Really good article, saying possibly unpopular things. Glad I found it. In fact, some of the naysaying comments here inspired me to write a rebuttal. I was only intending to post a reply here, but it got so long I put it on my blog.
I'd like to suggest yet another path to become a digital nomad, and that’s to find a business that 1) already has products, 2) an online presence, and 3)a proven business model. These kinds of businesses are out there. And I’m not talking about the penny-ante multi-level stuff. Real businesses. My husband and I found one and just plug and play anywhere in the world. The key is simply doing your due diligence to determine if the business is right for you.
My husband and I are devoted LUXURY digital nomads. Being frugal was simply something that we weren’t interested in. We are currently on an open-ended world life tour and are focused on living our lives NOW, not later.
I "always" drove manuals. Until my back started giving out on me. Most of my driving is in-city, and I found that having to constantly push the clutch (and hold it in at stoplights) was aggravating my back. So I switched to an automatic. Yes, it doesn't always shift when I want it to, and I'm probably burning a little more gas. But my back is a lot happier.
With respect to hybrids, I'm amazed that you can get a hybrid with a manual transmission at all. For example, from my understanding of the Prius, the wheels are driven by the electric motor. The gasoline engine drives a generator, which charges the battery and/or powers the electric motor. There is no transmission, as we know it, at all.
http://www.cleangreencar.co.nz/page/prius-technical-info explains
- there is no "step" gearbox, either manual or automatic - the Prius does not use step gears
- there is no clutch or torque converter - the wheels are always firmly connected by gears to the ICE and motor/generators
There is a second hand store close to my home that buys and sells only clothing for babies and smaller children. It is a "for profit" business and I have no problem with that. The clothes are slightly more expensive than traditional thrift stores in the area, however the quality of clothes/toys accepted tends to be a bit higher. Since I have found this gem, I find it difficult to pay "retail" for my son's clothing. I literally get three outfits for the price of one item bought new and like DDFD mentioned, some items still have the tags on them. I found the other tips in this post and some in the comments (who knew I would get a grammar lesson as well ;) very helpful for future shopping excursions. Thanks for the info!
The vast majority of people on this side of the pond (I live in The Netherlands) drives "stick shift" cars.
I'm sure it takes some getting used to, but so does driving an "automatic".
It does save money, I'm sure of that.
My 2800 pound Mercedes (:stick shift..) does 42 miles to the gallon (:diesel..) on the highway and just a little less in traffic.
On the German autobahn (no speed-limit there) it still does 37 mpg driving 110-120 miles an hour. (Not kidding!)
By the way, it's 15 years old, has 250.000 km on the clock and is still going strong; plan to just keep on driving it.
Very few cars ever get transmission problems even when reducing speed using the engine; rust usually gets them long before there's any serious drive-train problem...
Just my two cents worth..
(P.S. Diesel is Euro 0.99/liter
"Euro 95 Gasoline" is 1,375/liter)
I've always wanted to learn how to operate a manual transmission, but with "5% of Americans" knowing how to operate one, it's very difficult to FIND someone who has a vehicle they are willing to let me learn on! If anyone has any ideas as to where I might be able to abuse a car for my learning purposes, let me know!
We shopped for a Piano for several days. I spent over a week just reading about Pianos and what is required to maintain and to choose the right ones.
We saw several piano dealers and ended up buying a Yamaha Digital Piano. We did so thanks to a recommendation from a piano teacher. The piano's primary purpose, for us, is to help our young daughter learn. We did not get a personal keyboard (I didn't like them much as a child) since they "felt" different from a Piano.
I think this article bring home some great points.
If you are thinking of buying, definitely try the different choices out yourself.
I have a semi-heavy digital piano that looks mostly like a regular piano and sounds exactly like one. It could be better, but it was far cheaper than a regular piano and frankly, comparing the touch & feel of it to the regular pianos that my family has, it's far easier to play.
Digital pianos are cheaper, sound better, can do more (teach, record, etc.), are portable, and are private (headphones). Why anyone would want a regular piano outside an orchestra (and sometimes even within one) is beyond me.
While camping at home, as some suggested, has its advantages, a trip with two tents to the nearby statepark is also cheap for families with small children like us, and good against "nature deficit disorder".
Torley, I'm impressed with the amount of info you decided to share on this post. And while I can identify with those who are horrified by the suggestion that a synth is a substitute for a piano, it's not for the same reasons. Before people get all upset that synths are somehow the bastard children of the almighty piano, consider these issues that have forced us to consider adding a synth to our home instrument ensemble:
1. Because we live so far from a reputable and capable tuner, my son has been without his lessons for far too long (I teach him.) We have had our piano tuned twice in a year, for a cost of almost $200 in total, and a few hammers are going to need to be replaced here again shortly. When a hammer acts up or a key gets stuck, who suffers? Just my son. Nothing is more frustrating than to have middle C die on you when you're most "feeling" your music.
2. Because we live in a such a damp climate, and we cannot keep our house at the desired temperature that would be most beneficial to keeping a piano in good shape, we have seen a reduction in sound quality and an increase in tuning and maintenance costs. Again, what's to love about an off-key piano? Not much.
3. The noise. Yes, I understand it is an instrument to be enjoyed (in all its volume.) With 4 kids in the home, all passionately exploring and learning piano, and my office located just feet away, I find myself "limiting" the time they would like to be on it. True music exploration and appreciation would be best supported by not imposing curfews on the practicing, but sadly, that's where we are at. The headphone option would not only give me some peace and quiet (thus keeping me from "stifling" their learning), but it helps to keep my antsy boys focused on the task at hand. Remember, it also blocks out distracting noises for them, too.
We have had both traditional uprights and console pianos in our home, and have experienced huge setbacks as a result. While I've personally struggled with the issue of electronic substitutes, I find that holding to these "pure" preferences has done nothing but hold my kids back. If you move alot, find yourself in a situation where a piano takes up too much space or resource, or you've needed an extra "lure" to get your kids into music, I would no doubt encourage you to go for the synth. Because what's worse? "Diluting" the stigma that is the piano or causing your children to miss out on the beautiful world of music and creation?
I've been using electronics and MIDI for musicmaking for nearly 20 years. This is a very positive and forward thinking article.
I'm very fortunate to have grown up in a time when the price of these sort of items and availibility have made it possible for millions that never had access to music now do.
It is true that the look and feel of a piano are extremely desirable, and in fact I had a friend that for many years sold pianos primarily as high end furniture to complete living rooms, not a very music appropriate activity.
The people that read this article should also be aware that if their child learns on an electronic device, two things will happen.
Their technical accumen will improve so that if they were to play a "real" piano, they would be able to play the notes accordingly, as most keyboards offer varying degrees of velocity sensitivity.
Also, speaking from experience, the opportunity to create original music and your own arrangements far outweighs the nuts and bolts of gaining technical prowess as a "player."
While I agree that the more you use the engine and transmission to slow the car, the less you spend on brake maintenance, I have always been under impression that this caused undue stress on the transmission.
And since new brakes are a bit cheaper than a new transmission, it is therefore a bad practice to use the engine and tranny to slow the car.
I agree and it seems to extend well beyond clothing. I watched a TV segment this weekend which was showcasing "green" homes. The problem was that the "green" homes were monsters - 3000+ square feet. And one even had soapstone counter tops which were imported from Portugal. Surely, there was a way to get a sustainable countertop without the fossil fuel waste to ship stone from Portugal. It appears that we Americans have learned nothing!
haha THANK YOU. I'm reading this whole blog and comments searching for someone with a clue.
If enough people cancel cable, the networks won't be able to support the shows (the money to produce the shows comes from consumers) and either there will be no shows, or you'll have to pay for "free" downloads.
This site sort of makes me feel bad for all of you out there to swindle and steal instead of being frugal.
I will keep paying for entertainment so you can get it for free. Sounds like a new welfare program.
I loved driving a stick shift car when I was younger. My husband taught me how to drive one in his souped up Ford truck 32 years ago, when I was pregnant with our oldest child. I had very good control of acceleration and deceleration with a stick. However, since I have gotten older, tendonitis and arthritis have set in and I can no longer use the stick. Too bad. I really loved the control I had with one.
I drive a stick shift, and have driving one for most of my 30 years on the road, in all kinds of traffic, including excessive stop and go. I regularly go through drive through's. It's never been a problem.
I once ran out of gas about 50 feet before the gas station. I am a girl and the vehicle at that time was a Ford Ranger. I was wearing sandles. I was able, without much effort, to push it up the little hill to the gas station by myself. Try that in an automatic!
I've also had my battery go on me, with no warning....got my car rolling, jumped in, popped it in second gear, and off I went to AutoZone for a new battery, which they installed for free. Try that with in automatic.
I've also drove several beaters with starters that were bad or gone out...again, get it rolling, jump in, pop it in
second gear....take off....try that with an automatic!
The worse thing that ever happened to me as far as the clutch was to replace the clutch, slave cylindar and throw out bearing in one repair. It cost $700 and those parts would last me, easily, another 10 years. I've had vehicles with excess of 250K on them, and never even got close to having a new transmission. Again, try this repair on an automatic.
Also, automatics need their fluid changed every year. It used to cost me about $100 to do that, again, in a stick, this is never going to happen.
I bought a brand new 2007 Toyota Corolla from the dealer. It was the only stick they had. My little car gets about 40 mpg on the highway, about 34 in city driving.
Really good article, saying possibly unpopular things. Glad I found it. In fact, some of the naysaying comments here inspired me to write a rebuttal. I was only intending to post a reply here, but it got so long I put it on my blog.
http://boxoftextures.blogspot.com/2009/06/piano-vs-synthesizer.html
Executive summary: Carnegie Hall, maybe not. Your 10-year-old in your living room, definitely.
Sell FSBO & buy without a buyers agent. Save $$$. yet over 80% of all homes are sold by agents.. why is that..?
I Have a Duraband DVD900 player, Can anybody tell me, is there an unlock code to open up this machine??
Thank you
Great post! Great blog!
I'd like to suggest yet another path to become a digital nomad, and that’s to find a business that 1) already has products, 2) an online presence, and 3)a proven business model. These kinds of businesses are out there. And I’m not talking about the penny-ante multi-level stuff. Real businesses. My husband and I found one and just plug and play anywhere in the world. The key is simply doing your due diligence to determine if the business is right for you.
My husband and I are devoted LUXURY digital nomads. Being frugal was simply something that we weren’t interested in. We are currently on an open-ended world life tour and are focused on living our lives NOW, not later.
Thanks for your inspiration!
Don and Karla
I "always" drove manuals. Until my back started giving out on me. Most of my driving is in-city, and I found that having to constantly push the clutch (and hold it in at stoplights) was aggravating my back. So I switched to an automatic. Yes, it doesn't always shift when I want it to, and I'm probably burning a little more gas. But my back is a lot happier.
With respect to hybrids, I'm amazed that you can get a hybrid with a manual transmission at all. For example, from my understanding of the Prius, the wheels are driven by the electric motor. The gasoline engine drives a generator, which charges the battery and/or powers the electric motor. There is no transmission, as we know it, at all.
http://www.cleangreencar.co.nz/page/prius-technical-info explains
- there is no "step" gearbox, either manual or automatic - the Prius does not use step gears
- there is no clutch or torque converter - the wheels are always firmly connected by gears to the ICE and motor/generators
There is a second hand store close to my home that buys and sells only clothing for babies and smaller children. It is a "for profit" business and I have no problem with that. The clothes are slightly more expensive than traditional thrift stores in the area, however the quality of clothes/toys accepted tends to be a bit higher. Since I have found this gem, I find it difficult to pay "retail" for my son's clothing. I literally get three outfits for the price of one item bought new and like DDFD mentioned, some items still have the tags on them. I found the other tips in this post and some in the comments (who knew I would get a grammar lesson as well ;) very helpful for future shopping excursions. Thanks for the info!
The vast majority of people on this side of the pond (I live in The Netherlands) drives "stick shift" cars.
I'm sure it takes some getting used to, but so does driving an "automatic".
It does save money, I'm sure of that.
My 2800 pound Mercedes (:stick shift..) does 42 miles to the gallon (:diesel..) on the highway and just a little less in traffic.
On the German autobahn (no speed-limit there) it still does 37 mpg driving 110-120 miles an hour. (Not kidding!)
By the way, it's 15 years old, has 250.000 km on the clock and is still going strong; plan to just keep on driving it.
Very few cars ever get transmission problems even when reducing speed using the engine; rust usually gets them long before there's any serious drive-train problem...
Just my two cents worth..
(P.S. Diesel is Euro 0.99/liter
"Euro 95 Gasoline" is 1,375/liter)
pledge works the best so far. especially if you et it sit for 3 minutes to get a slightly waxy feel, and then buf it out with a clean rag.
-toothpaste just barely did anything
-do not use copper cleaner (it makes the scratches more apparent)
I used to drive a manual, but like the very first replier said, it's a real hassle to be stuck in traffic with a manual, or, i might add, on a hill.
There's a hill on my daily commute with a stop sigh at the top and people always insist on riding right to your bumper behind you, even on the hill.
I wonder if the harpsichord enthusiasts were just as upset by the invention of the piano?
:)
Linsey Knerl
I've always wanted to learn how to operate a manual transmission, but with "5% of Americans" knowing how to operate one, it's very difficult to FIND someone who has a vehicle they are willing to let me learn on! If anyone has any ideas as to where I might be able to abuse a car for my learning purposes, let me know!
We shopped for a Piano for several days. I spent over a week just reading about Pianos and what is required to maintain and to choose the right ones.
We saw several piano dealers and ended up buying a Yamaha Digital Piano. We did so thanks to a recommendation from a piano teacher. The piano's primary purpose, for us, is to help our young daughter learn. We did not get a personal keyboard (I didn't like them much as a child) since they "felt" different from a Piano.
I think this article bring home some great points.
If you are thinking of buying, definitely try the different choices out yourself.
They most definitely do not sound better than a real piano.
I love opinion outpost. In a few short months I've made roughly $150 through their surveys.
I have a semi-heavy digital piano that looks mostly like a regular piano and sounds exactly like one. It could be better, but it was far cheaper than a regular piano and frankly, comparing the touch & feel of it to the regular pianos that my family has, it's far easier to play.
Digital pianos are cheaper, sound better, can do more (teach, record, etc.), are portable, and are private (headphones). Why anyone would want a regular piano outside an orchestra (and sometimes even within one) is beyond me.
While camping at home, as some suggested, has its advantages, a trip with two tents to the nearby statepark is also cheap for families with small children like us, and good against "nature deficit disorder".
Torley, I'm impressed with the amount of info you decided to share on this post. And while I can identify with those who are horrified by the suggestion that a synth is a substitute for a piano, it's not for the same reasons. Before people get all upset that synths are somehow the bastard children of the almighty piano, consider these issues that have forced us to consider adding a synth to our home instrument ensemble:
1. Because we live so far from a reputable and capable tuner, my son has been without his lessons for far too long (I teach him.) We have had our piano tuned twice in a year, for a cost of almost $200 in total, and a few hammers are going to need to be replaced here again shortly. When a hammer acts up or a key gets stuck, who suffers? Just my son. Nothing is more frustrating than to have middle C die on you when you're most "feeling" your music.
2. Because we live in a such a damp climate, and we cannot keep our house at the desired temperature that would be most beneficial to keeping a piano in good shape, we have seen a reduction in sound quality and an increase in tuning and maintenance costs. Again, what's to love about an off-key piano? Not much.
3. The noise. Yes, I understand it is an instrument to be enjoyed (in all its volume.) With 4 kids in the home, all passionately exploring and learning piano, and my office located just feet away, I find myself "limiting" the time they would like to be on it. True music exploration and appreciation would be best supported by not imposing curfews on the practicing, but sadly, that's where we are at. The headphone option would not only give me some peace and quiet (thus keeping me from "stifling" their learning), but it helps to keep my antsy boys focused on the task at hand. Remember, it also blocks out distracting noises for them, too.
We have had both traditional uprights and console pianos in our home, and have experienced huge setbacks as a result. While I've personally struggled with the issue of electronic substitutes, I find that holding to these "pure" preferences has done nothing but hold my kids back. If you move alot, find yourself in a situation where a piano takes up too much space or resource, or you've needed an extra "lure" to get your kids into music, I would no doubt encourage you to go for the synth. Because what's worse? "Diluting" the stigma that is the piano or causing your children to miss out on the beautiful world of music and creation?
Thanks, Torley.. your skill is breathtaking :)
Linsey Knerl
I've been using electronics and MIDI for musicmaking for nearly 20 years. This is a very positive and forward thinking article.
I'm very fortunate to have grown up in a time when the price of these sort of items and availibility have made it possible for millions that never had access to music now do.
It is true that the look and feel of a piano are extremely desirable, and in fact I had a friend that for many years sold pianos primarily as high end furniture to complete living rooms, not a very music appropriate activity.
The people that read this article should also be aware that if their child learns on an electronic device, two things will happen.
Their technical accumen will improve so that if they were to play a "real" piano, they would be able to play the notes accordingly, as most keyboards offer varying degrees of velocity sensitivity.
Also, speaking from experience, the opportunity to create original music and your own arrangements far outweighs the nuts and bolts of gaining technical prowess as a "player."
Kudos. Nice article.
Robbie Ryan
Digital Musician
I Love Analogue Blog.
Hi Jeff...
While I agree that the more you use the engine and transmission to slow the car, the less you spend on brake maintenance, I have always been under impression that this caused undue stress on the transmission.
And since new brakes are a bit cheaper than a new transmission, it is therefore a bad practice to use the engine and tranny to slow the car.
Feel free to correct me on this...
I agree and it seems to extend well beyond clothing. I watched a TV segment this weekend which was showcasing "green" homes. The problem was that the "green" homes were monsters - 3000+ square feet. And one even had soapstone counter tops which were imported from Portugal. Surely, there was a way to get a sustainable countertop without the fossil fuel waste to ship stone from Portugal. It appears that we Americans have learned nothing!
Funny stuff in here - it's split down the middle as for having and not having enough money.
Driving a stick can be fun, but with people doing everything by driving, I like automatics better.
haha THANK YOU. I'm reading this whole blog and comments searching for someone with a clue.
If enough people cancel cable, the networks won't be able to support the shows (the money to produce the shows comes from consumers) and either there will be no shows, or you'll have to pay for "free" downloads.
This site sort of makes me feel bad for all of you out there to swindle and steal instead of being frugal.
I will keep paying for entertainment so you can get it for free. Sounds like a new welfare program.
I loved driving a stick shift car when I was younger. My husband taught me how to drive one in his souped up Ford truck 32 years ago, when I was pregnant with our oldest child. I had very good control of acceleration and deceleration with a stick. However, since I have gotten older, tendonitis and arthritis have set in and I can no longer use the stick. Too bad. I really loved the control I had with one.
I drive a stick shift, and have driving one for most of my 30 years on the road, in all kinds of traffic, including excessive stop and go. I regularly go through drive through's. It's never been a problem.
I once ran out of gas about 50 feet before the gas station. I am a girl and the vehicle at that time was a Ford Ranger. I was wearing sandles. I was able, without much effort, to push it up the little hill to the gas station by myself. Try that in an automatic!
I've also had my battery go on me, with no warning....got my car rolling, jumped in, popped it in second gear, and off I went to AutoZone for a new battery, which they installed for free. Try that with in automatic.
I've also drove several beaters with starters that were bad or gone out...again, get it rolling, jump in, pop it in
second gear....take off....try that with an automatic!
The worse thing that ever happened to me as far as the clutch was to replace the clutch, slave cylindar and throw out bearing in one repair. It cost $700 and those parts would last me, easily, another 10 years. I've had vehicles with excess of 250K on them, and never even got close to having a new transmission. Again, try this repair on an automatic.
Also, automatics need their fluid changed every year. It used to cost me about $100 to do that, again, in a stick, this is never going to happen.
I bought a brand new 2007 Toyota Corolla from the dealer. It was the only stick they had. My little car gets about 40 mpg on the highway, about 34 in city driving.
I wouldn't trade a stick for the world!