I work two jobs -- and it's been a real lifesaver. When I started disliking my former full-time job, I had a lot of firm leverage to say "This is not what I signed on for. I am moving on." My part-time job was quick to bring me on for more hours, and my full-time job ended up asking me to still stay on for part-time work on my own terms. It is more "work," but I feel like I have more freedom and control.
My house is full of used things. I just can't see spening money for things that I can get for 90% less by buying them used. I even got my one-year-old Ashley Furniture living set at an estate sale for $120. I know that set sells for $1200.
I did splurge on car seats. My husband and I did research on the safest car seats and bought two for our kids for $150 each. The car seats go up to 80 pounds so I knew I would get many years use out of them. When my child was a baby I did accept a used infant car seat from my best friend but I trust her.
We also spent about $1200-$1400 on a good mattress. It was tough to pay that much money for something but I had saved and was able to pay cash. I accepted two mattresses that were used for my kid's rooms but they were from friends and family. I knew that they were gently used and they were expensive mattresses. My husband does pest control so I totally know what you mean about bed bugs. That is one bug my husband doesn't even want to talk about. He says they are awful to get rid of because they get into your walls. It is not worth the free mattresses if you have to deal with those critters.
Life without air conditioning in Florida is possible. My house has electricity issues, so the air conditioning goes down for days at a time. We are still alive.
In the rank of things, I would cut air conditioning to save money if it was my choice. However, I live under my parents' roof and they are not as thrifty as me. Sometimes the things I do to save money scare them a little. If I get an apartment near university, maybe I could convince my roommate to cut the air conditioning to save money (college is expensive). Sadly, many of those roommates do not exist.
I realize that no air conditioning seems crazy in Florida's subtropical climate, but keep in mind that I am a healthy individual with no breathing problems. My skin breaks out in rashes when the humidity drops to what people in the north would consider reasonable levels. After a few days in Florida's heat wave, my body completely adapts. The key is drinking lots of water throughout the day, and cool showers.
I would also contest the point that heat makes it hard to sleep. For some reason, when the heat goes up, I get more and better sleep.
Oh, I love Trading Places. My favorite Christmas movie ever!
I would also suggest Places In The Heart, the TV show Weeds and pretty much any Jane Austen movie but especially Emma Thompson's Sense and Sensibility, which focuses a little more on a woman's struggle with money. "Yes, but you will inherit your fortune. We cannot even earn ours."
The cost of travel is usually the largest expense... that's why they run in the thousands. Church based ones aren't feasible for many of us based on that fact alone.
Grad school offers many opportunities to make extra money and find free events to attend, if time allows. To bring in extra money, I occasionally tutor, proofread, do online surveys, and sell back books.
I also save money by using coupons, bartering, and entering some local contests for events.
I have liked you on Facebook for a long time now. Thanks!
When my wife and I were first married 13 yrs ago we lived off my income and saved her entire income. (30k yr) Then came the kids and now we still live off my income but she has had no income for 10 yrs. Savings except 401k are gone,money is tight but for her to stay home with them pays dividends that are too numerous to list. One day when they are older and need us less she will go back to work and well again save all her income but for right now were broke but happy.
Yes, my husband works at a regular job, we sell things at yard sales, on Craigslist, and on Ebay. I will be setting up an Etsy account here soon, to sell the homemade beaded jewelry and other crafts that I make--I also have done "jewelry parties", where I teach others how to make bracelets. I also dog sit for friends, who pay me whatever they think is fair.
The exact same thing just happened to me too! I have my name, phone #, and current address. Thankfully, like you, I didn't give an SSN or DL#....thank goodness! I guess we just learned a good lesson and avoided getting totally scammed!
As Daniel suggests in the article, we definitely encourage finding a beekeeper to help bring the bees to a new home before trying to get rid of them in another way. Bees are extremely important!
And please, there's no need to attack other commenters. We don't know much about Lavender's situation with her bees, and she provided a tip that could be useful to some readers.
No, we do NOT pay for a gym membership! My husband fixes the spin bikes, this enables me to have a free membership, his is paid for by his company. This is frugal!
Children's shoes are a tricky thing to buy used. Children's feet grow differently and they wear out in places that may make it uncomfortable or even change their gate all together
Considering that bee populations have been decimated, this seems like an extremely ill-timed article. @Lavender - you are thoughtless. Try educating yourself a little before killing useful creatures.
It's sad that these people in the eye care business feel compelled to post here w/ their warnings about using Armor Etch, and then go on to justify these crummy coatings they are putting on glasses. Someone needs to file a lot of lawsuits on this issue. I went out and bought the Armor Etch yesterday, dabbed it on my lenses (I took them out of their frames first), let it sit for 5 minutes and washed it off. It works! That $10 purchase saved me from paying out $120 for new bifocals. One lens required an additional recoating and 5 minute soak. That's it! I am so happy. I had originally thought my glasses were fogged, but when I held them up to the light at an angle you could clearly see hundreds of tiny scratches in the coatings.
Now, for my peeves. These people are in the medical field, right? How would you like it if a doctor gave you a prescription, and no one ever mentioned the side effects? LOTS of people have been sued over much less, and they should have been. Why didn't your eye care specialist inform you, in writing, that the coatings would only last a year or so? Why didn't they give you specific instructions on how to clean lenses w/ these crummy coatings? Why didn't they tell you to avoid heat and steam, or those coatings might last only a few months? Because they just want to sell you more stuff, and as soon as possible, that's why. Very unethical people out there in this field. Not telling you the reality of your purchase by omission is lying, and I'm SURE that the courts would see it that way too. This has prompted me to do a lot of research before I get new glasses again.
I carry quite a few things in my usually diminutive purse, including much of what you have listed here. In my mini first aid kit, I have a few butterfly bandages, an Ace wrap, and a couple of feminine pads, not just for their advertised use: I'm trained in first aid and CPR, and a few times, I've had to use it on injuries. There's one in every group, I guess.
The other thing I don't leave home without is my multitool. I garnered the nickname "Lady Macgyver" one summer! It fits nicely in my clutch purses. Usually, I also have some form of a small flashlight and a tiny sample bottle of lotion that I can refill.
We have multiple streams - my husband and I both work full time jobs. He also does some contract pest control work on the side - I do the paperwork for that. I also sell Avon - mostly to people at my full time job and neighbors.
I work two jobs -- and it's been a real lifesaver. When I started disliking my former full-time job, I had a lot of firm leverage to say "This is not what I signed on for. I am moving on." My part-time job was quick to bring me on for more hours, and my full-time job ended up asking me to still stay on for part-time work on my own terms. It is more "work," but I feel like I have more freedom and control.
My house is full of used things. I just can't see spening money for things that I can get for 90% less by buying them used. I even got my one-year-old Ashley Furniture living set at an estate sale for $120. I know that set sells for $1200.
I did splurge on car seats. My husband and I did research on the safest car seats and bought two for our kids for $150 each. The car seats go up to 80 pounds so I knew I would get many years use out of them. When my child was a baby I did accept a used infant car seat from my best friend but I trust her.
We also spent about $1200-$1400 on a good mattress. It was tough to pay that much money for something but I had saved and was able to pay cash. I accepted two mattresses that were used for my kid's rooms but they were from friends and family. I knew that they were gently used and they were expensive mattresses. My husband does pest control so I totally know what you mean about bed bugs. That is one bug my husband doesn't even want to talk about. He says they are awful to get rid of because they get into your walls. It is not worth the free mattresses if you have to deal with those critters.
tweeted http://twitter.com/#!/oshkoshbgosh123/status/94267776922947584
i like wisebread on facebook
just my day job =\
Life without air conditioning in Florida is possible. My house has electricity issues, so the air conditioning goes down for days at a time. We are still alive.
In the rank of things, I would cut air conditioning to save money if it was my choice. However, I live under my parents' roof and they are not as thrifty as me. Sometimes the things I do to save money scare them a little. If I get an apartment near university, maybe I could convince my roommate to cut the air conditioning to save money (college is expensive). Sadly, many of those roommates do not exist.
I realize that no air conditioning seems crazy in Florida's subtropical climate, but keep in mind that I am a healthy individual with no breathing problems. My skin breaks out in rashes when the humidity drops to what people in the north would consider reasonable levels. After a few days in Florida's heat wave, my body completely adapts. The key is drinking lots of water throughout the day, and cool showers.
I would also contest the point that heat makes it hard to sleep. For some reason, when the heat goes up, I get more and better sleep.
Oh, I love Trading Places. My favorite Christmas movie ever!
I would also suggest Places In The Heart, the TV show Weeds and pretty much any Jane Austen movie but especially Emma Thompson's Sense and Sensibility, which focuses a little more on a woman's struggle with money. "Yes, but you will inherit your fortune. We cannot even earn ours."
I want multiple sources. Hope to be creating something soon.
The cost of travel is usually the largest expense... that's why they run in the thousands. Church based ones aren't feasible for many of us based on that fact alone.
Grad school offers many opportunities to make extra money and find free events to attend, if time allows. To bring in extra money, I occasionally tutor, proofread, do online surveys, and sell back books.
I also save money by using coupons, bartering, and entering some local contests for events.
I have liked you on Facebook for a long time now. Thanks!
When my wife and I were first married 13 yrs ago we lived off my income and saved her entire income. (30k yr) Then came the kids and now we still live off my income but she has had no income for 10 yrs. Savings except 401k are gone,money is tight but for her to stay home with them pays dividends that are too numerous to list. One day when they are older and need us less she will go back to work and well again save all her income but for right now were broke but happy.
Great ideas Mikey - and, may I just say that I love your posts - you sound so down to earth and, well, just nice!
Yes, my husband works at a regular job, we sell things at yard sales, on Craigslist, and on Ebay. I will be setting up an Etsy account here soon, to sell the homemade beaded jewelry and other crafts that I make--I also have done "jewelry parties", where I teach others how to make bracelets. I also dog sit for friends, who pay me whatever they think is fair.
The exact same thing just happened to me too! I have my name, phone #, and current address. Thankfully, like you, I didn't give an SSN or DL#....thank goodness! I guess we just learned a good lesson and avoided getting totally scammed!
Guest,
As Daniel suggests in the article, we definitely encourage finding a beekeeper to help bring the bees to a new home before trying to get rid of them in another way. Bees are extremely important!
And please, there's no need to attack other commenters. We don't know much about Lavender's situation with her bees, and she provided a tip that could be useful to some readers.
Best,
Meg
No, we do NOT pay for a gym membership! My husband fixes the spin bikes, this enables me to have a free membership, his is paid for by his company. This is frugal!
Children's shoes are a tricky thing to buy used. Children's feet grow differently and they wear out in places that may make it uncomfortable or even change their gate all together
I always keep my good snacks locked away in a draw because my friends raid my cabinets when they come over
Considering that bee populations have been decimated, this seems like an extremely ill-timed article. @Lavender - you are thoughtless. Try educating yourself a little before killing useful creatures.
It's sad that these people in the eye care business feel compelled to post here w/ their warnings about using Armor Etch, and then go on to justify these crummy coatings they are putting on glasses. Someone needs to file a lot of lawsuits on this issue. I went out and bought the Armor Etch yesterday, dabbed it on my lenses (I took them out of their frames first), let it sit for 5 minutes and washed it off. It works! That $10 purchase saved me from paying out $120 for new bifocals. One lens required an additional recoating and 5 minute soak. That's it! I am so happy. I had originally thought my glasses were fogged, but when I held them up to the light at an angle you could clearly see hundreds of tiny scratches in the coatings.
Now, for my peeves. These people are in the medical field, right? How would you like it if a doctor gave you a prescription, and no one ever mentioned the side effects? LOTS of people have been sued over much less, and they should have been. Why didn't your eye care specialist inform you, in writing, that the coatings would only last a year or so? Why didn't they give you specific instructions on how to clean lenses w/ these crummy coatings? Why didn't they tell you to avoid heat and steam, or those coatings might last only a few months? Because they just want to sell you more stuff, and as soon as possible, that's why. Very unethical people out there in this field. Not telling you the reality of your purchase by omission is lying, and I'm SURE that the courts would see it that way too. This has prompted me to do a lot of research before I get new glasses again.
I carry quite a few things in my usually diminutive purse, including much of what you have listed here. In my mini first aid kit, I have a few butterfly bandages, an Ace wrap, and a couple of feminine pads, not just for their advertised use: I'm trained in first aid and CPR, and a few times, I've had to use it on injuries. There's one in every group, I guess.
The other thing I don't leave home without is my multitool. I garnered the nickname "Lady Macgyver" one summer! It fits nicely in my clutch purses. Usually, I also have some form of a small flashlight and a tiny sample bottle of lotion that I can refill.
I work a second job, 12 hours per week. I use the cash for fun stuff or to buy things we need, depending upon how tight the budget is that week.
I have a day job and then around July 4th and New Years I sell fireworks. I also took in a roommate. All is working out great.
We have multiple streams - my husband and I both work full time jobs. He also does some contract pest control work on the side - I do the paperwork for that. I also sell Avon - mostly to people at my full time job and neighbors.
Thanks to both of you for the suggestions. I agree, it would be nice to find more practical items sold in fair-trade stores.