Sears carries a smaller size chest freezer that is half the size of the standard ones. I think we paid around $200 for it during one of their sales. It was the perfect size for a smaller family and much more energy-efficient than buying used.
I love menu planning and will admit that I spend a lot of time doing it, but it is a hobby for me. I enjoy trying new dishes and the variations give me things to write about and experiment with. I know it isn't for everyone so I appreciate this great idea too!
The #5 bit about the other person being embarrassed made me laugh, only because I know that's not how you meant it. I dated a guy once who hated it when I showed up to his work because his co-workers would tease him about it for the rest of the day.
I like the idea of just going for a walk. My guy and I do that on a regular basis, and since it's pretty cold here at the moment, we usually come back in, make some hot cider or something similar and cuddle up on the couch under a blanket to warm back up. It's incredibly relaxing to hang out that way.
i just bought baby carrots today for $.79/lb while the 'regular' carrots were 2 lbs for $1.69. Baby carrots are usually about equal in price at my store otherwise I wouldn't buy them so often.
Also, anyone who's run a daycare or has more than two children can attest to the value of a cheap, healthy food that requires no prep whatsoever. They are soooo worth it.
I'd love to see other healthy foods priced at less than $1/lb, even not prepared/convenient.
Thanks for the article. I've had the experience of being both the interviewer and the interviewee, and somehow I found both equally stressful. I think the key is to practice answering questions beforehand and to really play to your strengths. Calm confidence is the key.
Thanks for the article. I've had the experience of being both the interviewer and the interviewee, and somehow I found both equally stressful. I think the key is to practice answering questions beforehand and to really play to your strengths. Calm confidence is the key.
This is an old thread, but the worst name I know of is from an manager from my old company. His last name is Wiener..and he named his daughter Scarlett.
Lynnae: don't be too impressed. I went through my whole $350 in the first 8 days of February. That was two regular shopping trips, plus the monthly milk bill, plus $60 for the new food coop, plus one grocery bill from January, debited at the very end of the month, that actually falls on the February statement. I am hoping to make it through the month without buying anything else. Ha!
David: A freezer is a big investment, that's for sure. I recommend saving up for a new freezer, rather than buying a used one, because of the difference in energy efficiency. Now in Miserly Moms (affiliate link) by Joni McCo, the author writes that she actually got rid of her chest freezer due to the energy cost, and successfully stockpiled food in the freezer on the top of her refrigerator. She did this by taking everything out of its box and putting it in ziploc bags. She would also freeze foods that she cooked in a ziploc bag, laid flat, so that she could stack as much as possible in it.
I do something very similar at home. We still plan out menus, though, because we don't have a freezer big enough to really stock up on ingredients. Anybody know a place to get a good deal on a freezer?
When we buy in bulk, in stead of shopping at Sam's Club or Costco or some such, we visit www.bulkhome.com
Thanks for the idea. It is deceptively simple but has had a huge value for me - my list did not include becoming rich or famous which is rather freeing! I think the technique could also work for narrower themes (e.g. 100 ways I can help people around me).
I knew that there had to be someone else out there who shopped as I did, but in the sea of careful menu planners, I was starting to feel like a lone little island. I have a well stocked pantry and freezer. I stand in front of one or the other and wait for inspiration. We stock up one or both when the sales happen, and then on weeks (like this week) when it seems like /nothing/ is on sale, we just eat out of the backlog. Or when the grocery budget ends up partially funding a video game. *coughcough* The fresh stuff gets purchased every week like clock work, but by and large, menus are 'what looks good today'.
Re: Number 5. Don't surprise your partner if they would be embarrassed by you? Doesn't this beg the question of why would you be going to all the lengths of planning an awesome Valentine's day if you're with a person who would be embarrassed by your presence in public?
It is my understanding, based on other things I've read, that dependants who are over the age of 17 and still have a tax liability are the only ones that actually pay taxes but are not eligible for the rebate. I have two children in the same boat. Both are students and both of them made more than $3000 and pay taxes. However, since they are dependants of mine, they are not eligible for the rebate. The rebate for children, from what I understand, is only for children under the age of 17.
Your grocery budget is amazing! That's what I'm working toward, but I'm still a ways off. I'd love to shop from my pantry, but I haven't perfected the technique yet. It's my ultimate goal, though. I really do believe that's the least expensive way to go.
I'm going to have to check into my food co-op, too. I know there are good deals to be found there, especially on healthy foods. I'm just rarely in that neighborhood, so it never occurs to me to go there.
Thank you to the Target employees for chiming in on this topic. I can't tell you how valuable your input is!
And to answer the question about the carseat, it was still sealed in the box from the manufacturer. None of the plastic had been taken off or anything. I think that the reason they were able to resell it was that the box had a mailing label addressed to a lady who owned a boutique. It appeared that it was shipped to the lady from an order placed on Target's website, and she simply brought it in to the store after finding out she had been sent the wrong carseat. (The only concern I would have had is that Target left her name and address on the side of the box for anyone to see.)
Nice articles on buy-sell planning and the importance of getting them right; but I'm not aware of any situation in which the premiums are legitimately deductible to the business.
Can you give an instance of when you are thinking the premiums for insurance in the buy-sell arena would be tax deductible?
I have a college student, 19 years old, I claim him as a dependent, does he get a refund? He files a tax return and has earned over 3,000. He paid taxes as his W-2 shows, but not much. He gets a refund on taxes. Does he still qualify for a rebate?
Nice articles on buy-sell planning and the importance of getting them right; but I'm not aware of any situation in which the premiums are legitimately deductible to the business.
Can you give an instance of when you are thinking the premiums for insurance in the buy-sell arena would be tax deductible?
I think this issue is really about risk. Are you willing to risk that in an emergency, your credit will be available?
I personally, based on my situation, have decided to take the risk. I have used credit for during an emergency in the past and it has worked fine. I invest my "savings" in my line of credit to reduce the amount of interest I pay overall.
I should advise that I live in Canada and have good credit. The slow down in the USA has not hit us yet (although it may hit in the near future). In that event, I may re-evaluate my strategy.
Sears carries a smaller size chest freezer that is half the size of the standard ones. I think we paid around $200 for it during one of their sales. It was the perfect size for a smaller family and much more energy-efficient than buying used.
I love menu planning and will admit that I spend a lot of time doing it, but it is a hobby for me. I enjoy trying new dishes and the variations give me things to write about and experiment with. I know it isn't for everyone so I appreciate this great idea too!
The #5 bit about the other person being embarrassed made me laugh, only because I know that's not how you meant it. I dated a guy once who hated it when I showed up to his work because his co-workers would tease him about it for the rest of the day.
I like the idea of just going for a walk. My guy and I do that on a regular basis, and since it's pretty cold here at the moment, we usually come back in, make some hot cider or something similar and cuddle up on the couch under a blanket to warm back up. It's incredibly relaxing to hang out that way.
i just bought baby carrots today for $.79/lb while the 'regular' carrots were 2 lbs for $1.69. Baby carrots are usually about equal in price at my store otherwise I wouldn't buy them so often.
Also, anyone who's run a daycare or has more than two children can attest to the value of a cheap, healthy food that requires no prep whatsoever. They are soooo worth it.
I'd love to see other healthy foods priced at less than $1/lb, even not prepared/convenient.
I didn't find anything listed below $22.00 or so.
Thanks for the article. I've had the experience of being both the interviewer and the interviewee, and somehow I found both equally stressful. I think the key is to practice answering questions beforehand and to really play to your strengths. Calm confidence is the key.
Thanks for the article. I've had the experience of being both the interviewer and the interviewee, and somehow I found both equally stressful. I think the key is to practice answering questions beforehand and to really play to your strengths. Calm confidence is the key.
This is an old thread, but the worst name I know of is from an manager from my old company. His last name is Wiener..and he named his daughter Scarlett.
Lynnae: don't be too impressed. I went through my whole $350 in the first 8 days of February. That was two regular shopping trips, plus the monthly milk bill, plus $60 for the new food coop, plus one grocery bill from January, debited at the very end of the month, that actually falls on the February statement. I am hoping to make it through the month without buying anything else. Ha!
David: A freezer is a big investment, that's for sure. I recommend saving up for a new freezer, rather than buying a used one, because of the difference in energy efficiency. Now in Miserly Moms
(affiliate link) by Joni McCo, the author writes that she actually got rid of her chest freezer due to the energy cost, and successfully stockpiled food in the freezer on the top of her refrigerator. She did this by taking everything out of its box and putting it in ziploc bags. She would also freeze foods that she cooked in a ziploc bag, laid flat, so that she could stack as much as possible in it.
Thanks for the bulk food shopping link!
Catherine Shaffer
Wise Bread Contributor
Since I am Chinese I grew up with haggling,. I wrote about it on my blog a while ago: http://baglady.dreamhosters.com/2007/08/18/why-you-should-always-haggle/
I do something very similar at home. We still plan out menus, though, because we don't have a freezer big enough to really stock up on ingredients. Anybody know a place to get a good deal on a freezer?
When we buy in bulk, in stead of shopping at Sam's Club or Costco or some such, we visit www.bulkhome.com
It's easier than driving somewhere.
Hi Nora,
Thanks for the idea. It is deceptively simple but has had a huge value for me - my list did not include becoming rich or famous which is rather freeing! I think the technique could also work for narrower themes (e.g. 100 ways I can help people around me).
I knew that there had to be someone else out there who shopped as I did, but in the sea of careful menu planners, I was starting to feel like a lone little island. I have a well stocked pantry and freezer. I stand in front of one or the other and wait for inspiration. We stock up one or both when the sales happen, and then on weeks (like this week) when it seems like /nothing/ is on sale, we just eat out of the backlog. Or when the grocery budget ends up partially funding a video game. *coughcough* The fresh stuff gets purchased every week like clock work, but by and large, menus are 'what looks good today'.
From the way outta left field department:
Re: Number 5. Don't surprise your partner if they would be embarrassed by you? Doesn't this beg the question of why would you be going to all the lengths of planning an awesome Valentine's day if you're with a person who would be embarrassed by your presence in public?
It is my understanding, based on other things I've read, that dependants who are over the age of 17 and still have a tax liability are the only ones that actually pay taxes but are not eligible for the rebate. I have two children in the same boat. Both are students and both of them made more than $3000 and pay taxes. However, since they are dependants of mine, they are not eligible for the rebate. The rebate for children, from what I understand, is only for children under the age of 17.
Your grocery budget is amazing! That's what I'm working toward, but I'm still a ways off. I'd love to shop from my pantry, but I haven't perfected the technique yet. It's my ultimate goal, though. I really do believe that's the least expensive way to go.
I'm going to have to check into my food co-op, too. I know there are good deals to be found there, especially on healthy foods. I'm just rarely in that neighborhood, so it never occurs to me to go there.
How did I even forget that?! I have changed my Jedi reference.
Thank you to the Target employees for chiming in on this topic. I can't tell you how valuable your input is!
And to answer the question about the carseat, it was still sealed in the box from the manufacturer. None of the plastic had been taken off or anything. I think that the reason they were able to resell it was that the box had a mailing label addressed to a lady who owned a boutique. It appeared that it was shipped to the lady from an order placed on Target's website, and she simply brought it in to the store after finding out she had been sent the wrong carseat. (The only concern I would have had is that Target left her name and address on the side of the box for anyone to see.)
Thanks!
Nice articles on buy-sell planning and the importance of getting them right; but I'm not aware of any situation in which the premiums are legitimately deductible to the business.
Can you give an instance of when you are thinking the premiums for insurance in the buy-sell arena would be tax deductible?
Regards,
Mark
I have a college student, 19 years old, I claim him as a dependent, does he get a refund? He files a tax return and has earned over 3,000. He paid taxes as his W-2 shows, but not much. He gets a refund on taxes. Does he still qualify for a rebate?
Nice articles on buy-sell planning and the importance of getting them right; but I'm not aware of any situation in which the premiums are legitimately deductible to the business.
Can you give an instance of when you are thinking the premiums for insurance in the buy-sell arena would be tax deductible?
Regards,
Mark
I think this issue is really about risk. Are you willing to risk that in an emergency, your credit will be available?
I personally, based on my situation, have decided to take the risk. I have used credit for during an emergency in the past and it has worked fine. I invest my "savings" in my line of credit to reduce the amount of interest I pay overall.
I should advise that I live in Canada and have good credit. The slow down in the USA has not hit us yet (although it may hit in the near future). In that event, I may re-evaluate my strategy.
I think I heard Yoda actually said:
"Care for trivial pursuits, we do not."
I think I heard Yoda actually said:
"Care for trivial pursuits, we do not."
I found this so clever to read. Thanks.
We've done numbers 3 and 8, but I really like the photo idea. We really do have fewer photos together than I would like. Thanks for the ideas list.