Hi! Can you point me to more articles about the FDIC being out of money? I've been saying people were dumb to believe them all along, but people won't listen. lisa
I love that you "declared war" on your debt. I believe that if more people truly believed that debt is a relentless task master that needs to be fought against, then our nation would be in much better shape. Unfortunately, we as consumers prefer to lie to ourselves and figure "it will all work out in the wash." I'm excited to see your future posts in your Debt Series.
Thanks for sharing this article on the benefits of natural gardening. Not only are the techniques mentioned good for the pocketbook but they're also a great way to attract birds, butterflies and other wildlife to your backyard. I work for the National Wildlife Federation and we have a program to help people create wildlife habitats in their own backyards. If any of your readers are interested, they can learn more at http://www.nwf.org/gardenforwildlife
Great post and a lot of good tips in the article as well as the comments.
I do most of my freezer cooking by doubling or tripling any freezable meals as I cook them. Easy ones are: pasta sauce (my favorite is a Bolognese sauce from Marcella Hazan - freezes beautifully and oh so easy to reheat!), sloppy joes, chili, and soup.
One trick we've learned with soups - cook your noodles or starch separately and add when serving. That way, if you freeze the soup, there are no noodles in it to get mushy. We make fresh noodles to serve with the thawed soup.
Another thing I freeze regularly is chopped celery. When we have some going a little mushy, I chop it up for soup and freeze in baggies. When I am making soup, it is easy to just toss a handful in. I do the same with overruns of green peppers as was mentioned above.
I vote for "Acquire" (the plastic version is better) and a bean trading game called "Bonanza", yes our board games cost more than all our furniture, but we make good use of it and it makes a good (cheap) night with friends.
This could possibly work in areas where new homes are being built near existing homes and city centers. It wouldn't work in the well-developed areas. Our neighborhood was built in the 1950s. To buy a new home, we'd have to drive 30-40 minutes away from the areas where the jobs are.
Lynn--What's great about Agricola is that it plays different as a 2-player game than when you play with 4, so it's very versatile. You may really enjoy it as a couple but it will still serve you well if you have other board gamers over.
I used to balk at paying $50 a board game, too, but now that we've been collecting for almost 20 years and we're STILL playing some of them (like Settlers) with new friends, the cost vs. value ratio is fantastic. We also trade used games via BoardGameGeek and with local friends as a way to save money on this hobby.
Hi Lynn,
We love Settlers too, and found it a bit boring for 2 players. Carcassonne is a great game which is excellent for 2 players. It's not really "economics" like this game, but it is highly strategic.
cheers
Natalie
no-one would trade-in a car, because they can get more for it selling privately. And as several people have commented, this has already been done. It's just not common...yet.
Agricola has a lot of pieces, and if you think about it it is actually cheaper than a new video game. There are quite a few decent board game stores in the LA area that my husband used to frequent. This is one that he went to a lot during college: http://www.gameempirepasadena.com/. Right now he uses cardhaus.com a lot, but shipping + tax could add up.
Another cool place to browse in the LA area is Frank and Sons: http://www.fs-collectibles.com/ . They don't have a huge amount of board game dealers, but we have gotten a good deal on Battlestar Galactica the boardgame there.
In the Bay Area we mostly go to Gator Games in San Mateo when they have 20% off sales, but even then Power Grid ended up being $38 because of high sales taxes. Power Grid is actually cheaper on Amazon right now. Gator Games is a really cool little local shop, though, and the person in charge of their inventory definitely has good taste in board games. The hubby also has a 20% off discount at DJ Hobby in San Jose because he works for a game company and that's one of their work benefits.
What about veggies? Ya think Jalapenos would work? I'm strongly leaning towards stopping by Trader Joe's and getting some Monopalowa and Red Hots after work...
I realize it's not always feasible but in certain small businesses, it's become more and more common to require a credit card up front, even if you extend terms. Make it very clear that you will invoice the client, but if you don't receive payment by X days, then you will charge the cc. The first time you're forced to do this, they will pay more attention and usually be more careful to not let it happen again on future orders.
And small claims court does work. My husband and I ran a typesetting company eons ago, and had almost that same thing happen as described in the first comment - we'd done menus and all sorts of related print matter for a little Greek restaurant in town, and the owner wouldn't pay. Eventually we won and the sherriff paddle-locked the business until we got our check. It wasn't fun, but we did get paid :)
I had to have a mammogram two weeks back, so 2 days before, quit the 3 cups of Chai tea with 1 tsp of sugar I was having daily (sugar and caffeine can make mammos' more painful)
Didn't even think of withdrawl! It hit me on the way to the appointment... a massive dull pounding headache. I told the x-ray tech, I might just pass out because my head is pounding and now your're going to be clamping me in that!
So....I've decided again, to quit. I did a few years.. but one day picked up some regular tea as a treat, and slid downhill after that. Lesson learned!
Also have been having heart palpatations off and on too, and maybe these will go away.. can happen after 1 or 2 cups of tea.
I think La Havre and Agricola are good for two players since they are fun to play with just one player. Puerto Rico you need at least 3 and Caylus is definitely more fun with least 3. Power Grid is a bit too easy with 2 players because the auction element is no fun with just 2 bidders.
My jaw hit the floor when I found out when a milkshake could have all the calories for the entire day. That and the burrito that has two days worth of salt in it? Mind you I wear a 46 inch waist pants and it STILL floors me.
Of these five, Agricola is probably the best for two players. Be aware, though, that it's got a fairly steep learning curve. Be willing to give it a few chances - don't give up after one shot at it.
Hi! Can you point me to more articles about the FDIC being out of money? I've been saying people were dumb to believe them all along, but people won't listen. lisa
I love that you "declared war" on your debt. I believe that if more people truly believed that debt is a relentless task master that needs to be fought against, then our nation would be in much better shape. Unfortunately, we as consumers prefer to lie to ourselves and figure "it will all work out in the wash." I'm excited to see your future posts in your Debt Series.
Thanks for sharing this article on the benefits of natural gardening. Not only are the techniques mentioned good for the pocketbook but they're also a great way to attract birds, butterflies and other wildlife to your backyard. I work for the National Wildlife Federation and we have a program to help people create wildlife habitats in their own backyards. If any of your readers are interested, they can learn more at http://www.nwf.org/gardenforwildlife
Tall grass is not a great alternative if you have kids or pets who use the yard. Tall grass harbors fleas and ticks, among other pests.
Great post and a lot of good tips in the article as well as the comments.
I do most of my freezer cooking by doubling or tripling any freezable meals as I cook them. Easy ones are: pasta sauce (my favorite is a Bolognese sauce from Marcella Hazan - freezes beautifully and oh so easy to reheat!), sloppy joes, chili, and soup.
One trick we've learned with soups - cook your noodles or starch separately and add when serving. That way, if you freeze the soup, there are no noodles in it to get mushy. We make fresh noodles to serve with the thawed soup.
Another thing I freeze regularly is chopped celery. When we have some going a little mushy, I chop it up for soup and freeze in baggies. When I am making soup, it is easy to just toss a handful in. I do the same with overruns of green peppers as was mentioned above.
"consider using native prairie and other tall grass seed"
Careful, some communities have front yard garden and grass height restrictions. If yours does, you could get hit by a fine!
John C. Bogle, founder of the Vanguard funds. Low expense index funds are the way to go.
If your handing over work or a project, getting paid before you hand it over can solve much of this. I write it into contracts that way.
I vote for "Acquire" (the plastic version is better) and a bean trading game called "Bonanza", yes our board games cost more than all our furniture, but we make good use of it and it makes a good (cheap) night with friends.
This list should help me get some clear direction and clarity career wise. Thanks
This could possibly work in areas where new homes are being built near existing homes and city centers. It wouldn't work in the well-developed areas. Our neighborhood was built in the 1950s. To buy a new home, we'd have to drive 30-40 minutes away from the areas where the jobs are.
Lynn--What's great about Agricola is that it plays different as a 2-player game than when you play with 4, so it's very versatile. You may really enjoy it as a couple but it will still serve you well if you have other board gamers over.
I used to balk at paying $50 a board game, too, but now that we've been collecting for almost 20 years and we're STILL playing some of them (like Settlers) with new friends, the cost vs. value ratio is fantastic. We also trade used games via BoardGameGeek and with local friends as a way to save money on this hobby.
Carcasonne is a tile placement game . It is a lot of fun and extremely easy to learn . Alhambra is also similar to Carcasonne.
Hi Lynn,
We love Settlers too, and found it a bit boring for 2 players. Carcassonne is a great game which is excellent for 2 players. It's not really "economics" like this game, but it is highly strategic.
cheers
Natalie
This reminded me someone owes me money for my freelance writing. I really need to create a formal policy or process for this all.
no-one would trade-in a car, because they can get more for it selling privately. And as several people have commented, this has already been done. It's just not common...yet.
Agricola has a lot of pieces, and if you think about it it is actually cheaper than a new video game. There are quite a few decent board game stores in the LA area that my husband used to frequent. This is one that he went to a lot during college: http://www.gameempirepasadena.com/. Right now he uses cardhaus.com a lot, but shipping + tax could add up.
Another cool place to browse in the LA area is Frank and Sons: http://www.fs-collectibles.com/ . They don't have a huge amount of board game dealers, but we have gotten a good deal on Battlestar Galactica the boardgame there.
In the Bay Area we mostly go to Gator Games in San Mateo when they have 20% off sales, but even then Power Grid ended up being $38 because of high sales taxes. Power Grid is actually cheaper on Amazon right now. Gator Games is a really cool little local shop, though, and the person in charge of their inventory definitely has good taste in board games. The hubby also has a 20% off discount at DJ Hobby in San Jose because he works for a game company and that's one of their work benefits.
What about veggies? Ya think Jalapenos would work? I'm strongly leaning towards stopping by Trader Joe's and getting some Monopalowa and Red Hots after work...
Thanks, Trent. I'm a little surprised at the $50 price tag, but I can't pass up a good board game. =)
I realize it's not always feasible but in certain small businesses, it's become more and more common to require a credit card up front, even if you extend terms. Make it very clear that you will invoice the client, but if you don't receive payment by X days, then you will charge the cc. The first time you're forced to do this, they will pay more attention and usually be more careful to not let it happen again on future orders.
And small claims court does work. My husband and I ran a typesetting company eons ago, and had almost that same thing happen as described in the first comment - we'd done menus and all sorts of related print matter for a little Greek restaurant in town, and the owner wouldn't pay. Eventually we won and the sherriff paddle-locked the business until we got our check. It wasn't fun, but we did get paid :)
Yea....like what left over candy???
I had to have a mammogram two weeks back, so 2 days before, quit the 3 cups of Chai tea with 1 tsp of sugar I was having daily (sugar and caffeine can make mammos' more painful)
Didn't even think of withdrawl! It hit me on the way to the appointment... a massive dull pounding headache. I told the x-ray tech, I might just pass out because my head is pounding and now your're going to be clamping me in that!
So....I've decided again, to quit. I did a few years.. but one day picked up some regular tea as a treat, and slid downhill after that. Lesson learned!
Also have been having heart palpatations off and on too, and maybe these will go away.. can happen after 1 or 2 cups of tea.
Hi Lynn,
I think La Havre and Agricola are good for two players since they are fun to play with just one player. Puerto Rico you need at least 3 and Caylus is definitely more fun with least 3. Power Grid is a bit too easy with 2 players because the auction element is no fun with just 2 bidders.
My jaw hit the floor when I found out when a milkshake could have all the calories for the entire day. That and the burrito that has two days worth of salt in it? Mind you I wear a 46 inch waist pants and it STILL floors me.
Of these five, Agricola is probably the best for two players. Be aware, though, that it's got a fairly steep learning curve. Be willing to give it a few chances - don't give up after one shot at it.