http://scfr.savingadvice.com info@savingadvice.com scfr en-us http://scfr.savingadvice.com/2009/10/20/oh-i-wish-i-had-a-crystal-ball-_54466/ Credit cards' days seem to be numbered ...<br /> How will consumers pay in the future?<br /> <br /> Will we go back to writing checks? If so, maybe I should buy stock in Deluxe or Current!<br /> <br /> I'll bet, tho, that some new form of payment will emerge ... Wish I could be the one to invent it!<br /> <br /> (Sorry... Tue, 20 Oct 2009 18:20:39 PST persimmon_juice@yahoo.com (scfr) http://scfr.savingadvice.com/2009/10/07/putting-my-money-where-my-mouth-is_54170/ <a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704471504574448033489885784.html" target="_blank">http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1000142405274870447150457444...</a><br /> <br /> Financial Integrity, scfr style ...<br /> <br /> Started my own little personal boycott.<br /> No more Miramax Films movies for me. I'm also boycotting the films of the directors mentioned in this article, and will boycott the films of any other directors who sign this petition as I learn about them. I just went through my Netflix Queue and hit the delete button as needed. <br /> I know my boycott won't matter one little bit to these guys (I get DVDs from the library & my 2-a-month Netflix subscription and I go to the movie theater only once or twice a year), but if I am to spend my money in a way that is consistent with my values, I can't allow a single penny of mine to go to them.<br /> <br /> Since when is raping a 13 year old child excusable? When I think of myself at 13 (the farthest I had "gone" with a boy was holding hands while skating around the roller rink) it makes me feel ill to think about what that poor child endured. That anyone would come to Polanski's defense by minimizing the seriousness of the crimes and suggesting that he be given a pass because he is an "artiste" is just disturbing.<br /> <br /> Why am I not boycotting the actors and anyone else who signs the petition? Well, with all due respect to any actors who might read this, I accept that some people are more naive and swayed by what others around them are doing. But these directors are SMART GUYS ... They should know better!<br /> <br /> I have not yet decided how long my boycott will last. Ideally it will be for as long as Polanski's jail term would have been had he not slithered away on his belly. <br /> <br /> P.S. - Maybe I'll replace the movies I deleted with Chris Rock films:<br /> <a href="http://www.wgem.com/Global/story.asp?S=11258100" target="_blank">http://www.wgem.com/Global/story.asp?S=11258100</a> Wed, 07 Oct 2009 20:55:06 PST persimmon_juice@yahoo.com (scfr) http://scfr.savingadvice.com/2009/09/26/eye-exam-glasses-interpreting-irs-rules_53868/ Yesterday I got my eyes examined & ordered 2 new pairs of glasses. I got the 2nd pair for when I'm using the computer. It has been suggested in the past that I get a 2nd pair, but this go round the eye doc just flatout said that I need a 2nd pair and explained that my focusing muscles... Sat, 26 Sep 2009 09:02:30 PST persimmon_juice@yahoo.com (scfr) http://scfr.savingadvice.com/2009/09/23/lots-of-decisions-and-some-bold-moves_53811/ 1. Estate Documents: Decided to go for a DIY simple will instead of a trust. I think a trust would be better, but I don't have the confidence to do one on my own. After reading as many reviews as I could find, decided to use NOLO. Ordered their Simple Will book plus CD, and their... Wed, 23 Sep 2009 19:18:11 PST persimmon_juice@yahoo.com (scfr) http://scfr.savingadvice.com/2009/09/21/fun-fairly-frugal-weekend_53755/ Saturday I spent all day at a volunteer event ... hard work but also social & rewarding & fun.<br /> <br /> Sunday DH & I went to Asia Cafe where we spent $17 total (including tax) on a great Szechuan Chinese lunch. It's counter service so there is no tipping. The food is great; best Chinese... Mon, 21 Sep 2009 18:17:23 PST persimmon_juice@yahoo.com (scfr) http://scfr.savingadvice.com/2009/09/13/some-major-compromising-going-on-_53584/ As mentioned in my last post, on Thursday we met with an estate planning attorney. DH & I talked about it a bit on Friday, mostly me asking if he wanted to proceed and him saying "maybe later ...I want to think about it a bit more." On Saturday I came to the conclusion that DH was... Sun, 13 Sep 2009 20:28:02 PST persimmon_juice@yahoo.com (scfr) http://scfr.savingadvice.com/2009/09/10/getting-older-sure-beats-the-alternative_53533/ Today DH & I had a consultation with an attorney who specializes in estate plans. Tho it's been almost 2 years since we moved to Texas, I wanted to wait until after we had purchased a house to re-do our estate documents. DH is a bit flabbergasted at the cost (we really should go... Thu, 10 Sep 2009 16:49:05 PST persimmon_juice@yahoo.com (scfr) http://scfr.savingadvice.com/2009/09/05/free-coloring-pages_53416/ For all the parents, homeschoolers, teachers, and adults who like to color, this is a pretty cool site:<br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.coloringcastle.com/" target="_blank">http://www.coloringcastle.com/</a><br /> <br /> (I discovered it when putting together "informational packets" for our 7 relatives who will be visiting from overseas. I wanted simple & clear maps of the USA & Texas, so they could get a sense of where Austin is. The maps on this site fit the bill exactly.) Sat, 05 Sep 2009 10:31:48 PST persimmon_juice@yahoo.com (scfr) http://scfr.savingadvice.com/2009/09/04/family-visit-will-be-fun-and-a-bit-overw_53402/ I've mentioned that my in-laws were planning to come for a visit. FIL just got the go-ahead from his doctor, so it's official, they are coming in November.<br /> <br /> I think I mentioned that a few aunties & uncles decided to tag along, so we were expecting a group of 4-5.<br /> <br /> Last night DH... Fri, 04 Sep 2009 15:25:28 PST persimmon_juice@yahoo.com (scfr) http://scfr.savingadvice.com/2009/08/31/i-shot-an-arrow-into-the-air-_53304/ It fell to earth, and I DO know where!<br /> (Apologies to Henry Wadsworth Longfellow)<br /> <br /> 5 years ago DH wanted to source some new product for his business. I researched companies and recommended he buy from "Company XYZ" (which he did, and he still does business with them). 3 years... Mon, 31 Aug 2009 16:59:47 PST persimmon_juice@yahoo.com (scfr) http://scfr.savingadvice.com/2009/08/30/my-workouts-are-on-the-house_53279/ My "workouts" this weekend included...<br /> <br /> 1. Watering my little veggie garden<br /> 2. Giving my dog a bath<br /> 3. Walks with above-mentioned clean dog<br /> 4. A bit of routine housework and laundry<br /> 5. Cleaning out all the window tracks (The grimy parts that are under the bottoms of the... Sun, 30 Aug 2009 15:19:24 PST persimmon_juice@yahoo.com (scfr) http://scfr.savingadvice.com/2009/08/26/interesting-comment-from-chase-branch-ma_53193/ When I went in to close my account at Chase, the staffer (I think she was a manager) asked why, and I replied that it was because of the rate I was earning. She asked me "did you find a better rate at a Credit Union?" Hmm...interesting. Thought I'd share for anyone who has yet... Wed, 26 Aug 2009 09:32:44 PST persimmon_juice@yahoo.com (scfr) http://scfr.savingadvice.com/2009/08/23/all-veggies-herbs-planted-just-in-time-f_53123/ All my containers are planted.<br /> <br /> Previously Planted:<br /> Green Onions<br /> Romaine Mix<br /> <br /> Planted Today:<br /> - Basil<br /> - Chives<br /> - Okra (Clemson Spineless, the type used in gumbo, not a vine ... thanks for the clarification Joan.of.the.Arch ... In my mind I was thinking "vine" because I need... Sun, 23 Aug 2009 10:32:15 PST persimmon_juice@yahoo.com (scfr) http://scfr.savingadvice.com/2009/08/20/kitchen-garden-part-2-grounded-in-realit_53066/ A couple weeks ago I did an entry called "Kitchen Garden Dreaming":<br /> <br /> <a href="http://scfr.savingadvice.com/2009/08/02/kitchen-garden-dreaming_52684/" target="_blank">http://scfr.savingadvice.com/2009/08/02/kitchen-garden-dream...</a><br /> <br /> Welcome to the new Kitchen Garden Part 2: Grounded In Reality.<br /> <br /> Dreaming is great. That's the phase of any plan when you can let your imagine run wild and ... really THINK BIG. But sooner or later (hopefully) reality sinks in and you make decisions that are, tho inspired by the dream, based on what is practical. (For example, when I was furniture shopping, I did allow myself flights of fancy, looking at $4K dining room sets and ostrich leather Williams-Sonoma beds ... yes, really <img src="http://www.savingadvice.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif" alt="Smile" /> ... It helped me crystalize in my mind what I wanted ... but eventually I came down to earth and bought pieces that would allow me to furnish an entire house attractively for less than what one of the dreamy pieces of furniture would have cost.)<br /> <br /> So, in order to avoid having to get permission from the HOA (which would slow down the process and probably mean not being able to start a garden this fall), to GREATLY reduce startup costs, to eliminate worry about how our automatic sprinkler system would fit with a veggie garden, and to take in to account that fact that I am still a newbie gardener and don't know how successful I am going to be, I have decided to go for a modified container garden. <br /> <br /> Yesterday I got a large & attractive container on clearance at Lowe's. This morning I planted green onions & a romaine mix in it. I also plan to repurpose 3 plastic black industrial-looking trash cans by having DH drill holes in the bottom and bury them half-way underground (camoflauged from the street by some taller bushes) and I will plant 2 tomatoe & 1 okra vine in those. In addition to keeping weeds at bay, I'm hoping the containers will be tall enough to keep the rabbits out of them and (with sufficient supervision from us) keep the dog from doing his business on the plants we plan to eat from! If for some reason the HOA objects (which I don't think they will because I am really trying to make things attractive/hidden/blended with the rest of the landscaping) I can easily move the containers. And if I fail miserably, I will not have invested a lot of money in this project. (I'll give you a total once the tomatoe & okra plants are in the ground.) Also, the "pretty" container I bought can easily be repurposed for flowers. <br /> <br /> Somewhere on-line I read about an article in a Japanese magazine that taught how to start growing Daikon in bags, and I've asked DH to ask one of his friends in Japan who is an avid gardener if he can tell us how to do that.<br /> <br /> I'll probably add a couple little containers of fresh herbs on the front steps ... not only consumable, but will provide a nice fragrance when people come to the door.<br /> <br /> If I succeed with my modified and greatly scaled-back plan, I'll probably add a few more containers and scatter them in with the rest of the landscaping. And if I prove to have a green thumb and decide it's worth the cost and effort ... who knows ... the full-blown kitchen garden dream may still some day become reality. Thu, 20 Aug 2009 11:31:24 PST persimmon_juice@yahoo.com (scfr) http://scfr.savingadvice.com/2009/08/17/tidbits_52971/ 1. First Credit Union Account: For the first time, we opened an account with a credit union. Our MMA at WaMu/Chase had been earning bonus interest (put in place right around the time of the Chase takeover) but that rate expired and since the Chase interest rates just suck, it was... Mon, 17 Aug 2009 06:44:52 PST persimmon_juice@yahoo.com (scfr) http://scfr.savingadvice.com/2009/08/02/kitchen-garden-dreaming_52684/ In 2007 I tried my hand at a bit of vegetable gardening for the first time for the SA $20 Challenge. I was in a rental house, so I could only do "container" gardening (the containers were anything free I could scrounge up like plastic buckets from Freecycle and no-longer-in-use recycling... Sun, 02 Aug 2009 20:39:53 PST persimmon_juice@yahoo.com (scfr) http://scfr.savingadvice.com/2009/08/01/journey-to-balance-sheet-affluent_52657/ For the numbers geeks and competitive types (but mostly for myself) I've updated my numbers there on the sidebar.<br /> <br /> I realized tracking the quarterly goals wasn't making a lot of sense, given the odd variation in income we experience over the course of the year, estimated tax payments,... Sat, 01 Aug 2009 14:59:21 PST persimmon_juice@yahoo.com (scfr) http://scfr.savingadvice.com/2009/07/16/ota-free-tv-update_52382/ Back in May I posted about how we were switching to OTA (over the airwaves) TV:<br /> <br /> <a href="http://scfr.savingadvice.com/2009/05/10/we-are-switching-to-ota-free-tv_50912/" target="_blank">http://scfr.savingadvice.com/2009/05/10/we-are-switching-to-...</a><br /> <br /> Wanted to do a quick update for anyone interested in doing the same.<br /> <br /> While the process of installing the antennae was harder than expected (ended up hiring an installer), we are VERY happy with the switch. <br /> <br /> We get 14 channels. 2 are Spanish language channels, 1 is geared towards people in the military (Pentagon channel or something like that), and 1 is just a weather map with recorded weather updates, so really 10 channels that we actually will watch.<br /> <br /> Picture quality is crystal-clear. We are extremely happy with the reception. I'm sure the recent conversion to digital helps.<br /> <br /> This is what we spent:<br /> $68 for the antenna<br /> $215 for professional antenna installation<br /> $11 for the digital converter box ($50 - $40 government coupon + tax) ... the purchase of a big flat screen that is digital ready is still in the works, but on hold for a bit, so we went ahead and got a converter box.<br /> TOTAL: $294<br /> In addition, the digital converter box has to be plugged in to an electrical outlet, so we are using a bit more electricity that we would be with cable ... I think ... unless cable jacks also use electricity ... I don't know if they do.<br /> <br /> If anyone's interested and wants more info, feel free to ask.<br /> <br /> No more monthly cable bills ... Yippee! Thu, 16 Jul 2009 16:40:25 PST persimmon_juice@yahoo.com (scfr) http://scfr.savingadvice.com/2009/06/08/be-it-ever-so-humble-_51574/ Since my last post, guess what DH & I did? We closed on our new house and moved!<br /> <br /> For anyone who doesn't know the story, this has been a long time coming. We sold our house in the Seattle area over 3 years ago, and have been living in rentals both in Seattle and in Austin ever... Mon, 08 Jun 2009 21:06:21 PST persimmon_juice@yahoo.com (scfr) http://scfr.savingadvice.com/2009/05/10/we-are-switching-to-ota-free-tv_50912/ OTA = Over The Airwaves<br /> This is the "free" TV that is available to anyone with an antenna. This is the type of TV anyone my age or older grew up watching.<br /> <br /> A move is such a great way to re-evaluate lots of things in your life. In addition to evaluating what things we really want... Sun, 10 May 2009 10:08:13 PST persimmon_juice@yahoo.com (scfr)