Automating bill payment can work for and against you. I used to have a gym membership several years ago. The membership payments were automatically deducted from my checking account. The gym continued to debit funds from my checking account, even after the contract expired. I was so busy at the time, that months passed before I realized what was going on. The worst part of all, is that I rarely went to the gym. This method of payment is more convenient, but it can also be more costly if you're not on top of things.
As a man who has worked with tools in my hand all my life, I would like to give my thoughts on these choices.
1. Absolutely right!
Deconstruction is often the first step in construction. Finely done, it reduces the amount of work you must do to complete the project. Contrary to what you might think, larger more powerful tools help you to be more delicate by giving you better feel for the amount of pressure you are using. Pry bars are also useful for such construction chores as straitening `warped boards, moving heavy objects small distances and lining up holes.
2.Only if they already have a cordless reciprocating saw.
While an oscillating tool does many things no other tool can do, it is nowhere near as useful as the ol' "sawzall" whic of course is a trademarked name of the Milwaukee corporation, but so much more convenient to say than reciprocating saw that you will often hear people refer to their DeWalt Sawzall.
3.If you live with them just go ahead and buy 2.
After many years of playing "how hot is that" with my hands, this thing is like manna from Heaven, its only downside is that it is just as useful or more so in the kitchen or more so. After you have had it in the shop a while, you might not want to use the same one to help make your food.
4. no work light is complete without a magnet mount.
The sad fact is that anything that is blocked from ambient lighting is usually also in an awkward position, and often buried. A good powerful magnet has often turned an impossible lighting challenge into a simple one.
5. Quality means a lot here.
Wrenches and screwdrivers can make or sometimes literally break a craftsman. NEVER buy a cheap screwdriver set as a gift. As far as ratcheting wrenches are concerned, smooth action and reliability will keep those knuckles from getting busted, and you don't want your mechanic cursing your name while using your gift, now do ya?
6. I have an alternative.
Battery powered screwdrivers can be a bit of a crap shoot, depending on that persons preferred brand and nobody wants a dozen different wall warts taking up receptacles. As an alternative allow me to suggest Klein Tools 32500 11-in-1 Screwdriver/Nut Driver. Having this on your person means never having to worry about what type of screw head you will be seeing. It is the choice of the pros, you would be hard pressed to find an electrician who does not have one of these and at under 20 bucks, it is just about the perfect stocking stuffer for most people.
7. If the have everything, then they already have this.
My alternative wolld be a high quality hole saw set. Sure they might already have one, but the hole saws dull, small parts get lost and all this seems to happen at the worst time. In other words, you can never have enough of these. Buy a set from DeWalt, Greenlee, Milwaukee, or Bosh and you wont go far wrong.
8. If it aint GFCI, don't bother.
Type "GFCI cord reel" into Amazon. Now take a breath, they aint all in the $300 plus range. I think I found mine for $35 and I would quit using corded tools before I gave this up.
9. Consider a gift certificate instead.
Sharpening tools is a hassle, and there are people who specialize in doing it. A professionally sharpened blade cuts much better than one you did yourself. Sure it is a reoccurring cost, but any handyperson is likely to already have one of these, whereas they would really appreciate the excuse to dump this job onto someone else.
10. This is like buying them underwear.
Unless they have been pining away for a high dollar one, you are better off avoiding this, it is way too personal a choice. If you do know what they want, EXACTLY what they want Consider having it engraved, it will be a nice touch, and much appreciated.
As an alternative let me suggest the Klein Tools 11063W Katapult Automatic Wire Stripper and Cutter. they are unlikely to have it, and it makes wiring chores so much easier, that they will thank you for years to come.
Your left one out:
Tip #11 - Block the urge to post blank postit notes all over your home office LOL : ) I couldn't resist. Anyway, great tips. Thanks for sharing!
Just after reading the first thing you could do instead of shopping, I started laughing considering I'm bald! It's almost destined that I will have to go Shopping today! Especially with Christmas coming so soon!
Although I agree highly with exercise. Whether I'm doing anything that is dragging out or making me lose focus, doing some exercise even if it's a light jog or walk around the park always seems to do just do the job!
I also tend to just play music very loud and clean my whole house even if it's already clean! Definitely stops the urges to shop!
Will try some of the other things to prevent my desire to shop though!
The machines reviewed above are all inferior and cheaply made. The tension and timing will be the first to go and jamming will be a major issue. Anyone who enjoys sewing will choose a better made sewing machine.
I'm a home brewer. I turned to home brewing when I decided that I cannot afford to drink the kind of beer I like. I prefer those high-end micro brew specialty beers that sell for either $16+ a 6-pack or $12+ for a wine bottle full. I do all grain brewing about as cheaply as it can be done. The technique is called BIAB (brew in a bag). I spend, on average, about $19 per batch. My beer, with time and experience, is always as good or better than the the stuff I used to buy. If you are like me, the savings from brewing your own is incredible. If I had to buy beer like I'm making, it would cost me over $120 for that case of beer I made for only $20. However, if you feel that Bud Light is the best beer in the world, don't bother with brewing your own. You won't save money.
I love the collection purchase. Brilliant! I'm also someone who wants to both avoid the stress of holiday shopping in December and keep my costs low. You covered most of my hacks, although Thanksgiving week is usually the biggest hack of them all for me, because I go to the sales at the major drugstores and get most of the stocking stuffers there -- Hot Wheels cars, candy, trail mix, nail polish, etc. And those are just the items that are free!
My grand parents on both sides worked full-time jobs in an age where the workers didn't have the rights they do now. They worked in Mills and other dangerous jobs that required them to be there from sun up to sun down. My grandmother once got her hair caught in the machine at one mill she worked at. No workers compensation for her, she lived through it and they considered her lucky to have survived and no you didn't sue the company for it was unheard of in her day. What they did practice however was multi-generation living so both her parents and both the parents on her husbands side of the family lived in the same house. The older women(great-grandmothers) cooked, cleaned and took care of the young children while their husbands went off to work. My great-grandfather was a brick layer as were his sons. They worked and helped with the family funds. Everyone had to get along in order for them to survive.
Your husband is lucky that he can go to grad school. Back in my grand parents and great grandparents day once the mills were closed they had to get jobs doing other things like working as waitresses s for 10 hours a day! I don't know how much you know about the past but my Great-Grandparents came to America from England to avoid the work houses. What a privilege it is to go to grad school!
We take the benefits from the "rewards" on our credit cards and redeem for gift cards, many times with a discount. Then we take these cards and couple them with the many deals and discounts available on Black Friday and after. This strategy has worked well for us and tends to place less of a burden on our Xmas budget. In addition, I know there is give and take on Xmas trees...real versus artificial...Many years ago we chose to go artifiicial actually a 'green" decision.... After 10 years the gals wanted a new tree as ours was "old". But I resisted because...I'm cheap.... This year our tree is celebrating it's 30th Xmas....still looks good.... and now the gals love it because it's "vintage" and carry's so many memories.
I just caught my landlord in a scam. She rents out rooms in her home, only there are no rooms available. She requires the prospective renter to leave her with a month's rent and a month's security and tells them that the room will be available in a week's time. When the renter shows up to move in, she tells them that there was a problem getting the present tenant out, and claims that she is having trouble with the bank getting her money out, then she ignores any future calls from that person. She knows that the police will do nothing except to tell the unfortunate person who got cheated that "it's a civil matter" and they have to take her to court. Most people who rent rooms don't have either the knowledge or the money to file a suit against her, and she seems to be getting away with it.
We give a lot of homemade gifts, but we take it to an extreme. We have a large garden, and each year, I plan things that I will grow to give as gifts. Some examples: We have grown and dried luffa sponge gourds, grown and dried cayenne chile peppers, we make peach and berry jam to give as gifts, and grow heirloom popcorns that also end up in gift baskets. We usually pair these dried or jar items with homemade baked goods such as apple pie, gingerbread cupcakes with cream cheese icing, and handmade peppermint bark or New Orleans pralines. We assemble all of this into family gift baskets, which we deliver to our friends. If they have children, we usually throw in a small, new toy or item we know they will enjoy.
For charity gifts (think toy drives) I have a box I fill year-round with toys bought on deep discount-- and nice toys. I'm usually able to find $3 princess barbies or hot wheels track sets, etc. throughout the year. I buy one or two, or however many will fit into the budget. I've also bought brand new unopened toys at yard sales. Come December, our toy donation box overflows, and the output of money and time was minimal.
The real key for us though, is to just make sure we are honestly and carefully considering the receiver. A gift is useless if it doesn't fit their interests, their life, or their wants. So, we spend a lot of time matching the right gift with the right person. The thought really does matter!
I purchase gifts throughout the year, buy gently-used for the kids when I can, and shop online to find the best deals for what I buy new. Before I checkout, I always check discount code sites to further my savings. Late Dec./early January is a great time to buy gifts at a discount. I am generally done with my shopping by Thanksgiving, which allows me to skip the crowded stores and skip the hassle and stress as well.
I save money during the holidays by starting my shopping early so that I can find most of my gifts on sale. I also make a realistic Christmas gift list, it's just not in my budget to buy gifts for everyone!
We use the same color scheme every year and so can carry over decorations and wrap from season to season. I shop sales throughout the year, so most of my gifts are purchased by November, too.
We don't get carried away by the commercial aspect of the holidays. We usually set a limit on the number and cost of gifts, and also have cut down on mailing greeting cards because of the rise in postal costs. It's easy to get swept up in the giving and getting of gifts, but it you think about it, do you really need all that stuff? By keeping your costs under control, you alleviate your holiday stress at the same time. You can be relaxed and happier during the holidays.
My friends and I don't really do the gift exchange. We would just invite each other for a home cooked meal or pot luck and watch a movie at home. If we find something we would like, we would just give it away the next time we see each other. Thus stress-free!
I sign up to get on the email list of any store that I know I will be purchasing gifts at. Often I end up with at least one coupon or "deal" from them before I actually go to make my purchase. I also try to price match as often as possible.
I'm using a combination of DIY gifts (mostly baking), groupons (I love gifting experiences), Cyber Monday Sales (love amazon), and post holiday shopping (my family celebrates on the old calendar, January 6th!)
Automating bill payment can work for and against you. I used to have a gym membership several years ago. The membership payments were automatically deducted from my checking account. The gym continued to debit funds from my checking account, even after the contract expired. I was so busy at the time, that months passed before I realized what was going on. The worst part of all, is that I rarely went to the gym. This method of payment is more convenient, but it can also be more costly if you're not on top of things.
I ran 5 miles to burn off at least some of my Thanksgiving "gorge-fest". Feeling great!
As a man who has worked with tools in my hand all my life, I would like to give my thoughts on these choices.
1. Absolutely right!
Deconstruction is often the first step in construction. Finely done, it reduces the amount of work you must do to complete the project. Contrary to what you might think, larger more powerful tools help you to be more delicate by giving you better feel for the amount of pressure you are using. Pry bars are also useful for such construction chores as straitening `warped boards, moving heavy objects small distances and lining up holes.
2.Only if they already have a cordless reciprocating saw.
While an oscillating tool does many things no other tool can do, it is nowhere near as useful as the ol' "sawzall" whic of course is a trademarked name of the Milwaukee corporation, but so much more convenient to say than reciprocating saw that you will often hear people refer to their DeWalt Sawzall.
3.If you live with them just go ahead and buy 2.
After many years of playing "how hot is that" with my hands, this thing is like manna from Heaven, its only downside is that it is just as useful or more so in the kitchen or more so. After you have had it in the shop a while, you might not want to use the same one to help make your food.
4. no work light is complete without a magnet mount.
The sad fact is that anything that is blocked from ambient lighting is usually also in an awkward position, and often buried. A good powerful magnet has often turned an impossible lighting challenge into a simple one.
5. Quality means a lot here.
Wrenches and screwdrivers can make or sometimes literally break a craftsman. NEVER buy a cheap screwdriver set as a gift. As far as ratcheting wrenches are concerned, smooth action and reliability will keep those knuckles from getting busted, and you don't want your mechanic cursing your name while using your gift, now do ya?
6. I have an alternative.
Battery powered screwdrivers can be a bit of a crap shoot, depending on that persons preferred brand and nobody wants a dozen different wall warts taking up receptacles. As an alternative allow me to suggest Klein Tools 32500 11-in-1 Screwdriver/Nut Driver. Having this on your person means never having to worry about what type of screw head you will be seeing. It is the choice of the pros, you would be hard pressed to find an electrician who does not have one of these and at under 20 bucks, it is just about the perfect stocking stuffer for most people.
7. If the have everything, then they already have this.
My alternative wolld be a high quality hole saw set. Sure they might already have one, but the hole saws dull, small parts get lost and all this seems to happen at the worst time. In other words, you can never have enough of these. Buy a set from DeWalt, Greenlee, Milwaukee, or Bosh and you wont go far wrong.
8. If it aint GFCI, don't bother.
Type "GFCI cord reel" into Amazon. Now take a breath, they aint all in the $300 plus range. I think I found mine for $35 and I would quit using corded tools before I gave this up.
9. Consider a gift certificate instead.
Sharpening tools is a hassle, and there are people who specialize in doing it. A professionally sharpened blade cuts much better than one you did yourself. Sure it is a reoccurring cost, but any handyperson is likely to already have one of these, whereas they would really appreciate the excuse to dump this job onto someone else.
10. This is like buying them underwear.
Unless they have been pining away for a high dollar one, you are better off avoiding this, it is way too personal a choice. If you do know what they want, EXACTLY what they want Consider having it engraved, it will be a nice touch, and much appreciated.
As an alternative let me suggest the Klein Tools 11063W Katapult Automatic Wire Stripper and Cutter. they are unlikely to have it, and it makes wiring chores so much easier, that they will thank you for years to come.
Your left one out:
Tip #11 - Block the urge to post blank postit notes all over your home office LOL : ) I couldn't resist. Anyway, great tips. Thanks for sharing!
hehe that's really funny! im glad
Just after reading the first thing you could do instead of shopping, I started laughing considering I'm bald! It's almost destined that I will have to go Shopping today! Especially with Christmas coming so soon!
Although I agree highly with exercise. Whether I'm doing anything that is dragging out or making me lose focus, doing some exercise even if it's a light jog or walk around the park always seems to do just do the job!
I also tend to just play music very loud and clean my whole house even if it's already clean! Definitely stops the urges to shop!
Will try some of the other things to prevent my desire to shop though!
Thanks for posting!
The machines reviewed above are all inferior and cheaply made. The tension and timing will be the first to go and jamming will be a major issue. Anyone who enjoys sewing will choose a better made sewing machine.
I'm a home brewer. I turned to home brewing when I decided that I cannot afford to drink the kind of beer I like. I prefer those high-end micro brew specialty beers that sell for either $16+ a 6-pack or $12+ for a wine bottle full. I do all grain brewing about as cheaply as it can be done. The technique is called BIAB (brew in a bag). I spend, on average, about $19 per batch. My beer, with time and experience, is always as good or better than the the stuff I used to buy. If you are like me, the savings from brewing your own is incredible. If I had to buy beer like I'm making, it would cost me over $120 for that case of beer I made for only $20. However, if you feel that Bud Light is the best beer in the world, don't bother with brewing your own. You won't save money.
Throughout the year I save points on my credit card from paying bill and other necessities. I then redeem them for Christmas gifts.
I love the collection purchase. Brilliant! I'm also someone who wants to both avoid the stress of holiday shopping in December and keep my costs low. You covered most of my hacks, although Thanksgiving week is usually the biggest hack of them all for me, because I go to the sales at the major drugstores and get most of the stocking stuffers there -- Hot Wheels cars, candy, trail mix, nail polish, etc. And those are just the items that are free!
My grand parents on both sides worked full-time jobs in an age where the workers didn't have the rights they do now. They worked in Mills and other dangerous jobs that required them to be there from sun up to sun down. My grandmother once got her hair caught in the machine at one mill she worked at. No workers compensation for her, she lived through it and they considered her lucky to have survived and no you didn't sue the company for it was unheard of in her day. What they did practice however was multi-generation living so both her parents and both the parents on her husbands side of the family lived in the same house. The older women(great-grandmothers) cooked, cleaned and took care of the young children while their husbands went off to work. My great-grandfather was a brick layer as were his sons. They worked and helped with the family funds. Everyone had to get along in order for them to survive.
Your husband is lucky that he can go to grad school. Back in my grand parents and great grandparents day once the mills were closed they had to get jobs doing other things like working as waitresses s for 10 hours a day! I don't know how much you know about the past but my Great-Grandparents came to America from England to avoid the work houses. What a privilege it is to go to grad school!
It's hard to take this list serious due to the fact that the Note 3 is better than the S3, S4, and HTC one...
I save by looking for online deals.
Honoured to be part of this awesome list!!
We take the benefits from the "rewards" on our credit cards and redeem for gift cards, many times with a discount. Then we take these cards and couple them with the many deals and discounts available on Black Friday and after. This strategy has worked well for us and tends to place less of a burden on our Xmas budget. In addition, I know there is give and take on Xmas trees...real versus artificial...Many years ago we chose to go artifiicial actually a 'green" decision.... After 10 years the gals wanted a new tree as ours was "old". But I resisted because...I'm cheap.... This year our tree is celebrating it's 30th Xmas....still looks good.... and now the gals love it because it's "vintage" and carry's so many memories.
I just caught my landlord in a scam. She rents out rooms in her home, only there are no rooms available. She requires the prospective renter to leave her with a month's rent and a month's security and tells them that the room will be available in a week's time. When the renter shows up to move in, she tells them that there was a problem getting the present tenant out, and claims that she is having trouble with the bank getting her money out, then she ignores any future calls from that person. She knows that the police will do nothing except to tell the unfortunate person who got cheated that "it's a civil matter" and they have to take her to court. Most people who rent rooms don't have either the knowledge or the money to file a suit against her, and she seems to be getting away with it.
We give a lot of homemade gifts, but we take it to an extreme. We have a large garden, and each year, I plan things that I will grow to give as gifts. Some examples: We have grown and dried luffa sponge gourds, grown and dried cayenne chile peppers, we make peach and berry jam to give as gifts, and grow heirloom popcorns that also end up in gift baskets. We usually pair these dried or jar items with homemade baked goods such as apple pie, gingerbread cupcakes with cream cheese icing, and handmade peppermint bark or New Orleans pralines. We assemble all of this into family gift baskets, which we deliver to our friends. If they have children, we usually throw in a small, new toy or item we know they will enjoy.
For charity gifts (think toy drives) I have a box I fill year-round with toys bought on deep discount-- and nice toys. I'm usually able to find $3 princess barbies or hot wheels track sets, etc. throughout the year. I buy one or two, or however many will fit into the budget. I've also bought brand new unopened toys at yard sales. Come December, our toy donation box overflows, and the output of money and time was minimal.
The real key for us though, is to just make sure we are honestly and carefully considering the receiver. A gift is useless if it doesn't fit their interests, their life, or their wants. So, we spend a lot of time matching the right gift with the right person. The thought really does matter!
I purchase gifts throughout the year, buy gently-used for the kids when I can, and shop online to find the best deals for what I buy new. Before I checkout, I always check discount code sites to further my savings. Late Dec./early January is a great time to buy gifts at a discount. I am generally done with my shopping by Thanksgiving, which allows me to skip the crowded stores and skip the hassle and stress as well.
I save money during the holidays by starting my shopping early so that I can find most of my gifts on sale. I also make a realistic Christmas gift list, it's just not in my budget to buy gifts for everyone!
We use the same color scheme every year and so can carry over decorations and wrap from season to season. I shop sales throughout the year, so most of my gifts are purchased by November, too.
We don't get carried away by the commercial aspect of the holidays. We usually set a limit on the number and cost of gifts, and also have cut down on mailing greeting cards because of the rise in postal costs. It's easy to get swept up in the giving and getting of gifts, but it you think about it, do you really need all that stuff? By keeping your costs under control, you alleviate your holiday stress at the same time. You can be relaxed and happier during the holidays.
My friends and I don't really do the gift exchange. We would just invite each other for a home cooked meal or pot luck and watch a movie at home. If we find something we would like, we would just give it away the next time we see each other. Thus stress-free!
I sign up to get on the email list of any store that I know I will be purchasing gifts at. Often I end up with at least one coupon or "deal" from them before I actually go to make my purchase. I also try to price match as often as possible.
I wrap my gifts frugally in homemade paper and wrapping (fabric, maps, magazines, decorated brown bags, etc.).
I'm using a combination of DIY gifts (mostly baking), groupons (I love gifting experiences), Cyber Monday Sales (love amazon), and post holiday shopping (my family celebrates on the old calendar, January 6th!)