Those of you who have suffered this blog for awhile are fully aware of my profound disdain for Monsanto. They are the makers of Agent Orange and the suers of small farmers throughout North America. They own the agriculture school at my Alma mater and dictate what research occurs there. Most importantly, they are currently using you, me, our collective children and the only planet we have in the largest biological experiment in the whole of human history. Did you know that? Most folks don't. You'd think we'd be informed if we were part of a big, scary, uncontrolled experiment. Sometimes, moments like this make me wonder--Does the United States government work for me or corporations?
Anyhow, if Satan is alive and well, my friends, he is walking among us under the name Monsanto. You can learn more about Monsanto's Big Scary Ass Experiment in the documentary, The Future of Food. Just click on the link and watch for free. Thank you, Hulu!
Before you start railing at me for being a conspiracy theory nut or some other type of alarmist, please know that while visiting my college about 15 years ago, Normal Borlaug, the Nobel Laureate responsible for the Green Revolution, noted that our global food supply was in the hands of a frighteningly small number of multi-national corporations. His opinion of this fact? "It's dangerous. Very dangerous." If a dude who has received much acclaim and derision over his work in creating mega farms and supporting big agriculture is telling us to watch our backs, we need to pay attention.
I beg of thee, support small, local farms through farmer's markets and Community Supported Agriculture. Contact your representatives and let them know you want GMO labeling on all food products. Support Slow Food if you can afford it. Monocultures in and corporate monopolies of our food supply is dangerous. Patenting life is unethical. Behold! Satan is among us and we need to tear that mofo down.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Earth Day Goodies
Happy Mama Earth Day! This post is a bit of a hodge podge. I do hope you find something useful!
Update:
Verizon explained that in Nevada and California, they are required to charge sales tax differently. They were kind enough to send me some verbiage from California's tax code. The language is...well, tax language. So, I'm taking it to someone I know who understands the foreign language of tax law and see what he says. Onward, ho!
Groovy Stuff:
A Beautiful Ripple Effect is a lovely blog written by a lovely woman who is (you guessed it!) promoting a lovely cause. Carolyn, the author of A Beautiful Ripple Effect, also runs a non-profit called Carolyn's Compassionate Children (CCC). CCC does some wonderful things for young adult cancer survivors. Check out her ebay auction event. Although I'm not in favor of mindless spending, I am in favor of supporting good causes. It's a win-win if you can support a cause by purchasing something you need.
Plus, I just love ebay. I have found the best deals EVAH! on that site and instead of supporting Wal-Hell or some other box store nightmare, I am giving my bucks to an individual. Awesome.
Here's another thing you might find useful. BluntMoney has created a new application (can you believe that? How cool!) to help you get out of debt while you mess around with your iPhone. I don't have an iPhone and I'm a tech moron. However, I do use certain internet sites to help me with my quest to get out of debt. They can be great tools. Check it out!
And finally, in honor of the glory that is our Mama Earth, I implore you to reduce, reuse, repurpose, and recycle. There is no such thing as "away." Keep that in mind next time you want to toss something that can be reused, repurposed to do something else or recycled. Landfills suck. Let's do all we can to stop adding to them, okay?
To learn how to recycle just about anything, check out Real Simple magazine's Recycling 101 page. To find a recycling center near you, check out Earth911.com.
Update:
Verizon explained that in Nevada and California, they are required to charge sales tax differently. They were kind enough to send me some verbiage from California's tax code. The language is...well, tax language. So, I'm taking it to someone I know who understands the foreign language of tax law and see what he says. Onward, ho!
Groovy Stuff:
A Beautiful Ripple Effect is a lovely blog written by a lovely woman who is (you guessed it!) promoting a lovely cause. Carolyn, the author of A Beautiful Ripple Effect, also runs a non-profit called Carolyn's Compassionate Children (CCC). CCC does some wonderful things for young adult cancer survivors. Check out her ebay auction event. Although I'm not in favor of mindless spending, I am in favor of supporting good causes. It's a win-win if you can support a cause by purchasing something you need.
Plus, I just love ebay. I have found the best deals EVAH! on that site and instead of supporting Wal-Hell or some other box store nightmare, I am giving my bucks to an individual. Awesome.
Here's another thing you might find useful. BluntMoney has created a new application (can you believe that? How cool!) to help you get out of debt while you mess around with your iPhone. I don't have an iPhone and I'm a tech moron. However, I do use certain internet sites to help me with my quest to get out of debt. They can be great tools. Check it out!
And finally, in honor of the glory that is our Mama Earth, I implore you to reduce, reuse, repurpose, and recycle. There is no such thing as "away." Keep that in mind next time you want to toss something that can be reused, repurposed to do something else or recycled. Landfills suck. Let's do all we can to stop adding to them, okay?
To learn how to recycle just about anything, check out Real Simple magazine's Recycling 101 page. To find a recycling center near you, check out Earth911.com.
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Smells Like Fraud
Yesterday I took my very basic, no bells or whistles cell phone into the Verizon shop to be replaced. Since I rarely use the damned thing, I have the least expensive plan available. One of the perks of said plan is that I get a new phone, free of charge, every two years.
Yet somehow I walked out of the store with a $50 charge. Oh, no problem, I thought. I'll just get that rebate the sales clerk mentioned. But wait! There was no rebate information in the bag. I called, we argued, I returned to the store, demanded the free phone and ended up walking out of the store with the same phone for free. Well, sort of. I still had to pay $20 in sales tax.
Ya see, Verizon charges sales tax even for a free phone. And here's the real shocker--they charge sales tax on the suggested retail price, not the actual transaction price. The phone I received normally costs $40 after numerous discounts off the more than $200 suggest retail price. Trust me, in no country on this green earth would this basic cell phone sell for $200.
How is this legal? Well, that's just it. I don't think it is. It makes me wonder, is Verizon charging their 80 million customers an inflated sales tax only to pay the government tax based on actual sales instead of suggested retail price sales? If so, how much are they banking on this fraud? Is anyone else getting excited about the possibility of a class action lawsuit? And if by some stroke of madness this is legal, what the hell are we going to do if businesses can get away with charging us tax based on fictional prices?
Oh, don't worry. I'll investigate before I call Denny Crane. I'm starting with an email to the company and will keep you posted. But the point of this long tale is this--pay attention and complain like hell. More often than not, it can save you a bundle. In some cases, it can save millions of folks a bundle!
Yet somehow I walked out of the store with a $50 charge. Oh, no problem, I thought. I'll just get that rebate the sales clerk mentioned. But wait! There was no rebate information in the bag. I called, we argued, I returned to the store, demanded the free phone and ended up walking out of the store with the same phone for free. Well, sort of. I still had to pay $20 in sales tax.
Ya see, Verizon charges sales tax even for a free phone. And here's the real shocker--they charge sales tax on the suggested retail price, not the actual transaction price. The phone I received normally costs $40 after numerous discounts off the more than $200 suggest retail price. Trust me, in no country on this green earth would this basic cell phone sell for $200.
How is this legal? Well, that's just it. I don't think it is. It makes me wonder, is Verizon charging their 80 million customers an inflated sales tax only to pay the government tax based on actual sales instead of suggested retail price sales? If so, how much are they banking on this fraud? Is anyone else getting excited about the possibility of a class action lawsuit? And if by some stroke of madness this is legal, what the hell are we going to do if businesses can get away with charging us tax based on fictional prices?
Oh, don't worry. I'll investigate before I call Denny Crane. I'm starting with an email to the company and will keep you posted. But the point of this long tale is this--pay attention and complain like hell. More often than not, it can save you a bundle. In some cases, it can save millions of folks a bundle!
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
This Little Light of Mine
A friend recently posed the question, "Do you ever find yourself not reaching for your full potential?" She was talking specifically about work and money, as she noted that in the past she would "shrink herself" so as not to make more money than her significant other, thus potentially damaging his ego, or diminishing her accomplishments for fear of hurting friends' egos.
Unfortunately, I have to answer yes to her question, and I think it's not a terribly uncommon trait in women. It makes me wonder, to what extent does this kind of behavior hurt us? How much do our portfolios lose when we choose not to take that promotion for fear of "emasculating" our men? What do we really lose when we forgo the risk of starting a business or pitching an idea because some friend, in a moment of insecurity, bashed our perfectly good idea?
Of course there are times when taking that promotion would translate into a fatter wallet but a decline in our quality of life due to late hours or increased commuting time. But what about the times when we simply don't want to make others unhappy? Are we really helping that other person or confirming that their insecurities are valid? It's as if we're saying, Why yes, dear husband! You AREN'T man enough! Let me just diminish myself a bit so that we can fake your prowess a bit longer. Or, you're absolutely correct dear friend! I AM more talented than you! I'll just choke on this idea so that you don't have to be reminded of that fact.
Her question felt like a dose of cold water, because at the end of the day, I'm both a lover of frugal living and of making money. To make choices that hurt my financial security for the sake of fragile egos of others is asinine. Granted, much of what I do is asinine, but this? Well, I think the next time I feel like shrinking, I'll decide to shine instead. I have a feeling delicate egos will learn how to cope. If they don't, ah well. I'd rather hold a bright light and a fat retirement account than a cold compress for ailing egos.
Unfortunately, I have to answer yes to her question, and I think it's not a terribly uncommon trait in women. It makes me wonder, to what extent does this kind of behavior hurt us? How much do our portfolios lose when we choose not to take that promotion for fear of "emasculating" our men? What do we really lose when we forgo the risk of starting a business or pitching an idea because some friend, in a moment of insecurity, bashed our perfectly good idea?
Of course there are times when taking that promotion would translate into a fatter wallet but a decline in our quality of life due to late hours or increased commuting time. But what about the times when we simply don't want to make others unhappy? Are we really helping that other person or confirming that their insecurities are valid? It's as if we're saying, Why yes, dear husband! You AREN'T man enough! Let me just diminish myself a bit so that we can fake your prowess a bit longer. Or, you're absolutely correct dear friend! I AM more talented than you! I'll just choke on this idea so that you don't have to be reminded of that fact.
Her question felt like a dose of cold water, because at the end of the day, I'm both a lover of frugal living and of making money. To make choices that hurt my financial security for the sake of fragile egos of others is asinine. Granted, much of what I do is asinine, but this? Well, I think the next time I feel like shrinking, I'll decide to shine instead. I have a feeling delicate egos will learn how to cope. If they don't, ah well. I'd rather hold a bright light and a fat retirement account than a cold compress for ailing egos.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Buddha on the Mountain Top
A few weeks back I had an unsettling encounter with a woman with whom I had hoped to start a simplicity circle. We attended a women's group together, where proper parameters were not put in place. As a result, there was a bit of cross talk among the group and this well-intentioned soul told me I should leave my beloved after I made two statements about a frustrating, but hardly catastrophic, topic. I was floored. The audacity!
After some discussion among group members, we decided not to invite her back. It wasn't so much that she offered presumptuous and unsolicited advice (to everyone). As one friend said, "Oh, c'mon. She's a raw-food vegan. She's goddamned Buddha on the mountain top."
It's hard to engage in any kind of equal exchange with someone who has all the answers. Lord knows I have been an annoying twat who knows everything, particularly during my 20s, where such behavior is fairly common (although I'm sure plenty of people would argue that I'm still very much a jackass know-it-all). Although to be honest, this woman was old enough to be my mother! But for most, it seems to dissipate with age, as the older we get, the more we seem to be comfortable with the questions and not so determined that there must always be a right answer. As I get older, I find that choices have replaced answers and there will always be more questions than either.
So, what the hell does all this bitching and blabbering have to do with personal finance and the frugal life? Well, living frugally in a socially conscious manner is the calling card of Buddhas on the Mountain Tops. Self-professed experts abound. Platitudes and rash generalizations are tossed about like truths. One way becomes the right way.
When we carry around a messianic complex or have the arrogance to assume we're the solution to all that ails society (surely I'm not alone in having these absurd beliefs in my head?), it can be very hard to have an open mind and pay attention to new ideas or come to terms with how some ideas we're carrying around might be foolish or lacking in genuine critical thought. Economic systems and personal and collective responsibility are very complex subjects. How can any one soul be perfectly right?
I say all this because I have caught myself assuming I know everything, not thinking critically about some idea I hold dear, or found myself handing over my ability to think about a topic to someone I consider an expert. I believe Miss M said it best, "it's a constantly evolving process."
Although, of course, if you get it all figured out, I'd love to know. I'm just fumbling along here, doing the best I can, in spite of my frequent idiocy. Plus, it'd be really cool to meet the Buddha.
After some discussion among group members, we decided not to invite her back. It wasn't so much that she offered presumptuous and unsolicited advice (to everyone). As one friend said, "Oh, c'mon. She's a raw-food vegan. She's goddamned Buddha on the mountain top."
It's hard to engage in any kind of equal exchange with someone who has all the answers. Lord knows I have been an annoying twat who knows everything, particularly during my 20s, where such behavior is fairly common (although I'm sure plenty of people would argue that I'm still very much a jackass know-it-all). Although to be honest, this woman was old enough to be my mother! But for most, it seems to dissipate with age, as the older we get, the more we seem to be comfortable with the questions and not so determined that there must always be a right answer. As I get older, I find that choices have replaced answers and there will always be more questions than either.
So, what the hell does all this bitching and blabbering have to do with personal finance and the frugal life? Well, living frugally in a socially conscious manner is the calling card of Buddhas on the Mountain Tops. Self-professed experts abound. Platitudes and rash generalizations are tossed about like truths. One way becomes the right way.
When we carry around a messianic complex or have the arrogance to assume we're the solution to all that ails society (surely I'm not alone in having these absurd beliefs in my head?), it can be very hard to have an open mind and pay attention to new ideas or come to terms with how some ideas we're carrying around might be foolish or lacking in genuine critical thought. Economic systems and personal and collective responsibility are very complex subjects. How can any one soul be perfectly right?
I say all this because I have caught myself assuming I know everything, not thinking critically about some idea I hold dear, or found myself handing over my ability to think about a topic to someone I consider an expert. I believe Miss M said it best, "it's a constantly evolving process."
Although, of course, if you get it all figured out, I'd love to know. I'm just fumbling along here, doing the best I can, in spite of my frequent idiocy. Plus, it'd be really cool to meet the Buddha.
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Buying in Bulk
I know I've mentioned this 1,001 times, but it's a topic worth mentioning 15,101 times. Buying in bulk can be a great way to save. Before you protest, yes I know about the studies that show folks who buy large quantities tend to use more. But those people are not frugal ninjas like us, mmkay? Fear not. You have the skills of self-control. Well, at least in some areas.
I save money by buying staples in bulk when items are on sale. Having a price book on hand will help with the whole, "is this actually a good deal?" dilemma. And by staples, I don't mean just flour and dried beans. I'm talking shampoo, soap, bras, chocolate and booze...and other things I probably shouldn't mention. Don't judge me.
Although getting a great deal on a massive quantity of stuff is one of the best highs out there, it can be a little impractical to get a 50 pound bag of dried black beans if you're single and live in a 300 square foot apartment in New York (which would set you back, what? $15 million a month?). Although it's easy to find extra storage space in unlikely places--think under the bed, in the linen closet, etc.--there are times when too much of a good thing is simply too much of a good thing.
That's where buying clubs and simplicity circles come in handy. You and a handful of other radtastic folks get together, pool your resources and split the bounty. (Speaking of which, I need a Los Angeles-Long Beach buying club. Anybody? Anybody?)
I've been hunting for ages for the cheapest possible sources of organic goodness for my pantry and found a couple of online resources, because the only bulk foods store in my area is the uber expensive Whole Foods. I miss my days living among the Amish and Mennonite folks in the uber cheap Midwest. Alas, concrete and smog called me.
Keep in mind, these prices don't include shipping, although they do offer specials for large orders. If you've found any other great bulk buying options, please let me know!
Bulk Whole Foods
USA Emergency Supply (for the paranoid Armageddon obsessed)
Outside of just buying a mother load while an item is on sale, other ways to save while buying in bulk include:
Booze by the case;
U-pick farms in peak season--freeze or can what can't be eaten in a timely fashion;
Purchasing a half or whole dead animal;
Group equipment rental or purchase, i.e. every house on the block pools money together to buy a lawn mower and rotates use of it, or rents a steam cleaner for the day; and
Asking. Ask the sales folk if you can get a discount if you buy something in bulk. It's amazing what great deals you can get by simply asking for them.
Have you found any other clever ways to save while buying in bulk? If so, let us know!
I save money by buying staples in bulk when items are on sale. Having a price book on hand will help with the whole, "is this actually a good deal?" dilemma. And by staples, I don't mean just flour and dried beans. I'm talking shampoo, soap, bras, chocolate and booze...and other things I probably shouldn't mention. Don't judge me.
Although getting a great deal on a massive quantity of stuff is one of the best highs out there, it can be a little impractical to get a 50 pound bag of dried black beans if you're single and live in a 300 square foot apartment in New York (which would set you back, what? $15 million a month?). Although it's easy to find extra storage space in unlikely places--think under the bed, in the linen closet, etc.--there are times when too much of a good thing is simply too much of a good thing.
That's where buying clubs and simplicity circles come in handy. You and a handful of other radtastic folks get together, pool your resources and split the bounty. (Speaking of which, I need a Los Angeles-Long Beach buying club. Anybody? Anybody?)
I've been hunting for ages for the cheapest possible sources of organic goodness for my pantry and found a couple of online resources, because the only bulk foods store in my area is the uber expensive Whole Foods. I miss my days living among the Amish and Mennonite folks in the uber cheap Midwest. Alas, concrete and smog called me.
Keep in mind, these prices don't include shipping, although they do offer specials for large orders. If you've found any other great bulk buying options, please let me know!
Bulk Whole Foods
USA Emergency Supply (for the paranoid Armageddon obsessed)
Outside of just buying a mother load while an item is on sale, other ways to save while buying in bulk include:
Booze by the case;
U-pick farms in peak season--freeze or can what can't be eaten in a timely fashion;
Purchasing a half or whole dead animal;
Group equipment rental or purchase, i.e. every house on the block pools money together to buy a lawn mower and rotates use of it, or rents a steam cleaner for the day; and
Asking. Ask the sales folk if you can get a discount if you buy something in bulk. It's amazing what great deals you can get by simply asking for them.
Have you found any other clever ways to save while buying in bulk? If so, let us know!
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Your Savings is My Heart Attack
I read several personal finance blogs, and I've noticed that I differ greatly from many of my peers in some areas. Several of my favorite bloggers will write about great bargains they've found. They'll dance with glee across the page, noting some massive savings on a gorgeous item.
Instead of rejoicing with them, I usually find myself shrieking in horror and reaching for the nitro to calm my impending heart attack. I can't count the times I've hollered "S/he paid what for what?!" while glued to a computer screen.
When it comes to clothing and accessories, most women I know count savings in used vs. new or sale vs. full price. I count savings in purchases not made. I balk at the notion of paying more than $5 for anything at a thrift store. I am from the Midwest, after all, and we are a cheap people.
On the flip side, I know people who think I'm completely insane for throwing hefty wads of cash down for a bison roast at the farmer's market. They think I'm foolish for caring about the quality of life of a big dumb animal (please do not insert any frat boys into that image) before I kill it and eat it.
It all confirms my belief that how we spend our money reflects our values. Although I love pretty clothes and accessories, they're not very high on my priority list. Growing up in farm country laid the foundation for a house built on concern for farming practices and food distribution systems. How I spend my money, where I hunt for deals, and what I consider to be a great buy and/or worth the money reflects that.
Yet many people spend in a way that is completely detached from their values. They may care deeply about their children's education but invest little in learning tools while coughing up cash for crap TV every month. Another soul may think mass transit is the answer to all that ails us, yet never takes the bus.
It's another reason why I love the program in Your Money or Your Life by Joe Dominguez and Vicki Robin. The book asks readers to track spending and asks a series of questions regarding purchases made in each category, one of which centers on values. It's worth thinking about--does your spending and your subsequent glee at finding a good deal reflect your core values? If not, why doesn't it? What changes could you make in your spending to better reflect what's genuinely important to you?
Instead of rejoicing with them, I usually find myself shrieking in horror and reaching for the nitro to calm my impending heart attack. I can't count the times I've hollered "S/he paid what for what?!" while glued to a computer screen.
When it comes to clothing and accessories, most women I know count savings in used vs. new or sale vs. full price. I count savings in purchases not made. I balk at the notion of paying more than $5 for anything at a thrift store. I am from the Midwest, after all, and we are a cheap people.
On the flip side, I know people who think I'm completely insane for throwing hefty wads of cash down for a bison roast at the farmer's market. They think I'm foolish for caring about the quality of life of a big dumb animal (please do not insert any frat boys into that image) before I kill it and eat it.
It all confirms my belief that how we spend our money reflects our values. Although I love pretty clothes and accessories, they're not very high on my priority list. Growing up in farm country laid the foundation for a house built on concern for farming practices and food distribution systems. How I spend my money, where I hunt for deals, and what I consider to be a great buy and/or worth the money reflects that.
Yet many people spend in a way that is completely detached from their values. They may care deeply about their children's education but invest little in learning tools while coughing up cash for crap TV every month. Another soul may think mass transit is the answer to all that ails us, yet never takes the bus.
It's another reason why I love the program in Your Money or Your Life by Joe Dominguez and Vicki Robin. The book asks readers to track spending and asks a series of questions regarding purchases made in each category, one of which centers on values. It's worth thinking about--does your spending and your subsequent glee at finding a good deal reflect your core values? If not, why doesn't it? What changes could you make in your spending to better reflect what's genuinely important to you?
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