i havnt written a check in years. Okay, one or two for taxes to avoid online fees, but online banking saves so much money on the wallet! If my bank wants to pay for postage, who am i to stop them :-)
Retail IS labor intensive epecially in corporate and understaffed companies. I've worked retail and tile/home construction and personally, I'd choose the latter over retail labor anyday! Just because you don't see what they do, doesn't mean they don't do it. Somehow, the generally public has come to the conclusion that lower status, poor-paying jobs which require little education are somehow easier and those individuals don't deserve to feed themselves and their famillies. This is a gross misconception and requires exploration on the part of the offender.
Using a system like nutrisystem is NOT A PROPER way to lose weight... Temporary solutions ultimately lead to gaining back all that weight you worked so hard to lose. Change your eating habits and EAT MORE AND LEAN, not less... By eating less, you force yourself into "starvation mode" which retains fat... Eating more and eating lean kicks starvation mode, and when you dont exercise, the weight doent pile on...
I went 2 months without working out and only gained back 7 lbs of the 30+ i lost because i learned how to eat... And trust me, my weight is normally a roller coaster...
So throw away premade chemical filled crap and hit the grocery store. Learn how to freeze food. Learn quick and healthy meals. Learn to EAT BREAKFAST!!! (6 egg whites with some veggies in a nonstick pan will cook in about 5 minutes, thats the same amoutn of time as sitting in line at dunkin donuts!) And finally, learn that leftovers are okay! you can make a whole different meal with leftovers...
So, Nutrisystem as a temporary solution HELL NO! Gradually change your lifestyle now... You know better... And say to yourself "A healthy person does this. A healthy person would do that. I am a healthy person."
It's simple. Many many vendors continue to ONLY accept checks (some wont even accept cash!). Only reason I keep checks. Otherwise its all electronic bill pay, credit cards (with better credit protection), or good old 'merican cach.
Stick to the basics. Chances are you are not going to need this stuff for a long time. When you do need it, you need it to work. Candy that has sat for 6 years --- probably not such a good thing. Also, by keeping it simple, you are more likely to refresh your supplies on an annual basis.
Finally, dont forget about your pets - both in terms of supplies - and what your plans are if you have to bug out.
Over here in Europe they've been check-free for years! Most don't even use credit cards, just a debit card w/a PIN that you can use at almost any store. The rest of the bills are paid via computer at home. We get a special little thing that looks like a calculator...put in a PIN code and a unique transaction code pops up that you can use for only one transaction (and next time you use it, another unique code pops up)...it's not enough to use your user name and password to access your online account...you need this little calculator thing too.
Most Europeans also have credit cards with a PIN. I heard the USA is behind in this technology, because it would cost millions of dollars to upgrade their systems to do this....but then again, aren't they already losing MILLIONS by all the fraud???? If a European loses his credit card, the thief would still need the PIN to access it.
Having spent 6 months in Europe post-college, I can hereby affirm that these methods are still well in effect across the pond. The one thing I'm curious about the parental attitudes...healthcare?
I love this article almost as much as I love eggs. I use them for weight loss. Hard boiled, they make a great snack that satisfies hunger and are very low in calories. LOVE this article. My obsession with eggs is complete. ;)
A vest adds a lot to a boy's outfit, making the dress-shirt-and-slacks combo suitable for a wedding or other special occasion. I always pick these up when I see them for a few dollars at a thrift store. They look especially adorable on little boys. When my boys wear vests to services, they always get complements from the old ladies :-). A vest costs much less than a suit jacket.
Costco and other large retailers sell school uniforms at closeout prices in the fall, after school has started. This is a good place to get white dress shirts and black slacks and khakis, which are very versatile.
I try to buy dark-colored sneakers and sandals so they can be used as dress shoes in a pinch (not to a really fancy event, though).
@Hugh - If you're hoping to break into the travel writing industry in any form, then I certainly think this book will be helpful.
I've never read Do Travel Writers Go To Hell, but I've certainly heard some interesting things about it. I quite enjoyed Smile When You're Lying: Confessions of a Rogue Travel Writer (by Chuck Thompson).
@Guest - Indeed: don't quit your day job is a good start to venturing into travel writing! This is not to say that it's impossible to make a living at travel writing: I do, Tim Leffel does, and there are thousands of others who also do. But I think one of the most important ingredients to success in the industry is to remove expectations of the job being glamorous, and instead to embrace what most successful writers know to be true: that to be a writer is largely innate (regardless of income).
Even better than candles, you can now get battery operated candles. I've never had to change the battery, but I think it's the button type like you have in your watch. No worries about fire, and they even flicker. Some even have timers.
There are some really great ideas here. I own Go Green Fundraising and in addition to these programs, I thought your readers might be interested in an organic chocolate fundraiser or an all natural foods fundraiser.
We shared a nanny in San Francisco back when we had only one kid, and found other advantages too. Being in it together with another family means you have someone to consult if there are issues with the nanny. I could ask the other mom, do you think this or that is appropriate? And when our nanny left, we had the resources of two families to draw on in finding someone else. We ended up hiring back a babysitter who had worked for the other family in the past, so I enjoyed the benefit of getting a pre-screened caregiver.
My cat wears old coat sleeves with holes cut out for his paws. The dog coats are too fat when they are his length and incredibly expensive. His head sticks out the cuff and I get lots of comments! He has come to love his little coats and since he is a therapy animal, he needs to be as free as possible for my observation. These work perfectly! And from someone who has been homeless before, I would suggest you follow my motto: Think homeless before you are homeless. I was raised against alcohol but was very lucky to have a car during most of my homeless bouts. I would tell you that the Salvation Army believes in chocolate and I never gave it up, though. Also, thank you all for your comments. Every money-saving tip is appreciated.
Eggs are an excellent low-carb food staple, too. For anyone trying to cut back on carbs but feeling like it's so expensive to buy meat all the time (and I agree, it gets expensive), eggs are a really good protein to supplement with - I have omelets all the time and add an egg or two to stir-fry meals.
I love the idea of an amateur radio license. Actually, truth be told, my husband loves it more. However, our landlines went out for two days. It was a real mess. Only roaming cell phones worked when our nightmare happened. But HAM radios were a hit, too, so thanks for that tip. Also, another thing to have on hand is an old non-cordless phone. When the power goes out, so does the cordless phone.
i havnt written a check in years. Okay, one or two for taxes to avoid online fees, but online banking saves so much money on the wallet! If my bank wants to pay for postage, who am i to stop them :-)
Retail IS labor intensive epecially in corporate and understaffed companies. I've worked retail and tile/home construction and personally, I'd choose the latter over retail labor anyday! Just because you don't see what they do, doesn't mean they don't do it. Somehow, the generally public has come to the conclusion that lower status, poor-paying jobs which require little education are somehow easier and those individuals don't deserve to feed themselves and their famillies. This is a gross misconception and requires exploration on the part of the offender.
Using a system like nutrisystem is NOT A PROPER way to lose weight... Temporary solutions ultimately lead to gaining back all that weight you worked so hard to lose. Change your eating habits and EAT MORE AND LEAN, not less... By eating less, you force yourself into "starvation mode" which retains fat... Eating more and eating lean kicks starvation mode, and when you dont exercise, the weight doent pile on...
I went 2 months without working out and only gained back 7 lbs of the 30+ i lost because i learned how to eat... And trust me, my weight is normally a roller coaster...
So throw away premade chemical filled crap and hit the grocery store. Learn how to freeze food. Learn quick and healthy meals. Learn to EAT BREAKFAST!!! (6 egg whites with some veggies in a nonstick pan will cook in about 5 minutes, thats the same amoutn of time as sitting in line at dunkin donuts!) And finally, learn that leftovers are okay! you can make a whole different meal with leftovers...
So, Nutrisystem as a temporary solution HELL NO! Gradually change your lifestyle now... You know better... And say to yourself "A healthy person does this. A healthy person would do that. I am a healthy person."
I'm getting hungry just thinking about these. Thanks for the recipes, will have to try a few.
Dwight Anthony
Financially Elite Blog dot Com
I have a checking account and I write 1 check per week, in an average week. My daycare doesn't take credit cards.
Paper checks are also necessary for school activities and fundraisers, since I don't want to send cash in my kid's backpack.
It's simple. Many many vendors continue to ONLY accept checks (some wont even accept cash!). Only reason I keep checks. Otherwise its all electronic bill pay, credit cards (with better credit protection), or good old 'merican cach.
Gee, your list of issues to deal with make a much better case than I came up with—and I was talking about why I *was* sticking with paper checks!
Of course the Red Cross has a pretty good list
http://goo.gl/1o72P
Stick to the basics. Chances are you are not going to need this stuff for a long time. When you do need it, you need it to work. Candy that has sat for 6 years --- probably not such a good thing. Also, by keeping it simple, you are more likely to refresh your supplies on an annual basis.
Finally, dont forget about your pets - both in terms of supplies - and what your plans are if you have to bug out.
Over here in Europe they've been check-free for years! Most don't even use credit cards, just a debit card w/a PIN that you can use at almost any store. The rest of the bills are paid via computer at home. We get a special little thing that looks like a calculator...put in a PIN code and a unique transaction code pops up that you can use for only one transaction (and next time you use it, another unique code pops up)...it's not enough to use your user name and password to access your online account...you need this little calculator thing too.
Most Europeans also have credit cards with a PIN. I heard the USA is behind in this technology, because it would cost millions of dollars to upgrade their systems to do this....but then again, aren't they already losing MILLIONS by all the fraud???? If a European loses his credit card, the thief would still need the PIN to access it.
I just don't understand it...
Wow I will have to consider some of these ideas for my Bring Your Lunch Contest...good stuff!
Having spent 6 months in Europe post-college, I can hereby affirm that these methods are still well in effect across the pond. The one thing I'm curious about the parental attitudes...healthcare?
I love this article almost as much as I love eggs. I use them for weight loss. Hard boiled, they make a great snack that satisfies hunger and are very low in calories. LOVE this article. My obsession with eggs is complete. ;)
Here are a few more ideas:
A vest adds a lot to a boy's outfit, making the dress-shirt-and-slacks combo suitable for a wedding or other special occasion. I always pick these up when I see them for a few dollars at a thrift store. They look especially adorable on little boys. When my boys wear vests to services, they always get complements from the old ladies :-). A vest costs much less than a suit jacket.
Costco and other large retailers sell school uniforms at closeout prices in the fall, after school has started. This is a good place to get white dress shirts and black slacks and khakis, which are very versatile.
I try to buy dark-colored sneakers and sandals so they can be used as dress shoes in a pinch (not to a really fancy event, though).
Wow! Rent a friend has big potential, there are so many lonely people out there.
Thank you for your great post, I enjoy it.
Leon
@Hugh - If you're hoping to break into the travel writing industry in any form, then I certainly think this book will be helpful.
I've never read Do Travel Writers Go To Hell, but I've certainly heard some interesting things about it. I quite enjoyed Smile When You're Lying: Confessions of a Rogue Travel Writer (by Chuck Thompson).
@Guest - Indeed: don't quit your day job is a good start to venturing into travel writing! This is not to say that it's impossible to make a living at travel writing: I do, Tim Leffel does, and there are thousands of others who also do. But I think one of the most important ingredients to success in the industry is to remove expectations of the job being glamorous, and instead to embrace what most successful writers know to be true: that to be a writer is largely innate (regardless of income).
Even better than candles, you can now get battery operated candles. I've never had to change the battery, but I think it's the button type like you have in your watch. No worries about fire, and they even flicker. Some even have timers.
There are some really great ideas here. I own Go Green Fundraising and in addition to these programs, I thought your readers might be interested in an organic chocolate fundraiser or an all natural foods fundraiser.
We shared a nanny in San Francisco back when we had only one kid, and found other advantages too. Being in it together with another family means you have someone to consult if there are issues with the nanny. I could ask the other mom, do you think this or that is appropriate? And when our nanny left, we had the resources of two families to draw on in finding someone else. We ended up hiring back a babysitter who had worked for the other family in the past, so I enjoyed the benefit of getting a pre-screened caregiver.
Very helpful article. The humane society link to the labelling guide appears to be broken. It's here at www.humanesociety.org/issues/confinement_farm/facts/guide_egg_labels.html.
Various people in every country take the business loans in various banks, just because it's comfortable.
Just like the old commercial: "I love eggs, from my head down to my legs...".
I love mine poached or scrambled with veggies. Yum!
My cat wears old coat sleeves with holes cut out for his paws. The dog coats are too fat when they are his length and incredibly expensive. His head sticks out the cuff and I get lots of comments! He has come to love his little coats and since he is a therapy animal, he needs to be as free as possible for my observation. These work perfectly! And from someone who has been homeless before, I would suggest you follow my motto: Think homeless before you are homeless. I was raised against alcohol but was very lucky to have a car during most of my homeless bouts. I would tell you that the Salvation Army believes in chocolate and I never gave it up, though. Also, thank you all for your comments. Every money-saving tip is appreciated.
Eggs are an excellent low-carb food staple, too. For anyone trying to cut back on carbs but feeling like it's so expensive to buy meat all the time (and I agree, it gets expensive), eggs are a really good protein to supplement with - I have omelets all the time and add an egg or two to stir-fry meals.
I love the idea of an amateur radio license. Actually, truth be told, my husband loves it more. However, our landlines went out for two days. It was a real mess. Only roaming cell phones worked when our nightmare happened. But HAM radios were a hit, too, so thanks for that tip. Also, another thing to have on hand is an old non-cordless phone. When the power goes out, so does the cordless phone.