But, but, but

I need 12 rocket launchers

11 frag grenades

10 ak-47s

9 glock 23s

8 anti-personal landmines

7 sks

6 sticks of trinitrotoluene

5 pounds of gold

4 tactical tomahawks

3 pallets of 7.62x54r ammo

2 mosin nagaunts

AND A FLAMETHROWER IN A TREE!

/ best 12 days of Christmas ever
// I can always dream

anfrind: But despite what some people would like to believe, it's not an all-or-nothing deal--the average American could replace well over half of the meat they consume with lentils, and not only would they still get all of the protein they need, they'd save a lot of money (have you seen how cheap lentils are?).

Taaa-daaaaa (new window)

Well, dammit. I already do most of these things, and I'm still broke...at least until March, when my lease is up and I can move to somewhere that I can actually afford.

/my apartment was perfectly affordable when I signed the lease
//then I got sick enough to need surgery
///then I had to pay for my mom's cremation
////then I broke my foot

here to help: 2wolves: here to help: The only stupid crap I buy is beer... and that's not stupid at all.

You only rent beer.

i save my urine in jars and store them in the garage... ya know... for emergencies.



Approves.

Overpriced crap is just that - overpriced crap that often isn't needed. Got out of that cycle years ago & haven't looked back.

/picked up a new Columbia $125 jacket at my local thrift store - $3.00. Like saving $$$.

So, Inflatable Meatloaf and World's Longest Beard are right out, eh?

girljen: Well, dammit. I already do most of these things, and I'm still broke...at least until March, when my lease is up and I can move to somewhere that I can actually afford.

/my apartment was perfectly affordable when I signed the lease
//then I got sick enough to need surgery
///then I had to pay for my mom's cremation
////then I broke my foot

Excuses, excuses. To the poorhouse!
/it's the Capitalist Way

2wolves: Careful, that 100" TV might be considered a need by some folk.

Snake Vargas: rub

The rubbing a steak with crumpled newspapers and vinegar solution is even worse - and probably open the seattle times to liabilities.

Bundle your Internet, cable and phone service; conversely, if you have been bundled for years, may be time to shop around.

You could just drop your cable and landline if you have reliable cell and internet service. Your internet bill will increase a little but you'll save quite a bit. Again, the caveat is that you have to have access to reliable cell and internet service, otherwise it's still important to at least have the landline for emergency calls. Our basic cable, in a bundled package, is something like $70 a month. Even if bundling it with phone and internet knocks $10 off the price of all three, you're still paying $40 extra, and in my experience the offers only last for a few months before they jack up the price anyway.

Meet for drinks at someone's house then go out to eat to eliminate big-ticket alcoholic drinks.

While it's noble and all, it seems to me that mass media used to warn me that teens were doing this and causing them to drunk drive.

Think van pool, Rideshare, bus passes, off-peak driving on toll road and biking. Consider a hybrid or electric car for your next purchase. Lower toll fees with Good to Go pass found at wsdot.wa.gov/goodtogo.

Consider a hugely expensive newer model vehicle as the next vehicle you purchase in order to save money on gas. Nnnyessssss. How about just finding a $2,000 used mid-90's Nissan and throwing a new motor and transmission in it. Total cost would probably be like $5,000 if you had a shop do it and you would probably get something like 35-40 mpg without having to worry about batteries, new car payments, and insurance. If you have a down payment on a newer hybrid ready you could probably for a few more months and just do that shiat with cash.

Buy only what you need - eliminate the expensive "wants."

farkin' tell that to my wife who has a closet full of unworn clothing she refuses to wear.

Swap clothes with friends, neighbors, community groups

Enjoy crabs and bedbugs!

Move outside high-rent districts to areas with good mass-transit options

... if you can find them

With record low mortgage rates and housing prices at 2004 levels, there hasn't been a better time to buy a house or condo since, well, 2004. BUT, don't buy more than you can afford or need

... if you can afford and have the credit to do so. I would probably save $200 on a mortgage, but between not having the downpayment, not being able to afford the move, and not being able to afford to commute further than I already do, not possible.

mayIFark: So, all those sums up to "Don't be stupid"?

Advice the majority of our population is physically incapable of putting to use.

people still buy tv's? lol, my computer replaced all that crap years ago

DeltaPunch: anfrind: But despite what some people would like to believe, it's not an all-or-nothing deal--the average American could replace well over half of the meat they consume with lentils, and not only would they still get all of the protein they need, they'd save a lot of money (have you seen how cheap lentils are?).

Taaa-daaaaa (new window)

The problem is that you're looking at food prices on Amazon. You could get lentils for a tiny fraction of that price even at Whole Foods.

anfrind: Porous Horace: The trick is to buy stuff that's on sale. That way you can buy more *and* save more, dummies.

This really works. About a month ago got a very nice, energy-efficient refrigerator for 50% less than the normal retail price because it was a display model. The only downside is that the display model has a small, barely-noticeable dent on one side.


Bought both of my LCD TV's as display models. No box to throw away, something like 40% off. Bought my 26" that I use in my bedroom and as a second monitor for 175. Got my 42" for 350. Didn't 'need' them, but I could afford them, and being honest, I would've bought a new TV at some point in the near future anyway, might as well get it cheap as crap.

/csb
//probably ended paying for themselves in electricity savings. 26" crt TV drinks juice like some kind of electric fish

I wouldn't call these "stupid", subby.

Meet for drinks at someone's house then go out to eat to eliminate big-ticket alcoholic drinks.

Maybe it's just me, but it drinking a night's worth of alcohol and then driving to a restaurant doesn't seem very responsible. Ordering in (or cooking) might be a better idea...

It's not as easy as we may think to avoid crap we don't need. Of course all of us farkers are totally unseceptable, but the rest of the teaming masses are bombarded by a constant onslaught of marketing. You may say "it's just commercials and I can resist." But some of the brightest minds in psychology and the neurosciences have figured out just where to poke our brain to get the desired response. It's like the old high school biology experiment where you poke the frog brain in the right spot and its leg moves. They know how to poke our frog brain.

Endive Wombat: I asked for a 60"...yes, 60" flat screen with 3D for Christmas and my farking parents only got me a 55" and it has no 3D!!! I seriously hate them sometimes. Also, I told them that in addition to an iPhone 4, I wanted the black 64GB iPad WITH, yes, WITH 3G...and guess what I got...a white 32Gb AND with no G3!!! GOD!!! Can you farking believe that!!! I have got the worst parents in the world!!! I hate them so much.


And I bet those cheapskates want you to go to a state school instead of that trendy New York private school for your 8 year art appreciation degree. Uncultured cretins.

clapdrix: Meet for drinks at someone's house then go out to eat to eliminate big-ticket alcoholic drinks.

Maybe it's just me, but it drinking a night's worth of alcohol and then driving to a restaurant doesn't seem very responsible. Ordering in (or cooking) might be a better idea...

And on an empty stomach even!

Probably been said up-thread but...:

"It's not a bargain if you don't need it!"

Pay cash. Ask for a discount if you pay in cash.

Huh? I've seen places refuse to take credit card because of the fee they have to pay, or have a minimum threshold to use credit card, but I've never seen a place that offers a discount for cash. And if a store is so concerned about the credit card fee on big ticket items, they will simply refuse to accept credit card (such as car dealers). No one is so desperate for you to use cash that they'll offer you a discount.

And I try to use my credit card as much as possible for the frequent flyer points. They have a monetary value.

video man: .....Assuming $300/oz for dankity dank dank weed, and you smoke a whopping 3 grams a day. That's ~$450 for an 14 day supply. That's still ~$900 leftover for munchies, booze, tabs, caps, buttons, blow, crystal, pills, E, etc. Anyway you slice it a 14 day bender will cost you less than $1400.

Son. Come here for a minute. Listen. $900 worth of blow SEEMS like a lot. I know it does, to you. But it's not. Not over 14 days.

the_colonel: It's not as easy as we may think to avoid crap we don't need. Of course all of us farkers are totally unseceptable, but the rest of the teaming masses are bombarded by a constant onslaught of marketing. You may say "it's just commercials and I can resist." But some of the brightest minds in psychology and the neurosciences have figured out just where to poke our brain to get the desired response. It's like the old high school biology experiment where you poke the frog brain in the right spot and its leg moves. They know how to poke our frog brain.

Indeed, and in order to avoid that we'd have to live like the Amish, and that doesn't look like it's all that much fun.

Actually I would prefer to just cut out all the intermediate stuff and get a little device that pokes the pleasure centre of our brains directly, sit on the couch with the control button and bliss out till I die from lack of getting off the couch for food.

thornhill: Pay cash. Ask for a discount if you pay in cash.

Huh? I've seen places refuse to take credit card because of the fee they have to pay, or have a minimum threshold to use credit card, but I've never seen a place that offers a discount for cash. And if a store is so concerned about the credit card fee on big ticket items, they will simply refuse to accept credit card (such as car dealers). No one is so desperate for you to use cash that they'll offer you a discount.

And I try to use my credit card as much as possible for the frequent flyer points. They have a monetary value.

There is at least one gas station that I've seen here in Phoenix that charges 10 cents more per gallon if you use a card instead of cash. If I remember correctly it's on the west side on Indian School road. Then a lot of the Arcos charge a fee if your purchase ends up being under a certain amount.

Then again, I guess that's not necessarily a discount for using cash, that's more of a fee for using a card. In the past though I have approached a salesperson (not a retail clerk) and just told them, "I have X cash, so that is what I can offer you." It once got me a mattress marked $1400 for $700. It's gotten rifles marked down by a couple hundred dollars also. It depends a lot on where you try and do it.

Best Buy? "Durrrr our prices am set by derporate hrrrrrr."

Bubbas Discount Rifles? Possibly.

thornhill: No one is so desperate for you to use cash that they'll offer you a discount.

Not sure if serious.

Have you never heard of "2/10 Net 30" terms? Offering a discount for up-front cash (or equivalent) payment is an extremely common way to do business. You can often beat the TVM by paying with a faster, more liquid method than whatever the industry considers standard.

The lowest hanging fruit is cable TV. I save a $1k a year from having eliminated it.

TV shows come to DVD/Blu-ray/Netflix/Hulu so fast that you're not missing much for long.

The only thing you really lose out on are live sports, but I go to bars for that.

And I sound like an old man saying this, but buying generic is also a huge source of savings. Like the discrepancy between generic Advil and brand name Advil is huge, but the ingredients are identical.

TehNacho: Consider a hugely expensive newer model vehicle as the next vehicle you purchase in order to save money on gas. Nnnyessssss. How about just finding a $2,000 used mid-90's Nissan and throwing a new motor and transmission in it. Total cost would probably be like $5,000 if you had a shop do it and you would probably get something like 35-40 mpg without having to worry about batteries, new car payments, and insurance. If you have a down payment on a newer hybrid ready you could probably for a few more months and just do that shiat with cash.

I like going outside, turning the ignition, and having the car turn on. There is a tremendous amount of value in that. A mid-90s Nissan isn't going to give that to me.

/I had my last car 10 years - more than got my money out of it

anfrind: What you need is a more financially responsible girlfriend.

I know, she has an attitude problem...

BlaqueKatt: nope, just a man that worships the ground I walk on, well that's what Hollywood tells me anyway....

I hate that shiat as well, they seem to have led women to believe that men are there just to cater to her needs no matter what they are, I have told my GF I will defend her and have her back in any dispute just as long as shes honest with me and doesnt cheat on me.

Society has been farked up by telling people that they need to consume and buy, along with believing everyone is special.

thornhill: Pay cash. Ask for a discount if you pay in cash.

Huh? I've seen places refuse to take credit card because of the fee they have to pay, or have a minimum threshold to use credit card, but I've never seen a place that offers a discount for cash. And if a store is so concerned about the credit card fee on big ticket items, they will simply refuse to accept credit card (such as car dealers). No one is so desperate for you to use cash that they'll offer you a discount.

And I try to use my credit card as much as possible for the frequent flyer points. They have a monetary value.

As a seller of retail goods, people constantly ask me what the "cash price" is.
Of course it's the price that's listed and there is no price difference.
"But you don't have credit card transaction fees with cash sales".
"But I have to count the cash at the end of the day, and carry it to the bank, risking a robbery and a slug in the head.".
"Oh".

ghare: video man: .....Assuming $300/oz for dankity dank dank weed, and you smoke a whopping 3 grams a day. That's ~$450 for an 14 day supply. That's still ~$900 leftover for munchies, booze, tabs, caps, buttons, blow, crystal, pills, E, etc. Anyway you slice it a 14 day bender will cost you less than $1400.

Son. Come here for a minute. Listen. $900 worth of blow SEEMS like a lot. I know it does, to you. But it's not. Not over 14 days hours.

Fixed

TehNacho:
.....
Move outside high-rent districts to areas with good mass-transit options

... if you can find them..


Heh, around here any areas with good mass-transit options are the high-rent districts.

I also love the one about buying a hellishly expensive new car in order to save on fuel. I would guess that the extra thousands of dollars required for that purchase would pay for an awful lot of gas.

thornhill: And I sound like an old man saying this, but buying generic is also a huge source of savings. Like the discrepancy between generic Advil and brand name Advil is huge, but the ingredients are identical.

You need to do more investigation, their formulations are not always the same or you react differently to substances, generic over name brand prescriptions are vastly different to some people because of this fact.

video man: I will never get why people get name-brand drugs instead. Ibuprofen is ibuprofen is ibuprofen. The structure of it can't be different, otherwise it wouldn't be Ibuprofen. And I'm sure the FDA would be up their ass if they were selling something else that wasn't Ibuprofen in a product marked as 'Ibuprofen'.

You do realize there are different forms of ibuprofen that all accomplish different tasks, right?

Its not all the same, chemically yes, they are but how they arrive at that point makes them different.

bravian: TehNacho: Consider a hugely expensive newer model vehicle as the next vehicle you purchase in order to save money on gas. Nnnyessssss. How about just finding a $2,000 used mid-90's Nissan and throwing a new motor and transmission in it. Total cost would probably be like $5,000 if you had a shop do it and you would probably get something like 35-40 mpg without having to worry about batteries, new car payments, and insurance. If you have a down payment on a newer hybrid ready you could probably for a few more months and just do that shiat with cash.

I like going outside, turning the ignition, and having the car turn on. There is a tremendous amount of value in that. A mid-90s Nissan isn't going to give that to me.

/I had my last car 10 years - more than got my money out of it

Again, assuming that you completely replace the aging critical components like drivetrain and ignition completely, you are probably still going to save a shiat ton of money compared to buying a new car particularly one filled with comparatively new tech like a hybrid. This is also assuming that there is even a problem with them. You are also assuming that brand new car = no problems whatsoever. New cars can have a shiat load of problems.

Finally, I was just addressing that you would have to be a moron to think that buying a brand new car because it is better on gas is a less expensive option than either a) running your old car into the ground or b) buying a used car that was a make and model that was known for getting good gas mileage and just fixing it.

And honestly, you would have to be a moron to think that.

thornhill: No one is so desperate for you to use cash that they'll offer you a discount.

My dentist gives an automatic 10% discount for paying cash. Many contractors I know give cash discounts as well. Might be more common for services rather than goods, but there ya go.

Telephone Sanitizer Second Class: thornhill: No one is so desperate for you to use cash that they'll offer you a discount.

My dentist gives an automatic 10% discount for paying cash. Many contractors I know give cash discounts as well. Might be more common for services rather than goods, but there ya go.

I would bet they are all older as well, most businesses find it easier to do credit or debit transactions since they have a lot of software that their sales interact with, and larger companies would fall into this category as well.

TehNacho: Again, assuming that you completely replace the aging critical components like drivetrain and ignition completely, you are probably still going to save a shiat ton of money compared to buying a new car particularly one filled with comparatively new tech like a hybrid. This is also assuming that there is even a problem with them. You are also assuming that brand new car = no problems whatsoever. New cars can have a shiat load of problems.

Finally, I was just addressing that you would have to be a moron to think that buying a brand new car because it is better on gas is a less expensive option than either a) running your old car into the ground or b) buying a used car that was a make and model that was known for getting good gas mileage and just fixing it.

Newer cars usually run cleaner and use fuel more efficiently, our company has aging(5 year old) work vans and fill up approx. 2-3 times a week, one of the guys has a brand new van with a smaller fuel capacity and fills up maybe 2 times a week if its a hard week, computers have finally made engines more fuel efficient.

And brand new cars do not have problem, first run models can have problems, models that have been around a few years have all the bugs ironed out of them by that point.

profplump: thornhill: No one is so desperate for you to use cash that they'll offer you a discount.

Not sure if serious.

Have you never heard of "2/10 Net 30" terms? Offering a discount for up-front cash (or equivalent) payment is an extremely common way to do business. You can often beat the TVM by paying with a faster, more liquid method than whatever the industry considers standard.

I mean as opposed to credit card, and not because you or the other person are trying to hide money from the IRS. Like Best Buy won't give you 5% off a $2k TV if you pay in cash instead of credit card.

As another poster said, if stores care that much about the credit card fee, they'll pass the fee on to you.

Don't waste $60 a year on trolls and bullshiat. Simple.

Telephone Sanitizer Second Class: thornhill: No one is so desperate for you to use cash that they'll offer you a discount.

My dentist gives an automatic 10% discount for paying cash. Many contractors I know give cash discounts as well. Might be more common for services rather than goods, but there ya go.

Given that the discount is way more than the the transaction fee -- which is only several percents -- it sounds like your dentist is trying to hide income from the IRS. Ditto for contractors (especially given how many are fly by night operations).