I'm a big fan of recommending the 15-year mortgage over the 30. If a person can't afford the 15-year payment, they really shouldn't buy. Most people aren't disciplined enough to get a 30 and pay it like a 15, and the 15 will save people so much money.
I think credit card companies still have a lot of room for growth when it comes to disclosing fees. Everything is STILL in such small print, most consumers won't read the terms and conditions. Simple, straightforward rates are what most people want. Variable chaos is never fun.
After noticing this article, I realized that I've always usually donated my old electronics to family. Occasionally I'll sell them when they don't have a need for them.
Reading your stats on how many electronic devices end up in landfills is pretty saddening. We can get so much more use out of the materials found in computers, cell phones, etc. if we just pay attention and recycle properly.
I love that a lot of you like the idea, i my self have participated in a "cundina" in fact i am in one right now. The way ours works: First you are asked if tou whant to partcipate in a cundina? My question to this person is who is making it/organizer? and how much is it for? Then after i say yes, i talk to the organizer, and ask her what numbers she has available? I pick a number of the list that is avila le, and i can see what who else is participating in the cundina. This cundina is only composed of 10 people, we give 100dlls to the organizer every other friday, she collects money from all the 10 participants, on fridays saturday and sunday, and by monday she turns in the money to the first person on the list, and so on. Usually if someone does not pay, the organizer is responsable for making up that money.
I shop at Goodwill. Not because I have to, but because you can find good stuff there at a great price. I buy $2 t-shirts to wear when I am coloring my hair for instance, or for working in the yard or on the car. I also find one-of-a-kind wine glasses and dishes. I regularly buy single Christmas dishes and bowls in which my sisters and I exchange cookies and baked goods during the holidays. I collect yellow ducks, and find castoff Easter ducks at Goodwill all the time. They have an enormous selection of used books. My family and friends scoff at me or might think I'm poor, but it is my choice and their problem. Same with yard sales. I go for the thrill of finding a deal or something to add to my various collections.
On the subject of recycling, I routinely ask my spouse and child if we can reuse an item "just one more time" before throwing it away or recycling it. Usually it happens, and some items become repeat keepers. Once or twice a year I purge because the clutter of plastic items becomes too much. It's a delicate balance.
If your car is working right now and is meeting your basic needs, it's much better to spend four years paying yourself an imaginary car loan and then buying a car outright at the end of that time. After you get your first set of wheels, car debt is usually unnecessary risk exposure as well as an unnecessary expense. If you pay in cash, you're far more likely to buy a car you can really afford rather than choosing a car with car payments that you can make--but can't really afford.
Actually, most charities will NOT take computers of any sort. Most won't take non-flat screen TVs, either.
Freecycle is your first bet in getting rid of anything that's working that you can't sell through Craigslist. If you still have no takers (CRT monitors, I'm looking at you!), then recycling it if you can or driving it to hazardous waste disposal are really your only choices.
We recently bought a new flat screen TV for our family room. The 32" tube TV had provided unwavering service for 16 years, but it was simply time to move on (and the deal we got was excellent). I unhooked it, put it in the car, and drove it over the Salvation Army thrift shop. They said it would likely sell within a day or two and would bring in some money for them. Better than throwing out a perfectly functional TV.
Thanks for the explanation. Now I finally understand how people like Lil Wayne "make" their money, and where all of the "profits" on Wall St are coming from.
I take the bus to work. For extra savings, I buy my bus passes through my employer's Commuter Benefits program which is pre-tax! In addition to saving on gas and wear and tear on my car, this saves me over $100 in parking per month.
Your advice on "gently rubbing" the Armour Etch resulted in gemtle circular scratches everywhere. I would suggest the next person not rub but try letting the cream just sitting and washing without rubbing to avoid scratches.
Carpool to work. It cuts my gas bills almost in half. It's as simple as finding out where people you work with live, and coordinating a carpool. You get to make more friends at work as well.
Over the past few months I've had to REALLY watch ever single dollar, so I've tried to cut out using public transportation unless I really need it. I've started biking and walking everywhere. And if I can find someone headed in the same direction as me, I'll hitch a ride. As a result of biking and walking, I'm getting more fit which is an added bonus! and I've made new friends of my fellow cycling commuters to and from work. So I'm saving money, burning calories, and being more social. It's a win-win situation all around! Love it.
It's amazing how you didn't say anything about local community Banks or Credit Unions in your home town. They will help you in more ways and NOT charge you 20% or more like the Big Banks. They are ripping all of us off in so many ways. Wake up people and stay local in your community and quick supporting the Big Banks. They don't care about you.
Thanks for listening.
I just started using car sharing a month ago. I donated my Saturn to a charity, and now don't have the expense of insurance, repairs, and gas. I just reserve a car for the few hours a month I need one!
I would love to be able to choose the rewards I get on my card! 5% cash back on places I never and don't want to shop at isn't helpful at all, totally agree with #5!
We are a family of four. We own one car. My husband and I both found jobs that are, literally, a few blocks away from one another. (It took us a while, but we made it happen.) We carpool together. We attempt to bring our lunch to work and eat lunch together. We purchased a house that is less than 2 miles from our place of employment. (That was dumb luck.) We live 3 blocks from our daycare provider (my mother), so in good weather they can walk, in bad weather we can drop off. (That was planned.) In good weather, we are within walking distance of our grocery store, the library, the barbershop, and a park. We live less than two miles from "the city" (we live in the suburbs), so we can bike to entertainment.
Downside, our children are in private schools that are on the other side of our city. (2 miles in the opposite direction of our places of employment.) My son's swim team, also, practices on that side of the town. We try to plan accordingly, so we aren't making several trips to the same location.
What a great article! There's nothing like the feeling you get when you give, and volunteering is an excellent way to socialize.
I like the idea of volunteering to avoid spending, which can really work. I find that when I'm busy working, I spend so much less.
Thank you for the article!
I'm a big fan of recommending the 15-year mortgage over the 30. If a person can't afford the 15-year payment, they really shouldn't buy. Most people aren't disciplined enough to get a 30 and pay it like a 15, and the 15 will save people so much money.
Thanks for the article!
I think credit card companies still have a lot of room for growth when it comes to disclosing fees. Everything is STILL in such small print, most consumers won't read the terms and conditions. Simple, straightforward rates are what most people want. Variable chaos is never fun.
Thanks for the article!
After noticing this article, I realized that I've always usually donated my old electronics to family. Occasionally I'll sell them when they don't have a need for them.
Reading your stats on how many electronic devices end up in landfills is pretty saddening. We can get so much more use out of the materials found in computers, cell phones, etc. if we just pay attention and recycle properly.
Thanks for the article!
I love that a lot of you like the idea, i my self have participated in a "cundina" in fact i am in one right now. The way ours works: First you are asked if tou whant to partcipate in a cundina? My question to this person is who is making it/organizer? and how much is it for? Then after i say yes, i talk to the organizer, and ask her what numbers she has available? I pick a number of the list that is avila le, and i can see what who else is participating in the cundina. This cundina is only composed of 10 people, we give 100dlls to the organizer every other friday, she collects money from all the 10 participants, on fridays saturday and sunday, and by monday she turns in the money to the first person on the list, and so on. Usually if someone does not pay, the organizer is responsable for making up that money.
No Blend Tech?
I shop at Goodwill. Not because I have to, but because you can find good stuff there at a great price. I buy $2 t-shirts to wear when I am coloring my hair for instance, or for working in the yard or on the car. I also find one-of-a-kind wine glasses and dishes. I regularly buy single Christmas dishes and bowls in which my sisters and I exchange cookies and baked goods during the holidays. I collect yellow ducks, and find castoff Easter ducks at Goodwill all the time. They have an enormous selection of used books. My family and friends scoff at me or might think I'm poor, but it is my choice and their problem. Same with yard sales. I go for the thrill of finding a deal or something to add to my various collections.
On the subject of recycling, I routinely ask my spouse and child if we can reuse an item "just one more time" before throwing it away or recycling it. Usually it happens, and some items become repeat keepers. Once or twice a year I purge because the clutter of plastic items becomes too much. It's a delicate balance.
If your car is working right now and is meeting your basic needs, it's much better to spend four years paying yourself an imaginary car loan and then buying a car outright at the end of that time. After you get your first set of wheels, car debt is usually unnecessary risk exposure as well as an unnecessary expense. If you pay in cash, you're far more likely to buy a car you can really afford rather than choosing a car with car payments that you can make--but can't really afford.
Actually, most charities will NOT take computers of any sort. Most won't take non-flat screen TVs, either.
Freecycle is your first bet in getting rid of anything that's working that you can't sell through Craigslist. If you still have no takers (CRT monitors, I'm looking at you!), then recycling it if you can or driving it to hazardous waste disposal are really your only choices.
Not to bad of ideas, but the one listed above doesn't work for wasps. Tried it last summer in an attic full of them. They ignored it.
Thanks for the mention!
You missed a very important blender - the Blendtec Total Blender.
http://www.amazon.com/Blendtec-TB-621-20-Total-Blender-Black/dp/B000GIGZXM
It's widely considered at least as good, often better, than the Vitamix.
We recently bought a new flat screen TV for our family room. The 32" tube TV had provided unwavering service for 16 years, but it was simply time to move on (and the deal we got was excellent). I unhooked it, put it in the car, and drove it over the Salvation Army thrift shop. They said it would likely sell within a day or two and would bring in some money for them. Better than throwing out a perfectly functional TV.
Thanks for the explanation. Now I finally understand how people like Lil Wayne "make" their money, and where all of the "profits" on Wall St are coming from.
I had the Hamilton Beach one and it broke after three months of use. Total waste of money. Not recommended.
I take the bus to work. For extra savings, I buy my bus passes through my employer's Commuter Benefits program which is pre-tax! In addition to saving on gas and wear and tear on my car, this saves me over $100 in parking per month.
Your advice on "gently rubbing" the Armour Etch resulted in gemtle circular scratches everywhere. I would suggest the next person not rub but try letting the cream just sitting and washing without rubbing to avoid scratches.
At least I ruined a pair of scratched glasses.
Carpool to work. It cuts my gas bills almost in half. It's as simple as finding out where people you work with live, and coordinating a carpool. You get to make more friends at work as well.
Over the past few months I've had to REALLY watch ever single dollar, so I've tried to cut out using public transportation unless I really need it. I've started biking and walking everywhere. And if I can find someone headed in the same direction as me, I'll hitch a ride. As a result of biking and walking, I'm getting more fit which is an added bonus! and I've made new friends of my fellow cycling commuters to and from work. So I'm saving money, burning calories, and being more social. It's a win-win situation all around! Love it.
Car pool when possible
We walk when we can, and we combine errands to save on gas in the car.
It's amazing how you didn't say anything about local community Banks or Credit Unions in your home town. They will help you in more ways and NOT charge you 20% or more like the Big Banks. They are ripping all of us off in so many ways. Wake up people and stay local in your community and quick supporting the Big Banks. They don't care about you.
Thanks for listening.
I just started using car sharing a month ago. I donated my Saturn to a charity, and now don't have the expense of insurance, repairs, and gas. I just reserve a car for the few hours a month I need one!
I would love to be able to choose the rewards I get on my card! 5% cash back on places I never and don't want to shop at isn't helpful at all, totally agree with #5!
We are a family of four. We own one car. My husband and I both found jobs that are, literally, a few blocks away from one another. (It took us a while, but we made it happen.) We carpool together. We attempt to bring our lunch to work and eat lunch together. We purchased a house that is less than 2 miles from our place of employment. (That was dumb luck.) We live 3 blocks from our daycare provider (my mother), so in good weather they can walk, in bad weather we can drop off. (That was planned.) In good weather, we are within walking distance of our grocery store, the library, the barbershop, and a park. We live less than two miles from "the city" (we live in the suburbs), so we can bike to entertainment.
Downside, our children are in private schools that are on the other side of our city. (2 miles in the opposite direction of our places of employment.) My son's swim team, also, practices on that side of the town. We try to plan accordingly, so we aren't making several trips to the same location.