- I still have a TV. I use it primarily for DVD/VHS movies. I don't watch TV on the internet, due to dial-up access. TV is useful for local roads in winter. I live in an area where the weather and roads can get pretty bad. Beyond that I don't watch TV. I found TV to be a horrible demotivator, you sit in front of a TV and both time and the desire to do anything evaporates.
- For those looking for TV alternatives, especially with no or few commercials, I offer these alternatives.
- Librivox.org has audio books of classic literature, in MP3 or Ogg Vorbis format. Far better than TV. These are commercial free.
- Archive.org has Old Time Radio programs, in MP3 and Ogg Vorbis format. These programs are from the "Golden Age" of radio. These tend to be shorter than audio books. Some program episodes have one or two old, generally inoffensive commercials.
- Both Librivox and Archive.org-Old Time Radio encourage a vivid imagination and are better than TV.
All kids love to have something to take home from a birthday party. Just an idea that doesnt cost much to do...
As an activity for all the kids to do together, set up drawing time. Us parents all have plenty of crayons, markers and pencils laying around. Give them all a sheet of construction paper and let them go to town. Once they have finished their masterpiece, take a few moments to cover them in contact paper. These can then be sent home with the children. They can be used as placemats or they can choose to give to someone as a gift at a later date. Try doing it at the end of the day so the kids can wind down. While you are covering the pictures, have the kids clean up. It only costs a few dollars, can calm the kids down, and is original and useful.
My wife and I watch a fair amount of TV each week and we enjoy it. We use a DVR to edit out commercials and watch our shows on our schedule.
The article gives reason for no TV as : "watching stupid crap" "live by my own schedule" "joys of" reading, internet or radio. "no remote controls"
Watching "stupid crap" on TV is your choice. There are a lot of good shows on TV, so if you chose to watch the "stupid crap" programming then thats really your choice. If you really don't like anything on TV then either thats simply your personal tastes or you havent' found the good shows.
You can use a DVR to watch shows on your own schedule. Or to save cost use a VCR to manually tape shows and then watch them any time.
I think the joys of reading, internet and radio are all fine, but mostly those are all just alternative forms of entertainment. How is radio fundamentally better than TV? This sounds mostly like personal preferences. I used to watch a lot less TV when I was playing online video games. It wasn't better or worse use of my leisure time, mostly just exchanging one form of entertainment for another.
I have a universal remote control that works just fine. Its not that complicated to use.
It seems that most of the dislike for TV revolves around either distaste of advertisement, people who spend too much time watching TV or personal preferences for other forms of entertainment.
I don't think TV-watchers should take these comments to mean that they are considered zombies by those of us who don't really watch. I know plenty of people with TV sets who have the self-restraint (or possibily just the responsibilities) that keep their TV-watching to a minimum - just the good shows, and nothing else. But there are those of us who simply don't have that kind of willpower (or hobbies?), and we do better without.
A few years ago, I was dating this guy who was a media junkie - he could watch TV without surfing the internet, working, IMing, and talking on the phone all at once. I hate the constant noise and distraction, and so I finally got rid of the TV (it was my TV). He wouldn't speak to me for two whole weeks. This taught me two things: (1) if an appliance/electronic device can come between two people, the relationship is over and (2) TV is just not for me. The lack of the TV made my whole living room a more interesting and people-oriented place.
I like to make lentils as a part of daal or rasam, both Indian soupy curries that taste amazing over rice with a side of cold yogurt. It's one of the few things that I can make in large batches, freeze, and then thaw and reheat without feeling put upon. :) While simple, the flavors are so exotic and mouth-watering that I don't even notice how much money I'm saving.
Things you do with lentils can frequently be done with yellow split peas and they are sometimes even cheaper.
I use lentils instead of bulger wheat in tabouli. I mix lentils 50-50 with brown rice and run it through the rice cooker to have with a curry type meat sauce. Supposedly the starch plus lentil makes a complete protein like with beans. I make dal out of brown lentils, red lentils or yellow peas as a side dish.
I also found the red lentils extremely cheap in a huge bag in the ethnic section of our grocery chain.
I agree. The only spot where we differ is on radio. We listen to podcasts mostly. I can't stand radio commercials.
Evening walks have been the highlight of our family activities. My 1 year old loves them just as much as we do! He grabs his shoes and says, "ock, ock" when he wants us to go outside.
If not having one works better for you guys, that's great :) I plan to get rid of my TV when I start my family.
But I'd appreciate if people would lay of the generalizations. Just because I watch TV, doesn't make me a zombie. I read, write, draw, exercise, spend time with my friends and family and get work done. I can't get radio or TV reception in my apartment building, and my country doesn't have as much access to online video content as the US. I record shows and watch them instead of renting a movie.
TV or not... I personally think it's a matter of time management. You have to do what's best for you, and remove the temptation if you can't handle it.
We do have a TV but no cable. We've never bothered with cable our entire marriage, and only watch it when we are staying with or visiting others.
We do however do the Netflix thing, watch online TV and check out locally accessible network channels if they are available with the rabbit ears (soon to be that new box thingy).
However, we do tons of other things too, so we feel we have balance. What an interesting conversation you've started here, Andrea . . .
Oh, and P.S? I do have to confess to enjoying some of the cable channels when I have access to them. (HGTV, Fine Living Network, Sci Fi Channel, etc.) After a while though, they start to get repetative, so it's just as well to get a fix and have done with it, rather than paying the extra bill each month.
I'm really glad it's being received well. It's taken nearly a week to put together. But with these things being SO very cheap, I wanted to provide an extra helpful resource post for our readers.
And, our course lentils are a tough sell for most folks. So I really wanted to dig deep to find the good ideas. Can y'all believe how many sub categories emerged? Holy cow.
At any rate, I am seriously on the look out for any additional ones people have used that they find stellar. Let's keep those ideas flowing, everybody!
Living frugally is all about cutting back or saving in those areas you care less about so that you can build extra wealth to spend on things that do matter to you. It's not about living a miserable life. It is about living within your means so that you can afford some extra luxuries that you really enjoy.
Does this mean I'll have to free that bag of lentils from the back of my cupboard? I've been meaning to.. now you give me no excuse. (Up until now, the only thing we've been using lentils for was as an indoor sandbox filler for my kids to drive their dumptrucks in. Shame on me.
Glad you liked it. I can honestly say this is one of the toughest posts I've ever put together. Lot of icky stuff to wade through in order to find the hidden gems, and so many main and sub categories to be addressed in order to put all the options in perspective. Then, when I did find good stuff, I found a TON of good stuff, making the links I wanted to include a real issue. Talk about some seriously outside the box thinking when it came to formatting the article.
But on to the real subject of your comment, cheaper nutritional staples. You really touched on the heart of why I tackle of these types of theme posts featuring cheap foods. Almost everybody knows these things are cheap (spinach, cabbage, lentils, chicken legs, boxed wine), but when it comes to knowing how to do more than one or two things with them, folks get lost.
Then the boredom sets in and it's back to buying the expensive stuff, thinking "Hey, at least I'm not eating out". Knowing you have a whole laundry list of options is a great way to stay focused and feel sinfully good about buying the more affordable foods. Luxury on a budget, gotta love that.
I've gotten rid of Cable but still own a nice hdtv for video games and the occasional movies.
I do miss National Geographic and Discovery Channel that I use to have on 24/7. I catch Heroes, Prison Break and a few other shows on HULU when I get around to it during the week. Though it kinda sucks when coworkers or friends spoil it when they discuss it heh.
We almost always make Jane Brody's curried lentils. Even though we love it, I guess we're ready for more variety. Along with your cabbage post, this is making me realize that I really can and should focus more on the cheapest nutritious staples.
I have been TV free for 11 months now, and I love it. We got rid of our set for a few reasons. One, the only time it ever got turned on was when my husband was home on his days off, and then he wouldnt get anything done or go out and do something fun or productive. Two, we had no real spot for it, it looked clunky and we dont have an entertainment center. Three, we didnt know there would be rebates for those converter box thingies an we didnt want to spend the money updating our set. Four, our kids can entertain themselves pretty well. And five, we have internet, we dont need TV. Plus, I cant get any work done if it's on. So I am actually really happy without my TV.
I like the idea of cutting cable, but there is no way my wife would sit in front of a laptop with me to watch video streams from the internet. How are you all connecting your computers to your TVs? what kind of cable? what kind of tv? (the sound part is easy, I'm curious about video)
- I still have a TV. I use it primarily for DVD/VHS movies. I don't watch TV on the internet, due to dial-up access. TV is useful for local roads in winter. I live in an area where the weather and roads can get pretty bad. Beyond that I don't watch TV. I found TV to be a horrible demotivator, you sit in front of a TV and both time and the desire to do anything evaporates.
- For those looking for TV alternatives, especially with no or few commercials, I offer these alternatives.
- Librivox.org has audio books of classic literature, in MP3 or Ogg Vorbis format. Far better than TV. These are commercial free.
- Archive.org has Old Time Radio programs, in MP3 and Ogg Vorbis format. These programs are from the "Golden Age" of radio. These tend to be shorter than audio books. Some program episodes have one or two old, generally inoffensive commercials.
- Both Librivox and Archive.org-Old Time Radio encourage a vivid imagination and are better than TV.
All kids love to have something to take home from a birthday party. Just an idea that doesnt cost much to do...
As an activity for all the kids to do together, set up drawing time. Us parents all have plenty of crayons, markers and pencils laying around. Give them all a sheet of construction paper and let them go to town. Once they have finished their masterpiece, take a few moments to cover them in contact paper. These can then be sent home with the children. They can be used as placemats or they can choose to give to someone as a gift at a later date. Try doing it at the end of the day so the kids can wind down. While you are covering the pictures, have the kids clean up. It only costs a few dollars, can calm the kids down, and is original and useful.
My roll with the free code was a 6, so I went to Oriental.
My wife and I watch a fair amount of TV each week and we enjoy it. We use a DVR to edit out commercials and watch our shows on our schedule.
The article gives reason for no TV as : "watching stupid crap" "live by my own schedule" "joys of" reading, internet or radio. "no remote controls"
Watching "stupid crap" on TV is your choice. There are a lot of good shows on TV, so if you chose to watch the "stupid crap" programming then thats really your choice. If you really don't like anything on TV then either thats simply your personal tastes or you havent' found the good shows.
You can use a DVR to watch shows on your own schedule. Or to save cost use a VCR to manually tape shows and then watch them any time.
I think the joys of reading, internet and radio are all fine, but mostly those are all just alternative forms of entertainment. How is radio fundamentally better than TV? This sounds mostly like personal preferences. I used to watch a lot less TV when I was playing online video games. It wasn't better or worse use of my leisure time, mostly just exchanging one form of entertainment for another.
I have a universal remote control that works just fine. Its not that complicated to use.
It seems that most of the dislike for TV revolves around either distaste of advertisement, people who spend too much time watching TV or personal preferences for other forms of entertainment.
Jim
I don't think TV-watchers should take these comments to mean that they are considered zombies by those of us who don't really watch. I know plenty of people with TV sets who have the self-restraint (or possibily just the responsibilities) that keep their TV-watching to a minimum - just the good shows, and nothing else. But there are those of us who simply don't have that kind of willpower (or hobbies?), and we do better without.
A few years ago, I was dating this guy who was a media junkie - he could watch TV without surfing the internet, working, IMing, and talking on the phone all at once. I hate the constant noise and distraction, and so I finally got rid of the TV (it was my TV). He wouldn't speak to me for two whole weeks. This taught me two things: (1) if an appliance/electronic device can come between two people, the relationship is over and (2) TV is just not for me. The lack of the TV made my whole living room a more interesting and people-oriented place.
I like to make lentils as a part of daal or rasam, both Indian soupy curries that taste amazing over rice with a side of cold yogurt. It's one of the few things that I can make in large batches, freeze, and then thaw and reheat without feeling put upon. :) While simple, the flavors are so exotic and mouth-watering that I don't even notice how much money I'm saving.
This soup with lentils and smoked sausage is very good and the ingredients are all cheap.
http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/FRENCH-LENTIL-SOUP-WITH-SAU...
Things you do with lentils can frequently be done with yellow split peas and they are sometimes even cheaper.
I use lentils instead of bulger wheat in tabouli. I mix lentils 50-50 with brown rice and run it through the rice cooker to have with a curry type meat sauce. Supposedly the starch plus lentil makes a complete protein like with beans. I make dal out of brown lentils, red lentils or yellow peas as a side dish.
I also found the red lentils extremely cheap in a huge bag in the ethnic section of our grocery chain.
Thanks for the tips!
I love it!
I agree. The only spot where we differ is on radio. We listen to podcasts mostly. I can't stand radio commercials.
Evening walks have been the highlight of our family activities. My 1 year old loves them just as much as we do! He grabs his shoes and says, "ock, ock" when he wants us to go outside.
http://find.myrecipes.com/recipes/recipefinder.dyn?action=displayRecipe&...
This is my favorite recipe to bring to summer potlucks; it's also a hearty and warming dish in the fall.
As always, Myscha, spectacular!
If not having one works better for you guys, that's great :) I plan to get rid of my TV when I start my family.
But I'd appreciate if people would lay of the generalizations. Just because I watch TV, doesn't make me a zombie. I read, write, draw, exercise, spend time with my friends and family and get work done. I can't get radio or TV reception in my apartment building, and my country doesn't have as much access to online video content as the US. I record shows and watch them instead of renting a movie.
TV or not... I personally think it's a matter of time management. You have to do what's best for you, and remove the temptation if you can't handle it.
We do have a TV but no cable. We've never bothered with cable our entire marriage, and only watch it when we are staying with or visiting others.
We do however do the Netflix thing, watch online TV and check out locally accessible network channels if they are available with the rabbit ears (soon to be that new box thingy).
However, we do tons of other things too, so we feel we have balance. What an interesting conversation you've started here, Andrea . . .
Oh, and P.S? I do have to confess to enjoying some of the cable channels when I have access to them. (HGTV, Fine Living Network, Sci Fi Channel, etc.) After a while though, they start to get repetative, so it's just as well to get a fix and have done with it, rather than paying the extra bill each month.
I'm really glad it's being received well. It's taken nearly a week to put together. But with these things being SO very cheap, I wanted to provide an extra helpful resource post for our readers.
And, our course lentils are a tough sell for most folks. So I really wanted to dig deep to find the good ideas. Can y'all believe how many sub categories emerged? Holy cow.
At any rate, I am seriously on the look out for any additional ones people have used that they find stellar. Let's keep those ideas flowing, everybody!
Living frugally is all about cutting back or saving in those areas you care less about so that you can build extra wealth to spend on things that do matter to you. It's not about living a miserable life. It is about living within your means so that you can afford some extra luxuries that you really enjoy.
For me, definitely a cleaning service :)
Does this mean I'll have to free that bag of lentils from the back of my cupboard? I've been meaning to.. now you give me no excuse. (Up until now, the only thing we've been using lentils for was as an indoor sandbox filler for my kids to drive their dumptrucks in. Shame on me.
Thanks for all the great ideas, Myscha!
Linsey
Myscha, this is a great article, lots of excellent meal options. It gives readers a ton of options in all directions. You have awesome links too!
I'm pissed. The McDonald's in Cairo, Upstate NY didn't give any game pieces with the Big Mac.... It's Oct 8th already.
BS!!!
Wow, you actually make them sound good. I am definitely going to try some of those ideas.
Glad you liked it. I can honestly say this is one of the toughest posts I've ever put together. Lot of icky stuff to wade through in order to find the hidden gems, and so many main and sub categories to be addressed in order to put all the options in perspective. Then, when I did find good stuff, I found a TON of good stuff, making the links I wanted to include a real issue. Talk about some seriously outside the box thinking when it came to formatting the article.
But on to the real subject of your comment, cheaper nutritional staples. You really touched on the heart of why I tackle of these types of theme posts featuring cheap foods. Almost everybody knows these things are cheap (spinach, cabbage, lentils, chicken legs, boxed wine), but when it comes to knowing how to do more than one or two things with them, folks get lost.
Then the boredom sets in and it's back to buying the expensive stuff, thinking "Hey, at least I'm not eating out". Knowing you have a whole laundry list of options is a great way to stay focused and feel sinfully good about buying the more affordable foods. Luxury on a budget, gotta love that.
I've gotten rid of Cable but still own a nice hdtv for video games and the occasional movies.
I do miss National Geographic and Discovery Channel that I use to have on 24/7. I catch Heroes, Prison Break and a few other shows on HULU when I get around to it during the week. Though it kinda sucks when coworkers or friends spoil it when they discuss it heh.
Getting rid of Cable saves me about $35/month.
We almost always make Jane Brody's curried lentils. Even though we love it, I guess we're ready for more variety. Along with your cabbage post, this is making me realize that I really can and should focus more on the cheapest nutritious staples.
I blog at www.shopliftingwithpermission.com.
I have been TV free for 11 months now, and I love it. We got rid of our set for a few reasons. One, the only time it ever got turned on was when my husband was home on his days off, and then he wouldnt get anything done or go out and do something fun or productive. Two, we had no real spot for it, it looked clunky and we dont have an entertainment center. Three, we didnt know there would be rebates for those converter box thingies an we didnt want to spend the money updating our set. Four, our kids can entertain themselves pretty well. And five, we have internet, we dont need TV. Plus, I cant get any work done if it's on. So I am actually really happy without my TV.
I like the idea of cutting cable, but there is no way my wife would sit in front of a laptop with me to watch video streams from the internet. How are you all connecting your computers to your TVs? what kind of cable? what kind of tv? (the sound part is easy, I'm curious about video)
-Nico