Frugal Confessions Fridays – Frugal Living

Posted on | January 27, 2012 | 4 Comments

Hello Frugal Confessions Readers!

Here is my frugal confession of the week:

Ever since my early twenties I have turned to acupuncture for overall health and stress reduction. Acupuncture can be semi-expensive, but the benefits for many people are wonderful.

Fortunately for me, a friend of a friend found a great resource here in Houston: a non-profit health center (St. Theresa’s) that offers acupuncture, among other natural remedies. I have been working with the acupuncturist for a month now, and the sessions only cost $35 each. Typically, you pay $60+ per session. Thank you Helen!

What is your confession of the week? I’d love to hear it.

Filing Your Taxes for Free and Finding Free Tax Return Help

Posted on | January 25, 2012 | 9 Comments

According to the 2011-2012 National Society of Accountants (NSA) survey on tax preparation fees, the average tax preparation fee for an itemized Form 1040 with Schedule A and a state tax return was $233 for the 2011 tax season. For non-itemizing taxpayers, the average cost for Form 1040 with Schedule A and a state tax [...]

Double Tax Benefits for Mid to Low Income Households Who Contribute to Retirement Accounts

Posted on | January 23, 2012 | 4 Comments

When you think about retirement, are you stuck in disillusionment somewhere between your dreams and the reality of an empty retirement account? Perhaps this is because you are currently (and have been) living paycheck to paycheck and any extra savings you squeeze out of the month goes towards putting out last month’s fires. All of [...]

How to Save Money on Dieting

Posted on | January 18, 2012 | 19 Comments

Comparing diet program costs is one way to maximize the amount of money you have to spend on dieting (or to make you run the other way with your hard earned money). But there are many other ways to still get the results that you want without signing onto or at least without paying full [...]

Comparing Diet Program Costs: Which Program is Most and Least Expensive?

Posted on | January 16, 2012 | 22 Comments

It’s the beginning of a new year and the television waves are gluttonous with meal-delivery diet commercials. Each company is trying to outdo the competition by showing slim, smiling models eating calorie and fat-laden foods like pizza, cheese curls, pasta, muffins, French fries and even burgers (probably sprayed with a zero-calorie lube to make them [...]

Frugal Confessions Friday – Frugal Living

Posted on | January 13, 2012 | 22 Comments

Hello Frugal Confessions Readers! Here is our frugal confession of the week: I mentioned briefly a few weeks ago that we are taking a cruise to Alaska this year. So exciting! We were not planning on purchasing the cruise tickets until several months into the new year, but my mother found a wonderful sale on [...]

Health Insurance Companies Give Financial Incentives for Good Habits

Posted on | January 11, 2012 | 15 Comments

Since I discussed a “stick” approach my health insurance company began on January 1, 2012 by charging a higher premium for smokers than for non-smokers, I’d like to take the time to discuss a “carrot” incentive sponsored by them: a reward points program. And reward points mean free stuff! I am with Blue Cross Blue [...]

Healthcare Disincentives for Bad Behaviors Could Cost You Money

Posted on | January 9, 2012 | 9 Comments

Beginning on January 1, 2012 there was a change to my healthcare plan at work. Plan participants who used tobacco 5 or more times in the 90 days leading up to the first of the year are now subject to an additional health insurance premium cost of between $30 to $90 per month. The amount [...]

Frugal Confessions Friday – Frugal Living

Posted on | January 6, 2012 | 5 Comments

Hello Frugal Confessions Readers and Happy New Year! Here is my frugal confession of the week: We traveled to PA to spend Christmas with my family and needed someone to check in on our cats (Danny Boy and Lyla) while we were gone. At the same time, Paul decided that he no longer wants to have [...]

A Great Site to Sign up for Email Offers

Posted on | January 4, 2012 | 6 Comments

Author’s Note: There are no referral codes in this article, and I have not been paid for my review. It’s just a great frugal tool! I’ve mentioned Magazines.com on this website before, but thought that it deserved its own post because I am just continually amazed at the amount of quality free and close-to-free items [...]

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