I loved your article "Security is an Illusion. Freedom is Real." I have been an Independent Contractor/Consultant for years in various industries. I have always loved the thrill of taking on new and vastly different projects. The experience that I have gained and the confidence that I feel about my skills has drastically improved. If I can move about freely from one thing to the next and succeed in doing so, there will always be a place for me to earn a living and support myself and family. So I say, venture out of your comfort zone and conquer something new. Fear is the only thing that holds us back and I pride myself on the fact that no task is too daunting and no man/woman is too intimidating to approach. I will never be stuck in a rut when I am always on the move!!
My regular purse has a large slot pocket where I store my coupons. When I cut them out, no matter for what store, I slip them into the pocket and then I am ready to roll. When I am ready to go to the store, I flip through them and put them in the front or in my wallet with my cash so I don't forget to use them.
I remember the coupon systems that my grandma had, which were organized but when there were too many coupons, it got to be overwhelming. For now, my system works well for me.
I've been freelancing since 1989, when I voluntarily left a good-paying job with a great career path at a Fortune 100 company to pursue my dream career of being a writer. It was a lot of hard work and it's taken me on a number of paths I never expected to travel, but it has worked out VERY well for me.
People who don't freelance (yet) need to understand that it isn't for everyone. No one is going to tell you what to do. You need to find work almost all the time. Even when you're in the middle of a big project, you need to be looking for the next project. You have to meet or exceed the needs of your clients or customers so they come back to you for more -- or spread the word about how good you are. It's not a life of leisure, but it is a life that you're responsible for. You make the decisions, good or bad, and live the consequences. If you can't motivate yourself to find work or customers or get a job done, you will fail miserably. Remember, there's no automatic paycheck just for showing up.
But when you succeed, you make your own work schedule and reap all of the rewards.
Could I go back to being someone's employee? No. I've already been ruined by my freelance habits.
Good post. Best of luck to the folks who try a freelance route for their work life.
I read some where that if you have a grease or oil stain (old or new stains) on your shirts or other laundry items, to put original dawn on the stains... So I tried it, and it worked, it took the old and new stains out. Also, I started using proxide in the bleach spot of my washer, and it gets my whites whiter than ever, with out the harsh bleach smell.
Thank you. I was laid off about a month ago and it has ended up being a blessing. The tradeoff for the "security" of a regular (large) paycheck was a lot of stress. Now that I've had a month off, I realize just how not worth it that path was for me. What I've ended up finding is that, because of my different skills, I'm able to find part-time, contract work that allows me to live a balanced life - enough work to more than survive, enough time to explore my hobbies, enough peace of mind to be really present for my family and my friends.
I realize I'm fortunate - I have a small emergency fund, no debt and low expenses; I'd jumped from one career path to another so have many marketable skills. But I also think that being somewhat prepared for the possibility of unemployment has made a job loss a real opportunity for me instead of a disaster.
I hear he, Louis Kestenbaum is doing pretty well - managing to stay afloat! Shame on you, Yocheved, for pasting his name on info that actually belongs to someone else's deeds.
Just stumbled onto your post today. I make saving into games. Start by pulling all the things you've encountered over the years and apply them to a new situation. There's alot of great advice out there too,from alot of neat people (like the Wisebreaders). We have to make ends meet, but why should it be drudgery?
I have my coupons,and have read some reviews.
I was very surprized to see that this topic was actually started 10 months ago.
I live 60 miles from a major city,and really want to keep the out of pocket cost down,cause I know I'm going to have to shell out bucks for a antenna + a booster.
ALL of which I know next to nothing about (choosing wisely)
Please keep chiming in w/ your success stories on which model you chose,and why. And what type of antenna you found to be the best choice.
A non techie here,but trying to make the best choice(s) before my coupons expire!!
I'm still working out the details, but I plan on getting together for free shows, or swaps for clothes/books/coupons, or to have comically low-cost parties ... to make saving money fun and friendly. There are a lot of good deals in town for locals, you just need to know where to look, and if we team up, I bet it will rock! It will be nice to support each other in the goal for improved finances, plus I think it's environmentally helpful.
Our message board has different categories: Easily Entertained, Frugal Gourmet, Lean & Green, Retail Therapy, and Penny For Your Thoughts (Etc.)
I plan on emailing a monthly newsletter on all the finds and tips the members sent in, kind of like our own local-specific of the Tightwad Gazette. I'll post a list of food specials on what days, and which places offer what discounts, where to get good coupons, and any other tricks to share.
Though honestly, I don't want to give away all my best secrets ... some of my gems I want to keep dibs on! ;-)
I don't think she is flaky. She has simply changed, and her priorities have changed along with her. Everyone must make these adjustments along the road to find what is going to work best for them. I have been person A and person B. Now I suppose that I am person C. Retirement is another situation entirely for some.
Many of us find that we have been programmed all our lives to do things a certain way. I think that Nora decided she was not living her life according to HER wishes. I admire her courage and intelligence.
...the article in the Economist about the Danish Model. It sounds workable in America.
They also had something about the economic crisis in Spain recently where they mentioned that people will do anything to keep current on the mortgage payments.
It seems in Spain you can't just walk away like people can here..you are on the hook for the mortgage and they can take any an all other assets you have to satisfy it if you default, no questions.
This is a great idea if you are surrounded by people that share your interest in frugality. If you are not, here is an alternative:
I am just starting up a book club with just a few friends. We will meet once a month, discussing the book.
The rules: 1) every member (and not Oprah!) get to choose a book, 2) the books have to be available from the library, 3) We take turns hosting the club and 4) the point of the club is the book, and not the catering. Drinks and snacks are fancy enough for our (frugal) book club!
Maybe this idea is good for people whose friends are not ready to discuss frugality per se. Also, meeting once a month gives you time to actually finish a book (at least if you watch less tv during that month - hey, another good thing!). Personally, I believe it is easier for me to find time for this, compared to meeting every week.
The taste of plain _tap_ water is not appealing. However, the taste of filtered water is good. At least to me.
Lately I've been drinking Penta water, even though it is expensive. Sometimes I dilute it half-and-half with tap water, to save money.
I started drinking Penta water partly because of the hearsay that Aquafina and Dasani, et al, just take regular tap water and bottle it. The other water that tastes good to me is Ozarka _distilled_ water. So those two seem to be more pure (Ozarka distilled & Penta) and taste better, to me.
I'm writing in answer to the person who asked "Since when does water taste bad?"
The cautionary tale* is a true one. If it makes one parent more careful, I am more than happy to have shared it. I bit off more than I could chew and my parents(happy to not have to provide me with extra cash since I was now earning my own) were none the wiser until it was almost too late. I, happy to have the cash, was not eager to share I was in over my head. I hid it(just like ALOT of teens do when in over their heads)until I almost screwed up a future opportunity.
I'm even betting, based on the fact that labor laws have changed for teens(in my state they can only work until 10PM and they can only work 25 hours per week), that my tale* is not all that uncommon.
Teenagers are not adults and just because they CAN get a job doesn't always mean they should.
I had a sleasy collector try this one on me about 16 years ago. All they want is to collect the debt in full because it means a bigger commision for them. No one can force you to take a loan. As for the collector who tried this on me, I refused and then he proceeded to get nasty and ask me if I was too lazy to make an effort to pay my bills. What the moron didn't know is that the call was recorded and I forwarded it to the AG's office. The guy got fired and the agancy, to avoid a lawsuit, cancelled the debt and removed it form my credit report. Know your rights and USE them!
They stay for 7 years unless you dispute them and have them successfully removed earlier (which I highly recommend trying if the debt isn't very old). Chapter 7 bankruptcy stays for 10 years and chapter 13 bankruptcy stays for 7 years. If you pay a judgment, lien, or collection account, your report must state that the item is paid. However, if it is something that is almost 7 years old, DO NOT pay it! If you do, the 7 year cycle starts over again. If a creditor hasn't come after you for that long, it is likely they won't and, depending on your state, the statute of limitations may have been reached. If the debt is that old, DO NOT PAY, even if you're contacted by a collection agency 10 or 15 years later. If you pay them even one penny at that point, you just started the cycle over again and this could open the door for legal action. They will prey on your lack of knowledge. Remember, knowledge is power!
If you were spoken to in this manner, the collector clearly broke the law. They cannot use any defaming remarks toward you, use profanity, threaten you physically, threaten to have you arrested, or threaten to evict you from your home if you don't pay. Additionally, the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act allows a debtor to make the collection agency cease all communication if the debtor informs them, in writing, that they wish no further contact. While this doesn't cancel the debt, it does allow you some breathing room and, if they still call and harass you, there's another strike against them. Knowledge is power. He who does not know and invoke his rights is the same as he who has no rights.
I've started a coupon club with several of my friends here. Once a month we meet and cut coupons, talk about the deals we have found, share other saving tips, bring items to give away to each other as well as organizations, and over all just enjoy each other's company. It's a lot of fun and I highly recommend it!
Good story, Nora. It's especially compelling because you've seen both sides.
I loved your article "Security is an Illusion. Freedom is Real." I have been an Independent Contractor/Consultant for years in various industries. I have always loved the thrill of taking on new and vastly different projects. The experience that I have gained and the confidence that I feel about my skills has drastically improved. If I can move about freely from one thing to the next and succeed in doing so, there will always be a place for me to earn a living and support myself and family. So I say, venture out of your comfort zone and conquer something new. Fear is the only thing that holds us back and I pride myself on the fact that no task is too daunting and no man/woman is too intimidating to approach. I will never be stuck in a rut when I am always on the move!!
I think any philosophy worth haveing can be applied to different aspects of life.
My regular purse has a large slot pocket where I store my coupons. When I cut them out, no matter for what store, I slip them into the pocket and then I am ready to roll. When I am ready to go to the store, I flip through them and put them in the front or in my wallet with my cash so I don't forget to use them.
I remember the coupon systems that my grandma had, which were organized but when there were too many coupons, it got to be overwhelming. For now, my system works well for me.
I use amazon discount finder to search for discount items. It has other search options and a detailed book & movie search.
I've been freelancing since 1989, when I voluntarily left a good-paying job with a great career path at a Fortune 100 company to pursue my dream career of being a writer. It was a lot of hard work and it's taken me on a number of paths I never expected to travel, but it has worked out VERY well for me.
People who don't freelance (yet) need to understand that it isn't for everyone. No one is going to tell you what to do. You need to find work almost all the time. Even when you're in the middle of a big project, you need to be looking for the next project. You have to meet or exceed the needs of your clients or customers so they come back to you for more -- or spread the word about how good you are. It's not a life of leisure, but it is a life that you're responsible for. You make the decisions, good or bad, and live the consequences. If you can't motivate yourself to find work or customers or get a job done, you will fail miserably. Remember, there's no automatic paycheck just for showing up.
But when you succeed, you make your own work schedule and reap all of the rewards.
Could I go back to being someone's employee? No. I've already been ruined by my freelance habits.
Good post. Best of luck to the folks who try a freelance route for their work life.
I read some where that if you have a grease or oil stain (old or new stains) on your shirts or other laundry items, to put original dawn on the stains... So I tried it, and it worked, it took the old and new stains out. Also, I started using proxide in the bleach spot of my washer, and it gets my whites whiter than ever, with out the harsh bleach smell.
Thank you. I was laid off about a month ago and it has ended up being a blessing. The tradeoff for the "security" of a regular (large) paycheck was a lot of stress. Now that I've had a month off, I realize just how not worth it that path was for me. What I've ended up finding is that, because of my different skills, I'm able to find part-time, contract work that allows me to live a balanced life - enough work to more than survive, enough time to explore my hobbies, enough peace of mind to be really present for my family and my friends.
I realize I'm fortunate - I have a small emergency fund, no debt and low expenses; I'd jumped from one career path to another so have many marketable skills. But I also think that being somewhat prepared for the possibility of unemployment has made a job loss a real opportunity for me instead of a disaster.
I hear he, Louis Kestenbaum is doing pretty well - managing to stay afloat! Shame on you, Yocheved, for pasting his name on info that actually belongs to someone else's deeds.
Thanks Sarah for confirming this idea.
Just stumbled onto your post today. I make saving into games. Start by pulling all the things you've encountered over the years and apply them to a new situation. There's alot of great advice out there too,from alot of neat people (like the Wisebreaders). We have to make ends meet, but why should it be drudgery?
Hope you are doing well.
I have my coupons,and have read some reviews.
I was very surprized to see that this topic was actually started 10 months ago.
I live 60 miles from a major city,and really want to keep the out of pocket cost down,cause I know I'm going to have to shell out bucks for a antenna + a booster.
ALL of which I know next to nothing about (choosing wisely)
Please keep chiming in w/ your success stories on which model you chose,and why. And what type of antenna you found to be the best choice.
A non techie here,but trying to make the best choice(s) before my coupons expire!!
Informative and useful article - life's basic understandings, need to be affirmative and look the positive aspect or life or we are already doomed.
Very cool tip! I was much inspired by this post; I started a frugal club for Las Vegas: http://www.meetup.com/FrugalVegas
I'm still working out the details, but I plan on getting together for free shows, or swaps for clothes/books/coupons, or to have comically low-cost parties ... to make saving money fun and friendly. There are a lot of good deals in town for locals, you just need to know where to look, and if we team up, I bet it will rock! It will be nice to support each other in the goal for improved finances, plus I think it's environmentally helpful.
Our message board has different categories: Easily Entertained, Frugal Gourmet, Lean & Green, Retail Therapy, and Penny For Your Thoughts (Etc.)
I plan on emailing a monthly newsletter on all the finds and tips the members sent in, kind of like our own local-specific of the Tightwad Gazette. I'll post a list of food specials on what days, and which places offer what discounts, where to get good coupons, and any other tricks to share.
Though honestly, I don't want to give away all my best secrets ... some of my gems I want to keep dibs on! ;-)
Good luck, everyone!
I don't think she is flaky. She has simply changed, and her priorities have changed along with her. Everyone must make these adjustments along the road to find what is going to work best for them. I have been person A and person B. Now I suppose that I am person C. Retirement is another situation entirely for some.
Many of us find that we have been programmed all our lives to do things a certain way. I think that Nora decided she was not living her life according to HER wishes. I admire her courage and intelligence.
...the article in the Economist about the Danish Model. It sounds workable in America.
They also had something about the economic crisis in Spain recently where they mentioned that people will do anything to keep current on the mortgage payments.
It seems in Spain you can't just walk away like people can here..you are on the hook for the mortgage and they can take any an all other assets you have to satisfy it if you default, no questions.
This is a great idea if you are surrounded by people that share your interest in frugality. If you are not, here is an alternative:
I am just starting up a book club with just a few friends. We will meet once a month, discussing the book.
The rules: 1) every member (and not Oprah!) get to choose a book, 2) the books have to be available from the library, 3) We take turns hosting the club and 4) the point of the club is the book, and not the catering. Drinks and snacks are fancy enough for our (frugal) book club!
Maybe this idea is good for people whose friends are not ready to discuss frugality per se. Also, meeting once a month gives you time to actually finish a book (at least if you watch less tv during that month - hey, another good thing!). Personally, I believe it is easier for me to find time for this, compared to meeting every week.
The taste of plain _tap_ water is not appealing. However, the taste of filtered water is good. At least to me.
Lately I've been drinking Penta water, even though it is expensive. Sometimes I dilute it half-and-half with tap water, to save money.
I started drinking Penta water partly because of the hearsay that Aquafina and Dasani, et al, just take regular tap water and bottle it. The other water that tastes good to me is Ozarka _distilled_ water. So those two seem to be more pure (Ozarka distilled & Penta) and taste better, to me.
I'm writing in answer to the person who asked "Since when does water taste bad?"
The cautionary tale* is a true one. If it makes one parent more careful, I am more than happy to have shared it. I bit off more than I could chew and my parents(happy to not have to provide me with extra cash since I was now earning my own) were none the wiser until it was almost too late. I, happy to have the cash, was not eager to share I was in over my head. I hid it(just like ALOT of teens do when in over their heads)until I almost screwed up a future opportunity.
I'm even betting, based on the fact that labor laws have changed for teens(in my state they can only work until 10PM and they can only work 25 hours per week), that my tale* is not all that uncommon.
Teenagers are not adults and just because they CAN get a job doesn't always mean they should.
I had a sleasy collector try this one on me about 16 years ago. All they want is to collect the debt in full because it means a bigger commision for them. No one can force you to take a loan. As for the collector who tried this on me, I refused and then he proceeded to get nasty and ask me if I was too lazy to make an effort to pay my bills. What the moron didn't know is that the call was recorded and I forwarded it to the AG's office. The guy got fired and the agancy, to avoid a lawsuit, cancelled the debt and removed it form my credit report. Know your rights and USE them!
They stay for 7 years unless you dispute them and have them successfully removed earlier (which I highly recommend trying if the debt isn't very old). Chapter 7 bankruptcy stays for 10 years and chapter 13 bankruptcy stays for 7 years. If you pay a judgment, lien, or collection account, your report must state that the item is paid. However, if it is something that is almost 7 years old, DO NOT pay it! If you do, the 7 year cycle starts over again. If a creditor hasn't come after you for that long, it is likely they won't and, depending on your state, the statute of limitations may have been reached. If the debt is that old, DO NOT PAY, even if you're contacted by a collection agency 10 or 15 years later. If you pay them even one penny at that point, you just started the cycle over again and this could open the door for legal action. They will prey on your lack of knowledge. Remember, knowledge is power!
If you were spoken to in this manner, the collector clearly broke the law. They cannot use any defaming remarks toward you, use profanity, threaten you physically, threaten to have you arrested, or threaten to evict you from your home if you don't pay. Additionally, the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act allows a debtor to make the collection agency cease all communication if the debtor informs them, in writing, that they wish no further contact. While this doesn't cancel the debt, it does allow you some breathing room and, if they still call and harass you, there's another strike against them. Knowledge is power. He who does not know and invoke his rights is the same as he who has no rights.
I've started a coupon club with several of my friends here. Once a month we meet and cut coupons, talk about the deals we have found, share other saving tips, bring items to give away to each other as well as organizations, and over all just enjoy each other's company. It's a lot of fun and I highly recommend it!
Excellent post! Keep 'em coming!
These are really helpful tips! With the financial problems we have right now, it sure helps to find tips which can ease the strain on the budget.
Tasty!
wah.. NO comment