I think your list is fantastic. It's well written, diverse enough to cover anyone's lifestyle and quick reading. All very good.
@aoi neko. blue cat, certainly you can find apply some of the 44 ideas listed to your life. i cannot believe you have zero nature, friends, family, and other human beings around you. do you live in outer space? seriously. come down. we miss you! =)
Random thoughts:
I've always defined frugality as getting good value for your resources (money, time, etc), so with my definition, value and values can be part of the decision-making process.
I seldom go to Walmart or Sam's Club, but when I do, I am surprised to discover that their prices are not that great. The teeny grocery down the street has better prices on wine and ethnic and "gourmet" items. Similarly, we had an almost free membership to Sam's: $15 instead of $40. We got a renewal notice that proclaimed that we had saved $60.00! Not worth it!
Sadly, there are not too many little, locally owned shops any more. New Orleans is noted for its many quirky boutiques. My little town has a few clothing and furniture shops.
I have used witch hazel on my scalp for more than 20 years. When I had an occasional problem with skin irritations (probably pimples) under my hair on the back of my head I began using witch hazel with almost immediate relief. I later started to use it on my entire scalp, rubbing it in and leaving my hair moist. I keep my hair short, less than an inch, so I started to comb my hair while moist and found that it dried pretty fast and in place. After drying I brushed my hair with a short toothed plastic brush and it stayed that way all day but it was soft not stiff. I love using witch hazel and would recommend it to anyone with short hair. Long hair I don't know you may have to experiment. There is no doubt that witch hazel leaves some natural oil on your hair but it does not seem to accumulate from day to day. My two sons in their mid to late 30s do not use witch hazel and are going bald, I am in my 60s and am not going bald. I don't think it will grow new hair but it may help you keep what you have. I'm not making any claims "I just saying".
Selective breeding to acheive desired traits is a longstanding agricultural practice. I have never heard it referred to as being akin to genetic modification, although the term "genetic modification" itself is a little vague, because if you think about it, all sexual reproduction is genetic modification.
Anyway, I think GM foods are foods that have had genes from other species inserted into the DNA to acheive new results, like disease resistance. So selective breeding isn't TECHNICALLY the same thing.
And, although you didn't really ask, I don't think that most people object to GMO on teh grounds that they are Frankenfoods per se (although some people surely see it is "unnatural") but because of the way that the companies who produce these crops and seeds behave in the marketplace. ADM, Monsanto, Dow Chemical - they have some practices that people find questionable.
No one here is supposed to dispense medical advice. If you are having low blood sugars, talk to your doctor.
That said, low blood sugars are caused when you burn more sugar than you take in. This is either because you are medicating too much, eating too few carbs, or exercising too hard (or all three, perhaps?). ALWAYS, as a diabetic, keep some candy or glucose pills on hand so that you can raise your blood sugar to normal levels if you hit a low.
Remember, low sugars aren't good for you, either. Low blood sugars cause brain damage, so act immediately if your sugars get too low.
I love to read about the debate over term v. perm. Especially when paid and compensated financial 'gurus' on TV are praising the self-insuring and investing when they themselves have whole life or a variant themselves. Why would someone want to be self-insured with say $600,000 of a lifetime of savings make MOST ALL of that subject to tax and wind up having the government potentially take half? Who has the discipline to invest or a better question, the financial prowess? If Whole life insurance was such a bad idea, it wouldn't have been around for generations.
Term is NOT cheaper in the long run. What is someone to do at the end of 20 or 30 years? Lets add, uninsurable to the mix as well? Most people when they retire do so in much of the same pre-retirement debt but only making about half to 2/3 of pre-retirement income. That's not a time to try to buy whole life burial plan that you could have bought 30 years ago for dollars a month. What would you rather do rent a home of buy it? Have a real stake in it? The cost of ANY insurance at retirement is ridiculous, but necessary charge to make a profit on.
I make options available to all my clients and explain clearly the differences. This is the basis for 'needs' instead of wants based selling. Both have merits just make sure that you "ask the right questions" and understand before you make your decision. As pointed out previously, determining that term is not the best choice 10-15 years down the road will be costly.
-Mr. Pauly, FIC, MBA licensed insurance agent and registered representative. 12+ years in the business
I think you did a huge disservice by not pointing people to reputable organizations such as those non-profits accredited by NFCC (national foundation for credit counseling) and AICCA (Association of Independent Consumer Credit Counseling Agencies)
Some of your items seem to be very similar to other ones. Also some of these mean you have to have money, family and people around you that actually are sociable. Oh and live in a place that has "nature" to be in and also to be physically well.
Sorry but not everyone has that. So I guess that means people like me can't improve our lives.
Trust me I've tried and I've looked but you can't make people be nice if they don't want to. You can't make people be sociable if they don't want to. You can try to be sociable as much as possible but if others aren't there you can't change them. It's really bad that in our world so many ignore others. you can be kind all you want but it doesn't usually bring real relationships.
Too bad that your ideals don't work for everyone. Too bad they aren't realistic. Not everyone has family that is good, not everyone has a relationship, not everyone is physically up for going out to be active, not everyone has money or the ability to give.
I'm not categorically opposed to ruthless frugality. Paying the least you can for everything you get is actually a good starting point. But I think it's worth doing it consciously, being aware of what you give up when you do that.
If you still have a corner store, maybe you can buy the exact same cheap pan there that you can get at WalMart—and it's hard to see the win from paying more at the corner store. Certainly the sweatshop workers don't know or care where you buy it. And it's quite possible that there's no locally made alternative—there aren't many handcrafted pans made in the US any more. But where there are locally made alternatives, there are some advantages to buying them when you can. You're usually getting better quality. Plus, the money that you spend stays in the community.
Unfortunately for me i have a bank that likes to gouge me for activity fees and maintenance to the tune of about $40 bucks or so a year! :-) Of course the next time i get $30 bucks in my pocket i'm transferring banks.
Philip, I agree with what you're saying in general, but paying more for products manufactured with greater integrity not only costs more money, but it also can cost a lot of time.
To buy in this manner means being aware of how, when, where and by whom everything is produced. Life is already too complicated, and to devote time to that research wouldn't be cost effective in itself.
Personally, I think most of us would be better served cutting down on bigger expenses, like housing, cars, etc, rather than focusing so much effort on saving on the little stuff so we can keep the big ones. We're often buying ultra cheap so we can "afford" an oversized house- or car-payment.
This post comments on two orthogonal ideas. Sure you can choose to be an activist by not spending money on bad things. But in this world, we are presented with decisions of the lesser of two evils variety. One item might not utilize sweat shop labor, but in turn destroys the planet.
If you are trying to be activist, decide which evil is most important. Then decide how much of a premium you are willing to pay to avoid it and pay that premium. On the other hand, if being frugal is the goal then the decision comes down to price vs. quality.
In the end, working with both of these requires optimizing on two axes. This optimization is difficult to impose on consumers.
Linsey, thank you for the link! I am glad you like my router storage idea. I couldn't stand looking at that thing! Since you mentioned Wii...I store my wii paraphernalia in a rolling basket cart.
I bought the baskets at Bed Bath and Beyond years ago, I don't see them online now, however came across this.
I've had the same problem with free offers from Wisebread sites...I've gotten a trial pack of Cheerios and a free sample of shampoo. That's it for over a year on Wisebread. I must be picking the wrong things- I still haven't gotten the shamwow that I really wanted!!!
On the other hand, I do a lot of online surveys and subscribe to a lot of cooking and recipe sites and get tons of free coupons for stuff I probably wouldn't buy but I try them and then send in the survey results for marketing- like Velveeta Mac N' Cheese cups (gross) and the new Jello Mousse cups (YUM).
true, not everyone can afford to pay more to shop locally or take the time to research every purchase. But that doesn't mean that those of us who *can* pay a bit more and research a bit more aren't obligated to or shouldn't encourage others to.
The way stores like Walmart, to take just one example, run their company is morally atrocious. I believe people who have the financial resources and information resources to shop at more sustainable or ethical stores (and there are some big-box stores that have ethical business models as well) are morally obligated to. Our business keeps "better" stores alive, and shows that consumers are willing to support ethical business.
Walmart etc. aren't going any where - they'll still be around if/when I find myself in dire financial straits and am unable to pay a bit more or don't have access to other options. I don't think less of people who are on a very, very tight budget or don't have access to other stores - that was *my* family for quite some time. I do think less of people who know better, can pay more, and choose not to. That's lazy, ruthless, and cheap, in the worst sense of the word.
I almost got caught by this. I purchased a plan, but when I got the contract and read the disqualifications, it said ANY NON-DEALER installed tow hitches.
It's your responsibility to check for this, and if you don't they simply not honor a claim the first time you try. Then, you'll have to try to get a partial refund on the plan if it even allows it.
I then went to another company, and specifically asked the sales person and they said 'No problem, your covered'. When I got the contract (before I bought it), it too, has the EXACT SAME exclusion listed. DON"T trust the sales people on the phone. READ IT YOURSELF.... Completely!
Agreed, we "vote" with our money whenever we make a transaction.
One big box store was widely criticized for paying their workers so little that communities had to subsidize their wages. I never saw its name supporting little leagues or community groups that the smaller businesses saw as their duty as part of a community. In fact, the old downtowns become ghost towns.
Most of the profits fly to headquarters/shareowners, as did the manufacturing jobs and even the transport jobs (suppliers are told to ship from China to Mexico because the big box can make more money). Bottom-line and then skimming to make more is the goal. I have been in this store twice (it is everywhere), but the mass amount of cheap goods, mostly for non-necessary stuff, was off-putting. I'd rather have one good item that would last, or do without.
Rather than shop at the local big box pet store, I found a local family-run one that is involved in the community (pet rescue groups/dog training classes), and nothing is sold there that the owners wouldn't use themselves. I prefer to pay cash to save them the bank fees. Shopping at the farmer's markets has added much to my life.
When there are just online bookstores, I won't be able to browse and pick up a book I'd never have come across otherwise.
There is a balance based on where you choose to spend your money, but as another poster commented that depends on your financial situation. Not all can base their decisions on whether it is good to shop at places that exploit their workers, because it could be the only place that they CAN afford to shop. Buying local often can be cheaper if you buy what is abundant.
But that aside, there are many decisions that you can make that are frugal and a little hedonistic...planting some interesting and more exotic vegetables in your backyard. I try and buy local when I can. If I am getting rid of something I use freecycle. If I want a good wine...I shop for a good deal and then bring it home and enjoy it with friends. I'd never order it out and spend 3 times retail for it. We all make good and stupid decisions when it comes to much of this.
I think the best thing is striving to be mindful of it. Years ago I thought nothing of logging on Amazon and spending 50 or 60 dollars to feed my reading habit. Now I log onto my public libraries website and reserve the books, and each time they send me an email to tell me my book is ready to pick up...I do a little happy dance. Simplicity is a beautiful thing but like any habit it takes awhile to make it a lifestyle change. Really enjoyed this Phillip, its not how much we need, it is more about the choices we make to fulfill them.
Thanks for explaining how these debt settlement companies work. Two years ago, my credit score was at an all time low because of missed payments and unsettled debts. Not only was I stressed because I was living paycheck to paycheck, but I was constantly hounded by collectors to where I never wanted to answer my phone. I thought about see if a debt settlement was a good idea for me but the thought of paying someone to help me get rid of debt seemed like a bad idea. From researching online, reading blogs like this one and my own hard work, my credit score has been raise almost 100 points and I am $1000 away from being debt free!
I own a Samsung SPH m330 and there is no visable port on the back side of the phone, either in slide position or normal. Is there someway you can tell how to boost my signal strenght with this type of phone? Thanks... :)
I think your list is fantastic. It's well written, diverse enough to cover anyone's lifestyle and quick reading. All very good.
@aoi neko. blue cat, certainly you can find apply some of the 44 ideas listed to your life. i cannot believe you have zero nature, friends, family, and other human beings around you. do you live in outer space? seriously. come down. we miss you! =)
Random thoughts:
I've always defined frugality as getting good value for your resources (money, time, etc), so with my definition, value and values can be part of the decision-making process.
I seldom go to Walmart or Sam's Club, but when I do, I am surprised to discover that their prices are not that great. The teeny grocery down the street has better prices on wine and ethnic and "gourmet" items. Similarly, we had an almost free membership to Sam's: $15 instead of $40. We got a renewal notice that proclaimed that we had saved $60.00! Not worth it!
Sadly, there are not too many little, locally owned shops any more. New Orleans is noted for its many quirky boutiques. My little town has a few clothing and furniture shops.
I seen that you were interested in human hair please contact me if still interested.
I have used witch hazel on my scalp for more than 20 years. When I had an occasional problem with skin irritations (probably pimples) under my hair on the back of my head I began using witch hazel with almost immediate relief. I later started to use it on my entire scalp, rubbing it in and leaving my hair moist. I keep my hair short, less than an inch, so I started to comb my hair while moist and found that it dried pretty fast and in place. After drying I brushed my hair with a short toothed plastic brush and it stayed that way all day but it was soft not stiff. I love using witch hazel and would recommend it to anyone with short hair. Long hair I don't know you may have to experiment. There is no doubt that witch hazel leaves some natural oil on your hair but it does not seem to accumulate from day to day. My two sons in their mid to late 30s do not use witch hazel and are going bald, I am in my 60s and am not going bald. I don't think it will grow new hair but it may help you keep what you have. I'm not making any claims "I just saying".
Wow, there is a lot of common sense in this article, things that people have been missing for years, not understanding the consequences!
Selective breeding to acheive desired traits is a longstanding agricultural practice. I have never heard it referred to as being akin to genetic modification, although the term "genetic modification" itself is a little vague, because if you think about it, all sexual reproduction is genetic modification.
Anyway, I think GM foods are foods that have had genes from other species inserted into the DNA to acheive new results, like disease resistance. So selective breeding isn't TECHNICALLY the same thing.
And, although you didn't really ask, I don't think that most people object to GMO on teh grounds that they are Frankenfoods per se (although some people surely see it is "unnatural") but because of the way that the companies who produce these crops and seeds behave in the marketplace. ADM, Monsanto, Dow Chemical - they have some practices that people find questionable.
No one here is supposed to dispense medical advice. If you are having low blood sugars, talk to your doctor.
That said, low blood sugars are caused when you burn more sugar than you take in. This is either because you are medicating too much, eating too few carbs, or exercising too hard (or all three, perhaps?). ALWAYS, as a diabetic, keep some candy or glucose pills on hand so that you can raise your blood sugar to normal levels if you hit a low.
Remember, low sugars aren't good for you, either. Low blood sugars cause brain damage, so act immediately if your sugars get too low.
I thought for sure it said "MEDICATE".
"How clever!" I thought to myself. Of course we should medicate ourselves!
I had to look at it four times before I realized what it really said.
Annie
I love to read about the debate over term v. perm. Especially when paid and compensated financial 'gurus' on TV are praising the self-insuring and investing when they themselves have whole life or a variant themselves. Why would someone want to be self-insured with say $600,000 of a lifetime of savings make MOST ALL of that subject to tax and wind up having the government potentially take half? Who has the discipline to invest or a better question, the financial prowess? If Whole life insurance was such a bad idea, it wouldn't have been around for generations.
Term is NOT cheaper in the long run. What is someone to do at the end of 20 or 30 years? Lets add, uninsurable to the mix as well? Most people when they retire do so in much of the same pre-retirement debt but only making about half to 2/3 of pre-retirement income. That's not a time to try to buy whole life burial plan that you could have bought 30 years ago for dollars a month. What would you rather do rent a home of buy it? Have a real stake in it? The cost of ANY insurance at retirement is ridiculous, but necessary charge to make a profit on.
I make options available to all my clients and explain clearly the differences. This is the basis for 'needs' instead of wants based selling. Both have merits just make sure that you "ask the right questions" and understand before you make your decision. As pointed out previously, determining that term is not the best choice 10-15 years down the road will be costly.
-Mr. Pauly, FIC, MBA licensed insurance agent and registered representative. 12+ years in the business
I think you did a huge disservice by not pointing people to reputable organizations such as those non-profits accredited by NFCC (national foundation for credit counseling) and AICCA (Association of Independent Consumer Credit Counseling Agencies)
Some of your items seem to be very similar to other ones. Also some of these mean you have to have money, family and people around you that actually are sociable. Oh and live in a place that has "nature" to be in and also to be physically well.
Sorry but not everyone has that. So I guess that means people like me can't improve our lives.
Trust me I've tried and I've looked but you can't make people be nice if they don't want to. You can't make people be sociable if they don't want to. You can try to be sociable as much as possible but if others aren't there you can't change them. It's really bad that in our world so many ignore others. you can be kind all you want but it doesn't usually bring real relationships.
Too bad that your ideals don't work for everyone. Too bad they aren't realistic. Not everyone has family that is good, not everyone has a relationship, not everyone is physically up for going out to be active, not everyone has money or the ability to give.
Does the fact that baby carrots, or "imperators," are bred to grow fast mean that they are "GMO's?"
Thanks, everyone, for the good comments so far.
I'm not categorically opposed to ruthless frugality. Paying the least you can for everything you get is actually a good starting point. But I think it's worth doing it consciously, being aware of what you give up when you do that.
If you still have a corner store, maybe you can buy the exact same cheap pan there that you can get at WalMart—and it's hard to see the win from paying more at the corner store. Certainly the sweatshop workers don't know or care where you buy it. And it's quite possible that there's no locally made alternative—there aren't many handcrafted pans made in the US any more. But where there are locally made alternatives, there are some advantages to buying them when you can. You're usually getting better quality. Plus, the money that you spend stays in the community.
Unfortunately for me i have a bank that likes to gouge me for activity fees and maintenance to the tune of about $40 bucks or so a year! :-) Of course the next time i get $30 bucks in my pocket i'm transferring banks.
Philip, I agree with what you're saying in general, but paying more for products manufactured with greater integrity not only costs more money, but it also can cost a lot of time.
To buy in this manner means being aware of how, when, where and by whom everything is produced. Life is already too complicated, and to devote time to that research wouldn't be cost effective in itself.
Personally, I think most of us would be better served cutting down on bigger expenses, like housing, cars, etc, rather than focusing so much effort on saving on the little stuff so we can keep the big ones. We're often buying ultra cheap so we can "afford" an oversized house- or car-payment.
This post comments on two orthogonal ideas. Sure you can choose to be an activist by not spending money on bad things. But in this world, we are presented with decisions of the lesser of two evils variety. One item might not utilize sweat shop labor, but in turn destroys the planet.
If you are trying to be activist, decide which evil is most important. Then decide how much of a premium you are willing to pay to avoid it and pay that premium. On the other hand, if being frugal is the goal then the decision comes down to price vs. quality.
In the end, working with both of these requires optimizing on two axes. This optimization is difficult to impose on consumers.
Linsey, thank you for the link! I am glad you like my router storage idea. I couldn't stand looking at that thing! Since you mentioned Wii...I store my wii paraphernalia in a rolling basket cart.
I bought the baskets at Bed Bath and Beyond years ago, I don't see them online now, however came across this.
I've had the same problem with free offers from Wisebread sites...I've gotten a trial pack of Cheerios and a free sample of shampoo. That's it for over a year on Wisebread. I must be picking the wrong things- I still haven't gotten the shamwow that I really wanted!!!
On the other hand, I do a lot of online surveys and subscribe to a lot of cooking and recipe sites and get tons of free coupons for stuff I probably wouldn't buy but I try them and then send in the survey results for marketing- like Velveeta Mac N' Cheese cups (gross) and the new Jello Mousse cups (YUM).
true, not everyone can afford to pay more to shop locally or take the time to research every purchase. But that doesn't mean that those of us who *can* pay a bit more and research a bit more aren't obligated to or shouldn't encourage others to.
The way stores like Walmart, to take just one example, run their company is morally atrocious. I believe people who have the financial resources and information resources to shop at more sustainable or ethical stores (and there are some big-box stores that have ethical business models as well) are morally obligated to. Our business keeps "better" stores alive, and shows that consumers are willing to support ethical business.
Walmart etc. aren't going any where - they'll still be around if/when I find myself in dire financial straits and am unable to pay a bit more or don't have access to other options. I don't think less of people who are on a very, very tight budget or don't have access to other stores - that was *my* family for quite some time. I do think less of people who know better, can pay more, and choose not to. That's lazy, ruthless, and cheap, in the worst sense of the word.
I almost got caught by this. I purchased a plan, but when I got the contract and read the disqualifications, it said ANY NON-DEALER installed tow hitches.
It's your responsibility to check for this, and if you don't they simply not honor a claim the first time you try. Then, you'll have to try to get a partial refund on the plan if it even allows it.
I then went to another company, and specifically asked the sales person and they said 'No problem, your covered'. When I got the contract (before I bought it), it too, has the EXACT SAME exclusion listed. DON"T trust the sales people on the phone. READ IT YOURSELF.... Completely!
Good luck
Agreed, we "vote" with our money whenever we make a transaction.
One big box store was widely criticized for paying their workers so little that communities had to subsidize their wages. I never saw its name supporting little leagues or community groups that the smaller businesses saw as their duty as part of a community. In fact, the old downtowns become ghost towns.
Most of the profits fly to headquarters/shareowners, as did the manufacturing jobs and even the transport jobs (suppliers are told to ship from China to Mexico because the big box can make more money). Bottom-line and then skimming to make more is the goal. I have been in this store twice (it is everywhere), but the mass amount of cheap goods, mostly for non-necessary stuff, was off-putting. I'd rather have one good item that would last, or do without.
Rather than shop at the local big box pet store, I found a local family-run one that is involved in the community (pet rescue groups/dog training classes), and nothing is sold there that the owners wouldn't use themselves. I prefer to pay cash to save them the bank fees. Shopping at the farmer's markets has added much to my life.
When there are just online bookstores, I won't be able to browse and pick up a book I'd never have come across otherwise.
There is a balance based on where you choose to spend your money, but as another poster commented that depends on your financial situation. Not all can base their decisions on whether it is good to shop at places that exploit their workers, because it could be the only place that they CAN afford to shop. Buying local often can be cheaper if you buy what is abundant.
But that aside, there are many decisions that you can make that are frugal and a little hedonistic...planting some interesting and more exotic vegetables in your backyard. I try and buy local when I can. If I am getting rid of something I use freecycle. If I want a good wine...I shop for a good deal and then bring it home and enjoy it with friends. I'd never order it out and spend 3 times retail for it. We all make good and stupid decisions when it comes to much of this.
I think the best thing is striving to be mindful of it. Years ago I thought nothing of logging on Amazon and spending 50 or 60 dollars to feed my reading habit. Now I log onto my public libraries website and reserve the books, and each time they send me an email to tell me my book is ready to pick up...I do a little happy dance. Simplicity is a beautiful thing but like any habit it takes awhile to make it a lifestyle change. Really enjoyed this Phillip, its not how much we need, it is more about the choices we make to fulfill them.
Thanks for explaining how these debt settlement companies work. Two years ago, my credit score was at an all time low because of missed payments and unsettled debts. Not only was I stressed because I was living paycheck to paycheck, but I was constantly hounded by collectors to where I never wanted to answer my phone. I thought about see if a debt settlement was a good idea for me but the thought of paying someone to help me get rid of debt seemed like a bad idea. From researching online, reading blogs like this one and my own hard work, my credit score has been raise almost 100 points and I am $1000 away from being debt free!
It might also be helpful to think of each purchase as a "vote" for what's behind the price. Spending is the only "activism" most people do.
I own a Samsung SPH m330 and there is no visable port on the back side of the phone, either in slide position or normal. Is there someway you can tell how to boost my signal strenght with this type of phone? Thanks... :)