Frugalocity - Where our motto is Do more! Spend Less! And Live Abundantly!

Richard Raby
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Community gathering of fellow savers trying to have fun and save money at the same time. Our mission is to encourage frugal behavior in individuals so they can build momentum towards financial freedom and have fun at the same time. Check out our website www.frugalocity.org!

  1. MAY 7

    #73 - The Car Debt Trap and the Frugal Way Out – Dare we say Trade Schools?

    This episode dives into one of the most painful financialhangovers of the pandemic era: the car debt trap. As Amanda and Richard put it, “about one in three Americans trading in a car owes more than that car is worth.” And the numbers are brutal — long loans, inflated prices, androlled‑over balances have left many drivers thousands underwater. But the show doesn’t stop at the headlines. The realmessage is that this isn’t just a car story — it’s a knowledge story. Why Americans Are Stuck The hosts break down how buyers got trapped: Cars bought and peak pandemic pricesNegative equity rolled into the next loans6-8 loans that have low payments but enormous total costsPanic trading when a warning light pops up. As Richard says, “A cheap payment is not the samething as a cheap car.” The Frugal Escape Route: Skills Instead of preaching “don’t buy cars,” the episodereframes the problem: Skills change the math. Knowing how cars work — even at a basic level — givesyou: Confidence to buy older, cheaper cars. Ability to diagnose simple issues. Leverage to negotiate better deals. Freedom from overpriced labor. The hosts share real stories of buying $500–$2,500 cars,fixing minor issues, and driving them for years — sometimes even selling them for what they paid. They then pivot to a solution hiding in plain sight: Trade Schools Trade Schools as a Financial Strategy-- A major theme: trade skills aren’t just a career path —they’re a money path. The episode highlights: Georgia’s Technical College System (22 campuses, hands on automotive programs)How mechanics, HVAC techs, welders, and plumbers routinely earn $60K–$100K+How a 5 semester automotive program can pay for itself with one avoided bad car purchaseWhy society undervalues trades — and why that needs to changeThe message is clear: Understanding machines gives youleverage — in your budget, your decisions, and your life and that can provide a better path to travel. Two Paths: Debt vs. Capability The hosts lay out the contrast: Path 1: Debt‑Driven • Frequent trade ins• Rolling negative equity• Long loans• Constant depreciationPath 2: Skills‑Driven • Older, cheaper cars• Selective repairs• Longer ownership• Less panic• More confidence• Optional side incomeCapability wins. Fun, Frugal, Fabulous The episode closes with its Fun, Frugal, Fabulous Section: • Alex Karnal’s interview on the Invest Like the Best podcast on preventive healthcare• A new Elin Hilderbrand book• A lake trip• A grocery store misadventure that perfectly illustrates the difference between frugal and cheap. Final Takeaway The car bubble isn’t just about bad timing — it’s aboutvulnerability. The way out is knowledge, habits, and skills. The most frugal car upgrade isn’t always newer model. Moreimportantly, it’s knowing how the car you already own actually works. Sites we like and follow: Frugalocity Instagram sites Snoophoggyhawg and Frugalocity Spotify, Frugalocity Favorite Podcasts Drink Choffy, use Richard15 Shampoochie Georgia Real Estate Depot Technical College System of Georgia MikeRoweWorks

    28 min

  2. MAY 2

    #72 - The Ultimate Fighting Championship, aka, the Most Entertaining Sport in the World (UFC 328 Preview (with Bain & Finn)

    A wild, unfiltered ride through one of the most chaoticcards of the year. Frugalocity’s Episode 72 delivers a wild, unfiltered UFC 328 preview as Bain and Finn break down the Newark card with full‑throttle chaos, roasting the Chimaev vs. Strickland main event as a likely 25‑minute hugfest, hyping the high‑stakes Van vs. Taira flyweight showdown, and laughing through heavyweight unpredictability with Volkov vs. Waldo. They debate the striker‑vs‑grappler madness of Buckley vs. Brady, shrug at the “rent money fight” between King Green and Jeremy Stephens, and admit the early prelims are mostly a mystery outside of the Ngannou‑sized Gokeyev. Classic Ballhawgs detours erupt as they argue JDM’s future, Paddy’s allergy to real contenders, whether Ilia is dodging Arman, who actually pulled out of Islam vs. Ilia, the true MMA GOAT, the best base for fighting, and why Michael Chandler is pure entertainment and zero strategy. GOAT talk wraps the show with love for GSP, respect for Mighty Mouse, complications around Jon Jones, Volk’s rise, and the eternal circus that is Conor McGregor.Links we follow and you should too: Frugalocity #Drink Choffy, use Richard15 Shampoochie Instagram sites Snoophoggyhawg and Frugalocity2 Encourage Wellness and Performance Georgia Real Estate Depot Parrish Myers, Realtor

    45 min

  3. APR 18

    #71 - Charity Starts at Home: A Conversation with realtor Parrish Myers

    This episode of Frugalocity dives deep into the life,mission, and heart of Parrish Myers —  pastor, former teacher and hospice chaplain, and now a real estate agent with a purpose. From the opening blues‑music banterto the final laughs about pickleball and guacamole, the conversation reveals a man whose entire career has been shaped by service. Parrish shares how his journey from Watkinsville to thepulpit to the classroom prepared him for real estate in ways most agents never experience. As he puts it, buying or selling a home is “your most expensive asset… your entire retirement” and people deserve someone who treats thatresponsibility with integrity and compassion. His pastoral and teaching background gives him a unique ability to guide, support, and genuinely care for clients during one of life’s most emotional financial decisions. But the heart of the episode — and the reason Richardbrought him on — is Parrish’s extraordinary commitment to giving away 10% of his net commission to local charities. Not national organizations with vague overhead, but vetted, boots‑on‑the‑ground ministries he personally tours,reviews, and believes in. As he explains, “I will take that 10% amount… and slide it across the desk to them… and here is a list of charities that I have personally vetted. You choose from this list.” He even invites clients to join him when he delivers thedonation so they can see exactly where the money goes. One of the most powerful moments comes when Parrish recounts watching a hungry student tear into a backpack of donated food — “his cheeks puffed out like a squirrel” — because he knew it would be divided among hisfamily when he got home. That moment shaped his lifelong commitment to supporting organizations like iServe, which distributes food boxes and thousands of weekend backpacks to kids in Jackson and Madison counties. The episode also tackles the big question: How are youngbuyers supposed to afford a home in 2026? Parrish breaks down FHA loans, VA loans, credit pitfalls, and the biggest mistake first‑time buyers make — falling in love with a house before knowing what they can actually afford. Ashe puts it, “Stop thinking you should have everything your parents have right now… they worked a lifetime for that.” The conversation winds through the Athens‑area market, therealities of renting vs. owning, and the importance of building generational wealth — all delivered with the signature Frugalocity mix of humor, honesty, and practical wisdom. To wrap things up, Parrish shares the fun side of his life:Harlan Coben novels, retro TV binges, pickleball misadventures, and the guacamole that nearly stole Amanda’s heart. Sites we like and follow: Frugalocity Drink Choffy, use Richard15 Instagram sites Snoophoggyhawg and Frugalocity2 Parrish Myers, Realtor Keller Williams Greater Athens Realty iServe Ministries

    56 min

  4. APR 16

    #70 - The Boston Trip That Proved the System Works

    In this episode of Frugalocity, Richard and Amandabreak down how the Raby family pulled off a dream Boston senior trip — packed with history, cannoli, and even courtside Celtics seats — without torching the budget. As Richard puts it, they “saved money on the boring stuff so we couldsplurge on the fun stuff,” and this trip became the perfect case study. They kick things off with the stealth move that saved thetrip before it even began: a simple IHG credit‑card bonus that knocked roughly $2,000 off the hotel bill. No spreadsheets, no 47‑card churn strategy — just one well‑timed signup and free breakfasts that quietly saved the family hundreds more. With the essentials covered, the Raby’s went big where itmattered. They grabbed great seats at Fenway, then fulfilled Conner’s dream with courtside Celtics tickets — the kind of once‑in‑a‑lifetime moment that frugal choices made possible. As Amanda says, “We didn’t have to say no because we saved in the right places.” The episode also celebrates the best of Boston on a budget:walking the Freedom Trail, exploring historic neighborhoods, wandering bookstores, enjoying Boston Common, and of course, grabbing cannoli from Mike’s— “a rite of passage,” as Amanda puts it. They wrap with the early‑morning Delta flight home (“upbefore the birds”), proving that sometimes the frugal choice is the one that gets you out of airport purgatory fastest. The big takeaway: you don’t need to hack the system totravel well. Be frugal where it doesn’t matter, intentional where it does, and you can create memories that outlast any points balance. And in their “Fun, Frugal, and Fabulous” segment, the hostscatch listeners up on what they’re watching, loving, and laughing about beyond the Boston adventure — from Shrinking to The Pitt still doing its thing. Frugalocity Drink Choffy, use Richard15 Instagram sites Snoophoggyhawg and Frugalocity2 Georgia Real Estate Depot Shampoochie

    25 min

  5. MAR 30

    #69 - The Offseason Super Bowl: Here we GO! Free Agency Winners!

    In this high‑energy breakdown of NFL free agency, Richard and Conner crown the true champions of the Offseason Super Bowl — because who needs the Lombardi when youcan dominate March? The guys open by declaring the obvious: the PittsburghSteelers won the offseason, full stop. With moves like trading for Michael Pittman Jr. (“you hate him because you ain’t him”), adding Jamel Dean, reuniting Jaquan Brisker with Joey Porter Jr., and finally landing a real nosetackle, the Steelers filled more structural holes than any team in football. As Richard puts it, “No team solved more functional problems than Pittsburgh.” From there, the show hits the other big risers:  Las Vegas Raiders— The Shockers The Raiders turned cap space into a foundation: TylerLinderbaum, Quay Walker, Nakobe Dean, Jalen Naylor, and a fully‑bought‑in Maxx Crosby. They’re building smart, stable, and for once… intentionally.  Los Angeles Rams —“F‑Them Picks”  Still Works The Rams do what the Rams do: steal Chiefs defenders,reload the secondary, and stay in the contender conversation. Even with Puka Nacua’s off‑field weirdness, they’re right back in the mix.  Kansas City Chiefs — Reloading, Not Rebuilding They lose Trent McDuffie… then flip him for a haul, addKenneth Walker, and position themselves for another elite WR in the draft. The rich stay rich. The honorable mention? Carolina, who quietly built a realroster around Bryce Young without panic spending or desperation trades. Then comes the fun part: Head‑Scratchers of the Offseason Falcons collecting left-handed QB's like Pokemon cards! Miami trading away Jaylon Waddle and leaving Malik Willis with nothing but Devon Achane. Vikings admitting JJ McCarthy was a bust and trading for Kyler Murray which is an upgrade?Jets & Colts… simply existing as themselves and getting a nod for being on the Delusional and Dysfunctional Teams list. Finally, the hosts deliver the verdict:  Your Offseason Super Bowl FinalFour: Steelers, Raiders, Rams, Chiefs — with Pittsburgh taking home the imaginary trophy. The episode closes with classic BallHawgs energy: jokes, jabs, and a reminder that if the season started tomorrow, these four teams would walk in with the biggest glow‑ups of the year. Follow the crew on socials and other sites they follow: Frugalocity.org Our favorite energy drink: Drink Choffy Instagram sites: Snoophoggyhawg and Frugalocity2 Shampoochie Georgia Real Estate Depot

    43 min

  6. MAR 14

    #68 - "Nobody out pizzas the Hut, and nobody out frugals the Frugalites"

    In this delightfully nostalgic and hilariously self‑awareepisode, Richard and Amanda take a victory lap as The New York Times finally “discovers” the Classic Pizza Hut experience — something Frugalocity covered way back in Episode 42. From red roofs to red plastic cups,the hosts break down the Times’ breathlessreporting and contrast it with their own marinara‑stained,breadstick‑powered expertise. Quote--“We said similar stuff in Episode 42! Except we said it with more marinara on our shirts.” The duo dives into what the NYT got right — thenostalgia, the salad bar reverence, the cross‑statepilgrimages — and what they completely missed: thefrugality, the community vibe, and the sacred art of the breadstick run. We also explore the “Classic Hut Economy,” where aging Pizza Hut buildings have become viral landmarks, fan‑mapped destinations, and unofficial national parks for pan‑pizza pilgrims. (“Fans have spreadsheets, maps, GPS coordinates…” ) Special guest Tina Laseter joins to share her own PizzaHut love story, promote the upcoming Stick It to Cancer event, and swap frugal fun with the hosts. Together, they teach listeners how to spot a true Classic Hut — from the 1969 red roof to the trapezoid windows to the pan pizza that“could burn through steel.” (“Authenticity test: does the cheese fuse to the roof ofyour mouth?” ) The episode wraps with a signature Frugalocity message:nostalgia isn’t just warm and fuzzy — it’s a frugal superpower. A $10 pan pizza can feel like a $100 memory when it taps into joy, connection, and childhoodmagic. And a few extra frugal hacks like Braves TV and UGA baseball games! Richard and Amanda close by inviting listeners to jointhe breadstick‑run lifestyle, follow Tina’s work with The Cancer Foundation, and keep up with all thingsFrugalocity across social channels and playlists. Links and sites we follow: The Cancer Foundation "Stick it to Cancer" Event March 21st. Drink Choffy, use Richard15 for a 15% discount. NY Times article: Pizza Hut Pizza hut classic list (Georgia has three: in Clayton, Dahlonega, and Lavonia) Frugalocity Snoophoggyhawg and Frugalocity2 on Instagram. Shampoochie Georgia Real Estate Depot Spotify Playlists: Frugalocity Favorite Podcasts

    25 min

  7. MAR 7

    #67 - Delusional & Dysfunctional: The BallHawgs Support Group

    In this riotous, no‑mercy installment of Frugalocity’sBallHawgs, Richard and Conner host the ultimate intervention for the most delusional and dysfunctional programs in sports. From college chaos to NFL nightmares to NBA and MLB meltdowns, nobody escapes the frugality audit. 🏈 Segment 1: College Carnage The guys start in Tennessee, where boosters spend likelottery winners and expectations stay stuck in 1998. Tennessee fans beat up on “East Knoxville Vocational Lumber School” and immediately start talking national titles. Vanderbilt gets roasted for “almost” wins and Diego Pavia’sHeisman‑to‑headcase arc. The Titans keep the state’s dysfunction alive with mayonnaise‑coffee QBs and a habit of giving away future Super Bowl winners. Then the national tour begins:         Oregon: Nike money, no rings. Notre Dame: Independent schedule, dependent on nostalgiaFlorida: Jorts, chaos, and ghosts of Spurrier/MeyerArkansas: Baseball heartbreak specialistsThe verdict? These aren’t fan bases—they’re group therapycircles. Segment 2: NFL Nightmares College has boosters. The NFL has owners who should probably be supervised. Segment 3: NBA & Closers The Hornets get cooked for being a lotterymachine with LaMelo as the ringmaster of a circus that never wins. The Yankees get dragged for clinging to 27 rings like they happened last week while burning cash on injured stars and failed reboots. Then Richard and Conner turn the flamethrower onMike Tomlin:Mike Tomlin’s “never losing season” streak meets the cold reality of zero playoff wins since 2016. Coach quoting “The Standard is the Standard” gets reminded that the standard hasn’t been met in a decade. Sign‑offRichard wraps with the signature BallHawgsflair: stay frugal, fun, and fabulous—not foolish, delusional, ordysfunctional. Follow the crew on socials and other sites they follow: Frugalocity Drink Choffy, use Richard15 Stick it to Cancer fundraiser for The Cancer Foundation! Shampoochie Georgia Real Estate Depot Snoophoggyhawg and Frugalocity2 Linkedin for Frugalocity

    43 min
  8. Episode #66: “Changing the Story of Assisted Living” with Tony Gimbrone of Manor Lake

    FEB 22

    Episode #66: “Changing the Story of Assisted Living” with Tony Gimbrone of Manor Lake

    In Episode 63, we opened up one of the most personalconversations we’ve ever had on Frugalocity—digging into “the emotional side of caregiving, the grief, the second guessing, the stress and the unpredictability”. That episode sparked something important for us: a desire to move from the emotional weight of caregiving toward the hope,support, and dignity that the right senior living environment can offer. Of course, this curiosity led us back to a place we alreadyknew—Manor Lake Senior Living—a community that left a strong impression when we visited. And in today’s episode, we’re grateful to have Tony Gimbrone, Senior Director of Marketing at Manor Lake, join us to tell the Manor Lake story from the inside. Tony has more than two decades of experience in seniorhousing, and he shared how Manor Lake’s identity is rooted in something rare: local ownership, hands‑on leadership, and a founder who built the first communityfor his own mother. As Tony explained, “you walk into any of our communities and you may find Mr. Creekmore… talking to residents, talking to staff, speaking with families”. His personal investment shapes everything—from the vibrant atmosphere to the high expectations for care. We also explored the innovative side of Manor Lake,including their use of AI‑powered fall‑prevention technology in memory care. Tony explained that their "Augi" system analyses resident behavior, provides real-time alerts to staff, and helps minimize unnecessary hospital visits.  Ashe put it, “it’s been a tremendous help… it helps peace of mind for the families also”. In addition, Tony mentioned their “It’s Never Too Late” system that allows patients to travel virtually anywhere which helps those with memory issues. But beyond the tech, Tony helped us understand the emotional journey families go through—the fears, the objections, the desire for independence, and the need for compassion. He talked about how Manor Lakeapproaches both adult children seeking solutions and seniors seeking choice, emphasizing that “we try to make it their idea, make it not scary”. This episode is about reframing assisted living—not as“giving up,” but as gaining community, safety, engagement, and dignity. It’s about helping families see what’s possible when a place is built with intention and run with heart. And we’re genuinely thankful Tony joined us to share howManor Lake is doing that work every day. Links and Sites we follow: Frugalocity Drink Choffy, use Richard15 for a 15% discount on Choffy brewed Cacoa Shampoochie Georgia Real Estate Depot Manor Lake Snoophoggyhawg and Frugalocity2 Encourage Wellness and Performance

    56 min
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Community gathering of fellow savers trying to have fun and save money at the same time. Our mission is to encourage frugal behavior in individuals so they can build momentum towards financial freedom and have fun at the same time. Check out our website www.frugalocity.org!

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