If you buy what you don’t need, you might have to sell what you do

Another Irish Proverb in honor of St Patricks Day which is tomorrow! This one reminds us that being frugal is a matter of choices. Many times we have the cash or income to buy nice things - sometimes even extravagant things, but do we really need them? Sometimes not.

 

Recently, a friend of mine bought a brand new shiny car that has all the bells and whistles. I'm envious that she can enjoy such a nice thing, but I'll get to ride in it too occasionally. But the thing is that its too nice. She doesn't want to drive it to work because the parking lot is full of clients who might give her new car door dings. So it sits in the garage, while she drives her old car. She's fortunate in not having to sell the old car to get the new car, but not everyone is.

 

I have another friend who NEEDS a new car because the car they have is falling apart like a bucket of bolts and nuts. It makes strange noise and lurches, and probably isn't safe to drive fast on the highway. Shopping for another car apparently is happening, but I don't think a brand new car is among those is consideration. This may be a smart decision because if too much of the budget is spent on the car, there might have to be other financial sacrifices made in the household budget.

 

So the point is, if you have something you need and use - be content with it rather than thinking you need to get the bigger better newer faster model. If you buy the new thing, it may have more costs that just the purchase price.

It is Not a Fish Until it is On the Bank

My favorite holiday is approaching this week, so another Irish proverb for us all. This tidbit of wisdom is especially important for us dreamers, who plan on all sorts of wonderful things and suppositions about how things should happen. Sure it was great that we recently planned on selling our boat, we were fortunate in finding a good buyer, and the check cleared the bank and now the boat is gone. But it could have gone a hundred different ways. Many times when something is for sale on Craigslist, you get some phone calls, emails or texts inquiring whether the item is still available, and you respond quickly - only to get no further response. WTH? What are these people thinking? We'll never know, but we do know you can't count on selling stuff quickly (unless you follow my Craigslist Tips).

 

You also can't count on that tax return, or that pay raise, or that job you applied for along with a ton of other people. Its important to not count it as a catch until its in the boat, or on the bank. So keep casting your line out there to get a big fish, but also continue your frugal ways to get you through the dry spell.

Handfuls Make a Load

This Irish proverb is so wise in many ways. Watching the news about the unrest in Libya and the resulting rise in gas prices affects many of us. We get used to our routine and drive anywhere we want and just pay the price. But now the price of gas hurts. Its over $3.50 a gallon here and rising daily. So this is the time to prepare for higher prices. Not just of gas, but of many goods and services that rely on transportation - like groceries and all that online shopping we love to do.

 

So what can you do about it? Start with handfuls. Small steps or changes to cut back or be more frugal with your ways. I rode my bike to work even though it was a little cold (50F) knowing I would save myself the price of a gallon of gas. DH rode his motorcycle to work as well which saves some gas. We'll have to cut back on some of our trips to Publix and reconsider some driving trips we planned this summer.

 

Its not just conserving gas that small handfuls make a difference. Any area of your life you want to improve or change, can benefit from handfuls. I know I'm still trying to lose a few pounds of extra weight before our next cruise in April, but its tough these days. I need to just give up that one snack each day that isn't necessary. I need to just walk that extra distance thru the parking lot, and I need to drink that one extra glass of water each day. All these small things hopefully will add up.

 

Pretty soon those handfuls will make a load.

 

photo via

 

A Buckle is a Great Addition to An Old Shoe

Continuing on the Irish Proverbs theme, I especially like this one because I always like to make old things last longer and stitch them up to have them make do for a bit longer. Actually right now I have my favorite Lee jeans from high school (over 30 years old) where the patch on the knee needs to be patched because its fraying apart again, and a new area has worn through on the butt (is it because my butts too big?) that probably should be patched because you can see my underwear. Oh my, TMI.

 

Anyway, DH also has an old pair of NB shoes that he wears to the grocery store and around the yard. They actually aren't that old, but after what happened in the store yesterday, they are going in the old shoe pile. Even a nice shiny buckle can't save them. I'm sure you're wondering, what the heck can happen at the grocery store that could ruin your shoes?? Well let me tell you.

 

So we're making about our sixth or seventh trip to Publix for the week, one final time to get yet more BP gas cards for 20% off. Did I ever tell you what a great deal that is? Hope you managed to score yours. We also wanted to get a few more BOGO items like the pasta and sauce. Well, just as we're rounding the corner down the pasta sauce aisle, we come upon a large red saucy lake of Prego sauce spilled and splashed on the floor. Broken glass and sauce was splayed all the way across the aisle and the wonderful publix bagger was pouring a bag of flour on the mess and sweeping it up. Sauce also got on the products on the shelves and it was creating quite the jam. Gee, I'm glad I didn't do it. Anyway, we grabbed 4 jars and our pasta and moved on.

 

After a couple more items, we head to the check out lane and discover that our jars of sauce have sauce on them. Euew! DH asks for a paper towel to wipe them off and continues to empty the cart, then DH kicks out the bagger (just kidding), he politely asks if he can bag his own groceries and the dude slips away. He then gets asked by every other bagger in the area if they can help, and he replies "No thanks, I prefer to bag my own". 

 

Anyway, we had two transactions to run through and I was busy organizing my coupons and watching the register, when I heard a great big crash, klunk and splash. DH had been rushing to keep up and bumped the bag with the jars of sauce off the bagging area and they ALL CRASHED AND BROKE, spraying pasta sauce all over the check out area, my legs, his legs and his shoes. OMG, I felt like crawling under the counter. I was so embarrassed. DH just looked at the mess, then looked around for help. Of course all the baggers came running with their brooms, bags of flour and dust pans. My brand new reusable bag was toast and thrown away (good thing it was free) and all but one of the jars were broken. It was a huge pile of goo. White and red goo. DH's shoes were now red and white, not just white.

 

I just wanted to get out of there. I felt bad for the man behind us, first he was amused with the double orders and dozens of coupons for each, then we create this pasta sauce fiasco. I told DH he's not ever bagging again. He's fired.

It is a Long Road That Has No Turning

We spent a lot of money this weekend. But we saved a lot of money too. The BP gas card deal at Publix is a great opportunity to save gas money, but its important also to conserve gasoline by exploring ways to decrease our usage. Now that we have $500 in gas cards, I would like them to last a long time, like maybe 5 months.

 

I'm not even sure if we can make it that long, so lets do the math. Based on our driving last year we drive about 20,000 miles a year in all our vehicles - one car, one truck, two motorcycles and my bicycle. If we continue to commute and travel at the same rate, we will consume about $144 of gasoline each month (assuming average gas cost is $2.80 per gallon). So maybe five months is a little optimistic, but if we ride our motorcycles and I bike to work more, we can cut gas use down to $100 month.

 

 

2009 miles	vehicle	mpg	cost/yr	cost/month
6348	ST1300	45	394.99	32.92
2375	Rebel	70	95.00	7.92
7706	Camry	28	770.60	64.22
2508	Explorer	15	468.16	39.01
1230	bicycle	0	0	0
20167	total		cost->	$144.06

 

The Irish proverb "it is a long road that has no turning" is a warning to add some twists and turns into your journey so that the path you are travelling does not seem long and boring. It means that when you get tired of the frugal behaviors and always cutting back, just acknowledge that you need some change. Even for a day or a weekend, give it up and splurge.

 

As I was saying before, we spent a lot of money this weekend and I think that was our turn in the road, to get off the frugal path - yet its planning for future needs and taking advantage of getting discounted gas.

 

 

Small Handfuls Make a Load

One of the Irish proverbs I shared yesterday is "small handfuls make a load". We all know that to be frugal involves a lot of small activities or measures to help toward the goal of living within our budget. Being frugal may mean skipping the soda when you go out to eat a restaurant, or only getting one topping on your pizza or splitting desert. It also means stacking the extra $0.30 coupon on top of the $1 coupon to get a few more pennies off your grocery bill. Its really a lifestyle of making small adjustments to help make the "load" of money we've saved.

 

Well, I've been thinking of recent activities I've done to help make a load:

• Listed a post hole digger on Craigslist, sold for $20. This was not a quick sell, it was re listed many times and after the first time I never even posted a picture (which you should always do to help make the sale).
• Listed pet meds on Craigslist, sell for $250 - this is a pending sale to happen on Friday. My elderly dog died and I have some expensive meds to get rid of. I'm selling for 1/2 price, but its better than nothing.
• Host a house party. I was selected for the ziploc party which is planned for this weekend. Not a score of money, but who doesn't need ziplocs and containers?
• Secret shop for Marketforce this past week at one of my favorite burger joints, make $7, plus get $10 reimbursement for food. Involved 15 minutes on the computer to scan receipt and complete survey questions.
• Click on a bunch of websites like Swagbucks, Mypoints, Youdata to get points towards rewards, my favorite is gift cards. I just received another $5 Amazon gift card yesterday.
• Occasionally complete surveys that come in my email, however most of these are blocked at my work and by the time I get home I'm not into it anymore.
• Participate in beta tests of new technology equipment, I have a new mobile computing device on the way for a beta test.
• Sign up for free samples from blogs, slickdeals, fatwallet and emails. Just received my full sized Pantene shampoo a couple days ago.
• I'm trying to stay away from online shopping but the free stuff sucks me in. I just ordered free prints of our kitchen remodel project and ordered some free birthday cards I need for upcoming events.
• Print coupons (of course) and sign up for more to be sent to me.
• I would like to say that this blog brings in some affiliate income but it is negligible, maybe someday.

What do you do for your "small handfuls"?

Happy St Patricks Day - Irish Proverbs

Happy St. Patricks Day!

In the spirit of celebrating the holiday in a frugal manner, and hopefully keeping more green in your pocket here are some old Irish Proverbs that convey wisdom in some wise words. I have highlighted the FRUGAL proverbs in RED so you can see if you're living the life of a frugal one.

 

A buckle is a great addition to an old shoe. (Be frugal and make something old usable by fixing it up)

A cabin with plenty of food is better than a hungry castle. (Live within your means, don't be house poor)

A disease known is half cured. (Be aware of your ills, know the cause and you can heal faster)

A fast is better than a bad meal. (Eat healthy and well, it is better to not eat if its not good for you)

A good retreat is better than a bad stand. (If you don't have a valid argument, don't get involved)

A good servant makes a good master. (Work hard and you will be promoted)

A hut is a palace to the poor man.  (Any roof over your head is better than no roof)

A lock is better than suspicion. (Secure your belongings)

A new broom sweeps clean, but an old broom knows the corners. (Experience and familiarity make a difference)

A quarrel is like buttermilk: once it's out of the churn, the more you shake it, the more sour it grows. (duh, don't prolong quarrels)

A quiet tongue shows a wise head. (Silence is golden)

A small benefit obtained is better than a great one in expectation. (It is better to receive your benefit than to expect to get one and not get it)

A trout in the pot is better than a salmon in the sea. (If you have something, it is better than the potential to get something – keep it)

A true friend laughs at your stories even when they're not so good, and sympathizes with your troubles even when they're not so bad. Source: (Irish)

Anything will fit a naked man. (or a frugal man)

Better be safe than sorry. (know your risk)

Better fifty enemies outside the house than one within. (don't make enemies of someone you must live with)

Better one good thing that is than two good things that were. (Enjoy what you have, not what you had)

Every Jack has his Jill. (Keeping looking for you life partner, they're out there)

Every patient is a doctor after his cure. (We think we know everything once we've lived it)

Everyone is wise until he speaks. (Silence will be construed as wisdom, just keep quiet)

Falling is easier than rising. (to succeed takes more effort than to fail, keep trying)

Handfuls make a load. (Every little bit helps, saving a small amount does add up to a lot)

Handle the pudding while it's hot. (Seize the opportunity when it is there, don't delay your decisions)

If you have to swallow a frog, try not to think about it. If you have to swallow two frogs, don't swallow the smaller one first. (If you have an unpleasant task or situation, handle the worst one first and the next won't seem so bad)

It destroys the craft not to learn it. (Don't put out poor quality work, learn the correct way to do something)

It is a long road that has no turning. (Give yourself a break in striving for that big goal, a small diversion may help you achieve it)

It is better to exist unknown to the law. (Just don't get involved in trouble)

It is not a fish until it is on the bank. (Don't rely on something til you have it in your hand)

It is not a sin to sell dear, but it is to make ill measure. (Its okay to make a profit, just don't cheat people)

It's no delay to stop to edge the tool. (Take time to sharpen your skills and tools, it will then make work quicker )

It's no use locking the stable door after the horse has bolted. (Always do the right thing and accidents won't happen)

Its no use going to the goat's house to look for wool. (Look in the right place for what you want)

Let him who will not have advice have conflict. (If you won't listen to wisdom, figure it out yourself and make mistakes)

Need teaches a plan. (When you need something, you'll figure out a way to make it happen)

Never burn your fingers to snuff another man's candle. (Don't harm yourself to help others, you won't be able to help yourself then)

Never buy through your ears but through your eyes. (Don't believe everything you hear, see it for yourself)

Nodding the head does not row the boat. (A good intention does not get you anywhere, action is what matters)

The best way to keep loyalty in a man's heart is to keep money in his purse. (Loyal workers stay if paid well, Loyal customers come if they save well)

The full person does not understand the needs of the hungry. (If you have all you desire, it is easy to forget the needs of others who lack what we have)

The hole is more honorable than the patch. (Frugality, use something up so completely, and then patch it with pride)

The mason who strikes often is better than the one who strikes too hard. (Consistency & increased frequency in your actions makes for better quality)

The seeking for one thing will find another. (Keep your eyes open, you never know what you will find or learn)

The slow horse reaches the mill. (Consistent small or slow efforts will eventually get your there)

The thief is no danger to the beggar. (If you have nothing to lose, you are free from fear)

The wearer best knows where the shoe pinches. (You know best what works for you based on your nature, more so than others)

The work praises the man. (Your work is an example of your skills, it is your reputation)

There is light at the end of the tunnel. (Eventually you will solve your problem and it will be over)

There's no need to fear the wind if your haystacks are tied down. (Preparation is the key to confidence in times of adversity)

Though honey is sweet, do not lick it off a briar. (Some things are not worth the cost to get it)

Two shorten the road. (Share your journey with someone and it is easier)

Two-thirds of help is to give courage. (Help others help themselves with encouragement)

We'll never know the worth of water till the well go dry. (The frugal person knows the well will run dry some day, and is prepared for it)

What fills the eye fills the heart. (what you see is what you want, don't let your eyes lust)

What the child sees, the child does. What the child does, the child is. (Be a good example, others will follow your lead)

What's good for the goose is good for the gander. (Do unto others as they do unto you)

When a twig grows hard it is difficult to twist it. Every beginning is weak. (Don't let bad habits or situations solidify, correct it in the beginning)

Where the tongue slips, it speaks the truth. (watch what you say)

Winter comes fast on the lazy. (If you are not prepared for hard times, you will suffer quickly)

You are not a fully fledged sailor unless you have sailed under full sail, and you have not built a wall unless you have rounded a corner. (You need to succeed through the difficult situation to call yourself experienced)

You must crack the nuts before you can eat the kernel. (Work is necessary before you receive the fruits of your labor)

You must cut your coat according to your cloth. (You must deal with life as it is presented to you, deal with what you have)

You'll never plow a field by turning it over in your mind. (Good intentions never accomplish anything unless you put them to action)

You've got to do your own growing, no matter how tall your grandfather was. (You must nuture your own potential even if you have great ancestry)