We've just started with chores for our DS9 a few weeks ago - just basics like clean room, care for pets, once a week vacuum house and wipe down bathroom. The Doneski app on my iphone makes it easier for me to keep on top of what he's done and what is still to do (and let's be honest, he's a tech kid and the app makes doing his chores more appealing). I think it's important for him to contribute to our family, even at this young age.
I'm rather late and this is an interesting article, but... what happened to Friday? Was that intentional, or were you hinting that perhaps Friday isn't a good day to do any sort of shopping whatsoever? ;]
We have been unsuccessful after 6 weeks of dealing with Capital One regarding the replacement card that arrived without activation phone #. To this date still unable to use the card even though info requested were faxed. Have contacted CEO Richard Fairbank. The rep refused to give his address and asked materials be faxed to Salt Lake for his staff. No response until certified letter to his McLean VA office. Still being researched by Executive Office.
What's the interest rate? I missed seeing that in the article. Though I would pay off the balance completely every month, the interest rate usually won't matter, but it's important to know what it is.
Eh...I just don't like Priceline. I want to see the price and then decide. This whole idea of bidding my own price and either being rejected or not....I don't have the patience for it.
I try to have no spend weeks not just weekends. I do like clearing out the clutter and taking a nap. The best way not to spend money is to stay home or it u do go out keep your wallet at home! You cant spend if you dont have the money! Going to the library is a favorite of mine.
Thanks for sharing. I did already #2 mid this year and it totally changed my life.. I always believe that if you are not happy with your full time job, then more likely you are living a miserable life too because you are spending most of your time at work.
I have a 14-year-old step-son who has lived with us for the past two years. It's been a struggle to get him to clean up after himself, but sometimes he'll surprised me by doing the dishes on his own. He knows we would be happy to give him allowance money if he helps around the house, but it doesn't help, yet.
I also have a 1 year old. He's already mimicking me by handing me things to pick up. I'll start him early! :)
Another useful and thoughtful article by a wise man. I would add a few thoughts.
I stockpile, if that's the right word, enough water to support myself for a week or more. We can go for a long time without food, but we need water every day. In an emergency, we can go about 5 days without water, but that's not a good idea.
Stockpiling is different for different people in different places. I stockpiled more food, water, and supplies when I lived in the Caribbean than I do now. A major disaster--most likely a hurricane or other fierce storm--might cut off water and electricity for several days or more, and it might prevent ships from bringing supplies to the island.
There are a lot of clever, thoughtful stockpilers out there, putting aside stuff they actually use, getting it when it's cheap, rotating their stock, etc. But when they describe how much effort they end up going to, I can't help but think they'd be better off putting putting some of that money and effort into alternative strategies, like taking a class or planting a berry bush.
I've never considered the added value of thrifted plates to bake sale/silent auction fundraisers! That's an excellent tip that I will pass along to my local grade school.
BUYING NAME BRANDS!! I learned at a young age to never buy anything at the grocery store unless its on sale. Although, a few things I wont skimp on, laundry detergent, and pretzels ( I love my pretzels).
I can agree, to a point. I think that stockpiling things you wouldn't use anyway is kind of silly.
For example: My family prepped for Y2K. My parents were very careful to only store things they would use even if nothing happened, and to store the items in a way that they wouldn't go bad. Even the storage containers were meant to be re-useable so nothing went to waste. And guess what? It hasn't. All those buckets of wheat, corn, beans, etc have kept my family from having to purchase those things and the buckets have made great water pails for their farm animals. Nothing wasted.
Also remember to rotate you goods. My mom always keeps 3 months worth of canned goods in her cellar. But, she uses them and replenishes the stock when she finds sales, always putting the newer cans in the back. This is stuff they use on a daily basis and would save their lives should they be stuck at home during a prolonged ice or snow storm.
If you live in the city and would have to move all your long-term storage with you? That's rough. That's why you need an escape plan in place, and an off-site storage for your stockpile. Perhaps you have a friend or family member who lives in the country and feels the same way about being prepared as you do. Plan to make that the place you go, and store your things there.
Thanks for starting the conversation, Philip! I feel like the article presents the situation as an "either/or" question. I prefer to think of "stockpiling", "Prepping", etc. as more of a natural compliment to a frugal, sustainable, and financially savvy lifestyle.
Let me give you an example: Is it smart to spend 10% or more of your paycheck on rolls and rolls of toilet paper to stuff into your already cluttered condo, just so that, when the zombies come, you'll have the comfort of 2-ply for the next 5 years? No.
Is it wise and admirable to plant an additional tomato plant each year, be extra careful with the harvest, and put away 20 extra jars of sauce on the shelf for when/if tomato prices become out of reach, tomatoes because genetically undesirable, or you just want a way to give your 5 kids a healthy alternative to sugary commercial brands? Yes.
Stockpiling has earned such a bad name thanks to the coupon-obsessed and doomsday determined. It is rarely approached in the same manner by those with a balanced approach to managing the home and responding to unpredictable outside factors.
Y2K is the perfect example of doing it the "wrong" way. So many people we knew stored up gallons upon gallons of water, grain, beans, etc, and when nothing happened? Most of them gave or threw it away because it was all commodity that they wouldn't have consumed unless the world was coming to an end. It was a waste.
If you take the same situation, however, and continue doing what you're doing, putting away bits here and there so that you store up a year's worth of non-perishable, delightful, and nutritious canned goods, water, etc. you've prepared yourself for the unthinkable AND you've made good use of the resources you've always had access to. If nothing bad happens -- GREAT! You can continue to use the "first in, first out" method of enjoying the fruits of your labor. And if something bad DOES happen? You don't have to wait for the small rural grocery store that's only equipped with 2 days of food for the entire population of the community to come back online -- which could, in fact, take many, many months.
Some depression-era common sense combined with modern tactics (food storage, better gardening techniques, etc.) can keep "stockpiling" a balanced approach to preparing for the unknown AND continuing to enjoy life independent of it. I'm sure you'll find many like me who agree.
While not exactly minimalists, we are the opposite of collector type clutterers. Closets are half occupied here, some drawers and shelves are empty.
Photographs (as in prints) can be just another form of clutter, especially if not artfully displayed. We purged dozens of photo albums a while ago by asking if the print was better than our memory and found less than a third were worth the effort to digitize.
And you can forget the bargain price invite to cluttering. We turn down free stuff all the time.
A few non-functional keepsakes have been carefully chosen for sentimental reasons. In our way of life, being is most significant, doing closely follows being and having is sparse by American standards and mostly dictated by the doing. Material goods tend to flow in and out of our lives; when function ends, so does possession.
YES!! We even watch a little girl who is 15 months old and she has a chore. (which she loves to do btw, the recycling gets done, though not quickly. :) Both of our children have chores that they must do before playtime; if they do them well, it takes about 5 minutes a day. Not much, but they are contributing to the family positively and it makes a huge difference for them to be plugged in to making the family and home run smoothly. It is something they NEED, a responsibility that helps not just themselves.
I have looked for high-end neckties through out the year, then packaged them in a giftbox for my husband. He loved the ties & I loved the savings! ( I spent $10 and got over $240 retail)
Sometimes I find items brand new items as gifts...such as a new Pepsi sweatshirt for a friend that collect everything Pepsi, and new baby outfits as shower gifts.
Glass/crystal plates are great to fill with homemade baked items for fundraisers. They sell for WAY MORE than regular plates & are snapped right up.
I find tons of small gift items to fill the boxs for the Soldiers we've adopted overseas as anything from America is greatly appreciated by them.
Thank you for posting this interesting article. One other question I'm wondering is whether the spending habits of Chinese immigrants in the US change or not. My take is, being in a homogenous society like China, one has to maintain 'face' in order to fit in or be accepted. Thus the propensity to spend becomes strong when their associates do so. America celebrates the individual and therefore although the peer pressure to follow the crowd is still there, but I think it's less so. To my point, I think the Chinese American immigrants are more frugal than the Chinese in China. Thus giving the impression that all Chinese are frugal.
I need deals on tools for my husband.
We've just started with chores for our DS9 a few weeks ago - just basics like clean room, care for pets, once a week vacuum house and wipe down bathroom. The Doneski app on my iphone makes it easier for me to keep on top of what he's done and what is still to do (and let's be honest, he's a tech kid and the app makes doing his chores more appealing). I think it's important for him to contribute to our family, even at this young age.
I'm rather late and this is an interesting article, but... what happened to Friday? Was that intentional, or were you hinting that perhaps Friday isn't a good day to do any sort of shopping whatsoever? ;]
We have been unsuccessful after 6 weeks of dealing with Capital One regarding the replacement card that arrived without activation phone #. To this date still unable to use the card even though info requested were faxed. Have contacted CEO Richard Fairbank. The rep refused to give his address and asked materials be faxed to Salt Lake for his staff. No response until certified letter to his McLean VA office. Still being researched by Executive Office.
Great tips and I am in a travel mood...
What's the interest rate? I missed seeing that in the article. Though I would pay off the balance completely every month, the interest rate usually won't matter, but it's important to know what it is.
Eh...I just don't like Priceline. I want to see the price and then decide. This whole idea of bidding my own price and either being rejected or not....I don't have the patience for it.
I try to have no spend weeks not just weekends. I do like clearing out the clutter and taking a nap. The best way not to spend money is to stay home or it u do go out keep your wallet at home! You cant spend if you dont have the money! Going to the library is a favorite of mine.
Tomorrow is officially "Clean out the Clutter" day in my house. Thanks for the tips!
Thanks for sharing. I did already #2 mid this year and it totally changed my life.. I always believe that if you are not happy with your full time job, then more likely you are living a miserable life too because you are spending most of your time at work.
I am still working on #4 & #5.
Cheers!
I have a 14-year-old step-son who has lived with us for the past two years. It's been a struggle to get him to clean up after himself, but sometimes he'll surprised me by doing the dishes on his own. He knows we would be happy to give him allowance money if he helps around the house, but it doesn't help, yet.
I also have a 1 year old. He's already mimicking me by handing me things to pick up. I'll start him early! :)
Another useful and thoughtful article by a wise man. I would add a few thoughts.
I stockpile, if that's the right word, enough water to support myself for a week or more. We can go for a long time without food, but we need water every day. In an emergency, we can go about 5 days without water, but that's not a good idea.
Stockpiling is different for different people in different places. I stockpiled more food, water, and supplies when I lived in the Caribbean than I do now. A major disaster--most likely a hurricane or other fierce storm--might cut off water and electricity for several days or more, and it might prevent ships from bringing supplies to the island.
You are welcome!
You are welcome! :)
Thanks for the good comments!
There are a lot of clever, thoughtful stockpilers out there, putting aside stuff they actually use, getting it when it's cheap, rotating their stock, etc. But when they describe how much effort they end up going to, I can't help but think they'd be better off putting putting some of that money and effort into alternative strategies, like taking a class or planting a berry bush.
Your camping blankets sound amazing. I've added a satin edge to old wool blankets to make them cuter, but I bow down to your crafty superiority.
I've never considered the added value of thrifted plates to bake sale/silent auction fundraisers! That's an excellent tip that I will pass along to my local grade school.
Mine have chores that they have to do and do not get paid for., but if they do something extra, I pay them for it .
BUYING NAME BRANDS!! I learned at a young age to never buy anything at the grocery store unless its on sale. Although, a few things I wont skimp on, laundry detergent, and pretzels ( I love my pretzels).
I can agree, to a point. I think that stockpiling things you wouldn't use anyway is kind of silly.
For example: My family prepped for Y2K. My parents were very careful to only store things they would use even if nothing happened, and to store the items in a way that they wouldn't go bad. Even the storage containers were meant to be re-useable so nothing went to waste. And guess what? It hasn't. All those buckets of wheat, corn, beans, etc have kept my family from having to purchase those things and the buckets have made great water pails for their farm animals. Nothing wasted.
Also remember to rotate you goods. My mom always keeps 3 months worth of canned goods in her cellar. But, she uses them and replenishes the stock when she finds sales, always putting the newer cans in the back. This is stuff they use on a daily basis and would save their lives should they be stuck at home during a prolonged ice or snow storm.
If you live in the city and would have to move all your long-term storage with you? That's rough. That's why you need an escape plan in place, and an off-site storage for your stockpile. Perhaps you have a friend or family member who lives in the country and feels the same way about being prepared as you do. Plan to make that the place you go, and store your things there.
Thanks for starting the conversation, Philip! I feel like the article presents the situation as an "either/or" question. I prefer to think of "stockpiling", "Prepping", etc. as more of a natural compliment to a frugal, sustainable, and financially savvy lifestyle.
Let me give you an example: Is it smart to spend 10% or more of your paycheck on rolls and rolls of toilet paper to stuff into your already cluttered condo, just so that, when the zombies come, you'll have the comfort of 2-ply for the next 5 years? No.
Is it wise and admirable to plant an additional tomato plant each year, be extra careful with the harvest, and put away 20 extra jars of sauce on the shelf for when/if tomato prices become out of reach, tomatoes because genetically undesirable, or you just want a way to give your 5 kids a healthy alternative to sugary commercial brands? Yes.
Stockpiling has earned such a bad name thanks to the coupon-obsessed and doomsday determined. It is rarely approached in the same manner by those with a balanced approach to managing the home and responding to unpredictable outside factors.
Y2K is the perfect example of doing it the "wrong" way. So many people we knew stored up gallons upon gallons of water, grain, beans, etc, and when nothing happened? Most of them gave or threw it away because it was all commodity that they wouldn't have consumed unless the world was coming to an end. It was a waste.
If you take the same situation, however, and continue doing what you're doing, putting away bits here and there so that you store up a year's worth of non-perishable, delightful, and nutritious canned goods, water, etc. you've prepared yourself for the unthinkable AND you've made good use of the resources you've always had access to. If nothing bad happens -- GREAT! You can continue to use the "first in, first out" method of enjoying the fruits of your labor. And if something bad DOES happen? You don't have to wait for the small rural grocery store that's only equipped with 2 days of food for the entire population of the community to come back online -- which could, in fact, take many, many months.
Some depression-era common sense combined with modern tactics (food storage, better gardening techniques, etc.) can keep "stockpiling" a balanced approach to preparing for the unknown AND continuing to enjoy life independent of it. I'm sure you'll find many like me who agree.
Thanks again for the discussion, Philip!
While not exactly minimalists, we are the opposite of collector type clutterers. Closets are half occupied here, some drawers and shelves are empty.
Photographs (as in prints) can be just another form of clutter, especially if not artfully displayed. We purged dozens of photo albums a while ago by asking if the print was better than our memory and found less than a third were worth the effort to digitize.
And you can forget the bargain price invite to cluttering. We turn down free stuff all the time.
A few non-functional keepsakes have been carefully chosen for sentimental reasons. In our way of life, being is most significant, doing closely follows being and having is sparse by American standards and mostly dictated by the doing. Material goods tend to flow in and out of our lives; when function ends, so does possession.
YES!! We even watch a little girl who is 15 months old and she has a chore. (which she loves to do btw, the recycling gets done, though not quickly. :) Both of our children have chores that they must do before playtime; if they do them well, it takes about 5 minutes a day. Not much, but they are contributing to the family positively and it makes a huge difference for them to be plugged in to making the family and home run smoothly. It is something they NEED, a responsibility that helps not just themselves.
I have looked for high-end neckties through out the year, then packaged them in a giftbox for my husband. He loved the ties & I loved the savings! ( I spent $10 and got over $240 retail)
Sometimes I find items brand new items as gifts...such as a new Pepsi sweatshirt for a friend that collect everything Pepsi, and new baby outfits as shower gifts.
Glass/crystal plates are great to fill with homemade baked items for fundraisers. They sell for WAY MORE than regular plates & are snapped right up.
I find tons of small gift items to fill the boxs for the Soldiers we've adopted overseas as anything from America is greatly appreciated by them.
Thank you for posting this interesting article. One other question I'm wondering is whether the spending habits of Chinese immigrants in the US change or not. My take is, being in a homogenous society like China, one has to maintain 'face' in order to fit in or be accepted. Thus the propensity to spend becomes strong when their associates do so. America celebrates the individual and therefore although the peer pressure to follow the crowd is still there, but I think it's less so. To my point, I think the Chinese American immigrants are more frugal than the Chinese in China. Thus giving the impression that all Chinese are frugal.