HA! Tricked you. Because a "frugal cheat sheet" would really just say "spend all your money on crap and then borrow money at a high interest rate, preferably as a HELOC so if you miss a payment you lose your home, repeat until you are dead."
This is more of a few frugal life hacks (frugal-life hacks? frugal life-hacks? Cripes. Forget it.)
These are things I do that I now find easy and tend to save me some cash and I actually enjoy them a bit.
1) keep a list of stuff you want/need but don'/t have to have immediately. When you see a thrift store, yard sale, merchandise-graveyard (I'm looking at you Tuesday Morning, Ross, and T.J. Maxx and the rest of your ilk), look in those places first. And for a while. E.g. I've been wanting to try thermos cooking again. So I put "thermos to cook in" on the long term list. It's been a few months but a good quality option for 2$ popped up the other day. I don't make special trips to thrift for this stuff, just check if it's on the way to elsewhere.
2) eat what you have. The "pantry challenge" system has saved me a bunch. I like to stock up but once I'm there, time to stop shopping and just eat what I have. Right now I'm well stocked. There have been excellent sales at scratch-n-dent grocery stores and regular stores that I also hit, with a list, if I happen upon them. Always start with the discounted food shelves in the back...I have gotten great stuff there. You need to be a little flexible but it works. I have a list item "flour" rather than "king arthur organic spelt flour." If I see a flour that will work, preferably organic but not always a crucial criterion, I can get it. Once stocked up with the thrifty groceries, then you eat them. I can go about 2 weeks right now without going to the store for anything but greens and fresh fruit and of course I COULD live without those if I really didn't have time or money.
3) stop at stores when you are going past anyway. I don't make many special trips to buy things. I have my master list with me on an ipod I got as a gift when a friend upgraded. If I see a store, I check the list and the store. Then I move on. This saves me gas by not making the special trips, and money since the list is with me and I'm not there just to browse around, I'm there with a target or two, and I'm on the way to somewhere else.
4) feel free to cross things off the list. If things are on the master list or the grocery list for a while and I don't get them, and don't miss them or find I already have something that works fine for this supposed "need" or "want," then the item gets dropped. The list is not a commitment to buy.
5) develop a route on errand day. OK, I totally just said I don't make special trips. True-ish. On the weekend I hit the laundromat as the main goal (clean undies are a NEED not a want). While there, i can walk to my storage unit and trade out winter/summer clothes or whatever else needs to be swapped out or culled for donation. That usually takes up the wash cycle. In the winter I use the dryers since I don't have room to hang 2 loads inside. During that dry cycle, I run my recycling, on foot, a couple blocks up to the recycling center and drop them ...while checking the free book bin and the free bucket bin but trying to take only items on a list or with immediate uses. Back to the laundromat, fold and go. Next is the furthest thrift store which is also by one of the cheap-o groceries. Then if really need something, another thrift, and any other stores in that town but in a clear loop, not random starfish like driving patterns.
6) know your gas stations. This applies more to me than to most. I drive 30,000miles a year or more. I know, I know...the environment and the potential blood clots. But, we makes our choices and we lives with them. About 10,000 miles a year are work miles and tax deductible, but that's still a lot of personal miles. Anyway, that means I spend quite a bit on fuel. So I know the gas stations in my region. I also know how far apart they are and keep an eye on my gas tank levels. I don't go below a quarter tank because that is just a stupid game. I make a note of fuel prices on my way to a place, check at the place, and then fuel up at the cheapest option if I need gas that day. It can save me up to 25cents a gallon. I usually need 10 or 11 gallons. $2.50 twice a week (or 3 times...) is 250$ a year or so in savings. Some say it's not worth my time, but those people are stupid. OK, not stupid. Those people aren't me.
Tuesday, March 28, 2017
Saturday, March 25, 2017
Farewell My Culvert-bine
Ok, that title sucked but have you tried to rhyme or pun with "culvert"? I could have gone with "pipe" as in "Ceci N'Est Pas Une Pipe" but that was even less accessible and would have required a Magritte type illustration.
It's also not true because the pipe is still there. It just doesn't work that well anymore. Water goes through. It also goes BESIDE and possibly underneath. That is like super not good. For reals. There is also a large chunk of dirt and rock that went...presumably...through the pipe. Or beside. Given the conservation of matter, it went somewhere. That is not the real issue. The real issue is that the dirt and rock is NOT where it was: The upstream end of the aforementioned culvert. It eroded out all the way to a tire track in the two tracks that I refer to as "my road." That's not good. It's too wet to drive on for the moment, but even when it's dryer, I don't think I will be trusting this. More dirt and rock could fall and the tire follow those, and the subaru will be stuck.
It is time to squeeze the budget and buy some new pipe. I don't even know where to get that shit. oh well.
It's also not true because the pipe is still there. It just doesn't work that well anymore. Water goes through. It also goes BESIDE and possibly underneath. That is like super not good. For reals. There is also a large chunk of dirt and rock that went...presumably...through the pipe. Or beside. Given the conservation of matter, it went somewhere. That is not the real issue. The real issue is that the dirt and rock is NOT where it was: The upstream end of the aforementioned culvert. It eroded out all the way to a tire track in the two tracks that I refer to as "my road." That's not good. It's too wet to drive on for the moment, but even when it's dryer, I don't think I will be trusting this. More dirt and rock could fall and the tire follow those, and the subaru will be stuck.
It is time to squeeze the budget and buy some new pipe. I don't even know where to get that shit. oh well.
Friday, February 3, 2017
She Thrifts...She SCORES!
I needed brown slacks for an upcoming trip where my aunt (Hi Chris!) warned me
that we're going to a "NO JEANS ALLOWED" restaurant. I thought I had an
outfit that would work. But then I tried it on...it
"fit" but it made me look like I had narrow shoulders and a giant
rear...basically the opposite of my actual linebacker-build. So, I
needed a new pair of pants to go with the 25cent thrift shirt I got a
few weeks ago (Eddie Bauer cranberry colored button down blouse). I
tried the goodwill and sure enough, REI brown pants in my size! They
look new but no tags. 20$ to start...that tag color was on 1/2
price...down to 10$. I whipped out my "20% off coupon" from donating
stuff ...BAM! 8$ pants. Nice.
I do realize that these aren't formal. And yet, I'm going to wear them. They are a nice chocolate brown, smooth fabric, and easy to pack.
In summer I bet they will be my "go to" pants for days at work. I always need sturdy outdoorsy pants for the archaeology parts of my job.
The 25cent shirt may never be matched. It is an actual nice shirt. Not a "sturdy" shirt. Pretty rare that I get one of those but seriously. 25cents! New. Eddie Bauer. And it fits. It will cost more to wash it than to buy it. It and the pants are thin fabrics so they will pack nicely for the trip.
I've got another trip in March and I'm sure the outfit will get wear then as well.
I think the pants will go nicely with my various REI and Eddie Bauer work button downs with pit-zip vents. Those are the bomb for the hot flashes. I wish they weren't nylon, but what are you going to do? So far they are wearing well and easy to wash even in a sink. They dry super fast. I should plan that walking trip across Scotland while I've got these nice packable garments.
With 3 shirts, jeans, the brown pants, and a few tank tops to wear under, I can get by for weeks. (also socks, undies, bras and shoes....obviously)
I do realize that these aren't formal. And yet, I'm going to wear them. They are a nice chocolate brown, smooth fabric, and easy to pack.
In summer I bet they will be my "go to" pants for days at work. I always need sturdy outdoorsy pants for the archaeology parts of my job.
The 25cent shirt may never be matched. It is an actual nice shirt. Not a "sturdy" shirt. Pretty rare that I get one of those but seriously. 25cents! New. Eddie Bauer. And it fits. It will cost more to wash it than to buy it. It and the pants are thin fabrics so they will pack nicely for the trip.
I've got another trip in March and I'm sure the outfit will get wear then as well.
I think the pants will go nicely with my various REI and Eddie Bauer work button downs with pit-zip vents. Those are the bomb for the hot flashes. I wish they weren't nylon, but what are you going to do? So far they are wearing well and easy to wash even in a sink. They dry super fast. I should plan that walking trip across Scotland while I've got these nice packable garments.
With 3 shirts, jeans, the brown pants, and a few tank tops to wear under, I can get by for weeks. (also socks, undies, bras and shoes....obviously)
Saturday, January 21, 2017
Things I've Learned from Judge Judy
I've been youtube binge watching episodes and clips of Judge Judy shows. It's not a good thing to do with my time...so I'm trying to find some redeeming value for my many wasted hours.
Turns out there are indeed some good financial lessons on Judge Judy:
1) NEVER EVER CO-SIGN a loan for anything, ever. If the person can't get credit from professionals, or rent an apartment on their own, or get utilities turned on...whatever...then do not put your own money at risk. If you cosign, the loan or utility bill or rent or whatever is actually all yours when they can't find the other signer. So DO NOT CO-SIGN ANYTHING EVER.
2) DO NOT pay anyone's bail. They aren't going to pay you back. They are going to say it's a gift.
3) DO NOT GET A CELL PHONE FOR ANYONE. Or pay their cable, or any other media/communications type thing. Just don't. They will run up the bill and not pay it.
4) DO NOT LOAN MONEY, and when you do, get a signed note with a specific pay off date. Never ever let them say "I'll pay you when I can" or "I'll pay you when I have the money." That just makes you a sucker because they will never be able to or never have the money.
5) DO NOT SHARE HOUSING WITH ANYONE NOT ON THE LEASE because you are just screwed.
6) DO NOT TAKE ANYONE ON VACATIONS THEY WILL NOT PAY FOR IN ADVANCE. They will just say that it was a gift and you will be screwed.
7) YOU CANNOT GET MORE THAN A CAR'S BLUE BOOK VALUE IN COMPENSATION FOR AN ACCIDENT. It does not matter what sort of fancy wheels/stereo/paint job you paid for after market, she's going to award you fair condition blue book value.
These are all things I knew, but it seems that most people who end up on Judge Judy do not know these things. And are not going to learn them.
Turns out there are indeed some good financial lessons on Judge Judy:
1) NEVER EVER CO-SIGN a loan for anything, ever. If the person can't get credit from professionals, or rent an apartment on their own, or get utilities turned on...whatever...then do not put your own money at risk. If you cosign, the loan or utility bill or rent or whatever is actually all yours when they can't find the other signer. So DO NOT CO-SIGN ANYTHING EVER.
2) DO NOT pay anyone's bail. They aren't going to pay you back. They are going to say it's a gift.
3) DO NOT GET A CELL PHONE FOR ANYONE. Or pay their cable, or any other media/communications type thing. Just don't. They will run up the bill and not pay it.
4) DO NOT LOAN MONEY, and when you do, get a signed note with a specific pay off date. Never ever let them say "I'll pay you when I can" or "I'll pay you when I have the money." That just makes you a sucker because they will never be able to or never have the money.
5) DO NOT SHARE HOUSING WITH ANYONE NOT ON THE LEASE because you are just screwed.
6) DO NOT TAKE ANYONE ON VACATIONS THEY WILL NOT PAY FOR IN ADVANCE. They will just say that it was a gift and you will be screwed.
7) YOU CANNOT GET MORE THAN A CAR'S BLUE BOOK VALUE IN COMPENSATION FOR AN ACCIDENT. It does not matter what sort of fancy wheels/stereo/paint job you paid for after market, she's going to award you fair condition blue book value.
These are all things I knew, but it seems that most people who end up on Judge Judy do not know these things. And are not going to learn them.
Monday, January 2, 2017
2017! Off to a Good Start
Because I live in a freaking Christmas card...which is funny because I don't even do Christmas, but "Solstice Card" isn't a "meme."
Here is a recent pic:
Cool! Those are the trees by the creek.
Here is the homesite from the road where I park:
These are the beehives with my white trash windbreak:
I do love pallets. They are backed with thrift store window blinds that were meant for a different task (not windows though).
You can see I've dug out the wee doorways in the bottom of the hives. That way the bees have ventilation. There is another door under the lid that you can't see. You can see how much snow. And honestly, that is two snows ago. The mounds on top are even taller. Instructions are to leave the snow on as it insulates the hives. The bees are eating their way up through honey in the 2nd big box. The top box, which is smaller, is holding dry sugar for them to eat when they run out of honey. I hope it lasts! I have more sugar and some "bee candy" (basically sugar made into patties) to put in there as soon as the outdoor temp is 50F or higher. It just has to hit that for one day and I throw in more sugar as fast as I can. I have heard them buzzing a bit a few days ago so hopefully they still are hanging in there.
The parking situation. Even days like this when I cave in and spend the night in town (due to COLD), I try to go buy and shovel. And shovel. And shovel. Thank goodness I've been working out or I would be immobile now.
It was pretty funny yesterday. I was shoveling a few inches of snow, after I went ahead and parked on it. A nice young man stopped his truck across the road and ran over. He asked if I needed help digging my car out of that hole (again...that is a few snows after this pic was taken). I explained that I actually park in this hole and was just putting on my snowshoes to get up to the homestead. He looked around for a while...presumably searching for a house. Here's a hint: There isn't one! HA! I said, "I've made some unique life choices and this is where I live. Thank you very much for your offer." I wonder if it was a story he found worth telling...
This is a picture of the highway to work. That's Plummer Butte in the distance. It is super pretty here when it snows.
And finally: A look to the ESE from the shed:
You can see the bee yard windbreak, the big tree with the shower room and living room under it. Just to the left of the big tree you can make out the shape of the camper...or as I like to call it, "my 2nd home." ...two homes and 36 acres owned outright...and yet...I count as "homeless." Only in America.
Here is a recent pic:
Cool! Those are the trees by the creek.
Here is the homesite from the road where I park:
These are the beehives with my white trash windbreak:
I do love pallets. They are backed with thrift store window blinds that were meant for a different task (not windows though).
You can see I've dug out the wee doorways in the bottom of the hives. That way the bees have ventilation. There is another door under the lid that you can't see. You can see how much snow. And honestly, that is two snows ago. The mounds on top are even taller. Instructions are to leave the snow on as it insulates the hives. The bees are eating their way up through honey in the 2nd big box. The top box, which is smaller, is holding dry sugar for them to eat when they run out of honey. I hope it lasts! I have more sugar and some "bee candy" (basically sugar made into patties) to put in there as soon as the outdoor temp is 50F or higher. It just has to hit that for one day and I throw in more sugar as fast as I can. I have heard them buzzing a bit a few days ago so hopefully they still are hanging in there.
The parking situation. Even days like this when I cave in and spend the night in town (due to COLD), I try to go buy and shovel. And shovel. And shovel. Thank goodness I've been working out or I would be immobile now.
It was pretty funny yesterday. I was shoveling a few inches of snow, after I went ahead and parked on it. A nice young man stopped his truck across the road and ran over. He asked if I needed help digging my car out of that hole (again...that is a few snows after this pic was taken). I explained that I actually park in this hole and was just putting on my snowshoes to get up to the homestead. He looked around for a while...presumably searching for a house. Here's a hint: There isn't one! HA! I said, "I've made some unique life choices and this is where I live. Thank you very much for your offer." I wonder if it was a story he found worth telling...
This is a picture of the highway to work. That's Plummer Butte in the distance. It is super pretty here when it snows.
And finally: A look to the ESE from the shed:
You can see the bee yard windbreak, the big tree with the shower room and living room under it. Just to the left of the big tree you can make out the shape of the camper...or as I like to call it, "my 2nd home." ...two homes and 36 acres owned outright...and yet...I count as "homeless." Only in America.
Friday, December 30, 2016
2016...goodbye and good riddance
2016 is a year that will live in infamy. For me anyway. Bit up and down. Too much down.
Simplicity and frugality-wise, it wasn't terrible. I managed to re-supply my savings enough to think about getting the real cabin started in 2017.
And thank goodness, and frugality, I had enough savings to do what needed to be done during some rough times.
Starting last December, ok, end of 2015, but it rolled right on through the new year so I'm lumping it all into 2016. Why ruin 2 years?
Last December, I lost two people. First a really good old friend passed away suddenly. She was younger than me. I didn't stay to help her family because I was heading back to the folks to visit my father. He had the "big C"...no, not that one, cancer. It was bad. Really bad. He died. But at least I had the cash in savings to help my friend's family and to go back for the visit over the holidays and the vacation time to stay through the end times and the memorial.
Then, 11 days later, Gramma falls and breaks a hip. Frankly, I think the hip broke, and then she fell.
I didn't go home immediately. I already had another trip planned for Feb to help with my father's stuff. Instead, helped pack up Gramma's apartment as she had to move to a nursing home. I got to visit her and Mom and the rest which was good.
In June my godson graduated college which was/is AWESOME! SOOOO proud of him (he got out with very little debt..yeay him!!!). I went for the graduation, helped with a move. Then he and I took a celebratory road trip back to the family homesite for my father's memorial. Drove Idaho to Iowa, and back. We thought we could take a leisurely tour on the way back to Idaho, but alas, he GOT A JOB! Yeay him!!!!! So, we booked. The graduation and trip were the highlight of 2016. And again, glad I had saved up and could do this.
In Sept, another trip to Iowa. Flew out and an Aunt (a very young fun one) and I drove a moving van back to Idaho with my stuff and a couple of her things out of Gram's apartment. Got to visit Gram again. And Mom and the rest. The trip with the moving van went really well until the end. The end SUCKED. But the company and the scenery were excellent. Thanks Aunt!
Alas, a few weeks after I got back, a person I had worked with and who filled the role of uncle or grampa for me, passed away.
Next Gramma died. She had decided it was time and that there would be NO memorial or funeral or anything. Nothing. She did want my sister and I to take a vacation with Mom. So we went. It was great and once again I was glad I had saved up and had the money to do this for Gram. (We all paid our own way so actually: yeay all of us.)
Finally, I got word that a friend from college had passed suddenly. He was almost exactly my age. I miss him.
That's enough now. Just one more day of 2016 to go.
More on the good stuff:
The graduation and road trips were great!
The vacation with Mom and my sister was fabulous. We love Vancouver BC.
And I love my wee shed cabin thing! It is a BIT tough to keep warm when it is below 10degs F, and windy. The rest of the time it is awesome.
I splurged and spent 20$ on a sled! RETAIL and NEW. Very unlike me but I had enough screwing around looking at thrift stores and the snow wasn't going to last forever. I have been sledding and snow shoeing on my land. That is now my favorite thing.
The solar got fixed and the well works! I spent a bit to get the good electricians out, but now it works. That was worth it.
And I got bees!!!!!
Simplicity and frugality-wise, it wasn't terrible. I managed to re-supply my savings enough to think about getting the real cabin started in 2017.
And thank goodness, and frugality, I had enough savings to do what needed to be done during some rough times.
Starting last December, ok, end of 2015, but it rolled right on through the new year so I'm lumping it all into 2016. Why ruin 2 years?
Last December, I lost two people. First a really good old friend passed away suddenly. She was younger than me. I didn't stay to help her family because I was heading back to the folks to visit my father. He had the "big C"...no, not that one, cancer. It was bad. Really bad. He died. But at least I had the cash in savings to help my friend's family and to go back for the visit over the holidays and the vacation time to stay through the end times and the memorial.
Then, 11 days later, Gramma falls and breaks a hip. Frankly, I think the hip broke, and then she fell.
I didn't go home immediately. I already had another trip planned for Feb to help with my father's stuff. Instead, helped pack up Gramma's apartment as she had to move to a nursing home. I got to visit her and Mom and the rest which was good.
In June my godson graduated college which was/is AWESOME! SOOOO proud of him (he got out with very little debt..yeay him!!!). I went for the graduation, helped with a move. Then he and I took a celebratory road trip back to the family homesite for my father's memorial. Drove Idaho to Iowa, and back. We thought we could take a leisurely tour on the way back to Idaho, but alas, he GOT A JOB! Yeay him!!!!! So, we booked. The graduation and trip were the highlight of 2016. And again, glad I had saved up and could do this.
In Sept, another trip to Iowa. Flew out and an Aunt (a very young fun one) and I drove a moving van back to Idaho with my stuff and a couple of her things out of Gram's apartment. Got to visit Gram again. And Mom and the rest. The trip with the moving van went really well until the end. The end SUCKED. But the company and the scenery were excellent. Thanks Aunt!
Alas, a few weeks after I got back, a person I had worked with and who filled the role of uncle or grampa for me, passed away.
Next Gramma died. She had decided it was time and that there would be NO memorial or funeral or anything. Nothing. She did want my sister and I to take a vacation with Mom. So we went. It was great and once again I was glad I had saved up and had the money to do this for Gram. (We all paid our own way so actually: yeay all of us.)
Finally, I got word that a friend from college had passed suddenly. He was almost exactly my age. I miss him.
That's enough now. Just one more day of 2016 to go.
More on the good stuff:
The graduation and road trips were great!
The vacation with Mom and my sister was fabulous. We love Vancouver BC.
And I love my wee shed cabin thing! It is a BIT tough to keep warm when it is below 10degs F, and windy. The rest of the time it is awesome.
I splurged and spent 20$ on a sled! RETAIL and NEW. Very unlike me but I had enough screwing around looking at thrift stores and the snow wasn't going to last forever. I have been sledding and snow shoeing on my land. That is now my favorite thing.
The solar got fixed and the well works! I spent a bit to get the good electricians out, but now it works. That was worth it.
And I got bees!!!!!
Wednesday, December 21, 2016
Happy Solstice!!!!
The light is coming back and I NEED IT. The days getting shorter and shorter and shorter get on my nerves. Which isn't fair to the universe. It's just a thing that happens. And if the days didn't get shorter, they wouldn't later get longer. (I'm like a philosopher).
Anyway. I do love the winter solstice. I even convinced myself that the sun came up earlier this morning because it was up while I was still at the gym. Reality check: I was running late. Whatever. I liked it.
At my place the ski was completely clear when I got home at 7:12pm...and it was pitch dark. The moon wasn't up yet. It was a truly gorgeous night. I woke up at about the time of the actual solstice which was nice. I wake up every night, but at least this time, it had a side benefit. Apologies to the recipient of my actual-time solstice text. I kind of wish I had one of those cameras that takes night photos. By which I mean...a camera. The phone and the ipod weren't cutting it. Hard to describe the stars to those of you who live in lighted areas. It's amazing when it's dark and cold and clear.
I see this as the beginning of the new year. So, Happy New Year! I guess that means I have several "years." The calendar year beginning on Jan. 1. The fiscal year which starts on Oct. 1. The solar year that begins on winter solstice.
For those of us who celebrate solstice, we need better music. Not crap like "here comes santa clause" or the smarmy tripe that runs on the radio and stores NON STOP for MONTHS. Nor the moody enya type stuff. Good songs like these few tolerable xmas ditties:
https://youtu.be/qTx-sdR6Yzk
https://youtu.be/gXkMQciZV8A
https://youtu.be/In3sApWlY1s
And just in case I don't get back to the blog before the calendar new year....here is an offering from Stephen Colbert and Michael Stipe with a needless and distracting James Franco cameo:
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