Oh my. Delta Airlines is jacking up fees for its passengers carrying more than one bag. When will the madness end? Soon, only the elite will be able to afford a flight. Instead of charging $25 for the second bag, the airline will charge $50. For a third bag, the fee will jump from $80 to $125. Delta is blaming fuel costs. I used to love flying Delta. I mean, they will make you take a layover in Atlanta to go around the corner, but it’s still a nice flight. Southwest Airlines, luckily, doesn’t charge a fee for the first two bags. Here is an earlier post I wrote about skirting luggage fees.
Delta has had a string of bad news this week for passengers. Poor woman.
What do you think about Delta charging high baggage fees? Is Delta trying to stick it to the consumer? Would you stop flying Delta because of the fees? Will you stop traveling because of the high prices? Does Greyhound sound fantastic to you, now?
Since my college days of buying Wild Irish Rose for my friends on their 21st birthdays, I’ve had an affinity for affordable wine. In my opinion, as long as it’s wine, you always seem a touch classier than say, gripping a 40 ounce of Olde English. I’ve since graduated to finer alcohol (I love Patron), but I still like to keep my wine under $10. My favorite is a Schmitt Sohne Riesling. I can get it for about $8.99 at the corner store. Works for me.
While at my journalism conference, I did some blog networking. I met the blogger from The Crushed Grape Report. I learned that she was a Frugalista, and that she wrote an awesome post on affordable wines to drink . Yay! See, that’s why I had such a great week at my journalism conference. Where else can you learn about perfecting your craft and finding affordable spirits? 
For my spirited people, where do you buy your wine? What’s your favorite frugal wine? Are you a wine snob or a beer connoisseur? What’s the cheapest wine you bought? Are you still hungover from it?
While at home, I watched a CBS special on how American families waste about $1,200 worth of food a year. I could totally relate. I find myself tossing my salad in a bag sooner than I’d like. I forget about that yogurt in the back of the refrigerator that I bought in bulk and on sale. Unless I cook everyday (which I should), I end up tossing some food. It needs to stop. If I had a son in his teens, I’m sure food waste wouldn’t be a concern. However, I cook for me, and I try to eat healthy. Fresh produce is great…if you eat it before it goes bad. heheh. Trust, I have no plans to become a freegan, but there are ways to stop wasting food!
Some of the tips in the article on how to stop wasting food:
*Avoid buying food in bulk
*Shop on Thursday because you will be around on the weekend to cook. (I agree. I’m an excellent weekend cook. I’m relaxed and creative on the weekends. On Monday nights, not so much)
*Arrange your refrigerator so that the oldest goods are in the front.
What are your tips for not wasting food, especially produce? Do you waste food in your refrigerator? Do you clean your plate? Can busy Americans find ways to not waste produce? How do you cook for a small family and save money? Is it possible?
Hi! I missed everyone, but I was at the Unity Convention in Chicago. I went to workshops, receptions and parties with some of the best and brightest journalists in the country. I had a ball, but it came at a cost! Take a peek at what I spent and what I saved!
Convention costs (not on the Frugalista plan)
Registration: $375
Air Fare: $300
Parking at McCormick Place: $64
Hotel with Roommate $300
Meals at Chicago Restaurants: $125
Total: $1164
Actual Expenses (Frugalizing)
Registration $275 (filled out the paper work for a $100 stipend from The Miami Herald)
Air Fare: Mama McNeal let me use a frequent flier free airline ticket.
Parking: I didn’t spend to park at McCormick Place but I spent $36.55 for train fare
Hotel: Free! I stayed at the McNeal Bed and Breakfast a.k.a My childhood bedroom!
Meals: $40 I only ate out a few times. I did eat at the McNeal Bed and Breakfast and crashed many a reception for free nibbles and drinks.
Clothing: $66 I bought two dresses
Night parking: $55 Downtown Chicago parking is out of hand. ‘Nuff said.
Total: $472.55
Savings: $691.45! Yippee! Frugalista for life!
How do you think I did with expenses? Do you have any suggestions for ways I can save more next year? Was it even worth it to go to a career convention? With the economy being bad, are conventions a money drain?
Greetings, Frugalists! We have a guest blog today from Barry J. Moltz. Barry has founded and run small businesses with a great deal of success and failure for more than 15 years. His first book, “You Need to Be A Little Crazy: The Truth about Starting and Growing Your Business” describes the ups and downs and emotional trials of running a business. His second book, “Bounce! Failure, Resiliency and the Confidence to Achieve Your Next Great Success”, teaches how to gain true business confidence.
For those with an entrepreneurial spirit, here are Barry’s three ways to not break your budget when you are starting your own franchise:
You are no longer working for someone else. No more expensive two-hour lunches. No more time killing games in your cubicle. This time, it’s your money so you need to be frugal and practical.
1. Never Pay Cash: Regardless of what you buy, try to get 45 to 60 day terms to pay for it. If you can’t accomplish this, then pay with a credit card right after your statement comes every month. This will at least give you 30 days to pay for your purchase. Better yet: After getting 45 to 60 days to pay, see if you can pay then with a credit card- that will give you a 30 day bonus!
- Hire No Employees Before Their Time: Try to keep all of your people resources variable and available. Don’t hire company employees, but use independent contractors (pay attention to the rules around using them). Better yet: Do not stock inventory. Have orders drop shipped to your customers.
- Stay Virtual. Don’t grow yourself broke by increasing your fixed overhead costs for your business. Unless you are a retail store, try to put off committing to expenses like rent, furniture, and phone systems. Work out of your home or favorite local coffee place that has free Wi-Fi service. Better yet: Go visit your customers. You are more likely to make a sale by building a personal relationship with them.
Hello! I’m heading out to the Windy City for my journalism convention. I can’t wait! I’m signed up for video training, so expect some more webisodes to come! I got my hair professionally done but painted my nails at home. Nixing the manicure/pedicure saved me about $40. It was time for my 7-week relaxer so that expense was in my budget.
I was all ready to wear a shirt in my closet to a party Thursday night, but my friend, Greg, made it clear that I’ve been seen in that shirt a few too many times. I tried to convince him to let me wear a black dress I have in my closet and he hated that, too. I think Facebook is bad for Frugalistas. You take photos of your life, post them online, then everyone sees your hottest gear! Meh. So I found a cute dress for $40 at TJ Maxx. I wasn’t super happy about the expense, but the dress is adorable. It’s magenta! It’s a good thing Greg got me into VIP at the party!
To save money while I’m at the convention, I’m staying with my family. Staying at home will save me about $300. I’m going to take the Metra train to the convention center. I really miss public transportation. I packed one suitcase. The airline allows one piece of luggage to be checked in for free. Frugalista for life!
For readers who travel to conventions, how do you manage your expenses?
The weekend is almost near. Time for frugal fun! Tonight, there’s a free concert to see neo-soul artist Janelle Monae perform at 10 p.m. at The Delano in Miami Beach. Click here for more info.
Also, the Museum of Art | Fort Lauderdale has special summer hours and pricing through the end of September 2008. It is open daily 11 am – 5 pm and closed Tuesdays. The Museum is offering special summer savings: Admission is $5, adults; $3.50 students (6-17), military and seniors 65+ (with valid ID); free, members, college students with valid identification, and children (5 and under). Visitors with Bank of America cards are admitted free the first weekend of each month. The Museum’s Café Wine Bar, which offers gourmet food and wine, is open Monday – Friday from 8 am – 5 pm. It has free Illy coffee in the mornings. Extended hours on Thursdays until 8 pm. Saturday and Sunday 11 am – 5 pm. For more information, call 954-525-5500.
We have a guest blog today from David D’ Alessandro, former CEO of John Hancock Financial Services.
How not to get the axe in this economy
Despite what some of television’s talking heads are saying, if it smells like, sounds like and looks like a recession—it is a recession. Look at some fundamental facts. Oil prices have skyrocketed. The Dow is down dramatically from its 14,000 record high. Unemployment has moved to its highest level in years. Companies like Siemens, General Motors and Washington Mutual are hemorrhaging jobs.
With a recession should come the fear that your job is in jeopardy. If you think that is not true, and you are too valuable to your company, too essential and the company would never be the same without you, then you are sadly mistaken.
But there is a way, in these questionable times, to increase your chances of maintaining your position and perhaps even getting promoted while your peers are inactive. In my new book, Executive Warfare, I discuss what it takes to stand out in organizations today. If you are smart, quick and agile, you can provide the company and the senior management with some much needed relief from part of their dilemma and at the same time improve your own circumstance. Here are three quick tips:
- Walk into your management office and offer a series of costs reductions in your area. Show initiative and imagination. Demonstrate you can still accommodate the company’s needs within these constraints. Do it in two layers. One with out of pocket expenses and an additional one involving lay-offs. Not replacing jobs and limited new hires. Be aggressive and prudent so you do not seem disrespectful or simply unable to distinguish when you are cutting into the “bone of the organization.”
- Now is the time to propose low-cost new revenue. A company affected by a recession is like fixing an airplane in midair. It must continue to fly even though it is need of a repair. If a company can show resiliency under these circumstances, not only do its constituents reward it. The company usually grows stronger. If you want to be part of it, look for new distribution systems and products you can sell quickly and profitably. Open up new sales territories. Fuel the organization with new dollars. No one ever fires somebody generating new revenue sources.
- There is always a way to propose and gain new profits. Pricing changes, product changes, cost changes—you name it. Make them happen fast without compromising product and service. Prove you can squeeze profit and well as generate sales.
During these difficult times it is easy for people to moan, “woe is me.” But leaders emerge from adversity. The recession provides an opportunity to break out and really show what you are made of.
If you want to “run with the pack, you need to howl like a wolf.”
My friend Errin sent me an article about cash-strapped people who are cleaning homes, exotic dancing and working retail to make ends meet. In this down economy, people are prepared to make a dollar any way they can. I’m concerned that a woman has to resort to stripping. Then again, the exotic dancer in the article drives an Infinity truck that costs $100 to fill up the gas tank. I would say she could sell the truck, but who is trying to buy a luxury gas guzzler in this market? Far too often, we work to pay off things, not to save. Meh! There may be a career in exotic dancing. Ask this woman.
In the article, cleaning companies say they are getting more calls from people looking for work. It’s not just people who got laid off and need income. Many people already have jobs, but have had pay cuts or inflation (GAS) has gobbled up their discretionary funds.
I hope things get better.
Would you work a side hustle? Is there any job you wouldn’t do? What do you think about the woman working as an exotic dancer to pay the bills?
To say that I’m vexed about all the new fees imposed on airline travelers checking baggage would be an understatement. People will find a way to monetize anything! Next week, I’m heading to Chicago for a journalism convention. I will be gone for a week and I have plenty of clothes to carry. I will be forced to check luggage. I’m not looking forward to fees! Down with fees! Here are some tips on how to beat the baggage fee trap.
Here are some ways to travel light and look fabulous.
Do you have any travel tips on how to pack lightly? Are you traveling at all this summer? Will you have to pay baggage checking fees? How can you stick it to the "traveling man"?
