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Our practice-retirement month on a fixed budget
For October we're living on what we expect to have after Greg retires. Halfway through: where it's easy, where it pinches and what we'll change.
Recent posts
Mom's Medicare choice, one year later
Twelve months of premiums, a few specialist visits and one surprise prescription. Would we make the same choice for her …
A full year of our utility bills, side by side
Electric, gas, water, internet and phone for twelve months, month by month, and what changed after switching suppliers a…
Two years as empty nesters: what actually changed
The grocery bill, the laundry, the arguments, the noise. An honest look back at two years in a house built for four and …
Canning tomato sauce in small batches
Eight tomato plants, a water-bath canner and Saturday afternoons. Small-batch sauce for two, and what each jar really co…
More from the blog
Small changes so we can stay in this house for 20 more years
Grab bars, a raised toilet seat downstairs and lever door handles. Cheap changes now so we don't have to move later.
Should we downsize? Two realtors and a spreadsheet
We priced our split-level, toured three ranch houses and ran the numbers on moving. Why we decided to stay, at least for now.
Taking the kids off our car insurance
Josh moved to Indianapolis and got his own policy. What came off our bill, the paperwork and the timing I'd get right next time.
A $25 plug meter found our basement energy hog
I plugged a cheap meter into everything in the house. The 1990s chest freezer was costing about $9 a month by itself.
Grilling for two without wasting half a package
Family packs are cheaper per pound. How I split, freeze and grill for two without throwing out freezer-burned burgers in October.