Cooking with Whole Foods: Frugal By the Forkful

Here's a good reminder that cooking frugally can also be traditional and healthy. From tiphero.com:

Submitted by: Lori Zanteson 12/22/2009 2:28 PM

How often is the most frugal approach the one that's been there all along? This is definitely the case with food. Reach into the past and reacquaint yourself with commonsense simplicity. Cooking with whole foods is not only frugal and healthy, but oh so good for the soul. Whole Foods Traditions Macrobiotics is the techie term for whole foods cuisine, but don't be put off by its lofty name. Preparing and eating whole foods is as traditional as our culture which is steeped in food. Italian, French, Asian, and Mexican carry our past, our memories, and our overall relationship with food. Who doesn't have a dish made by someone special like mom or grandma that whisks us into decades past? Food is a huge part of who we are. Importance of Good Ingredients Good ingredients make good food and that is the core of whole food cuisine. Forget all the stuffy rules that put the recipe center stage. The way to find quality ingredients is to shop seasonally. Fruits and vegetables are freshest and most vibrant at peak season – and also when they are most affordable. Farmer's markets are good sources but supermarkets are fine too. Be sure to choose with your hands and nose as well as your eyes to ensure freshness. Think of that tomato just picked from a summer vine. Its choir of flavors is just as vibrant fresh as it is simply prepared as part of a dish. Not much needs doing and that's the magic of putting ingredients in the spotlight. Getting creative with whole food ingredients is a freeing experience. Kitchen wizards will enjoy simplifying honed cooking techniques, while the beginner need incorporate only a few basics. Steamed, sautéed, boiled, and roasted are a great starting point as is the slow-cooker. But, a well-stocked pantry is necessary to put those skills into action. The goal is to keep the pantry stocked with a basic core of herbs, spices, seasonings, olive oil, mustards, soy sauce, and beans, pasta, flours and grains such as spaghetti, rice, and oats. These will enhance the main ingredients with variations as rich as the cook's creativity. Shopping Shop once a week and be thorough so there are no quick mid-week trips for one item that easily turns into a dozen you didn't need. The only shopping list should include pantry items to replenish, coupon deals, and your store's weekly sales flyer. Let the freshest produce and best deals on meats determine the week's menu. Shop the perimeter of the store where most of the fresh items are stocked. Beware those center aisles with the temptation of pre-packaged – often chemically preserved and pricey – convenience food. Leftovers Leftovers are the true convenience food. Package extras to be reheated for lunch, refrigerate for a time-crunched weekday meal, or freeze them. Maximize good meat, poultry, and fish deals by buying in bulk and freezing in smaller quantities. Packaged in meal-sized portions makes it easy to thaw and prepare. A real time saver is pre-cooking and freezing ground beef or chopped chicken breast to throw into a taco or a salad. Whole food cooking with leftovers means nothing is wasted and flavor is only enhanced knowing how little money was spent. Use Weekends to Cook Busy as we are, weekends are often the best time to launch into a cooking frenzy. But don't feel like cooking with whole foods is an all or nothing ordeal. Start small and do what works at your comfort level. Prepared pasta sauce, for example, fits quite well into this way of eating. Add a few enhancers like sausage, red wine, and fresh vegetables and serve over pasta. Done. Don't forget to keep the leftovers. Whole food cooking is a return to traditional food preparation. How refreshing to appreciate food in its simplest form. Make it a social affair, and the joy of family, health, and frugality will become a part of your food culture.

Menu Mind Games

I'm sure I've fallen for these tricks many times. I ran across this link from Tiphero.com.

In his new book, Priceless: The Myth of Fair Value (and How to Take Advantage of It), author William Poundstone dissects the marketing tricks built into menus—for example, how something as simple as typography can drive you toward or away from that $39 steak.

Read more: Author William Poundstone Dissects the Marketing Tricks Built Into Balthazar's Menu -- New York Magazine http://nymag.com/restaurants/features/62498/#ixzz0bl370tGQ

P uzzles, anchors, stars, and plowhorses; those are a few of the terms consultants now use when assembling a menu (which is as much an advertisement as anything else). “A star is a popular, high-profit item—in other words, an item for which customers are willing to pay a good deal more than it costs to make,” Poundstone explains. “A puzzle is high-profit but unpopular; a plowhorse is the opposite, popular yet unprofitable. Consultants try to turn puzzles into stars, nudge customers away from plowhorses, and convince everyone that the prices on the menu are more reasonable than they look.” Poundstone uses Balthazar’s menu to illustrate these ideas.

1. The Upper Right-Hand Corner
That’s the prime spot where diners’ eyes automatically go first. Balthazar uses it to highlight a tasteful, expensive pile of seafood. Generally, pictures of food are powerful motivators but also menu taboos—mostly because they’re used extensively in lowbrow chains like Chili’s and Applebee’s. This illustration “is as far as a restaurant of this caliber can go, and it’s used to draw attention to two of the most expensive orders,” Poundstone says.

2. The Anchor
The main role of that $115 platter—the only three-digit thing on the menu—is to make everything else near it look like a relative bargain, Poundstone says.

3. Right Next Door
At a mere $70, the smaller seafood platter next to Le Balthazar seems like a deal, though there’s no sense of how much food you’re getting. It’s an indefinite comparison that also feels like an indulgence—a win-win for the restaurant.

4. In The Vicinity
The restaurant’s high-profit dishes tend to cluster near the anchor. Here, it’s more seafood at prices that seem comparatively modest.

5. Columns Are Killers
According to Brandon O’Dell, one of the consultants Poundstone quotes in Priceless, it’s a big mistake to list prices in a straight column. “Customers will go down and choose from the cheapest items,” he says. At least the Balthazar menu doesn’t use leader dots to connect the dish to the price; that draws the diner’s gaze right to the numbers. Consultant Gregg Rapp tells clients to “omit dollar signs, decimal points, and cents … It’s not that customers can’t check prices, but most will follow whatever subtle cues are provided.”

6. The Benefit Of Boxes
“A box draws attention and, usually, orders,” Poundstone says. “A really fancy box is better yet. The fromages at the bottom of the menu are probably high-profit puzzles.”

7. Menu Siberia
That’s where low-margin dishes that the regulars like end up. The examples here are the easy-to-miss (and relatively inexpensive) burgers.

8. Bracketing
A regular trick, it’s when the same dish comes in different sizes. Here, that’s done with steak tartare and ravioli—but because “you never know the portion size, you’re encouraged to trade up,” Poundstone says. “Usually the smaller size is perfectly adequate.”

Excerpted from Priceless: The Myth of Fair Value (and How to Take Advantage of It), to be published in January by Hill & Wang, an imprint of Farrar, Straus & Giroux. © 2010 by William Poundstone. All rights reserved.

5 Reasons Why Credit Cards Are a Bad Idea for Frugal Families

from tiphero.com:

Have you heard the radio commercial that says, "I have a deal for you! I'll give you $100 if you give me $1000." The commercial then goes on to say that this is essentially what you do when you agree to pay on credit. It may seem like a great, short-term solution, but in the long term, it can cost you many times the actual cost of the item. This is one reason why credit cards are a bad idea for frugal families. Here are a few more reasons why you should reconsider getting a credit card. 1. Temptation One reason that credit cards are a bad idea is temptation. So often, people tell themselves that they just want a credit card for emergencies. Or they will only make small purchases and pay off the bill each month. These are great ideas, but in reality, it doesn't often work that way. Special occasions, irresistible sales or that "just this once" mentality occur, and the result is a maxed out credit card. You'll find that you just can't pay off that full balance; you can only afford the minimum payment when the bill comes due. Credit cards make it too easy to spend without consequence. Temptation strikes and you suddenly can't stick to the promises you made to yourself. 2. Setting Yourself up for Failure Credit cards set you up for failure. All the hype about getting a credit card to build a great credit history is baloney. Read the fine print. The interest rate is insane, even on the better cards. An average rate may be around 14% but many are closer to 40%. So for every $100 you spend, you have to pay an extra $14 to $40 or more for the privilege. The fees are even more insane. Late fees, overage fees, monthly fees, annual fees...it really adds up over time. Suddenly the example at the beginning of this article sounds like a bargain! You might think you won't have to worry about fees, but it just takes one month of the mail running late and you'll have astronomical fees added to your bill. If you have budgeted in just enough to pay off your bill, that extra fee can really throw a monkey wrench into your whole budget. There is another little trick that credit card companies employ that can damage your budget. If you diligently keep up with your payments, they raise your credit limit. This sounds like a good thing, but really it is just a false sense of security designed to get you to spend more. The higher your limit, the more you spend and the higher your bill will be. Soon you can only afford that minimum payment and the interest builds. It won't be long before you get more offers for credit cards and the next thing you know, you’re buried in debt. Remember, credit card companies don't want you to pay off your bill. The longer you take to pay, the more they make. If you get in over your head, that's your problem. These companies are not interested in helping you. They don't think about what you can afford; they think about how much they can make off of you. 3. A False Sense of Security Credit cards really give a false sense of security. Many people erroneously look at their credit limit as their money. They think of a credit card as an asset. People who fall into this trap couldn't be more wrong. The money you spend with a credit card is not your money. It is borrowed money that has to be paid back with interest. There is also the worry of someone stealing your credit card information and totally destroying you financially. With no credit card, you have no worry. Far wiser is to learn to live within your means. Look at it this way: would you ask your friend or your parents if you could borrow money every time you want to buy new appliances, clothing or a vacation? Of course not! Yet that is in essence what you do when you buy on credit. It is logical to expect to borrow money to purchase something like a car or a house (though not always necessary), but to borrow for small purchases just isn't responsible. Learn to pay cash or do without. Or, start to save for special purchases. That way the purchase will be even more special because it will be a reward for your diligent saving habit. 4. A Bad Example When you slide that card for every purchase, what do your children see? They see you getting something for nothing. It is much easier to teach your children to be responsible with money when they see it being used. Forget those ads telling you to teach responsibility by getting your teen a credit card. Giving a child a credit card, even with a predetermined limit, is like saying, "How fast can you spend $300?" He (and you) might be surprised to see that it can be spent within minutes, yet it takes far longer to pay it back. It's just another marketing technique. The best way to teach fiscal responsibility is with cash. Give your children $100 and have them figure out how to spend it wisely. Let them see how much is left after their purchase. Let them make a mistake and see that spending money just because it's there is a fast way to have no money. Better yet, give them specific tasks to earn that money first. Teach them to think of how many hours (or tasks) it will take to earn enough for the item they desire. Is it worth working all week for a new pair of jeans? A credit card is too abstract for many adults! What makes you think a child can comprehend how it all works? 5. An Insecure Future A couple of years back, the thought of a recession was the furthest thing from people's minds. Then it hit and the country went into a panic. According to a recent report from TransUnion, average credit scores dropped by about 6 points during the first quarter of 2009. Now especially, it is a bad time to add debt to your family's financial responsibilities. The more debt you have, the harder it is to make it through a financial disaster. Those who have learned to live debt-free and within their means are not having nearly as much trouble in these tight economic times than those who have credit cards to pay off. They have the security of knowing they can get through tough times because they don't have to worry about paying so many bills. If all you had was basic living expenses to provide for your family, how much better would you feel?

--- sponsored: Find More Frugal Ideas & Money Saving Tips.

5 "Outside the Box" Holiday Gift Ideas

Submitted by: winnie 12/02/2009 9:56 PM

Every year I am reminded that gifts that some of the best gifts are ones you can't get in stores. Those tend to be the most useful and heartfelt. And gifts don't always have to come in a box - it is always fun to get a little creative around the holidays! Here are some of my favorites: 1)The Gift of Food - You'll always need food and you can make this gift more personal by 'making' it yourself. From homemade jams to cookies to signature treats, food that lasts is a treat you can enjoy anytime. One year, my cousin made all of us cookie mixes. She collected mason jars and filled them with all the dry ingredients for oatmeal raisin cookies. She took a square of scrap holiday fabric and some rafia to cover the tip and then printed out the recipes and tied that to the top. Such a great gift! And we thought of her when we made her cookies that winter. Another year, one of my friends went out and bought a package of tv dinner trays and cooked up some home made tv dinners for her son who had just graduated college. She cooked up chicken, ham, steak, green beans, broccoli and a cherry pudding cake and brownies and divided them all up. Included reheating instructions and sent her son home with 20 tv dinners for his freezer. This is a great idea for elderly friends or family, a home cooked meal at their fingertips. Cooking too much? When my dear friend graduated high school, her mother made her a bound book of all the family recipes from growing up so she could take a bit of 'home' with her. She still uses that cook book to this day! 2)The Gift of Nature - we are fortunate to live in the country so our holiday wreaths are easy to make, and we thought we'd make some of our 'city' friends a country wreath. Easy to do with some pine boughs, wild berries, pine cones and whatever other interesting plants we could find. all you need is some wire and a wreath frame from michaels. Most wreaths in stores are $25 or more, so this makes a great gift. You can also make garland or centerpieces or if you have a friend who is a beach lover, take some old box tying string and make a garland of starfish, seashells and sea lavender for a beach inspired holiday decoration. 3)The Gift of Craft - One year when money was really tight, we decided to make holiday ornaments/decorations for friends and family. My husband cut down scrap pieces of wood into square blocks that we sanded down and stenciled letters on to spell out HAPPY HOLIDAYS on one side, MERRY CHRISTMAS, on another and HAPPY NEW YEAR. I also took scrap fabric and trim made stockings with the year and the recipient's name on the stocking. If you can stitch, making a wall hanging is fun to do. Take a piece of muslin or white fabric and then stitch a personalized message. My mom collects snowmen, so I made her a scene of snowmen and the words "let it snow, let it snow, let it snow." Made it look country by keeping everything simple. Then I took the fabric and did a light tea stain treatment to give it a more antiquey look. Finally, I found a cheap frame at a thrift store and distressed it and frame the piece. She loved it and now it hangs with her collection. If you are struggling for ideas, walk around a craft fair for inspiration. 4)The Gift of Experience - I am the point in my life where there is nothing that I really need, but there are plenty of things that I'd like to do. Gifts that involve activities are great fun, especially when that activity involves the gift giver. My neighbor and I exchange gifts every year, but a few year we decided to do something different, instead of spending time buying gifts, we bought each other a ticket to the Nutcracker so we could enjoy the show together. Last year, we took a cooking class together and this year, we bought each other half price mani/pedi treatments from Groupon, so we will get to spend the afternoon together and be pampered at the same time! 5)The Gift of Time - This kind of runs along the same lines as the last one, but sometime it is just time spent together that matters, no money spent, no dollars exchanged, just time spent together.

--- sponsored: Find More Frugal Ideas & Money Saving Tips.

Talking to Aging Parents about their Finances

Brought to you by Balance, Alternatives Credit Counseling partner. Do you know if your parents have a will? If anyone is trying to sell them an annuity? If they are paying all of their bills? If you answered no to these questions, it may be time to have a conversation with them. You may be groaning right now – who enjoys talking about money? – but doing this can help ensure your parents’ well-being. Bill-paying Many of us struggle to meet our monthly obligations, especially seniors, who often face diminished retirement savings and high medical costs. Ask your parents if they have been unable to pay any bills or purchase essential expenses, like medicine or food. If so, help them explore ways they can revise their budget. Are there any expenses that can be cut or reduced, like cable or dining out? Is there any way to increase their income, such as through a part-time job or reverse mortgage? Encourage your parents to contact the creditors/service providers for any bill they are struggling to pay. (If preferred, you may be able to talk to them yourself with your parents’ permission.) Many creditors offer hardship programs – short-term arrangements that allow you to make smaller payments. Utility companies frequently have payment assistance programs for limited-income customers. For aging parents suffering from memory problems, bills may go unpaid simply because they forget. Handling the bill-paying yourself is one possibility, but if you do not have the time, you may find it helpful to use the services of a daily money manager. Daily money managers assist with financial tasks, such as opening and paying bills, balancing checkbooks, and organizing and filling out paperwork. Professional daily money managers charge a fee for their services, but low-income seniors may be eligible for free assistance through a volunteer program. (You can contact your local Area Agency on Aging for more information.) Of course, since there is the potential for abuse, you should choose a daily money manager carefully and periodically check up on his or her work. Long-term care costs Sometime in the future, your parents will likely reach the point where they are no longer able to live on their own without help. Unless you or a relative plans to care for them, they will have to pay for nursing-home, assisted-living, or in-home care. It is not unusual for long-term care costs to exceed $50,000 a year, and Medicare and Medicaid only cover them in limited circumstances. If your parents do not already have a plan for financing their long-term care, help them create one. Putting aside a set sum each month can help your parents amass a good chunk of change, but if they do not already have a significant amount of savings, it may be difficult to save enough now to completely cover their costs. Besides saving, another option is to purchase long-term care insurance. Many policies cover both nursing-home and in-home care costs. The best time to purchase this insurance is when you are in your 50s or 60s. Since there are many different provisions to consider, you and your parents may want to talk with a qualified insurance advisor about what would best meet their needs. Long-term care insurance is expensive, so it can be tempting to go with whoever offers the cheapest policy, but avoid purchasing one from a company with questionable financial health. Salespeople/scammers Unfortunately, there are many people out there looking to take advantage of others, and seniors are a popular target. If someone is trying to sell your parents an annuity, timeshare, or other investment opportunity, review it in detail to see if it would make sense financially. (It probably won’t.) Explain to your parents why you think it is not a good investment. If they are getting calls from telemarketers, sign them up on the National Do Not Call Registry (www.donotcall.gov or 888-382-1222). Discuss common scams, such as the promise of lottery winnings if you send a check for taxes, and encourage them to talk to you before sending money to someone. Estate planning The majority of Americans don’t have a will. No one wants to think about death, but having a will ensures your property goes who you want it to go to and reduces the likelihood of conflict breaking out between surviving relatives. If you are not sure if your parents have one, ask. Those with more complicated financial situations may want to have their will drafted by a lawyer, but others may be able to create one with the aid of a book or computer software. Even if you know your parents have a will, you can talk to them about whether they feel it is up-to-date or if they want to make any changes. For example, if they left part of their estate to a sibling and he died, they may prefer now to leave their whole estate to their children. Also discuss if they have other estate planning documents, such as durable power of attorney for healthcare and finances.
The Everything Wills and Estate Planning Book (2nd edition) By Deborah Layton (Adams Media 2009) This book provides comprehensive information on the estate planning process for a fraction of the cost of a lawyer. You will learn about the sections and clauses of a will, how to sign it properly and amend it later if needed, and how the probate process works. Layton also reviews estate planning tools you can use to avoid the probate process, such as trusts, joint ownership, and life insurance. Other topics discussed include minimizing estate taxes and assigning durable power of attorney. The Everything Wills and Estate Planning Book is the perfect gift for parents who need to plan their estate. And if you have delayed planning too, you may want to buy a second copy for yourself. Keep these in mind when talking to your parents. 1. If you disagree with something they are doing, try to calmly explain why. Avoid saying such things as, “How could you do something so stupid?” 2. If you have siblings, talk with your parents together. This will reduce the chances of family conflict occurring later on, and they could bring ideas to the table that you did not think of. 3. Respect your parents’ opinion. Let them know that you want to help them but are not trying to take away their independence. 4. Don’t be afraid to seek professional help. Most people aren’t experts on things like investments, wills, and insurance. Talking to a financial planner, lawyer, accountant, or other professional can ensure that you and your parents create a solid financial plan. 5. If your parents need to create a will or do anything else, set a specific deadline. This will discourage procrastination. 6. Looking for a way to initiate the conversation? Start by talking about your own finances. For example: “We met with a lawyer last week and created a will. Do you have one?” 7. Avoid trying to talk to your parents about their finances during a stressful or hectic time, like while you are in the middle of cooking Thanksgiving dinner. 8. Let your parents know that you want talk with them about their finances because you love them and want to ensure they are taken care of. 9. Emphasize the benefits of financial planning – being able to pay your bills now and in the future, ensuring that assets are passed on to the next generation and not drained, etc. 10. Don’t force your parents to talk about their finances if they are extremely resistant. They may be more open to discussing it at another time or with a professional.

50 Clever DIY Ideas for Big Savings

Submitted by: Tip Hero 11/03/2009 3:59 PM

What we don't have in money we can make up with in time. When times are good and you've got money to spare, you might be fortunate enough to be able to afford to pay someone else to do work around the house, freeing up time for other work, projects, hobbies, and fun. But when the going gets tough, time can often be your most valuable asset. And putting that time to good use, such as going the DIY route, can help save you money while also providing for some very rewarding work. After all, when you do it yourself, you're much more likely to enjoy what you've done than if you had paid someone else to do it. At least we think so! We came across a great article from This Old House that lists 50 DIY things you can do to save big. There are a lot of really great ideas on the list. What we also like about the list is that they break up the projects into four major per-year savings categories: (1) Savings of up to $50, savings of up to $150, savings of up to $250, and savings of up to $500. Plus, under each idea, they provide cost and savings amounts, so you can get a sense of what to expect to save for each. We've pulled out a few of our favorites from each category, but we strongly suggest clicking through to read about all 50 ideas. And if you've got any DIY, money-saving tips of your own, please share them with the rest of the Tip Hero community in the Comments section below. Thanks! Up to $50 in Savings: 1. Shorten your dryer-vent hose. - "Then trim the hose length so that it's just long enough for you to pull the dryer a few feet out from the wall. A short and unobstructed line makes your dryer run more efficiently." Estimated savings: $25/year. 2. Borrow specialized tools. - "Go to Zilok for far better deals than rental retailers offer." Estimated savings: "$50 or more for the same tool at a rental center." Web searches (sponosred): Tool Rentals | Tool Rental Centers 4. Choose one neutral trim paint. - "For the entire house rather than buying a gallon of a particular color for each room and using only a fraction of each can." Estimated savings: "$50 on paint for three rooms." Web searches (sponosred): Discount Paint | Paint Tools Up to $150 in Savings: 17. Set your computer to sleep. — "Not just the monitor, but the hard drive, too—so that it automatically dims after 10 minutes of nonuse." Estimated savings: $75/year off electric bills. 18. Wait to replace your grill, lawn mower, or patio furniture until the fall. - "Stores mark down their inventory to make room for holiday decorations and snowblowers." Estimated savings: "$150 or more per item." Compare Prices: Grills | Lawn Mowers | Patio Furniture 21. Buy a deluxe battery recharging station. - "Stop using disposables. A combo unit keeps a supply of AA, AAA, C, and D batteries at the ready." Estimated savings: "As much as $100 per year on disposables for dozens of tools and gadgets." Compare Prices: Battery Recharging Stations Up to $250 in Savings: 29. Plug in a SmartStrip. - "Three-quarters of the energy that electronics burn is consumed when the equipment is turned off. Rather than unplug items after every use, hook them up to a SmartStrip surge protector, which automatically kills power to electronics when you turn them off and returns it when you switch them back on." Estimated savings: "As much as $240 per year in energy costs." Compare Prices: SmartStrips 33. Do your own energy audit. - "Pick up Black & Decker's new Thermal Leak Detector to find weak spots in your home's "insulation envelope." Fixes are often as simple as installing foam gaskets under switch plates and outlet covers ($3 for 10 gaskets at Home Energy Solutions) and adding new weatherstripping around your entry door ($3 for 17 feet of self-adhesive foam strip at Lowes)." Estimated savings: $160/year. Compare Prices: Thermal Leak Detectors 35. Get the contractor discount on home improvement products. - "Many local dealers offer a 5, 10, or even 15 percent discount to tradespeople. So, for example, drop the name of your plumber when buying new bath fixtures. Don't have a pro? Explain that you're contracting the job, and ask if they'll extend the discount." Estimated savings: "Easily $250 for a new tub, sink, and toilet suite." Up to $500 in Savings: 38. Install an under-sink water filter. - Stop buying expensive bottled water. Estimated savings: "$360 per year on purified water." Web searches (sponosred): Under-Sink Water Filters 39. Install a wireless light switch. - "Simply attach a battery-operated device to the wall and screw its receptor into the lamp socket, which then receives the bulb." Estimated savings: "$250 to $300 to have an electrician install a switch and snake in wiring." Compare Prices: Wireless Light Switch 42. Free mulch and compost. - Get it at your town's yard-waste recycling center. Estimated savings: "$300 for all the amendments you'll need to fortify and cover your raised beds and foundation plantings, per 1/4 acre." 50 Nifty Tricks for Big DIY Savings (This Old House)

--- sponsored: Find More Frugal Ideas & Money Saving Tips.

Want prosperity? Index ranks Finland as place to be

emailed from Brendan:

SINGAPORE (Reuters Life!) – For those who value their freedom of expression as much as health, wealth, and prosperity, then Finland is the place to be, with an index ranking the Nordic nation the best in the world.

The 2009 Legatum Prosperity Index, published on Tuesday and compiled by the Legatum Institute, an independent policy, advocacy and advisory organization, ranked 104 countries which are home to 90 percent of the world's population.

The index is based on a definition of prosperity that combines economic growth with the level of personal freedoms and democracy in a country as well as measures of happiness and quality of life.

With the exception of Switzerland, which came in at number 2, Nordic countries dominated the top 5 slots, with Sweden in third place followed by Denmark and Norway.

The top 10 were all also Western nations, with Australia (6th place) and Canada (7th place) both beating the United States, ranked 9th. Britain came in at number 12.

In Asia, Japan was the region's highest ranked country at number 16, followed by Hong Kong (18th place) and Singapore (23rd place) and Taiwan (24th place).

Dr. William Inboden, senior vice president of the Legatum Institute, said the lower rankings for Asian nations were largely due to their weak scores for democracy and personal freedoms.

"Many Asian nations have good economic fundamentals, but the Index tells us that true prosperity requires more than just money," Inboden said in a statement.

"Democratic institutions and personal freedom measures are letting some Asian nations down. Furthermore, countries which have low levels of economic stability, such as Cambodia, finish even further down in the overall rankings."

Cambodia came in the 93rd slot while China, with its tight political controls, came in 75th despite booming economic growth.

And the world's least prosperous country? According to the Legatum Index, it is Zimbabwe, with Sudan and Yemen close runners-up.

The index combines objective data and subjective responses to surveys. More details can be found on http://www.prosperity.com.

(Writing by Miral Fahmy, editing by Ron Popeski)