Tastefully Simple (their product IS the food)
Lia Sofia (jewelry - really pretty jewelry, but costume jewelry)
there's also a new thing out there called Houseparty.com. It's wonderful because they don't try to sell you anything. Most times, a party you attend, you're given free samples, items and coupons. No selling of the product.
I hosted a Houseparty.com party for a brand name of canned tomatoes. I made some food with the free cans I got, and everybody was given little gifts and coupons. Will this make them buy it over others? maybe / mabye not. If it were cheaper than the regular brand, probably.
I look for and buy some child size costumes when I can find them at a good price. They make great 'dress up' clothes for my home child care business.
Also I have given them away as Christmas gifts too. My youngest grandson loved BATMAN. I found a costume marked down to less than $5.00. It was perfect, not torn or dirty..I wrapped it as a gift and Christmas morning he was so excited. We had Batman at our dinner table.
I just wanted to say thank you for posting on this site. I just happened to come accross it and was reading all of the posts from really ill informed people out people out there. I am a PDR tech in Oklahoma. I was just about to post the same thing. But anyways, thanks
I am very familiar with Pampered Chef. Mt daughter is a mid level distributor 8 to 10 years in the business. Networking is her only advertising. The business prospers because the products are excellent, they have lasting value!
There's a lot of cultural and institutional support for people who are escaping the rat race by retiring at retirement age--pensions, social security, medicare--and for them an annuity structure makes good sense. For someone who wants to escape the rat race earlier than that--especially those who want to escape it much earlier--it's important to be very careful about this sort of thing. People do live into and beyond their 90s, and you wouldn't want to bet too much of your future on the idea that you'll die young. A fairly small screw-up in calculating--or even just ordinary bad luck--can result in someone "retiring" early and then running out of money.
The steps to avoid such an outcome aren't hard: Have a bit of margin for error. Track your spending and your level of capital. Make mid-course adjustments in spending if your capital starts to fall.
Most important--and this is kind of the whole point I'm making--the most powerful step you can take is to continue to earn some money during your "retirement." Nothing will protect your core capital like being able to cover some of your expenses with earnings rather than investment income, and nothing will protect your capacity for future earned income like an ongoing history of earning money.
Unless it's a product that I am really interest in, like Tupperware (it's still very good quality), I just say that I don't attend "those types" of parties. Yes, it may be a bit gruff, but I think it's pretty nervy to invite me to a "party" so that they can get free stuff. I'd rather just hand you $5 and save my self a boat load of overpriced clutter.
Your article talks about setting up a "perpetuity", but what you really want is an "annuity".
When interest rates are high and one has a lot of years left to live, then there's not a lot of difference between the cost of an annuity and perpetuity.
However, when interest rates are low (say 3%) and one has maybe 40 years to live, the cost of an annuity is only 70% of the cost of a perpetuity with the same regular pay-outs.
I try to read as many articles on WiseBread as possible, I think the information is priceless. I think for once I can add something to the conversation though! I'm an MBA student and recently took a course in which we were required to read the book "Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion." In it, there's a list of the six "Weapons of Influence," one of which is "Liking." The author, Robert Cialdini, actually uses the example of Tupperware parties and their marketing ploys. It really is a great read, and goes a looooong way to giving you an insider's viewpoint of some of the oldest sales tricks in the book. I'm not one of those students that loves to read either, usually it's quite the chore, but once you start reading this book, you start identifying with all the tricks that have been pulled on you before. I suggest picking up a copy!
Great post! Any one noticed that these parties are more often than not targeted at women? There is definitely an emotional angle here -- guilt and impulse buying!
I've been to a few of these parties, and it is nice to meet some new people. However, I only go if there's something I need or want (for myself or for a gift). (I check out the company website before accepting the invite).
If you feel you must spend to relieve stress then buy for someone else. The gratitude you have for that good deed will out weigh the stress you will have for spending money you didn't have. Be good to yourself, you deserve the Praise.
Oh, Yea! I believe stress attacks in some form or other. I am not shopper so, I don't go out and shop. What I do is smother the ones I love. I will bake cookies from scratch in the middle of the week or create fabulous meal. My relief for stress is cooking. My children think they did something wonderful because they get special treats or unique food. The reward is my family praises me and tells me how marvelous everything was or is. This is relief. I am receiving praise and gratitude for something I couldn't control - stress. So, I say find an outlet for your stress and make sure it gives back. Your emotions will appreciate the gratitude and the praise you receive from doing something for someone else.
After years of doing the cooking stress relief, my children have finally caught on that Mom is freaked out about something and they come in and talk to me about everything.
Great topic and post on what can be a touchy issue for some; I like what Miss Manners has said about distinguishing between social and business invitations. So, if I get an invitation from a 'friend" who has never invited me to her house before, or accepted my invitation, or shown any sort of interest in getting to know me, then I consider the invite purely business and am unlikely to show up or respond.
On the other hand, if someone I know well is having a party, I am likely to go -- but that has happened just a couple of times in the past few years. Still, I have enjoyed attending because I typically learn a little bit about certain products -- the demo portion is usually what I like plus general socializing.
I haven't needed to buy this lately but have Tupperware around the house (great stuff and you can get replacement parts for free) as well as some Pampered Chef and a Southern Living cookbook.
I have never attended a marketing party, and I hope that I never will. The entire thing has the feel of a cult about it.
I totally understand the feeling of wanting to help a friend in need, and I often go out of my way to help friends that I know are struggling financially. But I draw the line at these types of events. I despise the feeling of having products pitched at me, especially in a setting where it is difficult to say "No, thanks, I don't want or need any of this."
I bought my way out through the ultrafrugal approach.
It is important to realize, that you can never get full security regardless---you could get hit by a bus and not be able to apply the diversified skills anymore. (Try to pick manual skills as well as mental skills.)
I think financial independence by having 25-30 times annual spending as a backing is definitely a strategy that should not be dismissed and it should be included on par with finding (different) jobs that can yield the same levels of income to cover one's expenses. Something that makes this easy by lowering expenses is the pursuit of ultrafrugality which is complicated but not very hard.
Overall, we seem to agree, but I would have pushed the asset-backed "buy-out" harder.
For those suffering from acid reflux for a while without any reprieve inspite of trying medications like Prevacid, aciphex etc.:
Check your stomach acid levels. Sometimes acid reflux may be caused by low acid. That triggers a valve to open letting the acid move up.
Like so many on this board, I relied heavily on those medications. After doing a lot of research, I have come to believe, atleast in my case, low acid was the real culprit. These days I sip orange juie slowly during the meals and in-between - believe thast has helped me. I am free of any reflux now.
Depending upon your decorating/party needs in the upcoming months, you can also get great deals on plastic ware, napkins and such if you plan ahead.
My high school colors were orange and black. The years my sister and I graduated, mom planned ahead and got all of the plates, napkins, plastic ware and such for our graduation parties at least 50% off.
Now, I keep an eye out and if I see plastic ware or napkins on super clearance I'll grab them up and either donate them to the church youth group (where I volunteer) or take them to work.
And, as I was explaining to a coworker yesterday, with the correct purchases of candy (if you can find any left on clearance) you can have bargain priced holiday appropriate candy by buying after a holiday to serve at the next holiday. "Harvest" themed colors are suitable for Thanksgiving and can be found in M&Ms and, Hershey's kisses and little chocolate bars. It's a little harder going from Thanksgiving to Christmas, but Christmas to Valentine's day is easy and, if Easter is early, some Valentine's pastel colored items can be carried over to Easter.
has anyone been able to go to the same restaurant with a certificate more than monthly? Does the system stop you and if they call in does that cancel that certificate
I've shopped at Aldi's a number of times. Most of the items I like and they certainly are a good value. However, I won't buy the fish and other products from China, no matter the price.
You know, sometimes if you empty the cache or delete your cookies in your internet browser, the price will change. This might also happen if you use your computer at a different ISP address. I'm not exactly sure how it works, but I do know that I've looked up prices for plane tickets before and after deleting my cookies, and the prices were 30-50$ cheaper. Might be something to keep in mind for planning future trips.
Just thought I'd let you know the tape trick you've listed DOES NOT work on Lexmark 7300 Series printers. When I taped the contacts, the regular low ink messages popped up and I just clicked through them. Suddenly, the printer began to print. What came out was a "blank" piece of paper.
Ones you didnt' list:
Tastefully Simple (their product IS the food)
Lia Sofia (jewelry - really pretty jewelry, but costume jewelry)
there's also a new thing out there called Houseparty.com. It's wonderful because they don't try to sell you anything. Most times, a party you attend, you're given free samples, items and coupons. No selling of the product.
I hosted a Houseparty.com party for a brand name of canned tomatoes. I made some food with the free cans I got, and everybody was given little gifts and coupons. Will this make them buy it over others? maybe / mabye not. If it were cheaper than the regular brand, probably.
So other than wet bread, where can I find a food grade gasket or one that maybe I could cut to fit a pot lid?
I look for and buy some child size costumes when I can find them at a good price. They make great 'dress up' clothes for my home child care business.
Also I have given them away as Christmas gifts too. My youngest grandson loved BATMAN. I found a costume marked down to less than $5.00. It was perfect, not torn or dirty..I wrapped it as a gift and Christmas morning he was so excited. We had Batman at our dinner table.
I just wanted to say thank you for posting on this site. I just happened to come accross it and was reading all of the posts from really ill informed people out people out there. I am a PDR tech in Oklahoma. I was just about to post the same thing. But anyways, thanks
I am very familiar with Pampered Chef. Mt daughter is a mid level distributor 8 to 10 years in the business. Networking is her only advertising. The business prospers because the products are excellent, they have lasting value!
John DeFlumeri Jr.
@ Rick Miller:
You're right. I actually analyze this in some detail in my post How much do I need to retire? How much can I spend?
There's a lot of cultural and institutional support for people who are escaping the rat race by retiring at retirement age--pensions, social security, medicare--and for them an annuity structure makes good sense. For someone who wants to escape the rat race earlier than that--especially those who want to escape it much earlier--it's important to be very careful about this sort of thing. People do live into and beyond their 90s, and you wouldn't want to bet too much of your future on the idea that you'll die young. A fairly small screw-up in calculating--or even just ordinary bad luck--can result in someone "retiring" early and then running out of money.
The steps to avoid such an outcome aren't hard: Have a bit of margin for error. Track your spending and your level of capital. Make mid-course adjustments in spending if your capital starts to fall.
Most important--and this is kind of the whole point I'm making--the most powerful step you can take is to continue to earn some money during your "retirement." Nothing will protect your core capital like being able to cover some of your expenses with earnings rather than investment income, and nothing will protect your capacity for future earned income like an ongoing history of earning money.
Unless it's a product that I am really interest in, like Tupperware (it's still very good quality), I just say that I don't attend "those types" of parties. Yes, it may be a bit gruff, but I think it's pretty nervy to invite me to a "party" so that they can get free stuff. I'd rather just hand you $5 and save my self a boat load of overpriced clutter.
Phil,
Your article talks about setting up a "perpetuity", but what you really want is an "annuity".
When interest rates are high and one has a lot of years left to live, then there's not a lot of difference between the cost of an annuity and perpetuity.
However, when interest rates are low (say 3%) and one has maybe 40 years to live, the cost of an annuity is only 70% of the cost of a perpetuity with the same regular pay-outs.
I try to read as many articles on WiseBread as possible, I think the information is priceless. I think for once I can add something to the conversation though! I'm an MBA student and recently took a course in which we were required to read the book "Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion." In it, there's a list of the six "Weapons of Influence," one of which is "Liking." The author, Robert Cialdini, actually uses the example of Tupperware parties and their marketing ploys. It really is a great read, and goes a looooong way to giving you an insider's viewpoint of some of the oldest sales tricks in the book. I'm not one of those students that loves to read either, usually it's quite the chore, but once you start reading this book, you start identifying with all the tricks that have been pulled on you before. I suggest picking up a copy!
Great post! Any one noticed that these parties are more often than not targeted at women? There is definitely an emotional angle here -- guilt and impulse buying!
I've been to a few of these parties, and it is nice to meet some new people. However, I only go if there's something I need or want (for myself or for a gift). (I check out the company website before accepting the invite).
If you feel you must spend to relieve stress then buy for someone else. The gratitude you have for that good deed will out weigh the stress you will have for spending money you didn't have. Be good to yourself, you deserve the Praise.
Oh, Yea! I believe stress attacks in some form or other. I am not shopper so, I don't go out and shop. What I do is smother the ones I love. I will bake cookies from scratch in the middle of the week or create fabulous meal. My relief for stress is cooking. My children think they did something wonderful because they get special treats or unique food. The reward is my family praises me and tells me how marvelous everything was or is. This is relief. I am receiving praise and gratitude for something I couldn't control - stress. So, I say find an outlet for your stress and make sure it gives back. Your emotions will appreciate the gratitude and the praise you receive from doing something for someone else.
After years of doing the cooking stress relief, my children have finally caught on that Mom is freaked out about something and they come in and talk to me about everything.
Great topic and post on what can be a touchy issue for some; I like what Miss Manners has said about distinguishing between social and business invitations. So, if I get an invitation from a 'friend" who has never invited me to her house before, or accepted my invitation, or shown any sort of interest in getting to know me, then I consider the invite purely business and am unlikely to show up or respond.
On the other hand, if someone I know well is having a party, I am likely to go -- but that has happened just a couple of times in the past few years. Still, I have enjoyed attending because I typically learn a little bit about certain products -- the demo portion is usually what I like plus general socializing.
I haven't needed to buy this lately but have Tupperware around the house (great stuff and you can get replacement parts for free) as well as some Pampered Chef and a Southern Living cookbook.
"Remember, young people: even if you win the rat race, you're still a rat."
I have never attended a marketing party, and I hope that I never will. The entire thing has the feel of a cult about it.
I totally understand the feeling of wanting to help a friend in need, and I often go out of my way to help friends that I know are struggling financially. But I draw the line at these types of events. I despise the feeling of having products pitched at me, especially in a setting where it is difficult to say "No, thanks, I don't want or need any of this."
That's funny, but somebody told me the exact same thing. Unfortunately, it was after the fact but good to know for future trips.
Jeff Rose is a Certified Financial Planner™ professional and the co-founder of Alliance Investment Planning Group. He also authors the blog Good Financial Cents.
I bought my way out through the ultrafrugal approach.
It is important to realize, that you can never get full security regardless---you could get hit by a bus and not be able to apply the diversified skills anymore. (Try to pick manual skills as well as mental skills.)
I think financial independence by having 25-30 times annual spending as a backing is definitely a strategy that should not be dismissed and it should be included on par with finding (different) jobs that can yield the same levels of income to cover one's expenses. Something that makes this easy by lowering expenses is the pursuit of ultrafrugality which is complicated but not very hard.
Overall, we seem to agree, but I would have pushed the asset-backed "buy-out" harder.
Anyone know the code for these toshibas? THANK YOU!!!!!
For those suffering from acid reflux for a while without any reprieve inspite of trying medications like Prevacid, aciphex etc.:
Check your stomach acid levels. Sometimes acid reflux may be caused by low acid. That triggers a valve to open letting the acid move up.
Like so many on this board, I relied heavily on those medications. After doing a lot of research, I have come to believe, atleast in my case, low acid was the real culprit. These days I sip orange juie slowly during the meals and in-between - believe thast has helped me. I am free of any reflux now.
Does anyone have the code to make this sony region free? Couldn't find it. Please please help!!!!!!
Depending upon your decorating/party needs in the upcoming months, you can also get great deals on plastic ware, napkins and such if you plan ahead.
My high school colors were orange and black. The years my sister and I graduated, mom planned ahead and got all of the plates, napkins, plastic ware and such for our graduation parties at least 50% off.
Now, I keep an eye out and if I see plastic ware or napkins on super clearance I'll grab them up and either donate them to the church youth group (where I volunteer) or take them to work.
And, as I was explaining to a coworker yesterday, with the correct purchases of candy (if you can find any left on clearance) you can have bargain priced holiday appropriate candy by buying after a holiday to serve at the next holiday. "Harvest" themed colors are suitable for Thanksgiving and can be found in M&Ms and, Hershey's kisses and little chocolate bars. It's a little harder going from Thanksgiving to Christmas, but Christmas to Valentine's day is easy and, if Easter is early, some Valentine's pastel colored items can be carried over to Easter.
has anyone been able to go to the same restaurant with a certificate more than monthly? Does the system stop you and if they call in does that cancel that certificate
I may need to call restaurant.com for that
thanks
I've shopped at Aldi's a number of times. Most of the items I like and they certainly are a good value. However, I won't buy the fish and other products from China, no matter the price.
Halloween is over but next holiday will come and i'll have to spend more money to buy some new gift for my son :>
You know, sometimes if you empty the cache or delete your cookies in your internet browser, the price will change. This might also happen if you use your computer at a different ISP address. I'm not exactly sure how it works, but I do know that I've looked up prices for plane tickets before and after deleting my cookies, and the prices were 30-50$ cheaper. Might be something to keep in mind for planning future trips.
Just thought I'd let you know the tape trick you've listed DOES NOT work on Lexmark 7300 Series printers. When I taped the contacts, the regular low ink messages popped up and I just clicked through them. Suddenly, the printer began to print. What came out was a "blank" piece of paper.