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Posted
Jul 21 2008, 05:02 PM
by
Karen Datko
Rating:
Money Blog: Smart Spending Blog - MSN Money
An article in The New Yorker by the always excellent Elizabeth Kolbert about the invention and evolution of the American lawn got us thinking. Isn't there a better way to maintain our outdoor space without spending so much money for water and chemicals? We're not suggesting you cover your front yard in asphalt. It turns out there is a lot of help online if you want to reduce spending, save resources and enhance beauty.
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Posted
Jul 16 2008, 12:44 PM
by
Karen Datko
Rating:
Money Blog: Smart Spending Blog - MSN Money
Catherine at Frugal Homemaker Plus and Crystal at Money Saving Mom have heard this comment from others: "You and your husband make good money. Why don't you spend more on a nicer home/car/vacation/TV?" Why? Because they have different -- and impressive -- priorities for their money, if you really must know. As Crystal said -- in response to a rude comment apparently questioning her sanity for repairing her old van rather than buying a new one -- "We're living like no one else so that someday we can live and give like no one else." (Yes, she is a fan of Dave Ramsey.)
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Posted
May 20 2008, 11:18 AM
by
Karen Datko
Rating:
Money Blog: Smart Spending Blog - MSN Money
A rash of break-ins at Andy's apartment complex prompted him to think about improving security. He found that the cost of a monitored security system would run about $1,200 for the year, including $500 for installation. Yikes. He came up with some low- and no-cost alternatives and lists them in a post at Saving to Invest. For instance, what would it cost you to turn down your phone ringer before you leave home?
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Posted
May 05 2008, 07:12 PM
by
Karen Datko
Rating:
Money Blog: Smart Spending Blog - MSN Money
We've got a huge fenced backyard, but that didn't help when we decided to raise vegetables and put in a raised-bed garden. No matter how we attempted to secure our plot, our dog Furio always managed to dig it up. That's how we became a convert to container gardening and other clever ways to grow food in small (dog-proof) places. More people are joining what Cindy at Oh My Aching Debts calls the urban-homesteading movement. She reports, "My article on vegetables that can be grown in a pot is already one of my most popular."
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Posted
Mar 13 2008, 01:05 PM
by
Karen Datko
Money Blog: Smart Spending Blog - MSN Money
We have a friend who is determined to buy a home, and this causes us to worry. Are prices going to drop where she lives (they haven't -- yet) after she buys? Renting is cheaper than buying in her city. Is she better off continuing to rent and investing the difference? Thus, posts on this subject intrigue us. One we recommend is Pinching Copper's "Why we rent," one of the top picks in the recent Carnival of Personal Finance. Of course, there are plenty of good arguments on both sides of the issue. Seb at Pinching Copper makes an interesting case by comparing what it costs to buy vs. rent a home with the same floor plan in each of three different major markets.
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Posted
Feb 15 2008, 01:20 PM
by
Karen Datko
Rating:
Money Blog: Smart Spending Blog - MSN Money
Can a family with an income of $100,000 or more really have a hard time getting ahead? FreeMoneyFinance's recent post on that question has prompted quite a discussion among commenters at his site. FMF launched the debate by remarking on a family mentioned in one of a package of MSN Money stories about the "squeeze on the middle class." The couple make six figures, but are unable to save. "We struggle to stay afloat with the rising costs of car insurance, gas, utilities, food and other necessities," one of the family members said. FMF's assessment: "They're simply spending too much. They have no control on expenses." He also guesses that they live in an expensive area, noting that "$100,000 per year is a lot, but it's more in Omaha than it is in Los Angeles."
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Posted
Feb 11 2008, 01:59 PM
by
Karen Datko
Money Blog: Smart Spending Blog - MSN Money
Congratulations to Peter of Plan Your Escape, whose post "8 reasons why small houses are better than big ones" edged out the closest competition by one vote to make him most valuable player in the Superbowl of Personal Finance. Overall, Team Finance defeated Team Frugal in total votes cast by readers. Noting that "one of the key characteristics of simplified living is knowing what is enough," Peter presented compelling arguments for opting for a small home. You'll spend lots less on the purchase price, taxes, utilities, maintenance and furniture. You'll be less tempted to accumulate clutter because you have less storage space. You'll also leave a "smaller environmental footprint." He wrote, "Huge homes aren't going to be sustainable in the long run."
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Posted
Feb 11 2008, 11:56 AM
by
Karen Datko
Money Blog: Smart Spending Blog - MSN Money
Glblguy, aka "Gibble," and his wife were watching a rerun of "Law & Order: Criminal Intent" and were impressed by the following scene: Detectives Goren and Eames were interviewing a police officer suspected of killing rich drug dealers and using their money to live a life unsupportable on a cop's wages. Goren asked her how she could afford such a nice home and send her kids to private schools. Simple, she answered, she's frugal. Goren said he is, too, but couldn't afford her house. Goren, she replied, spends a lot on clothes, takes women on expensive dates and drives a fancy car. She added, "I buy bargain clothing, don't date, never go out and live very frugally. I use my money to buy my home instead." A stunned Goren says something like, "Great, but you haven't answered my question." Obviously, Gibble writes at Gather Little by Little, Goren "has no clue where his money goes. He only knows he doesn't have enough. He thinks he's frugal and that he doesn't spend much, but he does."
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Posted
Feb 05 2008, 01:25 PM
by
Karen Datko
Rating:
Money Blog: Smart Spending Blog - MSN Money
We've had Super Bowl Sunday, and now Super Tuesday. For your next super fix, check out the battle between Team Finance and Team Frugal in the "Superbowl of Personal Finance." "On the heels of the Super Bowl, we're rolling out the first-ever personal-finance showdown: the Carnival of Personal Finance vs. the Festival of Frugality," writes Being Frugal's Lynnae, coach of Team Frugal. Voters will decide the winner. You can begin casting votes Wednesday at Being Frugal and I've Paid For This Twice Already, the headquarters for Team Finance. The coaches have already designated the MVP posts at each carnival, but the backup players also provided plenty of good personal-finance reading. These teams have bodacious depth charts. Among our favorites, Team Frugal offensive linesman Terry presented the Savvy Frugality Recession Survival Guide. Terry based his advice on his experience during the recession of 1991, when he was out of work for six months.
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Posted
Jan 31 2008, 01:58 PM
by
Karen Datko
Money Blog: Smart Spending Blog - MSN Money
As an article at MSN Money points out, more middle-class people are finding that homeownership is beyond their financial reach. But a couple of personal-finance bloggers have offered ideas for making it more affordable. Savvy Frugality says he agrees with parts of the article, but wonders: "Why not buy a home you can afford -- the proverbial 'starter home' -- or simply move to an area where housing is cheaper?" Stephanie at Stop The Ride offers 13 reasons why a smaller house is better. No. 1 is affordability.
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