Love this article & that you addressed the costs of being at home more... often overlooked. We have three young kids (whom we're planning to home school), I work from home, and we eat/entertain at home 90% of the time. Craigslist has definitely been my friend for good-quality used stuff, and I've found several ways to cut down our grocery bills as well... The utilities, that's a tough one. Old house, inefficient windows, baseboard heaters... our huge fireplace helped a lot this winter.
Still worth it to be home!
Great article -- a good friend of mine who had a small space in Brooklyn, hung antique folding chairs on his wall to store them conveniently and create functional art. Getting creative and looking at our objects in a different light is essential.
I appreciate your comment, but your argument may just prove my point, albeit in a slightly different way. The greeting at the door is partly artifice -- if not to up the sales, the to prevent shoplifting. The 'hello' then becomes a falsification for 'please don't steal anything.' Admittedly, this article is a tongue-in-cheek look at retail environments and each store is different. Thanks for your feedback.
good article! I actually agree with purchasing refurbished with lots of items... thats how I bought my hedge trimmer and edger... I wouldve bought my lawnmower like that as well except a family member gave me one. some things are just gonna get beat up and used up anyways, no need to pay the premium just to be the first to use it.
I wrote a similar article on my blog about smart spending!
kegging is a good option, but bottling does have a few advantages:
1. portability - a lot easier to bring a six-pack of homebrew to your friend's house
2. less space - as you drink bottles, they can go away. Kegs stay the same size.
3. less cleaning - the lines, connectors and kegs accumulate residue that can harbor bacteria. Rinse the bottle when it's empty, store for the next batch, sanitize, fill, cap, repeat.
4. no refrigeration - you can pop a few bottles on ice as needed, no need to run a kegerator in the basement.
5. expense - bottles come free with every purchase of beer!
I'll do either depending on my plans for the beer (keep or give away) and how many kegs or bottles are around at a given moment.
Buying refurbished is one of my major tenants of electronics shopping -- I currently use a refurbished iPod Shuffle that has lasted longer than the one I bought new (then again, that one was part of the "notoriously buggy" first generation).
"All the other stuff you're whining about (shoddy merchandise, donation requests, surveys, i.e. "bounce-back coupons") are increasingly becoming more common because more people are choosing to shop online. Get used to it."
Most of mine come from TJ Maxx (so, random brands), but I have a few from Gap that have held up nicely. I wash them every few times I wear them (usually in one of those mesh bags for washing delicates), and only throw them in the dryer for about 15 minutes before laying them flat to dry. That seems to keep them looking nicer longer.
Cardigans are an invaluable part of a good wardrobe, that's for sure. I always have trouble keeping mine looking nice, though. Do you have any brand or care recommendations? The ones I buy at Macy's always end up looking terrible after a couple of washes.
One of my little tricks: cute cardigans in great colors or with some fancy embellishments or other details. Throw one over a simple t-shirt or cami and a nice pair of pants or jeans, and you instantly look pulled together. And in my mind, a cardigan will never go out of style!
Great way to look at it. I had a job in 2006 that was demoralizing and a low point in my career. Despite my best efforts, eventually I was let go and jobless. Bad luck, right? I ended up randomly getting in touch with someone I had worked with a couple of years before and he put me in touch with people he was working with. I got hired and got involved with the one of the best employers and by far some of most enjoyable work I've ever done, so now I thank my lucky stars every day for having lost that job!
For me - YES! I want to teach and the only way to do so is with a degree. I will have it next year and can't wait. I'll, then, have four years to get my Master's. It's required in my area, but I really don't think that this second degree it worth what it's going to cost me - I won't get a raise after obtaining the second degree, just the ability to keep my job.
The credit card calculators rock. Seeing those illustrations either online, doing your own calculations, or getting that info from the credit card company is eye-opening. One of the first personal finance conversations I had with friends when I started working was the high cost of cc debt; once we realized the cost, we curbed spending -- even if we didn't yet have furnishings for our apartments or the right clothing for work.
One thing I'll mention about the "0%" or low-interest teaser offers is that most of them have an upfront fee attached. So, in order to get the 0% rate for a year or 18 months or whatever, you pay 3% or 6% now -- read the fine print to see what your offer says. Looking at the link to the balance transfer site, it looks like this charge is called the "balance transfer fee"; generally it is a % but it may be a flat charge.
I don't think the education is worth the expense; these days, there's a lot you can learn online for free. It's just the piece of paper (degree) that you're really paying for, and that's because so many employers these days REQUIRE at least a Bachelor's degree. I was able to get an excellent job without a degree, mainly because I proved that I have the required skills and experience, but also because I'm young and still in school PURSUING that degree that they want me to have. I'm a Computer Science major; programming languages are learned for free at home every day, so there's no logical reason for me to pay thousands of dollars for someone to teach me. It's all about the degree.
One of my mom's treats for me when I was growing up was "healthy soda" -- half orange juice, half sparkling water. At the time I considered it the poorest of excuses for Sunkist, but now the mix is one of my favorite drinks -- OJ is too sweet on its own.
I'll admit to checking my email more often than I should, but my biggest communication success was to stop logging into AIM and Google Chat. I know too many people who don't understand that an away message that says "Working" means I am actually working.
See, Mikey, I'm from New England stock. I say it's blasphemy to eat lobster in any way but from the shell, but crab is fair game for whatever (you probably don't want me to start in on my affinity for crab nachos...).
I will certainly never refuse an offer for free crab dip, though.
I think that an individual will reap the benefits of going to college if it is coupled with real work experience, as well as a strong knowledge of and interest in going into a specific line of work.
I went to school to earn a BA in Communication because I had a desire to get a MA and use my degrees to teach at a university (it is a requirement). While I attended school, I worked in various fields including Accounting and Business. While I was in school, I got a great job, but it was specifically based off of my work experience. However, in order to move up and become a director, it is a requirement to have a degree, the subject matter does not matter, they just require that you have a BA in something.
Personally, I feel that my degree is and will be useless until I decide to get a MA and go into a specialized field (teaching). As I move up in the business sector, I'm leaning more and more towards going back to school to get a degree in Business because it provides me with specialized knowledge that I cant get strictly from work experience. Hence the reason why I feel that a degree doesnt provide any real world benefits until you're almost certain of which direction you are heading in.
I agree, pairing an education with work experience is extremely beneficial.
You are welcome!
Interestingly enough, I like our town's tap water (cold), but I hate bottled water. To me, it has a really bitter aftertaste.
Love this article & that you addressed the costs of being at home more... often overlooked. We have three young kids (whom we're planning to home school), I work from home, and we eat/entertain at home 90% of the time. Craigslist has definitely been my friend for good-quality used stuff, and I've found several ways to cut down our grocery bills as well... The utilities, that's a tough one. Old house, inefficient windows, baseboard heaters... our huge fireplace helped a lot this winter.
Still worth it to be home!
"It’s the one food eaten by people of every race, culture, or religion. "
...except for the millions of people with celiac disease.
Great article -- a good friend of mine who had a small space in Brooklyn, hung antique folding chairs on his wall to store them conveniently and create functional art. Getting creative and looking at our objects in a different light is essential.
I appreciate your comment, but your argument may just prove my point, albeit in a slightly different way. The greeting at the door is partly artifice -- if not to up the sales, the to prevent shoplifting. The 'hello' then becomes a falsification for 'please don't steal anything.' Admittedly, this article is a tongue-in-cheek look at retail environments and each store is different. Thanks for your feedback.
good article! I actually agree with purchasing refurbished with lots of items... thats how I bought my hedge trimmer and edger... I wouldve bought my lawnmower like that as well except a family member gave me one. some things are just gonna get beat up and used up anyways, no need to pay the premium just to be the first to use it.
I wrote a similar article on my blog about smart spending!
www.moneyistheroot.com
Thanks for the mention!
kegging is a good option, but bottling does have a few advantages:
1. portability - a lot easier to bring a six-pack of homebrew to your friend's house
2. less space - as you drink bottles, they can go away. Kegs stay the same size.
3. less cleaning - the lines, connectors and kegs accumulate residue that can harbor bacteria. Rinse the bottle when it's empty, store for the next batch, sanitize, fill, cap, repeat.
4. no refrigeration - you can pop a few bottles on ice as needed, no need to run a kegerator in the basement.
5. expense - bottles come free with every purchase of beer!
I'll do either depending on my plans for the beer (keep or give away) and how many kegs or bottles are around at a given moment.
Buying refurbished is one of my major tenants of electronics shopping -- I currently use a refurbished iPod Shuffle that has lasted longer than the one I bought new (then again, that one was part of the "notoriously buggy" first generation).
"All the other stuff you're whining about (shoddy merchandise, donation requests, surveys, i.e. "bounce-back coupons") are increasingly becoming more common because more people are choosing to shop online. Get used to it."
I think you have the causality backwards there.
Love, love the personal good luck/bad luck story. I will look at circumstances in a different way from now on. Thank you for sharing.
Most of mine come from TJ Maxx (so, random brands), but I have a few from Gap that have held up nicely. I wash them every few times I wear them (usually in one of those mesh bags for washing delicates), and only throw them in the dryer for about 15 minutes before laying them flat to dry. That seems to keep them looking nicer longer.
Cardigans are an invaluable part of a good wardrobe, that's for sure. I always have trouble keeping mine looking nice, though. Do you have any brand or care recommendations? The ones I buy at Macy's always end up looking terrible after a couple of washes.
One of my little tricks: cute cardigans in great colors or with some fancy embellishments or other details. Throw one over a simple t-shirt or cami and a nice pair of pants or jeans, and you instantly look pulled together. And in my mind, a cardigan will never go out of style!
Great way to look at it. I had a job in 2006 that was demoralizing and a low point in my career. Despite my best efforts, eventually I was let go and jobless. Bad luck, right? I ended up randomly getting in touch with someone I had worked with a couple of years before and he put me in touch with people he was working with. I got hired and got involved with the one of the best employers and by far some of most enjoyable work I've ever done, so now I thank my lucky stars every day for having lost that job!
For me - YES! I want to teach and the only way to do so is with a degree. I will have it next year and can't wait. I'll, then, have four years to get my Master's. It's required in my area, but I really don't think that this second degree it worth what it's going to cost me - I won't get a raise after obtaining the second degree, just the ability to keep my job.
The credit card calculators rock. Seeing those illustrations either online, doing your own calculations, or getting that info from the credit card company is eye-opening. One of the first personal finance conversations I had with friends when I started working was the high cost of cc debt; once we realized the cost, we curbed spending -- even if we didn't yet have furnishings for our apartments or the right clothing for work.
One thing I'll mention about the "0%" or low-interest teaser offers is that most of them have an upfront fee attached. So, in order to get the 0% rate for a year or 18 months or whatever, you pay 3% or 6% now -- read the fine print to see what your offer says. Looking at the link to the balance transfer site, it looks like this charge is called the "balance transfer fee"; generally it is a % but it may be a flat charge.
I don't think the education is worth the expense; these days, there's a lot you can learn online for free. It's just the piece of paper (degree) that you're really paying for, and that's because so many employers these days REQUIRE at least a Bachelor's degree. I was able to get an excellent job without a degree, mainly because I proved that I have the required skills and experience, but also because I'm young and still in school PURSUING that degree that they want me to have. I'm a Computer Science major; programming languages are learned for free at home every day, so there's no logical reason for me to pay thousands of dollars for someone to teach me. It's all about the degree.
Guest
Yes. It would be similar to moonshine. But a little cleaner. Make sure you pick a good yeast. One that can go up a little higher on the gravity.
One of my mom's treats for me when I was growing up was "healthy soda" -- half orange juice, half sparkling water. At the time I considered it the poorest of excuses for Sunkist, but now the mix is one of my favorite drinks -- OJ is too sweet on its own.
I'll admit to checking my email more often than I should, but my biggest communication success was to stop logging into AIM and Google Chat. I know too many people who don't understand that an away message that says "Working" means I am actually working.
See, Mikey, I'm from New England stock. I say it's blasphemy to eat lobster in any way but from the shell, but crab is fair game for whatever (you probably don't want me to start in on my affinity for crab nachos...).
I will certainly never refuse an offer for free crab dip, though.
I think that an individual will reap the benefits of going to college if it is coupled with real work experience, as well as a strong knowledge of and interest in going into a specific line of work.
I went to school to earn a BA in Communication because I had a desire to get a MA and use my degrees to teach at a university (it is a requirement). While I attended school, I worked in various fields including Accounting and Business. While I was in school, I got a great job, but it was specifically based off of my work experience. However, in order to move up and become a director, it is a requirement to have a degree, the subject matter does not matter, they just require that you have a BA in something.
Personally, I feel that my degree is and will be useless until I decide to get a MA and go into a specialized field (teaching). As I move up in the business sector, I'm leaning more and more towards going back to school to get a degree in Business because it provides me with specialized knowledge that I cant get strictly from work experience. Hence the reason why I feel that a degree doesnt provide any real world benefits until you're almost certain of which direction you are heading in.