Great points for living regret-free. The emergency planning item hits home since my dad recently got sick and if I didn't have a little tucked away, I wouldn't be able to travel to spend time with him - that would have definitely been a huge regret. Now, I'm working on maxing out those employer-sponsored retirement plans!
to tell you the truth. I'm with you on the produce and frozen items, as well as the dairy stuff. Certain aisles are obvious, I know, but it seems that it never fails that I have 3 or 4 items on my list that are in some sort of no man's land category that different stores deem appropriate for different locations. It's a real bugger. And then, just when I get the hang of it, some just out of school marketing genius shakes things up and moves things around. Just venting. . . and really digging this discussion, Thursday.
1) Use your receipts. I can remember the days when a grocery store receipt was just a long row of numbers with a total, which was not so useful. But for the past 25 years or so, grocery store receipts are an actual list of everything you bought. If you skim over your most recent three or four grocery receipts, you'll have a chance to spot stuff worth thinking about. Is the produce you bought three days ago still on sale? Were those healthy snacks such a big hit that you ought to get some more?
2) Organize the list according to the store layout. (It is a sign of my tendency to over-optimize things that I actually do this.) When I'm making the final list, I put things in rough order according to where stuff is in the store. This makes it quicker, because I can make one pass through the store and get everything (no need to go back to the produce section twice because I forgot potatoes and lemons which were way down on the list). It also makes it more likely that I actually get everything on the list (no forgetting the cough syrup which I saw six times but figured that I'd pick up when I went down that aisle, only I never did).
I'm not one of those conspiracy theorists, but in an effort to trim my own budget this year, I slowly started to experiment with washing some of my "dry clean only" items. I used Dryel for awhile, but even that was too expensive since I wear "office" clothes every day. I started with pants that I didn't really like - washed them on delicate and then hung them dry. I've progressed through my entire business wardrobed with absolutely no problems and even have some items that I dry in the regular dryer with my jeans. The only items I don't wash are ones that contain wool. Try it - you'll be amazed!
I'm sorry to contradict, but I think that it's FEWER blankets that make for more snuggling (unless one of the parties involved tends to ice cold feet).
Radar detectors don't cause bad driving, bad drivers do. He sure snowed you with the detector excuse and now you blame the technology, but the responsibility is still with the driver.
We have, by and large, pretty much the worst drivers of any modernized Western country here in the states...and police departments that love to profit off of it rather than improve driver education and enforce the things that are more dangerous (tailgating, for example).
You routinely give excellent financial advice, but please refrain from advising others on fitness and personal health. Unless you are a certified personal trainer, the suggestions you make might be at best ill-informed and at worse dangerous!
A non-solution? It is THE solution. Work hard, eliminate debt. Purchase a home and pay it off. Focus on education, apply your skills and get rewarded. There are so many people who have followed this path, to question it is ridiculous.
Again, no excuses. Demand more, give more and you'll get more. Is it hard? Yes. Is there sacrifice? Yes. Is there pain? Yes. But in the end, the price is worth it all.
I branched out on own, but didn't succeed. I have debt up to my eyeballs. Life is hard right now -- I have two jobs, my wife has three part-time jobs and we homeschool our kids. For the time being, family game night is a big night out. But that's the price we're willing to pay to right our ship. No complaining, no excuses, we're just going to get it done (with some great ideas from Wise Bread!)
I don't care if a CEO makes millions, or if a small businessman buys a Lexus. I have no class envy. Collectivism failed (see Soviet Union). This country rewards hard work. I look forward to succeeding again -- and then giving back to this great country I love.
That sounds cool. Particularly the real time aspect of updating. Really cool. I kind of do what the second commenter mentioned with the rewrite of the list. Not sure I mentioned that before. Except that she seems to like the topic area sublists, and I seem to go more with location sublists.
That being said, I've always wanted to be one of the people that can go the extra mile and know per store which aisle I need to hit for the various things. But moving always knocks me for a loop. By the time I live somewhere long enough to be that familiar with the stores I hit, it's time to move. Alas . . .
Sorry, there are some things you just can't do for free or nearly free.
I am in the gym every morning before work. Five days per week.
I have a strength-training regimen that involves barbells, freeweights, cable sytems, power racks, and a few isolation machines. Duplicating that in my home would cost me thousands of dollars.
If I were to try to do it your way, it would be even worse. Where would I find enough tree limbs and boulders, in incrementing weights, to put together a Rocky IV montage every morning?
And how much safer is it to use a power rack, with incremental weights and people around me to spot, rather than trying to pick up unbalanced "heavy things" in my back yard?
Also, let us not forget the other niceties provided by my gym membership, which can't be easily duplicated for free-or-nearly-free... I have access to basketball courts, a running track, all manner of cardiovascular machines, a six-story climbing wall, exercise classes, two swimming pools, a hot tub, a sauna, and a hot shower every morning with shampoo, conditioner, mouthwash, deodorant, lotion, shaving creme, and razors all provided for me... and I don't have to wash any towels, either.
How much money do you suppose I'm *SAVING* by not buying toiletries, using my washing machine less, using my water heater less, and (most importantly) having the proper equipment and people around me to prevent hospital visits for injuries!
One of the reasons I switched over to the spreadsheet has to do with the fact I use Google Docs — I've got a shared spreadsheet with my boyfriend, so either one of us can update the shopping list from anywhere with internet access.
Like suggested, I keep a list on the fridge so that as I run out of things, the item can get added to the list right away. We also recently started planning our meals a week ahead of time, and have found that really helpful!
I have one more tip to share - we take the lists from the fridge and from our meal plan, and re-write it on a sheet of paper with headings. I haven't nailed down the perfect headings yet, but last week's went something like this: produce/breads; boxed/canned/prepared; meat/dairy; misc (for papergoods, juices, etc). It helps us save time at the store by not having to double back a million times and hit isles we've already been down.
>>>This country was built on people working hard and sacrificing -- pretty much what this web site is all about. Tighten your belt, get off the couch and get a second or third job. No excuses. Then one day YOU'LL be in a position to give someone a helping hand.
This is an untenable non-solution.
The large numbers of low-wage jobs that earn so little money that people have to work two jobs is a social problem. It's okay, even good, to have some number of these jobs so people can enter the working world, but if there are too many of these jobs, it destabilizes the "floor" for middle class people. That is the direction we're headed.
For one, people who are very poor are not able to maintain a healthy standard of living, and can't create what we'd consider a "safe society" where parents are at home at night to raise their children. The "best" parents take second and third jobs, and have no time to improve their situation by going to school, and put their children at risk of neglect.
The existence of a "middle class" depends on huge masses of people with money to purchase things at relatively high prices. Poor people don't buy many things made in the USA. They don't pay for services - they get them from the welfare system. Most of their income goes toward rent and food.
The global dominance of our society depends, to some extent, on people being over-skilled. People acquire skills to climb the income ladder. To do this, they need "free" time after or before their job, to go to school, or apprentice themselves, or self-educate. If people are squeezed, and can't find time for self-improvement, they will be stuck, and inflexible. This is *difficult* when there are economic upheavals, or huge changes to laws that restructure jobs out of existence.
FYI, I *am* helping some people, and have helped others in the past. I don't want to see their economic situation replicated more. I want to see more decent jobs, with health care benefits. I want to see more situations where, maybe people aren't paid that much, but they have insurance benefits and a pension (or there's socialized medicine and a government pension), and the CEO and presidents are making a reasonable amount of money, not these millions of dollars (while their poorest workers get minimum wage and no bennies). I would like for small business owners figure out how to get health insurance for their workers, before they buy a $50K car and a $0.75MIL house.
I do everything but number one, although I admit I could probably benefit from that.
I also break my list down into sub categories with pen and paper so I have certain items listed by store if I already know where I need to buy specific items. I guess that's sort of spread sheet "ish", but certainly not as high tech as many people. It just seems like when we notice things that are missing, we are by the fridge / freezer / cupboard where the magnetic notepad is, rather than at the keyboard. But I know every family and household has its own routine, so I'm sure others could easily make the spreadsheet system work for them.
To date in January I've spent $233.01 on drycleaning (and that includes my 15% discount for being a premium customer). I'm going to search online this afternoon to learn more about dry-cleaning bags, and hopefully combining the bags with a steamer will shave 90-95% of my drycleaning bill.
It seems like everyone has their own business these days, even if it's just a small side line to their day job. What do people need to do to take care of their businesses in their wills?
And what about writers, artists, etc.? Do they need to formally hand off rights to their works at all?
While it may be true that you don't necessarily *have* to have a will, if you have any assets to speak of (and certainly, as you mentioned, children) you absolutely *want* to have one. Speaking as the close relative of a judge who handles probate issues, dying "intestate" (without a will) virtually guarantees headaches in court.
However, I'd adjust this myth to point out that you don't need a lawyer or even an online service to prepare a will: Just list out all your major assets (except for the ones you've named beneficiaries for) and specify who should get each one, plus a catchall "other assets" category. Get the required number of people (often one or two) to witness it, and put it somewhere where your friends and family can get to it (not a safety deposit box, unless they can sign on it).
At home drycleaning kits (I don't even spend full price on these, there is a generic version) seem to work just fine for everything I've put in them. I have mostly cleaned sweaters including hand knit fine wool ones (angora, alpaca, etc) in there, which are pretty delicate. However, I've also cleaned larger things (wool coats) as well as standard shirts and suits and pants. Might want to start with your less than favorite things, but I've never had an issue. And they are really cheap--maybe $10 for about 9 loads (3-5 items a load).
"... who need to have their standard of living improved."
Did you mean have their standard of living improved by someone else, or for them to improve their standard of living.
We complain about the rich making more money even as we stick our hands deeper into their pockets asking for more. We complain about the cost of prescriptions even as we depend more and more on "Big Pharma" for extending our lives. "I need..." "I deserve..." "I want..."
This country was built on people working hard and sacrificing -- pretty much what this web site is all about. Tighten your belt, get off the couch and get a second or third job. No excuses. Then one day YOU'LL be in a position to give someone a helping hand.
but they do. Things can get complicated after you die..and people..relatives..don't act like they normally would! If you have no kids, do you want your parents and/or your siblings to get part of your estate? If you have kids, you are NEGLIGENT, if you don't have a will that says exactly who you want to get your kids (get permission beforehand and work it all out beforehand).
Also, do you want those left behind, floundering and doing extra work because you didn't have your ducks in a row? The probate process is MUCH faster if you have a will..don't automatically assume everything will go to your spouse or your parents, if you are unmarried. Get a will.
Wills can be cheap! There are many self help kits out there. You don't need to see a lawyer...go to Legal Zoom or "We the People" (google those two)...or if you are military (retired too), get it on post at the legal office for free. Some companies even have their own legal office and provide free services..just ask.
If your net worth is over $500,000, then you need a living trust. If you see a lawyer, it'll cost $500-$4k. If you do it on your own, thru a place like "We the People", it'll cost only $500..you'll have to fund it yourself, but they show you how to do it.
Great points for living regret-free. The emergency planning item hits home since my dad recently got sick and if I didn't have a little tucked away, I wouldn't be able to travel to spend time with him - that would have definitely been a huge regret. Now, I'm working on maxing out those employer-sponsored retirement plans!
Thanks for sharing.
Don't make it harder on your heirs...
to tell you the truth. I'm with you on the produce and frozen items, as well as the dairy stuff. Certain aisles are obvious, I know, but it seems that it never fails that I have 3 or 4 items on my list that are in some sort of no man's land category that different stores deem appropriate for different locations. It's a real bugger. And then, just when I get the hang of it, some just out of school marketing genius shakes things up and moves things around. Just venting. . . and really digging this discussion, Thursday.
These are some great tips, can we talk about republsihing them over at www.thanksdrinking.com?
1) Use your receipts. I can remember the days when a grocery store receipt was just a long row of numbers with a total, which was not so useful. But for the past 25 years or so, grocery store receipts are an actual list of everything you bought. If you skim over your most recent three or four grocery receipts, you'll have a chance to spot stuff worth thinking about. Is the produce you bought three days ago still on sale? Were those healthy snacks such a big hit that you ought to get some more?
2) Organize the list according to the store layout. (It is a sign of my tendency to over-optimize things that I actually do this.) When I'm making the final list, I put things in rough order according to where stuff is in the store. This makes it quicker, because I can make one pass through the store and get everything (no need to go back to the produce section twice because I forgot potatoes and lemons which were way down on the list). It also makes it more likely that I actually get everything on the list (no forgetting the cough syrup which I saw six times but figured that I'd pick up when I went down that aisle, only I never did).
I'm not one of those conspiracy theorists, but in an effort to trim my own budget this year, I slowly started to experiment with washing some of my "dry clean only" items. I used Dryel for awhile, but even that was too expensive since I wear "office" clothes every day. I started with pants that I didn't really like - washed them on delicate and then hung them dry. I've progressed through my entire business wardrobed with absolutely no problems and even have some items that I dry in the regular dryer with my jeans. The only items I don't wash are ones that contain wool. Try it - you'll be amazed!
I'm sorry to contradict, but I think that it's FEWER blankets that make for more snuggling (unless one of the parties involved tends to ice cold feet).
Radar detectors don't cause bad driving, bad drivers do. He sure snowed you with the detector excuse and now you blame the technology, but the responsibility is still with the driver.
We have, by and large, pretty much the worst drivers of any modernized Western country here in the states...and police departments that love to profit off of it rather than improve driver education and enforce the things that are more dangerous (tailgating, for example).
Jabulani -
You routinely give excellent financial advice, but please refrain from advising others on fitness and personal health. Unless you are a certified personal trainer, the suggestions you make might be at best ill-informed and at worse dangerous!
Toby
A non-solution? It is THE solution. Work hard, eliminate debt. Purchase a home and pay it off. Focus on education, apply your skills and get rewarded. There are so many people who have followed this path, to question it is ridiculous.
Again, no excuses. Demand more, give more and you'll get more. Is it hard? Yes. Is there sacrifice? Yes. Is there pain? Yes. But in the end, the price is worth it all.
I branched out on own, but didn't succeed. I have debt up to my eyeballs. Life is hard right now -- I have two jobs, my wife has three part-time jobs and we homeschool our kids. For the time being, family game night is a big night out. But that's the price we're willing to pay to right our ship. No complaining, no excuses, we're just going to get it done (with some great ideas from Wise Bread!)
I don't care if a CEO makes millions, or if a small businessman buys a Lexus. I have no class envy. Collectivism failed (see Soviet Union). This country rewards hard work. I look forward to succeeding again -- and then giving back to this great country I love.
That sounds cool. Particularly the real time aspect of updating. Really cool. I kind of do what the second commenter mentioned with the rewrite of the list. Not sure I mentioned that before. Except that she seems to like the topic area sublists, and I seem to go more with location sublists.
That being said, I've always wanted to be one of the people that can go the extra mile and know per store which aisle I need to hit for the various things. But moving always knocks me for a loop. By the time I live somewhere long enough to be that familiar with the stores I hit, it's time to move. Alas . . .
Sorry, there are some things you just can't do for free or nearly free.
I am in the gym every morning before work. Five days per week.
I have a strength-training regimen that involves barbells, freeweights, cable sytems, power racks, and a few isolation machines. Duplicating that in my home would cost me thousands of dollars.
If I were to try to do it your way, it would be even worse. Where would I find enough tree limbs and boulders, in incrementing weights, to put together a Rocky IV montage every morning?
And how much safer is it to use a power rack, with incremental weights and people around me to spot, rather than trying to pick up unbalanced "heavy things" in my back yard?
Also, let us not forget the other niceties provided by my gym membership, which can't be easily duplicated for free-or-nearly-free... I have access to basketball courts, a running track, all manner of cardiovascular machines, a six-story climbing wall, exercise classes, two swimming pools, a hot tub, a sauna, and a hot shower every morning with shampoo, conditioner, mouthwash, deodorant, lotion, shaving creme, and razors all provided for me... and I don't have to wash any towels, either.
How much money do you suppose I'm *SAVING* by not buying toiletries, using my washing machine less, using my water heater less, and (most importantly) having the proper equipment and people around me to prevent hospital visits for injuries!
One of the reasons I switched over to the spreadsheet has to do with the fact I use Google Docs — I've got a shared spreadsheet with my boyfriend, so either one of us can update the shopping list from anywhere with internet access.
Like suggested, I keep a list on the fridge so that as I run out of things, the item can get added to the list right away. We also recently started planning our meals a week ahead of time, and have found that really helpful!
I have one more tip to share - we take the lists from the fridge and from our meal plan, and re-write it on a sheet of paper with headings. I haven't nailed down the perfect headings yet, but last week's went something like this: produce/breads; boxed/canned/prepared; meat/dairy; misc (for papergoods, juices, etc). It helps us save time at the store by not having to double back a million times and hit isles we've already been down.
>>>This country was built on people working hard and sacrificing -- pretty much what this web site is all about. Tighten your belt, get off the couch and get a second or third job. No excuses. Then one day YOU'LL be in a position to give someone a helping hand.
This is an untenable non-solution.
The large numbers of low-wage jobs that earn so little money that people have to work two jobs is a social problem. It's okay, even good, to have some number of these jobs so people can enter the working world, but if there are too many of these jobs, it destabilizes the "floor" for middle class people. That is the direction we're headed.
For one, people who are very poor are not able to maintain a healthy standard of living, and can't create what we'd consider a "safe society" where parents are at home at night to raise their children. The "best" parents take second and third jobs, and have no time to improve their situation by going to school, and put their children at risk of neglect.
The existence of a "middle class" depends on huge masses of people with money to purchase things at relatively high prices. Poor people don't buy many things made in the USA. They don't pay for services - they get them from the welfare system. Most of their income goes toward rent and food.
The global dominance of our society depends, to some extent, on people being over-skilled. People acquire skills to climb the income ladder. To do this, they need "free" time after or before their job, to go to school, or apprentice themselves, or self-educate. If people are squeezed, and can't find time for self-improvement, they will be stuck, and inflexible. This is *difficult* when there are economic upheavals, or huge changes to laws that restructure jobs out of existence.
FYI, I *am* helping some people, and have helped others in the past. I don't want to see their economic situation replicated more. I want to see more decent jobs, with health care benefits. I want to see more situations where, maybe people aren't paid that much, but they have insurance benefits and a pension (or there's socialized medicine and a government pension), and the CEO and presidents are making a reasonable amount of money, not these millions of dollars (while their poorest workers get minimum wage and no bennies). I would like for small business owners figure out how to get health insurance for their workers, before they buy a $50K car and a $0.75MIL house.
Running/Jumping with ankle weights is actually quite dangerous to the joints. Probably not a good idea.
I do everything but number one, although I admit I could probably benefit from that.
I also break my list down into sub categories with pen and paper so I have certain items listed by store if I already know where I need to buy specific items. I guess that's sort of spread sheet "ish", but certainly not as high tech as many people. It just seems like when we notice things that are missing, we are by the fridge / freezer / cupboard where the magnetic notepad is, rather than at the keyboard. But I know every family and household has its own routine, so I'm sure others could easily make the spreadsheet system work for them.
Cool post.
To date in January I've spent $233.01 on drycleaning (and that includes my 15% discount for being a premium customer). I'm going to search online this afternoon to learn more about dry-cleaning bags, and hopefully combining the bags with a steamer will shave 90-95% of my drycleaning bill.
It seems like everyone has their own business these days, even if it's just a small side line to their day job. What do people need to do to take care of their businesses in their wills?
And what about writers, artists, etc.? Do they need to formally hand off rights to their works at all?
Thanks!
While not free, Wal-Mart/Sam's Club has a long list of generic drugs available for $4. A list of medications available is below.
http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/retail/walmart-druglist-10-17-2...
While it may be true that you don't necessarily *have* to have a will, if you have any assets to speak of (and certainly, as you mentioned, children) you absolutely *want* to have one. Speaking as the close relative of a judge who handles probate issues, dying "intestate" (without a will) virtually guarantees headaches in court.
However, I'd adjust this myth to point out that you don't need a lawyer or even an online service to prepare a will: Just list out all your major assets (except for the ones you've named beneficiaries for) and specify who should get each one, plus a catchall "other assets" category. Get the required number of people (often one or two) to witness it, and put it somewhere where your friends and family can get to it (not a safety deposit box, unless they can sign on it).
At home drycleaning kits (I don't even spend full price on these, there is a generic version) seem to work just fine for everything I've put in them. I have mostly cleaned sweaters including hand knit fine wool ones (angora, alpaca, etc) in there, which are pretty delicate. However, I've also cleaned larger things (wool coats) as well as standard shirts and suits and pants. Might want to start with your less than favorite things, but I've never had an issue. And they are really cheap--maybe $10 for about 9 loads (3-5 items a load).
"... who need to have their standard of living improved."
Did you mean have their standard of living improved by someone else, or for them to improve their standard of living.
We complain about the rich making more money even as we stick our hands deeper into their pockets asking for more. We complain about the cost of prescriptions even as we depend more and more on "Big Pharma" for extending our lives. "I need..." "I deserve..." "I want..."
This country was built on people working hard and sacrificing -- pretty much what this web site is all about. Tighten your belt, get off the couch and get a second or third job. No excuses. Then one day YOU'LL be in a position to give someone a helping hand.
but they do. Things can get complicated after you die..and people..relatives..don't act like they normally would! If you have no kids, do you want your parents and/or your siblings to get part of your estate? If you have kids, you are NEGLIGENT, if you don't have a will that says exactly who you want to get your kids (get permission beforehand and work it all out beforehand).
Also, do you want those left behind, floundering and doing extra work because you didn't have your ducks in a row? The probate process is MUCH faster if you have a will..don't automatically assume everything will go to your spouse or your parents, if you are unmarried. Get a will.
Wills can be cheap! There are many self help kits out there. You don't need to see a lawyer...go to Legal Zoom or "We the People" (google those two)...or if you are military (retired too), get it on post at the legal office for free. Some companies even have their own legal office and provide free services..just ask.
If your net worth is over $500,000, then you need a living trust. If you see a lawyer, it'll cost $500-$4k. If you do it on your own, thru a place like "We the People", it'll cost only $500..you'll have to fund it yourself, but they show you how to do it.
Good post and good reminder for the new year!
Did you make the jump yet? I bet you didnt. Stop wasting your time and feed your dream with a dose of reality