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.
I got slammed on the fees thing too, and I have been paying $120/year for my funds when it could have been $0.
ReplyDeleteI'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.
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.
ReplyDeleteAs 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!
Will look forward to hearing how you qualify and select your new investment firm. (I follow mine online.)
ReplyDeleteI 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!
Didn't know that about shrimp. Now I do.
ReplyDeleteI also had my black eyed today. Now maybe I will be lucky enough to get some shrimp for $2.98 a pound.
Glad you're back! :-)
ReplyDeleteHad 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.
I didn't know about that curled shrimp thing either! Interesting where you can pick up little tidbits!
ReplyDeleteI grew up among fishmongers and I didn't know that about shrimp either! Pretty cool.
ReplyDeleteBy the by, how DO you know when something's a fake?