Dateless and clueless in New Jersey, I skipped over the entire prom scene during my high school years. I never missed the long cheesy white limo, the stick-pin corsage or even the rent-a-tux boy. But I still dream about The Dress.
I can't go back in time, but there are lots of options to meet my high school prom fantasies as well as prom realities for today's high schoolers. Options range from custom dressmakers to discount stores, depending on whether your budget is at the high or low end.
Unconventional channels (eBay, consignment/thrift stores, online swap shops such as Freecycle.org and different charities) have prom gowns from $0 to $300 and up. One local charity -- Becca's Closet -- hands out free prom dresses and formal wear to teenagers in need. I highly recommend this Plantation-based program for teens seeking assistance with prom wear. Check out http://www.beccascloset.org.
No matter where you shop, your prom dress hunt should begin with a few fashion basics, such as fabric, fit and workmanship, according to Wensley Alvarez, a salesman at Consign of the Times, a consignment store in Miami Beach and Coconut Grove.
''It's all about quality and a good cut,'' Alvarez said.
Upscale consignment stores are ideal for prom shoppers with high-end tastes but off-the rack-budgets. At Consign of the Times, for example, clothes and accessories from Prada, Versace, Chanel and other designers sell for one-third of the standard retail price. For instance, a designer cocktail dress or gown sold new for $600 to $2,100 would cost about $200 to $700 at Consign of The Times.
There are a number of consignment stores in South Florida. Inventory varies and it's best to call ahead to see which stores have a collection of prom gowns and cocktail dresses. Thrift stores throughout our region are stuffed with an abundance of gowns because many dresses are cast aside after being worn to just one prom.
Many dressmakers will tailor their creations to fit your budget. I spoke to one Coral Gables seamstress -- located on Miracle Mile -- who makes prom gowns that cost $3,000 and higher. But if your budget is far less, about $250, she'll create and stitch an attractive prom gown to fit that price range. At a coming-of-age party for a friend's daughter, I saw one of the dressmaker's affordable custom gowns, and I was impressed with the cut, color and fit.
On the other end of the scale, Marshall's sells affordable and fashionable gowns for well below $100. I tried on one gown at Marshall's and later spotted that same gown for more than twice the price at a small boutique. Other fashion mavens praise the off-the-rack gowns at JC Penney, Ross and Dillard's.
Other affordable options include bridal shops where either discontinued, unclaimed or sample party gowns are available at steep discounts.
I was also surprised to find a wide range of prices and selections of gowns and party dresses on eBay (www.ebay.com), some with designer labels. From an eBay vendor called Fabulous Gowns, I even found gowns as cheap as 99 cents, excluding shipping and handling. Ebay showed a long track record and high customer satisfaction rating for Fabulous Gowns.
My personal favorite was a size 6 green sheath gown with a V-neck for $1. Of course, my prom days are over, but I can still dream.
Monday, May 15, 2006
Friday, May 12, 2006
Poor Mario: A Hamster's Obit & My Lost Money
Toward the end of his short life, our pet Mario developed tumors and in a frantic attempt to save his life (and my children’s hearts), my husband and I visited two animal specialists. We spent about $250 in medical bills for our beloved Mario, a $6 hamster at the pet store.
We could have saved a lot of heart ache and dollars, if we had done our homework. Hamsters — as we later discovered — have short lives and tumors are a sign of the end. Our misdirected kindness only prolonged Mario’s pain and cost a fortune.
Frugal Warnings from Pet Specialists
Careful research is the ticket for pet care, according to the experts at area animal shelters, who offer a long list of tips for pet owners. From warnings about unscrupulous breeders to low-cost health care for pets, local not-for-profit animal rescue operations have a wide range of resources for pet-loving parents.
Bad Breeders
The problems that face would be pet-owners are numerous. For instance, due to an unscrupulous puppy breeder, Lee from Pompano Beach spent over $1,500 on a puppy that died quickly after the sale. Lee purchased a Teacup Yorkie puppy from a private breeder for $1,000. Within three days, the puppy became sick and Lee spent an additional $430 dollars in emergency vet care. The animal died within days and Lee later discovered that the animal breeder had a bad reputation for running a “puppy mill,” that peddles problem or sick animals to the public.
Puppy Mills
Puppy Mills are breeding operations where animals are housed in crowded quarters, with minimal care. Purebred puppies born in such overcrowded conditions often develop illnesses or behavior problems, according to animal experts. Therefore, it’s important to investigate a private breeder’s background and business. Many breeders run excellent operations, but some unsavory characters prey on pet-loving families.
In Lee’s case, the breeder refused to reimburse him for the cost of the sick puppy. But backed by Florida’s Lemon Law, which also applies to puppies, Lee is taking the breeder to small claims court. In the future, he plans to carefully research the history and the reputation of other breeders before making a purchase.
Costly Designer Mutts
Unscrupulous breeders are also selling mixed-breed dogs with cute names and high prices ($1,000 and up), according to Cherie Wachter, director of Marketing for the Humane Society of Broward County. These so-called novelty dogs include: “Labadoodles,” a cross between a Labrador and a poodle; and “schnoodles,” a mix of a schnauzer and a poodle.
“Buyer beware,” Wachter said. “Basically what you have is a mixed-breed, a mutt. There are plenty of mutts at shelters all over the country.”
Mutts and pure-bred animals are available at both shelters. For instance, the Humane Society of Greater Miami offers pets at a rate of $60 for cats and $90 for dogs, according to Melanie Otero, public relations director for that non-profit organization. Likewise, the Humane Society of Broward County charges $70 for cats, $85 for dogs and $95 for puppies. Both agencies provide a wide-range of health, identification and support services with each pet adoption.
“We have a wonderful selection of dogs and cats of every breed, size, color and shape imaginable,” said Otero from the Humane Society of Greater Miami.
Pure-Breds for Less
And surprisingly, both agencies have pure-bred animals for adoption that would cost at least $500 to $1,000 or more in the private market. Lisa, from Sunny Isles, adopted her Flame Point Himalayan cat from the Humane Society of Broward County.
In Miami-Dade, 25 percent of the animals at the Humane Society shelter are purebreds and the rate is 30 percent at the Broward shelter.
We could have saved a lot of heart ache and dollars, if we had done our homework. Hamsters — as we later discovered — have short lives and tumors are a sign of the end. Our misdirected kindness only prolonged Mario’s pain and cost a fortune.
Frugal Warnings from Pet Specialists
Careful research is the ticket for pet care, according to the experts at area animal shelters, who offer a long list of tips for pet owners. From warnings about unscrupulous breeders to low-cost health care for pets, local not-for-profit animal rescue operations have a wide range of resources for pet-loving parents.
Bad Breeders
The problems that face would be pet-owners are numerous. For instance, due to an unscrupulous puppy breeder, Lee from Pompano Beach spent over $1,500 on a puppy that died quickly after the sale. Lee purchased a Teacup Yorkie puppy from a private breeder for $1,000. Within three days, the puppy became sick and Lee spent an additional $430 dollars in emergency vet care. The animal died within days and Lee later discovered that the animal breeder had a bad reputation for running a “puppy mill,” that peddles problem or sick animals to the public.
Puppy Mills
Puppy Mills are breeding operations where animals are housed in crowded quarters, with minimal care. Purebred puppies born in such overcrowded conditions often develop illnesses or behavior problems, according to animal experts. Therefore, it’s important to investigate a private breeder’s background and business. Many breeders run excellent operations, but some unsavory characters prey on pet-loving families.
In Lee’s case, the breeder refused to reimburse him for the cost of the sick puppy. But backed by Florida’s Lemon Law, which also applies to puppies, Lee is taking the breeder to small claims court. In the future, he plans to carefully research the history and the reputation of other breeders before making a purchase.
Costly Designer Mutts
Unscrupulous breeders are also selling mixed-breed dogs with cute names and high prices ($1,000 and up), according to Cherie Wachter, director of Marketing for the Humane Society of Broward County. These so-called novelty dogs include: “Labadoodles,” a cross between a Labrador and a poodle; and “schnoodles,” a mix of a schnauzer and a poodle.
“Buyer beware,” Wachter said. “Basically what you have is a mixed-breed, a mutt. There are plenty of mutts at shelters all over the country.”
Mutts and pure-bred animals are available at both shelters. For instance, the Humane Society of Greater Miami offers pets at a rate of $60 for cats and $90 for dogs, according to Melanie Otero, public relations director for that non-profit organization. Likewise, the Humane Society of Broward County charges $70 for cats, $85 for dogs and $95 for puppies. Both agencies provide a wide-range of health, identification and support services with each pet adoption.
“We have a wonderful selection of dogs and cats of every breed, size, color and shape imaginable,” said Otero from the Humane Society of Greater Miami.
Pure-Breds for Less
And surprisingly, both agencies have pure-bred animals for adoption that would cost at least $500 to $1,000 or more in the private market. Lisa, from Sunny Isles, adopted her Flame Point Himalayan cat from the Humane Society of Broward County.
In Miami-Dade, 25 percent of the animals at the Humane Society shelter are purebreds and the rate is 30 percent at the Broward shelter.
Thursday, May 11, 2006
Hurricanes & Freezers in a Blackout
Hurricane season lasts from June 1 to November 1, according to Frank Lepore, public affairs officer for the National Weather Center.
“Each family and each business needs to have a plan for what they’re going to do,” Lepore said.
Unfortunately, Lepore said, too many residents postpone hurricane preparations until lines for seasonal merchandise are very long and prices are very high. Purchase canned goods, water, batteries and other hurricane-related supplies before the stores are swamped with panic buyers.
I have a friend who buys an extra gallon of water every time she goes to the store. It's important; last year after Hurricane Wilma, my apartment building did not have water or electricity for a few days. Of course, we were fortunuate compared to the victims of Hurricane Katrina. But the last storm season was a wakeup call.
A shop-now strategy enables you to take advantage of sales and weekly specials offered by different retailers. Items like water, batteries and nonperishable lunch treats are frequently sold at sharp discounts. And If you don’t have storm shutters, buy plywood now when it’s still cheap and available, Lepore said.
My supply list includes: batteries, lanterns, flashlights, canned food, battery-operated radio, banquet style warming trays with candles, foil pans and other goodies. I'll shop in stages and hide my stash from the kids,who love to use the batteries for toys.
“Know your vulnerabilities,” Lepure said.
For example, I live in a neighborhood that is very vulnerable to frequent and sustained power outages. When my daughter blows a bubble from our porch balcony, the lights go off all over Miami Beach! Hence, our storm preparations must always factor in life without electricity.
Sub-Zero Freezers and Blackouts
During storm-prone months, many consumers deliberately reduce the load on the family freezer because of the fear of power loss. But I have chatted with two appliance experts about freezers and power outages. Representatives from both companies touted the benefits of a packed freezer during a power outage.
“Generally speaking a full freezer is going to retain cold longer, with food items serving as blocks of ice that help maintain sub-zero temperatures longer,” according to an email reply from Stacie Barnett, a spokeswoman for Sub-Zero Freezer Company.
Freezer Advice from Sears
Dean Schwartz, a refrigerator buyer for Sears Holding Corp. (Kemore appliances), agrees. A packed freezer, Schwartz said, has fewer pockets of warm air.
“Keep it shut,” he said. “Humidity is a huge enemy of a freezer or a refrigerator.”
Both companies declined to comment on how long food is safe after a power outage.
“Because of so many environmental factors, we don’t note a maximum length of time that food is safe after a power outage. Rather, Sub-Zero advises homeowners know the “danger zone” for unsafe food temperature. Generally, food spoilage occurs between 40 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit,” Barnett wrote in her email.
“Therefore, in the event of a power outage, it is advised that consumers stick a thermometer in the freezer to assess the temperature. Keeping the door closed keeps food colder longer, but check the thermometer occasionally to assess when the “danger zone” is reached. Homeowners never want to leave food in the danger zone for more than two hours.”
“Each family and each business needs to have a plan for what they’re going to do,” Lepore said.
Unfortunately, Lepore said, too many residents postpone hurricane preparations until lines for seasonal merchandise are very long and prices are very high. Purchase canned goods, water, batteries and other hurricane-related supplies before the stores are swamped with panic buyers.
I have a friend who buys an extra gallon of water every time she goes to the store. It's important; last year after Hurricane Wilma, my apartment building did not have water or electricity for a few days. Of course, we were fortunuate compared to the victims of Hurricane Katrina. But the last storm season was a wakeup call.
A shop-now strategy enables you to take advantage of sales and weekly specials offered by different retailers. Items like water, batteries and nonperishable lunch treats are frequently sold at sharp discounts. And If you don’t have storm shutters, buy plywood now when it’s still cheap and available, Lepore said.
My supply list includes: batteries, lanterns, flashlights, canned food, battery-operated radio, banquet style warming trays with candles, foil pans and other goodies. I'll shop in stages and hide my stash from the kids,who love to use the batteries for toys.
“Know your vulnerabilities,” Lepure said.
For example, I live in a neighborhood that is very vulnerable to frequent and sustained power outages. When my daughter blows a bubble from our porch balcony, the lights go off all over Miami Beach! Hence, our storm preparations must always factor in life without electricity.
Sub-Zero Freezers and Blackouts
During storm-prone months, many consumers deliberately reduce the load on the family freezer because of the fear of power loss. But I have chatted with two appliance experts about freezers and power outages. Representatives from both companies touted the benefits of a packed freezer during a power outage.
“Generally speaking a full freezer is going to retain cold longer, with food items serving as blocks of ice that help maintain sub-zero temperatures longer,” according to an email reply from Stacie Barnett, a spokeswoman for Sub-Zero Freezer Company.
Freezer Advice from Sears
Dean Schwartz, a refrigerator buyer for Sears Holding Corp. (Kemore appliances), agrees. A packed freezer, Schwartz said, has fewer pockets of warm air.
“Keep it shut,” he said. “Humidity is a huge enemy of a freezer or a refrigerator.”
Both companies declined to comment on how long food is safe after a power outage.
“Because of so many environmental factors, we don’t note a maximum length of time that food is safe after a power outage. Rather, Sub-Zero advises homeowners know the “danger zone” for unsafe food temperature. Generally, food spoilage occurs between 40 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit,” Barnett wrote in her email.
“Therefore, in the event of a power outage, it is advised that consumers stick a thermometer in the freezer to assess the temperature. Keeping the door closed keeps food colder longer, but check the thermometer occasionally to assess when the “danger zone” is reached. Homeowners never want to leave food in the danger zone for more than two hours.”
Wednesday, May 10, 2006
My Plastic Bag Collection: Recycling 101
I wish American Idol had a recyling competition. Contestants would have to sing, while coming up with lots of new ways to reuse plastic bags. Voters would cast ballots for the best song and the most creative use of a plastic bag.
Actually, there are various ways to recycle and reuse plastic shopping bags. In fact, there are also creative and money saving uses for many household materials and items.
“More than 80 percent of consumers reuse plastic bags as liners for household wastebaskets, shoe totes and laundry or garment bags. They also use them to carry home wet swimsuits, towels or gym clothes, to hold recyclables or yard wastes for collection, or for a variety of other purposes," according to a statement from The Society of the Plastics Industry.
From Knee Pads to Pooper Scoopers
Likewise, the September issue of Real Simple magazine has an excellent article featuring 10 different uses for plastic grocery bags.
• Garden Knee pads. Wrapped around your knees, plastic bags make great protective clothing pads for gardeners.
• Paint brush covers. Secured with rubber banks, plastic bags will keep paint brushes and rollers moist when you take a break from painting chores.
• Instant rain gear or umbrellas covers. Folded into a small square, a plastic bag can be toted around to provide instant cover for unexpected rain. Or bags can be used to stash wet umbrellas, thereby protecting briefcases, cars and other surfaces from dripping umbrellas.
• Kitchen helpers. Peel your carrots, potatoes and other food over a plastic bag. When the chore is complete, either simply wrap and toss the scraps into the garbage or rinse and reuse the bag for your next peeling project.
• Cookbook cover. Wet ingredients and messy chefs are hazardous for cookbooks. Fashion a book cover with plastic bags.
Small plastic bags also serve as wrapping paper (use colorful shades or decorate with stickers), shoe covers or even filler in planters. Stuffed into the bottom of a pot, a plastic bag will help you fill space (and save on potting soil) when the container is too deep for the plant. Don’t stuff the drainage holes. Other ways to recycle plastic bags are listed at www.realsimple.com/bags.
You can also shop with your own bags by purchasing cloth or nylon re-usable grocery bags. Store bags can also be stored from trip to trip and then re-used. Various stores sell gadgets for storing recycled bags. Real Simple recommends two: 1) A $6 Plastic Bag Recycler from wwww.organizes-it.com or a $15 Upright Bag (stainless steel) Holder from www.simplehuman.com.
Empty Tissue Boxes
In my house, however, we store plastic bags in empty tissue boxes. As needed, individual bags are extracted from the boxes. With this storage method, we recycle two cast-off items: plastic bags and empty tissue boxes
We have a new dog and the plastic bags are great as pooper-scoopers.
Susan Deets, one of my Miami Herald readers, provided one of my favorite tips for creative uses for plastic bags.
“The Herald newspaper delivery bags make great shoe bags for traveling. It keeps the suitcase clean and protects the shoes as well. I use one bag per shoe,” she wrote.
Broken Arm Covers
Likewise, reader Jeane Shelden also rehabilitates plastic bags: “When I had a cast on my hand/arm I put my arm into one of the newspaper bags, slipped a rubberband around my arm and kept it dry during a shower. Worked perfectly,” Shelden wrote.
“I also use one in my kitchen sink every day for the 'wet garbage' then knot the top of it and drop it into the garbage bin. We can usually find a use for almost anything that is intended to be discarded, it just takes a little bit of thought and ingenuity.”
Formal recycling programs are available from www.earth911.org . On that website, use your zip code to find nearby recycling centers. In my region, for example, various Publix Supermarkets and Albertsons were listed as recycling centers.
Actually, there are various ways to recycle and reuse plastic shopping bags. In fact, there are also creative and money saving uses for many household materials and items.
“More than 80 percent of consumers reuse plastic bags as liners for household wastebaskets, shoe totes and laundry or garment bags. They also use them to carry home wet swimsuits, towels or gym clothes, to hold recyclables or yard wastes for collection, or for a variety of other purposes," according to a statement from The Society of the Plastics Industry.
From Knee Pads to Pooper Scoopers
Likewise, the September issue of Real Simple magazine has an excellent article featuring 10 different uses for plastic grocery bags.
• Garden Knee pads. Wrapped around your knees, plastic bags make great protective clothing pads for gardeners.
• Paint brush covers. Secured with rubber banks, plastic bags will keep paint brushes and rollers moist when you take a break from painting chores.
• Instant rain gear or umbrellas covers. Folded into a small square, a plastic bag can be toted around to provide instant cover for unexpected rain. Or bags can be used to stash wet umbrellas, thereby protecting briefcases, cars and other surfaces from dripping umbrellas.
• Kitchen helpers. Peel your carrots, potatoes and other food over a plastic bag. When the chore is complete, either simply wrap and toss the scraps into the garbage or rinse and reuse the bag for your next peeling project.
• Cookbook cover. Wet ingredients and messy chefs are hazardous for cookbooks. Fashion a book cover with plastic bags.
Small plastic bags also serve as wrapping paper (use colorful shades or decorate with stickers), shoe covers or even filler in planters. Stuffed into the bottom of a pot, a plastic bag will help you fill space (and save on potting soil) when the container is too deep for the plant. Don’t stuff the drainage holes. Other ways to recycle plastic bags are listed at www.realsimple.com/bags.
You can also shop with your own bags by purchasing cloth or nylon re-usable grocery bags. Store bags can also be stored from trip to trip and then re-used. Various stores sell gadgets for storing recycled bags. Real Simple recommends two: 1) A $6 Plastic Bag Recycler from wwww.organizes-it.com or a $15 Upright Bag (stainless steel) Holder from www.simplehuman.com.
Empty Tissue Boxes
In my house, however, we store plastic bags in empty tissue boxes. As needed, individual bags are extracted from the boxes. With this storage method, we recycle two cast-off items: plastic bags and empty tissue boxes
We have a new dog and the plastic bags are great as pooper-scoopers.
Susan Deets, one of my Miami Herald readers, provided one of my favorite tips for creative uses for plastic bags.
“The Herald newspaper delivery bags make great shoe bags for traveling. It keeps the suitcase clean and protects the shoes as well. I use one bag per shoe,” she wrote.
Broken Arm Covers
Likewise, reader Jeane Shelden also rehabilitates plastic bags: “When I had a cast on my hand/arm I put my arm into one of the newspaper bags, slipped a rubberband around my arm and kept it dry during a shower. Worked perfectly,” Shelden wrote.
“I also use one in my kitchen sink every day for the 'wet garbage' then knot the top of it and drop it into the garbage bin. We can usually find a use for almost anything that is intended to be discarded, it just takes a little bit of thought and ingenuity.”
Formal recycling programs are available from www.earth911.org . On that website, use your zip code to find nearby recycling centers. In my region, for example, various Publix Supermarkets and Albertsons were listed as recycling centers.
Tuesday, May 09, 2006
Money from the Closet
Children’s clothes, castoff suits, furniture and other items represent a potential source of funds, according to local and national experts in the consignment industry. With a prudent eye and a little time, your closets, garage and deep storage areas could yield valuable merchandise for resale at consignment stores.
“It’s almost like a second source of income,” said Lynn Rachel Garber, owner of Rachel’s Rare Finds in Cooper City.
To stock her store with a wide variety of merchandise that ranges from $10 garments to a $6,000 sable coat, Garber shops at estate sales. But most of the merchandise on display—about 90 percent—are consignment items placed in the store by families looking to earn extra dollars from designer suits (for men and women), diamonds, shirts and every-day garments.
In most cases, Garber evenly splits the proceeds of the sale with the seller. However, for more expensive items, she offers sellers a higher cut on a case-by-case basis. Nationwide, consignment stores typically pays the consignee 40 percent to 60 percent of the selling price. Other stores—called “resale shop”—will buy furniture and clothing directly from owners and then place those items for sale.
Clutter for Dollars
“It certainly is a wonderful way for people to turn their clutter into cash,” said Adele Meyer, executive director of the National Association of Resale & Thrifts Shops (NARTS), an industry trade group that educates and assists consumers and retailers involved in the resale industry. “Resale is the ultimate in recycling.”
It’s a high-growth market for vendors and consumers. Nationally, there are over 20,000 second-hand shops—consignment, resale and thrift stores—in the nation and the number of outlets expands about 5 percent a year and the resale industry has become a multi-billion annual business, according to data from NARTS. Through consignment sales, mom-and-pop consumers can directly participate in that trend and clean house.
Furniture sales represent one of highest-growth segments of that market. That trend is driven by college students, young families and empty nesters(as buyers and sellers of second-hand furniture.)Other popular segments of the resale market include clothing for teens and men.
How to Consign
If you’re looking to cash into this market, here are a few NARTS suggestions for reselling merchandise through consignment and resale stores:
1) Carefully evaluate consignment/resale stores. Ask about stores policies, commissions, payment schedules and customer base.
2) Become familiar with seasonal trends in merchandise.
3) Make your look appealing. Clothing should look and smell clean. Furniture should be polished and dusted. Make small repairs to enhance the value of the item.
4) Stay in contact with the shop and keep a list of items that have been placed for consignment.
“It’s almost like a second source of income,” said Lynn Rachel Garber, owner of Rachel’s Rare Finds in Cooper City.
To stock her store with a wide variety of merchandise that ranges from $10 garments to a $6,000 sable coat, Garber shops at estate sales. But most of the merchandise on display—about 90 percent—are consignment items placed in the store by families looking to earn extra dollars from designer suits (for men and women), diamonds, shirts and every-day garments.
In most cases, Garber evenly splits the proceeds of the sale with the seller. However, for more expensive items, she offers sellers a higher cut on a case-by-case basis. Nationwide, consignment stores typically pays the consignee 40 percent to 60 percent of the selling price. Other stores—called “resale shop”—will buy furniture and clothing directly from owners and then place those items for sale.
Clutter for Dollars
“It certainly is a wonderful way for people to turn their clutter into cash,” said Adele Meyer, executive director of the National Association of Resale & Thrifts Shops (NARTS), an industry trade group that educates and assists consumers and retailers involved in the resale industry. “Resale is the ultimate in recycling.”
It’s a high-growth market for vendors and consumers. Nationally, there are over 20,000 second-hand shops—consignment, resale and thrift stores—in the nation and the number of outlets expands about 5 percent a year and the resale industry has become a multi-billion annual business, according to data from NARTS. Through consignment sales, mom-and-pop consumers can directly participate in that trend and clean house.
Furniture sales represent one of highest-growth segments of that market. That trend is driven by college students, young families and empty nesters(as buyers and sellers of second-hand furniture.)Other popular segments of the resale market include clothing for teens and men.
How to Consign
If you’re looking to cash into this market, here are a few NARTS suggestions for reselling merchandise through consignment and resale stores:
1) Carefully evaluate consignment/resale stores. Ask about stores policies, commissions, payment schedules and customer base.
2) Become familiar with seasonal trends in merchandise.
3) Make your look appealing. Clothing should look and smell clean. Furniture should be polished and dusted. Make small repairs to enhance the value of the item.
4) Stay in contact with the shop and keep a list of items that have been placed for consignment.
Monday, May 08, 2006
Frugal Lessons from the NBA Court
The sports world is filled with philosophy. And some of that wisdom, I've belatedly realized, applies to frugal living. Here are a few lessons from the 2005/2006 Miami Heat basketball season.
• Consume less. After cutting back on fast food, a trimmer Shaquille O'Neal is highly effective on defense and offense as long as he stays out of foul trouble. Likewise, when I cut out unnecessary calories and indulgent expenses, I function better on the court of life.
• Constant review. After a troubling game, Miami Heat players and coaches scrutinize game tapes in order to identify and correct problems in ball movement or shot selection. We could all benefit from reality checks. It helps to write down daily expenditures and regularly review purchases.
• Patience. The naysayers -- including myself -- took a dim view of Coach Pat Riley's dramatic changes in the Heat roster before the 2005/2006 season. But recent glimpses of the stellar contributions of Jason Williams, Antoine Walker and Gary Payton have underscored the importance of planning and patience. Difficult short-term adjustments in our personal strategies can yield long-term benefits.
• Focus. After 82 games in the regular season, Miami Heat players approached the playoffs with a higher level of focus. Whether trying to save money or save a game, it helps to keep the ultimate goal in the front court. I save best when I constantly remind myself of my long-term financial goals.
• Beware of the backslide. Miami Heat fans are well aware of how easily double-digit gains can be squandered. It's tempting to be lulled into a false sense of security. While watching the Heat struggle to maintain a lead, I've learned to take nothing for granted and to avoid coasting on past accomplishments. ''Every possession means so much,'' Dwyane Wade is quoted as saying in a Miami Heat publication.
• Think discount. Shaq -- a megawatt superstar center -- markets his brand-name shoes through Payless and he once joked about selling another product through Target. Lesson: Don't be a snob when shopping. Some discount stores have great deals.
• Consume less. After cutting back on fast food, a trimmer Shaquille O'Neal is highly effective on defense and offense as long as he stays out of foul trouble. Likewise, when I cut out unnecessary calories and indulgent expenses, I function better on the court of life.
• Constant review. After a troubling game, Miami Heat players and coaches scrutinize game tapes in order to identify and correct problems in ball movement or shot selection. We could all benefit from reality checks. It helps to write down daily expenditures and regularly review purchases.
• Patience. The naysayers -- including myself -- took a dim view of Coach Pat Riley's dramatic changes in the Heat roster before the 2005/2006 season. But recent glimpses of the stellar contributions of Jason Williams, Antoine Walker and Gary Payton have underscored the importance of planning and patience. Difficult short-term adjustments in our personal strategies can yield long-term benefits.
• Focus. After 82 games in the regular season, Miami Heat players approached the playoffs with a higher level of focus. Whether trying to save money or save a game, it helps to keep the ultimate goal in the front court. I save best when I constantly remind myself of my long-term financial goals.
• Beware of the backslide. Miami Heat fans are well aware of how easily double-digit gains can be squandered. It's tempting to be lulled into a false sense of security. While watching the Heat struggle to maintain a lead, I've learned to take nothing for granted and to avoid coasting on past accomplishments. ''Every possession means so much,'' Dwyane Wade is quoted as saying in a Miami Heat publication.
• Think discount. Shaq -- a megawatt superstar center -- markets his brand-name shoes through Payless and he once joked about selling another product through Target. Lesson: Don't be a snob when shopping. Some discount stores have great deals.
Friday, May 05, 2006
My Straw Hat & Jessica Simpson
It was a cute straw hat from Ann Taylor Loft, with a festive bow and a flexible brim. At a very attractive sale price, I purchased the hat in two colors. The price was right and the hats were marketed as suitcase/travel friendly, with an illustrated how-to about rolling, folding and packing.
I followed the printed directions, but maybe my suitcase was packed too tight or perhaps, the baggage handlers were rough at the airport. But after a roundtrip flight to New York, my adorable hats resembled battered lampshades. I was not happy. My money seemed wasted.
Fortunately, the customer service department at Ann Taylor Loft had a solution. As a private consumer (no media credentials), I politely complained to the corporate office, where a courteous customer service representative arranged for me to exchange my travel-worn hats for newer models at an area store. My hats look great and I will pack them (unfolded) in hat boxes when I travel in the future.
SPEAK UP
Clearly, it pays to complain if your concerns are valid and honest. And don’t be shy about seeking price adjustments on merchandise that goes on sale after your original purchase. Even some celebrities and millionaires are careful shoppers.
$200 Savings for Jessica Simpson!
For instance, when Jessica Simpson was busy promoting, Dukes of Hazzard, she apparently had time to track down a price adjustment at Barneys, according to In Touch magazine. The magazine reported that Simpson requested a price adjustment when a pair of shoes she purchased at Barney’s was subsequently discounted by 40 percent. Her savings — according to In Touch — was $200.
Price Adjustment Policies
A represenstive for Jessica Simpson, could not confirm the story and referred me to Barneys. I spoke to Kimberly Oser, a New York-based spokesman for the store. Citing, customer confidentiality Oser declined to comment on the discounted shoes. However, in a subsequent email, she provided details about Barneys price adjustment policy.
“Price adjustments are given within 7 days of the original purchase date. The merchandise must be present in order to process the adjustment,” Oser wrote.
Other major retailers, ranging from Home Depot to Old Navy have similar policies. Meanwhile, many stores also have generous return and exchange policies. Based on my research, Bloomingdales and Macy’s have generous return policies. Receipts are not required, according to Lisa Kauffman, senior vice president for marketing in the Florida Division of Macy’s.
“We believe that a properly handled return is a good investment. It supports future business,” Kauffman said.
I followed the printed directions, but maybe my suitcase was packed too tight or perhaps, the baggage handlers were rough at the airport. But after a roundtrip flight to New York, my adorable hats resembled battered lampshades. I was not happy. My money seemed wasted.
Fortunately, the customer service department at Ann Taylor Loft had a solution. As a private consumer (no media credentials), I politely complained to the corporate office, where a courteous customer service representative arranged for me to exchange my travel-worn hats for newer models at an area store. My hats look great and I will pack them (unfolded) in hat boxes when I travel in the future.
SPEAK UP
Clearly, it pays to complain if your concerns are valid and honest. And don’t be shy about seeking price adjustments on merchandise that goes on sale after your original purchase. Even some celebrities and millionaires are careful shoppers.
$200 Savings for Jessica Simpson!
For instance, when Jessica Simpson was busy promoting, Dukes of Hazzard, she apparently had time to track down a price adjustment at Barneys, according to In Touch magazine. The magazine reported that Simpson requested a price adjustment when a pair of shoes she purchased at Barney’s was subsequently discounted by 40 percent. Her savings — according to In Touch — was $200.
Price Adjustment Policies
A represenstive for Jessica Simpson, could not confirm the story and referred me to Barneys. I spoke to Kimberly Oser, a New York-based spokesman for the store. Citing, customer confidentiality Oser declined to comment on the discounted shoes. However, in a subsequent email, she provided details about Barneys price adjustment policy.
“Price adjustments are given within 7 days of the original purchase date. The merchandise must be present in order to process the adjustment,” Oser wrote.
Other major retailers, ranging from Home Depot to Old Navy have similar policies. Meanwhile, many stores also have generous return and exchange policies. Based on my research, Bloomingdales and Macy’s have generous return policies. Receipts are not required, according to Lisa Kauffman, senior vice president for marketing in the Florida Division of Macy’s.
“We believe that a properly handled return is a good investment. It supports future business,” Kauffman said.
Thursday, May 04, 2006
Furniture Polish: Soap & Water Work!
Spring cleaning is an annual ritual for many families. During my childhood, spring arrived with an army of detergents, mops and dusters. Likewise, as an adult, I give my home a deep cleaning as part of my annual preparation for Passover.
But I could have simplified my cleaning routine and saved money if I had first chatted with Teri Masaschi, author of the article, Maintaining a Finish, in the latest issue of Fine Woodworking, a furniture magazine. Most of the expensive products on the market lack the punch of simpler tools such as a bit of paste wax and a cloth moistened with soap and warm water, according to Masaschi, who owns a furniture and restoration business in New Mexico.
Here's the rundown on furniture polishes, sprays and oils.
Aerosol sprays and liquids. Sprays and oils, (silicone-based, emulsion blends or oil polishes) are the easiest to apply and the most popular. But if this is your favorite furniture tool, use it for cleaning not shining. And within this category, emulsion polishes -- milky blends of oil and water -- are most effective at removing grease and dust, but leave minimal shine. ''A cloth dampened in warm, soapy water cleans just as well,'' Masaschi says.
Beware of furniture oils: For the short run, petroleum or mineral-based products leave your furniture with a slick gleam. In fact, quick-sale antique dealers love this short-lived shine. But over the long-term, the oil that remains on the surface really attracts dirt and dust. ''So it's better to avoid this type of polish,'' Masaschi says.
High marks for paste wax: Fine Woodworking recommends the regular use of a dab of paste wax as protective maintenance for furniture. A thin application of paste wax provides a longer shine -- relative to oils and sprays -- and conceals minor blemishes on the surface. Masaschi recommends Briwax, Staples, Antiquax and Liberon's Black Bison. But caution, while great for protecting and polishing, paste wax is not suitable for cleaning furniture.
Microfiber cloth and water: Fine Woodworking recommends old-school, low-tech methods for maintaining furniture in between wax applications. Dust off furniture with a microfiber cloth, a nonabrasive material made from polyester and polyamide, with a strand count of 200,000 strands per square inch. Microfiber cloths can be purchased at drugstores, office supply and car-care stores and cost from $3.50 to $8. The cloths can be washed and re-used. Remove grime with a cloth dampened with soap and water.
But I could have simplified my cleaning routine and saved money if I had first chatted with Teri Masaschi, author of the article, Maintaining a Finish, in the latest issue of Fine Woodworking, a furniture magazine. Most of the expensive products on the market lack the punch of simpler tools such as a bit of paste wax and a cloth moistened with soap and warm water, according to Masaschi, who owns a furniture and restoration business in New Mexico.
Here's the rundown on furniture polishes, sprays and oils.
Aerosol sprays and liquids. Sprays and oils, (silicone-based, emulsion blends or oil polishes) are the easiest to apply and the most popular. But if this is your favorite furniture tool, use it for cleaning not shining. And within this category, emulsion polishes -- milky blends of oil and water -- are most effective at removing grease and dust, but leave minimal shine. ''A cloth dampened in warm, soapy water cleans just as well,'' Masaschi says.
Beware of furniture oils: For the short run, petroleum or mineral-based products leave your furniture with a slick gleam. In fact, quick-sale antique dealers love this short-lived shine. But over the long-term, the oil that remains on the surface really attracts dirt and dust. ''So it's better to avoid this type of polish,'' Masaschi says.
High marks for paste wax: Fine Woodworking recommends the regular use of a dab of paste wax as protective maintenance for furniture. A thin application of paste wax provides a longer shine -- relative to oils and sprays -- and conceals minor blemishes on the surface. Masaschi recommends Briwax, Staples, Antiquax and Liberon's Black Bison. But caution, while great for protecting and polishing, paste wax is not suitable for cleaning furniture.
Microfiber cloth and water: Fine Woodworking recommends old-school, low-tech methods for maintaining furniture in between wax applications. Dust off furniture with a microfiber cloth, a nonabrasive material made from polyester and polyamide, with a strand count of 200,000 strands per square inch. Microfiber cloths can be purchased at drugstores, office supply and car-care stores and cost from $3.50 to $8. The cloths can be washed and re-used. Remove grime with a cloth dampened with soap and water.
Finding Discounts in Your Industry
Access to money-saving discounts and perks may be closer than you think.
Various industries, corporations and trade groups offer cost-cutting programs for qualified participants.
For example, veterans and teachers can earn big savings from two national programs. And there are outlets for other groups. Check out your employer's human resources office, industry trade groups or your favorite stores. A little research may uncover valuable discount programs.
Office Depot has a benefits program for teachers. Heather McGrath, a computer teacher at a local private school, provided me with a quick lesson about Office Depot's Star Teacher Program. The program gives teachers a 5 percent discount on most store products purchased for the classroom or for personal use. Additionally, teachers receive a 15 percent discount on copy and print services, according to an Office Depot representative. McGrath said that enrollment was easy and the savings were real.
And there are many other benefits. Educators in the Star Teacher Program also participate in Office Depot's ''Advantage Rewards program,'' providing quarterly rebates ranging from $20 to $50, depending on a consumer's accumulated purchases.
An Office Depot representative said the program also includes an annual ''Star Teacher Breakfast'' a complimentary breakfast gathering that includes a 10 percent discount on items purchased that day. For more information, check out: www.school.com.
Meanwhile, U.S. veterans can receive travel, shopping and prescription drug benefits through the Veterans Advantage Program (www.veteransadvantage.com or 866-838- 7392). This privately run program charges an annual enrollment of $60 and $29.90 per additional family member, but offers discounts at Continental Airlines, Amtrak, major car rental companies and other travel companies, according to founder Scott Higgins, a Vietnam veteran.
Other major corporate participants include Dell Computer, Apple Computer, Best Western Hotels, Greyhound, DHL and others. Program enrollees receive a magnetic card that is swiped for discounts at the counters of participating companies.
A prescription card plan offers discounts of up to 75 percent at more than 50,000 regional and national pharmacies, including Walgreens, Eckerd Drugs, Publix, Target, Rite Aid, Phar-Mor and Winn-Dixie.
The programs are typically cross-promoted in partnership agreements. For instance, Amtrak's website publishes details about the 15 percent discount offered to members of the Veterans Advantage Program.
But if you're not a teacher or related to a veteran, keep looking. In researching this topic, I was surprised at the various saving programs that are available. By networking with friends, co-workers and industry contacts, you may find untapped benefits.
Various industries, corporations and trade groups offer cost-cutting programs for qualified participants.
For example, veterans and teachers can earn big savings from two national programs. And there are outlets for other groups. Check out your employer's human resources office, industry trade groups or your favorite stores. A little research may uncover valuable discount programs.
Office Depot has a benefits program for teachers. Heather McGrath, a computer teacher at a local private school, provided me with a quick lesson about Office Depot's Star Teacher Program. The program gives teachers a 5 percent discount on most store products purchased for the classroom or for personal use. Additionally, teachers receive a 15 percent discount on copy and print services, according to an Office Depot representative. McGrath said that enrollment was easy and the savings were real.
And there are many other benefits. Educators in the Star Teacher Program also participate in Office Depot's ''Advantage Rewards program,'' providing quarterly rebates ranging from $20 to $50, depending on a consumer's accumulated purchases.
An Office Depot representative said the program also includes an annual ''Star Teacher Breakfast'' a complimentary breakfast gathering that includes a 10 percent discount on items purchased that day. For more information, check out: www.school.com.
Meanwhile, U.S. veterans can receive travel, shopping and prescription drug benefits through the Veterans Advantage Program (www.veteransadvantage.com or 866-838- 7392). This privately run program charges an annual enrollment of $60 and $29.90 per additional family member, but offers discounts at Continental Airlines, Amtrak, major car rental companies and other travel companies, according to founder Scott Higgins, a Vietnam veteran.
Other major corporate participants include Dell Computer, Apple Computer, Best Western Hotels, Greyhound, DHL and others. Program enrollees receive a magnetic card that is swiped for discounts at the counters of participating companies.
A prescription card plan offers discounts of up to 75 percent at more than 50,000 regional and national pharmacies, including Walgreens, Eckerd Drugs, Publix, Target, Rite Aid, Phar-Mor and Winn-Dixie.
The programs are typically cross-promoted in partnership agreements. For instance, Amtrak's website publishes details about the 15 percent discount offered to members of the Veterans Advantage Program.
But if you're not a teacher or related to a veteran, keep looking. In researching this topic, I was surprised at the various saving programs that are available. By networking with friends, co-workers and industry contacts, you may find untapped benefits.
Wednesday, May 03, 2006
Kids, Commericals & Stuff: Anti-Binge Spending
There's a $15 billion annual push to turn our kids into spending machines.
This item from Center for a New American Dream
contains some great tips about kids, spending, stuff and parenting.
Check this out:
"Problems and Solutions for Parenting in a Commercial Culture
Parents, meet the anti-parents: the new generation of children’s marketers. Modern children are inundated with a dizzying array of sales pitches in a variety of settings, hawking everything from electronics, to apparel to cosmetics and more. Laura Pavlides, mother of two boys in Glenwood, Maryland, says “The key to protecting her children from commercialism is by not having cable and making TV boring so they don’t think it is that great.”
$15 billion in advertising
The children’s advertising industry has swollen enormously over the past two decades. In 1983, it spent $100 million pitching products to kids, mainly through television ads. Today, it annually pours 150 times that amount—$15 billion—into a variety of mediums designed to seep into every corner of a child’s world.
And with each passing year, marketers strive to reach younger and younger audiences. In recent years, much of their attention has been focused on “tweens” between the ages of 8 and 12.
Targeting Toddlers
But advertisers are not stopping at tweens. They are stooping ever lower, making their pitches to budding consumers not yet out of diapers. According to child psychologist Allen Kanner: "The age of the children targeted is dropping rapidly." "It's about 2 years old now."
It’s becoming increasingly apparent that this relentless assault on their psyches is not good for children. New research suggests that aggressive marketing to kids contributes not only to excessive materialism, but also to a host of psychological and behavioral problems, including depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, childhood obesity, eating disorders, increased violence, and family stress.
What Are Some Steps Parents Can Take to Protect Kids from Harmful Advertisers?
- Television: Turn off the TV, or restrict TV time or content to programs with no commercials.
- Computer: Set limits on total screen time. Know where your kids are surfing and block inappropriate sites. Avoid unmonitored computer time for young children.
- Establish alternatives: According to a Center for a New American Dream poll, 69 percent of children ages 9-14 actually wish they could spend more time with their parents. The families who are most successful in keeping the corporate culture at bay find ways to spend time together away from the tube.
- Debunk advertising: Make a game out of dissecting commercials with your children, helping them to identify what is being sold and how they are being manipulated.
- Know your stuff: Teach your kids to be conscious consumers—to know where stuff comes from and know where it goes.
- Seek power in numbers: Talk to other parents in your school or social group as a support network. Work with other parents to stop commercialism in your schools and communities.
- Rediscover nature: Get outside. Teach your child about the connections within the natural world. Encourage kids to be physically active.
To download a free copy of the “Tips for Parenting in a Commercial Culture” visit www.newdream.org."
This item from Center for a New American Dream
contains some great tips about kids, spending, stuff and parenting.
Check this out:
"Problems and Solutions for Parenting in a Commercial Culture
Parents, meet the anti-parents: the new generation of children’s marketers. Modern children are inundated with a dizzying array of sales pitches in a variety of settings, hawking everything from electronics, to apparel to cosmetics and more. Laura Pavlides, mother of two boys in Glenwood, Maryland, says “The key to protecting her children from commercialism is by not having cable and making TV boring so they don’t think it is that great.”
$15 billion in advertising
The children’s advertising industry has swollen enormously over the past two decades. In 1983, it spent $100 million pitching products to kids, mainly through television ads. Today, it annually pours 150 times that amount—$15 billion—into a variety of mediums designed to seep into every corner of a child’s world.
And with each passing year, marketers strive to reach younger and younger audiences. In recent years, much of their attention has been focused on “tweens” between the ages of 8 and 12.
Targeting Toddlers
But advertisers are not stopping at tweens. They are stooping ever lower, making their pitches to budding consumers not yet out of diapers. According to child psychologist Allen Kanner: "The age of the children targeted is dropping rapidly." "It's about 2 years old now."
It’s becoming increasingly apparent that this relentless assault on their psyches is not good for children. New research suggests that aggressive marketing to kids contributes not only to excessive materialism, but also to a host of psychological and behavioral problems, including depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, childhood obesity, eating disorders, increased violence, and family stress.
What Are Some Steps Parents Can Take to Protect Kids from Harmful Advertisers?
- Television: Turn off the TV, or restrict TV time or content to programs with no commercials.
- Computer: Set limits on total screen time. Know where your kids are surfing and block inappropriate sites. Avoid unmonitored computer time for young children.
- Establish alternatives: According to a Center for a New American Dream poll, 69 percent of children ages 9-14 actually wish they could spend more time with their parents. The families who are most successful in keeping the corporate culture at bay find ways to spend time together away from the tube.
- Debunk advertising: Make a game out of dissecting commercials with your children, helping them to identify what is being sold and how they are being manipulated.
- Know your stuff: Teach your kids to be conscious consumers—to know where stuff comes from and know where it goes.
- Seek power in numbers: Talk to other parents in your school or social group as a support network. Work with other parents to stop commercialism in your schools and communities.
- Rediscover nature: Get outside. Teach your child about the connections within the natural world. Encourage kids to be physically active.
To download a free copy of the “Tips for Parenting in a Commercial Culture” visit www.newdream.org."
Saving on Tolls
Traveling to Disney for family vacations and Thanksgiving family gatherings with relatives in Central Florida, I have looked around the highway with envy as SunPass card holders zip through designated pre-paid lanes, while we've been stuck in slow-moving toll plazas. My sister, who lives and works in Central Florida, especially appreciates the convenience of a SunPass in a region where the roads are clogged with tourists.
A SunPass works like a pre-paid phone card under a program operated by the Florida Department of Transportation. As a prepaid toll card, the SunPass is valid at toll plazas and turnpike exits throughout the state. What's more, SunPass customers can now use the pre-paid card to pay for parking at Orlando International Airport. The program is expected to expand to other major airports in Florida.
It also saves time as SunPass lanes are faster moving than other lanes at toll booths. Additionally, Sun Pass holders typically pay 25 cents less than cash customers at toll plazas. A friend of mine--Lynn Friedman gave her elderly father a SunPass last year as a Father's Day present. With a SunPass, her dad doesn't have to fumble for change on toll roads and Lynn has linked his SunPass to her credit card and automatically re-fuels the card when the balance gets low.
Different types of pre-paid toll cards for bridges and roads are available throughout the country.
Here's a list from Wikipedia
* C-Pass in Key Biscayne, Florida
* Cruise Card in Atlanta, Georgia
* E-PASS in Orlando, Florida (connects with SunPass)
* EXpressToll in Colorado
* E-ZPass in the U.S. Northeast
* Fast Lane in Massachusetts (Interoperable with E-ZPass)
* Fastrak in California
* I-Pass in Illinois (Interoperable with E-ZPass)
* K-Tag in Kansas
* LeeWay in Lee County, Florida (Interoperable with SunPass)
* E-ZPass in Maine (Interoperable with E-ZPass)
* MnPass in Minnesota
* O-PASS in Osceola County, Florida (Interoperable with SunPass)
* PalmettoPass in South Carolina
* Pikepass in Oklahoma
* Smart Tag in Virginia (Interoperable with E-ZPass)
* SunPass in Florida
* TollTag in Texas (Interoperable with TxTAG)
* EZ TAG in Texas (Interoperable with TxTAG)
* TxTAG in Texas
There's also a program in the New York metro area.
The savings adds up. For example, a cash-paying driver traveling from Sunrise Boulevard in Broward County to the Disney World exit on the turnpike would pay $15.70 in tolls. For that same trip, a SunPass holder pays $12.40, for a round-trip savings of $6.60.
Those figures don't include the intangible cost of time and gas consumed while idling in long toll lines.
SunPass toll cards are sold at Publix and CVS. The program includes an ''auto-replenishment'' option, in which your credit card is periodically billed when the balance of your card diminishes. You must pay a minimum of $25 to open a SunPass account, along with a one-time fee of $25 for the ''transponder'' device, which is attached to your windshield and enables your car to electronically communicate with the toll gate. As you pass through a toll plaza, the fare is electronically deducted from the balance on your Sun Pass.
''SunPass customers pay less than cash customers because the SunPass PrePaid Toll Program is a more efficient method of collecting tolls,'' according to a statement from the prepaid program.
For business travelers and employees on company errands, the program provides free access to monthly activity statements. By logging onto your online account at www.sunpass.com, you can download and print your toll activity statement for no extra fee.
There are, however, additional fees if you or your business ask for mailed hard copies of your toll activities.
A SunPass works like a pre-paid phone card under a program operated by the Florida Department of Transportation. As a prepaid toll card, the SunPass is valid at toll plazas and turnpike exits throughout the state. What's more, SunPass customers can now use the pre-paid card to pay for parking at Orlando International Airport. The program is expected to expand to other major airports in Florida.
It also saves time as SunPass lanes are faster moving than other lanes at toll booths. Additionally, Sun Pass holders typically pay 25 cents less than cash customers at toll plazas. A friend of mine--Lynn Friedman gave her elderly father a SunPass last year as a Father's Day present. With a SunPass, her dad doesn't have to fumble for change on toll roads and Lynn has linked his SunPass to her credit card and automatically re-fuels the card when the balance gets low.
Different types of pre-paid toll cards for bridges and roads are available throughout the country.
Here's a list from Wikipedia
* C-Pass in Key Biscayne, Florida
* Cruise Card in Atlanta, Georgia
* E-PASS in Orlando, Florida (connects with SunPass)
* EXpressToll in Colorado
* E-ZPass in the U.S. Northeast
* Fast Lane in Massachusetts (Interoperable with E-ZPass)
* Fastrak in California
* I-Pass in Illinois (Interoperable with E-ZPass)
* K-Tag in Kansas
* LeeWay in Lee County, Florida (Interoperable with SunPass)
* E-ZPass in Maine (Interoperable with E-ZPass)
* MnPass in Minnesota
* O-PASS in Osceola County, Florida (Interoperable with SunPass)
* PalmettoPass in South Carolina
* Pikepass in Oklahoma
* Smart Tag in Virginia (Interoperable with E-ZPass)
* SunPass in Florida
* TollTag in Texas (Interoperable with TxTAG)
* EZ TAG in Texas (Interoperable with TxTAG)
* TxTAG in Texas
There's also a program in the New York metro area.
The savings adds up. For example, a cash-paying driver traveling from Sunrise Boulevard in Broward County to the Disney World exit on the turnpike would pay $15.70 in tolls. For that same trip, a SunPass holder pays $12.40, for a round-trip savings of $6.60.
Those figures don't include the intangible cost of time and gas consumed while idling in long toll lines.
SunPass toll cards are sold at Publix and CVS. The program includes an ''auto-replenishment'' option, in which your credit card is periodically billed when the balance of your card diminishes. You must pay a minimum of $25 to open a SunPass account, along with a one-time fee of $25 for the ''transponder'' device, which is attached to your windshield and enables your car to electronically communicate with the toll gate. As you pass through a toll plaza, the fare is electronically deducted from the balance on your Sun Pass.
''SunPass customers pay less than cash customers because the SunPass PrePaid Toll Program is a more efficient method of collecting tolls,'' according to a statement from the prepaid program.
For business travelers and employees on company errands, the program provides free access to monthly activity statements. By logging onto your online account at www.sunpass.com, you can download and print your toll activity statement for no extra fee.
There are, however, additional fees if you or your business ask for mailed hard copies of your toll activities.
Tuesday, May 02, 2006
Used Car, Cheap Playoff TKTS & Miami Heat
In some ways, we owe our family (used!) car to Game 2 of the NBA playoff between the Chicago Bulls and my beloved Miami Heat.
Here's the background: Our family car (a '94 Dodge Caravan) was smashed up in a recent car accident. Some driver ran a red, rammed into my husband and bam! Fortunately, my husband was fine, but the car was not. We were car-less in Miami.
Miami Heat Game: I refused to feel depressed about the loss of our car and decided to check out the cheap tickets for the Miami Heat Playoff game at American Airlines Arena.
The morning before Game 2 (Apr. 24), I purchased five standing room tickets for $12 each.
But we only needed three tickets because my second-grade daughter wanted to see Ice Age: The Meltdown instead. So she and my husband were off to the movies.
Extra Ticket Give-aways: So what to do with the two extra tickets. Scalp? Sell at face value? or Give away?
Bring-A-Friend along: I decided to let each of my boys ask a friend. BINGO!!! Both of our guests were delighted. It was the birthday of one our guests (we found out later) and the mother/father of the second guest shuttled us back and forth to the arena. Free shuttle service!
Car connection. What's more, the parents of our second guest (a fine young man also!) provided us with a tip on an affordable used car at a great price in excellent condition!!!
No-Longer-Carless in Miami: Wow! We picked up the van yesterday. Works great, looks fine. Our mechanic also blessed the car.
So morale of the story:
1) Buy cheap tickets to a Miami Heat game
2) Bring along friends
3) Share your car woes
4) Hope for the best
5) & Enjoy the game
And now, we're hoping to pull ahead of the series tonight. The refs have been terrible. There have been so many unfair calls against Shaq. Meanwhile, the Chicago Bulls have been playing with a lot of heart.
But my heart is with the Heat!!! Let's go Miami Heat. I'll be watching tonight and in fact I'm leaving now, hoping to buy more $12 playoff tickets.
Here's the background: Our family car (a '94 Dodge Caravan) was smashed up in a recent car accident. Some driver ran a red, rammed into my husband and bam! Fortunately, my husband was fine, but the car was not. We were car-less in Miami.
Miami Heat Game: I refused to feel depressed about the loss of our car and decided to check out the cheap tickets for the Miami Heat Playoff game at American Airlines Arena.
The morning before Game 2 (Apr. 24), I purchased five standing room tickets for $12 each.
But we only needed three tickets because my second-grade daughter wanted to see Ice Age: The Meltdown instead. So she and my husband were off to the movies.
Extra Ticket Give-aways: So what to do with the two extra tickets. Scalp? Sell at face value? or Give away?
Bring-A-Friend along: I decided to let each of my boys ask a friend. BINGO!!! Both of our guests were delighted. It was the birthday of one our guests (we found out later) and the mother/father of the second guest shuttled us back and forth to the arena. Free shuttle service!
Car connection. What's more, the parents of our second guest (a fine young man also!) provided us with a tip on an affordable used car at a great price in excellent condition!!!
No-Longer-Carless in Miami: Wow! We picked up the van yesterday. Works great, looks fine. Our mechanic also blessed the car.
So morale of the story:
1) Buy cheap tickets to a Miami Heat game
2) Bring along friends
3) Share your car woes
4) Hope for the best
5) & Enjoy the game
And now, we're hoping to pull ahead of the series tonight. The refs have been terrible. There have been so many unfair calls against Shaq. Meanwhile, the Chicago Bulls have been playing with a lot of heart.
But my heart is with the Heat!!! Let's go Miami Heat. I'll be watching tonight and in fact I'm leaving now, hoping to buy more $12 playoff tickets.
Watch out for Medical Bill Mistakes!
My parents — retirees on Space Coast of Florida — have become especially vigilant about scrutinizing medical bills after spotting errors on a hospital bill a few years ago. While they were grateful for the excellent care, my folks were less than thrilled about questionable charges for phantom treatments.
“We successfully challenged the charges and they took it off,” my mother said. “You can go directly to the billing department and ask for an itemized bill.”
Annually, consumers and insurance companies are hit by about $54 billion in either fraudulent or illegal medical charges, according to the National Health Care Anti-Fraud Association (NHCAA), a nonprofit foundation. And while medical scams account for a large percentage of those charges, billing errors also contribute to the toll. Erroneous charges — including genuine mistakes — are often veiled by complex billing codes and undecipherable medical terms.
Some billing errors seem absurd. For example, Bankrate.com, a South Florida-based independent research company — reports that billing errors have included $129 for a “mucous recovery system,” also known as a box of tissues.
That fiscal care is recommended by the experts at Bankrate.com and NHCAA. Here is a rundown of other steps that you can take to safeguard your financial health.
• Know your benefits. Closely review health care documents and track the paperwork from your insurance carrier, physician and hospital. Read every “Explanation of Benefits” statement, which provides a rundown of billing charges. Report any discrepancies to your insurance carrier and to the hospital.
• Scrutinize “free” medical services. Although many community groups and non-profit organizations offer legitimate free medical screenings — blood pressure, vision, cholesterol test — there are also fraudulent operations that use so-called free services to gain access to your personal data, including your insurance information.
• Safeguard your health insurance card. Treat it like a credit card. “In the wrong hands, a health insurance card is a license to steal,” according to the NHCAA.
• Establish a medical log. Your records should include a list of tests, procedures, treatments and medications. Bankrate.com recommends that you ask a relative or friend to do the record-keeping if necessary. Those notes will be helpful if you need to challenge hospital charges.
• Bring your own prescriptions. If you will be taking everyday maintenance medicine (for high-blood pressure or diabetes) while in the hospital, you’ll save a bundle by bringing your own. Check with your doctor.
• Don’t be shy. Call the hospital or office billing department for a full explanation of confusing, questionable or obscure charges.
Also if you don't have medical insurance, there are options for getting discounts for prescription drugs. This post is helpful:
Cheap Drugs
AAA (Triple A, the automotive club) also has a prescription drug discount program for its members.
“We successfully challenged the charges and they took it off,” my mother said. “You can go directly to the billing department and ask for an itemized bill.”
Annually, consumers and insurance companies are hit by about $54 billion in either fraudulent or illegal medical charges, according to the National Health Care Anti-Fraud Association (NHCAA), a nonprofit foundation. And while medical scams account for a large percentage of those charges, billing errors also contribute to the toll. Erroneous charges — including genuine mistakes — are often veiled by complex billing codes and undecipherable medical terms.
Some billing errors seem absurd. For example, Bankrate.com, a South Florida-based independent research company — reports that billing errors have included $129 for a “mucous recovery system,” also known as a box of tissues.
That fiscal care is recommended by the experts at Bankrate.com and NHCAA. Here is a rundown of other steps that you can take to safeguard your financial health.
• Know your benefits. Closely review health care documents and track the paperwork from your insurance carrier, physician and hospital. Read every “Explanation of Benefits” statement, which provides a rundown of billing charges. Report any discrepancies to your insurance carrier and to the hospital.
• Scrutinize “free” medical services. Although many community groups and non-profit organizations offer legitimate free medical screenings — blood pressure, vision, cholesterol test — there are also fraudulent operations that use so-called free services to gain access to your personal data, including your insurance information.
• Safeguard your health insurance card. Treat it like a credit card. “In the wrong hands, a health insurance card is a license to steal,” according to the NHCAA.
• Establish a medical log. Your records should include a list of tests, procedures, treatments and medications. Bankrate.com recommends that you ask a relative or friend to do the record-keeping if necessary. Those notes will be helpful if you need to challenge hospital charges.
• Bring your own prescriptions. If you will be taking everyday maintenance medicine (for high-blood pressure or diabetes) while in the hospital, you’ll save a bundle by bringing your own. Check with your doctor.
• Don’t be shy. Call the hospital or office billing department for a full explanation of confusing, questionable or obscure charges.
Also if you don't have medical insurance, there are options for getting discounts for prescription drugs. This post is helpful:
Cheap Drugs
AAA (Triple A, the automotive club) also has a prescription drug discount program for its members.
Monday, May 01, 2006
Gourmet Muffins and My Frugal Diet
I love muffins and part of my daily routine includes picking up a tasty corn muffin from a little café near my home. Of course, anyone watching my daily trek to the muffin shop might wonder about my commitment to thrift. Shouldn’t that muffin money be saved?
But here’s my secret: I believe in living well. I believe in delicious corn muffins. I love luxurious spas. And I love spending money on the things and people I enjoy. I just don’t believe in wasting limited resources (time, money and the environment). Quite simply: I’m frugal, not cheap.
The differences between the terms thrifty, cheap, and frugal and other tightwad words represent more than just word play. Just ask Bob Collins, a reader who recently asked me to define my terms. He recently debated the topic of thrift with a group of his friends, who are in their late sixties.
“One of my friends said that a ‘cheap’ person is someone who is stingy and will only go ‘third’ class, whether it be clothes, vacations, restaurants, cars, etc.,” Collins wrote in a recent email. “Another friend says that a frugal person will live a "quality" life BUT only when it goes on sale…They will go to a fine restaurant, BUT only for the early bird. They will go to the latest show BUT sit in the balcony with binoculars….There is no right or wrong. I just want to know you thought of the difference, if any between Frugal and Cheap.”
Coincidentally, his questions about the subtle differences in the layers of thrift were on the menu last week when I picked up my daily muffin. The owners of the muffin café, Harry and Linda, were asking me about my next column. But as I fumbled to come up with a cute answer, Linda shook her head and bemoaned her expensive tastes. Without fail—even at a sale rack—she inevitably targets the most expensive item on display.
To her surprise I empathized. Faced with a red-ticket rack of skirts, I will — without looking at the price tag — usually select the triple-digit garment ($150 and up), while bypassing the $19 bargains. Linda, the fashionable, muffin lady, nodded.
“So what do you do?” she asked.
“I save up for the things I really want and cut back on other things.”
For instance, I’ll buy the muffin — but I’ll make French press gourmet coffee at home. I’ll purchase the expensive skirt — ideally at a deep discount — but I’ll cutback on the use of our central air conditioner when I’m home alone. Other frugal people, as Bob Collins pointed out, will wash out baggies or recycle plastic cutlery. It’s all about choice and values. And I’ll choice muffins everyday. What’s your definition of thrift?
But here’s my secret: I believe in living well. I believe in delicious corn muffins. I love luxurious spas. And I love spending money on the things and people I enjoy. I just don’t believe in wasting limited resources (time, money and the environment). Quite simply: I’m frugal, not cheap.
The differences between the terms thrifty, cheap, and frugal and other tightwad words represent more than just word play. Just ask Bob Collins, a reader who recently asked me to define my terms. He recently debated the topic of thrift with a group of his friends, who are in their late sixties.
“One of my friends said that a ‘cheap’ person is someone who is stingy and will only go ‘third’ class, whether it be clothes, vacations, restaurants, cars, etc.,” Collins wrote in a recent email. “Another friend says that a frugal person will live a "quality" life BUT only when it goes on sale…They will go to a fine restaurant, BUT only for the early bird. They will go to the latest show BUT sit in the balcony with binoculars….There is no right or wrong. I just want to know you thought of the difference, if any between Frugal and Cheap.”
Coincidentally, his questions about the subtle differences in the layers of thrift were on the menu last week when I picked up my daily muffin. The owners of the muffin café, Harry and Linda, were asking me about my next column. But as I fumbled to come up with a cute answer, Linda shook her head and bemoaned her expensive tastes. Without fail—even at a sale rack—she inevitably targets the most expensive item on display.
To her surprise I empathized. Faced with a red-ticket rack of skirts, I will — without looking at the price tag — usually select the triple-digit garment ($150 and up), while bypassing the $19 bargains. Linda, the fashionable, muffin lady, nodded.
“So what do you do?” she asked.
“I save up for the things I really want and cut back on other things.”
For instance, I’ll buy the muffin — but I’ll make French press gourmet coffee at home. I’ll purchase the expensive skirt — ideally at a deep discount — but I’ll cutback on the use of our central air conditioner when I’m home alone. Other frugal people, as Bob Collins pointed out, will wash out baggies or recycle plastic cutlery. It’s all about choice and values. And I’ll choice muffins everyday. What’s your definition of thrift?
Kenneth Galbraith: A Tribute to Frugal Voice
John Kenneth Galbraith, a leading economist who passed away on April 30, clearly believed in frugal choices. We're obsessed with consumiing so much, he wrote in 1958 in his book "The Affluent Society."
Here is a quote from the obit that appeared in the New York Times:
"The Affluent Society" appeared in 1958, making Mr. Galbraith known around the world. In it, he depicted a consumer culture gone wild, rich in goods but poor in the social services that make for community. He argued that America had become so obsessed with overproducing consumer goods that it had increased the perils of both inflation and recession by creating an artificial demand for frivolous or useless products, by encouraging overextension of consumer credit and by emphasizing the private sector at the expense of the public sector.
Here is a link to the full article.
Here is a quote from the obit that appeared in the New York Times:
"The Affluent Society" appeared in 1958, making Mr. Galbraith known around the world. In it, he depicted a consumer culture gone wild, rich in goods but poor in the social services that make for community. He argued that America had become so obsessed with overproducing consumer goods that it had increased the perils of both inflation and recession by creating an artificial demand for frivolous or useless products, by encouraging overextension of consumer credit and by emphasizing the private sector at the expense of the public sector.
Here is a link to the full article.
Sunday, April 30, 2006
Colbert & The Economy & Comedy Central
Washington is buzzing about Comedy Central's Steven Colbert's sharp tongue at the annual White House Correspondents Dinner, which was held on Sat. April 29.
With biting satire, Colbert roasted the Bush Administration about Iraq, Fox News and other sensitive topics. But what does Colbert have to say about the topics of thrift, the economy and recent gas prices?
I would be curious to hear his satirical comments on the subject of money!
Watch this space. I will make inquiries.
With biting satire, Colbert roasted the Bush Administration about Iraq, Fox News and other sensitive topics. But what does Colbert have to say about the topics of thrift, the economy and recent gas prices?
I would be curious to hear his satirical comments on the subject of money!
Watch this space. I will make inquiries.
Beyond the NFL Draft: Online Touchdown Savings
Sports fan have been watching the NFL Draft this weekend, but I've been checking out options to save and shop. There are even sites for tracking down affordable bedding.
I've frequently spotted full-page advertisements for Overstock.com. The concept -- brand-name merchandise for low prices and a flat shipping fee of $2.95 -- intrigued me. When my friend Ellen raved about Overstock.com, I checked it out.
Overstock.com features excess inventory. For less than wholesale prices, Over stock.com purchases merchandise from manufacturers and sells those items at discounts of 40 percent to 80 percent below standard retail prices. In addition to partnership agreements with name-brand companies, Over
stock.com acquires canceled orders from stores and items from companies that are downsizing or moving. Merchandise includes furniture, books, clothing and jewelry and other items.
In addition to its regular discounts, Overstock.com offers special clearance bins. A special page on the site features bins of books, music and movies for $1 to $5. Another bin features an assortment of bedding, shoes, accessories, jewelry, electronics and house wares for $25 and less. And regardless of the size or weight of your order, shipping is always $2.95.
While I was window shopping on my PC, I checked into a few other sites that promote savings. Here is a sample of my latest electronic expedition.
www.shopitome.com (Shop It To Me) works like a personal shopper. You provide a profile of your shopping tastes (size and favorite labels), and Shop It To Me will find the lowest sale price from its pool of retailers. That list includes Nordstrom, Ann Taylor Loft, Kenneth Cole, Macy's, Saks Fifth Avenue and other top stores. You can elect to receive daily, weekly or semi-weekly e-mails alerting you when the items from your wish list are on sale.
www.restaurant.com sells discounts for restaurants in your area. For instance, after typing in my area code, I received a list of 212 restaurants within 15 miles of my home, including hot spots in South Beach, Coral Gables and the Brickell Avenue district. At those eateries, Restaurant.com charges $10 for $25 gift certificates and $3 for $10 certificates. They are good for purchasing meals. Restrictions vary from restaurant to restaurant and are detailed on the website. One South Beach eatery, for example, requires a minimal food purchase of $35 and at another restaurant, the certificates can't be used for early-bird dining.
www.drugstore.com offers discounts on beauty and personal care products, vitamins, prescriptions and other items typically found in brick-and-mortar stores. Drugstore.com partners with Rite Aid and GNC, which sells vitamins and other health aids. Product savings range from 20 percent to 40 percent. Shipping is free for orders of $25 or more.
Of course, due to security concerns, many consumers are wary about online transactions. For that market, www.billmelater.com (bill me later) offers a solution. Through agreements with a wide range of retailers, Bill Me Later enables you to shop online, but receive hard copy bills through regular mail so that you don't have to use your credit card on cyberspace. According to a customer service rep, the merchandise is shipped as soon as you make the purchase, with the bill arriving later. Bill Me Later has financing agreements with Wal mart.com, Sports Authority, Linens-N-Things, Petco.Com and other well-known online merchants.
I've frequently spotted full-page advertisements for Overstock.com. The concept -- brand-name merchandise for low prices and a flat shipping fee of $2.95 -- intrigued me. When my friend Ellen raved about Overstock.com, I checked it out.
Overstock.com features excess inventory. For less than wholesale prices, Over stock.com purchases merchandise from manufacturers and sells those items at discounts of 40 percent to 80 percent below standard retail prices. In addition to partnership agreements with name-brand companies, Over
stock.com acquires canceled orders from stores and items from companies that are downsizing or moving. Merchandise includes furniture, books, clothing and jewelry and other items.
In addition to its regular discounts, Overstock.com offers special clearance bins. A special page on the site features bins of books, music and movies for $1 to $5. Another bin features an assortment of bedding, shoes, accessories, jewelry, electronics and house wares for $25 and less. And regardless of the size or weight of your order, shipping is always $2.95.
While I was window shopping on my PC, I checked into a few other sites that promote savings. Here is a sample of my latest electronic expedition.
www.shopitome.com (Shop It To Me) works like a personal shopper. You provide a profile of your shopping tastes (size and favorite labels), and Shop It To Me will find the lowest sale price from its pool of retailers. That list includes Nordstrom, Ann Taylor Loft, Kenneth Cole, Macy's, Saks Fifth Avenue and other top stores. You can elect to receive daily, weekly or semi-weekly e-mails alerting you when the items from your wish list are on sale.
www.restaurant.com sells discounts for restaurants in your area. For instance, after typing in my area code, I received a list of 212 restaurants within 15 miles of my home, including hot spots in South Beach, Coral Gables and the Brickell Avenue district. At those eateries, Restaurant.com charges $10 for $25 gift certificates and $3 for $10 certificates. They are good for purchasing meals. Restrictions vary from restaurant to restaurant and are detailed on the website. One South Beach eatery, for example, requires a minimal food purchase of $35 and at another restaurant, the certificates can't be used for early-bird dining.
www.drugstore.com offers discounts on beauty and personal care products, vitamins, prescriptions and other items typically found in brick-and-mortar stores. Drugstore.com partners with Rite Aid and GNC, which sells vitamins and other health aids. Product savings range from 20 percent to 40 percent. Shipping is free for orders of $25 or more.
Of course, due to security concerns, many consumers are wary about online transactions. For that market, www.billmelater.com (bill me later) offers a solution. Through agreements with a wide range of retailers, Bill Me Later enables you to shop online, but receive hard copy bills through regular mail so that you don't have to use your credit card on cyberspace. According to a customer service rep, the merchandise is shipped as soon as you make the purchase, with the bill arriving later. Bill Me Later has financing agreements with Wal mart.com, Sports Authority, Linens-N-Things, Petco.Com and other well-known online merchants.
Friday, April 28, 2006
Smart Talk from American Idol Star
I just loved this smart, frugal talk from Carrie Underwood, a past American Idol winner, who was quoted in a fall issue of Woman's World.
She's fought against over-the-top spending suggestions from American Idol staffers.
"I had my battles with the American Idol stylist because he always wanted me to buy real expensive things. I was like, 'My mama raised me right. I can't spend $400 on a pair of jeans!' "
--Carrie Underwood
She's fought against over-the-top spending suggestions from American Idol staffers.
"I had my battles with the American Idol stylist because he always wanted me to buy real expensive things. I was like, 'My mama raised me right. I can't spend $400 on a pair of jeans!' "
--Carrie Underwood
Thursday, April 27, 2006
Valet Parking Nightmares
Kenneth, a family friend, has a lot to say about valet parking. He'd rather walk a few blocks to a park-it-yourself meter than hand over his car keys to a valet parking employee. His fear is based on experience; Kenneth has either witnessed or heard tales about valet parkers who scratch, dent or otherwise damage automobiles in their care.
''They abuse the cars,'' he said. ''The more expensive the car, the more open it is for abuse.''
Frankly, I used to politely smile whenever Kenneth offered one of his tirades on parking. And then it happened. Last year, my husband and I attended back-to-back parties on the same night. After the first party, we blissfully drove away in our humble red Dodge Caravan, after tipping the valet parker, who closed our car doors for us.
Our trouble began just minutes later at our next stop, when my husband tried to open his door on the driver's side. The inside door handle, which worked fine before we handed it over to the first valet parker, was jammed. In a hurry to hop from party to party, we had not noticed the damage until it was too late. But Kenneth has a solution:
''When the valet parker gives you your car, do a quick once-over to make sure everything is OK,'' Kenneth said. ''If you do see a scratch or dent that wasn't there before, report it immediately.''
He quickly concedes that not all valet parkers mishandle cars and, in fact, there are many responsible valet parkers out there. Nevertheless, Kenneth prefers to park his own cars at conferences, parties and other large events.
''It's worth walking a few blocks to save time, aggravation and money,'' Kenneth said.
Valet parkers can be a friendly source of inside tips about sightseeing, dining and even parking. My editor, for example, received a valuable tip from a valet parker at one of the oceanfront hotels in Miami Beach, where a community-awards banquet was being held. The valet kindly pointed my editor to a large public lot on Collins Avenue, where parking was significantly cheaper.
Likewise, at a financial investment conference in Boca Raton, a hotel valet parker directed my car-pool driver to a frugal lot nearby.
And don't overlook public lots run by local parking authorities and municipalities. The rates are usually low and there are various discounts, including special debit card programs for parking.
''They abuse the cars,'' he said. ''The more expensive the car, the more open it is for abuse.''
Frankly, I used to politely smile whenever Kenneth offered one of his tirades on parking. And then it happened. Last year, my husband and I attended back-to-back parties on the same night. After the first party, we blissfully drove away in our humble red Dodge Caravan, after tipping the valet parker, who closed our car doors for us.
Our trouble began just minutes later at our next stop, when my husband tried to open his door on the driver's side. The inside door handle, which worked fine before we handed it over to the first valet parker, was jammed. In a hurry to hop from party to party, we had not noticed the damage until it was too late. But Kenneth has a solution:
''When the valet parker gives you your car, do a quick once-over to make sure everything is OK,'' Kenneth said. ''If you do see a scratch or dent that wasn't there before, report it immediately.''
He quickly concedes that not all valet parkers mishandle cars and, in fact, there are many responsible valet parkers out there. Nevertheless, Kenneth prefers to park his own cars at conferences, parties and other large events.
''It's worth walking a few blocks to save time, aggravation and money,'' Kenneth said.
Valet parkers can be a friendly source of inside tips about sightseeing, dining and even parking. My editor, for example, received a valuable tip from a valet parker at one of the oceanfront hotels in Miami Beach, where a community-awards banquet was being held. The valet kindly pointed my editor to a large public lot on Collins Avenue, where parking was significantly cheaper.
Likewise, at a financial investment conference in Boca Raton, a hotel valet parker directed my car-pool driver to a frugal lot nearby.
And don't overlook public lots run by local parking authorities and municipalities. The rates are usually low and there are various discounts, including special debit card programs for parking.
Wednesday, April 26, 2006
Clearance Bin for DIY Party Favors
For a recent birthday party for my youngest child, my husband and I found great party favors/activities at Michael's...the craft store.
In the clearance bins, we found wooden door signs that hang from door handles like the do-not-disturb signs on hotel rooms. Each package contained 6 wooden door paddles in different colors and sold for the discounted price of $2 a package. That's about 33 cents per favor and we also picked up discounted glitter paint, stickers and other items to decorate the wooden door signs.
The kids spent a good part of the party decorating their door signs with names, messages (Yael's room: Keep Out!!) or pretty scenes. The activity was equally popular with the boys and girls.
So keep an eye out for cute projects, gift ideas and party favors in the clearance bins of craft stores. Children can actually save and use party favors that are craft projects. The alternative -- party bags stuffed with plastic trinkets and rubberized toys-- waste money and create clutter.
In the clearance bins, we found wooden door signs that hang from door handles like the do-not-disturb signs on hotel rooms. Each package contained 6 wooden door paddles in different colors and sold for the discounted price of $2 a package. That's about 33 cents per favor and we also picked up discounted glitter paint, stickers and other items to decorate the wooden door signs.
The kids spent a good part of the party decorating their door signs with names, messages (Yael's room: Keep Out!!) or pretty scenes. The activity was equally popular with the boys and girls.
So keep an eye out for cute projects, gift ideas and party favors in the clearance bins of craft stores. Children can actually save and use party favors that are craft projects. The alternative -- party bags stuffed with plastic trinkets and rubberized toys-- waste money and create clutter.
Tuesday, April 25, 2006
Cheap Playoff tix Miami Heat!!!
Frugal Ticket Update
So....we had a great time at the Miami Heat game.{Shaq, D-Wade, J-Will, 'Toine Walker, Posey, the Glove and Co. played a great game) It was fun watching the Miami Heat-Chicago Bulls NBA playoff game from the upper level of America Airlines Arena.
We were in the standing room section at the cost of $12 per ticket. I felt a certain smug pleasure enjoying the stadium atmosphere, the hype and the action for such a low price.
There were great give-aways: free Heat rally rags and lots of other stuff. Radio Disney was there and my kids won a new Muppets DVD for my youngest child.
Of course, watching the game at home in front of the TV screen would have been the most frugal option. But for ardent Heat fans like us, getting inexpensive playoff tickets was a real thrill.
I believe in mindful spending. It's not a waste to (mindfully) spend money on the people, the activities and the things that really matter. And I really like watching the Miami Heat with my sons Tali and Gabi!!! GO Heat!!!
So....we had a great time at the Miami Heat game.{Shaq, D-Wade, J-Will, 'Toine Walker, Posey, the Glove and Co. played a great game) It was fun watching the Miami Heat-Chicago Bulls NBA playoff game from the upper level of America Airlines Arena.
We were in the standing room section at the cost of $12 per ticket. I felt a certain smug pleasure enjoying the stadium atmosphere, the hype and the action for such a low price.
There were great give-aways: free Heat rally rags and lots of other stuff. Radio Disney was there and my kids won a new Muppets DVD for my youngest child.
Of course, watching the game at home in front of the TV screen would have been the most frugal option. But for ardent Heat fans like us, getting inexpensive playoff tickets was a real thrill.
I believe in mindful spending. It's not a waste to (mindfully) spend money on the people, the activities and the things that really matter. And I really like watching the Miami Heat with my sons Tali and Gabi!!! GO Heat!!!
Monday, April 24, 2006
Cheap NBA Playoff Tickets!!!! Heats vs Bulls!!!
I am so excited. We're going to the NBA playoffs tonight and I did not pay a fortune for my tickets.
My boys and I are going to watch the Miami Heat play the Chicago Bulls tonight. We purchased standing room tickets for $12 each. That's great. I love the Miami Heat
So here's the tip: most stadiums and arenas sell standing room tickets for really, really cheap prices. We even purchased our tickets the day of the game.
Let other people play eye-popping figures for playoff tickets. You can see great NBA playoff games for low prices. Just check out the SRO tickets.
***
And PERSONAL SPORTS VENT: What's up with the NBA Brass??!???? It's so wrong that Udonis Haslem has been suspended for a game. Enough Already!!! It was bad enough that he was ejected!!! A technical was okay.
I disagree with Joe Crawford and the NBA decision about Udonis Haslem.
But hey, I'm going to the game tonight!!!! I'll cheer lots!!! I am such a big fan of the Miami Heat.
My boys and I are going to watch the Miami Heat play the Chicago Bulls tonight. We purchased standing room tickets for $12 each. That's great. I love the Miami Heat
So here's the tip: most stadiums and arenas sell standing room tickets for really, really cheap prices. We even purchased our tickets the day of the game.
Let other people play eye-popping figures for playoff tickets. You can see great NBA playoff games for low prices. Just check out the SRO tickets.
***
And PERSONAL SPORTS VENT: What's up with the NBA Brass??!???? It's so wrong that Udonis Haslem has been suspended for a game. Enough Already!!! It was bad enough that he was ejected!!! A technical was okay.
I disagree with Joe Crawford and the NBA decision about Udonis Haslem.
But hey, I'm going to the game tonight!!!! I'll cheer lots!!! I am such a big fan of the Miami Heat.
Tuesday, April 11, 2006
Zen-Frugal Tax Advice
Here's a Zen Approach to last-minute tax preps. I received this news release today and I thought it was cute--plus some of the ZEN moments have a frugal ring:
Jackson Hewitt has created five "Tax Zen mantras."
1. He who will not economize will have to agonize. Unless he takes advantage of all his deductions.
2. Make haste slowly. Except as April 17 approaches.
3. Everything has its beauty. Even taxes.
4. The man who moves a mountain begins by carrying away small stones. The same goes for sorting all your receipts.
5. To know you have enough is to be rich. Getting the biggest refund you deserve helps too.
Jackson Hewitt Tax Service Inc. (NYSE: JTX) is the second largest tax preparation service company in the United States with over 6,000 franchised and
company-owned offices in 49 states and the District of Columbia.
Jackson Hewitt has created five "Tax Zen mantras."
1. He who will not economize will have to agonize. Unless he takes advantage of all his deductions.
2. Make haste slowly. Except as April 17 approaches.
3. Everything has its beauty. Even taxes.
4. The man who moves a mountain begins by carrying away small stones. The same goes for sorting all your receipts.
5. To know you have enough is to be rich. Getting the biggest refund you deserve helps too.
Jackson Hewitt Tax Service Inc. (NYSE: JTX) is the second largest tax preparation service company in the United States with over 6,000 franchised and
company-owned offices in 49 states and the District of Columbia.
Monday, April 10, 2006
Organic Food for Less
Chefs at many high-end restaurants prefer to whip up their culinary treats with the vivid flavors provided by organic produce and food products.
Many organic products are tastier and healthier than their conventional counterparts. Unfortunately for those of us on a tight budget, the eye-popping price tags often put organic foods out of reach.
But you don't have to carve up your budget to serve organic produce and food, said Craig Minowa, an environmental scientist with the Organic Consumers Association, a nonprofit industry group.
Through comparison shopping, bulk buying and creative networking, it's possible to purchase organic products at prices lower than those of below-standard produce. Shoppers can even work out direct purchase agreements with farmers who specialize in organic crops.
''There are multiple techniques for saving dollars when buying organic,'' Minowa said.
His first tip is familiar to thrifty shoppers. Use coupons and store specials to pick up organic items. Like their industry counterparts, health food stores have weekly specials and other promotions. By combining coupons with weekly specials, it's possible to purchase organic products at reasonable prices.
BULK BUYING TIPS
Buying in bulk or special ordering a large shipment of a specific item is also a frugal alternative. Many food cooperatives and health food stores will accept bulk or special order purchases from consumers, Minowa said.
And don't forget standard channels. Conventional supermarkets such as Publix also offer periodic sales on organic produce. Organic products at bulk rate prices are also available at big box outlets such as Costco.
You can also start your own buying club or food co-op with friends and neighbors, Minowa said. To take this route, he recommends several steps: establish a monthly meeting; draw up a group shopping list; and research buying channels. Your club can either make bulk purchases through an existing food co-op or establish direct connections with different organic food distributors.
Companies such as Blooming Prairie will send bulk buyers a catalog with special prices and discounts. Many organic distributors also operate websites with details about minimum orders and product range.
BACK TO THE FARM
You can also go straight to the source by tapping into the network of organic farmers associated with the Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) system. Across the country, there are about 1,000 farmers enrolled in CSA. At varying rates, consumers pay a membership fee to a CSA farm and for that fee receive direct shipments of organic farm products.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture provides information about CSA farms throughout the country USDA CSA. Consumers can use the CSA database to locate a CSA farm close to their zip codes. You can also find local CSA listings by tapping into localharvest.
''This method [of buying organic food] has become very popular and very affordable,'' Minowa said.
Many organic products are tastier and healthier than their conventional counterparts. Unfortunately for those of us on a tight budget, the eye-popping price tags often put organic foods out of reach.
But you don't have to carve up your budget to serve organic produce and food, said Craig Minowa, an environmental scientist with the Organic Consumers Association, a nonprofit industry group.
Through comparison shopping, bulk buying and creative networking, it's possible to purchase organic products at prices lower than those of below-standard produce. Shoppers can even work out direct purchase agreements with farmers who specialize in organic crops.
''There are multiple techniques for saving dollars when buying organic,'' Minowa said.
His first tip is familiar to thrifty shoppers. Use coupons and store specials to pick up organic items. Like their industry counterparts, health food stores have weekly specials and other promotions. By combining coupons with weekly specials, it's possible to purchase organic products at reasonable prices.
BULK BUYING TIPS
Buying in bulk or special ordering a large shipment of a specific item is also a frugal alternative. Many food cooperatives and health food stores will accept bulk or special order purchases from consumers, Minowa said.
And don't forget standard channels. Conventional supermarkets such as Publix also offer periodic sales on organic produce. Organic products at bulk rate prices are also available at big box outlets such as Costco.
You can also start your own buying club or food co-op with friends and neighbors, Minowa said. To take this route, he recommends several steps: establish a monthly meeting; draw up a group shopping list; and research buying channels. Your club can either make bulk purchases through an existing food co-op or establish direct connections with different organic food distributors.
Companies such as Blooming Prairie will send bulk buyers a catalog with special prices and discounts. Many organic distributors also operate websites with details about minimum orders and product range.
BACK TO THE FARM
You can also go straight to the source by tapping into the network of organic farmers associated with the Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) system. Across the country, there are about 1,000 farmers enrolled in CSA. At varying rates, consumers pay a membership fee to a CSA farm and for that fee receive direct shipments of organic farm products.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture provides information about CSA farms throughout the country USDA CSA. Consumers can use the CSA database to locate a CSA farm close to their zip codes. You can also find local CSA listings by tapping into localharvest.
''This method [of buying organic food] has become very popular and very affordable,'' Minowa said.
Monday, April 03, 2006
Carnival of Debt Reduction Day 1
Welcome to the Carnival of Debt Reduction as hosted by the Frugal Duchess all this week!!! It's a great way to start April!
With thanks to the MightyBargainhunter.com, I present the Carnival of Debt Reduction. Debt is an important subject and slicing down debt tops the agenda for many of us.
For the Carnival of Debt Reduction, I have some great submissions and I will be adding entries through the end of the day, Saturday, April 8, 2006. So, if you have any ideas about reducing debt, drop me a note (sharonhr@bellsouth.net) or file a comment on this blog. I will continue to update the Carnival until 11:59 (EST) April 8.
Thanks to those who have submitted ideas, examples and technical advice! Thanks to everyone for stopping by the carnival.
By the way, next week's Carnival of Debt will be hosted by The Wandering Indian
The first carnival entry this week is from next week's host.
Carnival Entries:
Wandering Indian Monk
presents: How to ease the pain of high-interest credit card debt?
Summary: Strategies for dealing with eye-popping rates
MightyBargainhunter.com
presents: Which debt to reduce first
Comments: A couple has two debts they might want to tackle. Which is better?
Submitter: mbhunter
It's Just Money
presents Discover Card Cashback Program Review
Summary: Discover advertises its cashback program as #1 in the nation. What is that based on? Get the 411.
Submitter: LAMoneyGuy
The Common Room
presents:Financial Self-Discipline
Summary: Use self-discipline to accomplish your financial goals
Submitter: DeputyHeadmistress
Harrison Loke at Journey To Financial Freedom presents Pay Down Credit Card Debt based on APR or Minimum Payment
The Family CEO presents Going after the big stuff first: the mortgage posted at The Family CEO.
With thanks to the MightyBargainhunter.com, I present the Carnival of Debt Reduction. Debt is an important subject and slicing down debt tops the agenda for many of us.
For the Carnival of Debt Reduction, I have some great submissions and I will be adding entries through the end of the day, Saturday, April 8, 2006. So, if you have any ideas about reducing debt, drop me a note (sharonhr@bellsouth.net) or file a comment on this blog. I will continue to update the Carnival until 11:59 (EST) April 8.
Thanks to those who have submitted ideas, examples and technical advice! Thanks to everyone for stopping by the carnival.
By the way, next week's Carnival of Debt will be hosted by The Wandering Indian
The first carnival entry this week is from next week's host.
Carnival Entries:
Wandering Indian Monk
presents: How to ease the pain of high-interest credit card debt?
Summary: Strategies for dealing with eye-popping rates
MightyBargainhunter.com
presents: Which debt to reduce first
Comments: A couple has two debts they might want to tackle. Which is better?
Submitter: mbhunter
It's Just Money
presents Discover Card Cashback Program Review
Summary: Discover advertises its cashback program as #1 in the nation. What is that based on? Get the 411.
Submitter: LAMoneyGuy
The Common Room
presents:Financial Self-Discipline
Summary: Use self-discipline to accomplish your financial goals
Submitter: DeputyHeadmistress
Harrison Loke at Journey To Financial Freedom presents Pay Down Credit Card Debt based on APR or Minimum Payment
The Family CEO presents Going after the big stuff first: the mortgage posted at The Family CEO.
Friday, March 31, 2006
The Carnival is Coming Here!
Hey Next week, (the week of April 2), I will host the Carnival of Debt Reduction.
I plan to update the Carnival frequently during the week.
Please send your debt reduction ideas, comments and questions to me.
I will continue to refresh the Carnival Act until midnight of April 8, EST.
Thanks!
Friday, March 24, 2006
CHEAP DRUGS
The cost of prescription drugs can add headaches and heartaches during illness, especially if you lack health insurance or prescription drug coverage.
There are, however, a variety of low-cost prescription drug options ranging from free discount access cards to special generic drug programs.
One of the newest is the Together RX Access Card (www.togetherrxaccess.com), a discount program organized by 10 major drug companies. Executive director Roba Whiteley said that Florida is one of eight states targeted this year for outreach.
Enrollment is free and qualifying consumers receive discounts of 25 percent to 40 percent on more than 275 name-brand prescription drugs. After enrolling either online or by phone (800-444- 4106), qualifying consumers receive a card. Eligibility is based on income, ranging for $30,000 or less for a single person to $60,000 for a family of four.
An income-based program for discount prescription drugs is available through Rx Outreach, a program run by Express Scripts Specialty Distribution Services, a mail order pharmacy that manages patient assistance programs for major drug companies.
Rx Outreach enables qualified consumers to purchase via mail 90-day supplies of medicine for $20 to $30. You are eligible if you earn less than $24,500 a year of $50,000 for a family of four. Call 800-769-3880 or visit www.rxoutreach.com.
If you don't qualify for these programs, there are other options.
For one thing, shop around. If a pharmacy is not willing to reveal prices over the phone, Whiteley suggested going elsewhere.
Meanwhile, many major drug companies offer Patient Assistance Programs (PAPs) that provide some name-brand or generic drugs at a discount. Some programs are open to all and others are for those without insurance.
For the uninsured, Merck operates a Prescription Discount Program, which enables consumers to get discounts of up to 40 percent on Merck products. Income doesn't matter. Forinformation call 800-506-3725 or go to www.merckhelps.com/unin sured.
Additionally, patient advocacy groups provide information about discount drug programs.
For more information contact groups such as American Diabetes Association, CancerCare, National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship, National Mental Health Association, American Heart Association National Alliance for Mental Health, and the National Medical Association.
There are, however, a variety of low-cost prescription drug options ranging from free discount access cards to special generic drug programs.
One of the newest is the Together RX Access Card (www.togetherrxaccess.com), a discount program organized by 10 major drug companies. Executive director Roba Whiteley said that Florida is one of eight states targeted this year for outreach.
Enrollment is free and qualifying consumers receive discounts of 25 percent to 40 percent on more than 275 name-brand prescription drugs. After enrolling either online or by phone (800-444- 4106), qualifying consumers receive a card. Eligibility is based on income, ranging for $30,000 or less for a single person to $60,000 for a family of four.
An income-based program for discount prescription drugs is available through Rx Outreach, a program run by Express Scripts Specialty Distribution Services, a mail order pharmacy that manages patient assistance programs for major drug companies.
Rx Outreach enables qualified consumers to purchase via mail 90-day supplies of medicine for $20 to $30. You are eligible if you earn less than $24,500 a year of $50,000 for a family of four. Call 800-769-3880 or visit www.rxoutreach.com.
If you don't qualify for these programs, there are other options.
For one thing, shop around. If a pharmacy is not willing to reveal prices over the phone, Whiteley suggested going elsewhere.
Meanwhile, many major drug companies offer Patient Assistance Programs (PAPs) that provide some name-brand or generic drugs at a discount. Some programs are open to all and others are for those without insurance.
For the uninsured, Merck operates a Prescription Discount Program, which enables consumers to get discounts of up to 40 percent on Merck products. Income doesn't matter. Forinformation call 800-506-3725 or go to www.merckhelps.com/unin sured.
Additionally, patient advocacy groups provide information about discount drug programs.
For more information contact groups such as American Diabetes Association, CancerCare, National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship, National Mental Health Association, American Heart Association National Alliance for Mental Health, and the National Medical Association.
Friday, March 17, 2006
Free DIY Classes
Home Depot and Lowe's have a variety of free classes that offer practical help for DIY projects. Those in-store workshops range from how-to sessions about floor installations to closet organization. Of course, the chains benefit by improving your skills because trained do-it-yourselfers are more likely to buy ceramic tiles, wood and other home products.
Home Depot has a wide series of free weekly clinics. The schedule is posted at www.homedepotclinics.com and there is no need to register.
Each month features a different line-up of about a dozen courses. Recent classes includes ''Hanging and Repairing Drywall,'' floor installations, interior painting and bathroom design. Other courses provide information about energy-efficient lighting, air conditioning systems and appliances and are scheduled on weekends.
Workshops for Women and Children
Home Depot also offers free classes tailored for women and children. Workshops for children (ages 5 through 12) are usually offered the first Saturday of every month. The projects -- created from pre-fabricated kits -- are designed to be completed in the store with a child and a parent. Young workshop participants receive a Home Depot apron and an achievement pin.
There are also ''Do-it-Herself'' workshops for women. Home Depot's next ''Do-it-Herself'' workshop will be in May, with information available in April.
Classes At Lowe's
Lowe's also has a list of free classes: laminated floor installations, kitchen updates and faux painting techniques.
For children, Lowe's has a monthly 'Build and Grow Kids' Clinic.''
For more information, check out www.lowes.com and select the ''project center'' tab for a list of how-to clinics.
If you don't have time for classes, Lowe's has an online library, also at www.lowes.com, with thousands of projects with step-by-step guides for different levels of expertise.
On-Line Craft Guides
The on-line tutorials, posted on the ''Project Center'' of the company's website, range from kitchen organizational tips to ceramic tile installation.
Tips and articles on gardening, basic plumbing and cabinet installations are easy to download and print for future reference.
Home Depot has a wide series of free weekly clinics. The schedule is posted at www.homedepotclinics.com and there is no need to register.
Each month features a different line-up of about a dozen courses. Recent classes includes ''Hanging and Repairing Drywall,'' floor installations, interior painting and bathroom design. Other courses provide information about energy-efficient lighting, air conditioning systems and appliances and are scheduled on weekends.
Workshops for Women and Children
Home Depot also offers free classes tailored for women and children. Workshops for children (ages 5 through 12) are usually offered the first Saturday of every month. The projects -- created from pre-fabricated kits -- are designed to be completed in the store with a child and a parent. Young workshop participants receive a Home Depot apron and an achievement pin.
There are also ''Do-it-Herself'' workshops for women. Home Depot's next ''Do-it-Herself'' workshop will be in May, with information available in April.
Classes At Lowe's
Lowe's also has a list of free classes: laminated floor installations, kitchen updates and faux painting techniques.
For children, Lowe's has a monthly 'Build and Grow Kids' Clinic.''
For more information, check out www.lowes.com and select the ''project center'' tab for a list of how-to clinics.
If you don't have time for classes, Lowe's has an online library, also at www.lowes.com, with thousands of projects with step-by-step guides for different levels of expertise.
On-Line Craft Guides
The on-line tutorials, posted on the ''Project Center'' of the company's website, range from kitchen organizational tips to ceramic tile installation.
Tips and articles on gardening, basic plumbing and cabinet installations are easy to download and print for future reference.
Thursday, February 09, 2006
Use Frequent Miles to Shop
Cash in your frequent flyer miles for gift certificates, electronics and subscriptions to dozens of magazines. You can trade your mileage/point rewards for certificates and merchandise through the website www.MilePoint.com, which operates a frequent flyer exchange program with American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and other major carriers.
Brandname Program Members
Participating companies include JCPenney, Starbucks, eBay and Intercontinental
Hotels Group. By registering at MilePoint.com (with a secure passport), you grant permission to the exchange company to track your rewards balance at participating companies and calculate the exchange rate between airline frequent flyer programs and other frequent shopper/traveler programs. To see options at www.MilePoint.com, click on "Exchange Points," then on "tell me more." Deeper in the website is a complete list of participating companies.
Thursday, February 02, 2006
New Reality Show about Money
Hey check this out!
Personal Finance Reality TV Show Seeks America's "Broke Folk" Stories
NEW YORK, NY - "Broke folk," a new reality TV show from Hearst Entertainment (Modern Marvels) and Atchity Entertainment International (Joe Somebody, Life Or Something Like It) and featuring financial author and speaker Peter Bielagus (Getting Loaded Book Series, Mastering Your Personal Finances) is looking for people in their 30's who cannot make ends meet, no matter how hard they try.
The show is now conducting a nationwide search for unusual, extreme, and entertaining stories about real money messes from funny, outgoing and interesting people who are in over their heads in their financial life. And, the biggest turn around story may end up winning the cash resources to start saving Bielagus says interested distributors have wanted to hear more stories from contestants in their 30's.
Offering a financial makeover to contestants with stories unusual or dramatic enough to capture America's hearts, the show is now accepting email stories nationwide from people. In addition to appearing on the show, winners can receive financial coaching to help them solve their money problems.
"We want to hear the emotions and frustrations behind your situation," Bielagus said. "Maybe you are 34, earning $57,000 a year but have $23,000 of credit card debt. How did you get there?"
Bielagus says the show wants personal financial tales from people who range from a married couple ready to buy their first home, to a soldier just home from the war who had to put on life hold for 24 months, to someone who had to declare personal bankruptcy and is now struggling to get back on their feet.
"Maybe you and your spouse are ready to have kids, but are out of money. Perhaps you are so far in debt that you use credit cards to pay your credit card debts," said Bielagus. "We want to hear it - and we want to help."
Applicants are encouraged to send an email describing your situation and why you think you would be a good candidate for the show. "Remember," says Bielagus, "we want more than numbers, we want to hear your story: what are the emotions, frustrations and pressure that got you where you are?"
Stories can emailed to stories@brokefolk.com
For more information, please visit: www.brokefolk.com
###
Personal Finance Reality TV Show Seeks America's "Broke Folk" Stories
NEW YORK, NY - "Broke folk," a new reality TV show from Hearst Entertainment (Modern Marvels) and Atchity Entertainment International (Joe Somebody, Life Or Something Like It) and featuring financial author and speaker Peter Bielagus (Getting Loaded Book Series, Mastering Your Personal Finances) is looking for people in their 30's who cannot make ends meet, no matter how hard they try.
The show is now conducting a nationwide search for unusual, extreme, and entertaining stories about real money messes from funny, outgoing and interesting people who are in over their heads in their financial life. And, the biggest turn around story may end up winning the cash resources to start saving Bielagus says interested distributors have wanted to hear more stories from contestants in their 30's.
Offering a financial makeover to contestants with stories unusual or dramatic enough to capture America's hearts, the show is now accepting email stories nationwide from people. In addition to appearing on the show, winners can receive financial coaching to help them solve their money problems.
"We want to hear the emotions and frustrations behind your situation," Bielagus said. "Maybe you are 34, earning $57,000 a year but have $23,000 of credit card debt. How did you get there?"
Bielagus says the show wants personal financial tales from people who range from a married couple ready to buy their first home, to a soldier just home from the war who had to put on life hold for 24 months, to someone who had to declare personal bankruptcy and is now struggling to get back on their feet.
"Maybe you and your spouse are ready to have kids, but are out of money. Perhaps you are so far in debt that you use credit cards to pay your credit card debts," said Bielagus. "We want to hear it - and we want to help."
Applicants are encouraged to send an email describing your situation and why you think you would be a good candidate for the show. "Remember," says Bielagus, "we want more than numbers, we want to hear your story: what are the emotions, frustrations and pressure that got you where you are?"
Stories can emailed to stories@brokefolk.com
For more information, please visit: www.brokefolk.com
###
Tuesday, January 31, 2006
Free Internet Cafes for Travelers
Don’t be a snob when traveling. Intenet cafes may have great coffee, but public libraries have a wide assortment of computer terminals, programs and Internet service—all free of charge. Indeed, I’ve spent hours at the public library in Kissimee, while vacationing with my family in Orlando.
THE MOUSE IN ORLANDO
At that library, my kids enjoyed a literary break from the overwhelming amusement park scene and I was able to log on to the Internet free of charge. It was a win-win for everyone and my boys enjoyed using the computer terminals in the extensive children’s section.
And by the way, the cafe shop in the Miami Beach branch of the library, also has great coffee: lattes, espressos & more. It's cheap and the Internet Service is free!
Plus the cafe has indoor and outdoor seating, including a garden with a fountain! The scenery even rivals some of the trendy South Beach Hotels. Check it out when you are traveling to Miami Beach!!!
THE MOUSE IN ORLANDO
At that library, my kids enjoyed a literary break from the overwhelming amusement park scene and I was able to log on to the Internet free of charge. It was a win-win for everyone and my boys enjoyed using the computer terminals in the extensive children’s section.
And by the way, the cafe shop in the Miami Beach branch of the library, also has great coffee: lattes, espressos & more. It's cheap and the Internet Service is free!
Plus the cafe has indoor and outdoor seating, including a garden with a fountain! The scenery even rivals some of the trendy South Beach Hotels. Check it out when you are traveling to Miami Beach!!!
Monday, January 30, 2006
New & Cheap Books!
Discount books -- new and gently used -- are stocked in unusual places.
Last week at my neighborhood library, I stumbled upon a book sale, where new and slightly worn books started at 50 cents, far less than my family usually pays for library late fees. In recent weeks, my husband and I have discovered great book sales at a tropical garden, a hospital and standard bookstores.
STEEP DISCOUNTS
The publishing world is filled with overstocked books and complimentary review copies. These texts are donated to libraries or sold at steep discounts as fundraisers for community groups and charities. For consumers, overstocked book sales translate into big savings.
My visit to a neighborhood branch yielded quite a find. Under the title ''Friends of the Library,'' I found a rack of sale books with a diverse selection of popular fiction, romance, nonfiction bestsellers and classic texts in new or almost new condition. Hardbacks were $2 each; paperbacks, between 50 cents and $1.
BESTSELLERS FOR LESS!!
For $3.50, my purchases included the bestseller Reading Lolita in Tehran for $1 (list price: $13.95) and Summer Sisters by Judy Blume for 50 cents (list price: $7.50) and The Chin Kiss King by Miami Herald columnist Ana Veciana-Suarez for $1 (list price $12.95).
Inside of one of the books, I found a bookmark from Books & Books, a South Florida independent book chain owned by Mitchell Kaplan. Vivienne Evans, manager of the Books & Books store on Lincoln Road in Miami Beach, says that she frequently receives inquiries from customers seeking homes for their books or overstocks. She encourages them to donate portions of their personal library to public libraries, which often sell donated books as a fundraiser.
NEW BOOKS FOR NON-PROFITS
For its part, Books & Books receives ''tons'' of complimentary review copies of books from major publishers and distributes those texts to staff members, school libraries and community groups. For example, the store donates books to a low-priced book sale rack run by a group of women at Mount Sinai Hospital, where books are sold for under $1.
''I'm always looking for outlets,'' Evans said. ``I try to do as much as possible, with Mitchell's blessings.''
Likewise, at the Miami Beach Botanical Garden, my husband recently found a great book sale, where he purchased new hardback books for $2 a copy. And this summer at college campuses in Utah and New York, I found terrific book sales in the university book stores.
CHAIN STORE SALE RACKS
And don't overlook the discount racks at various stores. We recently shopped at a red-ticket sale at Barnes & Noble, where new books sold for $2 each. For example, the Hemingway Book Club of Kosovo by Paul Huntley was originally priced at $21, marked down to $4.98, and finally priced at $1.99 in a post-holiday sale last week. Borders and Books & Books also have great deals on their sale rack.
''We have regular customers who walk straight to the sale rack,'' Evans said.
OVERSTOCKED BOOKS
That sale rack is typically stocked with an oversupply of once-hot sellers or hard copies of books that will soon be coming out in paperback. In that sales aisle, I have purchased new books as low as $1 and hard copies that would sell for $24.95 may be marked down to $6.99.
Last week at my neighborhood library, I stumbled upon a book sale, where new and slightly worn books started at 50 cents, far less than my family usually pays for library late fees. In recent weeks, my husband and I have discovered great book sales at a tropical garden, a hospital and standard bookstores.
STEEP DISCOUNTS
The publishing world is filled with overstocked books and complimentary review copies. These texts are donated to libraries or sold at steep discounts as fundraisers for community groups and charities. For consumers, overstocked book sales translate into big savings.
My visit to a neighborhood branch yielded quite a find. Under the title ''Friends of the Library,'' I found a rack of sale books with a diverse selection of popular fiction, romance, nonfiction bestsellers and classic texts in new or almost new condition. Hardbacks were $2 each; paperbacks, between 50 cents and $1.
BESTSELLERS FOR LESS!!
For $3.50, my purchases included the bestseller Reading Lolita in Tehran for $1 (list price: $13.95) and Summer Sisters by Judy Blume for 50 cents (list price: $7.50) and The Chin Kiss King by Miami Herald columnist Ana Veciana-Suarez for $1 (list price $12.95).
Inside of one of the books, I found a bookmark from Books & Books, a South Florida independent book chain owned by Mitchell Kaplan. Vivienne Evans, manager of the Books & Books store on Lincoln Road in Miami Beach, says that she frequently receives inquiries from customers seeking homes for their books or overstocks. She encourages them to donate portions of their personal library to public libraries, which often sell donated books as a fundraiser.
NEW BOOKS FOR NON-PROFITS
For its part, Books & Books receives ''tons'' of complimentary review copies of books from major publishers and distributes those texts to staff members, school libraries and community groups. For example, the store donates books to a low-priced book sale rack run by a group of women at Mount Sinai Hospital, where books are sold for under $1.
''I'm always looking for outlets,'' Evans said. ``I try to do as much as possible, with Mitchell's blessings.''
Likewise, at the Miami Beach Botanical Garden, my husband recently found a great book sale, where he purchased new hardback books for $2 a copy. And this summer at college campuses in Utah and New York, I found terrific book sales in the university book stores.
CHAIN STORE SALE RACKS
And don't overlook the discount racks at various stores. We recently shopped at a red-ticket sale at Barnes & Noble, where new books sold for $2 each. For example, the Hemingway Book Club of Kosovo by Paul Huntley was originally priced at $21, marked down to $4.98, and finally priced at $1.99 in a post-holiday sale last week. Borders and Books & Books also have great deals on their sale rack.
''We have regular customers who walk straight to the sale rack,'' Evans said.
OVERSTOCKED BOOKS
That sale rack is typically stocked with an oversupply of once-hot sellers or hard copies of books that will soon be coming out in paperback. In that sales aisle, I have purchased new books as low as $1 and hard copies that would sell for $24.95 may be marked down to $6.99.
Thursday, January 19, 2006
Ask for Store Discounts!
Don't be shy about asking for lower prices when shopping for every day items and gadgets. Consider this: when shopping for cars, most consumers have a back-and-forth with the dealer over price.
Now apply that same logic to shopping sprees in major chains and smaller stores.
DISCOUNT FOR DVD PLAYER
For example, today my husband purchased a portable DVD for one of our sons. (My son used a $50 gift card and other cash gifts to finance the purchase.) Unfortunately, his cash pool was short of the $149 sticker for the battery-operated, 7-inch DVD player.
Not to worry. Via cell phone, I told my husband to ask the store manager about future promotions for DVD players. We would just wait for the lower price.
"Hey, if the only thing holding you back is price, I can go lower," the store manager said.
He offered $119 and my husband accepted!
By the way, the manager explained that peers at his store and many others have authority to cut deals with inquiring consumers!
It pays to ask.
Now apply that same logic to shopping sprees in major chains and smaller stores.
DISCOUNT FOR DVD PLAYER
For example, today my husband purchased a portable DVD for one of our sons. (My son used a $50 gift card and other cash gifts to finance the purchase.) Unfortunately, his cash pool was short of the $149 sticker for the battery-operated, 7-inch DVD player.
Not to worry. Via cell phone, I told my husband to ask the store manager about future promotions for DVD players. We would just wait for the lower price.
"Hey, if the only thing holding you back is price, I can go lower," the store manager said.
He offered $119 and my husband accepted!
By the way, the manager explained that peers at his store and many others have authority to cut deals with inquiring consumers!
It pays to ask.
Tuesday, January 17, 2006
Lower Grocery Bills
With a little effort you can reduce your annual grocery bills by thousands of dollars. An organized system, a little research and repackaging can bring you more for your money, consumer experts say.
Strategies include knowing pricing trends at local supermarkets, careful use of coupons, bulk purchases and delayed gratification. You can even call food manufacturers for pricing insights. One pasta maker, for example, told a friend of mine which local retailers sold the company's pasta products at the lowest prices.
ZONED PRICES
Even within the same supermarket chain, prices for individual products often vary greatly. My mother, who lives in Brevard County, has spotted a range of prices for the same item at different Publix locations. Friends and readers in North Miami Beach have also noted sharp price differences between two branches of the same chain.
That's because many chains zone prices according to zip codes based on the cost of real estate, labor and other operations at each store. You can find the lowest prices by either shopping around or checking the company's website, where weekly specials are available for different stores based on zip code or neighborhood.
CREATE YOUR OWN SNACK PACKS
But if you don't have time to shop for deals, there are other cost-cutting strategies. A family of four can save $2,000 to $3,000 a year by skipping individually packaged food items in favor of jumbo-sized boxes and by using reusable items, according to Earth 911, a nonprofit group based in Arizona. Earth 911 says paper towels and napkins cost more than $260 a year for a family of four. Other budget busters include disposable cups, razors and many one-time use products.
Raisins are a perfect example of potential savings, says Meryl Klein, the Gainesville based director of outreach for Earth 911 (www.earth911.org). Shoppers can save ''tremendously'' by purchasing large containers of raisins and then making individual servings. Many re-usable/re-sealable containers are perfect for lunchboxes or day-trips.
SHORTCUTS
Individual servings of cereal, juice, bottled water and dried fruit are expensive. Prepackaged individual servings of snacks and lunchbox goodies cost up to 300 percent more per ounce than larger packages of the same item, according to the editors of Shameless Shortcuts: 1,027 Tips and Techniques that Help You Save Time, Save Money, and Save Work (Rodale, $16.95). Of course, prepackaged items do speed up lunch chores. But with planning, you can ''single serving yourself,'' and also save time and money, according to Shameless Shortcuts.
Here's the drill: As soon as you get home from the grocery store, divide large packages of raisins, chips and other snacks into individual-size portions in airtight containers. This organizational step provides the convenience and cost-savings of bulk purchases. A friend of mine has used this method with great success with her children in a snack assembly line.
But all bets are off during family vacations, admits Earth 911's Klein. When faced with the daunting combination of children, hotels and travel arrangements, Klein finds that nothing beats the convenience of individually packaged servings for her children.
''But for the majority of your life, [bulk purchases] work out really well,'' she said.
Strategies include knowing pricing trends at local supermarkets, careful use of coupons, bulk purchases and delayed gratification. You can even call food manufacturers for pricing insights. One pasta maker, for example, told a friend of mine which local retailers sold the company's pasta products at the lowest prices.
ZONED PRICES
Even within the same supermarket chain, prices for individual products often vary greatly. My mother, who lives in Brevard County, has spotted a range of prices for the same item at different Publix locations. Friends and readers in North Miami Beach have also noted sharp price differences between two branches of the same chain.
That's because many chains zone prices according to zip codes based on the cost of real estate, labor and other operations at each store. You can find the lowest prices by either shopping around or checking the company's website, where weekly specials are available for different stores based on zip code or neighborhood.
CREATE YOUR OWN SNACK PACKS
But if you don't have time to shop for deals, there are other cost-cutting strategies. A family of four can save $2,000 to $3,000 a year by skipping individually packaged food items in favor of jumbo-sized boxes and by using reusable items, according to Earth 911, a nonprofit group based in Arizona. Earth 911 says paper towels and napkins cost more than $260 a year for a family of four. Other budget busters include disposable cups, razors and many one-time use products.
Raisins are a perfect example of potential savings, says Meryl Klein, the Gainesville based director of outreach for Earth 911 (www.earth911.org). Shoppers can save ''tremendously'' by purchasing large containers of raisins and then making individual servings. Many re-usable/re-sealable containers are perfect for lunchboxes or day-trips.
SHORTCUTS
Individual servings of cereal, juice, bottled water and dried fruit are expensive. Prepackaged individual servings of snacks and lunchbox goodies cost up to 300 percent more per ounce than larger packages of the same item, according to the editors of Shameless Shortcuts: 1,027 Tips and Techniques that Help You Save Time, Save Money, and Save Work (Rodale, $16.95). Of course, prepackaged items do speed up lunch chores. But with planning, you can ''single serving yourself,'' and also save time and money, according to Shameless Shortcuts.
Here's the drill: As soon as you get home from the grocery store, divide large packages of raisins, chips and other snacks into individual-size portions in airtight containers. This organizational step provides the convenience and cost-savings of bulk purchases. A friend of mine has used this method with great success with her children in a snack assembly line.
But all bets are off during family vacations, admits Earth 911's Klein. When faced with the daunting combination of children, hotels and travel arrangements, Klein finds that nothing beats the convenience of individually packaged servings for her children.
''But for the majority of your life, [bulk purchases] work out really well,'' she said.
Wednesday, January 11, 2006
Cheap Seats for Sports
My boys and I are avid sports fans, especially of the Miami Heat. We've found a frugal way to see sporting events. Our cheap seat strategies are also applicable to other cities.
A frugal way to see The Heat play is to buy a $10 ticket. That price buys a ''standing-only'' ticket at the top of the AmericanAirlines Arena. Dwyane Wade's dunks and Alonzo Mourning's awesome blocks look especially spectacular from the upper reaches. And the stadium offers large screens for close-up replays of hot scoring runs.
For our latest outing, which included a few school friends, we purchased a block of nine $10 tickets to a Dec. 27 game between The Heat and the Milwaukee Bucks several hours before tipoff. That advanced planning saved the day because by game time, all of the affordable seats were gone and the remaining seats started at $260 apiece.
Ticket Exchange
Miami Heat also operates a ''ticketExchange'' in which season ticket holders sell their individual season tickets -- cheaper than comparable nonseason ticket prices -- for no more than $1 over the face value of the season ticket. The resale program, run through Ticketmaster, is subject to Ticketmaster fees. For more information, go to www.heat.com.
Even Cheaper Seats
There are other affordable options. Sports bars, lounges and do-it-yourself game parties offer a frugal way to enjoy the game with the full benefit of public camaraderie. When the Heat played the Lakers, my oldest son and I watched that heated Shaq-versus-Kobe competition at a sports lounge/pool hall on Lincoln Road, which offered indoor and outdoor screens and lots of atmosphere. And there's always the radio, a valid option in my cable-free home.
Free Radio
Quite frankly, listening to The Miami Heat games on the radio is one of the greatest pleasures that I share with my children. It's free and the listening process enhances attention skills and sparks the imagination. What's more, if they want pictures, my boys can scan the headlines and the captions in the newspaper the next day, which provides a hidden exercise in reading.
OTHER FREEBIES
But if you're really desperate for tickets, a local radio station -- broadcasting live from the front of the arena -- typically offers free tickets to fans who show up before the game in the craziest Miami Heat gear, accessories or team colors. On the night of the Heat versus Bucks game, a quartet of dancing girls in abbreviated Miami Heat outfits with pompons earned tickets for their imitation of Miami Heat cheerleaders.
The Florida lottery has its own contest for free tickets. Fans -- 18 and older -- who show up at the arena with five nonwinning Florida lottery tickets and crazy Miami Heat-themed outfits can win free tickets to a game subject to availability.
A frugal way to see The Heat play is to buy a $10 ticket. That price buys a ''standing-only'' ticket at the top of the AmericanAirlines Arena. Dwyane Wade's dunks and Alonzo Mourning's awesome blocks look especially spectacular from the upper reaches. And the stadium offers large screens for close-up replays of hot scoring runs.
For our latest outing, which included a few school friends, we purchased a block of nine $10 tickets to a Dec. 27 game between The Heat and the Milwaukee Bucks several hours before tipoff. That advanced planning saved the day because by game time, all of the affordable seats were gone and the remaining seats started at $260 apiece.
Ticket Exchange
Miami Heat also operates a ''ticketExchange'' in which season ticket holders sell their individual season tickets -- cheaper than comparable nonseason ticket prices -- for no more than $1 over the face value of the season ticket. The resale program, run through Ticketmaster, is subject to Ticketmaster fees. For more information, go to www.heat.com.
Even Cheaper Seats
There are other affordable options. Sports bars, lounges and do-it-yourself game parties offer a frugal way to enjoy the game with the full benefit of public camaraderie. When the Heat played the Lakers, my oldest son and I watched that heated Shaq-versus-Kobe competition at a sports lounge/pool hall on Lincoln Road, which offered indoor and outdoor screens and lots of atmosphere. And there's always the radio, a valid option in my cable-free home.
Free Radio
Quite frankly, listening to The Miami Heat games on the radio is one of the greatest pleasures that I share with my children. It's free and the listening process enhances attention skills and sparks the imagination. What's more, if they want pictures, my boys can scan the headlines and the captions in the newspaper the next day, which provides a hidden exercise in reading.
OTHER FREEBIES
But if you're really desperate for tickets, a local radio station -- broadcasting live from the front of the arena -- typically offers free tickets to fans who show up before the game in the craziest Miami Heat gear, accessories or team colors. On the night of the Heat versus Bucks game, a quartet of dancing girls in abbreviated Miami Heat outfits with pompons earned tickets for their imitation of Miami Heat cheerleaders.
The Florida lottery has its own contest for free tickets. Fans -- 18 and older -- who show up at the arena with five nonwinning Florida lottery tickets and crazy Miami Heat-themed outfits can win free tickets to a game subject to availability.
Monday, January 09, 2006
Checking into Hotel Furniture Sales
Hotel furniture and fixture sales are an affordable way to decorate a home or an office with sofas, tables and other items. From chunky '50s-style couches to funky lamps, hotel redecorating sales offer a range of unusual merchandise at a great price.
Due to frequent remodeling programs, new ownership or teardowns, many hotels offer special clearance sales. In my household we purchased dressers, lights and television sets for less than $25 each at a hotel on South Beach several years ago.
MIAMI BEACH SALES
In December the Seville Beach Hotel at 2901 Collins Ave., Miami Beach, sold the contents from its rooms. Items included double beds for $40 each, dressers for $15 and black-out drapes for $10. Lamps, pictures and armchairs were $5 each. Handled by International Content Liquidations Inc., the sale also included Art Deco ''lipstick chairs,'' color TVs, a piano, office furniture and assorted fixtures.
Shoppers at the recent sale included Karen Fryd, founder of the South Florida Youth Foundation. Fryd purchased furniture and fixtures for several nonprofit organizations.
''I thought the prices were phenomenal,'' Fryd wrote in a recent e-mail. ''We did great for a couple hundred bucks!''
With assistance from teachers and volunteers, she bought a stainless steel service table and a banquet table.
Hotel content sales are usually advertised in newspapers. I have also seen fliers and posters touting sales. Hotel liquidation companies often post schedules of upcoming sales on their websites.
TRENDY PIECES AND REALITY TV
With a mixture of functional and fashionable furniture, hotel sales have become trendy. The concept is even featured in magazines. In a recent article about affordable home design, the editors of Woman's World featured hotelsurplus.com, a California-based company that purchases and re-sells hotel furnishings.
''The tremendous competition in the hotel market generates a constant pressure on hotels to upgrade the furnishings in their properties to reflect the most current decorating trends,'' according to a company statement. ``Therefore, a large number of hotels often liquidate relatively recent furniture on a cyclical basis.''
The company's website and California warehouse is stocked with all kinds of ''no-longer-needed, gently used'' pieces from top-rated hotels, according to the magazine. Recent deals include Barnabey's Olde Style Armoires for $150 each, glass and pewter tables for $20 and large overstuffed chairs for $50.
The company's merchandise has been featured on several television shows including HGTV's Design On A Dime. You can find what's for sale at http://www.hotelsurplus.com.
Due to frequent remodeling programs, new ownership or teardowns, many hotels offer special clearance sales. In my household we purchased dressers, lights and television sets for less than $25 each at a hotel on South Beach several years ago.
MIAMI BEACH SALES
In December the Seville Beach Hotel at 2901 Collins Ave., Miami Beach, sold the contents from its rooms. Items included double beds for $40 each, dressers for $15 and black-out drapes for $10. Lamps, pictures and armchairs were $5 each. Handled by International Content Liquidations Inc., the sale also included Art Deco ''lipstick chairs,'' color TVs, a piano, office furniture and assorted fixtures.
Shoppers at the recent sale included Karen Fryd, founder of the South Florida Youth Foundation. Fryd purchased furniture and fixtures for several nonprofit organizations.
''I thought the prices were phenomenal,'' Fryd wrote in a recent e-mail. ''We did great for a couple hundred bucks!''
With assistance from teachers and volunteers, she bought a stainless steel service table and a banquet table.
Hotel content sales are usually advertised in newspapers. I have also seen fliers and posters touting sales. Hotel liquidation companies often post schedules of upcoming sales on their websites.
TRENDY PIECES AND REALITY TV
With a mixture of functional and fashionable furniture, hotel sales have become trendy. The concept is even featured in magazines. In a recent article about affordable home design, the editors of Woman's World featured hotelsurplus.com, a California-based company that purchases and re-sells hotel furnishings.
''The tremendous competition in the hotel market generates a constant pressure on hotels to upgrade the furnishings in their properties to reflect the most current decorating trends,'' according to a company statement. ``Therefore, a large number of hotels often liquidate relatively recent furniture on a cyclical basis.''
The company's website and California warehouse is stocked with all kinds of ''no-longer-needed, gently used'' pieces from top-rated hotels, according to the magazine. Recent deals include Barnabey's Olde Style Armoires for $150 each, glass and pewter tables for $20 and large overstuffed chairs for $50.
The company's merchandise has been featured on several television shows including HGTV's Design On A Dime. You can find what's for sale at http://www.hotelsurplus.com.
Wednesday, January 04, 2006
Carnival: Taming the Debt Tiger
The Carnival of Debt Reduction continues with a submission from Free
Money Finance about taming the debt tiger.
Summary: Strategies for getting your debt under control.
The article: Eight Ways to Consolidate
Enjoy!
Quote of the Day: "Debt, n. An ingenious substitute for the chain and whip of the slavedriver."
--Ambrose Bierce, An American Journalist (1842 - 1914)
Money Finance about taming the debt tiger.
Summary: Strategies for getting your debt under control.
The article: Eight Ways to Consolidate
Enjoy!
Quote of the Day: "Debt, n. An ingenious substitute for the chain and whip of the slavedriver."
--Ambrose Bierce, An American Journalist (1842 - 1914)
Tuesday, January 03, 2006
Carnival Day 2: Love & Debt
Hi. Happy 2006. Welcome to the Carnival of Debt Reduction as hosted by the Frugal Duchess all this week!!! It's a great way to start the standard calendar/solar New Year!
Debt and Obsession are the centers of action in the Carnival today. In that playful spirit, the spotlight is on Amy Borkowsky, author of Statements: True Tales of Life, Love and Credit Card Bills. Based on her book, Amy Borkowsky wrote a cute piece about love & debt in a recent issue of For Me magazine. And even if you are not a woman with a turbulent love life, the lessons are universal.
But first a message from the Carnival Ticket Booth:
a) Thanks to the MightyBargainhunter.com, for providing this Carnival opportunity.
b) I will be adding entries through the end of the day, Saturday, Jan. 7, 2006. So, if you have any ideas or rants about reducing debt, drop me a note (sharonhr@bellsouth.net) or file a comment on this blog. I will continue to update the Carnival until 11:59 (EST) Jan. 7.
c) Thanks to those who have submitted ideas, examples and technical advice! Thanks to everyone for stopping by the carnival. Thanks to everyone who has mentioned the Carnival on their blog or website this week.
d) Next week's Carnival of Debt will be hosted by Personal Finance Advice
e) Please visit day #1 of the Carnival, which started on Jan. 2.
LOVE & DEBT
The article: What My Credit Card Bills Taught Me about My Love Life featured in a fall issue of For Me magazine. (Katie Holmes--without Tom Cruise--is on the cover.)
The author: Amy Borkowsky: Statements: True Tales of Life, Love and Credit Card Bills
The Carnival Summary:
The bottom line is that by really studying her credit card bill and purchases, Amy Borkowsky recognized that something was really, really wrong with her love life.
Basically, she figures out that she's spending way too much money to impress the wrong guys.
In her pursuit of love, she spent a fortune running away from herself & reality.
It's an emotional money pit that I have fallen into myself...you know: the expensive rut of spending, denial and self-deception.
Here are the CHARGES that sparked Borkowsky's Aha! moment:
1) Expensive twice-weekly hair straightening sessions called "blowouts" with deep conditioners and other costly hair products because her beau "Rick, the real estate broker," loved her allegedly smooth and shiny hair. HOWEVER, Rick, the broker was "blissfully naive to fact that I had to pay good money to spin silk out of Brillo" OUCH! (personal aside: Curly hair rocks! )
2. $1,400 for dental work after a disastrous dinner date. Don't ask!
3. $4.28 spent a couple times a month at Starbucks to review date notes with a good friend.
4. $51.50 spent at a bar to review an especially awful date with a close friend.
5. $14.73 spent buying toys for the children of a married friend. The toys were a bribe to distract the kids, while the author reviewed her awful love life with a married-with-kids chum.
6. $17.50 for order-out omelets for a beau who wanted a home-cooked brunch. Borkowsky order the food to go, but hid the bills and passed it off as her own home cooking.
7. $42.97 at Amazon.com for self-help books about women and love.
"Thankfully," the author wrote. "My cost of loving has dropped noticeably since I started dating someone who, at least for now, accepts me the way I am."
As such Borkwosky no longer spends at least $70 a week (about $300 a month), before tax, tips and additional grooming products to blow out her curly hair. She stills orders omelets at restaurants but has let go of the home-cooked pretense.
Personally, I recommend a cookbook. There are great cookbooks FOR FREE on loan at the library!
Debt and Obsession are the centers of action in the Carnival today. In that playful spirit, the spotlight is on Amy Borkowsky, author of Statements: True Tales of Life, Love and Credit Card Bills. Based on her book, Amy Borkowsky wrote a cute piece about love & debt in a recent issue of For Me magazine. And even if you are not a woman with a turbulent love life, the lessons are universal.
But first a message from the Carnival Ticket Booth:
a) Thanks to the MightyBargainhunter.com, for providing this Carnival opportunity.
b) I will be adding entries through the end of the day, Saturday, Jan. 7, 2006. So, if you have any ideas or rants about reducing debt, drop me a note (sharonhr@bellsouth.net) or file a comment on this blog. I will continue to update the Carnival until 11:59 (EST) Jan. 7.
c) Thanks to those who have submitted ideas, examples and technical advice! Thanks to everyone for stopping by the carnival. Thanks to everyone who has mentioned the Carnival on their blog or website this week.
d) Next week's Carnival of Debt will be hosted by Personal Finance Advice
e) Please visit day #1 of the Carnival, which started on Jan. 2.
LOVE & DEBT
The article: What My Credit Card Bills Taught Me about My Love Life featured in a fall issue of For Me magazine. (Katie Holmes--without Tom Cruise--is on the cover.)
The author: Amy Borkowsky: Statements: True Tales of Life, Love and Credit Card Bills
The Carnival Summary:
The bottom line is that by really studying her credit card bill and purchases, Amy Borkowsky recognized that something was really, really wrong with her love life.
Basically, she figures out that she's spending way too much money to impress the wrong guys.
In her pursuit of love, she spent a fortune running away from herself & reality.
It's an emotional money pit that I have fallen into myself...you know: the expensive rut of spending, denial and self-deception.
Here are the CHARGES that sparked Borkowsky's Aha! moment:
1) Expensive twice-weekly hair straightening sessions called "blowouts" with deep conditioners and other costly hair products because her beau "Rick, the real estate broker," loved her allegedly smooth and shiny hair. HOWEVER, Rick, the broker was "blissfully naive to fact that I had to pay good money to spin silk out of Brillo" OUCH! (personal aside: Curly hair rocks! )
2. $1,400 for dental work after a disastrous dinner date. Don't ask!
3. $4.28 spent a couple times a month at Starbucks to review date notes with a good friend.
4. $51.50 spent at a bar to review an especially awful date with a close friend.
5. $14.73 spent buying toys for the children of a married friend. The toys were a bribe to distract the kids, while the author reviewed her awful love life with a married-with-kids chum.
6. $17.50 for order-out omelets for a beau who wanted a home-cooked brunch. Borkowsky order the food to go, but hid the bills and passed it off as her own home cooking.
7. $42.97 at Amazon.com for self-help books about women and love.
"Thankfully," the author wrote. "My cost of loving has dropped noticeably since I started dating someone who, at least for now, accepts me the way I am."
As such Borkwosky no longer spends at least $70 a week (about $300 a month), before tax, tips and additional grooming products to blow out her curly hair. She stills orders omelets at restaurants but has let go of the home-cooked pretense.
Personally, I recommend a cookbook. There are great cookbooks FOR FREE on loan at the library!
Monday, January 02, 2006
Carnival of Debt Reduction: DAY ONE
Hi. Happy 2006. Welcome to the Carnival of Debt Reduction as hosted by the Frugal Duchess all this week!!! It's a great way to start the standard calendar/solar New Year!
With thanks to the MightyBargainhunter.com, I present the Carnival of Debt Reduction. Debt is an important subject and slicing down debt tops the 2006 agenda for many of us.
For the Carnival of Debt Reduction, I have some great submissions and I will be adding entries through the end of the day, Saturday, Jan. 7, 2006. So, if you have any ideas about reducing debt, drop me a note (sharonhr@bellsouth.net) or file a comment on this blog. I will continue to update the Carnival until 11:59 (EST) Jan. 7.
Thanks to those who have submitted ideas, examples and technical advice! Thanks to everyone for stopping by the carnival.
By the way, next week's Carnival of Debt will be hosted by Personal Finance Advice
And speaking of Personal Finance Advice, the developer of that site offers the following insights about debt reduction.
Debt and Motivation
Here is a quick summary of the article:
"One of the essential ingredients of debt reduction is finding a
motivating factor to tackle your debt."
Full article
"I received an email that asked what it takes to get out of debt. I
don't think there is an easy cookie cutter answer to this. Yes, it
means spending less than you're making and making payments toward the
debt. That's the simple answer, but what I've found is that for the
majority of those who pull themselves out of debt, they have embraced
a compelling reason to get out of debt.
There is more to overcoming debt than merely wanting it to go away and
knowing how to accomplish this. Before any debt reduction plan can
work, you will have to be committed to get out of debt. That is, you
have to find a reason that is more powerful than not doing anything at
all. Not doing anything at all may seem like a silly response, but
it's what most people do. While not doing anything may seem to be the
worst choice, the real life problem is that people have the imagine
that tackling debt takes a lot of time, effort and pain to accomplish.
The pain associated with being in debt has to conquer the pain they
imagine it will take to get out of debt.
Many of the people that contact me seem to be looking for a quick and
easy fix. They keep searching for a quick fix and don't do anything
while searching for it. While I don't believe getting out of debt has
to be as painful as many imagine, it does take dedication and a change
in current lifestyle.
How difficult this change will be depends heavily on how committed the
person is to getting out of debt. If they have truly made a
commitment, they'll find that saving more of the money they make is
actually quite simple (although it may take come practice). On the
other hand, if a person isn't fully committed to erase all their debt,
or they're simply searching for an easy way out with no effort
expended, they'll likely find the necessary steps to get out of debt
much more difficult, if not impossible.
What I think it comes down to for the vast majority of people is that
in order to be committed to reduce their debt, they have to find that
compelling reason that allows them to face the imagined pain the debt
reduction will cause. There has to be something that has finally made
them realize that the current state of affairs can't continue. It can
be as simple as realizing that their current budget isn't working or
as urgent as having creditors knocking at their door or telephoning
them at all hours of the day and night. The ultimate reason isn't near
as important as that whatever that reason is will compel the person to
tackle the debt. Once a person has a reason, they can use it to
motivate and to do what it takes to reduce the debt in a systematic
manner."
--
The Blog: http://www.pfadvice.com
The Website: http://www.savingadvice.com
CUTTING PMI COSTS FROM THE EARLY RISER
Title: Do you need to refinance to eliminate PMI?
Summary: The Early Riser give some advise on how to avoid and eliminate the useless expense of Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI).
Overview: Debt Reduction Blogs from the Mighty Bargain Hunter
Summary: "This is a brief discussion of four types of debt reduction blogs I've run across."
mbhunter from MightyBargainHunter.com )
Post title: About debt reduction blogs
With thanks to the MightyBargainhunter.com, I present the Carnival of Debt Reduction. Debt is an important subject and slicing down debt tops the 2006 agenda for many of us.
For the Carnival of Debt Reduction, I have some great submissions and I will be adding entries through the end of the day, Saturday, Jan. 7, 2006. So, if you have any ideas about reducing debt, drop me a note (sharonhr@bellsouth.net) or file a comment on this blog. I will continue to update the Carnival until 11:59 (EST) Jan. 7.
Thanks to those who have submitted ideas, examples and technical advice! Thanks to everyone for stopping by the carnival.
By the way, next week's Carnival of Debt will be hosted by Personal Finance Advice
And speaking of Personal Finance Advice, the developer of that site offers the following insights about debt reduction.
Debt and Motivation
Here is a quick summary of the article:
"One of the essential ingredients of debt reduction is finding a
motivating factor to tackle your debt."
Full article
"I received an email that asked what it takes to get out of debt. I
don't think there is an easy cookie cutter answer to this. Yes, it
means spending less than you're making and making payments toward the
debt. That's the simple answer, but what I've found is that for the
majority of those who pull themselves out of debt, they have embraced
a compelling reason to get out of debt.
There is more to overcoming debt than merely wanting it to go away and
knowing how to accomplish this. Before any debt reduction plan can
work, you will have to be committed to get out of debt. That is, you
have to find a reason that is more powerful than not doing anything at
all. Not doing anything at all may seem like a silly response, but
it's what most people do. While not doing anything may seem to be the
worst choice, the real life problem is that people have the imagine
that tackling debt takes a lot of time, effort and pain to accomplish.
The pain associated with being in debt has to conquer the pain they
imagine it will take to get out of debt.
Many of the people that contact me seem to be looking for a quick and
easy fix. They keep searching for a quick fix and don't do anything
while searching for it. While I don't believe getting out of debt has
to be as painful as many imagine, it does take dedication and a change
in current lifestyle.
How difficult this change will be depends heavily on how committed the
person is to getting out of debt. If they have truly made a
commitment, they'll find that saving more of the money they make is
actually quite simple (although it may take come practice). On the
other hand, if a person isn't fully committed to erase all their debt,
or they're simply searching for an easy way out with no effort
expended, they'll likely find the necessary steps to get out of debt
much more difficult, if not impossible.
What I think it comes down to for the vast majority of people is that
in order to be committed to reduce their debt, they have to find that
compelling reason that allows them to face the imagined pain the debt
reduction will cause. There has to be something that has finally made
them realize that the current state of affairs can't continue. It can
be as simple as realizing that their current budget isn't working or
as urgent as having creditors knocking at their door or telephoning
them at all hours of the day and night. The ultimate reason isn't near
as important as that whatever that reason is will compel the person to
tackle the debt. Once a person has a reason, they can use it to
motivate and to do what it takes to reduce the debt in a systematic
manner."
--
The Blog: http://www.pfadvice.com
The Website: http://www.savingadvice.com
CUTTING PMI COSTS FROM THE EARLY RISER
Title: Do you need to refinance to eliminate PMI?
Summary: The Early Riser give some advise on how to avoid and eliminate the useless expense of Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI).
Overview: Debt Reduction Blogs from the Mighty Bargain Hunter
Summary: "This is a brief discussion of four types of debt reduction blogs I've run across."
mbhunter from MightyBargainHunter.com )
Post title: About debt reduction blogs
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)