The Good Life

I think I've been looking at this whole financial independence thing all wrong. Maybe the final click into place was reading "The Ultimate Cheapskate" by Jeff Yeager.

It struck me, it really struck me that these cheapskates or tightwads are not sacrificing. In their minds, they have truly discovered the good life that just happens to cost next to nothing.

So, while I'll still call around for the best car maintenance costs and look closer at my finances so I won't get stuck again paying too much for car and home insurance, I also think that I'm going to concentrate on living the good life – my version of the good life.

Jeff Yeager likes to travel. So, he travels on the cheap by staying in hostels. Amy Dacyzyn is a quilter. Instead of doing what I did which was going to a quilt shop and buying everything retail, she discovered a way to enjoy her hobby inexpensively.

They took the lack of money as a challenge and found a way around it. I guess that's what Jeff Yeager means by eliminating the money step.

It gets me thinking. Can I get what I want without spending money? Is my life constricted by the lack of money or lack of creativity? Hmmm.

Who Do You Want To Be?

Whenever there is a tough question in my life that could involve a great deal of pain, I ask myself "Who do you want to be?" Not, who is the person you're currently looking in the mirror, but what kind of person do you want to be? And then, what kind of decision would that person make? How would they act?

It's amazing how that cuts through all the nonsense.

The Dryer Experiment

For the past month I have not used my dryer. First, this was because while trying to clean out the vent I could not connect the hose back. But after my dad came along and fixed it, I left the dryer unplugged just to see how much money I could save.

Turns out the answer was none.

Compared to last year, my electricity use actually went up. Now this could be attributed to the crazy hot weather we've been having down here lately. Still, I have not plugged in my dryer and I probably won't. Why? It's just not about the dryer.

1.It's my penny
So what if unplugging the dryer saves only a couple of pennies? They're my pennies and I would like to have them. One thing that Donald Trump said that I've always remember is “Watch Your Pennies, They become dollars.” And I found that when I get in a habit of watching my pennies, I do save dollars. Or, as I tell myself, it's a small thing so it must be very important.

2.Flexibility of Moving Where a Dryer is Not Available
I'm not gonna stay in my house forever. It's just way too big for one person and the suburbs really are not a good place for a single lady. The entire overhead of an underused house is ridiculous and probably enough for another post. I've found that when it comes to apartments, the more amenities, the higher the price. If you can live without a washer/dryer unit in your apartment, a dishwasher, a gym and nice landscaping, you can score a deal. I'm pretty used to life without a dryer now.

3.It's Too Darn Hot
Do you find it strange that when it's hot, we run air conditioning to cool down, but yet stick our clothes in a dryer? Seems like we could use that heat to our advantage. And before you ask, I'm just trying clothes on racks in my house. I don't have a clothesline. I doubt my Homeowners Association would be glad to see them.

All in all, I've gotten used to the hard towels. I don't enjoy them, but because I grew up with them, it's not like a jolt. Now it is time to stop using the dishwasher.

Trash Day

As the last day of my staycation, I went out walking around the neighborhood at around 8am this morning. Today is trash day and I was surprised at the amount of good stuff I saw sitting out on the curb.

I had heard folks talking about what people threw away, but I never realized. I mean, there were baby toys and rubbermaid containers. Things that could have easily been donated to the Goodwill up the street, but would now go into a landfill.

I never thought of myself as an environmental person. I'm more interested in saving money than saving the planet. It just bothered me, though.

My Total Money Makeover Review

This is a review of the subscription site My Total Money Makeover. When I was trying to decide whether or not to take a chance and try it out, I did not see any reviews. Since I've finished my one month experiment, I thought it might be a good idea to write it up. Disclaimer - I am not receiving any payment for this review. I won't receive any benefit whatsoever if you sign up for the site.

What It Is
A subscription based site run by Dave Ramsey, the same guy who runs the excellent Financial Peace University. I've been through Financial Peace University three times and it was extremely helpful in helping me get my financial life together.

The Cost
At the time I'm writing this, the cost is $10 a month. As an internet junkie, I can say that for a moderated, subscription-based site, at the time of this post - July 3, 2010 - $10 is a reasonable price.

What It Has
You get online budgeting forms, ways to track your goals in your life and little extras like how to set up a legacy drawer. The most important thing in the site is the forums.

What I Liked
The forums are really good for a certain demographic. If you are in debt and out of control, joining this site is something you may want to consider. The site's members are knowledgeable and helpful. Sometimes, they'll run challenges like a $25 a week grocery challenge. Also, because this is a subscription-based site, the trolls are kept to a minimum. I certainly did not see any while I was a member which is very, very important.

The step-by-step process on setting up your legacy drawer that has all your important papers like your will and bank account information was also a hit for me.

Who Will Mostly Benefit
Young couples just starting out and families who are in debt. This site will especially be helpful if you have no support in your real life. If your friends and family are starting to make fun of you, this site could be well worth the $10 a month just so you can know that you are not crazy. While the site has a range of members, I mostly found the average to be married with kids, in other words, like most of the country.

So, What About Singles?
There's a singles forum, but it does not have a lot of activity going on and from what I saw it is mostly social. This site is really geared toward families. To be fair, if you post a question, you will definitely get a response. If you are single and you are just starting on your financial journey, this site may be for you. If you are already out of debt, on a budget and dream of living in a Tumbleweed House, I'd pass.

How Do I Know If It's For Me?
Easy. Take it on a test drive. The site offers a 7-day free trial. You do have to have a debit card on file and if you do not cancel within the 7 days time, your debit card will be charged. This is all stated up front though with no surprises.

During your 7-day trial, ask questions on the forums (don't be shy) and check out the excellent Frugal Living forum. If you can find $10 worth of money-saving ideas for your situation, keep the subscription. If you can't, cancel. Simple as that.

How Easy Is It To Cancel?
For me, this is the true test of any subscription. How easily can I get out of it? Dead easy. I canceled with like two clicks. Got a confirmation email and my debit card has not been charged since. Because of this good experience, I'd be likely to try the site again.

Wrap-Up
If you are in need of a community of folks while getting out of debt, this could be your place. It's at least worth looking at. The web site is My Total Money Makeover.

How to Find Cheap Work Clothes for Women

When you hear folks talk about finding clothes on the cheap, you'll hear garage sales and thrift shops mentioned a lot. But those did not work for me. I am an overweight, short woman. I know what styles look best on me and those are not usually found at garage sales or thrift stores or even stores like Ross Dress for Less or Marshall's. Yet, my cheap co-workers score very nice clothes using these tactics. So, what gives?

What no one ever tells you is that you are going to have to find your own place. My clothes place is a mall store near my house. As I type this, I'm wearing a shirt that cost $1.99 new. I rarely find my size in thrift stores let alone at $1.99 ( the thrift stores here are kinda pricey unless you go on a half price day and then things are picked over).

So, in your first foray into finding nice, cheap clothes you are going to have to do a lot of shopping. And you just can't discount a location of a store because one location did not like what you have. I can never find clothes at the store where my mom works out but I've had great luck with the same store, but the location near my house.

Here are some tips to keep you honest though.

1. Have a price limit
Mine is $20. If I can find a machine-washable, work dress that does not require any alterations, and goes with the shoes and handbag I currently carry, I will probably buy it. Now that I have five work dresses, though, I am less and less tempted. I'm more likely to buy stockings (one of the biggest rip offs known to man) with my clothing budget.

2. Try the cheap store in the nice neighborhood
All stores do not carry the same merchandise. If you don't like the Target in your neighborhood, have you tried the one in the high-rent district? They may carry a better selection than what you're used to and the clearance items won't be as picked over.

3. Know What Looks Good on You
This will save you a whole lot of time and frustration. Why try on clothes if you know that it is not going to suit your figure? Sometimes you are pleasantly surprised, but make sure that you know it is not a style that is going to make you look like a giant tomato (OK, I was projecting there).

4. Dress Like You are On a Mission
Because you are. You know the drill - comfortable shirt, a skirt if you can get away with it and slip on shoes. If you're really good, you'll bring your work shoes and knee-highs to see how everything will look together. I must admit that I am never that good, though. Oh yeah and pack some snacks while you're out and about so you won't go to a fast food place.

5. Get a Second Opinion
I almost missed out on two work dresses because I did not like them. I don't go shopping with my sisters or my mom, so I'm stuck making these clothes decisions by myself. Not a good idea for the clothing challenged. This is where my cell phone comes in. I take a picture of myself when I try the dress on and send it to my mom for an opinion. I have a purple dress that I almost did not buy, but mom liked it so I bought it. I get compliments on it all the time. The dress was $20. This is the third summer I'll be wearing it.

6. Look for Accessories or Other Items
Be focused, but if you strike out in the clothes department, perhaps you can use the store for something else. I hate thrift shops for clothes, but love them for books, especially because folks are notorious collectors. If you can find one book on a certain subject, you can bet that they'll be other books waiting for the picking. You may also look at the store for a place for accessories. You never know.

7. Know When To Quit
While thrift stores and garage sales may be gold mines for those with small children, if they are not working for you, then stop going. Or at least stop going for clothes. Every time a co-workers walks in with a great find from Ross, I am tempted to go back there even though I know that it is not my shop. That is their shop. I'll give a place three times. That's fair. And then it is good-bye.

So, at first you are going to have a lot of misses. Don't worry, though. If you keep trying new places, you're going to find your place that carries the type of clothes that you like. After that, you just have to be patient and wait and you'll be able to build up a nice work wardrobe on the cheap.

Lilies from The Yard

I planted these Wal-mart bulbs years ago and nothing happened. They decided to make an appearance this year and they are absolutely gorgeous! My house smells like lilies.

I'm also trying out a new homemade flower food that I found through. Suzanne McMinn's blog Chickens in the Road. The link is Homemade Flower Food and it is incredibly easy. I had everything I needed already at the house.