Re-reading Tightwad Gazette

[Tightwad Kitty]

Re: Re-reading Tightwad Gazette

Okay, I'm taking a leap of faith. Monday me and another co-worker are sitting down witht he boss and giving him the low down of where we are, where we can go, and what we would like do to. In all the presentation information I am including some articles from the CTG. The ones I choose to include are:
How to aviod feeling deprived.
Creative Deprivation
The fine are of negotiation
Whoope we can spend again
Read this article and save $150,000
It is my hope that he will take the concepts to hart and quite thinking of "BUDGET" as a bad for letter word. I swear the man spends money like he has endless amounts of it...and he doesn't! Whatever he wants, he just goes and gets it. Anyway, the idea is to hopefully devolpe a business plan and have some real goals and hold him accountable for all the money he wastes when there is debt to pay. His idea is always to bid jobs higher (there is a limit to what the market will take!) and that is simply not the answer. The answer is to SPEND LESS! SAVE MORE! So here's hoping the TWG can coupled with a good business plan and goals can work a little magic on my boss!!

You will have to let us know how it all went!

[Tightwad Kitty]

Re: Re-reading Tightwad Gazette

A good article to read this time is ‘The Time & Money Chart’ Vol 1 p102 (CTG)

This article is explaining how Amy worked out the hourly worth of a job or task! Also taking into account the other values like environment, healthy options, enjoyment of the task and quality time with others.

I think this article is well worth reading to understand, Amy’s thinking on hourly worth strategy within the book.

Amy’s Quote: For example: A 10-minutes tasks saves $2.00. The task could be done six times an hour. The hourly worth is $12.00 per hour.

[Tightwad Kitty]

Re: Re-reading Tightwad Gazette

A good article to read this time is ‘Time Savers’ Vol 1 p105 (CTG)
More Ideas on the old theme in this article.

Housework Division
The Container Principle
Equipment Investment
The Federal Express System
Mass – Production
Employee Training

These are titles in this article & her ideas on the getting things done around the house.
We all could use a bit of help in this area at times.
I think that the Flylady could be help here as well!
I use The Container Principle, Equipment Investment and Zone areas.
So that I can find items that I want then I need too!

What are your thoughts on this TIME SAVER article?

[Tightwad Kitty]

Re: Re-reading Tightwad Gazette

A good article to read this time is ‘Container Gardening’ Vol 1 p208 (CTG)

Quote “Almost any vegetable can be grown in a container, although you should look for the specific varieties that have been developed for containers.”

Some very good points are mention in this article.

Look at your local library for some good gardening books or check out some Op Shops or garages sales for them.

What are your ideas on frugal gardening in containers?

You may find more ideas in Frugal Gardening

[boefixepa]

Re: Re-reading Tightwad Gazette

I picked my first onion from my container garden last night! This is my first year with one, insprired by this book and it's going well. I lave enjoyed my herb garden so much that I am making sure to bring it for the winter. I am also trying to make sure I use what I grow. My pepers seem to be doing great and I am hopeful that Ii will have a good crop of them. I want to them to be a bit bigger. So far they are pretty small.....I'm hopping with time they will get at least close to grocery store size. The onions are doing great! as are the herbs. I have cherry tomatoes too.

PS the boos liked the presentation we gave him, but I haven't seen anything more yet. He's been out of town so we are still waiting.

[Tightwad Kitty]

Re: Re-reading Tightwad Gazette

A good article to read this time is ‘End Substitute Abuse’ Vol 1 p209 (CTG)

Topic on Dry Milk Powder

Amy’s Quote “Dry milk is great bargain. It is not often that you find a food that combines economy, health, versatility, and convenience in such a perfect union. It has a place in every tightwad cupboard.”

I use dry skim milk at all times & buy fancy varieties of milk products when I find them at a good markdown price. Mainly health drinks, Yogurt & coffee Milk. They must be around 50% off or lower too! Yes you can freeze milk to make it last.

[simpleselu]

Re: Re-reading Tightwad Gazette

Great thread! I am getting ready to reread the last two books, as I read the first book last month (I have the complete but I read it by the "book").

[kay70301]

Re: Re-reading Tightwad Gazette

I have dry skim milk on hand for use in cooking/baking as we do not drink milk. I do buy yogurt. I also buy cheese only when it is on sale, as some cheeses can be frozen.

[simpleselu]

Re: Re-reading Tightwad Gazette

I have dry skim milk on hand for use in cooking/baking as we do not drink milk. I do buy yogurt. I also buy cheese only when it is on sale, as some cheeses can be frozen.

What cheeses do you have good luck freezing?

[kay70301]

Re: Re-reading Tightwad Gazette

Hi! I freeze the following cheeses with no problem: shredded (any); single sliced (the individually wrapped slices as long as you put these in another baggy or leave them in the original outer wrapped package at the store); regular cream cheese (not light); and small blocks of cheddar cheeses. I have never frozen cottage or ricotta, so I'm not sure, but don't think you can freeze. Hope this helps!

[simpleselu]

Re: Re-reading Tightwad Gazette

Thank you! That does help. The local Kroger's been running 8 oz bags for $1 but I didn't know if it would freeze or not.

[Duchesse]

Re: Re-reading Tightwad Gazette

In my humble opinion I consider The Complete Tightwad Gazette to be the "bible" of saving and financial independence.
That being said, anyone voluntarily choosing this book is from this school of thought. Whether pre-K or Post Grad this book is the required text and will help you in some way.

Amy D pointed out that the people who rejected her book and ideas had usually skimmed through the book, noted some obscure idea (many of the ideas presented are not hers) and decided it wasn't for them. I agree with her wholeheartedly because this is what I have found with the few people I have been able to convince to take a look at it.

Tightwaddery is a choice lifestyle, chosen by a few choice people.

[pearlieq]

Re: Re-reading Tightwad Gazette

I picked this up at the library yesterday and re-read it today.

I think I've come to the conclusion I'm not a tightwad.

I certainly believe in getting full value for a dollar, working toward frugal living, and keeping a mindful eye on my consumption and the environmental impact thereof, but I honestly identified more with the guy she quoted who asked her "Why don't you lighten up and take your kids to McDonald's once in a while!"

This is not to say I didn't get any value out of her book, or that I disapprove of how she raises her family. If this works for them, more power to them! I picked up lots of useful tips, but I just don't find myself on a campaign to spend the absolute minimum possible on life. I prefer to balance between frugality and indulgence.

[lrjohnson]

Re: Re-reading Tightwad Gazette

I prefer to balance between frugality and indulgence.

I love Amy, so it would be hard not to defend her, even when she doesn't need defending and you are not attacking.

But, hey, she admits at the very beginning that 6 kids and a huge farmhouse is NOT exactly frugal, and could be considered indulgent. Me, I don't like kids, Amy and I have different priorities. But I just don't see where Amy has given up anything that's important to her; on the contrary, she made her dream come true.

I love using milk powder for cooking, as milk for cereal, as creamer. We don't drink milk. Well, sometimes I love hot milk with vanilla at night. And I'm just fine with the powdered stuff. I just don't get the strong feelings some people have about. There are some people at work who don't have the same thrifty habits but in general they express a small amount of appreciation or admiration for my lifestlye choices. However they just think powdered milk is as low as you can go. Weird to me.

[pearlieq]

Re: Re-reading Tightwad Gazette

But I just don't see where Amy has given up anything that's important to her; on the contrary, she made her dream come true.

I think you're right, and I certainly admire her drive to get what she wanted. I just wouldn't want to live her life!

On a related note, has there ever been any kind of follow-up on her life? She may not be Bill Gates, but I imagine she much have made a pretty penny with the newsletter and subsequent books.

Did she ever talk about what life was like after her commercial success?