The Frugal Lifestyle
  • Blog
  • Tips
  • Cash Back
  • Savings
    • Home Decor
    • Housing
    • Health
    • Finance
    • Food
    • Utilities
    • Technology
    • Insurance
    • Auto
    • Shopping
    • Travel
  • Store
  • Freebies
  • Coupons
  • About

Welcome Frugalistas!

What exactly does frugal lifestyle mean?  I believe it’s being smart and savvy in your choices. Prioritize and take control of what’s important to you and you will come out ahead.

This blog and website offers frugal tips and money saving ideas to help you live a richer life. Save money on everyday living. Start living the "Frugal Lifestyle" today.

Spend Less  • Earn More • Live Better

Great Work-From-Home Businesses Other Than Selling Merchandise

9/25/2022

0 Comments

 
Picture
Image via Pexels


by Hal Salazar

Lots of stay-at-home parents choose to work from home to make extra money or support a frugal lifestyle. However, not everyone wants to run an eCommerce business selling products. Fortunately, parents have many small-business options beyond online sales—and you can run them from a home office.

Determining Business Structure

Decide what business structure is best for your company before you begin. Forming an S Corporation offers several benefits, including self-employment tax savings and pass-through taxation. Business owners can also opt to claim losses as tax deductions through an S Corp.

You might not have a budget for high lawyer fees right away. You can avoid them by filing for an S Corp yourself or using a formation service. Before you form an S Corp, review your state's rules.

Picture
Image via Pexels
Going Back to School

You may decide getting a degree will make your business more marketable. If so, you can consider taking classes online or signing up for in-person times that work around your family's schedule. One online degree option is cybersecurity. If you decide to earn a cybersecurity degree online, you’ll be well-equipped for potential remote opportunities in the field. It teaches you:

 •    Best practices in services and systems
 •    Scripting and programming
 •    Networking and security
 •    Data management
 •    The business of information technology

You can also consider degrees in business, accounting, marketing or others that boost your entrepreneurial skills.

Picture
Image via Pexels
Choosing a Career

Once you've ironed out the business details, it's time for the fun part: to decide what career path you want to take.

Tutoring is a great work-from-home option. You can tutor students at your house, travel to their homes, or offer virtual services. Start by defining your client base: only high-school students, for example, or a particular subject such as science. You can take on a couple of students to start or branch into full-time work.

Photography is a versatile and creative career choice. Decades ago, photographers needed a darkroom setup and studio, but today you have more flexibility. You can go on location to photo sessions and complete your photos digitally. You may need to invest in high-quality cameras and digital equipment or take photography classes to get started.

Pet care is an excellent option for animal lovers. You can adapt the business to fit your schedule and accommodations. You can operate a grooming business, for example, from your home or offer a mobile service. If you have the space, you can board pets overnight at your house or travel to clients' homes to care for them.

Picture
Image via Pexels
Other Career Options

Graphic design is another career that's possible to do from home. You can work as a freelancer, allowing you to create a flexible schedule. Graphic design encompasses printed and digital pieces: newsletters, posters, brochures, signage, websites and social media advertising. You'll need a dependable computer to run design programs that require lots of memory. You may also need a high-quality printer and scanner.

Are you fluent in other languages? Consider starting a translation service. According to job experts, the employment of interpreters and translatorsis expected to grow 20% over the next several years. Your upfront costs may include a computer, internet connection, printer and current reference materials. Your target market can be global, and you can work in various medical, legal and technical industries.

Fortunately for stay-at-home parents, business opportunities are more varied than ever. Once you've determined your business structure, gone back to school and set up your company, it's up to you to reap the benefits.






0 Comments

Recognizing the Signs - Taking Control of a Senior Relative's Finances

9/10/2022

0 Comments

 
Picture
Photo Credit: Pexels



by Hal Salazar

At some point in time, your senior loved one may need some help with their finances. If your parent starts to have memory issues, it could negatively impact their financial health. According to the National Council on Aging, more than 51% of senior households have debt, an increase since 1992. Here are signs you may need to step in and help.

Excessive Spending
One of the first clues your senior parent may be struggling with finances is compulsive spending. If they are suddenly buying a lot of new items, such as new electronics, furniture, clothes, or gifts for the grandchildren, they may have a problem.

Forgotten Purchases
Some seniors with memory problems may have items they don’t even remember buying. Forgotten purchases may be a sign of a bigger issue where your parent or loved one doesn’t have control over their finances.

Bill Collectors
People in dire financial straits may also have numerous bill collectors contacting them. Pay attention to see if there are frequent calls to your loved one from debt collectors or unopened mail. You can help your loved one manage calls from debt collectors if this is an issue.

Memory Issues
Another sign of a potential problem is if you notice memory issues or dementia. Your senior parent or loved one may repeat the same story to you multiple times, misplace important items or demonstrate unusual behavior during their daily routine.

Organizing Their Finances
If you notice some of these problems with your parent or loved one, there are things you can do to help. Start by looking at their accounts and organizing their finances. Get access to their bank accounts, credit cards, and retirement accounts to help control any excessive spending and prevent them from racking up debt. Here's some frugal strategies to reorganize your loved one’s finances.

Picture
Photo Credit: Pexels


Understanding Their Insurance and Benefits

You also need to understand how your loved one’s health insurance coverage and Medicare benefits work. Locate any insurance policies and talk to the plan administrator to get information about what services are covered and which providers take your relative’s insurance.

Avoiding Scams
Older people with memory problems may also fall for scams and lose money from phishing, romance scams or other types of fraud online. Inform your senior loved one about typical online scams or help monitor their devices and accounts to spot signs of fraud.

Getting Power of Attorney
It may also be time for you or another responsible relative to get power of attorney over your aging parent. If you have power of attorney for your senior relative, you may be able to take control of their financial accounts.

Moving to a Senior Community
Another option is moving your relative to a senior community if they shouldn’t live alone. Tour different communities for retired people, such as 55+ neighborhoods or assisted living apartments.   Purge as many items as possible to downsize and work with a real estate agent to sell your relative’s home for a profit. Calculate the value with a home proceeds calculator to see how much cash your loved one could get from their property.

Transitioning to a Nursing Facility
For 24-hour care, consider a skilled nursing facility, especially with memory issues or physical ailments. Online, you can find informative reports about the facility, costs, payment options, and reviews from other families for all of the nursing homes in your city.

Aging parents or relatives can struggle with financial decisions. If you want to help, keep an eye out for key signs of trouble and take action.


Hal Salazar is a regular contributor for The Frugal Lifestyle. He has written several great articles on how to live a frugal yet richer life. Hal is newly retired, and as he embarked on planning and preparing for his golden years, he realized there was a lot of information to keep up with so he started gathering it all and created Elders.Today to lend a helping hand to other seniors via carefully curated resources. When Hal isn’t working on Elders.Today, he enjoys walking at his local park, testing out new recipes with his wife, Marlene, and playing piano.





0 Comments

Fun & Frugal Things To Do This Labor Day Weekend

9/2/2022

 
Picture
 
The last HOT days of summer are here! Why not enjoy the rest of this summer season by indulging in some fun and free summertime activities during the Labor Day holiday weekend. Labor Day is seen as the unofficial end of summer. Although the Fall/Autumn season doesn't actually begin until September 22 - some of the hottest days of the year occur in September (we are experiencing a heat wave now, with temps way above 100 degrees - yikes)! So go ahead - celebrate, stay cool & hydrated, relax, enjoy the long Labor Day weekend with these frugal and fun ideas!

  1. The Beach or Pool or Lake - If you are lucky enough to live within driving distance to a beach (or any body of water), take advantage as much as you can before the end of summer. Go early to avoid the crowds and to find a good parking spot (for free of course!) Pack some essentials - such as food, drinks, reading materials, sunglasses, beach chairs, towels, etc.. and just relax.
  2. Street Fairs - Check online for local summer fairs in nearby towns or cities. Admission is usually free and there are always lots to see and taste. We recently went to a local street fair. We didn't buy anything, but many vendors offered free samples. It's a fun way to spend the day and a great way to walk off your lunch (and kettle corn)!!
  3. Summer Concerts - Many local communities still offer free outdoor summer concerts. This is a fabulous way to enjoy your city's music scene and learn about new bands and hear great music. Check your local listings throughout the summer and maybe even into the fall season in some states.
  4. Stroll Old Town - This is one of my favorite things to do, in any season! Most areas have a downtown or old town with quaint local stores (vs. chain stores). Leisurely stroll and stop in at the shops and maybe grab a little bite to eat at one of the cozy cafes. I enjoy checking out little antique shops. This is a great way to discover little gems for one-of-a-kind treasures.
  5. Farmers Markets - Hit your local farmers market early so you get the freshest produce. Support local growers (vs. big box supermarkets), often times they are cheaper and offer a much better quality. Most vendors offer samples too! You can also shop for healthier organic options. Make a shopping list of items you might need ahead of time, so you won't overspend.
  6. Scenic Drives - Go a little off the beaten path to areas where you normally wouldn't drive to. Make sure it's not too far so you won't waste money on gas. Map out your destination ahead of time. Make sure to stop when you can to take in the sights.
  7. Picnics At The Park - Pack a light picnic lunch and drive (or walk) to your favorite park. Pick a quiet, shaded spot and enjoy your meal. Bring some music or reading material if you plan to go by yourself.
  8. Explore New Neighborhoods - This is a great way to feel like you are on vacation exploring a new neighborhood in another state or country! Pick a neighborhood, park your car, then meander around their downtown or residential area. I love walking around quaint residential streets with beautiful homes, I get inspirations on how I can improve my own home's curb appeal.
  9. Flea Markets - One of my favorite destinations to browse & shop for treasures! There are several flea markets or swap meets happening every Sunday. I usually find unique, one-of-a-kind gifts or something for myself for dirt cheap. Don't be afraid to negotiate with the vendor. Most of them would rather sell the item(s) vs. take it back home with them.
  10. Go To The Museum or Zoo - Most communities offer "free to the public" admission days. Call your local zoo or museum ahead of time and take advantage of these great local attractions.

Remember to stay cool and not get overheated. Stay hydrated by drinking lots of pure drinking water. Enjoy the rest of the summer days until we welcome the autumn season.


     
     
        
         
    Picture

    ​Subscribe Here

    Enter your email address:

    Delivered by FeedBurner

        

    Trending Posts

    Some of our popular articles
    Picture
    • 13 Ways To Make Extra Money At Home
    ​
    Picture
    • Save a Life and Get Paid to Foster a Rescue Dog
    ​

    Picture
    • 8 Ways To Save Without Compromising Your Lifestyle
    ​
    Picture
    • 13 Money Tips From The Amish
    ​

    Picture
    • Top 10 Thrifty Travel Tips
    ​

    Picture
    • Frugal Picnic Tips & Ideas
    ​

    Picture
    • 6 Ways I Save Money On Hair Care Costs
    ​

    Picture
    • Enrich Your Life With Less
    ​

    Picture
    • 13 Ways to Save Money On Everything
    ​

    Picture
    • Rich Yet Frugal Athletes
    ​

    Picture
    • 5 Bridal Shower Tips
    ​

    Picture
    • My Top 5 Flea Market Decorating Books
    ​
        
    Saving Money Blog Awards 2017 ​


    Blog Archives

    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013

       

    RSS Feed

         
    View my Flipboard Magazine.
         

    Blog Categories

    All
    Bargains
    Bridal Shower Tips
    Budget Renovations
    Budget Travel
    Cash Back Rewards
    Cash Back Shopping
    Cash-back Shopping
    Coupon Tips
    Deals
    Decorating Ideas
    Discounts
    DIY
    Dollar Store Buys
    Earn Money
    Freebies
    Free Money
    Frugal Beauty
    Frugal Celebrities
    Frugal Gifts
    Frugal Health
    Frugal Home Decor
    Frugal Ideas
    Frugal Living
    Frugal Savings
    Frugal Tips
    Frugal Travel
    Frugal Wedding Tips
    Fun Ideas
    Garage Sale
    Gift Ideas
    Giving Back
    Happiness
    Healthy Living
    Home Based Business
    Home Decor
    Make Money
    Money Savers
    Money Saving Tips
    Network Marketing
    Picnic Tips
    Recycle
    Retirement Tips
    Rewards
    Richer Lifestyle
    Save Money Eating Out
    Savvy Ideas
    Savvy Money
    Side Gigs
    Simplicity
    Smart Tips
    Spend Less
    Tax Tips
    Thrifty Ideas
    Thrifty Tips
    Travel Tips
    Wealthy Living
    Wedding Tips
    Work From Home
    Yard Sale Tips


    Subscribe Here

    Enter your email address:

    Delivered by FeedBurner

          
    Saving Money Blog Awards 2017
       
    ​
         
    Picture
        
    Follow Marissa on Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter.
       
    Visit Marissa's profile on Pinterest.
        
         
         
    BeFrugal.com Members
         

    Site Search


    Site Categories

    • Spend Less
    • Earn More
    • Live Better

    • Auto
    • Cash-back
    • Coupons
    • Deals
    • Entertainment
    • Finance
    • Food
    • Freebies
    • Giveaways
    • Health
    • Home Decor
    • Housing
    • Insurance
    • Money
    • Rebates
    • Retirement
    • Resources
    • Rewards
    • Savings
    • Shopping
    • Technology
    • Tips
    • Travel
    • Utilities
    • Websites

    Picture
    What does living frugally mean to me? Well, it does NOT mean being cheap, quite the contrary, I believe it’s being smart in your choices, such as how you spend your money everyday. Prioritize and take control of what’s important to you. I always strive to spend less on almost everything.

    In this challenging economy, some of us have had to cut back on our expenses. Wouldn't it be nice to still have the things or services you want and need but not have to pay full price or even better, get them for free? 

    Choose value and quality over quantity or fads and you will come out ahead. The great benefit of being frugal is that it eliminates waste and clutter which in turn helps our environment.  By doing simple changes towards more “green” and frugal ways, together we can make an impact on our planet. 
        

    Real Savings 
    +
    Extra Earnings =
    A Richer Life

        
    Picture
         
         
    Saving Money Blog Awards 2017
         
    Picture
        
       

    About Me

    Picture
     Hi, my name is Marissa Winfrey and I have been living the frugal life ever since I can remember. I have always looked for great bargains and getting the best value for my money without compromising style and quality.

    My background is in visual display and interior decorating. It’s always been my objective to recommend cost effective solutions to my clients. I, of course, practice what I preach! I have furnished my own homes mostly with furnishings and decor items from my own little vintage boutique, estate sales, discount stores, flea markets, yard sales, thrift stores and even curbside discarded furniture!

    My frugal practice goes beyond the home. I offer money saving tips on just about everything, from shopping to travel and everything in between. I hope my blog and website will inspire everyone to be their own Frugalista.

    Follow me on Facebook, Google+ 
    and Twitter.
        
    Picture


    Subscribe Here

    Enter your email address:

    Delivered by FeedBurner

    RSS Feed

         
    Picture
         
         
        

    My Fave Links


    • Amazon 

    • GoDaddy

    • Groupon

    • LivingSocial 

    • MrRebates 

    • Priceline​

         


    Site Categories

    • Spend Less
    • Earn More
    • Live Better

    • Auto
    • Cash-back
    • Coupons
    • Deals
    • Entertainment
    • Finance
    • Food
    • Freebies
    • Giveaways
    • Health
    • Home Decor
    • Housing
    • Insurance
    • Money
    • Rebates
    • Retirement
    • Resources
    • Rewards
    • Savings
    • Shopping
    • Technology
    • Tips
    • Travel
    • Utilities
    • Websites
        
        
        
    Endless Vacation Rentals
         
        
    Picture
       
       
        
        

    Real Savings 
    +
    Extra Earnings =
    A Richer Life

        
    Picture
        
    Mr. Rebates
          
        
    Weebly - Websites, eCommerce & Marketing in one place.
       
    Picture
         
        

TheFrugalLifestyle.com

Real Savings + Extra Earnings = A Richer Life

      

Sign Up To Receive Updates Here

Enter your email address:

Delivered by FeedBurner

     
Read and learn about useful tips and tricks from experts on how to live "the frugal lifestyle" everyday!  Check out the books below, to see more of my top picks of frugal and financial savvy books, please visit The Frugal Book Store.
​
Picture
Living The Savvy Life:
The Savvy Woman's Guide to Smart Spending and Rich Living
​

It's Not About Being Cheap.  Living the Savvy Life isn't about being a cheapskate, a miser or a tightwad.  It's about having security and peace of mind by spending less than you make.  It's about knowing where you stand financially on a daily basis so you can make intelligent fiscal decisions. 

​It's about being penny-wise on the things that are less important to you so you can spend money on the things that are important to you. It's about choosing to purchase only the things that you love and make you happy.  
It's about finding, attaining and maintaining balance.  Are you ready to start Living the Savvy Life?

   
Picture
​Thrifty: 
Living the Frugal Life with Style


Best-selling author Marjorie Harris offers a timely and entertaining guide to living the richly frugal life. From tips on how to haggle to becoming a frugal fashionista, maintaining your home on a budget, and thrifty gardening, travel, and entertainment, Harris provides essential guidelines to living a quality life on less. Written in her trademark witty, engaging, and accessible style, Thrifty is packed with simple and savvy tips drawn from Harris' own fulfilled, thrifty experience. Bonus tips come from renowned experts such as best-selling author Margaret Atwood, chef Jamie Kennedy, actor R. H. Thomson, travel writer Sylvia Fraser, and The Globe and Mail's style columnists.
  
Picture
How to Retire Happy, Wild, and Free: 
Retirement Wisdom That You Won't Get from Your Financial Advisor
​

How to Retire Happy, Wild, and Free offers inspirational advice on how to enjoy life to its fullest. The key to achieving an active and satisfying retirement involves a great deal more than having adequate financial resources; it also encompasses all other aspects of life -- interesting leisure activities, creative pursuits, physical well-being, mental well-being, and solid social support. 

What sets this retirement book apart from all the others is its holistic approach to the fears, hopes, and dreams that people have about retirement. This international bestseller (over 110,000 copies sold in its first edition) goes way beyond the numbers that is often the main focus of retirement planning in most retirement books.
   
To see more of my top picks of frugal and financial savvy books, please visit The Frugal Book Store.

​

Sign Up To Receive Updates Here

Enter your email address:

Delivered by FeedBurner