Author Archive | Matt Bell

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The Case Against Frugality

As the recession of 2008 dragged on, frugality came into vogue, and many commentators believed a new and lasting way of life had begun. The savings rate went up, people held onto their cars longer, and second hand stores became all the rage. In 2010, 63 percent of people said the recession had “forever changed” […]

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Profitable Ideas: Goodbye Mint, Experiencing a Better Christmas, and More

Weekly list of curated personal finance articles from around the web. Goodbye Mint, hello…? (Sound Mind Investing). My go-to budgeting app is shutting down. Such a bummer! Thankfully, there are alternatives.  How to make your holiday more about experiences and less about gifts (No Sidebar). You don’t have to eliminate gifts all together, but making […]

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Profitable Ideas: Future You, A Saver’s Superpower, and More

Weekly list of curated personal finance articles from around the web. Time travel: what if you met your future self? (BBC). You’d probably take better care of your health, your relationships, your finances, and more! Why is everyone so unhappy at work right now? (Wall Street Journal). “Quiet quitting” is all the rage. Maybe we’re […]

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Just Passing Through

Shortly after moving from Chicago to Louisville in 2012, I was back in Chicago for a short visit. It was so good to be back in the city I love so much. I love the family and friends I have there, the architecture, the lakefront, the grittiness, the character, the beauty of the city, and […]

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What is it About the Holidays?

We’re entering a season that seems to play out in three different ways for people. For many, it’s “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year” — most importantly, a time of celebrating Christ’s miraculous birth. Of course, it’s also a favorite time of year for shopping, with many people eagerly anticipating the Black Friday and […]

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It’s Amazing What You Can Get Just By Asking

Everyone has heard the advice, “It doesn’t hurt to ask.” But my experience has been far better than that. Time and time again, I’ve seen that it often pays to ask. Just by asking, I’ve gotten fees waived, better tables at restaurants, lower prices on subscriptions, and as I’ll describe below, a costly vehicle repair […]

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