Hello,
So I will be on CNN on Friday. I think Gerri Willis and I should become best friends. The Financial Security Watch show starts at noon, est. so please tune in then. This time around, she plans on grilling me about my finances which are…hmmm…in need of help.
Wish me luck!
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Hi Natalie,
I posted the comment about VOIP phone service (instead of cable service) about a week ago. Thanks for the positive response. Here is a website which has user reviews of various companies which offer it.
http://www.dslreports.com/reviews?slo=1&typ=voip
I used Broadvoice for awhile, but it was good, but not great; it was out sometimes (but this was like 4 years ago). Then switched to SunRocket which went bankrupt. Now onto Magic Jack. You do have to be careful about these small companies disappearing especially if you pay up front money. But there’s always Vonage which is only $25 a month I think.
Also, regarding your energy bill, have you switch any bulbs to CFL’s from standard incandescent bulbs? Compact Flourescents use 1/4 of the energy of a standard bulb and last 5-10 times as long. Granted they cost more up front ($3/bulb vs $.50) but in the long run they end up being much cheaper.
Josh, you rock!
Is being frugal really worth it? I have to tell you, I tried it for 3 years in New York city and it was the unhappiest moment of my life. I moved to south florida and figured… if I’m going to be broke, I might as enjoy every moment of it. I bought myself a starter condo with no money the 1st year and moved on to a fancier one on the water close to the beach 1 year later (why not, after all I live in miami) . Naturally i’m broke but enjoying it all I figure while living I might as well maximize every moment while I can. You never know when it’ll all end. I’ll be watching more of the frugal life…(all this while i go to the caribbean in search of beach front property)… and in all seriousness i’m as broke as they come. However, my motto is there’s always a way and I do it all by myself with positive people surrounding me. GOD BLESS AMERICA!
Hi Kim,
You seem to own a lot of property, so if you sell them, would you be broke? For me, forcing myself into frugality is worth it. I don’t like feeling insecure about my finances. I am somewhat of a worrier. And when I have kids, I want to be able to send them to college with no loans. I think you raise interesting points. I’m going to ask others if frugality worth it…
Thanks for sharing,
Natalie
A girl neeeeeeeeds her car in South Florida. If gas hits $4 a gallon, I’ll give up something else, like a couple of chai tea fraps from Starbucks. I’ll go back to my college days of living on canned chili and vienna sausages with crackers. But there is no way I can be without transportation.
“Is being frugal really worth it?”
Uh, yes. Unless, you are a spoiled, materialistic person who was raised that way since birth (which there are a large number of down here) who doesn’t see the benefit of being “frugal” or “cheap”.
“if I’m going to be broke, I might as enjoy every moment of it. ”
This is the contradiction with her line of reasoning. If you are more frugal about your money, then you shouldn’t be broke. So, the “if I’m going to be broke” is not a valid hypothesis. Frugality leads away from being broke. Unless, this person is in a situation where being frugal results in no savings and no debt, but not being frugal results in no savings AND some debt.
Her motto is fine for someone who plans on supporting themselves only and doesn’t plan to marry or plans to marry a wealthy person who will support them. But otherwise, this line of thinking is absolutely insane. Basically, it preaches spending all money to achieve happiness which is kind of sad way of thinking in and of itself.
“GOD BLESS AMERICA! ”
Yes, God bless the country which encourages people to live beyond their means, spend money they don’t have to buy things they don’t need all in the pursuit of happiness AND when they’ve gotten in over their head and can’t afford these items, will get bailed out by the federal government. I’m sorry but this line of thinking is exactly why the housing market and economy are tanking right now.
I think I’d be OK being broke in a beach front condo, but I have to be frugal until I can afford to buy property at all.
Frugalista, I know the ‘no buy month’ ends tomorrow. This should hold you over if you need a few days to ease into buying little luxuries:
http://www.vh1.com/video/play.jhtml?id=1582333&vid=212498
I offer one final piece of advice: When you look at your somewhat fatty bank account don’t be tempted to put it on diet.
Natalie,
I love your blog and I hope it continues. It would be AMAZING to see how much money you save by the time December 31, 2008 rolls around.
Saw you on CNN this morning then discovered we have a mutual Facebook friend in Georgia East. Kudos on both — really enjoying reading back through your blog posts.
Still Broke-Thanks for your kind words. Keep reading, and you will be broke no more!
Jasmine-Fat wallet for life!
Josh-I really want 6 months saved up in the bank for an emergency fund.
Coco-You are kind.
Southern Girl-I agree. South Florida without a car? Don’t see how that works.
Citizen Mom- Georgia East is a great friend. We are in good company. Thanks for watching and please keep posting with us. We are a community on this blog.