It's Official: We're Cell Phone Free

Tonight our cell phones ceased contact with Sprint. We're cut off from the mothership. We've sent out the emails telling people about the change, we've answered the questions, and we're starting to get a little bewildered ourselves.

Really, I'm fine with the change. I don't get that many phone calls anyway, and the people that need to contact me know how to do that. But I know that Ryan will have a harder time with the change than I will, because he has more of a need to be connected than I do.

Nevertheless, three days ago we pulled the trigger. Tonight the service is off. We are continuing to answer the questions of "how" and "why," even to ourselves, but it's become more than an exercise in frugality. We're throwing ourselves into what many are calling a social experiment - can a couple with a kid and full-time jobs survive in the modern world without the constant tether of a cell phone?

We spoke with Jay Carter of LivingInAustin.com and the Financial Survival Podcast about how the decision has affected us so far. The entire interview will be part of the Financial Survival Podcast next Thursday, but here's a preview (click the play button above).

Sex Columnist Turns to Blogging About Living Well on Less

Laura Roberts got used to Tex-Mex when she moved from Montreal to Austin. Good thing, because Roberts, a self-prescribed cheap ass, says it's pretty cheap. She likes places like Juan in a Million and Torchy's Tacos because of the inexpensive options on the menu. But she doesn't stop with restaurants. She and her husband found a gym for cheap, too. Sure, it may not have the spa and sauna treatment, but she says it's got the weights and the old fashioned treadmills needed to get the job done.

And grocery stores. Yes, it's where we all tend to spend a lot of money. Roberts like Sprouts.

"They'll give you a personal coupon, they're like 'here's a free candy bar,'" she said. "I'm like yes! Sweet!"

Roberts loves a sweet deal, and no doubt it's even better when there's a sweet treat involved. Check out the story about how to save some dough, and then check out Roberts' blog, Shoestring Austin, for some guaranteed recommendations on saving some cash.