I love foods that have Spanish roots, in part because they are often less expensive to make, but also because they taste so good! I have fond memories of Cuban cuisine, as I have relatives in Florida and anytime we would visit, we would make a point of trying some authentic Cuban Food. I have yet to make any yet and you provide some really good starting places.
You got mine in the photo - I've always loved really "fine" fountain pens. That said, I don't own a Mont Blanc, but I do have a few really lovely Waterman's, and a few unique pens found at estate sales and on ebay, and it's also made for some easy gifts for family to get me - even if the pens are expensive, the ink in various wonderful colors is usually not too pricey. And pens are small so they haven't taken over more than 1/4 of a desk drawer vs. some of my husband's luxury hobbies that take up our entire garage :)
Interesting; glad to see some fresh sites I'd never heard of before. For people with time on their hands, the internet sure has enabled new income opportunities that never existed before!
These were some enjoyable and enlightening facts. Taxes are such a controversial topic in our society. People want government services, security and opportunities, but they will forever complain about their tax burden.
Our luxury eccentricity is espresso. We have a mid-range DeLonghi espresso machine and a burr grinder. I usually buy eight-o-clock beans or whatever is cheap, but it still tastes miles and miles better than drip coffee.
Rent! It's our only big expense. I just signed up on Airbnb.com to rent out our spare bedroom like a bed and breakfast. I made $200 this week having a guest stay in the little used room.
Ok.. I think you took me over the edge of vowing never to try Cuban food. I don't know why I assumed that it would be too spicy for my tastes, but with these recipes, I could definitely tweak them a bit to fit my needs and the needs of my kids. (Hubby, of course, would LOVE them a bit more en fuego.) Thanks!
I did pay cash for my home. The degree of mental comfort it gives me is far greater than any downside. I did keep a cash reserve of about 2/3 of our annual income. Also I do not have credit card, automobile or any other type of debt. I bought a small cottage. My real estate taxes and homeowners insurance runs me about $150 a month. Because the house is small my utilites are about $100 a month. I do have a cable, phone and internet bill that runs me $140. Car insurance $89. Imagine what life is like when all of your monthly expenses total less than $500 a month.
I appreciate the idea, and I think it's important for people to indulge in some treats now and then, and not be TOO tight-fisted, but in general I disagree with pursuing a "luxury eccentricity" so that others feel more comfortable.
I am doing everything I can to get rid of debt, including crashing with family for 3 years, so I can get rid of my student loans (almost done!!). I have reached the point where I do not care what others think about how I use my money. If they really care about what I do, I am happy to invite them to pay off the rest of my loans. Even a few dollars here and there adds up; why care what others think? Pursue your own goals.
Three additional tips from traveling including several trips overseas to Europe and Austalia:
1. Always set watch to destination time as soon as the plane takes off.
2. Never look at the Flight Tracker, particularly with longer overseas flights
3. For the suggestion on noise cancelling headphones, get the earbud-style as many airlines will allow one to keep earbud-style headphones on during take-off and landing if plugged into their sound system.
My biggest item is FOOD. We are always EATING at my house, and most of the bills we have are small, but Food is not. I know that there are coupons or something, but honestly, we do not use them here...
Health Insurance! My husband works for a small company. His insurance premium (for a family plan that includes myself and our son) costs $300 per week! It has a $3000 per person deductible. He just had cataract surgery this week and it has already cost us $5000 out of pocket (so you can see how worthless our insurance coverage is). Help. We are soon going to have to pay to go to work just to cover our medical insurance. And his employer pays half of the premiums! Who is making this big money???
We've found people have a hard enough time timing the more manageable events. A good start maybe checking on renewal rates for car insurance, staying on track of mortgage deals, and keeping savings accounts up to date. However, it is good knowing these other opportunities exist!
My mortgage (including significant extra principal payment) is definitely my biggest expense. After that, charitable giving. Then food and consumables, utilities, insurance...the list goes on.
I'm to the point where it doesn't make a lot of sense to refinance my mortage (have a good interest rate already and paying more principal than interest each month). I'm actually looking at increasing my charitable giving this year, as I mostly give to individuals rather than larger causes and I know that, due to the economy, a number of those I support are running a monthly deficit.
Our biggest expenses would have to be property taxes, daycare and utilities as we have no mortgage or car payments. I am not sure how to reduce any of those as the taxes are given... the daycare is a must if we want to work as we have no family to look after the kids and we are already pretty frugal with our utility usage.
By far, rent is my biggest budget item. I live in a one-room apartment in a rent-stabilized building in Brooklyn NYC, but rent still takes a little more than a third of my take-home pay. After that, probably food for me and my dog (who requires a prescription veterinary diet). I also have rather steep annual medical expenses due to chronic vision and hearing problems. I am frugal and I make it work, but I'm learning that the more I know about money the better life can be. Money = time and energy!
We have no control over our housing as it comes as part of the pay "package". But at the government's calculation (for tax purposes), it outstrips every other expense. About 30% of the whole. That aside, last year out of pocket medical expenses came in second at 18%. Hopefully not to be repeated, it did a number on our savings. Everything else is rather modest.
Student loans!
I love foods that have Spanish roots, in part because they are often less expensive to make, but also because they taste so good! I have fond memories of Cuban cuisine, as I have relatives in Florida and anytime we would visit, we would make a point of trying some authentic Cuban Food. I have yet to make any yet and you provide some really good starting places.
You got mine in the photo - I've always loved really "fine" fountain pens. That said, I don't own a Mont Blanc, but I do have a few really lovely Waterman's, and a few unique pens found at estate sales and on ebay, and it's also made for some easy gifts for family to get me - even if the pens are expensive, the ink in various wonderful colors is usually not too pricey. And pens are small so they haven't taken over more than 1/4 of a desk drawer vs. some of my husband's luxury hobbies that take up our entire garage :)
Interesting; glad to see some fresh sites I'd never heard of before. For people with time on their hands, the internet sure has enabled new income opportunities that never existed before!
These were some enjoyable and enlightening facts. Taxes are such a controversial topic in our society. People want government services, security and opportunities, but they will forever complain about their tax burden.
Housing, definitely! Apartment prices in Manhattan are absurd.
"veggie thin crust"
I don't think we can be friends anymore Amy.
Our luxury eccentricity is espresso. We have a mid-range DeLonghi espresso machine and a burr grinder. I usually buy eight-o-clock beans or whatever is cheap, but it still tastes miles and miles better than drip coffee.
Rent! It's our only big expense. I just signed up on Airbnb.com to rent out our spare bedroom like a bed and breakfast. I made $200 this week having a guest stay in the little used room.
Mine is that I firmly believe that life is too short to drink cheap beer.
Thanks Josh and others... while I've never actually "punched anyone in the mouth" I have my days...
As long as we can encourage each other in truth, the personal finance community will remain strong. Bless you, guys ;)
Ok.. I think you took me over the edge of vowing never to try Cuban food. I don't know why I assumed that it would be too spicy for my tastes, but with these recipes, I could definitely tweak them a bit to fit my needs and the needs of my kids. (Hubby, of course, would LOVE them a bit more en fuego.) Thanks!
I did pay cash for my home. The degree of mental comfort it gives me is far greater than any downside. I did keep a cash reserve of about 2/3 of our annual income. Also I do not have credit card, automobile or any other type of debt. I bought a small cottage. My real estate taxes and homeowners insurance runs me about $150 a month. Because the house is small my utilites are about $100 a month. I do have a cable, phone and internet bill that runs me $140. Car insurance $89. Imagine what life is like when all of your monthly expenses total less than $500 a month.
I appreciate the idea, and I think it's important for people to indulge in some treats now and then, and not be TOO tight-fisted, but in general I disagree with pursuing a "luxury eccentricity" so that others feel more comfortable.
I am doing everything I can to get rid of debt, including crashing with family for 3 years, so I can get rid of my student loans (almost done!!). I have reached the point where I do not care what others think about how I use my money. If they really care about what I do, I am happy to invite them to pay off the rest of my loans. Even a few dollars here and there adds up; why care what others think? Pursue your own goals.
From today's New York Times:
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/26/business/26milk.html?src=me&ref=business
Seems to rebut your premise re antibiotics.
Housing
Three additional tips from traveling including several trips overseas to Europe and Austalia:
1. Always set watch to destination time as soon as the plane takes off.
2. Never look at the Flight Tracker, particularly with longer overseas flights
3. For the suggestion on noise cancelling headphones, get the earbud-style as many airlines will allow one to keep earbud-style headphones on during take-off and landing if plugged into their sound system.
My biggest item is FOOD. We are always EATING at my house, and most of the bills we have are small, but Food is not. I know that there are coupons or something, but honestly, we do not use them here...
Health Insurance! My husband works for a small company. His insurance premium (for a family plan that includes myself and our son) costs $300 per week! It has a $3000 per person deductible. He just had cataract surgery this week and it has already cost us $5000 out of pocket (so you can see how worthless our insurance coverage is). Help. We are soon going to have to pay to go to work just to cover our medical insurance. And his employer pays half of the premiums! Who is making this big money???
We've found people have a hard enough time timing the more manageable events. A good start maybe checking on renewal rates for car insurance, staying on track of mortgage deals, and keeping savings accounts up to date. However, it is good knowing these other opportunities exist!
Since I'm currently living with family members rent-free, groceries and debt repayment are my biggest expenses.
My mortgage (including significant extra principal payment) is definitely my biggest expense. After that, charitable giving. Then food and consumables, utilities, insurance...the list goes on.
I'm to the point where it doesn't make a lot of sense to refinance my mortage (have a good interest rate already and paying more principal than interest each month). I'm actually looking at increasing my charitable giving this year, as I mostly give to individuals rather than larger causes and I know that, due to the economy, a number of those I support are running a monthly deficit.
Our biggest expenses would have to be property taxes, daycare and utilities as we have no mortgage or car payments. I am not sure how to reduce any of those as the taxes are given... the daycare is a must if we want to work as we have no family to look after the kids and we are already pretty frugal with our utility usage.
By far, rent is my biggest budget item. I live in a one-room apartment in a rent-stabilized building in Brooklyn NYC, but rent still takes a little more than a third of my take-home pay. After that, probably food for me and my dog (who requires a prescription veterinary diet). I also have rather steep annual medical expenses due to chronic vision and hearing problems. I am frugal and I make it work, but I'm learning that the more I know about money the better life can be. Money = time and energy!
We have no control over our housing as it comes as part of the pay "package". But at the government's calculation (for tax purposes), it outstrips every other expense. About 30% of the whole. That aside, last year out of pocket medical expenses came in second at 18%. Hopefully not to be repeated, it did a number on our savings. Everything else is rather modest.