Introduction to The Thrifty Scholar

"Why pay more when you can pay less?"

Well, how about, "Why pay more when you can pay nothing?"

Everyday, everywhere we look we are being marketed new products that can do things better, faster, longer, and stronger. But what happens when you don't have the money to keep up with the latest gadgets and fads?




The average American household in 2010 had over $6500 in credit card debt. It is no wonder the total consumer debt in our nation is $2.4 trillion. This is best summed up with the saying: "Too many people spend money they haven’t earned for things they don’t need to impress people they don’t like."

The Thrifty Scholar was created to propagate ideas of frugal living and personal saving in order to attain future financial goals. It puts a spin on many ideas originating from The Tightwad Gazette, but is geared toward the next generation of tightwads, so to speak.* This type of thinking is both necessary and urgently needed in the American people. Planning, saving, recycling, reusing, and purchasing only what we need has historically always succeeded more than reckless spending and waste. I believe this is the key to solving our nations debt crisis, reducing our waste, becoming more sustainable, and creating a better future for the coming generations.

This blog is a guide to simpler living. Going back to a simpler lifestyle has become a more popular idea as college grads are unable to find jobs in a sluggish economy, and workers continue to receive pink slips. I have found that more people are re-evaluating what is important to them, and a number of them will find that the ability to buy "things" and "stuff" is not worth the lost time and energy away from family, friends, and hobbies.

Many of my girlfriends contacted me after this blog was published. Some of them are trying to pay down college debt while working part-time and temp jobs, and some are even raising families at the same time!


I have included topics that cover ways for women to waste less, want less, and worry less. By making my wants few, I have been able to unclutter my mind and truly enjoy life. It is my sincerest hope that you can find some useful information and adapt it to your own lifestyle.


May your mind be peaceful and your days full of joy!



 *Note: While the topics are written for a female audience, readers of all ages can take advantage of  the useful tips in this blog!