Urban Frugal

I filed my taxes online with the same company I have used for a few years. When I finished I was also given the option to add a button to my Facebook or Twitter pages stating that I had used this company’s services to file my taxes. To me, this also made it seem as though this was an open invitation for people to rob me. If someone has enough of you information and also knows who you filed your taxes with, this also gives an identity thief more information to help people gain access to... Read Full Story

As a new feature on my credit card statement, I am shown in a chart how long it would take to pay off my current balance if I paid the minimum or if I decided to pay a little more than the minimum. The chart also revealed how much I would save in interest with the additional payment as opposed to paying the minimum. This was a welcome addition. Though I pay off my credit card in full at the end of each month, I do like that the company shows me how much I would save over the course of... Read Full Story

Not interested in what someone is offering? Be polite and civil. The recent problems with people threatening and vandalizing politicans’ offices shouldn’t be tolerated. Let’s say you prefer Burger King to McDonald’s or a local chain instead of White Castle’s this does not give a person the right to vandalize a location. No one is forcing you to eat there. Tax dollars pay for many programs that people may not want but still benefit them. Childless people may not benefit from the school... Read Full Story

Cutting out the middleman… As a cost cutting measure many places are cutting out the middleman. The latest middlemen to be cut out are the banks. Instead of offering loans to students and receiving a fee from the government for the student loans they service, the students will get their loans from Uncle Sam himself. The rationale is that this way the government can use that savings from the fees to increase the amount given out in the form of Pell grants. Banks could stand to lose billions... Read Full Story

If you have digital cable, check the free offerings for movies and programs before you rent a movie. Periodically check. Though you might be like me and delete the email detailing the new movies offered on cable. If you check the on demand programming you might be pleasantly surprised and find some older films that you are interested in watching in the comfort of your own home, some less than 2 years old. It may not seem that great, but for free that’s a better deal than the library – you don... Read Full Story

Read Full Story

Whether or not you supported the Health Care Bill that passed yesterday – we have it. For certain issues such as more military spending or spending money on administrators or programs that are personally unfavorable, it also gives us a chance as individuals to see another group’s perspective. If one segment of the population believes spending money on a particular item is acceptable then we could also realize that even in our personal spending we have expenditures that other might find... Read Full Story

Last night I received a call from a charity asking for a donation. The representative said that the organization wasn’t asking for any money or a credit card number over the phone just a pledge. I said ok. She also said “you may make a donation in any amount.” Again, I said ok. “How much can we count on you for?” I said $10. I donate to other charities, and while this one was noble $10 was all I was willing to give at the time. Well if you donate $15 we will give you a bumper... Read Full Story

I saw this article about “young hipsters” who receive food stamps or public assistance who use their monthly allotment to buy higher end foods. The people profiled in the article are single individuals (no families). Though I have always thought there should be a class or at least a seminar for recipients to teach them how to prepare quality, healthy meals. What people choose to purchase with their allotment is their business. I probably wouldn’t want rabbit, but I would want to get fruits... Read Full Story

Checking out a dumpster may not be your idea of grocery shopping but check out this site by Allison Burtch . Before you frown at this, it may not be everyone’s cup of tea but seeing how much a throws away should be infuriating. Stores are either buying too much and companies producing too much, if  stores can throw out useable items that aren’t past their prime. Read Full Story