Last February, Miami Herald reporter Natalie McNeal set out to do something that I think we all wish we could do: Not spend money. Of course, she had to buy necessary things, but she made a “vow of frugality” to not eat out, buy clothes, or visit a salon. Also like many of us, McNeal is a self described “fritterer”, not spending her money on huge purchases, but buying a bunch of little things that tend to add up.

That first month, McNeal saved $400. Her Miami Herald Blog, The Frugalista Files, follows her as she navigates her way through pre-recession spending and saving.

Her blog has information on budget building, stories about spending thriftily, and links to other helpful sites like this one that gives you some tips on how to eat healthy on a college student’s budget.

Most interesting to me, is that McNeal started this blog in part to keep track of her progress and also have a means by which the public could hold her accountable, keep her on her spending toes, so to speak. I think it’s a great idea for anyone (like me!) who has trouble curbing their spending and staying on a budget.

McNeal’s is not the only budget blog on the net, however. Indeed, there are hundreds. Here is one I found that I simultaneously like and hate (she’s trying to save $30000! I’d be happy with $300!)

If you are interested in starting your own personal finance blog, check out the Frugalista Files and sites like My Money Blog , Stop Buying Crap, and The Budgeting Babe for links to other finance blogs and ideas on how to pay down debt and save.

On a side note, I recommend Suze Orman’s The Money Book for the Young, Fabulous and Broke for info on big purchase spending, investing, and getting rid of credit card and student loan debt. Also, Farnoosh Torabi’s Your So Money: Live Rich, Even When You’re Not.