Isn't that what they were supposed to be... just quick pick-me-ups? With any luck, some of them would stick and really do the self-confidence boost trick (like going to the gym and eatting better).
And Mikey... volunteering at a food shelter, or at an old aged home or someplace does WONDERS.
A plastic "bubbler" cost less than a dollar (U.S.) and you just fill it with water to the line and the co2 goes out and no air gets in. Rubber bungs can fill any hole you need to make in your fermenter and also are less than a dollar.
Many of these recommendations center on narcissism and shallow ideas about "looking good". And several essentially repeat the one valid tip to get some exercise. Recommending in a blog like that that someone boost their confidence via alcohol seems unwise. And leaning on a friend to shower you with on-call praise is not a good strategy for maintaining strong friendships.
The real way to boost confidence is to set some achievable goals and achieve them. Start small; then go big. Or instead of hoping some friend will heap praise on you, try heaping some unsolicited praise on a friend. Their reaction will likely erase any negative feelings you may be having.
Sorry, but these suggestions are rather superficial, don't ya think? None of them add any real strength to knowing who you are, to understanding yourself better in relation to your true power, or value that inner core that's worth more than any external, measurable ...and temporary "confidence booster."
This is such a great idea! Not only does it sound incredibly relaxing, but it's also conducive to bonding and strengthening the relationship. Thanks so much for sharing!
To add to your tips about saving money on groceries. Different studies have show that you can reduce your grocery budget by 23% by using a shopping list, 25% by adding more fruit and vegetables to meals, 25% by buying generic brands rather than name brands, and 12% - 18% by using cash rather than credit.
I'm so glad you included tikka masala. There's another Indian dish that I am particularly fond of called "rajma" that uses kidney beans in a spicy, stew-like dish that you can put on top of rice.
I learned this the hard way when I bought me first house. I did a lot of shopping at discount retailers only to have the items I bought break, tear, or begin to fall apart less than a year later. I decided to spend more by getting higher quality items. It's been many years now and those products are still working great. The lesson is: by trying to cut corners and save money in the short term, you might end up paying more in the long run.
It is definitely possible to be too frugal. Where I live there is a "cheapskate" column in the Sunday paper. Most of the tips in the column will save the reader $300 over 20 years. To me, that is simply being too frugal. Instead of focusing on cutting such small amounts, you should focus on your career or starting a side business; something that will earn you much more than $300 over 20 years.
I've never tried to get a spray tan but whenever I'm having a down day the gym always helps. I'm a skinny guy so it's not like I'm benching 500 pounds every time I go but my day always seems to get better after I go to the gym. I need to befriend some your friends because none of my friends have the ability to "They blow smoke up your bum with all kinds of false truths and compliments that make you feel so much better"
Thanks for the excellent list! The first thing I realised that cheap wasn't best was shoes - cheap shoes can be comfortable but they last much less than more expensive quality shoes.
I am still working through some of the other items on your list, my problem being the one you flag in paragraph two - that I tend to think that the most expensive / gold-plated item must also be the best. For instance, buying a top end drill which I think will last me for years, when it turns out I only need it to drill holes for a couple of small screws. This is even more acute for technology where things age so quickly.
Your point in paragraph one is key - it is about saving money over the long run and getting value for money.
In my family, the people who really b**** and moan about other people getting entitlements were/are themselves the recipients of many programs including social security, medicare, GI bill education and housing purchase, mortgage guarantees, students loans etc Those complainers tend to use more natural resources, generate more trash and pollution, and cheat more on their taxes but call me a hippie when I assert that we should all have healthcare. And what's most appalling, is that the three most 'conservative' people in my family have made a good part of their living from municipal or state jobs, or a corporate job where they were proud to admit they basically did nothing all day. All three of these people have, in the past 10 years, consumed over a million $ apiece in healthcare because of obesity and alcoholism. The system is broken.
It's definitely possible to be too frugal! I have a sister who never throws away *anything*! I had to prevent her from washing the paper plates in my house, instead of just throwing them away. Sure it would save a few pennies, but why exert all the extra effort?
I just happened upon this old article. I guess it depends on where you live and what you consider an ample lifestyle. I make $110K myself and my wife makes about $20K as a teaching assistant. We live in the Southeast, but in a nice suburb. We don't live like rock stars of course, but we have a very comfortable life. 4 bedroom 3 bath house with a big pool on 2 acres in an affluent area. My son goes to a state university and I pay for it. I generally save about 10% to my 401K and have about $400K in overall savings. My house is modest for the area and is probably worth about $300K. I have two new(er) cars and one is totally paid off. No credit card debt. We spend judiciously and our only true splurge is dining out, which we do several times a week. We have cable, one big flat panel TV, two computers, 2 iPhones, etc. All typical suburban garb. Life is generally good. No complaints. I'd love more money, but it wouldn't really make my life any better. It would take serious money to make a huge difference in my lifestyle. I read your post and really wondered where in the world you money is going. Once my son is out of college, I could have an equally satisfying life for around $60K a year. You need a financial advisor!
I'm with you on most of these (all in principle, I guess), but a word on knives--like you mentioned in wine, price doesn't always correlate with experience. In a broad way, sure. But there's a lot of "feel" in knifery--I've held some really beautiful, expensive knives that felt awful in my hand and gone with the "inferior" product because it worked better for me. That it's sharp and feels right in your hand is more important than if you got a Wusthof or Shun or something that was 10 bucks at a kitchen supply store. In general, a pricier knife will hold an edge better given equal treatment, but the way you treat the knife is way more important on that front. Certain useful features are more expensive--forged knives often have better balance, and I love the way the bevel feels--but on knives in my opinion it's just as important if not more so to spend the time as it is to spend money. It's very much like the explanation on your wine example.
Fresh-baked breads freeze well too. Once the bread is cool enough to wrap in plastic bags, wrap in two layers of tight-fitting plastic bags and freeze. Defrost several hours prior to serving.
Isn't that what they were supposed to be... just quick pick-me-ups? With any luck, some of them would stick and really do the self-confidence boost trick (like going to the gym and eatting better).
And Mikey... volunteering at a food shelter, or at an old aged home or someplace does WONDERS.
A plastic "bubbler" cost less than a dollar (U.S.) and you just fill it with water to the line and the co2 goes out and no air gets in. Rubber bungs can fill any hole you need to make in your fermenter and also are less than a dollar.
Many of these recommendations center on narcissism and shallow ideas about "looking good". And several essentially repeat the one valid tip to get some exercise. Recommending in a blog like that that someone boost their confidence via alcohol seems unwise. And leaning on a friend to shower you with on-call praise is not a good strategy for maintaining strong friendships.
The real way to boost confidence is to set some achievable goals and achieve them. Start small; then go big. Or instead of hoping some friend will heap praise on you, try heaping some unsolicited praise on a friend. Their reaction will likely erase any negative feelings you may be having.
Sorry, but these suggestions are rather superficial, don't ya think? None of them add any real strength to knowing who you are, to understanding yourself better in relation to your true power, or value that inner core that's worth more than any external, measurable ...and temporary "confidence booster."
This is such a great idea! Not only does it sound incredibly relaxing, but it's also conducive to bonding and strengthening the relationship. Thanks so much for sharing!
Happy to include you! It looks like the blackout was a success!
You are welcome!
To add to your tips about saving money on groceries. Different studies have show that you can reduce your grocery budget by 23% by using a shopping list, 25% by adding more fruit and vegetables to meals, 25% by buying generic brands rather than name brands, and 12% - 18% by using cash rather than credit.
I'm so glad you included tikka masala. There's another Indian dish that I am particularly fond of called "rajma" that uses kidney beans in a spicy, stew-like dish that you can put on top of rice.
I learned this the hard way when I bought me first house. I did a lot of shopping at discount retailers only to have the items I bought break, tear, or begin to fall apart less than a year later. I decided to spend more by getting higher quality items. It's been many years now and those products are still working great. The lesson is: by trying to cut corners and save money in the short term, you might end up paying more in the long run.
It is definitely possible to be too frugal. Where I live there is a "cheapskate" column in the Sunday paper. Most of the tips in the column will save the reader $300 over 20 years. To me, that is simply being too frugal. Instead of focusing on cutting such small amounts, you should focus on your career or starting a side business; something that will earn you much more than $300 over 20 years.
I have saved money on my groceries by shopping at Aldi's!
Enchiladas! Made with chicken or turkey and refried beans.
http://healthyrecipesblogs.com/2011/11/25/leftover-turkey-recipes-enchil...
Rose, is it too late to get you to submit your recipe for barbeque-flavor pot roast?
I've never tried to get a spray tan but whenever I'm having a down day the gym always helps. I'm a skinny guy so it's not like I'm benching 500 pounds every time I go but my day always seems to get better after I go to the gym. I need to befriend some your friends because none of my friends have the ability to "They blow smoke up your bum with all kinds of false truths and compliments that make you feel so much better"
That vegan sloppy joe receipe sounds yummy. I've had an extra bag of TVP that I had no idea what to do with - but I think I'll try it!
If your family is starting to hate you because you're frugal, you might be too frugal.
Mntcity,
Good to know about the aluminum being used for only a short time.
Thanks for the excellent list! The first thing I realised that cheap wasn't best was shoes - cheap shoes can be comfortable but they last much less than more expensive quality shoes.
I am still working through some of the other items on your list, my problem being the one you flag in paragraph two - that I tend to think that the most expensive / gold-plated item must also be the best. For instance, buying a top end drill which I think will last me for years, when it turns out I only need it to drill holes for a couple of small screws. This is even more acute for technology where things age so quickly.
Your point in paragraph one is key - it is about saving money over the long run and getting value for money.
In my family, the people who really b**** and moan about other people getting entitlements were/are themselves the recipients of many programs including social security, medicare, GI bill education and housing purchase, mortgage guarantees, students loans etc Those complainers tend to use more natural resources, generate more trash and pollution, and cheat more on their taxes but call me a hippie when I assert that we should all have healthcare. And what's most appalling, is that the three most 'conservative' people in my family have made a good part of their living from municipal or state jobs, or a corporate job where they were proud to admit they basically did nothing all day. All three of these people have, in the past 10 years, consumed over a million $ apiece in healthcare because of obesity and alcoholism. The system is broken.
Liked your page ;)
It's definitely possible to be too frugal! I have a sister who never throws away *anything*! I had to prevent her from washing the paper plates in my house, instead of just throwing them away. Sure it would save a few pennies, but why exert all the extra effort?
I just happened upon this old article. I guess it depends on where you live and what you consider an ample lifestyle. I make $110K myself and my wife makes about $20K as a teaching assistant. We live in the Southeast, but in a nice suburb. We don't live like rock stars of course, but we have a very comfortable life. 4 bedroom 3 bath house with a big pool on 2 acres in an affluent area. My son goes to a state university and I pay for it. I generally save about 10% to my 401K and have about $400K in overall savings. My house is modest for the area and is probably worth about $300K. I have two new(er) cars and one is totally paid off. No credit card debt. We spend judiciously and our only true splurge is dining out, which we do several times a week. We have cable, one big flat panel TV, two computers, 2 iPhones, etc. All typical suburban garb. Life is generally good. No complaints. I'd love more money, but it wouldn't really make my life any better. It would take serious money to make a huge difference in my lifestyle. I read your post and really wondered where in the world you money is going. Once my son is out of college, I could have an equally satisfying life for around $60K a year. You need a financial advisor!
Really this has been around for the last 10 years.
I'm with you on most of these (all in principle, I guess), but a word on knives--like you mentioned in wine, price doesn't always correlate with experience. In a broad way, sure. But there's a lot of "feel" in knifery--I've held some really beautiful, expensive knives that felt awful in my hand and gone with the "inferior" product because it worked better for me. That it's sharp and feels right in your hand is more important than if you got a Wusthof or Shun or something that was 10 bucks at a kitchen supply store. In general, a pricier knife will hold an edge better given equal treatment, but the way you treat the knife is way more important on that front. Certain useful features are more expensive--forged knives often have better balance, and I love the way the bevel feels--but on knives in my opinion it's just as important if not more so to spend the time as it is to spend money. It's very much like the explanation on your wine example.
Fresh-baked breads freeze well too. Once the bread is cool enough to wrap in plastic bags, wrap in two layers of tight-fitting plastic bags and freeze. Defrost several hours prior to serving.