Some time ago we looked at why it benefits couples to have friendships with other couples (read about the benefits of couple friendships here). There are lots of ways to spend time with couple friends, but it can be particularly fun to go on double dates. It’s not always easy to come up with enjoyable and affordable double date ideas. … [Read more...] about Fun and Frugal Double Date Ideas
frugal living
How to Afford Healthy Eating
Last week I shared some price comparisons that debunked the myth that healthy foods cost more than unhealthy foods. Of course, if you shop carelessly then it is unlikely you’ll be able to purchase nutritious foods for the same price as junk foods. However, by judiciously enlisting some simple strategies, you can eat healthily and stay … [Read more...] about How to Afford Healthy Eating
Maximize Lithium-Ion Battery Life
Do you have electronic devices in your home that run on lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries? If you have a laptop computer, cell phone, digital camera, and/or power tools, then chances are that you do. These batteries can be costly and inconvenient to replace, so it's wise to maximize their longevity. What things can we do to help them run … [Read more...] about Maximize Lithium-Ion Battery Life
Date Ideas for Every Season and Every Budget
While working on a Valentine’s Day gift for my husband (A Year of Preplanned Dates), I was reminded of how challenging it can be to come up with unique date ideas. Fortunately, a little brainstorming and a quick internet search yielded numerous ideas that span far beyond the stereotypical dinner and a movie. In fact, I quickly … [Read more...] about Date Ideas for Every Season and Every Budget
Month-by-Month Buying Guide
Have you ever noticed that the prices on some products vary throughout the year? Sometimes this is due to tradition (e.g., January white sales) and sometimes it’s due to practical need (e.g., seasonal items being cleared out to make room for inventory for an upcoming holiday). I’ve checked with some consumer resources to see which items are … [Read more...] about Month-by-Month Buying Guide
Frugal TIPbits: Make Clothes Last Longer
Taking care of clothes in a manner that extends their life expectancy is one of the easiest ways to keep clothing expenses from getting out of hand. I combed the internet for suggestions because I want to be sure I’m making every reasonable effort to make my household’s clothes last longer. I found a number of common sense approaches … [Read more...] about Frugal TIPbits: Make Clothes Last Longer
Common Housekeeping Conundrums: Lint in Clothes Dryers
Lint can be very pesky as it accumulates in and around clothing dryers. Removing lint is a critical part of dryer maintenance. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, clothes dryers are responsible for approximately 2,900 fires in residential buildings in the U.S. each year. This risk is minimized when dryers are maintained properly. … [Read more...] about Common Housekeeping Conundrums: Lint in Clothes Dryers
Frugal TIPbits: Avoid Frugal Strategies That Create Costs
There’s a fine line between frugality and foolishness. Not all frugal strategies result in real savings. To avoid crossing over into foolishness, we must closely examine seemingly frugal strategies because a number of them may actually generate significant expenses. When frugal is actually expensive DIY gone awry. Sometimes you can … [Read more...] about Frugal TIPbits: Avoid Frugal Strategies That Create Costs
