I love using the library and getting free Kindle books to support my reading habit instead of buying books. I also love the library for music CDs and DVDs. We've saved a bunch of money this way and get to meet our entertainment needs at a fraction of the cost we used to spend.
As a renter, these tips are really helpful for me, too. I found myself "shopping up" and "justifying the payment" when we were apartment hunting last year. We thought, "Oh, we're both doing well in our jobs. We can handle this increase in rent. It's not that much."
.. Then I lost my job. After a few months, I found a new job, only for my husband to lose his the very week I had started my new job.
Now our lease is almost over and I'm looking to find an apartment that's more within our limits. Good, solid advice.
Thank you for presenting these ideas clearly in your writing. Keep up the good work.
One thing a financial advisor told us is if you have a big home and are not using ALL the rooms a lot, or have rooms that never get used, then your mortgage payment if you have one, but also your property taxes are paying for unused space.
Mark, I have never gone to a restaurant hoping to please the chef. Why would anyone want to please their sushi chef?
Taste is subjective. I'm always eager to visit authentic restaurants, but if it's done right, a fusion dish like the smoked salmon rolls you refer to can be amazing. Good chefs know this: a dish need not be standard or traditional to be worth consuming; what is necessary is a balance of flavors. A good artist (chef) can do this with the most bizarre combinations.
I love a good Westernized version of an ethnic dish as much as I love authentic Chinese food.
"Yuch"? I'm not sure how credible that statement is.
Our first home was less than 900 sq ft. We lived there with our two small children for six years. It was very difficult having baby stuff everywhere. The kids had a hard time playing and we had to step over everything all the time. Yes, it was cheaper, but we all got on each other's nerves. Now we live in 3000+ sq ft and love it! The kids have the upstairs, hubby and I are downstairs. No troubles. Plus, it is handicap accessible and has space if in-laws need to move in.
By far my favorite frugality tip is making homemade laundry detergent. I learned it either in one of my frugality books or blogs. It has saved us a ton on money!
It is clear from Google Trends and traffic on sites like seniorresource.com that even with retirement plans seniors are being forced to move into senior apartment settings verses their homes or assisted living communities. The current retirement plans will not even be as good.
Lovely article! There's also hydrogen peroxide, baking soda and Dawn original dish detergent. This girl on YT shows you how to use it. She even has her laundry there to show you lol. Here's the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UUwdv4QEhTY
My best frugal tip is to think - don't me mindless or operate on auto-pilot. Since I've quit mindlessly shopping for groceries, I've found several less expensive options on nearby shelves from my old go-to brands. Since I'm trying to quit mindlessly eating/snacking I've reduced food portions and now have leftovers to pack for lunch PLUS I'm buying fewer groceries. I think ahead - I've not yet mastered a menu plan but I do plan at least a few days out so I can blend what I have in my pantry with what is on sale. I think about what errands I have to run, put them in shortest driving order then put a cooler with chill packs, library books I'm returning, grocery list with coupons and sales marked, etc. in the car and do all my errands in one run out - I can even plan ahead and eat a treat with a coupon!
" Plus, those debts are likely to be discharged anyway, so making payments is really just throwing money away."
Wow... but that is money that you actually owe them, so wouldn't the honest route be to pay as much as you can to your creditors?
What an interesting experiment, I've never heard of that before. Its pretty clear that there are a number of factors that can weight on us when it comes to making decisions, especially related to finances. For us all there can be a few that remain (mostly) true and then theres factors that some will fall to that others don. Very interesting, you've made me think of this in a different way.
Easier emotionally to be a biological mother to children you will never meet than to donate hair that will grow back? I find it very hard to relate to this comment.
For number 1 this is not always true. If you are filing for more of a technical reason (say a large debt you signed for a business purpose goes south), rather than simply being hugely underwater all over the place, continuing to pay minimums on your cards will keep your credit report "pristine". While the BK will obviously have the largest impact on your score, not having hundreds 30/60/90/120 day lates will help - these don't fall off for 7 years. So if you have the means and post BK pretty much you are just going back to normal - it may be useful to not have anything go into default.
This was the case for me and I wish my lawyer had mentioned this - because it would have made several bits of my life easier in the years that followed.
I agree 100%. In media you're expected to send in a demo. I can't count how many times I've asked "have you seen my demo?" only to be told "no". Wannabe's struggling with establishing a career generally don't get invited to be keynote speakers at trade conventions or asked to write op-ed columns for prestigious journals. I see all the time positions I really wish I could apply to. But when I see requirement such as at least a bachelors plus at least 15 years proven experience in a professional setting, five solid work related references and demonstrated knowledge of a litany of propriarty methodologies/protocols and geeky sounding acronyms you're written off as a rank, thick-skulled wannabe. The "job" I want most likely won't be found in a classified. Ideally, you don't even interview for it. That's how people in my occupation find work. The situation has to find you. You can plan and prepare and look as much as you want but its like looking for a ghost. Its being in the right place at the right time. Its getting involved with something your're good at and then someone else recognizes your worth, a call is made, your name gets around. Then you RESPOND TO OPPORTUNITY. NO OPPORTUNITY, NO JOB.
This sounds like a great plan for people who live near the supermarket, have extra time each day and can hold back from impulse buying.
As for only being able to buy meat that is marked down due to being close to the 'sell by' date, why can't you freeze the meat and use it when you need it? Some times I even freeze the meat for a couple of days if I think its close to being less then perfect.
I am looking at the comments and see others think the same way I do.
I actually do frequent the market (and by this I mean I end up going more than once a week) as I love to grocery shop but to plan to go every day when I have a full time job just does not sound like it would work for me.
The reality is Europeans for the most part live a different lifestyle than we Americans and going to the market daily for food is one big difference in our lifestyles.
Just be careful if you're a dual US-Canadian citizen (and there are a lot of us in Canada). The IRS doesn't (yet) recognize TFSAs. They are considered "foreign investments" and aren't reconciled under a tax treaty like RRSPs. So TFSAs can complicate a tax filing, increasing the chances of a $10,000 civil tax penalty if the proper documents aren't filed every year.
A good selection, although I'd be war of Fiverr it can be a bit... weird. And the results can often backfire on you accounts, specifically the way Google looks at your online presence. You can always try sites like TextBroker to put your writing to good use, and there's eBay of course! One of the all time great ways to make money - have a scan around your home to find old magazines/art/antiques.
Buy children's clothes used (if you can't get hand-me-downs)! Especially shoes! I'm able to get pairs of sneakers for my kids at 50 cents, and they look brand new. In the store, those same shoes were $35. I kid you not. My kids grow out of them so quickly, it just seems irresponsible NOT to buy them used!
I had heard about a local consignment shop from my mom. I tell everyone I know!
Determine what is "enough" and stay there when considering new purchases. Things we add beyond our "enough" usually DECREASE our happiness in the end! Essentials and a few luxuries are all any of us need, although I think it does look a little different from person to person.
My favorite frugal tip:
Use my hobbies to save money. For example, I like to sew, and so I made a dress out of sweaters destined for the thrift-store. (http://paintingontheceiling.blogspot.com/2013/01/snow-day-dress.html)
We like to garden, so we grow some of our own food.
We like to bike, so we save on transportation.
The fun kind of frugality is the kind that you keep doing! Happy saving, everyone!
I love using the library and getting free Kindle books to support my reading habit instead of buying books. I also love the library for music CDs and DVDs. We've saved a bunch of money this way and get to meet our entertainment needs at a fraction of the cost we used to spend.
As a renter, these tips are really helpful for me, too. I found myself "shopping up" and "justifying the payment" when we were apartment hunting last year. We thought, "Oh, we're both doing well in our jobs. We can handle this increase in rent. It's not that much."
.. Then I lost my job. After a few months, I found a new job, only for my husband to lose his the very week I had started my new job.
Now our lease is almost over and I'm looking to find an apartment that's more within our limits. Good, solid advice.
Thank you for presenting these ideas clearly in your writing. Keep up the good work.
One thing a financial advisor told us is if you have a big home and are not using ALL the rooms a lot, or have rooms that never get used, then your mortgage payment if you have one, but also your property taxes are paying for unused space.
Mark, I have never gone to a restaurant hoping to please the chef. Why would anyone want to please their sushi chef?
Taste is subjective. I'm always eager to visit authentic restaurants, but if it's done right, a fusion dish like the smoked salmon rolls you refer to can be amazing. Good chefs know this: a dish need not be standard or traditional to be worth consuming; what is necessary is a balance of flavors. A good artist (chef) can do this with the most bizarre combinations.
I love a good Westernized version of an ethnic dish as much as I love authentic Chinese food.
"Yuch"? I'm not sure how credible that statement is.
You forgot to mention that it isn't (or at least wasn't) a delicacy. It started as a sort of 'fast food.'
Our first home was less than 900 sq ft. We lived there with our two small children for six years. It was very difficult having baby stuff everywhere. The kids had a hard time playing and we had to step over everything all the time. Yes, it was cheaper, but we all got on each other's nerves. Now we live in 3000+ sq ft and love it! The kids have the upstairs, hubby and I are downstairs. No troubles. Plus, it is handicap accessible and has space if in-laws need to move in.
Good list, I hadn't heard of several of those. You should also check out http://ecofreek.com to search for free and swap clothing.
By far my favorite frugality tip is making homemade laundry detergent. I learned it either in one of my frugality books or blogs. It has saved us a ton on money!
It is clear from Google Trends and traffic on sites like seniorresource.com that even with retirement plans seniors are being forced to move into senior apartment settings verses their homes or assisted living communities. The current retirement plans will not even be as good.
Lovely article! There's also hydrogen peroxide, baking soda and Dawn original dish detergent. This girl on YT shows you how to use it. She even has her laundry there to show you lol. Here's the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UUwdv4QEhTY
My best frugal tip is to think - don't me mindless or operate on auto-pilot. Since I've quit mindlessly shopping for groceries, I've found several less expensive options on nearby shelves from my old go-to brands. Since I'm trying to quit mindlessly eating/snacking I've reduced food portions and now have leftovers to pack for lunch PLUS I'm buying fewer groceries. I think ahead - I've not yet mastered a menu plan but I do plan at least a few days out so I can blend what I have in my pantry with what is on sale. I think about what errands I have to run, put them in shortest driving order then put a cooler with chill packs, library books I'm returning, grocery list with coupons and sales marked, etc. in the car and do all my errands in one run out - I can even plan ahead and eat a treat with a coupon!
" Plus, those debts are likely to be discharged anyway, so making payments is really just throwing money away."
Wow... but that is money that you actually owe them, so wouldn't the honest route be to pay as much as you can to your creditors?
What an interesting experiment, I've never heard of that before. Its pretty clear that there are a number of factors that can weight on us when it comes to making decisions, especially related to finances. For us all there can be a few that remain (mostly) true and then theres factors that some will fall to that others don. Very interesting, you've made me think of this in a different way.
You can finance education, if you have to. You can't finance retirement.
Easier emotionally to be a biological mother to children you will never meet than to donate hair that will grow back? I find it very hard to relate to this comment.
For number 1 this is not always true. If you are filing for more of a technical reason (say a large debt you signed for a business purpose goes south), rather than simply being hugely underwater all over the place, continuing to pay minimums on your cards will keep your credit report "pristine". While the BK will obviously have the largest impact on your score, not having hundreds 30/60/90/120 day lates will help - these don't fall off for 7 years. So if you have the means and post BK pretty much you are just going back to normal - it may be useful to not have anything go into default.
This was the case for me and I wish my lawyer had mentioned this - because it would have made several bits of my life easier in the years that followed.
I agree 100%. In media you're expected to send in a demo. I can't count how many times I've asked "have you seen my demo?" only to be told "no". Wannabe's struggling with establishing a career generally don't get invited to be keynote speakers at trade conventions or asked to write op-ed columns for prestigious journals. I see all the time positions I really wish I could apply to. But when I see requirement such as at least a bachelors plus at least 15 years proven experience in a professional setting, five solid work related references and demonstrated knowledge of a litany of propriarty methodologies/protocols and geeky sounding acronyms you're written off as a rank, thick-skulled wannabe. The "job" I want most likely won't be found in a classified. Ideally, you don't even interview for it. That's how people in my occupation find work. The situation has to find you. You can plan and prepare and look as much as you want but its like looking for a ghost. Its being in the right place at the right time. Its getting involved with something your're good at and then someone else recognizes your worth, a call is made, your name gets around. Then you RESPOND TO OPPORTUNITY. NO OPPORTUNITY, NO JOB.
Thanks for the link! In great company :)
Finding this article was freaky. The wallet I lost is identical to the one in the picture, same amount of wear and everything. Give it back!
This sounds like a great plan for people who live near the supermarket, have extra time each day and can hold back from impulse buying.
As for only being able to buy meat that is marked down due to being close to the 'sell by' date, why can't you freeze the meat and use it when you need it? Some times I even freeze the meat for a couple of days if I think its close to being less then perfect.
I am looking at the comments and see others think the same way I do.
I actually do frequent the market (and by this I mean I end up going more than once a week) as I love to grocery shop but to plan to go every day when I have a full time job just does not sound like it would work for me.
The reality is Europeans for the most part live a different lifestyle than we Americans and going to the market daily for food is one big difference in our lifestyles.
Just be careful if you're a dual US-Canadian citizen (and there are a lot of us in Canada). The IRS doesn't (yet) recognize TFSAs. They are considered "foreign investments" and aren't reconciled under a tax treaty like RRSPs. So TFSAs can complicate a tax filing, increasing the chances of a $10,000 civil tax penalty if the proper documents aren't filed every year.
A good selection, although I'd be war of Fiverr it can be a bit... weird. And the results can often backfire on you accounts, specifically the way Google looks at your online presence. You can always try sites like TextBroker to put your writing to good use, and there's eBay of course! One of the all time great ways to make money - have a scan around your home to find old magazines/art/antiques.
Buy children's clothes used (if you can't get hand-me-downs)! Especially shoes! I'm able to get pairs of sneakers for my kids at 50 cents, and they look brand new. In the store, those same shoes were $35. I kid you not. My kids grow out of them so quickly, it just seems irresponsible NOT to buy them used!
I had heard about a local consignment shop from my mom. I tell everyone I know!
Determine what is "enough" and stay there when considering new purchases. Things we add beyond our "enough" usually DECREASE our happiness in the end! Essentials and a few luxuries are all any of us need, although I think it does look a little different from person to person.