The smartest investment I ever made was, the puchase of a book called"Winning Without Intimidation", it was a self help book on how to be able to get just about anything you want out of life! This book actually helped me be a better mother! it gave different ways to approach a conversation knowing you would hear exactly what you wanted to hear! it was the best $14.95 I had ever spent! And now I have better relationships with my children :)
The smartest investment that I have made is to pay off my vehicle so that I do not have that bill every month and I can use that money to pay for extras for my kids. I also save 10.00 dollars a month in a checking account for both my kids so that i will have a head start if they need a tutor for school.
The best investment I made was getting my computer science degree. The extra money I have earned from having a good job has been far more than any investment I have made with the money I have earned.
Okay so this only applies to food and beverages then. Paying for a luxury or sports car but only drive it half the way to work is not a sound investment. And while some people could stand to lose some weight, I don't plan to suddenly purchase manchgo cheese and artisian bread for my grilled cheese but only use 1/2 the cheese and one slice of bread to make it as my meal. May as well just make it less often but at real portions.
Also you need to learn to use your resources better. Since you like mixing your bourbons in mixers, you never needed to ever buy midprice bourbons. You just have to know what you like and look to see if there is a well brand that offers similar flavor profiles. For instance, Kentucky Gentlemen is a well brand of bourbon, but is respectfully rated by Whisky Bible.
Bourbon and Mountain Dew????? Gahhh.
If you're going to ruin bourbon by pouring Mt. Dew on it, I think it's safe to use the cheapest "bourbon" you can find.
Cathie's right, paying the minimum is an eventual brick wall - but if it's all you can pay, make sure to pay every month! It's certainly better than just ignoring it.
Good blog, very timely!
While I'm a strong supporter of this general philosophy, I want to second the specific example as well. I also believe in buying good alcohol and drinking less of it -- if I'm having a drink, I want to really enjoy it. This is doubly true since I like tequila, and the cheap stuff has some percentage of sugar water mixed in. Yuck.
Love these ways to be frugal! Here's a big hitter - don't buy a house just to impress your neighbors or to have an extra room for your pet Fido. Instead, buy only a modest size house that you can afford to pay off in 10 years or less. If you can't afford to do that, then here's a thought - rent! There's nothing wrong with renting.
You bring up a good point in that we don't want people to confuse not-for-profit credit unions with what people typically consider non-profit organizations; the way the two generate operating funds is different (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Credit_union#Not-for-profit_status_and_the_...). However, calling credit unions non-profit is accurate. In fact, the National Credit Union Administration uses that term in its description: "A federal credit union is a nonprofit, cooperative financial institution..." (http://www.ncua.gov/Resources/CreditUnionDevelopment/aboutCUs.aspx)
I often pass a very old senior uptown who makes a point to catch my eye, so as to exchange smiles.
And often I get a pleasant greeting or a polite gesture from a teenager. Even a rough looking kid will likely return a smile if you just give one first, as with mostly people. He only looked a bit unfriendly - he had a lot on his mind. I remember.
Who benefits most, the giver or the receiver of a friendly expression? Perhaps it's a draw.
My wife is a stay-at-home mom. It's something that we had discussed and agreed upon even before we got engaged. So the transition was pretty easy, as, from the very beginning of our 'financial marriage' we made sure to budget and plan as if her income wasn't there. Then, when it wasn't, we were pretty well OK. Though it has gotten more and more squeezed over the past couple of years simply for the fact that raises haven't happened and health care costs have gone up higher than I had ever anticipated. Still, we don't regret our decision at all!
This article is spot on, but I'd suggest readers consider two more things: 1) how to allocate housework duties so that neither parent ends up resentful, and 2) budgeting for retirement savings during the time one parent stays at home.
I am also a big believer in dads having equal opportunity to stay home. My husband was home with our kids for a year during a career transition, and it made a huge difference in the quality of his relationship with them.
The best investment I ever made was two years ago when I decided to spend $225 on getting a Zumba instructor certification, even though my company had just forced me to take a 10% paycut. Not only have I been able to make up the money from the 10% paycut from teaching classes, I'm also getting exercise that I would have been paying a gym for!
The best investment I ever made was in myself. I returned to school and got my college degree at the age of 38. Armed with my degree I was able to change occupations and became a social worker for the next 17 years.
The latest (and best) investment I've made is finally getting on the smartphone wagon. I can't believe what these things are capable of. There is just about an app for everything. I can get directions, check my email, browse the web. It's working wonders.
Smartest investment I have ever made was when I started my 401k when I was 16. Seeing the money I have been saving for 14 years now grow to where it is today makes me feel great about my future and the future of my kids!
Two things:
If your credit cards are maxed and you make the minimum payment, there is a point at which you will begin to owe more rather than less, due to interest. Then there will be an "over the limit" fee, which will make you further in debt, and will make your payments seem senseless.
Secondly, anyone looking for a place to give away some money and truly feel great about it should check out Love Drop.
For anyone considering becoming a stay-at-home parent, I'd also recommend giving it a trial run first by finding a job that allows you a more flexible schedule, like part-time or set your own hours. That way, you can slowly settle into your new role instead of jumping in and being overwhelmed. And you might find that staying at home and having a part-time job is the right balance for you. I started working as a part-time freelance writer last summer and absolutely love my job (I work for www.FlexJobs.com and my role has gradually transitioned into more of a full-time position over the year). A bunch of my coworkers are parents who work either full or part-time from home, so they are able to maintain their careers AND spend more time with their family.
I am so touched by the comments u guys made. But anyway, life is wonderful, cause there are so many beaufitul things in this world, like the music, whenever i heard the fantastic song or music, i will be moved, and think how marvlous human is, cause they can compose such beautiful music or song.
My goal is sort of a fantasy, too. but i like it. I want to travel around the world, and i want to have a lot of Monchhichis, and i want to make friends with people who are from different countries, i want to live a wonderful life, etc.
My friend told me that 'do what u want, and **** the rest.' and i like this sentence very much.
By the way, it's my first time to come to this website, and i love it very much. It's amazing.
When I worked at a tech company that operated as a high-pressure long-hours sweatshop, I reached a breaking point where I was ready to take any other job I could get just to escape. A colleague told me "don't run away from something bad - run toward something good." That thought stuck with me and I held out for the right new job instead of any new job. It took a few months longer, but I ended up with a higher level position at a Fortune 50 company, a 25% salary increase, and a much better work environment within which I had opportunity to grow and learn new things. Since then I have given that same advice to others many times.
The best advice I've gotten was to make sure you are active in groups that relate to your career. Yeah, it can get kind of schmoozy, but it's a great way to keep in touch with people and keep up to date on who is moving where in your professional circles.
The smartest investment I ever made was, the puchase of a book called"Winning Without Intimidation", it was a self help book on how to be able to get just about anything you want out of life! This book actually helped me be a better mother! it gave different ways to approach a conversation knowing you would hear exactly what you wanted to hear! it was the best $14.95 I had ever spent! And now I have better relationships with my children :)
The smartest investment that I have made is to pay off my vehicle so that I do not have that bill every month and I can use that money to pay for extras for my kids. I also save 10.00 dollars a month in a checking account for both my kids so that i will have a head start if they need a tutor for school.
The best investment I made was getting my computer science degree. The extra money I have earned from having a good job has been far more than any investment I have made with the money I have earned.
Smartest investment was buying a new suit for my interview. I got the job Wohoo!
Okay so this only applies to food and beverages then. Paying for a luxury or sports car but only drive it half the way to work is not a sound investment. And while some people could stand to lose some weight, I don't plan to suddenly purchase manchgo cheese and artisian bread for my grilled cheese but only use 1/2 the cheese and one slice of bread to make it as my meal. May as well just make it less often but at real portions.
Also you need to learn to use your resources better. Since you like mixing your bourbons in mixers, you never needed to ever buy midprice bourbons. You just have to know what you like and look to see if there is a well brand that offers similar flavor profiles. For instance, Kentucky Gentlemen is a well brand of bourbon, but is respectfully rated by Whisky Bible.
Bourbon and Mountain Dew????? Gahhh.
If you're going to ruin bourbon by pouring Mt. Dew on it, I think it's safe to use the cheapest "bourbon" you can find.
Cathie's right, paying the minimum is an eventual brick wall - but if it's all you can pay, make sure to pay every month! It's certainly better than just ignoring it.
Good blog, very timely!
While I'm a strong supporter of this general philosophy, I want to second the specific example as well. I also believe in buying good alcohol and drinking less of it -- if I'm having a drink, I want to really enjoy it. This is doubly true since I like tequila, and the cheap stuff has some percentage of sugar water mixed in. Yuck.
Love these ways to be frugal! Here's a big hitter - don't buy a house just to impress your neighbors or to have an extra room for your pet Fido. Instead, buy only a modest size house that you can afford to pay off in 10 years or less. If you can't afford to do that, then here's a thought - rent! There's nothing wrong with renting.
Hi Guest,
You bring up a good point in that we don't want people to confuse not-for-profit credit unions with what people typically consider non-profit organizations; the way the two generate operating funds is different (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Credit_union#Not-for-profit_status_and_the_...). However, calling credit unions non-profit is accurate. In fact, the National Credit Union Administration uses that term in its description: "A federal credit union is a nonprofit, cooperative financial institution..." (http://www.ncua.gov/Resources/CreditUnionDevelopment/aboutCUs.aspx)
Best,
Meg
Cathy, that is an excellent suggestion. Vinegar is good for so many things! Thanks for adding that one.
Re: 1-Say thanks — and mean it.
I often pass a very old senior uptown who makes a point to catch my eye, so as to exchange smiles.
And often I get a pleasant greeting or a polite gesture from a teenager. Even a rough looking kid will likely return a smile if you just give one first, as with mostly people. He only looked a bit unfriendly - he had a lot on his mind. I remember.
Who benefits most, the giver or the receiver of a friendly expression? Perhaps it's a draw.
My wife is a stay-at-home mom. It's something that we had discussed and agreed upon even before we got engaged. So the transition was pretty easy, as, from the very beginning of our 'financial marriage' we made sure to budget and plan as if her income wasn't there. Then, when it wasn't, we were pretty well OK. Though it has gotten more and more squeezed over the past couple of years simply for the fact that raises haven't happened and health care costs have gone up higher than I had ever anticipated. Still, we don't regret our decision at all!
This article is spot on, but I'd suggest readers consider two more things: 1) how to allocate housework duties so that neither parent ends up resentful, and 2) budgeting for retirement savings during the time one parent stays at home.
I am also a big believer in dads having equal opportunity to stay home. My husband was home with our kids for a year during a career transition, and it made a huge difference in the quality of his relationship with them.
The best investment I ever made was two years ago when I decided to spend $225 on getting a Zumba instructor certification, even though my company had just forced me to take a 10% paycut. Not only have I been able to make up the money from the 10% paycut from teaching classes, I'm also getting exercise that I would have been paying a gym for!
The best investment I ever made was in myself. I returned to school and got my college degree at the age of 38. Armed with my degree I was able to change occupations and became a social worker for the next 17 years.
The latest (and best) investment I've made is finally getting on the smartphone wagon. I can't believe what these things are capable of. There is just about an app for everything. I can get directions, check my email, browse the web. It's working wonders.
Smartest investment I have ever made was when I started my 401k when I was 16. Seeing the money I have been saving for 14 years now grow to where it is today makes me feel great about my future and the future of my kids!
Two things:
If your credit cards are maxed and you make the minimum payment, there is a point at which you will begin to owe more rather than less, due to interest. Then there will be an "over the limit" fee, which will make you further in debt, and will make your payments seem senseless.
Secondly, anyone looking for a place to give away some money and truly feel great about it should check out Love Drop.
For anyone considering becoming a stay-at-home parent, I'd also recommend giving it a trial run first by finding a job that allows you a more flexible schedule, like part-time or set your own hours. That way, you can slowly settle into your new role instead of jumping in and being overwhelmed. And you might find that staying at home and having a part-time job is the right balance for you. I started working as a part-time freelance writer last summer and absolutely love my job (I work for www.FlexJobs.com and my role has gradually transitioned into more of a full-time position over the year). A bunch of my coworkers are parents who work either full or part-time from home, so they are able to maintain their careers AND spend more time with their family.
If you want to be promoted, start playing the role, you will be given the role
i added a second tension shower rod in each of my bathrooms, hung high and centered over the shower/tub so i don't end up with wet floors. total cost of $22 for both and no mess. you can see them here:
http://whitehothammer.blogspot.com/2011/03/shower-rod-to-rescue.html
I am so touched by the comments u guys made. But anyway, life is wonderful, cause there are so many beaufitul things in this world, like the music, whenever i heard the fantastic song or music, i will be moved, and think how marvlous human is, cause they can compose such beautiful music or song.
My goal is sort of a fantasy, too. but i like it. I want to travel around the world, and i want to have a lot of Monchhichis, and i want to make friends with people who are from different countries, i want to live a wonderful life, etc.
My friend told me that 'do what u want, and **** the rest.' and i like this sentence very much.
By the way, it's my first time to come to this website, and i love it very much. It's amazing.
When I worked at a tech company that operated as a high-pressure long-hours sweatshop, I reached a breaking point where I was ready to take any other job I could get just to escape. A colleague told me "don't run away from something bad - run toward something good." That thought stuck with me and I held out for the right new job instead of any new job. It took a few months longer, but I ended up with a higher level position at a Fortune 50 company, a 25% salary increase, and a much better work environment within which I had opportunity to grow and learn new things. Since then I have given that same advice to others many times.
The best advice I've gotten was to make sure you are active in groups that relate to your career. Yeah, it can get kind of schmoozy, but it's a great way to keep in touch with people and keep up to date on who is moving where in your professional circles.