The Frugalista Files

Frugalicious Desserts

Happy Friday! For all of your hard work, here are some top frugalicious desserts 
from blogger Squawkfox. What I like about this list is that a) she includes chocolate b) the desserts are healthy c) it's affordable.

Also, here is a recipe for Snickerdoodles from the Living on a Dime blog.
I learned to make snickerdoodles in a baking class I took in 5th grade, and they are tre yummy. It's nice to know that the cookies make the affordable edible cut.  I was ahead of the curve! :)

When I'm at a restaurant, I share dessert with my dining partners.  Dessert sharing is more about keeping the waistline in check, not the budget. It's all gravy if my budgets benefits, right?

Do you have any dessert recipes that are sweet on the budget? If so, give em up, pretty please!

Have a great weekend!

Pre-Owned Perfection

So, I've been studying up on the freegans and thinking about the great response to my urban foraging expedition. Used stuff is all the rage, no? I ran across this article that talks about what's O.K. to buy used.

I bought my car used about three years ago, and it's been a dream. I was able to getting a higher level car than I could afford to buy if I bought new. The car was certified pre-owned and two years old. Now mind you, I bought the car in early 2005 before Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Wilma came around. You have to be careful with the car's history. My friend bought a used Land Rover and it's giving her hell. It had a lot of electrical problems. I hope it's not a hurricane car.

I clothes swap with my friends, too. That's not buying used, it's just wearing used goods. Honestly, I don't really go to thrift stores. Why pay when I can swap with the homies?

Looking at the list of things that you should buy used, I agree with most of them. But I am not so sure about used kiddie toys. I would be worried that there was a recall I didn't know about. I bet I would be a worry wart for a parent. 

Opinion Polls & Market Research

Frugal Chic

One of my favorite columnists Michelle Singletary wrote about agencies that want to make being thrifty/frugal the hip thing to do.

I'm trying to do my own frugal campaign, too. Fun, fashionable and frugal is my mantra. What else is there to life? I mean, my readers revolt at squandering money but are sure up to see a free concert or two. It's the best of both worlds. My philosophy is to enjoy my life as much as possible, while minding the bank. Miser McNeal will never be my name. I don't mind blabbing about a balance on a credit card or how I couldn't go out to play because I'm trying to save a buck or two. Financial freedom works better for me. Since I've taken a vow a frugality, I feel much more focused.

In the personal finance blogging world, paying off debt is a big old carnival  on the internet. I am so glad I started blogging. It's like group therapy but you go to sessions at your leisure. Tricia at Blogging Away Debt, posted about several bloggers who paid off debt.  For some folks, it took years, but they did it. Tricia's no slouch either. She's gone from $37,614 to $8,998 in debt.

Certainly, saving money is not a new concept, but somehow it got placed on the back burner for far too many.

I'm glad that speaking/blogging/writing about not becoming prey to subprime loans, credit cards or extravagant lifestyles is en vogue.  It's overdue.

Do you think it's becoming cool to be frugal? Is the culture of bling and excess out of style? Do you think Americans are having a wake up call? Do you think  even saying that saving money is a new craze hilarious to you? I mean, America has gone through a Great Depression.

Latrell Sprewell's Home Foreclosure

The home foreclosure crisis is hitting people of all economic backgrounds. Ex-NBA star Latrell Sprewell home was foreclosed, according to this story in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. I emailed the author of the article, Marie Rohde, and she said that in a few weeks, Sprewell's home will go to a sheriff's sale if he doesn't come up with the full amount he owes.

According to the story:

The holder of the mortgage, RBS Citizens Bank, told Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge David Hansher that Sprewell owes $320,284. According to River Hills records, the house is assessed at $610,000 and has an estimated fair market value of $667,980. Sprewell bought the house in 1994 for $405,000.

Once upon a time, Latrell scoffed at a $21 million contract extension. My how things change. I hope he doesn't feel the need to lash out.

Well, to end on a positive note, Essence magazine has these five tips on how to stop wasting money.

Do you feel bad for millionaires who squander their fortunes and end up broke? What do you think about Essence's tips for being frugal? I'm not so sure I want to give up my gym membership, although I don't use it like I should. What are some of your frugal tips? And should sports agents start linking to The Frugalista Files in contracts?

Thanks to Product Junkie Diva for the tip!

Pinch at the Pump

I read two interesting posts over the weekend about people using bicycles and public transportation as the preferred method of travel. I concur! If I didn't need my car to chase down stories for work, I would get on the band wagon.

On my own, I walk a little bit more to the store/bank and I think about whether I REALLY need to take a drive to go some place. Still, I feel the "pinch at the pump." To fill up my ride it's $53. When I first got the car, it was about $30 to fill it up. Meh.

Here are some fuel-efficient cars. I'm not in the market for a new ride, and I think the Prius' are a little pricey for my budget. But then again, with more people considering fuel-efficient rides, maybe prices could go down. It would be nice if South Florida could get a public transportation system like Washington, D.C. or Chicago. I'm over vehicles.

What's it like where you live? Do you own a car? How much does it take to fill up the tank? Are you taking public transportation more? Are you riding  your bike or walking more?  Tell me all about it.

*Don Tate III AMERICAN-STATESMAN ILLUSTRATION

Freebies for the Week

Big business is warm and fuzzy this week.

On Tuesday, Haagen-Dazs is following in the ice cream freebie tradition and giving away its new flavor, Vanilla Honey Bee from 4 to 8 p.m. The company created the flavor to honor  honey bees that are now disappearing in large numbers. At the Haagen-Dazs Shop at 1455 NW 107^th Avenue in Miami, revelers can meet Willie the Bee Man. For more info, click here.

Dunkin' Donuts is giving out free iced coffee on Thursday. For more info, click here.      

Micky Ds is offering a free southern style chicken biscuit or sandwich on Thursday as long as you buy a medium or large drink.

 

                                                                                                                                                      Please let me know if you know of any other freebies. Thanks Lou and Afrobella for the info!

Is Hillary Clinton a Frugalista?

Presidential hopeful Hillary Rodham Clinton may be a frugalista. Seriously.  The senator is having a few money woes on the campaign trail. She's loaned herself about $11 million, and she may have to loan more. 

According to the New York Times, she will run some frugal campaigns in the future:

Clinton advisers said they were looking for opportunities to save money on campaign events in the coming primary states of West Virginia, Kentucky and Oregon. The advisers said events would be more frill-free, but they also said that the campaign was likely to go deeper into debt to vendors who design and produce her events.

When I ask if Clinton is a frugalista, it's because she's considering cutting back on the campaign trail. I don't think carrying debt is a frugalicious thing to do.

However, the Clintons don't seem to be hurting for cash in their personal lives with their big book deals and other assets. Furthermore, the family can command high fees for speeches.

Still, she's having to deal with her financial future as a candidate. Slate.com had this interesting explainer article about the fiscal ramifications that Clinton may face after the primaries.

What do you think of Senator Clinton's money concerns? Does it not matter because she's flush in her personal life? In today's society, is it possible to run a bare-bones campaign? Can money buy an election win?  If you were her, would you loan yourself that money?

For the record, I am not registered to any party.

Stamp Price Increase Starts Monday

Aw man. The price of stamps are going up yet again. I'm mini vexed about this. Why must this happen? First food, now stamps? I pay most of my bills online but not all. My checks cost $20 to order, too. I'm thinking this last stamp price increase may send me to online bill pay through my bank.  I was hesitant to sign up for it through the bank because I felt like it would wed me to the instituion. But, going to several sites just to pay my bills is worrisome, too. I'm going to stick it to the man! No more mail for me. I'm e-billing.

Do you pay your bills online? How much do you think that saves you? What do you think about stamps going up? Does the U.S. Postal Service need to realize that stamps are so, so, out of style?

Mother's Day

Mother's Day is the time of the year to honor the woman who gave birth to you. Or you can simply honor all the good women who've had an impact on your life.

But what can you get for the special woman as a gift that won't break the bank? Gift giving can be great, IF you can afford it. I'm always a big fan of planning in your budget for gifts. But even if you plan, you still may not be able to spend much money. And mothers have their own hang ups about receiving gifts, too. My friend Jeannette is a reporter, wife, mother of two and feels guilty that she asked her hubby for a $67 bottle of perfume. You can read about her frugal dilemma here.

As for Mama McNeal, she's getting an airline gift card. She's a flying granny nanny, helping out with my niece who lives hundreds of miles away. It's what she wants.

My affordable gift idea is writing an appreciative letter. I wrote my grandmother a letter once. I never saw her so happy. Here are some other gift ideas.

Is it possible to give a gift that's frugal yet shows how much you care about someone? What are you giving the special moms in your life for Mother's Day? Is it O.K.to not give a gift on Mother's Day? Do you have any good, affordable gift ideas?

Free Concert at The Delano *update*

Hi. The free Jose James concert at the Delano on Miami Beach is May 28. I thought it was sooner, but it's not. Click here to RSVP.