No, I wish I did now! We are in intensive paying-off-debt mode, and in a new town. I used to work a ton and then clean a lady's house on the side, saving that money for vacations, etc. but now my hubby is the bread-winner and my health is poor so I only work a little. I miss having that extra disposable income, but we are more intentional now and definitely make the "fun" decisions very thoughtfully together!
I also really like the tree idea. In most cases for anniversaries and birthdays it is a great sort of time resistant gift. Well, that's of course if the one I am giving it to has more of a green thumb than me ;)
I actually saw today a list of the 10 foods that are more likely to give you cancer and The Dirty Dozen was on that list! The second time I am reading about this in one day! I particularly like the advice to eat less meat but a better quality. It is better for us and also sustainable.
That is the easiest cop out ever,being religious isn't being happy it's a easy way out of having to think for yourself and just follow rules instead of realising and figuring out life for yourself. Don't be a nieve robot,the point of being human is having your own thoughts and feelings not having them shoved down your throat.
Phil, I find your advice mostly useful and accurate, but I do have some additional thoughts.
European immigrants began coming to Central Illinois in large numbers starting around 1820. They and their descendants lived largely without air conditioning until post-WWII. Using your suggested metric, we should be able to live w/o a/c, too, but I am not so sure as you. Many things have changed. Paved streets and sidewalks, tall stone and brick buildings all reflect a great deal more heat into the air than forests, prairies, fields, and such. That is, it is hotter here than it used to be.
Moreover, most of my ancestors came from the British Isles and Northern Europe where it is cool to cold much of the time. I have inherited from my ancestors a very hairy body. It's like I'm permanently wearing a fur coat. No kidding. That fur was useful to my ancestors, but it is annoying to me especially in hot weather. I need my a/c.
Finally, I lived for about 5 years in the Caribbean, also inhabited for a very long time by folks who did not use a/c. But I would have died there, have been so uncomfortable that I could not have functioned had it not been for a/c. No kidding. The high temperature is anywhere from mid-80s in "cool" weather (November through February) to upper-90s during the hot 8 months of the year with 60+% RH. A/C was a necessity for me.
P.S.--Face it, Phil. I tease you, too. It's just so darned much fun that I cannot resist. However, my response here is serious. :-)
Great article Jason. One thing for anyone reading this to keep in mind is that this is a perfect time of the year to purchase vacations, or book hotel rooms for the months to come. It is a slow time of year for travel companies so they will be offering huge discounts to make up for the slow season. If you know where you want to go next winter or have any reason for travel, consider booking now to save.
I have seasonal side income. In the winter time, I work mock casino gigs at company Christmas parties. In the past I've dealt blackjack, roulette, and craps, although craps is preferred since it pays the most. I don't need the extra income, but it's fun to work the parties and get paid to do it at the same time (and it ends up 100% covering Christmas).
We've tried the saying no option. People that have huge weddings will often invite guests that they knew 5-10 years ago and haven't really contacted since.
We had one invite that would be 2 states away at the beach for someone we hadn't talked to in 4 years. The total cost of everything would have run us $600-$700 just to attend. We politely declined...
I pick up gift certificates and small jobs here and there, but hard to manage with my current job.
No, we do not have a side income...would be wonderful to have though!
No, I wish I did now! We are in intensive paying-off-debt mode, and in a new town. I used to work a ton and then clean a lady's house on the side, saving that money for vacations, etc. but now my hubby is the bread-winner and my health is poor so I only work a little. I miss having that extra disposable income, but we are more intentional now and definitely make the "fun" decisions very thoughtfully together!
I also really like the tree idea. In most cases for anniversaries and birthdays it is a great sort of time resistant gift. Well, that's of course if the one I am giving it to has more of a green thumb than me ;)
I actually saw today a list of the 10 foods that are more likely to give you cancer and The Dirty Dozen was on that list! The second time I am reading about this in one day! I particularly like the advice to eat less meat but a better quality. It is better for us and also sustainable.
I dont have a side income right now.
That is the easiest cop out ever,being religious isn't being happy it's a easy way out of having to think for yourself and just follow rules instead of realising and figuring out life for yourself. Don't be a nieve robot,the point of being human is having your own thoughts and feelings not having them shoved down your throat.
I don't have a second job, but I do try to make money in little ways, like selling things I don't need or taking part in surveys and market research.
@ Serenity
There are actually several companies that offer over $250,000 of life insurance without a medical exam. Some go up to $350k and $400k.
Fidelity Life even offers a "hybrid-product" that will get some people $1m of insurance approved in a few days.
Here's a brief rundown on some of those carriers: http://lifeinsurancebyjeff.com/life-insurance-no-medical-exam/
none at all
Nope. I don't have one. But I started thinking about it.
I don't have side income but I need some now that the government is being furloughed.
Holding hands: Under-rated pleasure!
I live in upstate NY too and i feel your pain. I pay about 5k per year (property and school taxes) on a 1200 sq foot house that's worth 125k
Phil, I find your advice mostly useful and accurate, but I do have some additional thoughts.
European immigrants began coming to Central Illinois in large numbers starting around 1820. They and their descendants lived largely without air conditioning until post-WWII. Using your suggested metric, we should be able to live w/o a/c, too, but I am not so sure as you. Many things have changed. Paved streets and sidewalks, tall stone and brick buildings all reflect a great deal more heat into the air than forests, prairies, fields, and such. That is, it is hotter here than it used to be.
Moreover, most of my ancestors came from the British Isles and Northern Europe where it is cool to cold much of the time. I have inherited from my ancestors a very hairy body. It's like I'm permanently wearing a fur coat. No kidding. That fur was useful to my ancestors, but it is annoying to me especially in hot weather. I need my a/c.
Finally, I lived for about 5 years in the Caribbean, also inhabited for a very long time by folks who did not use a/c. But I would have died there, have been so uncomfortable that I could not have functioned had it not been for a/c. No kidding. The high temperature is anywhere from mid-80s in "cool" weather (November through February) to upper-90s during the hot 8 months of the year with 60+% RH. A/C was a necessity for me.
P.S.--Face it, Phil. I tease you, too. It's just so darned much fun that I cannot resist. However, my response here is serious. :-)
Great article Jason. One thing for anyone reading this to keep in mind is that this is a perfect time of the year to purchase vacations, or book hotel rooms for the months to come. It is a slow time of year for travel companies so they will be offering huge discounts to make up for the slow season. If you know where you want to go next winter or have any reason for travel, consider booking now to save.
I earn some side income by turning my hobbies into money-making ventures!
I have seasonal side income. In the winter time, I work mock casino gigs at company Christmas parties. In the past I've dealt blackjack, roulette, and craps, although craps is preferred since it pays the most. I don't need the extra income, but it's fun to work the parties and get paid to do it at the same time (and it ends up 100% covering Christmas).
I teach college courses on weeknights. It helps us buy a few indulgences splurge on a night out once in a while.
How about just avoid being outside if possible between 10am - 2pm?
We've tried the saying no option. People that have huge weddings will often invite guests that they knew 5-10 years ago and haven't really contacted since.
We had one invite that would be 2 states away at the beach for someone we hadn't talked to in 4 years. The total cost of everything would have run us $600-$700 just to attend. We politely declined...
I love the tree idea. This might make a great gift especially for younger kids that can enjoy the tree growing as they age.
I've heard that just using regular dish soap also works very well.
Also, I've heard that strawberries are one of the most pesticide laden food. Ensure you scrub them extra!
I'm trying to cover many of these topics with my 6 year-old. No need to wait until they're in high school before they learn about the hazards of debt.
This is one of the great benefits of living in a city; it's practically required and it keeps you healthy!