A Birthday Treat From The Frugalista

by Katy on January 1, 2011 · 13 comments

My birthday falls at a super crappy time of year. Let’s just say that nobody is excited to have one more thing to celebrate and pay for on January 4th. As a kid, this did not occur to me, but my adult self views my birthday on par with that last college midterm. Unpleasant, a necessity and hardly anything to look forward to.

I never want a fuss made, and I certainly don’t want any money spent.

But I just bought myself a little birthday present of a brand new copy of Natalie McNeal’s The Frugalista Files: How One Woman Got Out of Debt Without Giving Up the Fabulous Life from Amazon. (Books by people I know are a big time exception to my Compact.) Sure, I used my Swagbucks gift cards, but I normally hoard those for the express purpose of buying for others.

I first heard of Natalie McNeal when she was giving an NPR radio interview that found me laughing out loud and then shushing myself, so I wouldn’t miss a word. I scheduled my own phone interview, and we’ve been internet buddies ever since.

So now I have something to look forward to. Heck, it might even arrive on my birthday!

Katy Wolk-Stanley

“Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without”

{ 13 comments… read them below or add one }

Shannon January 1, 2011 at 2:48 pm

Happy Birthday, Katie! This sounds like a great book and one I’ll have to look into.

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Carla January 1, 2011 at 3:33 pm

We have two grandchildren born in January and my deceased mother’s birthday was also January. I feel your pain.

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KrisR January 1, 2011 at 4:47 pm

Happy Birthday to you Katy. I’m looking forward to finding out more about this book. (I love those moments on NPR) P.S. I just told my kids cable is going…step 1 of my New Years resolution. They took it well and I look forward to the savings!!

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Kristia@Family Balance Sheet January 1, 2011 at 6:27 pm

Happy Birthday! I just love those swagbucks.

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Kate in NY January 1, 2011 at 6:56 pm

Happy Birthday, Katy – – – from Kate in NY (a Jan. 5th birthday girl!)

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Rebecca January 1, 2011 at 8:48 pm

My Dad’s birthday is December 26th. Talk about getting scrooged!

And another odd side note, I have a friend who has 2 sons, born 5 years apart, both on Christmas Day. I think that might have stunk as a kid, or been totally cool, depending on how celebrations went.

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Kimberly January 2, 2011 at 6:19 am

Looks like a good read. And a very happy birthday to you, Katy!

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602Laura January 2, 2011 at 8:46 am

I’m always looking for excuses to extend the holidays, leave the tree up & keep the decorations & goodies going for as long as possible….so I think a birthday on January 4th is awesome. Woohoo~One more good reason to invite everyone over and eat cake! Happy Birthday, Katy.
My resolution this year is to make my life more fabulous. Maybe once you read the book, you could share some tips here.

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Diane January 2, 2011 at 9:52 am

Happy Birthday Katy. I am so, so glad you came back!

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Nicole January 2, 2011 at 3:43 pm

Happy shared birthday, Katy!
Ten days after Christmas is one of the worst times to have a birthday, I’m sure. Worse than that, is probably only the 24, 25 or 26 of December.
Regardless, make the best of it! I know I am!

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Bauunny January 2, 2011 at 4:44 pm

You inspired me Katie! I ordered the book from Barnes & Noble today (with a coupon of course). I have followed the Frugalista blog from some time and am looking forward to curling up with the book soon. Happy Birthday!

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Amy H. January 3, 2011 at 9:36 am

Happy Birthday Katy! Looks like a great book, too — I will check it out.

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Meg January 7, 2011 at 10:23 am

Looks like another book to add to my growing “want to read” list! 🙂

I found your quote online several years ago, but it said, “Author Unknown.” Now, I have to go though all of my message board signatures and such to change it to your name. The one I read went: “Buy it used, wear it out, make it do or do without.”

I am new to SwagBucks. Can I order the $5 Amazon.com card every time I get 450 points and use them all together on a purchase? Because I noticed you need alot more points to get the $25 Amazon.com card (more points than if I were to piece the $5 ones together at a time.) I currently have 3 – $5 Amazon.com e-cards from SB’s, but I wasnt sure if I could use them all on one purchase or just $5 for each purchase.

Thank you! I look forward to keeping up with your site!

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