I manage a small hotel. When it's a small hotel, and you are conserving costs, you work front desk, housekeeping, maintenance, marketer, and anything else that needs to be done at the time.
There are a lot of maintenance problems that you run into when something breaks down that you have to learn how to do yourself, to save the business hundreds of thousands of dollars. Each situation is new and offers a lot to be learned if we just take down the mental wall we've built up that screams "I KNOW NOTHING ABOUT THIS."
Of course there situations that arise that aren't as easy as others..
I haven't learned to sauder things yet, but if situation comes up I check with friends in the industry or anyone I know that might be willing to help out for free or even cheap. Then I watch every move they make to learn as much about the process as I can, even if it comes down to outsourcing the problem. Always ask questions!
Kentin,
This is a very good article. Unfortunately many young adults are graduating college with tons of debt whether it be in the form of student loans or credit card debt. The largest growing age group declaring bankruptcy these days is the 18 to 24 year olds. It is horrible to try to start a career with unmanageable debt or bankruptcy and a trashed credit report.
I usually try to find information online or in the DIY repair books so I can gauge the difficulty of the repair. If it is something that I am familiar with or seems easy, then I wont hesitate to try. However, if I am unfamiliar, I would rather pay a professional to get the job done (and completed correctly).
That being said, I have absolutely no experience with disassembling or repairing appliances. I would not hesitate to call in a professional to help.
To me, someone a few years out of college after following many of these tips, this sounds like a recipe for regret and disappointment. Residence hall life is where you develop relationships and have wider opportunities to get involved in the many events and programs that happen on campus, especially as a freshman. Living off campus means that it's more important to have a car, thus increasing costs. Also, while having a sense of purpose is important because of the amount of money you pay to go to school, once you're done, you are in for decades of work, limitations, and obligations that in most cases, you can't get out of. Why rush the last bit of relative freedom you'll have? The right training in college will better prepare you for what you actually WANT to do. Figuring out after 3 yrs. that you don't want a career in your major but sticking with it anyway because of the financial cost right now is not going to get you anywhere productive post-college.
I do agree that textbooks are always cheaper online and that university staff are among the best resources to tap into while in school. However, I think that rather than trying to scrimp to spend less, you should focus on spending smart and realize that college is about more than just getting a degree and getting out.
Wow. I gave up having any cable or satellite type TV (actually...I never had satellite) in the 1990s. It's just money down the drain and makes me sit around staring at a box that pumps my brain full of crap. I can do that for free. After about a month, I didn't miss it. I use only free dial up internet or go use the public wifi at the library or another facility in town. I had NO IDEA that it cost so much these days for tv and internet.
I can get a year's worth of my netflix for one month of your old TV bill. Amazing.
Good luck with your new company...perhaps someday you will join me on the dark side.
For me it is based on my own knowledge and the cost vs. immediate need. If I know I can fix it and I am not in need of the item any time soon then I will repair it myself, otherwise I find the best value for a repairman.
I usually will try to fix something myself first...as long as it's more mechanical than electrical. With much experience, I've learned that I'm lousy at diagnosing and fixing electrical problems.
But, I have done a lot of mechanical problem troubleshooting and repair.
I replaced a switch on my clothes washer (housing had cracked causing the switch not to be correctly activatable). I replaced my garbage disposal after it developed a leak. On that repair, I learned that if you can't find an "exploded" diagram on the web, the item is probably not meant to be taken apart, no matter how many exposed seams and screws it has (fortunately I didn't make it worse by taking it apart. And I learned more about how garbage disposals work). I replaced a wheel and wheel assembly on my garage door - and learned that if there's a big orange sticker that tells me something should only be replaced by a professional, I should at least have a second pair of hands around when I give it a try.
Mostly, I'll try to fix just about anything I think is mechanical. I start by looking things up on the web, looking for manuals and exploded diagrams. Then, I start taking things apart. If I get to the point where I'm not certain I can get it back together again working order, I stop, put everything back and, only then, call a professional. Otherwise, I charge ahead. And the best place I've found to get new parts is, surprisingly to me, Ebay.
Wow, I am shocked and surprised to find only one other comment here ( on a frugal living website) in support of living without any kind of cable TV service at all. I can proudly say I have never ever subscribed to cable in my life. I'm in my late 40's. Think of all the thousands of dollars I have saved, and all the advertisements I've (not) missed. We don't get TV even over the airwaves. Might be interesting to see what life is like without it if you haven't ever given it a go. And no, I am not into self deprivation. Instead I have a HD overhead projector with a 96" electronic drop down screen and 5.1 Surround Sound System. We subscribe to netflix and check stuff out from the library for free. You can only watch one channel at a time anyway. For me, the more I get a way from all the advertising hype the less I seem to "need" stuff and the more satisfied I become with the things I do have going on in my life. Interesting how that works. Less can be more!
Some additional thoughts:
Another best friend should be the secretaries in your major department. These people are a weath of information about what classes will be taught when and by who (which helps with planning out future courses, especially in smaller majors where all courses may not be taught every term), they can help deal with a majority of problems with registering for classes, getting in contact with professors and may have an in with administrators in other departments including financial aid and the bursar (aka: office which takes all of your money). And, the thing is, most of these people really love to help college students, so it's easy to befriend them.
While taking courses in the summer is a good way to help get ahead and stay on track for an on-time graduation, those must be weighed against opportunities to get real world work experience in your major field via internships, co-op positions and part-time jobs. Even if these are unpaid positions (although paid positions are even better), these can not only help with future course work (through real world learning and helping you see applications of your course work), but also give you experience which makes you more valuable to future employers. It can extend your college career a bit, but in many cases it's well worth it. I co-oped which turned a 4 year program into a 5 year + 1 quarter program. But because it was a paid position, I was able to graduate without debt and with 1.5 years experience. My co-op job led, indirectly, to my first job out of college and I was hired in as an experienced engineer rather than a college new hire. I have a friend who is a photo journalism college student and is working as an intern with the Washington Post. He's assigned to the White house and regularly has his pictures run on the front page of the paper.
For those starting at a community college, look into what and how credits will transfer to the school(s) you're thinking of for continuing your degree. Doesn't save you much if half your credits transfer only as "free electives". Also, be aware that your financial aid status may be affected by being a transfer student as opposed to one coming in as a freshman.
And, for those reading who haven't finished high school yet, if you can hack it, take as many AP classes and tests as you can. Also look into dual/joint enrollment with college in your area. Getting college credit while still in high school (when it's much cheaper) is a great way to decrease the amount of time and money spend in college.
We repair everything in our house... It is cheaper than anything else--- buying new can be dificult, and sometimes we do not even have the option of chosing brands or whatsoever...
Lots of great ways to make yogurt. I make a double boiler from a stainless steel bowl and a big pot. Heat the 1/2 gallon of milk up to ~180 degrees w/added milk powder then cool the bowl of milk in a water bath in the sink. Once it's lukewarm, inoculate with starter from the old batch and (here's my ultra frugal twist) put the whole thing in my gas oven for 6-8 hours. The pilot light alone in my old gas oven keeps the temp just right for culturing the yogurt. I've also wrapped the bowl up in a blanket or sleeping bag and put it in a warm/sunny spot for the daytime hours. No need to buy a special gadget to keep things warm.The temps don't have to be exact for this to work and be safe too. Crockpot method looks great, but I can get my yogurt pasteurized and cooled back down to the inoculation temp in less than 45 minutes, then I'm free to leave the house for the day.
Youtube has really turned out to be an amazing source for DIY-info. I have no doubt I could find instructions to fix or repair pretty much anything online. the problem, though, is finding the time...and facing the truth which is I am absolutely NOT a handyperson. So chances are, I'd probably call the repairperson.
I'm pretty low on fix-it ability, so I tend to call in a professional more often than not. Thankfully, I'm a renter, so most repairs can be handled for free - I did hire a handyman to install my air conditioner window unit though.
The starter motor on my old 92 accord just went out. As this is an older car, I figured I would give it a shot. This is the process I used.
1) Researched the process. I first had to figure why the car wouldn't start. I had to make sure that I was fixing the "right thing". This, in fact, was the most time consuming part of the project . I used google, youtube, forums, and blogs. I also called my Dad. He has no professional qualifications but has rebuilt engines for years. What was interesting about all the research is that I knew this was something I could do. Our mechanic stated it would be too hard and I wouldn't be able to do this. But all other sources said "Yes" I could do it. So I went with the majority.
2) Cost Factor. The Mechanic would have charged me $300. I could do it myself for $110 and about two hours of my time.
3)Made a list of everything I needed, and all the steps that would be required to replace the part.
4) Checked and double checked everything.
5) Did it!
Conclusion: All in all, a pretty pleasant experience. The research really paid off. Getting a number of opinions was great as this gave me an all round idea of the process. I knew what was going to be the hardest part, how long it would take (for someone like me), how much it should cost. I weighed all of these things to determine if it was worth doing. Plus, I learned a new skill and a boost of confidence.
Here's a tip from a Naturopathic Dr. Try chewing on a chunk of fresh ginger several times a day, if you can take the heat of it. Or make ginger juice and have a teaspoon of that. For some reason, ginger seems to help close the esophogeal valve. And another natural thing that can help--accupuncture. There are specific pressure points that can help control that valve and keep it closed.
I had an idea about a still thats already put together and is in most house holds but this may just be a dumb idea a coffee maker you think that could do it ?
Comcast is truly horrible. I would switch to Dish or DirecTV in a heartbeat if it weren't for the fact that they'd had to drill a bunch more holes into my old brick house just to get the same setup that I have now. 2 coax lines for the HD DVR, 1 coax line for a second TV upstairs, and 1 coax line for the Comcast cable = way too many holes in my poor house.
It's based on all three (cost, experience and time). One of our favourite resources is the good 'ol Reader's Digest Fix-It-Yourself manual. It's worth having a copy around! You can often find them at thrift stores or book sales.
My dad can fix virtually anything. He loves discovering how things work. He still has the toaster he and my mom got as a wedding present, and has kept it working for nearly 50 years (though he can't get parts for it anymore). The chrome still looks brand new, too!
Handling money seemed to be a very difficult task that often leads to a headache. I think everyone will agree that it is the most inconvenient thing to manage.Well, practically dealing with money expenditure may sounds convincing but the truth is there are really no easy way to be dealing with money. Though I agree that proper education will at least gives us the benefit of being financially knowledgeable and will provide better ability on money making decision, I think the only means of preparing a child to be more responsive in dealing with money is to let him experience a financial starvation for this will bring out the best effort in him to value money effectively.
I manage a small hotel. When it's a small hotel, and you are conserving costs, you work front desk, housekeeping, maintenance, marketer, and anything else that needs to be done at the time.
There are a lot of maintenance problems that you run into when something breaks down that you have to learn how to do yourself, to save the business hundreds of thousands of dollars. Each situation is new and offers a lot to be learned if we just take down the mental wall we've built up that screams "I KNOW NOTHING ABOUT THIS."
Of course there situations that arise that aren't as easy as others..
I haven't learned to sauder things yet, but if situation comes up I check with friends in the industry or anyone I know that might be willing to help out for free or even cheap. Then I watch every move they make to learn as much about the process as I can, even if it comes down to outsourcing the problem. Always ask questions!
Kentin,
This is a very good article. Unfortunately many young adults are graduating college with tons of debt whether it be in the form of student loans or credit card debt. The largest growing age group declaring bankruptcy these days is the 18 to 24 year olds. It is horrible to try to start a career with unmanageable debt or bankruptcy and a trashed credit report.
by Hollis Colquhoun
I usually try to find information online or in the DIY repair books so I can gauge the difficulty of the repair. If it is something that I am familiar with or seems easy, then I wont hesitate to try. However, if I am unfamiliar, I would rather pay a professional to get the job done (and completed correctly).
That being said, I have absolutely no experience with disassembling or repairing appliances. I would not hesitate to call in a professional to help.
Tried it all. None of it worked. I want my hour and fifteen bucks back. Don't waste your time and money.
To me, someone a few years out of college after following many of these tips, this sounds like a recipe for regret and disappointment. Residence hall life is where you develop relationships and have wider opportunities to get involved in the many events and programs that happen on campus, especially as a freshman. Living off campus means that it's more important to have a car, thus increasing costs. Also, while having a sense of purpose is important because of the amount of money you pay to go to school, once you're done, you are in for decades of work, limitations, and obligations that in most cases, you can't get out of. Why rush the last bit of relative freedom you'll have? The right training in college will better prepare you for what you actually WANT to do. Figuring out after 3 yrs. that you don't want a career in your major but sticking with it anyway because of the financial cost right now is not going to get you anywhere productive post-college.
I do agree that textbooks are always cheaper online and that university staff are among the best resources to tap into while in school. However, I think that rather than trying to scrimp to spend less, you should focus on spending smart and realize that college is about more than just getting a degree and getting out.
Highly recommend AT&T. I dumped Comcast about 6 months ago and got AT&T Uverse, we LOVE it.
Wow. I gave up having any cable or satellite type TV (actually...I never had satellite) in the 1990s. It's just money down the drain and makes me sit around staring at a box that pumps my brain full of crap. I can do that for free. After about a month, I didn't miss it. I use only free dial up internet or go use the public wifi at the library or another facility in town. I had NO IDEA that it cost so much these days for tv and internet.
I can get a year's worth of my netflix for one month of your old TV bill. Amazing.
Good luck with your new company...perhaps someday you will join me on the dark side.
For me it is based on my own knowledge and the cost vs. immediate need. If I know I can fix it and I am not in need of the item any time soon then I will repair it myself, otherwise I find the best value for a repairman.
I usually will try to fix something myself first...as long as it's more mechanical than electrical. With much experience, I've learned that I'm lousy at diagnosing and fixing electrical problems.
But, I have done a lot of mechanical problem troubleshooting and repair.
I replaced a switch on my clothes washer (housing had cracked causing the switch not to be correctly activatable). I replaced my garbage disposal after it developed a leak. On that repair, I learned that if you can't find an "exploded" diagram on the web, the item is probably not meant to be taken apart, no matter how many exposed seams and screws it has (fortunately I didn't make it worse by taking it apart. And I learned more about how garbage disposals work). I replaced a wheel and wheel assembly on my garage door - and learned that if there's a big orange sticker that tells me something should only be replaced by a professional, I should at least have a second pair of hands around when I give it a try.
Mostly, I'll try to fix just about anything I think is mechanical. I start by looking things up on the web, looking for manuals and exploded diagrams. Then, I start taking things apart. If I get to the point where I'm not certain I can get it back together again working order, I stop, put everything back and, only then, call a professional. Otherwise, I charge ahead. And the best place I've found to get new parts is, surprisingly to me, Ebay.
Wow, I am shocked and surprised to find only one other comment here ( on a frugal living website) in support of living without any kind of cable TV service at all. I can proudly say I have never ever subscribed to cable in my life. I'm in my late 40's. Think of all the thousands of dollars I have saved, and all the advertisements I've (not) missed. We don't get TV even over the airwaves. Might be interesting to see what life is like without it if you haven't ever given it a go. And no, I am not into self deprivation. Instead I have a HD overhead projector with a 96" electronic drop down screen and 5.1 Surround Sound System. We subscribe to netflix and check stuff out from the library for free. You can only watch one channel at a time anyway. For me, the more I get a way from all the advertising hype the less I seem to "need" stuff and the more satisfied I become with the things I do have going on in my life. Interesting how that works. Less can be more!
Some additional thoughts:
Another best friend should be the secretaries in your major department. These people are a weath of information about what classes will be taught when and by who (which helps with planning out future courses, especially in smaller majors where all courses may not be taught every term), they can help deal with a majority of problems with registering for classes, getting in contact with professors and may have an in with administrators in other departments including financial aid and the bursar (aka: office which takes all of your money). And, the thing is, most of these people really love to help college students, so it's easy to befriend them.
While taking courses in the summer is a good way to help get ahead and stay on track for an on-time graduation, those must be weighed against opportunities to get real world work experience in your major field via internships, co-op positions and part-time jobs. Even if these are unpaid positions (although paid positions are even better), these can not only help with future course work (through real world learning and helping you see applications of your course work), but also give you experience which makes you more valuable to future employers. It can extend your college career a bit, but in many cases it's well worth it. I co-oped which turned a 4 year program into a 5 year + 1 quarter program. But because it was a paid position, I was able to graduate without debt and with 1.5 years experience. My co-op job led, indirectly, to my first job out of college and I was hired in as an experienced engineer rather than a college new hire. I have a friend who is a photo journalism college student and is working as an intern with the Washington Post. He's assigned to the White house and regularly has his pictures run on the front page of the paper.
For those starting at a community college, look into what and how credits will transfer to the school(s) you're thinking of for continuing your degree. Doesn't save you much if half your credits transfer only as "free electives". Also, be aware that your financial aid status may be affected by being a transfer student as opposed to one coming in as a freshman.
And, for those reading who haven't finished high school yet, if you can hack it, take as many AP classes and tests as you can. Also look into dual/joint enrollment with college in your area. Getting college credit while still in high school (when it's much cheaper) is a great way to decrease the amount of time and money spend in college.
We repair everything in our house... It is cheaper than anything else--- buying new can be dificult, and sometimes we do not even have the option of chosing brands or whatsoever...
Lots of great ways to make yogurt. I make a double boiler from a stainless steel bowl and a big pot. Heat the 1/2 gallon of milk up to ~180 degrees w/added milk powder then cool the bowl of milk in a water bath in the sink. Once it's lukewarm, inoculate with starter from the old batch and (here's my ultra frugal twist) put the whole thing in my gas oven for 6-8 hours. The pilot light alone in my old gas oven keeps the temp just right for culturing the yogurt. I've also wrapped the bowl up in a blanket or sleeping bag and put it in a warm/sunny spot for the daytime hours. No need to buy a special gadget to keep things warm.The temps don't have to be exact for this to work and be safe too. Crockpot method looks great, but I can get my yogurt pasteurized and cooled back down to the inoculation temp in less than 45 minutes, then I'm free to leave the house for the day.
Youtube has really turned out to be an amazing source for DIY-info. I have no doubt I could find instructions to fix or repair pretty much anything online. the problem, though, is finding the time...and facing the truth which is I am absolutely NOT a handyperson. So chances are, I'd probably call the repairperson.
My husband can fix anything. Saves us a ton of money!
I'm pretty low on fix-it ability, so I tend to call in a professional more often than not. Thankfully, I'm a renter, so most repairs can be handled for free - I did hire a handyman to install my air conditioner window unit though.
The starter motor on my old 92 accord just went out. As this is an older car, I figured I would give it a shot. This is the process I used.
1) Researched the process. I first had to figure why the car wouldn't start. I had to make sure that I was fixing the "right thing". This, in fact, was the most time consuming part of the project . I used google, youtube, forums, and blogs. I also called my Dad. He has no professional qualifications but has rebuilt engines for years. What was interesting about all the research is that I knew this was something I could do. Our mechanic stated it would be too hard and I wouldn't be able to do this. But all other sources said "Yes" I could do it. So I went with the majority.
2) Cost Factor. The Mechanic would have charged me $300. I could do it myself for $110 and about two hours of my time.
3)Made a list of everything I needed, and all the steps that would be required to replace the part.
4) Checked and double checked everything.
5) Did it!
Conclusion: All in all, a pretty pleasant experience. The research really paid off. Getting a number of opinions was great as this gave me an all round idea of the process. I knew what was going to be the hardest part, how long it would take (for someone like me), how much it should cost. I weighed all of these things to determine if it was worth doing. Plus, I learned a new skill and a boost of confidence.
Always look into the DIY option. Always
Thanks for rounding up these links. The 7 tips to save in baking is really a big help.
I think the environment is important,we must pretect the environment
Here's a tip from a Naturopathic Dr. Try chewing on a chunk of fresh ginger several times a day, if you can take the heat of it. Or make ginger juice and have a teaspoon of that. For some reason, ginger seems to help close the esophogeal valve. And another natural thing that can help--accupuncture. There are specific pressure points that can help control that valve and keep it closed.
I had an idea about a still thats already put together and is in most house holds but this may just be a dumb idea a coffee maker you think that could do it ?
Comcast is truly horrible. I would switch to Dish or DirecTV in a heartbeat if it weren't for the fact that they'd had to drill a bunch more holes into my old brick house just to get the same setup that I have now. 2 coax lines for the HD DVR, 1 coax line for a second TV upstairs, and 1 coax line for the Comcast cable = way too many holes in my poor house.
It's based on all three (cost, experience and time). One of our favourite resources is the good 'ol Reader's Digest Fix-It-Yourself manual. It's worth having a copy around! You can often find them at thrift stores or book sales.
My dad can fix virtually anything. He loves discovering how things work. He still has the toaster he and my mom got as a wedding present, and has kept it working for nearly 50 years (though he can't get parts for it anymore). The chrome still looks brand new, too!
Handling money seemed to be a very difficult task that often leads to a headache. I think everyone will agree that it is the most inconvenient thing to manage.Well, practically dealing with money expenditure may sounds convincing but the truth is there are really no easy way to be dealing with money. Though I agree that proper education will at least gives us the benefit of being financially knowledgeable and will provide better ability on money making decision, I think the only means of preparing a child to be more responsive in dealing with money is to let him experience a financial starvation for this will bring out the best effort in him to value money effectively.