September 26, 2006 | For the kids, Big Picture

If you’re like me, you clean out your kids’ toys periodically as they outgrow things, and/or as the mess becomes impossible. I have been known to throw away Happy Meal and birthday party favor toys under cover of darkness. Don’t judge me. Judge not, lest you yourself step on a light-up Scooby Doo Mystery Van in the dead of night with a tender, bare foot.

Anyway, it’s easy enough to bag this stuff up and take it to my local thrift store donation. It will be just a few extra dollars to send it to Iraq for the disadvantaged kids there. It’s rote, now, for me to say I disagree with the war and our president, but that I support our troops regardless. The thing is, what am I doing to support them? This is something I can do. It’s something you can do, too.

Check out the story (thanks, Asha!) and then put those toys in a big box and hit the post office. There are children in Iraq who may find great comfort in a stuffed animal or some other little toy. In fact, this may even get my kids helping me to clear out a bit rather than shrieking that they cannot possibly live without whatever item I am trying to toss. I’m pretty sure there’s some good karma in the bargain for us, too.

My deepest thanks to Edmay Mayers and the rest of our troops who are working to bring comfort to those in need.

August 23, 2006 | Questions Answered, Big Picture

I received what is probably my favorite question ever from Bonnie. Bonnie is pretty! And patient, because she sent this a while ago! Also, I think she raises a really important point.

Mir, I love your new site. Bargain hunting is a passion of mine but I must admit the internet is an area I have not honed the passion as much, as I am usually wary of shipping fees, inability to easily return, wanting to ‘touch’ things first and the such. Your site has taught me to take a second (and third, and fourth) look in this area.

Anyhoo… you are very pretty, not to mention nice and funny too! My question is not a bargain one so much as a philosophical one. My husband and I are polar opposites when it comes to shopping—he feels it is worth it to buy something full price at the first place he sees, as it makes the whole ’shopping thing’ be over faster. So, when we are buying gifts for one another, what is ‘fair’? Often he will buy me a $150 gift and I will, in return, spend about $60 but get him a gift of equal value. Am I being cheap or practical? I know it’s not romantic to ‘compare’ but I don’t want to short change the guy, but I also don’t want to go overboard. I mean, nobody’s made of money here.

If your beloved is spending twice (or three or four times) as much, does that mean you’re cheap? When money is saved, do you then have some sort of obligation to spend more? (more…)

August 22, 2006 | Everyday Wisdom, Big Picture

You know you should be saving money, right? Everyone realizes that, although how much and where and all of that are separate issues. What you might not realize is that online savings banks are a smart choice for savvy consumers, both in terms of ease-of-use and interest rates.

I happen to use ING Direct. (No, I am not affiliated with them in any way. Just a happy customer.) There are other online options, of course, though I’ve been very happy with ING. Let me count the ways…. (more…)

August 4, 2006 | Big Picture

As I’ve mentioned before, it is my belief that everyone should contribute time and money to charity. It’s good karma. It’s a learning experience. It will encourage you to manage your finances appropriately. It will (if you have children) model good values for your kids. And—argue with me if you like—it’s your social responsibility.

Don’t tell me you have no time. Make time.

Don’t tell me you have no money. You have internet access (and possibly a computer). You have enough money to do something.

I don’t care how you do it, but I promise you that if you think you can’t—because time is too tight, because there isn’t a spare cent to be had—that you can find a way, and the results will be worth it. (more…)

July 11, 2006 | Big Picture

Courtesy of my friend Kym—a financial maven in her own right—here’s an article you simply must read:

Seduced by sales? You may need retail therapy

Read it. Then read it again. I’m as big of a bargainaholic as they come, but you can’t lose sight of the end goal (which is hopefully to have enough money to live a comfortable life). Have you ever bought something you didn’t need just because it was a great deal? Go read this article.

June 29, 2006 | Questions Answered, Big Picture

I have to say that I love this question because this is one of those issues I could talk about forever. (Yeah, I know I can talk about almost anything forever, but this is different.) It’s just—well, you’ll see.

Hi,

You are pretty. Your site is seriously brilliant and very helpful. I thought twice about purchasing toilet bowl cleaner at wal-mart today, your words were in the back of my mind. I totally breezed by the batteries that were like 4AA for 5 bucks! I thank you for that.

OK, here is my non-general finance question, forgive me:

Engagement ring? A good friend desperately wantes to marry his wonderful gal, but is totally tight on cash. I worry he’ll end up with something she will be less than thrilled with due to cost. (not that she’s greedy, totally not) Do you have any experience with jewelry?

Thanks!
Mandy

Ahhhh, engagement rings. If there’s another issue that causes men to gnash their teeth and women to weep the way this does, I can’t think of it. Just let me put on my asbsestos suit, here…. (more…)

June 27, 2006 | Questions Answered, Big Picture

Jean wrote… well, here’s what Jean wrote:

Mir,

I love this site! I can’t wait to see what tips you give us each day. The only way the site would be better is if we could see your pretty face every day! Here’s my question for you…I just purchased my first home with my husband. My income is the only once since my husband is a SAHD (we have a 2 year old). What are some of the best ways to cut down on our oil costs (used for heat/hot water) and our propane (used for stove/dryer) and our electric expenses? Thanks!

Jean

We will forgive Jean her obvious poor taste in wanting to see my terrifying mug each day (I would, you know, but on a bad skin day y’all might lose the will to shop), and try to sink our teeth into the matter of cutting down on energy costs. Just give me a second to finish weeping over my latest oil bill. Okay! (more…)

June 19, 2006 | Big Picture

If you’re like me… well, you have a hard time spending money on yourself. Many parents, and in particular, many single parents, are stretching every dollar and feel as though money spent on themselves is somehow money taken away from the kids.

This is utter hooey. I believe the technical term is Equine Stercus.

Look. I’m not going to tell you to carry a Coach purse while your kids carry their school books in brown paper bags; there’s a finite amount of money in your budget, and certain needs that must be met, and some things will remain more than what you might be able to afford.

But I’ll bet you can afford more than you might think. And at least here in America, we’ve all been granted the inalienable rights to life, liberty, and a bit of retail therapy. (more…)

June 8, 2006 | Big Picture

Sometimes you have to spend some money (or do something that results in spending money) even though every fiber of your being shrieks, “NOOOOOO!”

It happens. When faced with such a situation, take a tip from a large shoe manufacturer and Just Do It. Agonizing over it helps nothing.

Like, say, when you come downstairs one morning in June and discover that it’s only 58 degrees in your kitchen. Yes, you must turn the heat back on if you don’t want your children to call Child Protective Services. No, you shouldn’t have to turn the heat on in the second week of June. Yes, it sucks. No, whining about it will not help. Yes, oil is expensive. No, it’s not optional if you’ve lost all feeling in the tip of your nose.

Just sayin’.