That was great--my husband and I have done some of those things on and off for years. When we first married (13 years ago this week) I was in graduate school. We bought a house in the suburbs where we grew up and commuted into the city for school and work. I hate interstate and night driving, and he's always indulged me there, so instead of taking both cars on the two days I had classes, we'd leave an hour early for him to drop me at the university. And it was a big sacrifice for him; we had to leave at 5:45 am (vs. 6:30 on days he went in alone), and he had to double back 10 miles to work after leaving me at school. One of those two days, I was in class off and on until almost 10 pm, and we didn't get home till almost 10:30. We could have taken two cars, but my nerves wouldn't have survived night driving over a LOT of water. Carpooling saved a little bit in gas, but it was the sacrifice he made in time and aggravation that made it even more special.
Well, if they tell you that, you can say "Oh, that's fine, give me my 'short' amount of coffee in a 'tall' cup, I don't mind" and then smile really sweetly and innocently. And if they say no, ask to see the manager.
i have a 1 1/2 year old girl and this helps. we have a bookshelf with boxes in them, we only pull out one a day and they always seem to surprise her. while the toys that don't fit in boxes and are always out are about as interesting as a chair to her.
as easy as it may be. my dead mother has some unclaimed money, so my brother and i would probably get it but it says under $100 and something about rebates. doubt it's worth it to get all the info we need and froms. but it was nice wishing we had a secret mansion somewhere and hoping i could find it =P
Also, I read that whenever you call a 800 number, your number is recorded and somehow gets to the Intelius database, maybe via some other company. I really don't know it. Does anybody have more precise information about it?
Hey everyone, just wanted to point out that there are still some things you can get for free – like directory assistance using 1-800-Free411. Just listen to a short ad (most are around 15 seconds), and then you have access to both business and residential listings. The information is accurate, because they use the same real-time data as the phone companies. Just give it a try – there are no hidden fees or charges. If you’re using a cell phone, you may get charged for your minutes, but that’s all. Considering that most cell carriers are now charging up to $2 per 411 call, the savings could really add up!
I am definitely in agreement with that. We felt ready to incorporate pets into our lives, and rearranged our budget accordingly. That being said, it's nice to save money on their expense where we can. Thanks again for the article, Linsey.
You said it... that is exactly what I was trying to say in my article, Choosing Between Apples and Oranges . Living on a budget doesn't automatically determine that you won't be able to buy things... it simply allows for you to plan ahead so that there are fewer surprises.
While I'm not doubting the validity of Paul's reasons for being angry with this store and the general practice of price gouging, not all stores, and not all products go through this cycle.
I mentioned in an earlier blog post about how I watch soup prices at my local store because it's just so much easier to buy when they're on sale versus making my own at home and having no way to store leftovers. Because i watch them when they're not on sale, I know I'm getting a good price.
I dunno. Maybe my local store is just behind the times...
As I hinted at earlier, something like 10 for $10 does not usually mean you buy 10 to get the deal. In fact, I believe Safeway has now had to label (albeit in small print) the individual price on each product. If in doubt, ask for a price check. Grocery store psychology is a serious business.
Great article! My boyfriend and I always share food when we go out - our solution is to order an appetizer and split an entree. Works well since I can never finish my meal and saves us at least $10 or so. And for some reason, it definitely feels more romantic!!
Hey, and what about the new-style 3-for, 4-for, or 5-for (eg."5 for $16.37") price tags the stores are putting up all over the place? Many items do not even have a price tag for how much one item costs. I believe they are trying to trick the consumer with the "bulk buy" mentality or hide the fact that the item has increased in price. In reality, many of these are not deals at all - they represent a price increase.
That's one reason most of our grocery money is spent at ALDI.
Could it be illegal in your state to raise the price and then put it on sale? If it isn't it should be.
Also, I would complain, using your receipt from before the sale, to the store manager and to the corporate headquarters. Tell them why you won't shop their sales or why you won't shop that store anymore. One voice may or may not make a difference but I bet many voices would.
How about contacting your local newspaper or TV station for Consumer Problems - maybe they would like to investigate. Businesses do not like negative publicity.
I would catch that because I remember prices of items that I use most frequently. I also do that in order to not pay more when shopping at a different supermarket.
My local store likes to bunch very similar items together and only put a couple of the unpopular ones on sale in hopes that you will grab the item that isn't on sale thinking that it is on sale.
On at least some mortgages with teaser rates, the teaser rate really is the rate being charged. (That is, there's no negative amortization.) If that rate is frozen, the homeowner does come out ahead--he's borrowing money at a below-market rate for an extended period of time.
Of course, you're right, that the borrower only really comes out ahead if he or she goes on to use the period of below-market rates to pay down extra principal--which is just the sort of behavior that would probably lead to the loss of the freeze, as it would be proof that the borrower is really in category one.
Also, watch out for another way you can be deceived...size or weight of a product can go down but the price will remain the same. You're getting less of something for the same price.
After about a 10 year hiatus I've started growing sprouts again. The lettuce we get here in southwest Florida is the worst I've ever seen and at $1.50 per head, with about 25% waste due to rot, rust, etc. I'd had it. Sprouts are wonderful - in salads, soups, on sandwiches. Try them, especially tangy ones, with crunchy peanut butter on WW bread - heavenly.
I really liked this article, but I have to say that sometimes people need the drive to work to mentally prepare for the day, or to cool down on the way home. If things have been tense at work, and a person isn't given any time to work it out on his/her own, he/she could end up taking it out verbally on the spouse. This is especially true if the two don't both have good days.
Granted, I have carpooled with my girlfriend to work, but our drive was more like 10-15 minutes. My experience has been pretty good with it, and we both feel really good about the lower environmental impact of carpooling. It works for us, but I could easily see where it wouldn't work for everyone.
Your house value increases dramatically
Your payrate increases
They enable you to get into a house you can afford earlier
If all three of these aren't true, a teaser rate is a bad idea, all around.
With a teaser rate, you have negative amortization. What this means is that you aren't even paying the full interest on your house, and are making no dent at all in the principle.
For one year, this can really help someone out.
Extend this idea over a longer stretch of time though, particularly with stagnant or falling house values, and you quickly owe far more than your house was ever worth, and more than it is currently worth.
This traps you upside down in a house you can't afford, and have no way of getting out of. Not a good idea.
sprouts are known to have one of the strongest anticarcinogens in them.
Research done in 2002 found that the lowest rates of cancer in the world are found in japan and far eastren countries.this as directly related the the consumption of sprouting vegetables.the rest of the diet is not really condusive to good health...
I have been preparing and eating sprouts like this for 7 yrs and besides a bout of food poisoning(bad chinese food ironicly) i have not been sick at all in those 7 yrs.Not even a runny nose.
So...this is not only a way of saving cash on tasty meals but a way to avoid doctors bills.
Brilliant post
sprouts are known to have one of the strongest anticarcinogens in them.
Research done in 2002 found that the lowest rates of cancer in the world are found in japan and far eastren countries.this as directly related the the consumption of sprouting vegetables.the rest of the diet is not really condusive to good health...
I have been preparing and eating sprouts like this for 7 yrs and besides a bout of food poisoning(bad chinese food ironicly) i have not been sick at all in those 7 yrs.Not even a runny nose.
So...this is not only a way of saving cash on tasty meals but a way to avoid doctors bills.
Brilliant post
For those who question the wisdom of spending money on pets, I'd like to point out that frugality is not about depriving yourself. It's about having a meaningful life because you didn't waist your life energy chasing things that don't matter.
My pet is well cared for because I don't have an i-phone. For me, its a good trade off. Your situation may be different.
That was great--my husband and I have done some of those things on and off for years. When we first married (13 years ago this week) I was in graduate school. We bought a house in the suburbs where we grew up and commuted into the city for school and work. I hate interstate and night driving, and he's always indulged me there, so instead of taking both cars on the two days I had classes, we'd leave an hour early for him to drop me at the university. And it was a big sacrifice for him; we had to leave at 5:45 am (vs. 6:30 on days he went in alone), and he had to double back 10 miles to work after leaving me at school. One of those two days, I was in class off and on until almost 10 pm, and we didn't get home till almost 10:30. We could have taken two cars, but my nerves wouldn't have survived night driving over a LOT of water. Carpooling saved a little bit in gas, but it was the sacrifice he made in time and aggravation that made it even more special.
Well, if they tell you that, you can say "Oh, that's fine, give me my 'short' amount of coffee in a 'tall' cup, I don't mind" and then smile really sweetly and innocently. And if they say no, ask to see the manager.
The first method did not work for me, but probably because I was doing it in August.
i have a 1 1/2 year old girl and this helps. we have a bookshelf with boxes in them, we only pull out one a day and they always seem to surprise her. while the toys that don't fit in boxes and are always out are about as interesting as a chair to her.
as easy as it may be. my dead mother has some unclaimed money, so my brother and i would probably get it but it says under $100 and something about rebates. doubt it's worth it to get all the info we need and froms. but it was nice wishing we had a secret mansion somewhere and hoping i could find it =P
Also, I read that whenever you call a 800 number, your number is recorded and somehow gets to the Intelius database, maybe via some other company. I really don't know it. Does anybody have more precise information about it?
Hey everyone, just wanted to point out that there are still some things you can get for free – like directory assistance using 1-800-Free411. Just listen to a short ad (most are around 15 seconds), and then you have access to both business and residential listings. The information is accurate, because they use the same real-time data as the phone companies. Just give it a try – there are no hidden fees or charges. If you’re using a cell phone, you may get charged for your minutes, but that’s all. Considering that most cell carriers are now charging up to $2 per 411 call, the savings could really add up!
Really enjoyed that, some nice ways to save cash and share resources. And everyone know that when you share a dessert it doesn't have any calories!
I am definitely in agreement with that. We felt ready to incorporate pets into our lives, and rearranged our budget accordingly. That being said, it's nice to save money on their expense where we can. Thanks again for the article, Linsey.
You said it... that is exactly what I was trying to say in my article, Choosing Between Apples and Oranges . Living on a budget doesn't automatically determine that you won't be able to buy things... it simply allows for you to plan ahead so that there are fewer surprises.
While I'm not doubting the validity of Paul's reasons for being angry with this store and the general practice of price gouging, not all stores, and not all products go through this cycle.
I mentioned in an earlier blog post about how I watch soup prices at my local store because it's just so much easier to buy when they're on sale versus making my own at home and having no way to store leftovers. Because i watch them when they're not on sale, I know I'm getting a good price.
I dunno. Maybe my local store is just behind the times...
As I hinted at earlier, something like 10 for $10 does not usually mean you buy 10 to get the deal. In fact, I believe Safeway has now had to label (albeit in small print) the individual price on each product. If in doubt, ask for a price check. Grocery store psychology is a serious business.
Great article! My boyfriend and I always share food when we go out - our solution is to order an appetizer and split an entree. Works well since I can never finish my meal and saves us at least $10 or so. And for some reason, it definitely feels more romantic!!
Hey, and what about the new-style 3-for, 4-for, or 5-for (eg."5 for $16.37") price tags the stores are putting up all over the place? Many items do not even have a price tag for how much one item costs. I believe they are trying to trick the consumer with the "bulk buy" mentality or hide the fact that the item has increased in price. In reality, many of these are not deals at all - they represent a price increase.
That's one reason most of our grocery money is spent at ALDI.
Could it be illegal in your state to raise the price and then put it on sale? If it isn't it should be.
Also, I would complain, using your receipt from before the sale, to the store manager and to the corporate headquarters. Tell them why you won't shop their sales or why you won't shop that store anymore. One voice may or may not make a difference but I bet many voices would.
How about contacting your local newspaper or TV station for Consumer Problems - maybe they would like to investigate. Businesses do not like negative publicity.
I would catch that because I remember prices of items that I use most frequently. I also do that in order to not pay more when shopping at a different supermarket.
My local store likes to bunch very similar items together and only put a couple of the unpopular ones on sale in hopes that you will grab the item that isn't on sale thinking that it is on sale.
On at least some mortgages with teaser rates, the teaser rate really is the rate being charged. (That is, there's no negative amortization.) If that rate is frozen, the homeowner does come out ahead--he's borrowing money at a below-market rate for an extended period of time.
Of course, you're right, that the borrower only really comes out ahead if he or she goes on to use the period of below-market rates to pay down extra principal--which is just the sort of behavior that would probably lead to the loss of the freeze, as it would be proof that the borrower is really in category one.
Also, watch out for another way you can be deceived...size or weight of a product can go down but the price will remain the same. You're getting less of something for the same price.
After about a 10 year hiatus I've started growing sprouts again. The lettuce we get here in southwest Florida is the worst I've ever seen and at $1.50 per head, with about 25% waste due to rot, rust, etc. I'd had it. Sprouts are wonderful - in salads, soups, on sandwiches. Try them, especially tangy ones, with crunchy peanut butter on WW bread - heavenly.
I really liked this article, but I have to say that sometimes people need the drive to work to mentally prepare for the day, or to cool down on the way home. If things have been tense at work, and a person isn't given any time to work it out on his/her own, he/she could end up taking it out verbally on the spouse. This is especially true if the two don't both have good days.
Granted, I have carpooled with my girlfriend to work, but our drive was more like 10-15 minutes. My experience has been pretty good with it, and we both feel really good about the lower environmental impact of carpooling. It works for us, but I could easily see where it wouldn't work for everyone.
Teaser rates can be a good thing, if:
Your house value increases dramatically
Your payrate increases
They enable you to get into a house you can afford earlier
If all three of these aren't true, a teaser rate is a bad idea, all around.
With a teaser rate, you have negative amortization. What this means is that you aren't even paying the full interest on your house, and are making no dent at all in the principle.
For one year, this can really help someone out.
Extend this idea over a longer stretch of time though, particularly with stagnant or falling house values, and you quickly owe far more than your house was ever worth, and more than it is currently worth.
This traps you upside down in a house you can't afford, and have no way of getting out of. Not a good idea.
sprouts are known to have one of the strongest anticarcinogens in them.
Research done in 2002 found that the lowest rates of cancer in the world are found in japan and far eastren countries.this as directly related the the consumption of sprouting vegetables.the rest of the diet is not really condusive to good health...
I have been preparing and eating sprouts like this for 7 yrs and besides a bout of food poisoning(bad chinese food ironicly) i have not been sick at all in those 7 yrs.Not even a runny nose.
So...this is not only a way of saving cash on tasty meals but a way to avoid doctors bills.
Brilliant post
sprouts are known to have one of the strongest anticarcinogens in them.
Research done in 2002 found that the lowest rates of cancer in the world are found in japan and far eastren countries.this as directly related the the consumption of sprouting vegetables.the rest of the diet is not really condusive to good health...
I have been preparing and eating sprouts like this for 7 yrs and besides a bout of food poisoning(bad chinese food ironicly) i have not been sick at all in those 7 yrs.Not even a runny nose.
So...this is not only a way of saving cash on tasty meals but a way to avoid doctors bills.
Brilliant post
For those who question the wisdom of spending money on pets, I'd like to point out that frugality is not about depriving yourself. It's about having a meaningful life because you didn't waist your life energy chasing things that don't matter.
My pet is well cared for because I don't have an i-phone. For me, its a good trade off. Your situation may be different.