Lazy Man and Money

The Lost Sock Drawer and Books Galore!

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This was an interesting weekend as far as frugality goes. I scored a couple of big frugal wins:

The Lost Sock Drawer

A few years ago I decided not to throw out any of my orphaned socks that have no matches coming from the laundry. Instead I saved them in the “lost sock drawer.” My thinking was that even if one sock was ripped or torn, it’s partner may find another partner who has experienced a similar fate. Then they can live together (and maybe their partners will meet up in sock heaven).

Recently, it became very difficult to close my lost sock drawer. It was time to see if I could match some of them up.

I was surprised how many socks I was able to match up!

socks

That’s 35 pairs of socks for those not interested in counting. There were so many socks that I couldn’t put them all in my (found?) sock drawer. I ended up stocking many of them as pairs in the lost sock drawer. I hope they don’t have hurt feelings, but I was able to give them the remaining 23 orphaned socks as friends.

It might be a very long before I need to buy more socks.

Books Galore!

Our family went to a church fundraiser this past weekend. I don’t really fit in at an English tea, but the wife liked the idea. We weren’t sure if the 2 and 3 year old were going to behave for it, but there was only one way to find out.

When we got there, we were surprised to find that they had a children’s English tea that was Harry Potter themed. We changed plans and bought tickets for our kids. They did a terrific job with exception attention to detail. I think it helped that the teenagers volunteering to help run it were enthusiastic about being Harry Potter characters.

It was a great time and they had other things such as a petting zoo for the kids too.

As we were leaving, we noticed a book tent. It was mostly books, but there were also a lot of CDs and DVDs. I wasn’t too interested in the books… I have a few dozen on my shelf that I want to read that I will probably never get to.

I thought about the DVDs, but they seemed to be either movies that I had seen or ones that I didn’t have big interest in seeing. One of the exceptions was Rent. I figured it was probably worth a couple of dollars even though I’ve seen it a couple of times.

It was the end of the day. They didn’t want to haul all the books away. Instead they decided they’d sell a bag for 5 dollars and let people fill it with whatever they wanted in the tent. We jumped on the opportunity. My wife and I must have come away with 20 books (and the Rent DVD). We even got the SpongeBob SquarePants Movie Soundtrack for the kids. Yes, it’s a movie they haven’t seen, but maybe some day they will and we’ll be happy to have the DVD.

My books tended to be personal finance books and self-improvement books (fodder for Be Better Now). My wife’s books tended to be fiction books (typically ones that have been made into movies).

The lesson: While showing up early gives you the best picks of the litter, you can often score some big deals at the close as well. I’ve found that this works well for yard sales and farmer’s markets.

10 Free Winter Date Ideas

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Cabin fever is the worst, especially for romantics out there. Sure, bundling up by a roaring fireplace can be a nice treat, but what happens when that’s all you have or you can’t afford to do much else? Luckily for you, the season presents a ton of amazing free or super inexpensive date ideas just about everyone will love.

1. Sunset Watch

One of the worst parts of winter could become one of your favorite parts! With the sun going down so early, grab a blanket, find a spot on a hill, and invite your date to enjoy the sights. Bring hot tea or cocoa to up the romance.

2. The Local Tourist

In the winter, when kids are back in school, museums often feature free days or hours aimed at getting people in during the slow months. Take a day off and hit the exhibits before it becomes overpriced or too crowded to enjoy.

3. Antique Roadshow

If you love anything old, take to flea markets, bazaars, and shops to learn about America’s history. You don’t have to buy anything, but bring along a smartphone or WIFI enabled tablet so you can look up the maker or see the real value of that vintage tea seat or painting.

4. Old School Sledding

Have a little fun by going back in time to your childhood. Sledding isn’t just for kids! Grab a plastic saucer, a pool inner tube, a tray from a cafeteria (shhh…), or borrow a real sled and go crazy! It’s a winter amusement park waiting to happen.

5. Take a Class

When winter comes, smaller communities love to offer introductory classes. These may be in fitness, art, cooking, etc. Scan your Facebook page, local newspaper, or event website to see what’s going on in your area for free.

6. Bookworm Challenge

Love to read? Bring your date to the library and challenge them to pick out three books for you (and do the same for them). Then grab a table and have them tell you why you should read it. It may sound cheesey, but it’s a great way to open up and get some awesome reading recommendations too.

7. Indoor Cookout

Don’t bring the grill inside! Inside, turn up a fireplace or stand by a burner and create s’mores, hot dogs, or popcorn. Then snuggle up to a camping or outdoor movie to complete the feel. It’s a tasty treat that doesn’t require much in supplies or even too much creativity, but it’s always a fun change up on routines.

8. Get Intellectual

Once college is back in session, schools start packing their schedule with presenters and lecturers from all over the country. And most are free and open to the public! Try a music rehearsal with a famous conductor, sit in on a talk on human psychology with a famed author, or even learn about a new social issue from a visiting politician. You’ll leave with so much to talk about!

9. Bar Trivia

Bar trivia is a winter favorite of frugal people everywhere. It often only requires the purchase of one drink (stick with soda) to play, and you’ll love the competitiveness of it. Plus, who doesn’t want the chance to win gift cards, money, or other great prizes just by answering a few random questions correctly? This one is always a win for nerds and know-it-alls!

10. Score Free Tapping Tickets

If you live in a major city like New York or LA, you’re in luck! Shows filmed in your area are always looking for live audiences to fill their seats and provide laughter or even contestants. Luckily for us, all of that is free! You just need to reserve your spots online or over the phone and read the rules very carefully.

Major Money Mistakes: Things to Avoid When Adopting Your Frugal Way of Living

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The following is guest post by Connor Gray. He is known by his friends and family as Mr Frugal. He loves saving money, and helping others do the same, and writes for a variety of lifestyle and personal finance sites sharing his tips and tricks.

Being frugal is a great way to live. You will find that there are many ways you can save money while still enjoying yourself, providing you with a sense of satisfaction and a realization that you can make big savings when you want to.

However, there are a number of mistakes that you can end up making when you want to be more frugal, and here are six to avoid.

Mistake 1: Buying Inferior Products

When you start living a frugal lifestyle, you will want to spend less when you go to the shops. But while it makes perfect sense to spend less on cheaper products that are not particularly important, such as a cheaper brand of cereal, there are some times when you really should be spending more.

You’ve probably heard the phrase: “Pay peanuts, get monkeys.” Keep this in mind when you make an important purchase.

When you buy a new dishwasher or vacuum cleaner, this is something that you want to last. Quality products last longer. They cost more, but in the long term you save money because you spend less on fixing and replacing them, so know when to spend more to save more.

Mistake 2: Not Getting the Most from Your Existing Possessions

Look after what you have and get the very most out of your existing possessions. Sometimes there are simple ways to protect what you own. They involve spending more at the outset, but they can save you more in the long run.

For example, take the car seat protectors from Shear Comfort. Buying them involves a cost, but you can protect your car seats and keep them in good condition. Then when you come to selling your car, this could help you to get a better price for it.

Sometimes you really do have to spend money to save money, and the trick is knowing where to spend your money.

Mistake 3: Buying Too Much Just Because It’s Cheap

Don’t make the mistake of assuming that just because things are cheap, you can buy more of them.

You may see a great deal on food at the supermarket, and it’s so cheap that you end up buying it because it’s cheap rather than because you need it.

But you’ll either eat something you don’t need, or end up throwing it away. So always ask yourself whether you really need something before you buy it.

Mistake 4: Creating More Problems through DIY

DIY can be a great way to save some money. Doing things yourself rather than hiring someone to do the job for you is very sensible. But there are times when it makes more financial sense to pay for professional services.

Know your abilities because DIY mistakes can be very costly. If you don’t have the skills, don’t attempt to fix everything yourself. You could end up causing more damage, and then you’ll have to pay for a professional as well as paying extra to fix the damage.

Mistake 5: Spending Just Because You Have a Coupon

Coupons can be very attractive, but many people make mistakes when it comes to using them. There is often a need to use the coupon even if you don’t really need the product on offer. You may think that it is an offer too good to refuse, but remember that you will usually be spending money. Again, ask yourself whether you really need the product in the first place.

Mistake 6: Forgetting to Enjoy Yourself

The most common mistake of all is being so frugal that you forget to enjoy yourself. Being frugal is great, and it can be very satisfying. But that does not mean you should stop enjoying life. Treat yourself and your family, know when to spend slightly more on a special event or day out, and don’t miss out on all the fun things in life that involve spending a bit more money.

Save Money and Be Happy

These are all some of the most common mistakes that you can make when attempting to live a more frugal existence. Avoid these and you will spend less and get more enjoyment from your new frugal lifestyle.

Buy Jars for Gifts at the Grocery Store Instead of the Craft Store

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This time last year, I was looking to make creative, inexpensive Christmas gifts and needed several small jars to do it. In the past, I’ve bought Mason jars at the hardware store, so I went there first. The 12-pack wasn’t too expensive — just under $1 per jar — but I only needed four, and sold individually, the jars were double the price.

I tried the craft store, the craft section of a big box store, even a discount store, and found that small, decorative jars were never cheap — in some cases, they were even more expensive than big jars!

As a last resort, my now-fiance and I went to a grocery store and split up to find the crafts section. A few minutes in, I received a text message from him: “Come quick to aisle 11! They’ve got small jars for only 44 cents!”

I walked over and was surprised to find him among the diapers and baby powder, scanning the shelves excitedly.

“Only 44 cents… AND THEY’VE GOT BABY FOOD INSIDE THAT WE CAN EAT!”

The store, which normally sold baby food for 88 cents, was having a two-for-one sale.

The jars were perfect — the right size for my application and a cute pear-shape, which was presumably intended to accommodate little hands but that made them all the more charming). And with flavors like apple, mixed berry, and pear (no sugar and no preservatives), we were also getting a cheap, healthy snack.

I thought of how many glass jars we’d just left out with our recycling over the last six months. If we had planned in advance, we probably could have gotten a hodgepodge of small jars for free just by saving them.

Plus, reusing stuff is also better for the planet. Sometimes, a bit of creativity goes a long way!

How to clean off the labels

I’ve found that the stickiness of the label varies widely depending on the manufacturer. It can be a real pain to get these off just by peeling. Here’s what I do.

Boil some water, fill up the jar, then let it sit for a few minutes. The hot water will heat up the adhesive and make it easier to work with the label.

Carefully pour out the water, then rip off as much of the label and adhesive as you can with your bare hands. Of what’s left, wash as much as you can with warm, soapy water.

If you’ve got a really tough label, try Goo Gone or nail polish remover with acetone. Both remove adhesive in seconds.

How to clean out the smell from the inside

Depending on what used to be in the jars and what you’ll use the jars for, there’s a chance you may not want the old smell to carry over.

I first give the insides a good scrub with warm, soapy water. Then, I stuff the jars with newspapers and a few tablespoons of baking soda, and let them sit overnight to absorb as much of the smell as possible.

If the smell still isn’t gone, I pull out the nuclear option: fill 1/4 of the jar with white vinegar. I can tell you from personal experience that white vinegar will pretty much knock out any offensive smell.

After you’ve done all this wash and rinse the jar out thoroughly. Then add whatever it is you like — loose-leaf tea, homemade jam, candy. The only limit is your imagination ;-)

Easy Ways to Cut Down on Gym Costs

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Starting a workout routine can be one of the best gifts we give ourselves. It improves our physical health and mental wellbeing. However, if you’re looking to join a gym or even take a few classes, you may be surprised at the cost. Between equipment, race bibs, subscriptions, drop-in fees, and memberships, being physical comes at a price. Fortunately, there are ways you can cut down on gym prices without missing a workout.

5 Ways to Cut Down on Gym Prices

Class-Hop

For those living in cities or larger towns, you are likely aware of social deals such as Groupon and LivingSocial, which offer discounts on activities and local goods. One of the most popular deals are for gyms and classes – especially when you buy in bulk.

While most of these only last a month, you can become a “class-hopper,” going where the deals take you. Each month, purchase another bulk deal on a gym membership or drop-in card as a new client. You’ll save 30-40% or more – a huge savings when you consider that gym and class memberships often cost $80 or more per month!

Save at Home

Gyms aren’t the only way to stay fit. If you don’t live near a workout facility or can’t get away, try internet workouts! YouTube, SparkPeople, and MyFitnessPal are all free sites that provide users with short workout videos or even home exercise lists that anyone can do without gym equipment.

That being said, you must be careful when trusting a YouTube or other popular video instructor. They may not be as qualified as you think. For peace of mind, consider investing in online programs that guarantee high-quality instructors that have been vetted. I personally love my monthly membership to an online yoga studio where I can learn from various teachers. Prices range from $15-25/month with unlimited sessions, which is significantly less than even one yoga class a week at my favorite studio!

Let Tech Take Over

Sometimes, the best workouts are the simplest ones. Staying active throughout the day can make a huge difference to your health and even assist you in losing weight. That is why one of the most popular fitness tech items out there is the FitBit. In the past, you would need to purchase a heart rate monitor, pedometer, food tracker, and more to make up what this one nifty device does. Even the older versions such as the Flex work great and are steals compared to the latest version!

But I really love the FitBit because it shows just how much I can do at home. It gives me encouragement to get up and move, and I never feel pressured to go to the gym to meet my goals. The option to workout and even compete against friends breaks me of the social need to attend a class.

Experiment With New Fads

From circus pilates to dodge ball leagues, fun new classes are popping up at gyms all over North America. The best part about them (besides being a ton of fun) is that they’re inexpensive! That is because, unlike Zumba or Barre, these classes are relatively untested or beloved. Teachers often put up trial classes to see what the interest level is before offering it to a wider audience. Take advantage of these testers to see if you like it enough to pay the full price and to get in a unique workout without the boutique prices you’d pay down the line.

Train With a Student

Personal training is a great investment on long term health, but training fees can be outrageous, especially if you want to work out with someone licensed or with great credentials. But all of those super star trainers and athletes had to start somewhere!

Many colleges and universities that offer degrees in athletic training, physical therapy, or exercise science need their students to have hands on learning experiences with their own students. Signing up to be a guinea pig doesn’t mean you’ll be stuck with a newbie as more than likely, you’ll get the help of not only the knowledgeable student, but also the professor with years of experience.

Your health doesn’t have to cost you a fortune. Instead of cutting down on your workouts, look for creative ways to get your sweat on without opening your wallet.