Even a cheapskate has to spend money sometimes. Today, I’m introducing a new series of posts in which I ask various frugal folks—bloggers, writers, money-saving and consumer experts—to name the products, services, experiences, and other “things” they’re willing to shell out good money on. Smart cheapskates understand that buying …
Saving & Spending
Cook & Save Blogs Beyond $50 a Week
The hullabaloo over the Fifty Bucks a Week bloggers brought up the fact that there are many, many interesting blogs out there focused on cooking on a budget. Here’s a round-up of a few other blogs that are at least vaguely concerned with saving money, shopping smartly, and preparing great dishes at home.
It’s a Deal: Flights from $29 on JetBlue
A sale on JetBlue offers one-way flights starting at $29 between Ft. Lauderdale and Nassau, Bahamas, and one-way fares of $49, $54, or $64 for many other flights within the U.S. More details here [http://jetblue.com/UBF/flights/flights.aspx].
Hey Now, You’re a Blog Star: Hottest Blogs are Written by Economists?
Hmmm … should I read waste some time wwilfing at The Onion or dig into a little light reading about macroeconomic theory at Econbrowser? According to a WSJ story, more and more people are going the latter route, trying to figure out where the economy is heading by way of blogs penned by giant-brained econogeeks.
Deep Impact: 10 Ways the Recession Is Hitting Home in Lots of Homes
Divorced couples are living under the same roof because it’s too expensive to really split up right now. There are either more people around the house (because they’re out of work) or fewer people around the house (because they’re working second and third jobs to pay bills and get health coverage). More people are doing their own chores …
No One Said Homeownership Was Easy, or That It’d Make You Happy
A study conducted by a Wharton professor—whose research was all conducted well before the recession and the housing crash—shows that despite all the hoopla about the white-picket-fence American dream of owning a house, homeowners are no happier than renters. Whatever joy homeowners derive from their properties is offset by …
Cheapskate Wisdom from … Donald Trump
“Sometimes your best investments are the ones you don’t make.”
Home Buyers: Purchase What You Need, No More
This advice is probably a little late for owners of the 1.5 million homes in foreclosure, but a WSJ story succinctly tells the big reason anyone should become a homeowner—because it saves money compared to renting, not because it’s going to make anyone rich. Many speculators are learning that buying a property you cannot afford will do …
Foreclosure Watch: At Some Point, Is It Smarter to Walk Away from Your Mortgage?
The news is making the rounds that in the first half of 2009, 1.53 million properties in the U.S. were in the foreclosure process. That’s up 15 percent companred to the previous year. The figures are certainly the result of the rise in unemployment and slow, confusing relief efforts from the government and lenders. It’s also likely that …
It’s a Deal: Two-for-One Iced Beverages at Peet’s Coffee
Peet’s Coffee & Tea, which has stores throughout the West and a few in other parts of the country, is giving away one iced beverage with the purchase of an iced beverage. A coupon is required, and you can print it out here. Valid only through Friday, July 17.
As Steak House Business Suffers, the Chef at Home Smiles
For years, high-end steak houses have held a monopoly on the best beef. Restaurants had first dibs on USDA prime beef, and whatever they didn’t scoop up was secured by gourmet stores and specialty butchers. But now that restaurant goers are forsaking their $50 steak dinners for meals around the family dinner table, steak houses just …
It’s a Deal: Free Breakfast, Half Off at IKEA
This weekend (July 18 and 19), IKEA is hosting a “Seize the Days” sale, in which certain wood furniture is being discounted by 50 percent, and in which one free breakfast per customer is being awarded. Print a coupon and see more details here.
