More Ways To Cut Spending !!

After reading BYLs post, I thought I might share a few of my favorite ways to cut back on spending.

1.) Just "happen" to show up at your friends house at meal time. Make sure to apology for showing up at an inconvenient time and tell them you don't want to impose on them. However, do NOT leave until they insist you stay and eat.

2.) When your friends say they are going to the movies, tell them how much you really really want to see the movie BUT you are a little short of funds right now. Put on a very sad face and tell them you will just go home and sit by yourself in the dark. Continue these tactics until they insist you join them.

3.) When you want to go somewhere, ask a friend if they would like to join you. Make sure to make the trip sound very exciting. Once they accept your invitation, suggest they take their car because it is so much nicier than your piece of junk. Remember to hide your wallet before leaving on the trip so you can sincerely search for it whenever it comes time to pay for gas, food, etc.

4.) Go to a bar and order a glass of water. Tell the bartender that you are waiting for a friend and you will order something else when they arrive. When you see a "mistake" coming back to the bartender. speak up and tell them THAT is my favorite drink and you would sure like to try it.

Well, there are a few of my ideas on how to cut your spending. I have many more but I think you have to master these first. Hope these help.

Ah Don :)

HOW TO CUT SPENDING????

I thought I am a smart shopper........ I spent money wisely from young, I do not fancy expensive shopping ..... In fact, I love saving money......... I enjoy seeing my bank account figure keep growing...... even though I knew money will not follow me to the next world when I die.....

Now, the next question to me is ..... Why should I make money if not for spending ???

Money is definitely not the only thing that we are after in our lives, but the fact still remain true that we do need extra money to afford good living and the lifestyle that we want and long to have !

Why do I have this mix feeling on saving & spending ??? And why do I have to concern so much about spending at this age ?

?????????????

After working this evening, Ah Don and I decided to to grasp some Yogurt and milk for our breakfast tomorrow.at Walmart superstore..... it was supposed to be a quick jump to the store to spend less than $10.00 but we ended up paying $83.00 at check-out with some other stuff that were not intended !! This happened to us regularly !! So am I a still a smart /wise shopper ???

The following articles that I just read online give me the answer ::::::::;

Top 5 Painless Ways to Cut Your Spending

Cutting your spending doesn't have to mean lots of sacrifice. Try some of these painless cost-cutters, and watch your spending shrink:

1. Switch to Store Brands ....... ( Me : still have preference on certain brands )

Name brand products are good, but store brand products are often just as good (if not identical). Make the switch to the bargain labels, and you'll shave 25-50 percent off of your weekly grocery bill. With more and more grocery chains launching their own line of organics and other premium products, there's never been an easier time to switch.

2. Shop with a List................... ( Me : Do not go with any list at all !)

Ever gone to the store for a few items and come out with a whole cartload? Who hasn't? To keep impulse shopping from taking hold of your budget, make a habit of shopping with a list. Jot down everything you need, and then only shop for those items.

3. Carry Snacks.................. ( Me : Not my habit, bring coffee only)

Eating out always costs more than eating at home – whether it's a quick snack from a convenience store, a vending machine or a fast food restaurant. Avoid this cost entirely by keeping snacks on hand at all times. Toss a granola bar and a bottle of water in your purse before running errands; stash some goodies in your desk drawer at work--just be ready for that hunger attack wherever and whenever it decides to strike.

4. Use It Up............. ( Me : This is the worse of me... like to keep stock !)

Whether it's food in your pantry, hobby supplies or beauty care products, you probably have lots of unused or partly used items around your house. Before you run to the store to buy your next "must-have," look around and see if you can find something at home to fill your need. This simple exercise will not only help you to spend less, but also to clear out some of the clutter in your home.

5. Shop to Save .......... (Me : This is the best of me , Like Super Sale!)

Challenge yourself to save more every time you shop. If you normally buy something at regular price, challenge yourself to find it on sale. If you normally buy something on sale, challenge yourself to find it on clearance. When you're always on the lookout for a bargain, there's no end to the money that you can save; and soon it becomes a game that you look forward to playing.

If anyone of you is reading this.... check it out .....cutting spending may be a good thing during this period of uncertainty!!

MY GREEN CARD

I received my new Green Card Yesterday!!!

It took almost a year for the USCIS to issue this approval to "Remove Conditional Basis of Lawful Permanent Residence"

I am excited to be a lawful Permanet Resident in the United States. Before this, I was holding a conditional Green Card for 2 years.

What are the benefits to be a PR ??

Hmmm. let's find out what are there to offer !!!

OH MY CLOCKS

Do you know how many clocks we have to adjust back 1 hour this morning???

Ah Don said.... " Today, we have the big job to do!"

Me : "What's that?"

Ah Don : " We have to adjust all the clocks"

That's really big job!! because we have too many clocks...... Believe it or not !!

Just look at our clocks ; they are my collection since I came here!!"

Am I going to stop buying???

I guess Not!!! because whenever I came across clocks at the garage sale..... I just can't walk away without them once I found theminteresting !......after all they are not too expensive and affordable:::;;;; Not an expensive collection OKay !hahahahahahahaha....

Why do we have to adjust the time today ??

The following is an extract from what I reas this morning for reference:-

Daylight Saving Time in the United States

In the United States Daylight Saving Time begins at 2:00 a.m. local time on the second Sunday in March. On the first Sunday in November areas on Daylight Saving Time return to Standard Time at 2:00 a.m. During Daylight Saving Time turn your clocks ahead one hour. At the end of Daylight Saving Time turn your clocks back one hour.The names in each time zone change along with Daylight Saving Time. Eastern Standard Time (EST) becomes Eastern Daylight Time (EDT), and so forth. Arizona, Puerto Rico, Hawaii, U.S. Virgin Islands and American Samoa do not observe Daylight Saving Time. In the United States, Under the Uniform Time Act, the Department of Transportation is in charge of time zones in the United States and ensuring that jurisdictions observing Daylight Saving Time begin and end on the same date.On Monday August 8, 2005 President Bush signed into law a broad energy bill that extended Daylight Saving Time by four weeks beginning in 2007. Since 1986 the United States had observed Daylight Saving Time from the first Sunday in April through the last Sunday in October. The provisions of the bill call for Daylight Saving Time to begin three weeks earlier on the second Sunday in March and end on the first Sunday in November. Read our special section about the extension of Daylight Saving Time.


DST Begins at 2 a.m. DST Ends at 2 a.m.

2007 March 11 to November 4
2008 March 9 to November 2
2009 March 8 to November 1
2010 March 14 to November 7

Daylight-saving time began during World War I in some countries to conserve energy. The idea began in Germany and Britain and was used off and on by the United States into the 1960s, when Congress standardized the start and end dates for states that participated.In 1974, daylight-saving time again was signed into law by President Richard Nixon as a way to conserve power during the energy crisis of that era.

"During the transportation study, we found that daylight-saving time reduces electrical energy uses, it reduces traffic accidents and fatalities, it reduces outdoor crimes and it gives a lifestyle that benefits most people," said Prerau.

"Most people prefer to have the extra hour of daylight."And the reason Americans switch back in the fall is a compromise for those who don't like the daylight-saving time method, he said.

Songs on Yard Sale

I love to listen to country songs.... Came across the following "youtube video":

Love the first one sang by Sammy Khershaw.

Lyrics>>>>>>Yard Sale

Cardboard signs say Yard Sale
Real estate sign said Sold
Family picnic table holds all that it can hold
Hold all that it can hold

On the grass and on the sidewalk
Well there must be half of the town
Ain’t it funny how a broken home
Can bring the price down

Chorus

Oh they’re sorting through
What’s left of you and me
Paying yard sale prices
For each golden memory
Oh! I never thought
I’d ever live to see
The way they’re sorting through
What’s left of you and me

You left two summer dresses
In the backyard on the line
A lady brought them to me
Says she thinks they’ll fit just fine
Well, there goes the baby’s windup
And the mirror from the hall
I’d better take just one last look
Before they take it all

Chorus

Well I wonder what you’d say
If you could see
The way they’re sorting through
What’s left of you and me

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ke6uwgX5B1g


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2hLtT5vUVGU


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qiVT2HxDSjo


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JV7lnFd19ww


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F8I-qHYrhdc

Sand Hill Cranes

Well its getting close to Spring time and the new babies are coming out. Here is a couple of sand hill cranes with their new babies. These birds are protected so they no longer fear people. You can walk right up to them and they just look at you. These birds are not very smart. They will walk directly in front of your car and just stand there. They just strut all over this part of the state and no one bothers them. I have seen many near car accidents because people have to slam on their brakes to miss these stupid birds walking out into the road.

Below is one of the babies from last year. The babies grow to "full size" in about six months. However, believe it or not, the young cranes are even less intelligent than the adults. This young adult is attacking itself in the car mirror.