this has happened to me twice. the first company did not offer a refund, the second one did, but I have yet to see the check now 4 wks later. I have Tmobile and they will charge me $4.99 per month to block these issues... it's a loose -loose for me.
I think the teeth should be the lowest priority on your list, given the other issues. If you can find a way to go across the border into mexico, there are dentists that charge very reasonable fees for work. You need to do some research on this however.
Hi Kelly, thanks for sharing your experiences. It's great to know that these ideas have worked for you -- doing things that you may do anyway, having fun, plus supporting worthy causes and groups.
Hi David, thanks for your mention of the behind-the-scenes work. Some folks may love getting involved in that way though I did want to focus on really easy ways to support a charity.
It does take a lot of volunteers, hours, etc. to put on an event, organize a project, etc. As the strategic planning chair for a 950-member church, treasurer for a women's group, and board member of a high school band boosters org, I know how much time and effort fund-raisers, special events, etc. take. Occasionally, people will say tell me that they feel bad because they don't do as much as I do. But the truth is we need people to do small things (like buy a ticket to an event or bring baked goods or serve as a volunteer for a couple of hours) to help make our projects a success. So, I really appreciate those contributions!
I wonder if the homemade boba tea would be as good as the ones you get from smoothie shops. What a good idea for "healthy" soda to give kids, and let them think they're actually drinking soda. Half orange juice half sparkling cider sounds delicious!
Great article, some of these are so easy to do and wouldn't cost you anything. When I hear about proceeds going to a certain charity that I'd like to support, I will try to attend the function, or even the dinner night at a restaurant (even if I don't know how much will actually go to the cause). If you don't have extra money to give, these are great ideas.
Sweaters take forever and the yarn costs oodles, too -- agree that those are better thrifted. But I love sock knitting with an almost religious zeal.
Scarves are great if you are just starting to knit (I make a cowl that fills the neckline on a coat to keep the cold air out, doesn't use too much yarn, and isn't too easily lost or stolen because it stays securely around the wearer's neck), but there's a very low limit to how many scarves anyone really needs (and they are easily thrifted or repurposed from other woolens so mostly useful for learning to knit, not really for saving money). Cotton dishclothes (which are a higher quality product than commercial dishclothes) might be a thriftier beginner project. Wool socks make a great next project and if you are knitting for family or friends can keep you productively and thriftily occupied for many a winter.
The case for socks: Wool socks are qualitatively far superior to most other kinds of socks for both summer and winter wear. Wool socks are expensive and if you get good at sourcing your yarn you can buy the yarn for less than a pair of socks (try JoAnn's Sensations or elann.com). AND If you learn to replace the heels and toes on your socks, THEN you are really stretching your dollars. Alternatively, the yarn from outgrown or heel-worn socks can be re-knitted into a new pair. Thus, I would contest that If you don't overbuy (limit your future projects stash to two skeins at the most) you've got a hobby that CAN save you money.
Other considerations: The project is small and portable, so it can use oddiments of waiting time (but your cell phone might feel snubbed). You can also knit while you listen and knit while you talk (if you are a public citizen who spends time in meetings you can get productive use of otherwise misused "air" time).
Great winter hobby -- the toe and the heel require you to keep your mind on your game (and count rows) so there's a bit of a mental workout there, the footbed and ankle can be straight-on knitting if you like to alternate challenge with relaxation, or as complicated as you wish. And the time you spend knitting is time that you are not spending money in other ways.
A few other favorite sock knitting tips: toe-up knitting so that you can make a shorter sock if you run out of yarn; fitting the sock to the wearer (the footbed is easy to trial fit when you are knitting toe-up); a figure-8 cast-on that is super-quick and super-clean (only possible with toe-up knitting) -- no grafting!; Lucy Neatby videos from library; double-stranding footbed with mohair to make slightly felted denser, warmer footbed; 75% washable wool, 25% nylon for durability and warmth; wrapping the heel at least 60% around the circumference of the sock, maybe even a little more; look for yardage -- some skeins only make one sock which must be taken into consideration when pricing yarn; using the "magic loop" method on one set very long circular needles instead of the 4 or 5 short double-pointed ones that sometimes fall out if you knit loosely or your preschooler or cat takes an interest in the project.
These are great tips! I would add, shop at thrift stores. My mom took me to thrift stores when I was a baby and I grew up loving to find great bargins at thrift stores. When I needed a light Khaki jacket for the spring, I didn't want to pay $30-$40 for a jacket I might only where for a few months a year, so I went to the thrift store and found exactly what I wanted for only $6. I dry cleaned it for $3 and I have a great jacket I have worn every spring for the past 3 years. Well worth the $9 investment and saved me $20-$30 bucks! I also shop at Aldi for my groceries and comparison shop before I buy things so I can try to get the best deals. It all adds up in the end!
Very good points! I've been traveling for one year and what I find the hardest is to have discipline. A sort of routine on the go, I make a point to learn new things but I feel that while I learn something new, I stop doing other things like working out/eating healthy, etc. A balance is always needed.
Personally, I use powdered buttermilk. However, I do use the ice cube tray for freezing all sorts of other things. Left over Enchilada sauce, canned diced green chilies, coconut milk, lemon and lime juice, beef and chicken stock. But I hadn't thought of fresh-herb cubes--thanks for the tip. Also, I love the tomato paste in a tube because you can squeeze out just the amount you need, but it's too expensive. I generally use the cheaper canned variety but invariably have some left over that I don't want to waste. So I dab tablespoons of it onto wax paper, put it in the freezer, and then plop the frozen mounds into a freezer bag.
None of my friends are interested in being frugal. They all think I'm either extremely cheap or poor, which I am neither. My advice to someone who wants to be frugal would be pretty much the same as above, especially cutting out unnecessary expenses and sticking to a list. Also cutting out disposable paper products, and going over your utility bills and going pre-paid mobile.
I got excited for a minute recently because I thought a friend really wanted to turn it around, and was asking me for recipes and tips, only to make 2 extremely large, frivolous purchases on credit within 4 days. High-interest, "bad credit" credit at that. Although it's none of my business, and my friend will always be my friend, I have to say I was disappointed because I thought I would have a frugal friend. I will still be there when she hops back on that wagon though!
Getting good at working out when to let go of things (decluttering) and when to hang onto them is a definite skill. Clearing out the wardrobe is great, but doing this too enthusiastically could leave you short of clothes!
Excellent information. I employed a few of these techniques tonight. By any chance, do you also have information on different ways to preserve potatoes? We lack a cool, dark plae in our house, so we're wondering if we should mash and freeze, dehydrate... all things that might rob the potato of its flavor.
This is such great information and very encouraging. I am also quitting cold turkey...tomorrow! I love the advice about drinking a lot of water. I will be blogging about it as I go. I would love some comments, followera, encouragement, etc...and better yet...I would love for people to join me in this journey! http://stopcaffeine.blogspot.com ~Jane
All super ideas...there are many ways to donate to charity that go beyond writing a check. The best part is that you feel better about yourself which often outweighs the cost of your time and money that you donate.
The events suggested do not happen without upfront support. One suggestion I can add would be to take an active role in helping plan local events for the charity. By serving on a planning committee, board of directors or even by providing volunteer support the day of the event for check-in, serving food, etc, your suggestions and support will help make an event successful and bring in dollars from more contributors for your favorite charities.
I have completed some mystery shops and while I don't think I will ever quit my job to become a mystery shopper it has allowed me to perform some shops and get paid a little here and there. I work mainly with Bare International, but have signed up for a total of ten companies and I could keep pretty busy with all of them. I just do it in my spare time to earn a little extra money and have some fun. There is some useful information on mystery shopping to be found here http://theinformationoverload.com/become-a-mystery-shopper/.
I couldn't disagree with you more. I think that people should discuss money much more, especially with their friends. Your friends should be available to discuss whatever is going on in your life. For a long time I was in denial about my personal financial situation. I didn't know how much debt I was in or have a budget. I found that once I started "confessing" my situation to my friends and family a huge weight was lifted off me. They didn't help me financially and that wasn't what I needed. What I needed was support. I try to be open with my finances with my friends. I let them choose whether they will be also, but I do not think it should be taboo. Plus, some of my friends ask me questions about how I got out of debt and sometimes for advice on financial topics.
Good list, Mikey! I tell people to ditch the data plan on their phones. Free wi-fi is available in almost every coffee shop and (usually) in your house. Why do you need web access everywhere you go for $30 a month?!! It's crazy. Most people pay it, then never use it.
I have been using NetSpend for over six years and I have never had a problem with them. To the contrary, they have been a valuable financial asset to me. I have had to call back a couple of times to get an english-speaking agent to resolve an issue, but have always had a favorable outcome to the problem. I give 'em an A.
Eating out at restaurant and entertainment are the easiest areas to cut back on. As a young adult, I've had to learn that you can still have fun without going out to dinner and paying for a meal as well as drinks, or going to the movies and spending $20 on a ticket and snacks. If you're friends don't understand that you need to stick to a budget, then find other frugal friends to hang out with.
Its a great idea to get kids involved with money management as early as possible. Having rewards like a quarter or dollar for something really good, and then letting them save up to choose something to buy will teach them that saving is really important. I wish I was taught more about money as a kid besides playing Monopoly.
It is just as good, if not better, than the restaurants. Just hold off on the sugar.
this has happened to me twice. the first company did not offer a refund, the second one did, but I have yet to see the check now 4 wks later. I have Tmobile and they will charge me $4.99 per month to block these issues... it's a loose -loose for me.
I think the teeth should be the lowest priority on your list, given the other issues. If you can find a way to go across the border into mexico, there are dentists that charge very reasonable fees for work. You need to do some research on this however.
Hi Kelly, thanks for sharing your experiences. It's great to know that these ideas have worked for you -- doing things that you may do anyway, having fun, plus supporting worthy causes and groups.
Hi David, thanks for your mention of the behind-the-scenes work. Some folks may love getting involved in that way though I did want to focus on really easy ways to support a charity.
It does take a lot of volunteers, hours, etc. to put on an event, organize a project, etc. As the strategic planning chair for a 950-member church, treasurer for a women's group, and board member of a high school band boosters org, I know how much time and effort fund-raisers, special events, etc. take. Occasionally, people will say tell me that they feel bad because they don't do as much as I do. But the truth is we need people to do small things (like buy a ticket to an event or bring baked goods or serve as a volunteer for a couple of hours) to help make our projects a success. So, I really appreciate those contributions!
I wonder if the homemade boba tea would be as good as the ones you get from smoothie shops. What a good idea for "healthy" soda to give kids, and let them think they're actually drinking soda. Half orange juice half sparkling cider sounds delicious!
Great article, some of these are so easy to do and wouldn't cost you anything. When I hear about proceeds going to a certain charity that I'd like to support, I will try to attend the function, or even the dinner night at a restaurant (even if I don't know how much will actually go to the cause). If you don't have extra money to give, these are great ideas.
Sweaters take forever and the yarn costs oodles, too -- agree that those are better thrifted. But I love sock knitting with an almost religious zeal.
Scarves are great if you are just starting to knit (I make a cowl that fills the neckline on a coat to keep the cold air out, doesn't use too much yarn, and isn't too easily lost or stolen because it stays securely around the wearer's neck), but there's a very low limit to how many scarves anyone really needs (and they are easily thrifted or repurposed from other woolens so mostly useful for learning to knit, not really for saving money). Cotton dishclothes (which are a higher quality product than commercial dishclothes) might be a thriftier beginner project. Wool socks make a great next project and if you are knitting for family or friends can keep you productively and thriftily occupied for many a winter.
The case for socks: Wool socks are qualitatively far superior to most other kinds of socks for both summer and winter wear. Wool socks are expensive and if you get good at sourcing your yarn you can buy the yarn for less than a pair of socks (try JoAnn's Sensations or elann.com). AND If you learn to replace the heels and toes on your socks, THEN you are really stretching your dollars. Alternatively, the yarn from outgrown or heel-worn socks can be re-knitted into a new pair. Thus, I would contest that If you don't overbuy (limit your future projects stash to two skeins at the most) you've got a hobby that CAN save you money.
Other considerations: The project is small and portable, so it can use oddiments of waiting time (but your cell phone might feel snubbed). You can also knit while you listen and knit while you talk (if you are a public citizen who spends time in meetings you can get productive use of otherwise misused "air" time).
Great winter hobby -- the toe and the heel require you to keep your mind on your game (and count rows) so there's a bit of a mental workout there, the footbed and ankle can be straight-on knitting if you like to alternate challenge with relaxation, or as complicated as you wish. And the time you spend knitting is time that you are not spending money in other ways.
A few other favorite sock knitting tips: toe-up knitting so that you can make a shorter sock if you run out of yarn; fitting the sock to the wearer (the footbed is easy to trial fit when you are knitting toe-up); a figure-8 cast-on that is super-quick and super-clean (only possible with toe-up knitting) -- no grafting!; Lucy Neatby videos from library; double-stranding footbed with mohair to make slightly felted denser, warmer footbed; 75% washable wool, 25% nylon for durability and warmth; wrapping the heel at least 60% around the circumference of the sock, maybe even a little more; look for yardage -- some skeins only make one sock which must be taken into consideration when pricing yarn; using the "magic loop" method on one set very long circular needles instead of the 4 or 5 short double-pointed ones that sometimes fall out if you knit loosely or your preschooler or cat takes an interest in the project.
These are great tips! I would add, shop at thrift stores. My mom took me to thrift stores when I was a baby and I grew up loving to find great bargins at thrift stores. When I needed a light Khaki jacket for the spring, I didn't want to pay $30-$40 for a jacket I might only where for a few months a year, so I went to the thrift store and found exactly what I wanted for only $6. I dry cleaned it for $3 and I have a great jacket I have worn every spring for the past 3 years. Well worth the $9 investment and saved me $20-$30 bucks! I also shop at Aldi for my groceries and comparison shop before I buy things so I can try to get the best deals. It all adds up in the end!
Sally Stretton
Very good points! I've been traveling for one year and what I find the hardest is to have discipline. A sort of routine on the go, I make a point to learn new things but I feel that while I learn something new, I stop doing other things like working out/eating healthy, etc. A balance is always needed.
Personally, I use powdered buttermilk. However, I do use the ice cube tray for freezing all sorts of other things. Left over Enchilada sauce, canned diced green chilies, coconut milk, lemon and lime juice, beef and chicken stock. But I hadn't thought of fresh-herb cubes--thanks for the tip. Also, I love the tomato paste in a tube because you can squeeze out just the amount you need, but it's too expensive. I generally use the cheaper canned variety but invariably have some left over that I don't want to waste. So I dab tablespoons of it onto wax paper, put it in the freezer, and then plop the frozen mounds into a freezer bag.
None of my friends are interested in being frugal. They all think I'm either extremely cheap or poor, which I am neither. My advice to someone who wants to be frugal would be pretty much the same as above, especially cutting out unnecessary expenses and sticking to a list. Also cutting out disposable paper products, and going over your utility bills and going pre-paid mobile.
I got excited for a minute recently because I thought a friend really wanted to turn it around, and was asking me for recipes and tips, only to make 2 extremely large, frivolous purchases on credit within 4 days. High-interest, "bad credit" credit at that. Although it's none of my business, and my friend will always be my friend, I have to say I was disappointed because I thought I would have a frugal friend. I will still be there when she hops back on that wagon though!
Getting good at working out when to let go of things (decluttering) and when to hang onto them is a definite skill. Clearing out the wardrobe is great, but doing this too enthusiastically could leave you short of clothes!
Excellent information. I employed a few of these techniques tonight. By any chance, do you also have information on different ways to preserve potatoes? We lack a cool, dark plae in our house, so we're wondering if we should mash and freeze, dehydrate... all things that might rob the potato of its flavor.
Boba tea is so overpriced, $4.50 in my area. All you need to make it is some oolong tea, half and half, tapioca and a ton of sugar.
This is such great information and very encouraging. I am also quitting cold turkey...tomorrow! I love the advice about drinking a lot of water. I will be blogging about it as I go. I would love some comments, followera, encouragement, etc...and better yet...I would love for people to join me in this journey! http://stopcaffeine.blogspot.com ~Jane
@Ryan how about you stop being the spelling/grammer police!
All super ideas...there are many ways to donate to charity that go beyond writing a check. The best part is that you feel better about yourself which often outweighs the cost of your time and money that you donate.
The events suggested do not happen without upfront support. One suggestion I can add would be to take an active role in helping plan local events for the charity. By serving on a planning committee, board of directors or even by providing volunteer support the day of the event for check-in, serving food, etc, your suggestions and support will help make an event successful and bring in dollars from more contributors for your favorite charities.
This information is a great remedy to the problem of children believing that money simply comes from automatic bank tellers.
I have completed some mystery shops and while I don't think I will ever quit my job to become a mystery shopper it has allowed me to perform some shops and get paid a little here and there. I work mainly with Bare International, but have signed up for a total of ten companies and I could keep pretty busy with all of them. I just do it in my spare time to earn a little extra money and have some fun. There is some useful information on mystery shopping to be found here http://theinformationoverload.com/become-a-mystery-shopper/.
I couldn't disagree with you more. I think that people should discuss money much more, especially with their friends. Your friends should be available to discuss whatever is going on in your life. For a long time I was in denial about my personal financial situation. I didn't know how much debt I was in or have a budget. I found that once I started "confessing" my situation to my friends and family a huge weight was lifted off me. They didn't help me financially and that wasn't what I needed. What I needed was support. I try to be open with my finances with my friends. I let them choose whether they will be also, but I do not think it should be taboo. Plus, some of my friends ask me questions about how I got out of debt and sometimes for advice on financial topics.
Good list, Mikey! I tell people to ditch the data plan on their phones. Free wi-fi is available in almost every coffee shop and (usually) in your house. Why do you need web access everywhere you go for $30 a month?!! It's crazy. Most people pay it, then never use it.
I have been using NetSpend for over six years and I have never had a problem with them. To the contrary, they have been a valuable financial asset to me. I have had to call back a couple of times to get an english-speaking agent to resolve an issue, but have always had a favorable outcome to the problem. I give 'em an A.
Eating out at restaurant and entertainment are the easiest areas to cut back on. As a young adult, I've had to learn that you can still have fun without going out to dinner and paying for a meal as well as drinks, or going to the movies and spending $20 on a ticket and snacks. If you're friends don't understand that you need to stick to a budget, then find other frugal friends to hang out with.
Its a great idea to get kids involved with money management as early as possible. Having rewards like a quarter or dollar for something really good, and then letting them save up to choose something to buy will teach them that saving is really important. I wish I was taught more about money as a kid besides playing Monopoly.