Meet the Frugalwoods - Book Review

I learned about this book from another blogger and it seemed to be something I would enjoy.  I started reading the Frugalwood’s blog and even more wanted to read the book.  Although the blog shows a lot of money saving tips, the book does not.  The book is more of her journey of privileged college graduate to her financial independence to living on a homestead in Vermont.  Although when the book was written, I think they have only lived there one year.  What will the next decade take them?

I thought it was well written, although not helpful.  I have always been cheap, I mean frugal, but unless one works at six-figure job and makes a killing in real estate, you won’t reach financial independence in a short period of time.

Don’t get me wrong, financial independence is possible and every one should strive for it.  But be realistic in your journey which may or may not be the same as the Frugalwoods.

Disclosure:  I may receive a referral fee if you purchase the book using the below.  Please review mu disclosure policy here.

MySurvey

My Survey (mysurvey.com) was the first survey site I signed up with some twenty plus years ago.  Since I Was new, I was excited to participate in surveys to make some cash.  You can now get PayPal, gift cards or donate to charity.  Over the years, more sites popped up and with better changes of obtain gift cards or money.

With the many survey sites out there, I have noticed that they sometimes go to the same place to proceed with the surveys.  My problem is that they tell me that I have already taken the survey.  Which could be so, but with mysurvey I have become ineligible for particular surveys and receive no points.

Also, you will note that there are no referral link sin the post, because they do not work.  I have requested email links which go unanswered and it doesn’t post to Twitter.  I don’t post on Facebook so I don’t know about that one.

There seem to be over 37,000 likes to mysurvey, but I am not one of them.  And I will cancel my membership with them shortly.  I want to know if anyone else have used them and what do you think?

Passive Income for the month of May 2018

A little tardy, but it’s my first time keeping track of my passive income.  Since it is so small, I have not included a chart like some folks do.

Survey income $10
Ebates $5
Dividend Income $129
Int
erest Income $1
eBay (after expenses) $59
Amazon (after expenses) $2
Scrap metal $14

Total for the month of May $220

As you can see, must of my passive income comes from dividends and I am planning to put this extra funds back into investing.

I also received $45 in Amazon gift cards, which will be used to pay for Christmas presents.

Not too bad for my first month.  Also my net worth increased by $1.29% from the previous month and $15.65% from the previous 12 months.

Maybe next month, I will make a colorful chart.

PINCHme is Giving Away 500,000 Boxes Today!

500,000 PinchMe sample boxes will be given away today, June 12 at 12:00 Noon EST. This is one of the largest Sample Tuesdays. Most members will get one. Click HERE to sign  up or to make sure your account is up to date. Samples that will be shipped: Garnier Whole Blends Gentle Shampoo & Conditioner Oat Delicacy, Garnier New Fructis 1 Minute Hair Masks, Dark & Lovely Damage Slayer - Pre-Treatment, Shampoo, Conditioner, Skittles® Sweet Heat Candies, NEW Heinz® Real Mayonnaise, Nexcare™ Waterproof Bandages, Starbucks® PLUS Coffee K-Cup® Pods available at Kroger and Walmart, Power Beets On The Go, Vagisil Jasmine Wash and Wipe, Sun Protector Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30

Traveling and How We Cut Costs to Enjoy More

Note:  Links are for your convenience. I receive no compensation if you click on them.

One thing on my bucket list is to travel the country.  Why wait until I am retired to explore this vast country of ours?  I want it now! (My impersonation of Veruca Salt).  How do we get to travel and reduce our costs of staying in hotels and flying?  Travel Rewards programs are the answer.   It doesn’t come easy and you have to do some travel to collect points to redeem for a free night’s stay or a free flight.

Two of the Hotel Rewards programs that I belong to are Hilton Honors and Wyndham Rewards.  I’ve been a member of Hilton Honors for over 17 years and there are many hotels with different point amounts to get a free night stay.  Wyndham is different, it is 15,000 points for a free night at any of their hotels.  So why not stay at a 5 star hotel instead of a lower grade brand.

It seem hard to get accumulate points to get a free room, but if you travel a lot, you can collect points.  And both have branded credit cards that also help in collecting points.  We only have the Hilton Honors credit card.  My wife works for Wyndham, so she can also collect extra points for going above and beyond.  Hence, the reason she likes to always stay in a Wyndham branded hotel.  We’ve gotten about five free night’s stays so far this year.

As for airlines, the same thing.  You can receive miles for traveling and if you use their branded credit cards, it all adds up.  My wife has the United Airlines credit card so that is the airline we take when we travel by air.  Other than, when she has to travel for work (and the company pays), we haven’t paid for a flight in a few years.  But then again, I love to travel by car.  And no, I am not a member of any Rental Car rewards program or have their branded credit card.

I also collect miles with JetBlue and have been a rewards member for a long time, but lost my accumulated points for not flying with them in years.  But I am still hopeful, I will get enough points to fly free with JetBlue.  But how do I collect miles with JetBlue if I don’t fly?  They have a survey site where you can collect miles.  It is called JetOpinions.  I should also mention that United has a survey site and I acquire miles there too.  It is called Opinion Miles Club.  The difference between the two is that Jet Opinions will still award you 2 or 3 miles if you are not a match for survey.  Opinion Miles only awards miles if you are a match and complete a survey.

And if you like to travel by train, Amtrak has a Guest Rewards program also.  You can acquire points by travel or use their branded credit card.  I haven’t traveled by train since leaving NYC, so I cash cashed out my points for gift cards.

Other ways to save on hotel rooms, rental cars and other travel is to join AAA or AARP.  We are members of both and I used to enjoy getting a free donut at Dunkin’ Donuts with my AARP card but they discontinued that in February 2018.

Pennzoil and Bridgestone Spin To Win Promotion

Enter the Pennzoil and Bridgestone Spin To Win Promotion. They are GIVING AWAY $5 gift cards to Amazon, Shell, Starbucks, iTunes and more. Plus you have a chance to win $10,000. If you don’t have a code, simply click the ‘I Don’t Have A Code’ link to request one. Entry ends July 31, 2018. I won a $5 Shell gift card!  Click on the photo to go to the giveaway.

Click here for Official Rules