I was reminded of how much people dismiss free stuff when I was preparing to move across the country earlier this year. In pairing down my belongings, I offered up a lot of high-quality stuff for free -- to friends, on Craigslist, etc. -- that nobody snatched up. I ended up bringing most of it to Goodwill.
Just a slight tip of advice on the succulents and cacti for gifts... Coming from years of experience working in greenhouses and owning a business focusing greatly on cacti and succulents...
The photo you have used for this post is a beautiful Opuntia or Prickly Pear cacti of which there are thousands of different species and cultivars. Be forewarned that a gift like this could be disastrous!
The spines are not the worry but the Glochids are. These are the tiny little hairs that surround most spines and are present in just about every prickly pear and in one form or another on other cacti and what appear to be succulents. In this photo they appear an orange or red color.
Touching them the slightest bit will cause a mess of them to get in your skin or on your clothes and they are not easily removed. They irritate and develop rashes although seldom allergic, just irritating. This would not make a good gift.
Although I agree plants are a great gift idea as they are often what I have given and will continue to do, a little quick research could save you a lot of heartache. I would hate to be the person who gave someone a prickly pear plant. They will never forget when they brush up on what appears to be soft hairs.
Although my blog has nothing to do with this response I thought it fit well with my expertise to mention this as it is relevant to the photo and the text. My blog is relevant with the content of yours and I hope you get a chance to check it out. I really like your layout and ease of use on this blog. Thanks!
I'm not sure I agree with you here, though it's certainly good to think about saving for retirement critically. By funding a Roth IRA, you are able to purchase more shares when the market is down (such as now), and that will grow exponentially over time (provided you have faith in the market, which I do). By saving early, even if only $50 per month, the savings can be well worth it later in life. Also, a Roth IRA can serve as a long-term savings account, as the contributions can be withdrawn penalty free at any age.
Alysa, I completely agree. I do think that early adopters occupy an essential spot in the marketplace. But purely from a frugality perspective, early adoption (at times) may be inconsistent with larger personal finance goals. No disrespect meant to the tech-eager out there! :)
I can see your point, but I respectfully disagree. It's all too easy for "later" to become a moving target. My first job had a pension plan, so I was used to saving x % for retirement right off the bat and it was easier for me to continue that habit even though I switched jobs. And yes, that meant I lived without vacations and I slowly acquired things for my home (a lot of it used) rather than getting it all right away. I have an older TV and an even older car.
For me, it wasn't just about developing the habit of saving but developing the habit of thinking long term (that is, beyond a vacation or a piece of furniture). It's about setting priorities -- if I can't afford to donate and save for retirement, then I can't afford a big trip or a couch just yet.
I realize my approach won't work for everyone and people should do what's right for them, but I think it's easier to set those long term goals right at the beginning than it is to all of the sudden decide you need to start saving for retirement and trying to figure out how to work that into your budget later.
This is so depressing. As a start-up that is relying on early adopters to help us make sure our product is the best it can be, you're article was a stab in the heart!
Now I can't deny that any of the above are true bugs and kinks for one, are a huge part of the process, that our new customers help us to vett. These early adopters are INVALUABLE to us and as a community manager who strives to guide these relationships and reward them for the pain you mentioned above I'd like to point out what I feel is missing. What you didn't mentioned is how companies will often go above and beyond to award early adopters with brand new versions of the same product (their feedback on changes between versions separates the Kindles from the Nooks) Furthermore, the biggest problem with discouraging people from being early adopters is that it fails puts in jeopardy the precious freedom we have as Americans: to build something new, release it into the market and the ability the market (early adopters) have to give precious and valuable feedback into the process.
Without this somewhat painful reality we wouldn't have Apple, we wouldn't have Facebook and we wouldn't have Google.
Moon snad is Great! I read about someone not liking the mess. Go out and buy the biggest storage tub (but only about 6 inches high), you can find at somewhere like Walmart or Fleet Farm. Fill with sand, add cars and turn kids loose! Indoor sand box, it works great, and being in MN you can't play in sand outside right now. We are actually getting a second one for them at christmas and let the two of them have their own and build a bridge to connect the two.
I love giving gifts to my friends and relatives, I LOVE decorating my christmas tree, and I especially love seeing all of my relatives during this time of year.
My favorite part of the holidays is Christmas Eve Mass with my entire extended family and singing in the choir. My soul rejoices and I truly feel the real meaning of Christmas at that time.
My favorite thing about the holidays is, hands down, experiencing the joy and wonder of Christmas all over again through my children's eyes. I love their excitement over simple things like seeing Christmas lights, decorating the tree and baking special cookies.
I love that tip!
I was reminded of how much people dismiss free stuff when I was preparing to move across the country earlier this year. In pairing down my belongings, I offered up a lot of high-quality stuff for free -- to friends, on Craigslist, etc. -- that nobody snatched up. I ended up bringing most of it to Goodwill.
Just a slight tip of advice on the succulents and cacti for gifts... Coming from years of experience working in greenhouses and owning a business focusing greatly on cacti and succulents...
The photo you have used for this post is a beautiful Opuntia or Prickly Pear cacti of which there are thousands of different species and cultivars. Be forewarned that a gift like this could be disastrous!
The spines are not the worry but the Glochids are. These are the tiny little hairs that surround most spines and are present in just about every prickly pear and in one form or another on other cacti and what appear to be succulents. In this photo they appear an orange or red color.
Touching them the slightest bit will cause a mess of them to get in your skin or on your clothes and they are not easily removed. They irritate and develop rashes although seldom allergic, just irritating. This would not make a good gift.
Although I agree plants are a great gift idea as they are often what I have given and will continue to do, a little quick research could save you a lot of heartache. I would hate to be the person who gave someone a prickly pear plant. They will never forget when they brush up on what appears to be soft hairs.
Although my blog has nothing to do with this response I thought it fit well with my expertise to mention this as it is relevant to the photo and the text. My blog is relevant with the content of yours and I hope you get a chance to check it out. I really like your layout and ease of use on this blog. Thanks!
I liked you on FB and left a comment under the entry! ;)
My favorite part of the holidays is spending time with my family and eating my mom's home cooking! YUM!
I'm not sure I agree with you here, though it's certainly good to think about saving for retirement critically. By funding a Roth IRA, you are able to purchase more shares when the market is down (such as now), and that will grow exponentially over time (provided you have faith in the market, which I do). By saving early, even if only $50 per month, the savings can be well worth it later in life. Also, a Roth IRA can serve as a long-term savings account, as the contributions can be withdrawn penalty free at any age.
Getting out of the city and just enjoying quiet time at my parents' ranch. No TV, no Internet, just good old-fashioned fun!
Alysa, I completely agree. I do think that early adopters occupy an essential spot in the marketplace. But purely from a frugality perspective, early adoption (at times) may be inconsistent with larger personal finance goals. No disrespect meant to the tech-eager out there! :)
I Like Wise Bread on facebook!
Oh the yummy food, cookies and time with family
The family gathering at our house with whole family~ nieces, nephews, cousins, kids! And the Christmas Tree and beautiful lights everywhere!
I can see your point, but I respectfully disagree. It's all too easy for "later" to become a moving target. My first job had a pension plan, so I was used to saving x % for retirement right off the bat and it was easier for me to continue that habit even though I switched jobs. And yes, that meant I lived without vacations and I slowly acquired things for my home (a lot of it used) rather than getting it all right away. I have an older TV and an even older car.
For me, it wasn't just about developing the habit of saving but developing the habit of thinking long term (that is, beyond a vacation or a piece of furniture). It's about setting priorities -- if I can't afford to donate and save for retirement, then I can't afford a big trip or a couch just yet.
I realize my approach won't work for everyone and people should do what's right for them, but I think it's easier to set those long term goals right at the beginning than it is to all of the sudden decide you need to start saving for retirement and trying to figure out how to work that into your budget later.
This is so depressing. As a start-up that is relying on early adopters to help us make sure our product is the best it can be, you're article was a stab in the heart!
Now I can't deny that any of the above are true bugs and kinks for one, are a huge part of the process, that our new customers help us to vett. These early adopters are INVALUABLE to us and as a community manager who strives to guide these relationships and reward them for the pain you mentioned above I'd like to point out what I feel is missing. What you didn't mentioned is how companies will often go above and beyond to award early adopters with brand new versions of the same product (their feedback on changes between versions separates the Kindles from the Nooks) Furthermore, the biggest problem with discouraging people from being early adopters is that it fails puts in jeopardy the precious freedom we have as Americans: to build something new, release it into the market and the ability the market (early adopters) have to give precious and valuable feedback into the process.
Without this somewhat painful reality we wouldn't have Apple, we wouldn't have Facebook and we wouldn't have Google.
I like the parties. Any excuse to party.
The best bit, it's you can just relax and forget all the normal days worries and miserys.
Spending time with friends and family is most important.
My favorite part of the holidays is having a week off from work to relax and recharge.
I also have 'liked' Wisebread on FB! <3
I absolutely love the smells associated with the holidays! Pine trees, baking, cinnamon, fireplaces, fresh snow...
(All of that besides family time of course, but I don't think that should just be pushed to the holiday season!)
My favorite part is the time with the family.
Moon snad is Great! I read about someone not liking the mess. Go out and buy the biggest storage tub (but only about 6 inches high), you can find at somewhere like Walmart or Fleet Farm. Fill with sand, add cars and turn kids loose! Indoor sand box, it works great, and being in MN you can't play in sand outside right now. We are actually getting a second one for them at christmas and let the two of them have their own and build a bridge to connect the two.
I love giving gifts to my friends and relatives, I LOVE decorating my christmas tree, and I especially love seeing all of my relatives during this time of year.
My favorite part of the holidays is Christmas Eve Mass with my entire extended family and singing in the choir. My soul rejoices and I truly feel the real meaning of Christmas at that time.
Easy, spending time with my parents. At 22 I'm only just starting to realize how awesome they are.
My favorite thing about the holidays is, hands down, experiencing the joy and wonder of Christmas all over again through my children's eyes. I love their excitement over simple things like seeing Christmas lights, decorating the tree and baking special cookies.