This, most definately, does not count all of the costs. Canned beans require little to prepare - only a few seconds or so on the stove. However, to prepare dried beans one will need to 1. Boil water 2. Simmer beans. How long does the butane, or whichever stove is used, remains turned on? How much does that cost in energy?
I suspect it is still cheaper than canend beans, but then that is not counting the convenience and time associated with canned beans.
Guest
There are some flavours and odors that will not clear out, no matter how many times you run it through. You can reprocess it. Us the yeast to start off the next batch. The yeast will evolve each batch you reuse it. You will start to detect a taste difference after about 5 uses. The left over wash in the still, after you pull off the alcohol, can be cooled and added back to the yeast with more sugar, too. Make sure its not so hot that it kills the yeast. If you are using multi-stage yeast, I think turbo yeast is like that, then one strand of yeast may have died off with the high alcohol content. It could be slower then expected. Remember that it takes time to re-distill, so don't skimp on something simple or cheap just to waste your time and petro to distill a bad batch. Just to have to use it for cleaning paint brushes.
Great Post! If you can't stick to a budget and pay off your balance in full each month - get rid of the credit cards, the interest you pay on a balance you carry will far outweigh the cost of having a card.
Personally I believe the minimalist gig is a trend right now. Like the iPod. That doesn't mean that it isn't important or that we shouldn't be simpler, just that it's the newest "cool" thing.
Beware, 6pm.com isn't always a bargain. There's the $6.95 shipping fee, and if the item doesn't fit, you pay to ship it back. If you just want an exchange, there is another $6.95 shipping fee. I did complain about this in an email and they sent me a label to mail back the item for free. Still, I'm out $6.95.
@Matt - I've heard good things about AwardWallet. So far I don't mind Points.com, but I know it doesn't have a lot of raving fans! What makes AwardWallet better in your eyes?
You know, when I was a kid one of the gifts I dreaded most was socks. Now, as an adult (and an adult who has some VERY old and now becoming threadbare socks), I would greatly appreciate some. Funny how life works!
Thanks for your comment Kevin, I'm so glad you enjoy the deals. I have had so much fun with Christmas shopping already - and saved quite a bit of money too! I'm really looking forward to celebrating this year. Hope you find some great deals.
I'm glad you've saved money with the deals list! Thanks for taking the time to post a comment.
6pm.com usually has some great ongoing shoe sales. I list many of them in the Daily Deals, but if you're short on time they're the best place to check first.
Ha! I loved this article and am pretty pleased that I'm doing most of what's on your list (I must be frugal to survive!)
I'm new to Chicago from California- I pay $310 a month rent with 2 roomies, close to the train (I use a U-pass to get around) and I make frequent use of the libraries, thrift stores and free days at the museums! Groupon is also a good fave.
My local public library offers free passes to the museums if you can snatch 'em up, and what's great about the thrift stores is that some allow you to trade in other clothes for credit.
OH, one thing I'd like to add- if you live in the city, take advantage of the schools! You can get discounted haircuts, massages, spa treatments, etc. if you go to an institute with students who need to clock hours! I got a great haircut for $16 from the Aveda Institute. Oh, there are also lots of fun cooking classes around here to try out too.
Yelp has been tremendously helpful- but the great thing about the city is just walking around to explore! My tip is to have comfy shoes, bring water and snacks (so you're not tempted to spend $$ on a bottle of water/tea and save it for a better meal). Great article! ;)
I had a similar concern about controlling my music without looking. Instead I wrote an app called touchmusic to control my music without looking. It's free in the market place.
I second this. Even though you can't afford private sticker price, your children might qualify for need-based aid, and/or win merit scholarships. If, factoring in scholarships, a private school your kid loves turns out cheaper than the state school, but your college savings are already locked into credits, that's a sad missed opportunity.
The most elite 20 or so private colleges in America don't have merit scholarships, but the tier right below that generally does. Excellent schools with merit money up for grabs include Grinnell College, Washington University in St. Louis, Claremont McKenna, Olin College of Engineering, Emory University, Duke University...the list goes on. As for the other 20, they tend to take a very generous stance on need-based aid. For instance, here's a fact sheet on financial aid at Harvard:
Was working over 40 hours a week, now working for 5 hours. Got written up for an error I was unaware I was doing for the last 10 months, in which no one in my work corrected me on, including my boss. As well, a person that was leaving the job a few weeks ago is now starting to get their hours back up, and taken over some of my work.
Word of advice, don't ever take a job that multiple people seem to get fired from, there is a reason.
Good Point. At this point with only one income we're probably going to focus on the state school option since the credits are more affordable and allow for flexibility. Also, since we have 3 children, we'll have some ability to shift credits/funds around between the children since they're portable. With a single child, the strategy might be more risky. There's always the possibility that a child doesn't attend college at all, at which point, you can have the money refunded, but with a penalty (unless you're gracious enough to transfer it to an extended family member).
Definitely not an arrangement to be taken lightly...
Thanks Brenda. San Francisco is a very cool city. I've spent a lot of time there. The rent can be a little high, but there's tons to do, especially outside, something I miss living in Chicago 4 or 5 months out of the year.
This, most definately, does not count all of the costs. Canned beans require little to prepare - only a few seconds or so on the stove. However, to prepare dried beans one will need to 1. Boil water 2. Simmer beans. How long does the butane, or whichever stove is used, remains turned on? How much does that cost in energy?
I suspect it is still cheaper than canend beans, but then that is not counting the convenience and time associated with canned beans.
Good post, but you forget a few benefits:
- dried beans are less "gassy" because the cooking process breaks down more of the complex sugars that cause the wind.
- canned beans often have sodium added. And who needs more salt?
- you're avoiding BPA in the can liner.
Mind you, canned beans are much better to have on hand as part of your emergency food stash because you won't need water and energy to cook them.
Guest
There are some flavours and odors that will not clear out, no matter how many times you run it through. You can reprocess it. Us the yeast to start off the next batch. The yeast will evolve each batch you reuse it. You will start to detect a taste difference after about 5 uses. The left over wash in the still, after you pull off the alcohol, can be cooled and added back to the yeast with more sugar, too. Make sure its not so hot that it kills the yeast. If you are using multi-stage yeast, I think turbo yeast is like that, then one strand of yeast may have died off with the high alcohol content. It could be slower then expected. Remember that it takes time to re-distill, so don't skimp on something simple or cheap just to waste your time and petro to distill a bad batch. Just to have to use it for cleaning paint brushes.
Great Post! If you can't stick to a budget and pay off your balance in full each month - get rid of the credit cards, the interest you pay on a balance you carry will far outweigh the cost of having a card.
Personally I believe the minimalist gig is a trend right now. Like the iPod. That doesn't mean that it isn't important or that we shouldn't be simpler, just that it's the newest "cool" thing.
Beware, 6pm.com isn't always a bargain. There's the $6.95 shipping fee, and if the item doesn't fit, you pay to ship it back. If you just want an exchange, there is another $6.95 shipping fee. I did complain about this in an email and they sent me a label to mail back the item for free. Still, I'm out $6.95.
@Matt - I've heard good things about AwardWallet. So far I don't mind Points.com, but I know it doesn't have a lot of raving fans! What makes AwardWallet better in your eyes?
You know, when I was a kid one of the gifts I dreaded most was socks. Now, as an adult (and an adult who has some VERY old and now becoming threadbare socks), I would greatly appreciate some. Funny how life works!
Haha, I've asked for new undies. Also a couple of cookbooks (from thebookdepository or second-hand, they're well under $20).
Thanks for your comment Kevin, I'm so glad you enjoy the deals. I have had so much fun with Christmas shopping already - and saved quite a bit of money too! I'm really looking forward to celebrating this year. Hope you find some great deals.
I'm glad you've saved money with the deals list! Thanks for taking the time to post a comment.
6pm.com usually has some great ongoing shoe sales. I list many of them in the Daily Deals, but if you're short on time they're the best place to check first.
Thanks Will! I'm thrilled to be here :)
I'd Love to have gift cards they really help when I'm in a bind or want a special break! :)
Ha! I loved this article and am pretty pleased that I'm doing most of what's on your list (I must be frugal to survive!)
I'm new to Chicago from California- I pay $310 a month rent with 2 roomies, close to the train (I use a U-pass to get around) and I make frequent use of the libraries, thrift stores and free days at the museums! Groupon is also a good fave.
My local public library offers free passes to the museums if you can snatch 'em up, and what's great about the thrift stores is that some allow you to trade in other clothes for credit.
OH, one thing I'd like to add- if you live in the city, take advantage of the schools! You can get discounted haircuts, massages, spa treatments, etc. if you go to an institute with students who need to clock hours! I got a great haircut for $16 from the Aveda Institute. Oh, there are also lots of fun cooking classes around here to try out too.
Yelp has been tremendously helpful- but the great thing about the city is just walking around to explore! My tip is to have comfy shoes, bring water and snacks (so you're not tempted to spend $$ on a bottle of water/tea and save it for a better meal). Great article! ;)
I had a similar concern about controlling my music without looking. Instead I wrote an app called touchmusic to control my music without looking. It's free in the market place.
I second this. Even though you can't afford private sticker price, your children might qualify for need-based aid, and/or win merit scholarships. If, factoring in scholarships, a private school your kid loves turns out cheaper than the state school, but your college savings are already locked into credits, that's a sad missed opportunity.
The most elite 20 or so private colleges in America don't have merit scholarships, but the tier right below that generally does. Excellent schools with merit money up for grabs include Grinnell College, Washington University in St. Louis, Claremont McKenna, Olin College of Engineering, Emory University, Duke University...the list goes on. As for the other 20, they tend to take a very generous stance on need-based aid. For instance, here's a fact sheet on financial aid at Harvard:
http://www.fao.fas.harvard.edu/icb/icb.do?keyword=k51861&pageid=icb.page...
a nice wooden hairbrush
A USB flash disk! My latest is getting glitchy...
I'm Boned. (1,3,6,7,11,17)
Was working over 40 hours a week, now working for 5 hours. Got written up for an error I was unaware I was doing for the last 10 months, in which no one in my work corrected me on, including my boss. As well, a person that was leaving the job a few weeks ago is now starting to get their hours back up, and taken over some of my work.
Word of advice, don't ever take a job that multiple people seem to get fired from, there is a reason.
I need a new pair of slippers - great for the cold winters in Iowa!
I would like a CD with the sounds of birds and waterfalls
I would love a pretty 2011 calendar! It would brighten up my office and be practical, too!
A candle lighter! Mine keep coming up missing!
Good Point. At this point with only one income we're probably going to focus on the state school option since the credits are more affordable and allow for flexibility. Also, since we have 3 children, we'll have some ability to shift credits/funds around between the children since they're portable. With a single child, the strategy might be more risky. There's always the possibility that a child doesn't attend college at all, at which point, you can have the money refunded, but with a penalty (unless you're gracious enough to transfer it to an extended family member).
Definitely not an arrangement to be taken lightly...
Thanks Brenda. San Francisco is a very cool city. I've spent a lot of time there. The rent can be a little high, but there's tons to do, especially outside, something I miss living in Chicago 4 or 5 months out of the year.