tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27662400.post8656802033933393051..comments2024-03-17T02:20:03.772-05:00Comments on Riding With The Top Down: 10 most hated MONEY TIPS. . . or, why I'm poor these days.Kathleen Eaglehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13561028604927993773noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27662400.post-36899419643864779922009-10-07T08:08:54.690-05:002009-10-07T08:08:54.690-05:00A dog can also serve as extra security. A cat can ...A dog can also serve as extra security. A cat can even be useful if it is a mouser.<br /><br />For those who knock living in a foreign country, try it! Join the millions ... and I do mean millions ... of Americans who have left Amerika.LoboSolonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27662400.post-24437626945658781682009-10-07T04:41:58.679-05:002009-10-07T04:41:58.679-05:00Hi, Catslady! Yeah, the tip on credit is really a...Hi, Catslady! Yeah, the tip on credit is really a good one. Living within our means is kindof a forgotten virtue these days.<br /><br />LOL on the exploding sweeper bag! Some things truly aren't made to be reused. And it takes some experience to know which is which. That's what life is about. And I hope she made "hubby" clean up the mess!Betina Krahnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11379124690406269848noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27662400.post-15604213060981854002009-10-06T19:28:32.259-05:002009-10-06T19:28:32.259-05:00Those were all good. Don't buy on credit would...Those were all good. Don't buy on credit would be a good one. I rewash plastic ziplock bags lol. I remember a neighbor who had a husband that insisted she reuse her sweeper bags!!! Insane of course and she did it until one exploded on her - what a mess lol.catsladyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06375770995988927860noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27662400.post-71354620605638049012009-10-06T18:08:24.498-05:002009-10-06T18:08:24.498-05:00Martha E-- I hear dishes are great. Now if they c...Martha E-- I hear dishes are great. Now if they could just bundle them with phone service and internet. . .<br /><br />Meanwhile, I've taken to reading part of each evening, myself. And I'm loving it! There are so many good books these days! Including those pictured to the right. (a-ehm.)Betina Krahnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11379124690406269848noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27662400.post-79979615078098058032009-10-06T18:06:37.059-05:002009-10-06T18:06:37.059-05:00Terry, I wish I could have impolemented your philo...Terry, I wish I could have impolemented your philosophy "way back when." It's a sound practice that I'm proud to say one of my sons has adopted and the other is working toward... without prompting from mom.<br /><br />Helen, sympathies on the tuition bite. I remember it well. At my oldest's graduation from college, the thing the parents kept mumbling was "It'll be like a $20,000 raise next year!" Unless, of course, #2 or #3 kid is waiting in the wings.<br /><br />Cindy, the one about moving to another country got me, too. I know some people aren't that attached to America-- it's not perfect, heaven knows. But I LOVE it here. Give me the red, white and blue. . . I'll find some other way to save money!<br /><br />Gun Diva, congratulation on your low maintenance horse! I never realized they could be so reasonable! Meanwhile-- I'm with you on the flushing. What was the rhyme they hatched during one of the California water crises? "If it's yellow let it mellow, if it's brown flush it down." Still. Ewwwwwww.<br /><br />Michelle and Lois-- I'd rather eat Ramen noodles than go without dog food and my furry friend. I was devastated when Tyke died a couple of months back. He was a real people. Kathy, maybe he and Cisco and frolicking somehwere in the hereafter.<br /><br />Marilyn, you've started quite an adventure-- though I can guess there are days you might not feel like calling it that. Starting a whole new life in a whole new place is frightening and exihlerating all at once. But it sounds like you've got a plan and we're all pulling for you!<br /><br />Joder, it's funny what we decide we can and can't do without. Sometimes the little luxuries are the things that get us through. Sales of cupcakes have gone through the roof. And lipstick. And ice cream cones. We all need a treat now and then!<br /><br />Kylie, every month I look at the media bill and try to convince myself we could do without it. And every month I pay the darned thing and settle in to enjoy movies and special programs. And I LOVE having a fast internet. It's a good thing the broadband stuff wasn't around when my kids were young. . . they'd have been bartered off in a heartbeat! LOL!<br /><br />Christie, balance-- something we could all use a lot more of in our lives. That's really what it's all about. I want to have enough to be able to "pay my own way" and not be a burden to my kids later in life. And I'd like to leave them a little something when I die. . . but I have no intention of making them rich. Ben Franklin said "Interited wealth has ruined far more men than it helped." That's Ben's story and I'm stickin' to it!<br /><br />Liza, I'm so relieved to hear somebody else has a cable bill in the stratosphere! And I'm a big fan of lower and raising thermostats to save some energy and some money. Will you hate me if I tell you I let the sun heat my pool this summer-- and loved the 85 degree water?<br /><br />Hey everybody-- stay tuned for our guest Terry Odell tomorrow! You're going to love her!Betina Krahnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11379124690406269848noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27662400.post-12487648636577892222009-10-06T18:02:39.767-05:002009-10-06T18:02:39.767-05:00Great post! My DH and I have practiced many of th...Great post! My DH and I have practiced many of these with two big exceptions: we didn't move to a foreign country and we are not giving up our pets! :) Oh - we have the "dish" instead of the cable cause DH wants to watch movies and sports. I'm happy sitting in the corner reading review books that don't cost me anything! *BG*Martha Eskuchenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14403539348594584733noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27662400.post-83254639190173628072009-10-06T16:11:12.228-05:002009-10-06T16:11:12.228-05:00My family and friends always tells me I'm too ...My family and friends always tells me I'm too cheap since I have my AC set so high. I just use fans and they don't use as much energy as the AC unit uses. I also sit under blankets once it cools off enough to run the heat. My heat only comes on if my apartment gets really cold.<br /><br />My cable bill includes both cable and internet and is currently $193 per month. However, cost goes up next month, so I'll have to see if I get to keep my premium channels. Can't wait for AT&T U-verse to be available in my area. Same number of channels and about $30-50 cheaper each month.<br /><br />I've found if I bring my lunch each day to work, I spend much less. It cost me between $2-3 to bring my lunch and at least $5-7 to eat out.mslizalouhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05346608035190326136noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27662400.post-9177657280337630892009-10-06T15:52:32.144-05:002009-10-06T15:52:32.144-05:00Love this post, Betina. "I'd have to cle...Love this post, Betina. "I'd have to clean it," has stopped me from drooling over bigger houses (it's mainly getting the dog hair off the floors that stops me) too. But we have animals and kids and cars and cable.<br /><br />Surfer Guy is really into "balance" as he calls it, so we don't feel too guilty about when we spend. And we're frugal in other ways, like...well, everyone brown bags it here. And nobody smokes.<br /><br />But I have to say I insisted we turn on our A/C during the last big heat wave in SoCal (I was finishing a book) and I don't think I'll ever use it again. We had it on for about 4 days and it raised our bill $75 PER DAY.Christie Ridgwayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17036552271272402052noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27662400.post-11814810564495004112009-10-06T15:51:26.737-05:002009-10-06T15:51:26.737-05:00Hey, I think they left off a big one--
Use it up...Hey, I think they left off a big one-- <br /><br />Use it up. Wear it out. Don't waste.Debra Dixonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03992776098849029414noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27662400.post-53461091770429434432009-10-06T15:26:37.622-05:002009-10-06T15:26:37.622-05:00My fly is definately #2. I have 2 dogs and a cat ...My fly is definately #2. I have 2 dogs and a cat and I would not under any circumstances get rid of them. I have no children so they are like my kids.<br />Love & Hugs,<br />Pam Keener in PAPamela Keenerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14408322453014180737noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27662400.post-319929456791538982009-10-06T13:16:23.665-05:002009-10-06T13:16:23.665-05:00This comment has been removed by the author.KylieBranthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02521116390801346909noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27662400.post-76436752497097765412009-10-06T13:16:22.827-05:002009-10-06T13:16:22.827-05:00Oh I hate those money people. They always make me...Oh I hate those money people. They always make me feel bad about my choices. I'd much rather pay the bills and just wonder where all the money went, LOL.<br /><br />Have to say, kids are the biggest expenditure and ours haven't stopped costing us yet. I live in hope. But true enough, they could have been raised more cheaply. My choice to pay for college. Husband's choice to pay for cars. And just unfortunate genetics that all five required braces!<br /><br />I will stop bitching about my cable bill now, though. Ours is just shy of 160.00 a month and we are about to go out and get DVR and join the 21st century. My husband refused to buy vehicles new, so we've only had one completely new vehicle since we've been married.<br /><br />And the pets...hmmm. There's expense but I don't know if I can ever go without the companionship.<br /><br />If disaster struck (I mean real disaster) I'd get rid of the housecleaner first (wah!) then probably stop having my nails done. After that...it'd be a cold hard day before I stopped going to my hairdresser. A woman has to hold on to *something*!KylieBranthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02521116390801346909noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27662400.post-65465163496452846842009-10-06T12:01:08.598-05:002009-10-06T12:01:08.598-05:00Hee, Marilyn, I've been doing the no-night-flu...Hee, Marilyn, I've been doing the no-night-flushing for a while. Because why is it when we women pass the 40 mark we suddenly have to pee all night long? What's with that?Michele Haufhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12255612473985897103noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27662400.post-66126765068940133132009-10-06T11:10:09.262-05:002009-10-06T11:10:09.262-05:00I forgot to mention I refuse to NOT flush the toil...I forgot to mention I refuse to NOT flush the toilet every time to save water and money. I am careful about my laundry loads, make sure the dishwasher is full before I run it and don't leave the water running while I brush my teeth. But I'm gonna flush every time! LOL!<br /><br />MarilynPlayground Monitorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07444337591281145863noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27662400.post-4336178446176058382009-10-06T10:20:14.898-05:002009-10-06T10:20:14.898-05:00The worst of these is cutting back on the tiny spe...The worst of these is cutting back on the tiny spending (ie. going through latte withdrawal). It saddens me and makes me a bit cranky. Of course, when I am able to purchase a latte I enjoy them even more. So that's a good thing.<br /><br />With winter almost here I dread not turning the heat up. I can handle the AC being off since I like warmth, but I hate being cold. I guess my winter will consist of me walking around my apartment with a scarf on all the time.The Scarf Princesshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04909550720063326180noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27662400.post-49792249511534099432009-10-06T10:00:17.269-05:002009-10-06T10:00:17.269-05:00You always make me laugh, Betina. Thanks. And good...You always make me laugh, Betina. Thanks. And good advice. I do most of that. Except I'm afraid I undo them all because of the of pets. Oh, and the kids, but you know...some things aren't worth living without.lois greimanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05758677401591191607noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27662400.post-41814039295637504782009-10-06T09:54:36.626-05:002009-10-06T09:54:36.626-05:00Could I take myself to your vet, GunDiva? I mean,...Could I take myself to your vet, GunDiva? I mean, teeth are teeth, aren't they? I remember getting ticked at paying thousands of dollars for my hysterectomy and a hundred to have my cat spayed.<br /><br />I quit smoking in the mid-80's, always took my lunch to work and only bought a new car in 2005 because Hurricane Katrina had dried up the used-car market in the south and a new car wasn't that much more expensive.<br /><br />I lived in a foreign country that didn't have peanut butter or pimento cheese and that sucks. I loved the experience and learning a new culture, but I was glad to move back home. My town already has a pretty low cost of living so I'm staying put though my soon-to-be-ex keeps asking if I'm moving to where my mother lives. He wishes...<br /><br />I've been signing up for all those "media" things for my new apartment and I've been ready to draw blood a couple times. I'd gone online to see what basic phone and DSL service cost, but when I called to sign up for it, it was $20 a month more because those cheaper services came with a long-term contract, signed in blood with my precious grandbaby as collateral. I'll have basic cable with no HBO, Showtime, etc. My one concession was the DVR and I'll eat beans twice a week to afford that.<br /><br />Have you tried buying small furniture lately? Everything is sized to fit in a house with large rooms and 9 foot ceilings and I had a dickens of a time finding a dresser that would fit into an apartment bedroom that's not even as large as the guest room in my house.<br /><br />"Be healthy" is easy to say, but I didn't ask to get Restless Leg Syndrome that requires $35 a month in medicines AFTER my $500 a month insurance policy pays their share. I do exercise (tho not enough) and eat right and shudder to think what I'd have if I didn't. I shouldn't fuss. I was able to keep my H's insurance tho I have to pay both the employee and employer part. And I got lifetime alimony, which not all women get. I remember clipping coupons in the lean, early days, and I'm right back there now. I love thrift stores, especially when you find a $40 pair of jeans with the store tags still on them for $7.50.<br /><br />Great post, Betina! Sorry to have rambled.Playground Monitorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07444337591281145863noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27662400.post-60979870933965628572009-10-06T09:39:49.515-05:002009-10-06T09:39:49.515-05:00The one that would kill me is Don't Buy A Pet....The one that would kill me is Don't Buy A Pet. Seriously? They give such love! And in an empty-nester house I find some kind of companion a necessity (the hubby is away during day, so don't smirk, he provides companionship when he gets home).<br /><br />My money-saving technique? I've become great at only flicking on the air to cool down the house then shutting it off, though we didn't get summer in MN this year so we probably used the air a week total. Same with the heat. It's already freezing in the house here! But I'll put the heat on for an hour to warm up the house then that's it. We'll see how well that plan gets me through the winter. :-(Michele Haufhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12255612473985897103noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27662400.post-81860463092116247092009-10-06T09:36:42.845-05:002009-10-06T09:36:42.845-05:00I'm all about the not having kids. But for me...I'm all about the not having kids. But for me, that's closing the barn door after the horses are out. I've got three teenagers. After I bought my horse, who is a super easy keeper, I realized that even with vet bills and feed, she's cheaper than my kids. She's barefoot, so no shoes. It costs between $2.00 - $2.50/day to feed her. Her dental visit yesterday ran me about $60 including the travel cost for the vet. And her "well child check" including blood work cost me all of $45.00.<br /><br />The one money/environment saving trick that just sets me off is the not flushing the toilet thing. That's just gross.GunDivahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02965363044411500380noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27662400.post-43514638417752262022009-10-06T09:13:00.327-05:002009-10-06T09:13:00.327-05:00Betina - I just love your blog posts. Always so w...Betina - I just love your blog posts. Always so witty and funny and entertaining AND they deliver a message. Amazing~! Thanks.<br />We've always lived within our means - good old mid-westerner upbringing, I guess, plus we really struggled financially when we first started out so we both know how to shave expenses and pinch pennies.<br />I HATE the 'move to a foreign country' suggestion. I mean, come on. This country has given us everything (pollution, taxes,etc, some would argue) but, it's America. It doesn't get any better IMO and I love it. Also we love our pets and they are expensive but, they give so much back to you that I hate seeing that on the list.<br />Being a former smoker, I'm all for ditching that expensive habit. Easier said than done though.Cindy Gerardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13311224531297908704noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27662400.post-35435831498551141182009-10-06T07:44:56.960-05:002009-10-06T07:44:56.960-05:00Terry, that decision was so smart of you and your ...Terry, that decision was so smart of you and your dh. It gives you so much more breathing room when things are going well and less stress when things aren't.<br /><br />Betina, so much of this is common sense - when I channel the accountant side of me - but I really understand how people can get themselves into financial trouble.<br /><br />I LOVE our pets, BUT ...<br />they are incredibly expensive especially since I try to buy organic food and keep them updated with vet exams. I think we could take a trip to Italy every year on what they cost!<br /><br />The DON'T HAVE CHILDREN one is hitting me this morning, given I just paid my dd fall college tuition! Whah!Helen Brennahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08680081195181747377noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27662400.post-63312421165062694932009-10-06T07:16:41.375-05:002009-10-06T07:16:41.375-05:00I've got to say, years and years ago we decide...I've got to say, years and years ago we decided that putting a roof over our heads and food on the table should NOT depend on two incomes. If for any reason, one of us couldn't work, we didn't want to be on the streets (note - this was LONG LONG ago. Women then had jobs, not careers.)<br /><br />But we've pretty much been watching pennies since we got married, and while we've always been comfortable, our comfort didn't include a lot of extras. I look at this list and pretty much see the way I've lived most of my life.<br /><br />Fun? Easy? No, but it becomes the way you live. (We did have kids, though -- even an extra, when carefully planned child #2 turned out to be twins)Terry Odellhttp://www.terryodell.comnoreply@blogger.com