I haven't tried any bagged meals recently, but I always keep cheese, tortillas, and spinach in my freezer so I can throw together an emergency quesadilla on a busy night. Mmm...emergency quesadilla.
Does anybody else have experiences -- good or bad -- with frozen meals?
I think the writer and a few of the readers have the wrong idea about consumption.
Really question some of the purchases you've always made and see if there is some way you can change them to waste the least before purchase.
For instance, you won't really get plastic bags if you bring your own reusable bag. There is no bag to 'find a reuse for or recycle' if you didn't waste in the first place.
Consider doing away with all of your paper towels and use kitchen towels and fabric napkins. The fanciest restaurants used fabric napkins, why can't you. Also, you will see an immediate cash savings when you stop literally throwing your money away on paper towel. I won't even mention the problems with this for the ecosystem.
You could get eggs in paper cartons (or from your farmer and get no carton at all - but a lot of people don't have this choice) and find a reuse and then add to the carton to your compost. Styrofoam doesn't recycle guys, do your research!
Yes, there are tons of reuses for shower curtains, but they can also be simply placed in the washing machine and be reused for YEARS.
Trash bags even. If you are composting all the food, recycling what paper, glass, cans you've reused to the end already, what are you really throwing away? At most meat leftovers (if you aren't making your own chicken broth w/chicken bones or your own beef or fish broth). I can go two to three months without changing my trash bag (no it doesn't smell b/c there's really nothing in there that can smell) and I'm still working to improve that b/c technically there is no such thing as trash. This will reduce your trash bill, what goes to the landfill, give you rich compost (or someone else if you live in a condo like me), and save you money on trash bags. A lot of people suggest not even using trash bags, if you have no liquids or anything thats majorly gross simply put it in the trash can and empty it into your curb can (unless laws prohibit you from tossing garbage straight in).
I think we've been doing things so long like we always have, that we don't really think about the waste we are creating. Even though we all have the best intentions when it comes to 'recycling' or 'changing a lightbulb' the big problem is still driving and waste. We could easily clean those two up with little effort if we put some thought into simply using and wasting less.
Remember it's REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE. RECYCLE is last.
I have done both. This time around, I bought used from a rental car company. The way I look at it, they have a lot of people driving the cars, but they have to be meticulous about the upkeep to ensure that they are safe. They also keep updating their inventory so it's possible to get a car that's relatively new for a decent price.
We bought a new car 5 yrs ago. We put down about 20-25% of the total price of the car as a down payment and took out a loan for the rest. We paid off the loan 1.5 yrs later. We bought a new car because we needed a reliable car and wanted a vehicle last us at least 15 years. We don't regret that decision on bit.
About 1.5 yrs ago we bought a used car and paid cash. We were able to get a reasonable deal on a car we really wanted that also had a high resale value. At the time we needed a second car desperately, but knew our circumstances might be changing within two years and we then might not need the car. Sure enough a year later we had an opportunity to move to a city with great public transportation. We waited until after we had settled in and adjusted to to life in a new city before decided we truly didn't need a second car and put it up for sale on craigslist. We sold the car last month for just slightly less than what we paid for it.
Used--about 6-8 years old, for cash (anywhere from $2K to $4k, tops) and run them until they have more problems than are worth fixing. This works for us because we know cars, don't base any of our sense of self on what we drive and have a trustworthy independent mechanic.
You are spot on, with all of your points. There is no loyalty from employers and wages are stagnating. Yet our bills are increasing, gas, food, retirement saving etc. It seems the only solution is to have multiple streams of income. Also, for me, it reduces stress to know that I am not relying on one person/company for my income. Also, when you are laid off, you may have to pay COBRA which is a major added expense. My side income would pay for that stretching our EF.
The Target store near my home has a new optical department. I bought my new glasses there (I brought my current prescription from my eye doctor), and saved 30% off the total bill by using my AAA card. Well worth it!
My first three cars were used. After having a nightmare of repairs with my last car, 1996 Kia Sophia, due to the previous owner wrecking it and not telling the dealership they traded it into. I decided if I could get a good deal on a new car I would get it. I bought a brand new 2008 Ford Focus at the end of that sales year when the Ford dealerships were marking down prices and got several discounts and rebates. I got a $17k car for $12k. Though I am still making payments, it is over half way paid off and is surprisingly not upside down. It gets great gas mileage (37 mpg on average), and since I am good with maintenance and take care of it it still drives and looks brand new. It depends on the situation for me and how much I can afford at the time as well as the future. Though at this rate, the Focus will easily last me 10 years.
I try and buy used, but more like pre-owned (few years old). I had an older used vehicle for many years that I paid 5k for and the headache wasn't worth the "savings". When people say "Buy used, under 10k pay cash" they're only considering "accounting" cost/savings. Economic cost puts used cars up there with the price of a newer vehicle.
Buy a few years old and then drive it for 10 years. Let someone else pay the depreciation.
I have always purchased late model used. However, for my next car I am very much considering new due to a purchasing agreement between a car manufacturer and a professional organization that I am a member of. I think it will be cheaper to buy new!
I have bought new cars in the past. I currently only buy used cars. Used cars are cheaper and keep their value longer. Buying a new car that loses a significant portion of the value when you drive away is not my idea of saving money.
I have had good luck buying used cars. No lemons or anything like that. Unless the car was totaled, my used cars have lasted more than seven years each.
Honestly, neither. I lease cars. And I'll be happy to tell you why.
The old adage about a new car losing so much value when you drive it off the lot? Entirely true. If you do a little Googling, you can find out how much that new car is going to be worth after two or three years.
When I lease a car, I'm paying less per month than I'd be paying if I bought the same car brand new. I'm driving it for the first few years of its life, and if any problems happen to show up, it's covered under the manufacturer's warranty. At the end of the lease, I can get another brand new car with all the same benefits that my last brand new car had. I'm not saddled with something that's going to be worth a fraction of what I paid new.
Downsides? You always have a car payment. Depending on what kind of car you want, though, that payment might not be much more than your cellphone bill.
Also, you can only do so much driving before you incur over-mileage charges. If most of your driving is local, though, I doubt you'll run into this issue.
Does this make sense for everyone? No, it doesn't. Does it make sense for me, though? Absolutely. Do your research before you walk into the dealer--leasing a car is a different animal than financing--and if it makes sense for you, go for it.
New. I tend to buy cars with low depreciation values and run up the miles on them. Thus, the new car warranty is worth something for me--my time is just as valuable as my money.
My husband's family and my family have always bought used cars with no problems. My husband's current car is a 1996 model; my own is a 1991, older than my baby sister!
I bought a new car right out of college and that was a huge mistake. Not that there is anything wrong with the car, but it just set me back financially. I could have gotten by with a used car without a problem, but I was young and stupid! My next purchase (I hope not for a long time) will be a used car that is only a few years old.
Love the house of horrors... but this post really made me want to eat Peeps 'cause I love 'em. Although - we did just use them to decorate a bird's nest cake for my sister-in-law's bird themed baby shower!
USED! without question.
I haven't tried any bagged meals recently, but I always keep cheese, tortillas, and spinach in my freezer so I can throw together an emergency quesadilla on a busy night. Mmm...emergency quesadilla.
Does anybody else have experiences -- good or bad -- with frozen meals?
I think the writer and a few of the readers have the wrong idea about consumption.
Really question some of the purchases you've always made and see if there is some way you can change them to waste the least before purchase.
For instance, you won't really get plastic bags if you bring your own reusable bag. There is no bag to 'find a reuse for or recycle' if you didn't waste in the first place.
Consider doing away with all of your paper towels and use kitchen towels and fabric napkins. The fanciest restaurants used fabric napkins, why can't you. Also, you will see an immediate cash savings when you stop literally throwing your money away on paper towel. I won't even mention the problems with this for the ecosystem.
You could get eggs in paper cartons (or from your farmer and get no carton at all - but a lot of people don't have this choice) and find a reuse and then add to the carton to your compost. Styrofoam doesn't recycle guys, do your research!
Yes, there are tons of reuses for shower curtains, but they can also be simply placed in the washing machine and be reused for YEARS.
Trash bags even. If you are composting all the food, recycling what paper, glass, cans you've reused to the end already, what are you really throwing away? At most meat leftovers (if you aren't making your own chicken broth w/chicken bones or your own beef or fish broth). I can go two to three months without changing my trash bag (no it doesn't smell b/c there's really nothing in there that can smell) and I'm still working to improve that b/c technically there is no such thing as trash. This will reduce your trash bill, what goes to the landfill, give you rich compost (or someone else if you live in a condo like me), and save you money on trash bags. A lot of people suggest not even using trash bags, if you have no liquids or anything thats majorly gross simply put it in the trash can and empty it into your curb can (unless laws prohibit you from tossing garbage straight in).
I think we've been doing things so long like we always have, that we don't really think about the waste we are creating. Even though we all have the best intentions when it comes to 'recycling' or 'changing a lightbulb' the big problem is still driving and waste. We could easily clean those two up with little effort if we put some thought into simply using and wasting less.
Remember it's REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE. RECYCLE is last.
1 new, 1 used. Probably used again next time.
I have done both. This time around, I bought used from a rental car company. The way I look at it, they have a lot of people driving the cars, but they have to be meticulous about the upkeep to ensure that they are safe. They also keep updating their inventory so it's possible to get a car that's relatively new for a decent price.
I just bought a used '08 Honda Fit this spring.
We have bought one new and one used car.
We bought a new car 5 yrs ago. We put down about 20-25% of the total price of the car as a down payment and took out a loan for the rest. We paid off the loan 1.5 yrs later. We bought a new car because we needed a reliable car and wanted a vehicle last us at least 15 years. We don't regret that decision on bit.
About 1.5 yrs ago we bought a used car and paid cash. We were able to get a reasonable deal on a car we really wanted that also had a high resale value. At the time we needed a second car desperately, but knew our circumstances might be changing within two years and we then might not need the car. Sure enough a year later we had an opportunity to move to a city with great public transportation. We waited until after we had settled in and adjusted to to life in a new city before decided we truly didn't need a second car and put it up for sale on craigslist. We sold the car last month for just slightly less than what we paid for it.
Used--about 6-8 years old, for cash (anywhere from $2K to $4k, tops) and run them until they have more problems than are worth fixing. This works for us because we know cars, don't base any of our sense of self on what we drive and have a trustworthy independent mechanic.
You are spot on, with all of your points. There is no loyalty from employers and wages are stagnating. Yet our bills are increasing, gas, food, retirement saving etc. It seems the only solution is to have multiple streams of income. Also, for me, it reduces stress to know that I am not relying on one person/company for my income. Also, when you are laid off, you may have to pay COBRA which is a major added expense. My side income would pay for that stretching our EF.
The Target store near my home has a new optical department. I bought my new glasses there (I brought my current prescription from my eye doctor), and saved 30% off the total bill by using my AAA card. Well worth it!
My first three cars were used. After having a nightmare of repairs with my last car, 1996 Kia Sophia, due to the previous owner wrecking it and not telling the dealership they traded it into. I decided if I could get a good deal on a new car I would get it. I bought a brand new 2008 Ford Focus at the end of that sales year when the Ford dealerships were marking down prices and got several discounts and rebates. I got a $17k car for $12k. Though I am still making payments, it is over half way paid off and is surprisingly not upside down. It gets great gas mileage (37 mpg on average), and since I am good with maintenance and take care of it it still drives and looks brand new. It depends on the situation for me and how much I can afford at the time as well as the future. Though at this rate, the Focus will easily last me 10 years.
Used, used, used. And I shop for a while, looking for pricing trends with the cars I like before taking the plunge.
I try and buy used, but more like pre-owned (few years old). I had an older used vehicle for many years that I paid 5k for and the headache wasn't worth the "savings". When people say "Buy used, under 10k pay cash" they're only considering "accounting" cost/savings. Economic cost puts used cars up there with the price of a newer vehicle.
Buy a few years old and then drive it for 10 years. Let someone else pay the depreciation.
I have always purchased late model used. However, for my next car I am very much considering new due to a purchasing agreement between a car manufacturer and a professional organization that I am a member of. I think it will be cheaper to buy new!
We buy new and then drive the cars into the ground. Hubbie's car has 240,000 miles and mine has 160,000...each over a decade old.
I'll buy used.
Slightly used to take away that immediate loss in value from driving it off the lot.
I'm trying to make this decision right now. Given the cars I am interested in (low deprecation) I am finding that it doesn't matter that much.
I have bought new cars in the past. I currently only buy used cars. Used cars are cheaper and keep their value longer. Buying a new car that loses a significant portion of the value when you drive away is not my idea of saving money.
I have had good luck buying used cars. No lemons or anything like that. Unless the car was totaled, my used cars have lasted more than seven years each.
And I also pay cash.
Honestly, neither. I lease cars. And I'll be happy to tell you why.
The old adage about a new car losing so much value when you drive it off the lot? Entirely true. If you do a little Googling, you can find out how much that new car is going to be worth after two or three years.
When I lease a car, I'm paying less per month than I'd be paying if I bought the same car brand new. I'm driving it for the first few years of its life, and if any problems happen to show up, it's covered under the manufacturer's warranty. At the end of the lease, I can get another brand new car with all the same benefits that my last brand new car had. I'm not saddled with something that's going to be worth a fraction of what I paid new.
Downsides? You always have a car payment. Depending on what kind of car you want, though, that payment might not be much more than your cellphone bill.
Also, you can only do so much driving before you incur over-mileage charges. If most of your driving is local, though, I doubt you'll run into this issue.
Does this make sense for everyone? No, it doesn't. Does it make sense for me, though? Absolutely. Do your research before you walk into the dealer--leasing a car is a different animal than financing--and if it makes sense for you, go for it.
New. I tend to buy cars with low depreciation values and run up the miles on them. Thus, the new car warranty is worth something for me--my time is just as valuable as my money.
I always use my refund to bulk up my emergency fund.
My husband's family and my family have always bought used cars with no problems. My husband's current car is a 1996 model; my own is a 1991, older than my baby sister!
I bought a new car right out of college and that was a huge mistake. Not that there is anything wrong with the car, but it just set me back financially. I could have gotten by with a used car without a problem, but I was young and stupid! My next purchase (I hope not for a long time) will be a used car that is only a few years old.
Love the house of horrors... but this post really made me want to eat Peeps 'cause I love 'em. Although - we did just use them to decorate a bird's nest cake for my sister-in-law's bird themed baby shower!