Thank you for the article. I have always thought realtors were crooks. It seems anybody can become a realtor and the job works on commission. Of course, the realtors do not have the client's best interest in mind, they have their pockets in mind. I have never seen a job that does nothing have the potential to make so much money.
I have 2 children that have graduated high-school, (now on to the big college expenses...yay me), and 2 children in high school, 1 Junior and 1 Freshman, and 1 entering Pre-K next year. It may sound horrible, but I tend to skip the fundraisers.
Our school's trips tend to be very expensive, from around $80 for a day trip to NYC, (NOT including gas and time to take them to the bus station in a nearby city 35 miles away), to $2,400 for trips to Paris or Brazil, (NOT including spending cash). Mind you, these are optional trips, the school offers day "field trips" that are free except maybe lunch money.
For the out of country trips, they offer payment plans that start about 10 month's before. The Senior class trip generally runs about $500, and the school has no plans for students that can't afford the trip. There's really no way to get around these costs but to skip the trips. The way I have always dealt with them is that I know they're coming. A separate savings for my children's Senior trip has always come in handy. We have always skipped the out of country trips, mostly due to safety concerns.
Class rings can run $300-$400 easy...
Prom...GAH...My plan for my current Junior is either Rent the Runway or buying used. Tickets are over $60, and shared transportation with friends.
I would say the greatest expense in school is Senior stuff PERIOD. Caps & gowns, Senior packages, (announcements, invites, etc.), Senior trip, graduation clothes, graduation party...
When this happened in the UK it led to the complete meltdown of the mortgage industry. Lending above the value of a property is never a good idea, even if the market is booming because we all know what could happen...
To a commenter above, yes dandelion and purslane are very common in Australia (purslane is actually native to here too), although Japanese knotweed isn't so common. It does have some edible relatives here. I've just had a book published on edible and medicinal weeds of Australia, check it out here: http://www.eatthatweed.com/edible-weeds-book/
Buying gifts for men is always the most difficult part for me when I shop for gifts. Wine, sports-related stuff, books, CD or DVD collection of his favorite singer or actor, or electronic gadget (if the budget allows) will be fine but gift certificates or gift cards for spa, salon, or restaurant may also put a smile on their face.
I opine that to get the credit loans from banks you ought to have a great reason. But, one time I have received a bank loan, because I wanted to buy a house.
I agree - people love to give away VHS tapes! My kids have tons of them (most of them were free at yard sales). I find that our DVD player conks out every once in a while, but I haven't had a single issue with my 15-year-old VCR!
SwapperSteve.com is a site that we created because we couln't find anything that quite met our needs. We made it completely free and very focused on bartering. You can barter for items, services, vacations, etc. Easy to post, the ability to add high res images and easily search make it an option we feel is worthy of a look. In addition, we tried to create a clean looking format and keep ads fresh by requiring users to (easily) renew their listings each week. It is new and we need help. If you decide to check out the site, we would appreciate your feedback. We also need your help in getting good swap items on the site for users to trade! Thank you for the post and for allowing us to mention our site!
Hi! The certification is completely optional on the shoppers part. No one is required to become certified. In fact, I would guess that many, if not most, companies listed on the MSPA site use shoppers that are NOT certified. The site has some very useful information, whether you are certified or not.
I have found that my dad enjoys gift cards for experiences he would not otherwise have and restaurants he would not otherwise go to. Being frugal, he has always shyed away from some premium experiences and restaurants. He deserves them, so I look for deals and discounts and buy them for him, even months in advance.
You haven't listened to the radio in recent years, have you?
As for water, I personally find it to be a reasonable expense for myself. When I lived in Massachusetts, I was perfectly fine with well water as long as it was cold and filtered. But in Indiana, where I live now, water is so hard that nothing can make it palatable. And don't get me started on well water.hb
Thank you for the article. I have always thought realtors were crooks. It seems anybody can become a realtor and the job works on commission. Of course, the realtors do not have the client's best interest in mind, they have their pockets in mind. I have never seen a job that does nothing have the potential to make so much money.
A man can never have enough flashlights and utility knives
I have 2 children that have graduated high-school, (now on to the big college expenses...yay me), and 2 children in high school, 1 Junior and 1 Freshman, and 1 entering Pre-K next year. It may sound horrible, but I tend to skip the fundraisers.
Our school's trips tend to be very expensive, from around $80 for a day trip to NYC, (NOT including gas and time to take them to the bus station in a nearby city 35 miles away), to $2,400 for trips to Paris or Brazil, (NOT including spending cash). Mind you, these are optional trips, the school offers day "field trips" that are free except maybe lunch money.
For the out of country trips, they offer payment plans that start about 10 month's before. The Senior class trip generally runs about $500, and the school has no plans for students that can't afford the trip. There's really no way to get around these costs but to skip the trips. The way I have always dealt with them is that I know they're coming. A separate savings for my children's Senior trip has always come in handy. We have always skipped the out of country trips, mostly due to safety concerns.
Class rings can run $300-$400 easy...
Prom...GAH...My plan for my current Junior is either Rent the Runway or buying used. Tickets are over $60, and shared transportation with friends.
I would say the greatest expense in school is Senior stuff PERIOD. Caps & gowns, Senior packages, (announcements, invites, etc.), Senior trip, graduation clothes, graduation party...
a gift basket of his favorite foods
When this happened in the UK it led to the complete meltdown of the mortgage industry. Lending above the value of a property is never a good idea, even if the market is booming because we all know what could happen...
To a commenter above, yes dandelion and purslane are very common in Australia (purslane is actually native to here too), although Japanese knotweed isn't so common. It does have some edible relatives here. I've just had a book published on edible and medicinal weeds of Australia, check it out here: http://www.eatthatweed.com/edible-weeds-book/
:) Adam in Australia
Buying gifts for men is always the most difficult part for me when I shop for gifts. Wine, sports-related stuff, books, CD or DVD collection of his favorite singer or actor, or electronic gadget (if the budget allows) will be fine but gift certificates or gift cards for spa, salon, or restaurant may also put a smile on their face.
Bebooth - did you read the article? It clearly mentions MSPA's site.
I opine that to get the credit loans from banks you ought to have a great reason. But, one time I have received a bank loan, because I wanted to buy a house.
I agree - people love to give away VHS tapes! My kids have tons of them (most of them were free at yard sales). I find that our DVD player conks out every once in a while, but I haven't had a single issue with my 15-year-old VCR!
https://twitter.com/ElenaIstomina/status/253357691412570113
Gift cards make the best gifts
SwapperSteve.com is a site that we created because we couln't find anything that quite met our needs. We made it completely free and very focused on bartering. You can barter for items, services, vacations, etc. Easy to post, the ability to add high res images and easily search make it an option we feel is worthy of a look. In addition, we tried to create a clean looking format and keep ads fresh by requiring users to (easily) renew their listings each week. It is new and we need help. If you decide to check out the site, we would appreciate your feedback. We also need your help in getting good swap items on the site for users to trade! Thank you for the post and for allowing us to mention our site!
anything to do with meat, sports, and beer/cigars!
Great article. It was featured on the Frugal News Review podcast episode 9.
Thanks,
Mike
Great article. It was featured on Frugal News Review podcast episode 9.
Thanks,
Mike
That is a tough one. My hubby has reached the age of I don't need anything, if I need it I'll buy it.
Food or books or clothes. Money always works, too.
Thanks so much for including our internet saving article!
Do babies lie? How do the chamomile homeopathic sugar pills work on an irritated baby when they're teething or have colic?
A stainless steel stand for his straight razor and shaving brush. It is functional and he uses it everyday. He prefers useful gifts!
Hi! The certification is completely optional on the shoppers part. No one is required to become certified. In fact, I would guess that many, if not most, companies listed on the MSPA site use shoppers that are NOT certified. The site has some very useful information, whether you are certified or not.
I have found that my dad enjoys gift cards for experiences he would not otherwise have and restaurants he would not otherwise go to. Being frugal, he has always shyed away from some premium experiences and restaurants. He deserves them, so I look for deals and discounts and buy them for him, even months in advance.
One site no one has mentioned is the MSPA web site, aka Mystery Shoppers Providers Association. www.mysteryshop.org
This site has a huge list of reputable mystery shopping companies. Good luck to all and happy shopping!
You haven't listened to the radio in recent years, have you?
As for water, I personally find it to be a reasonable expense for myself. When I lived in Massachusetts, I was perfectly fine with well water as long as it was cold and filtered. But in Indiana, where I live now, water is so hard that nothing can make it palatable. And don't get me started on well water.hb