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Do you haggle and "beat up" merchants for the best possible price, whenever possible (electricians, roofers, smaller non-corporate merchants, etc.)?
Do you drive your cars until they're past the point of practical repairing?
Do you know what grocery stores in your area have the cheapest prices for the goods you prefer (No Walmart, please: it's garbage; or Costco: it's second-rate)?
How high do you set the thermostat in the winter--- 68F or below? How about at nights: 66F or below?
How long do you spend checking airline prices (somewhat more challenging now since the bastards have figured out how to eliminate a lot of the best choices from your repeat log-ins, in effect trying to force you to limit your comparisons)?
Are dependability and mileage key factors in your car-buying decisions?
How big is your house? Do you really need much over 2500sf unless you have 3 kids, or more?Do you… reuse dental floss, putting it into a drawer for another "go?"
Edits: 01/21/15Follow Ups:
But we won't get them, will we.
Warmest
Tim Bailey
Skeptical Measurer & Audio Scrounger
... Because I paid him the same hourly rate as our maid.
Now to these other mindless questions.
1( Do you haggle and "beat up" merchants for the best possible price?
I don't recall ever holding a gun at a merchant's head. Buying and selling is a two way transaction. I'm sure I have paid less for goods & services than what might be deemed reasonable by a luminary such as yourself but I am sure I have also paid more for goods & services than what you deem reasonable. (It is just a guess based on your posting history)
2( Do you drive your cars until they're past the point of practical repairing?
Good heavens, no, after 4 or 5 years we give most of our cars away to somebody deserving. No, not the mercs or jags but we do with the town cars and work vehicles.
3( Do you know what grocery stores in your area have the cheapest prices for the goods you prefer?
Nope, no idea.
4( How high do you set the thermostat in the winter--- 68F or below? How about at nights: 66F or below?
Climate control all year around is set to about 21C (70F)
5( How long do you spend checking airline prices?
It usually takes me about 10 minutes to book and pay for flights.
6( Are dependability and mileage key factors in your car-buying decisions?
LOL ~ good grief, no.
7( How big is your house? Do you really need much over 2500sf unless you have 3 kids, or more?
Oh, it is big baby! We don't really need a home, we could live on the boat if we wanted to.
8( Do you… reuse dental floss, putting it into a drawer for another "go?"
What do you think one has a maid for?
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Now, where are your responses tinear? Opps, silly question.
FFS.
Smile
Sox
needed to get a wooden TV type tray to use very occasionally to set up or manage my Mac Mini music server in the music cave. I had looked on line...not bad, under 8 clams at Walmart...
Was at World market in person, asked them, no have any.
She said Bed Bath & Beyond...went there (45 seconds away).
A nice wooden one for 16 and change...add the tax and 18 & change...
And I avoided that pale white fat ass crowd of wasted flesh at Walmart.
So, IMHO...who gives a crap about really small change?
I am more frugal than most here. It happened slowly over the last decade.
But, not too cheap to be a contributor here. Learned a lot and have been entertained for little $.
But we know who IS too cheap to be a contributor here, and proud of it.This while denigrating where people shop and whose posts drive people away too!!
"Once this was all Black Plasma and Imagination"-Michael McClure
Edits: 01/22/15
Although it's a weird thread, oddly enough it seems to have received a lot of interest.
IIRC, he contributed $250 3(4?) years ago.
----------------------
"Have you a water buffalo?"
At his funeral somebody told the story that on one holiday the big Chrysler refused to fire up after refuelling, so the shop mechanic came to have a look.
He recommended the spark plugs be replaced.
My old boss asked to see the plugs.
The mechanic brought them into the office and pointed out the signs of wear and tear.
My old boss asked the mechanic to rate the spark plugs from good to border line to no good.
Then he pinned the mechanic down to three spark plugs that were definitely no good.
So he told the mechanic to supply just 3 new plugs and reinstall the 5 best of the old ones.
All this while the whole family was waiting in the car at the beginning of their summer holidays.
He would spend money, but only as little as he absolutely had to!
Cheers,
John K
.
-Rod
I'm half Scottish
E
T
for those who don't buy their round at the bar.
past tense.
"Once this was all Black Plasma and Imagination" -Michael McClure
I either pay the price quoted, or do without.
I just drove an '88 Mazda 227,000 miles before its transmission started failing, then drove it to a wrecking yard that gave me $1000 for it through the California "buy-back program" for cars older than '94.
We go to the nearby Safeway, never drive more than nessasary to save pennies.
Winter thermostat set to 70, wife is not well and I want her comfortable in the mornings. Night time 58 degrees is fine with memory foam bed.
We fly between San Jose and Ontario (CA) once a month, always take Southwest.
Just bought a 2011 Mercedes C 300 'lease return' for $23k (22k miles) that was $37k new, that we absolutely love.
House is 1830 sf on 10,500 sf lot, definitely looking forward to downsizing.
Floss keeps breaking.
Our system is done, haven't bought anything in three or four years. With no disrespect to those having fun upgrading, I'd like to congratulate those that have assembled a satisfying system and can say they're done.
Have fun
...changed since March 2006 and I have no plans to make any more. Well, other than replacing the M97's stylus when necessary.
Later Gator,
Dave
my car doesn't have heat and I scrape the winshield ice from INSIDE as well as OUTSIDE.
cars is one thing, with other things I live a life of excess and debauchery.
You have WAY too much time on your hands.
Maybe you could donate some of it to people who don't have enough.
Spread it around, so to speak. You know, like your excess money.
thermostat? 15F at night and 18F daytime, and we wear a warm top or pullover, and shoes instead of thongs (flip-flops). New ducted NG system.We brought-up two boys in a 4 bedroom 1400 sq.ft house with a space-wasting hall and entry area. NB It does have a large (600 sq. ft.)covered open sided deck along the north side of the house which I built, with some help. It is usable for ~3/4 of the year, even on wet days. Wet and windy, not. It's where we entertain. The boys used it a lot with their friends back when. In Winter we do get a few sunny and still days.
One factor in buying the house was it is almost perfectly oriented for passive solar efficiency. We don't use reverse cycle air-conditioning and installed ducted evaporative cooling mid-summer 2013/14 which is very effective and cheap to run. The roof has R5-6.0 insulation above the ceiling and a large extractor fan on a thermostat.
We use a grey-water system - not very elaborate - to distribute our waste laundry water onto trees and shrubs, including our fruit trees (2 peach and a Meyer lemon) and all our herbs. They get watered when we do laundry.
Grocery shopping? We go to Aldi and then Woolworths. Aldi (FRGY based) is high quality but low priced. Viz. they are currently selling a great smooth Spanish straight Tempranillo for $Au 5. Different business model to WW and Coles, and they've made them compete.
We also grow a lot of vegetables. Currently we have seven beds to allow for crop-rotation, plus herbs used as shrubs, and four stacks of four car tyres for potatoes. At present we are cropping strawberries, tomatoes, 4 different lettuces, rocket, english and perpetual Spinach, rhubarb (green 'bitter' variety, and just finished our second year's crop of asparagus which is now ferally fronding. We grow heaps of garlic chives, spring onions, and garlic, and onions over winter / spring.
It's not quite a perma-culture food garden but it's a bit free-form.
The front garden is far bigger but we don't grow any food in it.
Audio? I don't buy new except for digital players, and the budget isn't up to streaming yet. I rebuild and adapt older classics with new ideas and modern components. The current main system is in waiting / bits while I pay gradually for work to build the new active 3-sphere point- source arrays, using a Manger WR main driver. The lack of any decent well-reviewed A to D converters possibly means getting a Euro kit built.
Subs are half built.
A friend has BIG DIY 3-way boxes with JBLs and a DEQX DSP box. My system imaged better, was way more musical, far clearer and played just as loud. Nothing below ~35 Hz though. :-) I used to work weekends for the major hifi shop here and I am happy with what I achieve. Audio friends? have restored QUAD 57s (OTL amp), another has restored 63s. Another has BIG Dunlavys with valves. One more has huge DIY boxes with Tannoy 15 golds and SET amps with huge laboratory PSUs.
I loved the you-tube on Hitler and cables!!!! yet I have some VDH cables from that shop, but mostly Supra.
I too buy used and remaindered CDs online.
I forget to floss! ;-)!
I walk and ride a bike to keep fit, we do long day walks every month.
Cars? we run one car. My brother-in-law is a licensed dealer (Daly Trucks and Machinery) and he buys them for us. My oldest friend Mike O'Brien, is his minder like Terry in the BBC TV series Minder?! ;-)!
First cars were Volvo 140s, then a Datsun S/W. Last two were Toyotas incl. the current 2003 Camry ACV36R auto. Next one will be a new but wholesale-price Corolla 5-dr hatch, possibly a sporty one. By the time we buy they just might have nailed the CVT transmission's issues. ;-)!
We shop for travel through our motoring association which has a very large membership base. Going on a cruise up Qld's coast and Great Barrier
Reef this Winter (early June).
Warmest
Tim Bailey
Skeptical Measurer & Audio Scrounger
Edits: 01/21/15 01/21/15
Me:
Do you haggle and "beat up" merchants for the best possible price, whenever possible (electricians, roofers, smaller non-corporate merchants, etc.)?
> Nope, I accept their quote and pass if I feel it's not reasonable.
Do you drive your cars until they're past the point of practical repairing?
> Nope, not me.
Do you know what grocery stores in your area have the cheapest prices for the goods you prefer (No Walmart, please: it's garbage; or Costco: it's second-rate)?
> I go to one store I feel has good selection combined with reasonable pricing (Real Canadian here IMO). In all honesty, I have no idea what certain fruits or other items should cost. I once had a clerk ask "Do you really want these nectarines, it works out to over $1 each?" "Well, I like nectarines. Do you pay $1 for a chocolate bar? Same thing to me, but healthier."
How high do you set the thermostat in the winter--- 68F or below? How about at nights: 66F or below?
> 68-70 waking hours, 62 at night.
How long do you spend checking airline prices (somewhat more challenging now since the bastards have figured out how to eliminate a lot of the best choices from your repeat log-ins, in effect trying to force you to limit your comparisons)?
> My buddy, we always travel with their family, does all bookings for us.
Are dependability and mileage key factors in your car-buying decisions?
How big is your house? Do you really need much over 2500sf unless you have 3 kids, or more?
> Car, not so much, I drive a Z06 Corvette. Horrible mileage, great fun. Our house is ~2400SF, 2 kids. If I could afford 4000 or more I'd switch in a second.
Do you? reuse dental floss, putting it into a drawer for another "go?"
> Yikes. LOL
Do you haggle and "beat up" merchants for the best possible price, whenever possible (electricians, roofers, smaller non-corporate merchants, etc.)? No, unless it's at a garage or Estate sale
Do you drive your cars until they're past the point of practical repairing? Hell no, 80k is about the max for me, 15-20k for mrs. Warrior
Do you know what grocery stores in your area have the cheapest prices for the goods you prefer (No Walmart, please: it's garbage; or Costco: it's second-rate)? Of course I do. Costco is GREAT! Walmart is at tmes an evil necessity
How high do you set the thermostat in the winter--- 68F or below? How about at nights: 66F or below? Thermo set at 71 in winter. Cold feet aren't worth saving $20/mth
How long do you spend checking airline prices (somewhat more challenging now since the bastards have figured out how to eliminate a lot of the best choices from your repeat log-ins, in effect trying to force you to limit your comparisons)? I spend long enough to find the flight that best suit my needs at the lowest cost.
Are dependability and mileage key factors in your car-buying decisions?
Dependability? Yes. Mileage, no.
How big is your house? 4174 sf.
Do you really need much over 2500sf unless you have 3 kids, or more? Need? No. Want? Hell yea.
Do you reuse dental floss, putting it into a drawer for another "go?"
Of course not. Do you?
----------------------
"Have you a water buffalo?"
Is that enough to have your space?
And a man retreat?
And a cottage?
My mom lives in our cottage, so I guess she counts for Tin's purposes as extra children.
Our old place was about that, but we downsized...a bit.
-Rod
Decided to build something where we could spread our wings.
----------------------
"Have you a water buffalo?"
...thrifty without being cheap.
Spend the money on the things which are most important to you.
To me that means a great audio system, good wine, and a 7 year old BMW that's in great shape and still fun to drive. My wife's car is a year older and still runs great.
I buy used CDs whenever possible.
I go to Costco every few weeks, but not for produce (their meat and fish are superb).
We downsized our house 6 years ago and will probably do it again in the next 4 years.
I use Kayak to do airfare comparisons.
Thermostat set at 69 in winter, 63 at night and 79 in summer for the AC.
How about you?
yep, well said. I prescribe to that theory. A big way to save is to cook food from scratch. It has many other positive benefits too. There is only one good restaurant within 25 miles and its OK but nothing special. Big pot of vegetable curry on the stove now. I make the spice blend* and put it on the sauteed onions, carrots, bell and hot peppers, carrots and add diced tomato and garlic late. Cook it down till most liquid is gone and have a crapload of turnip, rutabaga, cauliflower and yellow squash cooking in a separate pot. When they are done but not mush drain that liquid and any liquid still in the other pot and put that in a small non stick pot and reduce it to a thick state. Throw it all together in the big pot and add a quart of yogurt that has been in cheesecloth with a weight on top to make it the consistency of cream cheese. Yummy Indian Vegetable Yogurt curry. Lasts about 5 days and is heavenly. Serve in a bowl w/cilantro on top.
Total cost about $12. Why so little? Cauliflower $1.99/hd, Turnips .69/lb, 5 marked down green bell peppers $1.71, carrots .69/lb bag, onions 1.99/3lb bag, yellow squash .99/lb, rutabaga .99/lb, diced tomatoes 28oz can .99, yogurt one quart .50 cents, yep that's right .50! Yum!
E
T
*My "Curry"= turmeric, corriander, cumin, white pepper, paprika, red pepper, dried red chilies
(nt)
It would be a soupy mush in a crock pot; you have to remove that liquid and do a reduction. Also you really need to cook the veggies 30 minutes or so and that includes putting the squash in for the last 15 minutes only or the veggies are too mushy.
If I could do a crock pot for this dish it would make it easier but you just can't and have it come out well. Now a decent chuck roast w/potatoes, onions, carrots and celery works well in the crock pot. I'll have to do one of those soon.
E
T
Do you haggle and "beat up" merchants for the best possible price, whenever possible (electricians, roofers, smaller non-corporate merchants, etc.)?
No I just don't buy until I get a good price, I hate haggling
Do you drive your cars until they're past the point of practical repairing?
Yes
Do you know what grocery stores in your area have the cheapest prices for the goods you prefer (No Walmart, please: it's garbage; or Costco: it's second-rate)?
YES!
How high do you set the thermostat in the winter--- 68F or below? How about at nights: 66F or below? 65, even colder in the bedroom
How long do you spend checking airline prices (somewhat more challenging now since the bastards have figured out how to eliminate a lot of the best choices from your repeat log-ins, in effect trying to force you to limit your comparisons)? Enough - day of the week is critical
Are dependability and mileage key factors in your car-buying decisions?
yes
How big is your house? too big
Do you really need much over 2500sf unless you have 3 kids, or more? no
Do you? reuse dental floss, putting it into a drawer for another "go?"
eeeewwwwww gross people in WV don't floss, it has the lowest per capita sales of DF..... I made that up but it may be true
ET
I am wondering why you don't like Costco? In my experience they do returns fairly, offer good products, usually have a good store brand (Kirkland) and treat their employees well.
...and find them cheap for how good they are. Kirkland olive oil is a steal.
Maybe I am cheap.
Dean.
reelsmith's axiom: Its going to be used equipment when I sell it, so it may as well be used equipment when I buy it.
A friend of mine, who is really into quality cooking, tells me the Kirkland olive oil rates very high in the comparison tests he's read. I use the Kirkland organic extra virgin olive oil on my salads, and it is quite good.
----------------------
"Have you a water buffalo?"
...which is why she is my ex.
Dean.
reelsmith's axiom: Its going to be used equipment when I sell it, so it may as well be used equipment when I buy it.
Quite frankly I can't imagine anyone NOT liking COSTCO. I don't understand how someone could object to COSTCO.My haul this Sunday, Charmin Toilet paper, Bounty paper towels, Cascade dishwasher tablets, Jetrinse (or whatever), Dixie 9" coated paper plates, bowls and 8oz cups, Tide, fantastic tortilla soup(!!!), 2% Milk, Tropicana full gallon of High Pulp Orange Juice, Tillamook Medium Cheddar, Smoked Gouda and Chipotle Pimento Cheese, a great Rioja we had Sunday, Cheese and Chicken Stuffed raviolis, king size brand name green olives, a case of Ramen noodles (sue me, I still love em), a case of Kirkland brand 5 Hour Energy Drink knockoff, a bottle of CQ10, a bottle of Osteo Biplex, acetomenaphen (sp?) and 2 doz roses for Mrs. Warrior.
Sam's is the big box store of last resort but I did get a new vacuum two weeks ago there to replace our always breaking down Hoover Wind Tunnel, some beautiful Certified Angus filets, and 2014 Turbo Tax.
----------------------
"Have you a water buffalo?"
Edits: 01/21/15
LoL...not really but I heard this decades ago and have been dying to use the line LoL..
they work in. One of his first "cost savings" measures is to run the toilet paper inventory thru a de-plying machine, making double rolls from single rolls with double ply paper. When the office staff gets up in arms, he orders his worker to re-ply the rolls.
----------------------
"Have you a water buffalo?"
use both sides
.
Not cheap enough to choose a cheap metal as part of my AA moniker!
"Once this was all Black Plasma and Imagination" -Michael McClure
Are dependability and mileage key factors in your car-buying decisions?
That's not being cheap. That's being smart.
Dean.
reelsmith's axiom: Its going to be used equipment when I sell it, so it may as well be used equipment when I buy it.
Well, I *AM* cheap, (99 cent and Dollar tree), but I( want to talk about my stereo system on the that I got on the cheap.
Marantz 10b - $25
Paragon 12A Tube pre - Traded for Soundcraftsman 250w per channel amp. (which I hated)
Thorens TD 124 (MK I) PLUS SME 3012 split-weight free
2 ea. Quad II's, plus Quad preamp - free
Various tube Mac amps, Free to $12.00
2 ea. JBL L65 $40.
2Ea. ESS AMT-1 $25
Anyone else match my haul?
Serving up content-free posts since 1984.
I take my glasses off if I'm not looking at anything so they'll last longer.
Neil
I'm in the "not cheap" camp. I like good drink, food, cars, boats, and travel, and am willing to pay.
I do a pretty fair amount of research before a purchase, but haggling - no.
I am not a consumer haggling over a rug and 2 kg of dates in a open air market in a 3rd world country........And never will be.
Meat; It's the right thing to do. Romans 14:2
...take the quiz.
...between some of the questions then be asked to sign up (email address required) then get bombarded by a slew of "offers" before seeing the results. I baled after three of those "offers". Be aware!
Later Gator,
Dave
...to tin's troll.
Sorry.
1. Never. I do shop around though.
2. Nah. 150,000+ is enough even if they are still running. Well, except for the Dodge Cummins. 180,000 and no plans to replace.
3. N/A There is only one grocery store in town.
4. 63F day, 55F night
5. Don't fly. I'd rather drive and see the country.
6. Pretty much. After figuring out what type of vehicle will do what I want it to.
7. 2400 sq.ft. 3600 if we count the basement. We had four children when we bought it 35 years ago. We don't need that much, but sure enjoy the room when the kids and grandkids come to visit.
The tp has a hole in it so you can hang it back on the hook when finished. I'm not talking about the roll.
Campers can get 4 wearings from a set of skivvies. Front, then back, inside out, then front and back again. Saves laundry, but probably not relationships. Priorities ...
dfs
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