Thanks for your article! Watermelon rind pickle is a favorite at our house. You can also make a lovely apple peel jelly from peels and cores. It's a soft pinky peach color with a mild flavor. Pretty enough for gifts.
While credit cards have their advantages to use with purchases such as points for miles or gifts and even helping to build your credit, we still need to make sure to be careful to not spend excessively and to know with certainty that you'll be able to pay it off soon.
This is mind blowing. I have always thought in terms of hard currency how much something costs. I now know that it is much bigger than that it is much bigger than that. Its not just the house your buying. Its the insurance, the taxes, the electricity, the furniture, the car in the driveway, the lawn that needs to be mowed and shoveled when it snows etc.
I kind of object to #7. I've been my daughter's "backup," "emergency," go-to person for way too long (she's 41). It's gotten to the point where this year for Christmas, we're giving her cash and telling her the "momma, poppa savings and loan" is closed.
For a frugal summer date, I recommend bringing a picnic to an afternoon or evening free concert or play in a park. I live in Portland, OR and during the summer there are tons of free activities in parks all over the city and my partner and I have attended and brought picnics several times. Its great fun.
For a wintery frugal date, nothing beats snuggling on the couch with a great movie or tv on dvd, the fire roaring in the fireplace, and mugs of hot chocolate, tea, or cider. Cheap and easy, but delightful as well!
The Friday before hurricane sandy my husband and I made a picnic and went to bear mountain state park. For some reason they were not charging for parking that day. The weather was beautiful and the trees were at their peak of color. We walked around the lake, hiked one of the paths and went to the zoo. The only cost was the suggested donation to the zoo of $1 per person. Total cost for a great day $2.
I realized I knew a lot more that I had previously thought. Got a good majority of the answers correct. Even before I took this though I knew I wasn't ready to buy a home. Number one reason is the commitment that comes along with it. I just dont think I am ready to commit to such a large purchase just yet.
This would be great if everyone magically had 2nd cars or lived in areas where rentals were inexpensive! Alas, when I upgrade my car I will have to trade in.
Although I felt a little relief after reading similar issues with the Macy's gift card to know that I am not the only victim, I am alarmed at the amount of reports I've read online. This seems like it happens often and Macy's needs to correct this problem soon.
My husband and I received several Macy's gift cards for our wedding and got one for a friend's wedding shower. Our friend told us that she tried to use it last week but the cashier told her it had $0 balance. She was hesitant to tell me because what do you say to the person who gave you the gift..."hey thanks for the gift card but you gave it to me with $0 balance." But I am glad that she did because that night my husband called the number on the back of the gift card to report it. Apparently it was spent somewhere in Los Angeles, CA. Which is totally weird because we haven't been to CA in the past year. Curious, my husband also asked the customer rep to look up our other Macy's gift cards we recieved from our wedding. They ALL showed as $0 balance and these were gift cards given to us by different people so it's not an isolated case. She said the cards were used in, you guessed it....CA! I almost had a heart attack. We have reported it and given them our info but I'm not confident that anything will be resolved. I wouldn't freak out so much about it if it was $25 or so but it was much more than that. Besides, I feel badly for my wedding guests who spent the money and kindly gave to us as gifts.
Coincidentally as I was typing this a co-worker stopped by and I told her about the situation. In which she responded that this has also happened to her! Unbelievable!!! Lesson learned that I will never buy a Macy's gift card again or any gift card for that matter. I hope I don't ever receive a Macy's gift card as well.
My husband and I like to hike the mountains (or other great trails) and pack a lunch. Not only is it a great workout, we have some of our best conversations sitting high above the city and soaking in the fresh air.
I think that people who have parents that fight over money are more likely to have credit card debt because they think it better, easier and less tension, when you pay by credit than to argue or think about whether you can afford things. Arguments go away, even if just temporarily if just pay by credit and dont ask questions.
Board game night. Gather some snacks, alcoholic beverage of choice, and a two player game and enjoy each other's company. Our competitive sides come out, which make it even more fun.
I agree with this article 100% and I own a storage facility! We have had dozens of tenants through the years, but 3 come to mind. Between the 3 of them, they have paid for 3 of my daughter's 4 years at a state college. One paid rent for 8 years then stopped paying rent and his belongings were sold for more than $11,000. The next one finally decided after 15 years that the stuff isn't worth anything and is donating most of it to the Salvation Army. The 3rd one is a couple who stored their stuff then moved across the country. He then left her with their 2 kids. She admits she struggles with her bills and we have offered to sell her belongings for her, yet she continues to believe that someday she'll be back to collect all of her "valuable" stuff. Most of our tenants use their space as an attic. If you aren't using it temporarily between moves, you probably have too many things!
I think the point about finding the right fit for YOU is so important...and, even though it might be obvious, I think that's really helpful to think about when giving gifts too. It's not what the best product is, or what you like...what's best for the giftee?
Thanks for this great article, Max. I've cross posted it on Google+ and on the Facebook Compact group.
Thanks a lot for this article! I hope to help me because i'm really in stuck right now!...
Thanks for your article! Watermelon rind pickle is a favorite at our house. You can also make a lovely apple peel jelly from peels and cores. It's a soft pinky peach color with a mild flavor. Pretty enough for gifts.
While credit cards have their advantages to use with purchases such as points for miles or gifts and even helping to build your credit, we still need to make sure to be careful to not spend excessively and to know with certainty that you'll be able to pay it off soon.
This is mind blowing. I have always thought in terms of hard currency how much something costs. I now know that it is much bigger than that it is much bigger than that. Its not just the house your buying. Its the insurance, the taxes, the electricity, the furniture, the car in the driveway, the lawn that needs to be mowed and shoveled when it snows etc.
Didn't see any new tips here. But then, maybe it's because I'm old and grouchy. Happy Holidays is not really a good time to promote anti-consumerism.
I kind of object to #7. I've been my daughter's "backup," "emergency," go-to person for way too long (she's 41). It's gotten to the point where this year for Christmas, we're giving her cash and telling her the "momma, poppa savings and loan" is closed.
For a frugal summer date, I recommend bringing a picnic to an afternoon or evening free concert or play in a park. I live in Portland, OR and during the summer there are tons of free activities in parks all over the city and my partner and I have attended and brought picnics several times. Its great fun.
For a wintery frugal date, nothing beats snuggling on the couch with a great movie or tv on dvd, the fire roaring in the fireplace, and mugs of hot chocolate, tea, or cider. Cheap and easy, but delightful as well!
The Friday before hurricane sandy my husband and I made a picnic and went to bear mountain state park. For some reason they were not charging for parking that day. The weather was beautiful and the trees were at their peak of color. We walked around the lake, hiked one of the paths and went to the zoo. The only cost was the suggested donation to the zoo of $1 per person. Total cost for a great day $2.
Is it ok to use a steel or aluminum pot to brew your shine?
I realized I knew a lot more that I had previously thought. Got a good majority of the answers correct. Even before I took this though I knew I wasn't ready to buy a home. Number one reason is the commitment that comes along with it. I just dont think I am ready to commit to such a large purchase just yet.
This would be great if everyone magically had 2nd cars or lived in areas where rentals were inexpensive! Alas, when I upgrade my car I will have to trade in.
I subscribr to newsletter and like it just the way it is.
Dinner at her house just after she's gone shopping for the week, followed with a good movie and popcorn.
I agree. And I'm glad you didn't take them right off of the graves directly like some other people do.
Although I felt a little relief after reading similar issues with the Macy's gift card to know that I am not the only victim, I am alarmed at the amount of reports I've read online. This seems like it happens often and Macy's needs to correct this problem soon.
My husband and I received several Macy's gift cards for our wedding and got one for a friend's wedding shower. Our friend told us that she tried to use it last week but the cashier told her it had $0 balance. She was hesitant to tell me because what do you say to the person who gave you the gift..."hey thanks for the gift card but you gave it to me with $0 balance." But I am glad that she did because that night my husband called the number on the back of the gift card to report it. Apparently it was spent somewhere in Los Angeles, CA. Which is totally weird because we haven't been to CA in the past year. Curious, my husband also asked the customer rep to look up our other Macy's gift cards we recieved from our wedding. They ALL showed as $0 balance and these were gift cards given to us by different people so it's not an isolated case. She said the cards were used in, you guessed it....CA! I almost had a heart attack. We have reported it and given them our info but I'm not confident that anything will be resolved. I wouldn't freak out so much about it if it was $25 or so but it was much more than that. Besides, I feel badly for my wedding guests who spent the money and kindly gave to us as gifts.
Coincidentally as I was typing this a co-worker stopped by and I told her about the situation. In which she responded that this has also happened to her! Unbelievable!!! Lesson learned that I will never buy a Macy's gift card again or any gift card for that matter. I hope I don't ever receive a Macy's gift card as well.
Great tips. I'm all for responsible credit card use!
My husband and I like to hike the mountains (or other great trails) and pack a lunch. Not only is it a great workout, we have some of our best conversations sitting high above the city and soaking in the fresh air.
When we're feeling not as frugal we love ordering an appitizer or takeout side, and watching a B movie curled up on the couch.
one of our favorite really frugal 'dates' is playing with the kids blocks after they go to bed.
We date each other everyday though, doing fun or sweet things tomake each other feel special.
I think that people who have parents that fight over money are more likely to have credit card debt because they think it better, easier and less tension, when you pay by credit than to argue or think about whether you can afford things. Arguments go away, even if just temporarily if just pay by credit and dont ask questions.
Board game night. Gather some snacks, alcoholic beverage of choice, and a two player game and enjoy each other's company. Our competitive sides come out, which make it even more fun.
I agree with this article 100% and I own a storage facility! We have had dozens of tenants through the years, but 3 come to mind. Between the 3 of them, they have paid for 3 of my daughter's 4 years at a state college. One paid rent for 8 years then stopped paying rent and his belongings were sold for more than $11,000. The next one finally decided after 15 years that the stuff isn't worth anything and is donating most of it to the Salvation Army. The 3rd one is a couple who stored their stuff then moved across the country. He then left her with their 2 kids. She admits she struggles with her bills and we have offered to sell her belongings for her, yet she continues to believe that someday she'll be back to collect all of her "valuable" stuff. Most of our tenants use their space as an attic. If you aren't using it temporarily between moves, you probably have too many things!
I think the point about finding the right fit for YOU is so important...and, even though it might be obvious, I think that's really helpful to think about when giving gifts too. It's not what the best product is, or what you like...what's best for the giftee?
I really like movie nights and hiking dates.
I like your idea of making a holiday shift: "holishift."