So sorry about you friends.
I would like to ask where do you live? I have been riding my bike for years and know quite a few people that rode them all over the place including country roads and busy highways. I have yet to know someone that was actually killed or hurt riding one.
Also, I don't think anyone would endorse using a form of transportation that is so dangerous. Please, don't give up.
Craigslist worked well for me- actually for my mother-in-law. Her city's Craigslist is more active than my area's, and she had more time on her hands, so I gave her a detailed list of the things I needed and she rounded them up for probably less than $200 for car seat, changing table, cloth diapers, potty chair, high chair, Moses basket bassinet, some clothing, 2 strollers, blankets, tub and towels, bibs, Baby Bjorn, breastpump and milk storage bags, etc. My ongoing expenses have been almost nothing, although I'm sure they will increase as the little guy grows up!
Also, I love my cloth diapers. For a small $ upfront cost and the extra chore of 2-3 loads of laundry a week, I get continuous "free" diapers (haven't noticed a change in utility bill) that work better for us than disposables (less leaks). There are many styles available nowadays!
Am I the only one here who sees a college education as more than a means to a career or an income? I grew up on a farm outside a small town, and getting out of here (I'm now a farmer myself, after multiple unrelated degrees, which I still don't regret) was one of the best things I've ever done. For the first time in my life, I was surrounded by a lot of people who were different from me in so many ways, which was in and of itself a learning experience. My university also had a study abroad program, which allowed me to study for a semester in London, which, like a lot of people, I would never have done on my own.
Like anything else, you get what you put into a university education, and I suspect that if you treat a university like a technical school, you will simply get training rather than an education.
I agree with Guest that college is a time to develop a mind, not just a career. Such things tend to be less tangible, and (alas) undervalued in our society.
In Napoleon Hill's book Think and Grow Rich he mentions the benefit that people get by having a mastermind group in their life. A group of people who challenge and push them to achieve more. This sounds very much like my college days.
I had a core group of friends that helped each other out, that pushed each other, that strengthened each other. Since graduating, it has been difficult to recreate that environment. Work, family, other obligations make it tough to have a mastermind type group unless you consciously decide to include it.
College is about the environment, the direction, the network and the degree. The degree serves to get you in the door at a place of work but the foundation you have from college gives you the basis to grow.
Learning is a life long desire and we all learn in different ways.
I can always spot an employee that thinks that the deserve all the benifits the owner does because the go to work 40 hrs a week. I would like to know if you would be willing to put every penny that you own stock,house and all the cash you can get and risk it all for years living off of nothing for the first 5 to 10 years because you have a dream. Then, you finally start to make a profit a small one but then in another 5 to 10 years you are finally making a great profit. Then a college grad works for you for about 2 to 3 years and says "I have been here for 3 years and I think I should be making as much money as you". Remember if we stop spending our money we will be in recession like we are now so get a clue.
I think this article points out an interesting correlation between the lack of time off in the American workplace and the excessive debt that most Americans find themselves in. I find that most workers (I work for government) MUST be at their desks or easily locatable for 9 hours a day. When this is the the case, workers tend to bring their homes to work, ie refrigerators, coffee machines, microwaves. They eat breakfast, lunch and snacks at the office. They balance their checkbooks, read the newspaper, make dental appointments, and catch up on their email. Why? Because they HAVE to. They don't have any other time in which to do these things when they are NOT at the office. That's not even considering the long commute times that many people deal with.
This leaves very little time for hobbies that can be truly relaxing. Saturdays are filled with chores and errands, Sundays are filled with obligatory visits to family and friends, and then it starts all over again on Monday morning. I believe this is why people in this country are in such a state of debt. When they DO have a bit of fun in their lives, it tends to be fun that is quick and expensive, such as shopping, dinners out, two hour movies or shows, things that pack a lot of fun into very little time.
Not to mention our vacations! Do we really relax on vacation? Or do we fill the short time that we have with expensive, quick thrills, such as theme parks, shows, and feverish sightseeing? Do we ever visit one place for a month and get to know it completely? Read about it? learn something new? Take time to really forget about work and concentrate on relaxing and adding something new to our lives? (The Europeans do this)
What if we actually had time to visit a place and really live it? Would we need the thrill seeking? What if we could have a relaxing hobby to come home to? Like reading, gardening, crafts, or hiking? Would we need to spend all of that money on shopping and entertainment? Wouldn't it be nice to walk for an hour instead of hopping on the treadmill for 20 minutes in between work and dinner?
Our lifestyle is not only stressful, but it is expensive.
My take is that we have way too much management. People are promoted into management positions at vastly higher salaries, and then feel it necessary to justify their existence by micro managing the workers below them. And the easiest way to do this? Know where everyone is at all times, regardless if it has anything to do with productivity or not. Of course when the time comes to make cost cuts, for some reason, these management positions are the LAST to go. Government is full of this. We could do a lot for the health and financial welfare of this country by reevaluating the roles of management, and redefining their place in the production chain. Letting go a little, and focusing on actual productivity instead of time accountability would go a long way in easing stress in the work place, letting people have a little control over their own lives, and, who knows? Maybe we'll all save a little money in the meantime!
In addition to Craigslist, I have gotten great baby stuff at large resale events like a Mothers of Twins Club sale. And of course those rummage sales are wonderful, although the season is winding down.
A little-known advantage of buying this stuff used or borrowing it: You don't have to assemble it. We picked up our Exersaucer for 25% or less of the retail price from a family whose baby hadn't liked it and hadn't used it much. I had read online that these things are a bitch to assemble, so it was nice bringing it home all in one piece!
Oh how I agree with this article. We bought an outdoor 2 person glider a few years back but it just never made it outside -- we love it! It's great for watching TV and gliding back and forth. We put a cushy blanket over it sometimes, but in the summer, it's bare and wonderful. haha
And um... aren't most things in your house flammable? Just saying.
Taking a job that pays lower than what unemployment pays makes no sense when unemployment isn't even enough. Do the math! If unemployment benefits can barely make you scrap by then a job paying less than unemployment will get you evicted and probably file bankruptcy. We'll sink into more economic despair if more and more people are forced to break their lease or foreclose on their home and file bankruptcy.
I get the maximum amount for unemployment (which comes out to around $1850 a month after taxes) and I have to say it is a lot less than what I'm used to. After rent and utilities ($900/month), cobra premiums ($150/month), car payment gas and insurance ($400), and food and other necessities ($400/month) there is nothing left. And on a bad week when I need extra money to fill a prescription or buy contact lenses I'm eating ramen noodles to survive. And it is scary because if I were to have some sort of emergency or crisis then I would not have the means to financially take care of it. I really do appreciate that I have the money from unemployment so I can go without breaking my lease and pay my bills on time. But what needs to be understood is that unemployment pays a lot less than what I'm used to so I'm definitely looking for work ASAP and not lounging around. And I've worked since I was 16 years old (I'm 31 now) without ever having to use it before, so I feel that I do deserve to benefit from it now that I do need it. It is unfortunate that some people who may not have rent or bills abuse the benefit but it wouldn't be fair to deny people like me the benefit. And I'm lucky that I am single and I don't have kids to feed because even though I get the maximum amount it's a struggle to take care of just myself with that amount.
Thanks guest! While I generally check items for flammability, anyway, this was a good reminder for folks who may be unaware of the potential for buying something that isn't labeled for indoor use. I made a note at the end of my article, and in the LifeHacker comment thread.
Why'd you buy it before you had the patio? Good deal?
I used to sell this stuff. I generally recommended AGAINST putting "plicker" (that faux wicker plastic stuff) inside in places it's going to have heavy usage. The plicker I'm familiar with has a metal frame, which can bend and warp from being jumped on. Also, if you have wrapped legs, it can and will unravel and sometimes has sharp edges.
If it works for you, good times. I'd just caution your kids from jumping on it. Plicker won't hold up like a regular couch or loveseat will, period. It's a good short term solution, but it's probably more frugal to bite the bullet and buy regular furniture for rooms with heavy usage.
If you WANT to do plicker (I'm not a fan, I'll admit to this) look for something with a thick weave and something white. The paint WILL come off, and it's easier to touch up the white than a mocha or green set.
Before I had kids, I would have rolled my eyes at this suggestion. However, with two preschoolers, a german shepherd, and two elderly cats in my home now, we're doing the same thing. Patio furniture can be very stylish, relatively inexpensive, durable and is so easy to clean. We have hardwood floors and also love patio rugs. We got a 9'x12' rug for around $125 (regular price, didn't wait for the clearance!) and it looks great and is a breeze to clean. It's the only rug we've ever owned that the kids and pets haven't ruined! And people complement us on it all the time.
WC, something like this happened to me, and the realtor was actually very good. My husband and I were moving to a new area and trying to decide between 1) the nice community with houses that were hard to sell later and 2) the bedroom community with houses that turned much faster. She represented 1 and we all should have figured out the problem before she showed us so many homes; adding to the problem was that the homes we could afford were not in the kinds of neighborhoods we really wanted -- I happened to like established, walkable ones btw. But this was before online MLS (or online anything really) so the search could be streamlined now. We never made an offer with her, and ending buying and selling in area 2 -- good thing b/c we were only in this area for about a year before relocating -- should have rented a house, which we did next!
But as Xin mentioned, if the agent can't help push things through, then something definitely is wrong -- we've also had this problem. Agents got testy and refused to present offers that were just $1000 below asking prices, even though it is state law that all offers need to be presented.
I've done this also -- decorated with wicker in my sunroom (though other rooms would work) on the advice of my parents, who did the same several years ago. Last year, when I needed an extra chair and ottoman, I found a nice set during the end-of-season sale at my fav home improvement center: much less expensive than traditional furniture. My older set has lasted over 15 years though I did have to get it reupholstered about a year ago; but, that was easier also b/c I just had to take my cushions in rather than the entire sofa, chair, etc.
hi I just very upset about a tv ChNWL INnY TBS OPTIMUM HAS has changed all its programs they were very good and now there horrible Im home all day im a diabled person and its just ver disssapointing because it was such a great channel and now theres realy nothing good to watch and hbo is not even worth getting because they have the same movies on all the time and also you should but dawsons creek on instead of saved by the bell Thank you
I dont know if Im doing this right but im just so upset about a tv chanel in Ny tbs optimum they changed all the shows and they are all horrible programs now they were good and Im a disbled person who is home everyday and really looked foward to the shows and ir very disappointing and you should put dawsons creek on also. Thankyou a guest
Great tips for all those who wanted to start or have a small business. I liked how some of these were pertinent to my own one person web development business :)
What a great idea!
It will go nicely with our wooden flooring too.
Thanks for sharing!
So sorry about you friends.
I would like to ask where do you live? I have been riding my bike for years and know quite a few people that rode them all over the place including country roads and busy highways. I have yet to know someone that was actually killed or hurt riding one.
Also, I don't think anyone would endorse using a form of transportation that is so dangerous. Please, don't give up.
Craigslist worked well for me- actually for my mother-in-law. Her city's Craigslist is more active than my area's, and she had more time on her hands, so I gave her a detailed list of the things I needed and she rounded them up for probably less than $200 for car seat, changing table, cloth diapers, potty chair, high chair, Moses basket bassinet, some clothing, 2 strollers, blankets, tub and towels, bibs, Baby Bjorn, breastpump and milk storage bags, etc. My ongoing expenses have been almost nothing, although I'm sure they will increase as the little guy grows up!
Also, I love my cloth diapers. For a small $ upfront cost and the extra chore of 2-3 loads of laundry a week, I get continuous "free" diapers (haven't noticed a change in utility bill) that work better for us than disposables (less leaks). There are many styles available nowadays!
Am I the only one here who sees a college education as more than a means to a career or an income? I grew up on a farm outside a small town, and getting out of here (I'm now a farmer myself, after multiple unrelated degrees, which I still don't regret) was one of the best things I've ever done. For the first time in my life, I was surrounded by a lot of people who were different from me in so many ways, which was in and of itself a learning experience. My university also had a study abroad program, which allowed me to study for a semester in London, which, like a lot of people, I would never have done on my own.
Like anything else, you get what you put into a university education, and I suspect that if you treat a university like a technical school, you will simply get training rather than an education.
I agree with Guest that college is a time to develop a mind, not just a career. Such things tend to be less tangible, and (alas) undervalued in our society.
In Napoleon Hill's book Think and Grow Rich he mentions the benefit that people get by having a mastermind group in their life. A group of people who challenge and push them to achieve more. This sounds very much like my college days.
I had a core group of friends that helped each other out, that pushed each other, that strengthened each other. Since graduating, it has been difficult to recreate that environment. Work, family, other obligations make it tough to have a mastermind type group unless you consciously decide to include it.
College is about the environment, the direction, the network and the degree. The degree serves to get you in the door at a place of work but the foundation you have from college gives you the basis to grow.
Learning is a life long desire and we all learn in different ways.
I can always spot an employee that thinks that the deserve all the benifits the owner does because the go to work 40 hrs a week. I would like to know if you would be willing to put every penny that you own stock,house and all the cash you can get and risk it all for years living off of nothing for the first 5 to 10 years because you have a dream. Then, you finally start to make a profit a small one but then in another 5 to 10 years you are finally making a great profit. Then a college grad works for you for about 2 to 3 years and says "I have been here for 3 years and I think I should be making as much money as you". Remember if we stop spending our money we will be in recession like we are now so get a clue.
I think this article points out an interesting correlation between the lack of time off in the American workplace and the excessive debt that most Americans find themselves in. I find that most workers (I work for government) MUST be at their desks or easily locatable for 9 hours a day. When this is the the case, workers tend to bring their homes to work, ie refrigerators, coffee machines, microwaves. They eat breakfast, lunch and snacks at the office. They balance their checkbooks, read the newspaper, make dental appointments, and catch up on their email. Why? Because they HAVE to. They don't have any other time in which to do these things when they are NOT at the office. That's not even considering the long commute times that many people deal with.
This leaves very little time for hobbies that can be truly relaxing. Saturdays are filled with chores and errands, Sundays are filled with obligatory visits to family and friends, and then it starts all over again on Monday morning. I believe this is why people in this country are in such a state of debt. When they DO have a bit of fun in their lives, it tends to be fun that is quick and expensive, such as shopping, dinners out, two hour movies or shows, things that pack a lot of fun into very little time.
Not to mention our vacations! Do we really relax on vacation? Or do we fill the short time that we have with expensive, quick thrills, such as theme parks, shows, and feverish sightseeing? Do we ever visit one place for a month and get to know it completely? Read about it? learn something new? Take time to really forget about work and concentrate on relaxing and adding something new to our lives? (The Europeans do this)
What if we actually had time to visit a place and really live it? Would we need the thrill seeking? What if we could have a relaxing hobby to come home to? Like reading, gardening, crafts, or hiking? Would we need to spend all of that money on shopping and entertainment? Wouldn't it be nice to walk for an hour instead of hopping on the treadmill for 20 minutes in between work and dinner?
Our lifestyle is not only stressful, but it is expensive.
My take is that we have way too much management. People are promoted into management positions at vastly higher salaries, and then feel it necessary to justify their existence by micro managing the workers below them. And the easiest way to do this? Know where everyone is at all times, regardless if it has anything to do with productivity or not. Of course when the time comes to make cost cuts, for some reason, these management positions are the LAST to go. Government is full of this. We could do a lot for the health and financial welfare of this country by reevaluating the roles of management, and redefining their place in the production chain. Letting go a little, and focusing on actual productivity instead of time accountability would go a long way in easing stress in the work place, letting people have a little control over their own lives, and, who knows? Maybe we'll all save a little money in the meantime!
In addition to Craigslist, I have gotten great baby stuff at large resale events like a Mothers of Twins Club sale. And of course those rummage sales are wonderful, although the season is winding down.
A little-known advantage of buying this stuff used or borrowing it: You don't have to assemble it. We picked up our Exersaucer for 25% or less of the retail price from a family whose baby hadn't liked it and hadn't used it much. I had read online that these things are a bitch to assemble, so it was nice bringing it home all in one piece!
Oh how I agree with this article. We bought an outdoor 2 person glider a few years back but it just never made it outside -- we love it! It's great for watching TV and gliding back and forth. We put a cushy blanket over it sometimes, but in the summer, it's bare and wonderful. haha
And um... aren't most things in your house flammable? Just saying.
I love that most of the props are already around our house (my boys play dress-up like pirates, cowboys, etc all year long.) Great tips!
Linsey Knerl
Taking a job that pays lower than what unemployment pays makes no sense when unemployment isn't even enough. Do the math! If unemployment benefits can barely make you scrap by then a job paying less than unemployment will get you evicted and probably file bankruptcy. We'll sink into more economic despair if more and more people are forced to break their lease or foreclose on their home and file bankruptcy.
I save money in the winter by living in Phoenix, where it rarely gets below 50 degrees and you can turn off your a/c but never turn on your heat.
:-)
I get the maximum amount for unemployment (which comes out to around $1850 a month after taxes) and I have to say it is a lot less than what I'm used to. After rent and utilities ($900/month), cobra premiums ($150/month), car payment gas and insurance ($400), and food and other necessities ($400/month) there is nothing left. And on a bad week when I need extra money to fill a prescription or buy contact lenses I'm eating ramen noodles to survive. And it is scary because if I were to have some sort of emergency or crisis then I would not have the means to financially take care of it. I really do appreciate that I have the money from unemployment so I can go without breaking my lease and pay my bills on time. But what needs to be understood is that unemployment pays a lot less than what I'm used to so I'm definitely looking for work ASAP and not lounging around. And I've worked since I was 16 years old (I'm 31 now) without ever having to use it before, so I feel that I do deserve to benefit from it now that I do need it. It is unfortunate that some people who may not have rent or bills abuse the benefit but it wouldn't be fair to deny people like me the benefit. And I'm lucky that I am single and I don't have kids to feed because even though I get the maximum amount it's a struggle to take care of just myself with that amount.
I just wanted to say thanks for the link I'm always grateful when other bloggers give a helping hand. I will make sure the post gets a Stumble.
Cheers!
Chris
Thanks guest! While I generally check items for flammability, anyway, this was a good reminder for folks who may be unaware of the potential for buying something that isn't labeled for indoor use. I made a note at the end of my article, and in the LifeHacker comment thread.
Linsey Knerl
Outdoor furniture does not have the same flame resistance as indoor furniture. As such, it is not a good idea to use outdoor furniture indoors.
It might be a good idea to revise the posting to reflect this fact.
Why'd you buy it before you had the patio? Good deal?
I used to sell this stuff. I generally recommended AGAINST putting "plicker" (that faux wicker plastic stuff) inside in places it's going to have heavy usage. The plicker I'm familiar with has a metal frame, which can bend and warp from being jumped on. Also, if you have wrapped legs, it can and will unravel and sometimes has sharp edges.
If it works for you, good times. I'd just caution your kids from jumping on it. Plicker won't hold up like a regular couch or loveseat will, period. It's a good short term solution, but it's probably more frugal to bite the bullet and buy regular furniture for rooms with heavy usage.
If you WANT to do plicker (I'm not a fan, I'll admit to this) look for something with a thick weave and something white. The paint WILL come off, and it's easier to touch up the white than a mocha or green set.
Sad. Sad. Sad. :-(
Before I had kids, I would have rolled my eyes at this suggestion. However, with two preschoolers, a german shepherd, and two elderly cats in my home now, we're doing the same thing. Patio furniture can be very stylish, relatively inexpensive, durable and is so easy to clean. We have hardwood floors and also love patio rugs. We got a 9'x12' rug for around $125 (regular price, didn't wait for the clearance!) and it looks great and is a breeze to clean. It's the only rug we've ever owned that the kids and pets haven't ruined! And people complement us on it all the time.
WC, something like this happened to me, and the realtor was actually very good. My husband and I were moving to a new area and trying to decide between 1) the nice community with houses that were hard to sell later and 2) the bedroom community with houses that turned much faster. She represented 1 and we all should have figured out the problem before she showed us so many homes; adding to the problem was that the homes we could afford were not in the kinds of neighborhoods we really wanted -- I happened to like established, walkable ones btw. But this was before online MLS (or online anything really) so the search could be streamlined now. We never made an offer with her, and ending buying and selling in area 2 -- good thing b/c we were only in this area for about a year before relocating -- should have rented a house, which we did next!
But as Xin mentioned, if the agent can't help push things through, then something definitely is wrong -- we've also had this problem. Agents got testy and refused to present offers that were just $1000 below asking prices, even though it is state law that all offers need to be presented.
I've done this also -- decorated with wicker in my sunroom (though other rooms would work) on the advice of my parents, who did the same several years ago. Last year, when I needed an extra chair and ottoman, I found a nice set during the end-of-season sale at my fav home improvement center: much less expensive than traditional furniture. My older set has lasted over 15 years though I did have to get it reupholstered about a year ago; but, that was easier also b/c I just had to take my cushions in rather than the entire sofa, chair, etc.
will walgreens work for Inkjet printer cartriges?
Yes I know prehistoric...
hi I just very upset about a tv ChNWL INnY TBS OPTIMUM HAS has changed all its programs they were very good and now there horrible Im home all day im a diabled person and its just ver disssapointing because it was such a great channel and now theres realy nothing good to watch and hbo is not even worth getting because they have the same movies on all the time and also you should but dawsons creek on instead of saved by the bell Thank you
I dont know if Im doing this right but im just so upset about a tv chanel in Ny tbs optimum they changed all the shows and they are all horrible programs now they were good and Im a disbled person who is home everyday and really looked foward to the shows and ir very disappointing and you should put dawsons creek on also. Thankyou a guest
Great tips for all those who wanted to start or have a small business. I liked how some of these were pertinent to my own one person web development business :)