We've found it's all about making the best of an uncomfortable situation. We usually each get an aisle, dress comfortably, have some snacks and have our Kindles, iPads and iPods charged. We also never fly without earplugs. This combination usually helps.
I really enjoyed your post. I think you make some very valuable points. My family and I are from the country as most people would say. We did a two year stint in the cities of Virginia, Hampton, Newport News. The cost of living was horrible, and the living conditions for most matched. It seemed to be either feast or famine for the people who lived there. We came back to the country, and will never leave again! Your points about knowing how to do things are right on. I grew up being taught and watching my parents and other family members, do things for themselves and teaching each other. I think this is the problem today, our society doesn't know basic living skills. My sisters and I are all grown now with grandkids. We as a family still all help each, our husbands don't pay anyone to do anything. They work together when any of us has an issue. If they cant figure it out, they read, ask others they know. People need to work together. Just because you could pay someone to do things, it just doesn't make sense to do it if its possible to do it yourself.
Absolutely! This is right on in my opinion! We should also teach our children that caring for themselves as a person is the right thing, NOT trying to be like people they see on tv. I think tv is probably the most horrible thing that ever happened in America. Most of it is just garbage! Now they tell us and our kids what and who we should be, and its all messed up!
I think you have missed the point of this article. I don't think this woman is trying to say that poor people are fat because they sit around and eat to much. I think she is trying to say that the foods that most people can afford are not good for you! I think that lower income people, and I am one, can make much better choices with their money. I think it is a lack of education and information, I think if we as a country want to help lower income families we should give them tools to make themselves a better life, physically and environmentally! I am so sick of the fact that tv and media in generally have filled everyones heads full of just crap, lies about what is really important in life!
I believe this is so True! Media tells people what they are Entitled to. Our whole standard of life is way out of wack! Congrats and Bless you and your family for seeing through the hype and doing what will truly serve you for a good long life!
I totally agree with this. I work in a grocery store as a clerk. I see so many people that are on assistance and they buy so many foods that are nothing but empty calories Almost always their whole purchase is refined processed food. I believe that most buy these foods one because that's what is cheap, but to go a step further I feel it is because of a lack of knowledge. So many people, and I mean a lot of people, have no idea how to cook. I do believe that we need to help the poor, people need to eat. But I also feel like we as a country are not doing the poor any favor by handing out money for food that they have no idea how to use. I feel like we need to educate people, I don't think a free lunch should be handed out without information, tools to help people build a better life. I think it should be a requirement. My family is not rich, not by any standard. We live on a income of about 36,000 a year, we are a family of 3. I buy what's on sale, I shop at discount stores like, Aldi and Dollar General. We raise a small garden in the summer. I freeze and can. When we have desert or a cookie, its homemade. I buy ingredients, not boxes. What I and many others do is not rocket science, anyone can learn how to do these things. I feel like providing this information is of the utmost importance, I feel the standard of how we live as a country and the nations health is on the line.
Number 5, or perhaps the "meta-reason" - we lose financial sensibility by considering it to be a separate area of our lives to work on then all our other goals and ambitions. For example, shopping for groceries has the components of health, social awareness, and financial responsibility - it's easy to buy cheap unhealthy food, expensive healthy food, or cheap healthy food that contains within it profit for those who practice cruelty towards animals. Perhaps that's a side rant. :)
My husband just bought me a clearanced smart phone so I could us the My Fitness Pal App to lose weight. So far I've done really well with it, so I guess you could say that this is my favorite app right now.
1) Using technology is a huge time saver for me. I have all my bills automated so that I don't have to worry about missing payments and then paying a late fee. Also, I have my savings on repeat for every Monday. Also, you can log into your banks using their mobile apps on the fly.
I have mouthwash I hate that's why I was looking for another use of it. (to frugal to toss it)
I will definitely use the advice from the article to rescue my plants and clean all my toothbrushes.
NOTE TO #14. TAPES AND CD CAN NOT JUST BE THROWN IN THE USUAL RECYCLING BIN AND SHOULD NOT BE PUT IN THE TRASH. GOOGLE FOR INFORMATION ON HOW TO RECYCLE THESE ITEMS.
I agree, Charlie. The end goal can seem very distant, but if you break down your debts into pieces and start by paying off the first one (say, credit card debt or a car loan), and you set a monthly savings goal to chip away at that first debt, you'll see short term progress every month to keep you motivated. Once the first debt is paid off it will free up perhaps hundreds of dollars of monthly cash flow, which will help you pay off the second one that much faster. These are all little victories that should make you proud, and before you know it they will turn into big accomplishments.
Thanks for your thoughts Leslie. I couldn't agree more, and of course effective communication helps in non-financial matters as well. As a male of the species I've observed that generally men find it a bit harder to participate in these types of communications (just a generalization...there are many exceptions, and I think there's a recent cultural change here in a positive direction)
I just bought a new dumbbells first week of January and I'm happy that I already bought it! :) And yes February is a big month for me because it's my little girl's birthday and our wedding anniversary too! So now I'm planning what would be my gifts for my loved ones.
I am a first grade teacher and I have to say that I think these are the traits of successful people in general, not just those that are financially successful. If you are a parent and you view your job as instilling these 7 traits in your child they will do well in life. And, of course, we should all aspire to establish these expectations for ourselves.
I'm not big on apps and don't use many... I do like the Groupon app I have that lets me use coupons in the restaurant without having to print them out.
We've found it's all about making the best of an uncomfortable situation. We usually each get an aisle, dress comfortably, have some snacks and have our Kindles, iPads and iPods charged. We also never fly without earplugs. This combination usually helps.
I don't know if it is my favorite, but the one that gets used the most is a metronome app on the windows phone!
I really enjoyed your post. I think you make some very valuable points. My family and I are from the country as most people would say. We did a two year stint in the cities of Virginia, Hampton, Newport News. The cost of living was horrible, and the living conditions for most matched. It seemed to be either feast or famine for the people who lived there. We came back to the country, and will never leave again! Your points about knowing how to do things are right on. I grew up being taught and watching my parents and other family members, do things for themselves and teaching each other. I think this is the problem today, our society doesn't know basic living skills. My sisters and I are all grown now with grandkids. We as a family still all help each, our husbands don't pay anyone to do anything. They work together when any of us has an issue. If they cant figure it out, they read, ask others they know. People need to work together. Just because you could pay someone to do things, it just doesn't make sense to do it if its possible to do it yourself.
Is it true that you can use a Roth for higher education, i.e. use it for you kid's college tuition?
Absolutely! This is right on in my opinion! We should also teach our children that caring for themselves as a person is the right thing, NOT trying to be like people they see on tv. I think tv is probably the most horrible thing that ever happened in America. Most of it is just garbage! Now they tell us and our kids what and who we should be, and its all messed up!
I think you have missed the point of this article. I don't think this woman is trying to say that poor people are fat because they sit around and eat to much. I think she is trying to say that the foods that most people can afford are not good for you! I think that lower income people, and I am one, can make much better choices with their money. I think it is a lack of education and information, I think if we as a country want to help lower income families we should give them tools to make themselves a better life, physically and environmentally! I am so sick of the fact that tv and media in generally have filled everyones heads full of just crap, lies about what is really important in life!
I believe this is so True! Media tells people what they are Entitled to. Our whole standard of life is way out of wack! Congrats and Bless you and your family for seeing through the hype and doing what will truly serve you for a good long life!
I totally agree with this. I work in a grocery store as a clerk. I see so many people that are on assistance and they buy so many foods that are nothing but empty calories Almost always their whole purchase is refined processed food. I believe that most buy these foods one because that's what is cheap, but to go a step further I feel it is because of a lack of knowledge. So many people, and I mean a lot of people, have no idea how to cook. I do believe that we need to help the poor, people need to eat. But I also feel like we as a country are not doing the poor any favor by handing out money for food that they have no idea how to use. I feel like we need to educate people, I don't think a free lunch should be handed out without information, tools to help people build a better life. I think it should be a requirement. My family is not rich, not by any standard. We live on a income of about 36,000 a year, we are a family of 3. I buy what's on sale, I shop at discount stores like, Aldi and Dollar General. We raise a small garden in the summer. I freeze and can. When we have desert or a cookie, its homemade. I buy ingredients, not boxes. What I and many others do is not rocket science, anyone can learn how to do these things. I feel like providing this information is of the utmost importance, I feel the standard of how we live as a country and the nations health is on the line.
Number 5, or perhaps the "meta-reason" - we lose financial sensibility by considering it to be a separate area of our lives to work on then all our other goals and ambitions. For example, shopping for groceries has the components of health, social awareness, and financial responsibility - it's easy to buy cheap unhealthy food, expensive healthy food, or cheap healthy food that contains within it profit for those who practice cruelty towards animals. Perhaps that's a side rant. :)
Thanks for this post, I enjoyed it.
My husband just bought me a clearanced smart phone so I could us the My Fitness Pal App to lose weight. So far I've done really well with it, so I guess you could say that this is my favorite app right now.
1) Using technology is a huge time saver for me. I have all my bills automated so that I don't have to worry about missing payments and then paying a late fee. Also, I have my savings on repeat for every Monday. Also, you can log into your banks using their mobile apps on the fly.
I have mouthwash I hate that's why I was looking for another use of it. (to frugal to toss it)
I will definitely use the advice from the article to rescue my plants and clean all my toothbrushes.
I love make-ahead ideas. I always run out of room in my freezer though. :-) Really loving the Breakfast Pies. Thanks for the great article.
NOTE TO #14. TAPES AND CD CAN NOT JUST BE THROWN IN THE USUAL RECYCLING BIN AND SHOULD NOT BE PUT IN THE TRASH. GOOGLE FOR INFORMATION ON HOW TO RECYCLE THESE ITEMS.
I agree, Charlie. The end goal can seem very distant, but if you break down your debts into pieces and start by paying off the first one (say, credit card debt or a car loan), and you set a monthly savings goal to chip away at that first debt, you'll see short term progress every month to keep you motivated. Once the first debt is paid off it will free up perhaps hundreds of dollars of monthly cash flow, which will help you pay off the second one that much faster. These are all little victories that should make you proud, and before you know it they will turn into big accomplishments.
Thanks for your thoughts Leslie. I couldn't agree more, and of course effective communication helps in non-financial matters as well. As a male of the species I've observed that generally men find it a bit harder to participate in these types of communications (just a generalization...there are many exceptions, and I think there's a recent cultural change here in a positive direction)
I had no idea the State Island ferry was free. Apparently they eliminated fares in 1997! Last time I rode it was before then. Great tip!
I actually have 2 favorite apps. One is Mint for tracking my finances. The other is Google Note for making lists and reminders for daily tasks.
I just bought a new dumbbells first week of January and I'm happy that I already bought it! :) And yes February is a big month for me because it's my little girl's birthday and our wedding anniversary too! So now I'm planning what would be my gifts for my loved ones.
My favorite app is Ibotta, I like saving a little extra on my grocery shopping!
what about commision only sales job that you know wont produce any income - and you have to drive your own car
I love evernote to organize life!
I am a first grade teacher and I have to say that I think these are the traits of successful people in general, not just those that are financially successful. If you are a parent and you view your job as instilling these 7 traits in your child they will do well in life. And, of course, we should all aspire to establish these expectations for ourselves.
candy crush - free entertainment! although now i like "potluck" for quick news tidbits.
I'm not big on apps and don't use many... I do like the Groupon app I have that lets me use coupons in the restaurant without having to print them out.