A few days after my semester ended (while I was in the midst of blog slackerdom), I was noodling around the internet. Somewhere or other was a story on the happiest states (to live in). Before I clicked for the answers, I just KNEW Louisiana would be in the top states. Why? Because people here are happy. As it turned out, Louisiana is NUMBER ONE!
This is so contrary to expectations. Louisiana is near the bottom in quality education (I'm TRYING, folks), income. It is near the top in political corruption and general sleaze (David Duke? Edwin Edwards? William Jefferson?). I think we are near the top in infant mortality and adult obesity. We have a regressive tax system.
When I look around my little town and those nearby, I see tiny public libraries. I see that Toys for Tots was taken over by the Marines this year, because the police department that ran it previously used the money donated to give a $900.00plus gift card to the mayor of the next town. Many of the good toys were taken by members of the police department, because, as the chief said, police officers are needy too. Said mayor recently resigned after various scandals, including driving through a barrier on the causeway. Then there's the beautifully renovated school board building, over budget but worth it, though the schools look like slums....
I once went through all this and more and my interlocutor said, "At least we know how to have a good time." Could that be it?
Writing while my son is peeling all the shrimp I bought yesterday. Is fresh (LARGE) shrimp for $2.98 per pound more conducive to happiness than quality schools? Laissez les bons temps rouler!
Do you live in a happy place?
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Saturday, January 2, 2010
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.
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.
Friday, December 18, 2009
Regifting and Me: Tweed Jackets and Book Jackets
I read somewhere or other that yesterday was National Regifting Day. Could this be true? I also learned--via Wikipedia--that the term originated on Seinfeld. Is that true?
My first experience with regifting came--not, as one might expect, from my own frugal family--but from my in-laws. While they were horrified at my family's propensity for cash gifts, deeming them "vulgar," I think they saw regifting as as aspect of WASP-thrift. Seems somewhat paradoxical.
Many months ago, we posted a picture of one of my late mother-in-law's creations: a jacket made of ties. The ties had belonged to Henri Coulette, a poet of some repute, and my father-in-law's buddy. My father-in-law took some of the ties after Henri died. Another of Henri's legacies was a tweed jacket, classic professorial attire. The first holiday after his death, my husband received the jacket all wrapped up. Sadly, it didn't fit, because Mr. FS is pretty tall. My mother-in-law-to-be suggested that I take the jacket, since it went with the Annie Hall look. I declined, Annie Hall being somewhat out of date at the time. So the jacket went back to hanging on a hook in the garage.
Several years later, I was 7 months pregnant with Frugal Son. I found a big bulky gift with my name on it. You guessed it: inside was Henri's jacket! My mother-in-law said "I thought this jacket would be great because it will fit you for the next few months." I said--somewhat crabbily--that I still didn't want it. My mother-in-law had no recollection of the earlier efforts to give us the jacket. So back it went to the garage. I do wonder where it is now. Those tweed jackets never wear out.
As a footnote, let me add that one year I received in the mail a copy of Elizabeth David's book on bread cookery, which I had given to my father-in-law several years before. It was now inscribed to me. I knew it was the same one because it was sans jacket, as my father-in-law has the bad habit of throwing out book jackets when he receives a book.
As a second footnote, you may be interested to know that simply by reading my blog, you are a mere one degree (or is it two?) of separation from Jerry Seinfeld, since I went to school with him--elementary through high school. No, we are not in touch.
Any stories on regifting? the good? the bad? the indifferent?
My first experience with regifting came--not, as one might expect, from my own frugal family--but from my in-laws. While they were horrified at my family's propensity for cash gifts, deeming them "vulgar," I think they saw regifting as as aspect of WASP-thrift. Seems somewhat paradoxical.
Many months ago, we posted a picture of one of my late mother-in-law's creations: a jacket made of ties. The ties had belonged to Henri Coulette, a poet of some repute, and my father-in-law's buddy. My father-in-law took some of the ties after Henri died. Another of Henri's legacies was a tweed jacket, classic professorial attire. The first holiday after his death, my husband received the jacket all wrapped up. Sadly, it didn't fit, because Mr. FS is pretty tall. My mother-in-law-to-be suggested that I take the jacket, since it went with the Annie Hall look. I declined, Annie Hall being somewhat out of date at the time. So the jacket went back to hanging on a hook in the garage.
Several years later, I was 7 months pregnant with Frugal Son. I found a big bulky gift with my name on it. You guessed it: inside was Henri's jacket! My mother-in-law said "I thought this jacket would be great because it will fit you for the next few months." I said--somewhat crabbily--that I still didn't want it. My mother-in-law had no recollection of the earlier efforts to give us the jacket. So back it went to the garage. I do wonder where it is now. Those tweed jackets never wear out.
As a footnote, let me add that one year I received in the mail a copy of Elizabeth David's book on bread cookery, which I had given to my father-in-law several years before. It was now inscribed to me. I knew it was the same one because it was sans jacket, as my father-in-law has the bad habit of throwing out book jackets when he receives a book.
As a second footnote, you may be interested to know that simply by reading my blog, you are a mere one degree (or is it two?) of separation from Jerry Seinfeld, since I went to school with him--elementary through high school. No, we are not in touch.
Any stories on regifting? the good? the bad? the indifferent?
Monday, December 14, 2009
Thank You to the Universe for my Emergency Fund
So, the end of semester grades were turned in last night. Next comes the flurry of complaints and questions. Then...clean up the house, use up the stuff in the freezer, and reread War and Peace!
But then as I sat at the computer, a crown fell off my tooth!
Next morning, Mr. FS turned on his Dell computer. We hate Dell for its bad customer service anyway. Now we will put our vow to never buy anything from Dell again: Mr. FS was greeted by the dreaded blue screen. We took the computer to the Geeks at Best Buy and discovered that a diagnosis would cost $200.00. JUST SAY NO.
Back home, Mr. FS managed to turn the thing on again and backed up all the files just in case.
It turns out that putting the crown back on is no big deal. But we have to buy a new computer.
Tell me, is it good karma that the computer died after the semester was over? Or bad karma that it died at all? We had one computer that lasted for over 20 years. Now it seems that computers have become throwaway items with short life spans.
OMMMMMMMMMMM. We have an emergency fund for our new computer. OMMMMMMMMMM.
But then as I sat at the computer, a crown fell off my tooth!
Next morning, Mr. FS turned on his Dell computer. We hate Dell for its bad customer service anyway. Now we will put our vow to never buy anything from Dell again: Mr. FS was greeted by the dreaded blue screen. We took the computer to the Geeks at Best Buy and discovered that a diagnosis would cost $200.00. JUST SAY NO.
Back home, Mr. FS managed to turn the thing on again and backed up all the files just in case.
It turns out that putting the crown back on is no big deal. But we have to buy a new computer.
Tell me, is it good karma that the computer died after the semester was over? Or bad karma that it died at all? We had one computer that lasted for over 20 years. Now it seems that computers have become throwaway items with short life spans.
OMMMMMMMMMMM. We have an emergency fund for our new computer. OMMMMMMMMMM.
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Bad Customer Service: Example of Chico's
One reason I love thrift stores is that there is no customer service. I do not want sales people flattering me.
Every now and then, I do venture to a real store. Right now, I will vent my irritation at Chico's. Now I am not a great customer of that store. I bought one thing there this year. I find the quality very low for the price. And I hate that I am often the youngest person in the store. But some of their stuff has updated styling.
What I really hate is the customer service. Chico's sends me incredible coupons, probably because I don't buy anything. So I once ventured in to the one in Tuscaloosa Alabama, when we had a bit of time to kill. Miss Em sat in a chair and read a magazine. I tried on a shirt and, though I was pretty sure it was unflattering, I wandered out to show my obliging daughter. Before I got to her, I was intercepted by two beaming saleswomen. I said, "Please don't say anything. I want to get my daughter's opinion first."
They said, "Oh, we weren't going to say anything. We just like to look at the shirt on people who wear it well, so we can give ideas to other customers." OMG. Is that part of their training? Miss Em just shook her head. We left.
Then I succumbed again on Cyber Monday. There was free shipping and a discount, so I decided to try some skinny jeans. I got a confirmation, but then no shipping email. Finally, after more than a week, I called. The rep put me on hold and after about half an hour reported that the suppliers hadn't made enough. Oh. "Why wasn't I notified?" "We only just found out." Erghhhhh.
After a few days, I still hadn't received a cancellation so I emailed Customer Service, suggesting that they should officially cancel my order. I also suggested that they give me free shipping on another order. The response I got said (paraphrased) "Thank you for telling us about canceled order and free shipping. We will pass your concerns on to our production team blahblahblah."
I wrote back, saying that not a single one of my issues was answered. I got the SAME response again, with an added comment (paraphrased), "We are a specialty store and supplies are limited." Maybe it's a specialty store--whatever that means--but there are over 600 of them!
Once again, Aristotle comes to my rescue. The customer service in-store is too much; the email customer service is too little. And I still haven't received a cancellation!
To recover from my irritation, I went to Goodwill, where I found a new Chico's jacket. I decided all by myself that I liked it. Karma once more.
Every now and then, I do venture to a real store. Right now, I will vent my irritation at Chico's. Now I am not a great customer of that store. I bought one thing there this year. I find the quality very low for the price. And I hate that I am often the youngest person in the store. But some of their stuff has updated styling.
What I really hate is the customer service. Chico's sends me incredible coupons, probably because I don't buy anything. So I once ventured in to the one in Tuscaloosa Alabama, when we had a bit of time to kill. Miss Em sat in a chair and read a magazine. I tried on a shirt and, though I was pretty sure it was unflattering, I wandered out to show my obliging daughter. Before I got to her, I was intercepted by two beaming saleswomen. I said, "Please don't say anything. I want to get my daughter's opinion first."
They said, "Oh, we weren't going to say anything. We just like to look at the shirt on people who wear it well, so we can give ideas to other customers." OMG. Is that part of their training? Miss Em just shook her head. We left.
Then I succumbed again on Cyber Monday. There was free shipping and a discount, so I decided to try some skinny jeans. I got a confirmation, but then no shipping email. Finally, after more than a week, I called. The rep put me on hold and after about half an hour reported that the suppliers hadn't made enough. Oh. "Why wasn't I notified?" "We only just found out." Erghhhhh.
After a few days, I still hadn't received a cancellation so I emailed Customer Service, suggesting that they should officially cancel my order. I also suggested that they give me free shipping on another order. The response I got said (paraphrased) "Thank you for telling us about canceled order and free shipping. We will pass your concerns on to our production team blahblahblah."
I wrote back, saying that not a single one of my issues was answered. I got the SAME response again, with an added comment (paraphrased), "We are a specialty store and supplies are limited." Maybe it's a specialty store--whatever that means--but there are over 600 of them!
Once again, Aristotle comes to my rescue. The customer service in-store is too much; the email customer service is too little. And I still haven't received a cancellation!
To recover from my irritation, I went to Goodwill, where I found a new Chico's jacket. I decided all by myself that I liked it. Karma once more.
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Another Great Gift for Kids: Klutz Shrinky Dinks Book
I've been plugging away at my end-of-semester work. Yesterday, though, I received another 60 exams and my energy started to ebb away. So--time for a last-minute post. Fittingly, the subject is a last-minute gift, which along with the clay book I mentioned a few days ago, is a fool-proof, bound-to-be appreciated present.
It is the Klutz Shrinky Dinks book. I figure Klutz won't mind if I paste their description.
The Shrinky Dinks Book
Price:$14.95
Shrinky Dinks is amazing shrinkable plastic. Draw or trace a design on it, color it, cut it out with ordinary scissors, bake it for mere minutes on a cookie sheet in your oven and, presto, your creation shrinks to 44% of its original size. You get six sheets of Shrinky Dinks® plastic in this book, along with a mind-boggling collection of ready-to-trace, ready-to-color, ready-to-shrink artwork.
For ages 6 and up
Written By: Sherri Haab & the Editors of Klutz
ISBN-10: 1-57054-407-7
ISBN-13: 978-1-57054-407-1
Like the Incredible Clay Book, this Klutz tome led to a group of kids of all ages--plus some adults--sitting around the table for hours. What could be better? Everyone has witnessed at least one post-gift meltdown. This, I believe, is the perfect antidote. By the way, I don't recommend giving both in one year. Give one book this year. Give the other next year. There aren't that many gifts of this caliber.
I must say that, though I rarely think anything is worth the money, Klutz books are generally worth the cost. Even at full price.
Do you have any "Worth It" gifts for kids?
It is the Klutz Shrinky Dinks book. I figure Klutz won't mind if I paste their description.
The Shrinky Dinks Book
Price:$14.95
Shrinky Dinks is amazing shrinkable plastic. Draw or trace a design on it, color it, cut it out with ordinary scissors, bake it for mere minutes on a cookie sheet in your oven and, presto, your creation shrinks to 44% of its original size. You get six sheets of Shrinky Dinks® plastic in this book, along with a mind-boggling collection of ready-to-trace, ready-to-color, ready-to-shrink artwork.
For ages 6 and up
Written By: Sherri Haab & the Editors of Klutz
ISBN-10: 1-57054-407-7
ISBN-13: 978-1-57054-407-1
Like the Incredible Clay Book, this Klutz tome led to a group of kids of all ages--plus some adults--sitting around the table for hours. What could be better? Everyone has witnessed at least one post-gift meltdown. This, I believe, is the perfect antidote. By the way, I don't recommend giving both in one year. Give one book this year. Give the other next year. There aren't that many gifts of this caliber.
I must say that, though I rarely think anything is worth the money, Klutz books are generally worth the cost. Even at full price.
Do you have any "Worth It" gifts for kids?
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Frugality and Education as Necessary Evils: Milton and Mascara
Part 2 of my meditation on this topic. I realized that I did not touch on the issue of education. "Education as necessary evil": that just makes my blood run cold.
Of course, I am a teacher, so my thoughts are probably self-serving. After all, I teach Milton and Shakespeare, Homer and Virgil. Useless stuff to many, to be endured rather than cherished.
What is education anyway? From the blog Word Power: So there you have it folks, the word educate is directly derived from the Latin word educare, which was constructed by combining the two words, ex and ducere. The literal translation of educate is to draw out of, lead out of, etc. The Romans considered educating to be synonymous with drawing knowledge out of somebody or leading them out of regular thinking. The Romans developed the noun, educatio from the verb educare.
To lead out or to draw out. We see an enactment of this concept in Milton's Paradise Lost, where education leads Eve out of narcissism. And we see it later with Adam, when he asks God for a mate. God doesn't simply give Adam a mate (and He could, because He's God; and He knows he will, because He has foresight). Instead, God asks Adam a series of questions about WHY he wants a mate. At the end of this process of education, it is not God who knows (since He already knew); it is Adam who knows.
Another great moment from Milton, this time from an essay called "Of Education." The end then of learning is to repair the ruin of our first parents... Thus education can lead us OUT of ourselves and help us attain what Milton later calls a"paradise within."
From these lofty heights of high art, let us return to Walgreens and mascara. What education might be involved in that frugal episode? What did my 18 year old daughter learn when she asked me to look for her mascara of choice on sale?
1. WAIT: delaying gratification can be a useful life skill (have your pizza AFTER you finish your homework).
2. ANTICIPATE YOUR NEEDS: My daughter had some mascara left when she asked; she did not wait for a mascara emergency.
3. MOMS WILL HELP YOU REACH YOUR GOAL: We are a family and on the same team.
4. FRUGALITY DOES NOT MEAN DEPRIVATION: You got your mascara and some cashews.
So how can education be evil?
Of course, I am a teacher, so my thoughts are probably self-serving. After all, I teach Milton and Shakespeare, Homer and Virgil. Useless stuff to many, to be endured rather than cherished.
What is education anyway? From the blog Word Power: So there you have it folks, the word educate is directly derived from the Latin word educare, which was constructed by combining the two words, ex and ducere. The literal translation of educate is to draw out of, lead out of, etc. The Romans considered educating to be synonymous with drawing knowledge out of somebody or leading them out of regular thinking. The Romans developed the noun, educatio from the verb educare.
To lead out or to draw out. We see an enactment of this concept in Milton's Paradise Lost, where education leads Eve out of narcissism. And we see it later with Adam, when he asks God for a mate. God doesn't simply give Adam a mate (and He could, because He's God; and He knows he will, because He has foresight). Instead, God asks Adam a series of questions about WHY he wants a mate. At the end of this process of education, it is not God who knows (since He already knew); it is Adam who knows.
Another great moment from Milton, this time from an essay called "Of Education." The end then of learning is to repair the ruin of our first parents... Thus education can lead us OUT of ourselves and help us attain what Milton later calls a"paradise within."
From these lofty heights of high art, let us return to Walgreens and mascara. What education might be involved in that frugal episode? What did my 18 year old daughter learn when she asked me to look for her mascara of choice on sale?
1. WAIT: delaying gratification can be a useful life skill (have your pizza AFTER you finish your homework).
2. ANTICIPATE YOUR NEEDS: My daughter had some mascara left when she asked; she did not wait for a mascara emergency.
3. MOMS WILL HELP YOU REACH YOUR GOAL: We are a family and on the same team.
4. FRUGALITY DOES NOT MEAN DEPRIVATION: You got your mascara and some cashews.
So how can education be evil?
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