Alternative Control is on Patreon — But Why?

That’s right, the blog — or rather, “Jessie May on the Web” — launched a Patreon last week!  This subscription crowdfunding platform is becoming more and more popular with content creators and fans.  After just one day of having the page up, I could see why: in less than 24 hours, Patreon subscriptions raised more… Continue reading Alternative Control is on Patreon — But Why?

Fetch vs. Ibotta: Which Grocery Cash Back App is Better?

They say there’s no such thing as a free lunch — but with grocery cash back apps like Fetch and Ibotta, you can at least get a discount!  I’ve been using Fetch for a couple years; awhile back, I tried Ibotta but didn’t love it.  Recently, I tried it again and it’s going a lot… Continue reading Fetch vs. Ibotta: Which Grocery Cash Back App is Better?

Money Hacks for Metalheads and Old Millennials: Investing for Retirement and More

Cash Cat invests in Iron Maiden.

Welcome to the final blog segment of Money Hacks for Metalheads and Old Millennials.  Here’s where we pull back the curtain on what The Rich are really doing to get ahead of the rest of us…. Well, we’ll kinda pull back the curtain — I’m an elementary school librarian, not a financial advisor.  (This is… Continue reading Money Hacks for Metalheads and Old Millennials: Investing for Retirement and More

Thrift Store Shopping Tips and Tricks, Savers Edition

Save money you will!

Longtime AltCtrl readers will know that I’m obsessed with thrift store and consignment shopping, and I’m always looking for a new place to check out.  In that vein, Savers of Orange, CT is my latest go-to for clothes and tchotchkes. Coincidentally, the blog ran an article about the Savers in Brookfield all the way back in 2012. … Continue reading Thrift Store Shopping Tips and Tricks, Savers Edition

Money Hacks for Metalheads and Old Millennials: The Skeksis are Scamming Us, and Other Thoughts

A few thoughts I’ve had while writing these money columns (and forever): The System is not designed for us to beat.  The regular people are like the naive Gelflings in Netflix’s Dark Crystal prequel series, going about our lives in ignorance of what’s really happening inside the castle.  The corporations, the mortgage company, the car dealership,… Continue reading Money Hacks for Metalheads and Old Millennials: The Skeksis are Scamming Us, and Other Thoughts

Money Hacks For Metalheads and Old Millennials: Earning Interest

Cash Cat doesn't mess with crappy interest rates.

In the previous installment of  Money Hacks for Metalheads and Old Millennials, we discussed a couple mind-blowing ways to make more money: working more and earning cash back.  Learn all about ’em here.  (In case you need to know what “working more” means….) One thing I’ve been reading about while researching these articles is the balance… Continue reading Money Hacks For Metalheads and Old Millennials: Earning Interest

Money Hacks For Metalheads and Old Millennials: Making More, Part I

Now we’re getting to the real reason I’m writing these columns: the struggle for the legal tender.  A lot of the books and articles I read about personal finance, side hustling, frugality, etc. didn’t seem realistic.  There would be a whole chapter on asking for a raise, and I work a public service job where… Continue reading Money Hacks For Metalheads and Old Millennials: Making More, Part I