Quiet Time

Weekly Roundup: Frugal Home Office Edition

I’ve been spending some time looking for a secret hideaway where I can get more writing done. I’ve accepted a couple freelance opportunities, in addition to my writing here at Frugal Dad, in an attempt to sprint to the finish of this debt snowball plan. In doing so, I’m finding myself needing more and more quiet time in front of the computer.

My requirements were pretty simple. I basically needed a small room with a door somewhere in the house. All the bedrooms are occupied, and in the summer our garage is too hot to sit in any length of time. I decided to squeeze into our utility/laundry room, working from a laptop on a four foot folding table. Have computer, have pen, have scratch pad, will write for food! I’m enjoying the bit of solitude, even it if a bit cramped.

The Fab Five

Oversaving Does Not Lead To Happiness. This post reminded me of my mantra to live frugal, but still have a life. While saving money is an important part of being frugal, it is also important to find balance and spend some of your hard-earned money on a few things that bring you joy.

Frugal Ways To Get A Good Night’s Sleep. As an insomniac (and a frugal one at that), I appreciated the tips here. No Mt. Dews after 2:00pm? No late-night snacking? No wonder I can’t sleep!

The Dave Ramsey Budget: Budgeting TIps for Successful Savers. An excellent overview of the process of creating and maintaining a budget (with a Dave Ramsey spin).

When “Free” Things Aren’t Free: Beware the Hidden and Indirect Costs. Let’s face it; nothing is really 100% free in this world. There is inevitably some exchange for “free” goods and service, whether it be time or even future dollars.

Are You Emotionally Invested In Your Credit Card? I suspect this is why so many people rush to the defense of credit cards. They got their first card in college. It has a picture of their beloved dog on it. They charged their anniversary cruise on it three years ago (and are still paying for it). Just remember, if you are starting to feel attached to your card read through the stories (including my own) of companies dropping ten-year members for no apparent reason. In the credit card world, loyalty is definitely not a two-way street. (Bonus, an interesting “plasectomy” video here).