You obviously don't get it Chris. Your "all dumber than a bunch of rocks" comment says everything. It's your hateful comments that we don't need. Hypocrite.
Great thoughts especially about volunteering!
I live in the south and it is now the season for neighbors to show up with cucumbers, squash and green beans and tomatoes!
Talk about FREE FOOD!!!
I'm a happy frugalista. I think happiness and a goal have to figure into frugality for it to make sense in the long term. I want to retire at some point and I'd like to live on the lake. And write. If I pay attention to those goals now by being frugal, perhaps I'll be looking out my office window one day at a sparkling body of water!
Love the concept of this post! I do think we can go toooo far and I know people who do that routinely.
I guess the first thing this article has taught me is that most Wise Bread readers are a bunch of prudes with no sense of humor. If you can't read between the lines, you're all dumber than a bunch of rocks. And to leave all of these spiteful comments to complain about something you consider snarky, well that's the same as pro-lifers killing doctors. It's JUST AN ARTICLE! The Internet has billions of them. Some of them are racist. Some are sexist. Some are illegal. Why get so worked up about this? Jesus people, get a life.
I'm gonna drive my new car, that I just filled up with 93 octane, to the Fair. When I get there I'm gonna buy two hotdogs and a soda. When I get back I'm cooking my baby carrots in bottled water. I will be doing all of this just to spite you. Don't make me pay my bills late. I will if you make me!
with tongue firmly in cheek. I think too many of you are taking it way too seriously. If I had wanted to write a straight article, I would have written 47 ways to save money. It was a different angle and I don't think as a writer I need to defend that. If you don't like it, that's fair enough. And come to Parker Days in Colorado. I went there last year and paid a small fortune for a hot dog and coke. Of course I was exaggerating a little, but only to make a point. As I always say, if you don't like my writing style, don't read my articles. I am certainly not required reading. OH, and could someone please point to the place where I say you should not go to a fair? I just said don't buy the food. Bring your own, or eat before you get there. The irony of people telling me to lighten up here is amazing, so many people are way more irate than they should be over an article that tried to make a point in a different way!
Why do you hate fairs? Some of my best childhood memories are from the local fairs. Why so nasty? And as for cars, you are way off base. Please lighten up. The world has enough mean people already.
It's the same as when somebody goes on a diet and needs to tell everybody about it. It's really hard for them to do it without sounding judgemental of the people who aren't on the same diet. Drives me nuts when somebody tells me how many points each food item is worth. Probably as much as I drive them nuts when I talk about what a great bargain I got using double coupons.
"Like the guy who gave up driving, though, understand that living your life in accordance with your values isn't just going to seem like a steady stream of criticism of the way other people live their lives--in a very real sense it actually is a steady stream of criticism, even if you have no such intention."
Gee, i couldn't disagree more. The way you live your life reflects the choices you make; it's not a condemnation or endorsement of anyone else. To project that it's a criticism of anyone else's lifestyle is really a stretch. If others choose to perceive it that way, that's their problem.
So if no one buys new cars, then where do all the used ones come from? ;)
I bought new when I got my first car -- but I bought it with the intention of driving it for at least 10-12 years. (I'm still driving it, actually). Would I have saved more money buying a three year old car and only getting 7-9 years out of it?
I have read quite a few of your articles. This one started out sounding like you usually do, and then it just ended on a rude, insolent and major attitude note. Why did you have to ruin what could have been a very good article getting all nasty??
I love the fair, and go every year. Part of the fun is tasting different food, or eating stuff you might only splurge on once a year at the Fair. In MN you can get a GIGANTIC corndog for $3.50. Pop usually runs $2 for a big cup. We also have free milk. As much as you can consume, all day long for free! If you are someone who is not into this, then instead of bashing people who enjoy it once a year stay away from them.
PLEASE go back to writing in the style we have become used to seeing. This mean spiritedness does not suit you.....
$8 for a hot dog? $4 for a can of coke? What kind of crazy fairs are you going to! Your showboating is outrageous and you should be ashamed of yourself. I'm shaking from being so damn mad at you! Why?!?
You could just as easily say it is wasteful to buy new clothes, new furniture, new computers, new TVs, new toys, new lawn mowers, etc. etc. etc... Why do people always pick on new car buyers? What is wrong with paying more to own a new car if it is worthwhile to you? This type of tips is HIGHLY subjective, if not judgmental.
We could all add to the list, and here are my additions:
Shopping at "sales"--a clever technique designed to get you to buy stuff you ordinarily wouldn't and might not even need.
Spending the money you "saved" by buying on sale to buy more stuff you oridnarily wouldn't and might not even need.
Buying processed food, ie, a bag of salad greens (mostly various types of lettuce) for $3.99 when you can buy a head of lettuce for $1.49. For the $2.50 saved, I'll gladly take an extra 2 minutes and chop my own lettuce.
Buying TV dinners or microwave meals. You may as well go out for fast food, it's no more expensive and at least it's fresh.
Paying $3-$5 for candy at movie theaters. The very same packages of candy are available at a grocery store or chain pharmacy for $1!
Here in Nebraska, it is no more than $2.50 = $3 for a corn dog at the carnival. Apparently, however, the Orange County Fair charges $8 for their corn dogs..
I used Google just a couple of weeks ago to diagnose an itchy rash on my lips. I suspected the mango I'd had the night before, and 5 minutes later I learned that mango skins have the same oil as poison ivy leaves.
Use the octane your vehicle manufactured recommends.
They have no interest in selling you better gas then you need.
In fact I chose Toyota over Nissan because Nissan recommends 93 and Toyota lists 87.
The negative angle your employing to get your point across comes off as confused and condescending.
I agree with Guest @4, using regular fuel in a car that requires premium is a false economy and ill-advised. The functionality to retard timing under knock conditions is intended to be a temporary disaster-avoidance measure. Every time the engine knocks it puts harsh wear on reciprocating parts. If they fail the engine will be a total loss, which is much more expensive than using the correct grade of gas.
Without getting into the technical details, a premium-fuel engine converts gasoline into mechanical energy more efficiently when it is running normally on premium fuel, than it does in knock-avoidance mode on regular fuel. Running a premium-fuel engine on regular degrades fuel economy. People have tracked their economy in both modes and generally find that they spend more dollars on regular fuel due to decreased efficiency.
If you are opposed to buying premium fuel, you will be much better off buying a car that is designed for regular fuel in the first place.
IN some instances I agree, but I do like to support up and coming artists and also groups that I feel deserve it. I paid for the In Rainbows album, and I pay for legal downloads. There is a difference between saving and stealing.
You obviously don't get it Chris. Your "all dumber than a bunch of rocks" comment says everything. It's your hateful comments that we don't need. Hypocrite.
Great thoughts especially about volunteering!
I live in the south and it is now the season for neighbors to show up with cucumbers, squash and green beans and tomatoes!
Talk about FREE FOOD!!!
Great job on this post
I'm a happy frugalista. I think happiness and a goal have to figure into frugality for it to make sense in the long term. I want to retire at some point and I'd like to live on the lake. And write. If I pay attention to those goals now by being frugal, perhaps I'll be looking out my office window one day at a sparkling body of water!
Love the concept of this post! I do think we can go toooo far and I know people who do that routinely.
I guess the first thing this article has taught me is that most Wise Bread readers are a bunch of prudes with no sense of humor. If you can't read between the lines, you're all dumber than a bunch of rocks. And to leave all of these spiteful comments to complain about something you consider snarky, well that's the same as pro-lifers killing doctors. It's JUST AN ARTICLE! The Internet has billions of them. Some of them are racist. Some are sexist. Some are illegal. Why get so worked up about this? Jesus people, get a life.
I'm gonna drive my new car, that I just filled up with 93 octane, to the Fair. When I get there I'm gonna buy two hotdogs and a soda. When I get back I'm cooking my baby carrots in bottled water. I will be doing all of this just to spite you. Don't make me pay my bills late. I will if you make me!
with tongue firmly in cheek. I think too many of you are taking it way too seriously. If I had wanted to write a straight article, I would have written 47 ways to save money. It was a different angle and I don't think as a writer I need to defend that. If you don't like it, that's fair enough. And come to Parker Days in Colorado. I went there last year and paid a small fortune for a hot dog and coke. Of course I was exaggerating a little, but only to make a point. As I always say, if you don't like my writing style, don't read my articles. I am certainly not required reading. OH, and could someone please point to the place where I say you should not go to a fair? I just said don't buy the food. Bring your own, or eat before you get there. The irony of people telling me to lighten up here is amazing, so many people are way more irate than they should be over an article that tried to make a point in a different way!
Yikes! With all the negativity there is to read on the internet, I don't need more on your site. No thanks.
Why do you hate fairs? Some of my best childhood memories are from the local fairs. Why so nasty? And as for cars, you are way off base. Please lighten up. The world has enough mean people already.
It's the same as when somebody goes on a diet and needs to tell everybody about it. It's really hard for them to do it without sounding judgemental of the people who aren't on the same diet. Drives me nuts when somebody tells me how many points each food item is worth. Probably as much as I drive them nuts when I talk about what a great bargain I got using double coupons.
"Like the guy who gave up driving, though, understand that living your life in accordance with your values isn't just going to seem like a steady stream of criticism of the way other people live their lives--in a very real sense it actually is a steady stream of criticism, even if you have no such intention."
Gee, i couldn't disagree more. The way you live your life reflects the choices you make; it's not a condemnation or endorsement of anyone else. To project that it's a criticism of anyone else's lifestyle is really a stretch. If others choose to perceive it that way, that's their problem.
So if no one buys new cars, then where do all the used ones come from? ;)
I bought new when I got my first car -- but I bought it with the intention of driving it for at least 10-12 years. (I'm still driving it, actually). Would I have saved more money buying a three year old car and only getting 7-9 years out of it?
I'm not being sarcastic -- I'm genuinely curious.
I have read quite a few of your articles. This one started out sounding like you usually do, and then it just ended on a rude, insolent and major attitude note. Why did you have to ruin what could have been a very good article getting all nasty??
I love the fair, and go every year. Part of the fun is tasting different food, or eating stuff you might only splurge on once a year at the Fair. In MN you can get a GIGANTIC corndog for $3.50. Pop usually runs $2 for a big cup. We also have free milk. As much as you can consume, all day long for free! If you are someone who is not into this, then instead of bashing people who enjoy it once a year stay away from them.
PLEASE go back to writing in the style we have become used to seeing. This mean spiritedness does not suit you.....
Nawww, dont waste money
You are mean.
I'm not your friend anymore.
$8 for a hot dog? $4 for a can of coke? What kind of crazy fairs are you going to! Your showboating is outrageous and you should be ashamed of yourself. I'm shaking from being so damn mad at you! Why?!?
I take issue with #45.
You could just as easily say it is wasteful to buy new clothes, new furniture, new computers, new TVs, new toys, new lawn mowers, etc. etc. etc... Why do people always pick on new car buyers? What is wrong with paying more to own a new car if it is worthwhile to you? This type of tips is HIGHLY subjective, if not judgmental.
The majority of your list is good though.
We could all add to the list, and here are my additions:
Shopping at "sales"--a clever technique designed to get you to buy stuff you ordinarily wouldn't and might not even need.
Spending the money you "saved" by buying on sale to buy more stuff you oridnarily wouldn't and might not even need.
Buying processed food, ie, a bag of salad greens (mostly various types of lettuce) for $3.99 when you can buy a head of lettuce for $1.49. For the $2.50 saved, I'll gladly take an extra 2 minutes and chop my own lettuce.
Buying TV dinners or microwave meals. You may as well go out for fast food, it's no more expensive and at least it's fresh.
Paying $3-$5 for candy at movie theaters. The very same packages of candy are available at a grocery store or chain pharmacy for $1!
This is FUN!
You are right they are a complete rip off. this is not credit it's fraud on the part of this rip off bank. they should be shut down.
Here in Nebraska, it is no more than $2.50 = $3 for a corn dog at the carnival. Apparently, however, the Orange County Fair charges $8 for their corn dogs..
http://vegasandfood.blogspot.com/2009/04/hot-dog-on-stick-corn-dog.html
Perhaps there is a price difference between regular dogs and corn dogs, but I think the purpose of Paul's article remains clear. :)
Linsey Knerl
I used Google just a couple of weeks ago to diagnose an itchy rash on my lips. I suspected the mango I'd had the night before, and 5 minutes later I learned that mango skins have the same oil as poison ivy leaves.
8$ for a hot dog? 4$ for a can of coke? exaggeration anyone?
Use the octane your vehicle manufactured recommends.
They have no interest in selling you better gas then you need.
In fact I chose Toyota over Nissan because Nissan recommends 93 and Toyota lists 87.
The negative angle your employing to get your point across comes off as confused and condescending.
Coffee first, writing after.
I agree with Guest @4, using regular fuel in a car that requires premium is a false economy and ill-advised. The functionality to retard timing under knock conditions is intended to be a temporary disaster-avoidance measure. Every time the engine knocks it puts harsh wear on reciprocating parts. If they fail the engine will be a total loss, which is much more expensive than using the correct grade of gas.
Without getting into the technical details, a premium-fuel engine converts gasoline into mechanical energy more efficiently when it is running normally on premium fuel, than it does in knock-avoidance mode on regular fuel. Running a premium-fuel engine on regular degrades fuel economy. People have tracked their economy in both modes and generally find that they spend more dollars on regular fuel due to decreased efficiency.
If you are opposed to buying premium fuel, you will be much better off buying a car that is designed for regular fuel in the first place.
Why 47?
IN some instances I agree, but I do like to support up and coming artists and also groups that I feel deserve it. I paid for the In Rainbows album, and I pay for legal downloads. There is a difference between saving and stealing.