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Festival of Frugality #81

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Welcome to Tight Fisted Miser and the Festival of Frugality. If this is your first time here I invite you to browse the archives after you read the Festival posts. If you like what you see go ahead and subscribe to my feed.

Since today is Independence Day in Belarus and tomorrow is the 4th of July here in the United States(and lots of other places) I decided to include some related tidbits of trivia.

There were a lot of entries this week and I did my best to divide them into categories. Although there were some entries that I didn’t think were completely on topic I’ve included all posts except for some multiple submissions. I’ve had a couple of people write that they were not able to get the carnival form to work so I apologize to anyone whose submission was left out. Ok, On to the Festival!

Editor’s Picks

“A penny saved is a penny earned.” Benjamin Franklin. In addition to being a pioneer of frugality, at age 70 he was the oldest signer of the Declaration of Independence.
Shannon Christman presents Ten “Necessities” That Really Aren’t posted at Saving Advice. I agree with this list although I do use some of the items.

Silicon Valley Blogger presents Does Size Matter: How Small A House Are You Willing To Live In? posted at The Digerati Life.
I really like these tiny houses but I think it would be simpler to just live in a van down by the river.

The Happy Rock presents Benefits And Drawbacks Of Spending Cash posted at The Happy Rock. I think the benefits outweigh the drawbacks although I’m sure many will disagree.

Mark McGuire presents How NOT to go to a Bar or a Club posted at TheLocoMono Website. This post shows how you can be a Tight Fisted Miser and still have a social life.

Clever Dude presents Frugality is more than just saving money at Clever Dude Personal Finance & Money posted at Clever Dude Personal Finance. My thoughts exactly.

Saving Money and Debt

The continental was paper money issued by the Continental Congress to pay for the costs of the American Revolution. Due to over-issue and lack of confidence in the government, the notes were soon nearly worthless-“not worth a continental.” According to John Witherspoon, the New Jersey clergyman who signed the Declaration of Independence, “For two or three years we constantly saw and were informed of creditors running away from their debtors, and the debtors pursuing them in triumph, and paying them without mercy.”

Super Saver presents Lessons From My Mom – Save For Big Ticket Items posted at My Wealth Builder.

Eric Stanley presents Saving Money – A Top Strategy For Saving Money posted at Personal Finance Blog Articles.

Tim Ramsey presents Reduce Credit Card Debt Quickly posted at My Debt Relief Blog.

Aaron Wakling presents Boat Show Financing – Never, Ever Use It posted at The Credit & Credit Card Blog.

Warren Wong presents Grow Your Pile Of Money posted at Personal Development for INTJs.

Stephanie presents Payday Loans posted at Stop the Ride!.

Free Stuff

“Live Free or Die” is the official state motto of New Hampshire. New Hampshire was one of the original 13 states. It’s neighboring state of Vermont was not one of the original states.
Apparently great frugal minds think alike. I’ve been meaning to look further into this couchsurfing thing.

Moorea presents How to Live and Travel Rent Free: House-sitting and Couch-Surfing! posted at Queercents.

MoneyChangesThings presents CouchSurfing: They Leave the Light On For You posted at Money Changes Things.

PiggyBank Raider presents Free (And Useful) Tools! posted at PiggyBank Raid.

Dorky Dad presents Visit Amusement Parks for FREE! posted at Trying to get it right.

Creative Frugality and Frugal Philosophy

Amy Allen Clark presents How to Construct an Airing Rack posted at The MotherLoad.

K T Cat presents The iPhone and Sushi posted at The Scratching Post.

Wallowgirl presents The Pros and Cons of Henna Hair Coloring posted at Wallowing in debt.

Thomas Humes presents Wealth Creation- Don?t Start With the Wrong Concept of Wealth posted at Wealth Building World.

Mer presents 11 Simple Kitchen Solutions that Really Work posted at Living Behind The Curve.

Katie McKay presents I Am 26 Years Old and My Mom Cuts My Hair | The Frugal Law Student posted at The Frugal Law Student.

Shadox presentsToilet Paper posted at Active Duty Military Money and Matters.

Dough Roller presents A Frugal Way to Buy a Mac or iPod posted at The Dough Roller.

DHM presents Drastic Budgeting in the Kitchen posted at The Common Room.

FFB presents The $7.99 VIN check posted at Family Finance Blog.

j2r presents Grocery Shop Club Cards – A little secret | journey2retirement.com Blog posted at Journey2Retirement.

FMF presents Save Money with a Whole-House Fan posted at Free Money Finance.

inswatch presents The Importance of Comparison Shopping posted at Home Insurance Guide.

Argonautica presents Avoid Vet Prices and Save Big on Pet Meds posted at Golden Fleece Blog.

KRG presents Food And Nutrition Programs: Government Assistance Part I posted at FILAM PERSONAL FINANCE.

Annette Berlin presents 10 Money Saving Vacation Tips posted at Frugal Journey.

Tiffany presents You Beautiful Cheapskate posted at Natural Family Living Blog.

MoneyNing presents Groceries That Help Make Us Rich posted at Personal Finance Blog by Money Ning.

Ted Reimers presents Cheap Colleges posted at CampusGrotto College Blog.

Mr Credit Card presents Using My Reward Points to Save on My Summer Vacation (Ask Mr Credit Card’s Blog) posted at Ask Mr Credit Card’s Blog.

MoneyDummy presents All Those Crazy Coupons! posted at One Money Dummy Getting Smarter.

Everything Else

Wenchypoo presents Who Needs Universal Health Care? posted at Wisdom From Wenchypoo’s Mental Wastebasket.

Madeleine Begun Kane presents Money Limerick Contest Results – And The Winners Are? posted at Mad Kane’s Humor Blog.

Jason Elder presents Understanding Chapter 12 Bankruptcy posted at A Bankruptcy Lawyer’s Blog.

The Skilled Investor presents How to lie with statistics: Investment performance charts ? A Tip from The Skilled Investor posted at THE SKILLED INVESTOR Blog.

Allen Taylor presents Investing – Gold Shares – The Leverage Factor posted at Investing World Today.

Eric Hudin presents Smart Estate Planning Strategies for Average Joe posted at My Estate Planning Career Blog.

Grace presents Senior Money Pit aka Grandchildren posted at Graceful Retirement.

Law School Limbo

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I had my hearing before the readmissions committee yesterday. Being an introvert it really wasn’t something I was looking forward to but the committee was surprisingly sympathetic. I received their decision today which was sooner than I expected it. The decision of the committee is to defer their decision. I have to attend counseling and when/if they are satisfied with the progress I’m making there I’ll be readmitted. It sounds right now that they are leaning towards not readmitting me until the winter semester. I’m not thrilled with that idea because that means I’ll be 41 when I graduate and I feel like I’m losing valuable time. I don’t have as many working years ahead of me as the younger students. Of course this option is much better than not being readmitted at all so I need to remember this is a positive thing.

Kicked Out of Law School

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I’ve been depressed lately and this is the major reason why. I was officially kicked out of law school yesterday for academic deficiency. Since my grades were lower than I expected this semester I knew this was coming. I have a hearing on the 20th to apply for readmission. I’ve already been told this is a long shot. If the hearing doesn’t go my way than two years and almost $60,000 have been wasted. I’m not sure what I’ll do if I don’t get readmitted. I could go to a different law school and start all over again but I really do not want to start at the beginning again. For now I’m focusing on getting readmitted and I’ll make other plans if I have to.

In a Funk

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Sorry for the lack of posts lately. I’ve been in a funk lately and haven’t felt like doing anything. Not even updating my blog which I normally enjoy doing. I’ve had a lot of bills lately and I’m not making progress like I thought I would. My car is in for major repairs and I’m stressing over how much it will cost. Everything should be resolved this weekend and I hope to get everything back to normal next week.

Study Spanish Abroad

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Learning Spanish abroad is a quick way to learn the language and can also be a frugal vacation. The immersion technique allows you to learn the language much faster than conventional classes. Plus you get to experience the culture on a deeper level than most tourists.

There are many good Spanish schools out there but my recommendation is Madre Tierra Spanish School in Quetzeltenango, Guatemala. At the school you receive five hours a day of Spanish instruction from trained and experienced instructors. You also receive a homestay with a local family which includes a private room,hot water, and three meals a day. The cost is only $135 a week. That would only add up to $540 if you wanted to go for an entire month. You could quite possibly go on vacation for less than staying at home. My time spent in Guatemala was one of the best times of my life and I highly recommend it.

This is not a paid post. I just think this is a great deal and want to help out my friend at the school.