I enjoyed this post as I've always been "frugal" - I call it "good with money." I agree however that it's important to have something to look forward to now and then. I don't always bring my lunch and I do like to eat out somewhere special for special occasions.
I happen to know several people who travel quite a bit, so I care for their pets (dogs, cats, fish, birds) and maintain their homes while they are away.
I live in a small rural area too and can really relate to this article. In addition to limited places to shop locally, I do not drive due to a disability. It's amazing how your shopping habits change under those circumstances...for me it's been a good thing too.
My husband and I have received a $300 gift card from Macy's for our wedding present. We went to the store to use it 2 months later, and the balance on it was $0. The clerk told us the card was used by someone to buy 2 pillows and a comforter in some other part of the country. We called Macy's fraud line, and they have told us that they will investigate it. They took our contact info, and said we would hear back in 3-4 weeks. I'm wondering what is our chance of getting this money back? The security code was not scratched, and the store employee was the first person to do it when we tried to charge it. I'm very disapointed in Macy's at the moment. It almost sounds like an internal fraud, because how would someone know the security code to use that gift card, unless they had access to their computer.
I play in a band and I work as a cater-waiter casually on top of my regular job. Lately I've been starting to pursue freelance contracts in my field as well.
Sometimes when I need some extra cash, I sell a few books (even though it's hard to part with them). Every once in awhile, my family and I have a garage sale to make a little extra income. My best way, though, to ensure extra income is to SAVE money by going without things I don't really need.
I took free tax preparation classes so I can work pt time as a certified tax preparer. Yes, it takes studying and effort, but you can work lots of hours between Jan-April. I also learned enough tax rules to reduce my own income taxes.
I babysit a few days a week, clean a ginormous house on occasion, and do Swagbucks online. I can earn about $75 a month from different online sites. Every little bit helps! (Especially if I win a Wisebread giveaway!) :)
very well said, Phillip. This is a great example of what people are missing. Banks walk away from loans that "aren't good business sense"....why should the average citizen be different. we shouldn't bankrupt ourselves to preserve the banks profit margin. When they signed the mortgage, they also knew there was a risk involved. i wish everyone would stop thinking the banks are innocent, do no wrong institutions.
Office support (or virtual assistant as they're sometimes called) seems like a good job for a stay-at-home parent to try because it can all be done on the phone and computer. As long as you have good organizational skills, you could make some good money doing that. It seems like your first suggestion of selling crafts online might be more hassle than profit you can make. Buying supplies, packaging, shipping, advertising on websites, etc. all seems like a lot or work that I don't know how much you could actually make from trinket homemade items.
I totally agree with you. I love books! I do have books on my IPad, but they do not take the place of my books. I love the feeling of having a "mini library" in my home. There is nothing like sitting down with a stack of books to peruse, or snuggling down with a good book. Great article.
I agree with Atul. The article starts with the premise that credit card companies lie. Words and phrases such as "gaming process", "caught red handed", "scam" and others suggest that the card companies are out to deceive people.
I have several no annual fee credit cards that I held and used for decades. I just cashed in rewards points and used them for travel. The process was painless.
I take online surveys to earn a small side income. I also do some buying and selling of books and old electronics through ebay.
I enjoyed this post as I've always been "frugal" - I call it "good with money." I agree however that it's important to have something to look forward to now and then. I don't always bring my lunch and I do like to eat out somewhere special for special occasions.
I happen to know several people who travel quite a bit, so I care for their pets (dogs, cats, fish, birds) and maintain their homes while they are away.
Great article Nora! However I have one correction:
Macrame Christmas Gifts = Never In
7 pounds of sugar, 5 gallons of water, 1/2 cup bakers yeast. After 14 days run in your still.
I work OT when ever it is available. I play Swagbucks for Amazon money. I also do surveys with Pinecone Research. And enter these contests. :)
I live in a small rural area too and can really relate to this article. In addition to limited places to shop locally, I do not drive due to a disability. It's amazing how your shopping habits change under those circumstances...for me it's been a good thing too.
I made political calls the past few weeks to help with extra cash. not glorious but still money.
I took a second job!
My husband and I have received a $300 gift card from Macy's for our wedding present. We went to the store to use it 2 months later, and the balance on it was $0. The clerk told us the card was used by someone to buy 2 pillows and a comforter in some other part of the country. We called Macy's fraud line, and they have told us that they will investigate it. They took our contact info, and said we would hear back in 3-4 weeks. I'm wondering what is our chance of getting this money back? The security code was not scratched, and the store employee was the first person to do it when we tried to charge it. I'm very disapointed in Macy's at the moment. It almost sounds like an internal fraud, because how would someone know the security code to use that gift card, unless they had access to their computer.
I earn extra income through my blog. I actually just posted an update to this in a post today.
I play in a band and I work as a cater-waiter casually on top of my regular job. Lately I've been starting to pursue freelance contracts in my field as well.
Sometimes when I need some extra cash, I sell a few books (even though it's hard to part with them). Every once in awhile, my family and I have a garage sale to make a little extra income. My best way, though, to ensure extra income is to SAVE money by going without things I don't really need.
I've done social media campaigns for businesses I believe in.
I do freelance web design on the side.
I took free tax preparation classes so I can work pt time as a certified tax preparer. Yes, it takes studying and effort, but you can work lots of hours between Jan-April. I also learned enough tax rules to reduce my own income taxes.
I earn extra money by doing work on mturk.com.
I babysit a few days a week, clean a ginormous house on occasion, and do Swagbucks online. I can earn about $75 a month from different online sites. Every little bit helps! (Especially if I win a Wisebread giveaway!) :)
Linsey, as a book scout, I feel your pain.
http://www.myromanapartment.com/book-scouts-argument-ereaders/
Collection agencies have a charity department too. Just ask.
very well said, Phillip. This is a great example of what people are missing. Banks walk away from loans that "aren't good business sense"....why should the average citizen be different. we shouldn't bankrupt ourselves to preserve the banks profit margin. When they signed the mortgage, they also knew there was a risk involved. i wish everyone would stop thinking the banks are innocent, do no wrong institutions.
Money is like a drug some need it an some don't an some live for it an others die for it.
Office support (or virtual assistant as they're sometimes called) seems like a good job for a stay-at-home parent to try because it can all be done on the phone and computer. As long as you have good organizational skills, you could make some good money doing that. It seems like your first suggestion of selling crafts online might be more hassle than profit you can make. Buying supplies, packaging, shipping, advertising on websites, etc. all seems like a lot or work that I don't know how much you could actually make from trinket homemade items.
I totally agree with you. I love books! I do have books on my IPad, but they do not take the place of my books. I love the feeling of having a "mini library" in my home. There is nothing like sitting down with a stack of books to peruse, or snuggling down with a good book. Great article.
I agree with Atul. The article starts with the premise that credit card companies lie. Words and phrases such as "gaming process", "caught red handed", "scam" and others suggest that the card companies are out to deceive people.
I have several no annual fee credit cards that I held and used for decades. I just cashed in rewards points and used them for travel. The process was painless.
Most banks work hard to treat customers fairly.