V-Day is much too commercial...but that doesn't stop my sweetie and me from celebrating in non-commercial ways. We just ignore the pressure to buy a Hallmark card or overpriced flowers or red boxer shorts with white hearts on them. Instead, we write lovely thoughts to each other. Or he paints me a picture. Or we cook a nice dinner together. Oh yes, there's definitely kissing too.
When I no longer want or need an item, I start with my circle of friends and acquaintances to see if one of them wants to give the item a new home. For a lower value item, it goes to a local thrift store. For furniture, I contact a local consignment store who will pick up the item and sell it for me. I get a percentage, and if it doesn't sell, they'll deliver it to the thrift store for me. I get the tax deduction but don't have to throw out my back moving a large item.
I splurge on sushi! And fresh local fruit. And books. I'm working on making my own sushi more often, buying at farmers markets, and I do use the library more now. But I still like to spend money on authors I love.
Local for me is Sonoma & Napa CA, so that dressmaker probably wouldn't work for you (her shop in Napa is Betty Girl Boutiqu). I think if you found someone who can sew and likes repurposing materials, you'd be good to go. Not only is new fabric expensive, it's just not as well made. Vintage satin feels so much nicer & heavier. FWIW, I also found myself leaning towards a champagne colored dress, even though I'd always pictured myself in color!
My plans for Superbowl Sunday include baking treats and (finally) watching the new episode of Glee. This made me LOL. You are awesome. Will you be my sassy gay friend?
My friend and I've been cleaning home professionally for almost two years now. All along we've been using natural or "naturally sourced" products. Several months back we discovered Dr. Bronner's Sal Suds and have never looked back. Awesome! Mirrors, sinks & faucets, showers & tubs, tile, linoleum, wood floors of all finishes... everything comes shiny clean with Sal Suds! We love it.
My husband and I have recently been faced with closing our credit card accounts and going to a cash basis. We do have debit cards but find it easier to budget and work with cash only. In addition to a small amount of money hidden at the house we also each carry $40 emergency cash hidden in our wallets. This helps with buying gas or groceries when something unexpected comes up. Each week when we get our cash for groceries and our allowance we replenish that first if needed, then use the balance of the remaining money to purchase what we need.
I honestly can say that I don't splurge on anything. This poor economy has taught me much about saving, spending, and living a frugal life. All large purchases are saved up for and small purchases are weighed as to how much of a priority it is and money available at that time.
Before my turn into a Frugalista, I was a big shopper. Take a day and go shopping. I look back at it now and wonder who that person was. Crazy!
I was expecting an actual plan, not a way to invest your hug efund. A plan to me would be In Case of Medical Emergency Steps 1-5, In Case of Unemployment Steps 1-5, etc. a set of plans for various cases could be much more useful than just having a bunch of money available in different vehicles.
@Steve - I've had such varied responses with making yoghurt, but you're absolutely right....your strategy should work like a charm. Maybe I'll give it another shot!
@Ayngelina - Yes, somehow it's a little easier to be vulnerable from the safety of being behind a screen than it is to do so in the physical company of others. But it's certainly a start...and I've practiced exposing my own vulnerabilities - both online and in person.
Why did payroll tax for govt. workers go up? I am a state govt. employee and my federal withholding went up. Add to that the fact that I work for Illinois and they too raised my taxes. I've lost about a hundred dollars a month from my paycheck.
Psst...you social security check can not be garnished for student loans. I know cause my husband has had an outstanding student loan and they can not take any.
I am terrible at cleaning. :(
The Mrs. is in charge of that department. I try to help a bit here and there, but I'm just not very useful. I have other chores instead.
Oh, and another suggestion: marry a foreigner who thinks that "soccer" is "the real football" and live in a city where everyone pretends to be European (Seattle).
I will use it to make the final payment on my car! Then I will be debt free except for my house. Dave Ramsey will be so pleased!
V-Day is much too commercial...but that doesn't stop my sweetie and me from celebrating in non-commercial ways. We just ignore the pressure to buy a Hallmark card or overpriced flowers or red boxer shorts with white hearts on them. Instead, we write lovely thoughts to each other. Or he paints me a picture. Or we cook a nice dinner together. Oh yes, there's definitely kissing too.
When I no longer want or need an item, I start with my circle of friends and acquaintances to see if one of them wants to give the item a new home. For a lower value item, it goes to a local thrift store. For furniture, I contact a local consignment store who will pick up the item and sell it for me. I get a percentage, and if it doesn't sell, they'll deliver it to the thrift store for me. I get the tax deduction but don't have to throw out my back moving a large item.
I splurge on sushi! And fresh local fruit. And books. I'm working on making my own sushi more often, buying at farmers markets, and I do use the library more now. But I still like to spend money on authors I love.
Local for me is Sonoma & Napa CA, so that dressmaker probably wouldn't work for you (her shop in Napa is Betty Girl Boutiqu). I think if you found someone who can sew and likes repurposing materials, you'd be good to go. Not only is new fabric expensive, it's just not as well made. Vintage satin feels so much nicer & heavier. FWIW, I also found myself leaning towards a champagne colored dress, even though I'd always pictured myself in color!
Haircuts and highlights. It's so worth paying my hair stylist to make me look good.
My plans for Superbowl Sunday include baking treats and (finally) watching the new episode of Glee. This made me LOL. You are awesome. Will you be my sassy gay friend?
My friend and I've been cleaning home professionally for almost two years now. All along we've been using natural or "naturally sourced" products. Several months back we discovered Dr. Bronner's Sal Suds and have never looked back. Awesome! Mirrors, sinks & faucets, showers & tubs, tile, linoleum, wood floors of all finishes... everything comes shiny clean with Sal Suds! We love it.
Sounds like the perfect way to go about it! White Vinegar rocks!!!
Still, I wish I could afford a monthly house cleaner... Oh well...
My husband and I have recently been faced with closing our credit card accounts and going to a cash basis. We do have debit cards but find it easier to budget and work with cash only. In addition to a small amount of money hidden at the house we also each carry $40 emergency cash hidden in our wallets. This helps with buying gas or groceries when something unexpected comes up. Each week when we get our cash for groceries and our allowance we replenish that first if needed, then use the balance of the remaining money to purchase what we need.
It works for us.
Love that idea. Especially if he looks like Beckham.
I honestly can say that I don't splurge on anything. This poor economy has taught me much about saving, spending, and living a frugal life. All large purchases are saved up for and small purchases are weighed as to how much of a priority it is and money available at that time.
Before my turn into a Frugalista, I was a big shopper. Take a day and go shopping. I look back at it now and wonder who that person was. Crazy!
I find that I tend to splurge on Japanese food. I try to wait until the last paycheck of the month but that doesn't always work.
I am right there with you Stefanie!
I was expecting an actual plan, not a way to invest your hug efund. A plan to me would be In Case of Medical Emergency Steps 1-5, In Case of Unemployment Steps 1-5, etc. a set of plans for various cases could be much more useful than just having a bunch of money available in different vehicles.
@Steve - I've had such varied responses with making yoghurt, but you're absolutely right....your strategy should work like a charm. Maybe I'll give it another shot!
@Ayngelina - Yes, somehow it's a little easier to be vulnerable from the safety of being behind a screen than it is to do so in the physical company of others. But it's certainly a start...and I've practiced exposing my own vulnerabilities - both online and in person.
I splurge on clothes that I want or need that are on sale or on clearance - so I can indulge without going too far off budget!
Mostly coffee and makeup—small indulgences help me save in the long run.
Why did payroll tax for govt. workers go up? I am a state govt. employee and my federal withholding went up. Add to that the fact that I work for Illinois and they too raised my taxes. I've lost about a hundred dollars a month from my paycheck.
Psst...you social security check can not be garnished for student loans. I know cause my husband has had an outstanding student loan and they can not take any.
I am terrible at cleaning. :(
The Mrs. is in charge of that department. I try to help a bit here and there, but I'm just not very useful. I have other chores instead.
I stopped listening to them when they were on vinyl.
I got a coupon (actually a promo code) for following a company on Twitter. The code came in a Direct Message.
Oh, and another suggestion: marry a foreigner who thinks that "soccer" is "the real football" and live in a city where everyone pretends to be European (Seattle).