Free Money Finance's "Mindless Spending: Frequency Matters More Than Height" is an interesting article that brings up a lot of good points that are probably responsible for many people's troubles today, when it comes to finances and a lack of savings or a retirement account. It talks about how the little monthly fees and weekly or daily lattes are what cost you more per year than making a single purchase over $100 every now and then.

When you consider that the base cost of the fully functional iPhone can cost $4000 over a 2 year contract, you can see how it would go a long way towards the down payment on a house, if you just carried quarters for the pay phone when you need to call home. With the Internet and Smartphone phase, it has become acceptable to spend a major monthly fee for all kinds of features to talk and surf the Internet when you aren't at home or at the office. The article talks about these seemingly smaller indulgences as the main problem for those that have trouble making ends meet and it makes a lot of good points, that are accurate and easily cured for those that heed this sound advice.