these are great points , I like number 8 about our kids , kids spend far too much they need to be educated and schooled on how to keep and save money . Good read I enjoyed it , a lot of valid p[oints
good call on camping. You cannot beat it. I hear other people who dont even sound excited about their vacations. Staying in a resort, not even seeing the place they are.
Go camping! you dont have to go far, it is cheap (if you have supplies), and is an awesome break from the TV and BS of daily life.
reconnect, see the planet, you are only here once.
Plus, there is nothing like sleeping in a tent and being able to hear the waves all night. awesome!
We camp in our own backyard! We set up the tent with sleeping bags and pillows crammed inside. We make s'mores on the charcoal grill, light sparklers, catch lightning bugs in our jelly jars..all within walking distance of our own home! Our kids love it and consider it an adventure even if it is only our own backyard!
for anyone using a magic jack, it is a must that you go through their FAQ's to optimize it's performance. If you are using a USB hub, it must be a powered hub. definately do the backround process optimization, that seems to help on the other end of the call the most. Ooma might have been good alternative, but they just took away most of the free features they used to give and made them premium for charge features, plus you have to pay the monthly taxes $3 to $11 monthly for Ooma now. To date Magic Jack is the only 1 flat fee for unlimited calls.
'NO, none of the items on my under $1 a pound list are organically grown. The pros/cons of that debate aside, for most people with a limited budget, the choice isn't whether or not to buy expensive organic, it's whether or not to eat highly processed crap like fast food or eat inexpensive healthy foods like those on my list.'
all well and good but can you explain how eating vegetables sprayed with pesticides healthy exactly? is there really a debate as to whether or not eating food containing pesticides is bad for you?
I once overheard a produce handler in a local Safeway telling a coworker how he was treated for 'burns' (how he described them) on his hands from handling produce 4 hours a day for weeks at a time.
ACs are just one of those things you cant go without in this heat! It is an investment for the home but it sure definitely worth it. Here are other investments we can do for the home that will help save in the long run (and make us happier)
We've just moved back to an area that is camp friendly. We were in Tx for 2 1/2 years and its too hot and full of fire ants so we didn't camp there. This year we are making up for it. I love that we all work together in all things from meals to fun.
I haven't been camping in quite a while, but I always loved the sheer simplicity of it. It's just you and nature with minimal possessions, only the very basics. It's a great reminder of what you can live without.
We tent camp about once a year. One money saving thing I do is plan our meals
so that we have everything we need on hand. Sometimes I will pre-mix things so that it's easier to transport. We save up our ice for a week or so to use. It's great not having access to TV, etc. and just let serendipity take over!
I do not camp. When I was a kid, it was okay. But then I went in the Army. I've had enough of camping! If you do want to camp and want the supplies, go to craigslist, as I have seen stuff for camping on there for a good price.
The way I see it, you either can or can't pay off your debts with the amount of income you have. It puzzles me why people even purchase things before analyzing whether they can pay it off or not. But when you get to that point when you are going into debt, you gotta get the right help. With millions of websites all over the internet, it's hard to determine which ones are fraud. Trust me, like everyone else I've been in that situation before and have gotten scammed one to many times. I couldn't keep up with even my credit card payments, until I joined Loansafe.org. They get the real info out there and there professionals are such a big help to me. Getting the right info, i haven't missed a mortgage payment in the 2 years since I've joined the site.
I wish I had more experience with camping. I've only been once, and it was really fun (with the exception of all the bugs that managed to enter the tent). I think the best memory was waking up early in the morning to the sounds of birds and feeling rested enough to watch the sun rise.
Camping is an interesting hobby in that you can spend as much or as little as you want. I've slept in a $300 ultralight tent and a $30 big-box store special, and both kept the rain and the bugs off me. I've been just as comfortable on $10 military surplus stools as I have been in $80 reclining/rocking/folding camp chairs. Perfect camping pillow? Some old memory foam stuffed in a sweatshirt. Its a great way to test your reusing/recycling ingenuity: Have you been saving your dryer lint, burnt-down candles, and nearly spent chap-stick to make your own fire starters? Did you know a little yeast, sugar, and a 2-liter bottle can make a mosquito trap that bests any citronella? My biggest money-saving advice though has been touched on by others but bears repeating: don't fall victim to "grocery shopping for the camping trip". Repack what you already have instead of buying yet another bottle of ketchup, dedicated camping salt and pepper shakers, and huge Hershey bars when leftover Easter candy makes for much more interesting smores (Peep and caramel egg smore? yes please). Oh, and please don't let me see you with a coffee maker at the campsite. An acrylic french press will be cheaper, more durable, make much better coffee, and prevent you from making 12 cups when all you wanted was 2.
Credit and financial councelling i agree is a helpful way to at least start on your way out of debt. I thought I would help you along with a company i found that even has a few articles to help people along.
I camp for a week every year with friends; we buy all of the food in bulk and split the cost, which makes it exceptionally cheap and much more space-saving. By the end of the week, we feel like a tight-knit tribe outside of modern world; I think it's incredibly bonding to be without technology and the pressures of our jobs even for just a little while.
I know what its like to get caught in a spiral. It can be hard to get out of too. Self proposed needs seem to overrule logic. There are people who can help though. Budgeting is important and there are companies such as this one that can help.
Camping is a very economical activity - once you get started. Buying all the gear up front can be a bit daunting but if you enjoy it, and look after your gear, it's something you can do without spending a lot of money. A night's camping in a tent can often be had for less than $20 a night. My kids love it - we just came home from a trip and as I set up my tent in the yard to air it out and get it dry, my youngest son (20 months) kept saying "sleep" and "tent" - Must've made a good impression on him :)
I love camping but don't get the chance to do it often. To make it more enjoyable, always pack rain gear. You never know when the weather will change and being wet while camping and sleeping in a tent is not always a fun time.
Growing up, camping meant an RV and 3 weeks on the road with lots of times in all kinds of National Parks. If I had kids, I'd've done things the same way, I think.
Instead, I've found myself in two different volunteer organizations, and each presents at least once opportunity every year for adult or family camping. Both have options for staying in cabins or tents. You can prepare your own food, brining it in already made (from pizza delivery to offsite restaurants), or joining a meal plan. You can alone, or be paired with roommates, but only one lets you bring your entire family every time. As for activities, you can participate in organized events (including personal development classes), or you can hang out and follow your own plans. You can stay over from Friday to Sunday, or attend during any fraction of time within that weekend. You can even stay in a nearby hotel or motel, and just do the "camping thing" while you're on-site.
I'd never planned for this, but I've realized how much I really need and appreciate a chance to live outdoors a few nights each year!
these are great points , I like number 8 about our kids , kids spend far too much they need to be educated and schooled on how to keep and save money . Good read I enjoyed it , a lot of valid p[oints
good call on camping. You cannot beat it. I hear other people who dont even sound excited about their vacations. Staying in a resort, not even seeing the place they are.
Go camping! you dont have to go far, it is cheap (if you have supplies), and is an awesome break from the TV and BS of daily life.
reconnect, see the planet, you are only here once.
Plus, there is nothing like sleeping in a tent and being able to hear the waves all night. awesome!
We camp in our own backyard! We set up the tent with sleeping bags and pillows crammed inside. We make s'mores on the charcoal grill, light sparklers, catch lightning bugs in our jelly jars..all within walking distance of our own home! Our kids love it and consider it an adventure even if it is only our own backyard!
for anyone using a magic jack, it is a must that you go through their FAQ's to optimize it's performance. If you are using a USB hub, it must be a powered hub. definately do the backround process optimization, that seems to help on the other end of the call the most. Ooma might have been good alternative, but they just took away most of the free features they used to give and made them premium for charge features, plus you have to pay the monthly taxes $3 to $11 monthly for Ooma now. To date Magic Jack is the only 1 flat fee for unlimited calls.
'NO, none of the items on my under $1 a pound list are organically grown. The pros/cons of that debate aside, for most people with a limited budget, the choice isn't whether or not to buy expensive organic, it's whether or not to eat highly processed crap like fast food or eat inexpensive healthy foods like those on my list.'
all well and good but can you explain how eating vegetables sprayed with pesticides healthy exactly? is there really a debate as to whether or not eating food containing pesticides is bad for you?
I once overheard a produce handler in a local Safeway telling a coworker how he was treated for 'burns' (how he described them) on his hands from handling produce 4 hours a day for weeks at a time.
ACs are just one of those things you cant go without in this heat! It is an investment for the home but it sure definitely worth it. Here are other investments we can do for the home that will help save in the long run (and make us happier)
http://blog.greensherpa.com/index.php/personal-finance/8-money-saving-pu...
We've just moved back to an area that is camp friendly. We were in Tx for 2 1/2 years and its too hot and full of fire ants so we didn't camp there. This year we are making up for it. I love that we all work together in all things from meals to fun.
I haven't been camping in quite a while, but I always loved the sheer simplicity of it. It's just you and nature with minimal possessions, only the very basics. It's a great reminder of what you can live without.
I have great memories of camping. I love bringing my bike along. I hope my kids pass this along to their kids when the time comes.
We tent camp about once a year. One money saving thing I do is plan our meals
so that we have everything we need on hand. Sometimes I will pre-mix things so that it's easier to transport. We save up our ice for a week or so to use. It's great not having access to TV, etc. and just let serendipity take over!
I do not camp. When I was a kid, it was okay. But then I went in the Army. I've had enough of camping! If you do want to camp and want the supplies, go to craigslist, as I have seen stuff for camping on there for a good price.
I wish I liked regular old camping more, but I think I'd REALLY like a cabin in the woods. Quiet. That's really all I want. Quiet should be cheap!
I think I'd like to camp, but the initial investment is so big (tents are not cheap) that we haven't been able to do it. Maybe someday.
The way I see it, you either can or can't pay off your debts with the amount of income you have. It puzzles me why people even purchase things before analyzing whether they can pay it off or not. But when you get to that point when you are going into debt, you gotta get the right help. With millions of websites all over the internet, it's hard to determine which ones are fraud. Trust me, like everyone else I've been in that situation before and have gotten scammed one to many times. I couldn't keep up with even my credit card payments, until I joined Loansafe.org. They get the real info out there and there professionals are such a big help to me. Getting the right info, i haven't missed a mortgage payment in the 2 years since I've joined the site.
I wish I had more experience with camping. I've only been once, and it was really fun (with the exception of all the bugs that managed to enter the tent). I think the best memory was waking up early in the morning to the sounds of birds and feeling rested enough to watch the sun rise.
Camping is an interesting hobby in that you can spend as much or as little as you want. I've slept in a $300 ultralight tent and a $30 big-box store special, and both kept the rain and the bugs off me. I've been just as comfortable on $10 military surplus stools as I have been in $80 reclining/rocking/folding camp chairs. Perfect camping pillow? Some old memory foam stuffed in a sweatshirt. Its a great way to test your reusing/recycling ingenuity: Have you been saving your dryer lint, burnt-down candles, and nearly spent chap-stick to make your own fire starters? Did you know a little yeast, sugar, and a 2-liter bottle can make a mosquito trap that bests any citronella? My biggest money-saving advice though has been touched on by others but bears repeating: don't fall victim to "grocery shopping for the camping trip". Repack what you already have instead of buying yet another bottle of ketchup, dedicated camping salt and pepper shakers, and huge Hershey bars when leftover Easter candy makes for much more interesting smores (Peep and caramel egg smore? yes please). Oh, and please don't let me see you with a coffee maker at the campsite. An acrylic french press will be cheaper, more durable, make much better coffee, and prevent you from making 12 cups when all you wanted was 2.
I haven't camped out in a long time, but when I did, it was fun! We made meals together, and smores are always a hit.
Credit and financial councelling i agree is a helpful way to at least start on your way out of debt. I thought I would help you along with a company i found that even has a few articles to help people along.
Getting out of Debt
We love to camp. but we might be skipping this summer because we have a new baby. We'll definite be back at it next summer.
I camp for a week every year with friends; we buy all of the food in bulk and split the cost, which makes it exceptionally cheap and much more space-saving. By the end of the week, we feel like a tight-knit tribe outside of modern world; I think it's incredibly bonding to be without technology and the pressures of our jobs even for just a little while.
I know what its like to get caught in a spiral. It can be hard to get out of too. Self proposed needs seem to overrule logic. There are people who can help though. Budgeting is important and there are companies such as this one that can help.
Camping is a very economical activity - once you get started. Buying all the gear up front can be a bit daunting but if you enjoy it, and look after your gear, it's something you can do without spending a lot of money. A night's camping in a tent can often be had for less than $20 a night. My kids love it - we just came home from a trip and as I set up my tent in the yard to air it out and get it dry, my youngest son (20 months) kept saying "sleep" and "tent" - Must've made a good impression on him :)
I love camping but don't get the chance to do it often. To make it more enjoyable, always pack rain gear. You never know when the weather will change and being wet while camping and sleeping in a tent is not always a fun time.
My hubby and I just bought a tent and I can't wait to go camping with hime!
Growing up, camping meant an RV and 3 weeks on the road with lots of times in all kinds of National Parks. If I had kids, I'd've done things the same way, I think.
Instead, I've found myself in two different volunteer organizations, and each presents at least once opportunity every year for adult or family camping. Both have options for staying in cabins or tents. You can prepare your own food, brining it in already made (from pizza delivery to offsite restaurants), or joining a meal plan. You can alone, or be paired with roommates, but only one lets you bring your entire family every time. As for activities, you can participate in organized events (including personal development classes), or you can hang out and follow your own plans. You can stay over from Friday to Sunday, or attend during any fraction of time within that weekend. You can even stay in a nearby hotel or motel, and just do the "camping thing" while you're on-site.
I'd never planned for this, but I've realized how much I really need and appreciate a chance to live outdoors a few nights each year!