You make an excellent point about having your physical health checked, especially for those of us who now work from home. There are no co-workers to tell you about looking under the weather. I learned about a few health problems and addressed them. Now I have a new perspective. Financial heath, emotional well-being and a positive attitude also make a big difference as well as getting enough exercise.
It is just my husband and I now and he is retired and we are living on a fixed income. We have a BJ's membership with my daughter that my daughter paid for this year and we use it for Gas mostly. We do get some good deals in that store but not as good as Aldi's or Wegmans. Wegmans has priced items that everyone uses everyday at a low price...lower than Toips until the end of the year. We also go to the Farmers Market for some things too. In our old age we can not drink as much milk as before and it seems not to last as long or taste as good as it once did so we switched to Horizion Organic 1% milk and we are enjoying it again....yes it is much more expensive but it lasts longer and tastes so much better. Bagged salad...we like the butter lettuce and Wegmans has it for 2 bags for $5 but you do not have to buy 2 to get the price and it seems so much fresher than the name brand bags.....ready made pie crust....I get Wegmans or Surfine or even Tops over the name brand....they are cheaper and roll out so much better....we like International Delight coffee creamer and it is the large bottle for $2.99 at Wegmans....Tops and even WalMart are much more expensive. I always look for the "use today or freeze" meat and that saves me money as well. So yes I do shop around and not just go to one store for everything. I usually go to Walgreens for Rx and some beauty items when those are on sale and using your AARP card gets you coupons back. Some stores will give discounts for military, AARP or AAA members and those discounts can add up to some sweet savings too.
As someone who works on the other side (for the IRS)*, some advice: google is your friend when hiring an accountant. It absolutely shocks me when I have people come in with an accountant/representative who has already been convicted of tax evasion! Not a good choice.
Also, the words "tax shelter" should be a red flag. If it sounds shady, it probably is.
*Disclaimer: from me personally, not in an official capacity, blah blah blah.
I write press releases, web content and occasionally manage social media or PR campaigns. I have also started doing some web/social media training for companies. I write for a blog that pays me small amounts for posts. I get occasional writing jobs on sites like Elance, but that hasn't been very profitable of late.
I do Swagbucks, MyPoints for gift cards, ShopAtHome for the rebates/discounts for things I already buy, and sell vinyl and other unneeded items on Ebay. We also host exchange students when we can.
Depending on your area, you can apply online for everything. And my ATM fees are reimbursed by my credit union so I have a choice of every ATM in the country. Not bad. :)
Google search for a credit union in your area and then apply online. More benefits than banks, which gouge for every penny.
I know I got started into a bank account from my college days. Since then I have thought about changing to a credit union but never made the change. My college was an urban colleges and banks were every where. Credit Unions were not. Besides I cared about access to ATMs and not worry about how much interest I made or fees I paid. However if there was a credit union at my college, knowing what I know now, I would have set up my account there.
I'm a designer now but have a background in photography. Recently I've earned extra money freelancing my photography skills taking and/or toning images of homes for my realtor. On top of good money, it's fun to get to see into people's homes and how they decorate.
I made sure that my bike is covered under my homeowners insurance.
For people who cannot do this, I also have a Kryptonite Lock. My lock model covers loss up to $1500. This insurance through Kryptonite costs around $10 a year. (Check with Kryptonite before purchasing a lock, as their insurance varies by product and goes up to--I think--$3500).
I recommend being diligent about locking up your bike. My bike has a built in "Latte Lock" which allows me to lock the back wheel if I just want to park my bike and run into a store for a minute. I NEVER do this. Although, it's unlikely that someone could come by and just pick up my bike (because it is so ding dang heavy) I don't risk it. I use a Kryptonite U-Lock to lock my bike frame to the rack and I also have a cut-resistant cable that I pull through the tires, because tire theft is actually more of a problem in my hood than anything else.
Paying $1200 for a bike is a lot for just about anyone. But good bikes have always been expensive. But buying a bike should take as much thought as buying a car. Get the best bike for your needs. I always have a good time riding my bike, so that incentivizes me to use it over my car for short errands. Buy the bike that gives you the least amount of suffering.
Ha ha! My daughter cringes in the car when she sees things out by the curb, I do fly-by's at garage sales all the time, and there is no such thing as leftovers at my house, just meals...lol.
The kids REALLY hate it when they have to wait for a coupon, sale, cash back, etc. for something that they need or want...And I absolutely DO have a reward card in my wallet right now for a thrift store!
BUT...
It's all worth the eye rolls when one of them walks around the corner while I'm coupon shopping with my list at Target and says, "Mom...I like this lotion and I found it on clearance for 50¢...can I get it?", the answer is usually yes and wait, I have a coupon for that.
The greeting card one really got me because I ALWAYS check the back if I'm not shopping in the $1 section.
I'm also thinking about investing in an expensive bike, so I have a question for you -- do you worry about your bike being stolen? Bike theft seems so common that it scares me to drop over $1,000 on the new Xtracycle I want. I guess I would just make a claim to my homeowners' insurance if the worst happens.
Great advice. I find the points on maintaining a good relationship with your boss and coworkers particularly helpful; often times when people are unhappy with their career, the natural tendency is to hole-up and isolate themselves. This can be absolutely detrimental in a number of ways, so it's good to keep in mind how important it is to maintain these relationships.
My mother was a single parent & taught me almost all of these. When I became a parent & then a single parent some of these helped me remarkably. But I think a favorite of mine was when my kids were little & I would take them to the Dollar Store & tell them to pick out one of anything they wanted. I didn't do it a lot, so when they got to roam the ENTIRE store it was thrilling for them. Not to mention it was almost like Christmas if I said they could get two things each. I'm willing to bet $$ (although it's not frugal to bet) that they will do the same thing with their children one day. When that happens I will smile.
Do forget the taxes needs to make a purchase. America's taxation levels are creeping ever higher. For every dollar you would like to use to purchase something it takes you two dollars of income(I'm talking all taxes, fed income-state income-state sales-gas-misc this & that-the taxes to corps that get passed to the cost of your item of desire). For every dollar you don't spend you save two. Simple enough. So if you don't spend 20k a year on extra things you REALLY DON'T NEED, you are 40k better off. Do that every year and you will never be the one in need....
Mostly, I sell arts and crafts on my Etsy shop, but I also do freelance illustrations, photography, etc. Occasionally, I'll land a piano-playing gig, too.
Haha number 6 made me laugh out loud. My mother and aunt were famous for driving by yard sales and assessing the situation of items before deciding to stop or not. My mom also was amazing at turning a bunch of different leftovers into an amazing new hybrid-meal.
Definitely agree with everything in this post. Honesty is the only policy when it comes to almost everything in life. If you lose your credibility in business because of one stupid lie, you never know how far that will carry and how many opportunities can be lost because of it. Never having to worry about covering up your tracks is freedom.
chris....when the quart of solution mixes with the water on the end of the hose it equals 10 gallons.
You make an excellent point about having your physical health checked, especially for those of us who now work from home. There are no co-workers to tell you about looking under the weather. I learned about a few health problems and addressed them. Now I have a new perspective. Financial heath, emotional well-being and a positive attitude also make a big difference as well as getting enough exercise.
Referee local high school sports
This and the follow-on post were great. Glad that I hit at least half of them. I'd have to turn in my Mighty Bargain Hunter card if I didn't! :D
It is just my husband and I now and he is retired and we are living on a fixed income. We have a BJ's membership with my daughter that my daughter paid for this year and we use it for Gas mostly. We do get some good deals in that store but not as good as Aldi's or Wegmans. Wegmans has priced items that everyone uses everyday at a low price...lower than Toips until the end of the year. We also go to the Farmers Market for some things too. In our old age we can not drink as much milk as before and it seems not to last as long or taste as good as it once did so we switched to Horizion Organic 1% milk and we are enjoying it again....yes it is much more expensive but it lasts longer and tastes so much better. Bagged salad...we like the butter lettuce and Wegmans has it for 2 bags for $5 but you do not have to buy 2 to get the price and it seems so much fresher than the name brand bags.....ready made pie crust....I get Wegmans or Surfine or even Tops over the name brand....they are cheaper and roll out so much better....we like International Delight coffee creamer and it is the large bottle for $2.99 at Wegmans....Tops and even WalMart are much more expensive. I always look for the "use today or freeze" meat and that saves me money as well. So yes I do shop around and not just go to one store for everything. I usually go to Walgreens for Rx and some beauty items when those are on sale and using your AARP card gets you coupons back. Some stores will give discounts for military, AARP or AAA members and those discounts can add up to some sweet savings too.
As someone who works on the other side (for the IRS)*, some advice: google is your friend when hiring an accountant. It absolutely shocks me when I have people come in with an accountant/representative who has already been convicted of tax evasion! Not a good choice.
Also, the words "tax shelter" should be a red flag. If it sounds shady, it probably is.
*Disclaimer: from me personally, not in an official capacity, blah blah blah.
I write press releases, web content and occasionally manage social media or PR campaigns. I have also started doing some web/social media training for companies. I write for a blog that pays me small amounts for posts. I get occasional writing jobs on sites like Elance, but that hasn't been very profitable of late.
I do Swagbucks, MyPoints for gift cards, ShopAtHome for the rebates/discounts for things I already buy, and sell vinyl and other unneeded items on Ebay. We also host exchange students when we can.
Depending on your area, you can apply online for everything. And my ATM fees are reimbursed by my credit union so I have a choice of every ATM in the country. Not bad. :)
Google search for a credit union in your area and then apply online. More benefits than banks, which gouge for every penny.
I proofread and edit manuscripts, dissertations, etc.
Value isn't always the cheapest item. If it is cheaply made it won't last. Look for the middle price.
I know I got started into a bank account from my college days. Since then I have thought about changing to a credit union but never made the change. My college was an urban colleges and banks were every where. Credit Unions were not. Besides I cared about access to ATMs and not worry about how much interest I made or fees I paid. However if there was a credit union at my college, knowing what I know now, I would have set up my account there.
Great idea about the "enrolled agent"! Thanks for commenting and sorry you had to go through such a nightmare!
I'm a designer now but have a background in photography. Recently I've earned extra money freelancing my photography skills taking and/or toning images of homes for my realtor. On top of good money, it's fun to get to see into people's homes and how they decorate.
Hi Carrie!
I made sure that my bike is covered under my homeowners insurance.
For people who cannot do this, I also have a Kryptonite Lock. My lock model covers loss up to $1500. This insurance through Kryptonite costs around $10 a year. (Check with Kryptonite before purchasing a lock, as their insurance varies by product and goes up to--I think--$3500).
I recommend being diligent about locking up your bike. My bike has a built in "Latte Lock" which allows me to lock the back wheel if I just want to park my bike and run into a store for a minute. I NEVER do this. Although, it's unlikely that someone could come by and just pick up my bike (because it is so ding dang heavy) I don't risk it. I use a Kryptonite U-Lock to lock my bike frame to the rack and I also have a cut-resistant cable that I pull through the tires, because tire theft is actually more of a problem in my hood than anything else.
Paying $1200 for a bike is a lot for just about anyone. But good bikes have always been expensive. But buying a bike should take as much thought as buying a car. Get the best bike for your needs. I always have a good time riding my bike, so that incentivizes me to use it over my car for short errands. Buy the bike that gives you the least amount of suffering.
I do not earn extra income but try to get a lot of "free" stuff like samples and sell things I no longer use.
Ha ha! My daughter cringes in the car when she sees things out by the curb, I do fly-by's at garage sales all the time, and there is no such thing as leftovers at my house, just meals...lol.
The kids REALLY hate it when they have to wait for a coupon, sale, cash back, etc. for something that they need or want...And I absolutely DO have a reward card in my wallet right now for a thrift store!
BUT...
It's all worth the eye rolls when one of them walks around the corner while I'm coupon shopping with my list at Target and says, "Mom...I like this lotion and I found it on clearance for 50¢...can I get it?", the answer is usually yes and wait, I have a coupon for that.
The greeting card one really got me because I ALWAYS check the back if I'm not shopping in the $1 section.
I'm also thinking about investing in an expensive bike, so I have a question for you -- do you worry about your bike being stolen? Bike theft seems so common that it scares me to drop over $1,000 on the new Xtracycle I want. I guess I would just make a claim to my homeowners' insurance if the worst happens.
Great advice. I find the points on maintaining a good relationship with your boss and coworkers particularly helpful; often times when people are unhappy with their career, the natural tendency is to hole-up and isolate themselves. This can be absolutely detrimental in a number of ways, so it's good to keep in mind how important it is to maintain these relationships.
My mother was a single parent & taught me almost all of these. When I became a parent & then a single parent some of these helped me remarkably. But I think a favorite of mine was when my kids were little & I would take them to the Dollar Store & tell them to pick out one of anything they wanted. I didn't do it a lot, so when they got to roam the ENTIRE store it was thrilling for them. Not to mention it was almost like Christmas if I said they could get two things each. I'm willing to bet $$ (although it's not frugal to bet) that they will do the same thing with their children one day. When that happens I will smile.
Great tips indeed ... It is great that you are sharing natural cleaning solutions, not expensive commercial agents.
Do forget the taxes needs to make a purchase. America's taxation levels are creeping ever higher. For every dollar you would like to use to purchase something it takes you two dollars of income(I'm talking all taxes, fed income-state income-state sales-gas-misc this & that-the taxes to corps that get passed to the cost of your item of desire). For every dollar you don't spend you save two. Simple enough. So if you don't spend 20k a year on extra things you REALLY DON'T NEED, you are 40k better off. Do that every year and you will never be the one in need....
Mostly, I sell arts and crafts on my Etsy shop, but I also do freelance illustrations, photography, etc. Occasionally, I'll land a piano-playing gig, too.
Haha number 6 made me laugh out loud. My mother and aunt were famous for driving by yard sales and assessing the situation of items before deciding to stop or not. My mom also was amazing at turning a bunch of different leftovers into an amazing new hybrid-meal.
Definitely agree with everything in this post. Honesty is the only policy when it comes to almost everything in life. If you lose your credibility in business because of one stupid lie, you never know how far that will carry and how many opportunities can be lost because of it. Never having to worry about covering up your tracks is freedom.