Denise Trowbridge

Restaurants and plants

I just wanted to post an update, because clearly it's been too long!

I've been a restaurant columnist, covering the business of restaurants in central Ohio, for the Columbus DIspatch since January 2010. You can read it in the business section at Dispatch.com every Tuesday.

I'm also writing the Sunday garden column for the Dispatch, and have been doing so since January 2011.

It's keeping me very busy. I'm also taking on the occasional story from my absolute favorite financial web site, Bankrate.com, including this one from Bankrate, about how to give more to charity, even if you don't have a lot of money.

 

 

MSN "pick" today

 I noticed the last story I wrote for Bankrate.com landed on the MSN.com homepage today as a "Today's Pick."

That feels nice, even if they don't really give you a byline!

http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/SavingandDebt/LearnToBudget/A30DayChallengeDontSpend.aspx?page=1

Jump start savings with a no-spend month

I love writing about personal finance, and my article about how a spend-nothing month can jump start your savings, which appeared on Bankrate.com today, is one of my favorites. The No Spend Month, where you and your family spend vow to spend almost no money for an entire 30 days, is a very effective tool for jump-starting savings and pinpointing your spending weak spots.

Here are the links to the bloggers featured in the article. Their stories may inspire you to have your own No Spend Month.

Rachel and her family have a No Spend Month every July, spending just $250 that month on everything that isn't a regular monthly bill, including groceries. Read more about her experience at Small Notebook.

Shannon S. and her family went on a 6-week spending crash diet. Read more about her experience at Nourishing Days.

Joy P. Harkins had a No Spend Month last November.Read more about her experience at Just Plain Joy. 

And don't forget to read about my month of not spending, starting here.