free household budget

Sometimes you just need to stop spending money for a few days. Maybe you are already over budget, or close to it, and the month isn’t over. Maybe you have savings goals with attached deadlines, and need to kick a little extra towards one of those goals before the deadline comes and goes. Or maybe [...]

A computer these days is almost a necessity for everyone, and an expensive necessity at that. Whether for fun or for work, it is not uncommon to see multiple computers in a household. More and more people are even purchasing laptops for their size and convenience. Purchasing a computer can be tricky and intimidating with [...]

The other day I was helping a friend prepare for a personal finance presentation to a group. I suggested that she break up her presentation with a group activity so that the session is more interactive. I don’t know if she will use my suggestion or not. However, I want to share the idea with [...]

If I have heard one resounding theme over any others among friends and family it’s that the possibility of a vacation is out for this year. In some cases, people I know have not taken a vacation in years! The number one reason: they can’t afford it. Well, at least they think they can’t afford [...]

Following up on my how to create a budget article, I want to share with you a budgeting method called the cash envelope budgeting system. The envelope system of budgeting has been around for long time (it’s believed to have started during the Great Depression). However, it became more popular when Dave Ramsey preached it [...]

I am down right bad when it comes to budgeting. I’ve gotten used to a save first and automatic payments lifestyle that budgeting has become a foreign language to me. However, a recent unfortunate event may put this lifestyle to an end and force us to take budgeting seriously. I have been refreshing myself on [...]

Well, looks like we are having a rash of carnival crises here. Yesterday the host of the Festival of Frugality bailed and David at My Two Dollars bailed out the carnival with an emergency edition of the Festival of Frugality, and it’s our turn today! Here’s my quick and dirty bailout edition of the Money [...]

Last Friday, I received a question from one of my readers. He asked that I respond publicly so that others may pitch in with their opinions. However, I took it a step further and passed his question to a few blogger friends and I’ve included their answers here as well.
I am an avid reader of [...]

Lynnae at Being Frugal tagged me and asked about my biggest budget busters. The request could’ve been difficult since I don’t budget. Fortunately, I have been experimenting with Mint.com, and I was able to pull out some big purchases and budget busters. So, here are my top fives (in the reverse order):

5. Eating Out
A few [...]

I know I don’t talk enough about frugality. May be I am not a very frugal person, although my wife always call me cheap. So I figure I would share share some great frugal ideas, tips, and resources from around the web (not in any order):

Being Frugal: Making Every Penny Count
Frugal Living by Money Ning
FruWiki, [...]