Discerning Luxury from Necessity

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 [...]

The Benefits of Deprivation: 10 Days Without Air Conditioning and Counting! Plus Tips for Staying Cool

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 [...]

Monopoly Game Expansion #5: Income Tax Edition

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 [...]

Financial Lent: A Frugal Fast to See What You Can Live Without

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.

Frugal Christmas: Skipping the Tree and Presents This Year

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, [...]

How I Got a Free Subscription to the Wall Street Journal

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 [...]

Monopoly Game Expansion #2: Personal Checking Account

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 [...]



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