Filed under: cable / internet
Many have heard this before, but it still works.
Call your service providers and ask if you are getting the best rate they have to offer. Companies often advertise better rates to new customers than older customers might be paying. From what I have read, it is cheaper to keep an existing customer than to attract a new one. I for one would rather have a lower bill than see so many advertisements, and special deals for someone that hasn’t been with them for many years. In fact, I would suggest a business model that actually reduces your bill the longer you have been a customer. Reward loyalty.
However, you have to call and ask. If you are happy paying the amount they are billing you, then they are happy to collect.
I just called my cable company and asked if I was getting the best pricing they had to offer. I was told they could not do anything for us. Then I simply stated in a very pleasant voice that I was only calling because I was considering shopping around for a better price, but thought I would call them first. I was asked to hold for someone from another department, and two minutes later we are saving $13 per month for 6 months.
The whole call took about 10-15 minutes, and the savings will total $78.00. Many will even suggest converting to an hourly rate to see if it is worth your time. At 15 minutes for $78 is equal to earning $312 per hour. If only I could spend 10 hours a week making such calls.
It’s your call as to if it is worth it. They may not offer you anything, but then you tried, and you might just want to shop around.
Filed under: Food & Cooking
This is one of my favorite foods. Simply add hot water & stir. I like to add a dash of milk, and it’s done. I read an entry on www.thesimpledollar.com about making your own instant oatmeal which was very interesting. Many of the comments seemed to be around is it healthy to buy the instant oatmeal, and then described their own methods while nuking it for 3 to 6 minutes. I am not a fan of the microwave beyond a minute. In fact I rarely use a microwave. Other comments were concern on the additives in a package of instant oatmeal which got me to look at a box in my cupboard. I was shocked at first to count 17 ingredients, but was much less concerned as I looked up each on Wikipedia.
1. whole grain rolled oats
2. sugar
3. salt
4. cinnamon
5. natural and artificial flavor
6. calcium carbonate - Calcium carbonate is widely used medicinally as an inexpensive dietary calcium supplement or antacid.
7. guar gum – Guar gum, also called guaran, is a galactomannan. It is primarily the ground endosperm of guar beans. The guar seeds are dehusked, milled and screened to obtain the guar gum. Guar gum is a water-soluble fiber that acts as a bulk forming laxative, and as such, it is claimed to be effective in promoting regular bowel movements and relieve constipation and chronic related functional bowel ailments such as diverticulosis, Crohn’s disease, colitis and irritable bowel syndrome , among others.
8. oat flour
9. caramel color - Caramel color is one of the oldest and most widely-used food colorings, and is found in almost every kind of industrially produced food.
10. soy lecithin - There are studies that show soy-derived lecithin has significant effects on lowering cholesterol and triglycerides, while increasing HDL (“good cholesterol”) levels in the blood. However, studies on soy lecithin have been inconsistent and contradictory since the 1920s.
11. Niacinamide – Nicotinamide, also known as niacinamide and nicotinic acid amide, is the amide of nicotinic acid (vitamin B3 / niacin). Niacinamide acts as a chemo- and radio-sensitizing agent by enhancing tumor blood flow, thereby reducing tumor hypoxia.
12. reduced iron
13. vitamin a palmitate – For vitamin A.
14. pyridoxine hydrochloride – Pyridoxine is one of the compounds that can be called vitamin B6.
15. riboflavin – Also known as vitamin B2, is an easily absorbed micronutrient with a key role in maintaining health in humans and animals.
16. thiamin mononitrate - In the US, processed flour must be enriched with thiamine mononitrate (along with niacin, ferrous iron, riboflavin and folic acid) to replace that lost in processing.
17. folic acid – Also known as vitamin B9. The New York Times newspaper named folic acid as the “World’s Healthiest Food” since absence of folic acid and a handful of other micronutrients particularly in the fetal development stages causes severe deformities and diseases that are otherwise preventable. According to the article, adding folic acid and micronutrients to the food supply of developing countries would make a greater impact on world health than any other single action aimed at improving world health.
The only thing that had me really concerned was the natural and artificial flavor because I don’t know what they are. However, they are lower on the ingredient list than both salt and cinnamon.
I would be glad to hear feedback from anyone who has specific knowledge on any of the above ingredients, and do not profess to be any type of expert, but thought the ingredients to be pretty good overall.
Also, each packet (I usually have 2 at a time) contains one serving (18g or more) of whole grains (48g or more suggested per day).
Each packet provides:
3g of fiber.
20% each – iron, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, folic acid
15% each – vitamin A, vitamin B6, phosphorus
10% each – calcium, magnesium
At Target I can get a box of 10 for $ 2.99, and recently bought 4 boxes at Kroger on sale for $ 1.80. Since I make with water it only takes a dash of milk versus what I use for a bowl of cereal. I figure 2 packets at $ .20 to .30 each and milk at maybe $ .10 for the amount I use. I’m pretty happy at $ .50 to .70 per double serving. 6g of fiber and good vitamin and minerals as listed above, and low milk use (since it is expensive for organic milk) and a dash of additional nutrients from the milk. I throw both the box and packets into our recycle bin so no trash is generated. I always put in a glass bowl, and avoid plastics in the microwave, and like the idea of not portioning out in plastic baggies. I hate washing bags to re-use them. I do this, but hate it, and sometimes wonder about the water waste. Also, no water used in washing an additional pot if you cook your oatmeal in one.
For the sake of simplicity I will stick with Quaker Instant Oatmeal, but I do suggest going to www.thesimpledollar.com for those adventurous enough to want to make their own and save some money.
Filed under: Books I'm Reading
On my posting of “The Riddle of the Amish Culture”, Derrek Matthews suggested I read the “Larry” books by Janet Tashjian. I immediately put “The Gospel According to Larry” on hold from my local library, and now have read it.
While this is a book for young adults it has a message for all adults as well. It is a quirky story that is a fun read. I hold back on saying much about the storyline because that is the fun of reading a book – watching a story unfold.
I would suggest this strongly as a book to be read in school for the purpose of discussion. Even if you don’t agree with all aspects of the story (which I do not) it is a book that provokes thought.
I question any activity that suppresses the freedom of others. Advertisers should be free to advertise. Our response should be to either ignore them, or shun them when they lie to us, and shame them when they use elements that have nothing to do with the product. I do not believe in defacing anything that does not belong to you. This is something I would list as a critical part of discussion with youth, and probably adults too. I have read other books that suggest ideas such as jamming up a newspaper dispenser so that papers cannot be bought. That is pure vandalism. Simply do not buy the paper, and discuss with other people why you feel the way you do. That is freedom. Forcing your will on others is not. When you look to people like Gandhi with his civil disobedience to free India, or Henry David Thoreau refusing to pay taxes because of slavery, they did it openly, and were willing to face jail, and did spend time in jail.
Questioning advertising and consumerism plays a big role in this book.
I loved the idea of Larry owning 75 possessions. This brings to mind the “100 thing challenge”.
I GIVE THIS BOOK 7 OUT OF 10 ….. if there were no vandalism or theft (even though some consequences are mentioned) I would give it a 9 out of 10 as a solid young adult’s book that is very thought provoking.
Looking forward to reading the next book, and hope to find out what else is on his list of 75 possessions!
Just put “Larry and the Meaning of Life” and “Vote for Larry” on hold.
Filed under: Books I'm Reading
I just finished reading The Riddle of Amish Culture
by Professor Donald B. Kraybill, and found it thoroughly fascinating.
At a time when people are questioning our consumer society, it makes sense to look to those who have not fallen in that trap to begin with.
Many choices the Amish make may indeed seem like a riddle to us moderns, but most of their decisions seem to rest with the question of where will this all end, and will it tear apart the social contact of family and community.
A common piece of advice you will find on trying to spend less money, and attempt to live within your means is to ask yourself if you really need this, or is it simply a desire. Desires are limitless, thank God that needs are not.
It was a great book on tracing the history of the Amish, and understanding decisions they have made.
I wish the book covered more about what the Amish typically do own, versus what they are not allowed to own. What is a typical diet for the Amish? Their clothes must conform, but do they have more than one hat typically? How many pants, shirts, shoes, dresses, etc. Do they own books other than the Bible and schoolbooks. What rules apply to books? Do they limit any particular items in quantity, or is it simply a question of whether it is an allowed item or not. Can someone have 10,000 plates simply because plates are allowed, and they like plates? This book left me standing in an Amish field, but did not welcome me into their homes for a closer look.
However, I give it an 8 out of 10 because of all it did answer!!!!!
Filed under: Uncategorized
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Filed under: Save Electricity
My last test ran for 2,457 hours (or 102 days & 9 hours). This was for my cell phone charger, and recharging batteries.
My cell phone is a Samsung SCH-u410.
The batteries are both double A and triple A used for many purposes around the house. The primary battery use comes from two different speaker systems for my i-Pod (I use them a LOT). Other batteries that have been recharged: thermostat, wireless mouse, tv and dvd controller & clocks (I may be leaving some out).
Knowing that much is said about ENERGY VAMPIRES, I almost always had one or the other plugged in at all times. As for these two items ….. it is a perfect example of why not to blindly buy an energy saving power strip. They are not cheap, and it is simply a waste of money, space & materials if it is used for items that don’t need it.
Here are the test results:
2,457 hours
1.61 KWh
@ $ .118 per KWh
TOTAL $ 0.18 (or $ 0.64 per year)
My next test I have just started is my i-Home clock radio for an i-Pod. This is how I charge my i-Pod, and sometimes watch a show or listen to music using it.
Please go to the first energy saving post if you wish to purchase a Kill-A-Watt for yourself.
Filed under: Food & Cooking
I’m looking to save money on food, and still eat well.
In the process of looking at recipes online I came across Clara.
She is fun to watch, and makes me think about making some choices differently to save money on food expenses.
Watch Clara as she shares memories and recipes from growing up during the depression.
Filed under: Save Electricity
I have finally purchased a Kill A Watt.
CLICK HERE to buy a KILL A WATT now
There are so many articles about energy vampires. How much energy is used even when you are not using some electronics.
There are also many products that are suggested to save on power in your home (like smart power strips). Many of these products are quite expensive, and the time it takes to recoup your outlay is often a longer period than the average person can justify.
The problem with most green products is that they are quite expensive for the average person. How can we really expect the world to change when you have to belong to the minority of those who make a LOT of money (and a small minority at that) to integrate these things into daily life.
Plug this product into your wall outlet, and then your electronic device into it. It then measures how much energy is used by that item.
With this version of the Kill A Watt you can program your KWh cost into it so it calculates the cost of use for you.
My first test was on my laptop. My computer is on a lot, and is one of the most used items we have in the house. I have read that laptops use less energy, and I intend to test this.
I have a Compaq Pressario A900 Notebook. It was plugged in for 21 hours and 56 minutes. I never powered it completely down, but did close it for the evening. At 11.8 cents per KWh it measured a cost of $ 9.30 per year to use it.
It gave measurements in cost per day/week/month/year. It provides how many KWh were used. In this case it used .2 KWh.
I will continue to post my use of this product. Hopefully I will provide information useful to others. Insight into where our electricity goes. A product review that extends over time to give a real idea of how useful it is. A review that not only reflects the excitement of a new possession, but also reflects the quality, and value of it over time.
Use the picture link above to buy one now, or in the future after additional posts.
So far … I am truly impressed, and have many tests planned. It has been quite simple to use.
Filed under: Small housing ideas
That was my Morrisey inspired title.
We are getting ready to sell our house.
We went from an apartment that we were quite happy in, but the rent kept going up. Again, and again, and again, and again. It was nothing fancy, but other than the ever rising rent, we didn’t really feel were were missing out on anything. No yardwork, no maintenance, no need to do those home improvements.
Then we bought a 564 square foot condo. We loved it!!!!! It was pretty much like living in an apartment, but the rent couldn’t go up. However, we did think we would want to someday live in a larger place. We dreamed of a den, a craft room, and a larger kitchen.
We moved from San Diego, CA to Richmond, VA to be closer to family, and to get that American dream home that we couldn’t afford where we were.
Then came the 1900 square foot town home. Yaaaa baby, we had 4 bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths, and more space than we ever imagined we would have.
It didn’t take that long before 3 floors got old. One of us on the first floor yelling up to the other on the 3rd floor. Get up to the 3rd floor, and realize you need something from the first. Then there was all the crap. Give someone 9000 square feet, and they will fill it.
Now we live in a 2 floor house. I still don’t like the 2 floors. At 1500 square feet it is still too much space. Too many rooms to improve. Still too much crap.
HOW MUCH CRAP DOES ANYBODY NEED?????
Having a yard sounds great, and then comes the extra work. Spend more money, lose more time. Have more crap for your yard.
So, here we are. Trying to get rid of stuff. Getting ready to put our house on the market.
There are many things I still love about this house. Some things I will miss about this house. But how much is your freedom worth?
We are now looking at a place that is 570 square feet. I guess we had it right the first time.
Here is a book that I recently purchased (I have mentioned my weakness for books). It is written by Gregory Johnson who is the founder and director of resources for life.
If you choose to purchase this book, you would be supporting my blog by using the link below.
In this book Gregory covers many of the usual issues I have come across when researching living in a small home. I also believe that he has come up with some very original ways to look at things you may already be thinking about, and some things that you might not think of yourself until you were faced with it.
Thinking about living a more simple life? Thinking about living in a small apartment or house?
This book is not going to answer every question one might have, but I would suggest it is like a list of camping supplies written by someone who has camped many, many times for someone who has never camped before.
I wish to particularly praise his use of the word and concept of outsourcing. How it may have negative images, but is often overlooked on a personal basis. There are many such examples: the local library, Netflix, car sharing, public spaces such as parks, gyms, and the list goes on and on.
I found it aesthetically pleasing, enjoyable to read, and contained so many resources that I have barely begun to explore them.
