Woot So what do us frugal weirdos do for entertainment? I think people assume we just sit at home in the dark, reading library books, and eating food out of the trash. But we only do that sometimes, I swear;)! In truth, Mr. Frugalwoods and I live a life of frugal luxury and engage in a plethora of fabulous frugal pursuits. Our recent very frugal day trip is but one rich example. Last Saturday, Mr. Frugalwoods and I...
Woot Today’s Woot & Grumble comes to you from the vacationing Frugalwoods! We’re in North Carolina this week celebrating Mr. FW’s younger sister’s high school graduation and visiting with his family. Frugal Hound, meanwhile, is relishing her time at our friends’ house out in the suburbs–complete with a huge fenced yard, other greyhounds to frolic with, lots of treats, and tons of different toys to sniff. Basically, it’s greyhound summer camp. Traveling to visit family is...
Woot It’s the week of relationships here on Frugalwoods! On Monday we heard from Sam of Frugaling.org about his journey through frugality as a single guy. And on Wednesday, I shared the positive impact that frugality has had on my marriage to Mr. Frugalwoods. Today I want to discuss another type of relationship: the friendship! I’m the first to admit that being a counterculture frugal werido means it’s not necessarily easy to make friends through traditional avenues. But, it’s also not...
Woot The first hesitant tendrils of spring are taking hold in our formerly snow-encased northeastern landscape. Frugal Hound senses the warmer temperatures on our walks and exudes a certain doggy friskiness in response. Much as Mr. Frugalwoods and I genuinely enjoy the frozen wintertime, we’re equally pleased to welcome the balmy New England spring. We find that the turning of the seasons lends a reassuring rhythm to life. Indeed, it seems like the most natural progression of a year. Each...
Woot Today I write to ask your advice on a topic near and dear to my frugal heart: snacks! Not just any snacks, mind you, but healthy and frugal snacks. I want the full package here people, and I bet it’s not going to come in a package. As a lifelong lover and consumer of snacks, I have a broad range of experience with this particular culinary facet. In first grade, I somehow convinced my incredibly...
Woot We’ve been spotted. Someone recognized Mr. Frugalwoods and me in the flesh for the first time ever this past Sunday. I believe it was the beard that gave us away… either that or perhaps we emit frugality sonar. Both seem equally likely. Naturally, the sighting occurred at our discount grocery store, Market Basket. I can’t think of a more perfect place to happen upon fellow frugal weirdos. It’s one of the very few stores we actually shop at...
Woot Frugal Hound is a champ with babies! We had the distinct honor of hosting Cat from Budget Blonde, her awesome husband, and their adorable (beyond adorable, really) 1-year-old twins, Bean and Beannette, for several days last weekend. I confess I was a tad apprehensive as the babies and Frugal Hound scouted each other out for the first time, but, turns out that our dog is a natural born nanny. That might be slightly overstating...
Grumble Well, this was the week of me doing dumb things. It all began with a forgotten lunch… Last week, I shared that Mr. Frugalwoods and I had the incredible opportunity to speak at NYU, which was amazing and wonderful! And filled with unicorns leaping over rainbows! Perhaps not quite leaping, but certainly rather excited unicorns. We returned home late Thursday night and, being relatively responsible people, packed up our lunches for the next morning. Friday...
Woot We’ve officially corrupted some youths with our subversive anti-consumerism, frugal weirdo manifesto. Mr. Frugalwoods and I had the honor of delivering a presentation to New York University students on Wednesday about the alternative path we’re taking through life. These eager, intelligent young people only seemed mildly shocked by the concept of early retirement and, based on their insightful questions, they know A LOT more about personal finance than I did as an undergraduate. Erin of Broke Millennial also presented...
Woot What time do you wake up? I used to loathe mornings. I was a beastly, grump-filled, snooze button addict with a penchant for the passive aggressive before coffee. But then, I grew up. Not in a maturity sense per se, but more in an inevitable passage-of-time, another-year-older type of way. And now? I tentatively think I can be categorized as one of those horribly chipper, brown-nosing, obnoxiously peppy, disgustingly saccharine “morning people.” Ugh. I’m...
