Earn, Save, and Live Joyfully.
An interesting story… an Alabama Sheriff pocketed $212,000 over three years by feeding inmates only $1.75 worth of food each day. An unusual statute dating from the early decades of the 20th century allows the state’s sheriffs to keep for themselves whatever money is left over after they feed their prisoners. The money allotted by … Read more
For the third time this winter I succumbed to an after Christmas sale. The infliction was a small one. I spent $1.29 plus tax on three large rolls of holiday wrapping paper that were selling at 90% off retail price. I gave in to a similar sale in late December. I bought a tree skirt, … Read more
Sometimes I am amazed by just how much I am able to attain for free or nearly free through the use of coupons and weekly grocery store sales. I recently cashed in a wad of Post Points for three $10 gift cards to Shoppers Food Warehouse. (I highly recommend the Post Points program if you … Read more
I returned a couple of Christmas gifts last night, most notably a large Calphalon pan my husband purchased at Macy’s for $127.99. I had every intention of keeping the pan, despite the hefty price. Cookware is one item that I will not skimp on. After all, if you have good pots and pans in the … Read more
This year I’m following JD’s lead and setting New Year’s goals rather than resolutions. Here is my list for 2009: Take time out for the little things in life, like providing extra attention to my 8 1/2 year old cat. Go to sleep at a reasonable hour each night. Focus on my health. In an … Read more
I am an enormous fan of Leo Babauta’s site Zen Habits, which provides unlimited inspiration. While other posts in my RSS reader go unread, I don’t think I’ve missed one of Leo’s posts in months. Zen Habits focuses on a variety of topics including productivity, organization, health, parenting, frugality and motivation, but the most notable … Read more
As I was walking out of Williams-Sonoma this afternoon I stopped to look a display full of cheese graters. An employee, who was stationed by the door, informed me that there were other graters in the back of the store and suggested that I take a look there. I thanked the woman and asked her … Read more
Yesterday we put one of our 8 1/2 year old cats to sleep. My husband adopted the cat and his brother from a shelter when they were just a few months old. We gave both cats love, attention, toys, scratching posts, good food and a warm home, but within a few months one of the … Read more
In a recent episode of the Suze Orman show a caller asked Suze for her definition of living beyond your means. Suze responded with the following, “If you have credit card debt of any kind that you cannot afford to pay in full at the end of the month you are NOT living within your … Read more
I have a few more things to do before the festivities begin tomorrow, but I’m sleepy and heading for bed. Merry Christmas Everyone!!!