October 20, 2009 by Frugal Duchess | Comments Off
I’m going to the beach because reality has hit like an overdue bill: I need to get more rest and to work smarter. I need to be more frugal with my time.And for that reason I am relocating to Wise Bread as a steady blogger. I have also helped to launch …
September 25, 2009 by Frugal Duchess | Comments Off
Small changes have reduced electrical charges in my home. On a year-over-year basis, we have used 20 percent less electricity due to two minor adjustments. We have switched most of the light bulbs to compact florescent bulbs (CFLs), an energy-saving o…
September 21, 2009 by Frugal Duchess | Comments Off
Currency exchange is a thrifty tool in my home. To save money, my 11-year-old daughter has swapped five single dollars for a five-dollar-bill and has traded up for even larger denominations. She uses the larger bills to preserve capital.“When I see …
September 18, 2009 by Frugal Duchess | Comments Off
We can iron out past wrinkles in money, relationships and clothing. That’s what I learned as I ironed clothing for Rosh HaShannah, the New Year on the Hebrew calendar.Even if you don’t celebrate the holiday, September is still a time of beginnings and…
September 16, 2009 by Frugal Duchess | Comments Off
In this guest post, Kiplinger.com offers 7 Lessons from the Meltdown, including: “1) Where’s the money? You’d better know—literally. The reported $50-billion swindle orchestrated by Bernard Madoff and other fleece jobs should put to rest the notion t…
September 14, 2009 by Frugal Duchess | Comments Off
You don’t have to spend a lot for eco-friendly household and personal care products. I use vinegar and water to sanitize my home without the expense or waste of harsher chemicals. Beyond toss salads, I use white vinegar for the following cleaning dutie…
September 11, 2009 by Frugal Duchess | Comments Off
Yup. I could have saved more and spent less in August. As promised, I paid careful attention to my spending, saving and consuming habits in August. We all have money leaks. Here are my downfalls & solutions:Lost items: I use paraben-free cosmetics…
September 10, 2009 by Frugal Duchess | Comments Off
If you had a choice between saving an extra $50 a week or gaining an extra hour daily, what would you do? I vote for the extra hour, (seven hours a week). But more money beat out diet, time and sex, according to this recent survey from allyou.com/Shor…
September 8, 2009 by Frugal Duchess | Comments Off
It’s possible to spend less for drinks at bars, restaurants and resorts. Here’s my list of do-it-mostly-yourself drink recipes.Spiked & flavored coffees: At bars, restaurants and resorts you can save a lot by ordering plain American coffee and a sh…
September 4, 2009 by Frugal Duchess | Comments Off
Stormy weather delayed my flight plans and prompted me to spend over 10 hours traveling through three airports. My growling stomach felt like extra baggage as I tried to find a frugal meal plan. I fed my appetite without starving my wallet with the fol…
September 2, 2009 by Frugal Duchess | Comments Off
My daughter fixed her ferret with a foot of fishing string. As such, our story about a defective toy has a happy ending. Our quick repair taught us valuable lessons. Here’s what we have learned:Hit the return button. Why didn’t we return the broken to…