It's difficult to do this especially in your mid 20's when you are making less but want to enjoy the moment and have fun and go on trips but also trying to look out for your future.
If your goal is to see affordable housing then the best thing that we can do is eliminate this credit. All it does is serve to prop up home prices. Extending the deadline does not increase demand; rather it only pulls forward demand!
The people who bought a home and received this credit were going to buy a home anyway. This only served to rush them into a decision sooner rather than later. However, what happens when the music stops? The stimulus has to end eventually and when it does housing sales will be depressed.
There is no such thing as a free lunch and this program is no exception. Just like Cash for Clunkers, someone has to pay for this "free money" and that someone will be you and your children.
I appreciate this perspective. It is refreshing to hear such a success story that is not lined with 'how I made a million.' True success is in your happiness, not what you own, and I believe you outline this perfectly. Thanks!
I'll be honest we do number 26. We have Nalgene bottles in the cabinet by the sink and if I need hot water I fill them up as I wait for the water to heat up. We then use the water bottles to fill up the dog bowl and water the plants. It takes no extra time and very little effort.
Your article highlights some of the major dilemmas anyone who is living on a limited budget must face while traveling/living abroad. I think that there are ways to do both (save and have fun), but they depend on prioritizing your spending.
Here's my advice:
-Eat out as little as possible. Cooking at home while abroad can give you savings that really add up.
-Ask the locals. Tourist areas are spending traps. Talk to locals and find out where the deals are that tourists might not know about. There is likely a cheap bus that goes somewhere you want to travel that you just don't know about.
-Think things through. Before you decide to do anything on your vacation/time abroad, sit down and budget for it, then think about whether you could really live with yourself for the rest of your life knowing that you didn't do it.
I hesitate to say 'Just do it!' or 'Save!' because only you know what is going to matter to you in the end.
When you have to start from the beginning, you have to focus. It's like hitting the reset button and giving yourself a second chance. It's very interesting to see the phenomenon of immigrants doing better on test scores etc.
Over 50% of the students at UC Berkeley are Asian for example. Yet, Asian only account < 15% of the California population!
#7 - Hope you're not looking for a second date.
#19 - Unsafe and probably illegal.
#30 - The flowers aren't for the dead people, they're for the mourners.
#46 - If only this was true, I'd be "rolling in money."
Come to San Francisco and visit this great city! :)
Frugal and being miserly is a fine line indeed. I sometimes use a mathematical ratio to deterimine expenditure i.e. if a one week vacation costs less than two weeks worth of work, then I'll go for it!
Vacation cost: $5,000. Two weeks pay: $10,000 = 1/2 = Ok, lez go on vacation! :)
I think it would be interesting if Linda were to start a blog detailing her experiences through articles filled with tidbits of advice. She could generate further income by including ads on her blog. I would read it.
I am sitting at work in Zürich, Switzerland. I am leaving in an hour to drive for 4 hours to Milan, sleeping in the airport car park, then taking a 07:00 flight from Milan to Naples.
I will spend a few hours with my Mum and then do the reverse tomorrow night, arriving home at around 03:00.
All because tomorrow is my mum's birthday and would have been my parents' wedding anniversary. Dad died in May.
So much of what you wrote hit home and even made me a little tearful thinking about Dad and the lessons I learnt from him.
So I would add something to your list.
If you have it within yourself in terms of time, money and physical ability, then if you want to do something then you must do it. Especially if it is to pay someone forward, or pay them back for something.
Sometimes you have to sleep in the car to catch a flight to see the woman who brought you into the world and raised you with the man she loved.
My trip was a spur of the moment thing but I could not stand the thought of Mum spending September 22ns alone for the first time in 45 years.
My parents emigrated from India in the early 1970s and pretty much everything you mentioned is spot on with the values they instilled in me. While my dad was the sole earner and we did not have extra sources of income, rigorously following Lessons 1 and 10 allowed them to put me and my brother through college and even help us buy our first cars (I feel so spoiled when I think of this now). Actually what's spooky is how much I think like them now that I'm "all grown up".
There are a lot of arguments for and against the extension of this tax credit, but I believe that it should at least be extended. I know of many people who would have never bought their homes if this extra benefit hadn't been thrown in. It has helped to sell a lot of home that would otherwise still be sitting on the market. And this also helps out those who are in foreclosure or need to close on a short sale to take a step toward recovery. (yes, I said the R-word) I'm hoping that it gets extended and we can see further benefits of this tax credit.
Its funny, your father and my immigrant father could be long lost brothers. With only a high school degree my father did many of the same things that your family did to give us a comfortable and happy upbringing.
He worked hard and saved relentlessly. Often 12-14 hours a day. I never knew what a credit card was growing up because we never bought anything on credit, and lay-away plans (do they still have these?) at the local department stores were the way our school clothes and Christmas presents were purchased.
We never went on fancy vacations to Disneyland or the ski slopes like many of my friends but frequently went on camping trips to the state parks and probably had just as much fun at a fraction of the price.
Just as importantly my parents never drank or smoked because they told me all that money wasted on these vices could go toward the down payment on our future house.
I think we all have a lot to learn from the frugal generations before us.
I know many recent immigrants live by similar rules whether they come from India, Mexico, Korea, or Ireland, but I'm sure the application is different.
Did your immigrant parents or grandparents have other rules or living tips? Share them here!
Interestingly enough, I was going to use one of these free online passport photo services but just could not use them because the photo that I had did not have a white background. I fortunately, ran into passportpictures.org and they were able to produce a cool passport photo of my 4 year old son. It certainly cost more than a dollar, but it was well worth the price.
I think that they way you're able to travel and save money makes you frugal. I couldn't agree more with the way you are living, not spending every dime you make, so that you can continue your "hobo" way of life.
If everyone analyzed their budget every so often and cut back on a few items, they would lower their stress levels. To me, lowering stress in some ways is benefit enough.
On a side note, my husband and I just yesterday, revised our budget and vowed to cut out some things to save money. That doesn't make us miserly, it makes us smart and frugal.
Good luck with your further adventures!
Little House
We lived abroad in Japan and Korea in the 70's and Europe in the 80's (we were both military) and did everything "touristy" we could afford and still raise two kids and save a small amount. There was nothing sadder than watching our compatriots who, for one reason or another, did not did not take advantage of their sojourn to do more than perhaps get drunk in the local bars.
Pick the places you and your siginificant other most want to see where you are. You may never make it, for one reason or another, to that next big location you are saving for. Accidents, both physical and financial can happen.
I'm not saying not to save for future goals. I'm just saying to enjoy where you are to the fullest extent you can while you are there. You can never really go back. As an extreme example... how many folks wish they had gone to see the Twin Towers but never bothered because they'd always be there.
actually, i prefer fresh food to frozen food, but the five-day freeze is telling us a good way for batch cooking~[img]http://www.photosnag.com/img/4713/n09x0302vnsn/clear.gif[/img]
swine flu comes back and we should take care of ourselves, go frequently to see a doctor, do exercise everyday, wash our hands before meals,ect. nothing is more important than your health.[img]http://www.photosnag.com/img/4713/n09x0302vnsn/clear.gif[/img]
It's difficult to do this especially in your mid 20's when you are making less but want to enjoy the moment and have fun and go on trips but also trying to look out for your future.
Ellen,
If your goal is to see affordable housing then the best thing that we can do is eliminate this credit. All it does is serve to prop up home prices. Extending the deadline does not increase demand; rather it only pulls forward demand!
The people who bought a home and received this credit were going to buy a home anyway. This only served to rush them into a decision sooner rather than later. However, what happens when the music stops? The stimulus has to end eventually and when it does housing sales will be depressed.
There is no such thing as a free lunch and this program is no exception. Just like Cash for Clunkers, someone has to pay for this "free money" and that someone will be you and your children.
I appreciate this perspective. It is refreshing to hear such a success story that is not lined with 'how I made a million.' True success is in your happiness, not what you own, and I believe you outline this perfectly. Thanks!
19 & 21 are illegal in some locations. Read up on your town/state/county before attempting this. It won't save you money if you end up getting fined.
I'll be honest we do number 26. We have Nalgene bottles in the cabinet by the sink and if I need hot water I fill them up as I wait for the water to heat up. We then use the water bottles to fill up the dog bowl and water the plants. It takes no extra time and very little effort.
Ah sorry I meant #3, there are a lot of toilet-related ones in this list
Well these are definetly unusual. Probably won't ever do #9 though...
Your article highlights some of the major dilemmas anyone who is living on a limited budget must face while traveling/living abroad. I think that there are ways to do both (save and have fun), but they depend on prioritizing your spending.
Here's my advice:
-Eat out as little as possible. Cooking at home while abroad can give you savings that really add up.
-Ask the locals. Tourist areas are spending traps. Talk to locals and find out where the deals are that tourists might not know about. There is likely a cheap bus that goes somewhere you want to travel that you just don't know about.
-Think things through. Before you decide to do anything on your vacation/time abroad, sit down and budget for it, then think about whether you could really live with yourself for the rest of your life knowing that you didn't do it.
I hesitate to say 'Just do it!' or 'Save!' because only you know what is going to matter to you in the end.
When you have to start from the beginning, you have to focus. It's like hitting the reset button and giving yourself a second chance. It's very interesting to see the phenomenon of immigrants doing better on test scores etc.
Over 50% of the students at UC Berkeley are Asian for example. Yet, Asian only account < 15% of the California population!
#7 - Hope you're not looking for a second date.
#19 - Unsafe and probably illegal.
#30 - The flowers aren't for the dead people, they're for the mourners.
#46 - If only this was true, I'd be "rolling in money."
Fun list!
Come to San Francisco and visit this great city! :)
Frugal and being miserly is a fine line indeed. I sometimes use a mathematical ratio to deterimine expenditure i.e. if a one week vacation costs less than two weeks worth of work, then I'll go for it!
Vacation cost: $5,000. Two weeks pay: $10,000 = 1/2 = Ok, lez go on vacation! :)
I think it would be interesting if Linda were to start a blog detailing her experiences through articles filled with tidbits of advice. She could generate further income by including ads on her blog. I would read it.
I am sitting at work in Zürich, Switzerland. I am leaving in an hour to drive for 4 hours to Milan, sleeping in the airport car park, then taking a 07:00 flight from Milan to Naples.
I will spend a few hours with my Mum and then do the reverse tomorrow night, arriving home at around 03:00.
All because tomorrow is my mum's birthday and would have been my parents' wedding anniversary. Dad died in May.
So much of what you wrote hit home and even made me a little tearful thinking about Dad and the lessons I learnt from him.
So I would add something to your list.
If you have it within yourself in terms of time, money and physical ability, then if you want to do something then you must do it. Especially if it is to pay someone forward, or pay them back for something.
Sometimes you have to sleep in the car to catch a flight to see the woman who brought you into the world and raised you with the man she loved.
My trip was a spur of the moment thing but I could not stand the thought of Mum spending September 22ns alone for the first time in 45 years.
Sorry if I am rambling but I am a bit teary eyed.
My parents emigrated from India in the early 1970s and pretty much everything you mentioned is spot on with the values they instilled in me. While my dad was the sole earner and we did not have extra sources of income, rigorously following Lessons 1 and 10 allowed them to put me and my brother through college and even help us buy our first cars (I feel so spoiled when I think of this now). Actually what's spooky is how much I think like them now that I'm "all grown up".
There are a lot of arguments for and against the extension of this tax credit, but I believe that it should at least be extended. I know of many people who would have never bought their homes if this extra benefit hadn't been thrown in. It has helped to sell a lot of home that would otherwise still be sitting on the market. And this also helps out those who are in foreclosure or need to close on a short sale to take a step toward recovery. (yes, I said the R-word) I'm hoping that it gets extended and we can see further benefits of this tax credit.
My grandparents raised a family of 8, they have very similar rules to the ones you stated.
For repairs or whatever they didn't know how to do, they would often barter with other people, other skills or food for a service, but never cash.
Love your article.
Its funny, your father and my immigrant father could be long lost brothers. With only a high school degree my father did many of the same things that your family did to give us a comfortable and happy upbringing.
He worked hard and saved relentlessly. Often 12-14 hours a day. I never knew what a credit card was growing up because we never bought anything on credit, and lay-away plans (do they still have these?) at the local department stores were the way our school clothes and Christmas presents were purchased.
We never went on fancy vacations to Disneyland or the ski slopes like many of my friends but frequently went on camping trips to the state parks and probably had just as much fun at a fraction of the price.
Just as importantly my parents never drank or smoked because they told me all that money wasted on these vices could go toward the down payment on our future house.
I think we all have a lot to learn from the frugal generations before us.
I know many recent immigrants live by similar rules whether they come from India, Mexico, Korea, or Ireland, but I'm sure the application is different.
Did your immigrant parents or grandparents have other rules or living tips? Share them here!
Vince Scordo
Interestingly enough, I was going to use one of these free online passport photo services but just could not use them because the photo that I had did not have a white background. I fortunately, ran into passportpictures.org and they were able to produce a cool passport photo of my 4 year old son. It certainly cost more than a dollar, but it was well worth the price.
Sharon
I think that they way you're able to travel and save money makes you frugal. I couldn't agree more with the way you are living, not spending every dime you make, so that you can continue your "hobo" way of life.
If everyone analyzed their budget every so often and cut back on a few items, they would lower their stress levels. To me, lowering stress in some ways is benefit enough.
On a side note, my husband and I just yesterday, revised our budget and vowed to cut out some things to save money. That doesn't make us miserly, it makes us smart and frugal.
Good luck with your further adventures!
Little House
We lived abroad in Japan and Korea in the 70's and Europe in the 80's (we were both military) and did everything "touristy" we could afford and still raise two kids and save a small amount. There was nothing sadder than watching our compatriots who, for one reason or another, did not did not take advantage of their sojourn to do more than perhaps get drunk in the local bars.
Pick the places you and your siginificant other most want to see where you are. You may never make it, for one reason or another, to that next big location you are saving for. Accidents, both physical and financial can happen.
I'm not saying not to save for future goals. I'm just saying to enjoy where you are to the fullest extent you can while you are there. You can never really go back. As an extreme example... how many folks wish they had gone to see the Twin Towers but never bothered because they'd always be there.
they made a plastic case at the very top of the tank and stuckhte harddrive up there
Redfin understands today's consumer!
actually, i prefer fresh food to frozen food, but the five-day freeze is telling us a good way for batch cooking~[img]http://www.photosnag.com/img/4713/n09x0302vnsn/clear.gif[/img]
swine flu comes back and we should take care of ourselves, go frequently to see a doctor, do exercise everyday, wash our hands before meals,ect. nothing is more important than your health.[img]http://www.photosnag.com/img/4713/n09x0302vnsn/clear.gif[/img]