We have two kids about to turn 10 in less than a year. One is a girl, the other a boy (twins - no, not identical.) Having one of each is amazing. Disparate gender kids widen the scope of our parental responsibilities in … [Read more...] about How to Renovate a Small House Without Going Broke
Minimalism and Sustainable Living
The benefits of minimalism and sustainability are countless. A smaller house and a smaller car (or no car) are just tips of the iceberg. Did you know you can save huge with creative LEGO strategies?
Consider experiments with riding your bike to work or becoming a vegetarian for a month. These habits not only help the pocket book, they also help our planet!
Is Self Deprivation Keeping You From Enjoying Life?
The headlines are catchy. Some 20-something out there worked hard for 5 years to save $500,000 so he or they could retire early before 30. A noble, Instagram-worthy pursuit to be sure, but with it comes a brutal stretch of … [Read more...] about Is Self Deprivation Keeping You From Enjoying Life?
Our Rockin’ Minimalist Home Theater Setup
There's never enough room in a small house. If I want to buy a Foosball table, I'm screwed. If Mrs. Cubert wants to bring home a rowing machine, we'd have to lose our second family room. Finding a cheap minimalist home … [Read more...] about Our Rockin’ Minimalist Home Theater Setup
How to Build a LEGO Death Star With Random Bricks
The nice thing about the occasional Polar Vortex is the unplanned bonus time you get to spend with your kids. Last week, the kids' school was canceled four out of five days due to the extreme cold. Sure, it was trying in … [Read more...] about How to Build a LEGO Death Star With Random Bricks
Why Does Shopping Feel So Good?
This past Sunday I let my guard down. I told the family to saddle up. We were going shopping. Time for a little retail therapy. Why does shopping feel so good? Let's explore how a frugal minimalist rationalizes THIS … [Read more...] about Why Does Shopping Feel So Good?
My Review of the Ubiquitous Amazon Echo
"Alexa, can you please take all my calls and alert me if anything important comes up? I've got some early retirement to do, and I don't want to be bothered..." Isn't the Echo just one more clutter-making device, designed … [Read more...] about My Review of the Ubiquitous Amazon Echo
How to Watch TV Without Cable or Satellite
I've got to heavily caveat the title of this post. We enjoy TV in our house, but only in very small doses. Cord-cutting continues to grow. People are ditching cable, but typically only to switch to dish or Sling or … [Read more...] about How to Watch TV Without Cable or Satellite
The Several Empirical Reasons to Go Vegetarian
Put that burger down! Wait... Is that a veggie burger? If you're curious about all the very good reasons to go vegetarian, read on. Is it possible to survive (and prosper) in a world of amazing barbecue? Some fun facts … [Read more...] about The Several Empirical Reasons to Go Vegetarian
3 Practical Ideas for a Cheap and Easy Dinner Party
Today’s guest post 3 Ways to Throw a Cheap and Easy Dinner Party comes from one of my favorite up-and-coming bloggers, Miguel, The Rich Miser! Miguel is a Florida lawyer residing in beautiful Miami. On his blog, Miguel and … [Read more...] about 3 Practical Ideas for a Cheap and Easy Dinner Party
Suburbs vs City: Why the City Always Wins
Thanks to being an urban planning major in college, I have a pretty good pulse on how cities develop, change, decline, and gentrify over time. If I had a choice over where to retire, I would probably look for a mountain … [Read more...] about Suburbs vs City: Why the City Always Wins