What My Debt Taught Me About Real Freedom
I owed over $100,000 in consumer debt on a good income, and nobody made me do it. This July 4th,
Mary’s Perspective
Whether you just need an uplifting story, a dose of inspiration or encouragement to continue your frugal lifestyle, this is the place to come. Read about how to have more joy in your life and less stuff. Enjoy Mary’s perspective on family, friends, values, and the benefits of a debt-free life.
Don’t miss these most popular posts: The Gift of a Crisis, Lessons from a Two-year Old, 6 Reasons You need to Celebrate Soon – And Often!, and How to Live Life Above Your Circumstances. Guarantee you’ll come back here – again and again.
5 Simple Money Habits That Change Everything
Tired of feeling like your money manages you instead of the other way around? Let’s flip the script. By focusing
Gratitude on a Budget: Cheap and Cheerful Ways to Give Back
Giving back doesn’t have to mean giving big. With a little creativity (and maybe a touch of duct tape), you
Too Good to Be True? Here’s Why We Fall for It (and What to Do Instead)
We all like to believe we’re too smart to fall for a scam. But then a flashy opportunity with a
6 Science-Backed Reasons Gardening is Good for Your Health
There’s something magical about getting your hands in the dirt. Whether it’s the smell of fresh soil, the warmth of
Why Saving Money is a Game of Base Hits, Not Home Runs
If you think about it, saving money is a lot like playing baseball. Sure, home runs are exciting, but the
Who Knew? Living Below Your Means Is Suddenly in Style
Would you believe that living below your means (LBYM) is suddenly the hot new trend? I know—shocking, right? Some of
A Lifetime of Memories Packed Away for Another Year
Packing away Christmas decorations is always bittersweet. After fifty-three years of carefully storing the lights, ornaments, and baubles, it’s become
How to Get Unstuck and Take Control of Your Finances
Feeling stuck with your finances? You’re not alone! One of the most common questions I get is how to start
How to Stop Impulse Buying: Consider the Consequences Before You Purchase
If I had a quarter for every impulsive purchase I’ve made, I’d need a bigger piggy bank! Seriously, my financial
The Top Credit Card Debt Questions Readers Ask
If you were to dive into my inbox, you might assume lots of questions on laundry, copycat recipes, or what
Live Your Life for Half the Price Without Sacrificing Joy
It's a benchmark, a goal, a mindset, a kind of game I play with myself. Whatever the price tag—real or
The Shocking Truth About Gift Cards
The truth is, consumers racked up more than $162 billion in Gift Card sales in 2022. I can’t stop the
Like Finding Money You Didn’t Know You Had
You know the feeling when you reach into the pocket of a coat or pants you haven’t worn for a
Give But Give Wisely
It’s that time of year again—everyone wants your money. Brace yourself for more dinnertime phone calls and mailbox solicitations. That
Is Your Credit or Debit Card Making You Fat?
The link between debt and being overweight is impulse. People are more likely to grab unhealthy foods on impulse and
Reality vs. Perception Makes My Head Hurt
Had it not been required to graduate I would never have taken the class titled simply: Philosophy. Abstract thinking makes
6 Smart Ways to Pay Off Student Loans on Your Own
You graduated. Great. Good job. You ended up with a degree and a pile of ugly student debt. You say
A Good Speech is a Terrible Thing to Waste
I wasn't invited to give a graduation speech this Spring. Still, I was prepared, and since a good speech is
Dare to Do the Unthinkable
On an ordinary hot summer day in rural Georgia just weeks before heading off for his first year of college, Scott Rigsby’s life
My Life as a Frog
I have been told if you attempt to pop a frog into a pot of boiling water he’ll jump out
How Treating Money Like Manure Can Change Your Life
Why save money at all? For most of us, the answer goes deeper than pinching pennies or hunting for bargains.
The Chair
When I tell you that I am a born-messy, for whom the years have magnified that trait, it is not
What Happens When a $10,000 Expense Hits Overnight?
What would you do if tomorrow you got hit with a $10,000 expense? Ouch, right? We can’t always control when
How to Stop Compulsive Shopping and Curb the Urge to Spend
When it came to compulsive tendencies, there's no question I received more than the standard allotment. I can sit down fully
The Mindset Makeover: Simple Steps to Embrace Positivity Daily
From time to time, it's good to do a mental reset to renew and restore our minds. Try it now,
How the Pain of Payment Can Save You From Overspending
I don’t care much for pain. In fact, I’ll do almost anything to avoid it. I also know that pain
How to Stop People Pleasing: 3 Simple, Healthy Steps
Have you ever found yourself saying “yes” when you really wanted to scream “no”? The truth is, many of us
Stop Whining! (Yes, I Mean You… and Me)
The program worked like magic. In just three days our boys became non-whiners just as the booklet's author promised. It
Vangie is Her Name and Travel is Her Game
To say that the global pandemic rocked the world in horrific ways would be, to put it mildly. We may
What to Do On the Worst Day of Your Life
On the Sunday after Pastor Rick and Kay Warren lost their son to suicide, Rick’s message, “What to Do On
Feeling Discouraged? Lighten Your Load
The heavier the load, the more difficult the journey and the more trouble you’ll have reaching your goals. Heavy burdens
Like Fourth Grade All Over Again
I’m not sure why I loved fourth grade so much. Maybe it was because my teacher was extra pretty and
Don’t Widen the Plate!
I promised myself years ago that every time I saw this, I would republish, and re-post. It shows up at
Rediscovering the Joy of Christmas: Lessons from the Grinch
Merry Christmas! Today is the perfect day to pause, soak in the joy around you, and reflect on what truly
What Your Money Temperament Says About You—And How to Improve It
Whether you're aware of it or not, you do have a money temperament. Everyone does. It's the way you naturally
How to Guarantee You’ll Stick to Your New Year’s Resolution
So, did you make any New Years' resolutions? Reportedly, half of us do that. Here we are, only hours into
They Stopped Spending for a Year. Here’s What Happened
A few years back, Eric and Donna Reed shopped for groceries and household products only once a year. How on
Encouragement: The One Thing We Need to Keep Going
Encouragement. For me it is a basic need or perhaps a character flaw, I’m not quite sure. All I know
How to Keep Calm and Carry On
Life is uncertain. We know that. What we don't want to admit is how quickly uncertainty can morph into fear,
What I Learned When I Tried Turning Back Time
Ever catch yourself wishing you could turn back time? Maybe to fix a choice, skip a regret, or just do
Why Your New Year’s Resolutions Fail (And How to Make Them Stick)
More than half of Americans, reportedly, make New Year’s resolutions. And 88 percent of those resolutions end in failure, according
The 10 Most Popular Everyday Cheapskate Posts of 2021
I can't believe it's 2022—a brand New Year, and a new decade, too! The year 2021 has been an absolute
How to Beat Discouragement to Get Through Tough Times Stronger Than Ever
Discouragement plagues everyone from time to time. If you’re discouraged about your situation—be it financial, family, job, or just basic
Remember Mr. Diderot and His Red Robe Before You Head out Shopping
The eighteenth-century French philosopher Denis Diderot wrote an essay entitled “Regrets on Parting with My Old Dressing Gown.” It seems
Why More Is Never Enough—And the Simple Fix for True Joy
If there is one thing that will ruin your kids’ lives, it’s greed. Teach them while they’re young how to
17 Ways to Simplify Your Life: How to Desire Less
Would you be willing to accept a reduction in pay if you could work fewer hours to spend more time
How One Small Money Habit Can Keep You Debt-Free for Life
Managing money well is not difficult. It's all the dumb little mistakes we make that we don't stop to fix
7 Simple Strategies to Silence Your Inner Hoarder for Good
I don't know why some of us have such a strong propensity to accumulate, collect, and otherwise hold onto stuff
How to Break Bad Money Habits for Good
Money stress doesn’t usually come from one giant mistake. It sneaks in through tiny, repeated habits we barely notice. Swiping
What to Do When You Can’t Pay Your Bills, Plus Free Bill-Paying Roadmap
It’s a tough moment when you realize there’s not enough money to cover all your bills. The good news? There’s
Why You Feel Broke After “Just Browsing” Online
I had one of those moments recently. You know the kind. I opened something “just to browse,” fully convinced I
The One Gap That Changes Your Financial Life
If you've ever have been in serious debt—or are right now—you know the feeling that your creditors own you lock,
Lost Income? Read This Before You Panic
The news is shocking—millions of people being laid off or furloughed from their jobs is unthinkable. How do we wrap
Cheapskate Etiquette: The Art of Polite Penny-Pinching
Living below your means takes creativity, but it’s important to do so without crossing the line into rudeness. Cheapskate etiquette
The 1% Savings Plan: How Just a Little Can Make a Big Difference
It might be difficult to imagine how such a small change could make any difference at all, but this strategy
How to Make Gratitude a Habit, Not Just a Holiday
Choose to be grateful today—and every day—for all that you have. Gratitude will fill your heart with contentment. And best
Gift-Giving That Truly Matters: Finding Joy Beyond the Price Tag
The simple act of gift-giving has become extremely complicated. I blame that on the consumer credit industry. Think about it: You
7 Quick and Easy Ways to Give Yourself a Tax-Free Raise
Is money a little tight? Hoping a raise will come through soon? I hate to burst your bubble, but even
Stop Taking Parent Loans for Your Kids’ College Education
You’re a parent, and you are responsible for taking care of your minor child financially. But you are equally responsible
15 Minutes to Financial Freedom
Ever found yourself facing the daunting task of explaining financial freedom in just 15 minutes? Emily did, and she reached
How to Be Your Own Loan Shark and Save a Fortune on Interest
Imagine paying outrageous amounts of interest to a greedy finance company and loving every minute of it. Or how about
How to Save Money and Build Financial Confidence
For a good deal of my life, I lived under a dark cloud of fear that I would end up
How to Make Four Popular Mixes to Slash the Soaring Prices
They’re convenient and tasty, but have you ever considered the high cost of your favorite prepared mixes and spices? In
7 Daily Habits of the Wealthy (Plus, Free Habit Tracker Printable)
Remarkably, Corley discovered that rich folks have a lot more in common than only income. They share the same habits
Lessons From a Two-Year-Old
I gave my son and daughter-in-law lots of gifts when their son Elijah was born. But none has come back
Are You Saving Money by Choice or Just by Chance?
A question that I answered in a previous post brought a small avalanche of mail, mostly from readers who were
Lost Your Perspective? Here’s How to Get It Back
When life sideswipes you—job loss, financial setbacks, or just the general chaos of the world—it’s easy to lose perspective. I’ve
Just Hand Over the Sweet Peas and No One Gets Hurt
Confession is good for the soul, I’m told, and so I’d like to confess. I came this close to clocking
Why Celebrating More Often Could Change Your Life
Celebrate? With all that’s going on in our lives, the nation—the world?With all the challenges you're facing right now, you
How to Survive a Bad Hair Day: Tips, Tricks, & Product Recommendations
There’s nothing like a bad haircut to turn your world upside down. Whether it’s too short, too thin, or just
Secrets of the Frugal Lifestyle
I'll admit I used to think frugality was a distasteful lifestyle forced upon the poor. I believed "frugal" was synonymous
Mistakes We Make and the Courage to Fix Them
Mistakes, we all make them! But don't assume you must live with it. Here's some great news: It's only a
My Shopping Addiction Rehab Program
Shopping is my thing. I love the thrill of the hunt, that feeling of discovery and the joy of a bargain.
How to Keep Going When You Feel Like Quitting
I wouldn’t tell just anyone what I’m about to tell you—and only because we’re like family. At least several times
Feeling Overwhelmed? Try This 30-Day Reset
To say that I am impressionable would be to put it mildly. And when I say impressionable I mean prone
Broke and In Debt? How to Give Yourself an Extreme Money Makeover
There’s nothing like a job-layoff notice, getting a call from the bank saying you’ve bounced your account to the moon—or
Lessons from a Daffodil Garden
Year after year, one dried-up seemingly-lifeless bulb at a time, she planted more than 1,000,000 bulbs—creating something of magnificence, beauty,
Easy Ways To Boost Your Income
Of all the people I know and love, I can’t think of anyone who wouldn’t welcome a small income boost
The Secret to Loving Life Without More Money
I’ll never forget the time I asked one of my young piano students what he wanted for Christmas. It was
Living Below Your Means: The Only Way to Build Freedom
For years, I thought “living below your means” was just a polite way of saying do without. Turns out, I
What to Do While You Wait for Things to Return to Normal
Every moment that you mourn the passing of the way things were, is a moment lost in the present. Concentrate
This is Contentment: Want What You Have, Buy What You Need
Years ago, I read in The New York Times that according to Yankelovich Research, the average American adult is the
How to Stop Making Bad Decisions That Cost You Money
I once saw a sign that made me laugh… until it didn’t. It read: “Everything happens for a reason. Sometimes
What Do You Really Need to Be Happy?
In your heart do you believe that more money would make you happier? How much would it take to make
The Gift of a Crisis
It was the worst day of my life. Not one of the worst days. Not a day where not one
How to Make a Budget Without Losing Your Mind
For lots of people, just thinking the word “budget” is like nails on a chalkboard. I know the feeling. For many
Payday Loans, Rent-to-Own and Other Spooky Tales
Scary stories and fiendish tricks are all part of Halloween fun. But the last thing you expect is for those
I’d Rather Have the Money, Bob
Did you see us? My husband and I were on TV with Bob Barker. Before you run to check your
4 Reasons to Kick the Credit Card Habit
There are many reasons not to carry credit card debt, like this: It's expensive! Even if you don't carry cc
Living Below Your Means: The Path to Financial Freedom
Even the mention of words like frugality and thrift send some people over the edge because, for them, those words