That's a really good tip about verbalizing your fears. I tend to write mine but I do like the idea of speaking them out loud... sometimes just the process of putting them into words is enough to make you go "wait - seriously?!"
Oh absolutely! I think we all get caught up in the "comfortable and secure" even when it no longer excites us... and as much as we want that excitement, it's just hard to step outside that comfort zone. But you're right Todd - life will be much more satisfying if we do :)
As soon as I feel the tingle, sometimes even just when I feel tired or stressed out I apply clay on my lips. It has very often prevented the cold sore to come out or at least reduce the time of healing.
Thank for your information.
Great post - I hate getting multiple gift cards, I usually spend only a portion and let the rest expire. Such a waste! For Visa and Amex gift cards with a cash value I recently came across a website that lets you deposit the balance in your bank account or receive a mailed check (www.prepaid2cash.com). I am still searching for one that does this with regular gift cards, but for general prepaid cards - Prepaid2cash was a very easy / straightforward service.
I hate the sudden little twinge of anxiety about money that jerks me out of bed most mornings. I'm passionate about the path that I'm on; I'm just scared that it won't pay off enough soon enough. That motivates me to eat the frog, which is better than morning twinges. I try to follow Eleanor Roosevelt's advice: "Do one thing that scares you every day."
I'm fairly subdued about my frugality at work. Sometimes, especially if someone is a flagrant, regretful spender, or trying to dig out of crushing debt, bragging about your frugality can easily come off as self-righteous, and just turn them off. If it comes up, in the right circumstances, I talk about my frugal ways, but otherwise lead by quiet example to show if you're careful with your money, you can have anything you want, just not everything you want. I'm very frugal in most areas of my life, which makes room for a few splurges on things I love, like good food and high-end candles. I've noticed my frugality tends to confuse people--because I do splurge in a few areas--but the bottom line is always living within my means.
I loved all the tips! Sometimes, when it comes to facing fear, its good to write down what you fear or verbalize it to someone. I often find that when I tell people my fears I see how foolish some of them are. Also, I like to keep in mind that what you imagine is often much worse than what the situation is--such is the power of the imagination.
My dream job would be one where I could go to work when I wanted to, have no direct boss but I'm part of a team trying to accomplish a goal, no politics, but I work with people I like who aren't try to outcompete each other for raises or atta boys.
I am "out of the closet." I live my life the way that I want to and don't seek outside approval from anyone. Lots of people- my family included- make fun of me for being frugal. What they dont know is that I am quietly setting myself up. I am 32 and will be completely debt free (house paid off) in less than five years. I also invested in two rental properties with some of our savings and am having renters pay them off for us. I am also saving 20% in my 401K and have done all of this while also having two small children. Right now I am planning our next vacation and am deciding between Turks & Caicos and Aruba. All of these things are only possible because of our frugal lifestyle. He who laughs last will laugh the longest.
Loved the last tip! Awesome advice and great note to leave for thought! It is really easy to get caught up in the same old routine. Maybe even a routine we were once happy with, but grew tired of it. It takes an extra boost of effort starting out to change things up, but if is usually worth it. Life will become much easier and more satisfying in the long run!
I have an additional tip to "Make sure the price is right". I'e just signed up to this great new startup called Statricks, which is a great tool to help you figure out what your stuff is worth and what you should ask for an item. I would recommend everybody using online marketplaces to sign up for this site - and good luck trading! http://www.statricks.com/craigslist-used-pricing-tool.html?lrRef=FYHr0
I don´t think these lists work at all... neither here, nor in other countries. I always look up the number that´s calling first on the Internet, either in Google, or in dedicated websites, where you can read what other people have written about the number or even leave your own comment. There are several websites of this kind, I use http://www.tellows.com , where you can also see where the calls originates.
It makes much more sense for me to keep yourself and the others informed and not to rely on "no-calling lists", call blockers, etc.
Skin so soft DOES NOT work on Jersey Shore greenhead flies. It's more of an attractant; We used skin so soft one night, and woke up covered with bites.
I really like Thurn and Taxis (which is the image on this post) and my new favorite is Power Grid. It's a Rio Grande Game (similar to Ticket to Ride) but has a lot of resource management in it. You have to buy power plants and resources to power your houses.
This was a great and practical read. Thinking about it, fear is MUCH MORE powerful than success, in essence. We spend so much time with fear to the point where we may not even know we're spending time with it -- it's quite difficult to turn that around as to where we're spending so much time with success, we're not even aware of it. I think the biggest obstacle in overcoming those fears is to realize most of our fears won't place us in imminent danger in facing them.
I like your 3part series;
I think that you would be amazed and inspired if you download and watch, and share with as many as you can, Russian documentary called 'Voda' (which means 'water')
After seeing it few times I decided:
- to keep my water in glass bottles
- to wish welkome to water when I pour it in the bottle,
- to tell it (not out loud, but in my mind) that I'll leave it in the sunny spot for day - to rest and recover from it's trip trough the pipes, to absorb energy that is going to pass onto my body to help be healthy and happy - for which I am gratefull to it (it is like a little prayer).
- to avoid putting it in the fridge, I just keep it in the cool spot.
Sounds stupid?? No, please, whach documentary, and that tell me..!!!
I'd swap in The Resistance for Citadels. Citadels plays too long with a larger number of players, but is pretty fun with a smaller number.
7 Wonders is a fine game, and has a lot of mass appeal, but Civ building it is not.
The others are pretty solid choices; I personally find Settlers of Catan boring, and would probably swap in Egezia or Stone Age for that selection.
Card games are bound to be a big hit as well. Try Die Sieben Siegel (aka Zing, aka Wizard Extreme), Coloretto, Sticheln, For Sale, and Flaschenteufel (aka The Bottle Imp).
wow -- it sounds like you have had great experiences with the local branch of the big banks. I have had similar experiences with the smaller ones in my area (actually a savings and loan and a credit union) whereas the larger institutions tend to have long lines and ill-informed staff...and they never recognized me or considered waiving fees no matter how often I showed up.
If you like Settlers, Carcassonne is a gauranteed hit. It's much the same idea of resource allocation, but a bit more simplified (which isn't to say it lacks strategy and insight, just a little easier to grasp the first time you play it). We always introduce our friends to Carcassonne before we break out Settlers (or, worse, Settlers with the Knights and Cities expansion!).
So true..! I recently left my full time job for Full time Writing and Consulting, however I have to deal with the loneliness factor quite a lot.
Being at office and home is certainly different for a lot of people, including me, and hence I joined a public library here to work from. It's certainly better when I find people around me, I find myself a lot more energetic than being at home.
After all, you just cannot change the personality within you.
Wise words and I love the way you position this point. It is almost like we're embarrassed to not spend our money, when it is one of the best things we can all do for ourselves.
When we decided in 2008 to go after our dream of traveling around the world it required a massive shift in spending priorities. As part of the process we shared our dream with everyone and that we would be cutting back on dinners out, happy hours, and weekend trips. In addition, we shared our "phrase to save", which was the motto we used to stay on track. This let all our friends and family be part of our savings process and see why we were living a frugal life.
Now that we've been traveling for 20 months they can all see the value that our decision to cut back had on our dream. Today it's great to see so many of our friends coming out of the frugal closet themselves.
Thanks so much, Adam :)
That's a really good tip about verbalizing your fears. I tend to write mine but I do like the idea of speaking them out loud... sometimes just the process of putting them into words is enough to make you go "wait - seriously?!"
Oh absolutely! I think we all get caught up in the "comfortable and secure" even when it no longer excites us... and as much as we want that excitement, it's just hard to step outside that comfort zone. But you're right Todd - life will be much more satisfying if we do :)
As soon as I feel the tingle, sometimes even just when I feel tired or stressed out I apply clay on my lips. It has very often prevented the cold sore to come out or at least reduce the time of healing.
Thank for your information.
Great post - I hate getting multiple gift cards, I usually spend only a portion and let the rest expire. Such a waste! For Visa and Amex gift cards with a cash value I recently came across a website that lets you deposit the balance in your bank account or receive a mailed check (www.prepaid2cash.com). I am still searching for one that does this with regular gift cards, but for general prepaid cards - Prepaid2cash was a very easy / straightforward service.
I hate the sudden little twinge of anxiety about money that jerks me out of bed most mornings. I'm passionate about the path that I'm on; I'm just scared that it won't pay off enough soon enough. That motivates me to eat the frog, which is better than morning twinges. I try to follow Eleanor Roosevelt's advice: "Do one thing that scares you every day."
I'm fairly subdued about my frugality at work. Sometimes, especially if someone is a flagrant, regretful spender, or trying to dig out of crushing debt, bragging about your frugality can easily come off as self-righteous, and just turn them off. If it comes up, in the right circumstances, I talk about my frugal ways, but otherwise lead by quiet example to show if you're careful with your money, you can have anything you want, just not everything you want. I'm very frugal in most areas of my life, which makes room for a few splurges on things I love, like good food and high-end candles. I've noticed my frugality tends to confuse people--because I do splurge in a few areas--but the bottom line is always living within my means.
I loved all the tips! Sometimes, when it comes to facing fear, its good to write down what you fear or verbalize it to someone. I often find that when I tell people my fears I see how foolish some of them are. Also, I like to keep in mind that what you imagine is often much worse than what the situation is--such is the power of the imagination.
My dream job would be one where I could go to work when I wanted to, have no direct boss but I'm part of a team trying to accomplish a goal, no politics, but I work with people I like who aren't try to outcompete each other for raises or atta boys.
I am "out of the closet." I live my life the way that I want to and don't seek outside approval from anyone. Lots of people- my family included- make fun of me for being frugal. What they dont know is that I am quietly setting myself up. I am 32 and will be completely debt free (house paid off) in less than five years. I also invested in two rental properties with some of our savings and am having renters pay them off for us. I am also saving 20% in my 401K and have done all of this while also having two small children. Right now I am planning our next vacation and am deciding between Turks & Caicos and Aruba. All of these things are only possible because of our frugal lifestyle. He who laughs last will laugh the longest.
Loved the last tip! Awesome advice and great note to leave for thought! It is really easy to get caught up in the same old routine. Maybe even a routine we were once happy with, but grew tired of it. It takes an extra boost of effort starting out to change things up, but if is usually worth it. Life will become much easier and more satisfying in the long run!
I have an additional tip to "Make sure the price is right". I'e just signed up to this great new startup called Statricks, which is a great tool to help you figure out what your stuff is worth and what you should ask for an item. I would recommend everybody using online marketplaces to sign up for this site - and good luck trading! http://www.statricks.com/craigslist-used-pricing-tool.html?lrRef=FYHr0
Thanks Lamont - I agree... we do spend quite a bit of time with fear that it often becomes our "norm."
Facing it can be hard, but - at least in my experience - I'm typically happy when I force myself to do it.
I don´t think these lists work at all... neither here, nor in other countries. I always look up the number that´s calling first on the Internet, either in Google, or in dedicated websites, where you can read what other people have written about the number or even leave your own comment. There are several websites of this kind, I use http://www.tellows.com , where you can also see where the calls originates.
It makes much more sense for me to keep yourself and the others informed and not to rely on "no-calling lists", call blockers, etc.
My 2 cents,
Chris
Skin so soft DOES NOT work on Jersey Shore greenhead flies. It's more of an attractant; We used skin so soft one night, and woke up covered with bites.
Some other good popular games-
Ticket to Ride
Small World
San Juan (or Puerto Rico)
Carcasonne
I really like Thurn and Taxis (which is the image on this post) and my new favorite is Power Grid. It's a Rio Grande Game (similar to Ticket to Ride) but has a lot of resource management in it. You have to buy power plants and resources to power your houses.
This was a great and practical read. Thinking about it, fear is MUCH MORE powerful than success, in essence. We spend so much time with fear to the point where we may not even know we're spending time with it -- it's quite difficult to turn that around as to where we're spending so much time with success, we're not even aware of it. I think the biggest obstacle in overcoming those fears is to realize most of our fears won't place us in imminent danger in facing them.
I like your 3part series;
I think that you would be amazed and inspired if you download and watch, and share with as many as you can, Russian documentary called 'Voda' (which means 'water')
After seeing it few times I decided:
- to keep my water in glass bottles
- to wish welkome to water when I pour it in the bottle,
- to tell it (not out loud, but in my mind) that I'll leave it in the sunny spot for day - to rest and recover from it's trip trough the pipes, to absorb energy that is going to pass onto my body to help be healthy and happy - for which I am gratefull to it (it is like a little prayer).
- to avoid putting it in the fridge, I just keep it in the cool spot.
Sounds stupid?? No, please, whach documentary, and that tell me..!!!
I'd swap in The Resistance for Citadels. Citadels plays too long with a larger number of players, but is pretty fun with a smaller number.
7 Wonders is a fine game, and has a lot of mass appeal, but Civ building it is not.
The others are pretty solid choices; I personally find Settlers of Catan boring, and would probably swap in Egezia or Stone Age for that selection.
Card games are bound to be a big hit as well. Try Die Sieben Siegel (aka Zing, aka Wizard Extreme), Coloretto, Sticheln, For Sale, and Flaschenteufel (aka The Bottle Imp).
wow -- it sounds like you have had great experiences with the local branch of the big banks. I have had similar experiences with the smaller ones in my area (actually a savings and loan and a credit union) whereas the larger institutions tend to have long lines and ill-informed staff...and they never recognized me or considered waiving fees no matter how often I showed up.
If you like Settlers, Carcassonne is a gauranteed hit. It's much the same idea of resource allocation, but a bit more simplified (which isn't to say it lacks strategy and insight, just a little easier to grasp the first time you play it). We always introduce our friends to Carcassonne before we break out Settlers (or, worse, Settlers with the Knights and Cities expansion!).
www.amazon.com/Rio-Grande-Games-RGG170-Carcassonne/dp/B00005UNAX/ref=sr_...
So true..! I recently left my full time job for Full time Writing and Consulting, however I have to deal with the loneliness factor quite a lot.
Being at office and home is certainly different for a lot of people, including me, and hence I joined a public library here to work from. It's certainly better when I find people around me, I find myself a lot more energetic than being at home.
After all, you just cannot change the personality within you.
Wise words and I love the way you position this point. It is almost like we're embarrassed to not spend our money, when it is one of the best things we can all do for ourselves.
When we decided in 2008 to go after our dream of traveling around the world it required a massive shift in spending priorities. As part of the process we shared our dream with everyone and that we would be cutting back on dinners out, happy hours, and weekend trips. In addition, we shared our "phrase to save", which was the motto we used to stay on track. This let all our friends and family be part of our savings process and see why we were living a frugal life.
Now that we've been traveling for 20 months they can all see the value that our decision to cut back had on our dream. Today it's great to see so many of our friends coming out of the frugal closet themselves.
I've yet to try it but I've read that you can cement down heavy flower pots.
"Take a jam jar with a rounded inside lip" -- I cannot think what this means; any chance there might be a photo of what you're describing?