Thank you for passing on that information!!! It's important that money goes to reputable organizations. Also, airlines are giving free miles as well if you donate through their links or charitable organizations.
For the person choosing today to scavenge some item, no—I don't think it matters. Where it matters is for someone like me who is advocating for a particular kind of lifestyle.
I have written extensively in support of frugal living as a path to freedom. If you can make do with less, you can do whatever work is most important to you (as opposed to having to do whatever work pays the most, which is what most people have to do).
I don't want to advocate a doomed lifestyle, at least not without warning people that it's doomed. So I think seriously about whether the strategies that I advocate will continue to work under stress. Will they work if fuel prices go up? Will they work if the dollar goes down? Will they work if thousands (or tens or hundreds of thousands) more people start to follow them? I might still advocate them even if the answer is no, but I'd advocate them with a caveat.
Being unsustainable doesn't make it wrong to take advantage of a strategy for as long as it's working—no more than an approaching frost makes it wrong to harvest your garden. But if you're depending on that garden—especially if I recommended it to you—I want you to know that the frost is coming.
We have been a one-car family for the last month, not out of necesity --we have the second car out in the driveway, working fine-- but because I am dedicated to the idea as a way of living more simply, cheaply, and more environmentally. My husband doesn't understand this one-car idea, so it is mostly up to me, (he drives to and from work. God forbid he commute by bike --7 whole miles!) I am a SAHM, who takes my daughter to preschool several days a week on the bus. The preschool is only 20 minutes away by bike, but here's the deal: I am scared of being on the roads with her in the bike trailer. People on cell phones are a total hazard, and I will never forgive myself if anything happens to her while we are biking to preschool. So we take it easy (we're in no hurry) and take the bus.
How do other people get over their fear of biking with small children when 50% of drivers are on cell phones?
I'm a member of Generation Y. I've worked many, low-paid, lousy jobs in my life. Florida isn't necessarily known for it's stellar employment opportunities. If you want a good job, a nice house, or any self respect, you either have to live with one or more people or you have to move out of state, where there are more opportunities.
Anyways, I started freelancing out of necessity. I'm a slow learner with minimal social skills so I kept getting fired. When I didn't get fired, I quit because the jobs were lousy. Finally I said "screw this" and starting doing something I knew I wouldn't get fired at: freelancing.
After taking several assessments, evaluating my skillset and personality, and talking with my support group I have come to realize that an hourly job just isn't for me. I'm not making as much as I'd like to be, but I am sure that will change once I become more established in my field. I think I am doing very well though and encourage anyone who struggles with traditional jobs to take up freelancing.
We are all hunters & gatherers - & gather what's in season/around. Obviously, this squatter & skipper is profiting from what's around her that others wouldn't deign to use. It may be a temporary solution - but what of that? Is it better than for it to go into the landfill? In order to make our lives better, we should seize any good opportunities out there to stretch our $ - I have gotten gratis meds when I was broke (but no longer need to do so) - So is that sustainable? In a sense - no - But does it MATTER? I dress well in L.A. because there is a LOT of excess clothing out there to be found in thrift shops & bargain stores. Shouldn't I take advantage of that fact as long as it is true? I thank what I call "stupid rich people" who toss garments with tiny flaws which I can easily fix! (and somewhat shrunken knits look great on my body type!) Philosophically, I agree with your point - not everyone can do this - & it may not be something that can/should be done longterm. But in the shortterm it may mean survival of a sorts - & there's nothing WRONG with that.
Thanks for the comment -- "demoralizing management" is one of my core definitions. The cool thing about crafting your own resume, as opposed to a company performance review for example, is that you can take credit for accomplishments. In some cases, sadly, the accomplishments are never recognized; one client told me that he had improved results by 10% but that was the company goal so it wasn't really an accomplishment; however, it was an accomplishment and the company who recruited him thought so too.
Sometimes, it's not at all about the job, but about the "management" and the company's approach to doing business. And what you can or cannot do, regardless of one's title, job descripton or alleged responsibilities.
You cannot do a good job in a company where you work for people who 1/Do not know about the business, but think they do and/or 2/do not let people who DO know about the business do their jobs.
I and several other well-qualified people held lousy jobs for over two years with the mistaken belief that yes, we could still help the company and build its brand, despite the management team.
Did not work out that way. Was a total waste of our time, energy and abilities. To say the least. Not to mention demoralizing and worse due to the backstabbing and rumours spread about those who tried to do a good job despite the management.
Some people left within months (the smart ones), others like myself really thought we could make a difference and "educate" the out-of-the-country managers who were clueless about the market.
In retrospect, I should have left, even without another job.
The best advice if you're in a lousy job? Get out ASAP. It won't get better.
And you may not be able to accomplish anything or even if you do, someone else will take credit!
to the person who got ripped off by the water softener company:
Why don't you just turn off your water at the main shutoff, take
the thing out (unscrew any screw you find, I guess) and hand-carry it over to the company then drop it on the desk of the first person you encounter ? You shouldn't put up with that kind of treatment from any company. Don't let them get away with that, otherwise they'll keep doing it to others. If someone who had to deal with them BEFORE you had taken some action, you would have been spared this misery ~!
Very confusing, I too bought a 6 volt lantern battery with a plastic case and found 4 1.5v batteries. Just enough positive posts to make me wonder if it could be true or not. If someone actually found this to be true they need to compare the case and look for some sort of sign that we can use to determine the good from the bad. When I looked at the bottom of my battery case I did see clearly that four compartments were inside the battery. What does the bottom of a "AA" loaded lantern battery look like?
Nice articles. I especially like the article from CNN Money about going to a cash only system. It's the only way, I tell ya! I just did it myself almost a month ago. :)
While it's true we tend to be terrified of a life with limits on stuff, I believe if it ever comes down to that, we will be fine. I recently moved to another country, where it is difficult to get things. We are often at the mercy of what is in the store (this week, we are eating potatoes, carrots, tomatoes, and apples because that is what was best looking in the tiny produce shelf), but this hasn't lead to a resultant decrease in living standards. We still eat as healthy as we do, albeit with what we can find, rather than what we wanted at that moment.
The most striking thing I have realized is I no longer am focused on what I want, but what I can do with what I have. We are all very happy here, and I know I will be sad when it is time to return to the States. I find it amusing whenever my friends and family still living in the U.S. tell us how horrified they are at our circumstances. They have no idea how easy it is to live with limits. I think, though, that if they had to do it, they would be just fine.
I've taken the policy of never giving out my social security number to anyone except government offices and never giving out my home address, ever. When asked I simply say, "Oh, I'm sorry, I can't give out my address to strangers."
I didn't even give my address to the DMV. When they demanded it, I pulled out a piece of notebook paper, pen poised, and asked the clerk for her home address, SSN, and home phone number. She grunted and put in my mailing address without further comment.
At one point, when purchasing a trailer, a car dealership demanded my home address. I told them they couldn't possible have a use for it since they wouldn't be coming to my house in person, would they? Of course not. And they can't deliver mail to my house. Why not? We blew up the mailbox for fun. That gave them pause.
It's a new world, demanding every bit of data you won't hold onto with an iron grip, but a lot of times, a simple "I'm sorry, but I can't... what can we do instead?" helps quite a bit. And when that fails, acting weird can do the trick :)
Most health insurance companies have long stopped the practice of using people's SSN for insurance IDs, but dental insurers often lag the medical plans in these kinds of things. But when using SSN was still a common practice, most insurers allowed you to request a different ID (not using your SSN). I did this several times.
I would move for the perfect job...I'm in an ok job now but I know I don't want to be here forever. When the right opportunity is available I will move.
This might be a bit of a bore, but thinking of recipes this way is really a way people thought about cooking long ago. Preparing food was a matter of available resources. Just a thought. :)
It is nice to read some positive comments. My parents own a organic dairy farm as well and have been selling milk to Horizon for about 7 years. I do realize that Horizon has several company farms, but smaller family farms are major producers. Unlike the conventional farms in my area with hundreds-thousands of cows, my dad only has about 90 cows he milks and those cows have great living conditions and stay very healthy. Providing cows with the right nutrition and living conditions to prevent health problems is key to his success and something larger farms usually don't/can't do to the same extent. As a vet, my brother is always amazed at how few problems my dad has with his cows compared to conventional farms.
I do plan on filing a complaint with the bank, but will probably have to push back really hard. Everyone at the branch is intent on letting me know that the problem lies with ME, which is is troubling to say the least.
Thank you for passing on that information!!! It's important that money goes to reputable organizations. Also, airlines are giving free miles as well if you donate through their links or charitable organizations.
@ Pam:
For the person choosing today to scavenge some item, no—I don't think it matters. Where it matters is for someone like me who is advocating for a particular kind of lifestyle.
I have written extensively in support of frugal living as a path to freedom. If you can make do with less, you can do whatever work is most important to you (as opposed to having to do whatever work pays the most, which is what most people have to do).
I don't want to advocate a doomed lifestyle, at least not without warning people that it's doomed. So I think seriously about whether the strategies that I advocate will continue to work under stress. Will they work if fuel prices go up? Will they work if the dollar goes down? Will they work if thousands (or tens or hundreds of thousands) more people start to follow them? I might still advocate them even if the answer is no, but I'd advocate them with a caveat.
Being unsustainable doesn't make it wrong to take advantage of a strategy for as long as it's working—no more than an approaching frost makes it wrong to harvest your garden. But if you're depending on that garden—especially if I recommended it to you—I want you to know that the frost is coming.
We have been a one-car family for the last month, not out of necesity --we have the second car out in the driveway, working fine-- but because I am dedicated to the idea as a way of living more simply, cheaply, and more environmentally. My husband doesn't understand this one-car idea, so it is mostly up to me, (he drives to and from work. God forbid he commute by bike --7 whole miles!) I am a SAHM, who takes my daughter to preschool several days a week on the bus. The preschool is only 20 minutes away by bike, but here's the deal: I am scared of being on the roads with her in the bike trailer. People on cell phones are a total hazard, and I will never forgive myself if anything happens to her while we are biking to preschool. So we take it easy (we're in no hurry) and take the bus.
How do other people get over their fear of biking with small children when 50% of drivers are on cell phones?
I'm a member of Generation Y. I've worked many, low-paid, lousy jobs in my life. Florida isn't necessarily known for it's stellar employment opportunities. If you want a good job, a nice house, or any self respect, you either have to live with one or more people or you have to move out of state, where there are more opportunities.
Anyways, I started freelancing out of necessity. I'm a slow learner with minimal social skills so I kept getting fired. When I didn't get fired, I quit because the jobs were lousy. Finally I said "screw this" and starting doing something I knew I wouldn't get fired at: freelancing.
After taking several assessments, evaluating my skillset and personality, and talking with my support group I have come to realize that an hourly job just isn't for me. I'm not making as much as I'd like to be, but I am sure that will change once I become more established in my field. I think I am doing very well though and encourage anyone who struggles with traditional jobs to take up freelancing.
We are all hunters & gatherers - & gather what's in season/around. Obviously, this squatter & skipper is profiting from what's around her that others wouldn't deign to use. It may be a temporary solution - but what of that? Is it better than for it to go into the landfill? In order to make our lives better, we should seize any good opportunities out there to stretch our $ - I have gotten gratis meds when I was broke (but no longer need to do so) - So is that sustainable? In a sense - no - But does it MATTER? I dress well in L.A. because there is a LOT of excess clothing out there to be found in thrift shops & bargain stores. Shouldn't I take advantage of that fact as long as it is true? I thank what I call "stupid rich people" who toss garments with tiny flaws which I can easily fix! (and somewhat shrunken knits look great on my body type!) Philosophically, I agree with your point - not everyone can do this - & it may not be something that can/should be done longterm. But in the shortterm it may mean survival of a sorts - & there's nothing WRONG with that.
Thanks for the comment -- "demoralizing management" is one of my core definitions. The cool thing about crafting your own resume, as opposed to a company performance review for example, is that you can take credit for accomplishments. In some cases, sadly, the accomplishments are never recognized; one client told me that he had improved results by 10% but that was the company goal so it wasn't really an accomplishment; however, it was an accomplishment and the company who recruited him thought so too.
Let's start with the definition of a lousy job.
Sometimes, it's not at all about the job, but about the "management" and the company's approach to doing business. And what you can or cannot do, regardless of one's title, job descripton or alleged responsibilities.
You cannot do a good job in a company where you work for people who 1/Do not know about the business, but think they do and/or 2/do not let people who DO know about the business do their jobs.
I and several other well-qualified people held lousy jobs for over two years with the mistaken belief that yes, we could still help the company and build its brand, despite the management team.
Did not work out that way. Was a total waste of our time, energy and abilities. To say the least. Not to mention demoralizing and worse due to the backstabbing and rumours spread about those who tried to do a good job despite the management.
Some people left within months (the smart ones), others like myself really thought we could make a difference and "educate" the out-of-the-country managers who were clueless about the market.
In retrospect, I should have left, even without another job.
The best advice if you're in a lousy job? Get out ASAP. It won't get better.
And you may not be able to accomplish anything or even if you do, someone else will take credit!
the butternut squash ravioli sounds good! and who doesn't love to save $$$
to the person who got ripped off by the water softener company:
Why don't you just turn off your water at the main shutoff, take
the thing out (unscrew any screw you find, I guess) and hand-carry it over to the company then drop it on the desk of the first person you encounter ? You shouldn't put up with that kind of treatment from any company. Don't let them get away with that, otherwise they'll keep doing it to others. If someone who had to deal with them BEFORE you had taken some action, you would have been spared this misery ~!
Very confusing, I too bought a 6 volt lantern battery with a plastic case and found 4 1.5v batteries. Just enough positive posts to make me wonder if it could be true or not. If someone actually found this to be true they need to compare the case and look for some sort of sign that we can use to determine the good from the bad. When I looked at the bottom of my battery case I did see clearly that four compartments were inside the battery. What does the bottom of a "AA" loaded lantern battery look like?
Nice articles. I especially like the article from CNN Money about going to a cash only system. It's the only way, I tell ya! I just did it myself almost a month ago. :)
I don't know what the recipe is from the front cover - but it looks good!
In the Ziyad brand that they have so much stuff in in the local "Oriental Store" it is spelled za'atar. It is really good on flatbread.
While it's true we tend to be terrified of a life with limits on stuff, I believe if it ever comes down to that, we will be fine. I recently moved to another country, where it is difficult to get things. We are often at the mercy of what is in the store (this week, we are eating potatoes, carrots, tomatoes, and apples because that is what was best looking in the tiny produce shelf), but this hasn't lead to a resultant decrease in living standards. We still eat as healthy as we do, albeit with what we can find, rather than what we wanted at that moment.
The most striking thing I have realized is I no longer am focused on what I want, but what I can do with what I have. We are all very happy here, and I know I will be sad when it is time to return to the States. I find it amusing whenever my friends and family still living in the U.S. tell us how horrified they are at our circumstances. They have no idea how easy it is to live with limits. I think, though, that if they had to do it, they would be just fine.
I usually hold onto receipts for a while, but after that I get rid of it.
I've taken the policy of never giving out my social security number to anyone except government offices and never giving out my home address, ever. When asked I simply say, "Oh, I'm sorry, I can't give out my address to strangers."
I didn't even give my address to the DMV. When they demanded it, I pulled out a piece of notebook paper, pen poised, and asked the clerk for her home address, SSN, and home phone number. She grunted and put in my mailing address without further comment.
At one point, when purchasing a trailer, a car dealership demanded my home address. I told them they couldn't possible have a use for it since they wouldn't be coming to my house in person, would they? Of course not. And they can't deliver mail to my house. Why not? We blew up the mailbox for fun. That gave them pause.
It's a new world, demanding every bit of data you won't hold onto with an iron grip, but a lot of times, a simple "I'm sorry, but I can't... what can we do instead?" helps quite a bit. And when that fails, acting weird can do the trick :)
Most health insurance companies have long stopped the practice of using people's SSN for insurance IDs, but dental insurers often lag the medical plans in these kinds of things. But when using SSN was still a common practice, most insurers allowed you to request a different ID (not using your SSN). I did this several times.
I would move for the perfect job...I'm in an ok job now but I know I don't want to be here forever. When the right opportunity is available I will move.
sorry, its www.signupgenius.com/lifestyle/super-bowl-party
Thanks, Christina, for the great recipes. I am trying your Garlic Chicken and Vegetables, tonight. Fun post!
This might be a bit of a bore, but thinking of recipes this way is really a way people thought about cooking long ago. Preparing food was a matter of available resources. Just a thought. :)
It is nice to read some positive comments. My parents own a organic dairy farm as well and have been selling milk to Horizon for about 7 years. I do realize that Horizon has several company farms, but smaller family farms are major producers. Unlike the conventional farms in my area with hundreds-thousands of cows, my dad only has about 90 cows he milks and those cows have great living conditions and stay very healthy. Providing cows with the right nutrition and living conditions to prevent health problems is key to his success and something larger farms usually don't/can't do to the same extent. As a vet, my brother is always amazed at how few problems my dad has with his cows compared to conventional farms.
Thanks, Lesa, that's really nice of you to say.
I do plan on filing a complaint with the bank, but will probably have to push back really hard. Everyone at the branch is intent on letting me know that the problem lies with ME, which is is troubling to say the least.
I'm desperate to try some new recipes and cut our food budget.
great post,thanks for sharing.