I just put $1000 into our HSA. Any contributions we make to our HSA are automatically invested in a mutual fund. Last spring, shares in the fund were selling for around $23 a pop. Now they’re about $16. So although it’s painful to look at overall balances in all of our accounts, it’s nice to make a contribution when the shares are basically “on sale.” Hopefully a year from now, they won’t be selling for $10!
I think it’s time for a round up of my favorite posts from the Frugal Blog Network and around the blogosphere.
Frugal Zeitgeist has a very detailed first quarter checkup of her 2009 goals. It’s inspiring to read, and a good reminder that yearly goal-setting is great, but in order to be successful, it’s probably a good idea to keep track of your progress every few months.
The Tight Fisted Miser writes about tracking his activities to figure out where he’s wasting time. I know what he means about the internet… Since I’m online most of the time for my job, it’s easy to get distracted and find myself out and about in cyberspace (twitter, anyone?). I make an effort to keep my non-work online time to a minimum. But then I find stories like this one, and before I know it I’ve spent 20 minutes reading through the article and comments. Ah, the internet.
Almost Frugal has 7 money saving ideas that might seem crazy – but give them a chance. Definitely worth a read. And I’m sure you can add a few more to the list if you try.
Not Made Of Money has a post about keeping laminate floors clean, without spending a bunch of money or using nasty chemicals. I’m a big fan of vinegar as a cleaner. This is pretty much the same way I clean our floors (wood and laminate). I have a mop with a washable microfiber cloth attached to it. I rinse the rag in the sink, spray it with vinegar, and that’s about it. Works great, and there’s no worry about chemicals on the floor.
The Frugal Duchess has an article about mistakes she made with her emergency fund, and what she’s learned. I like her idea about having multiple savings accounts, each with a specific purpose. We have a college savings account for our son, IRAs, an HSA (for medical expenses, but it doubles as a retirement fund if we don’t need to use the money for medical expenses), and three accounts at ING that each have a different purpose.
Elsewhere in the blogospherse, Alissa at On Purpose Living had a baby boy last week!
Sheri at Green and Crunchy made kale popsicles and kale ice cream! I make green smoothies every day (sometimes two or three times a day) and kale is a favorite around here. I don’t have popsicle molds or an ice cream maker, but I often make very thick smoothies that are the consistency of soft serve ice cream, pour them into bowls, and freeze them for a while. And lately I’ve been making chocolate pudding in my blender: cocoa, bananas, avocado, a few dates, some pumpkin seeds, chia seeds, ice cubes, and water. Blend, enjoy!
Frugal Trenches has posted a very comprehensive list of ways to save money. She’s recently made some amazing changes in her life, leaving her job and finding a much more peaceful, relaxed existance. But to do so required an ability to live on a lot less money. So check out how she did it, and be inspired.
Hope you’re all having a good Friday! It’s a no-spending day around here… anybody else with me?
Related posts:
