@Financial Independence - I agree that, at least for me, my routine tends to be similar each day. However, striving for variety is a worthwhile pursuit, and will only enrich life. I know I could follow my own advice - but articles like this provide people like me with some oomph and motivation.
I have an Excalibur 3900 and I think it's the best machine ever. I save a lot of money dehydrating my own food and homegrown and homedried just tastes so much better.
1. Full time commitment. - I'm a full-time college student and my husband is permanently disabled so we are living off of his fixed income. Couponing IS my job - it saves us so much that we are able to live comfortably and not be in debt. If I didn't do what I do (I get 1-4 newspapers each week and spend maybe half an hour every day looking at matchups and whatnot), we would not be able to afford basic necessities and we would be in crazy undergraduate debt.
2. You have to stockpile a lot of stuff. - Um, no. You definitely don't need that much stuff. Because I get a maximum of 4 like coupons, I get a maximum of 4 like items and most of the time I don't even get that many! I do like to stock up a little when things are dirt cheap (I got $50 worth of Pantene products for $2.08 and most of that was tax). I kept enough to get my household through 3 months and gave the rest away. But things like toilet paper... who wants to risk running out of that?! I agree, however, that having entire rooms full of stuff is kind of ridiculous.
3. You have to be a slave to coupons. - It can easily become an addiction or obsession. I don't think anybody would argue that. However, for most people it's merely a hobby or a stay-at-home occupation. It's only when it reaches the point of being uncontrollable that it can be properly labeled as an "addiction."
4. You spend hours at the grocery store. - Usually not. Coupon users who know what they're doing make a very specific list and usually know exactly where in the store an item is. There are times when I will go to the store and spend an hour or two just looking and price matching, but it's how I relax. What's the difference between retail therapy and spending hours and hundreds of dollars at the mall and "free-tail therapy" and spending hours and a couple dollars at a drugstore or grocery store? Hmm... Double standard or jealousy...?
5. You are taking much more than you need. - Yeah, this happens a lot. But only a small percentage of the people doing it keep EVERYTHING they get. Most people give a lot of stuff away to needy families, local charities, or just among family and friends. Also, I do not condone shelf-clearing but people need to be smart and realize that just because a shelf is empty doesn't mean ONE person is the reason. Stores don't always restock their shelves throughout the day - a lot of times it's done at night.
Unless it's a necessity and there's no way around it, I won't buy anything unless I can get it at least 50% off of the retail price.
Also, whatever "extra" I have on my mini-stockpile (which easily fits in my closet WITH my clothes) goes into nice gift baskets for birthdays/Christmas.
Don't judge all of us because of a "reality" show. It shows how ignorant people really are. That's like saying everyone who lives in New Jersey acts like the people on Jersey Shore or that all housewives live like the characters on Desperate Housewives... Really? How naive are people these days?
ahhh, the Joy Of Cooking. My mom, who was a home economics teacher had that one on the shelf since before I was born. Great memories! Mom can still cook like a pro.
Your post indicated buyer's agents will be extinct in 5 years - written by you in 2008. Well it is 2012 and buyer's agents are still here and 100% positive they will be here in December 2013 - 5 years after this post was written.
In this current economic climate working with a buyer's agent is critical when working short sales, foreclosures, and traditional resales. I primarily list homes and do not perform dual agency and do not work with unrepresented buyers who call me up all the time wanting information, wanting to view properties, etc... Most listing agents will not work with buyer's to show them one property - are you nuts? They don't have the time to - the unrepresented buyer's are referred out to one of the buyer's agents working with the listing agent and even then most buyer's agents will not waste their time with an uncommitted buyer. Those unrepresented buyers lose out on so many opportunities it is unreal. My sellers have passed up many an offer from those type buyers and closed with buyers who were represented by an agent.
E-filed mine today! I used H&R Block's software this year and last as it was a bit cheaper than TurboTax. Hate it that they charge extra for the state e-file, but was too lazy to print it out and mail it in. My refund will go to my savings account.
#5 and #6 is a ways of living in our household. Our son is only 18 months but I am taking notes on this topic. I want to ensure I raise him with good values when it comes to money among other things of course.
Using credit cards is a good advise but you need to specify that it must be paid in full each month. This only works for the disciplined and mature consumer. If you don't pay the card in full each month, then you defeat the purpose of saving and you are going into debt.
Have any of you tried making these ahead and either freezing or refrigerating them? I'm just wondering how well this works before I attempt it. I'm the only one eating gluten free in my household and don't want to make a big recipe if it doesn't save well. Thanks, all!
This past week I've been taking a look at all my stuff and wondering what I really need and what I can do without. I think it's time to make some donations!
I never thought about this until my aunts house was struck by lightening and burned down. Now I send my pictures through shutterfly so that they can store them for me too in case of an emergency. What really sucks though is that she had to fight her insurance company for over 4 years and still was never re-imbursed for the contents of her house. She lost her stuff and had to buy it all again out of her own pocket.
Here is a cork tip I haven't seen. Drill deep holes in a tree stump about the size of your cork, fill the hole with salt, cork it up. In a year or two your stump will rot. Why pay for stump removal when a little effort and time will take care of it.
My husband does our taxes with TurboTax. We filed our taxes at the beginning of February. This year, like most others, we paid a tiny bit--we rarely get a refund.
Egg cartons can be cut apart and placed inside (tall) boots to help maintain their shape .
@Financial Independence - I agree that, at least for me, my routine tends to be similar each day. However, striving for variety is a worthwhile pursuit, and will only enrich life. I know I could follow my own advice - but articles like this provide people like me with some oomph and motivation.
No.
I have an Excalibur 3900 and I think it's the best machine ever. I save a lot of money dehydrating my own food and homegrown and homedried just tastes so much better.
not yet!
1. Full time commitment. - I'm a full-time college student and my husband is permanently disabled so we are living off of his fixed income. Couponing IS my job - it saves us so much that we are able to live comfortably and not be in debt. If I didn't do what I do (I get 1-4 newspapers each week and spend maybe half an hour every day looking at matchups and whatnot), we would not be able to afford basic necessities and we would be in crazy undergraduate debt.
2. You have to stockpile a lot of stuff. - Um, no. You definitely don't need that much stuff. Because I get a maximum of 4 like coupons, I get a maximum of 4 like items and most of the time I don't even get that many! I do like to stock up a little when things are dirt cheap (I got $50 worth of Pantene products for $2.08 and most of that was tax). I kept enough to get my household through 3 months and gave the rest away. But things like toilet paper... who wants to risk running out of that?! I agree, however, that having entire rooms full of stuff is kind of ridiculous.
3. You have to be a slave to coupons. - It can easily become an addiction or obsession. I don't think anybody would argue that. However, for most people it's merely a hobby or a stay-at-home occupation. It's only when it reaches the point of being uncontrollable that it can be properly labeled as an "addiction."
4. You spend hours at the grocery store. - Usually not. Coupon users who know what they're doing make a very specific list and usually know exactly where in the store an item is. There are times when I will go to the store and spend an hour or two just looking and price matching, but it's how I relax. What's the difference between retail therapy and spending hours and hundreds of dollars at the mall and "free-tail therapy" and spending hours and a couple dollars at a drugstore or grocery store? Hmm... Double standard or jealousy...?
5. You are taking much more than you need. - Yeah, this happens a lot. But only a small percentage of the people doing it keep EVERYTHING they get. Most people give a lot of stuff away to needy families, local charities, or just among family and friends. Also, I do not condone shelf-clearing but people need to be smart and realize that just because a shelf is empty doesn't mean ONE person is the reason. Stores don't always restock their shelves throughout the day - a lot of times it's done at night.
Unless it's a necessity and there's no way around it, I won't buy anything unless I can get it at least 50% off of the retail price.
Also, whatever "extra" I have on my mini-stockpile (which easily fits in my closet WITH my clothes) goes into nice gift baskets for birthdays/Christmas.
Don't judge all of us because of a "reality" show. It shows how ignorant people really are. That's like saying everyone who lives in New Jersey acts like the people on Jersey Shore or that all housewives live like the characters on Desperate Housewives... Really? How naive are people these days?
ahhh, the Joy Of Cooking. My mom, who was a home economics teacher had that one on the shelf since before I was born. Great memories! Mom can still cook like a pro.
Just buy proper unprocessed food and read food labels and you'll be fine. I've just started uni and can hardly cook, but I've managed to eat healthy.
Lots of good tips. Things were so much better back in the "old days"...
Your post indicated buyer's agents will be extinct in 5 years - written by you in 2008. Well it is 2012 and buyer's agents are still here and 100% positive they will be here in December 2013 - 5 years after this post was written.
In this current economic climate working with a buyer's agent is critical when working short sales, foreclosures, and traditional resales. I primarily list homes and do not perform dual agency and do not work with unrepresented buyers who call me up all the time wanting information, wanting to view properties, etc... Most listing agents will not work with buyer's to show them one property - are you nuts? They don't have the time to - the unrepresented buyer's are referred out to one of the buyer's agents working with the listing agent and even then most buyer's agents will not waste their time with an uncommitted buyer. Those unrepresented buyers lose out on so many opportunities it is unreal. My sellers have passed up many an offer from those type buyers and closed with buyers who were represented by an agent.
I have barely thought about filing my taxes! First, I need to find an important document from my employer that I put "in a safe place."
Toss a used dryer sheet into a pan or dish with burnt food and fill with HOT water. Come back in an hour and the burnt on food will slide right off!
E-filed mine today! I used H&R Block's software this year and last as it was a bit cheaper than TurboTax. Hate it that they charge extra for the state e-file, but was too lazy to print it out and mail it in. My refund will go to my savings account.
Haven't filed them yet, but we know it's going to be more complicated than normal this year, so we're going to go with an accountant.
I have not filed my taxes yet... But plan to do them before my anniversary (April 15th) hehehe
#5 and #6 is a ways of living in our household. Our son is only 18 months but I am taking notes on this topic. I want to ensure I raise him with good values when it comes to money among other things of course.
Using credit cards is a good advise but you need to specify that it must be paid in full each month. This only works for the disciplined and mature consumer. If you don't pay the card in full each month, then you defeat the purpose of saving and you are going into debt.
Filed and refund received!
Have any of you tried making these ahead and either freezing or refrigerating them? I'm just wondering how well this works before I attempt it. I'm the only one eating gluten free in my household and don't want to make a big recipe if it doesn't save well. Thanks, all!
Hi nicki,
the remedy for ingrown hair once you make the solution what do you do next?
thanks,
jen
Great frugal informartion! I didn't know about that USDA website. Thanks for sharing!
This past week I've been taking a look at all my stuff and wondering what I really need and what I can do without. I think it's time to make some donations!
I never thought about this until my aunts house was struck by lightening and burned down. Now I send my pictures through shutterfly so that they can store them for me too in case of an emergency. What really sucks though is that she had to fight her insurance company for over 4 years and still was never re-imbursed for the contents of her house. She lost her stuff and had to buy it all again out of her own pocket.
Here is a cork tip I haven't seen. Drill deep holes in a tree stump about the size of your cork, fill the hole with salt, cork it up. In a year or two your stump will rot. Why pay for stump removal when a little effort and time will take care of it.
My husband does our taxes with TurboTax. We filed our taxes at the beginning of February. This year, like most others, we paid a tiny bit--we rarely get a refund.