Just started reading a book I bought through he mail (the Frugal way) called The Ultimate Cheapskate's Road Map o True Riches, by Jeff Yeager.
I've only gotten through the Acknowledgements and Preface, but I was struck by a teaser at the end of the final chapter where the author claimed "You probably already have everything you could ever need or want!"
I don't know about the "want" part, but when it comes to needs you can set the bar pretty low. Health care debate aside the physical is basically food and shelter. I'd add transportation and you can argue for communication. A few countries have even legislated Internet into the mix.
But I hope most of us can even attain a little happiness as well, which can be hard to satisfy with just the physical. But things like love, acceptance, and peace can provide a lot of that. Adding a few other things like pets and "culture", a fancy word for arts and entertainment can be a big part of a "happy" life, without necessarily breaking the bank.
And then there's also the spiritual. One of my favorite bible verses says "Godliness with contentment is great gain." (1 Timothy, 6:6). But where does contentment come from? Maybe it starts with Godliness, finding universal, timeless truth. Definitely a good place to start. And if you find it, you can ask about the contentment. :-)
Blessings.
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Friday, November 27, 2009
FM#43 - Nov 27, 2009. Taking Advantage
Today, being "Black Friday" has me thinking about how so many people are searching for great savings. Sometimes it's a matter of necessity, and sometimes it's a game to get the most while spending the least. Sometimes it's a matter of working very hard, like with the coupon clippers who save every coupon, spend hours organizing, watching for sales, double-couponing, etc.
While it's no fun being in line behind someone with two cart-loads of groceries and a huge bundle of coupons, I do respect the work, and admire the savings that the reap. Other savings strategies are not so admirable.
For instance, I just received a new coffee maker and two 1/2 lb bags of coffee from Gevalia. Total cost around $15, and I can cancel right away. I plan to cancel right away. Gevalia will probably lose money on me. While I feel like I am taking advantage of their incentive, it is allowed by the terms of the offer, and I'm sure they expect a certain number of people to do this. So I'll be drinking their coffee without no more than the least amount of guilt.
All this was over the internet, and there have been other questionable ways to "profit" off the internet. I'm not counting some of the huge "coupons" that capital-heavy startups used to offer to get your business. But if you've ever used a second or third email to get a freebie for a second or third time then you know what I'm talking about!
I read a story about people trying to profit on some Best Buy "door buster" specials by getting in line early to receive the tickets for some limited-supply items, and then trying to scalp the tickets to others who had arrived later. This is more of an offense against the other shoppers than Best Buy, but it does take away from the "Black Friday Experience." I mean, who wants to get in line thinking that they may miss out on the best deals, or else have to pay a little extra just to have a change?
Other behavior can actually hurt the sellers, though. I'm thinking about shopping an item locally and then buying it online in order to get the lowest price. I'll admit to occasionally taking a quick peek at an item, but I do draw the line at taking up a salesman's time without letting them have their chance at closing the sale. After all, it is nice to have the local stores. Mail order, even if there's no "mail" involved, is pretty convenient,. But who wants to do away with the local store? Not only is there the chance to check something out, it's much easier to deal with a problem after the sale. (I suppose the subject of "questionable" merchandise returns could be the subject of another post!) Also, there's the convenience factor: at it's best mail-order is at least an overnight experience, and usually longer unless you are willing to pay prohibitive shipping costs. Shipping can also be very expensive for large and/or heavy items.
So, think about your local seller. Do the right thing and buy locally! Especially if it's on sale!
Coffee makers and local browsingand
While it's no fun being in line behind someone with two cart-loads of groceries and a huge bundle of coupons, I do respect the work, and admire the savings that the reap. Other savings strategies are not so admirable.
For instance, I just received a new coffee maker and two 1/2 lb bags of coffee from Gevalia. Total cost around $15, and I can cancel right away. I plan to cancel right away. Gevalia will probably lose money on me. While I feel like I am taking advantage of their incentive, it is allowed by the terms of the offer, and I'm sure they expect a certain number of people to do this. So I'll be drinking their coffee without no more than the least amount of guilt.
All this was over the internet, and there have been other questionable ways to "profit" off the internet. I'm not counting some of the huge "coupons" that capital-heavy startups used to offer to get your business. But if you've ever used a second or third email to get a freebie for a second or third time then you know what I'm talking about!
I read a story about people trying to profit on some Best Buy "door buster" specials by getting in line early to receive the tickets for some limited-supply items, and then trying to scalp the tickets to others who had arrived later. This is more of an offense against the other shoppers than Best Buy, but it does take away from the "Black Friday Experience." I mean, who wants to get in line thinking that they may miss out on the best deals, or else have to pay a little extra just to have a change?
Other behavior can actually hurt the sellers, though. I'm thinking about shopping an item locally and then buying it online in order to get the lowest price. I'll admit to occasionally taking a quick peek at an item, but I do draw the line at taking up a salesman's time without letting them have their chance at closing the sale. After all, it is nice to have the local stores. Mail order, even if there's no "mail" involved, is pretty convenient,. But who wants to do away with the local store? Not only is there the chance to check something out, it's much easier to deal with a problem after the sale. (I suppose the subject of "questionable" merchandise returns could be the subject of another post!) Also, there's the convenience factor: at it's best mail-order is at least an overnight experience, and usually longer unless you are willing to pay prohibitive shipping costs. Shipping can also be very expensive for large and/or heavy items.
So, think about your local seller. Do the right thing and buy locally! Especially if it's on sale!
Coffee makers and local browsingand
Thursday, November 26, 2009
FM#42 - Nov 26, 2009. The Best Holiday
Many people will agree that Thanksgiving is the best holiday. No gifts, no cards, just getting together with friends and family to enjoy lots of special food. For the luckiest of us we're eating home-cooked food, at home, but restaurants are sometimes a good alternative.
Wherever you are I hope you've enjoyed the day, and spent a few moments counting your blessings and feeling thankful. Tomorrow is the official beginning of the Christmas shopping season, but it doesn't have to be a time of frenzy and over-spending.
I've been slack the last few days, but plan to get back to regular posting.
Wishing blessings to all who read this.
James Messick
Wherever you are I hope you've enjoyed the day, and spent a few moments counting your blessings and feeling thankful. Tomorrow is the official beginning of the Christmas shopping season, but it doesn't have to be a time of frenzy and over-spending.
I've been slack the last few days, but plan to get back to regular posting.
Wishing blessings to all who read this.
James Messick
Sunday, November 22, 2009
FM#41 - Nov 23, 2009. Let's Talk Turkey
I really don't understand the excitement over the price of turkey.
That's not to say that I don't get caught up in it!
It just isn't really that expensive., Even at $1/pound, or more, it's still less than half the price of hamburger!
The most important thing is what you DO with the turkey once you get it home.
Here's a list of my turkey pointers.
1)Buy it by Sunday before Thanksgiving so it can start thawing in the refrigerator.
2)I prefer brining my turkey, which is a process of soaking the bird in salt water. I have done this with every turkey I've cooked, and I've never been disappointed.
3)Remove the giblets & wings before hand and cook. Giblets can be added to gravy.
4)Most important!!!! Test for doneness with a meat thermometer and don't overcook! For the new cooks, it doesn't take nearly as long to roast a turkey as I thought it would. I don't think it's ever taken even 2 whole hours. My entire
----------
James Best Roasted Turkey
Day before roasting.
Remove giblet pack & neck from cavity of turkey. Remove wings. Use all to make stock if desired.
Brine turkey overnight in refrigerator (1 cup table salt in 1 gallon of water)
Day of roasting
Preheat oven to 500.
Drain brine from turkey. Allow turkey to air dry briefly.
Stuff turkey cavity with 1 carrot, 1 onion, 1 rib celery.
Spray light layer of oil on skin of turkey.
Give a few grinds of black pepper.
Put roasting pan in oven. After 30 minutes, reduce heat tp 350 and tent breast with aluminum foil.
After 60 more minutes reduce heat to 325.
Cook until meat thermometer in breast reads at least 160.
Remove turkey from oven. Allow to rest. (It's tired).
Remove turkey from roasting pan and make pan gravy with flour, stock.
--------------------
BTW, nothing beats an electric knife for cutting turkey. See Alton Brown's Good Eats episode Romancing The Bird for the ultimate education on doing this.
P.S. If you have a FoodSaver vacuum sealer you can freeze an unslized slab for a few months and then thaw overnight. Slice and it's practically indistinguishable from the fresh-roasted stuff!
Bon Appetit!
That's not to say that I don't get caught up in it!
It just isn't really that expensive., Even at $1/pound, or more, it's still less than half the price of hamburger!
The most important thing is what you DO with the turkey once you get it home.
Here's a list of my turkey pointers.
1)Buy it by Sunday before Thanksgiving so it can start thawing in the refrigerator.
2)I prefer brining my turkey, which is a process of soaking the bird in salt water. I have done this with every turkey I've cooked, and I've never been disappointed.
3)Remove the giblets & wings before hand and cook. Giblets can be added to gravy.
4)Most important!!!! Test for doneness with a meat thermometer and don't overcook! For the new cooks, it doesn't take nearly as long to roast a turkey as I thought it would. I don't think it's ever taken even 2 whole hours. My entire
----------
James Best Roasted Turkey
Day before roasting.
Remove giblet pack & neck from cavity of turkey. Remove wings. Use all to make stock if desired.
Brine turkey overnight in refrigerator (1 cup table salt in 1 gallon of water)
Day of roasting
Preheat oven to 500.
Drain brine from turkey. Allow turkey to air dry briefly.
Stuff turkey cavity with 1 carrot, 1 onion, 1 rib celery.
Spray light layer of oil on skin of turkey.
Give a few grinds of black pepper.
Put roasting pan in oven. After 30 minutes, reduce heat tp 350 and tent breast with aluminum foil.
After 60 more minutes reduce heat to 325.
Cook until meat thermometer in breast reads at least 160.
Remove turkey from oven. Allow to rest. (It's tired).
Remove turkey from roasting pan and make pan gravy with flour, stock.
--------------------
BTW, nothing beats an electric knife for cutting turkey. See Alton Brown's Good Eats episode Romancing The Bird for the ultimate education on doing this.
P.S. If you have a FoodSaver vacuum sealer you can freeze an unslized slab for a few months and then thaw overnight. Slice and it's practically indistinguishable from the fresh-roasted stuff!
Bon Appetit!
Friday, November 20, 2009
FM#40- Nov 22, 2009. - The Frugal Queen
The Frugal Movement is alive and well, but it's nothing new. It got a good push by The Tightwad Gazette, published by Amy Dacyczyn between 1991 and 1996. There's a recent interview with Amy here.
How Times Have Changed!
While the frugal concepts Amy wrote about are mostly still viable, the publishing world has changed. Instead of print-stamp-mail most small publishers make their work available for free on the internet, and hope to eek out an income from online advertising and/or sponsors. At it's peak The Tightwad Gazette boasted over 100,000 paid subscribers. Today she might have millions, but I'm sure the profits would be meager in comparison.
The internet gives everyone a chance to publish, and to quickly reach their audience. The base of the people who make up the internet do seem loath to pay for much of anything, but given the prices asked that's often not surprising. It's too bad there is no good micro-donation system in place. If a million subscribers each paid a penny that would be $10,000.
Other than a Paypal-based "tip jar" there's no real practical way that I know of to receive small, direct payments. I'd gladly pay a penny/month for each website that I regularly visit. If everyone did that then the ads could all go away (but I wouldn't bet on it. Greed springs eternal! Golden geese, etc.)
How Times Have Changed!
While the frugal concepts Amy wrote about are mostly still viable, the publishing world has changed. Instead of print-stamp-mail most small publishers make their work available for free on the internet, and hope to eek out an income from online advertising and/or sponsors. At it's peak The Tightwad Gazette boasted over 100,000 paid subscribers. Today she might have millions, but I'm sure the profits would be meager in comparison.
The internet gives everyone a chance to publish, and to quickly reach their audience. The base of the people who make up the internet do seem loath to pay for much of anything, but given the prices asked that's often not surprising. It's too bad there is no good micro-donation system in place. If a million subscribers each paid a penny that would be $10,000.
Other than a Paypal-based "tip jar" there's no real practical way that I know of to receive small, direct payments. I'd gladly pay a penny/month for each website that I regularly visit. If everyone did that then the ads could all go away (but I wouldn't bet on it. Greed springs eternal! Golden geese, etc.)
FM#39 - Nov 21, 2009. Renaissance Man!
Went to the renaissance festival in Huntersville, NC today. (http://www.royalfaires.com/carolina/). This is the last weekend of the season, so if you don't make it there tomorrow then you'll have to wait until it starts up again next October. If you are able to make it merchandise is likely to be heavily discounted.
The renaissance festival is a huge even with hundreds of cast in medieval garb and accent. There's lots of free entertainment, and lots of crafts and stuff to buy. My favorite part was the jousting, but there was a very entertaining acrobatic show and a sword swallower. There's a lot of emphasis on comedy and everyone seemed to be in great spirits.
Frugality-wise it isn't a bad way to spend the day. Admission was $18 and most of the entertainment is free, though some performers ask for tips at the end of their shows there is absolutely no obligation. Food was reasonable priced, especially reasonable compared to what captive audiences are usually charged. A bread bowl with meatballs and marinara was $5.50 and pretty filling. A turkey leg was $6 and filling. Coffee $1, sodas $2-$3 and delicious fruit smoothies only $4. Other food and beer/wine are also available.
I don't know if I ever need to go to another renaissance festival, but from the looks of it some people make this a regular seasonal event. I was amazed at how many people do arrive in full costume, and really enjoy it.
This has been a frugal-travel minute!
Photo by Karin
The renaissance festival is a huge even with hundreds of cast in medieval garb and accent. There's lots of free entertainment, and lots of crafts and stuff to buy. My favorite part was the jousting, but there was a very entertaining acrobatic show and a sword swallower. There's a lot of emphasis on comedy and everyone seemed to be in great spirits.
Frugality-wise it isn't a bad way to spend the day. Admission was $18 and most of the entertainment is free, though some performers ask for tips at the end of their shows there is absolutely no obligation. Food was reasonable priced, especially reasonable compared to what captive audiences are usually charged. A bread bowl with meatballs and marinara was $5.50 and pretty filling. A turkey leg was $6 and filling. Coffee $1, sodas $2-$3 and delicious fruit smoothies only $4. Other food and beer/wine are also available.
I don't know if I ever need to go to another renaissance festival, but from the looks of it some people make this a regular seasonal event. I was amazed at how many people do arrive in full costume, and really enjoy it.
This has been a frugal-travel minute!
Photo by Karin
Thursday, November 19, 2009
FM#38 - Nov 20, 2009. Express Yourself
A will. Express your final wishes.
You might think "I don't need a will 'cause I ain't got nothin', and 'sides my kids'll git it!"
That might be true, but if you think about what you do have you might have more than you thought. Remember your home, automobiles, retirement accounts, tools, furnishings, land and collections. There may be one or two items you want to go to specific individuals and just because you always said that Bobby May gets the good china don't mean it'll end up in her hands! A will allows you to be specific, and it's in writing so it's all official-like.
Making a will ain't hard, and ya don't have to spend a whole lot of money on it neither. Just remember a few simple rules:
1) Make it legal. You can hire a lawyer or use some cheap software on the com-pooter.
2) Don't get too fancy, and don't try and ad a lot of conditions like "John Boy gets my chain saw as long as he don't marry Darlene." See rune #1
3) Get it notarized or at least have some people witness it. The lawyer or software should explain it all.
Oh, and keep it up to date! Maybe you made one ten years ago, afore that Jezebel you's married to took off with that no-good scoundrel from the five-n-dime! You want to make sure she's taken off the will. Maybe there're new grandkids you want to make sure are included, or people that you've helped out so much in life that you don't want to keep supportin' 'em when you've moved on to your mansion in the sky.
Hey, and I ain't no lawyer either!
---------------------------------------
Deal of the Day!*
2 free books with a 30-Day trial of Audible! Click here!
Today's Spending:
Cetll Phone: $65.66 (Yes, an outrage!)
Used Book: $5.88
*Not necessarily a daily feature!
You might think "I don't need a will 'cause I ain't got nothin', and 'sides my kids'll git it!"
That might be true, but if you think about what you do have you might have more than you thought. Remember your home, automobiles, retirement accounts, tools, furnishings, land and collections. There may be one or two items you want to go to specific individuals and just because you always said that Bobby May gets the good china don't mean it'll end up in her hands! A will allows you to be specific, and it's in writing so it's all official-like.
Making a will ain't hard, and ya don't have to spend a whole lot of money on it neither. Just remember a few simple rules:
1) Make it legal. You can hire a lawyer or use some cheap software on the com-pooter.
2) Don't get too fancy, and don't try and ad a lot of conditions like "John Boy gets my chain saw as long as he don't marry Darlene." See rune #1
3) Get it notarized or at least have some people witness it. The lawyer or software should explain it all.
Oh, and keep it up to date! Maybe you made one ten years ago, afore that Jezebel you's married to took off with that no-good scoundrel from the five-n-dime! You want to make sure she's taken off the will. Maybe there're new grandkids you want to make sure are included, or people that you've helped out so much in life that you don't want to keep supportin' 'em when you've moved on to your mansion in the sky.
Hey, and I ain't no lawyer either!
---------------------------------------
Deal of the Day!*
2 free books with a 30-Day trial of Audible! Click here!
Today's Spending:
Cetll Phone: $65.66 (Yes, an outrage!)
Used Book: $5.88
*Not necessarily a daily feature!
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