My coffee shop actually charges me *more* if I bring my own mug. Because it's insulated, it looks larger than its actual volume, so they charge me for a Grande although the volume is the equivalent of a Tall. It's also not eligible for their coffee/muffin combo. Yes, these are small details, but they can be very irritating when you're trying to get your morning joe and do your civic duty by bringing a mug, and you get overcharged in the process!
Easy -- I never ever travel anywhere on any holiday. It's just too much trouble fighting the crowds, putting up with way too many people trying to pack themselves into crowded airline seats that cost way too much over any holiday. On any holiday, I make it a practice never to drive anywhere, take a train anywhere or fly anywhere. I save my travel for off-peak times. It's cheaper and much easier, and much safer, too.
We don't live far enough for flying, and we would never stay in a hotel rather than with our family. We try to use our more fuel-efficient car. I also had some basic maintenance done on the car this past weekend. We'll try to get all of our holiday traveling done in one weekend -so we don't have to make any unnecessary trips.
We don't travel much during the holidays! We don't live near our relatives, but we try to visit at other times of year in order to avoid the prices and hassle of holiday travel.
The best way to "travel" at this time of year: via Skype! Last year we spent a lovely xmas morning with my partner's family from 3000 miles away. We also send videos to our niece on my side of the family with us reading books to her - she loves them and gets to know us from across the country too!
The website Cool Tools had a brief writeup on a very small still intended for water purification that can be repurposed to make small batches of moonshine:
If you just want to experiment with moonshine and are hesitating because you're not handy enough to manage the mechanical construction step of making the still, here's something already assembled with appropriate food-grade materials.
As a banker, I applaud this article and it's accuracy, considering that most people have never heard of ChexSystems, and trying to explain it to people who insist that they "don't write checks" can be difficult. However, may I suggest that you change the title of the article to something more like "....and How it Can Affect Your Banking". I'm sure it wasn't intentional, but the title suggests that it's ChexSystems and banks that cause the difficulty when opneing accounts instead of the consumer. Despite popular belief, banks rarely make mistakes when it comes to the average Joe's bank account. I'm not talking about big bailouts or anything on that scale. ChexSystems does not make it difficult for you to open a bank account; YOU make it difficult by making poor financial decisions. I'm not judging, really; we've all been there. I'm just stating a fact. Every single day I listen to people with negative data on ChexSystems blame it on everybody but themselves. Own up to your mistakes and make an effort to not do it again and everything will be fine. :)
And for the record, the bank I work at offers second chance checking accounts, so even people with negative data can have a checking account.
I think the comments here just point to how big a range is available in this country. The author gave concrete numbers, which doesn't serve the reader well. Many responders find the author's numbers are too high. I agree with them, although I'm sure some others find them too low. But I think one commenter hit the nail on the head when they said those who find these numbers too low probably don't need to worry about being frugal (or reading this article!).
I live in upstate NY. Our property taxes are through the roof (3rd highest in the nation), but our property cost is relatively low. I believe utility costs are average. I used to live in Ohio, and it was much cheaper (everything). But I do have to take issue with one number: 2700 sq. ft. is AVERAGE?!? How did you figure average? I know, you left out a word: NEW. Average size of NEW homes is 2521 sq ft. For the rest of us, the ones actually reading this blog, it's probably a fair bit smaller (me=1500). And I imagine 2700 a true average, rather than median, which I believe would be a much more useful measurement for the common man. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/06/average-home-size-2011_n_157561...
I go on a "Pantry Challenge" several times a year and refuse to buy any groceries. If we don't have it, I won't run out and buy it. This "Pantry Challenge" is a 2 week time frame and I do it about every 2 months. Not only does it include food items, it also includes other items such as bathroom tissue and shampoo etc. At first my family thought I was nuts, but now they have fun creating menu's and seeing just how long we can go without having to go to the store. We figure we're saving about $300 to $500 each time we do this.
I'm so sorry you're unemployed, but I sure do admire your attitude. You're so right that we can do a lot without spending a fortune. And your generosity will put a big smile on a little kid's face this holiday season. Happy holidays to you and I hope 2013 brings employment your way.
Hi Kelly -- I totally agree with you that going into credit card debt for the holidays is not worth it. And I love your Secret Santa idea. I'm for anything that saves money and lowers my stress level!
I did the pinecone craft once or twice when I was younger. I usually never waste food and always try to eat what I buy, which usually means more than one trip to the grocery store per week. My roommate on the other hand is always wasting food (mostly because she doesn't know how to store it properly). I love the last part, I think baking some stale cereal in the oven would definitely do the trick, and I've never thought about mixing it in with granola but thats a great idea!
So glad you wrote this article. Theres overwhelming evidence (health, environmental, financial) that supports why NO ONE should be drinking soda. It is so terrible for you. Some people are actually addicted to it, but the thing is, if you drink less and less you crave it less and less. I haven't drank soda in about a year and I have no desire too. The impact it has on your health should be enough, but $550/year?! Thats absurd.
Hi!
I am from Canada.I am getting ready to do some worldwide vagabonding around the world for next several years.Today I just bought LG Optimus L3 phone.I am by no means expert when it comes to this.Which VOIP provider for overseas you recommend if any?
Xbox-360Deals.net is one of the better known deal sites and includes everything from tech gadgets to Electronic and Games from Microsoft Stores.
They also have over 800 coupons that you can use at your favorite stores. Very clean interface and easy to use web site. xbox 360 console deals
I use kayak and fiddle around with the dates to find the best airline prices. Since airlines are charging for checked luggage, I will only have carry-on luggage, which means my nieces and nephews will be getting hugs for Christmas this year. Also, I will not buy anything on the plane or at the airport.
My coffee shop actually charges me *more* if I bring my own mug. Because it's insulated, it looks larger than its actual volume, so they charge me for a Grande although the volume is the equivalent of a Tall. It's also not eligible for their coffee/muffin combo. Yes, these are small details, but they can be very irritating when you're trying to get your morning joe and do your civic duty by bringing a mug, and you get overcharged in the process!
Easy -- I never ever travel anywhere on any holiday. It's just too much trouble fighting the crowds, putting up with way too many people trying to pack themselves into crowded airline seats that cost way too much over any holiday. On any holiday, I make it a practice never to drive anywhere, take a train anywhere or fly anywhere. I save my travel for off-peak times. It's cheaper and much easier, and much safer, too.
We don't live far enough for flying, and we would never stay in a hotel rather than with our family. We try to use our more fuel-efficient car. I also had some basic maintenance done on the car this past weekend. We'll try to get all of our holiday traveling done in one weekend -so we don't have to make any unnecessary trips.
We don't travel much during the holidays! We don't live near our relatives, but we try to visit at other times of year in order to avoid the prices and hassle of holiday travel.
The best way to "travel" at this time of year: via Skype! Last year we spent a lovely xmas morning with my partner's family from 3000 miles away. We also send videos to our niece on my side of the family with us reading books to her - she loves them and gets to know us from across the country too!
The website Cool Tools had a brief writeup on a very small still intended for water purification that can be repurposed to make small batches of moonshine:
http://kk.org/cooltools/archives/7959
If you just want to experiment with moonshine and are hesitating because you're not handy enough to manage the mechanical construction step of making the still, here's something already assembled with appropriate food-grade materials.
As a banker, I applaud this article and it's accuracy, considering that most people have never heard of ChexSystems, and trying to explain it to people who insist that they "don't write checks" can be difficult. However, may I suggest that you change the title of the article to something more like "....and How it Can Affect Your Banking". I'm sure it wasn't intentional, but the title suggests that it's ChexSystems and banks that cause the difficulty when opneing accounts instead of the consumer. Despite popular belief, banks rarely make mistakes when it comes to the average Joe's bank account. I'm not talking about big bailouts or anything on that scale. ChexSystems does not make it difficult for you to open a bank account; YOU make it difficult by making poor financial decisions. I'm not judging, really; we've all been there. I'm just stating a fact. Every single day I listen to people with negative data on ChexSystems blame it on everybody but themselves. Own up to your mistakes and make an effort to not do it again and everything will be fine. :)
And for the record, the bank I work at offers second chance checking accounts, so even people with negative data can have a checking account.
I think the comments here just point to how big a range is available in this country. The author gave concrete numbers, which doesn't serve the reader well. Many responders find the author's numbers are too high. I agree with them, although I'm sure some others find them too low. But I think one commenter hit the nail on the head when they said those who find these numbers too low probably don't need to worry about being frugal (or reading this article!).
I live in upstate NY. Our property taxes are through the roof (3rd highest in the nation), but our property cost is relatively low. I believe utility costs are average. I used to live in Ohio, and it was much cheaper (everything). But I do have to take issue with one number: 2700 sq. ft. is AVERAGE?!? How did you figure average? I know, you left out a word: NEW. Average size of NEW homes is 2521 sq ft. For the rest of us, the ones actually reading this blog, it's probably a fair bit smaller (me=1500). And I imagine 2700 a true average, rather than median, which I believe would be a much more useful measurement for the common man.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/06/average-home-size-2011_n_157561...
I go on a "Pantry Challenge" several times a year and refuse to buy any groceries. If we don't have it, I won't run out and buy it. This "Pantry Challenge" is a 2 week time frame and I do it about every 2 months. Not only does it include food items, it also includes other items such as bathroom tissue and shampoo etc. At first my family thought I was nuts, but now they have fun creating menu's and seeing just how long we can go without having to go to the store. We figure we're saving about $300 to $500 each time we do this.
I'm so sorry you're unemployed, but I sure do admire your attitude. You're so right that we can do a lot without spending a fortune. And your generosity will put a big smile on a little kid's face this holiday season. Happy holidays to you and I hope 2013 brings employment your way.
Hi Kelly -- I totally agree with you that going into credit card debt for the holidays is not worth it. And I love your Secret Santa idea. I'm for anything that saves money and lowers my stress level!
Super excited for more daily deals.
Go through a travel agency - they always have good deals
I'm flying red-eye on Christmas night to save money this year. I saved almost $80
I did the pinecone craft once or twice when I was younger. I usually never waste food and always try to eat what I buy, which usually means more than one trip to the grocery store per week. My roommate on the other hand is always wasting food (mostly because she doesn't know how to store it properly). I love the last part, I think baking some stale cereal in the oven would definitely do the trick, and I've never thought about mixing it in with granola but thats a great idea!
We just cram everything in in 2 days.
So glad you wrote this article. Theres overwhelming evidence (health, environmental, financial) that supports why NO ONE should be drinking soda. It is so terrible for you. Some people are actually addicted to it, but the thing is, if you drink less and less you crave it less and less. I haven't drank soda in about a year and I have no desire too. The impact it has on your health should be enough, but $550/year?! Thats absurd.
Love the deals...more on books, please
Hi!
I am from Canada.I am getting ready to do some worldwide vagabonding around the world for next several years.Today I just bought LG Optimus L3 phone.I am by no means expert when it comes to this.Which VOIP provider for overseas you recommend if any?
Xbox-360Deals.net is one of the better known deal sites and includes everything from tech gadgets to Electronic and Games from Microsoft Stores.
They also have over 800 coupons that you can use at your favorite stores. Very clean interface and easy to use web site.
xbox 360 console deals
The Megabus! I've paid as little as $1 a ticket.
We travel by car and bring snacks for the trip.
I travel home at New Years rather than Christmas - so it's more of an off-peak time.
buy my tickets in advance or drive instead.
thankful for the person who shared this on twitter! some things i already do, but others i could certainly do a better job of executing.
I use kayak and fiddle around with the dates to find the best airline prices. Since airlines are charging for checked luggage, I will only have carry-on luggage, which means my nieces and nephews will be getting hugs for Christmas this year. Also, I will not buy anything on the plane or at the airport.