My family is scattered all across the US so I make really good use of my travel reward credit cards, especially around the end of the year for all the get togethers!
I always thought that the travel credit cards had so many limits and miles expired so quickly that unless you're jetsetting every where, you'll never be able to utilize them. Glad to hear that they actually work through normal use.
Simply frugal . . . a potato! Bake it, smash it, slice it, add a bit of fat in whatever form, and I have an extremely low cost, highly tasty bit of comfort. MMmmmmmmm . . . .
Great post. One thing worth mentioning is to book awards travel plenty of time in advance, particularly if you are going first class. I use AA miles (through partner Hawaiian) every year to fly first class for early December travel to the Big Island. I literally have to book my flights in early January to get the following December first class seats on the Hawaiian flights. Seems like the airlines are allocating fewer seats for air mile travel (in my experience).
The article is pure genius and perfectly reflects what I've said ad infinitum for years. His logic and rationale completely destroy all Realtor related non sequitur arguments about why owning a home is an 'investment' or any other fallacious arguments about why "now is always a good time to buy"
The author uses financial examples to show the realities of home ownership which are solid and realistic.
Take notes people. A house is NOT an investment. It's simply a place to live. It ties you down in ways you cannot imagine. It puts you at the mercy of local employers, local schools, property taxes, and local economics.
im also partial to the frozen punkin pies the sell at the grocery stores. all you need to do is pop it in the oven and it turns out great! no fuss no mess!
Oh there's so many! If I really had to pick one, I'd say a dish of macaroni. But there's also meatloaf, stuffed peppers, southwestern mac and cheese...the list goes on and on.
My favorite go to or budget dish would have to be mashed potatoes. It's affordable and so easy. I love changing it depending on the mood. Either cheese or bacon bits, anything works!
Although there are some benefits to using credit cards, you shouldn't use them if they have a high APR or if you're already in debt. I no longer use a credit card. I use my debit card because I was spending money on everyday items like coffee when I didn't have cash. The interest really adds up!
Favorite frugal comfort food:
Snack-Popcorn popped in oil on the stove (loose kernals are a fraction of the cost of microwave popcorn and they taste better!) topped with parm cheese (any cheese will taste good) and Frank's red hot sauce.
"Meal"-2 Corn or flour tortilla microwaved with two pinches of cheddar cheese and two spoonfuls of canned black beans in each. Add any veggies you might have around for added bulk. Quick and cheap and filling!
I'm generally a pretty smart credit card user. Always paid monthly debt in full, never use it as an excuse to buy things I can't afford. Have focused mostly on cash back because they seem like the best bang for the buck. But now that I want to travel more these articles might come in handy. Like Smarcus said, I'm excited to see more great tips in the future.
I make a large sourcream pound cake and stick it in the frig. This gets better tasting with age and lasts along time. I love having something homemade to satisfy my families sweet tooth. I also like to have muffin batter in the frig for quick snacks or bkft. the batter will like several days giveing me more time for the holidays.
Why not put a program in place for those of us who were responsible and did what we had to do to ensure our mortgage was paid on time every month? Let RESPONSIBLE HOMEOWNERS refinance to lower interest rates and only have to pay what our houses are currently worth. Let the banks incurr the cost of the refinancing - not Federal bailout money!
I have a friend (an EX friend as of last night) who decided that she wasn't going to pay her mortgage since January 2011. With the money they kept, they bought a travel trailer, four wheelers, new laptops for everyone in the house, went on vacations, etc. Yesterday night she told me that CitiMortgage has agreed to refinance her house at a lower rate and arranged for her payments to be what SHE told them that SHE could afford ($850 per month - half of what her initial mortgage was). She has no penalties for not paying since last January, doesn't have to pay for refinancing, still gets to keep her house, and owes LESS than what she signed for the intial mortgage. But the bank is getting kick-back money from MY FREAKING TAX DOLLARS to pay for this CRAP!!!
My favorite comfort food is Chocolate balls, i prepared them by melting dark chocolate with at least 60% cocoa, half cut almonds and dry blueberries, its a healthy sweet easy to carry food on the go.
Congratulations, Meg! Your Boston Brown Bread recipe sounds delicious -- can't wait to try it!
My favorite budget dish is mac and cheese. I like to have mixed veggies on the side.
My family is scattered all across the US so I make really good use of my travel reward credit cards, especially around the end of the year for all the get togethers!
Thank god. I'm so tired of the "gourmet" mac and cheese and biscuits that just don't have the right texture. I can't wait to dive in and make these!
I always thought that the travel credit cards had so many limits and miles expired so quickly that unless you're jetsetting every where, you'll never be able to utilize them. Glad to hear that they actually work through normal use.
I can't wait to try those baked beans. I love them, but have never tried making them.
I think dressing is the absolute greatest comfort food. Mom makes the best with lots of onions, celery and pepper. I can't get enough of it!
TIL: Sour milk is not just milk you left on the counter overnight. Good to know Thanks Meg & Mike!
Simply frugal . . . a potato! Bake it, smash it, slice it, add a bit of fat in whatever form, and I have an extremely low cost, highly tasty bit of comfort. MMmmmmmmm . . . .
Great post. One thing worth mentioning is to book awards travel plenty of time in advance, particularly if you are going first class. I use AA miles (through partner Hawaiian) every year to fly first class for early December travel to the Big Island. I literally have to book my flights in early January to get the following December first class seats on the Hawaiian flights. Seems like the airlines are allocating fewer seats for air mile travel (in my experience).
The article is pure genius and perfectly reflects what I've said ad infinitum for years. His logic and rationale completely destroy all Realtor related non sequitur arguments about why owning a home is an 'investment' or any other fallacious arguments about why "now is always a good time to buy"
The author uses financial examples to show the realities of home ownership which are solid and realistic.
Take notes people. A house is NOT an investment. It's simply a place to live. It ties you down in ways you cannot imagine. It puts you at the mercy of local employers, local schools, property taxes, and local economics.
This article is every Realtors worst nightmare.
im also partial to the frozen punkin pies the sell at the grocery stores. all you need to do is pop it in the oven and it turns out great! no fuss no mess!
Responded on Twitter. http://twitter.com/#!/1bets1/status/131809010113454080
Oh there's so many! If I really had to pick one, I'd say a dish of macaroni. But there's also meatloaf, stuffed peppers, southwestern mac and cheese...the list goes on and on.
I liked you and your post on Facebook.
Agree with other commenters that your family looks adorable. Noticed in the last pic you had to get up from breakfast to take that picture.
Ah dads. Always taking pictures and never fully enjoying the vacation. lol
My favorite go to or budget dish would have to be mashed potatoes. It's affordable and so easy. I love changing it depending on the mood. Either cheese or bacon bits, anything works!
Although there are some benefits to using credit cards, you shouldn't use them if they have a high APR or if you're already in debt. I no longer use a credit card. I use my debit card because I was spending money on everyday items like coffee when I didn't have cash. The interest really adds up!
Favorite frugal comfort food:
Snack-Popcorn popped in oil on the stove (loose kernals are a fraction of the cost of microwave popcorn and they taste better!) topped with parm cheese (any cheese will taste good) and Frank's red hot sauce.
"Meal"-2 Corn or flour tortilla microwaved with two pinches of cheddar cheese and two spoonfuls of canned black beans in each. Add any veggies you might have around for added bulk. Quick and cheap and filling!
I'm generally a pretty smart credit card user. Always paid monthly debt in full, never use it as an excuse to buy things I can't afford. Have focused mostly on cash back because they seem like the best bang for the buck. But now that I want to travel more these articles might come in handy. Like Smarcus said, I'm excited to see more great tips in the future.
I make a large sourcream pound cake and stick it in the frig. This gets better tasting with age and lasts along time. I love having something homemade to satisfy my families sweet tooth. I also like to have muffin batter in the frig for quick snacks or bkft. the batter will like several days giveing me more time for the holidays.
Mashed potatoes are both a budget and comfort dish. Add some butter, sour cream, fresh dill, salt and pepper and you’ve got yourself a gourmet treat!
Why not put a program in place for those of us who were responsible and did what we had to do to ensure our mortgage was paid on time every month? Let RESPONSIBLE HOMEOWNERS refinance to lower interest rates and only have to pay what our houses are currently worth. Let the banks incurr the cost of the refinancing - not Federal bailout money!
I have a friend (an EX friend as of last night) who decided that she wasn't going to pay her mortgage since January 2011. With the money they kept, they bought a travel trailer, four wheelers, new laptops for everyone in the house, went on vacations, etc. Yesterday night she told me that CitiMortgage has agreed to refinance her house at a lower rate and arranged for her payments to be what SHE told them that SHE could afford ($850 per month - half of what her initial mortgage was). She has no penalties for not paying since last January, doesn't have to pay for refinancing, still gets to keep her house, and owes LESS than what she signed for the intial mortgage. But the bank is getting kick-back money from MY FREAKING TAX DOLLARS to pay for this CRAP!!!
My favorite comfort food is Chocolate balls, i prepared them by melting dark chocolate with at least 60% cocoa, half cut almonds and dry blueberries, its a healthy sweet easy to carry food on the go.
Hot cocoa!