Christian L
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Philip,
Although not the same, all this actuary attention keeps making me think of the narrator's job in Fight Club. I guess he was an estimator. Anyway, I didn't sift through the whole list yet, but I've always wanted to be a firefighter. It's a noble service that gets you in shape and fulfills a sense of adventure.
-Christian L. @ Smart Military Money
Emily,
I suppose I've only done the micro green investing, but I'm certainly going to explore my options for green investing. Thank you for the tips.
-Christian L. @ Smart Military Money
Ben, I've done a great job at avoiding the Matrix of Debt altogether. I've never missed a payment or paid interest, so I guess I've known the truth all along. Take that, Neo.
Emily, local news publications sometimes run superlative issues that would feature best local companies. I'm fortunate enough to have an employer that's been recognized several times for its work-life balance.
Charissa,It sure wouldn't be easy, but I'd give it a go. I considered it in my college days. Freeganism, as I learned it, isn't uncommon. Really, it's just another way of describing how humans once lived. Money wasn't always present and we were hunters and gatherers. That's basically what these people are doing now. It's just 2013.
-Christian L. @ Smart Military Money
Emily,I'm not entertaining the idea of buying a home for a long while if at all. For me, it just seems like a bad fit. I'm not a fan of maintaining a property every weekend. It sounds unappealing. I understand the rewards of it, but I don't think I appreciate them.Also, I loathe debt. So unless I make the cash to pay for a home upfront — ha — then I simply can't see myself wanting to pay for a home.
-Christian L. @ Smart Military Money
Emily,
I know a lot of people who are replacing holiday parties with end of the world soirees. I'm sure I'll make an appearance or two before I melt.It's sometimes funny to think about the apocalypse, at least from a personal finance perspective. All my savings would lose their meaning!
-Christian L. @ Smart Military Money
Charissa,I'd also suggest shopping according to the calendar. In the summer, you'll likely find a bunch of stuff for the winter and vice versa. I'm in a college town, so I know that thrift shops get flooded with goodies in December and May, when students graduate. When school is in session, the thrift shops are picked over by all the budgeting students.
-Christian L. @ Smart Military Money
Carrie,
Great piece on how ugly holiday spending can get. I avoid overspending by making a list of gifts I know I can get at a reasonable price. I compare prices and products to no end before I make a decision. Also, I never go shopping when I know they'll be crowds. Crowds can peer pressure some consumers into buying, or so I think.
-Christian L. @ Smart Military Money
Adrian,So if I understand you correctly, debt is considered good or bad depending on what it paid for?-Christian L. @ Smart Military Money
Jeremy,
For transportation I'd suggest buying a bicycle and biking whenever and wherever you can. It's not practical for everybody, but in urban environments it usually allows you to get around with great ease. Bikes are an investment that can be costly up front. However, they pay for themselves without requiring fuel or costly insurance. Repairs and maintenance are small expenses compared to those of a car. Plus you get exercise when you bike!
-Christian L. @ Smart Military Money
Carrie,I'm fortunate enough to have no debt at all. But I still work one shift a week in the service industry to make extra cash that I save. I imagine if I was in debt, all of that money would go toward paying it down.-Christian L. @ Smart Military Money
@Jeremy Vohwinkle Oh right on. Yes, I prefer to tip--and pay in full--with cash. If the service is really bad, I'll leave $1 tip regardless of the bill. I've maybe done that twice in my life.And thanks Charissa. Sorry I didn't direct my first comment to you!
-Christian L.
Jeremy,I seldom have service that makes me tip less. I'm in a college town with tons of ambitious waiters and waitresses who depend on tips. It makes a difference; they work hard. Usually I tip about 17 percent. I've never used a calculator. My dad taught me simple ways to do the math based on 10 percent (half of it is 5 percent, so you can add that amount to the 10 percent to get 15 percent).
-Christian L. @ Smart Military Money