Custom Search

Friday, January 1, 2010

Three Lessons of the First Day of 2010

I haven't posted for a while: the less I have to do, the less I post. Sad but true. The first day back seems as though it calls for a momentous post: on goal setting, the state of the economy, something big. But something big promotes writer's block, so I will start with something small: three things I learned on this day, January 1, 2010.

What I learned about shrimp: I went to the store to buy the de rigueur black-eyed peas, which people in the South MUST eat on New Year's Day for good luck. There I saw extra large shrimp for $2.98 a pound. There were some very expert looking shrimp buyers there. They told me to buy CURLED shrimp, not straight shrimp. Curled shrimp are alive when frozen. I was so excited to learn this, but Mr. FS told me "Everyone knows that."

What I learned about interpersonal relationships: Then, natch, I stopped at Goodwill, where one of the managers was shopping on her day off. She showed me the Chanel bag she bought. I said, "Is it fake?" She said, "No." Then she opened it up and proceeded to show me the label that said "Chanel Boutique." Last time I told someone a Chanel bag was fake, she started crying. So I just said "Wow. Great find." The lesson is to let people be happy.

What I learned about finances: I really am trying to clean up my life. However, I have been among the legions who avert their gaze when they receive their statements. I peeked at a statement from one of my mutual funds (a bad one that I should really get rid of) and discovered that they have been assessing a VERY LARGE (I am too embarrassed to say) low balance fee on my account. My account is low balance because--you guessed it--the stock market is still down around 30%. Lesson: pay attention and cash out of that fund! Not very frugal, Frugal Scholar.

Happy New Year to all.

7 comments:

FB @ FabulouslyBroke.com said...

I got slammed on the fees thing too, and I have been paying $120/year for my funds when it could have been $0.

I've since cashed out (after the market came up to par) and learned my lesson. BAD FB!

P.S. I didn't know that about shrimp. But it makes sense.

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

My daughter thought that she had found a genuine Chanel bag in a local shop, I must admit it was buttery soft and although very worn still usable. Alas it was not genuine...sad but true. I do not like fake at all.
As to your mutual funds, I have not looked closely at mine either, I am in for the long term so I am still contributing and keeping my fingers crossed! It is bound to turn around, there are ups and downs in the market historically.
Thank you for the shrimp tip, I never knew.
Happy and Prosperous New Year to you!

Duchesse said...

Will look forward to hearing how you qualify and select your new investment firm. (I follow mine online.)

I don't think I'd not call a fake a fake but would try to be tactful. Sometimes it takes practice to spot.

Wow, at $2.98 a pound, curly or straight, I would have a haul of shrimp! Enjoy!

Over the Cubicle Wall said...

Didn't know that about shrimp. Now I do.

I also had my black eyed today. Now maybe I will be lucky enough to get some shrimp for $2.98 a pound.

Funny about Money said...

Glad you're back! :-)

Had no idea about curled shrimp...is that true if they're still frozen?

Vanguard has the lowest fees on mutual funds, I think. Understand Fidelity is good, too.

Mary said...

I didn't know about that curled shrimp thing either! Interesting where you can pick up little tidbits!

Revanche said...

I grew up among fishmongers and I didn't know that about shrimp either! Pretty cool.

By the by, how DO you know when something's a fake?