I don't know what set off that first comment from "Guest". Your point is extremely well taken, and your examples of small, everyday expenses are just what the post calls for: they are pertinent, easy to miss, and their effect is cumulative. Keep up the good work.
I want you to know that I have never responded before, I regularly read your posts and enjoy them very much, they are well thought out and well written. Good luck with your writing career, I just wanted you to know that you are are appreciated and not to worry about jerks like "Guest" who obviously have nothing better to do than
be nasty.
You don't really have to *chew* shaved ice, it melts as soon as it hits your tongue. There's a big difference. Think "Snoopy Snow Cone Machine."
You can also make granita, which involves freezing some sort of fruit juice or puree and then shaving the result. Very flavorful, very economical, and a great way to make use of local produce. Mmmm, strawberry granita! Serve with ice cream or whipped cream for an extra dab of goodness. Recipes at epicurious.com.
The master bathroom in my house, due to a weird setup, doesn't have a door. You can see the user's knees and the roll of toilet paper if someone is in there. One day, I happened to look in and see my boyfriend setting one sheet back on top of the roll. As an unashamed "buncher" who wouldn't notice a difference of several sheets one way or the other, I thought this was hilarious. Until he gave me his reasoning: "Well, I pulled off two by accident."
So I am pretty sure that I have no one to blame but myself when we run out of paper.
This article is so cool! It reminds me of my very first Snoopy snow cone maker that my sister and I had back in the early 80's. It was the ulitmate in DIY refreshment.
When I'm pregnant, I really love to do plain shaved ice or snow cones (without flavoring...) they really can keep a gal cool during hot months.
I, for one... totally agree with Philip's post. And anyone who needs 30 full minutes to figure out the soup debacle has probably got more problems than just getting financially snowballed by their lenders.
While blenders and ice crushers are perfect for crunching ice cubes, teeth are not.
Many people habitually chew on ice, especially during the summer months. That’s when dentists' offices are crowded with patients suffering from gum injuries and broken teeth. The American Dental Association says avoiding chewing ice is a simple way to avoid tooth injuries.
For refreshment, instead of crushing big chunks of ice with the teeth, dentists recommend letting ice slivers melt in the mouth like candy.
But anyone who has a persistent ice-chewing habit and finds it difficult to stop should let his or her dentist know. Craving and chewing ice is often associated with iron deficiency anemia.
as the SSI's are going to have drained the life out of Social Security at the pace they are now.
At least SSI is an honest welfare program instead of a stealth welfare program masquerading as a wealth redistribution/social insurance/pension/annuity/retirement/whatever-its-zealots-call-it-today program. And SSI is funded out of general revenues, not Social Security taxes. That's kind of nice because it means the wealthy are actually paying for most of it; unlike OASDI, which is paid for by the working class.
The central bank causes inflation and the central bank can fix it. That was the clear lesson of the 1980s: Despite huge government deficits, the Fed brought inflation down sharply. The only reason that we have inflation now is that the Fed thinks the alternative would be worse. Just as soon as they decide that's no longer true, they can bring inflation to halt.
Despite the legal structure of the Fed (owned by the member banks), it is a creation of Congress. Congress gave the Fed its mandate, and Congress can change it. Congress created the Fed, and Congress can destroy it. The Fed will always bend to the will of Congress.
You're right, though, to focus on resource limits. That's a different problem from inflation. Inflation is the money becoming less valuable. Resource limits mean that everyone's standard of living is falling. It's a different problem that shares a common symptom--rising prices. The solution to inflation is straightforward--don't grow the money supply faster than the economy. It's not clear that there is a solution to resource depletion.
I've always chewed my ice, by the way, ever since I was a kid. My teeth are fine, and I hardly ever see the dentist, but when I do, they have no complaints about my teeth!
Anyway...this article just reminded me that I owe my Daughter a Snow Cone Maker for the summer, so thanks!!
We already have the syrups...just need the machine!
(she got one from Santa, that just didn't work right, so we returned it, and are waiting for summer, when all the snow cone makers come out, to get a good one!)
I agree that portions are dropping. It is a hidden inflation. The restaurants and food companies are hoping we won't notice if the price is consistent, but the portion is smaller. We do Chinese take-out at the same place every couple weeks. I have noticed that the rice portion has gotten bigger as the meat has dwindled. Of course, rice is costing more so I bet they will fill my container with lots of sauce next.
I don't agree that the government needs to get inflation under control. This is the market talking. We look to the mighty Wizard too much to fix problems they cannot control. The only thing the government could do is lower the deficit. This will help buoy the dollar and control inflation. The Fed, while not technically a government organization (actually a private consortium of banks), could raise rates to stem the effect of inflation.
This is a world economy with 2 billion people moving from poverty to middle class. Demand is insatiable. Supply is dwindling. Econ 101.
Nice post. I like to talk about inflation, because we are drastically underestimating the impact it will have in the decade to come. Prices will be going up year after year, forcing more people in to live on fewer and fewer dollars per month.
I'm not so sure people will carry more cash. First, they don't have am much money and second nobody carries much cash today - only credit cards. Also, we will have less and less products to choose from - as businesses go bankrupt.
Philip, I was one of those who scoffed at the idea that inflation was really hurting us. I was of the "just grin and bear" it mentality until a recent trip for our weekly groceries really got my attention.
We typically buy and eat the same things each week (with two small kids there isn't much room for exquisite cuisine at our dinner table). We do most of our shopping at a local Super Walmart and typically spend around $150 per weekly trip (a number that has been steadily increasing over the past few months). Last weekend we were approaching $200, according to my running total, so we put back a few things we could live without to get back to our normal budgeted amount. It looks like we'll have to get more creative on our next trip to the store.
Buying 50 dollars worth of groceries to save ten cents on 4 dollar a gallon gas is not my idea of being frugal. You will probably overpay for the groceries and burn a gallon of gas just getting to the store and back.
IMHO, this is not a very frugal idea.
Bad idea. Eating ice is the worst thing you can do for your teeth. Ask any dentist. The extreme change in temperature causes micro cracks in your teeth eventually costing you many thousands of dollars to save them or risk looking like a carnival ride operator.
IMHO your idea is not frugal and not healthy!
You remind me of shoppers who will spend thirty minutes figuring out which can of soup will cost 3 cents less while they get raped by their mortgage companies, banks, and insurance companies, to name a few, for thousands of dollars each year.
And here is another tip for the poster. By the looks of your picture, it wouldn't hurt you to stop eating at fast food joints and drinking water instead of soda. You could stand to lose a few pounds. That will save you a thousand dollars a year and maybe tens of thousands of dollars in medical costs. Oh, and with your savings you can even splurge on a haircut and beard trim.
Umm....I shave around there and I'm a guy. It doesn't make you a one-wipe-wonder but it helps. One note: If you get sweaty and you recently "trimmed up", the sweat will run like a river to the lowest point (taint area). It seems that hair keeps moisture spread out across a large area and off your skin.
It gets even better.. Save all the poultry and fish bones and put them in the crockpot with a little vinegar. Cooked for several hours, the bones will get soft and can be eaten by dogs safely. Be sure to test them before feeding. Should be able to be broken easily in the hand.
My group of friends set up a summer camp "cooperative." Each of us will lend our skills and time to keep our kids entertained a couple of days each week this summer. Camp costs major $$ I don't have and I can't keep my kids entertained in the summer as much as I'd like. Consequently, they get more screen time than I would normally allow.
I don't know if the camp will work yet because I've never done it, but I look forward to playing with my friends and their kids. I also hope that I won't feel guilty working while their bodies and brains whither on non-camp days.
The best part, this process has made me evaluate my skills and I didn't know it, but I got it GOING ON!
I don't know what set off that first comment from "Guest". Your point is extremely well taken, and your examples of small, everyday expenses are just what the post calls for: they are pertinent, easy to miss, and their effect is cumulative. Keep up the good work.
Dear Phil,
I want you to know that I have never responded before, I regularly read your posts and enjoy them very much, they are well thought out and well written. Good luck with your writing career, I just wanted you to know that you are are appreciated and not to worry about jerks like "Guest" who obviously have nothing better to do than
be nasty.
You don't really have to *chew* shaved ice, it melts as soon as it hits your tongue. There's a big difference. Think "Snoopy Snow Cone Machine."
You can also make granita, which involves freezing some sort of fruit juice or puree and then shaving the result. Very flavorful, very economical, and a great way to make use of local produce. Mmmm, strawberry granita! Serve with ice cream or whipped cream for an extra dab of goodness. Recipes at epicurious.com.
Yeah many advised bad things of ice and dents but I never cared. I love the one made with corn and milk and my wifey is good in making that cool...
thanks for the cool article
The master bathroom in my house, due to a weird setup, doesn't have a door. You can see the user's knees and the roll of toilet paper if someone is in there. One day, I happened to look in and see my boyfriend setting one sheet back on top of the roll. As an unashamed "buncher" who wouldn't notice a difference of several sheets one way or the other, I thought this was hilarious. Until he gave me his reasoning: "Well, I pulled off two by accident."
So I am pretty sure that I have no one to blame but myself when we run out of paper.
There's really no reason to be so harsh, you didn't add anything important.
I have done this with really thick bones with lots of marrow. I'll have to try this! Thanks!
This article is so cool! It reminds me of my very first Snoopy snow cone maker that my sister and I had back in the early 80's. It was the ulitmate in DIY refreshment.
When I'm pregnant, I really love to do plain shaved ice or snow cones (without flavoring...) they really can keep a gal cool during hot months.
I, for one... totally agree with Philip's post. And anyone who needs 30 full minutes to figure out the soup debacle has probably got more problems than just getting financially snowballed by their lenders.
From the ADA:
While blenders and ice crushers are perfect for crunching ice cubes, teeth are not.
Many people habitually chew on ice, especially during the summer months. That’s when dentists' offices are crowded with patients suffering from gum injuries and broken teeth. The American Dental Association says avoiding chewing ice is a simple way to avoid tooth injuries.
For refreshment, instead of crushing big chunks of ice with the teeth, dentists recommend letting ice slivers melt in the mouth like candy.
But anyone who has a persistent ice-chewing habit and finds it difficult to stop should let his or her dentist know. Craving and chewing ice is often associated with iron deficiency anemia.
©2008 American Dental Association.
go to http://www.mouseprint.org/ for more interseting examples of the incredible shrinking product...
as the SSI's are going to have drained the life out of Social Security at the pace they are now.
At least SSI is an honest welfare program instead of a stealth welfare program masquerading as a wealth redistribution/social insurance/pension/annuity/retirement/whatever-its-zealots-call-it-today program. And SSI is funded out of general revenues, not Social Security taxes. That's kind of nice because it means the wealthy are actually paying for most of it; unlike OASDI, which is paid for by the working class.
@Kirk:
The central bank causes inflation and the central bank can fix it. That was the clear lesson of the 1980s: Despite huge government deficits, the Fed brought inflation down sharply. The only reason that we have inflation now is that the Fed thinks the alternative would be worse. Just as soon as they decide that's no longer true, they can bring inflation to halt.
Despite the legal structure of the Fed (owned by the member banks), it is a creation of Congress. Congress gave the Fed its mandate, and Congress can change it. Congress created the Fed, and Congress can destroy it. The Fed will always bend to the will of Congress.
You're right, though, to focus on resource limits. That's a different problem from inflation. Inflation is the money becoming less valuable. Resource limits mean that everyone's standard of living is falling. It's a different problem that shares a common symptom--rising prices. The solution to inflation is straightforward--don't grow the money supply faster than the economy. It's not clear that there is a solution to resource depletion.
Well, besides Debbie Downer's comment above.....LOL!!!
I've always chewed my ice, by the way, ever since I was a kid. My teeth are fine, and I hardly ever see the dentist, but when I do, they have no complaints about my teeth!
Anyway...this article just reminded me that I owe my Daughter a Snow Cone Maker for the summer, so thanks!!
We already have the syrups...just need the machine!
(she got one from Santa, that just didn't work right, so we returned it, and are waiting for summer, when all the snow cone makers come out, to get a good one!)
I agree that portions are dropping. It is a hidden inflation. The restaurants and food companies are hoping we won't notice if the price is consistent, but the portion is smaller. We do Chinese take-out at the same place every couple weeks. I have noticed that the rice portion has gotten bigger as the meat has dwindled. Of course, rice is costing more so I bet they will fill my container with lots of sauce next.
I don't agree that the government needs to get inflation under control. This is the market talking. We look to the mighty Wizard too much to fix problems they cannot control. The only thing the government could do is lower the deficit. This will help buoy the dollar and control inflation. The Fed, while not technically a government organization (actually a private consortium of banks), could raise rates to stem the effect of inflation.
This is a world economy with 2 billion people moving from poverty to middle class. Demand is insatiable. Supply is dwindling. Econ 101.
Nice post. I like to talk about inflation, because we are drastically underestimating the impact it will have in the decade to come. Prices will be going up year after year, forcing more people in to live on fewer and fewer dollars per month.
I'm not so sure people will carry more cash. First, they don't have am much money and second nobody carries much cash today - only credit cards. Also, we will have less and less products to choose from - as businesses go bankrupt.
Philip, I was one of those who scoffed at the idea that inflation was really hurting us. I was of the "just grin and bear" it mentality until a recent trip for our weekly groceries really got my attention.
We typically buy and eat the same things each week (with two small kids there isn't much room for exquisite cuisine at our dinner table). We do most of our shopping at a local Super Walmart and typically spend around $150 per weekly trip (a number that has been steadily increasing over the past few months). Last weekend we were approaching $200, according to my running total, so we put back a few things we could live without to get back to our normal budgeted amount. It looks like we'll have to get more creative on our next trip to the store.
Buying 50 dollars worth of groceries to save ten cents on 4 dollar a gallon gas is not my idea of being frugal. You will probably overpay for the groceries and burn a gallon of gas just getting to the store and back.
IMHO, this is not a very frugal idea.
Use your hands. Thats how it is done by BILLIONS of people around the world.
Bad idea. Eating ice is the worst thing you can do for your teeth. Ask any dentist. The extreme change in temperature causes micro cracks in your teeth eventually costing you many thousands of dollars to save them or risk looking like a carnival ride operator.
IMHO your idea is not frugal and not healthy!
You remind me of shoppers who will spend thirty minutes figuring out which can of soup will cost 3 cents less while they get raped by their mortgage companies, banks, and insurance companies, to name a few, for thousands of dollars each year.
And here is another tip for the poster. By the looks of your picture, it wouldn't hurt you to stop eating at fast food joints and drinking water instead of soda. You could stand to lose a few pounds. That will save you a thousand dollars a year and maybe tens of thousands of dollars in medical costs. Oh, and with your savings you can even splurge on a haircut and beard trim.
Umm....I shave around there and I'm a guy. It doesn't make you a one-wipe-wonder but it helps. One note: If you get sweaty and you recently "trimmed up", the sweat will run like a river to the lowest point (taint area). It seems that hair keeps moisture spread out across a large area and off your skin.
It gets even better.. Save all the poultry and fish bones and put them in the crockpot with a little vinegar. Cooked for several hours, the bones will get soft and can be eaten by dogs safely. Be sure to test them before feeding. Should be able to be broken easily in the hand.
My group of friends set up a summer camp "cooperative." Each of us will lend our skills and time to keep our kids entertained a couple of days each week this summer. Camp costs major $$ I don't have and I can't keep my kids entertained in the summer as much as I'd like. Consequently, they get more screen time than I would normally allow.
I don't know if the camp will work yet because I've never done it, but I look forward to playing with my friends and their kids. I also hope that I won't feel guilty working while their bodies and brains whither on non-camp days.
The best part, this process has made me evaluate my skills and I didn't know it, but I got it GOING ON!
my hydrometer also has a specific gravity reading, is there some sort of chart that will change specific gravity into %acl?