I am never rude to the actual callers, as it is a crappy job with fairly bad pay that nobody takes unless they really need to (I know, been there, done that). But, I never talk to them in the first place because I let the machine pick up any call I don't recognize on Caller ID, and then I intercept the machine if it turns out to be a friend or someone else I want to talk to. Essentially, there is no way for a person to talk to me if I don't want to talk to them.
If you don't want to do that, the long boring bank and credit card agreements have the phone numbers listed that you need to call if you want to be excluded from their lists to their partners that call with "special offers".
I absolutely agree with your points, Philip. But I will sheepishly admit that I recently bought my first-ever stored value card.
Here's what made the difference for me:
• It's a locally-owned, independent coffeehouse. The manager personally greets us and remembers our preferences. She gives us extra for free, since we bring our own cups. So, I like 'em and want them to continue to succeed.
• My husband and I have a long-standing, once per week date at this place. We're quite likely to empty our card in less than two months. It's certainly not the most frugal way to enjoy coffee, but considering that we lounge around and chat and read their newspapers for at least an hour, it's reasonably priced entertainment.
• They recycle the cards when customers are finished with them (i.e., clean them up and reuse them).
• They sucked me in with their "buy a $50 card, and we'll add $10!" offer. ;-)
I have found this card somewhat inconvenient, because I feel I still need to bring cash anyway (for the tip jar), and now I also have to keep track of something extra. I like to support this establishment, though, and we get an extra date-and-a-half out of the deal. And so I made an exception.
I keep getting calls from an "on-line pharmacy". The callers all sound like they're in India and not subject to US law.
Rather than hang up on them, I set the phone down and leave the connection open all day. They can't use their phone until I hang up. I hope they pay long distance charges all day long.
I like to put them on hold just to see how long they stay there. It wastes their time so they make less contacts and less money. It also wastes their time so someone else isn't bothered. Of course if you're on a cell minute-plan, this strategy isn't recommended :)
I registered my number with the Do Not Call list the day it was announced, and the number of telemarketing calls I receive has steadily increased over the past number of years. My suspicion is that the list is simply used as another call list.
There are too many exceptions in the law. In particular, the allowance for companies with which you have recently done business really does defeat the entire spirit of the law. For example, if you have a credit card through a large bank, any of its subsidiaries and business partners can call you with "special offers". Most of my calls are generated through this chain of bank partners.
Walgreen's is the closest store to me, and is on my way home both when I drive and when I take the bus, so I've been utilizing the EasySaver catalog quite frequently.
My tips:
- If the item is not free after rebate, compare the cost after rebate to big box stores- when not on sale, Walgreen's products are usually more expensive.
-Don't buy every rebated product right away. Get the weekly circular every week, and look for all the rebate products that went on sale. For example, for December 2007, I didn't think I would get the 3-pack Scotch tape $1 rebate, figuring generic tape was still probably cheaper, but when looking at the circular one week, I saw that it was on sale for $1.
-Use manufacturer's coupons. Let's say they will give up to a $3 rebate for a bottle of shampoo. The shampoo costs $2.89, but you have a $1 off coupon. You still get $2.89 back.
-Selecting the gift card option gives you a 10% bonus that pays for the tax and the stamp, but another cost to consider is photocopying your submission. If there is a dispute, you will need the copies. For me, it's not an issue because my apartment complex offers free photocopies for all of its residents. However, photocopies can cost up to 10 cents a page in my area. I find a typical month's submission takes up 2-3 pages. My point is that if you are only getting a small rebate, it may not be worth the time and money to make the copies. I've never had a problem with getting a fair rebate.
-If one of the free or heavily discounted products is a brand you don't care for yourself, buy it and donate it to a shelter. I bought seven bottles of shampoo and two tubes of toothpaste for a battered women's shelter for $1.50 over one two-month period.
I hope this helps! I am a huge fan of this program- in the last year, I've paid almost nothing for shampoo, toothpaste, feminine hygiene products, lined paper and tape.
Just registered my landline with the do not call list. That was pretty easy. Thanks for the link, Nora!
If I do get a call from a telemarketer, I just hang up on them. Not a word wasted. As soon as I hear the computer voice or the monotone of a bored live person....
Went the cell phone route but still get calls - on the do not call list with the cell phone - have reported some companies and the ftc did nothing. There's also a law in there that says that even if you did business with a company (or filled out a form or had your phone number snagged from the internet) you can tell them to stop and if they continue to call you can report them and have them fined ... but again the ftc doesn't seem to care about that either.
I just don't answer my phone unless I recognize the number (and even then sometimes I don't answer if I'm busy.)
Just wanted to inform you that when you are working for a store that is closing your job translates to the liquidator, you 1st get paid less and 2nd treated like crap. Most of these employees ( I worked at Discovery for over 2 years) have spent a few years working for the company and love what they do. It is heartbreaking to be there and watch the stores demise. So please be kind.
I'm new to this blog, although I've belonged to the Blogher organization since its inception. I really liked this post and found it relevant on many levels.
The primary reason that I'm commenting, though, is to ask if you've ever seen Zwaggle? It's a toy trading site. The concept is similar to freecycle, with the ultimate goal to keep toys out of the landfill, and help your wallet to remain full.
Thanks, everyone, for the warm welcome to WiseBread.Since I write mostly on paper as opposed to on the net, I’m not use to instantaneous interaction with my readers.The kind of writing I do is like peeing your pants when you’re wearing a dark suit:You feel warm all over, but nobody notices.
Judy - Thanks for the flattering remark about my photo.In the interest of full disclosure, I must admit that it was ever so slightly digitally enhanced for publicity purposes.The un-doctored photo appears below (hope doesn't dampen your cyber feelings for me).
To the Guest who asked about “how to get a book deal,” there’s no one or easy answer, and nearly every instance includes some amount of luck.I’m no expert on the topic (this is my first book), but I wrote a story about my own rather bizarre entrée into publishing.You can read it at http://www.ultimatecheapskate.com/books/index.html.If you’re interested in writing/publishing, also check out www.writersdigest.com and their forums.
Thanks again for making me feel like I wet my pants.
Stay Cheap!
Jeff Yeager
The Ultimate Cheapskate
[editor's note: I made the picture smaller... it was scaring the children!]
I think it depends on the relationship you have with the giver. In my family, we are very close and honest. When a relative gives me an article of clothing, for instance, they always include the gift receipt. Then they say something like, "I know you said you like blue, so I thought this would be perfect for you! I wasn't sure if you were a size 6 or a size 8, so if you need to exchange for the next size smaller, go ahead!"
I wouldn't feel comfortable exchanging something that didn't come with a receipt, unless of course, it really didn't work out (getting a blu-ray disc when I have a player for HD discs only.) In this case, it wouldn't be practical for me to keep it, since I can't use it. The giver would WANT me to exchange for the same movie on a format I can use, so I would just mention that I could use the recieipt for an exchange, OR just go to any big box store that carried the title I had and do an exchange without the receipt.
I'm in no way suggesting that people take their gifts for granted and exchange away everything for that ONE coveted gift. But I can see how it may be uncomfortable or inappropriate to ask for a receipt.
I hope it was clear that I'm not saying that only poor people are fat--that's obviously not true. But it's only in wealthy countries that poor people can afford enough calories to get fat. That became the case about 40 years ago in the US, maybe a little later in other developed countries, and is still not true in most poor countries.
One thing that I may not have made clear is that I think poor people get fat for much the same reasons that rich and middle-class people get fat--all the factors that various posters have mentioned--diet, exercise, genetics, conditions like depression, side-effects from medications, and so on.
But the same factors that affect everybody have come round on poor people in multiple different ways. The working poor have less time and energy for exercise. The poor have less access to medical care--and so less opportunity to address the medical causes of obesity. The poor have less access to real food--which tends to be an upscale item, more expensive, and easier to find in stores in affluent neighborhoods.
What I hope everyone takes away from this article is that eating real food is the way to go. It's not always as convenient as fast food or convenience foods. It can be as cheap--but it isn't automatically as cheap; it's only cheap for people with kitchens and access to good grocery stores, farmers markets, and gardens. Still, the opportunity for money-saving is significant and the opportunies for health improvement are huge.
There is just one thing I'm not sure I get, how can you return gifts that people gave you. Nobody gives the receipt with the gift, and I would find it rude to ask the person who gave me the present if I could have the receipt to return it.
Hey folks,,,the practice has been around a LOooooooong time..a semi LOL, am 'old' , been shopping a very long time and HAVE been aware of such practices a very, VERY long time and is why you pay attention when shopping and especially at "check-out" , do a mental tally as shopping so more likely to BE more aware when total is above what "expected" ! And an OH YEAH, you know , those SLIGHT/MINIMAL "OVERCHARGES" of even a few pennies, think how when consistently "rung up" adds to the stores coffers...and yes, even when reported/caught by a customer and have the 'excuse" these days that 'the computer did not readjust/update"..LOL, have gone back and checked (deliberately) days later, and even thou promised would be corrected (which is a phone call away to HQ to orrect" with a few keystrokes...) found NOTHING done to correct and same overcharge happening...those PENNIES ADD MILLIONS TO THE COMAPNY PROFIT LINES...Hard to PROVE eliberate, but , well, mmmm'er's !!! Its called "merchandising and many figure FEW will complain about meager/small overcharges so they continue to get away with such...DELIBERATELY !!! (and bet the exec in charge gets a hefty bonus to boot from those profitable penny+ overcharges as helped to add to the company profits/etc...) YOU MUST BECOME a SAvvy/ alert shopper, ITS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to YOURSELF...yeah , it takes effort and deligence, but better the pennies in YOUR pocket than theirs (LOL, did YOU know, that take ONE PENNEY a day, double it each day--the accumulation adds to pover a MILLION DOLLARS in just 30 days...honest, do the math..first day ONE penney, add two pennies the second day, day three is add 3, day four add 6...do the math..its is astounding and THEN think of how many customers get OVERCHARGED those pennies day after day after day.....astounding reality and MOST never BOTHER to complain over a MERE 2-3cents overcharge......think about it !!!)( and yes, do the math on that penney doubled each day for 30days...put it on paper to remind you and post !!!....)
And while I've never met your wife, I'm guessing she's a TERRIFIC lady. I also wanted to let you know that I loved your pumpkin article at your website... while I did eat our jack-o-lantern seeds, I didn't eat the fruit. That went towards my homemade dog food recipe. My puppy Boo tells me it was delicious!
I am never rude to the actual callers, as it is a crappy job with fairly bad pay that nobody takes unless they really need to (I know, been there, done that). But, I never talk to them in the first place because I let the machine pick up any call I don't recognize on Caller ID, and then I intercept the machine if it turns out to be a friend or someone else I want to talk to. Essentially, there is no way for a person to talk to me if I don't want to talk to them.
If you don't want to do that, the long boring bank and credit card agreements have the phone numbers listed that you need to call if you want to be excluded from their lists to their partners that call with "special offers".
I absolutely agree with your points, Philip. But I will sheepishly admit that I recently bought my first-ever stored value card.
Here's what made the difference for me:
• It's a locally-owned, independent coffeehouse. The manager personally greets us and remembers our preferences. She gives us extra for free, since we bring our own cups. So, I like 'em and want them to continue to succeed.
• My husband and I have a long-standing, once per week date at this place. We're quite likely to empty our card in less than two months. It's certainly not the most frugal way to enjoy coffee, but considering that we lounge around and chat and read their newspapers for at least an hour, it's reasonably priced entertainment.
• They recycle the cards when customers are finished with them (i.e., clean them up and reuse them).
• They sucked me in with their "buy a $50 card, and we'll add $10!" offer. ;-)
I have found this card somewhat inconvenient, because I feel I still need to bring cash anyway (for the tip jar), and now I also have to keep track of something extra. I like to support this establishment, though, and we get an extra date-and-a-half out of the deal. And so I made an exception.
I keep getting calls from an "on-line pharmacy". The callers all sound like they're in India and not subject to US law.
Rather than hang up on them, I set the phone down and leave the connection open all day. They can't use their phone until I hang up. I hope they pay long distance charges all day long.
I like to put them on hold just to see how long they stay there. It wastes their time so they make less contacts and less money. It also wastes their time so someone else isn't bothered. Of course if you're on a cell minute-plan, this strategy isn't recommended :)
I registered my number with the Do Not Call list the day it was announced, and the number of telemarketing calls I receive has steadily increased over the past number of years. My suspicion is that the list is simply used as another call list.
There are too many exceptions in the law. In particular, the allowance for companies with which you have recently done business really does defeat the entire spirit of the law. For example, if you have a credit card through a large bank, any of its subsidiaries and business partners can call you with "special offers". Most of my calls are generated through this chain of bank partners.
Walgreen's is the closest store to me, and is on my way home both when I drive and when I take the bus, so I've been utilizing the EasySaver catalog quite frequently.
My tips:
- If the item is not free after rebate, compare the cost after rebate to big box stores- when not on sale, Walgreen's products are usually more expensive.
-Don't buy every rebated product right away. Get the weekly circular every week, and look for all the rebate products that went on sale. For example, for December 2007, I didn't think I would get the 3-pack Scotch tape $1 rebate, figuring generic tape was still probably cheaper, but when looking at the circular one week, I saw that it was on sale for $1.
-Use manufacturer's coupons. Let's say they will give up to a $3 rebate for a bottle of shampoo. The shampoo costs $2.89, but you have a $1 off coupon. You still get $2.89 back.
-Selecting the gift card option gives you a 10% bonus that pays for the tax and the stamp, but another cost to consider is photocopying your submission. If there is a dispute, you will need the copies. For me, it's not an issue because my apartment complex offers free photocopies for all of its residents. However, photocopies can cost up to 10 cents a page in my area. I find a typical month's submission takes up 2-3 pages. My point is that if you are only getting a small rebate, it may not be worth the time and money to make the copies. I've never had a problem with getting a fair rebate.
-If one of the free or heavily discounted products is a brand you don't care for yourself, buy it and donate it to a shelter. I bought seven bottles of shampoo and two tubes of toothpaste for a battered women's shelter for $1.50 over one two-month period.
I hope this helps! I am a huge fan of this program- in the last year, I've paid almost nothing for shampoo, toothpaste, feminine hygiene products, lined paper and tape.
Just registered my landline with the do not call list. That was pretty easy. Thanks for the link, Nora!
If I do get a call from a telemarketer, I just hang up on them. Not a word wasted. As soon as I hear the computer voice or the monotone of a bored live person....
Click. Buh-bye.
Went the cell phone route but still get calls - on the do not call list with the cell phone - have reported some companies and the ftc did nothing. There's also a law in there that says that even if you did business with a company (or filled out a form or had your phone number snagged from the internet) you can tell them to stop and if they continue to call you can report them and have them fined ... but again the ftc doesn't seem to care about that either.
I just don't answer my phone unless I recognize the number (and even then sometimes I don't answer if I'm busy.)
Just wanted to inform you that when you are working for a store that is closing your job translates to the liquidator, you 1st get paid less and 2nd treated like crap. Most of these employees ( I worked at Discovery for over 2 years) have spent a few years working for the company and love what they do. It is heartbreaking to be there and watch the stores demise. So please be kind.
If you don't answer the phone you will never know what is out there that might help you to better your life.
Or....you could go cell phone only.
I'm new to this blog, although I've belonged to the Blogher organization since its inception. I really liked this post and found it relevant on many levels.
The primary reason that I'm commenting, though, is to ask if you've ever seen Zwaggle? It's a toy trading site. The concept is similar to freecycle, with the ultimate goal to keep toys out of the landfill, and help your wallet to remain full.
Thanks, everyone, for the warm welcome to WiseBread. Since I write mostly on paper as opposed to on the net, I’m not use to instantaneous interaction with my readers. The kind of writing I do is like peeing your pants when you’re wearing a dark suit: You feel warm all over, but nobody notices.
Judy - Thanks for the flattering remark about my photo. In the interest of full disclosure, I must admit that it was ever so slightly digitally enhanced for publicity purposes. The un-doctored photo appears below (hope doesn't dampen your cyber feelings for me).
To the Guest who asked about “how to get a book deal,” there’s no one or easy answer, and nearly every instance includes some amount of luck. I’m no expert on the topic (this is my first book), but I wrote a story about my own rather bizarre entrée into publishing. You can read it at http://www.ultimatecheapskate.com/books/index.html. If you’re interested in writing/publishing, also check out www.writersdigest.com and their forums.
Thanks again for making me feel like I wet my pants.
Stay Cheap!
Jeff Yeager
The Ultimate Cheapskate
[editor's note: I made the picture smaller... it was scaring the children!]
Jeff's publisher has generously offered at least one free copy to our readers.
So some of your wishes will come true! =)
(more details on the giveaway coming up soon)
Exellent! Those little micropet things you used to get in happy meals will work again!
I added the book to my wishlist as well :) Welcome to the fun!
I think it depends on the relationship you have with the giver. In my family, we are very close and honest. When a relative gives me an article of clothing, for instance, they always include the gift receipt. Then they say something like, "I know you said you like blue, so I thought this would be perfect for you! I wasn't sure if you were a size 6 or a size 8, so if you need to exchange for the next size smaller, go ahead!"
I wouldn't feel comfortable exchanging something that didn't come with a receipt, unless of course, it really didn't work out (getting a blu-ray disc when I have a player for HD discs only.) In this case, it wouldn't be practical for me to keep it, since I can't use it. The giver would WANT me to exchange for the same movie on a format I can use, so I would just mention that I could use the recieipt for an exchange, OR just go to any big box store that carried the title I had and do an exchange without the receipt.
I'm in no way suggesting that people take their gifts for granted and exchange away everything for that ONE coveted gift. But I can see how it may be uncomfortable or inappropriate to ask for a receipt.
Thanks for the comments!
Thanks for all the good comments.
I hope it was clear that I'm not saying that only poor people are fat--that's obviously not true. But it's only in wealthy countries that poor people can afford enough calories to get fat. That became the case about 40 years ago in the US, maybe a little later in other developed countries, and is still not true in most poor countries.
One thing that I may not have made clear is that I think poor people get fat for much the same reasons that rich and middle-class people get fat--all the factors that various posters have mentioned--diet, exercise, genetics, conditions like depression, side-effects from medications, and so on.
But the same factors that affect everybody have come round on poor people in multiple different ways. The working poor have less time and energy for exercise. The poor have less access to medical care--and so less opportunity to address the medical causes of obesity. The poor have less access to real food--which tends to be an upscale item, more expensive, and easier to find in stores in affluent neighborhoods.
What I hope everyone takes away from this article is that eating real food is the way to go. It's not always as convenient as fast food or convenience foods. It can be as cheap--but it isn't automatically as cheap; it's only cheap for people with kitchens and access to good grocery stores, farmers markets, and gardens. Still, the opportunity for money-saving is significant and the opportunies for health improvement are huge.
There is just one thing I'm not sure I get, how can you return gifts that people gave you. Nobody gives the receipt with the gift, and I would find it rude to ask the person who gave me the present if I could have the receipt to return it.
Hey folks,,,the practice has been around a LOooooooong time..a semi LOL, am 'old' , been shopping a very long time and HAVE been aware of such practices a very, VERY long time and is why you pay attention when shopping and especially at "check-out" , do a mental tally as shopping so more likely to BE more aware when total is above what "expected" ! And an OH YEAH, you know , those SLIGHT/MINIMAL "OVERCHARGES" of even a few pennies, think how when consistently "rung up" adds to the stores coffers...and yes, even when reported/caught by a customer and have the 'excuse" these days that 'the computer did not readjust/update"..LOL, have gone back and checked (deliberately) days later, and even thou promised would be corrected (which is a phone call away to HQ to orrect" with a few keystrokes...) found NOTHING done to correct and same overcharge happening...those PENNIES ADD MILLIONS TO THE COMAPNY PROFIT LINES...Hard to PROVE eliberate, but , well, mmmm'er's !!! Its called "merchandising and many figure FEW will complain about meager/small overcharges so they continue to get away with such...DELIBERATELY !!! (and bet the exec in charge gets a hefty bonus to boot from those profitable penny+ overcharges as helped to add to the company profits/etc...) YOU MUST BECOME a SAvvy/ alert shopper, ITS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to YOURSELF...yeah , it takes effort and deligence, but better the pennies in YOUR pocket than theirs (LOL, did YOU know, that take ONE PENNEY a day, double it each day--the accumulation adds to pover a MILLION DOLLARS in just 30 days...honest, do the math..first day ONE penney, add two pennies the second day, day three is add 3, day four add 6...do the math..its is astounding and THEN think of how many customers get OVERCHARGED those pennies day after day after day.....astounding reality and MOST never BOTHER to complain over a MERE 2-3cents overcharge......think about it !!!)( and yes, do the math on that penney doubled each day for 30days...put it on paper to remind you and post !!!....)
What is the best way to get a book deal? There are many frugal bloggers here who would love to see their names on the by-line one day?
I love the picture! Wisebread is a great mix of nutty fun and serious advice. You'll fit right in!
Judy
I look forward to reading your columns as I have enjoyed perusing your site in the last few months.
I'm Glad they got you on board!
Hi Jeff!
Your first post made me chuckle, so I'm looking forward to reading you in the future. I also added your book to my Amazon wishlist. :)
And while I've never met your wife, I'm guessing she's a TERRIFIC lady. I also wanted to let you know that I loved your pumpkin article at your website... while I did eat our jack-o-lantern seeds, I didn't eat the fruit. That went towards my homemade dog food recipe. My puppy Boo tells me it was delicious!
Looking forward to more posts from you!