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History often repeats itself. That’s great news for anyone looking for more frugal tips, as there are tons of “vintage” options that are having a renaissance. Here are four examples of tips from days past that can help you save some considerable cash. Growing Your Own Food Even though others might be flocking to Erewhon for a boutique smoothie, many of us are much more interested in something a bit more salt-of-the-earth: growing fruits and veggies ourselves. If you’re new to gardening, start small. Choose a few easy-to-grow plants like herbs (basil, mint), tomatoes, or peppers. Container gardening is an excellent option if you don’t have much space. The reality is that it’s so much easier than you think, which is why it’s having such a resurgence in popularity. If you love the tips in this post, you’ll love my Frugal Living Planner — it’s the perfect next step, and only $10! Get it here! Conserving Water and Energy Conserving water and energy used to be a way of life. But now that rising utility costs and growing environmental concerns are on everyone’s minds, these vintage practices are becoming more common. Simple actions like turning off lights whenever you leave a room or taking shorter showers add up to significant savings over time. Write down ways you can cut back on water or energy usage and consider switching to more energy-efficient bulbs. If you want to take it a step further, unplug your devices when you aren’t using them. We didn’t even have all these energy-hungry appliances in the past, and that makes it even more vital to pay attention to how you’re consuming energy. Paying Yourself First The concept of “paying yourself first” is all about putting money aside for savings before you even think about handling your expenses. People are waking up to it being a legitimate way to build more financial security, especially now when things feel less stable than they used to. You can easily build an emergency fund with this method, which is something every person should have. Start by determining a percentage of your income that you can comfortably set aside each month. Open a separate savings account to make it easier to track your progress. Automate your savings by setting up a direct deposit from your paycheck or scheduling regular transfers from your checking account. It really is that simple, and over time, you’ll find that paying yourself first is one of the best avenues if you care about financial peace of mind. Repurposing Everything Sustainability is more popular than ever, but that’s actually a vintage concept. Reusing and repurposing items used to be a social norm. And now that people are waking up to just how wasteful and expensive always buying new is, it’s slowly making a comeback. Look around your home for items that can be repurposed before you buy something new. Everything can have a second use if you give it a chance. And many other things can have
Goooood morning friends! Got another book to pass around to ya if you’re in the mood for some good financial reading?! 🙂 This one comes from long-time reader, and financial planner, Bill Hines, who’s always kind enough to give us free copies of his books as they come out. This latest one is an update to his original work by the same name, only pumped up a bit more and co-authored by a financial counselor friend of his, Grady Moshay. It’s called “Plan Your Money Path: A Guide to Create Your Own Financial Plan,” and we’ve got 3 copies to give away today! Here are the core concepts of it that AI gave to me which I really liked – straight to the point 😉 ****** Mathematical Confidence: Focuses on replacing vague financial goals with definitive data, giving you actionable paths to fund your future. Practical Tooling: Guides readers in utilizing robust, inexpensive financial software instead of simplistic online “dumbed-down” tools. Real-World Application: Takes you through the exact inputs, assumptions, and steps needed to model a successful financial strategy ****** That “robust, inexpensive financial software” it mentions? Pralana Online. I’ve never heard of it before (have you?) but Bill loves it! I’d be curious to hear your thoughts if you ever check it out… Another financial tool I’ve recently been told about is ProjectionLab. Mad Fientist just did another blog post around it and says it’s the most powerful financial planning tool he’s ever seen! I don’t really use any software these days personally, but I’ll admit I am tempted! At any rate, if you’re interested in a free copy of this book, tell us what *stage* of your finances you’re currently in and you’ll be entered to win 🙂 Are you in the beginning, data-collecting portion? The middle, cranking away – head down – and just getting the job done state? Or perhaps your towards the end of your accruing journey and now just dotting all your i’s and crossing all your t’s? Or maybe this is the first time you’ve ever landed on a money blog before and you’ve got no idea what the hell is going on??! Haha… I remember that part well… It was scary for a little bit, and then all of a sudden super exciting once things started clicking!! Which it eventually does, so you’ll be great! In either case, drop your answers in the comments below, or via email if you’re reading this in our newsletter, and you’ll be entered to win. We’ll randomly pick the winners at the end of the weekend – good luck! And big thanks to Bill for always keeping us in mind and sharing the wealth. I hope the new edition flies off the shelves, buddy!! Your friend, whose currently in his sabbatical phase of the journey, (I’m close enough to the end where I don’t have to worry about money as much, but too tired/lazy/unconcerned enough to wrap it all up, lol… The “details” part
A lush backyard scene showing layered shade from trees, shrubs, and climbing vines, creating a cool and inviting outdoor retreat – Shutterstock Backyards transform fast when the right plants step in and start blocking harsh sunlight. Instead of relying only on umbrellas or bulky patio covers, certain trees, shrubs, and vines build living shade that feels cooler and more natural. These plants don’t just reduce heat—they also add texture, color, and movement that make outdoor […]
It appears to be an overlooked part of retirement planning. While we should always invest within our risk tolerance level we should also match our investment portfolios to the retirement cash flow plan. The plan gives the marching orders for each account. If you create a portfolio to plan mismatch, you could increase the risk of depleting an account too soon. On the other side if you are too conservative where an account has the […]
Recently, we’ve had eight of our grandchildren here at one point or another. Some stayed for a few days, some stayed for a week, and while it certainly made for a busy house, it also reminded me of something important about frugal grandparenting: Creating meaningful summer memories doesn’t have to cost a fortune. With the cost of nearly everything going up these days, it’s easy to feel pressure to spend money on entertainment. Grandparents want […]
On my personal quest to see history and travel as much as I can, I can’t help but be drawn to historic places. Having visited South Louisiana more than 5 times, here’s a list of plantations you can visit so you can immerse yourself in the history (the good and the bad) of the area. It is nice to imagine being a Southern Belle, but also realizing that the wealth of a few was built on the backs of many. Most of these plantations are within the River Parishes except for Houmas House. The River Parishes are located around 40 minutes from the French Quarter and the New Orleans airport (more if there’s traffic). Looking for more Louisiana Travel? Click on the links below: One Day in Lafayette Louisiana (A History Tour) Things to Do in New Orleans with Toddlers or Babies How to Spend a Weekend in New Orleans (Itinerary) Complete Guide to New Orleans City Park Things to do in Kenner LA: Rivertown Plantations near New Orleans or Baton Rouge LA Oak Alley Plantation, Louisiana Oak Alley Plantation: The Best Plantation in Louisiana Address: 3645 LA-18, Vacherie, LA 70090 Entrance Fee: $30++ per person The most visited plantation in South Louisiana, Oak Alley Plantation, is known for its Alley of Oaks, which frames the big house in such a photographic way. If you imagine what plantation houses may be, it’s easy to think of Oak Alley. If you’re a millennial like me, you would remember this house was used as a filming spot for the movie “Interview with the Vampire” starring Brad Pitt and Tom Cruise, not the TV series. Ever since I saw that movie, I knew I had to visit the plantation, and I finally had my chance. Even better, I got to stay in one of the historic cabins and got the iconic shot of Oak Alley without the crowds of people. And yes, anyone who can pay can stay in the historic or newly renovated cottages located on Oak Alley’s premises. It acts like a hotel where you can just pick the cottage you want, pay, and book. Since the restaurant is closed in the evening, you’ll get room service left on your cabin’s refrigerator (which you’ll get to pick before you check in). Undoubtedly, this plantation is the most expensive out of the ones I’ve mentioned below, but if you only have the money to visit one plantation outside of the New Orleans area, make it Oak Alley. Felicity Plantation: A Woman-Owned Plantation Address: 3535 LA-18, Vacherie, LA 70090 Entrance Fee: $24 per person Focuses
Money management can get complicated. You likely spend money every single day (and probably multiple transactions daily at that). Plus, there are bills to monitor and pay, investments to track, and many other ongoing tasks to keep up with. Streamlining your financial tasks improves your overall quality of life, and the Quicken Simplifi app is aptly named to do just that: simplify your finances. In this Simplifi review, we’ll examine some of its unique features […]
If you’re searching for the best breakdown of YNAB vs Monarch Money. you’re probably trying to answer one simple question: Which budgeting app will actually help me manage my money without making my life harder? I’ve personally used both budgeting tools over the past several years. I tested YNAB multiple times, used Mint for years, and eventually switched to Monarch Money after Mint shut down in 2023. Today, my wife and I use Monarch Money […]
I’ve visited Iceland four times since 2016, and each trip was intentional, carefully planned, and worth every dollar spent. While the country has a pricey reputation, Iceland is very attainable if you plan ahead. The secret? Iceland rewards planners. You don’t need to map out every hour. However, knowing costs, best timing, and where to […] The post How To Plan a Trip to Iceland: A Step-by-Step Guide from Someone Who’s Been 4 Times appeared […]
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I first reviewed YNAB in 2015 when it cost a one-time US$60. It’s now a US$109/year cloud subscription, and I still pay for it every year. Here’s my honest take after using it daily for over a decade, from negative net worth to seven figures: what it costs now, how I actually use it (I even built apps on its API), the free alternatives, and whether it’s worth it. The post You Need A Budget […]
Anyone who has owned a home for a long time knows the most visible projects are not always the most important. Paint colors, kitchen updates, and landscaping get the attention, while the roof, furnace, and water heater do their jobs in the background until something goes wrong. Retirement planning works the same way. Investment performance, withdrawal rates, and Social Security claiming strategies tend to dominate the conversation, but some of the most consequential issues show […]
There’s nothing wrong with buying secondhand. In fact, some of the best deals you’ll ever find come from thrift stores, Facebook Marketplace, garage sales, and resale shops. I’ve bought used furniture.Used tools.Used sporting equipment.Even used cars. The trick is knowing the difference between a bargain and a future headache. Because while some items age beautifully, others hide problems you won’t discover until after you’ve handed over your money. And by then, it’s usually too late. […]