the tools you need to be set free
Last year I had the opportunity to travel to the UK for work. I made a couple of different trips, and for the first month my work put me up in a flat and paid for every meal. It was a great opportunity to learn what my habits would be like if money was less […]
I was bent over my desk, studying, when I heard a muffled laugh from my roommate. The shifting glow of her screen lit up her face when I looked over. It was freshman year and we had just moved in, so our friendship was in the early stages: tentative but pleasant. She told me she […]
The size of the average house in North America has nearly tripled in size from the 1950s to today, growing from 983 square feet to a spacious 2,349 square feet. I am in my early twenties with no future family on the near horizon. I currently rent a 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom apartment in Portland, […]
Nobody wants to be called cheap. We dread being labeled a scrooge, likened to a mean, greedy recluse who would do anything to avoid parting from a penny. We want to be known for our generosity while still saving enough for ourselves. Those who decide to be money-wise are often nervous of being accused of […]
Was it just me or did October disappear in the blink of an eye? We filled our October weeks with lots of walks to appreciate the autumn colors, but besides those, we have been full-on charging ahead with daily life. Mr. Mechanic has started interviewing for residency at hospitals across the nation and I have […]
Humans are funny creatures. We spend weeks getting hyped about something and lose sleep wondering when the delivery will arrive. Yet although we jump around in excitement when the package comes, we are prone to forget about it just a few weeks later. The days following the holidays don’t have the same nostalgic twinge as the […]
We all have those things that make us wonder, “Why did I buy that?!” Whether it is an item that underperforms or just never gets used, some purchases are just plain regrettable.
The average American woman spends $44 on a haircut. Add 20% tip, the total rises to $53. If she goes to a salon the recommended 4-8 times a year, she pays $212-$424 per year on haircuts. The average American man will spend $28 on a haircut. Add 20% tip, he will pay $34 every visit. […]
A year ago, I was working a tough project. I would come home exhausted and wonder what’s for dinner. Tired and hungry, we ate a lot of chicken and rice. I talked to my friend about the conundrum and she shared her system. She plans every meal for the upcoming week the Sunday before. She showed me […]
Cheapskate. Miser. Scrooge. These words describe people with an unhealthy relationship with money and often other people. Frugal people often walk this line– how can we be mindful money managers without being misers? The distinction got me thinking about the balancing act between the future and now, saving and spending, and the relationships we have […]