Every week I like to feature a few frugal articles that caught my eyes. Curl up in your favorite reading nook and enjoy. Hopefully these encourage you to live frugal lives!
The Keurig K-Cup’s inventor says he feels bad that he made it — here’s why by Drake Baer
Mmm… The smell and sound of a fresh pot of coffee brewing is the perfect way to start a day. For many, saving time during their morning routine is important. Years ago, an inventor thought of an ingenious way to make coffee faster, with greater variation, and in seconds. Unfortunately, that invention, the Keurig K-Cup, creates scary amounts of waste — all for about one cup of coffee per pod. What’s worse, the company charges atmospheric prices for the coffee and tries to prevent people from using their own cups with the product.
The slow death of the home-cooked meal by Roberto Ferdman
A frightening decline in home-cooked meals is occurring. Americans are eating out more, buying pre-packaged foods, and eschewing the frugal homemade items for something more. But that something more has a price. This is a trend we need to think about working on immediately. Eating out costs a fortune and many people can’t afford to do it — even if their bank accounts have enough cash.
How To Make Six Figures A Year And Still Not Feel Rich – $200,000 Income Edition by Sam from Financial Samurai
Today, I wanted to include an article that I don’t necessarily agree with. This article from the awesome writer of Financial Samurai analyzes what it means to be “rich.” Fundamentally, he asks, what does $200,000 a year get you and would you feel rich? While I disagree with his conclusions, I think this article illustrates the wide divide between wealth in this country. When someone can afford $8,000 a year in vacations and doesn’t feel rich, there’s likely an internal, psychological mechanism that’s askew.
France wants companies to make appliances that last longer by Associated Press/WashPo
What a novel approach! France is lobbying companies to make products that last longer. Simple, right? Well, companies rely on products expiring in regular intervals to allow for new products, consumption, and spending. This phenomenon is called “planned obsolescence.” We are consuming too much, as a country, people, and world. We need to cut back. One way is to build and buy products that will stand the test of time.