The Frugal Girl

FEBRUARY 18, 2024

At age 12, I started saving up my allowance and babysitting money to buy Christmas gifts for other children who were less fortunate. I was determined to buy a house that was less than we could afford. We ending up buying our current home in 2015, when local prices and interest rates were significantly lower. Childhood joy.

Kids and Family 185

Kids and Family Home and Garden Money Frugal 185

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

FEBRUARY 14, 2013

I have definitely been falling behind on all of these fronts. There were as always great reads out this week which I have highlighted below: Good Reads From The Blogosphere: If you’re struggling to stay afloat with your finances, Grayson at Debt Roundup highlights how the first step to recovery is to admit you don’t have a budget.

Debt 171

Debt Fridays Finance Re-use 171

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

MAY 16, 2013

We are definitely looking forward to a long weekend. Check them out: Good Reads From The Blogosphere: When you’re aggressively trying to pay down debt, you may feel that you’ve done all you can to curb your expenses, but have you really? How to Get Out of Unemployment posted at Debt Free Blog. Think Again.

Fridays 187

Fridays Debt Unemployment Rent 187

Family Balance Sheet

FEBRUARY 4, 2015

Today’s Debt Free Story is from Shannon. How much debt did you pay off? What kind of debt was it? As many students do these days, we had tens of thousands of dollars of debt by the time we graduated with our Masters degrees. At the point when we finally got serious about paying off our debt we had $22,047 left.

Debt Free 100

Debt Free Debt Financial Goals Budgeting 100

Family Balance Sheet

JUNE 22, 2020

It was so big that I cried for two days straight– we paid off six figures in non-mortgage debts. How we got to six figures of non-mortgage debt: In the summer of 2012, we found an opportunity to purchase an office building for our small business. After the first year, the new business debt weighed on me.

Debt 130

Debt Health Insurance Insurance Budgeting 130

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

NOVEMBER 2, 2011

Firstly, if you’re thinking of taking a loan to purchase something or perhaps take a vacation, think long and hard about whether you really need to buy that item or whether a less expensive UK based vacation is more sensible given your financial situation. Can you definitely keep up with the loan repayments? 5 Ways to Reduce Your Debt.

Debt 183

Debt Economical Refinancing Money 183

Family Balance Sheet

JULY 9, 2014

When my husband and I wrote our Debt Freedom Plan earlier this year, we made a commitment to scrutinize our monthly expenses to find money to put towards our plan. Cutting cable is definitely a big step, but it you’re ready to take the leap, find out How We Watch Great TV Without Cable. We want to have our cake and eat it too.

Grocery Spending 242

Grocery Spending Financial Goals January Budgeting 242

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

APRIL 18, 2013

The worst thing you could possibly do is start your married life with a mountain of debt from having the wedding of your dreams. With the economy the way it is and with most people affected by the recession, they will definitely understand that you want to keep costs at a minimum by having a small wedding party. Recruit Your Friends.

Wedding 248

Wedding Money Saving Money Budgeting 248

Family Balance Sheet

APRIL 12, 2013

"Debt is Dumb, Cash is King" - Dave Ramsey. He has successfully inspired thousands of people to a life free of credit cards and debt. We were using the cards to earn cash back on purchases that we needed to buy any way, so we were being smart about our spending. Dave Ramsey has built quite a business around that quote.

Credit Cards 100

Credit Cards Credit Debt March 100

Penny Pinchin' Mom

FEBRUARY 16, 2024

Should you just pretend that you don’t have savings and increase your debt ? I look for coupons and deals that are specific to the brand my family likes, and then I buy in bulk. Most of the things we buy we don’t need; we want them. How much of your salary should you save? And what do you need to do each month?

Saving Money 52

Saving Money Money Saving Bills 52

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

JULY 16, 2012

This involves selecting industries and areas that you definitely do not want to be involved with such as gambling or the arms industry. Third World Debt Is there a commitment to helping third world countries tackle their debt crises? Some banks have a history of lending to poor countries, who then use it to buy things like arms.

Bank 186

Bank Banking Fair-Trade Debt 186

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

SEPTEMBER 27, 2012

Daily Essentials Toiletries like toothpaste, shampoo, soap and the like are definitely important necessities that you need to prioritize. You may want to buy the cheaper ones and those that offer deals. For the meantime, do not buy by the bulk. So, you have to put food on top of your list of necessities.

Bills 213

Bills Telephones Money Taxes 213

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

OCTOBER 21, 2012

Kristen from My Dollar Plan reminds us Why You Should Tell Your Family About Your Debt. Kathleen from Frugal Portland shares More thoughts on buying a house. Peter from Bible Money Matters shares 10 Tips to Save Money on Your Christmas Shopping and Avoid Going Into Debt. We should take a moment to refresh our perspective.

Personal Finance 219

Personal Finance Finance Debt Money 219

Family Balance Sheet

JANUARY 3, 2012

Increase our Monthly Debt Payment. We have set a goal date of July 2015 to pay off all of our debt. My husband and I have some ideas about how much we want to contribute and we definitely need to devise a game plan this year. This includes our mortgage and my husband's student loan. I need to do some research on this one.

Financial Goals 127

Financial Goals Goals 2012 Emergency Fund 127

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

OCTOBER 13, 2013

It’s fair game if you aren’t going into debt over it and if you are still able to put money aside for emergencies, retirement, and to meet your goals. I know that this will make all of you luxury car lovers turn over in your graves, however, luxury cars are most definitely a waste of cash. High End Cars. Which ones do you pay for?

Money 184

Money Car Cars Laptops 184

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

APRIL 14, 2013

Spending more than you can afford will definitely put you either in grave debt, or it can even make you bankrupt at some point. Wise use of gas, heat, electricity, and water coupled with buying just enough food can help you save a lot of your hard earned cash. Master the Art of Budgeting. Save For The Future.

Money 273

Money Cable Service Budgeting Budget 273

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

MAY 9, 2011

There are simple ways to cut down on waste, from buying concentrated household products to buying in bulk. Buy in bulk or in loose. When you are working on a home renovation, buy your screws, nails, and other bits out of the bins and not those packaged in boxes. Buy energy smart. 5 Ways to Reduce Your Debt.

Reuse 174

Reuse Recycle Recycled Recycling 174

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

FEBRUARY 18, 2011

The only secrets we have from one another is when we buy each other a gift. We have more stable careers, we have no debt (other than our mortgage), and we own a home. Squirrelers asks us how much we had to work to buy that? Money Crashers shares with us 6 Places to Buy Natural and Green Cleaning products. Reducing Debt.

February 113

February Debt Finance Personal Finance 113

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

JUNE 20, 2012

This week I received a question from a reader asking how much to save up before buying a house. Here is Alicia’s question: How much money do my husband and I have to save up before buying our first home? How much of your income would be used to pay down your house-related debts? What Can You Afford?

Money 186

Money Home Debt Buy 186

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

FEBRUARY 11, 2011

Frugal Dad reminds us that the war on debt starts at home and until we make changes there, we are never going to win the battle. Buy Like Buffett asks if you would rather be rich or comfortable ? Buy Like Buffett asks if you would rather be rich or comfortable ? My money habits have definitely changed over the years.

February 113

February Finance Personal Finance Money 113

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

APRIL 6, 2012

” Managing Debt. Jeremy Waller presents Do You Have What It Takes To Be Debt Free And Financially Successful? You see theres a reason that the majority of people are in debt. Theres a reason why the average amount of credit card debt per household is $15,956. Here are 5 steps to painlessly become debt free.

Money 133

Money Finance Personal Finance Real Estate 133

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

MARCH 10, 2011

Within the first year of this job I was able to buy my first house. Why buy it when we can borrow it?! Reducing Debt. Eventually you will have to pay off your debt and if you have let it get out of control, you are going to be in for a real surprise. It paid really well, especially for the age I was at. Going Frugal.

Personal Finance 133

Personal Finance March Finance Family 133

Family Balance Sheet

APRIL 1, 2021

He then advises paying off your non-mortgage debt before fully funding an emergency fund with 3 – 6 months worth of expenses. Now that we’ve paid off six figures of non-mortgage debt , we are working on saving 6 months’ expenses and maybe even more. Personally, I think a starter fund should be $2000-$3000.

Emergency Fund 130

Emergency Fund Money Finds Friends And Family Sale 130

Penny Pinchin' Mom

FEBRUARY 16, 2024

Instead of buying that new bag with the extra cash you have, how about getting a new insurance policy and paying your first premium? Pay Down Debt Yes, this is a good way to set yourself up financially. Getting out of debt should make the top three of your financial priorities. Once you are done with that, you go on to the rest.

Money 52

Money Insurance Debt Bulk 52

The Frugal Girl

FEBRUARY 26, 2024

I was always in debt, which has been a tremendous source of shame for me. made by my husband While my husband’s income has increased over the years, we’ve ended up with a lot of (mostly) medical debt that would be easier to pay off if I were/had been able to work full-time. Apply it toward debt. Marrying my husband.

Daughter 130

Daughter Green And Frugal Money Grandmother 130

The Frugal Girl

NOVEMBER 20, 2023

We also have many small examples just through letting people know that we are open to accepting used items (definitely not the norm in our affluent suburb). A small “mistake” is buying a Vitamix blender. We definitely keep things simple around here. I lost thousands and thousands of dollars to unnecessary fees.

Iowa 168

Iowa Friends And Family Sale Boys Son 168

Family Balance Sheet

MAY 27, 2015

Today’s Debt Free Story is from Olivia. We are both planners and despise wasting money on debt/interest, which is what led us to pay off our mortgage as soon as we could! How much debt did you pay off? What kind of debt was it? We paid off a total of $118,000 debt. What inspired you to get debt free?

Debt 100

Debt Debt Free Pay Off Debt Finds 100

The Frugal Girl

NOVEMBER 13, 2023

We had to sell it less than 3 years after buying it, and between that and the market timing (bought in 2009, sold in 2012), we were lucky to come out of the whole situation with our original mortgage paid off completely by the sale! I was in 4th grade, and had 2 younger siblings when they began their debt-repayment journey.

Kids and Family 191

Kids and Family Parenting Cars Car 191

The Frugal Girl

FEBRUARY 5, 2024

The weight of debt can be so heavy mentally in addition to the direct effects of it. Sewing holes in clothes, using up leftovers before they go bad, finding free activities for my little on the weekends, checking buy nothing or marketplace before purchasing- I am always just looking for ways to spend money. I try to get (and give!)

Virginia 185

Virginia Kids and Family Library Frugal 185

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

OCTOBER 11, 2012

There should be some things that you can buy without first asking permission from your spouse. It can be so easy to run up thousands of dollars in debt just by using that credit card. Debt and an uncontrollable spending habit is probably the most common issue that causes fights between couples. Nagging About Spending.

Debt 222

Debt Credit Cards Money Credit 222

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

MAY 8, 2011

He definitely gives you something to think about. They are definitely worth a try. Money doesn’t buy happiness but it buys opportunities. I did this yeas ago when I was in debt and it made paying off the debt a reality. Tax Debt Help presents Savers Tax Credit: Get Rewarded for Retirement.

Saving Money 232

Saving Money Money Credit Cards Insurance 232

Family Balance Sheet

APRIL 12, 2016

Today’s Debt Free Story is from Jessica. How much debt did you pay off? What kind of debt was it? I had $56,000 of debt when I decided to become debt free. What inspired you to get debt free? The inspiration to pay off my debt was watching my grandmother balance her checkbook.

Credit Cards 100

Credit Cards Debt Debt Free Student 100

Savings Corner

DECEMBER 25, 2023

In reality, you won’t earn anything if you can’t attract readers to your site to click on the link and buy something. Risk: While sales can happen at any time online, helping make this strategy passive, you’ll definitely have to hustle to find a reliable source of products. And you’ll have to make the judgment call about what to buy.

Money 52

Money Making Real Estate Rent 52

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

JANUARY 14, 2012

The Debt Princess: The Kool-Aid Effect: The Relationship Between the Poor & Nutrition – A look into how the working poor are eating unhealthy. The only investing strategy that makes sense to me is buy and hold. Buy an energy efficient water heater. Read on to lean my thoughts. Turn off the lights.

Credit Cards 220

Credit Cards Credit Finance Personal Finance 220

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

AUGUST 2, 2012

The news of our health definitely was a shock because we aren’t overweight and I feel most people would consider us “healthy” based on outward appearance. After reading books, blogs, magazines, and paying attention to the nutrition labels found on the foods we were buying, we quickly became horrified at what we found.

Eating Out 188

Eating Out Meals Health Cooking 188

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

JANUARY 21, 2011

Reducing Debt. If you do get a raise, put it towards your debt so you can be one step closer to financial freedom. Deliver Away Debt shares with us tips on how we can stay out of debt in 2011. Sam at Financial Samurai is hoping for something to break so he can buy something new. I definitely can appreciate this.

January 124

January Emergency Fund Personal Finance Finance 124

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

NOVEMBER 29, 2012

A life insurance policy is probably the first thing most people buy. That’s no longer the case in recent years, and today even young people are buying insurance. As a parent, you want to be able to contribute as much as possible so that your child will not have to apply for student loans and go into debt.

Life Insurance 203

Life Insurance Financial Goals Insurance Taxes 203