A penny saved...
It is never too early to plan for retirement. The landscape of the world of retirement accounts changes as you reach retirement age. Tax benefits begin to disappear. Tax implications become more plentiful. Retirement is the practical application of A penny saved is a penny earned.
https://mommasmoneymatters.com/retirement-by-age/
Mean-spirited, dim-witted
Trolls are nasty creatures. The misshapen, ill-mannered, ill-tempered, kidnapping monsters hide from light and morality and eat their kinfolk and farm animals. From their Norse beginnings to their modern internet incarnation, trolls are objectionable on all levels. (Buckle up, Betsy. I think this may be a rough ride.)
https://mommasmoneymatters.com/trolls/
Raymond left a comment on I ain’t escared, which just made me know this was a poem which would find its way from the scribble pad beside my bed to M3. Mantra tends to like singing me to sleep. I love looking at the pad when I wake up to see where I fell asleep and scrawled across the page.
https://mommasmoneymatters.com/poetry-jagged/
Arguably, no is the most powerful two-letter word in the English language. (If you can think of a better one, I am all ears.) Although, on the surface, no is a negative word, we are going to delve in the positive side of no.
No, I do not know.
Despite redneck movies to the contrary, not knowing something is not necessarily a bad thing. Can you think of three things you do not want to ever know?
Think of this no as an opportunity to learn what (not) to do.
Things which should never be on this list include, but are not limited to, the following:
Things which should be on the list:
Composing the list of only negative things is the ultimate goal. Making sure the necessities are on hand is an integral part of creating a stable home. Keeping the negative things on the list is as well.
No time down the drain.
This no is the key to time management. Learning to say no to some of the opportunities to (go, do, help) is also a key to sanity. Despite the fit of your cape, you cannot possibly say yes to every request for your (time, resources, money) and still maintain your lifestyle and sanity.
While this is not an endorsement to embrace avarice and sloth, it is an endorsement to not feel guilty for not being able to (volunteer, endorse, fund) every cause which comes to call. Consider your beliefs and priorities before you agree to save the (day, whales, world).
An important addition to this list is the ability to say no to more work. It is an exercise in the adage: The more you do, the more you are expected to do. When you take on additional assignments, especially ones which do not increase your pay, you are creating an environment which leads to abuse of your generosity.
No talking.
Probably one of the hardest things to avoid is mordancy. It truly has no winners. When you talk bad about someone you look smaller. It destroys trust your Quaint places in you by opening the possibility you may one day speak that way about Quaint. Better to say nothing at all than to speak badly.
If you cannot hold it in, go to the person and discuss it. Perhaps, you have jumped to a conclusion which is mitigated by circumstances you do not know.
Another application of this no is gossip. Even if you know what you are saying is the truth, you may not know how much damage what you are saying may cause. When you feel like someone should know a truth about Quaint, ask Quaint to disclose. After all, it is Quaint’s responsibility.
Do speak up here.
The only exception to this is when someone is in mortal danger. Do not wait for Quaint to tell Child to get off the railroad tracks when the guard rail is down and the whistle is blowing. Do wait for Quaint to tell Child about that embarrassing cross-dressing incident in high school.
This no does not apply to the facts in life, like gravity, but it does apply to bad behavior. Some of the things on the no acceptance list include:
Ridding yourself of the poisonous people who engage in these destructive behaviors is one of the most difficult things you will ever attempt, especially if you care for them. Love does not conquer any of these behaviors.
You must love to stop bad behavior.
If you are engaging in these behaviors, you are not loving yourself, Quaint, Mate, Parent or Child, or any other member of society.
Getting help for the person may be beyond your control. Offer help. If it is turned away, remove yourself from the destruction. You would not stand in the middle of a blast zone. Do not stand in the way of the shrapnel of bad behavior.
Loving from a distance hurts, but is a necessary means of survival. Have the strength to say, No, I do not accept this as a healthy part of my life.
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https://mommasmoneymatters.com/just-say-no/
Let’s return to M3’s roots for a post, shall we? Here are a dozen ways to save $5 before noon.
Wish for the price when this pump was new!
Buying gas in the morning is outright smart. The gasoline is denser in the cooler air, so you get more gas for the same price. That is no secret.
This may be… Gasoline retailers raise prices between 10 a.m. and noon based on the opening price of oil on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). Gas prices go up 93% of the time. Since the price does not go down again until after closing bell (if the per barrel price and futures went down), better to fill up in the morning.
No, this is not an echo. Gas stations often offer loss leaders on breakfast sandwiches and coffee. Fill your personal tank for a cost effective breakfast.
What? Oh, loss leaders are items stores offer discounted below cost to get you into the store. They assume you will fall prey to the impulse items they sell to make up the profit. Loss leaders include things like mayonnaise, ice cream, raw chicken and watermelon. Stick to the program and only buy the discounted products.
Get beautiful early.
Most beauty and nail salons and barber shops offer specials for hair, skin and nails to early birds to keep chairs filled all day. Avoid the rush (which begins just after lunch) by scheduling your appointment or walking in before 11. That way, you are out in time for lunch.
After you gas up and have a bite, it is time to go to the gym to work off those calories. Early morning, the place is wall-to-wall with people trying to work out before work. Once they hit the offices, you guessed it, empty gym.
See if your gym offers a discount for off-peak users. You can have the run of the place from 10-12. No one will ever see you in your yoga pants or lifting the 30-pound press.
Loss leaders rule the morning. Early bird deals like “An additional 50% clearance from 7-11” make shopping for (early presents) perfect bargains. If you do not need a $12 maxi dress or $14 dress shirt, go to the grocery. Shopping in the morning when you are less rushed and not hungry will mean less money spent on impulse buys and snack foods. Be sure to bring your list and follow the rules.
Share the popcorn...
Been wanting to see the new blockbuster? Take in a matinee. On average, the first screening of the day is 60% cheaper than standing in line for 25 minutes to get a ticket. Some independent cinemas offer $1 tickets to the morning show.
Edify your mind with some educational fun. No, you do not have to learn anything, but it would not hurt. Art, nature and science museums offer free of discounted admission when they first open in the morning.
Same goes for most botanical gardens, skating rinks and amusement parks (idly wonders which amusement park will sponsor M3 for the sheer number of amusement park references) slash prices before noon and on days when their afternoon traffic is much heavier…like Sundays.
Learning is earning.
Art, craft and DIY classes are a terrific way to decorate or make gifts on the cheap. Did you know the classes in the evening are more expensive? Schedule your (flower arranging, painting, scrapbooking, metal or woodworking) class in the morning to save money you can spend on supplies
Not many doctors discount their prices E.V.E.R., but by going in the morning, you are likely to be seen at the time your appointment is scheduled. The time you save is money in the bank because you can spend it in much more profitable ways.
No snacking. Wait for dinner.
Cook in the morning when it is cooler. Get the entree finished before the house gets warm (or let the excess oven and stove top heat warm it). In the evening, use the (much more efficient) microwave to warm the food for the table. Make the air conditioner work less. Recycle this idea for other appliances like the dishwasher, washing machine and dryer.
No thirsty plants.
Water your outdoor plants in the morning.
Want a loaf of your favorite cracked oat, honey wheat? How would you like it for 1/2 to 2/3 off? Be at the bakery when they open. If it did not sell yesterday, it is on sale today. Want it to last longer? Pop it in the freezer.
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What is your favorite morning bargain? Where do you save the most by shopping or doing early or before lunch?
https://mommasmoneymatters.com/save-money-early/