Great information. I moved from a house with a large kitchen (it had an island that was 4' x 12' with cabinets on both sides) to a house with a kitchen that is about 25% in size of the old one. Thankfully it had a pantry to store all my food in. Like you I had to decide what was really used and what was not. I have adjusted better than I thought I would, though I would still like a slightly bigger kitchen.
Hi! Me again, they are usually only found in New Mexico and there are several types depending on the spice level. However, I also believe that they are known as anaheim chiles outside of New Mexico. But we have New Mexican food distributors such as Bueno Foods that ship all over the US to grocery stores and they have their own package of dried red chiles, you may want to keep an eye out for this product.
Thank You so Much. I hope you are able to find them.
Agreed, especially with the "Appliances" suggestion. My Cuisinart Hand Blender [with Whisk and Chopper Attachments] is a blender, a food processor, a chopper, a mixer and much more, and it takes very little space. It looks very pretty, too! We also got a Hamilton-Beach 3-in-1 slowcooker that it's very versatile. Not so much the ice-cream maker, though...
Here are some other tips:
- Use your oven as storage (for pots and pans);
- Get cupboard dividers so you can use all vertical space in it;
- Schedule quarterly reviews with your kitchen to donate all unused items (after 2 or 3 quarters you should have a clear handle on what you truly need);
- Unless you bake often, don't get assortment of baking pans -the aluminum dispossable ones will do;
- Get rid of the knife block;
- Put a chopping board on top of half of your range, and it becomes a temporary counter top;
- On bottom cupboards, place everything on trays that can be pulled if you need to reach what's in the back;
- Above all, reduce clutter.
We are a one-income household, so we only need to wait on one w-2, and our mortgage interest. As soon as the w-2's are accessible we file. Since W-2's legally must be postmarked by Jan 31 and hubby works for the state, I'm not holding my breath for an earlier availability. Guess we'll file and hope for the best.
I have a studio apartment, and my kitchen is fairly small. I have no silverware drawer, so I use a mug and large glass jar to store my forks, stirring spoons, knives, etc. I keep both in a little corner of my counter, and that's all I really need. I also keep my pots and pans in a bottom shelf of my pantry, as my cupboard space is quite limited. My apartment also came with a microwave, and the previous owners bolted it to the bottom of the cupboard in order to free up more counter space, which is very handy. Amazing what you can do with small spaces - it makes you consider what you own, and what's really necessary or what might just be decorative. :)
Thanks for the heads-up. I was hoping to file early this year, but I guess not! I do have itemized deductions, including my mortage, so I guess I'll have to wait.
We usually have to wait until we get our w-2s anyway, and they don't come until the very last possible moment, it seems. We probably won't notice anything.
My first (non-roomate) apartment was much like your own. An L-shaped studio with an in-line kitchen in a converted Brooklyn brownstone. Space was so tight my landlady sat the fridge in the "living room". I put a large cutting board over the sink for food prep. That place brings back some really fond memories. Hope you enjoy yours.
Turbo Tax actually has an itemized form for clothing that you've donated, complete with the fair market value. The items have to be "high" or "medium" in value. I had about six bags of clothing to go through, but when I was done I had an itemized list. The clothing was worth almost 600 bucks! Granted, most of the stuff was high value but I'd say this system is well worth the trouble. Gotta love Turbo Tax!
Some of your commenters were correct: the "cheap" codes are and were obtained by 2 methods. The first was that a set of hackers cracked the algorithm. And the 2nd: they cracked Apple's system itself. It's part of the reason why it took a little time to get you the code, because the code had to be pulled from their data stash. The caution to use the code quick was found with both methods. With the algorithm cracked, they weren't sure how long the codes would last because of the measures Apple would take. And with the hack, same thing. Not sure how long before the hack was discovered and the "theft" reversed.
However, there is a third method that is sometimes used: inside theft. An employee is contacted and emails the seller a valid code to pass to the buyer. This happens with other companies too.
Hi, my husband and I were just talking about doing something like that over dinner tonight. We have been wanting a change in our life and to travel around the world...I thought it was all very interesting to read, but I was wondering when a person decides that lifestyle how can they go back to having a normal life? How about retirement? I'm just thinking about the future reality that we get old and can't work anymore. What would you say about that? My husband and I are artists, and I'm also a dance teacher, do you think that can help us along the way?
what kind of people? we all do at one point or another. 300% markup is very common in a lot of industries, fashion, cosmetic, jewelry, chemicals for end user etc, etc
I have basically done the same as you, when I see a coupon code box online, I immediately go to retailmenot, it has worked every time I have used it. Most of the ones I have used are for 20% off.
I did quite a bit of research and asked a number of wealth managers and I ended up selecting a low cost 529 plan that uses Vanguard funds (I live in Washington State, but selected the Utah plan). Over the long term, I hope this is the right approach based on a similar theory to what you suggested in this article. However, WA's college savings plan (callege GET), which is based on pre-paid credits, has significantly outperformed the stock market over the past few years as a result of continued tuition increases. The GET program is a low risk and I am now rethinking my strategy as well, or at least I plan to hedge my bet and invest in Utah and GET!
There is no such thing as "free" benefits. This article does not explain who pays for the German benefits. Are there differences in tax rates between America and Germany? It was my understanding that Germany had a much higher unemployment rate than America prior to the current financial mess.
This is good advice, which is similar to what my tax advisor suggested. Since I have been working to start a business, my income is way down that results in a lower tax rate and provides extra incentive to convert funds from my IRA to a Roth IRA. However, people do need to be careful - converting fund from an IRA to a Roth IRA does create a taxable event and if cash is important to your situation now, people may want to evaluate how much of IRA they want to convert to a Roth IRA in one year.
It has been great reading all the post here.
Zorcy is there anyway that I could get your email or if you can send me one so I can talk with you in more detail. I am not in the States no more as I live with my wife and my son in my wifes country and making booze is legal here even moonshine. I have done wine when growing up on the farm in Oregon as we had lots of apples and other fruits laying around. With that being said I would like to pick your brain from A-Z on the making of my still to the creating different types of spirits. My favorite is vodka but would like to get making other types and flavors.
Good advice, Meg. I always find that a disorganized kitchen makes for a smaller kitchen and a less efficient kitchen. Nowadays it seems like no one has much time to prepare food, so making a better-organized kitchen could be a lifesaver.
do you really NEED an oven? if you are 1 or 2 persons how often do you cook anything larger than a chicken or a loaf of bread? get rid of the oven. replace it with a countertop model and a hot plate you will save on energy too.
Great question Matt! No rush on contributions--you can make those until April 15th (tax day) of the following year. So, Roth contributions for 2010 can be made until April 15, 2011. It's just the Roth conversion--converting a traditional IRA to a Roth IRA that has to happen by Dec 31 to count as a 2010 conversion. I hope that helps!
Price comparison sites are the way to go to find the best deal. You can usually find a used copy somewhere for less than it costs to rent. Google "CheapFTW" to find the best (IMO) textbook price comparison site.
Great information. I moved from a house with a large kitchen (it had an island that was 4' x 12' with cabinets on both sides) to a house with a kitchen that is about 25% in size of the old one. Thankfully it had a pantry to store all my food in. Like you I had to decide what was really used and what was not. I have adjusted better than I thought I would, though I would still like a slightly bigger kitchen.
Hi! Me again, they are usually only found in New Mexico and there are several types depending on the spice level. However, I also believe that they are known as anaheim chiles outside of New Mexico. But we have New Mexican food distributors such as Bueno Foods that ship all over the US to grocery stores and they have their own package of dried red chiles, you may want to keep an eye out for this product.
Thank You so Much. I hope you are able to find them.
Agreed, especially with the "Appliances" suggestion. My Cuisinart Hand Blender [with Whisk and Chopper Attachments] is a blender, a food processor, a chopper, a mixer and much more, and it takes very little space. It looks very pretty, too! We also got a Hamilton-Beach 3-in-1 slowcooker that it's very versatile. Not so much the ice-cream maker, though...
Here are some other tips:
- Use your oven as storage (for pots and pans);
- Get cupboard dividers so you can use all vertical space in it;
- Schedule quarterly reviews with your kitchen to donate all unused items (after 2 or 3 quarters you should have a clear handle on what you truly need);
- Unless you bake often, don't get assortment of baking pans -the aluminum dispossable ones will do;
- Get rid of the knife block;
- Put a chopping board on top of half of your range, and it becomes a temporary counter top;
- On bottom cupboards, place everything on trays that can be pulled if you need to reach what's in the back;
- Above all, reduce clutter.
We are a one-income household, so we only need to wait on one w-2, and our mortgage interest. As soon as the w-2's are accessible we file. Since W-2's legally must be postmarked by Jan 31 and hubby works for the state, I'm not holding my breath for an earlier availability. Guess we'll file and hope for the best.
I have a studio apartment, and my kitchen is fairly small. I have no silverware drawer, so I use a mug and large glass jar to store my forks, stirring spoons, knives, etc. I keep both in a little corner of my counter, and that's all I really need. I also keep my pots and pans in a bottom shelf of my pantry, as my cupboard space is quite limited. My apartment also came with a microwave, and the previous owners bolted it to the bottom of the cupboard in order to free up more counter space, which is very handy. Amazing what you can do with small spaces - it makes you consider what you own, and what's really necessary or what might just be decorative. :)
Thanks for the heads-up. I was hoping to file early this year, but I guess not! I do have itemized deductions, including my mortage, so I guess I'll have to wait.
We usually have to wait until we get our w-2s anyway, and they don't come until the very last possible moment, it seems. We probably won't notice anything.
My first (non-roomate) apartment was much like your own. An L-shaped studio with an in-line kitchen in a converted Brooklyn brownstone. Space was so tight my landlady sat the fridge in the "living room". I put a large cutting board over the sink for food prep. That place brings back some really fond memories. Hope you enjoy yours.
Almost forgot-I donated to the Salvation Army and keep my receipt with the list. That way if the IRS does come calling, no worries!
Turbo Tax actually has an itemized form for clothing that you've donated, complete with the fair market value. The items have to be "high" or "medium" in value. I had about six bags of clothing to go through, but when I was done I had an itemized list. The clothing was worth almost 600 bucks! Granted, most of the stuff was high value but I'd say this system is well worth the trouble. Gotta love Turbo Tax!
One word: Organization.
thanks for sharing.
i also like website dealpl.us and slickdeal.net and way4deals.com websites for deals and coupons.
Some of your commenters were correct: the "cheap" codes are and were obtained by 2 methods. The first was that a set of hackers cracked the algorithm. And the 2nd: they cracked Apple's system itself. It's part of the reason why it took a little time to get you the code, because the code had to be pulled from their data stash. The caution to use the code quick was found with both methods. With the algorithm cracked, they weren't sure how long the codes would last because of the measures Apple would take. And with the hack, same thing. Not sure how long before the hack was discovered and the "theft" reversed.
However, there is a third method that is sometimes used: inside theft. An employee is contacted and emails the seller a valid code to pass to the buyer. This happens with other companies too.
Hi, my husband and I were just talking about doing something like that over dinner tonight. We have been wanting a change in our life and to travel around the world...I thought it was all very interesting to read, but I was wondering when a person decides that lifestyle how can they go back to having a normal life? How about retirement? I'm just thinking about the future reality that we get old and can't work anymore. What would you say about that? My husband and I are artists, and I'm also a dance teacher, do you think that can help us along the way?
what kind of people? we all do at one point or another. 300% markup is very common in a lot of industries, fashion, cosmetic, jewelry, chemicals for end user etc, etc
I have basically done the same as you, when I see a coupon code box online, I immediately go to retailmenot, it has worked every time I have used it. Most of the ones I have used are for 20% off.
I did quite a bit of research and asked a number of wealth managers and I ended up selecting a low cost 529 plan that uses Vanguard funds (I live in Washington State, but selected the Utah plan). Over the long term, I hope this is the right approach based on a similar theory to what you suggested in this article. However, WA's college savings plan (callege GET), which is based on pre-paid credits, has significantly outperformed the stock market over the past few years as a result of continued tuition increases. The GET program is a low risk and I am now rethinking my strategy as well, or at least I plan to hedge my bet and invest in Utah and GET!
There is no such thing as "free" benefits. This article does not explain who pays for the German benefits. Are there differences in tax rates between America and Germany? It was my understanding that Germany had a much higher unemployment rate than America prior to the current financial mess.
This is good advice, which is similar to what my tax advisor suggested. Since I have been working to start a business, my income is way down that results in a lower tax rate and provides extra incentive to convert funds from my IRA to a Roth IRA. However, people do need to be careful - converting fund from an IRA to a Roth IRA does create a taxable event and if cash is important to your situation now, people may want to evaluate how much of IRA they want to convert to a Roth IRA in one year.
Seriously??? Toasting bread in the oven? Not very green of you nor frugal.
Electric oven 350° @ 1 hr. = $0.24
Toaster oven 350° @ 1 hr. = $0.04
It has been great reading all the post here.
Zorcy is there anyway that I could get your email or if you can send me one so I can talk with you in more detail. I am not in the States no more as I live with my wife and my son in my wifes country and making booze is legal here even moonshine. I have done wine when growing up on the farm in Oregon as we had lots of apples and other fruits laying around. With that being said I would like to pick your brain from A-Z on the making of my still to the creating different types of spirits. My favorite is vodka but would like to get making other types and flavors.
Good advice, Meg. I always find that a disorganized kitchen makes for a smaller kitchen and a less efficient kitchen. Nowadays it seems like no one has much time to prepare food, so making a better-organized kitchen could be a lifesaver.
do you really NEED an oven? if you are 1 or 2 persons how often do you cook anything larger than a chicken or a loaf of bread? get rid of the oven. replace it with a countertop model and a hot plate you will save on energy too.
Great question Matt! No rush on contributions--you can make those until April 15th (tax day) of the following year. So, Roth contributions for 2010 can be made until April 15, 2011. It's just the Roth conversion--converting a traditional IRA to a Roth IRA that has to happen by Dec 31 to count as a 2010 conversion. I hope that helps!
Price comparison sites are the way to go to find the best deal. You can usually find a used copy somewhere for less than it costs to rent. Google "CheapFTW" to find the best (IMO) textbook price comparison site.