Monday, July 23, 2007
When furnishing your home or apartment, have you ever purchased used furniture, garage sale pieces, or have any advice on budgeting for your home?
Many people feel they need to have a nice house with all the furniture and fixtures being new and shiny. I have always found that new furniture was new for about a week, then it was either comfortable, or a bad purchase. With the rare occasion, the only folks that come to my house are my friends and they care about me and my family far more then my furniture. In fact, if my furniture is too nice, then they don't feel comfortable having a beer or a glass of wine and lounging around. What if they spill.....
So buy what you like, make sure it is comfortable. Look for bargains. One year I went 6 months with no coffee table, and you know what nobody cared. When I found the one I wanted it was at a small antique shop and cost me half what a new one would. Now when friends come over, they compliment me on the uniqueness and I don't freak when they put a wine glass on it.
There are more important things to use your money for then the latest style in furniture.
So buy what you like, make sure it is comfortable. Look for bargains. One year I went 6 months with no coffee table, and you know what nobody cared. When I found the one I wanted it was at a small antique shop and cost me half what a new one would. Now when friends come over, they compliment me on the uniqueness and I don't freak when they put a wine glass on it.
There are more important things to use your money for then the latest style in furniture.
Monday, July 16, 2007
Summer is filled with parties, birthdays, holidays and vacations - do you have any frugal gift and vacation ideas?
I live on the Central Coast of California. It is a destination spot for visitors from all over the world. But for some reason when it came time to take some time off, I would always head for parts unknown. We would drive to Tahoe, or Monterey, or head for San Diego. We would spend 6 hours on the road, a couple hours getting settled and then off we would go to be a tourist. Off course some of the spots were so unique that the time seemed well worth it, such as Yosemite or the American River.
The down side was I always seemed to be more tired when I got back then when I left and this seemed to defeat the whole purpose.
Then one year we said heck with this, we booked a hotel 20 miles up the road, right on the beach. The money I saved on gas allowed me to get a very nice room overlooking the ocean. Within an hour of leaving our house we were on a balcony, sipping drinks and relaxing. By eliminating the travel I gained almost a full day of relaxation and I took up kayak surfing for some fun in the sun. When I got home at the end of the weekend, I really felt relaxed. I had gotten away, but the getting away wasn't more work then fun.
We now are able to do this every 6 weeks or so, versus once every 6 months. Since it is so easy we can combine going to the movies, or theater, or a club. Since we do it regularly we know where all the hidden non tourist spots are and we know exactly which restaurants are the best.
So if you are looking for a way to take a break from work, I say find those gems in your own back yard; a little bed and breakfast or hotel that is close with all the amenities, splurge, don't drive. You can even say you are helping save the environment by staying close to home.
The down side was I always seemed to be more tired when I got back then when I left and this seemed to defeat the whole purpose.
Then one year we said heck with this, we booked a hotel 20 miles up the road, right on the beach. The money I saved on gas allowed me to get a very nice room overlooking the ocean. Within an hour of leaving our house we were on a balcony, sipping drinks and relaxing. By eliminating the travel I gained almost a full day of relaxation and I took up kayak surfing for some fun in the sun. When I got home at the end of the weekend, I really felt relaxed. I had gotten away, but the getting away wasn't more work then fun.
We now are able to do this every 6 weeks or so, versus once every 6 months. Since it is so easy we can combine going to the movies, or theater, or a club. Since we do it regularly we know where all the hidden non tourist spots are and we know exactly which restaurants are the best.
So if you are looking for a way to take a break from work, I say find those gems in your own back yard; a little bed and breakfast or hotel that is close with all the amenities, splurge, don't drive. You can even say you are helping save the environment by staying close to home.
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Time for a spur of the moment interview...
How much cash do you usually carry in your wallet?
I carry a large amount. Probably on the order of $300 to $500. I do this because when I was young I got in trouble with credit cards. Before I knew it I had $5000 in debt. So I cut up the card and went to cash. If I didn't have it in my pocket I could not spend it, simple as that. So I got use to it and now it is a habit
How much is in your wallet right now?
$435
What's your favorite bill/note ($1 or $2 or $5 or $10 or $20 or $50 or $100)?
$50s, They are large enough that they do not fill my clip, but small enough that most stores will take them
Are you a silver, or gold or platinum person?
Who cares, I only worry about the interest I pay
Do you "credit-union"? If not, why not?
Yes we have an account with a credit union, but only because it is close. Not sure I see much difference between a bank and a credit union.
Have you ever found a penny and picked it up? Why?
Yes and always. How arrogant to not pick it up,,, besides it is lucky.
Are you an online banker?
Yes
Have you ever wondered or read into what those crazy designs are on the dollar bill?
I have wondered, but only for a few seconds, then on to more important things.
Why the heck is everything financial-related so boring and uninteresting? or is it?
Because it doesn't really relate to the things that matter other then to get them. Joy comes from relationships, not $$$
Die broke or pass it on?
I would like to have a enough left to create a college foundation for my grandkids and their grandkids.
I carry a large amount. Probably on the order of $300 to $500. I do this because when I was young I got in trouble with credit cards. Before I knew it I had $5000 in debt. So I cut up the card and went to cash. If I didn't have it in my pocket I could not spend it, simple as that. So I got use to it and now it is a habit
How much is in your wallet right now?
$435
What's your favorite bill/note ($1 or $2 or $5 or $10 or $20 or $50 or $100)?
$50s, They are large enough that they do not fill my clip, but small enough that most stores will take them
Are you a silver, or gold or platinum person?
Who cares, I only worry about the interest I pay
Do you "credit-union"? If not, why not?
Yes we have an account with a credit union, but only because it is close. Not sure I see much difference between a bank and a credit union.
Have you ever found a penny and picked it up? Why?
Yes and always. How arrogant to not pick it up,,, besides it is lucky.
Are you an online banker?
Yes
Have you ever wondered or read into what those crazy designs are on the dollar bill?
I have wondered, but only for a few seconds, then on to more important things.
Why the heck is everything financial-related so boring and uninteresting? or is it?
Because it doesn't really relate to the things that matter other then to get them. Joy comes from relationships, not $$$
Die broke or pass it on?
I would like to have a enough left to create a college foundation for my grandkids and their grandkids.
Monday, July 2, 2007
Some books can be life-changing. What books have changed your perspective, and why would you recommend them?
Ayn Rand - "The Fountainhead".
Hard to describe but when you read the book you have to question some of your hard held beliefs. Particularly if you are young and an idealist who wants to tax the rich to feed the poor, until there are not rich to tax. (An old rock and roll saying from Ten Years After).
This book allowed me to realize that perhaps my values were skewed and forced me to look at what I thought was of value or real.
Hard read, but well worth it.
Hard to describe but when you read the book you have to question some of your hard held beliefs. Particularly if you are young and an idealist who wants to tax the rich to feed the poor, until there are not rich to tax. (An old rock and roll saying from Ten Years After).
This book allowed me to realize that perhaps my values were skewed and forced me to look at what I thought was of value or real.
Hard read, but well worth it.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
