My latest rant
@thebeaddoodler (4262)
Lubbock, Texas
March 7, 2009 10:28am CST
Most of my discussions are rants, and this is no exception. I'm so sick of getting snail mail and e mail promising ways to save money, ways to make money etc. only to take time to read things that anybody with one ounce of common sense knows!
Example: AARP newsletter suggests these ways to save money.
Reduce restaurant meals to one a month.
Make your coffee at home.
Rent a movie instead of going out.
Run your dishwasher and washing machine for a full load only.
Operate the above machines on off peak times. Good one, but you'll need to check and see if your electric company gives you discounts for off peak hours. Not all of them do.
Unplug small appliances when not in use.
Use fans instead of AC
Lower your thermostat in the winter.
Cut out the unnecessary "bells and whistles" on your cell phone
Switch to "Basic" cable
Are these things people really need to be told? Aren't they just common sense? Am I just so old that these things are a way of life and I never got into the "fast lane" of life.
OK, rant over. Thanks for reading.
4 people like this
8 responses
@carolbee (16230)
• United States
7 Mar 09
I am to the point in my life that if it costs a little more to have the heat on where it's a comfy level in the winter, just do it. Don't mind paying a little more to be comfortable. I could probably drive myself nuts thinking of ways to save money but it's not worth the stress it would or could cause. I like peaceful too much in my life. One thing I do is never leave the toaster plugged in when not in use. According to articles I've read and our daugher, who is a firefighter, this is a good way to start a fire. Really don't understand the concept so I just leave it unplugged. Oh I have to unplug the coffee pot also because there is a short in the off/on switch and it's too much trouble to get it to work by using the switch. This is done for convenience. To run around our house and uplug small appliances would be too much trouble and I am too lazy..lol
1 person likes this
@thebeaddoodler (4262)
• Lubbock, Texas
7 Mar 09
I agree with keeping the thermostat at a comfortable level. But that's relative to the person and their health level etc. I'm NOT going to leave mine at 60 during the day, but 72 is comfortable enough.
It's all relative, and everyone should use just a little common sense. What really gets me is the articles always make it seem like they're really coming up with some novel ideas, and they simply aren't.
@thebeaddoodler (4262)
• Lubbock, Texas
7 Mar 09
Carolbee, it's the same in town here. My son used to live in town and was threatened with a fine for driving his car into the yard to wash it in order to water the yard and wash the car at the same time. Seems there's a city ordinance against "parking" the car in the yard instead of the driveway. Really! Like he was going to leave it there when he finished.
@uath13 (8192)
• United States
7 Mar 09
Problem is common sense is becoming less & less common. It's on the endangered list. Heck if we die anytime soon it might become extinct.
Seriously... When people need warnings saying "Do not eat" on the silicon packages found in their shoes when they buy them there's a problem!
1 person likes this
Or "do not operate while asleep" on a hair dryer!
@asmurthy (2461)
• India
7 Mar 09
yes you are right. You can save money while puchasing groceries. the amount you spend on groceries each month is somewhat flexible. While the common advice of clipping coupons and buying generic brands to save money while shopping is sound, by far the best way to truly keep your grocery shopping expenses under control.
@thebeaddoodler (4262)
• Lubbock, Texas
7 Mar 09
I tried clipping coupons at one time but I found that even with the coupon the generic brand was cheaper and we liked it, so clipping coupons was a huge waste of my time.
@benhilo (871)
• Tripoli, Libya
8 Mar 09
I love reading your rants and this one is no exception. The answer to the question of whether people need to be told these thing well to points then you tell me. McDonald's now puts "Caution Hot liquid" on their coffee cups because some lady just bought her coffee then drove off and spilled it on her thighs which got burned. By the way, she got a million dollar settlement. Hows that for being dumb! Point two, Preparation H now has a warning label which reads " Do not take orally". Need I say more?
@thebeaddoodler (4262)
• Lubbock, Texas
8 Mar 09
ROFL at the preperation h one. Reminds me of the birth control jelly popular in the late 60's and early 70's and the woman who put it on her toast every morning and it just wasn't working!
@hotsummer (13835)
• Philippines
8 Mar 09
they maybe basic things but we often forget about those things. and sometimes we always need to get reminded for us to do them. i am guilty also of that. though i knew them for a long time but i keep forgetting to apply those knowledge i have. like unplugging the cords when the appliance is not in use. but when i have read again that tip i will goign to do that again and be very much concerned in our electricity bill consumption. i just like to read again from time to time and reminded of those tips again. .
1 person likes this
@thebeaddoodler (4262)
• Lubbock, Texas
7 Mar 09
My electric company doesn't either. It's a Rural Electric Co-op and they're committed to providing electricity at the lowest possible cost at all times.
@Citychic (4067)
• United States
30 Apr 09
Ur latest rant.
True enough these are all just common sense tips that most people shouldn't have to be reminded of but yet and still alot of folks do need to be reminded of them. Unfortunately it's the common sense things that get overlooked in life and that is why companies are making billions. Should people have to be told to go home and rest and take it easy when they have a headache? Or to exercise if they are getting overweight? Common sense should tell them if they are overdoing it. But still large pharmaceutical companies continue to produce products that are really not good for us every year. Simply b/c they know that the vast majority of us are not going to use common sense.
@ryryrox13 (26)
• United States
8 Mar 09
I agree with this rant 100%. I hate all the "Switch to satellite TV and save $500" and "Best auto insurance ever!" It all bull crap if you ask me. The day that one of those e-mails come in handy is the day that my house gets nuked by the Soviet Union (un-existing)
