January 2008

How Much Is That Doggie in the Window: The cost of owning a pet

January 9, 2008

Out of idle curiosity, I ran a Quicken category report for the past 12 years and restricted the categories to one: “Dog.” According to Quicken, to date I’ve shelled out $8,217 for the privilege of owning a dog—well, for five of those 12 years, two dogs. That doesn’t cover everything. For the first few years [...]

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Funny makes Editor’s Pick

January 8, 2008

Patrick, proprietor of Cash Money Life, was kind enough to select Funny’s article on magazine renewal hustles as an Editor’s Pick in the 107th Festival of Frugality, which he is hosting this week. Thanks, Patrick! It’s an honor.

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A personal finance gold mine

January 7, 2008

Mrs. Micah is hosting the 134th Carnival of Personal Finance, and she has posted the mother lode. She brings together interesting and useful commentary on nine topics, plus a set of not-to-be-missed “Editor’s Picks.” This is Funny about Money’s first time participating in a blog carnival, for which we thank Mrs. Micah!

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Bonus Frugal Household Hint: Free water

January 7, 2008

Here in lovely uptown Phoenix, we awoke to pouring rain. Gloomy day for commuters, joyous day for plants. Put a light dose of plant food in your favorite houseplant watering container and set it under the eaves to collect runoff. If it has a narrow opening (I use old gallon juice jugs, for example), set [...]

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Frugal Household Hints: Vinegar is sweet

January 7, 2008

Vinegar is the cheapest household cleaner around. Nothing does a better job of cutting through a film of grease. 1. Put vinegar in a squirt bottle (you can dilute it about 50-50 with water). Spray the kitchen counter and wipe dry with a soft cloth or paper towel. 2. Spray mirrors or windows with vinegar. [...]

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Time is not money

January 6, 2008

‘Twasn’t long ago that I posted a comment to a blog in which I held forth on the rock-solid value of my time, which I calculated at around $60 an hour. That was the bargain rate. Platinum Edition: $200. Wrong. My time isn’t “worth” anything: it has no monetary value. Neither does yours. Like other [...]

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