shopping record that day, leaving with two bags of items and spending $29. I purchased 1 pound of organic hamburger (on sale for $3.99), pasta sauce, organic whole milk, olive oil, toilet paper made from recycled materials (8 rolls for $2), and V8 juice. I still have $9 left, which will easily pay for the dozen eggs and yogurt I'll pick up mid-week at the store near my office.

Cash -- it made me pay attention, prioritize, and take control of my spending. I was not on auto pilot. I bought far less than normal. Yes, I need more of this in my spending habits.

How about you -- do you spend with cash, debit, or credit?

Free Liquid Syringe from Target

2012-01-09T05:00:00.000-08:00

As a parent of a teething toddler, I love the invention of Ibuprofen. Actually, I love the fact that Target makes an off brand of the drug and sells it for half the price. We opt to use the liquid version rather than the infant. The infant formula is more concentrated, so a smaller amount goes farther. But it also costs more. So we use the liquid and need a syringe. After several months of dosing several times a day the markings had worn off the syringe. It was one I had purchased at a pharmacy, paying something like $2 or $3. We now have two new syringes and paid nothing for them. They were handed out for free by the pharmacy at Target. Oh how I love Target these days. So, if you have little kids, pets, or any other situation that calls for 10 ML or less, I encourage you to ask a pharmacy for a free syringe rather than paying for one. Free, my favorite four letter word.

To Be Frugal: A New Year, A New Budget

2012-01-06T05:00:00.000-08:00

Whether you are just now sticking your toes into frugal waters or hoping to take your frugal habits to new depths, a budget may be necessary. Yes, a budget. How many of you have one? I mean a real budget. One that is written down on actual paper or a spreadsheet. It is completed prior to the month starting, and includes your project income and a direction on how that income will be spent. When the month ends you reconcile, determining if you really did "stay within" budget. A family budget has been apart of my marriage since we were engaged. We each brought our own budgeting style to the relationship and now have a system that works well for both of us. We often joke that our family finances are more like a business than a typical family. The upside, we have our thumb on financial matters. We control the money, money does not control us.

Photo credit: www.sxc.hu - free image

As we ushered in a new year we also ushered in a new spread sheet. This year we are using Google Docs because we can both edit the document and monitor it to see if we are spending appropriately as the month progresses. Along the top are the twelve months. Down the side are expenditure categories. First come the fixed expenses: housing, transportation, groceries, medical, child care, repair and replace, one-time charge, and fun. The end of the list contains our various savings goals: health savings account, retirement, 529 plans, emergency fund build up, and extra towards the mortgage.

The way we control our money is as follows. We enter the expected revenue for the month. Since we are both self-employed there is a bit of guesswork involved, but we have a pretty good idea of what to expect. Then we enter the anticipated expenses for the fixed categories; this is always less than our projected revenue. The remaining balance is then directed at a savings category. This year we've elected to max out our health savings account first. Then tackle our retirement amount. And so on as we work our way down the list.

A budget not only helps us control our spending, but it also reminds us of our goals. Minutes before putting together the January budget I had been talking about an appealing new CSA I had learned about. The cost was $300, and we were leaning towards a purchase. After putting together the budget I had changed my mind. We are serious about knocking out our savings goals so that we can pay down more of our mortgage. I'd rather have a debt free home than a CSA. I will still enjoy locally grown veggies this summer, I am just going to pay for them then and not now.

And that is how a budget helps this frugal person stay frugal. How many of you do a budget or are willing to start?

Free Tax Advice From the IRS' Taxpayer Advocate

2012-01-05T05:00:00.000-08:00

Death and taxes; two things no one escapes. I know that we are just a few days into a new year, but in my opinion it is never too early to start getting yourself organized for tax season. If the idea of tackling your taxes sends shivers up your spine or causes you to want to bury your head in the sand, take a deep breath and know that you are not alone out there in the world of IRS publications. Have you heard of the Taxpayer Advocate? If not, keep reading.

Last fall, while attending a continue legal education seminar (I am an estate planning attorney as well as a writer on frugal living), I became aware of the Taxpayer Advocate. Apparently there is a branch of the IRS devoted to giving you a voice, free of charge, with America's most hated federal government office. In a few weeks you will be finding end of the year tax forms in your mail box. And while we are in the depth of winter the clock is ticking towards April 15th - tax day. Included on the web page is a list of low income tax clinics.

Photo credit: www.sxc.hu - free image

And for the social networking set, you can follow them on Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube -- I am NOT joking!

Frugal Swiffer Inspiration

2012-01-04T05:00:00.000-08:00

It's 2012 and I am focusing on reduction, reuse, and recycle. Towards the end of last year I received a message from a middle and high school classmate who reads my blog. She thought I might be able to work the following post into my blog. Thanks -- I really appreciate suggestions from readers. While I do not use Swiffer products in my home, I really love the savvy behind LittleHouseInTheSubburbs. If you use a Swiffer, check out her post for ways to make your own pads and solution.

My floor cleaning arsenal consists of a broom, dust pan, and a shop vac for heavy duty cleanings. I've found the spritzing the broom with a bit of cleaner or water helps grab the dust bunnies the travel across our hardwood floors. Very simple -- that is my motto.

Photo credit: www.sxc.hu - free image

A Frugal Person's New Years Resolution

2012-01-03T05:00:00.000-08:00

Welcome to 2012! As we set off into a new year, my hope is to up my efforts to reduce, reuse and recycle. Let me be more specific. I want to set priorities. Number one, reduce consumption of processed items. Number two, reuse said processed items. And number three, recycle the remaining processed items. In that order. Why? Adjusting my life style will be good for my wallet, my health, and the earth. What else could I possibly want?

Whether you've just stumbled upon this blog for the first time or have been a loyal reader, please share some thoughts on areas to reduce, reuse or recycle! I could use some inspiration going into a new year. Here is a great kids song by Jack Johnson to get the creative juices flowing.

End of the Year Quote

2011-12-30T05:00:00.000-08:00

"He who does not economize will have to agonize". - Confusius

Concise isn't it? And that brings me to the end of my posts for 2011. May you all have a lovely end to 2011 and start to 2012. I'll be back next week with more thoughts and reflections on living life on the frugal upside.

Frugal Calendars for 2012

2011-12-29T05:00:00.000-08:00

It is nearly time to flip the calendar to the next month....and that means a new calendar. This year I am resisting the urge to buy a 50% off artistic calendar. Instead I plan to use the three free ones I received. One from a financial planner I know through my business, another from the bank my mom has her accounts at (they handed us one after our year end visit), and a third we received after purchasing some bird seed from Wild Birds Unlimited.

All three contain lovely photos, ample space, and an accurate recording of the date. That's all you really need in a calendar. I'll leave the beautiful ones at the store, even if they hit 75% off. When you can get one for free there really is no need to spend anything. And that is why family and friends call me frugal.

How about you -- will the deep discounts tempt you into a purchase?

Frugal Coffee Pot

2011-12-28T05:00:00.000-08:00

When you live in the upper midwest, have your own business as does your spouse, and two children in diapers...well, coffee is your friend. Your BEST friend. I've been a coffee fan for nearly 15 years, so my addiction pre-dates my business and motherhood.

I've also been frugal for several decades, and that extended to my coffee pot purchases. Prior to saying "I do", my coffee pots were the standard $19.99 Mr. Coffee versions you could find at Walgreens. I thought it was a great way to save money. The only problem was that they would break after 9 months, maybe a year. This was even more pronounced if I tried to clean them with vinegar.

Then I met my husband. It was Christmas 2005. We were newly engaged and celebrating the winter holidays with his family. Our gift was a Cuisinart Coffee pot. Price tag, $100. I was shocked to own such a "high end" kitchen item.

That shock has given way to awe. We still have that same coffee pot. Six years later, it is used once if not twice a day....every day. Once a month we run a 1/4 vinegar 3/4 water mixture through to clear out mineral deposits.

The lesson I learned was that spending $100 for an item that will last 6 six years and counting is less expensive than the cheap option. Not only am I no longer spending money once a year, I no longer have to shop once a year. Or go a morning without my coffee. To be frugal does not translate into being cheap.

No Tears Over Broken Dish

2011-12-27T05:00:00.000-08:00

First I heard the crash, and then I heard the scurrying. My husband, in an attempt to kick start his day with a cup of coffee had instead dropped the coffee mug. The spill was minimal, but the mug handle broke off. Immediately he said "oh dear, I hope this isn't an expensive cup to replace?" Apparently he had forgotten who he had married.

To give you a bit more context, my husband grew up in a home that prized very expensive items. From wall hangings, to silverware, to vehicles. They always bought the best. And when you only buy the best, it is a problem when an item breaks. It also creates a low level of anxiety about not damaging an item.

I on the other hand never buy the best. I am frugal. That means I seek out good quality for a decent price. I am also realistic. We share our home with two children, ages 3 and 1, and two cats. Things break. Things get beat on. Why have a home filled with pricey items no one can touch? I keep this in mind when making purchases. We have items that are lovely to us, but you don't break the bank when they break.

With a puzzled smile I asked him, "seriously, do you think a broken cup is a problem?". I reminded him that I bought the set of dishes shortly after we were married. They are white with red trim. That makes it very easy to add replacement items and add to the collection. White and red, easy!

So, the mug was tossed. I think it is the second or third to break. Time for me to add "white and or red" coffee mug to my list of items to keep an eye out for. I carry it with me on my monthly treks to second hand stores or while scanning clearance at the few stores I frequent for daily purchases.

And that is one upside to frugal living....little or no stress to maintain or replace items.

Photo credit: www.sxc.hu - free image

Putting The Green Back in Christmas

2011-12-26T05:00:00.000-08:00

Reading the letters that arrived in this years holiday cards, I came across a lovely and frugal story. One family that we know decided to wait until December to cut down a blue spruce in their yard. The tree had become over grown and was blocking a window. Once it was cut down, the top was used as the family's Christmas Tree. Now that is really cutting down your tree. No selecting one from the lot at the corner store. No tramping through the manicured fields of a Christmas Tree Farm. This tree literally came from their suburban yard. I love it!

Our family was not nearly as creative, but we did try and maximize holiday related items:

envelopes from holiday cards were cut up and put in the scrap paper pile;
holiday cards will be tucked away for next year's winter craft box; and
the wreaths and garland that hang outside will be put beneath the bird feeders in late January. They will provide shelter for the winter, and in spring will be tossed in the compost pile. For those who opt for a live Christmas tree, this is a great post-holiday use.

How about you? What holiday tips did you come up with this year to make it a "greener" holiday for the earth, your wallet, and or your health?

Christmas Gift Ideas

2011-12-23T05:23:00.000-08:00

It's Christmas Eve. If your shopping is not complete, or even started, no need to fret. The following list of gift ideas was read recently for the closing words at a First Unitarian Society Service. No store is needed.

Christmas gift suggestions:
To your enemy, foregiveness.
To an opponent, tolerance.
To a friend, your heart.
To a customer, service.
To all, charity.
To every child, a good example.
To yourself, respect.
-Oren Arnold.

May you have a warm and lovely holiday.

Soba Noodles Tossed with Veggie Chicken

2011-12-22T05:00:00.000-08:00

Mondays I roast a chicken. That means we have left over chicken for a few days. Inspiration hit and I tossed the leftover chicken with cilantro, diced tomatoes, and soy sauce and served it along side soba noodles. The end result was fantastic!

No recipe. No list of ingredients to purchase. Just simple food tossed together using what was on hand. Cannot get much better than that during this hectic time of the year. Not only was the meal tasty, it maximized the food we had in our fridge. I cannot express how much I detest tossing out food that spoiled before we had an opportunity to eat it. It is the same as tossing money in the trash.

How about you? What are some simple favorites you've cooked up lately?

Frugal Celebration of the Winter Solstice

2011-12-21T05:00:00.000-08:00

Happy Winter Solstice everyone! December 21st marks the shortest day of the year, the longest night, and the return of the light. Starting tomorrow our amount of daylight will continue to increase until we hit June 21st, the Summer Solstice.

The Winter Solstice and Summer Solstice are special holidays in our home. Why? It started on December 21, 2005, when my husband proposed, asking me to marry him that following June 21st. Plus, we find it a great way to decrease the craziness associated with Christmas.

Here are a few frugal ideas on enjoying this magical day:

embrace nature -- go for a walk, bike ride, hike, sled down a hill, or simply sit and watch the birds;
enjoy light -- whether it is a candle, a fireplace, or an outdoor bonfire;
prepare simple food -- soups, breads, and fall harvest options (squash, cranberries, corn). I found a tempting recipe on-line for a Winter Solstice Soup. I will be giving it a try this year.

Photo credit: www.sxc.hu - free image

How about you -- what frugal thoughts do you have for celebrating the Winter Solstice?

Google Docs Rocks!

2011-12-20T05:00:00.000-08:00

Last week I gave a webinar about how non-profits can make charitable giving easier for members (when not blogging about living frugally or parenting, I am an estate planning and probate attorney). The hosting organization asked me to provide a "power point". Hmmmm, I do lots of seminars, but never use Power Point or any slides (called foils these days). Instead I have hand out and simply talk with the audience. But, this was via the web with people from all of the country. A presentation format was needed.

My husband, a tech aficionado, recommended I look into Google Docs. I did and I was amazed. The software was free, easy to use, and contained a pool from which to select images. It came together amazingly fast. I will certainly use it again.

One downside was that it was on the cloud, and when my internet connection suffered a meltdown at the beginning of my presentation, my slides went with it. Thankfully I had saved them as a PDF and sent the to the coordinator. All in all I was happy with the program, and delighted I didn't have to buy Power Point. If you give presentations, Google Docs is worth a closer look.

Recycle Holiday Lights and Cords

2011-12-19T05:13:00.000-08:00

I was delighted to learn that my hometown of Madison, Wisconsin has implemented a program to recycle holiday lights and extension cords. Sadly, it is only available for residents of Madison (be prepared to show proof of residency). Drop off bins are available through January 13, 2012. There is no limit on the number that can be dropped off. It is recommended that string with large bulbs have the bulbs removed. Drop offs are at 1501 W. Badger Road and 4602 Sycamore Avenue.

What a great way to reduce clutter and avoid unnecessary items from ending up in landfills. Kudos City of Madison!

Photo credit: www.sxc.hu - free image

Frugal Holiday Cards

2011-12-16T05:23:00.000-08:00

For three of my four years of undergrad, I worked for a chain of Hallmark stores to put myself through school. Ever since, I have had a strong fondness for greeting cards -- especially holiday cards.

This year we are trying a new approach to holiday greetings -- a frugal one. We are making our own cards. At least we are making some of our own cards. When the primary artist is a 3 year old, production cannot be guaranteed. So, each afternoon he is tackling a few cards. The gap will be filled by ordering some photo cards from Woodmans (a local warehouse grocery store). The cost per card is $0.30 -- a very low price.

To make our own cards I went to a local craft store and bought two packs of blank greeting cards (70 in total), envelopes included. I also picked up some holiday stickers, rubber stamps, ink, and acrylic paint. The total cost was $34.00. Combined with craft supplies we already have, my son (aka artist in residence) is well equipped to unleash his creativity.

My frugality went into overdrive as we set up for the first time. I now have a new use for the leftover baby food jars. The jar itself is the right size for water to clean the brushes. And the lids are ideal for holding small amounts of paint.

The end product so far has been very creative and fun, for mom and son. I look forward to my daughter joining the effort next year. He contribution has been somewhat limited because she prefers to chew the crayon rather than color. Paint brushes are not even an option at this point!

These cards are adorned with towel paper used to clean paint brushes, fastened with snowflake stickers. No waste at this craft table!

Being Frugal During Winter Heating Season

2011-12-15T05:00:00.000-08:00

Winter officially arrives on December 21st, but when you live in Wisconsin the word furnace starts popping up in sentences by late October or early November. At our home, a frugal home, we keep the thermostat set at 62 degrees. Yes, that is 62, not 72. This was the temperature we used when both our children were infants. When our son was born in 2008 I heard several people say, "oh, now that you have a baby you'll have to raise the set temperature." Being an anxious new mother, I asked our pediatrician. Her response -- "babies live all over the world in all sorts of temperatures and are fine. Your son will be fine with the temperature your family sets.: And he was -- just like his father, he is warm all of the time....especially at night. Our daughter who joined us in 2010 is just the same. So we are living proof that families with young children can survive a Wisconsin winter without running the furnace non-stop. Here are a few tips for enjoying a home when the furnace is set at 62 degrees:

dress as though it were winter -- oh wait, it is! T-shirts are covered with sweet shirts or sweaters. Socks and slippers are worn (by me -- the kids opt to go barefoot on our hardwood floors) while inside;
pull out the throws. You'll find a few festive blankets in the living room. When we curl up to read stories, a blanket helps keep us warm;
let the sun shine in -- open your drapes or blinds and let Mother Nature give you some solar warmth during the day;
enjoy winter beverages (coffee, tea, hot cocoa, Bailey's Irish Cream.....);
close vents in rooms or areas you do not use regularly. We have the vents closed in our finished basement because we are not down there enough to justify the cost; and
use space heaters. We have three; one in each bathroom and a third in my home office. The cost of each heater was approximately $17. There is no need for the bathrooms to be a toasty 70 degrees all the time. When needed, it is turned on to make showers more comfortable. As for my office, it is our finished basement. I use it two afternoons a week. There is no reason to open up the vents in the basement for this limited amount of time. I have a nice space heater at my feet. The savings from not heating the basement is huge!

We are frugal, but not crazy. When we have company we will turn the heat up because not everyone is comfortable at 62 degrees. How about you -- what temperature do you use to get through the winter?

Fruitcake gifts....

2011-12-14T05:23:00.000-08:00

We've entered the holiday season, and with it comes the well intended, but not quite right gift. The question arises, what to do with it? At Thanksgiving I was given a Starbucks mug with one of their new instant coffees. It was sweet of the giftor to bring the mug; it was a hostess gift for me having prepared the meal. However, the last thing I need is another mug and instant coffee is not something I enjoy. Being who I am, I thought "oh, I'll exchange this for a bag of a dark roast coffee!". Then I went to Starbucks.

Granted, I did not have a receipt, but I was greeted with anything but the holiday spirit. There was no question it was their product -- they had nearly a 100 displayed on the shelf surrounding the register. I explained that it was given as a gift and I wondered if I could exchange it for a bag of coffee. The price was $13.65. The clerk (or are they all a barista?) said -- "no receipt, no exchanges, what do you want to order?" Not said with a smile. Not a sorry, store policy prevents me from exchanging this. Just a blunt "no, now what do you want to buy". I asked again saying I would hate for it to go to waste. To which the response was "well, re-gift it.".

Re-gift it? I didn't want to get into a discussion of how my family avoids the whole gift giving exchange just because the calendar says it is late December and Madison Avenue executives have an agenda. His statement seems to sum up holiday giving in America these days. Buy crap no one wants or needs, and if you are against keeping the crap, pass it along to someone else. I tucked the mug in my bag, headed for the door and asked myself "who do I know who would enjoy this". No one came to mind. It then sat on the chest freezer in the garage for a week.

On my next trip to Target I noticed that they too were swimming in the mugs. Hmmm, would they take it back? It was worth a try. And they did! The clerk looked at my driver's license (not quite sure why) and gave me a store credit. There was nothing special we needed from Target, so I just applied it to our weekly purchases. The mug is now back on a shelf, waiting to be gifted, and if Starbucks has its way, re-gifted.

So -- was I too frugal? Too practical? Am I obligated to keep this type of gift? If you think so, why? This is hot button issue in our extended family. Grudges have been formed from past acts. So much for happy holidays!

Wisconsin State Parks - Free Hike January 1, 2012

2011-12-13T05:23:00.000-08:00

If you are looking to start the new year out on a frugal foot, look no further. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has announced it's First Day Hikes initiative. On January 1, 2012, admission to selected Wisconsin State Parks will be FREE. What a wonderful way to enjoy the natural beauty of Wisconsin, work off some of the holiday food, and not spend a penny (unless you count gas). Volunteers and staff will be on hand to lead guided 1 to 2 mile hikes of varying ability. Learn more on their web site!

Thanks to my loyal reader and friend, Elizabeth, for bringing this to my attention.

Salvaging a Cheap Toy

2011-12-12T05:23:00.000-08:00

For regular readers, you may remember that last Friday I mentioned that one of the items I picked up for 40% off at the Henry Vilas Zoo was a train. My son is 3, and obsessed with trains (and a few other things). He saw it dangling on the wall and had to have it. Slightly distracted by being in a gift shop with a double stroller, a 3 year old and 1 year old I agreed to the purchase even though I had my doubts. The train was originally $10, but with the discount came down to $6. That was worth the price to avoid complete meltdown of a child who could not understand that this toy was highly unlikely to work with his wooden Nuchi train set. Being frugal also focuses on the wise expenditure of time. That translates into me picking and choosing which fights to take on. A $6 train did not rank high enough to "discuss" this in public.

Once home the train was removed from its package and the disappointment quickly set in. No, it would not fit on his Nuchi train set. He was okay with this because the box included not only an engine but two box cars, its own track, and a few sign posts. We decided he would have a mini-train set. Then we discovered just how cheap this toy was. The cars would not stay hooked together. The cars would not stay on the track. The track would not stay connected. The signs were way too small to exist in a home with a 1 year old sister. The only thing of value appeared to be the battery that came in the box. Did I mention the train claims to be musical?

Most people would have tossed the train the moment the child's back was turned. My son not only has an obsession with trains, but a very good memory. Plus, I hate tossing money into the trash. This thing wasn't 2 hours old! Something must be done with it. Then inspiration hit. Let's add some ornament hooks to the engine and box cars and put them on the tree! My son was delighted. He had taken charge of putting decorations on the tree this year. Not only did he hang the ornaments from the box, but supplemented with a toy harmonica, a discarded sock, cat toys, and now a cheap plastic train from a gift store.

Remember what I said about choosing battles wisely? This year I have delegated the tree to my son, and unleashed untapped creativity. I have no opinion on what should or should not be on the tree. I sit back and admire his selections, and often think I know how Frank Lloyd Wrights' mother may have felt when he was a toddler. My son is a short Unitarian with a flare for design and an eye for the ladies. All he needs is a cape! He also has a frugal mom who stretches the family budget so that we can one day pay for college...which may or may not focus on architecture.

How about you - have you transformed a holiday item or gift to give it new life? Share your ideas and stories.

How to be Frugal for the Holidays

2011-12-09T05:23:00.000-08:00

So you are frugal, or you are trying to be. Then along comes December and you are blasted with advertisements. A billboard along the highway in Madison suggests buying a loved on a remote car starter. Facebook posts mention the arrival of fruit cakes in the mail. Stores are open earlier and stay open later than ever. So, what would the frugal do?

In our house we opt to give 90% of our holiday budget to charities. Usually 3 or 4 charities receive a check this time of year. With the rest we buy a few small gifts for the kids. It is not an extravaganza at our house on December 25th. But the spirit of giving is in the air.

Giving to charity at the holidays is frugal in many respects:

Writing a check requires no gift wrap, packing, or extra postage;
Charitable donations are an itemized deduction on 2011 taxes;
There is no time wasted looking for parking at the mall;
We don't have to hire a sitter for the kids to go shopping; and
Giving our money to charities forces us to come up with non-consumption ways to tell loved ones we care about them.

And if you are in an ultra frugal mood, you can maximize your donations. I did this past week after seeing an announcement that if I gave a donation to the Henry Vilas Zoo I would receive 40% off in the gift shop. Perfect! It was the first charity on our list this year (we get a lot of value from our local, FREE zoo). Plus, I had hoped to find a few items for the kid's holidays. So we bundled up and headed to the zoo. After taking in the lions, alpaca, and reptiles we headed to the gift shop. I wrote a check and then received 40% off our items: a drum, ornament, and train. In addition, the donation level we gave at included 15 passes for the train and carousel next Spring; that is an additional $15 in savings.

If you opt to give to charities, keep an eye out for ways to maximize your donation! Happy holidays.

Photo credit - image by M. Gustafson Gervasi, 2009.

Office Depot Rewards

2011-12-08T05:23:00.000-08:00

My quarterly rewards check arrived from Office Depot; $74.63. Yes, nearly a hundred dollars as a thank you for using their store for my office supply and copy needs. I've tucked it away, waiting for a pack coupons to arrive before making my next trek up the block to the nearest location. Rewards shopping, I love those programs for the most part. If a store has good service and product, I am likely to return. What more could I ask for than discounts off of those future purchases. Keep your eyes out for shopping rewards, they are popping up everywhere. I have them for office supplies, coffee, Goodwill, shoes, and an Indian restaurant for its lunch buffet.

Photo credit: www.sxc.hu - free image.

Alternative Christmas / Holiday / Solstice Trees

2011-12-07T05:23:00.001-08:00

When I first started my legal practice I worked from home. Not a home office, but home. I set up my desk, computer and books in a corner of our 750 square foot apartment. For client meetings, I went to the client. Yes, I was a lawyer who made house calls. As my practice has grown and become more established, I now rent a small space near our home. It is there meet clients (although I will still make house calls when needed).

There are a few things I miss about those visits to clients' homes. One, the clients with dogs. I grew up with dogs, but have none in my current life. A dog fix was wonderful. I also enjoyed glimpsing how other people lived. Home decorations, gardens, etc....One couple stands out in my memory.

Both academics with jobs on the UW-Madison campus. A small home within walking, bus, or biking distance of campus. They'd raised two kids being a one car family. It was about this time of year that I visited them, and upon entering the house I saw the most amazing Christmas, or Holiday, or Solstice Tree (call it what you like) in the living room. I was too frugal to have a phone with a camera back then, otherwise I'd post a photo. Using rolls of toilet paper and holiday lights, the family had constructed the most utilitarian tree you can imagine. Quickly I came to learn their story.

Years ago, when their children were small they vacationed to Mexico over the Christmas holiday. Wanting a touch of Christmas they fashioned several wire coat hangers together, added some lights, and had the first in a line of alternative Christmas trees. Over the years trees were formed from used water bottles, shingles from a roofing job on their home, and that year rolls of toilet paper. The plan was to take the tree down after the holiday and divide up the rolls....as presents. I was not surprised to learn that both children had grown up and entered "creative professions". One a writer, the other graphic design.

So, if you are looking to save money, walk lightly on the earth, and instill creativity into the next generation I challenge you to take the same path as my former clients.

Photo credit: www.sxc.hu - free image.

Toddler Home Haircut, Take 2

2011-12-07T05:23:00.000-08:00

A few weeks ago my son, who is 3, decided that it was an okay time to make a trip to Cost Cutters for a trim. He had been holding off because he wanted his hair to grow long like Mama's. After outfitting two kids (one 3, the other 1) for an outdoor trip we arrived at the store down the road. Upon entering we were told there was a 20 minute wait...even though there was no one else waiting. Apparently Cost Cutters, at least this location, prefers call-in appointments. In the past it had always been a walk-in for us. Waiting 20 minutes with my two kids in a warm store was not an option. We buckled back into car seats and moved on with our day; a lovely walk along the lakeshore path. And decided, enough is enough, I am going to cut my son's hair at home!

I already cut my husband's hair, so it was time for me to master a toddler cut. Motivated less by money (approximately $150 a year) and more by convenience, it was time. Then we waited. My son was again resistant to a cut. I've learned not to push an agenda, we'll just end up in a tug-of-war. Then this weekend, in the middle of a Packer game, he decided, sure, Mama can cut my hair.

Again, my do-it-yourselfer turned to Google. There I found a YouTube video on home hair cuts for toddler boys. Nothing other than the fact it was the first at the top of my Google search makes it special. I watched it (approximately 3 minutes) and went into action.

Scissors, comb, water, towel, computer set to Amazon Prime for an episode of Dinosaur Train, a treat of roasted soy nuts (not the lollipop that video lady recommends) and we were set. Ten minutes later his hair was trimmed. Would I win hairstylist of the year award for this cut? Probably not, but calling Fords Modeling agency is not on my to-do list. It works, it is function, no fits were thrown. That is a success in my book.

Frugal Francophile and Coupons

2011-12-06T05:23:00.000-08:00

Over the weekend I went to the high-end grocery store at the high-end mall here in Madison; Metcalf Sentry at Hilldale. Shopping with classical music in the air and a tasty cafe au lait in hand is decadent, at least in my frugal mind. Weekly I undergo a debate in my mind. One side says to save every penny and shop at Woodmans, the huge warehouse grocery. Quality is not as good, finding things in stock is hit or miss, but it is cheap. Another side says that convenience and quality are more important. Saving 30 cents on eggs is not going to make or break my budget. Living frugally does not mean doing everything based on the cheapest selection. This week that later argument won out, and I was at Hilldale.

At the check out I noticed I was stuck between two very different types of shoppers. The couple in front of me bantered back in forth in French. Ah, French. My ear adores the language and it quickly brought to mind my travels in France in the mid-1990s. Their cart screamed for french cuisine. Several bottles of wine, greens, fresh fish from the seafood section, a $5.25 loaf of whole grain bread, and yogurts. Looking at their purchases, part of me longed to live more like the French. Then I looked behind me. There stood a women, mid-40s. Cart overflowing with frozen pizzas, soda, chips, and granola bars. Without a doubt an American. Then I glanced at my cart: frozen spinach, fruits, cottage cheese, eggs, milk, and quite a bit of meat. Okay, it looked more like the French people than the American lady, so I felt better about our eating habits.

As I paid and walked towards my car I decided my new year's resolution would be to work closer to eating like the French. Not easy when half our household consists of toddlers. But there are toddlers in France, what do they eat? Even if my kids prefer bagels, peanut butter, and cheese, my husband and I can certainly set an example of eating quality meals. So, if you are going to go the way of the French that means saying good-bye to most if not all processed foods. Which also means that the Sunday newspaper coupons will be on little or no use to you. That is except for the coupons this past Sunday. There, nestled between the Toys-R-Us ads and the sports section I founds several great saves:

$0.40 off of baker's yeast;
$1.00 off of spices; and
$0.75 or $0.45 off of "cuties" clementines.

Yes, a coupon off of fruit!!!! Now I just have to decide whether to shop on a Wednesday for double coupon day at Sentry or make a trek to Woodmans and save on their already low prices.

Photo credit: http://www.sxc.hu/ - free image.

Book Review: How to bury a goldfish and other ceremonies and celebrations for everyday life

2011-12-05T05:23:00.000-08:00

Do you ever find yourself wondering how to address a life event, but come up with nothing so you send flowers, fruit, or some other random item off the web? If so, I highly recommend you pick up a copy of a delightful book -- How To Bury A Goldfish: and other ceremonies and celebrations for everyday life.

Written by Virginia Lang and Louise Nayer, it is a compact book organized into 7 chapters. Topics chapters address: Everyday; Beginnings; Fabulous Firsts, Red-Letter Days; Transitions; Loss; and Holidays. Sprinkled throughout the recommendations for ways to honor and celebrate life's events are concepts found in Quaker and Unitarian Universalist traditions.

Suggestions that caught my frugal eye included:

creating, updating, and revisiting an annual family time capsule on New Years Eve;
putting a small, felt heart in a small child's pocket -- it will be with them while you are away at work;
designate a story-telling stool in your home; and
finding a harvest calendar for your region to follow in meal preparation throughout the year.

This book will help anyone who is looking to slow down, dig deeper, and find meaning in ritual and not an item at the mall. It can be purchased for mere pennies on the internet; I've added it to my permanent reference book shelf (as an Amazon Prime member it was mine, no shipping, for $4).

How to Measure a Toddler's Foot?

2011-12-02T05:13:00.000-08:00

Okay, I have to admit that one reason I take my kids to the pricey shoe store at the upscale mall is that they measure my kids' feet. This "service" is not as common as it used to be. Stores like Target and Kohls don't have staff on hand, nor have I seen those little scales that the sales people whip out at the high-end store.

But, there is Google. Ah, how the frugal love Google. A Mecca for do-it-yourselfers. With a quick search I found a printable foot chart. It even has a key at the bottom; compare it to a credit card to make sure it printed to scale. I plan to have mine laminated so that it is more robust. Attempting to measure my daughter's foot is a challenge since she is only 17 months old and in constant motion. But, it is a skill I plan to master. Now I can shop on-line or pick items up that are on clearance. For 3 years I lived in a fog, not having a clear sense of my chidrens' shoe sizes. I'll blame it on sleep deprivation.

How about you? What have you used Google to find resources that you once paid for?

Photo credit: www.sxc.hu - free image

Frugal Tips for Great Holiday Photos

2011-12-01T05:23:00.000-08:00

It is that time of year, time for holiday photos. Photography has been a hobby of mine for the past 15 years or so. These days I don't have as much time for it as I would like, but I still enjoy capturing images when I have the chance. As a result of my fondness for photography, we have rarely paid for professional images of our children. Since getting married I have paid a photographer for pictures of our "wedding proceeding" (it was a planned elopement with no guests, but they knew what we were doing), new born photos of our son, and new born photos of our daughter. The rest have been my own. And I usually get some positive feedback. So, if you want to share the smiling faces of your children, your pets, or your life, keep the following seven pointers in mind

One: If you have an SLR camera, set the aperture for 5.8 -- this is the setting commonly used by photo journalists. Your subject will be in focus and the background blurred.

Two: Start cropping in the field. Frame your shot, then before pressing the shutter, check all 4 corners for things you don't want in the photo (drink glasses, your finger, a branch, a trash can, etc). Re-adjust to crop it out of the frame. Here is photo of my daughter from the summer. You can't tell that we were at a water park swarming with other kids because I cropped in the field. No cropping was done later.

Three: Shoot and shoot some more. If a professional photographer is able to use 5% - 10% of what they shoot, they are happy. With the era of digital, this is much easier.

Four: See the light -- looking for light as it casts upon the subject at an angle. Taking a photo at noon in the summer is not ideal, the light will be flat. In this photo you can see the sunlight on my daughter's face. The photo would not have worked as well if she were back in the shadows.

Five: If an image has lots of color, use color. If you want to hide color (i.e. red skin, bad color, etc). opt for black and white. Recognize that black and white photos work well when there are lots of lines and contrast in the frame, color is not important.

Six: Get to the level of what you are shooting -- whether it is kids, pets, or flowers, bend down and get to their level. You'll have fantastic improvement in your images. My daughter was seated on a bench. Had I stood and taken this photo her scalp would have been far too prominent. Bend and look your subject in the eye.

Seven: Don't center everything. Have a subject off to the side gives a sense of motion and feeling. Another photo taken, this time of my son, at the water park. It was his 3rd birthday, and it seems express a young boy looking ahead....he was really watching the splash park equipment.

Thanksgiving Leftovers -- Can You Say Soup?

2011-11-30T05:23:00.000-08:00

As the Thanksgiving dishes were cleared away, a huge pile of fresh veggies from our appetizer tray remained on my kitchen counter. Carrots, celery, tomatoes and broccoli.

What to do, what to do! Soup was the answer.

The tomatoes and carrots where chopped, combined with onion and garlic. I sauted them in olive oil, added about 3 cups of broth (from boiling the leftover turkey breast) a dash of lime, salt, pepper, chick peas, and chunks of turkey. And in the end we had a delightful Turkey soup.

The celery and broccoli were chopped and sauted in olive oil. I melted about 1/3 of a stick of butter, added 2 tablespoons of flour, and made a paste. The paste along with 3.5 cups for vegetable broth and a 1/2 cup of whole milk were added to the veggies. I tossed in some of the leftover wild rice, and in an hour we had another amazing soup....creamed celery and broccoli soup.

Should a host or hostess every offer to send home left over veggies from a holiday party, you now have some inspiration to turn those into some amazing soups. Most ended up in the freezer to be enjoyed in the weeks ahead.

How about you -- what's your favorite Thanksgiving leftover accomplishment?

Cinnamon Oatmeal Raisin Bread for the Bread Machine

2011-11-29T05:23:00.000-08:00

If you are trying to sell your house or want to make a delicious treat for guests, this is the recipe for you! It is by far our favorite item via the bread machine. Consumed warm from the bread machine or toasted a few days later, it will not disappoint.

Cinnamon Oatmeal Raisin Bread:

1 1/4 cup milk;
3 cups bread flour;
3/4 cups oats (I use old fashioned);
2 tbsp brown sugar;
1 1/2 tsp salt;

Dump into baking canister. Push all four sides up, creating a well in the middle

2 tbsp butter, cut into 4 pieces. Place one piece in each corner;
2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast or 1 1/2 tsp fast rise yeast (I use fast rise). Pour into the well you created in the center.

Insert baking canister into bread machine, lock into place. Select the "sweet" setting. It will beep about 15 minutes into the process. When it does, lift the lid and dump in 1/2 cup raisins. Walk away and in just under 4 hours you will have a lovely bread. Crunchy on the outside, moist and yummy on the inside.

Lessons I've learned with my bread machine. Add ingredients to the baking canister with the canister outside of the bread machine. Should anything fall over the edge, which is easy when working with flour, it may land on the element. And just about the time you need to add the raisins the entire thing will be smoking enough to set off a smoke detector.

Thanks to my devoted reader at Midwest Potato Blog for emailing with questions about using a bread machine. A "previously owned" model had made its way to her home and she was looking for suggestions. She had found the manual on-line with a Google search, but the 30 page owner's manual was not an easy read.

If you are frugal and looking for a bread machine, I suggest stores like Savers, Hospice Thrift, St. Vincent de Pauls, or Goodwill. They have endless models, and manuals can be downloaded from the web.

Book Review: Upcycling: Create beautiful things with the stuff you already have

2011-11-28T05:13:00.000-08:00

Several weeks ago I heard a segment on the radio, To the Best of our Knowledge, on NPR. It was devoted to "upcycling". When you hear the mantra "reduce, reuse, recycle", upcycling fits into the reuse category. Part of the program mentioned the book Upcycling: create beautiful things with the stuff you already have by Danny Seo. A few weeks after the radio show I got an email that the book was waiting for me at the library.

At 200 pages, it is beautifully put together with amazing photos. Released in 2011, it contains chapters with ideas for: decorating, entertaining, giving, kid projects, and the great outdoors. As I read I found myself inserting little pieces of paper to mark the projects that seemed realistic to a mother with 2 young children who also has a part-time legal practice. Time and craft skill are not an abundance in my life, but I love the idea of transforming stuff I already have into something new. It is a great way to delay something's entry to a landfill and usually costs little to nothing.

Future projects I hope to tackle include:

a bath mat made with wine corks;
Neon artwork using holiday lights;
cork tin can organizers;
string scented diffusers;
coffee sleeve crowns; and
lids to preserve botanicals.

All of the other projects seem doable, but not that practical for our household. This is a book that is certainly worth a library check-out, and if you have time for crafts, one you may want to add to your collection. I can see the potential for lovely "upcycled" gifts. At a cost of $12.99 it could pay for itself in no time...but only if you are really going to do the projects. I recommend borrowing it first, give it a try, and add it to your library if you must.

November 25, 2011 - Buy Nothing Day!

2011-11-25T05:00:00.000-08:00

Yes, a holiday a frugal person can really get behind....Buy Nothing Day. Started by an artist in Vancouver back in 1992, it is a day of protest against mindless consumption. If you are looking to put the "green" back in Christmas or keep "green" in your wallet this holiday season, consider joining me on this day of anti-consumption.

One way to embrace the holiday is to take the pledge at The Center for a New American Dream to simplify the holidays. It is a great way to challenge yourself to do 5 things different this holiday season, and all of them are frugal! I took it this year and it inspired me to make an extra effort to use environmentally friendly decorations this year. We moved into our home last year and have not really set any standards for holiday decor, especially on the outside. With small kids I want to do something festive. But that something needs to be festive and "green".

Another way to celebrate is to embrace nature and not the mall. Last year a friend specifically set out to enjoy a State park here in Wisconsin rather than use the day to purchase holiday items. Hearing about her day, exploring nature and all its glory has motivated me to do the same with our family this year. Not that we were ever big shoppers to begin with...so it will be easier for us than others.

How about you my frugal friends? How are you spending this "Black Friday?"

Happy Thanksgiving

2011-11-24T05:23:00.000-08:00

Turkey Day is a day off of blogging for me. I do want to share a favorite photo mine, one I took a few years ago at Warner Park in Madison, Wisconsin. To me it illustrates the point in the season where we are preparing to say good-bye to fall and hello to winter. Enjoy, pause, and give thanks. I'll be back tomorrow with frugal thoughts for all.

Frugal and Thrift Stores

2011-11-23T05:23:00.000-08:00

Every few days it seems that something comes to mind that we need in our house. A new grader for the kitchen. The zipper in my wallet broke, time for a new one. A wall rack for coats would be a great addition to our daughter's room. As each item comes to mind I write it on a list. The list entitled "2nd Hand Store". About once a month I leave the kids at home with my husband and hit one or two 2thrift Stores, with list in hand.

This past month I was delighted at my finds. All of the above items were acquired, and for pennies compared to what I would have paid retail. I found a "new" wallet at St. Vincent de Pauls. It was priced at $1.25, but was 50% off the day I happened into the store. My kitchen grater is about to break, and has been replaced with a much sturdier version, found at Savers for $0.99. And our daughter now has a cool coat rack adorned with the moon and stars, for $2.99

I have to give a special shout out to Savers this month. At the check out they asked if I had any coupons. "No, how do I get some in the future?" The clerk said when you donate they give you one. When she heard I have donated, but never received one, she happily pulled one out of a stack and gave me 20% off my entire purchase. Then she handed me the coupon which is good until the end of the year. I've always liked Savers, but more so now than ever.

As we head into a highly commercialized time of year I encourage you to consider thrift stores. They'll save you money, give new life to products, and support local charities. How much more can you ask?

Photo credit: http://www.sxc.hu/

Laptop Serves Double Duty -- No DVD or DVR In Our Home

2011-11-22T05:23:00.000-08:00

Close friends know that television viewing is not a common occurrence in our home. However, there are times when we do opt to watch a DVD. This is not done with a DVD or DVR machine. Until two years ago we did not even have a TV in the house. When we put in a DVD it is on a laptop computer. If you are looking to save space, save money, and save on technology production, I recommend this approach. Especially since DVDs are moving towards the fade of dinosaurs, don't waste money on this soon-to-be obsolete technology.

One possible draw back is if you put a DVD on for a child, you won't be able to check email or do any of the zillion other daily tasks you use the computer for while the show is playing. Then again, it underscores the importance of sitting and watching a show with your child. It forces togetherness, which is a lovely way to spend time on a cold winter afternoon.

Photo credit: http://www.sxc.hu/

Book Review: A Homemade Christmas by Tina Barseghian

2011-11-21T05:23:00.000-08:00

My goal is to bring you a book review each Monday. The book I selected for today's post is winter holiday themed. Instead of waiting until after Turkey Day, the official start to the holiday season, I am bringing this review early so that you'll have plenty of time to find and read a copy before finding yourself in the thick of the holiday season.

If you are looking to take the commercialization out of the Christmas season, yet maintain some the traditions, I highly recommend you read A Homemade Christmas: Creative Ideas for an Earth-Friendly, Frugal, Festive Holiday by Tina Barseghian. This is a book that I will consider adding to my permanent collection. That says a lot because even though I am a self-described bookworm, I use the library for the vast majority of my reads.

A Homemade Christmas: Creative Ideas for an Earth-Friendly, Frugal, Festive Holiday consists of 5 chapters and is just under 130 pages long. Each chapter contains several ideas for holiday cheer, as well as several "kid friendly" concepts that are flagged. The chapters include: greeting; trimming, cooking, giving, and celebrating.

From homemade holiday cards to stocking alternatives to homemade snow globes, my mind was just a bubbling as I read her book. I will be using several of her ideas this coming holiday season, and will pull on others in the years to come.

If putting the "green" back in the holiday season is a priority for you, check out this book!

Homemade Chicken Tenders

2011-11-18T05:23:00.000-08:00

If you have kids, you have people who like chicken tenders. I'm not sure what the folks at McDonalds or Burger King did to figure this out, but if you put chicken tenders on a picky toddlers plate, they'll eat it. Please do not ask how I know this, the answer is not one I am proud of.

If you'd like chicken tenders on your plate, but prefer not to by them from fast food establishments or the freezer aisle at the grocery store, try my simple technique for a homemade version:

purchase chicken tenders at the store or use left over chicken (purchasing a whole chicken is always less expensive then one cut up for you);
roll the pieces in olive oil;
toss with bread crumbs;
bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

Voila! Homemade chicken tenders. Any leftovers can be tossed into a salad or wrap.

Frugal and Cell Phones

2011-11-17T05:23:00.000-08:00

My three year old poses the most interesting questions at times. Recently he asked "Mom, why doesn't your phone have visuals like Baba's?" And there you have it. The secret is out. I am one of the few people left with a cell phone that does not have internet capability. I joke and call my phone the "negative G" phone. My husband, the technical expert, corrects me and says "you have a 2G phone with no data service".

When you are frugal you most likely do not have the latest and greatest phone, or anything for that matter. Even my husband, who does have a 3G phone (with visuals) is frugal. Here is a guy who literally knows how to design the circuit boards in cell phones. To say he adores technology is an understatement. Yet he waited until 2010 to purchase one. When he did, he got a mid-grade phone with excellent reviews. His cost a fraction of what most people paid.

So, why don't I have a better phone? One, I don't have a lot of free time. To purchase one will require some consumer research. Then I'll have to invest time in figuring out how to use the dang thing. Time is precious in my life. Second, I don't need one because my current phone still works just fine. Might I want a slick state of the art phone? Yes, at times. But I'd also like to fly to Paris every Spring. We can't have everything we want. Knowing that and living by that make me frugal. I am always amazed to see how many stay-at-home parents I meet who complain about living on a tight income, not being able to save for college, and then take a call on a 3G phone. That puzzles me beyond words.

So, if you want to be frugal I challenge you the next time you are prompted to up-grade to take a deep breath, wait and then continue to wait. Sure, you may not have an amazing phone. But you'll have some extra money to stash away....for a kid's college fund or a trip to Paris in the Spring.

Photo credit: http://www.sxc.hu/

Maxing Out the Plastic...the Other Kind

2011-11-16T05:23:00.000-08:00

In our house we believe in maxing out the plastic. No, not credit cards. The plastic that has become so ubiquitous in our society. Not a fan of plastics because of the havoc they can have on the environment, aka the Pacific Garbage Patch, I try to max out the utility of each piece I purchase. My first line of defense is to NOT purchase plastics, but that is near impossible in our society. The trunk of my car has a stash of cloth bags that we pull out when going shopping. An added bonus is that most stores will knock 5 or 10 cents off the bill for each bag. Yet, plastic is in my home.

Here are five ways I get the most out of each item:

Trash can liners. Instead of pulling the bag out each week when I empty the trash, I dump the contents into one large bag. Usually from the kitchen of the can near the litter box. I can usually get several uses out of one bag before it needs to be "trashed". The ultra frugal approach is to use an plastic bags you acquire as liners and avoid purchasing garbage bags all together. This usually works well for bathroom trash;
Shower liner. When you have two kids in diapers and two spouses with their own businesses, something as simple has finding the time to give the shower a thorough cleaning can be the highlight of your evening. As I scrubbed our back shower, I discovered that the plastic liner need a good cleaning. Remembering a tip from The Queen of Clean, I pulled it down and tossed it in the washer with a towel and set it for a light wash. Twenty minutes later it was like new and drip drying in the basement; and
Wash and dry plastic lunch bags. I've blogged about this in the past, but felt it was worth another mention. We often eat away from home and plastic lunch bags are easy for transporting goodies. I purposely buy the freezer kind so that they are more durable. The easiest way to clean them is to turn them inside out, wash, and let dry. You can tuck them back in the box and get multiple uses;
Baby Bottle Brush Reincarnation. Our baby has turned into a toddler and left her bottle days behind us. Yet, the bottle brush still sits next to the sink. It now serves as a great means of drying the above mentioned plastic bags; and
Reuse bread bags. Occasionally we will purchase commercial bread. When we do, I wash, dry, and store the bag for when I make my own bread in the bread machine.

There you have it, five was to max out the plastic in your life. Frugally wise and environmentally kind.

Guest Post: Bicycle commuting is a great solution for a frugal society

2011-11-15T05:23:00.000-08:00

Note: Today's installment of the Frugal Upside is brought to you by a guest columnist, Elizabeth Wheeler. Among many things, she is a bike commuter. Even though snow has fallen in the upper Midwest, it does not mean that you have to put your bike away for the winter. Her piece reminds us all of the benefits of biking. For the first 5 years of our marriage we were a 1 car family; I had brought the car into the relationship. My husband owned two bikes, and that was all. In 2009 he bought a used car because of a change in his work duties, which required a car. Those work duties recently changed again, and he is now working as many bike commutes into his routine as he can.

Photo Credit: This one runs on fat & saves you money by Peter Drew of Adelaide, licensed under Creative Commons.

Bicycle commuting is a great solution for a frugal society

Guest column by Elizabeth Wheeler

Last week's Huffington Post article highlights one way that using a bicycle as transportation can bring economic and public health benefits to our society. We all know that bicycle commuting is good for your health and the environment. Most of us are also aware that it can save money, but there are a lot of hidden ways that biking is even better for the pocket book - and the economy - than most of us realize. Here are just a few:

1. No gas! Not only do you not have to buy gas to ride your bike, the money you would otherwise spend on gas can stay in our local economy.

2. No car payment, insurance, registration, AAA,[1] maintenance, and wear and tear on your vehicle: If you can avoid having a second car, or even a first car, these costs can add up! According to the 2010 Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Expenditure Survey, these costs average to over $450/month per vehicle. If you can replace your second car with a bicycle - even a fancy bicycle with all the gear - you could easily recover these costs in 3-4 months.

3. Free parking! There is almost always free and ample bicycle parking. And when was the last time you got a parking ticket on a bicycle? Car parking infrastructure also comes at a high cost to our society. (See “Free Parking Comes at a Price ,” NYT article from August , 2010.)

4. Bicycle Benefits! Bicycle Benefits is a program that local retailers participate in in 20 U.S. states plus British Columbia. I paid $5 for a sticker on my helmet which saves me 5%-15% off at 119 different local restaurants and retailers in Madison. I use this regularly grabbing a few groceries at the co-op on my way home from work. I save 5% when I bike. Bonus: more money into our local economy.

5. No need for a gym membership! Your workout is built into your day when you bike to work or for short errands. We all know that going to the gym is expensive and time-consuming. Added benefit: No room full of mirrors or judgy looks from hardcore weightlifters!

If you’re interested in learning more, I highly recommend checking out Grist Magazine’s series, “How bicycling will save the economy (if we let it)” found here: http ://www .grist .org /biking /2011-02-28-how -bicycling -will -save -the -economy

[1] An alternative to AAA exists for bicycles - the Better World Club offers roadside assistance, discounts, and other benefits for cyclists.

Book Review: The Everything Family Guide to Budget Travel

2011-11-14T05:23:00.000-08:00

On my weekly trek to our local library, I spotted the book The Everything Family Guide to Budget Travel: Hundreds of fun family vacations to fit any budget by Kelly Merritt. With thoughts of next summer's vacation bouncing in my mind, I dropped the book into our "to go" bag and brought it home for a read.

Released in 2011, the book is just under 400 pages long and consists of 20 different chapters. With titles ranging from "A Vacation Doesn't Have to Break the Bank" to "The Well Managed Budget" to "National Parks" it appears to hold great promise for a self-described "frugal person". However, after a few hours with the book I'd advise you to leave it on the shelf.

The Everything Family Guide to Budget Travel: Hundreds of fun family vacations to fit any budget is so lacking in practical frugal suggestions that I question whether it was truly written to be used by frugal shoppers. The skeptic in me says the publisher slapped Budget Travel on the cover as it went to press in 2011 simply because of the recession. Why the slam?

The chapter on National parks contains no reference to "free admission" days. For the record, there are four times a year when admission is free to our Nation's parks;
A chapter on "coolest" cities mentions New York, Boston and San Francisco -- three of the most expensive cities one can visit. The references make no mention of creative ways to save on lodging in these "cool cities";
The author describes train travel on Amtrak as an amazing adventure. Our family considered that as an option this past summer, but discovered the price was 3x airfare..and we've heard the same from others. There is no mention of this fact;
The book suggests visiting various zoos, many of which sound amazing, but none of which are free. Okay, so the Henry Vilas Zoo in my hometown of Madison, Wisconsin may have slipped under the radar for being free, but what about Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago?; and
The chapter on promoting camping leaves the reader wondering if the author has ever camped -- the discussion is too upbeat and too positive.....I couldn't help but wonder about the bugs, bears, and beer drinkers one is likely to encounter while camping. I imagine ads for REI being more cautionary on getting into the camping habit.

So, this book is in the return pile for the library. I suggest you spend your time using Google search if you are interested in budget travel.

Celebrate Veterans Day, Frugal Style

2011-11-11T05:23:00.000-08:00

It's November 11th, and that means it is Veteran's Day. If you have the day off, consider the following inexpensive ways to commemorate this day:

attend a parade;
visit a military cemetery;
tour a veteran's museum; or
spend time with a veteran you love.

If you live in or around Madison, Wisconsin, you can visit the Veteran's Museum, which offers free admission. If you are not in the area, simply enter your city, state, veterans day 2011 into Google and see what type of events pop up.

I am fortunate enough to still have my grandfather, a WWII vet (and purple heart recipient) in my life. In addition to the card I've put in the mail to him, I hope to plan a visit with my two young children. I know that he does not like to talk about his time in the service, so I plan to ask my grandmother (who is still going strong at age 90) to tell me about Victory Gardens that were so common during WWII.

How about you? Any other frugal thoughts for this holiday?

My grandparents, aged 90, still able to enjoy the rough and tumble ways of a toddler....specifically

their great-granddaughter (that's my girl).

Reducing Repair and Replace Costs -- Everything Has a Home

2011-11-10T18:15:00.000-08:00

Do you have an absent minded professor type in your life? If so, you probably also have a budget line (assuming you use a budget) devoted to repair and replace. If your absent minded professor type is like mine, the bulk of those budget items fall into "replace". I have lost count of how many times my husband, aka the absent minded professor (engineer actually) has misplaced his cell phone, MP3 player, GPS, bike (yes, he left it at the store once), and various clothing items. He is so used to loosing things that after 20 minutes of searching he declares "search and recovery is over", fires up his computer and orders a new one of whatever is missing. And yes, you've guessed it, within 36 hours the lost forever item is found, usually by me. Yet, a box still arrives via UPS with the replacement item. In an effort to get this budget line item under control I am in the process of finding a home for everything in our home.

Photo of said absent minded engineer, taken in 2009, with our son at his 1st Ham Radio festival. Note, our son is NOT absent minded and commonly reminds his dad not to forget his keys, coffee cup or phone.

This is not an easy task, but one I am embarking on nonetheless. For example:

shoes go in the hanging shoe holder in the front closet;
hats are put in the wicker basket in the front closet;
bike and bike accessories along the north wall of the garage;
assorted electronic gadgets in the living room armoir that hides the TV;
cell phones next to its respective charger; and
keys...in the key box by the front door.

Please offer tips or suggestions on helping me in my quest to reduce repair and replace expenses! And an aside offered by the absent minded engineer "if we had anything or real value, we would not be posting its exact location on the world wide web -- please note for any would-be thieves."

Growing Herbs....In the Bathroom?

2011-11-09T05:23:00.000-08:00

Our house runs north to south, which means we get very little southern exposure. Translation, there are not a lot of spots with great light for growing plants. The kitchen is especially lacking. So, my first attempt at potted herbs was a dismal failure. Then one morning, after a shower (I always think best when being doused in hot water), inspiration hit. The bath off of our bedroom gets great southern light, and at least twice a day becomes humid from the shower. The perfect place to give potted spinach and cilantro a try. And guess what, it worked!!! The only down side is that it is not a room the kids hang out it every day, so they are not getting the daily contact with the eco-world I would like. But, I have fresh spinach and cilantro to harvest, so no complaints. Winter hasn't even arrived yet and I'm already eager for Spring planting!

$15 Target Coupon

2011-11-08T04:48:00.000-08:00

I am one of those shoppers that reads the coupons that spit out when the cashier is finishing up with you. You know, the ones that he or she hands you along with your receipt. Last month I was handed one for the Target Pharmacy; $15 gift card for a new or transferred prescription. I was giddy because a $15 gift card is a nice find! I tucked it into my coupon envelope, which is stored in my wallet, ever ready when I'm at a point of purchase.

Remembering the coupon at my annual doctor's visit, I had the doctor send my asthma inhaler prescription to the Target near our home instead of Walgreens, which I've used for decades. We really maxed out our savings because my husband took his evening run and went to Target. He paid for the $16 prescription, got the $15 gift card, and used no petroleum (unless you factor in that he eats more when he runs). The gift card was redeemed on my weekly run to Target. It, combined with the 5% off we get from using the Target debit card, other coupons, and bringing our own bags (5 cent savings each) dropped the bill from $70 to $40!

Last Farmers' Market of the Season

2011-11-07T05:23:00.000-08:00

Saturday morning I made a solo trip to the Westside Farmers' Market, the last for the season. As I walked among the vendors I heard over and over "have a great winter", "see you in April", and "I plan to hibernate for the next 5 months". Yes, it is early November in Wisconsin and the growing season has come to an end.

This weekend I roasted the last of the pie pumpkins, and will enjoy the tender super food for the next 11 months via pumpkin bread and pie. I also picked up a huge, dried sunflower ($3) and a few gords (4 for $1) to feed the birds and squirrels over the winter. Cheap entertainment for the kids, cats, and me.

Now that the market is behind us it is time to dive into the frozen goodness I have stashed away in the garage freezer. I think I'll start pulling out items from this Spring over the Thanksgiving weekend. How about you? How long do you wait to tap into your winter stash?

Frugality in the Chaos

2011-11-04T04:29:00.000-07:00

There is a sign in my kitchen that says "This House is Udder Chaos". I find it appropriate because 1) we have two small children, 2) my husband and I both run our own businesses, and 3) we live in the dairy state. Can you see it? It was a great find for $2.99 at Savers! I took this photo this past Tuesday, also known as Soup and Bread day in our home?

I find that it helps tremendously to have a meal pre-set for each day of the week. Making the grocery list is easier. There is little to no thought expended on the question "what's for dinner". Gone are the times I spent standing at the fridge or freezer, letting the cold out, and trying to whip up a gourmet meal. This rule of thumb is especially important now because on November 1st my husband started a new client....and will now be working 60+ hours a week. The income will be wonderful, but as we learned with his last client of this nature, when you work that much money tends to get tossed around. So, as we head into chaos, our dinner meal routine is set:

Sunday - quiche and veggies;
Monday - brown rice, curried veggies, crockpot chicken;
Tuesday - soup and bread;
Wednesday - clean out the fridge leftovers
Thursday - bean dish (think lentils, etc.)
Friday - pasta
Saturday - take-out pizza (using a coupon).

Our routine is extending beyond meals. We now know that Mondays are library mornings, with the aim to cut out any late fees. Sundays and Wednesdays are grocery days at Sentry (Wednesday is also double coupon day at the store). Tuesday and Thursday we hang out at home, tackling a chore or two (currently raking leaves). Friday is adventure day, usually to our zoo (free) or for a nature walk. Saturday is farmers' market day. And Sunday, if our kids are cooperative, is attending services at the First Unitarian Society. And that is pretty much it. I make a weekly run to Target, and a monthly run to Woodmans (warehouse grocery) and have my husband watch the kids. Far more efficient!

My hope is that this simple, set schedule with cut down on the car trips, allow my husband and I to conduct business as usual (I'm with the kids in the AM and works PMs), and set a calm pace so that we can continue our frugal ways.

Reactions?

Profile in Frugality: Steve Jobs, ????

2011-11-03T05:13:00.000-07:00

Steve Jobs, founder of Apple, died earlier this year with an estimated net worth of $8.3 billion. Yes that was a "b" as in billion, not a "m" for million. One may be shocked to learn that a person with such a massive net worth not only described himself as frugal, but who is also described by others as frugal. Yet, CNN ran a story on Steve Job's frugality. The story is relatively brief, and promotes the new biography by Issacson. However, two principles of frugality jumped out at me:

Keep clothing simple. His jeans and black turtle neck were icons. But they were also smart. Low cost and easy effort in wardrobe. I appreciated the less is more concept during my pregnancies because my maternity clothes were limited. It was liberating. I was not overwhelmed by choices. There was less laundry to do. It was simple, easy, and something I've tried to maintain even though the pregnancies are behind me.
Have an idea of what an appropriate price is for an item, and walk away if it is too high. Apparently Steve was in NY City without a coat and it was a cold day. He went to a store with a colleague, but walked out, without a coat because he felt the price was too high, especially since he would get little to no use out of it in California. This from a man with a net worth of $8.3 billion!

I have requested his biography from the library and am eager to learn more about this frugal man.

Every Last Drop

2011-11-02T05:23:00.000-07:00

Are you trying to get every last drop out of a jar of spaghetti sauce? If you are frugal you probably are. Here is a great tip I picked up earlier this year -- once you've dumped the sauce, add in some red wine, swish it around, and add to the pan. It is a great way to get out every drop without watering it down. Thanks to Leah Ingram for this great tip!

I've also taken to draining the last drop out of a jar of applesauce. The key is to have a container that is small enough to prevent the jar for hitting the bottom, but large enough not to topple over. My 1.5 measuring cup works well.

And on the medicine front, we commonly add a dash of water to a bottle of liquid medicine. If you swish it around it gets the last drop out, making those health care dollars go farther.

What tips can you share with others on getting the last drop out of a jar or bottle?

Free Tax Information and the IRS

2011-11-01T05:23:00.000-07:00

Free is a word most people love, the IRS is not usually in their list of top 100. However, I recently came across a great resource -- IRS Publication 910. It is a guide to free tax services. It contains a complete list of free publications, an index of tax topics, and information on tax education and assistance programs. The link I have provided is for 2010, which is the one on the agency's web site. Sometimes free means a little outdated. However, it still seems to have some useful and easy to access information. I'll post an update if I see a revised publication appear on the agency's web site.

Apparently the IRS is embracing social media to distribute information, and have videos on YouTube and a feed on Twitter. I did not see a Facebook Page....which probably would not have too many "likes".

Who should check out this resource? I'd recommend it for the following:

small business owners;
employers;
low-income families;
recent retirees;
do-it-yourselvers of tax forms.

It's Halloween, Enjoy!

2011-10-31T05:23:00.000-07:00

October 31st -- Halloween! Okay, so it's not an official holiday, but I'm going light on the blogging. I took the day off to spend with my kids. At ages 3 and 1 they are still home all day, and just old enough to start getting interested in Halloween. So, to maximize time with them, I bring you a reminder that great entertainment can be had for free on YouTube and some recipes for homemade Halloween treats that will rival any fancy pastry shop. Happy Pumpkin Day!

And here is a link to a Wisconsin State Journal article on homemade Halloween treats!

Frugality and a Kindle?

2011-10-28T05:23:00.000-07:00

If you use a Kindle, live in Southern Wisconsin, and have a library card....then you are in for some cost savings. The Wisconsin library system is now offering over 5,000 Kindle titles to patrons with a library card. Apparently Wisconsin is unique in how much money it has put towards digitizing its library collection. Learn more here!

I'm a huge library fan, but don't have a Kindle. It makes the device just a bit more tempting....although I still love the feel of an actual book!

How to Roast a Pie Pumpkin

2011-10-27T05:23:00.000-07:00

Pumpkin, often called a Super Food, it is a delightful food to add to the freezer. I use it to make pumpkin bread as well as pumpkin muffins. It is far healthier and far less expensive than using canned pumpkin. Here is my method of putting pumpkin away for the winter:

buy pie pumpkins (I found some for $1 a piece at both the famers' market as well as a farm where we bought larger pumpkins for decoration). The price was great, I've seen them as high as $3 a piece in grocery stores;
preheat your oven to 350 degrees;
cut a hole in the top of the pumpkin, remove stem, slice in half and remove seeds;
place upside down in pan, fill 1/3 of the way with water;
roast, just as you would an acorn squash, for 1 and 1/2 hours;
let cool;
scope each side into a freezer bag.

Also, to get the most out of your money, you can do the same with decorative pumpkins / jack-o-lanterns. I opt to draw faces on them with marker so that we can enjoy them as Halloween decorations, but not ruin the insides for later use. They are larger, and the taste won't be as intense, but it works just fine in recipes.

Frugal Traveler Visits Madison!

2011-10-26T05:13:00.000-07:00

Last week my husband sent me to on-line poll about which city the New York Times Frugal Traveler should visit. Our home town of Madison, Wisconsin was one of five on the short list. When I voted we were trailing Montreal. But, thanks to social media, word got out, and the Frugal Traveler was here over the weekend. Check out is blog and the New York Time web site for specifics on how to enjoy Madison without breaking the bank!

As I write this post, his article is not yet available. However, as Madison native I'll offer a few free or inexpensive ways to enjoy this lovely city:

Henry Vilas Zoo -- one of a handful of free zoos in the country, it is a delight no mater what the season;
Holy Wisdom Seminary -- great for possible lodging or just a day-hike....the view of the Madison sky line is breathtaking at sunset;
Farmers' Markets -- inexpensive, quality, fresh food. Great way to grab a fast snack, wander around town (they are held in various locations), and enjoy the mid-morning;
Tour the First Unitarian Society of Madison - the historic meeting house was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright (a former member) and the new addition it a marvel in green building; and
Enjoy a fantastic pizza at Paisan's downtown. The location has changed several times over the past 40 years or so, but the delicious pizza always pleases.

How about you dear reader, what frugal Madison offering did I miss?

Frugal Halloween Treats

2011-10-25T05:23:00.000-07:00

Halloween is just around the corner, and stores are bursting with colorful packages of candies. Individual portions, bulging bags, and prices that cause a frugal shopper to ask "really?". This frugal shopper took an alternative route this year. Half inspired by a desire not to spend a fortune to fill a candy bowl for kids that may or may not show up, and half imposed by our recent decision to limit our 3 year old's consumption of sugar.

So, this year, I filled our candy bowl for just under $12. How? I bought 6 packs of 8-boxes of individual raisin containers. I added with 1.5 pounds of bulk caramel candies from our warehouse grocery (Woodmans). At $1.99 pound it was a steal. In the past I've always bought a few pounds of the bulk candy, far cheaper than the "special" Halloween bags that line the store aisles, but this year I opted for some healthy options. We don't have much use for lots of leftover candies, and avoiding waste is key in a frugal home.

A Frugal Funeral

2011-10-24T05:23:00.000-07:00

Okay, so the day has come when my two blogs converge. One blog is devoted to living a frugal life, the other captures thoughts and ideas related to illness, death and taxes. The later is inspired by my work as an estate planning attorney. Today I give you a frugal estate planning attorney post!

Recently I discovered an interesting book, Final Rights: Reclaiming the American Way of Death by Joshua Slocum and Lisa Carlson. The book begins with a review of consumer issues related to death; from green burials to embalming to casket sales. The second half details laws, regulations, and facts associated with caring for the dead in all 50 states.

Why is this fodder for a frugal blog? First, the book asserts that 90 percent of Americans do not "shop a funeral". They go with the funeral home the family has always used. They don't compare prices. Why? The reason is obvious, they are grieving and decisions need to be made quickly. When my father died it was 11pm on a Friday night, and the hospital gave me 1 hour to decided on a funeral home! The other reason this is worthy of a frugal post is that the typical American plans only two funerals in his/her life. That simply is not enough experience to learn how to be frugal in this area.

Addressing this issues before crisis mode sets in is always wise. I encourage you to read the book and check out the Funeral Consumer's Allicance web site. Educate yourself now, save money, reduce stress on loved ones, and maybe you'll opt for a green burial to save money and go easy on the earth one last time.

Book Review: Childhood Under Siege -- Motivation for Frugal Parenting

2011-10-21T05:23:00.000-07:00

If you are a parent of young children with frugal parenting aspirations, I highly recommend you read the book Childhood Under Siege by Joel Bakan if you need some motivation. Frugal parenting goes against the tide of modern culture. Saying "less is more" takes energy and effort. I write from personal experience. Since my first child arrived just over 3 years ago we have had a constant battle with family, friends, and society overall in order to parent frugally. We've held our own, and now I have more ammunition in defending our stance thanks to Bakan's book.

What does frugal parenting involve? In my mind it is the same as simplicity parenting. A focus on a few quality toys, minimize or avoid TV and other media, serve healthy unprocessed food, and stay clear of corporate marketing bonanzas.

Even if you don't have young children, Bakan's book will fire you up to live a life questioning marketing. Why? It is full of stories detailing how corporations manipulate marketing to sell items to children. Please note that I do not hate Wall Street. I have investments. My kid's college funds are invested on Wall Street. I like shopping at Target. What I don't like are the allegations made in this book about expanding pharmaceuticals to children with little to no testing. How fast food has taken over the lunch room at the school. Or how video games and social media are designed to foster addiction in children, and they just have to check the site. Parents, or anyone wanting a frugal life, read this book for a dose of motivation. Corporate America has given us many great things, but sometimes too much of a good thing is not that great. Decide for yourself. Think before you consume. It's good for your wallet, your health, the planet, and your kids.

Frugal Entertaining: Block Party

2011-10-20T05:13:00.000-07:00

We live in the Midwest, Madison, Wisconsin to be specific. My in-laws live in Tampa, Florida. To be concise, we live in two different worlds. Over the past year or two, my mother-in-law routinely said how our life resembled the show In the Middle. Since I don't watch TV, I didn't quite understand. We decided to look it up on the internet, and chuckled at the first episode; the Indiana family attends a block party -- how stereotypical. Then earlier this month, we attended a block party.

Feeling every bit the midwesterner, I took note of this frugal entertaining style. The host paid $50 for a permit and picked up the road barriers. She had needed 80% of her block neighbors to agree, and they signed the permission page. Everyone brought a dish to pass. She put out tables with kid activities (decorate your bike, play-doh, a homemade pinata). There was a grill, and good conversation. Simple and fun.

My two children at play

My contribution to the food table. Noodles, cherry tomatoes, cilantro, and olive oil.

As we walked home we commented on how living a frugal life is easier in the Midwest. Unlike the coasts or Florida, we are relatively free of the pressure to "have simply the best" of everything. We have block parties instead of pool parties at the club. I'm certain people live frugally in more cosmopolitan areas, but I think it is a bit easier when you are surrounded by like-minded people.

Are you a reader living, or who has lived, in a big city? Are you able to be frugal? During my 3 years in Washington, D.C. my frugal ways evaporated. It only returned after I had moved back to Madison for law school, graduated with even more debt, and had an intense desire to pay it off. What about you?

Frugal Thoughts for the "Furnace Season"

2011-10-19T05:23:00.000-07:00

The day has arrived....we finally turned on the furnace. Here are a few thoughts on how to keep your energy bill low during the winter months:

before entering the winter season have your furnace inspected and "tuned up" -- it will run more efficiently;
dress as though it were winter. In our home people where sweaters, slippers, and layers. This allows us to keep the thermostat lower than the average Wisconsin home;
aim for lower on the thermostat -- we are between 61 and 63 degrees. Where ever you are, try lowering it a degree or two;
program the thermostat to dip lower if you are out of the house or it is bedtime. There is no reason to heat a empty home;
make sure window are shut well; and
use draft dodgers for outside doors.

Welcome to late fall in Wisconsin. We have days in the 50s or 60s, but the temperature has start to fall close to or below freezing. It is furnace time.

Freezing The Fall Harvest

2011-10-18T05:23:00.000-07:00

As a little girl I read all of the Laura Ingles Wilder books and just adored them. There was something so appealing about their simple life. I still have those feelings today, especially during the fall harvest. Two hundred years ago I would be a women busily gathering food from the dwindling garden. The children would be at my heels while I canned and dried the bounty. We'd tuck it away and pull it out when the snow fell. Saving just a bit of summer and fall in a jar!

But, it is 2011. I balance my days between raising two children that are 23 months apart (currently 3 and 1) and running a legal practice. My attempts to preserve for Winter are selective. I'm glad I'm not alone, a fellow blogger here in the Midwest writes about the same decision; for her, applesauce comes from the store.

The options can be overwhelming, and since many things can easily be found in a grocery aisle, I am selective in what I put away. I should clarify "put away". For me, it means to freeze. Not can, not dry, not pickle. I need to be able to freeze it easily and toss it in the chest freezer in the garage. Now that we are in Fall I've limited my efforts to 1) apples, 2) pie pumpkins, and 3) cranberries.

If time is short, I focus just on pie pumpkins. My goal is to purchase 6 of them, which will give me 12 portions for the freezer. From those will come pumpkin bread and pumpkin muffins. Watch for recipes in the months ahead.

Famers' Markets offer inexpensive, local produce that does wonder for your health (or so I hope), your wallet, and the earth. You don't have to be Ma from Little House to preserve just a bit of this goodness for the winter. You just need some freezer bags, google search, and a freezer.

Weather Proofing For the Frugal

2011-10-17T05:23:00.000-07:00

We are coming up on the one year anniversary of being in our home. Translated that means we have 98 percent of the boxes unpacked, major repairs completed, and a "to-do" list that has been misplaced. One of the remaining items on the list was "replace basement door". We have a walk out basement, and the door appears to be original. Dating back nearly 50 years it is cute, but inefficient. It is also no longer standard size. We've been told it will cost between $500 and $1,000 to replace. But, it sill works, so it hasn't been a priority. However, with winter fast approaching my mind goes to the gaps the door allows. I want my house warm, not the backyard. I'd also like to fully research options for replacing the door and don't want to be rushed. So, what to do in the meantime?

Last weekend I stopped at our neighborhood hardware store, Ace at Hilldale. Rewards coupon of $5 in hand I went to the register and inquired about weather stripping. "Aisle 27, we'll have someone meet you" was their reply. Within a minute I was standing in front of quite the variety of weatherproofing supplies. I located some foam stripping with adhesive on the back and the packaged claimed it would cover one standard door. Price, $5.49. Since my door is smaller than the current standard door, I felt confident one pack would do the job. At the register I presented my rewards card, the package, and my coupon. The total out of pocket came to $0.52! I was done in under 5 minutes, and this was in the middle of a Sunday afternoon (with no Packers playing at the moment).

We are a frugal family, but that does not mean we shop at the big box retailers on the edge of town. We tried it when we first bought this house but found them impractical. It was hard to find anyone to help. It required a drive there and back, double it if you have a return. And the savings were never that great, especially on single items.

I'm hoping that my $0.52 weather stripping will save us some dollars on heating costs. And next Spring I'll be pricing a new, energy efficient door! Now I just need to put the weather stripping on the door....where is that "to do" list?

Frugal Toddler Halloween Costumes

2011-10-14T05:23:00.000-07:00

Last week I was reading a new favorite blog, Pigtail Pals, and the post posed the question of when did Halloween become about "sexy" outfits for young girls? It made me ask, when did Halloween become about spending $30 for an outfit likely to be worn once? Where is the creativity? Growing up we made outfits out of items we had around the house and supplemented with small trinkets bought at the store (I remember a hula girl outfit and a college graduate that were easy, fun, and inexpensive). This frugal mom is pulling on from her 1970s roots for costume ideas for toddlers. Here is a run down of what we've done or are doing:

Police officer accessory kit, $3.99 at Savers. Perfect for indoor and outdoor events. Hat, vest, and badge will make great dress up items for the year ahead [2011, 3 year old son];
The little devil, $0.99, red devil horns headband, new at Goodwill. Paired with black and red pants and turtle neck, it is perfect for our 14 month old daughter. And it is the only thing I can keep our her head. [2011, 14 month old daughter];
Bumble bee outfit, sirca 1970, found at Goodwill for $4.99 [2010, 2 year old son];
Cave man -- used leopard print pants, sash of leopard material, black turtle neck, and plastic bone found at Halloween supply store, cost $5 [2009 used for 15 month old son]; and
Pumpkin PJs, $1, church garage sale [2010 and 2008, used for both children who were about 6 months old].

Other inexpensive ideas we may pull from the in the future: static cling (where all black and safety pin on socks, fabric softener, etc.); chef using hat and apron from toy kitchen set; fortune teller using crochet hat with massive feather (actual gift that we'll never use) with a silk scarf around the neck and a pin that says "Fortunes, $1". I really like this last one for our daughter this year, but she cannot stand the hat and adores the devil horns.

There you have it, a bit of creativity, a few dollars, and you've got Halloween. Why spend $29.99 at a box store when you can get something unique for less. Easier on the wallet, easier on the planet, and a great way to show kids creativity.

Please share other homemade ideas for toddlers by posting a comment!

To Be Frugal Is To Calculate

2011-10-13T05:00:00.000-07:00

Eggs -- they always seem to be on my mind. I'm either cooking them for breakfast (we eat them scrambled, in sandwiches or mixed into buckwheat pancakes), putting them on my shopping list, or seeking out the best price. We've settled into a brand we like; Phil's Fresh Eggs. They treat their hens humanly and use quality feed. No they are not organic and they are not "local", but they are $2.19 a dozen at Woodmans. When you go through 4 to 5 dozen eggs a week, buying organic from a local farmer add ups quickly.

However, price is not the only important thing when buying eggs. Counting the number of usable eggs is key. Sadly, it seems that every carton of eggs purchased at Woodmans has at least one egg that is cracked on the bottom and sticks in the carton. Last week one carton had 4 such eggs. Hmmm, is this really a bargain on this brand?

The next best price is Sentry, which charges $2.79 per carton. Thanks to the human calculator I married, we quickly determined (while sitting outside in our yard) that if 3 or more eggs were broken, then Sentry was the best buy (see math below). Factor in the drive to Woodmans and time spent in this mega warehouse store, and it became clear that paying a bit more was worth it. So, tonight after meeting clients (I'm an estate planning attorney when I'm not blogging or parenting) I'm going to walk to Sentry, located next to my office, and pick up some eggs for the rest of the week.

To be frugal is to always wonder -- is this the best price?

[Math used: 2.19 / 12 = .18 cents per egg; 2.79-2.19 = .60 cents / .60/.18 = 3.3 eggs]

Morgan's Shoes - The Love Affair is Over

2011-10-12T05:23:00.000-07:00

For regular readers of my blog, you may remember my endorsement of a local shoe store here in Madison. One that charges a hefty some for shoes, but I claimed was worth it because 1) the shoes are designed to last years, and 2) the customer service was excellent. There is a saying out there that goes something like -- it takes years to build a good relationship, but only minutes to ruin one. That holds true in this case. My love affair with Morgan's Shoes is now over.

About two weeks ago I noticed some pain in the back part of my foot -- tender, almost bruised like. I realized I had just started wearing a pair of "house slippers" I'd bought last year following some serious foot issues resulting from my second pregnancy. Not only had my feet grown a 1/2 size, but had something close to a stress fracture. Morgan's Shoes at Hilldale helped me find 3 different shoes -- one for work, one for inside, and a pair of hiking / winter boots. I spent an average of $100 per pair. And this was from someone who had previously purchased shoes at second hand stores. Why did I do it? I wanted me feet to feel better, and I didn't mind investing in footwear that would last years. The cost per daily use would be low, or so I thought.

I called the store about my pain, and they told me to bring the shoes in for a look. I imagined them measuring my foot to see if it had grown/shrunk or recommending the shoe have a new insert or repair. Instead I was met by a fast talking salesmen who declared the problem was my big toe wearing down shoes, and pointing out the shoes I had bought were only designed to last 1year. Then he offered to knock a bit off a new pair.

What? Last 1 year? Now I know I had just had a second baby and may have been sleep deprived when I made may initial purchases, but earlier this summer I had bought a pair of sandals there, and they had told me the same thing "you'll get years of wear out of these". Wrong. The man in front of me was saying they too had been worn out, and were not intended to last more than 1 summer.

Who to believe -- the earlier sales people or this one telling me I needed new shoes? Does it really matter? Two of the pairs of shoes I'd bought there had worn out in less than 12 months of wear - -worn to the point they were causing pain. A third pair, which they claim will fix the problem with my big toe, leave me so unsteady that I fell after loosing my balance when stepping on a twig in the church parking lot....while wearing my 1 year old daughter in a front carrier. They are not my "go to" shoe for this reason.

It amazes me that this message could have been delivered with greater care. The salesman launched into technical foot speak, blamed me, and pushed for another sale. That is a formula for loosing not only a sale, but a repeat customer. Fast paced technical talk is fine between estate planning attorneys discussing "Give Me 5 Trusts" or electrical engineers discussing circuit board design. It is not okay for a salesperson talking to a customer. If someone does this to you, leave and go find someone who is more interested in doing a good job than closing a sale. You'll end up with a better product in the end.

So, I find my frugal self asking -- what are good shoes to buy? I want something that will last years or at least a few seasons? I doubt I'll return to my second hand purchases, but I may if they are relatively new. Will I try another high-end store? I doubt it. Something in the middle will probably be the result. And some research on the web for products that hold up well. I welcome any suggestions you may have.

Curb Find -- Perennials!

2011-10-11T04:57:00.000-07:00

Thank you to the kind person in my neighborhood who left 5 perennials at the curb, marked FREE. Not only did he or she offer these lovely plants at no charge, they were potted and came with hand written instructions. Sadly, the rain fell before I found them. So, I planted them in an area of the yard that needs color and gets moderate light. I hope it is a good fit.

For the past week weeks I had been thinking, that spot needs some color. Previous owners had torn up the grass and done landscaping. But weeds moved in, and it was a see of green. I spent 30 minutes pulling this and that, and another 30 minutes adding these plants. I'm always amazed at how upon realizing a need or want, if I wait patiently, an amazing frugal find comes my way.

Thank you dear neighbor. I promise to pay forward the kind act!

Book Review: Suddenly Frugal

2011-10-10T05:23:00.000-07:00

I was amazed at how many frugal tips I picked up while reading Suddenly Frugal: How to live a happier & healthier life for less by Leah Ingram. She starts out with a confession, frugality was forced upon her and her family after they "got in over our heads with debt and then bought more house than we could afford." The Ingrams are not alone. If you are looking to cut expenses in your life, pick up this book! Fourteen different chapters offer endless ways to cut costs, reduce waste, and improve your life. She covers lifestyle changes, transportation, heating and cooling, gardening, holidays, vacations, and more. And the writing style is crisp and easy to read.

One area I thought she could be more frugal in was clothing, specifically embracing second hand shops more. She recounts purchasing a $200 down coat, knowing it was well-made at that L.L.Bean would stand behind the purchase. As I read, I noted that she doesn't have amazing finds on the racks at St. Vincent de Paul, Goodwill or Savers. I do, endless finds that put high end brands in my closet (Banana Republic suit, Anne Taylor skirts, Clark Shoes, and more).

Don't let this one comment deter you, her book is full of tips. You'll see reference to them in future posts on this web site.

Eat Organic Without Breaking the Bank

2011-10-07T05:23:00.000-07:00

Reading my local paper last week I came across a story called "Organic for All" on how to eat organic food without breaking the bank. Full of useful information, included was a blurb about a class offered at the Willy Street Co-op; how to use their bulk aisle, eat well, and not spend a fortune. "No Secret to Savings" is offered at both the west and east side locations. Free to owners or $5 to non-owners, participants are lead down the bulk-food aisle where they receive introductions to new foods and tips on simply cooking strategies. I found one class, coming up on Monday, October 24th. I just may have to attend.

Why the interest in eating bulk organic? I keep reading this "frugal" stories about homemakers who clip coupons, shop the "sales" and spend $100 on their grocery bill. I wonder --what are they eating? Mac and cheese, from a box? What are the long-term health effects? This month I want to see how little I can spend, but buy eating simple, vegetable and grain based meals. In the article I mention above there is a quote from a women named Jill Richardson who does just this, and she paraphrases her style as "cheap, fast, and lazy". Can I replicate her style? Time will tell.

Want a FREE Bottle of Red Wine?

2011-10-06T06:36:00.000-07:00

Dear Readers,

Once again I am participating in the American Heart Walk to raise funds for education and research. My original goal of $380 ($10 for each year of age I am on walk day) has been met! I want to see how much I can raise, and am now offering a FREE bottle of red wine. I will draw one name from the list of all my supporters walk day. Want to try to win? You can sponsor me on-line (requires a minimum of $25) or post a comment and I'll get you information on where to send a check. Deadline is 7am this Saturday, October 8th.

Help me raise funds. If not for the advances in cardiac care, my mother never would have lived to meet her grandchildren. And that is why I walk, and why this is the only cause I solicit for.

Thanks!

Fall and Slow Cooking

2011-10-06T05:23:00.000-07:00

We are well into fall weather, which is the perfect time to pull out your slow cooker! And if "frugal" is the season at your home, a slow cooker should not be overlooked. According to Leah Ingram in her book Suddenly Frugal, a slow cooker uses 75 watts of electricity on low or 150 watts of electricity on high to cook a meal. This fact alone should encourage your to use your slow cooker all year, especially in the hot summer months when you do not want to heat up your kitchen with the stove/oven.

But what do make in the slow cooker? Have you exhausted your recipes? I have, so I've turned to a great blog about a women who made 365 slow cooker meals. Stephanie O'dea claims to have an unnatural obsession with her slow cooker. I like that! I plan to try a recipe I found on her blog -- cauliflower curry and honey soup. Sounds perfect for the cauliflower that is still at the farmers' market stands.

Book Review: Nifty Thrifty Music Crafts

2011-10-05T05:23:00.000-07:00

Found on the library shelves, my kids and I have delighted in this gem of a book. Nifty Thrifty Music Crafts by Felicia Lowenstein Niven. It begins with a concise overview of music, breaking instruments into three groups: percussion, string, and wind. What follows are twenty plus pages of simple music crafts that come to life from basic household products. There are:

baby food jars transformed into a xylophone;
jar tops become finger cymbals;
a pie tin as a tambourine;
a rainstick evolves from a paper towel roll; and
empty frozen juice containers are filled to become maracas.

Easy, inexpensive, "green", and musical. The perfect combination for little kids. I highly recommend taking a closer look at this book!

TLC for the Furnace

2011-10-04T04:50:00.000-07:00

It's October in Wisconsin. That means we'll get a few days of lovely days, highs in or near the 70s. At night, the temperatures begin to creep south, just like the birds. Soon it will be November. Gray skies, harsh winds, flurries....and that means we'll need the furnace. But, before winter arrives on our door step we are taking steps to make sure the furnace will be up for another Wisconsin winter.

I highly recommend you give your furnace some TLC once a year. We did this week, using a half-off coupon from the Bucky Book. Our hope is to make sure the furnace is running and working well, making it more efficient, and less costly. Also, we know that it is at the end of its life span (we bought the house last November) and want some idea on when we might need to go shopping for a new one. Advance notice is always a good idea.

So, tend to your furnace before the snow flies. It will be more efficient, more reliable, and save resources in the long run. Don't forget to track down coupons for this service, you'll find them in fliers this time of year!

Old-Fashioned Yankee Thrift

2011-10-03T05:13:00.000-07:00

Last week I came across an on-line Time article proclaiming that "old-fashioned Yankee thrift" or frugality has become the new norm. On a scale of 1 - 10, with 1 being not frugal, the average American now puts themselves at 7.3 on the frugality spectrum. The article mentions all sorts of ways we are more frugal these days: cutting coupons, home haircuts, etc. One jumped off the page at me:

Consumers have also been spending more on auto repairs in order to keep older vehicles on the road longer, rather than dropping more money to buy new cars.

And I have first hand knowledge that this is true. My brother owns an auto repair shop in Dane, Wisconsin. His focus is on structural repairs as opposed to mechanical. We spoke last weekend, and he said business has shot up....a big change. I've also hear that buying a used car is much harder these days because there is so much demand for them.

I am surprised that the author thinks this frugal trend is the new norm. A change in our Nation's spending habits will be tested only when the economy takes off once again. Will we be frugal in boom years? The fact that credit care spending has crept up (according to the article) eats away at how drastic a change Americans may have undergone.

How about you? When the Dow breaks new highs and unemployment drops, as it eventually will, will you still be frugal? I will. I've been frugal too long to let it go, it is simply part of who I am.

Frugal Nanny Search -- It's A Small World After All

2011-09-30T05:13:00.000-07:00

Sadly, our current nanny has decided to move on and do some extended travel. We simply love having a child care provider come to our home, and want another nanny. Last time we ended up using a nanny placement agency. We were happy with the service, but the fee was $2,000 and even with a discount it would be $750 to use it again. And that was just a finders fee. So, we've decided to have that be our back-up option and give it a try ourselves. Our current nanny has given us plenty of notice, so unlike before, we have time to find a good fit. Here is our approach to finding a nanny without the step finders fee:

emailed job description to family, friends, and colleagues to see if they know of a good fit;
posted the job description on the local university's job board (UW Job Board); and
posted the job description on www.care.com.

Other options include Craigs List and www.sittercity.com. We held off on those, and may not need them on this search.

The third option is amazing. $35 for 1 month of use gives me the ability to post our ad, search profiles already listed, view resumes, and even conduct a background check. Today we interviewed a candidate and believe we have a good match.

If you have children, pets, disabled family members, or elders in your life that need assistance, I'd encourage you to use www.care.com. It maximizes the great aspects of the internet and reduces the stress in a stressful part of life. And it underscores how small the world can be. When I opened the door to greet the applicant, I discovered that we'd met earlier in the year at a park. I was there with my children, and she was there with the kids she had been caring for - It's A Small World After All!

Crock Pot Apple Sauce

2011-09-29T05:13:00.000-07:00

It's fall, and that means it is apple season in the Midwest. This past weekend I made a crock pot apple sauce to have at our Fall Party. It was a hit with kids and adults, and was incredibly easy. If you are looking for an aromatic, healthy, and inexpensive treat -- give it a try:

9-12 apples (I used Macintosh) peeled, sliced away from the core, and chopped;
pile in crock pot;
add cinnamon and a hint of nutmeg;
pour in 1 cup of water; and
simmer on high for 3-4 hours.

The cores and peels were added to the compost bin, maximizing every cent of this purchase.

Frugal Flu Shot

2011-09-28T05:00:00.000-07:00

It 's that time of year -- leaves are turning colors, the wind is whipping up, and everywhere you turn you're being told to get a flu shot. This year I will be getting my flu shot at the Target Pharmacy. The cost at Target $24.99 (sadly my 5% discount with the Target debit card does not apply since it is considered a prescription). However, I can pay with my HSA card, using tax free dollars. And, thanks to a coupon that came with a prior purchase, I'll receive a $5 Target Gift Card. I've priced the amount, and determined it was the lowest around. And far less expensive than a doctor's visit. Now, just keep your fingers crossed that this years shot covers all the pesky bugs that will float into the area later in the year.

Note, I was told by the Target Pharmacist that you must be 6 and older to use their service. That means the kids will be going to their pediatrician. The cost will be $103 for the mist, requested by my 3 year old, and $84 for my 1 year old daughters shot. We checked with Anthem, our health insurance provider, and were told that preventive medicine is now covered 100% by the insurance, a requirement under the new federal health care law. Since we have a high deductible plan, we are happy to hear we don't have to foot the bill....but will watch the doctor's invoice carefully to make sure it was not charge to us.

Don't Be Afraid to Haggle

2011-09-27T05:13:00.000-07:00

Everyone knows that when you travel to certain parts to certain parts of the world, haggling is normal, expected in fact. Yet, here at home in the US, haggling is not always encouraged. Today I encourage you to haggle. And it doesn't need to be confined to an open air market. Haggle, you'll actually have a conversation with someone, and you just might save some money.

Last week I received the annual premium for my legal malpractice insurance. Upon opening the bill the first word that popped into my mind was WHAT? Then I wondered why it seemed to have gone up so much. I called my carrier, located here in Madison, and spoke with a very helpful agent. We determined that 1) the hours I work were incorrectly entered, and 2) there has been a 5% coverage for estate planners this past year (apparently claims are on the rise). We talked about a few tweaks that could be made, and I shaved 40% off the bill I had opened.

Haggle -- to question, to explore, to ask for a lower price. Try it an you may be surprised. Not sure how to fit it into your life, consider:

asking the grocer to cut the price of milk that is near expiration (my husband did this routinely in college). If you know you'll drink it fast, it is worth it to ask;
at restaurants ask for flexibility on coupons...do we really need to buy one get one free for a soda and sandwich, what about just for a sandwich;
when buying anything second hand at a garage sale or off of Craigs List -- people clearly don't want it anymore, see if they'll take less, be prepared to walk; and
at medical offices -- ask if they'll take a discount if you pay with cash the day of service. They may be happy to save on processing fees. This works especially well if you have a high deductible plan with an HSA.

Guest Post: In Defense of the Adjustable Rate Mortgage

2011-09-26T05:00:00.000-07:00

Guest Post: Today I bring you a guest post, written by my husband as a birthday gift. He opted to give me the gift of time as I celebrated my birthday over the weekend. Instead of working on a post, I planted Spring bulbs. A truly lovely gift.

This is one of the best times to use a fixed-rate loan, but that doesn’t mean fixed-rate is the best choice for everyone.

In the wake of the collapse of the housing bubble, adjustable rate mortgages (ARMs) got a bad name. The Option ARM loan, which gave borrowers the option of paying more or less than the amount of interest accrued played a big role in the housing bubble. Each month the borrowers chose to pay less than the accrued interest, their balance would increase. When their balance hit some preset cap, they would be required to start paying at least the interest owed. In effect their minimum payment would jump. The fact that these loans had adjustable rates contributed to their volatility, but the primary problem was each month borrowers took the “option” of the minimum payment, they went deeper in to debt.

This is completely different from a standard ARM loan. The ARM amortizes (pays off) just like a fixed loan. An ARM’s rate is fixed during an initial fixed-rate period. After that it adjusts yearly based on some index rate. Usually there is a limit on how much the rate can change each year and on how I the rate can adjust.

Fixed rate loans have higher interest rates than ARMs. The longer the period of time the loan is fixed, the higher the rate. When you take out a fixed-rate loan, you’re are in effect paying insurance against rising rates. Each month you pay a little more. If in several year’s time rates go up significantly and you still have the loan, the insurance pays off. In any of the following scenarios, however, the fixed-rate loan does not pay off:

You pay off most of the loan during the initial fixed-rate period.
You sell the house during or shortly after the initial fixed-rate period.
Short-term interest rates are low after the initial fixed-rate period.

How to select the right type of ARM:

Select the fixed-rate period close to the amount of time before you plan to move or pay off all of the loan.
Find the highest payment possible in the worst-case scenario. The worst-case is that you make no extra payments to principal during the fixed-rate period and rates go up to the cap.
Pay a little extra on principal during the fixed-rate period. When the loan adjusts, they calculate the payment based on your balance at the time of adjustment and the new rate. A lower balance means a lower payment.
If you cannot easily afford the payment on a 30-year fixed loan, be very cautious about getting an ARM (or any type of loan). The ARM has lower payments, but it’s not a good way for someone who can barely afford a loan to save money.

Reasons not to Use an ARM

Interest rates are at historic lows. If rates rise significantly, it’s possible that people who take out a 4% 30-year fixed-rate loan today will be able to invest their money risk-free at 8% in the future. It is possible that inflation will rise above 4%, making the effective cost of a fixed-rate loan less than 0%. This situation last occurred the 70s when inflation and rates skyrocketed. The US Federal Reserve is currently taking steps to suppress long-term rates, reducing the cost of fixed-rate loans. Some critics fear this will lead to inflation similar to the conditions of the late 70s. This makes now one of the best times to use a fixed-rate mortgage if you plan to keep the loan for a long time.

If you chose to pay the higher rates associated with a fixed loan, make sure you are doing it for an intelligent reason not out of fear.

Charles J Gervasi is an electrical engineer who tries to be a frugal husband.

Haggle With A Coupon

2011-09-23T05:13:00.000-07:00

Have you ever tossed a coupon aside saying "this is expired"....or "this is only good for dinner, not lunch". If you, you may have tossed good money in the trash. I am a huge fan of coupons. So much so that when I was dating my future husband I asked him at one point "how do you feel about coupons?" To my delight he said he loved them, and was equally happy to hear how I insisted on using them. Frugal love!

Not only do we use coupons, we push the limits. On more occasions than I can count I've asked a vendor to make an exception. Usually it is to substitute for another item on a buy-one-get-one-free deal. My husband is a vegetarian, and most of the coupons we find are for meat-based meals. The vendor is usually happy to substitute because veggie options are less expensive. We've also had luck with restaurants taking a coupon at lunch even though it says "for dinner" only.

A key to making this work, ask BEFORE you settle in. In this economy a potential customer is a customer the manage wants to please. They want you to take a seat, and a usually happy to be flexible with a coupon. But, be prepared to walk.

Any great coupon stories out there that you want to share?

Frugal Entertaining

2011-09-22T05:13:00.000-07:00

Having a party does not need to put a dent in your household budget. Here are 5 tips that we used to have a low cost Fall Get Together with friends.

Provide beverages and dessert. You can purchase water, soda, beer, etc. when it is on special and save it for the party. If there are unused containers, put them aside until you have another event. Use seasonal foods for your desserts. Our menu includes crock-pot applesauce, caramel apples, vanilla ice cream with nuts and caramel sauce, and a baked apple cake. Oh, and smores on the grill. All relatively inexpensive items, but very tasty.
Purchase second had mugs and cups instead of disposable ones. I went to Goodwill and picked out a dozen eclectic coffee mugs. This should cut down on people not knowing which drink is theirs, and will minimize the amount of trash we'll toss in a landfill.
Purchase cloth napkins, again from a second hand store. You can wash the and store them between events.
Use sturdy plastic utensils and plates. Have a bin to collect dirty ones, wash, store, and use again at the next event.
Ask guests to bring food to share. You'll be amazed at the variety of foods that will appear.

Have another tip? Please share by posting a comment.

Dryer Sheets in the Kitchen

2011-09-21T05:13:00.000-07:00

Recently I made a delicious vegetable frittata; the only problem was the mess it made of my stainless steel pain. Egg under a broiler can create a near-to-impossible pan to clean. But, thanks to a wonderful book I keep with my cookbooks, it is clean as a whistle (The Queen of Clean). Drop in a used dryer sheet from your laundry, let it soak a few hours, then wipe the pan clean. It is a great way to save your cookware and get the most out of a dryer sheet before dropping it in the trash.

Are you a Moonpreneur?

2011-09-20T05:23:00.000-07:00

Moonpreneur -- now that is a new word for me. But, apparently I was one once. About six years ago I was working full-time as a analyst for a non-partisan legislative agency. The career I thought I would have in government did not materialize. On paper the job sounded great, but in reality it took every ounce of energy to get through another day "in the cube farm".

A desire to return to a traditional legal track emerged, but saddled with $97,000 in student debt, I was cautious. Once I had a practice area in mind (estate planning and probate) I did some research, bought some materials, found a mentor. Then I spent my nights and weekends laying the foundation of my current legal practice. I was a moonpreneur, a word I found in this wonderful article.

If you are thinking about supplementing your income or paving a new career path, the article offers great advice. One of which is frugality. Be frugal, both with your time and money. That frugality will help you set sail on new adventures.

Where to find the time? Start with the fact the average American watches 30 hours of television a week. Turn off the tube, and you'll find lots of time on your hands. Reading this article I realized, I haven't watched television (with the exception of the occasional Presidential address or Green Bay Packers game) since 2006...the same year I started my legal practice. Saving time is just as important as saving money as long as you use that time wisely.

Back of the Envelope Calculation: Is It Worth It?

2011-09-19T05:23:00.001-07:00

I am probably the only person in the Greater Madison area who purposefully drove to the east side of town to "experience" the construction on Willy Street. Ah, the things a mother will do to please her 3 year old son who is obsessed with construction. While taking in the cement mixer pouring a new sidewalk, we found ourselves in front of the Willy Street Co-op. Having two little ones (ages 3 and 1) it is almost always "snack time". On that day I decided to check out the co-op; they've opened a west side location not too far from our home. My main objective was to note their price on milk and eggs. The price was a good deal higher than either Woodmans or Target. We did pick up an apple and some amazing bulk "energy chunks" for a snack.

At the checkout we were asked for our member number. "We don't have one" I responded. The clerk asked if we belonged to any other food cooperative in town. "No" I replied. To which he asked, "would you like to join, it is $10/year for an individual, otherwise there will be a 5% surcharge on your purchase". I paused. $10 -- that isn't much money, but how often will I actually shop here? I told him I'd pass for today and keep it in mind for next time. I paid my $4.87 and we enjoyed our snack on their outdoor terrace.

Later that evening I recounted the event to my husband. He muttered to himself a bit, as most engineers are inclined to do when calculating something in their head. A moment latter he said, "you'd have to spend $200 a year there to break even". These moments should not stun me as they still do, but I thought, goodness, how I wish I could be a human calculator at times. My gut told me the $10 wasn't worth it, this confirmed it. I doubt I'd spend $200 a year at the co-op. Primarily because they do not have carts set up for two kids in diapers. It's amazing how much of a pull those mega-carts have on a mom with a 3 and 1 year old. If, like me, you are wondering how he reached that number, here is his back of the envelope calculation:

X*0.05 = 10
x=10/0.05
x=200

That translates into dividing $10 by the 5 cent surcharge, which comes out to $200/year. With this number I can make an accurate estimate of how likely I am to benefit from the $10 expense. I'd have to spend $200 in year in order to benefit from the $10 membership. This tool can be applied over and over again as you make educated purchases!