My point about China and India had to do with the fact that they are the most populous countries. If more than 1% of their populations have computers (and clearly much, much more than 1% of the populations of the US and most European countries) have computers, then the idea that only 1% own a computer is wrong.
With that statistic obviously wrong, it makes me about dubious about some of the others as well.
I am an all-or-nothing kind of person, so the starting from scratch sounds really appealing to me. When I first started budgeting, I had the idea that just keeping track of things would make me more aware and less likely to spend unnecessarily, but that isn't going to just happen. Considering everything you spend on with an open mind and thinking about what you really want and need, I think, can really lead to saving in a way that just budgeting might not.
Part of the reason why people shy away from budgeting is because it gets to overwhelming. If you have a category for everything it gets very time consuming. Personally, I took a look at all of my bills and tried to reduce each of them in some way. I switched cell phone carriers, raised my car insurance deductible, dropped the DVR, and stopped drinking soda. Little changes can make a big difference! I especially like you advice about paying yourself first. It is a must!
My favorite Thanksgiving comfort food has to be stuffing. I love the flavor and moistness it has from being baked inside of the turkey. Add a little gravy and you have the ultimate comfort food!
It seems like a lot of you are nor getting it. The people use this as a way to shop for ALL there food. They use the overage to buy the good stuff. Most people that do this have huge families too and it works for them.
I'm also curious about the bed bug issue. I need som upholstered furniture, but don't want to risk inviting a bed bug infestation (so much more costly and annoying than paying for new furniture in the first place!)
Is there a way to simply "treat" any furniture i buy?
I shop around at a few of the local grocery stores to hit all the food sales and stock up. I usually buy more than one frozen turkey becayse they're so cheap. There are some great deals around this time of year.
Thank you! Your first point made me breathe a sigh of relief. Even after many years in the workplace, I had forgotten that. I recently started a new job and although I love the organization, I was feeling stressed and grumpy a lot of the time. I realized that after years of being the subject matter expert in an area, it's hard to go back to square one and learn systems and "customs" of a new work place. Your article reminded me that this happens to everyone. Take a deep breath, soldier on and it will get better. Soon you will be the old-timer schooling the new kid on how things are done.
It is just a way of advertising. The card is useless unless you activate it. The fees are more reasonable than that of many banks, if you have credit issues like I do. It is a sort of shocking approach, to just send someone a card with their name on it out of the blue, but it is fairly harmless. I don't like the fact that they charge you to speak with costumer service, but I don't like the fact that Microsoft does it either. They can be reached on their website for free. Chopping up the card and asking them to sop sending you mail could solve this problem.
A favorite budget Thanksgiving dish in my family is Green Bean Almondine. For years someone made Green Bean casserole with the fried onions and canned soup and there was always a lot leftover because most of us don't really like it. The following year someone brought something similar but better. It turns out that Green Bean Almondine (made with frozen green beans, slivered almonds, onions, and a little butter) is a now a very popular side dish and makes some of us very happy because it's healthier than the green bean casserole (and the ingredients cost less).
Thanks Will! It reminds me of my family a little bit. :)
Yes! Definitely always eat the leftovers!
That's how my family does it too!
Wow! That's impressive!
My family does the same thing!
My point about China and India had to do with the fact that they are the most populous countries. If more than 1% of their populations have computers (and clearly much, much more than 1% of the populations of the US and most European countries) have computers, then the idea that only 1% own a computer is wrong.
With that statistic obviously wrong, it makes me about dubious about some of the others as well.
Great tip! :)
You are welcome!
https://twitter.com/#!/julesann/status/136847243570446336
We'll save on Thanksgiving by going to friends where everyone brings something wonderful to share! We won't be traveling far this year either.
LIKED WB on FB!
I am an all-or-nothing kind of person, so the starting from scratch sounds really appealing to me. When I first started budgeting, I had the idea that just keeping track of things would make me more aware and less likely to spend unnecessarily, but that isn't going to just happen. Considering everything you spend on with an open mind and thinking about what you really want and need, I think, can really lead to saving in a way that just budgeting might not.
Part of the reason why people shy away from budgeting is because it gets to overwhelming. If you have a category for everything it gets very time consuming. Personally, I took a look at all of my bills and tried to reduce each of them in some way. I switched cell phone carriers, raised my car insurance deductible, dropped the DVR, and stopped drinking soda. Little changes can make a big difference! I especially like you advice about paying yourself first. It is a must!
My favorite Thanksgiving comfort food has to be stuffing. I love the flavor and moistness it has from being baked inside of the turkey. Add a little gravy and you have the ultimate comfort food!
It seems like a lot of you are nor getting it. The people use this as a way to shop for ALL there food. They use the overage to buy the good stuff. Most people that do this have huge families too and it works for them.
I'm also curious about the bed bug issue. I need som upholstered furniture, but don't want to risk inviting a bed bug infestation (so much more costly and annoying than paying for new furniture in the first place!)
Is there a way to simply "treat" any furniture i buy?
Watch for sales and coupons. Also, I cook a full meal for just the two of us and live off the leftovers for a few days then freeze the rest.
My favorite is the yam casserole. Yams, brown sugar, nuts - yum. Not very expensive at all!!!
l like these tips, especially #2...we usually pay our dental bills and other co-pays by check.
I shop around at a few of the local grocery stores to hit all the food sales and stock up. I usually buy more than one frozen turkey becayse they're so cheap. There are some great deals around this time of year.
Thank you! Your first point made me breathe a sigh of relief. Even after many years in the workplace, I had forgotten that. I recently started a new job and although I love the organization, I was feeling stressed and grumpy a lot of the time. I realized that after years of being the subject matter expert in an area, it's hard to go back to square one and learn systems and "customs" of a new work place. Your article reminded me that this happens to everyone. Take a deep breath, soldier on and it will get better. Soon you will be the old-timer schooling the new kid on how things are done.
I make everything from scratch.
It is just a way of advertising. The card is useless unless you activate it. The fees are more reasonable than that of many banks, if you have credit issues like I do. It is a sort of shocking approach, to just send someone a card with their name on it out of the blue, but it is fairly harmless. I don't like the fact that they charge you to speak with costumer service, but I don't like the fact that Microsoft does it either. They can be reached on their website for free. Chopping up the card and asking them to sop sending you mail could solve this problem.
A favorite budget Thanksgiving dish in my family is Green Bean Almondine. For years someone made Green Bean casserole with the fried onions and canned soup and there was always a lot leftover because most of us don't really like it. The following year someone brought something similar but better. It turns out that Green Bean Almondine (made with frozen green beans, slivered almonds, onions, and a little butter) is a now a very popular side dish and makes some of us very happy because it's healthier than the green bean casserole (and the ingredients cost less).
I clicked the link to save The Ultimate Budget Thanksgiving Dinner checklist to my ZipList account--Thanks!