Thanks for sharing your experience. The states vary a lot when it comes to this issue. They use different prepaid cards, too, which makes it hard to compare.
But I'm very glad it all went smoothly for you. I wish it did for everyone!
Please beware with the athletic clothing comment. Not all activities require technical gear, but if you don't outfit yourself appropriately for certain things, you're asking for misery and/or trouble. The real frugal answer here is to not buy more than you actually need and never pay full retail for the specialized things that really do make a difference to you via thrift stores, sale racks, clothing/gear swaps, and online comparison shopping.
Ever do down-dog or a shoulder stand in a regular t-shirt and shorts? No bueno. You don't need a closet full of $100 lulu lemon pants, but a top that will keep itself (and the girls!) in place paired with bottoms whose hems won't succumb to gravity in inversions and leave you feeling exposed are essential.
Enjoying snowplay sports? Please wear wool, silk, or synthetic material for layering and appropriate breathable/waterproof outerwear, not plain old cotton, or you could increase your risk of discomfort at best and hypothermia at worst.
You clearly stick to the gym for your exercise, and that's great if it works for you, but this advice is TERRIBLE for anyone who actually, you know, goes outside.
Hi Libby -- Thanks for sharing that article. Very interesting. Last year, there were some issues with consumers who got tax refunds on prepaid cards. All I can say is that reading the fine print is a must when you get receive money in the form of a prepaid card.
Being 30 is definitely an exciting yet stressful time in your life. You are in between that stage of having the cushion you had in your 20s and the possibility of falling flat on your face now that life is up to you. All of these things are necessary and it's a shame more people don't realize that and start planning for later in life as soon as they can.
I know all the arguments for planning ahead, but to be honest it's really off-putting. It's sad when you've only started living and that's hard enough, but you have to start thinking about old-age and death. However, what needs to be done needs to be done.
I've never been 'one of those people' who cave to peer pressure, but I never really thought about the extent of peer pressure. It's not just alcohol and drugs; it doesn't have to be something wrong or undesirable. I never stopped to think that I was being peer pressured to go out to have dinner- but that's exactly what it is. Many times I'm thinking to myself, 'how much does that cost?' Food for thought
Yes, Android owns a greater share of the market, but that share is spread among several handset manufacturers, Samsung the most profitable.
Apple's iOS is not shared with any other handset manufacturer and so neither is the revenue. Apple also enjoys higher profit margins than its competitors on each device (http://tech.fortune.cnn.com/2010/03/02/what-doth-it-profit-an-iphone/). Taken together -- all iOS revenue, better margins -- mean Apple claims the lion's share of operating profit despite giving up market share to Android.
Tara, I have not taken any steps to get involved in housesitting. The impression that I've gotten is that someone in my position would not get any housesitting assignments without investing a lot of time and effort to ask friends for references and do some volunteering locally with animals to get some "experience" to add to my profile.
Great ideas! I don't know how easy bread is to make for you, but we used to have a bread machine that was fun to use and the baking bread was one of the greatest smells ever. But without the time to make bread, I think it's cheaper and easier to buy good bread at the grocery store.
That's a great idea to freeze items that are fresh now and can be saved in the freezer for later. Same thing can be done by canning fruit in season. There's nothing better than summer cherries in the winter.
sounds like most of you are from europe. not many banks if any in the usa that i know of charge for atm fees at check out. you only get atm fees for going to an atm machine that is not a part of your network. debit and credit affect the store you are buying from but not the consumer. Most the time people use debit over credit so they dont have to wait 2-3 days for the gas charge at the station to come out. honestly at least in america you dont pay everytime you use debit so if posting that make sure you say what country you are in because you have people giving the wrong information or making otheres think omg i am going to get charged every month. at least here in the capatalistic society banks that charge like that wouldnt be in business.
It's brilliant how telecommunication companies have made people believe that a cell phone is an absolute necessity.
Where once a standard $40 monthly bill was the norm, they've convinced people that a $50 bill per person is the new normal, thereby doubling or even tripling the amount of money they pull out of a household.
I do not know if this is just a recycled story, but Android has the majority of market share, and Samsung is the top manufacturer. Apple is at a 36 % at most. Android has over half. (Meaning maybe Americans are not as dumb as the once were)
Ever notice how a third of the commercials on TV these days are for cell phone companies? Some are clever, some make you laugh, some make you think you'll be getting the best thing ever, but the one thing they all have in common is that they cost a lot of money to air and that money is directly passed on in what consumers pay every month.
Any industry where the sales are largely driven by ridiculous claims of new technology being worth exorbitant costs and tons of what really should be illegal interference in what needs to be an open market (if any consumer protection is to prevail) gets screwed up in one big hurry.
This applies equally to the US health care industry, as well as others.
My health insurance provider reimburses my gym membership if I go to the gym a certain number of days per year. The rebate is only $150 but it's a nice bonus since I already enjoy going to the gym to workout.
Maybe. Either I will do magic on my taxes myself or I will get a helping hand from my beautiful assistant.
Hi Debbra -- Thanks for your comment. I chuckled at your comparison of the IRS to the Sheriff of Nottingham!
Thanks for sharing your experience. The states vary a lot when it comes to this issue. They use different prepaid cards, too, which makes it hard to compare.
But I'm very glad it all went smoothly for you. I wish it did for everyone!
Please beware with the athletic clothing comment. Not all activities require technical gear, but if you don't outfit yourself appropriately for certain things, you're asking for misery and/or trouble. The real frugal answer here is to not buy more than you actually need and never pay full retail for the specialized things that really do make a difference to you via thrift stores, sale racks, clothing/gear swaps, and online comparison shopping.
Ever do down-dog or a shoulder stand in a regular t-shirt and shorts? No bueno. You don't need a closet full of $100 lulu lemon pants, but a top that will keep itself (and the girls!) in place paired with bottoms whose hems won't succumb to gravity in inversions and leave you feeling exposed are essential.
Enjoying snowplay sports? Please wear wool, silk, or synthetic material for layering and appropriate breathable/waterproof outerwear, not plain old cotton, or you could increase your risk of discomfort at best and hypothermia at worst.
You clearly stick to the gym for your exercise, and that's great if it works for you, but this advice is TERRIBLE for anyone who actually, you know, goes outside.
Hi Libby -- Thanks for sharing that article. Very interesting. Last year, there were some issues with consumers who got tax refunds on prepaid cards. All I can say is that reading the fine print is a must when you get receive money in the form of a prepaid card.
I am going to use my phone for as long as it works, then I'll see what is available without a data plan and for a reasonable price.
Being 30 is definitely an exciting yet stressful time in your life. You are in between that stage of having the cushion you had in your 20s and the possibility of falling flat on your face now that life is up to you. All of these things are necessary and it's a shame more people don't realize that and start planning for later in life as soon as they can.
I know all the arguments for planning ahead, but to be honest it's really off-putting. It's sad when you've only started living and that's hard enough, but you have to start thinking about old-age and death. However, what needs to be done needs to be done.
I've never been 'one of those people' who cave to peer pressure, but I never really thought about the extent of peer pressure. It's not just alcohol and drugs; it doesn't have to be something wrong or undesirable. I never stopped to think that I was being peer pressured to go out to have dinner- but that's exactly what it is. Many times I'm thinking to myself, 'how much does that cost?' Food for thought
Clint-
Yes, Android owns a greater share of the market, but that share is spread among several handset manufacturers, Samsung the most profitable.
Apple's iOS is not shared with any other handset manufacturer and so neither is the revenue. Apple also enjoys higher profit margins than its competitors on each device (http://tech.fortune.cnn.com/2010/03/02/what-doth-it-profit-an-iphone/). Taken together -- all iOS revenue, better margins -- mean Apple claims the lion's share of operating profit despite giving up market share to Android.
Tara, I have not taken any steps to get involved in housesitting. The impression that I've gotten is that someone in my position would not get any housesitting assignments without investing a lot of time and effort to ask friends for references and do some volunteering locally with animals to get some "experience" to add to my profile.
Thanks for sharing your experience with wellness payouts. It's nice to get paid for doing something that is already a habit.
Great ideas! I don't know how easy bread is to make for you, but we used to have a bread machine that was fun to use and the baking bread was one of the greatest smells ever. But without the time to make bread, I think it's cheaper and easier to buy good bread at the grocery store.
That's a great idea to freeze items that are fresh now and can be saved in the freezer for later. Same thing can be done by canning fruit in season. There's nothing better than summer cherries in the winter.
Buying produce in season is important, and avocados are cheap now. A good time to make guacamole!
sounds like most of you are from europe. not many banks if any in the usa that i know of charge for atm fees at check out. you only get atm fees for going to an atm machine that is not a part of your network. debit and credit affect the store you are buying from but not the consumer. Most the time people use debit over credit so they dont have to wait 2-3 days for the gas charge at the station to come out. honestly at least in america you dont pay everytime you use debit so if posting that make sure you say what country you are in because you have people giving the wrong information or making otheres think omg i am going to get charged every month. at least here in the capatalistic society banks that charge like that wouldnt be in business.
It's brilliant how telecommunication companies have made people believe that a cell phone is an absolute necessity.
Where once a standard $40 monthly bill was the norm, they've convinced people that a $50 bill per person is the new normal, thereby doubling or even tripling the amount of money they pull out of a household.
I do not know if this is just a recycled story, but Android has the majority of market share, and Samsung is the top manufacturer. Apple is at a 36 % at most. Android has over half. (Meaning maybe Americans are not as dumb as the once were)
http://www.forbes.com/sites/chuckjones/2013/02/06/apples-and-androids-us...
Ever notice how a third of the commercials on TV these days are for cell phone companies? Some are clever, some make you laugh, some make you think you'll be getting the best thing ever, but the one thing they all have in common is that they cost a lot of money to air and that money is directly passed on in what consumers pay every month.
Any industry where the sales are largely driven by ridiculous claims of new technology being worth exorbitant costs and tons of what really should be illegal interference in what needs to be an open market (if any consumer protection is to prevail) gets screwed up in one big hurry.
This applies equally to the US health care industry, as well as others.
My health insurance provider reimburses my gym membership if I go to the gym a certain number of days per year. The rebate is only $150 but it's a nice bonus since I already enjoy going to the gym to workout.
GREAT post I must say, but I don't understand that why would a car salesman do this?
I'm not in the market for a car right now, but it's never a bad idea to sharpen your game! Thanks for the links!
TurboTax always works for me and i find it fairly easy to use
No, the husband is a small business owner