Great suggestions! And, yes, no one seems to bat an eyelash at the chair balls any more. When I brought one into my office, quite a few other people decided they wanted one, too.
One other option (not sure about the silliness factor for this one) is an underdesk cycle. They are quiet and not very noticeable. And fun!
I did not realize that whole bean coffee was cheaper. I have always bought whole bean due to the better flavor. I also make my menu and list for the whole week, but shop in three day increments. It means an extra trip to the store, but I don't have to worry about spoilage or last minute schedule changes.
Not to mention if you're even remotely environmentally concerned you'd be aware that doing many of the things mentioned takes more energy on the stove or in the oven than if they were to be microwaved.
A toaster oven uses about 1/2 the energy of a conventional oven. But a microwave uses 1/3 the energy of a conventional oven. Think people, think!
If, by leg lifts, you mean seated leg lifts, then I think you got most of the ones I've thought up. You have to be careful during meetings not to kick someone, but at your own desk, it's pretty safe. And it doesn't just use your thigh muscles, but also your belly muscles.
And the good posture is especially good if you ride a bus or train to work. Try to keep sitting upright even when the vehicle turns, stops, or accelerates.
For more walking and stairs, you can also go to a further away water fountain or restroom than the most convenient one. And if you need to communicate with someone in a nearby office, you can walk over instead of calling or sending an e-mail.
When you go to sit down in your chair, you can stay in a squat position for a few seconds before you finish sitting down all the way. And you can use mostly your arms to lift yourself out of your chair (instead of your legs)--sort of like a chair dip but you're pushing yourself up from your armrests or the top of your desk as far as you can, slowly, with your arms (and then once your arms are straight, finish getting up the regular way).
Also, you might be able to do wall push-ups against the door of the bathroom stall (unless you have automatic flusher toilets that go crazy with that behavior or the door is creaky), at least until you start panting.
Buying a Mac is about the least frugal thing you can do.
Anyone who can follow simple directions and/or plug things into slots should just build their own computer. Thereafter, when certain parts need upgrading or motherboards need to be replaced, even more frugality is attained. As long as you have a big enough case for the parts you want inside, you're good. I just upgraded my desktop at home to the tune of about 200 bucks. Newegg or similiar sites are of great use.
I recently planned a b-party for a bride who doesn't drink or dance, and finds spa stuff boring, so I had to get creative. I ended up getting a photographer that she loved (but couldn't get for the wedding, as she was already booked), and we got all dolled up and did a fun photo shoot for the afternoon. Then we went to a gorgeous little cafe for desserts afterward. Everyone had a great time, especially the bride, and we have a photographic record in which we all look fabulous. I volunteered to pay for most of it myself due to the circumstances of the other girls, so it wasn't exactly cheap for me, but in a situation where the costs are more evenly split (and with perhaps a less expensive photographer) it could be quite reasonable.
The important thing about a b-party isn't flying to vegas or drinking all night long, it's about knowing the bride and finding something creative she'll absolutely love.
Do any readers have other suggestions of easy food changes that could be made today? I'd add "replace a green you normally use with kale." It's so cheap and really good for you.
The only bachelorette party I've been to was SUPER low-key. Dinner, a few drinks, and dancing in the bride's little hometown. I was really thankful that it wasn't a crazy (or expensive) evening.
Totally understand. We were in the same boat - took out a conventional home - looked at what we could afford to pay each month - not the huge amount we were pre-approved for - stayed in our means - didn't overpay - never missed a payment (until this month) for six years - we did it right. I lost my job three years ago - and we still didn't miss a payment. My husband didn't get a raise since 2004 (and we have four small children) - and we still didn't miss a payment. Living of mac n cheese (and we have five college degrees between the two of us - two associates - two BS - and an MBA) - but we still paid our bills on time.
Well - in Feburary my husband was offered a job out of state - one where we wouldn't have to eat mac n cheese - one where we could actually take our kids out for ice cream a couple of times in the summer. We put hour home up for sale (we are underwater of course). We even have a buyer that put in a fair offer - not a major low ball offer - but a fair offer on the home. But - since we never missed a payment our bank won't work with us. My husband has been living in Florida since April 1st - working - we just joined him this month and since we can't afford a large rent payment (rent is expensive in the Tampa area) and our mortgage payment we had to miss our first mortgage payment ever. Feels like crap - we really tried - we did everything right - but since we never missed or were even late on a mortgage payment the bank wouldn't work with us on a short sale - now we have no clue what will happen.
We have no family that could manage a home 1400 miles away for us if we were to rent it. Rent would be about 600 less per month than our mortgage, taxes, and insurance payment on that home (property tax and insurance goes up a lot once you are renting the home!).
Terrible situation to be in. Never - EVER thought we would be looking at a foreclosure - again - we did everything right. Conventional mortgage on a home that wasn't too much for us - payed our payments on time (usually the just automatically came out of our bank account) - and the bank wouldn't even talk to us about a short sale.
I have a question, if a customer unknowingly pays for a product or service with a counterfeit bill they received as change from a previous merchant, and the merchant for the current transaction checks the bill and confirms it is counterfeit, what are they required to do? I wouldn't think they would be allowed to return the bill to the customer, even if the product or service hadn't been rendered yet. However, now the innocent customer is out the money [whatever the denomination of the bill in question was]. What relief would they have?
I've been debating whether or not to replace my six year old desktop computer once it finally dies. I've already upgraded it to the max, so it does pretty much everything I need it to at this point. We do have a home laptop that we share which I have started using more often (it's faster plus it's on the first floor which is more convenient). Still, I like the idea of a desktop as well.
I actually had to skip this tradition altogether. I'm simply terrible at planning things, and I don't think I have ever enjoyed the forced frivolity of a bachelorette party. I'm not sure how common it is to simply skip it altogether, but that was the option that I chose.
We actually bought some of those tupperware that are designed to keep vegetables fresh for a longer period of time. They actually work. We've kept avocados for two to three weeks without them going bad. And it works well for greens, as long as they are dry.
Hi Leticia, I am, probably one of the few people I know, in the USA, who is NOT a germaphobe. I can't believe the amount of anti-bacterial soap, and bleach, that I see so many people using. You know what, these are the same people that are sick all the time. I have tried to tell people, that I rarely get sick and if I do, it is short lived. I do not need a scientific research team, to tell me, what I already know. You need a good balance of good and bad bacteria, or you'll catch everything that comes down the path. And by the way, thanks to all of you clean freaks and antibiotic junkies for accomplishing one thing and one thing only. You have made the germs bigger and badder. That is a bad thing...for all of us.
My boyfriend (now fiance) and I were living in different cities for a few years. Even though we talked on the phone almost daily, we wrote letters to each other every couple of weeks, just to give the other person something to look forward to. I remember always being so excited to find one of his letters waiting for me in the mailbox when I got home!
I love VHS tapes, because a lot of the films I like are only available on VHS. I really like classic movies from the 30s, 40s and 50s, and a lot of those are never going to be released on DVD, let alone Blu-Ray! I buy these films over Amazon and Craigslist all the time, they're almost always in good condition.
I also like VHS for recording off of the TV. I refuse to pay for cable or satellite! I record my shows from the PBS "Create Channel" during the day while I'm at work and watch them at night. I have a DVD-Recorder, but I almost never use it!
My VCR is from 1998 and its still going strong, I've had 3 DVD players and they ALL eventually fail on me. Two had burned out lasers, and one, the door wouldn't open, it just said "LOCKED" when I tried to open the door to get my disc out!
I have been in tax, trusts and estates for thirty years. And I am firmly convinced of one thing: The less you have by way of complications and material things, the more time you have to be happy and concentrate on what really matters. Excellent article.
Great suggestions! And, yes, no one seems to bat an eyelash at the chair balls any more. When I brought one into my office, quite a few other people decided they wanted one, too.
One other option (not sure about the silliness factor for this one) is an underdesk cycle. They are quiet and not very noticeable. And fun!
I did not realize that whole bean coffee was cheaper. I have always bought whole bean due to the better flavor. I also make my menu and list for the whole week, but shop in three day increments. It means an extra trip to the store, but I don't have to worry about spoilage or last minute schedule changes.
Sorry about that, Jared. The link has been fixed!
Not to mention if you're even remotely environmentally concerned you'd be aware that doing many of the things mentioned takes more energy on the stove or in the oven than if they were to be microwaved.
A toaster oven uses about 1/2 the energy of a conventional oven. But a microwave uses 1/3 the energy of a conventional oven. Think people, think!
Source: http://www.treehugger.com/files/2009/04/microwave-or-toaster-oven-whic-i...
If, by leg lifts, you mean seated leg lifts, then I think you got most of the ones I've thought up. You have to be careful during meetings not to kick someone, but at your own desk, it's pretty safe. And it doesn't just use your thigh muscles, but also your belly muscles.
And the good posture is especially good if you ride a bus or train to work. Try to keep sitting upright even when the vehicle turns, stops, or accelerates.
For more walking and stairs, you can also go to a further away water fountain or restroom than the most convenient one. And if you need to communicate with someone in a nearby office, you can walk over instead of calling or sending an e-mail.
When you go to sit down in your chair, you can stay in a squat position for a few seconds before you finish sitting down all the way. And you can use mostly your arms to lift yourself out of your chair (instead of your legs)--sort of like a chair dip but you're pushing yourself up from your armrests or the top of your desk as far as you can, slowly, with your arms (and then once your arms are straight, finish getting up the regular way).
Also, you might be able to do wall push-ups against the door of the bathroom stall (unless you have automatic flusher toilets that go crazy with that behavior or the door is creaky), at least until you start panting.
where is the guide to storing food. The link seems to be broken
Buying a Mac is about the least frugal thing you can do.
Anyone who can follow simple directions and/or plug things into slots should just build their own computer. Thereafter, when certain parts need upgrading or motherboards need to be replaced, even more frugality is attained. As long as you have a big enough case for the parts you want inside, you're good. I just upgraded my desktop at home to the tune of about 200 bucks. Newegg or similiar sites are of great use.
Indeed i just used up about 10 prepaid visas this way, and was able to order a new CD. with the "gift" cards.
I recently planned a b-party for a bride who doesn't drink or dance, and finds spa stuff boring, so I had to get creative. I ended up getting a photographer that she loved (but couldn't get for the wedding, as she was already booked), and we got all dolled up and did a fun photo shoot for the afternoon. Then we went to a gorgeous little cafe for desserts afterward. Everyone had a great time, especially the bride, and we have a photographic record in which we all look fabulous. I volunteered to pay for most of it myself due to the circumstances of the other girls, so it wasn't exactly cheap for me, but in a situation where the costs are more evenly split (and with perhaps a less expensive photographer) it could be quite reasonable.
The important thing about a b-party isn't flying to vegas or drinking all night long, it's about knowing the bride and finding something creative she'll absolutely love.
Do any readers have other suggestions of easy food changes that could be made today? I'd add "replace a green you normally use with kale." It's so cheap and really good for you.
The only bachelorette party I've been to was SUPER low-key. Dinner, a few drinks, and dancing in the bride's little hometown. I was really thankful that it wasn't a crazy (or expensive) evening.
Hi Daniel,
This is an awesome list of birthday freebies, I love it! Unfortunately, I'm Canadian and most of these don't really apply to me.
However, here's a list of Canadian birthday freebies (for anyone else out there who's a fellow Canuck):
http://www.fabuloussavings.ca/blog/2011-06/50-canadian-birthday-freebies/
I'd love for you to check it out. Thanks in advance!
Cheers
Totally understand. We were in the same boat - took out a conventional home - looked at what we could afford to pay each month - not the huge amount we were pre-approved for - stayed in our means - didn't overpay - never missed a payment (until this month) for six years - we did it right. I lost my job three years ago - and we still didn't miss a payment. My husband didn't get a raise since 2004 (and we have four small children) - and we still didn't miss a payment. Living of mac n cheese (and we have five college degrees between the two of us - two associates - two BS - and an MBA) - but we still paid our bills on time.
Well - in Feburary my husband was offered a job out of state - one where we wouldn't have to eat mac n cheese - one where we could actually take our kids out for ice cream a couple of times in the summer. We put hour home up for sale (we are underwater of course). We even have a buyer that put in a fair offer - not a major low ball offer - but a fair offer on the home. But - since we never missed a payment our bank won't work with us. My husband has been living in Florida since April 1st - working - we just joined him this month and since we can't afford a large rent payment (rent is expensive in the Tampa area) and our mortgage payment we had to miss our first mortgage payment ever. Feels like crap - we really tried - we did everything right - but since we never missed or were even late on a mortgage payment the bank wouldn't work with us on a short sale - now we have no clue what will happen.
We have no family that could manage a home 1400 miles away for us if we were to rent it. Rent would be about 600 less per month than our mortgage, taxes, and insurance payment on that home (property tax and insurance goes up a lot once you are renting the home!).
Terrible situation to be in. Never - EVER thought we would be looking at a foreclosure - again - we did everything right. Conventional mortgage on a home that wasn't too much for us - payed our payments on time (usually the just automatically came out of our bank account) - and the bank wouldn't even talk to us about a short sale.
I have a question, if a customer unknowingly pays for a product or service with a counterfeit bill they received as change from a previous merchant, and the merchant for the current transaction checks the bill and confirms it is counterfeit, what are they required to do? I wouldn't think they would be allowed to return the bill to the customer, even if the product or service hadn't been rendered yet. However, now the innocent customer is out the money [whatever the denomination of the bill in question was]. What relief would they have?
I've been debating whether or not to replace my six year old desktop computer once it finally dies. I've already upgraded it to the max, so it does pretty much everything I need it to at this point. We do have a home laptop that we share which I have started using more often (it's faster plus it's on the first floor which is more convenient). Still, I like the idea of a desktop as well.
I work on a military base so I use their gyms for free. However, I would pay for a membership if needed. Monthy fees motivate me to use the service!
I actually had to skip this tradition altogether. I'm simply terrible at planning things, and I don't think I have ever enjoyed the forced frivolity of a bachelorette party. I'm not sure how common it is to simply skip it altogether, but that was the option that I chose.
We actually bought some of those tupperware that are designed to keep vegetables fresh for a longer period of time. They actually work. We've kept avocados for two to three weeks without them going bad. And it works well for greens, as long as they are dry.
Hi Leticia, I am, probably one of the few people I know, in the USA, who is NOT a germaphobe. I can't believe the amount of anti-bacterial soap, and bleach, that I see so many people using. You know what, these are the same people that are sick all the time. I have tried to tell people, that I rarely get sick and if I do, it is short lived. I do not need a scientific research team, to tell me, what I already know. You need a good balance of good and bad bacteria, or you'll catch everything that comes down the path. And by the way, thanks to all of you clean freaks and antibiotic junkies for accomplishing one thing and one thing only. You have made the germs bigger and badder. That is a bad thing...for all of us.
I'm personally able to get cheap medications like Zyprexa with flex spending.
My boyfriend (now fiance) and I were living in different cities for a few years. Even though we talked on the phone almost daily, we wrote letters to each other every couple of weeks, just to give the other person something to look forward to. I remember always being so excited to find one of his letters waiting for me in the mailbox when I got home!
By some strange coincidence you have listed 4 articles I specifically want to read. I've bookmarked, thanks.
I love VHS tapes, because a lot of the films I like are only available on VHS. I really like classic movies from the 30s, 40s and 50s, and a lot of those are never going to be released on DVD, let alone Blu-Ray! I buy these films over Amazon and Craigslist all the time, they're almost always in good condition.
I also like VHS for recording off of the TV. I refuse to pay for cable or satellite! I record my shows from the PBS "Create Channel" during the day while I'm at work and watch them at night. I have a DVD-Recorder, but I almost never use it!
My VCR is from 1998 and its still going strong, I've had 3 DVD players and they ALL eventually fail on me. Two had burned out lasers, and one, the door wouldn't open, it just said "LOCKED" when I tried to open the door to get my disc out!
VHS is better than DVD Hands-down!
I have been in tax, trusts and estates for thirty years. And I am firmly convinced of one thing: The less you have by way of complications and material things, the more time you have to be happy and concentrate on what really matters. Excellent article.
Quit the guesswork. Go to stilldrinking.com. Shows you reflux stills, pot stills, recipes, supplies. Very helpful site.