I use Mealfire and love it! App for iPhone too.
You can surf the web and save any recipe you find automatically to your Mealfire account (free) and print grocery lists from your planned menus. It's fantastic!
I prefer to get gift cards, because (1) the gift giver at least has to show they know something about my interests (i.e., the type of dining I enjoy, the type of stores I frequent, or something I might really want but not necessarily need, and could pay for all or part of with their gift card); (2) the gift card still leaves me free to choose what I want at the selected business exactly the way I want it; and (3) I will actually use it for the type of gift intended by the giver (whereas the cash could get used for anything, including stupid stuff or normal stuff -- like toilet paper -- blehh). Of course, I would like the gift card to in fact be for a business I would use and not one I would never go to (because then it would be wasted, or I would re-gift it to someone who likes that business, and never get to enjoy the gift myself). I had a boss that always gave me gift cards to Starbucks -- he never once saw me drink coffee in the 5 years I worked for him, because I do not drink coffee -- not a very considerate gift giver. I hated getting gift cards from him. But everyone else who gives me gift cards seems to actually get them for businesses I would gladly redeem them at.
I guess I agree with you, to the extent that targeting that "lowest acceptable lifestyle" is cost-free. To the extent that you're being extra-frugal by just not buying stuff you don't need, it's all good.
But there are many things where being a little more frugal costs time or effort. For someone who's lost a job, time and effort may be something that they have plenty of. But sometimes it makes more sense to put that time and effort somewhere besides spending less. And sometimes spending a little more is the right choice.
These are all going to be special cases, so it's hard to come up with a general rule. But once you've got a good emergency fund, rather than socking yet more money into it, maybe you'd be better off putting some of that money into tools. And once you've ensured that you're getting good prices on your major purchases, maybe it makes more sense to take the time and effort you might spend looking for deals on minor purchases and instead take a community college class to learn how to use those tools.
I'm all for frugality. Most people are not nearly frugal enough. I'm just saying that at some point the time and effort you could spend on being a little more frugal might be better spent making your household more resilient in some aspect other than boosting your savings a little further.
I've been working on this as well, ever since I got an office job and had to be ready/able to pull off business casual five days a week.
Since all of my previous jobs (except one) had uniforms, I decided to approach my new work wardrobe the same way. Slacks and simple skirts, button down blouses, and lightweight layering sweaters.
I also have a small collection of skirts and dresses that I am working on accessorizing for office wear. For the most part this means finding a sweater or jacket that I can wear over them and that works with many of the pieces. I've given myself a deadling of 6 months to find an accessory that makes my mostly unworn dresses/skirts wearable to the office. If I don't find something in that time-frame, the items are getting donated or swapped.
I think it depends on who the recipient is. If I am winning it, I would prefer cash or Visa/Amex type gift cards before store cards. If it is a gift I am receiving, cash is nice, but I don't want my kids giving me cash for a Birthday present. The same goes for if I am the giver. I don't want to give my Mom cash, but for my kids it would be OK.
Turn them into the health department for the mold. That will get their attention. It doesn't sound like much but exposure to mold is a very serious matter.
You have to be careful about produce anywhere. I don't always buy produce at my local Kroger because sometimes it's just nasty. I have mostly been able to get the produce I've seen on sale at Aldi with no problems.
Noone's mentioned frozen fish fillets. Aldi has the BEST prices anywhere on frozen salmon and tilapia fillets (they beat Wal-Mart, Sam's Club, and Kroger in my town)!
I do agree that my Aldi has a LOT of snack items that I don't buy anyway. Their frozen broccoli florets are the best price, but some of their items aren't any cheaper than other places. I also noticed their pantiliners were the best price I could find.
I prefer gift cards -- if I'm given cash, chances are I'll spend it on a bill or on groceries. (to the point that when my mother gives me cash for my birthday she explicitly informs me that I am NOT to pay a bill with it). Assuming that it's a gift card for somewhere I actually shop, of course!
I prefer gift cards. Cash is too easily absorbed into our routine bills, but a gift card feels like a treat when I use it. I'd rather give gift cards if I know of a place that the recipient really likes or frequents often.
Philip, I think for some time now you have been struggling with the fact that individuals, even ones who follow standard advice for budgeting can get wiped out in this bad economy. For a half year or so it seems like you are looking for a big picture solution to stability. I guess that is a rational thing to do in today's world.
But I would suggest it is leading you to some places I just can't get onboard with. You state multiple times something along the lines of: "Most frugal paths are great. I'm just warning against that one frugal path—the one where you target the lowest acceptable standard of living and then try to stay there."
I will argue that everyone should do exactly what you call a danger. Especially in uncertain times. Everyone *should* target the lowest acceptable standard of living. It IS acceptable right? For me that may be only 50% of my net income. The other 50% is going to targeted savings: Retirement, Vehicle Replacement, Emergency Fund, even savings for a minor vacation (no vacation might be OK for some but for me its right on that acceptable border). How can I as an individual improve my stability by deciding that I should start to be less frugal and spend more? I could get cable back, I could move into a bigger place, I could have someone else prepare my meals for me. I could pay someone else to mow my lawn. If that leads to less in my savings accounts, how am I in less danger facing an uncertain future?
I think you have trouble accepting that lots of families are scrimping and cutting to the bone living like that for a year or more and then getting their hours cut or laid off and then ending up in bankruptcy. It does not seem fair. At the macro level we could wish for a better system. But what at the individual level should be different? Should they have been going out for martinis?
The best argument I have heard for not following the frugal path is put all effort into earning more. I think that argument has its merits - its not for me.
Thanks for listening and thanks for all the great articles over the years.
I like thoughtful gift cards. For example, I really appreciate a Starbucks gift card, because I don't allow myself to buy expensive coffee normally. That makes it a real treat, and a real gift.
A cleaning product I have found that saves time and money is the Holy Moly cloth. I use it to wipe mirrors, windows, my computer screen and found that it gets the job done without streaks or chemicals. All I use is water. It's also nice to know I'm being gentler to the Earth too.
Yes! New tools! I get them for people all the time! My sister is now the proud owner of a hammer becuase I couldn't stand the thought of her hammering in nails anymore with the broad end of a knife, the handle of a screwdriver, or with big books.
I prefer cash since its easier for me to use and since gift card stores aside from major retailers are really limited in my area :)
i like on FB
https://twitter.com/#!/scg003twitparty/status/194908532624207872
cash for me! straight into savings. but gift cards work too.
I use Mealfire and love it! App for iPhone too.
You can surf the web and save any recipe you find automatically to your Mealfire account (free) and print grocery lists from your planned menus. It's fantastic!
https://twitter.com/#!/elliebunny24/status/194905058293465088
tweeted
I prefer to get gift cards, because (1) the gift giver at least has to show they know something about my interests (i.e., the type of dining I enjoy, the type of stores I frequent, or something I might really want but not necessarily need, and could pay for all or part of with their gift card); (2) the gift card still leaves me free to choose what I want at the selected business exactly the way I want it; and (3) I will actually use it for the type of gift intended by the giver (whereas the cash could get used for anything, including stupid stuff or normal stuff -- like toilet paper -- blehh). Of course, I would like the gift card to in fact be for a business I would use and not one I would never go to (because then it would be wasted, or I would re-gift it to someone who likes that business, and never get to enjoy the gift myself). I had a boss that always gave me gift cards to Starbucks -- he never once saw me drink coffee in the 5 years I worked for him, because I do not drink coffee -- not a very considerate gift giver. I hated getting gift cards from him. But everyone else who gives me gift cards seems to actually get them for businesses I would gladly redeem them at.
Liked you on facebook
I prefer cash so that you can buy what you want where you want it. Gift cards are ok too but limit you.
All fair commentary and very sensible.
I guess I agree with you, to the extent that targeting that "lowest acceptable lifestyle" is cost-free. To the extent that you're being extra-frugal by just not buying stuff you don't need, it's all good.
But there are many things where being a little more frugal costs time or effort. For someone who's lost a job, time and effort may be something that they have plenty of. But sometimes it makes more sense to put that time and effort somewhere besides spending less. And sometimes spending a little more is the right choice.
These are all going to be special cases, so it's hard to come up with a general rule. But once you've got a good emergency fund, rather than socking yet more money into it, maybe you'd be better off putting some of that money into tools. And once you've ensured that you're getting good prices on your major purchases, maybe it makes more sense to take the time and effort you might spend looking for deals on minor purchases and instead take a community college class to learn how to use those tools.
I'm all for frugality. Most people are not nearly frugal enough. I'm just saying that at some point the time and effort you could spend on being a little more frugal might be better spent making your household more resilient in some aspect other than boosting your savings a little further.
Thanks for listening—and contributing!
I've been working on this as well, ever since I got an office job and had to be ready/able to pull off business casual five days a week.
Since all of my previous jobs (except one) had uniforms, I decided to approach my new work wardrobe the same way. Slacks and simple skirts, button down blouses, and lightweight layering sweaters.
I also have a small collection of skirts and dresses that I am working on accessorizing for office wear. For the most part this means finding a sweater or jacket that I can wear over them and that works with many of the pieces. I've given myself a deadling of 6 months to find an accessory that makes my mostly unworn dresses/skirts wearable to the office. If I don't find something in that time-frame, the items are getting donated or swapped.
I think it depends on who the recipient is. If I am winning it, I would prefer cash or Visa/Amex type gift cards before store cards. If it is a gift I am receiving, cash is nice, but I don't want my kids giving me cash for a Birthday present. The same goes for if I am the giver. I don't want to give my Mom cash, but for my kids it would be OK.
Turn them into the health department for the mold. That will get their attention. It doesn't sound like much but exposure to mold is a very serious matter.
For the Gnocci, you DO NOT have to cook the potatos! Just add the water to the instant potatos and gnocci away :)
You have to be careful about produce anywhere. I don't always buy produce at my local Kroger because sometimes it's just nasty. I have mostly been able to get the produce I've seen on sale at Aldi with no problems.
Noone's mentioned frozen fish fillets. Aldi has the BEST prices anywhere on frozen salmon and tilapia fillets (they beat Wal-Mart, Sam's Club, and Kroger in my town)!
I do agree that my Aldi has a LOT of snack items that I don't buy anyway. Their frozen broccoli florets are the best price, but some of their items aren't any cheaper than other places. I also noticed their pantiliners were the best price I could find.
I prefer gift cards -- if I'm given cash, chances are I'll spend it on a bill or on groceries. (to the point that when my mother gives me cash for my birthday she explicitly informs me that I am NOT to pay a bill with it). Assuming that it's a gift card for somewhere I actually shop, of course!
I prefer gift cards. Cash is too easily absorbed into our routine bills, but a gift card feels like a treat when I use it. I'd rather give gift cards if I know of a place that the recipient really likes or frequents often.
Philip, I think for some time now you have been struggling with the fact that individuals, even ones who follow standard advice for budgeting can get wiped out in this bad economy. For a half year or so it seems like you are looking for a big picture solution to stability. I guess that is a rational thing to do in today's world.
But I would suggest it is leading you to some places I just can't get onboard with. You state multiple times something along the lines of: "Most frugal paths are great. I'm just warning against that one frugal path—the one where you target the lowest acceptable standard of living and then try to stay there."
I will argue that everyone should do exactly what you call a danger. Especially in uncertain times. Everyone *should* target the lowest acceptable standard of living. It IS acceptable right? For me that may be only 50% of my net income. The other 50% is going to targeted savings: Retirement, Vehicle Replacement, Emergency Fund, even savings for a minor vacation (no vacation might be OK for some but for me its right on that acceptable border). How can I as an individual improve my stability by deciding that I should start to be less frugal and spend more? I could get cable back, I could move into a bigger place, I could have someone else prepare my meals for me. I could pay someone else to mow my lawn. If that leads to less in my savings accounts, how am I in less danger facing an uncertain future?
I think you have trouble accepting that lots of families are scrimping and cutting to the bone living like that for a year or more and then getting their hours cut or laid off and then ending up in bankruptcy. It does not seem fair. At the macro level we could wish for a better system. But what at the individual level should be different? Should they have been going out for martinis?
The best argument I have heard for not following the frugal path is put all effort into earning more. I think that argument has its merits - its not for me.
Thanks for listening and thanks for all the great articles over the years.
I like thoughtful gift cards. For example, I really appreciate a Starbucks gift card, because I don't allow myself to buy expensive coffee normally. That makes it a real treat, and a real gift.
Tweeted answer:
https://twitter.com/#!/KelRo1/status/194872590060371968
Like you on FB as Kelli Rolvaag.
Cash is king, but I would gratefully accept either one!
A cleaning product I have found that saves time and money is the Holy Moly cloth. I use it to wipe mirrors, windows, my computer screen and found that it gets the job done without streaks or chemicals. All I use is water. It's also nice to know I'm being gentler to the Earth too.
Yes! New tools! I get them for people all the time! My sister is now the proud owner of a hammer becuase I couldn't stand the thought of her hammering in nails anymore with the broad end of a knife, the handle of a screwdriver, or with big books.
I follow you on Facebook!