How NOT To Buy a Mattress (or Anything Else)

October 03, 2012

When was the last time you thought about replacing your mattress?  Last month?  Last year?  Never?  Susan and I have been sleeping on the same mattress since we were married—over 17 years ago—and until recently I had never really given it much thought.  We bought our mattress at a furniture store, and for me, like all furniture, unless it’s ripped, has a spring sticking out, or is genuinely falling apart, it must be fine. Continue reading “How NOT To Buy a Mattress (or Anything Else)”

Don’t Hate Your Customer Loyalty Program – Tips to Make Them Work For You Without Having to Endure a Million Annoying Emails

September 24, 2012

I am not sure why my friend Diane went off on a rant against loyalty discount programs and I am also not quite sure why she ranted to me.  She knows I am a blogger so I think her comments are fair game to quote, especially since she emailed them to me – like at the police station how they take your fingerprints from the soda can to incriminate you because you drank it in public.  I am using the same logic by publishing her comments. Here is what Diane had to say about customer loyalty programs: Continue reading “Don’t Hate Your Customer Loyalty Program – Tips to Make Them Work For You Without Having to Endure a Million Annoying Emails”

Ladies: A Fun Way To Save Money on Clothes —a High Tech Wardrobe Capsule

July 23, 2012

Engaging your emotional self (or inner child) when it comes to managing your cash flow will make the difference between making or breaking your budget. We all know rationally what is good for us – like eating an apple instead of a cookie.  We know we “should” reach for the apple but our emotional self wants the cookie and a battle ensues. Continue reading “Ladies: A Fun Way To Save Money on Clothes —a High Tech Wardrobe Capsule”

Ladies: How to Look Stylish on Your Summer Vacation for Less

May 21, 2012

I think I have spent enough money on clothes to wear on vacations over the years to fund another week long vacation!  Like many people, I am budget conscious and watch the deals like a hawk trying to get the most for my money but then forget about my wardrobe! Last minute, I run to the department store to pick up some things to wear and there are no bargains to be found. Continue reading “Ladies: How to Look Stylish on Your Summer Vacation for Less”

Why Adults Need Allowances Too

September 01, 2011

In previous blog posts, I covered each of the “fixed” expenses and how you can cut back on them to save more for your goals.  This leaves discretionary expenses like food, entertainment, and shopping that you have more control over on a day-to-day basis.  The problem here is that because the amount we spend on these items tends to change so much from month to month, they can actually be harder to manage.

There are lots of tips out there for how you can save money in these areas.   Continue reading “Why Adults Need Allowances Too”

How to Buy a Bike and Other Major Purchases

July 11, 2011

The other day I was talking to an extreme saver , Jonathan Fogel,  an attorney in Brooklyn who follows something called “Retirement Extreme” where he is living off of 25% of his income and saving 75%.  Until I talked to him, I thought he might be a little crazy!   I must admit I have a bit of an anti-frugal bias because of some bad experiences when I was a young woman – having to buy everything at yard sales and shopping at the bulk stores.  As a financial planner and financial educator, savings is highly valued, of course, but “extreme savings” has always been associated with “extreme pain” and deprivation.   So, that is what I was expecting when I talked to Jonathan about his experience. Continue reading “How to Buy a Bike and Other Major Purchases”