Great ideas! I especially love the Amazon Prime subscription. I would love something like that but don't want to spend the money myself. However, if someone gifted it to me, I can only start imagining all the free books I would be able to get!
Regarding Attitudinal factors: People who doubt the power of advertising should look no further than the VISA "priceless" commercials. VISA effectively sold the idea that debt is "worth it" to millions of people.
Warning: Knitting is one of those fake frugal hobbies. (See also quilting, canning, and sewing your own clothes). Yes, I can copy a $3500 Chanel sweater for $300 and make it out of cashmere to boot, but it's a rare event when a knitting project costs less than three figures for just the supplies.
However, knitting is cheaper than therapy. So there's that.
This is a great post! Giving practical gifts or gifts that are creative and/or homemade makes them so much more meaningful. Otherwise it is very easy to overspend at Christmas and go into debt just to follow the consumerist trends. It's a vicious circle.
I've conducted my own study and found a result overlooked in this article. I went to Wal-Mart and took a good look around. Some people are just plain duuuumb. It's a harsh social truth to accept, I know, but some folks are just born stupid. ...Or they decided to not read books and skip school, so they could intentionally become stupid. I'm not sure about that yet. Watched a man with a shopping cart loaded with junk he didn't need. Four attempts on two credit cards all declined. He finally whipped down $60 cash in an angry huff at the teenage cashier as though his idiocy was her fault. D-U-M-B. (All there is to it.)
I have researched many programs out there and the best that I found is a program called debt eliminator plus. I believe it sold for $3500 at one time but I did not have to pay for it. Im not sure if it’s a limited time thing or some sort of beta test but it is working really well for me. Software and videos. I believe you can still get it for nothing. The last time I checked the website address was www.debteliminatorplus.com
Disappointed that I can't review my excellent community development credit union. I still can't understand why the monstrous banks with reputations for horrible customer service keep so many accounts.
Perhaps it's time for Wise Bread to do a piece on local banking and lending.
Picture frames are a good idea and even if they need some touch-ups thats really easy to do. Thrift stores are a a lot of fun to look around in because you never know what you're going to find. Good idea about baskets and serving trays too to bring to parties- no use in spending a ton of money on those kinds of things.
My husband and I take a about $120 a month each in personal allowance to spend freely. This also covers gifts to other people (not holidays) and personal things like haircuts. He is always wanting more money because he has "needs" at work--nearly daily fund-raising or contributions toward gifts, etc. Then he has nothing to treat himself with and complains, while I spend my allowance to treat him and the kids.
I work from home and don't have to give away 5-20 dollars a week. I think it is nice to contribute at work, yet not every single time. I think he should start to say no sometimes. He thinks he should just take a bigger allowance, but I think the amount we take is actually too much considering our finances.
I've recommended he volunteer his time in some way at work instead of his money, but he is not agreeable. I think I am right in sticking to my guns. But I'm not sure how to tell him this in a kind and respectful way, because at this point it's a sore subject. Any advice?
Thanks for the great feedback! I agree that most advice is pretty simplistic, to the point where you just gloss over it, say "Yup, I knew that," and move on.
I note that you post is entitled "..thing I just won't do.." which I can respect but I would add that for some people, some of these items are either about saving more than the immediate cost or have other benefits other than money. For instance, washing a care (which only takes me 20 to 25 minutes to do a job as good as a car wash does) has the benefit of activity and exercise. Plus there is the cost of driving to the car wash, and the time spent doing that. Also, is it that easy just to say "I'm not going to wash my own car, so I'll just pick up this freelance writing gig that appeared out of nowhere?" Even if that is the case for you, most people don't have the option to just 'work extra'. As far as the AC/Heating question, the human body has been spoiled by modern HVAC systems, and people are (or should be) more tolerant of larger temperature ranges than they are. That being said, most of these are good points and I like that you phrased it as your own personal decision.
I've done a couple of different ideas.
1. Bought a clear plastic ornament put the money inside then painted the outside with a drum set and gave to my nephew to put towards a new drum he wanted.
2. My husband, son and I folded the dollar bills and made a crown by connecting them all together.
When my son was growing up, he always had chores...based on his age and abilities. Money was earned instead of just given. To this day, he's very fiscally responsible.
I'm sure places like Wal Mart give to charity already in ways that won't destroy their business. If people knew that their clothes were eventually going to be free, no one would need to buy them.
Very good article - flexible options like an emergency fund or additional skills don't keep you tied up to your home. In the end, you can't prepare for every situation - just keep on breathing, that's what it matters in life - otherwise you'd get to generalized anxiety disorder.
My daughter is too young for chores.
I have gone to "Submit my Review" and then clicking does nothing. Not sure why or how to fix it!
Hi - Could you please add in the rules section that this only applies to US banks?
Thanks!
Great ideas! I especially love the Amazon Prime subscription. I would love something like that but don't want to spend the money myself. However, if someone gifted it to me, I can only start imagining all the free books I would be able to get!
Regarding Attitudinal factors: People who doubt the power of advertising should look no further than the VISA "priceless" commercials. VISA effectively sold the idea that debt is "worth it" to millions of people.
All your frugal ways of showing gratitude are fantastic. It's really true--you can choose to have a good day or a bad day (most days).
There's an (ancient) Chinese proverb that says: "If you can't change your circumstances, change your attitude."
Can we not do a review on any other place that Facebook?
Warning: Knitting is one of those fake frugal hobbies. (See also quilting, canning, and sewing your own clothes). Yes, I can copy a $3500 Chanel sweater for $300 and make it out of cashmere to boot, but it's a rare event when a knitting project costs less than three figures for just the supplies.
However, knitting is cheaper than therapy. So there's that.
This is a great post! Giving practical gifts or gifts that are creative and/or homemade makes them so much more meaningful. Otherwise it is very easy to overspend at Christmas and go into debt just to follow the consumerist trends. It's a vicious circle.
I also disagreed with the author at this point in his article. Being aware of the slavery means putting bullets in the slavers heads. Thats it.
I've conducted my own study and found a result overlooked in this article. I went to Wal-Mart and took a good look around. Some people are just plain duuuumb. It's a harsh social truth to accept, I know, but some folks are just born stupid. ...Or they decided to not read books and skip school, so they could intentionally become stupid. I'm not sure about that yet. Watched a man with a shopping cart loaded with junk he didn't need. Four attempts on two credit cards all declined. He finally whipped down $60 cash in an angry huff at the teenage cashier as though his idiocy was her fault. D-U-M-B. (All there is to it.)
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I have researched many programs out there and the best that I found is a program called debt eliminator plus. I believe it sold for $3500 at one time but I did not have to pay for it. Im not sure if it’s a limited time thing or some sort of beta test but it is working really well for me. Software and videos. I believe you can still get it for nothing. The last time I checked the website address was www.debteliminatorplus.com
I would like to see more deals or info on refurbished electronics.
Disappointed that I can't review my excellent community development credit union. I still can't understand why the monstrous banks with reputations for horrible customer service keep so many accounts.
Perhaps it's time for Wise Bread to do a piece on local banking and lending.
Picture frames are a good idea and even if they need some touch-ups thats really easy to do. Thrift stores are a a lot of fun to look around in because you never know what you're going to find. Good idea about baskets and serving trays too to bring to parties- no use in spending a ton of money on those kinds of things.
My husband and I take a about $120 a month each in personal allowance to spend freely. This also covers gifts to other people (not holidays) and personal things like haircuts. He is always wanting more money because he has "needs" at work--nearly daily fund-raising or contributions toward gifts, etc. Then he has nothing to treat himself with and complains, while I spend my allowance to treat him and the kids.
I work from home and don't have to give away 5-20 dollars a week. I think it is nice to contribute at work, yet not every single time. I think he should start to say no sometimes. He thinks he should just take a bigger allowance, but I think the amount we take is actually too much considering our finances.
I've recommended he volunteer his time in some way at work instead of his money, but he is not agreeable. I think I am right in sticking to my guns. But I'm not sure how to tell him this in a kind and respectful way, because at this point it's a sore subject. Any advice?
Thanks for the great feedback! I agree that most advice is pretty simplistic, to the point where you just gloss over it, say "Yup, I knew that," and move on.
I don't have kids, but I plan on assigning them chores. I'm looking forward to having someone else cut the lawn!
I note that you post is entitled "..thing I just won't do.." which I can respect but I would add that for some people, some of these items are either about saving more than the immediate cost or have other benefits other than money. For instance, washing a care (which only takes me 20 to 25 minutes to do a job as good as a car wash does) has the benefit of activity and exercise. Plus there is the cost of driving to the car wash, and the time spent doing that. Also, is it that easy just to say "I'm not going to wash my own car, so I'll just pick up this freelance writing gig that appeared out of nowhere?" Even if that is the case for you, most people don't have the option to just 'work extra'. As far as the AC/Heating question, the human body has been spoiled by modern HVAC systems, and people are (or should be) more tolerant of larger temperature ranges than they are. That being said, most of these are good points and I like that you phrased it as your own personal decision.
I've done a couple of different ideas.
1. Bought a clear plastic ornament put the money inside then painted the outside with a drum set and gave to my nephew to put towards a new drum he wanted.
2. My husband, son and I folded the dollar bills and made a crown by connecting them all together.
apple cidar vinegar balances the ph levels so yes it does help with heartburn
When my son was growing up, he always had chores...based on his age and abilities. Money was earned instead of just given. To this day, he's very fiscally responsible.
I'm sure places like Wal Mart give to charity already in ways that won't destroy their business. If people knew that their clothes were eventually going to be free, no one would need to buy them.
Very good article - flexible options like an emergency fund or additional skills don't keep you tied up to your home. In the end, you can't prepare for every situation - just keep on breathing, that's what it matters in life - otherwise you'd get to generalized anxiety disorder.