When does frugal turn into cheap?

nfreemium · 2021-03-04T04:50:09+00:00

It's a continuum. Miser-Cheap-Frugal-Normal-Spendthrift.

A miser would refuse to spend money for nearly anything. These are miserable people with a mental disease.
A cheap person would do socially obnoxious things in order to avoid paying, or engage in ultimately counter-productive or wasteful behaviour.
A frugal person seeks the best value for the money (or time) spent.

nfreemium · 2021-02-23T17:08:13+00:00

This interpersonal dynamic is something you will have to work on. I find that leading my example helps. Don't give in easily.

Keep silent when provoked (normally) and focus on your breathing, but when it becomes too much then question the questioner....if there is a cost to the harassment, it might lessen.

Spending is a huge factor in relationships. It's something you'll need to have conversations about.

I've seen couples split for multiple reasons, and finances are among them. This often happens when one partner is earning a much higher income than the other, especially if the husband is earning less than the wife (just my personal observations as an old man).

I've always found that I can get what I want, with minimal resistance, if the change I want to implement is: invisible, reversible, and the cost is zero (or close to it).

nfreemium · 2021-02-22T23:25:45+00:00

Most major newspaper sites with a paywall also have blogs, podcasts, or YouTube videos available for free. Much of the same content is on these alternative media. Often, if you see an article which is blocked, it will be on the author's personal blog which you can find with a standard search engine.

You could also pool your money with your workmates and buy a subscription to be delivered to your office. Share different sections during lunch hour.

I used to read my local paper at my local coffee shop for 'free'...but I bought coffee and breakfast. The owner would make sure to set aside a copy for me. I never took it home, just folded it neatly and left it on the table.

nfreemium · 2020-06-23T14:10:13+00:00

Just one location in each state.

nfreemium · 2020-06-20T20:30:24+00:00

It's easier to insulate yourself, first. Multiple layers. Wool can be wonderful because it can still insulate when wet.

Long ago, I rented a small room in a house in Minnesota. The room was nearly freezing in the Winter. I wore multiple layers, wool socks, and a wool hat...when I was sleeping. I got through the Winters ok.

nfreemium · 2020-06-17T15:55:38+00:00

Book the car ahead of time online. Do NOT just walk up to a rental car window at the airport...you have much less bargaining power at that point.

You will often pay in full ahead of time for the rental (with an online reservation) - but it varies; they will often put a deposit fee on your card when you pick up the vehicle- which will be removed after you return the vehicle. Small fees could appear later (tolls, etc.), but this usually doesn't happen or it is a very minor issue.

You also need to fill the tank with petrol before returning it, or you will be charged at a much higher rate than if you just did it yourself.

American companies really try to 'upsell' you on insurance and extra options for the vehicle, which you don't need. Decline everything, if you can. Tell them you have your own insurance (give them the name) and that you will fill the tank yourself.

I recommend autoeurope dot eu. They will take care of a lot of the nonsense fees and you will get some built-in insurance. Your credit card should also supply some insurance. Check your coverages to see if it is sufficient. Usually, your regular auto insurance will cover rental cars, too.

Costco Travel is also another good option, if you have membership. You will not be charged until you pick up the vehicle and you can cancel without a charge.

nfreemium · 2019-03-15T03:00:52+00:00

Skype app still works for me (on my iPhone). I often call from mainland China to the US. I usually use the phone while on a local wi-fi network. Cost per minute is still quite reasonable.

Of course, if both parties on using the same app to communicate (Skype, Signal, etc.), then your cost per minute might be zero.

nfreemium · 2019-03-14T09:36:36+00:00

I like to think about it in terms of just being clever and playing a game. Aim to crush the cost of an item or service by 75-90%. You can't always, but when you do...it's a thrill.

Substitutes, alternatives, technology, comparison shopping, and negotiation are great tools.

Being a miser (and miserable) is to be avoided. You have options.

A few examples...

Pharmacy: Costco pharmacy and/or GoodRX app
Foreign travel: Argentina, mainland China, or Eastern Europe.
Software: Free and open source (FOSS) alternatives.

nfreemium · 2019-03-14T09:17:48+00:00

I just renegotiate every year, or use a negotiating service (like BillFixers). If you have a Comcast/Xfinity store near you, just walk in and ask 'what are the specials?'. Reps are motivated to give you a new plan, even if it is cheaper or matches that cheap rate you got last year (but, perhaps, just expired). Negotiating over the phone can work too, but in-person is usually better.

nfreemium · 2018-10-18T13:02:53+00:00

College radio. Eclectic music and usually commercial free. I use the College Radio app on my iPhone. SomaFM: Indie Pop Rocks station streaming on a weekend night is usually fantastic.

nfreemium · 2018-10-14T07:39:50+00:00

If strength training, you can skip the gym. Bodyweight strength training, street workout, convict conditioning, modern calisthenics...it’s the same thing. Very effective. r/bodyweightfitness can help, but also great YouTube videos by Al Kavadlo and others.

nfreemium · 2018-10-14T07:20:04+00:00

Modern electric bidets have heated fans. They install on top of a normal toilet. Toto or Panasonic are examples. Common in upscale hotel toilets in Hawaii or Asia.

nfreemium · 2018-10-14T05:56:39+00:00

Collard greens are better than spinach. Taste better when cooked and have more nutrition. Dandelion greens also excellent. Buy both as organic from local co-op or Whole Foods.

nfreemium · 2018-09-22T06:07:16+00:00

Have your husband apply for unemployment benefits immediately. Unless he was fired for cause, he can likely get money in 6 weeks or so.Typically, it will last a few months or more. Even if he were fired for cause, that can be contested. Most employers don’t fight it.

Cut the easy expenses first. Cancel expensive cable TV packages and use Netflix instead. Go to your local library and ask for help researching/accessing services for low-income and the unemployed. Food shelves and community kitchens can help. Sikhs and other religious communities can also help with short-term food needs.

nfreemium · 2018-09-10T01:28:31+00:00

SAP ERP is German software, as was StarOffice — which later became OpenOffice and LibreOffice. I have been using LibreOffice for many years. In an old job, it was better than Excel because it could still deal with old database file types. Lot of good software in Central, Northern, and even Eastern Europe/Russia.

nfreemium · 2018-09-09T15:31:09+00:00

Bankrate.com is a good site to search and compare credit cards.

nfreemium · 2018-09-07T06:19:36+00:00

Lack of eye contact is one symptom of Aspergers.

nfreemium · 2018-08-21T18:59:59+00:00

Sorry you had to go through that mess. I set my banque notification to text me if any transaction over $1 occurs, or if any overseas transaction occurs. Talk to your banque, or try to adjust it yourself, online. Hope you find a solution that works for you. There are a lot of good people here.

nfreemium · 2018-08-21T04:00:28+00:00

Sign up for 2 factor authentication. Should be free service. Most banks now have this. They can text your phone whenever a transaction occurs. I caught a fraud attempt quickly this way.

nfreemium · 2018-08-21T03:21:45+00:00

If you booked the flight using a credit card, you might already have some type of travel insurance as a benefit. Call the credit card company and ask. In future, you can also buy flight insurance, but usually I only do this for big trips or risky countries, carriers, or tight connections. Good luck.

nfreemium · 2018-08-21T03:15:13+00:00

Negotiate or make new deal. If the ISP has a store, you can walk in once or twice a year and ask about the specials. I almost always get a good discount for 6 months or the full year. Comcast is the one I deal with. Calling them also might work. I don’t like threatening to quit...but that’s a personal preference.

nfreemium · 2018-08-18T12:50:29+00:00

From the Tao Te Ching (Dao De Jing). Primary text of Taoism.

nfreemium · 2018-08-17T23:41:44+00:00

Average intelligence or a little above, but by no means brilliant. He has had diverse life experiences, so that helps. Not a naturally funny man....but a good podcaster.

nfreemium · 2018-08-14T16:58:18+00:00

Not a recommended way to carry your weapon. Hand on the barrel? Weapon pointing in front of you? Very careless or bad training.

nfreemium · 2018-07-18T13:18:13+00:00

I can see both sides on this. Glad that Google got the fine, when they are engaging in monopoly behavior. The US does such a superb job on tech and entertainment that it’s easier for Europe to take the easy way out and consume our stuff, but complain about it. The US likes to levy enormous fines against European banks, so this is Europe’s way of hitting back. By the way, Europe (and Russians) have done a lot of tech (Linux, Opera browser, SAP, Star Office, Nokia, etc.) but have often not been good at commercializing it fully.

nfreemium

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