A mortgage is a loan. If a lender loans you $200,000 to buy a house and you pay off a small part of it in one year, he charges interest on the unpaid balance. If that doesn't seem fair, try to convince an individual or bank to lend you money interest-free. Another alternative would be to save up $200,000 and buy the house cash.
Haggling is a dance and is actually a good time. Live life as it is around you. If it saves a couple of bucks, even the better. Enjoy what is different, we have more many than you anyway!
Why There's No Reason NOT to Buy Store Brand Baby Formula
Parent and Wise Bread blogger Paul Michael comments on the advantages of buying store-brand baby formulas compared to expensive national brand formulas that meet the same FDA infant formula guidelines.
The above Blog was posted on the website PBM Products. As we all should be aware of the short-comings of the FDA and its relation to the Infant Formula Act, shame on PBM for not providing definitive facts that their products are "same" as "private label" and/or "name brand" products. Don't be fooled by inventive target marketing...price should not be a factor when selecting the product that best meets the need of your infant.
OK, let's take a moment to think about the difference between "store brand" and "name brand" infant formula. Yes, they are all regulated under the Infant Formula Act and parents who make a decision based upon price alone should think twice. Of course, there are known differences of the product but you have to look closer than the label and most often you will not see anything in regards to the process and/or quality of raw ingredients in which a product is manufactured. There are minimum and maximum label claims and I would say buyer beware, there are some products that hold itself to a higher standard. Don't be fooled by the Code of Federal Regualtion or FDA enforcement because it is too little too late, think about the products re-called from China. Companies that manufacture "store brand" products get by just under the radar. Don't second guess the nutrition of an infant, rely upon the experts that produce a quality product and strive for improvement. Basing your decision on price alone is STUPID! Think about your infant and the fact that they deserve the BEST! Go with a "NAME BRAND," they know what they are doing...
Speaking as a Brit born and bred, I have to disagree Steve. I have haggled for almost everything I could get away with and you're painting us all with the same brush by saying you don't. I also have to wonder why you spend your cearly valuable time reading blogs about how to save money. Do you see the irony in that at all? Even worse is then spending the time to comment on wasting time...that's almost laughable.
I'm going to pay extra this week for my peaches just for everyone who is so outraged over my post. That way, you can all de-stress and worry about the stuff in your own life - and I serioulsy mean that in the nicest way. :)
I go to farmers market to support the local farmers and don't ever ask for anything unreasonable.....just usually round to the dollar. I have a chronic illness that makes me extra grateful to be able to get great, healthy produce but I still try to save money where I can for my healthcare. And, I don't ever ask for a discount disrespectfully. I hope it came across in my article that you should always ask nicely and they can say no if they aren't comfortable with it. I used to have a friend who sold flowers at a farmers market years ago and they usually set their prices allowing for a bit of wiggle room. Again, if they say no, then I pay full price but it doesn't hurt to ask.
I also disagree with the farmer market advice.
Those are people who should be supported, because they work hard and make little money.
Often times, I even give them some extra money, like I won't take the change.
When it comes to stores, sure, I don't really care about them not making enough money off me, but the local people should be supported and encouraged, because they do a great job.
I'm assuming that you are going to be working as an independent contractor? Unfortunately, there's not much advice that I can give you about what you need to do, because contracting for Microsoft in Ireland might be incredibly different than doing it here. Also, I've never worked as an independent contractor. Contact the agency again and ask them to verify what you need to do. If you need to meet with an accountant, do it right away. Sure the agency that set you up has more information for you?
Farmer's markets are some of the few places where the true cost of the food is reflected in the actual price. Locally grown, often organic, nutritious food should be prized! You certainly can't get it in the supermarket, where foods have been shipped many miles and subjected to pesticides, genetic modification, and chemical fertilizers. The fact that these foods are so much cheaper hides the true costs to the environment and to our health.
Small farmers have to work very hard to keep going and we should be paying them MORE, not less. Shame on you. Please rethink your approach to spending money. I certainly understand wanting to save money on overpriced items being sold by huge companies with healthy profit margins. Farmer's markets are not the place to do that.
Glad you liked the article - thanks for taking the time to share! I think you'll find that green tea will make you feel better, overall, than coffee. I like both a lot, but I notice that green tea doesn't upset my stomach the way coffee can, and it's lighter.
No need to go to Starbucks - but if you feel like splurging occasionally, you can order some lovely green tea online. Just look for any site that sells organix loose leaf tea. Order a teeny bit and see if you like it. My favorite is lychee-flavored white tea.
I think the mathematical reason for front loading becomes evident if you start by thinking of an interest only loan. Every payment you make is for interest, and it's the exact same amount every month.
Now what if you pay a little more than just the interest? Well that would reduce your principal, so next month you'd have a smaller loan and owe less interest. If you make the same payment as the previous month, more can go to principal since you owe less interest. A 30 year amortization is what you'd have to stick to to pay off the entire principal in 30 years using this interest + principal method.
I was trying to buy the very last desk at Target, which was the floor model. They wouln't let me have it, and told me that that was policy, that customers are not allowed to buy floor models. Did they lie to me?!?!?!
As others have said, it's pretty straightforward. You have a higher loan balance at the beginning, so the interest is higher at the beginning. If you have a $500K loan and you pay 6% then you need to pay $30,000 a year or $2500 a month in interest at the beginning. Typically people want to get as much house as they can afford and so they get a loan where their monthly payment is equal to the interest payment at the beginning (and then as the interest payment decreases the principle payments can increase.)
"There's nothing that I ever learned in math that can explain why I should put the first few years of house payments towards interest, which doesn’t increase the equity in my house at all."
Well, no one's stopping you from paying extra. But that's not going to decrease the $2500 a month you owe them in interest.
"The idea that you pay pretty much only interest for the first few years DOES make it seem like a conspiracy – can’t they just average out the interest over the course of the mortgage?"
It wouldn't be any better off if they did. You are still going to owe them around $30,000 in interest for those first few years-- because you agreed to a $500K mortgage at 6% APR and that's what it costs. If you paid less than your share of interest in the first few years (saying "I'll pay it later, at the end") and then sold your house, you'd better believe the bank would charge you the difference.
Basically, it's not that the banks are ripping you off. It's that all the "renting is throwing your money away, buying is investing in yourself" stuff we hear non-stop only works if a) you stay in the house at least 5-7 years or b) home values go up significantly. This is why I'm waiting to buy until I'm damn sure it's a place I want to stay for the medium-term.
I'm surprised nobody here has mentioned fostering pets. Many foster organizations pay for EVERYTHING (food, litter, toys, vet, etc.) It's a great way to experience the joys of puppies (or kittens) without forking over tonnes of money. It's also handy if you're living in an apartment that allows pets, but might move in the future to somewhere where they're banned.
Of course, the downside is that you have to give them up eventually, but you always get new ones, and what better way to save money on pets?
It's very reasonable to negotiate. If you think the price is too high, ask for a discount. If they want business with you at that price, everyone is happy. If not, so what? The price is too high.
That's not cheapness, that's bein reasonable, folks. While I wouldn't use all of the tips listed here, being upset about them or calling wisebread names just shows how unreasonable you are. Why overpay?
I would say that 10% off a display model is low for a display. At Target (I work there) we sell displays at 30%, unfortunately we only sell displays when they go clearance.
And you could bring any story you want to me, im not selling you a display TV that is not on clearance. Though if a box is even slightly dented i give 10-15% off just because its easier than arguing whether or not the dent caused any problems with the merchandise.
Anyone in this thread that is complaining about people wasting their time trying to save money is a moron. If you spent the time reading this post and peoples comments only to ridicule someone for passing on ideas to people than your the one wasting time. If 'time is money' than the time you spent reading and ranting probably wasted more time (equaling dollars) than I did saving 10% or more on my purchases. The author is right all you have to do is ask. Merchants aren't going to tell you how to save more money. This is business people.
I used to love Amazon's service. I hope to one day come back once they decide to do the right thing and stop selling dogfighting and cockfighting materials.
A mortgage is a loan. If a lender loans you $200,000 to buy a house and you pay off a small part of it in one year, he charges interest on the unpaid balance. If that doesn't seem fair, try to convince an individual or bank to lend you money interest-free. Another alternative would be to save up $200,000 and buy the house cash.
At least you didn't mention cutting up credit cards. Or worst, applying for a cash rebate card to get that measly 2% rebate on gas.
Haggling is a dance and is actually a good time. Live life as it is around you. If it saves a couple of bucks, even the better. Enjoy what is different, we have more many than you anyway!
Why There's No Reason NOT to Buy Store Brand Baby Formula
Parent and Wise Bread blogger Paul Michael comments on the advantages of buying store-brand baby formulas compared to expensive national brand formulas that meet the same FDA infant formula guidelines.
The above Blog was posted on the website PBM Products. As we all should be aware of the short-comings of the FDA and its relation to the Infant Formula Act, shame on PBM for not providing definitive facts that their products are "same" as "private label" and/or "name brand" products. Don't be fooled by inventive target marketing...price should not be a factor when selecting the product that best meets the need of your infant.
OK, let's take a moment to think about the difference between "store brand" and "name brand" infant formula. Yes, they are all regulated under the Infant Formula Act and parents who make a decision based upon price alone should think twice. Of course, there are known differences of the product but you have to look closer than the label and most often you will not see anything in regards to the process and/or quality of raw ingredients in which a product is manufactured. There are minimum and maximum label claims and I would say buyer beware, there are some products that hold itself to a higher standard. Don't be fooled by the Code of Federal Regualtion or FDA enforcement because it is too little too late, think about the products re-called from China. Companies that manufacture "store brand" products get by just under the radar. Don't second guess the nutrition of an infant, rely upon the experts that produce a quality product and strive for improvement. Basing your decision on price alone is STUPID! Think about your infant and the fact that they deserve the BEST! Go with a "NAME BRAND," they know what they are doing...
Speaking as a Brit born and bred, I have to disagree Steve. I have haggled for almost everything I could get away with and you're painting us all with the same brush by saying you don't. I also have to wonder why you spend your cearly valuable time reading blogs about how to save money. Do you see the irony in that at all? Even worse is then spending the time to comment on wasting time...that's almost laughable.
I'm going to pay extra this week for my peaches just for everyone who is so outraged over my post. That way, you can all de-stress and worry about the stuff in your own life - and I serioulsy mean that in the nicest way. :)
I go to farmers market to support the local farmers and don't ever ask for anything unreasonable.....just usually round to the dollar. I have a chronic illness that makes me extra grateful to be able to get great, healthy produce but I still try to save money where I can for my healthcare. And, I don't ever ask for a discount disrespectfully. I hope it came across in my article that you should always ask nicely and they can say no if they aren't comfortable with it. I used to have a friend who sold flowers at a farmers market years ago and they usually set their prices allowing for a bit of wiggle room. Again, if they say no, then I pay full price but it doesn't hurt to ask.
I also disagree with the farmer market advice.
Those are people who should be supported, because they work hard and make little money.
Often times, I even give them some extra money, like I won't take the change.
When it comes to stores, sure, I don't really care about them not making enough money off me, but the local people should be supported and encouraged, because they do a great job.
Hi, Natacha,
I'm assuming that you are going to be working as an independent contractor? Unfortunately, there's not much advice that I can give you about what you need to do, because contracting for Microsoft in Ireland might be incredibly different than doing it here. Also, I've never worked as an independent contractor. Contact the agency again and ask them to verify what you need to do. If you need to meet with an accountant, do it right away. Sure the agency that set you up has more information for you?
Farmer's markets are some of the few places where the true cost of the food is reflected in the actual price. Locally grown, often organic, nutritious food should be prized! You certainly can't get it in the supermarket, where foods have been shipped many miles and subjected to pesticides, genetic modification, and chemical fertilizers. The fact that these foods are so much cheaper hides the true costs to the environment and to our health.
Small farmers have to work very hard to keep going and we should be paying them MORE, not less. Shame on you. Please rethink your approach to spending money. I certainly understand wanting to save money on overpriced items being sold by huge companies with healthy profit margins. Farmer's markets are not the place to do that.
Glad you liked the article - thanks for taking the time to share! I think you'll find that green tea will make you feel better, overall, than coffee. I like both a lot, but I notice that green tea doesn't upset my stomach the way coffee can, and it's lighter.
No need to go to Starbucks - but if you feel like splurging occasionally, you can order some lovely green tea online. Just look for any site that sells organix loose leaf tea. Order a teeny bit and see if you like it. My favorite is lychee-flavored white tea.
I think the mathematical reason for front loading becomes evident if you start by thinking of an interest only loan. Every payment you make is for interest, and it's the exact same amount every month.
Now what if you pay a little more than just the interest? Well that would reduce your principal, so next month you'd have a smaller loan and owe less interest. If you make the same payment as the previous month, more can go to principal since you owe less interest. A 30 year amortization is what you'd have to stick to to pay off the entire principal in 30 years using this interest + principal method.
I was trying to buy the very last desk at Target, which was the floor model. They wouln't let me have it, and told me that that was policy, that customers are not allowed to buy floor models. Did they lie to me?!?!?!
As others have said, it's pretty straightforward. You have a higher loan balance at the beginning, so the interest is higher at the beginning. If you have a $500K loan and you pay 6% then you need to pay $30,000 a year or $2500 a month in interest at the beginning. Typically people want to get as much house as they can afford and so they get a loan where their monthly payment is equal to the interest payment at the beginning (and then as the interest payment decreases the principle payments can increase.)
"There's nothing that I ever learned in math that can explain why I should put the first few years of house payments towards interest, which doesn’t increase the equity in my house at all."
Well, no one's stopping you from paying extra. But that's not going to decrease the $2500 a month you owe them in interest.
"The idea that you pay pretty much only interest for the first few years DOES make it seem like a conspiracy – can’t they just average out the interest over the course of the mortgage?"
It wouldn't be any better off if they did. You are still going to owe them around $30,000 in interest for those first few years-- because you agreed to a $500K mortgage at 6% APR and that's what it costs. If you paid less than your share of interest in the first few years (saying "I'll pay it later, at the end") and then sold your house, you'd better believe the bank would charge you the difference.
Basically, it's not that the banks are ripping you off. It's that all the "renting is throwing your money away, buying is investing in yourself" stuff we hear non-stop only works if a) you stay in the house at least 5-7 years or b) home values go up significantly. This is why I'm waiting to buy until I'm damn sure it's a place I want to stay for the medium-term.
Genius. Start up hack for the win.
I'm surprised nobody here has mentioned fostering pets. Many foster organizations pay for EVERYTHING (food, litter, toys, vet, etc.) It's a great way to experience the joys of puppies (or kittens) without forking over tonnes of money. It's also handy if you're living in an apartment that allows pets, but might move in the future to somewhere where they're banned.
Of course, the downside is that you have to give them up eventually, but you always get new ones, and what better way to save money on pets?
It's very reasonable to negotiate. If you think the price is too high, ask for a discount. If they want business with you at that price, everyone is happy. If not, so what? The price is too high.
That's not cheapness, that's bein reasonable, folks. While I wouldn't use all of the tips listed here, being upset about them or calling wisebread names just shows how unreasonable you are. Why overpay?
So do you do this after the fact - without actually taking the item back?
Sorry to be so basic, but how does this actually work?
I would say that 10% off a display model is low for a display. At Target (I work there) we sell displays at 30%, unfortunately we only sell displays when they go clearance.
And you could bring any story you want to me, im not selling you a display TV that is not on clearance. Though if a box is even slightly dented i give 10-15% off just because its easier than arguing whether or not the dent caused any problems with the merchandise.
IKEA is a great furniture discount store with modern design furnitures and affordable prices (if you won´t to save for it).
Those are some good tips. I'll be smart and stick with the tips . I think everybody should take the advice that serves them the most.
Anyone in this thread that is complaining about people wasting their time trying to save money is a moron. If you spent the time reading this post and peoples comments only to ridicule someone for passing on ideas to people than your the one wasting time. If 'time is money' than the time you spent reading and ranting probably wasted more time (equaling dollars) than I did saving 10% or more on my purchases. The author is right all you have to do is ask. Merchants aren't going to tell you how to save more money. This is business people.
I used to love Amazon's service. I hope to one day come back once they decide to do the right thing and stop selling dogfighting and cockfighting materials.
Lol, jealous Brit who doesn't live here. British people are annoying.