The biggest problem with this article is that it conflates what Americans might call health foods with real health foods. It is simply not the case that fast food is better than real health food, by definition. Health food is food that's good for your health (the category of food from which all of your meals should be selected), whereas, as you pointed out, fast food is a compromise at best and a problem at worst.
The real problem with America is that we have no idea what health foods really are. Your article says that a gigantic "health food" bowl of iceberg lettuce covered with crispy chicken, bacon bits, caesar dressing, cheese, and cracker strips can be just as bad as fast food. However, the better thing to say would be that the salad isn't really "health food" at all. Rather, and sadly, it's the only form in which the vast majority of this country will take their vegetables. Real health food would be a bowl of miso soup with shiitake mushrooms and seaweed, a piece of grilled fish, some spinach sauteed in sesame oil, a handful of blueberries in plain yogurt, etc.
Our family uses reusable toilet wipes (http://living.wallypop.net/wipes) and I use cloth menstrual pads. They do save money (particularly the pads), and are also super comfortable. I started out with both in an attempt to save money, but I've stuck with both because they're awesome.
The "silly" way I (and a few close family members), save money is to pick out a number (or any number configuration we may choose), and then - every time we get change, like from the store, a restaurant, gas station or any other place that happened to give us dollar bills back as part of our change... we immediately look at the serial number on those bills for "our" numbers! For example: Let's say that my number that I chose was the number "2", from that day on - any time I got a dollar bill with two 2's anywhere in that serial number line - I would save that dollar bill. I would immediately fold it in a special way, stick it back into my wallet in a different place than where I keep my "regular" bills, then when I got home, I would transfer the bill (or bills) into a special jar that I keep near my bed. One wouldn't believe how fast the bills add up! I have even gone a step farther, in that I also keep any "double - double". Which is to say that whenever I get any combinations of ANY numbers that show up on the serial number line two or more times... it is a "keeper" too! So, maybe the new bill that I've just gotten has two 5's and two 1's in the serial line... KEEPER!!!
It can be more than two of the same numbers... such as three 7's, and two 3's... just as long as it is at least a "double-double". Sometimes I'll do a little "switch-up", and check the numbers on a Five or a Ten dollar bill (just for fun), but there are days that I end up with 15 dollar bills to fold and stick away! I saved up well over a thousand dollars in about a year doing this, and it isn't really "painful" at all doing it this way! A friend of mine - who is a little "mentally challenged", has taken to this "game", and has really enjoyed looking for all the "KEEPERS" that might come on the change they receive - and the best part... this person has NEVER been able to save any money on their own for 51 years... but to date now - has saved enough (in a little over three months), to be just $12.00 short of $240.00!!! PAINLESSLY! Interestingly - this little "game" makes you more aware of how you spend your loose change! We have noticed how we now will almost subconsciously will look for a water fountain at a store, rather than throw $1.45 away on a bottle of pop! SO - that's MY silly way!!!
This is exactly the kind of content I subscribe to Wise Bread to. There's been some really unsettlingly disappointing articles of late, but articles like this make me want to keep reading a while longer.
If the rise in housing costs (and everything associated with it)over the last decade were a "bubble" wouldn't "deflation" be the letting the air out of of the bubble bringing prices back to where they should be? Why is this bad? We can't keep the bubble inflated continuously. We're all out of air.
This is somewhat on topic. Rather than getting a full degree you could opt for a specialized college certificate. These are often much cheaper and you get the learning experience plus you can still put down on a resume that it was from a college. If you're looking for an education in sales, rather than getting a bachelors in sales you could go for a sales training certificate.
An example of this training is the University of San Francisco which offers a sales management certificate. The added benefit is this is 100% online and you can work at your own pace. In my opinion it's actually a pretty good alternative that a traditional degree.
When we have no napkins left, I pick them up wherever I am that has a bunch for the taking - coffee shops, restaurants, etc. It saves some time and money between trips to by the napkins at the Dollar store across town.
When I was growing up, my grandmother's cousins (older people - in their 80s at least) would always take the sweetener packets from the fast food restaurants they'd eat at - it would embarrass my grandmother to no end.
How are these tips for people wanting to live on a budget? I don't think I've ever heard the words "budget" and "celebrity" in the same paragraph! Who would want to pay almost $900 a night to stay in a hotel room in New York? Aren't there websites designed to get you great deals on nice hotels without paying NEARLY as much. I don't think any of these tips are appropriate for people looking to budget. This is a recipe for creating more snooty, snobby people and I pray to God that teenage girls don't read this. I'm not buying Gucci sunglasses for $125. I'll go to Old Navy or something and find a pair for like ten dollars. That's budgeting.
Well I didn't think of this word much until I read this. I don't know if I will be able to enjoy free perks anymore knowing that I might be enjoying it over the expense of someone else.
I've known people who argue at the counter when the price isn't what is displayed on the shelf, no matter how little the difference. I've seen her get in arguments over five cents.
I used to reuse plastic baggies, but I got tired of washing them out and letting them dry, so I just make my lunch at work, and presto! No more plastic bags!
This is a great roundup! Thanks for posting compelling stories. I have to check out the taco story. I grew up in Asia, where there were lots of stalls, bikes and trucks that carried food around. The food was delicious, and thankfully, I don't recall any problems encountered with it.
I have bottle of brand name kitchen counter spray that I re-fill every so often with baking soda and water, it cleans just as well- if not better than the brand name. My boyfriend would die if he found out
I think I'm in the same boat. To top off not receiving any financial support, I was also dumb enough to pay The Art Institute ridiculous sums of money for a subpar education. They are a marketing machine who is leading hoards into financial slavery.
I'm a legal alien and unfortunately i get asked illegal questions in almost every interview. regarding my country of origin and regarding how did I come to the US.
I'm frustrated and don't know how to deal with this.. I just didn't get another job and the interviewer did indeed ask me two illegal questions..
Ive called a company 4 times in a row...at the 4th, they gave me exactly what I was asking for. i was unemployed at the time, and I figured, if you're going to cancel my CC for no reason then, then Im going to waste as much of your time as needed (customer service phone calls, time spent talking to me, routing me through the system, clogging up the phone line). I was polite, dont get me wrong, but definitely dedicated myself to being a nuisance...Sorry, but I was giving to them what they were giving to me: BS. Suffice it to say, it was immediate. I would have kept calling too...It took about 10 minutes, tops. Works like a charm.
I make my grocery list every week and stick too it. We used to spend a ton of money giong to the grocery store every night and buying food now we average $60 a week on groceries. And, lets face it, no one likes to go to the store afterwork!
I really needed to get to Chicago, about 32 miles away. I rode my bike behind a bus to save $20, when I could have ridden my bike behind a cab and saved $46.30!
Do unto others... it's that simple. If it's free and you are not knowingly taking advantage of someone or some group, then go for it. If you feel even somewhat bad about it, then simply don't do it. You can only act on what you know, and the more you know the more you are responsible for knowing. Have a great day.
Great commentary, but you made me laugh at the end - "As Shakespeare has said often, 'to thine own self be true.'" I don't think Shakespeare has said anything for quite a while, although he did give this line to one of his characters once! However, joking aside, this article does a good job reminding us to that we ultimately have the responsibility for our own happiness. Thank you.
Those cookies look great. I plan to try it some time, but at the moment I'm looking for a gluten free chocolate pie crust recipe. I've always loved Oreo Cookie Pie crusts, would this recipe work for a pie crust as well?
There is nothing ethically wrong with getting free stuff IF you are "doing it in the spirit in which it was intended". In other words, take "the few extra ketchup and napkins" that you "pulled out too much of" at the restaurant WHILE you were there buying their product. But don't walk in off the street, use their restroom (i.e. water and electricity) and then on your way out SteaL a bunch of napkins, straws, ketchup or whatever. Same with free promo items businesses give to "hope to build sales". If you are "halfway open" that is, you MIGHT could be persuaded to buy, sure, go ahead and get the freebie. Don't feel bad about it even if you never buy from them. But, I believe, most people "have a conscience" that will tell them "are my motives good or bad". If your conscience is nagging at you, you should listen. As a Presbyterian, our guide is MODERATION. Be reasonable. You will know if you are taking advantage and ultimately costing everybody AND the environment "too much". There is no free lunch. Somebody always pays. So make your decisions responsibly, as best you can.
The biggest problem with this article is that it conflates what Americans might call health foods with real health foods. It is simply not the case that fast food is better than real health food, by definition. Health food is food that's good for your health (the category of food from which all of your meals should be selected), whereas, as you pointed out, fast food is a compromise at best and a problem at worst.
The real problem with America is that we have no idea what health foods really are. Your article says that a gigantic "health food" bowl of iceberg lettuce covered with crispy chicken, bacon bits, caesar dressing, cheese, and cracker strips can be just as bad as fast food. However, the better thing to say would be that the salad isn't really "health food" at all. Rather, and sadly, it's the only form in which the vast majority of this country will take their vegetables. Real health food would be a bowl of miso soup with shiitake mushrooms and seaweed, a piece of grilled fish, some spinach sauteed in sesame oil, a handful of blueberries in plain yogurt, etc.
Our family uses reusable toilet wipes (http://living.wallypop.net/wipes) and I use cloth menstrual pads. They do save money (particularly the pads), and are also super comfortable. I started out with both in an attempt to save money, but I've stuck with both because they're awesome.
Absolutely beautiful answer. Honest and classy. Will make me much more comfortable at an interview.
The "silly" way I (and a few close family members), save money is to pick out a number (or any number configuration we may choose), and then - every time we get change, like from the store, a restaurant, gas station or any other place that happened to give us dollar bills back as part of our change... we immediately look at the serial number on those bills for "our" numbers! For example: Let's say that my number that I chose was the number "2", from that day on - any time I got a dollar bill with two 2's anywhere in that serial number line - I would save that dollar bill. I would immediately fold it in a special way, stick it back into my wallet in a different place than where I keep my "regular" bills, then when I got home, I would transfer the bill (or bills) into a special jar that I keep near my bed. One wouldn't believe how fast the bills add up! I have even gone a step farther, in that I also keep any "double - double". Which is to say that whenever I get any combinations of ANY numbers that show up on the serial number line two or more times... it is a "keeper" too! So, maybe the new bill that I've just gotten has two 5's and two 1's in the serial line... KEEPER!!!
It can be more than two of the same numbers... such as three 7's, and two 3's... just as long as it is at least a "double-double". Sometimes I'll do a little "switch-up", and check the numbers on a Five or a Ten dollar bill (just for fun), but there are days that I end up with 15 dollar bills to fold and stick away! I saved up well over a thousand dollars in about a year doing this, and it isn't really "painful" at all doing it this way! A friend of mine - who is a little "mentally challenged", has taken to this "game", and has really enjoyed looking for all the "KEEPERS" that might come on the change they receive - and the best part... this person has NEVER been able to save any money on their own for 51 years... but to date now - has saved enough (in a little over three months), to be just $12.00 short of $240.00!!! PAINLESSLY! Interestingly - this little "game" makes you more aware of how you spend your loose change! We have noticed how we now will almost subconsciously will look for a water fountain at a store, rather than throw $1.45 away on a bottle of pop! SO - that's MY silly way!!!
This is exactly the kind of content I subscribe to Wise Bread to. There's been some really unsettlingly disappointing articles of late, but articles like this make me want to keep reading a while longer.
If the rise in housing costs (and everything associated with it)over the last decade were a "bubble" wouldn't "deflation" be the letting the air out of of the bubble bringing prices back to where they should be? Why is this bad? We can't keep the bubble inflated continuously. We're all out of air.
This is somewhat on topic. Rather than getting a full degree you could opt for a specialized college certificate. These are often much cheaper and you get the learning experience plus you can still put down on a resume that it was from a college. If you're looking for an education in sales, rather than getting a bachelors in sales you could go for a sales training certificate.
An example of this training is the University of San Francisco which offers a sales management certificate. The added benefit is this is 100% online and you can work at your own pace. In my opinion it's actually a pretty good alternative that a traditional degree.
When we have no napkins left, I pick them up wherever I am that has a bunch for the taking - coffee shops, restaurants, etc. It saves some time and money between trips to by the napkins at the Dollar store across town.
When I was growing up, my grandmother's cousins (older people - in their 80s at least) would always take the sweetener packets from the fast food restaurants they'd eat at - it would embarrass my grandmother to no end.
How are these tips for people wanting to live on a budget? I don't think I've ever heard the words "budget" and "celebrity" in the same paragraph! Who would want to pay almost $900 a night to stay in a hotel room in New York? Aren't there websites designed to get you great deals on nice hotels without paying NEARLY as much. I don't think any of these tips are appropriate for people looking to budget. This is a recipe for creating more snooty, snobby people and I pray to God that teenage girls don't read this. I'm not buying Gucci sunglasses for $125. I'll go to Old Navy or something and find a pair for like ten dollars. That's budgeting.
Well I didn't think of this word much until I read this. I don't know if I will be able to enjoy free perks anymore knowing that I might be enjoying it over the expense of someone else.
I've known people who argue at the counter when the price isn't what is displayed on the shelf, no matter how little the difference. I've seen her get in arguments over five cents.
I used to reuse plastic baggies, but I got tired of washing them out and letting them dry, so I just make my lunch at work, and presto! No more plastic bags!
This is a great roundup! Thanks for posting compelling stories. I have to check out the taco story. I grew up in Asia, where there were lots of stalls, bikes and trucks that carried food around. The food was delicious, and thankfully, I don't recall any problems encountered with it.
I have bottle of brand name kitchen counter spray that I re-fill every so often with baking soda and water, it cleans just as well- if not better than the brand name. My boyfriend would die if he found out
I think I'm in the same boat. To top off not receiving any financial support, I was also dumb enough to pay The Art Institute ridiculous sums of money for a subpar education. They are a marketing machine who is leading hoards into financial slavery.
I'm a legal alien and unfortunately i get asked illegal questions in almost every interview. regarding my country of origin and regarding how did I come to the US.
I'm frustrated and don't know how to deal with this.. I just didn't get another job and the interviewer did indeed ask me two illegal questions..
Ive called a company 4 times in a row...at the 4th, they gave me exactly what I was asking for. i was unemployed at the time, and I figured, if you're going to cancel my CC for no reason then, then Im going to waste as much of your time as needed (customer service phone calls, time spent talking to me, routing me through the system, clogging up the phone line). I was polite, dont get me wrong, but definitely dedicated myself to being a nuisance...Sorry, but I was giving to them what they were giving to me: BS. Suffice it to say, it was immediate. I would have kept calling too...It took about 10 minutes, tops. Works like a charm.
I see your point, I meant Shakespeare has often been quoted. But I'll leave it, maybe it will give other people a similar chuckle!
I make my grocery list every week and stick too it. We used to spend a ton of money giong to the grocery store every night and buying food now we average $60 a week on groceries. And, lets face it, no one likes to go to the store afterwork!
I really needed to get to Chicago, about 32 miles away. I rode my bike behind a bus to save $20, when I could have ridden my bike behind a cab and saved $46.30!
Do unto others... it's that simple. If it's free and you are not knowingly taking advantage of someone or some group, then go for it. If you feel even somewhat bad about it, then simply don't do it. You can only act on what you know, and the more you know the more you are responsible for knowing. Have a great day.
Great commentary, but you made me laugh at the end - "As Shakespeare has said often, 'to thine own self be true.'" I don't think Shakespeare has said anything for quite a while, although he did give this line to one of his characters once! However, joking aside, this article does a good job reminding us to that we ultimately have the responsibility for our own happiness. Thank you.
Electric bicycles are amazing. Pedal assist motors give you the option of how hard you need to pedal in order to complete your commute.
http://www.electricbikee.com/
Those cookies look great. I plan to try it some time, but at the moment I'm looking for a gluten free chocolate pie crust recipe. I've always loved Oreo Cookie Pie crusts, would this recipe work for a pie crust as well?
There is nothing ethically wrong with getting free stuff IF you are "doing it in the spirit in which it was intended". In other words, take "the few extra ketchup and napkins" that you "pulled out too much of" at the restaurant WHILE you were there buying their product. But don't walk in off the street, use their restroom (i.e. water and electricity) and then on your way out SteaL a bunch of napkins, straws, ketchup or whatever. Same with free promo items businesses give to "hope to build sales". If you are "halfway open" that is, you MIGHT could be persuaded to buy, sure, go ahead and get the freebie. Don't feel bad about it even if you never buy from them. But, I believe, most people "have a conscience" that will tell them "are my motives good or bad". If your conscience is nagging at you, you should listen. As a Presbyterian, our guide is MODERATION. Be reasonable. You will know if you are taking advantage and ultimately costing everybody AND the environment "too much". There is no free lunch. Somebody always pays. So make your decisions responsibly, as best you can.