Compare Spending with Your Peers

I just learned about the launch of a new site that allows visitors to compare their spending habits with their peers. The exact sources of the spending data are unknown but it is broken down by age group, marital/kid status, income, and geography. Read more

Hard Truth Week in Review – Bad Knee Edition

It’s been a little quiet here at ToughMoneyLove. I had some outpatient surgery on my knee last Friday and have been groggy since then from the pain medication. Read more

‘Tis the Season to be Saving

The retailers are nervous about the final outcome of the Christmas selling season. Do they have reason to be concerned? It seems that they do. Read more

Black Friday Spenders: Wasting Away in Hamsterville

I ignored Black Friday – and shopping altogether – this year. Instead, I enjoyed time with family. Mr. ToughMoneyLove shopped on Black Friday once. My oldest son and I decided a few years ago to snap up some needed tech bargains at Best Buy. We arrived early (but not before hundreds of others looking to score bigger deals), bought a few things on our list, went home, and fell back asleep by 7:00 AM. I won’t be doing that again anytime soon, if ever. It’s rare these days that I would want or need to buy something that would be deeply discounted on Black Friday. Read more

Lifestyle Changes by Design

Tomorrow Mrs. ToughMoneyLove and I are joining two of our sons (and a wonderful significant other) in a 600 mile one-day car trip to a Thanksgiving get-together with extended family. Read more

Making Small Sacrifices Count

You hear and read a lot of debate about the value in making small sacrifices in your spending. Many habitual spenders resist the call to cut out their discretionary purchases of small items, e.g., that morning latte’ or lunchtime meal out. It’s part of their enjoyment of life, they say, and the costs are insignificant compared to their finances as a whole. To them, not having that daily treat is more than saving money – it’s sacrificing something of value. Read more

Holiday Spending Guide for a New Economy

If you are watching the stock market, listening to the politicians in charge, and reading the popular press, maybe you are starting to build some confidence in our economy. After all, there is nothing wrong with having some optimism during difficult times. The important question is what you do with that optimism. The politicians in charge and retailers want you to convert that optimism into spending. Mr. ToughMoneyLove has different ideas. Read more

Cutting Spending and Reducing Debt the Casino Way

I’ve been wondering if there are millions of Americans out there who are anxiously awaiting the return of the good old days of borrow and spend.  I have to think that there are some folks for whom saving and living within your means is like being in debtor’s prison. Read more

Splashing Cold Water on the Frugal Garden

Last night I watched part of a “baby boomer and finances” special on Public Television. Part of the program was dedicated to telling the stories of retirees who grew most of their own food. Read more

More Adventures as a Shopping Skeptic

I had two interesting experiences this past week-end as a skeptical shopper. One surprised me. The other did not. Read more

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