Recent comments

  • 10 Things to Look for Every Time You Visit a Thrift Store   13 years 46 weeks ago

    I buy stuff at thrift stores and re-sell my finds on eBAy and Craiglist. I've been doing it for years and make nice money. Check it out http://www.moneyinthegarage.com/

    ....Dude! @ http://www.moneyinthegarage.com/

  • Ask the Readers: Do You Go to Concerts?   13 years 46 weeks ago

    Go to shows all the time. It is the one item that I like to splurge on. I've seen close to 200 shows. As discussed in the comments section, ticket prices and fees are high nowadays; however, people don't buy albums anymore. Artists are forced to tour due to lack of revenue. On the other hand, Tickemaster fees are just plain exploitation.

  • 10 Things I Just Won’t Do to Save Money   13 years 46 weeks ago

    The idea of shorting someone on a tip is awful, I have to totally agree. That's not even a question!

    Actually, I totally agree with all of these, as I look through the list again. The worst offense is the tipping one, the next one might be the flushing one or dodgy food. And I guess I have to say the buy water get soda one is bad too, as that's clearly cheating.

    I knew a guy in college who would fill up gas to one or two pennies over a whole dollar amount (say, $10.02), and then pay cash while taking 2 cents out of the penny jar. He did this on purpose. What do you think of that? Would it fit on this list?

  • 16 Best Mobile Shopping Apps For Your Phone   13 years 46 weeks ago

    Not true... I probably wouldn't even spend in-game money for the stuff. There are a few exclusive weapons, but they're almost no better than the free ones, and if you're a good player you can take out anyone with the first gun you get in the game anyway, so they're almost entirely useless. You can add a few more decals and tattoos, and get more? character slots, that's about it. It's true free-to-play in that you can do everything in the game without paying, and not be disadvantaged.

  • How To Get A Discount Every Time   13 years 46 weeks ago

    I really hesitate to ask for a discount really. But every time it is great to have discount.Thanks to you for the two steps tips how to remove this. I am now practicing

  • Eight Natural Ways to Make Water More Flavorful   13 years 46 weeks ago

    do vegetables in water go bad? and if so, how long?

  • 10 Things I Just Won’t Do to Save Money   13 years 46 weeks ago

    I will wash my own car, only because I really haven't found a place that gets it clean to my expectations. Sometimes it's just easier to do it myself.

    Other than that, this is exactly what I meant when I wrote http://www.dollarversity.com/being-frugal-is-one-thing-but-these-are-jus...

    I absolutely cannot understand #10. Your home is the one place you should be absolutely and totally comfortable, but if you refuse to use heating/cooling and suffer without it, then what's the point?

    I also don't understand the deal with buying used clothes. Guess what people, all of the clothes are cleaned in the same manner, so if you refuse to wear someone else's underwear or socks, or whatever, then you should have the same problem with other articles. The all touched another person's skin, and you don't know where those people have been or their habits. No matter what article of clothing it is, it's essentially the same. Especially if those people had a habit of not wearing any underwear...something to think about, huh?

    I'll never starve myself in order to save a couple bucks.
    I'll never skip showering so I can save on electric or water bills
    I'll never become a hermit
    I'll never wear clothes that are falling apart because I'm too cheap to buy new ones
    Or Drive a car that barely functions just because I can "get a few more miles out of it"

  • 10 Things I Just Won’t Do to Save Money   13 years 46 weeks ago

    Ha! This was a very fun post. I especially love #3 - "I Won’t Take Home Toilet Paper From Work. Or lotion. Or coffee filters. Or plastic knives and forks." That made me giggle at my desk.

    Oh, and would you mind talking to my wife about #10? I'm always freezing in the winter and sweating in the summer. Seriously, I would appreciate that. Thanks!

  • 10 Things I Just Won’t Do to Save Money   13 years 46 weeks ago

    I refuse to listen to concerts from afar, even if it's for free. Might as well just listen to a live album in my living room.

  • Feeling Stuck? 100 Ways to Change Your Life   13 years 46 weeks ago

    I love this entire concept. I'm definitely going to give it a shot and I'm going to share the post with my friends as well. It never hurts to daydream. It's great for the creative process and good for the soul. Thanks for sharing.

  • 10 Things I Just Won’t Do to Save Money   13 years 46 weeks ago

    Great article! Being frugal doesn't mean losing one's dignity. I really liked how you showed that there's a sort of law of diminishing returns in the extreme frugal moves. Saving money by eating terrible food that makes you sick, might actually cost you more time, trips to the doctor etc. than buying a good meal. Same goes for cheap clothes as many have pointed out.

  • 10 Things I Just Won’t Do to Save Money   13 years 46 weeks ago

    For the time being, we run the dishwasher every other day... sometimes 2 days if possible to save on electric bills. We hand wash the pots and pans and load plates, cups, utensils, and plastic ware in the washer.

    Unless we have guests - then we will run it when it's full.

    Mind you, it's just me and my husband right now. Once the kids start rolling, that will have to change. :)

  • 10 Things I Just Won’t Do to Save Money   13 years 46 weeks ago

    I won't drive around looking for cheap gas! Better to consolidate trips than worry about a few cents' difference between gas stations.

  • 10 Things I Just Won’t Do to Save Money   13 years 46 weeks ago

    The reason behind not flushing for "yellow" was basically with OLD septic tanks! Most septic tanks today are well over 700 gallons with 1200 ft of field.....but back in the day and in many rural areas today, many tanks are less than 100 gallons.....hence "If it's yellow, let it....."! But I agree, if you have sewers or modern septic....it's makes absolutely NO sense at all! And it is really gross!

  • 70 Scrumptious Shrimp Recipes   13 years 46 weeks ago

    Wow this came at just the right time for me. I'm trying to find ways to incorporate more seafood into my diet and shrimp is a cheaper alternative so this is definitely a keepe post. Thanks!

  • Feeling Stuck? 100 Ways to Change Your Life   13 years 46 weeks ago

    This is really a great idea. I really like your advice about dreaming big! I wrote a blog that relates to this idea, about having to overcome your past first and get it out of the way, and then really the sky is the limit.
    And I agree with you whole-heartedly - anything is possible. Sometimes, we just haave to get out of the way!

  • Best Money Tips: Make Collecting Pay Off   13 years 46 weeks ago

    You are welcome!

  • Best Money Tips: Make Collecting Pay Off   13 years 46 weeks ago

    You are welcome!

  • 10 Things I Just Won’t Do to Save Money   13 years 46 weeks ago

    I like most of these strategies, yet for # 8. I actually go by that old mantra and its not to save money, but mostly to save water. I mean, you need to factor how much water is used every time you flush the toilet. Depending on the toilet, it can be anywhere from 1 gallon to 3 gallons. The smell doesn't start to creep unless it has been sitting there for more than 8 hours.

  • 10 Things I Just Won’t Do to Save Money   13 years 46 weeks ago

    I buy mostly used clothing as well (except like you, I buy new socks and underwear, yuck!). No one knows! In fact, a lot of my clothes are designer and it looks like I paid big bucks for them.

  • 10 Things I Just Won’t Do to Save Money   13 years 46 weeks ago

    If you want free condiments, try Arby's. I went through their drive-thru not too long ago, and yes it was a sizable order, but they literally handed me a medium-sized take-out bag FULL of condiments. When they first asked me if I wanted sauce I said, "just some Arby's sauce please." I ended up with enough of that, horseradish, and ketchup to fill a small bottle of each. By the same token, McDonald's I've been in offer a set # of dipping sauces with chicken nugget orders and charge for anything more than that - which is not to say that occasionally a cashier won't toss in extras for some reason. In contrast, your example above of, "Would you like ketchup with that?" is surely not that far off. I went to England in 1994 and way back then McDonald's we found there were in fact charging 4-6 pence for each packet of ketchup.

  • How to Get Rid of All Your Crap   13 years 46 weeks ago

    This is like the Potlatch rituals that the Northwest Indian tribes practice.

    At potlatch gatherings, a family or hereditary leader hosts guests in their family's house and holds a feast for their guests. The main purpose of the potlatch is the re-distribution and reciprocity of wealth.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Potlatch

    If you look at totem poles there are lines (typically) on them and that indicates how many time a person has rid themselves of all thier wealth and reaccumulated it again and again... the more potlatch marks you have the more respect.

    I have been to "giveaways" ceremonies in the Dakota's with returning veterens.. they have "gifts" (blankets, kitchware etc..) that they just give to guests.

  • The Dirty Secrets of Food Processing. Strong Stomach required.   13 years 46 weeks ago

    Thank you, WEEE! I've updated the link.

  • How to Sing Your Own Praises at Work (Without Bragging)   13 years 46 weeks ago

    I'l definitely have to keep these tips in mind when thinking about asking for a promotion or raise. I think keeping past work that you have developed that went over well, in your portfolio is a great idea. Using direct quotes from past employers will give you credit in the points you are making. Being prepared and timely is key: you don't want to boast about your work without having a good amount of evidence built up to make your case.

  • To Buy or Not to Buy? Criteria for Thrift-Store Clothes Shopping   13 years 46 weeks ago

    I have to say that I strongly disagree with leaving stuff labelled 'dry clean only'. A lot of those clothes can go through a front-loading washing machine on the delicate cycle and come out just fine.

    Granted, you need to know if it's a fabric that may shrink like crazy, but if you love it and it's inexpensive it's worth trying.

    I've done this with a lot of items - most recently a beautiful pair of black wool pants that came out of the washer just fine.

    If you want to be extra careful - skip the dryer.