Thank you Chicago. Excise taxes in Tennessee are 9.035 percent. Tennesseeans for Fair Taxation last year helped get the grocery food tax knocked down one-half percent. So we are no longer the highest in the nation on excise tax.
With seven contiguous states, though, we lose a lot of tax revenue to those states.
Reminds me of the joke about the fellow who gets his MBA from a big time program, then goes to his wealthy immigrant grandfather for advice.
"Well, I used to buy a widget for one dollar, sell it for two dollars, and just take my one percent profit."
Based on some web site reading I did last year, I would caution on flaxseeds:
1. What you get in flaxseeds is not the essential omega-3 fatty acids, but a precursor (something that the body has to turn into the desired substance).
2. The efficiency rate of transformation can be about fifteen percent, so you have to do a lot of flaxseeds to get the desired amount of usable fatty acids.
3. Some people have metabolism that really don't like flaxseeds.
I recommend going the fish oil gel route, especially if you need a lot for cognitive and mood problems, or other things. That said, if you like the nutty taste of flaxseeds and your body can handle them, enjoy.
Many well-meaning misguided people believe that a CEO's pay should somehow be tied to the worker's pay. That is flat-out wrong. The CEO works directly for the shareholder. His pay should always be tied to his performance, both short-term and long-term.
The Board of the Directors are the problem. Instead of representing the shareholders, they have become rubber stamps for the CEO. These boards are incestuously interlinked - decisions are more like you-scratch-my-back-I-scratch-yours. Even directors from non-profits are not independent if they get donations from the company whose board they sit on.
If some PC board wants to tie the CEO's pay to worker's pay, that's their business. Regardless, we need pay for performance.
I've heard mixed reviews about Super 8 (I used to work in the hotel industry). The best thing you can do is research the location and look at reviews (kudos to Lucille!)
One thing I'd like to add is that it depends on what you plan to do. If you plan to spend very little time in your room (other than sleeping), then it might be worth the deal if it's clean and comfortable. For a romantic night away from the kids, splurge and go for something better (unless the thrill of a cheap motel is part of the fun...)
I think we all did. We were well-oiled machines just chomping at the bit. The 100 hour weeks consumed us but we were also flooded with so much money and return that it seemed as if we were having a good time.
For me, it was pure delusion. Now I struggle to make ends meet and I'm a very skilled IT professional/manager. I tend not to work overtime since I'm salary but I always make sure to go home with everything being done (so if that means an extra hour here or there, then certainly it will happen).
But at the end of the day, it's important to "unplug", take a walk, eat some dinner, and remember why you work in the first place.
For those of us with a bit of a touchy metabolism, this can be hard. A focus on protein and loosening the grip on carbs can come at a price. The focus for me has typically been vegetables, meat, and complex carbs. If you are careful you can save money and eat on a low-carb system, just takes some creativity.
Great article though, plenty of helpful tips. All of my friends think I'm nuts for hitting the grocery every day or two, but it's actually relaxing, cost-effective, and fun.
Every aspiring fat cat dreams of getting into the echelon where the gravy starts. They get some little dribbles around the upper middle management, but they start to develop a taste for the rich sauce. By the time they're a VP, and they're invited to the offsite resort meetings and the lavish customer golf tourneys and events, they're totally addicted. At this point they're ushered into the fat cat network. They'll keep getting lathered in money if they turn blind eyes and vote right to keep the others lathered.
Boards of big companies are headed by CEOs and other high ranking officials from other big companies. They don't balk at huge salaries during the vote because they probably have their own huge salaries that will get voted on soon.
Shareholders should get to vote a little more effectively on CEO comp.
VHS tapes are great for kids, especially younger ones who could care less about video quality. I've always said Fisher-Price couldn't have developed a better video format. Unlike DVD they can't be as easily damaged, lost, or stuck in your player.
Watching a 3 year old with a DVD is a scary scene indeed.
I needed a bed frame for a sleep number I ordered, passed on the plastic box foundation for $450. yikes
John M.'s bed was the best ex. I found alllllll over the net search. I have a tiny room so simple was the plan, I didn't need the head board cause I painted a mural of Bermuda behind the bed.
If It stops raining I'll get started. I got all the materials to build a king size bed for free because of a gift certif. for Home Depot I lost and found again for $100. All the wood and hard ware cost $85. I got free partical board from a construction sight, they gave me. Still have to buy stain. So except for the matress. and sweat labor. .. its free.... thanks for the plan.
Sometimes I'm pretty willing to sacrifice quality for a decent price, but I can't stand watching old VHS tapes. The blurry picture makes me think I need to put my glasses on when I'm already wearing them. When used DVD's are 6 or 7 bucks a pop at blockbuster I'm all over it. Still haven't made the jump to bluray though. Like I said, I'm cheap :)
Incredible idea to shut down the power in your house! We all too often become addicted to electricity-related products, such as TV, computers, and even unnecessary air conditioning. The first two degrade the quality of family time and more-often involve passive attention.
To get some diversify in life and maintain frugal habits, I recommend adding physical exercise (running, walking, biking, etc.) and reading. Reading seems to be a lost skill for money, but the benefits of being able to concentrate for prolonged periods of time exercise a different part of your brain you don't get from staring at the tellie or a computer screen all day. Combine the two and talk your family for a walk to the local library. Make an adventure out of it!
We purchased various editions of Guitar Hero and Rock Band for our PlayStation2. Expensive games, yes. However, they have proven to be worth it when our extended family gets together. Then the kids have to sit back and watch the grown-ups rock out--even the grandparents! This is such a hit at family holidays and gatherings that we often stay up until 2am playing. It's been a great bonding experience and also works as entertainment for kids' birthday parties, sleepovers, and neighborhood gatherings.
other great games even having folks over is the game UNO, poker games (play with chips); I love playing poker & have taught my grandkids to play; we used to use pennies but have upgraded to chips; it's a kick! BTW, they KNOW that gambling is basically a dealers game & that is why all the huge casino's etc; THEY keep your money! so, we enjoy playing a lot but they are well aware of the results of gambling; you can get a great combo pizza at Winco's for only $4 (take it home & bake it) made there; also you can get great sub sandwiches (very large) for $4.00; we add extra's to it & enjoy! (these are our big "expenditures" for eating "out"; tho at this time of year making double decker bacon & tomato sandwiches (with toasted bread) goes over well; we also play clue, which I love; & yahtzee; make your own popcorn in air popper & use anything from garlic salt, sea salt of course, or cheeze toppings (like parmesian, etc) makes great snacks; another easy to make is tacos; I wondered why no one seemed to get together anymore to play cards etc; shame really; lots more fun than being on a computer!
"Maybe it was the crude headline grabbing title: Get Laid?"
Pardon me, but the headline is, "7 Beauty Secrets That Cost Almost Nothing", which is not really tabloid fodder, is it? What you are referring to is one of seven section headings, in which Andrea CLEARLY states that masturbation was as equally beautifying as sex. No teenagers have reached moral decay through a little private solo sex. I've also heard it's excellent for reducing self-righteousness.
Andrea - While I can't state my sources, it seems sensible to extrapolate that if circulation is helpful in clearing up skin conditions, then the activity involved in a robust sex life and (one hopes) resulting orgasms might leave participants with clear complexions. A bargain indeed.
I checked it out at 8:20 (I had something distract me...) and all the rooms were booked already. I would suggest you try to get in right away if you want to take advantage! I think as more people find out, it will be harder to get the deal.
Are VHS still available in US?
I use betamax in the old days, now it's broken. No spare part or used ones on yard sale in here (Indonesia). After that, i use DVD player, right now i used portable hard drive to store all of my movies. It's more flexible using HDD.
My older son grew up with all the conveniences, but my younger son lived with me in the country for 6 years growing up, and got used to doing for himself, and having major power outages when there was no water from the pump and no heat. We had a huge fireplace, kerosene heaters, and stored water for such emergencies. We've snuggled together on the sofa bed sometimes for days with blankets up to block off the LR from the rest of the house so we could stay warm. Still, they both seem pretty self-sufficient, and both love to camp and do trails. Strange.
...I'm a big fan of theater night, myself. It usually consists of a couple DVDs, along with some wine, cheese, and other nibbles... It's very relaxing and not nearly as expensive as a night out on the town.
There are many stories of families just having fun but coming up with million-dollar inventions together. So, brainstorming and creating prototype inventions is not only frugal, it's a potential million dollar business in the making! I wrote about this at http://shanelyang.com/2008/07/02/kids-ideas-make-millions%e2%80%94yours-...
Kristen asked about the quality. It varies widely. Some of the newer ones are not bad, some of the older ones are fairly crude and basic. They are not swanky but some of the better ones have decent rooms and amenities. Some of them have indoor pools and such. We stayed in a nice one in Wisconsin, my hubby stayed in one on a business trip that he said he would never stay at again.
Probably the best way to get advice on individual locations is to go to Tripadvisor.com and see if the location your thinking about has reviews or room pics posted by people who stayed there.
Since we are trying to take a break from tenting every few days on our way down the coast, we might try to take advantage of this. Thanks, Linsey!
And Kristen, while it's been a while since I stayed at one, I don't remember them being too terrible. And if they now have internet, that's one of our main concerns. So, we'll definitely be looking into this.Wahoo! Affordable bedrest!!
Thank you Chicago. Excise taxes in Tennessee are 9.035 percent. Tennesseeans for Fair Taxation last year helped get the grocery food tax knocked down one-half percent. So we are no longer the highest in the nation on excise tax.
With seven contiguous states, though, we lose a lot of tax revenue to those states.
Reminds me of the joke about the fellow who gets his MBA from a big time program, then goes to his wealthy immigrant grandfather for advice.
"Well, I used to buy a widget for one dollar, sell it for two dollars, and just take my one percent profit."
Thank you for mentioning Mother Earth News on your Web site! We appreciate the attention.
Laura Evers
Mother Earth News
Based on some web site reading I did last year, I would caution on flaxseeds:
1. What you get in flaxseeds is not the essential omega-3 fatty acids, but a precursor (something that the body has to turn into the desired substance).
2. The efficiency rate of transformation can be about fifteen percent, so you have to do a lot of flaxseeds to get the desired amount of usable fatty acids.
3. Some people have metabolism that really don't like flaxseeds.
I recommend going the fish oil gel route, especially if you need a lot for cognitive and mood problems, or other things. That said, if you like the nutty taste of flaxseeds and your body can handle them, enjoy.
Many well-meaning misguided people believe that a CEO's pay should somehow be tied to the worker's pay. That is flat-out wrong. The CEO works directly for the shareholder. His pay should always be tied to his performance, both short-term and long-term.
The Board of the Directors are the problem. Instead of representing the shareholders, they have become rubber stamps for the CEO. These boards are incestuously interlinked - decisions are more like you-scratch-my-back-I-scratch-yours. Even directors from non-profits are not independent if they get donations from the company whose board they sit on.
If some PC board wants to tie the CEO's pay to worker's pay, that's their business. Regardless, we need pay for performance.
I've heard mixed reviews about Super 8 (I used to work in the hotel industry). The best thing you can do is research the location and look at reviews (kudos to Lucille!)
One thing I'd like to add is that it depends on what you plan to do. If you plan to spend very little time in your room (other than sleeping), then it might be worth the deal if it's clean and comfortable. For a romantic night away from the kids, splurge and go for something better (unless the thrill of a cheap motel is part of the fun...)
I think we all did. We were well-oiled machines just chomping at the bit. The 100 hour weeks consumed us but we were also flooded with so much money and return that it seemed as if we were having a good time.
For me, it was pure delusion. Now I struggle to make ends meet and I'm a very skilled IT professional/manager. I tend not to work overtime since I'm salary but I always make sure to go home with everything being done (so if that means an extra hour here or there, then certainly it will happen).
But at the end of the day, it's important to "unplug", take a walk, eat some dinner, and remember why you work in the first place.
For those of us with a bit of a touchy metabolism, this can be hard. A focus on protein and loosening the grip on carbs can come at a price. The focus for me has typically been vegetables, meat, and complex carbs. If you are careful you can save money and eat on a low-carb system, just takes some creativity.
Great article though, plenty of helpful tips. All of my friends think I'm nuts for hitting the grocery every day or two, but it's actually relaxing, cost-effective, and fun.
Every aspiring fat cat dreams of getting into the echelon where the gravy starts. They get some little dribbles around the upper middle management, but they start to develop a taste for the rich sauce. By the time they're a VP, and they're invited to the offsite resort meetings and the lavish customer golf tourneys and events, they're totally addicted. At this point they're ushered into the fat cat network. They'll keep getting lathered in money if they turn blind eyes and vote right to keep the others lathered.
Boards of big companies are headed by CEOs and other high ranking officials from other big companies. They don't balk at huge salaries during the vote because they probably have their own huge salaries that will get voted on soon.
Shareholders should get to vote a little more effectively on CEO comp.
My wife and I enjoy a nice steak on the grill, bonfire, and a bottle of red wine.
Nice nights.
VHS tapes are great for kids, especially younger ones who could care less about video quality. I've always said Fisher-Price couldn't have developed a better video format. Unlike DVD they can't be as easily damaged, lost, or stuck in your player.
Watching a 3 year old with a DVD is a scary scene indeed.
I needed a bed frame for a sleep number I ordered, passed on the plastic box foundation for $450. yikes
John M.'s bed was the best ex. I found alllllll over the net search. I have a tiny room so simple was the plan, I didn't need the head board cause I painted a mural of Bermuda behind the bed.
If It stops raining I'll get started. I got all the materials to build a king size bed for free because of a gift certif. for Home Depot I lost and found again for $100. All the wood and hard ware cost $85. I got free partical board from a construction sight, they gave me. Still have to buy stain. So except for the matress. and sweat labor. .. its free.... thanks for the plan.
Sometimes I'm pretty willing to sacrifice quality for a decent price, but I can't stand watching old VHS tapes. The blurry picture makes me think I need to put my glasses on when I'm already wearing them. When used DVD's are 6 or 7 bucks a pop at blockbuster I'm all over it. Still haven't made the jump to bluray though. Like I said, I'm cheap :)
Incredible idea to shut down the power in your house! We all too often become addicted to electricity-related products, such as TV, computers, and even unnecessary air conditioning. The first two degrade the quality of family time and more-often involve passive attention.
To get some diversify in life and maintain frugal habits, I recommend adding physical exercise (running, walking, biking, etc.) and reading. Reading seems to be a lost skill for money, but the benefits of being able to concentrate for prolonged periods of time exercise a different part of your brain you don't get from staring at the tellie or a computer screen all day. Combine the two and talk your family for a walk to the local library. Make an adventure out of it!
We purchased various editions of Guitar Hero and Rock Band for our PlayStation2. Expensive games, yes. However, they have proven to be worth it when our extended family gets together. Then the kids have to sit back and watch the grown-ups rock out--even the grandparents! This is such a hit at family holidays and gatherings that we often stay up until 2am playing. It's been a great bonding experience and also works as entertainment for kids' birthday parties, sleepovers, and neighborhood gatherings.
other great games even having folks over is the game UNO, poker games (play with chips); I love playing poker & have taught my grandkids to play; we used to use pennies but have upgraded to chips; it's a kick! BTW, they KNOW that gambling is basically a dealers game & that is why all the huge casino's etc; THEY keep your money! so, we enjoy playing a lot but they are well aware of the results of gambling; you can get a great combo pizza at Winco's for only $4 (take it home & bake it) made there; also you can get great sub sandwiches (very large) for $4.00; we add extra's to it & enjoy! (these are our big "expenditures" for eating "out"; tho at this time of year making double decker bacon & tomato sandwiches (with toasted bread) goes over well; we also play clue, which I love; & yahtzee; make your own popcorn in air popper & use anything from garlic salt, sea salt of course, or cheeze toppings (like parmesian, etc) makes great snacks; another easy to make is tacos; I wondered why no one seemed to get together anymore to play cards etc; shame really; lots more fun than being on a computer!
"Maybe it was the crude headline grabbing title: Get Laid?"
Pardon me, but the headline is, "7 Beauty Secrets That Cost Almost Nothing", which is not really tabloid fodder, is it? What you are referring to is one of seven section headings, in which Andrea CLEARLY states that masturbation was as equally beautifying as sex. No teenagers have reached moral decay through a little private solo sex. I've also heard it's excellent for reducing self-righteousness.
Andrea - While I can't state my sources, it seems sensible to extrapolate that if circulation is helpful in clearing up skin conditions, then the activity involved in a robust sex life and (one hopes) resulting orgasms might leave participants with clear complexions. A bargain indeed.
Nice to see you back!
I checked it out at 8:20 (I had something distract me...) and all the rooms were booked already. I would suggest you try to get in right away if you want to take advantage! I think as more people find out, it will be harder to get the deal.
Are VHS still available in US?
I use betamax in the old days, now it's broken. No spare part or used ones on yard sale in here (Indonesia). After that, i use DVD player, right now i used portable hard drive to store all of my movies. It's more flexible using HDD.
My older son grew up with all the conveniences, but my younger son lived with me in the country for 6 years growing up, and got used to doing for himself, and having major power outages when there was no water from the pump and no heat. We had a huge fireplace, kerosene heaters, and stored water for such emergencies. We've snuggled together on the sofa bed sometimes for days with blankets up to block off the LR from the rest of the house so we could stay warm. Still, they both seem pretty self-sufficient, and both love to camp and do trails. Strange.
...I'm a big fan of theater night, myself. It usually consists of a couple DVDs, along with some wine, cheese, and other nibbles... It's very relaxing and not nearly as expensive as a night out on the town.
Randy
There are many stories of families just having fun but coming up with million-dollar inventions together. So, brainstorming and creating prototype inventions is not only frugal, it's a potential million dollar business in the making! I wrote about this at http://shanelyang.com/2008/07/02/kids-ideas-make-millions%e2%80%94yours-...
I didn't know about trip advisor. We will check it out.
Kristen asked about the quality. It varies widely. Some of the newer ones are not bad, some of the older ones are fairly crude and basic. They are not swanky but some of the better ones have decent rooms and amenities. Some of them have indoor pools and such. We stayed in a nice one in Wisconsin, my hubby stayed in one on a business trip that he said he would never stay at again.
Probably the best way to get advice on individual locations is to go to Tripadvisor.com and see if the location your thinking about has reviews or room pics posted by people who stayed there.
Since we are trying to take a break from tenting every few days on our way down the coast, we might try to take advantage of this. Thanks, Linsey!
And Kristen, while it's been a while since I stayed at one, I don't remember them being too terrible. And if they now have internet, that's one of our main concerns. So, we'll definitely be looking into this.Wahoo! Affordable bedrest!!