I’ve decided I’m going to try a fun little game called “Cheap or Frugal?” that you all can play. It’s easy, quick, and hopefully tons of fun.  I’m going to pose the age-old question “is this cheap or frugal?” and allow you to decide.  Depending on the popularity, this may be a new feature at the Ultimate Money Blog. Here’s the first round: When this couple goes out to eat at a restaurant (fast food, sit down, basically any), they only order one drink and share it. VOTE NOW! Cheap or Frugal? Cheap! Frugal! I’m interested to see your opinion. If you have a question you’d like to have spotlighted here, please comment, or email me at ultimatemoneyblogATgmail.com.

A few months ago, I was decided I wanted to research what was in makeup.  I looked through many different brands; organic, mineral makeup, and others.  I used to be a die hard Bare Escentuals (Bare Minerals) fan.  Then I discovered Everyday Minerals, which got rave reviews on a message board I’m on.  I ordered some samples over six months ago, loved them, and then decided I was going to stop using them.  I gave up makeup altogether. What’s the big deal about a little makeup?  Not much, if you don’t mind a little foreskin in your cosmetics. Truthfully, that wasn’t what made me decide to give up makeup. What was the deciding factor for me was that the skin is the largest organ, and everything you put on it is absorbed into your blood stream pretty quickly.  Plus, the makeup I was purchasing was costly too.  Even so, giving it up took a period of adjustment and I have been going without for over two months now. One of the biggest obstacles for me was getting used to seeing [...]

Sometimes I get stuck in a rut.  I know we all do.  Personally, I’m a worrier.  I worry about anything and everything from something as minute as do I have enough cash on me? to the world ending because of climate change.  One of the things I have been working on lately is living my life.  While this sounds simple, it is truly something that has normally been a struggle for me.  I’m not one of those people that can just carpe diem and forget about it.  I’m one of those people that tries to plan for every little thing that’s going to happen in life.  I try to plan for the unexpected.  While I think having a plan is crucial, I also think that trying to plan everything is counterintuitive. With the possibility of a cross country move, I have been pretty stressed lately. All I can think of are the variables. Can we sell our house if we have to? Will we lose money? Are we making the right decision? and so on.  I finally realized that I [...]