I am a big fan of taxes (and yes I know that this will get me bombed with all sorts of hate from other commenters) but I am a fan of them because of the (and yes, I realize this is not actual, expecially in Cook County) ideal that I have that they are paying for the public good.
Sales taxes are supposed to pay for local services and assistance for creating a better local community. When I travel abroad, the taxes are much, much higher because they are actually doing this. I think that the US taxation system has become bunk. We fight every tax increase, so there are never enough funds to do any real good, so nothing really good ever gets done, so we feel our funds arn't being used well (and they arn't, especially in Cook county!) so we fight every tax increase. It's a horrible unending cycle.
I wish that there was a better way of implimenting the use of the taxes we currently recieve- to cut down on the corruption and buerocracy and use taxes for what they're meant to be used for- the public good.
Until then, I pay my taxes, but I also vote and write my represenatives and alderpersons and county commissioners with my issues.
Hm. When I opened my first line of credit, I was told that it was good to have a small revolving balance every now and then. I never did it, because I hate paying interest, but was under the impression that it certainly never hurt anyone's credit rating.
With a Master's degree and very high GPA, the most wooing I ever got was a flight out to interview and being put up in a hotel room. Then it turned out I was being wooed to take over a job nobody wanted. Go figure...
I too am now self-employed and I love it. My clients are wonderful, even if they don't send me care packages at home, and I get to avoid many of the parts of office life that I didn't like. I think that, for me, self-employment has been the better of the job experiences because when I worked for someone else I was always being boogerheaded around.
I've seen this book around (mostly on my friend's Reading Social on Facebook) but I've not yet read any in-depth reviews of it. Thanks so much for sharing your reflections, it looks to be an itneresting read.
So I finally got rid of all my credit cards, paid off the balances, and now have horrid credit. Because apparently I don't have ANY credit... but frankly I'm happier without them, I don't have to worry about spending on them, using them incorrectly, whatever.
I think that the real route to financial success is figuring out what works for YOU even if it's not the same thing that works for everyone else.
But I did do a good turn to capitalism by going out and spending my economic stimulus check promptly... Perhaps I should have saved it, but well, I didn't. After all, $300 isn't going to make or break the universe...
The difference, I've found, between writing letters and calling/emailing is that with a real, hard, hand-written letter it will ALWAYS get to the right place. On the other hand, your call and email are outsourced to people without any power to solve your problem so all they can do is appologize. Thanks for the great reminder!
I just had a bad experience on an airline. The people at the desk didn't seem to care and it just seemed like I was talking to a computer rather than an actual person. It was very disgruntling. I had excellent service on the site before that instance. I would like to write a letter, but I'm not sure who to write it too or how to format it. I am glad you wrote this because it really motivates me to write a letter.
By the way the airline is Airtran. I would not suggest flying them. you can usually get a flight to Atlanta for $10 more on Delta. It's worth the extra money.
I really like this post it is an interesting look at our history and it's kind of a good breather from other financial blogs. I didn't know much about communism or the taxation prior to our independence.
This is a very interesting subject. I will have to read more about this. Thanks!
While I greatly disliked some of your other postings this one was a refreshing read! I have no intentions of giving up my current lifestyle or pack up and move, but the basic premise of the article is something I have been trying to adapt myself. I am not moving away from the Jonses but I am certainly trying to enjoy what I have and consume less.
...oh and we would never say no to a customer! thats just rude!
Starbucks may be a big dirty money grabbing corporation but employees are decent people! Infact we go out of our way for our customers
As a Starbucks barista i shall now tell you the real secret as to why we at Starbucks do not let the world know about the "secret" short cup... It is a complete waste of money. yes it's nice and stronger but its like 15p less than the tall, and for 15p more I'd rather have a longer lasting coffee.
I myself am a big fan of the lil short cup, but i get it free! I'd never waste my money on it!
oh and we make no secret that the short exists we constantly recomend it to people, infact, it's a popular size. Venti isn't so popular in the U.K.
Overall, excellent 50+ tips. Loved the part about taking a vacation. Would caution on #41 - Ask for free samples of medication from your physician - as this is the best way the pharmaceutical industry gets you hooked on expensive treatments that often are not better than proven generics. The only time it might be acceptable is if it is for a self-limited problem where the doctor gives you all the treatment you need and you don't need to buy more.
"keeping up with the Joneses" in the traditional sense very well could be self-imposed. I wouldn't go so far as to say it was a "mental disorder." Perspective, as Paul points out, is the key to being content.
There are however, situations and places that perspective will only go so far. Reminds me of a co-worker who was once fired from job because he couldn't afford the $400 shoes that the rest of the guys on his salesteam wore. It wasn't "mandatory" that he purchase them. But management saw his prioritizing that $400 for feeding his family instead of "going with the flow" as a lack of dedication to his job. In this case, "keeping up with the Joneses" was forced upon him by the place he chose to live and work. Relocation, then, was not only desireable, but mandatory.
'Keeping up with the Joneses' is a mental disorder. Don't get me wrong, I know it's easy to become infected. But no one has to feel pressured to keep up with anyone unless they allow themselves to be.
I have a good friend who's quite wealthy but, by his standards, lives frugally. By that I mean, he doesn't live in a big house or dress in the latest fashion. He's worth millions and doesn't even own a flat-screen TV. An old TV perched precariously on a tray table suffices. He does own some nice cars, however: a Chrysler 300 and a Ferrari. He also has an order in for a new Ferrari, the 599, which will set him back over $350K. He'll take delivery sometime in the Fall.
My point is that his wealth doesn't do anything to me or for me. Maybe I'm not genetically programmed the same way many are but I have no envy or desire for what he has. When we go out to dinner or drinks, we still split the bill down the middle.
It's in your mind. If you covet or are resentful of someone's wealth, it's your problem.
I would love to know how some of your American blog devottees feel about the whole 'China will soon be the next world power' sentiment that is so prominent. Are you threatened or do you see it as inevitable? Will this power shift happen in our lifetime?
Well, you have had the last word. I won't use Sandals after reading about your experience. And as quickly as word gets out on the Internet, the Sandals people are going to be wondering why the drop in business. And too bad they'll never attribute it to the one letter they got and ignored.
The way I see it, its all about your own commitment to your own values..
I have friends and family that run the spectrum of financial income and lifestyle- some of them have way more than I'd ever consider wanting or dreaming of. However, some of their choices are ones I would never make for myself or my family.
Just last week, my closest friends and I were out to lunch and talking about summer plans that they had. One was building a summer home on a plot of land in the middle of nowhere, yet upset about costs it would take to get electricity, water, etc out to the house. The other, just married, is planning on building a house by the lake with her new husband. Meanwhile, me & my family live in the city- living as frugally as possible to support our big family. We wanted our 4 kids- we want to parent and share our love and experience with them. Our choice is to scrap by and save as much as possible- but provide for them having a good, fun summer. Our summer plans in my family? Walking to the city pool everyday for swimming lessons, stopping at my mom's house for popsicles on the way home; having neighbor kids over to play whenever possible. We will have a few trips to the lake for picnics and swimming- a few car trips to the amusement park for rides and bad fried up foods with sticky sweet treats.
Its not a matter of which is better or worse- just which choices work best for the individual. Frugality, in my opinion, leaves choices open.
A few years back, I was very into Legos and was a loyal customer. However, one of the sets that I bought was missing one of the pieces. So, I wrote a letter to the Lego company, and within a few weeks, they sent back a nice letter, and enclosed the missing pieces along with a coupon for 10% off of a Lego purchase. However, I'm sure that if I had sent an email, I probably wouldn't have gotten a reply.
Work can be a real pain in this aspect depending on where you work. Some places I worked were full of people who were very into obvious displays of consumption. I grew tired of people judging others cars, clothing, everything down to where you lived or where you went on your time off. Where you live or where you went to have a drink on your time off has no relevance to your ability to do your job but many found ways to try to.
You can avoid this nonsense and live in the city. I think you just need to find the right group of people or place in the city. More people are becoming interested in sustainable living, reusing things and generally being more responsible with how they live.
I do believe this will happen and with the US in a ressesion. with the ressesion it will be easier to change the US citezens minds about changing the currency to one with a better economic value and mexico will obviously get alot out of this but with canada I think the only thing it will really get is more tourism more known and more powerful and of course the rich will approve of this and mexico will too only the middle classed wont so in my oppinion it will come probualy not by 2010 but soon I would say by 2015.
Although this is not related to free ipod i just want to share this one.
For those who also want to download other free stuff I would like to recommend this site www.lotsoffree.com. It offers free stuffs and freebies directory from ebooks to software downloads and graphics.Thanks
I am a big fan of taxes (and yes I know that this will get me bombed with all sorts of hate from other commenters) but I am a fan of them because of the (and yes, I realize this is not actual, expecially in Cook County) ideal that I have that they are paying for the public good.
Sales taxes are supposed to pay for local services and assistance for creating a better local community. When I travel abroad, the taxes are much, much higher because they are actually doing this. I think that the US taxation system has become bunk. We fight every tax increase, so there are never enough funds to do any real good, so nothing really good ever gets done, so we feel our funds arn't being used well (and they arn't, especially in Cook county!) so we fight every tax increase. It's a horrible unending cycle.
I wish that there was a better way of implimenting the use of the taxes we currently recieve- to cut down on the corruption and buerocracy and use taxes for what they're meant to be used for- the public good.
Until then, I pay my taxes, but I also vote and write my represenatives and alderpersons and county commissioners with my issues.
-Suz
Hm. When I opened my first line of credit, I was told that it was good to have a small revolving balance every now and then. I never did it, because I hate paying interest, but was under the impression that it certainly never hurt anyone's credit rating.
With a Master's degree and very high GPA, the most wooing I ever got was a flight out to interview and being put up in a hotel room. Then it turned out I was being wooed to take over a job nobody wanted. Go figure...
I too am now self-employed and I love it. My clients are wonderful, even if they don't send me care packages at home, and I get to avoid many of the parts of office life that I didn't like. I think that, for me, self-employment has been the better of the job experiences because when I worked for someone else I was always being boogerheaded around.
-
Suz
I've seen this book around (mostly on my friend's Reading Social on Facebook) but I've not yet read any in-depth reviews of it. Thanks so much for sharing your reflections, it looks to be an itneresting read.
- Suz
So I finally got rid of all my credit cards, paid off the balances, and now have horrid credit. Because apparently I don't have ANY credit... but frankly I'm happier without them, I don't have to worry about spending on them, using them incorrectly, whatever.
I think that the real route to financial success is figuring out what works for YOU even if it's not the same thing that works for everyone else.
-Suz
But I did do a good turn to capitalism by going out and spending my economic stimulus check promptly... Perhaps I should have saved it, but well, I didn't. After all, $300 isn't going to make or break the universe...
The difference, I've found, between writing letters and calling/emailing is that with a real, hard, hand-written letter it will ALWAYS get to the right place. On the other hand, your call and email are outsourced to people without any power to solve your problem so all they can do is appologize. Thanks for the great reminder!
You have my most humble appreciation. I'm glad we can see eye-to-eye on some of the finer points. :)
Linsey
I just had a bad experience on an airline. The people at the desk didn't seem to care and it just seemed like I was talking to a computer rather than an actual person. It was very disgruntling. I had excellent service on the site before that instance. I would like to write a letter, but I'm not sure who to write it too or how to format it. I am glad you wrote this because it really motivates me to write a letter.
By the way the airline is Airtran. I would not suggest flying them. you can usually get a flight to Atlanta for $10 more on Delta. It's worth the extra money.
I really like this post it is an interesting look at our history and it's kind of a good breather from other financial blogs. I didn't know much about communism or the taxation prior to our independence.
This is a very interesting subject. I will have to read more about this. Thanks!
While I greatly disliked some of your other postings this one was a refreshing read! I have no intentions of giving up my current lifestyle or pack up and move, but the basic premise of the article is something I have been trying to adapt myself. I am not moving away from the Jonses but I am certainly trying to enjoy what I have and consume less.
...oh and we would never say no to a customer! thats just rude!
Starbucks may be a big dirty money grabbing corporation but employees are decent people! Infact we go out of our way for our customers
As a Starbucks barista i shall now tell you the real secret as to why we at Starbucks do not let the world know about the "secret" short cup... It is a complete waste of money. yes it's nice and stronger but its like 15p less than the tall, and for 15p more I'd rather have a longer lasting coffee.
I myself am a big fan of the lil short cup, but i get it free! I'd never waste my money on it!
oh and we make no secret that the short exists we constantly recomend it to people, infact, it's a popular size. Venti isn't so popular in the U.K.
Overall, excellent 50+ tips. Loved the part about taking a vacation. Would caution on #41 - Ask for free samples of medication from your physician - as this is the best way the pharmaceutical industry gets you hooked on expensive treatments that often are not better than proven generics. The only time it might be acceptable is if it is for a self-limited problem where the doctor gives you all the treatment you need and you don't need to buy more.
Free book excerpts are at my website - http://www.davisliumd.com/dl.html
Best wishes for good health,
Davis Liu, M.D.
"keeping up with the Joneses" in the traditional sense very well could be self-imposed. I wouldn't go so far as to say it was a "mental disorder." Perspective, as Paul points out, is the key to being content.
There are however, situations and places that perspective will only go so far. Reminds me of a co-worker who was once fired from job because he couldn't afford the $400 shoes that the rest of the guys on his salesteam wore. It wasn't "mandatory" that he purchase them. But management saw his prioritizing that $400 for feeding his family instead of "going with the flow" as a lack of dedication to his job. In this case, "keeping up with the Joneses" was forced upon him by the place he chose to live and work. Relocation, then, was not only desireable, but mandatory.
Linsey Knerl
'Keeping up with the Joneses' is a mental disorder. Don't get me wrong, I know it's easy to become infected. But no one has to feel pressured to keep up with anyone unless they allow themselves to be.
I have a good friend who's quite wealthy but, by his standards, lives frugally. By that I mean, he doesn't live in a big house or dress in the latest fashion. He's worth millions and doesn't even own a flat-screen TV. An old TV perched precariously on a tray table suffices. He does own some nice cars, however: a Chrysler 300 and a Ferrari. He also has an order in for a new Ferrari, the 599, which will set him back over $350K. He'll take delivery sometime in the Fall.
My point is that his wealth doesn't do anything to me or for me. Maybe I'm not genetically programmed the same way many are but I have no envy or desire for what he has. When we go out to dinner or drinks, we still split the bill down the middle.
It's in your mind. If you covet or are resentful of someone's wealth, it's your problem.
I would love to know how some of your American blog devottees feel about the whole 'China will soon be the next world power' sentiment that is so prominent. Are you threatened or do you see it as inevitable? Will this power shift happen in our lifetime?
Mo
Well, you have had the last word. I won't use Sandals after reading about your experience. And as quickly as word gets out on the Internet, the Sandals people are going to be wondering why the drop in business. And too bad they'll never attribute it to the one letter they got and ignored.
Looks like nobody can give me any comments or any ideas or advices to help catch those toys. But it's okay. Thanks anyway ;D
The way I see it, its all about your own commitment to your own values..
I have friends and family that run the spectrum of financial income and lifestyle- some of them have way more than I'd ever consider wanting or dreaming of. However, some of their choices are ones I would never make for myself or my family.
Just last week, my closest friends and I were out to lunch and talking about summer plans that they had. One was building a summer home on a plot of land in the middle of nowhere, yet upset about costs it would take to get electricity, water, etc out to the house. The other, just married, is planning on building a house by the lake with her new husband. Meanwhile, me & my family live in the city- living as frugally as possible to support our big family. We wanted our 4 kids- we want to parent and share our love and experience with them. Our choice is to scrap by and save as much as possible- but provide for them having a good, fun summer. Our summer plans in my family? Walking to the city pool everyday for swimming lessons, stopping at my mom's house for popsicles on the way home; having neighbor kids over to play whenever possible. We will have a few trips to the lake for picnics and swimming- a few car trips to the amusement park for rides and bad fried up foods with sticky sweet treats.
Its not a matter of which is better or worse- just which choices work best for the individual. Frugality, in my opinion, leaves choices open.
A few years back, I was very into Legos and was a loyal customer. However, one of the sets that I bought was missing one of the pieces. So, I wrote a letter to the Lego company, and within a few weeks, they sent back a nice letter, and enclosed the missing pieces along with a coupon for 10% off of a Lego purchase. However, I'm sure that if I had sent an email, I probably wouldn't have gotten a reply.
Work can be a real pain in this aspect depending on where you work. Some places I worked were full of people who were very into obvious displays of consumption. I grew tired of people judging others cars, clothing, everything down to where you lived or where you went on your time off. Where you live or where you went to have a drink on your time off has no relevance to your ability to do your job but many found ways to try to.
You can avoid this nonsense and live in the city. I think you just need to find the right group of people or place in the city. More people are becoming interested in sustainable living, reusing things and generally being more responsible with how they live.
Thanks for sharing, and one can also see the The step-by-step Guide on How to remove scratches from DVD by reading the article: http://www.ehow.com/how_4404554_all-scratches-completely-dvd-movies.html
I do believe this will happen and with the US in a ressesion. with the ressesion it will be easier to change the US citezens minds about changing the currency to one with a better economic value and mexico will obviously get alot out of this but with canada I think the only thing it will really get is more tourism more known and more powerful and of course the rich will approve of this and mexico will too only the middle classed wont so in my oppinion it will come probualy not by 2010 but soon I would say by 2015.
Although this is not related to free ipod i just want to share this one.
For those who also want to download other free stuff I would like to recommend this site www.lotsoffree.com. It offers free stuffs and freebies directory from ebooks to software downloads and graphics.Thanks