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I am Broke and Grateful – Three Ways to Appreciate the Things You Have

Three years ago my husband and I were both employed full-time. While we certainly weren’t getting rich we were living very comfortably with the income I was making as a social worker and he was making as a Sheriff’s Deputy. Two children, and minus one full-time income later we are broke – and happy. I’ll admit. I am not always joyful about being broke. In fact, my husband and I went out on a rare “date-night” last night and ate at one of our favorite restaurants. I remember looking at the dessert menu and drooling over the $5.00 tiramisu and … Continue reading →

How Do You Teach Frugality to the MTV Generation?

It was one of those rare moments that I was home-alone and bored. I was flipping through the TV stations hoping I would find a repeat of Nanny 911 or a new episode of American Idol. As I flipped through the stations I paused on what looked like a new reality TV show. I was horrified as I watched a teenage girl beg her dad for a brand new BMW convertible. “But Daddy…I waaaaaant it”….she pleaded. My jaw dropped. The father actually looked like he was considering it. He used the classic “we’ll see” response that normal parents use when … Continue reading →

What Will Those Designer Jeans Actually Cost You?

I had a college friend who had an annoying little habit. Whenever it was time to pay the rent, buy groceries, or split the utility bills she would say something like, “well, there goes seven hours worth of tips” (she was a waitress). When we went shopping and she was debating on whether or not to purchase a pair of designer jeans or ones from a discount store like Wal-Mart she would ask us, “do you think they are worth five hours of housekeeping”? (She cleaned hotel rooms too). It was annoying because she was constantly calculating every purchase with … Continue reading →