Coming out of the cheapass/frugal closet was one of the best things I have ever done for my social life. Now my friends don't ask if I want to join them for xyz expensive stuff -- they ask if I want to come over for dinner! They know spending $12 on admission to something is not something I take lightly. Life is better being out, even if I'm known as a cheapskate.
The short answer to the question if we got to concerts is - No. The long explanation is that both my husband and I work and were trained in the technical side of the entertainment industry. Therefore going to shows and concerts, we spend more time evaluating, critiquing and analyzing the technical side of the event and (althought we enjoy the discussion) we don't enjoy the show. We've not been able to break teh habit and decided instead to quit spending the money on tickets.
Do you think, that certain immigrant/ethnic groups, promote a thrifty/financial responsiblity to their offspring, more so than the general American populace?
I went to several concerts over about a 6 year period in my late teens-early 20s, but none since (and I'm rapidly approaching 40). The 2 best were Paul McCartney at Angels Stadium and Barenaked Ladies in a small venue in downtown San Diego.
I think its almost stupid for people to still hide their frugality these days. Almost everyone is having some sort of financial trouble, so f you don't voice how you're taking steps to save, or worse- bragging about not having to or the things you are spending on- you can definitely seem snobby. The town I grew up in was all about keeping up with the Jones', and I'm so surprised that people are still seeing status symbols and frivolity with their money as an essential
It would be nice to have the option of working from home a few days a week, however I think there are some things you just simply need to be in house for. When questions arise, it's much more of a hassle having to call and work out a problem over the phone than being able to speak to someone directly. At home however, I think I would get distracted much more easily by other things that need to be done, as well as simply the environment being more laid back.
I'm not super open about my frugality, but not closed off about it either. My husband and I live in a city where affluence and conspicuous living is the norm. I'm not a dire cheapskate but I know that people notice things like my "dumb" phone, non-fancy apartment, homemade lunches, and (until recently) clunker car. I don't make a big deal about these things, but people ask and it has been a great conversation starter. We are 100% debt free, own two nice cars, and are well on our way to having 20%+ down on a starter home in a fairly expensive area. I hope that when people learn more about our lifestyle they can make the connection that frugal living can = financial success and are encouraged to try it themselves.
I do enjoy going to concerts, but I don't go as often as I'd like. They are generally too expensive for me, and the tendency of the concerts to be far from my hometown makes the price even steeper. If I wanted to save money I would go to craigslists ticket section and scavenge for tickets. Another alternative would be to purchase tickets to a music festival like Bonnaroo (near my hometown) where there is a long line-up and multiple artists will make appearances. It may be more expensive but you are essentially making a deal considering the sheer number of artists you will be seeing! This is the best concert I've been to (or should I say concerts?) :)
Only an idiot agent would reduce their contracted, agreed upon commission to work both sides of the transaction for one side if the commission. If a buyer consults with a real estate attorney first, they would be advised to hire a buyer agent just as you would not use the same divorce attorney as your spouse ...
Being frugal has allowed me to transition from an HSSJ* to a creative artistic job which I love. If I was on the hamster wheel of debt, with an oversized house and a fancy car (loan), that would not be possible. A number of people where I *used to* work were amazed I could make the jump. But it spoke volumes for being frugal.
Another biggie, is to consider buying used. I recently purchased a German made Henckels knife at our local non-profit thrift store for 27 cents including tax.
Totally agree Kentin. I recently wrote a post about why it takes guts to save money, which addresses the same kinds of themes - so many people want to live frugally but find themselves bowing to peer pressure to own a bigger car etc. It takes guts to kick against this. http://wp.me/p2rfwK-dM
Excellent advice and I love that you have boiled it down to the essential difference between those who go for their dream/goal and those who dream but never start. It is such a simple lesson, but taking the first step and then consistent (even if small) steps forward is what is needed.
Brilliant and concise insight. Thank you for reminding us all and for putting our a wonderful set of articles to keep us all on track.
You know half of you guys shouldn't be allowed to post on here. It very much seems like Alya is British as the spelling is perfect as far as I can see... and I'm British. Anyway, that's beside the point, wasn't the main topic of conversation supposed to be the 'interviewer' and the method of 'practising' for the interview?! Stop being so anal people... god help anyone that's ever interviewed by you!!
I love music but I have never been to a concert! The closest I came was as a teen going to a Christian meetup which featured some Christian music groups. It was great fun. Lots of energy! Someday it may be in the cards, if I can find music hubby and I can agree upon.
When you have certain pets, a good deal of these sort of items never go to waste. We have a parrot and rats, and they LOVE to chew. Anything plastic is either recycled, or often given to them.
I spent 12 days in Nicaragua, food, drinks and transportation are very inexpensive, $38/night for a small hotel in Granada (with a small pool) and $48.00 night (we rented two rooms) in the heart of San Juan del Sur.
I do occasionally go to concerts, but not as often as I used to. there was a time in my 20s and 30s where I went to at least one a month, now it's more like 2 or 3 a year. The best concert I ever saw was AC/DC back in 2003. Here were these guys old enough to be my dad, and they rocked out for 2 hours!
I don't know that many of these are really 'advantages' over small banks or credit unions, though. My credit union is part of a network of credit unions that mean that I have free access to ATMs and branches even when I'm not near my specific credit union. The CU also has a wide variety of products and services, including online banking and all that - I've yet to miss a single thing from my old 'big banks'. My money's insured by the government just as it would be at a larger bank, and my CU has actually been around longer than some of the other bigger options around here. (And it's not constantly changing hands and changing names, either! :)
A particular big bank may offer some advantages over SOME small banks, but big banks also differ from one another in many ways. I hunted around for the perfect alternative because banks have shown us time and time again that there is definitely such a thing as too big to be responsible. I'm not content to do business with a bank that runs wild with policies and practices that are criminal, knowing that the rest of us will bail them out when they get into trouble.
Coming out of the cheapass/frugal closet was one of the best things I have ever done for my social life. Now my friends don't ask if I want to join them for xyz expensive stuff -- they ask if I want to come over for dinner! They know spending $12 on admission to something is not something I take lightly. Life is better being out, even if I'm known as a cheapskate.
The short answer to the question if we got to concerts is - No. The long explanation is that both my husband and I work and were trained in the technical side of the entertainment industry. Therefore going to shows and concerts, we spend more time evaluating, critiquing and analyzing the technical side of the event and (althought we enjoy the discussion) we don't enjoy the show. We've not been able to break teh habit and decided instead to quit spending the money on tickets.
Do you think, that certain immigrant/ethnic groups, promote a thrifty/financial responsiblity to their offspring, more so than the general American populace?
Always a Facebook fan.
I went to several concerts over about a 6 year period in my late teens-early 20s, but none since (and I'm rapidly approaching 40). The 2 best were Paul McCartney at Angels Stadium and Barenaked Ladies in a small venue in downtown San Diego.
I think its almost stupid for people to still hide their frugality these days. Almost everyone is having some sort of financial trouble, so f you don't voice how you're taking steps to save, or worse- bragging about not having to or the things you are spending on- you can definitely seem snobby. The town I grew up in was all about keeping up with the Jones', and I'm so surprised that people are still seeing status symbols and frivolity with their money as an essential
It would be nice to have the option of working from home a few days a week, however I think there are some things you just simply need to be in house for. When questions arise, it's much more of a hassle having to call and work out a problem over the phone than being able to speak to someone directly. At home however, I think I would get distracted much more easily by other things that need to be done, as well as simply the environment being more laid back.
I always figure that once bread hits the freezer, it is -- in more than one way -- toast.
I'm not super open about my frugality, but not closed off about it either. My husband and I live in a city where affluence and conspicuous living is the norm. I'm not a dire cheapskate but I know that people notice things like my "dumb" phone, non-fancy apartment, homemade lunches, and (until recently) clunker car. I don't make a big deal about these things, but people ask and it has been a great conversation starter. We are 100% debt free, own two nice cars, and are well on our way to having 20%+ down on a starter home in a fairly expensive area. I hope that when people learn more about our lifestyle they can make the connection that frugal living can = financial success and are encouraged to try it themselves.
I do enjoy going to concerts, but I don't go as often as I'd like. They are generally too expensive for me, and the tendency of the concerts to be far from my hometown makes the price even steeper. If I wanted to save money I would go to craigslists ticket section and scavenge for tickets. Another alternative would be to purchase tickets to a music festival like Bonnaroo (near my hometown) where there is a long line-up and multiple artists will make appearances. It may be more expensive but you are essentially making a deal considering the sheer number of artists you will be seeing! This is the best concert I've been to (or should I say concerts?) :)
Only an idiot agent would reduce their contracted, agreed upon commission to work both sides of the transaction for one side if the commission. If a buyer consults with a real estate attorney first, they would be advised to hire a buyer agent just as you would not use the same divorce attorney as your spouse ...
Now that's complete tips for all consumers to be more extra wise while they're shopping. Thanks for this!
Being frugal has allowed me to transition from an HSSJ* to a creative artistic job which I love. If I was on the hamster wheel of debt, with an oversized house and a fancy car (loan), that would not be possible. A number of people where I *used to* work were amazed I could make the jump. But it spoke volumes for being frugal.
* Horrible Soul Sucking Job
I'm one of those people who tends to put value over everything and I've bought my fair share of items that broke down way soon after I purchased them.
Another biggie, is to consider buying used. I recently purchased a German made Henckels knife at our local non-profit thrift store for 27 cents including tax.
Totally agree Kentin. I recently wrote a post about why it takes guts to save money, which addresses the same kinds of themes - so many people want to live frugally but find themselves bowing to peer pressure to own a bigger car etc. It takes guts to kick against this. http://wp.me/p2rfwK-dM
Excellent advice and I love that you have boiled it down to the essential difference between those who go for their dream/goal and those who dream but never start. It is such a simple lesson, but taking the first step and then consistent (even if small) steps forward is what is needed.
Brilliant and concise insight. Thank you for reminding us all and for putting our a wonderful set of articles to keep us all on track.
You know half of you guys shouldn't be allowed to post on here. It very much seems like Alya is British as the spelling is perfect as far as I can see... and I'm British. Anyway, that's beside the point, wasn't the main topic of conversation supposed to be the 'interviewer' and the method of 'practising' for the interview?! Stop being so anal people... god help anyone that's ever interviewed by you!!
I love music but I have never been to a concert! The closest I came was as a teen going to a Christian meetup which featured some Christian music groups. It was great fun. Lots of energy! Someday it may be in the cards, if I can find music hubby and I can agree upon.
When you have certain pets, a good deal of these sort of items never go to waste. We have a parrot and rats, and they LOVE to chew. Anything plastic is either recycled, or often given to them.
I spent 12 days in Nicaragua, food, drinks and transportation are very inexpensive, $38/night for a small hotel in Granada (with a small pool) and $48.00 night (we rented two rooms) in the heart of San Juan del Sur.
I do occasionally go to concerts, but not as often as I used to. there was a time in my 20s and 30s where I went to at least one a month, now it's more like 2 or 3 a year. The best concert I ever saw was AC/DC back in 2003. Here were these guys old enough to be my dad, and they rocked out for 2 hours!
I like going to free concerts or music festivals where you can pay 80-100 a day and see a bunch of bands!
liked and tweeted!
I don't know that many of these are really 'advantages' over small banks or credit unions, though. My credit union is part of a network of credit unions that mean that I have free access to ATMs and branches even when I'm not near my specific credit union. The CU also has a wide variety of products and services, including online banking and all that - I've yet to miss a single thing from my old 'big banks'. My money's insured by the government just as it would be at a larger bank, and my CU has actually been around longer than some of the other bigger options around here. (And it's not constantly changing hands and changing names, either! :)
A particular big bank may offer some advantages over SOME small banks, but big banks also differ from one another in many ways. I hunted around for the perfect alternative because banks have shown us time and time again that there is definitely such a thing as too big to be responsible. I'm not content to do business with a bank that runs wild with policies and practices that are criminal, knowing that the rest of us will bail them out when they get into trouble.
Will it work on Xbox games