I’ve seen several threads on forums where individuals in debt have posted a general plea for help in reducing their debt and most people simply respond by telling them to cut spending. But how to cut spending and decide what to cut and what not to cut? This is where you have to discern luxuries [...]
March 4th, 2010 | Posted in Budgeting, Frugality, Hobbies | 7 Comments
When our A/C went out two Sundays ago, my first reaction was panic. We live in the desert where we have been experiencing triple digit temperatures and we have esteemed air conditioning as one of the dire necessities of life. So when our central air went out last weekend, my first thought was that we [...]
March 15th, 2010 | Posted in Frugality, Heating & Cooling, Home, Home Decor, Repairs, Utilities | 7 Comments
Expansion difficulty/complexity level: Medium-Easy
This is a fairly easy Monopoly game expansion to teach youngsters the principles of filing and paying income tax. It includes an income tax form on which players keep track of income and deductions, figure and pay their income tax at the end of each circuit of the board. Players may opt [...]
February 18th, 2010 | Posted in Family, Finance, Games, Hobbies, Income, Monopoly, Taxes | 3 Comments
Hold a “Financial Lent” or fast to see what luxuries you can live without and how much money you can save by cutting back or giving it up altogether.
March 14th, 2009 | Posted in Finance, Money Management, Spending | 5 Comments
Madoline and I have decided that in light of the economy, we’re not going to get a Christmas tree or presents for each other this year. Since being on our own, we have passed many a Christmas without a tree and found that we can enjoy it just as much. Now that we’re grown up, [...]
December 11th, 2008 | Posted in Frugality, Holidays | 2 Comments
Some of you may have noticed references to the Wall Street Journal in a few of my recent posts. This is because I began receiving a print subscription of the Wall Street Journal a few weeks ago – for free. I am a member of the e-Rewards program, which offers rewards currency in exchange for [...]
July 30th, 2008 | Posted in Frugality | 1 Comment
Expansions Difficulty/Complexity: Easy
This is a cash-free version of the game wherein all transactions are handled through personal checking accounts and recorded in individual check registers. Each player is responsible for his own account and must record all transactions – payment and receipt of rent, taxes, bribes, etc. in his check register.
Objective
To teach children (and some [...]
February 6th, 2010 | Posted in Banking, Debt, Family, Finance, Games, Hobbies, Monopoly | 2 Comments