I gave a stranger (with wife and baby) $5 who was begging with a sign outside of a walmart. He looked exhausted but grateful for the money. Unfortunately the cops made him leave a few minutes later... I spent the rest of the day thinking about the guy and his family.
I totally agree with KAcie...do not donate it if the average person would not want it. if you want to donate the usable fabric to a quilting guild, that is one thing. Who wants trash!?
In regard to no. 25, I wouldn't recommend it. I have worked at many retail stores and when we found coupons laying around, we'd throw them away. It seems like a nice gesture but they make a mess when you have a lot of people leaving coupons all over the place.
I am in firm agreement with holding the door open for others. I do it every time and most people don't even say 'thank you.'
Good advice throughout the article. I always try to keep the bare minimum in my wallet. Not only for security reasons by also to make sitting and walking more comfortable. Never want to have "George Costanza" wallet.
I think two things that I could budget out are expensive makeup-admit Sephora shopper and wine. I could use drugstore make up but I just feel like I am getting a better product if its name brand. For example I have spent up to $56 on a makeup foundation where if I bought it at the drugstore it would cost me under 10 bucks. This is just about monthly that I shop there. As for wine I am crafty about it cause I buy it at costo but sometimes I buy a couple of bottles a week open them and then drink them randomly. I wont have finished a bottle and I will buy another. I'm sure if I cut back one those I could save some money.
Solid information on costs of owning a dog. Great ending "But the joys having a dog brings is well worth the costs." The joys are indeed priceless! Thanks for the article.
What a load of fertilizer about organic foods...All farmers, Organic or not use pesticides..
Organic food is more expensive than conventional food, due not only to its lower crop yields and more expensive organic fertilizers and pesticides in larger quantities, but mainly because it's such a big fad right now and is in such high demand.
Organic foods are healthier to eat?... That's another load of fertilizer...
Did you ever wonder why Chinese drink only hot tea? They boil it to kill the bacteria. Most local Chinese farming uses organic methods, in that the only fertilizers used are human and animal waste: Without being boiled, it's basically a nice cup of E. coli. In the case of China and other poor nations, the reason for organic farming has less to do with ideology and more to do with lack of access to modern farming technology.
Some supporters of organic growing claim that the danger of non-organic food lies in the residues of chemical pesticides. This claim is even more ridiculous: Since the organic pesticides and fungicides are less efficient than their modern synthetic counterparts, up to seven times as much of it must be used. Organic pesticides include rotenone, which has been shown to cause the symptoms of Parkinson's Disease and is a natural poison used in hunting by some native tribes; pyrethrum, which is carcinogenic; sabadilla, which is highly toxic to honeybees; and fermented urine, which I don't want on my food whether it causes any diseases or not.
I have used all of these tips for my 40 years of marriage. However, no one has mentioned my one softening ritual. While I hang the socks, underwear, etc., I throw the shirts, pants, and towels in the dryer on the fluff cycle. They only need a few minutes. I then hang them with the rest of the laundry and I have no or very little ironing to do, and no stiff towels. The fluff cycle is the only time my dryer is in use except for "emergencies".
I am pretty frugal with my grocery buying, but one thing I could live without? Animal products. I occasionally buy high-quality meat or cheese (the high-quality part is a neccessity, otherwise the lack of health benefits negate the money savings). But when I was a vegetarian, my grocery budget was still significantly less. I still cook largely vegetarian meals, but could find a way to do that more!
Thanks for sharing! I often have to bring my social security card along for various reasons, and usually forget to take it out of my wallet when I'm done with it. I'll have to work on remembering to do that, or find another place to store it.
Hi Andrea, I thought what the instructor pointed out was really interesting, about how charming people make others feel special. I don't think being charming is necessarily about putting the spotlight on others though, since not everyone craves for such attention. If one enjoys being interviewed or being the center of attention, that will probably be one way to charm the person; on the other hand, if the person doesn't, it'll probably make the person shut off.
I definitely agree with one of the commenters' comments about how it's about being genuine and authentic at the end of the day. Being yourself, knowing yourself, and being kind to others, I feel, are the qualities of a charming person. I've seen people who try to learn the art of schmoozing and being charming, and while they probably do charm others, I often get repelled by such (what I feel are unauthentic) approaches to connecting with people. (I wrote a short post about how to be charming on my site sharing my take on being charming, basically building on these views.)
There are obviously some benefits to using coupons, but you need to figure out what you're really saving based on your level of involvement, and then figure out whether that savings is worth the time investment.
A lot of people who clip coupons will say, "I saved $X with coupons," but that's $X off full retail price, not off what they would've spent otherwise. If you're buying extra stuff because it's cheaper than full retail, but you don't really need that stuff or wouldn't find it worth buying otherwise, then you're not saving as much money as you think. And if the real savings only comes out to, say, $6/hour, then clipping coupons needs to be enough fun for you to get paid less than minimum wage to do it. Otherwise, spend your free time doing something else.
I have been thinking about this a lot lately as I would love to work less and still pay off my student loans really fast! There are a lot of things that can be cut still - junk food, eating out, coffee shops, entertainment, my "miscellaneous" budget. But the total of all these items for my husband and I is only about $150/mo and makes our lives so much better that we are willing to pay a little less on the loans to be able to have some fun with friends and family right now.
I have a friend of mine,that was doing this kind of stuff!Let me tell you,it's a REALLY awesome experience and for anyone,who has some free time on his hands,this is definitely a very nice way to spend his/her time and make some extra bucks as well!
It's even more fun,when you have a "partner" and both of you are doing the tour guides,you know.. so for anyone looking to work with people - yeah,this is very cool!
Btw,i didn't know,that such a site existed;will recommend it definitely,though!
Regards,
Al from 1hr-cash.net
I gave a stranger (with wife and baby) $5 who was begging with a sign outside of a walmart. He looked exhausted but grateful for the money. Unfortunately the cops made him leave a few minutes later... I spent the rest of the day thinking about the guy and his family.
Like many others, extended cable. We had cut back appreciably at one point, but was persuaded to add some channels back in.
I totally agree with KAcie...do not donate it if the average person would not want it. if you want to donate the usable fabric to a quilting guild, that is one thing. Who wants trash!?
In regard to no. 25, I wouldn't recommend it. I have worked at many retail stores and when we found coupons laying around, we'd throw them away. It seems like a nice gesture but they make a mess when you have a lot of people leaving coupons all over the place.
I am in firm agreement with holding the door open for others. I do it every time and most people don't even say 'thank you.'
I could live without a DVR and soft drinks!
If I like a stranger's outfit, I tell them -- mainly because I always feel so surprised and flattered when someone does that for me.
Our dog needed TPLO surgery on both of her knees, at over $4000 a pop. We didn't have pet insurance, but we really wish we did. Wow.
Good advice throughout the article. I always try to keep the bare minimum in my wallet. Not only for security reasons by also to make sitting and walking more comfortable. Never want to have "George Costanza" wallet.
I think two things that I could budget out are expensive makeup-admit Sephora shopper and wine. I could use drugstore make up but I just feel like I am getting a better product if its name brand. For example I have spent up to $56 on a makeup foundation where if I bought it at the drugstore it would cost me under 10 bucks. This is just about monthly that I shop there. As for wine I am crafty about it cause I buy it at costo but sometimes I buy a couple of bottles a week open them and then drink them randomly. I wont have finished a bottle and I will buy another. I'm sure if I cut back one those I could save some money.
Solid information on costs of owning a dog. Great ending "But the joys having a dog brings is well worth the costs." The joys are indeed priceless! Thanks for the article.
I like to look for old tins. I found two old raggety Ann dolls. The wife got me hooked!
What a load of fertilizer about organic foods...All farmers, Organic or not use pesticides..
Organic food is more expensive than conventional food, due not only to its lower crop yields and more expensive organic fertilizers and pesticides in larger quantities, but mainly because it's such a big fad right now and is in such high demand.
Organic foods are healthier to eat?... That's another load of fertilizer...
Did you ever wonder why Chinese drink only hot tea? They boil it to kill the bacteria. Most local Chinese farming uses organic methods, in that the only fertilizers used are human and animal waste: Without being boiled, it's basically a nice cup of E. coli. In the case of China and other poor nations, the reason for organic farming has less to do with ideology and more to do with lack of access to modern farming technology.
Some supporters of organic growing claim that the danger of non-organic food lies in the residues of chemical pesticides. This claim is even more ridiculous: Since the organic pesticides and fungicides are less efficient than their modern synthetic counterparts, up to seven times as much of it must be used. Organic pesticides include rotenone, which has been shown to cause the symptoms of Parkinson's Disease and is a natural poison used in hunting by some native tribes; pyrethrum, which is carcinogenic; sabadilla, which is highly toxic to honeybees; and fermented urine, which I don't want on my food whether it causes any diseases or not.
You are my wife's long lost brother, has to be.
I have used all of these tips for my 40 years of marriage. However, no one has mentioned my one softening ritual. While I hang the socks, underwear, etc., I throw the shirts, pants, and towels in the dryer on the fluff cycle. They only need a few minutes. I then hang them with the rest of the laundry and I have no or very little ironing to do, and no stiff towels. The fluff cycle is the only time my dryer is in use except for "emergencies".
Built up a small business by buying up, reconditioning, and reselling used wheelchairs. They came mostly from thrift shops.
I am pretty frugal with my grocery buying, but one thing I could live without? Animal products. I occasionally buy high-quality meat or cheese (the high-quality part is a neccessity, otherwise the lack of health benefits negate the money savings). But when I was a vegetarian, my grocery budget was still significantly less. I still cook largely vegetarian meals, but could find a way to do that more!
Thanks for sharing! I often have to bring my social security card along for various reasons, and usually forget to take it out of my wallet when I'm done with it. I'll have to work on remembering to do that, or find another place to store it.
Hi Andrea, I thought what the instructor pointed out was really interesting, about how charming people make others feel special. I don't think being charming is necessarily about putting the spotlight on others though, since not everyone craves for such attention. If one enjoys being interviewed or being the center of attention, that will probably be one way to charm the person; on the other hand, if the person doesn't, it'll probably make the person shut off.
I definitely agree with one of the commenters' comments about how it's about being genuine and authentic at the end of the day. Being yourself, knowing yourself, and being kind to others, I feel, are the qualities of a charming person. I've seen people who try to learn the art of schmoozing and being charming, and while they probably do charm others, I often get repelled by such (what I feel are unauthentic) approaches to connecting with people. (I wrote a short post about how to be charming on my site sharing my take on being charming, basically building on these views.)
There are obviously some benefits to using coupons, but you need to figure out what you're really saving based on your level of involvement, and then figure out whether that savings is worth the time investment.
A lot of people who clip coupons will say, "I saved $X with coupons," but that's $X off full retail price, not off what they would've spent otherwise. If you're buying extra stuff because it's cheaper than full retail, but you don't really need that stuff or wouldn't find it worth buying otherwise, then you're not saving as much money as you think. And if the real savings only comes out to, say, $6/hour, then clipping coupons needs to be enough fun for you to get paid less than minimum wage to do it. Otherwise, spend your free time doing something else.
I have been thinking about this a lot lately as I would love to work less and still pay off my student loans really fast! There are a lot of things that can be cut still - junk food, eating out, coffee shops, entertainment, my "miscellaneous" budget. But the total of all these items for my husband and I is only about $150/mo and makes our lives so much better that we are willing to pay a little less on the loans to be able to have some fun with friends and family right now.
I could live without my daily Dr. Pepper if my budget got too tight
I could live without cable. So many things to do outside.
Netflix. I seldom get off work early enough to use it, but my disabled "nephew" loves it.
Are you spying on me? I LOVED this list. I had a few of my own.
I will not take produce bags with me to the all-you-can-eat buffets and bring food home in my pocket book.
I will not recycle tea leaves throughout the week.
I will not take my vacuum cleaner bag and add it to my compost heap
I will not save wire hangers and claim that I can make art from them.
I will not buy on EBay with the notion that I can resell things at a better price... :)
I have a friend of mine,that was doing this kind of stuff!Let me tell you,it's a REALLY awesome experience and for anyone,who has some free time on his hands,this is definitely a very nice way to spend his/her time and make some extra bucks as well!
It's even more fun,when you have a "partner" and both of you are doing the tour guides,you know.. so for anyone looking to work with people - yeah,this is very cool!
Btw,i didn't know,that such a site existed;will recommend it definitely,though!
Regards,
Al from 1hr-cash.net