7 “Frugal” Habits I Stopped — and What I Do Instead as the Frugal Hacker
Frugality has been part of my life for decades. Not because it’s trendy, not because I enjoy pinching pennies, but because I’ve always believed living well shouldn’t require spending wastefully. Over time, though, I learned a hard truth: Some frugal habits aren’t frugal at all.They cost more in time, energy, stress, or even actual dollars […]
Obamacare Under the Microscope: A Frugal Hacker’s Guide to the ACA’s Past, Present, and Precarious Future
I’m a frugal person by nature. I track my net worth, optimize my savings rate, and believe that every dollar should be put to its highest and best use. But there’s one line item in my budget that has always felt like a black box of inefficiency and runaway costs: health insurance. For years, I’ve […]
Don’t Let “Ghost Tapping” Haunt Your Bank Account: A Frugal Hacker’s Guide to Financial Security
Don’t Let “Ghost Tapping” Haunt Your Bank Account: A Frugal Hacker’s Guide to Financial Security Introduction: The Invisible Hand in Your Pocket I love the convenience of tap-to-pay as much as the next person. A quick tap of a card or phone, and you’re on your way—it feels like magic. But like any good magic […]
The 40-Year Error That Destroyed a Veteran’s Record
The 40-Year Mistake: How Financial Mismanagement Creates a False FBI Record and Destroys a Veteran’s Life I remember being a young Airman, fresh out of tech school, with my first real paycheck burning a hole in my pocket. A senior NCO pulled me aside and said, “That brand-new Mustang you’re eyeing will own you before […]