Some young folks think it's unfair that families need two incomes to get by today. They point to the 50s and 60s and wonder why it worked for Dad to earn an income and Mom to stay home with the kids.
Government intervention (health care, college, welfare, housing market, Cash for Clunkers, etc) has certainly driven up costs. But there's also been a change in the standard of living.
What was different 50-60 years ago that costs so much more now?
We have more toys now. Then you could not watch a movie at home. Then there were three TV stations (or fewer, depending on where you lived), and no way to record what you missed. If your family had a television, there was only one. No computers in the home. No cell phones. No answering machines. No video games. People had one coat and one dress-up outfit. Only one or two pair of shoes. Big events -- such as concerts or plays or major-league ballgames -- were available, but you'd attend only one every year or so.
Safety and health. No car seats or bicycle helmets or airbags or anti-lock brakes. No baby monitors. No lawsuits if you were injured. Few people had gym memberships. Cancer was feared because it not only meant death, but a painful death. Nursing homes were drab and miserable. People seemed old at 40 or 50 because they didn't have the therapists and the medications and supplements and the treatments that we have today that keep us well.
Creature comforts. Furnaces did not work so well. Windows were cheaper, but let in drafts. No air conditioning. If your family had a car, there was only one for the whole family to share. Houses were smaller, but more people (including multiple generations) lived in the house. Less traveling (and not by air). Long-distance calls were expensive, so you didn't often talk to people outside your local area. Smaller fridge. No microwave. No disposable diapers. Tools required muscle -- no weed-whackers, no power drills, no sanders, no leaf-blowers.
Most stores were closed on Sundays and in the evenings, which helped keep costs down for the store owners. It also made for less "recreational shopping."
College has become more expensive, but is considered "necessary" for jobs that really should be available to people who don't even have a high-school diploma.
Fifty years ago, a young person could move out on his own without a car and without a TV. Today the world has changed. Even for people who live more simply than most, there are still government requirements (such as health insurance and children's car seats) that dig into a family's pocketbook. Plus if frugal folks want to function in society, there is a need for phones, internet access, car(s), computer, and more.
So why is it so stinkin' hard for families to live on one income now? Partly because the government has "helped" us. And partly because we* expect to have so much more.
*And by "we" I mean we as a society. Even
if a particular person or family has different
values, the societal greed has an impact on all
of us.
Showing posts with label frugality. Show all posts
Showing posts with label frugality. Show all posts
Wednesday, August 10, 2016
Tuesday, September 16, 2014
Mind-Boggling Costs
Maybe I should quit reading this book.
Once upon a time, the insurance salesman was pressing upon Gary and me the importance of planning ahead for the children's college educations. We had to put money aside. College is expensive and getting more expensive. We have to prepare when they're little.
We told him that our financial situation didn't allow it. He still pushed. We said we could put money aside for their college, but that would mean not feeding the munchkins. Don't feed a kid for 16-18 years, and ... you know what? You wouldn't have to pay for college because the kid would've starved to death by then.
Seriously, some financial planners don't seem to understand the financial situation some regular folks are in. (Or maybe we weren't regular folks. Maybe we were really very poor ... and merely passing as middle-class.)
So this book I'm reading talks about making a life-plan for your special-needs child. The author makes some great points. But some parts leave me scratching my head. For example: job-coaching. If your kid needs a job-coach, it may cost $1000-2000 for an evaluation and initial help. Then it would probably run you $50/hour. And the job-coach should be alongside the person the whole time he's working for the first several weeks, then weaning off contact slowly over the course of a few months. Do the math: we're talking about an $8000-10,000 pricetag for someone to help a young adult learn job skills at a half-time fast-food job that pays minimum wage. Hey, I think it would be great to provide that opportunity. But who's got that kind of money?
Similarly, the author talks about the importance of living independently. (Now, his version of "living independently" might be in a group-home, or in an apartment with a full-time care-giver. It's just important, says he, that the special-needs person NOT live with parents.) Here too, he makes some good points -- particularly when he says that a child may outlive the parents and will then have to face independent living during a time of mourning and other upheaval. But the price-tag here too is eye-popping. He's talking about $35,000--50,000 per year for room and board. For one person!
Several chapters into the book, I cut to the last page. In the conclusion, the author admits, "It is not easy, and for some, limited by economic circumstances and insolvable constraints, their hopes and dreams for their child may not be possible."
Exactly.
So do I keep reading, in hopes of finding a few helpful tidbits?
Also, I had to laugh at the section where he's talking about how to choose a good financial planner. It's really important that we find someone who can give a good estimate of investment returns because, oh, y'know, regular folks like us can't figure that out very well.
Far as I can see, over the last 10-15 years, no financial planner has done a very good job finding high-returning investments. Loads of people were assured returns of 10%, or even 15-25% annually, and are now getting returns of 1-4%.
So if we can't provide for ourselves, much less continue to provide for our children after our deaths, I guess maybe, just maybe, we'll be reduced [gasp!] to praying, "Give us this day our daily bread." In our home, we haven't gone hungry yet, and objectively there's no way we should still be afloat financially. God has provided. Remember when the Lord Jesus took those five loaves and two fish and fed thousands? Yeah, He still does stuff like that.
Once upon a time, the insurance salesman was pressing upon Gary and me the importance of planning ahead for the children's college educations. We had to put money aside. College is expensive and getting more expensive. We have to prepare when they're little.
We told him that our financial situation didn't allow it. He still pushed. We said we could put money aside for their college, but that would mean not feeding the munchkins. Don't feed a kid for 16-18 years, and ... you know what? You wouldn't have to pay for college because the kid would've starved to death by then.
Seriously, some financial planners don't seem to understand the financial situation some regular folks are in. (Or maybe we weren't regular folks. Maybe we were really very poor ... and merely passing as middle-class.)
So this book I'm reading talks about making a life-plan for your special-needs child. The author makes some great points. But some parts leave me scratching my head. For example: job-coaching. If your kid needs a job-coach, it may cost $1000-2000 for an evaluation and initial help. Then it would probably run you $50/hour. And the job-coach should be alongside the person the whole time he's working for the first several weeks, then weaning off contact slowly over the course of a few months. Do the math: we're talking about an $8000-10,000 pricetag for someone to help a young adult learn job skills at a half-time fast-food job that pays minimum wage. Hey, I think it would be great to provide that opportunity. But who's got that kind of money?
Similarly, the author talks about the importance of living independently. (Now, his version of "living independently" might be in a group-home, or in an apartment with a full-time care-giver. It's just important, says he, that the special-needs person NOT live with parents.) Here too, he makes some good points -- particularly when he says that a child may outlive the parents and will then have to face independent living during a time of mourning and other upheaval. But the price-tag here too is eye-popping. He's talking about $35,000--50,000 per year for room and board. For one person!
Several chapters into the book, I cut to the last page. In the conclusion, the author admits, "It is not easy, and for some, limited by economic circumstances and insolvable constraints, their hopes and dreams for their child may not be possible."
Exactly.
So do I keep reading, in hopes of finding a few helpful tidbits?
Also, I had to laugh at the section where he's talking about how to choose a good financial planner. It's really important that we find someone who can give a good estimate of investment returns because, oh, y'know, regular folks like us can't figure that out very well.
Far as I can see, over the last 10-15 years, no financial planner has done a very good job finding high-returning investments. Loads of people were assured returns of 10%, or even 15-25% annually, and are now getting returns of 1-4%.
So if we can't provide for ourselves, much less continue to provide for our children after our deaths, I guess maybe, just maybe, we'll be reduced [gasp!] to praying, "Give us this day our daily bread." In our home, we haven't gone hungry yet, and objectively there's no way we should still be afloat financially. God has provided. Remember when the Lord Jesus took those five loaves and two fish and fed thousands? Yeah, He still does stuff like that.
Monday, August 04, 2014
Teaching Cursive Without a Book
Lowercase cursive, in a logical order.
Before teaching each letter, show the child where the printed letter is "hiding" in the cursive letter.
Also have a strip or poster of nicely-written cursive letters on the table or on the wall, for the child to refer to.
These first seven letters can be taught individually and then easily connected to each other.
e, l
i, u, t
m, n
Write some combinations:
Men. Let. Net. Eel. Mutt. Mile. Time. Et cetera.
Now they get a little harder.
Also show how some letters connect to each other at a higher point instead of on the baseline:
o, b, v, w.
Teach the grouping: c, a, d, o
All four begin the same way.
You know "u."
Build off it to form v and w.
You know "l."
Build off it to make h, k, b.
Use "a" and "i" and "u"
with the below-line loop
to make g, j, y.
Teach the backward, below-line loop
to turn "l" into f
and "a" into q.
weirder ones:
p -- starts sort of like the end of a skinny "g" but then circles
r -- starts sort of like "i" but heads off to the side and then turns a corner down
s -- starts sort of like "i" but finishes with the southeast quarter of "8"
x -- half an "n" and then cross it
z -- starts like an "x," but add a corner and then end like "g"
Make sure lower-case is well-learned (with words too, not just individual letters) before adding capitals.
Capitals that are generally like lower-case cursive, but bigger:
a, c, k, m, n, o, p, u, v, w, x, y, z
Capitals that are very like the printed letter:
b, h, l, q, r
Other capitals that will need a bit of teaching:
d, e, g
i, j
f, t
s
Before teaching each letter, show the child where the printed letter is "hiding" in the cursive letter.
Also have a strip or poster of nicely-written cursive letters on the table or on the wall, for the child to refer to.
These first seven letters can be taught individually and then easily connected to each other.
e, l
i, u, t
m, n
Write some combinations:
Men. Let. Net. Eel. Mutt. Mile. Time. Et cetera.
Now they get a little harder.
Also show how some letters connect to each other at a higher point instead of on the baseline:
o, b, v, w.
Teach the grouping: c, a, d, o
All four begin the same way.
You know "u."
Build off it to form v and w.
You know "l."
Build off it to make h, k, b.
Use "a" and "i" and "u"
with the below-line loop
to make g, j, y.
Teach the backward, below-line loop
to turn "l" into f
and "a" into q.
weirder ones:
p -- starts sort of like the end of a skinny "g" but then circles
r -- starts sort of like "i" but heads off to the side and then turns a corner down
s -- starts sort of like "i" but finishes with the southeast quarter of "8"
x -- half an "n" and then cross it
z -- starts like an "x," but add a corner and then end like "g"
Make sure lower-case is well-learned (with words too, not just individual letters) before adding capitals.
Capitals that are generally like lower-case cursive, but bigger:
a, c, k, m, n, o, p, u, v, w, x, y, z
Capitals that are very like the printed letter:
b, h, l, q, r
Other capitals that will need a bit of teaching:
d, e, g
i, j
f, t
s
Sunday, June 29, 2014
Katie's Kloset
What do you do with used medical equipment when Grandma or your dad no longer needs a walker or a shower-chair or a Cpap or whatever? In Waukesha County, people can donate medical supplies to Katie's Kloset. If you're in need of medical supplies, you can borrow it from Katie's Kloset (assuming the item you need is currently available).
It's a great way to clear unused supplies out of your home and get them into the hands of people who need them!
It's a great way to save money if you need an item for only a few weeks or a couple of months!
A year or so ago, I was wishing there were a way for our congregation to set up something like this, but the space just isn't available. And now I find out that there's no need, because somebody else in the county is already providing this match-making service.
It's a great way to clear unused supplies out of your home and get them into the hands of people who need them!
It's a great way to save money if you need an item for only a few weeks or a couple of months!
A year or so ago, I was wishing there were a way for our congregation to set up something like this, but the space just isn't available. And now I find out that there's no need, because somebody else in the county is already providing this match-making service.
Wednesday, June 04, 2014
Wedding Registry
This may be tacky, but here we go ...
Because people have asked about Andrew & Olivia's wedding registry, I'm announcing that they are registered at Kohl's and at Target.
However, those are ideas, suggestions. If you see something on one of those lists, and can find a better deal, or have a nice hand-me-down, or would prefer to give something similar but not what's on the registry, please do not be confined to The List.
Personally, I often stick to what's listed on a registry because I know the purchase will knock that item off the list, making it less likely for the couple to receive duplicates. So here's my suggestion: If you find something on clearance at Bed, Bath and Beyond, or if you find something at Walmart for half-price, or if you're sewing hand-made kitchen towels, let me know. I will tell Olivia and Andrew to adjust their registry, taking the item off their wish-list.
End of advertisement.
Because people have asked about Andrew & Olivia's wedding registry, I'm announcing that they are registered at Kohl's and at Target.
However, those are ideas, suggestions. If you see something on one of those lists, and can find a better deal, or have a nice hand-me-down, or would prefer to give something similar but not what's on the registry, please do not be confined to The List.
Personally, I often stick to what's listed on a registry because I know the purchase will knock that item off the list, making it less likely for the couple to receive duplicates. So here's my suggestion: If you find something on clearance at Bed, Bath and Beyond, or if you find something at Walmart for half-price, or if you're sewing hand-made kitchen towels, let me know. I will tell Olivia and Andrew to adjust their registry, taking the item off their wish-list.
End of advertisement.
Wednesday, May 07, 2014
The Frugal Benefit of NOT Planning Menus Ahead
Menu-planning. Everybody tells us that is the way to save money on the grocery budget.
Okay, there's some truth to it. You plan the menus, go to the grocery store once that week (or two weeks), buy what you need, and stick to the plan. That's definitely more frugal than running to the store repeatedly or going out to eat.
But I developed an even cheaper way. I was shocked recently to see my scheme promoted on a website for eating local and organic.
I like to jot down meal-plan ideas as I'm going through the store. Lettuce is cheap? Grab a few heads, write "taco salad" in the margin of your grocery list, and then make sure you grab a tomato and a pepper to be part of the salad.
Find some pork roast marked down to a frugal price because tomorrow is its expiration date? Toss the roast in the cart, make a note of it in the margin, and remind yourself that it should be cooked tonight or tomorrow.
Find the el-cheapo deals at the store and then figure out what you'll turn it into. It doesn't always work: sometimes you can't find the fabulous deals. Other weeks, time constraints at dinner will trump the plans you could've developed from the week's good deals at the store. But other weeks, everything falls into place easily ... and for half the price of pre-planned menus.
Okay, there's some truth to it. You plan the menus, go to the grocery store once that week (or two weeks), buy what you need, and stick to the plan. That's definitely more frugal than running to the store repeatedly or going out to eat.
But I developed an even cheaper way. I was shocked recently to see my scheme promoted on a website for eating local and organic.
Plan your menu AFTER shopping, not before. This allows you to stay on budget because you aren’t shopping for special ingredients to make pre-planned meals. You can take advantage of the best deals and plan your meals around those. This can also help by keeping those unplanned budget purchases from going to waste in your crisper drawer while you carry on with your planned menu.
I like to jot down meal-plan ideas as I'm going through the store. Lettuce is cheap? Grab a few heads, write "taco salad" in the margin of your grocery list, and then make sure you grab a tomato and a pepper to be part of the salad.
Find some pork roast marked down to a frugal price because tomorrow is its expiration date? Toss the roast in the cart, make a note of it in the margin, and remind yourself that it should be cooked tonight or tomorrow.
Find the el-cheapo deals at the store and then figure out what you'll turn it into. It doesn't always work: sometimes you can't find the fabulous deals. Other weeks, time constraints at dinner will trump the plans you could've developed from the week's good deals at the store. But other weeks, everything falls into place easily ... and for half the price of pre-planned menus.
Tuesday, April 08, 2014
Spaetzle
My husband is not a fan of soup.
Oral surgery and missing teeth? You get soup.
The soups I made recently really hit the spot for him. I pureed the little bit of carrot, onion, and celery into the meaty broth. The noodles were these awesome German spaetzle that I picked up at Aldi. On the one hand, $2 for a one-pound bag of noodles seemed pricey. But they are SO good.
Now, more oral surgery. We need more soup that is pleasing to a non-soup fellow. And Aldi discontinued the spaetzle. Oh NO! The price of that tasty noodly goodness is double (or more) at other stores. I bought it anyhow. Gary needs to eat.
When those noodles come back to Aldi as a "special purchase" again, I am buying BOXES and BOXES of them.
Oral surgery and missing teeth? You get soup.
The soups I made recently really hit the spot for him. I pureed the little bit of carrot, onion, and celery into the meaty broth. The noodles were these awesome German spaetzle that I picked up at Aldi. On the one hand, $2 for a one-pound bag of noodles seemed pricey. But they are SO good.
Now, more oral surgery. We need more soup that is pleasing to a non-soup fellow. And Aldi discontinued the spaetzle. Oh NO! The price of that tasty noodly goodness is double (or more) at other stores. I bought it anyhow. Gary needs to eat.
When those noodles come back to Aldi as a "special purchase" again, I am buying BOXES and BOXES of them.
Friday, February 07, 2014
Energy Balls
You know those energy bars that are available at the grocery store? The ones full of ingredients that sound like you're doing a science experiment instead of eating food? Well, here's a real-food alternative that is quite easy.
Combine:
1 cup oat
2/3 cup coconut flakes
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/2 cup flaxmeal or wheat germ
1/3 cup honey
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp cinnamon
(optional: 1/4 cup finely ground nuts
and/or 1/2 Tbsp cocoa powder)
Mix well.
Chill 30 minutes.
Shape into balls.
Store in refrigerator up to 1-2 weeks.
Delicious.
They're like candy bars to tide you over when you're famished.
Problem is, they are high in calories, and they're so little that it's easy to just grab one or two and snarf 'em down like as if they're nothin'. Certain people have gained some weight since I made these. The energy balls sit in the fridge, tempting us, while ostensibly waiting to be a late-morning snack on those days at work where I can't go to lunch until nearly 2:30.
Combine:
1 cup oat
2/3 cup coconut flakes
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/2 cup flaxmeal or wheat germ
1/3 cup honey
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp cinnamon
(optional: 1/4 cup finely ground nuts
and/or 1/2 Tbsp cocoa powder)
Mix well.
Chill 30 minutes.
Shape into balls.
Store in refrigerator up to 1-2 weeks.
Delicious.
They're like candy bars to tide you over when you're famished.
Problem is, they are high in calories, and they're so little that it's easy to just grab one or two and snarf 'em down like as if they're nothin'. Certain people have gained some weight since I made these. The energy balls sit in the fridge, tempting us, while ostensibly waiting to be a late-morning snack on those days at work where I can't go to lunch until nearly 2:30.
Sunday, September 22, 2013
Computer Fix
I think I fixed it!
Loads of old programs were wiped out and not re-installed. I even figured out how to delete the back-up file that was space-hogging after I'd re-installed everything. (Okay, so some of you are shaking your head at the simplicity of this. Shhh! I am proud of myself.) The computer moved a whole lot faster after I ditched everything and put it all back. But when I got rid of the back-up file (which the computer self-generated) everything moved much faster yet. Hot diggity dog!
Now I suppose it's time to get back to housecleaning and yard work and homeschooling and all that other Regular-Life stuff.
In other news, the girls are back from a visit to Texas.
Nathan quit his job at Xerox to start a new job editing.
We've been singing unusually good hymns the last few weeks.
Maggie started volunteering at school again, a fabulous experience.
Philip took a brief trip to Canada just for fun.
Brewers game and tailgating with some friends this week.
The strawberry bed has been undone and planted to grass.
Two APT plays so far this year, and two still on the docket.
Olivia went to college (nearby) so Andrew is gone more.
Maggie and I joined Curves so that she can get in shape.
Now that the computer is fixed, maybe we can turn our attention to the water situation next. It's getting funny how the gals at the grocery store expect to see us every day for water refills.
It's been nice to hear several other adults in the last week or so say that at 9:00 they're getting ready for bed.
Loads of old programs were wiped out and not re-installed. I even figured out how to delete the back-up file that was space-hogging after I'd re-installed everything. (Okay, so some of you are shaking your head at the simplicity of this. Shhh! I am proud of myself.) The computer moved a whole lot faster after I ditched everything and put it all back. But when I got rid of the back-up file (which the computer self-generated) everything moved much faster yet. Hot diggity dog!
Now I suppose it's time to get back to housecleaning and yard work and homeschooling and all that other Regular-Life stuff.
In other news, the girls are back from a visit to Texas.
Nathan quit his job at Xerox to start a new job editing.
We've been singing unusually good hymns the last few weeks.
Maggie started volunteering at school again, a fabulous experience.
Philip took a brief trip to Canada just for fun.
Brewers game and tailgating with some friends this week.
The strawberry bed has been undone and planted to grass.
Two APT plays so far this year, and two still on the docket.
Olivia went to college (nearby) so Andrew is gone more.
Maggie and I joined Curves so that she can get in shape.
Now that the computer is fixed, maybe we can turn our attention to the water situation next. It's getting funny how the gals at the grocery store expect to see us every day for water refills.
It's been nice to hear several other adults in the last week or so say that at 9:00 they're getting ready for bed.
Sunday, September 08, 2013
"Drain the Fat"
Those recipes are always telling you to brown the meat and then to drain the fat. For years I was a good girl; I followed the directions.
Then butter grew more expensive.
It bugged me: I would drain the fat off the hamburger, and then I would add olive oil or butter or whatever to the recipe. Why? I began to use the grease from the hamburger as the fat in the recipe.
I understand that, for many years, it was popular to decry saturated fats. "Drain the fat from the sausage? Oh yes, then use margarine in the recipe." "Throw out the hamburger grease, and then put Crisco in the skillet to saute the veggies for your casserole." Science is beginning to catch up to my mantra of: "The fat God made must be healthier than the fat the chemists invented, regardless of what current scientific studies conclude."
But how do we explain decades-old recipes that said to "drain the fat" -- recipes before Hate-Saturated-Fats became trendy?
In one of our food-history books, I came across information about rations and scrimping during WWII. According to this book, "drain the fat" (and donate it for needs pertinent to the war effort) was a patriotic thing to do. Keeping your bacon grease or your hamburger fat to use for your own family's needs? Selfish!
Ah ha! That may be part of the answer to The Great Drain-the-Fat Mystery!
Then butter grew more expensive.
It bugged me: I would drain the fat off the hamburger, and then I would add olive oil or butter or whatever to the recipe. Why? I began to use the grease from the hamburger as the fat in the recipe.
I understand that, for many years, it was popular to decry saturated fats. "Drain the fat from the sausage? Oh yes, then use margarine in the recipe." "Throw out the hamburger grease, and then put Crisco in the skillet to saute the veggies for your casserole." Science is beginning to catch up to my mantra of: "The fat God made must be healthier than the fat the chemists invented, regardless of what current scientific studies conclude."
But how do we explain decades-old recipes that said to "drain the fat" -- recipes before Hate-Saturated-Fats became trendy?
In one of our food-history books, I came across information about rations and scrimping during WWII. According to this book, "drain the fat" (and donate it for needs pertinent to the war effort) was a patriotic thing to do. Keeping your bacon grease or your hamburger fat to use for your own family's needs? Selfish!
Ah ha! That may be part of the answer to The Great Drain-the-Fat Mystery!
Sunday, July 28, 2013
Used Furniture
A lovely little consignment store recently opened in Sussex. Framed art. Furniture. China. A few books and rugs and other items. Good prices. More expensive furniture than Goodwill, but it seems to be in better condition.
It's on Main St, just west of the hardware store. Great service. Check 'em out.
It's on Main St, just west of the hardware store. Great service. Check 'em out.
Sunday, July 21, 2013
Unripe Avocado
Again? We cut into an avocado, expecting to add deliciousness to a sandwich, and it wasn't ripe enough. Let's get real -- it wasn't ripe at all. When it happened last month, I chafed at putting a whole avocado into the garbage. So when it happened again this month, I didn't want to waste another one. Time to start a google-hunt.
I decided to try an avocado hair mask.
Because the fruit wasn't ripe, I let it sit for several days. I don't have the foggiest idea why it didn't mold. But it didn't. At least, not this time. The cut edges dried. The middle under the dried edges continued to ripen somewhat. Eventually, I followed online instructions to mash/puree the avocado with olive oil, smoosh it through my hair, cover it with a shower cap, heat it with a blow-dryer for a couple of minutes, and then let it sit for an hour. I washed my hair. The next morning I rinsed it thoroughly again with plain water and let it dry.
And today I have sproingy-boingy soft curls instead of slight waves. Nice!
I decided to try an avocado hair mask.
Because the fruit wasn't ripe, I let it sit for several days. I don't have the foggiest idea why it didn't mold. But it didn't. At least, not this time. The cut edges dried. The middle under the dried edges continued to ripen somewhat. Eventually, I followed online instructions to mash/puree the avocado with olive oil, smoosh it through my hair, cover it with a shower cap, heat it with a blow-dryer for a couple of minutes, and then let it sit for an hour. I washed my hair. The next morning I rinsed it thoroughly again with plain water and let it dry.
And today I have sproingy-boingy soft curls instead of slight waves. Nice!
Tuesday, July 09, 2013
Hand-Me-Down Treasures
Once upon a time, I felt greedy and guilty when people would hand over STUFF when we happened to mention we needed something like it. Our parents were not the only culprits, but were the most frequent givers. "Wait, I wasn't asking for yours! I was just noticing that it's something I need to obtain somewhere." And yet, "No, it's fine. Here, take it. Really!"
But now I'm there. I want stuff out of the house. The kids see it on the pile headed to the flea market, and ask if I'd mind if they took it. MIND? No. No no no. Please take it and enjoy!
I almost feel guilty for inflicting STUFF on them.
Almost. But not quite.
But now I'm there. I want stuff out of the house. The kids see it on the pile headed to the flea market, and ask if I'd mind if they took it. MIND? No. No no no. Please take it and enjoy!
I almost feel guilty for inflicting STUFF on them.
Almost. But not quite.
Saturday, June 08, 2013
Longevity of Homemade Soap
One bar of Yardley soap came into our house as a party favor from a baby shower. (Isn't that the cutest idea?! Soap for a shower!!) As Maggie and I tend to develop rashes when using store-soap, we looked up the ingredients online. Yardley is real soap. And it smells fabulous. We used it without any negative reactions. Woo hoo!
Maybe I wouldn't have to keep making soap after all. Granted, it's pricey soap. But it would save me the trouble of making my own.
And then it disappeared. It took nine days for that four-ounce bar of soap to be used up. That seemed unreasonably fast. So I timed the longevity of my next bar of homemade. A five-ounce bar lasted 25 days. That means the el-cheapo homemade also lasts twice as long as store-soap.
I guess I'll keep making soap.
Maybe I wouldn't have to keep making soap after all. Granted, it's pricey soap. But it would save me the trouble of making my own.
And then it disappeared. It took nine days for that four-ounce bar of soap to be used up. That seemed unreasonably fast. So I timed the longevity of my next bar of homemade. A five-ounce bar lasted 25 days. That means the el-cheapo homemade also lasts twice as long as store-soap.
I guess I'll keep making soap.
Friday, May 03, 2013
Measuring Cups
When all the contents of a house have to GO [due to down-sizing or moving to a nursing home or because of death] ... the stuff has to go someplace. To grandkids? To a resale shop? To the dump?
What about pictures and once-treasured possessions? What happens when the next generations don't cherish the things I cherish? What will become of those items? And should it matter?
A bunch of stuff is finding its way into our home these days. I can't cherish everything that could arrive here from grandparents, parents, and in-laws. What's odd is the things that I do enjoy.
For all my adult life, I have owned one set of measuring cups and one set of measuring spoons. For someone who cooks and bakes from scratch, that's been a little inconvenient. Now I have my mother-in-law's metal measuring cups and spoons. If my 1-cup measure is floury from baking bread, I have another cup [gasp] to measure sugar for kombucha. Whoa -- this is nice.
What about pictures and once-treasured possessions? What happens when the next generations don't cherish the things I cherish? What will become of those items? And should it matter?
A bunch of stuff is finding its way into our home these days. I can't cherish everything that could arrive here from grandparents, parents, and in-laws. What's odd is the things that I do enjoy.
For all my adult life, I have owned one set of measuring cups and one set of measuring spoons. For someone who cooks and bakes from scratch, that's been a little inconvenient. Now I have my mother-in-law's metal measuring cups and spoons. If my 1-cup measure is floury from baking bread, I have another cup [gasp] to measure sugar for kombucha. Whoa -- this is nice.
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
Squeamish about Using Credit Cards Online?
Gift cards.
Yup, that's the answer.
If you're nervous about the thought of putting your credit-card number out there in cyberspace, Visa gift cards can solve the problem. Our bank sells the cards for a $3 fee, and you can buy a card with any value up to $1000. Many banks sell these cards, and you can even buy them at grocery stores and department stores too. Some people use the gift cards as [gasp] gifts. Some use them as pre-paid "credit" if regular credit is unattainable. And some use them specifically for online purchases. If you want to shop at Amazon, say, you can buy a $200 card (for $203) and use the gift-card only for online shopping. Or maybe you know you want to buy a book that will cost $13 with its shipping, so you spend $16 for the $13 card. One way requires more money upfront that may sit around unused for a while; the other way eats up more in fees. But either way eliminates risk to your credit and identity.
Yup, that's the answer.
If you're nervous about the thought of putting your credit-card number out there in cyberspace, Visa gift cards can solve the problem. Our bank sells the cards for a $3 fee, and you can buy a card with any value up to $1000. Many banks sell these cards, and you can even buy them at grocery stores and department stores too. Some people use the gift cards as [gasp] gifts. Some use them as pre-paid "credit" if regular credit is unattainable. And some use them specifically for online purchases. If you want to shop at Amazon, say, you can buy a $200 card (for $203) and use the gift-card only for online shopping. Or maybe you know you want to buy a book that will cost $13 with its shipping, so you spend $16 for the $13 card. One way requires more money upfront that may sit around unused for a while; the other way eats up more in fees. But either way eliminates risk to your credit and identity.
Tuesday, February 05, 2013
Rotten Potatoes
That distinctive odor. I can smell it in the pantry as soon as it starts. So you grab the bag of potatoes, dump them all out, and find the one that's starting to decay.
So does anybody know how to avoid getting a bag with a rotten potato? I look the bags over before I choose one to put in my grocery cart. My nose theoretically could sniff it out, but when I'm in the produce section by the potatoes, I always smell rotten ones. How do you know which bags are clean and which have an on-their-way-to-putrid specimen?
So does anybody know how to avoid getting a bag with a rotten potato? I look the bags over before I choose one to put in my grocery cart. My nose theoretically could sniff it out, but when I'm in the produce section by the potatoes, I always smell rotten ones. How do you know which bags are clean and which have an on-their-way-to-putrid specimen?
Sunday, February 03, 2013
Knots in the Neck
Those pains in the neck? I'm too tall; our back massager cannot reach them. As I sat reading to Maggie, I tried contorting into weird positions, slumping down, anything so that the massager could hit parts of my neck. I kept wishing there was a way to make it work.
And the next night, I walk into Aldi for produce and, lo and behold, they had a neck massager. Not only Aldi-priced, but clearance priced. Less than the co-pay for one doctor/chiropractor visit. I nabbed it. It was a hasty decision. I detest hasty decisions! But boy oh boy, that little contraption sure does help.
And the next night, I walk into Aldi for produce and, lo and behold, they had a neck massager. Not only Aldi-priced, but clearance priced. Less than the co-pay for one doctor/chiropractor visit. I nabbed it. It was a hasty decision. I detest hasty decisions! But boy oh boy, that little contraption sure does help.
Thursday, November 15, 2012
New Dishes
The old dishes were annoying us. Quite a few had broken. The bowls didn't stack, and thus hogged too much space in cupboards. The plates were so flat that, when carried to the sink after a meal, silverware and salad dressing and meat juice would slide off the plate and fall on the floor. But even cheap dishes ($3 per place setting) seem too pricey when we already have dishes.
So every trip to Goodwill included a scan of the dishes-section.
#1 -- "Do the bowls stack nicely?"
#2 -- "Are there enough place settings?"
#3 -- "Is there some sort of raised edge on the plates?"
#4 -- "Ugly, tolerable, nice, or pretty?"
Last month I finally found bowls that stacked, plates that weren't too flat, with plenty of pieces for four people. On top of that, there were several serving pieces in the set. My only problem was that the dishes are SO pretty. Could I buy them? Would the men in the house be bothered by the flowers?
Less than $20 for 26 pieces. And the guys are okay with new set. Woo hoo! And not once has a knife slid off a plate as we clear the table after a meal.
And I'm tickled -- they're SO pretty!!! Sometimes it's the little things that make you smile! As a friend said recently, "Never underestimate the power of a coffee mug that makes you happy."
So every trip to Goodwill included a scan of the dishes-section.
#1 -- "Do the bowls stack nicely?"
#2 -- "Are there enough place settings?"
#3 -- "Is there some sort of raised edge on the plates?"
#4 -- "Ugly, tolerable, nice, or pretty?"
Less than $20 for 26 pieces. And the guys are okay with new set. Woo hoo! And not once has a knife slid off a plate as we clear the table after a meal.
And I'm tickled -- they're SO pretty!!! Sometimes it's the little things that make you smile! As a friend said recently, "Never underestimate the power of a coffee mug that makes you happy."
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
Counterfeit Money
I have seen counterfeit money at work that is fresh off the presses, crisp, new, and fake. Counterfeits are more likely to be "distressed" though -- crumpled and a bit dirty. The counterfeiters know that a fresh bill is more likely to catch attention. (And fresh ones do. Even the real money that is bright and crisp gets my attention, and I examine it a bit more than normal.)
But the fakes I've encountered over the last couple of months have been in horrible shape. They've been so faded they're barely legible. Thing is, that can happen to real money too. Some of the counterfeits have been torn in two and taped together (one with masking tape instead of clear tape). But we see that too in real money. Some of the counterfeits have a humongous black mark on it, from Sharpie or dirt. That too can happen with real bills. It seems that the thieves are hiding their counterfeits by making the money look so bad that people assume the badness of the money is from how crumpled & torn & marked & faded instead of noticing that the badness is from its being FAKE.
Moral of the story: go ahead and be suspicious of really cruddy bills.
But the fakes I've encountered over the last couple of months have been in horrible shape. They've been so faded they're barely legible. Thing is, that can happen to real money too. Some of the counterfeits have been torn in two and taped together (one with masking tape instead of clear tape). But we see that too in real money. Some of the counterfeits have a humongous black mark on it, from Sharpie or dirt. That too can happen with real bills. It seems that the thieves are hiding their counterfeits by making the money look so bad that people assume the badness of the money is from how crumpled & torn & marked & faded instead of noticing that the badness is from its being FAKE.
Moral of the story: go ahead and be suspicious of really cruddy bills.
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