Festival of Frugality #145-The Gratitude Edition

Published September 30th, 2008

Hello and welcome to the 145th edition of the Festival of Frugality! Value For Your Life is thrilled to be hosting this festival for the first time. In light of recent events globally, in North America, and some changes in my own life even, I thought it would be nice to focus on some of the good things. When things get tough, part of what we do have control over is to consciously choose to focus on the positive things in our life, and what we are grateful for. Throughout this carnival I have decided to share some of the things that I am personally grateful for. I hope this carnival, and the wonderful and talented personal finance writers inspire you to look at the positive in your own life, and how you can get more out of the money you spend every day.

If this is your first visit to Value For Your Life, feel free to take a look around. If you like what you see, and you think these posts may help you get more out of every day, then feel free to subscribe to the feed via RSS or subscribe via emailfor regular updates.  Now, on with the carnival!

Editor’s Picks

I am grateful for the knowledge I gain from every experience–good or bad.  Sometimes I have to dig deep to do so, but I know that if I can find the lessons along the way, I will emerge stronger and more resilient on the other side.

• The Life Less Traveled tells us the uplifting story of a family that downsized to a camper and hit the open road.  Not only did this post put a smile on my face, it’s a great example of thinking outside the box!
• Sound Money Matters makes a compelling argument in The Case for Frugality: Now and Forever.  I couldn’t agree more.
• MoneyNing gets both creative and practical in Save Money by Cooking Even When You Are Not Home .  We’ve always made a habit of buying fruits, cheese, bread etc. for lunches and breakfasts when we travel, but going the whole way by cooking a hot meal on the road is a great idea!
• Master Your Cardpresents The Costs of Apartment Living, this is a must read–and kudos to Kristy for handling this in a professional manner.

Frugality, Finances, and Philosophy 

I am grateful that I live in a place where everyone is free to have an opinion, and to share their story. There’s so much we can learn from each other along the way!

• Simply Forties weighs Frugality vs. Environmental Responsibility
• FruGalpresents Un-frugal habits I cannot kick!
• The Simple Dollar gets creative and shares My Weekend Projects: 5 Ways I Spend My Weekends Saving Money and Living Frugally
• Frugal Babe responds to one of her readers’ emails in My Thoughts On Cars
• Liberta-Freedom says: Don’t give a stuff and why it will make you rich
• A Simple Walk believes It’s All About What You Say And Who You Know
• Funny About Money has a post that seriously contemplates The least important bill
• Save and Conquer writes about Teaching Budgeting and Monthly Expenses to their little one 
• I’ve Paid For This Twice Already… asks What Do You Do About School Fundraisers?This post also had some interesting discussion in the comments!
• Our Fourpence Worth shares lessons learned in The Benefits of Deprivation: 10 Days Without Air Conditioning and Counting! Plus Tips for Staying Cool
• Enhace Life says Over Spending & Impulse Buying: 8 Reasons Why You’re Not To Blame
• Not the Jet Setlightens things up with Add a Little Booze to Your Budget!

Education and College 

 Although it is a primary source of our debt, I am so thankful we invested the extra time and money in our educations, which have allowed us to have careers with many paths.

• Destry Debt talks about Free College Education Exists in the U.S.
• Broke Grad Student shares 10 Ways To Get Free Food in College, the only thing better than cheap when you’re in school is free!  
• Blueprint for Financial Prosperity has 40 Money Tips for College Students
• Student Scroogepresents (More) Quick Tips on Textbooks

Food and Groceries

 I am grateful to have such choice of what I can eat, and access to healthy food and safe drinking water–when I know that for so many others this is a luxury.

• Cheap Healthy Good talks tofu in Veggie Might: Don’t Fear the Bean Curd.  Read this post and give tofu a chance–you may be pleasantly surprised!
• Bluntmoneypresents 45 jars of spaghetti sauce later… what a great return on investment! 
• The Q Family Adventure has a post on the Coupon of the 21st Century.  Coupons on your cell phone–genius. 
• Money and Such says Saving by Buying in Volume? Think Again… Three words:  Price Per Unit
• Bible Money Matterspresents Guest Post: Using Coupons Can Cost You Money!
• My Daily Dollars has tips if you need to Perk Up Store Brand Coffee

Saving Money and Budgeting

I am grateful for the knowledge I have, and continue to gain, as it allows me to have a great quality of life while actually living on very little money so I can pay off our huge debt.

• The Shark Investor talks about saving large in Where Is Dirt, There Is Cash–some frugalists may consider this post controversial!
• Weddings Affordable shares ideas for how to Make Your Own Budget Wedding Invitations
• Women’s Lifestyle Blog presents some alternatives for Budget Engagement Rings
• FIRE Finance has a good system in Save Money: Reuse Mailing Boxes and Packing Supplies
• Budgets are Sexy shares their fun and frugal challenge in Save gas and drive the home stretch w/out hitting the pedal!
• Harvesting Dollarspresents Stop The Leaks In Your Wallet
• Common Sense with Money has a post revealing Six Things Keeping you from Cheaper Diapers
• Uncommon Centspresents Do Web Sites for Brick and Mortar Stores Make Sense?
• The Money Beagle shares My Costco Shopping Trip Experience
• Wealth Junkies offer us 5 Frugal Tips For Making Big Buys
• The Smarter Walletpresents Save Money On Gas With These 10 Tips
• Fivecentnickel also has some tips in Improve Your Gas Mileage by Slowing Down
• Cars for Girls offers yet more tips in 10 Ways to Save On Gas and Improve Mileage
• Money and Fitness Blogpresents 42 ways to get the most out of your money
• The Writer’s Coin offers resources for Listening to Music for Free
• Greener Pastures shares 7 Whopper Websites for Purchasing U.S. Government Surplus | Greener Pastures: Personal Finance
• Think Your Way to Wealthpresents Money Saving Ideas for Halloween Costumes, Decorations, and Treats

Investments, Insurance, and the Economy

I am grateful for the understanding that knowledge is power. There are no guarantees in life, but the outcome is easier for me to accept when I know I’ve minimized the risk by making an educated decision.

• Fix My Personal Finance presents some wise words in Chicken Little and the Money Market
• Invest in India asks Are you disappointed with your mutual fund investments?
• Free Money Finance shares how great credit can save you a bundle in How We Saved 44% on Our Homeowners Insurance
• Christian Financial Blog has some good advice about what to to if you experience Flood damage to cars 
• Bugs Munny presents suggestions to Make Money During a Slow Economy

Offers and Freebies

 I am grateful that it’s often the little things, and those that cost the least which bring me the most happiness.

• Hustler Money Blog shares a find with Free $50 or DVD Player with Citi Credit Protector
• Living Almost Large tells a tale of a flexi-leash order gone wrong, and what she did about it, in Frugal Tip: Voice your Complaint   
• Miss Thriftypresents Discount composter - savings all round! She’s in the U.K. but some great tips for everyone.
• Cash Money Life tells us about the Netflix 30 Day Free Trial and has a coupon code to try.
• Personal Finance Analyst offers the post Saving at Subway with Coupons…with some links to Subway coupon sources.

Planning and Organization

I am grateful for my organizational skills, and that when I get pushed to further expand those skills, I can handle more than I’d previously thought.

• This Wasn’t in The Plan says start planning financially for the holidays in Get Ready for Christmas Now: Where Will The Money Come From?
• Happy to Be at Home also has Christmas on the mind, and reminds that it’s not all about the expensive gifts in Christmas is Coming?
• One Family’s Blog has some great tips in European Vacation – Gotchas to avoid and frugal options for cost conscious American Visitors
• The Digerati Lifehighlights A Simple System To Keep Financial Records
• Almost Frugalpresents How to Make an On-the-Go Emergency Kit

Last but absolutely not least…

I am grateful for variety of the people, animals, and ideas that I am exposed to on a regular basis. They don’t know it, but they continue to expand and enrich my life every day!

• Saving Advice notices a trend and takes the greedy to task in When Invitations Become Money Grabs
• Squawkfox finds a crafty and creative way to deal with less than perfect walls in Do It Yourself: Painted Stripes, Wallpaper, and Canvas Wall Art
• The Financial Wellness Project reviews a budgeting journal in it’s easy saving money when you know how!

Well, this brings the 145th edition of the Festival of Frugality to a close. Thank you for your visit, and for taking the time to contribute and/or read the great writing that is presented here.  I truly believe this is a collection from some of the most talented personal finance writers in the blogosphere, and it’s wonderful to have them all at Value For Your Life today!

Happy reading, and don’t forget to visit the Festival of Frugality next week as it travels to Dollar Frugal!

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