I'm a current subscriber and I read the newsletter daily. I'd like to see more deals on shoes, apparel, books, kitchen supplies, jewelry, and accessories. Keep up the great work! I love your deals, newsletters, and posts!!! Thank you! :)
I've used Win Goodson a car broker here in Jacksonville, Florida for the last 2 cars I purchased and several of my friends have used him also. My first car I saved $7000 off what they wanted on the lot fully loaded and on the 2nd car I saved about $4500. It was so worth the time it took to find the car I wanted.
Wow, really cool. I had Thanksgiving at a family friend's house this year for the first time and her gravy was absolutely amazing. When I asked about it, she said that every year she takes whatever is leftover from the turkey and uses it to make the next years gravy and freezes it, and also makes a few batches of soup too. Great ideas!
I've never even heard of a wipe warmer before but what a cool invention. I think the number one thing new mothers and parents overlook is the hospital bill. Because there are so many other expenses to plan for getting ready to bring the baby home, sometimes its easy to forget that staying in a hospital for a couple of nights costs a good amount of money.
Getting an on-campus job at my university's career center worked out well for me. Not only was I given a raise and a promotion within six months, I was able to get access to MBA/Graduate career counselors and given the opportunity of assisting and interacting with employers.
Getting advice from the graduate-level career counselors and face time with employers and their recruiters, I found out information that was not advertised or available online and this allowed me to get a full-time offer without prior industry experience or industry-related internships.
Glad I found this website and a really useful and informative article!
You aren't kidding about formula! I breastfed my three 7 months, 8 months, and 7 months, respectively, and bought formula until the 12 month mark. We use either Enfamil or Earth's Best or the most part, and those little boogers could easily go through $100 of formula per month! That's been the biggest shocker, in my opinion.
As a collector dealing mostly in medical debt I have some advise that even I follow myself. Most of the time when I talk to people there is an insurance issue so I always advise that the debtor take care of the balance to the beat of their ability until the insurance company pays. Then you can always prove that you paid to the insurance and they in turn will reimburse you if they were in fact supposed to do so. I have had this happen to me a few times and it has saved petty small balances from being reported to my credit. Also, like i believe another collections consultant said in an earlier post we can not always just accept whatever you can pay when it comes to holding something off your credit. There is almost always a minimum balance on a debt that we are able to take. That is not us being harsh but if we are not an agency that buys the debt then we work directly for the client so no say in the criteria they lay down and how they want their debts collected. Believe it or not some of us are not evil devil like creatures that everyone makes us out to be. We are just trying to collect money that was not paid for a good/service that was provided to someone . Without us the people who provide those goods/services would have no choice but to raise their prices to compensate for the money they lost. Everyone has an obligation to pay their debts otherwise no one would make money in this world. We get a bad rep because we deal with boat loads of people everyday who will do anything to make sure they do not have to pay their debts. Its a hard job but someone has to do it.
The Portland Art Museum has a free Friday every month, where there is no admission fee. Last month, we made dinner at my place, then took the train to the art museum. Afterwards, we went to one of the local bars that has a live band and no admission fee. The whole evening cost us train fare and the price of a beer.
Beverly, I applaud you!!
You don't have any funds .....stay in, eat what you have, and make due. Quit whining because....This is Life until you master daily living. Warm and gentle hugs
Frugality is wise, but buying your groceries online neglects a lovely opp'ty to get to know your local farmers and save on fresh foods from close to home. (Side benefit: this kind of eating can help you save on medical bills.) Local food networks are a great way to connect with and help sustain other frugal folks.
Ok this is got to be the most helpful and interesting answers on Interview questions I have ever heard. I love the humor behind each answer, I laugh so hard I was crying..Thanks Margie
Some doctors perform C-sections when they aren't necessary. The get paid more money for them. As long as they don't go over a certain percentage and they have some explaination for the c-section insurance companies will look the other way. And parents aren't going to question the surgury during such a stressful time. It kind of gets to be a scam.
This article came right on time! I just started a seasonal job with UPS last week as a package handler and was looking for some food to take with me to munch on during the day. Great post!
Like most of us here, I am very happy to have found this article- it is pretty much what I have doing lately at work.
I am a recent Master Graduate who has always dreamed about having a successful career and got as a first job, the job she could only dream about- Now I understand what they mean by "Pay attention to what you wish, you might get it"
The problem is I am on the wrong path. I never saw that the career I was dreaming for involved lot of management and strong organisation skills and less deep thinking, research, and intellectual challenges. So I'm stuck every day in organizing stuff, wrinting e-mails and indicating what has to be done and double checking that things happen- is so exhausting and boring and I hate it!
Despite all this, I try to find strengh in the morning to get up from bed and go to work I have decided to take my job as a challenge- see if I can make it work. I must say my boss hates me from all points of view, but I managed to turn this one too in another challenge- see if I can do a good job despite what my boss thinks of me.
And it has worked.
But lately I felt there's too much effort in this job...I didn't quit at the beginning when I saw what I was dealing with ( I got another job offer, but it was in a different area that the one I chosed to build my career in, and, on the long term, I did not saw any professional development opportunities) and kept focusing on my purpose of dealing with the challenges, but now I ask myself: Why am I still here? If I were to leave, I wouldn't be running because things are too hard, but because it is my choice.
The big question now- If I quit my job, where am I heading to? At another company withing this are would be the same.
The big problem for me is to change my job into something more abot thinking than organizing, but I don't know what.
I wish I were a doctor, or a laywer. Instead I studied Marketing and I work in a multinational company, as an assistant. While in colllege, I thought I would be doing strategies and product lunches. All i do is to organize and organize and double check...
I would appreciate any ides or suggestions. Thank you.
I'm shocked that the writer actually thinks she's not spending a lot of money. I travel a lot and even when travelling in the most expensive countries in the world I never spend more than $1000 per month, included flights.
The first rule about backpacking is take the less money possible with you. The less money you have, the more you will ask people for help. The best experiences I had when travelling was when I hitchhiked! It is the best way to know the local culture.
Second rule : doing a world trip by flight is cheating! DON T TAKE FLIGHTS. The thing with the credit card is the worst advice possible that the writer could give. Only take a flight if there is really no alternative. Trains, buses and boats are cheaper and to experience the change in the landscape is worth the extra time spent travelling . If you decide to travel for 6 months- 1 year, you will have the time anyway.
Google blogs with the words "word trip free" or "travel free". There are hundreds of blogs with good advice on how to travel with little money.
Thank you for mentioning TEDtalks in this article! I've not heard about it before and now I've fallen in love. WOW what a remarkable site. I had to tear myself away from (at last) interesting thought provoking comments made by intelligent people. How wonderful and refreshing not to be sifting through "Jerry Springer" show participants' remarks. I will be making this a favorite site from now on.
Thanks once again.
Very beautiful post. If we can do this for 1 week, then we already are in a mode of savings. I think, we should follow these rules even if we have money for a week. These habits definitely can help in long term.
These are excellent suggestions for my kids. They do not want to carry a thermal lunch pack and I prefer to send them with lunch rather than spend a lot of money to buy junk food. I also get the yogurts in tubes and freeze it so it is still cold by the time they get to eat lunch. I found containers of apple sauce are good too. It is a healthier way to eat and saves big bucks over the course of a single school year.
Please don't be discouraged. Hopefully breastfeeding will work for you. (Our species never would have survived this far if it was always so difficult!) It does take some effort but well worth it. Also, not all babies spit up. We were extremely lucky in that until he had a rotovirus at age 4, our son probably threw up a total of 6 times in his life. (He was nursed exclusively for the first 5 months - might or might not have anything to do with it. He just never got sick very often.)
Above all - do your best to genuinely enjoy and cherish these times when they are little. My son is now a sophomore in college and when he went back after Thanksgiving break, I really missed him this time more than before.
I am a mom of 5, with my youngest being 4 all the way up to 22. Besides medical bills, I never really thought baby's were that expensive compared to teenagers. I can give several examples of unexpected expenses that shocked me for teenagers!
As far as formula goes, 4 of mine were fine with powdered formula, but one had allergies and needed hypo-allergenic formula, at that time, (she's 20 now), you could only purchase her formula in ready-to-eat cans, ha! yes...cans, wow...anyway...they were $9 a can, and we needed 2 cans a day. The good news is, your baby will not be on formula forever, and that expense will fade away.
You are 100% correct on the receiving blankets, you can never have too many!
The wipe warmer, it's your choice, and I respect that, but what I did was just kept my children's wipes in a warm area. As unfortunate and saddening as it may be, your baby will be uncomfortable from time to time, (illness, vaccinations, etc.).
As far as hiring out goes, there's always Dad. My hubby had no problem throwing in a few loads of laundry or loading the dishwasher when he got home, and some pre-made dinners would solve the what's for dinner problem.
I bought a microwave sterilizer, and it was one of the best things I ever bought, even without it, there are many ways to sterilize bottles and nipples.
Baby's require few things, what they need is love and patience. As another commented, these are mostly convenience things, which does not shock me for a first time parent, but I think a lot of first time parents tend to over think things. It sounds like you were determined NOT to buy all new and shiny and every single thing someone said you needed, but these things made your life easier.
Anyway, isn't that what PF or being frugal is all about? Affording the things you DO want?
I think the Objective section in a resume is wasted space usually. If you've applied for a job, it should be assumed that your objective is to obtain that position. If a hiring manager wants further insight into your long term aspirations and career goals, that's what a phone interview is for.
I'm a current subscriber and I read the newsletter daily. I'd like to see more deals on shoes, apparel, books, kitchen supplies, jewelry, and accessories. Keep up the great work! I love your deals, newsletters, and posts!!! Thank you! :)
I've used Win Goodson a car broker here in Jacksonville, Florida for the last 2 cars I purchased and several of my friends have used him also. My first car I saved $7000 off what they wanted on the lot fully loaded and on the 2nd car I saved about $4500. It was so worth the time it took to find the car I wanted.
Wow, really cool. I had Thanksgiving at a family friend's house this year for the first time and her gravy was absolutely amazing. When I asked about it, she said that every year she takes whatever is leftover from the turkey and uses it to make the next years gravy and freezes it, and also makes a few batches of soup too. Great ideas!
I've never even heard of a wipe warmer before but what a cool invention. I think the number one thing new mothers and parents overlook is the hospital bill. Because there are so many other expenses to plan for getting ready to bring the baby home, sometimes its easy to forget that staying in a hospital for a couple of nights costs a good amount of money.
How would I get trained to be a general transcriptionist? I am curious and in a similar situation and need to stay home with my little one.
Getting an on-campus job at my university's career center worked out well for me. Not only was I given a raise and a promotion within six months, I was able to get access to MBA/Graduate career counselors and given the opportunity of assisting and interacting with employers.
Getting advice from the graduate-level career counselors and face time with employers and their recruiters, I found out information that was not advertised or available online and this allowed me to get a full-time offer without prior industry experience or industry-related internships.
Glad I found this website and a really useful and informative article!
You aren't kidding about formula! I breastfed my three 7 months, 8 months, and 7 months, respectively, and bought formula until the 12 month mark. We use either Enfamil or Earth's Best or the most part, and those little boogers could easily go through $100 of formula per month! That's been the biggest shocker, in my opinion.
As a collector dealing mostly in medical debt I have some advise that even I follow myself. Most of the time when I talk to people there is an insurance issue so I always advise that the debtor take care of the balance to the beat of their ability until the insurance company pays. Then you can always prove that you paid to the insurance and they in turn will reimburse you if they were in fact supposed to do so. I have had this happen to me a few times and it has saved petty small balances from being reported to my credit. Also, like i believe another collections consultant said in an earlier post we can not always just accept whatever you can pay when it comes to holding something off your credit. There is almost always a minimum balance on a debt that we are able to take. That is not us being harsh but if we are not an agency that buys the debt then we work directly for the client so no say in the criteria they lay down and how they want their debts collected. Believe it or not some of us are not evil devil like creatures that everyone makes us out to be. We are just trying to collect money that was not paid for a good/service that was provided to someone . Without us the people who provide those goods/services would have no choice but to raise their prices to compensate for the money they lost. Everyone has an obligation to pay their debts otherwise no one would make money in this world. We get a bad rep because we deal with boat loads of people everyday who will do anything to make sure they do not have to pay their debts. Its a hard job but someone has to do it.
The Portland Art Museum has a free Friday every month, where there is no admission fee. Last month, we made dinner at my place, then took the train to the art museum. Afterwards, we went to one of the local bars that has a live band and no admission fee. The whole evening cost us train fare and the price of a beer.
Beverly, I applaud you!!
You don't have any funds .....stay in, eat what you have, and make due. Quit whining because....This is Life until you master daily living. Warm and gentle hugs
Frugality is wise, but buying your groceries online neglects a lovely opp'ty to get to know your local farmers and save on fresh foods from close to home. (Side benefit: this kind of eating can help you save on medical bills.) Local food networks are a great way to connect with and help sustain other frugal folks.
Ok this is got to be the most helpful and interesting answers on Interview questions I have ever heard. I love the humor behind each answer, I laugh so hard I was crying..Thanks Margie
Some doctors perform C-sections when they aren't necessary. The get paid more money for them. As long as they don't go over a certain percentage and they have some explaination for the c-section insurance companies will look the other way. And parents aren't going to question the surgury during such a stressful time. It kind of gets to be a scam.
This article came right on time! I just started a seasonal job with UPS last week as a package handler and was looking for some food to take with me to munch on during the day. Great post!
Hi there,
Like most of us here, I am very happy to have found this article- it is pretty much what I have doing lately at work.
I am a recent Master Graduate who has always dreamed about having a successful career and got as a first job, the job she could only dream about- Now I understand what they mean by "Pay attention to what you wish, you might get it"
The problem is I am on the wrong path. I never saw that the career I was dreaming for involved lot of management and strong organisation skills and less deep thinking, research, and intellectual challenges. So I'm stuck every day in organizing stuff, wrinting e-mails and indicating what has to be done and double checking that things happen- is so exhausting and boring and I hate it!
Despite all this, I try to find strengh in the morning to get up from bed and go to work I have decided to take my job as a challenge- see if I can make it work. I must say my boss hates me from all points of view, but I managed to turn this one too in another challenge- see if I can do a good job despite what my boss thinks of me.
And it has worked.
But lately I felt there's too much effort in this job...I didn't quit at the beginning when I saw what I was dealing with ( I got another job offer, but it was in a different area that the one I chosed to build my career in, and, on the long term, I did not saw any professional development opportunities) and kept focusing on my purpose of dealing with the challenges, but now I ask myself: Why am I still here? If I were to leave, I wouldn't be running because things are too hard, but because it is my choice.
The big question now- If I quit my job, where am I heading to? At another company withing this are would be the same.
The big problem for me is to change my job into something more abot thinking than organizing, but I don't know what.
I wish I were a doctor, or a laywer. Instead I studied Marketing and I work in a multinational company, as an assistant. While in colllege, I thought I would be doing strategies and product lunches. All i do is to organize and organize and double check...
I would appreciate any ides or suggestions. Thank you.
Regards,
Olivia
I'm shocked that the writer actually thinks she's not spending a lot of money. I travel a lot and even when travelling in the most expensive countries in the world I never spend more than $1000 per month, included flights.
The first rule about backpacking is take the less money possible with you. The less money you have, the more you will ask people for help. The best experiences I had when travelling was when I hitchhiked! It is the best way to know the local culture.
Second rule : doing a world trip by flight is cheating! DON T TAKE FLIGHTS. The thing with the credit card is the worst advice possible that the writer could give. Only take a flight if there is really no alternative. Trains, buses and boats are cheaper and to experience the change in the landscape is worth the extra time spent travelling . If you decide to travel for 6 months- 1 year, you will have the time anyway.
Google blogs with the words "word trip free" or "travel free". There are hundreds of blogs with good advice on how to travel with little money.
Thank you for mentioning TEDtalks in this article! I've not heard about it before and now I've fallen in love. WOW what a remarkable site. I had to tear myself away from (at last) interesting thought provoking comments made by intelligent people. How wonderful and refreshing not to be sifting through "Jerry Springer" show participants' remarks. I will be making this a favorite site from now on.
Thanks once again.
Rox
Very beautiful post. If we can do this for 1 week, then we already are in a mode of savings. I think, we should follow these rules even if we have money for a week. These habits definitely can help in long term.
These are excellent suggestions for my kids. They do not want to carry a thermal lunch pack and I prefer to send them with lunch rather than spend a lot of money to buy junk food. I also get the yogurts in tubes and freeze it so it is still cold by the time they get to eat lunch. I found containers of apple sauce are good too. It is a healthier way to eat and saves big bucks over the course of a single school year.
Please don't be discouraged. Hopefully breastfeeding will work for you. (Our species never would have survived this far if it was always so difficult!) It does take some effort but well worth it. Also, not all babies spit up. We were extremely lucky in that until he had a rotovirus at age 4, our son probably threw up a total of 6 times in his life. (He was nursed exclusively for the first 5 months - might or might not have anything to do with it. He just never got sick very often.)
Above all - do your best to genuinely enjoy and cherish these times when they are little. My son is now a sophomore in college and when he went back after Thanksgiving break, I really missed him this time more than before.
Good Luck! You'll do great!
Thanks for the tips! It's good to know that so many other people share this strange hobby, too!
I am a mom of 5, with my youngest being 4 all the way up to 22. Besides medical bills, I never really thought baby's were that expensive compared to teenagers. I can give several examples of unexpected expenses that shocked me for teenagers!
As far as formula goes, 4 of mine were fine with powdered formula, but one had allergies and needed hypo-allergenic formula, at that time, (she's 20 now), you could only purchase her formula in ready-to-eat cans, ha! yes...cans, wow...anyway...they were $9 a can, and we needed 2 cans a day. The good news is, your baby will not be on formula forever, and that expense will fade away.
You are 100% correct on the receiving blankets, you can never have too many!
The wipe warmer, it's your choice, and I respect that, but what I did was just kept my children's wipes in a warm area. As unfortunate and saddening as it may be, your baby will be uncomfortable from time to time, (illness, vaccinations, etc.).
As far as hiring out goes, there's always Dad. My hubby had no problem throwing in a few loads of laundry or loading the dishwasher when he got home, and some pre-made dinners would solve the what's for dinner problem.
I bought a microwave sterilizer, and it was one of the best things I ever bought, even without it, there are many ways to sterilize bottles and nipples.
Baby's require few things, what they need is love and patience. As another commented, these are mostly convenience things, which does not shock me for a first time parent, but I think a lot of first time parents tend to over think things. It sounds like you were determined NOT to buy all new and shiny and every single thing someone said you needed, but these things made your life easier.
Anyway, isn't that what PF or being frugal is all about? Affording the things you DO want?
I made theseanddint really care for them. It may have had something o do with the bananas though. If I made them again I would just sub them....
I like putting my daughter to bed early and having a late night supper - or maybe just a fancy dessert purchased somewhere with my husband.
I think the Objective section in a resume is wasted space usually. If you've applied for a job, it should be assumed that your objective is to obtain that position. If a hiring manager wants further insight into your long term aspirations and career goals, that's what a phone interview is for.