You know what? I'm cheap. I don't even use the term "frugal" because that's just a needlessly expensive word that sounds defensive. Not that cheap is my badge of honor, but I'm not trying to hide anything either.
Don't worry, I'm not so cheap that it's embarassing. I am not tempted to call supermarket sampling "lunch." But I am just cheap enough that my family will manage this coming recession without much drama. We won't have to adjust and cut back too much since we ride it pretty close to the line anyway.
Still, miserly-ness loves company, so I've invited some along to today's playdate (via Susan Flynn's article in the January L.A. Parent magazine). Whether you need some new ideas on how to cutback or save more. Or if you prefer the more salacious side of money matters (this article on how to tell if your financial partner is cheating. Yow!). Oh, most of these websites aren't terribly fancy -- naturally, they cut corners and didn't go the professional design route. So tacky! The savings!
Miserly Moms -- budget calculators, which are fun, and tips from readers (also recipes, but, well, yuck. We're more serious than casseroles, here.)
Dollar Stretcher -- the best since it's loaded with specific topics on budgeting, stuff for new moms and also easing into investing and lots of calculators -- retirement, city vs. country living, etc. -- links to forums and also a few blogs. All free!
If you've got a lot of different debt, there's the Debt Snowball method of paying it off. And, in any case, a calculator that's great fun to play with because it tells you how long you'll be paying off the debt and, after interest, what the total amount you'll have paid.
Warning: cheap people can get pretty holier-than-thou, so you'll have to ignore that if you think that might bug you. Just remember, people who write about it must be really into it. Anyway, they've got so little else going on (what with the price of ...)
