March 15, 2010 – I think Lotich’s insights about salesmen should be extended further to reading catalogs and watching commercials on TV. Since the advent of DVRs and TIVOS I rarely sit and watch commercials and I don’t browse malls for entertainment. So why would I want to leaf through sales papers or catalogs unless I was expressly looking to buy an item and want to compare prices? Too often looking leads to buying something we really don’t need.

March 15, 2010 – Bob Lotich offers very sound advise… I have much personal experience with marrying without the benefit of financial counseling and learned the hard way that my husband(s) handled money much differently than I would.

February 28, 2010 – If you are one those fortunate enough to still be taking vacations, this is an excellent article on how keep one affordable.

February 28, 2010 – This unfortunately is true. Most of us don’t budget our spending, we just look it over after the fact. Retirement has made me start planning more and spending less on an impulse. ]]> http://cheaplivingtips.com/blog/2010/03/14/my-notes-march-15-2010/feed/ 0 http://cheaplivingtips.com/blog/2010/02/08/my-notes-february-8-2010/ http://cheaplivingtips.com/blog/2010/02/08/my-notes-february-8-2010/#comments Mon, 08 Feb 2010 06:09:11 +0000 Susan http://www.cheaplivingtips.com/cheapliving/my-notes-february-8-2010

February 3, 2010 – This is good reading and excellent advise. I recently watched a video (sorry I forget where) in which an group of people shared how losing their job changed their lives for the better because they used that opportunity to start doing something they loved. Pagliarini points out that you don’t have to wait until you are unemployed to start exploring your talents and passions. I give it a 9!

February 3, 2010 – This is long overdue! Nothing irritated me more than to watch my friends’ kids spend money on foolish things and not have a clue where that money came from.

February 3, 2010 – I really blew this one…instead of paying everything off I went out and bought a new car the year before I retired so I’m stuck with payments for another three years. Told myself it would be like getting a raise at the end of the contract when I no longer had that payment. I also ‘borrowed’ to buy an additional year of service credit for my retirement fund. This however almost balances out as the increase in monthly income ALMOST covers the amount deducted to pay for added time. Again, in four years time I will give myself a ‘raise’ because this will be paid off and I will get the full benefit added into my monthly check.

I did do well with the credit card issue though. I only use credit cards for expenses I can pay in full at the end of the month or purchases that come with a no interest for 12 months option. I find that using a card gives me a more visual handled on what I am spending and helps me keep it in check.

February 3, 2010 – Must read for the frugal minded! I do take offense that Farrell says no one wants to be known as cheap! A rose by any other name….

I highly recommend putting CBS MoneyWatch RSS into your feed. ]]> http://cheaplivingtips.com/blog/2010/02/08/my-notes-february-8-2010/feed/ 0 http://cheaplivingtips.com/blog/2010/02/01/my-notes-february-1-2010-2/ http://cheaplivingtips.com/blog/2010/02/01/my-notes-february-1-2010-2/#comments Mon, 01 Feb 2010 06:02:48 +0000 Susan http://www.cheaplivingtips.com/cheapliving/my-notes-february-1-2010-2

January 27, 2010 – I recently read that Berkshire Hathaway owns 10% of BIY, a Chinese company that builds batteries for hybrid vehicles.

January 27, 2010 – This is an excellent place to find ideas about making money and making your money go farther. ]]> http://cheaplivingtips.com/blog/2010/02/01/my-notes-february-1-2010-2/feed/ 0