Frugaling

Two Months of Frugaling: A Reflection

Happy 4th of July everybody!

It’s been two months since I started frugaling.org. Two months since I was asked how much debt I have, and felt the pain of excess. In this time, I published 44 articles and received close to 30,000 visitors.

Each month, my Mint.com monthly budgets became more balanced and less negative. There was an exciting, positive trend. Since I started the site, I eat out far less and shop for healthy, frugal, and affordable staples. I’ve cooked and stayed in more; perhaps, to the detriment of some social time.

My credit cards carry no balance month-to-month and the revolving debt is shrinking each time. I cut out most of the extras, and I’m down to basics. Surprisingly, I’m enjoying it and reveling in the test. But when I fail, there’s fear and guilt. It seems unfair to feel these repercussions when I’m generally succeeding.

The site helps keep me focused with the continual goal of self-reflection and education. When I’m struggling to stop spending or feel truly inspired, this site has become a hub for growth. I can only hope that that is shared in the readership.

Major highlights this month:

20 Published Articles
- Sometimes this required significant patience. Sometimes I was lost and didn’t know what to say. But, I truly made it a priority to write and reflect on my journey. In the end, I was able to break through any barriers of writer’s block and continue sharing.
- This month I began to outline articles and format them for easier web viewing.
Support From The Personal Finance Community
- I was continually humbled by the support of the Yakezie community. When the going got tough, other personal finance bloggers supported my efforts and offered tremendous advice.
- Sharing on Twitter grew and people began to follow my account: frugalingorg.
Google AdSense Revenue Grew
- While modest, AdSense revenue grew from $11.67 to $13.68.
- I experimented with different advertising locations and formats this month.
- I joined two affiliate programs, but I’m wary of developing serious conflicts of interest between helping people be frugal and making money.
Recorded 2,430 visitors in one day and 12,331 in the month
- This shocked me, but after a popular article on freebies was shared on Reddit and up voted repeatedly, it was a sensational hit.
- At times I had 60 to 70 people on the site – at one time!
- Overall, I had over 4,000 more visitors this month.

Wired Magazine is 40 Percent Ads

By Frugaling 7 Comments

Read more about the consequences of advertising: Remove Ads for More Money, Health. Also, are you curious how much advertising is in Fortune Magazine?

A deluge of subscriptions has hit my mailbox recently. Everything from Rolling Stone, Wired, ESPN, and the Wall Street Journal are being delivered daily and monthly. The best part? It’s all free. The worst part? These stalwarts of the news world have become magnets for advertising.

Today, I opened my mail and found a brand new copy of Wired Magazine. The July issue features a cover story on U.S. General Keith Alexander. The article is written by the brilliant James Bamford. He frequently covers stories on the NSA, and this article delivers. But like my experience with Fortune Magazine, it’s clear why they’re giving it away.

Advertising is the only thing keeping most news and media outlets alive. Subscription rates – at least to hardcopy products – have plummeted. Much like free newspapers rely on local advertisers to pay for the difference, Wired Magazine and periodicals like this are inserting more advertising space than ever. By giving away subscriptions, they can inflate their readership and draw in more exclusive advertising.

Without covers (back/front), Wired Magazine is 132 pages long.

52 pages are dedicated ads (not including partials).

The magazine is 40 percent advertising.

Being exposed to this amount of advertising can be dire to a frugal budget. Find out how you can take action.

Can Minimalism Create Consumption? (Updated)

By Frugaling 4 Comments

Updated: Joshua Fields Millburn of The Minimalists commented on this article. Please read through and look at his response. Thanks Joshua!

Buying Too Much Crap

I self-identify as, “A failing minimalist.” Look on my walls, search through my drawers, and peer onto my countertops, there’s plenty here. I’m failing to follow my own philosophical desire for minimalism in an increasingly consumptive world. I’m not perfect, and sometimes I fail at minimizing the importance of stuff. Amidst my purchases and missteps, I look to role models that help shape my sinuous path to simple living. They offer support, inspiration, and guidance when I need it most.

My Role Models

Some of the strongest writers and websites on minimalism are Zen Habits, Becoming Minimalist, and The Minimalists. The latter site is my favorite for regular inspiration and deep thoughts regarding a life filled with more meaning and less clutter. Ryan and Joshua catalogue their journey leaving the rate race, selling away extra stuff, and clearing the clutter that also fills the mind. Ryan and Joshua smartly exited the working world and created a business out of minimalism. Now, they travel around North America, explaining what it is and how you can become a minimalist, too. But that doesn’t necessarily pay the bills.

One of their main income streams includes published books. After writing short posts and collections of thoughts to the site, they condense the details into a perfectly thematic string of stories and inspiration. These for purchase offerings have broadened their audience, too.

How Minimalism Can Create Consumption

A newer offering entitled, “Simplicity: Essays,” is another anthology of stories. The beautifully written words and simple hopes delight the budding minimalist in me:

These essays were written to encourage readers to think critically about the excess in their lives and, ultimately, to take action towards living more intentionally. This collection is short enough to be read in a few sittings, or it can be digested slowly, reading one essay a day for six weeks, applying its principals each day to your own life.

Unfortunately, the two are at fault for recommending something that may only enhance and encourage consumption. At one point, they recommend selling or ridding your tower of DVDs. I completely agree, as they’re only taking up space. The duo mentions that once you see a movie, going back to it is an effort to live in the past. As their minimalist journey has encouraged a focus on the present, they see these forms of entertainment in a finite way. This is where I differ. Going back to something you’ve already watched or read is exceptionally frugal, and even though it may occupy space, it doesn’t need to be counter to minimalistic mores. In fact, I often return to classics for new inspiration, experiences, and reflections. The movie Fight Club is a perfect example. I’ve seen it about 6 times. I rewatch it, not for the past or nostalgic relief, but as a reminder to the errs of consumerism, materialism, and nihilism amidst a culture of consumption. I always gain something new, and it’s definitely present focused. Minimalism shouldn’t create consumption. It’s a tragic irony if it does. In my opinion, minimalism must balance the desire for less focus on stuff, with the need for some basics. If you have a favorite that you continually learn from, keep it.