When I seriously began restructuring my time this year, I found that applying frugality principles to my time, the way I had been working on doing with my money, helped immensely in reducing the number of hours I worked. As an entrepreneur, I was working far too many hours in the spirit of, "The more hours I work, the more money I make." Of course, that's actually not true: more hours equated to exhaustion and poor thinking, not a better bottom line. My income actually dropped off for a while despite the extra hours.
The more frugal I became with my time, the better return I got. And the better my life became.
And time frugality started a positive feedback loop with financial frugality, which helped even more!
another reason for frugality is that the end justifies the means. We want a good financial foundation in future even if that means foregoing some things and planning our expenditures. I am a firm believer that there are consequences for every action and i do not want to suffer bad ones; just the piece of mind of a strong base in future with a good financial background
I agree with Khurt's point about balance. It saddens me to see something like this made into an "us versus them" approach. To me it's not an either/or proposition, but a continuum. I make some frugal choices that allow me to splurge in other areas of life. I enjoy coming here to find new ideas and new perspectives, not another battleground.
My husband and I perfected this when we spent a week on a catamaran in BVI. As a female, one of my tricks is to pack black and white. Black/white skirt, shorts and tops that go with both. This way you can do a lot of mix and match and create new outfits. I got tired of lugging around my entire closet and then not wearing half of what I brought. Even though it's hard to not pack all your favorite stuff, once you're at your destination, it makes dressing much easier.
I opine that to receive the business loans from creditors you must have a firm reason. However, one time I have received a secured loan, because I was willing to buy a house.
Right now, I feel like an ant --working everyday, doing some heavy lifting (relative to my body weight), and slowly building my nest (or savings). However, I aspire to eventually be a camel, with enough saved up to help me through uncertain times.
They make so much money per hour that doing it themselves actually cost them money. That's the opportunity cost you mentioned in the article and which you conveniently pushed aside. It's not about one way or the other. It is about making the choices that strike the right balance between frugality and enjoying life. None of us know that we WILL live to into a future where our frugality pays a dividend. We could all die tomorrow with a large savings account. Do what work for you and meets your PERSONAL goals life.
For women, some items to dual duty. I like to bring a shawl on trips with me. I can use it as a blanket on the plane, a scarf on a cool day, over my head when it rains, and as a wrap when I go out.
I love this post! I am very proud of being frugal and totally agree most strongly with No 5 above. I have a comfortable enough salary, that I don't have to be frugal. But, I playing around with financial instruments, saving money, and contributing to charity are a hobby of mine.
Bottom line is I get more satisfaction by being frugal and having money left over to play around with than I would by having a $100K brand new car.
I understand your situation, as I have been there before. It's hard to keep pointing to a budget, when you don't make enough to barely cover the necessities -- much less things that you can cut out of the budget. There is only one way to allow for more room in the budget when you can't cut costs, and that's to make more money. I wish that I could give you any other kind of advice, but without looking at your budget, I don't know specifics, and I'm not a financial professional. Does your state offer child-care assistance so that you can work?
I am like a money cow - before I spend on anything significant I will chew and chew and chew and then chew some more. Then, after I've decided to spend, I may go back and chew on it some more. It is a tiresome process and I talk myself out of many purchases, which helps me save money.
You can use a cheap digital thermometer and read the outside temp of the pot. If you hear it boil, turn it down. You can have a slight boil if you have a column running, but just a coil coming off the lid will not separate the alcohol fast enough. You can also watch the drippings. If it is blowing steam and you can not condensate fast enough, turn down the heat. If you are getting out no steam and lots of alcohol, you are doing fine.
Tip one :On long distance flights you need lots of water and the cabin crew aren't exactly forthcoming with lots of water and you can bring only 100 ml (yes i'm European) with you . What to do ? My trick is tp put an empty plastic bottle in the carry on-bagage and after the security check go to the toilet (alright rest room...) and fill the bottle with water . Either several small bottles or one big one.
Tip two: and further to the using your body as a carry-on tip ; photographers (and fisherman) use a vest which has lot of small and deep pockets and since (not yet anyway)they don't weigh you you can stuff it with all all sorts of ..stuff.
I was just sent $3,660 from GAPbuster Worldwide. I was to deposit the money then call them for my "training assignment". I was then to shop at Walmart in three different sections of the store, buy stuff up to $50.00. I was to observe and write down my observations. Then I was to send a MoneyGram for $1,770 plus a $35.00 fee. The object was to see if they would re-imburse me the $35.00 after I cancelled sending the money through. I was to fax them all the receipts by 3:30 in the afternoon.
Ok, I did it. I was told to make up a fake name as the recipient and to make sure I send it to London, UK. I used my ATM to do this. Ashley, my contact person said I could do that.
I was then to repeat it at a second Walmart, visit 3 areas, observe, write down obsevations, then send $1,720 dollars to another made up name to London, UK.
When I tried transferring money from my account it would not go through. I figured that my ATM had too much activity so my bank was not letting me complete the transaction.
I drove to my bank and they told me that the $3,660.00 check was put on hold because it was suspicious and it probably won't go through. I told them the whole story and advised me to go get the money back from MoneyGram at Walmart.
They returned the entire amount including the $35.00. I then found the manager and told her the entire story. She said that they had just been inserviced on this scam.
I was so angry that I wasted so much time and that I fell for this. I was supposed to fax the information, but I didn't. I figured that they needed the info to get the cash at their end. Ashley must have called me 4 times that afternoon. I did not answer because I was livid and I wanted to calm down before doing anything else. (I had saved their number and labeled "Criminals" so when she called, Crimimals would appear on my phone.)
The following day, Ashley called again, no message was left. Now it was my turn to call them. A man with a British accent answered and I told him who I was and told him the good news that MoneyGram did return the entire amount. He asked me if I had faxed them the information. I told them that I hadn't and that I was waiting for the check to clear before doing anything else for them. He tried to carry a conversations with me asking me what my Rep ID was. I then told him that I did some checking around and I found that what they are doing is a scam and that I almost fell for it. I couldn't understand what he was saying but I think he said he would call Ashley so I could speak to her. He put me on hold, then I was disconnected. They never called back. I was out $90.00 for the purchases I made at Walmart, but they are things I needed to get anyway, so I did not return any of the things. What a good lesson for me. I'm usually so vigilant, but they almost had me.
I'd like to share the information from their letter:
Carley Anderson-National Program Coordinator
448 Jackson Ave. Bronx, NY 10455
Control Centre Tel: 1-646-875-5835
Control Centre Fax: 1-888-637-4575
I'm a lion. I spend most of my time sleeping (not spending), but every now and then I have a burst of big spending, usually involving buying the best in the world of something I happen to need. Strong believer in quality over quantity!
This is an Italian recipe that has been handed down from generations in my family. I take the zucchini flowers, wash & break them up and put them in a batter made up of flour (whole wheat can be used), water, egg, parmesan cheese, garlic powder, salt and pepper. You then fry them in canola oil until crispy -- YUM!!!!
I would say I'm like an owl, because I read a lot about money from many sources (makes me think of how scholary an owl might be) and excute at night when I have free time (owls are night creatures).
Great post, as ever.
When I seriously began restructuring my time this year, I found that applying frugality principles to my time, the way I had been working on doing with my money, helped immensely in reducing the number of hours I worked. As an entrepreneur, I was working far too many hours in the spirit of, "The more hours I work, the more money I make." Of course, that's actually not true: more hours equated to exhaustion and poor thinking, not a better bottom line. My income actually dropped off for a while despite the extra hours.
The more frugal I became with my time, the better return I got. And the better my life became.
And time frugality started a positive feedback loop with financial frugality, which helped even more!
another reason for frugality is that the end justifies the means. We want a good financial foundation in future even if that means foregoing some things and planning our expenditures. I am a firm believer that there are consequences for every action and i do not want to suffer bad ones; just the piece of mind of a strong base in future with a good financial background
I agree with Khurt's point about balance. It saddens me to see something like this made into an "us versus them" approach. To me it's not an either/or proposition, but a continuum. I make some frugal choices that allow me to splurge in other areas of life. I enjoy coming here to find new ideas and new perspectives, not another battleground.
Haha, maybe a vulture? Opportunistic, efficient, not wasteful.
My husband and I perfected this when we spent a week on a catamaran in BVI. As a female, one of my tricks is to pack black and white. Black/white skirt, shorts and tops that go with both. This way you can do a lot of mix and match and create new outfits. I got tired of lugging around my entire closet and then not wearing half of what I brought. Even though it's hard to not pack all your favorite stuff, once you're at your destination, it makes dressing much easier.
The green french fries sound like a great idea.
Has anyone tried to deep-fry them in a fryer without the batter? That could also be an option. A little less healthy, but an option...:)
I opine that to receive the business loans from creditors you must have a firm reason. However, one time I have received a secured loan, because I was willing to buy a house.
Right now, I feel like an ant --working everyday, doing some heavy lifting (relative to my body weight), and slowly building my nest (or savings). However, I aspire to eventually be a camel, with enough saved up to help me through uncertain times.
If so wouldn't the Chinese have less "men". Evidently they outnumber the rest of the world in spite of a Soya diet! so ya so fa!
That's a nice list Kentin!
I spend about four months per year away from home, usually for a month at the time.
It's just wonderful to travel with a single bag.
As a minimalist it's easy, but I feel for those who drag a lot of clothes and electronics along...
Number one reason why some people aren't frugal:
They make so much money per hour that doing it themselves actually cost them money. That's the opportunity cost you mentioned in the article and which you conveniently pushed aside. It's not about one way or the other. It is about making the choices that strike the right balance between frugality and enjoying life. None of us know that we WILL live to into a future where our frugality pays a dividend. We could all die tomorrow with a large savings account. Do what work for you and meets your PERSONAL goals life.
For women, some items to dual duty. I like to bring a shawl on trips with me. I can use it as a blanket on the plane, a scarf on a cool day, over my head when it rains, and as a wrap when I go out.
I love this post! I am very proud of being frugal and totally agree most strongly with No 5 above. I have a comfortable enough salary, that I don't have to be frugal. But, I playing around with financial instruments, saving money, and contributing to charity are a hobby of mine.
Bottom line is I get more satisfaction by being frugal and having money left over to play around with than I would by having a $100K brand new car.
Alexandra,
I understand your situation, as I have been there before. It's hard to keep pointing to a budget, when you don't make enough to barely cover the necessities -- much less things that you can cut out of the budget. There is only one way to allow for more room in the budget when you can't cut costs, and that's to make more money. I wish that I could give you any other kind of advice, but without looking at your budget, I don't know specifics, and I'm not a financial professional. Does your state offer child-care assistance so that you can work?
I am a dog who loves to learn all kinds of tricks.
I am like a money cow - before I spend on anything significant I will chew and chew and chew and then chew some more. Then, after I've decided to spend, I may go back and chew on it some more. It is a tiresome process and I talk myself out of many purchases, which helps me save money.
I would say a mouse - even though I make financial mistakes here and there, I narrowly miss those mousetraps and come out ahead.
EvilNat
You can use a cheap digital thermometer and read the outside temp of the pot. If you hear it boil, turn it down. You can have a slight boil if you have a column running, but just a coil coming off the lid will not separate the alcohol fast enough. You can also watch the drippings. If it is blowing steam and you can not condensate fast enough, turn down the heat. If you are getting out no steam and lots of alcohol, you are doing fine.
My own two cents for the Single Bag concept.
Tip one :On long distance flights you need lots of water and the cabin crew aren't exactly forthcoming with lots of water and you can bring only 100 ml (yes i'm European) with you . What to do ? My trick is tp put an empty plastic bottle in the carry on-bagage and after the security check go to the toilet (alright rest room...) and fill the bottle with water . Either several small bottles or one big one.
Tip two: and further to the using your body as a carry-on tip ; photographers (and fisherman) use a vest which has lot of small and deep pockets and since (not yet anyway)they don't weigh you you can stuff it with all all sorts of ..stuff.
I was just sent $3,660 from GAPbuster Worldwide. I was to deposit the money then call them for my "training assignment". I was then to shop at Walmart in three different sections of the store, buy stuff up to $50.00. I was to observe and write down my observations. Then I was to send a MoneyGram for $1,770 plus a $35.00 fee. The object was to see if they would re-imburse me the $35.00 after I cancelled sending the money through. I was to fax them all the receipts by 3:30 in the afternoon.
Ok, I did it. I was told to make up a fake name as the recipient and to make sure I send it to London, UK. I used my ATM to do this. Ashley, my contact person said I could do that.
I was then to repeat it at a second Walmart, visit 3 areas, observe, write down obsevations, then send $1,720 dollars to another made up name to London, UK.
When I tried transferring money from my account it would not go through. I figured that my ATM had too much activity so my bank was not letting me complete the transaction.
I drove to my bank and they told me that the $3,660.00 check was put on hold because it was suspicious and it probably won't go through. I told them the whole story and advised me to go get the money back from MoneyGram at Walmart.
They returned the entire amount including the $35.00. I then found the manager and told her the entire story. She said that they had just been inserviced on this scam.
I was so angry that I wasted so much time and that I fell for this. I was supposed to fax the information, but I didn't. I figured that they needed the info to get the cash at their end. Ashley must have called me 4 times that afternoon. I did not answer because I was livid and I wanted to calm down before doing anything else. (I had saved their number and labeled "Criminals" so when she called, Crimimals would appear on my phone.)
The following day, Ashley called again, no message was left. Now it was my turn to call them. A man with a British accent answered and I told him who I was and told him the good news that MoneyGram did return the entire amount. He asked me if I had faxed them the information. I told them that I hadn't and that I was waiting for the check to clear before doing anything else for them. He tried to carry a conversations with me asking me what my Rep ID was. I then told him that I did some checking around and I found that what they are doing is a scam and that I almost fell for it. I couldn't understand what he was saying but I think he said he would call Ashley so I could speak to her. He put me on hold, then I was disconnected. They never called back. I was out $90.00 for the purchases I made at Walmart, but they are things I needed to get anyway, so I did not return any of the things. What a good lesson for me. I'm usually so vigilant, but they almost had me.
I'd like to share the information from their letter:
Carley Anderson-National Program Coordinator
448 Jackson Ave. Bronx, NY 10455
Control Centre Tel: 1-646-875-5835
Control Centre Fax: 1-888-637-4575
Web: www.gapbuster.com/mystery-shopping
I'm so glad to be done with this. By the way, I'm still waiting for the check to bounce.
Maybe a camel? I store up and save just in case there are dry spells.
I'm a lion. I spend most of my time sleeping (not spending), but every now and then I have a burst of big spending, usually involving buying the best in the world of something I happen to need. Strong believer in quality over quantity!
This is an Italian recipe that has been handed down from generations in my family. I take the zucchini flowers, wash & break them up and put them in a batter made up of flour (whole wheat can be used), water, egg, parmesan cheese, garlic powder, salt and pepper. You then fry them in canola oil until crispy -- YUM!!!!
very interesting concept! i guess i am a cow? i like to have different money pots to go to.
I would say I'm like an owl, because I read a lot about money from many sources (makes me think of how scholary an owl might be) and excute at night when I have free time (owls are night creatures).