About a year ago, I decided to wash out the salsa jar when we were finished with it. Instead of stuffing it into the recycling bin, where it may or may not be correctly recycled, I washed it out and let it dry. After peeling off the labels, I had the perfect change jar.
Earlier this month, I decided to empty and count it. I had a total of around $60! Not bad for just emptying my pockets throughout one year!!
I am known in my circle for being frugal because I choose not to go to Starbucks every day, have hobbies that cost very little money (blogging, reading, and working out), and only dining out on the weekends. But because of our choices, my husband and I get have two nice vacations a year and treat family members to dinner when they visit. It is all about priorities. I don't understand why my younger sisters choose Coach bags, but they always complain about how lucky I when I come back from a vacation.
I basically lost all my day-job-working friends when I left the legal field and began blogging and writing full time. It just became so awkward to hang out with them. They're still preoccupied with accumulating expensive things and can't understand how I can be happy living any other way -- especially when I used to be the biggest spender of them all! But, you're absolutely right that they don't want to be told (or even reminded by your example) that there is a different way -- maybe a better way -- since they all hate their jobs, bosses, coworkers, etc. It's funny, but I've always responded to anyone's comment about how lucky I am by totally agreeing with them. I feel incredibly lucky that I decided to pursue my dreams despite the immense societal pressure not to risk it. I've never looked back and never been happier! : )
When my wife and I struggled to make ends meet on a single salary so that one or the other of us could stay home and raise our children, I remember having discussions with people who lamented that you needed two salaries to survive nowadays. I also found that they didn't appreciate the idea of someone suggesting that they were making a *choice* to live in a way that required two salaries. Good post.
My family has the same concept but it is an old plastic cup we purchased a drink from when we were in Florida. My husband is the biggest contributor, he empties his pockets on the dresser and I put this in the change cup. I put the loose change from my purse and now that that we have a college student still living at home and an eleven year old, they to contribute to the cup even if they don't always realize it. All in all when the cup fills up there is always at least $40 to $50 dollars depending on the amount of quarters. It is a simple pleasure for me to "cash it in" and report the amount. We have spent the cash on extras and there have been times when it has been used for an unexpected cost of just living. Its a game for us because we bet on the amount each time.
Thanks for pointing this out, Philip. I am also one of the "lucky" ones. I get to stay home with my kids, write full time, and take days off when I want to.
Never mind that the trade-off involves the difficult task of homeschooling, lugging logs around to feed my wood stove, working sometimes very difficult hours (including weekends and holidays), paying all my own benefits (including insurance and 100% of my social security tax), and keeping my outings (including shopping) to a minimum.
I wouldn't have it any other way, but honestly, I doubt that many people would choose this lifestyle if they knew what all it entailed.
Every year, my kids and I count the change in our banks and jars on New Years day. We wrap it for deposit and it can take a good portion of the day when you are doing three banks. It is a fun way to spend the day!
Thanks for the contest and review of this book. I have a good friend who could definitely use this book. If I don't win it sounds like a perfect gift for her.
Even if I don't win a copy, I'm going to have to check it out for my mom and my aunts. Perhaps even some of my cousins. Are they planning a second book?
There are occasionally discounted fares to Hawaii from much of the mainland if you keep an eye out and are flexible. We're lucky enough to have relatives to stay with there, which in addition to a free bed (or sofa at times) also means a place to cook our own meals. When the in-laws get to be a bit much, camping for a night or two is a good cheap get away (and again, you can cook your own meals).
The nice thing about hawaii, is that we go for the beach and hiking, which are both free. All in all, its not cheap, but ten days can come out to be be less than what some friends spend on a three day weekend in some city.
ScotiaBank (here in Canada) as a program available for their debit users called "Bank the Rest". You set up a chequing and savings account with them, tell them what dollar amount to round up to, $1 or $5 (or something like that) and each time you use your debit card, they automatically move the rounded amount to your savings account.
Example: You have yours setup to round to the nearest $5. You spend $6.06 getting your lunch, and $3.96 goes into your savings. If you had it set to round to the nearest dollar, $0.96 would go into your savings.
It's like dumping the 'coins' at the end of the day but with interest.
About a year ago, I decided to wash out the salsa jar when we were finished with it. Instead of stuffing it into the recycling bin, where it may or may not be correctly recycled, I washed it out and let it dry. After peeling off the labels, I had the perfect change jar.
Earlier this month, I decided to empty and count it. I had a total of around $60! Not bad for just emptying my pockets throughout one year!!
The comments in this list helped me to write my own blog for today on Resolutions for a Sustainable 2009.
Thanks!
Lindsay
I am known in my circle for being frugal because I choose not to go to Starbucks every day, have hobbies that cost very little money (blogging, reading, and working out), and only dining out on the weekends. But because of our choices, my husband and I get have two nice vacations a year and treat family members to dinner when they visit. It is all about priorities. I don't understand why my younger sisters choose Coach bags, but they always complain about how lucky I when I come back from a vacation.
Thanks for the review!
I basically lost all my day-job-working friends when I left the legal field and began blogging and writing full time. It just became so awkward to hang out with them. They're still preoccupied with accumulating expensive things and can't understand how I can be happy living any other way -- especially when I used to be the biggest spender of them all! But, you're absolutely right that they don't want to be told (or even reminded by your example) that there is a different way -- maybe a better way -- since they all hate their jobs, bosses, coworkers, etc. It's funny, but I've always responded to anyone's comment about how lucky I am by totally agreeing with them. I feel incredibly lucky that I decided to pursue my dreams despite the immense societal pressure not to risk it. I've never looked back and never been happier! : )
When my wife and I struggled to make ends meet on a single salary so that one or the other of us could stay home and raise our children, I remember having discussions with people who lamented that you needed two salaries to survive nowadays. I also found that they didn't appreciate the idea of someone suggesting that they were making a *choice* to live in a way that required two salaries. Good post.
This looks perfect! If I win, I'll give it to my daughter.
Would love the book to find out if I am indeed a geek goddess.
Sounds like a potential good read for my wife. Thanks for a great year Wise Bread!
My family has the same concept but it is an old plastic cup we purchased a drink from when we were in Florida. My husband is the biggest contributor, he empties his pockets on the dresser and I put this in the change cup. I put the loose change from my purse and now that that we have a college student still living at home and an eleven year old, they to contribute to the cup even if they don't always realize it. All in all when the cup fills up there is always at least $40 to $50 dollars depending on the amount of quarters. It is a simple pleasure for me to "cash it in" and report the amount. We have spent the cash on extras and there have been times when it has been used for an unexpected cost of just living. Its a game for us because we bet on the amount each time.
Thanks for pointing this out, Philip. I am also one of the "lucky" ones. I get to stay home with my kids, write full time, and take days off when I want to.
Never mind that the trade-off involves the difficult task of homeschooling, lugging logs around to feed my wood stove, working sometimes very difficult hours (including weekends and holidays), paying all my own benefits (including insurance and 100% of my social security tax), and keeping my outings (including shopping) to a minimum.
I wouldn't have it any other way, but honestly, I doubt that many people would choose this lifestyle if they knew what all it entailed.
I appreciate the very insightful piece!
Linsey Knerl
Every year, my kids and I count the change in our banks and jars on New Years day. We wrap it for deposit and it can take a good portion of the day when you are doing three banks. It is a fun way to spend the day!
one person want to translate me amount over my dreams wath i have to do ? to save the money or to go in police ?
Thanks for the contest and review of this book. I have a good friend who could definitely use this book. If I don't win it sounds like a perfect gift for her.
You may be thinking of Pueblo Ingles. Check them out here:
http://www.morethanenglish.com/anglos/index.asp
im veryyyyyyyyyyyyy thankful dear,, i find exactally what i want, Thank you again for this article
Even if I don't win a copy, I'm going to have to check it out for my mom and my aunts. Perhaps even some of my cousins. Are they planning a second book?
There are occasionally discounted fares to Hawaii from much of the mainland if you keep an eye out and are flexible. We're lucky enough to have relatives to stay with there, which in addition to a free bed (or sofa at times) also means a place to cook our own meals. When the in-laws get to be a bit much, camping for a night or two is a good cheap get away (and again, you can cook your own meals).
The nice thing about hawaii, is that we go for the beach and hiking, which are both free. All in all, its not cheap, but ten days can come out to be be less than what some friends spend on a three day weekend in some city.
Finance Trail this is a very good article, you can get all the info you want but it all comes down to setting goals and working towards them
what would ya recommend to aid a quit smoking cigarettes resolution???
Finance Trail
Finance Trail working retail can be a cut throat business much respect!
haha, when i read this title i thought it was going to be about saving your change. But great article couldnt agree more
Finance Trail
ScotiaBank (here in Canada) as a program available for their debit users called "Bank the Rest". You set up a chequing and savings account with them, tell them what dollar amount to round up to, $1 or $5 (or something like that) and each time you use your debit card, they automatically move the rounded amount to your savings account.
Example: You have yours setup to round to the nearest $5. You spend $6.06 getting your lunch, and $3.96 goes into your savings. If you had it set to round to the nearest dollar, $0.96 would go into your savings.
It's like dumping the 'coins' at the end of the day but with interest.
Makes me almost want to switch back to them :D
i would love to move beyond the computer basics. this book is the answer.
Everyone wants to win! Even if I don't, I think I am going to buy the book for my mom!