Oh, great, thanks for spoiling the ending. Never knew Vader turned back to good. Wonderful... :( on the upside, now I REALLY don't need to watch the rest of the movies.
It's like eating an elephant. You have to do it one bite at a time 8-). I focus on one surface type at a time. Such as going through and wiping down all the cobwebs, mopping all thefloors, cleaning all the windows, etc.
I remember trying to apply for this a couple of years ago and getting denied. Now that I do have it, it is my primary credit card and intend on using it as long as humanly possible.
Here is a easyer way
Matirals: sugur, mix bowl, spoon, and food coloring
first take the suger pour in bowl (dont matter how much suger)
second put the any type of food colors you want in the bowl
third kneed the sand art and play with it till it gets all soft
fourth take spoon and scoop on to a table or mat
and let your kids have fun with it (DOESNT STICK TO MAT OR TABLE)
I am still surprised how few people know about the world of online coupons. Have you found any content related to the benefits of using online coupons to save on purchases? I would highly recommend that anyone who plans on making a purchase online for clothing, household supplies, home decor, etc. research online coupons to help save money.
We're definitely employing several of these options since I work from home (4 hours a week). We have the grandparents one day per week and are hoping to do Daddy's (not Mommy's) helper in some afternoons, especially in the summer when the older kids in the neighborhood are out on break.
I've encountered #2 as a writer. Like you, I've been asked to write a business plan but the potential client really meant create a business and marketing strategy, model, and plan (generally out of thin air). I wasn't inundated with these requests but got enough of them that I developed a list of 20 (or so) questions based on a business plan book; when approached to "write" a plan, I asked the client to answer the questions and then we could proceed. I never got a taker.
Now, I think you could start a business without a plan, perhaps start on the side, experiment with different models, etc. until you are ready for a full-scale launch. But if you are borrowing money or need loads of cash to get started, a business plan is needed.
People who embrace a frugal lifestyle also have a comfort level with themselves. Having the latest gadget, wearing the latest fashion, driving the best looking car does not define who we are as a person.
A less drastic situation than working two separate shifts is to try and stagger your shifts. When my kids were little and in an in-home daycare (another great cost saver, basically more organized nanny share). I would leave for work at 8. My husband would drop the kids off around 9. I would pick up the kids at 5. My husband came home at 6. That way we weren't paying for childcare during our commute times. Saving 2 hours a day/3 days a week (I worked part time) was a big help.
I love the babysitting co-op! I belonged to a mom's group, where we tried to start one, but one woman wanted to use it, and not watch anyone else's kids. It could have been great, since we (for the most part) had similar parenting styles, but it didn't work out.
I have recently met a mom whose oldest is the same age as my youngest. My oldest loves her youngest, so all 4 of them are actually very easy to watch. We swap all the time, keep a very informal watch over hours, and since we both have similar parenting styles, neither of us worry about our kids when they are with the other mom. We would happily add another mom or two into the group, but are very happy to keep it small, too.
The mother's helper is also a great idea, especially in the summer. We are moving, and when it comes time to pack up the house, I will be hiring the girl down the street to come play with my girls while I pack like a madwoman.
My parents and my wife's parents are both local. They're both willing and happy to take the kids when we need to go somewhere without them, so we have yet to pay babysitting costs. Which is totally awesome, I must say :)
I think we are all guilty of mental accounting from time to time - I'll be the first one to admit it for myself. Being aware of it is already a step to the right direction, but learning to avoid it where it really matters is what makes all the difference. I believe two things can really help: learning to to be careful in terms of absolute dollar amounts - rather than percentages or "doubling" or "halving" your cost/money - and learning to systematically live beneath your means.
Thinking in absolute dollars helps you to put things in perspective, no matter what decision: whether you set your mental "pain" threshold is $10, $100, or $1000, you will always think carefully when spending that amount or anything above. And when it's less, then you have your own permission not to sweat it (unless you really want to). This helps you to pay attention when you need to, but you still have enough flexibility to make your decisions as you need to.
Living beneath your means is even more important a way to avoid the traps of mental accounting. When you always pay yourself first and sock away 10% of your income - or 15% or even 20% if you can - and invest it, you can be much more flexible with what you do with the rest. If you can develop this habit, you also tend to become more prone to find further opportunities to save more, and be less probably to blow your money on the whim of the day.
My family is more frugal than my folks and my grandfolks. We paid off our home, cars, the kid's college. I cut my hair and kids too. We never have anyone doing work for us, we do it ourselves. I don't work, but it keeps me busy. I'm the person who buys stuff for our family. I try and make sure I value every dollar.
First thing we do when we get a paycheck is to tithe, then save. The Lord provides big time for us, so He is our #1 priority.
Sometimes, looking at the big picture is WAY too overwhelming to start -- so I'll look at nice, de-cluttered rooms online for motivation. Then, when I pick a room, I try to notice the things I've just gotten used to seeing -- that stack of paperwork on the corner of the desk -- that pile of clothes that needs to be mended on the dryer -- that box of trinkets that I STILL haven't gone through since the move...that sort of stuff. What DOESN'T belong? What items ALWAYS make me think, 'I don't like that there.' Start there. You'll get yourself going, and will keep tackling the more simple stuff, too.
End of recession? Unemployment's gone down? I'll have what your smoking please.
Oh, great, thanks for spoiling the ending. Never knew Vader turned back to good. Wonderful... :( on the upside, now I REALLY don't need to watch the rest of the movies.
A good life lesson it was.
It's like eating an elephant. You have to do it one bite at a time 8-). I focus on one surface type at a time. Such as going through and wiping down all the cobwebs, mopping all thefloors, cleaning all the windows, etc.
I keep trying to pay off my visa, but it seems impossible. If I can, I hope to go to the envelope system.
I remember trying to apply for this a couple of years ago and getting denied. Now that I do have it, it is my primary credit card and intend on using it as long as humanly possible.
Here is a easyer way
Matirals: sugur, mix bowl, spoon, and food coloring
first take the suger pour in bowl (dont matter how much suger)
second put the any type of food colors you want in the bowl
third kneed the sand art and play with it till it gets all soft
fourth take spoon and scoop on to a table or mat
and let your kids have fun with it (DOESNT STICK TO MAT OR TABLE)
An excellent point, Diana. Comfort and satisfaction go hand-in-hand are true markers of the fabulously frugal. :) Thank you!
I always start with the hard tasks first so then the easy ones are left and I do not mind doing them.
Hey Ashley,
I am still surprised how few people know about the world of online coupons. Have you found any content related to the benefits of using online coupons to save on purchases? I would highly recommend that anyone who plans on making a purchase online for clothing, household supplies, home decor, etc. research online coupons to help save money.
We're definitely employing several of these options since I work from home (4 hours a week). We have the grandparents one day per week and are hoping to do Daddy's (not Mommy's) helper in some afternoons, especially in the summer when the older kids in the neighborhood are out on break.
I've encountered #2 as a writer. Like you, I've been asked to write a business plan but the potential client really meant create a business and marketing strategy, model, and plan (generally out of thin air). I wasn't inundated with these requests but got enough of them that I developed a list of 20 (or so) questions based on a business plan book; when approached to "write" a plan, I asked the client to answer the questions and then we could proceed. I never got a taker.
Now, I think you could start a business without a plan, perhaps start on the side, experiment with different models, etc. until you are ready for a full-scale launch. But if you are borrowing money or need loads of cash to get started, a business plan is needed.
People who embrace a frugal lifestyle also have a comfort level with themselves. Having the latest gadget, wearing the latest fashion, driving the best looking car does not define who we are as a person.
A less drastic situation than working two separate shifts is to try and stagger your shifts. When my kids were little and in an in-home daycare (another great cost saver, basically more organized nanny share). I would leave for work at 8. My husband would drop the kids off around 9. I would pick up the kids at 5. My husband came home at 6. That way we weren't paying for childcare during our commute times. Saving 2 hours a day/3 days a week (I worked part time) was a big help.
This was a fun read. You makes some very valid points.
I love the babysitting co-op! I belonged to a mom's group, where we tried to start one, but one woman wanted to use it, and not watch anyone else's kids. It could have been great, since we (for the most part) had similar parenting styles, but it didn't work out.
I have recently met a mom whose oldest is the same age as my youngest. My oldest loves her youngest, so all 4 of them are actually very easy to watch. We swap all the time, keep a very informal watch over hours, and since we both have similar parenting styles, neither of us worry about our kids when they are with the other mom. We would happily add another mom or two into the group, but are very happy to keep it small, too.
The mother's helper is also a great idea, especially in the summer. We are moving, and when it comes time to pack up the house, I will be hiring the girl down the street to come play with my girls while I pack like a madwoman.
Thanks for some great ideas!
Excellent post. I really enjoy the metaphor and the analogy with Star Wars and Jedi culture.
Great Points Ben!
A very geeky way to bring Debt awareness to people.
And bonus points for no Jar Jar references :)
Or get one of these:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moka_pot for less than $30.
My parents and my wife's parents are both local. They're both willing and happy to take the kids when we need to go somewhere without them, so we have yet to pay babysitting costs. Which is totally awesome, I must say :)
How about mashing up two ideas -- mason jars / sriracha peanut butter sandwich, and create a sriracha peanut butter sandwich in a jar!
I think we are all guilty of mental accounting from time to time - I'll be the first one to admit it for myself. Being aware of it is already a step to the right direction, but learning to avoid it where it really matters is what makes all the difference. I believe two things can really help: learning to to be careful in terms of absolute dollar amounts - rather than percentages or "doubling" or "halving" your cost/money - and learning to systematically live beneath your means.
Thinking in absolute dollars helps you to put things in perspective, no matter what decision: whether you set your mental "pain" threshold is $10, $100, or $1000, you will always think carefully when spending that amount or anything above. And when it's less, then you have your own permission not to sweat it (unless you really want to). This helps you to pay attention when you need to, but you still have enough flexibility to make your decisions as you need to.
Living beneath your means is even more important a way to avoid the traps of mental accounting. When you always pay yourself first and sock away 10% of your income - or 15% or even 20% if you can - and invest it, you can be much more flexible with what you do with the rest. If you can develop this habit, you also tend to become more prone to find further opportunities to save more, and be less probably to blow your money on the whim of the day.
My family is more frugal than my folks and my grandfolks. We paid off our home, cars, the kid's college. I cut my hair and kids too. We never have anyone doing work for us, we do it ourselves. I don't work, but it keeps me busy. I'm the person who buys stuff for our family. I try and make sure I value every dollar.
First thing we do when we get a paycheck is to tithe, then save. The Lord provides big time for us, so He is our #1 priority.
Sometimes, looking at the big picture is WAY too overwhelming to start -- so I'll look at nice, de-cluttered rooms online for motivation. Then, when I pick a room, I try to notice the things I've just gotten used to seeing -- that stack of paperwork on the corner of the desk -- that pile of clothes that needs to be mended on the dryer -- that box of trinkets that I STILL haven't gone through since the move...that sort of stuff. What DOESN'T belong? What items ALWAYS make me think, 'I don't like that there.' Start there. You'll get yourself going, and will keep tackling the more simple stuff, too.
my spring cleaning tip is to do one room or area or task at a time.