So I want to know what you guys think. Let’s all raise a crystal ball, summon the Ouija board spirts, and consult our Magic 8-Balls (you owned one right?) and attempt to answer the most important money question of our time:

Question: Do you think frugal living is just a fad? Will we return to our spend-thrift ways after the recession?

Fox’s Answer:

Since I’ve never been a “spend-thrift” I can only be what I am – and that’s a quirky gal who lives below her means, who values the work needed to earn a dollar, and who loves to save money.

But enough about me. I honestly believe there will be a lot of people who will continue with frugal living. I’ve seen this scenario with my grandparents who lived through the Depression and they never changed their “money minding” ways. Besides, having money is always in style and working less has always been my fad.

Your turn! Is frugal living a fad? Are you a reformed spend-thrift just waiting to spend big bucks after the recession?

	397 Ways to Save Money Spend Smarter & Live Well on Less By Kerry K. Taylor

The challenge is, I have no idea how to buy a used car. We’ve looked for used cars online, used cars by owner, and checked out various used car dealers. I’m stumped. I’m not loving the “wheelin’ and dealin’ games” and I want to avoid buying an expensive lemon.

So if you’ve got some ideas on how to save money on a quality used car I’d love to hear from you.

What are your tips, tricks, and gotchas for buying used cars?

	397 Ways to Save Money Spend Smarter & Live Well on Less By Kerry K. Taylor

Question: Given the current economic climate, are you spending less this holiday? Where are you cutting costs?

Fox’s Answers:

• I’m spending less. I’m making lots of homemade presents this year. I’m also giving frugal gifts to loved ones.
• I’m cutting back on holiday foods, gifts, and paper. My little home garden is proving fruitful for homemade preserves and presents. I’m also cutting costs by wrapping gifts without gift wrap.

What are your holiday spending thoughts?

	397 Ways to Save Money Spend Smarter & Live Well on Less By Kerry K. Taylor

Since I watch closely, I can’t help but notice how many scans are inaccurate and ding me extra dollars. Just last week I corrected the busy cashier on three items which scanned and overcharged me $4.23. On a grocery bill of $63, I was overcharged 6.7 percent of my total grocery bill. Yikes!

I admit it’s hard to watch my groceries scan. There’s a lot to do at the till. I have to ready my reusable grocery bags, then bag my groceries, then pay the bill. But for me, making the effort to watch my wares ring through is worth it. So I wonder…

Question: Are you ever overcharged at the grocery register? Do you watch your groceries scan? Do you say anything?

Fox’s Answers:

• Yes. I always watch my groceries scan at the register. I have my eye on every scanning detail, and count every over dinged dollar.
• Accuracy is hit and miss. The most inaccurate scans tend to be on sale items, produce, and non-packaged foods.
• I correct all false scans. I must admit, I feel kind of foul telling the cashier something scanned inaccurately, especially when there’s a line-up behind me. But hey, it’s my money.

Got some thoughts on scanning at the register? Share your scanning wins and woes!

	397 Ways to Save Money Spend Smarter & Live Well on Less By Kerry K. Taylor

I’m always amazed to watch media footage of shoppers crowding shoulder-to-shoulder waiting for store doors to open. Once inside, shoppers rush and grab at toys, electronics, and lots of other stuff.

Question: Are you shopping on Black Friday? Do you love the crowds, the excitement, and the Black Friday deals? Going to spend some serious coin?

Fox’s Answers:

• Nope. I’m not shopping on Black Friday. I’m not a fan of huge crowds. I also don’t enjoy the mass hysteria involved with “door crashers” or so-called “rock bottom prices”. I think this type of excitement can encourage me to spend more. I figure, if I don’t need it, it’s not a deal. Besides, I live in Canada. We Canucks don’t really celebrate this day.

• I’m not spending a cent. Zero. Zippo. Zilch. I know there will be Black Friday deals online. But I’ll keep my money this Friday. You can count on it.

Share your Black Friday thoughts in the comments below!

	397 Ways to Save Money Spend Smarter & Live Well on Less By Kerry K. Taylor

Doing the math, that’s a 16 percent tip for 3 minutes of work. Not a bad return for a guy who only handed us our food. Needless to say, I was livid. I am a firm believer in tipping for good service, but 8 bucks for picking up takeout? S$it.

For interest, I looked up tip in Wikipedia:

A tip (or gratuity) is a unrequired payment to certain service sector workers beyond the advertised price. The amount of a tip is typically computed as a percent of the cost of the transaction before the addition of any taxes. These payments and their size are a matter of social custom.

Question: Do you tip? How much? Ever feel forced to tip?

Fox’s Answers:

• Yes I Tip, BUT I tip when service is good and exceptional. I do feel a little upset though when forced to tip. It seems some establishments automatically build tipping into the total bill. What’s up with that?
• The amount of tip varies. I usually tip 5-15 percent depending on the service. I tend to tip best to hair stylists and waiters, depending again on the service.

Do you tip? When do you tip and how much? Should we tip? Share your tipping tips by Squawking Back!

	397 Ways to Save Money Spend Smarter & Live Well on Less By Kerry K. Taylor

This week let’s Squawkback about those items you bought, perhaps spent a little more than wanted, but you’re glad for it. What are the three best things you ever bought, and why? What gets the most use in your home, closet, or car? What could you not live without?

Question: What are your 3 best purchases?

Fox’s Answers:

1. Quality Shoes. Shoes of solid construction are not cheap, but they last. Besides, you only have two feet.
2. Road Bike. I dumped some serious dollars on my road bike. I ride everywhere. I don’t own a car. Not paying for fuel and staying healthy have more then paid for this ride many times over. Besides, since my bike is awesome, I’m more likely to ride it.
3. My Dog. My dog Tivo is not cheap, but she brings me so much joy. Since I got her from the Humane Society/SPCA she’s pretty much recycled, right?

Your turn! Share your best spends, quality purchases, and most useful expenses by Squawking Back!

	397 Ways to Save Money Spend Smarter & Live Well on Less By Kerry K. Taylor

Regardless of your political leanings, was there anything that surprised you about this election? Anything strike you as inspirational, interesting, unusual, helpful, or funny?

Question: What 3 things surprised you about the U.S. Election?

My Answers:

1. Comedy and Tina Fey. Comedians love a good political joke. But Saturday Night Live and Tina Fey’s impersonations went surprisingly viral.
2. The Internet. Social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter were huge sources of election coverage and campaigning. Is television dead?
3. Lineups and Voter Turnout. Americans lined up for hours to vote. I am surprised (and thrilled) to see the massive turnout!

Your turn! Share your election thoughts by Squawking Back!

	397 Ways to Save Money Spend Smarter & Live Well on Less By Kerry K. Taylor

Let’s Squawkback about all the silly things we’ve spent our hard-earned money on only to hide it away. Got any gadgets, toys, clothing, gear, or pretty plastic things cluttering your home with zero use?

Question: What 3 things have you bought but never used?

Fox’s Answers:

1. A Snowboard. Stupid sport this snowboarding. I gotta pay 60+ bucks just to get lifted up a frozen mountain only to slide down it on my a$$. Fun.
2. Leather 3-inch stiletto boots. These boots are sexy as hell. Too bad I can’t walk in them.
3. A pair of skinny jeans. I have hips, what was I thinking?

Your turn! Share your silly purchases by Squawking Back!

	397 Ways to Save Money Spend Smarter & Live Well on Less By Kerry K. Taylor

Since last week we boasted about our Best Financial Decisions, let’s go deep this week and squawk about the dark stuff many never mention. Let’s look at our money mistakes and consider the lessons learned from our financial folly. Your comment may just spare someone some grief.

Question: What were your worst financial decisions?

Fox’s Answers:

1. Years ago, I did not take responsibility for my own finances and deferred investment choices to a “Financial Planner” (sales person).
2. I did not understand the funds the “Financial Planner” sold me.
3. I did not understand the massive impact that mutual fund fees, called management expense ratios (MERs), would have on my returns.

Fox’s Lessons Learned:

• Since no one cares more about my money than me, it is my responsibilitiy to learn about how to invest and understand the costs of investing. I have also found that learning about personal finance and investing is neither scary nor hard. It’s just takes some time and effort.

Your turn! Share your financial mistakes by Squawking Back!

	397 Ways to Save Money Spend Smarter & Live Well on Less By Kerry K. Taylor