I am reprinting a previously published post, as a response to the recent news that the average wedding now stands at almost $27,000. A few of my readers have asked for me to write about weddings and specifically about my own wedding. Although my husband and I married almost 16 years ago, the choices...
Yesterday I was: Finishing my library book, puttering around the house, napping, stocking up on leftover apples from Portland Nursery's Apple Festival, (59¢ per pound!) hanging laundry up all over the house, spraying newly bought enzymatic cleaner on my feline-urinated armchair, taking pictures of my son's last gold sash kung fu class, watching Big Bang...
I've noticed along my journey of owning less stuff that I am taking better care of the things that I choose to own. Not only does almost everything have a proper place to be stored when not in use, but most of the stuff that I was ambivalent about in the past has since been...
The following is a reprint of a previously published post. Get Rich Slowly has a reader guest column today about how a woman raised with extreme frugal learned to spend. It also details her wedding, which reminded me of mine. Enjoy! A few of my readers have asked for me to write about weddings and...
It's time again for Non-Consumer Mish-Mash, where I write a little bit about this and a little bit about that. Monkey business for iPods Key Banks here in Portland, Oregon have a current promotion where you get a free iPod touch if you open a checking account with them. Of course, there are requirements like two...
Congratulations to "Jennifer H" whose list of five things that made her happy won her a copy of Gretchen Rubin's The Happiness Project. And thank you to everyone who took the time to list your five things. Note that there no "my brand new this" or "my super expensive that." Here's just a short list...
Happiness. Easy for some, a challenge for others. What makes one person happy can be an empty experience for another. But one thing is certain, happiness is a goal we all work towards. Whether it's the joy of the perfect manicure or the luxury of a perfect nap, happiness is considered by many to be...
Sometimes I have things I want to share with my readers, but are not enough to stand alone as entire columns. This time has come again. Which means . . . it's mish-mash time! Here's terrific post from unclutterer that I think I might actually print out to put on my fridge for inspiration. (Although...
A few of my readers have asked for me to write about weddings and specifically about my own wedding. Although my husband and I married almost 16 years ago, the choices we made created a meaningful and inexpensive wedding would work well to this day. Let me take you back to the year 1993....
This guest post is generously shared by Leo Babauta, author of zenhabits.net. Katy Wolk-Stanley "Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without." The Cheapskate Guide: 50 Tips for Frugal Living Confession time: I'm a cheapskate. Some would say frugal, which sounds much more positive, but in reality I...
Since joining The Compact (buy nothing new) in January 2007, I've worked very hard on one particular project: De-cluttering my house and my life. I live in a five bedroom (one bathroom) house with a full basement, so there's room for a lot of stuff. And stuff it we did. Sports equipment, toys, clothes, books,...