Websites with frugal living tips abound on the internet. However, they're not typically useful to someone in my situation. The tips are generally geared toward a married couple (consisting of one wage-earner and one at-home individual) with several kids. This family lives in a house with a yard suitable for growing a vegetable garden. I'm single, I juggle work and school, and I live in an apartment where the only dirt available is whatever the dog tracks in.
Nonetheless, I'm known as the queen of frugality. I manage to have monthly living expenses of slightly under $500. (Given that I live in Silicon Valley, one of the most expensive areas of the entire country, this is nothing short of a miracle.) Here's what I've learned along the way. (I'm sure I've missed stuff; this is just what I remember right now. After a while, frugality just becomes an automatic way of life.)
Frugal Living Tips for People Who Don't Have Time, Space, or Inclination to Raise Chickens for Their Eggs*:
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Words You Don't Hear Every Day
Words are kind of funny if you stop to think about it. Some words are common in everyday use. Some words are uncommon and are only heard in a few places. I've been thinking about that lately.
Supernal is one of those words. I've only heard it at church, and even then, only rarely. It seems to be one of those words that is confined to a specific context. I hear its synonyms, such as ethereal, divine, or heavenly in other places, but I'm sure people would give me a funny look if I described the school cafeteria's tofu chocolate mousse as supernal. [1]
Another word that seems confined to certain circumstances is salacious. I primarily hear this word in class discussions. (I have heard it elsewhere, but only rarely. More common are its synonyms - risque, racy, etc. However, even less common is its synonym, lascivious. I've only ever seen that one in the Bible.) I recall its use at least twice this semester, in different classes, by different professors. The first time was in my appellate advocacy class when we were discussing statutory interpretation. We were reading a case that the professor handed out. [2] As he passed it out, he said that it was a bit salacious, but it was nonetheless a good case to illustrate the point he was trying to make. [3] The second occurrence was today in my constitutional law class. We were discussing the constitutionality of restrictions on commercial speech. Some divorce lawyers in Chicago placed a prominent billboard advertising their services. The billboard had some racy pictures on it, and the professor was trying to spark discussion by asking us if it mattered that the advertisement was salacious.
What words do you hear in certain contexts but not in others?
____
1. It's really tasty, though. Not quite supernal, but certainly heavenly.
2. See People v. Gibbons, 215 Cal. App. 3d 1204 (1989).
3. The point he was trying to make is that statutes aren't self-interpreting, and that even a seemingly simple word like "communication" is subject to people arguing about it.
Supernal is one of those words. I've only heard it at church, and even then, only rarely. It seems to be one of those words that is confined to a specific context. I hear its synonyms, such as ethereal, divine, or heavenly in other places, but I'm sure people would give me a funny look if I described the school cafeteria's tofu chocolate mousse as supernal. [1]
Another word that seems confined to certain circumstances is salacious. I primarily hear this word in class discussions. (I have heard it elsewhere, but only rarely. More common are its synonyms - risque, racy, etc. However, even less common is its synonym, lascivious. I've only ever seen that one in the Bible.) I recall its use at least twice this semester, in different classes, by different professors. The first time was in my appellate advocacy class when we were discussing statutory interpretation. We were reading a case that the professor handed out. [2] As he passed it out, he said that it was a bit salacious, but it was nonetheless a good case to illustrate the point he was trying to make. [3] The second occurrence was today in my constitutional law class. We were discussing the constitutionality of restrictions on commercial speech. Some divorce lawyers in Chicago placed a prominent billboard advertising their services. The billboard had some racy pictures on it, and the professor was trying to spark discussion by asking us if it mattered that the advertisement was salacious.
What words do you hear in certain contexts but not in others?
____
1. It's really tasty, though. Not quite supernal, but certainly heavenly.
2. See People v. Gibbons, 215 Cal. App. 3d 1204 (1989).
3. The point he was trying to make is that statutes aren't self-interpreting, and that even a seemingly simple word like "communication" is subject to people arguing about it.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
NaNoWriMo
It's November again, and that means it's time for NaNoWriMo! (National Novel Writing Month) Every year, budding authors get together and harness the power of positive peer pressure (look, I can alliterate!) to encourage one another to write. It's like having a jogging buddy. The goal is to write a 50,000 word novel by the end of the month.
I've been meaning to do it for a few years, but I never have time. I realized that I'll never find the time; I have to make the time, so I'm going to give it a go this year. I'm guessing that most of my novel will come between November 24 and 30. (Two reasons: 1- I'm a procrastinator. 2- My seminar paper is due on November 23.)
I have the embarrassingly low word count of 211 right now. (I should be around 6,600 to be on track.) I have a setting and a story outline; I just haven't had time to sit down and write it yet. You can follow my progress here. I don't have a title yet, so if anyone has any suggestions after reading the synopsis, feel free to let me know.
If any of you reading this are fellow participants, please add me as a writing buddy. (It's not too late to join if anyone wants to get started!)
I've been meaning to do it for a few years, but I never have time. I realized that I'll never find the time; I have to make the time, so I'm going to give it a go this year. I'm guessing that most of my novel will come between November 24 and 30. (Two reasons: 1- I'm a procrastinator. 2- My seminar paper is due on November 23.)
I have the embarrassingly low word count of 211 right now. (I should be around 6,600 to be on track.) I have a setting and a story outline; I just haven't had time to sit down and write it yet. You can follow my progress here. I don't have a title yet, so if anyone has any suggestions after reading the synopsis, feel free to let me know.
If any of you reading this are fellow participants, please add me as a writing buddy. (It's not too late to join if anyone wants to get started!)
Monday, November 2, 2009
Some Things Just Bug Me!...
...Like bugs, for example.
Well, not just bugs, but everything that goes along with bugs. If I had been Noah, I would have conveniently forgotten to take the insects on the ark. Sure, I probably would have been the recipient of some divine smiting, but I would be willing to take one for Team Humanity.
My apartment complex has a bug problem. I have a cat, so my room is blessedly bug-free. (Cheapest pest control ever. All I have to do is feed her, play with her, and change her litter. In return, she de-stresses me and eats bugs.) Anyway, due to the bug problem, the apartment management has decided to spray pesticide. It goes like this:
On Thursday night, a note is taped to the door of the apartment. It usually gets posted sometime between 8 and 10 pm. The note informs us that the pest control people are coming to spray sometime between the hours of 9 and 5 on Monday. Then there's a list of preparations that need to be made. We have to vacate the apartment for the duration of treatment and 4 hours following. That part isn't too bad. The annoying part is that we have to bag all of our clothing and linens, seal up all of our food, and move all of our furniture at least 24 inches away from the wall. We also have to remove our bedding and take our mattresses off of our bedframe and lean them up against the wall.
This whole preparation process took several hours the first time, but I've gotten it down to a science, and I can prepare in about an hour. Since I have a cat, I have to kennel her for the day. I can't exactly take Ebony with me to work and school.
This morning was pest control day again. I got up bright and early at 5:30 in the morning to prepare. (Jen wisely decided to spend the night at our parents' house, so she avoided the worst of it. I get the last laugh, though, since she gets to put it all back together.) I got Ebony into her crate and headed to the kennel.
I arrived at the kennel at 7:00, when they open. I began the check-in procedure, and the guy at the front desk said that I needed to show proof of Ebony's vaccinations. I had come prepared, and I produced the report I had gotten from the vet on Friday. However, the codes in the kennel's computer system were some sort of cryptic abbreviation, and the receptionist didn't know which abbreviation went to which shot on the list. (The list from the vet had the proper names of the shots.) He asked a few of his co-workers and none of them knew either. He tried to call my vet, but the vet doesn't open until 8. He said that he couldn't take Ebony until he talked to the vet. I suggested he google the abbreviations to see what he came up with, and he looked at me like it was the stupidest idea he had ever heard and said he couldn't do that.
I collected my cat, my vet report, and my irritation and left, informing him that I would be taking my business elsewhere, since the service was so poor. (I had had problems the last time, too.) So, word to the wise, if you're looking for a place to kennel your pets, don't go to PetSmart.
Anyway, I got home at 7:30 am (I had to be in class at 9:15, so time is ticking at this point.) I fired up my laptop and started searching for kennel options. After all, I know how to use Google! I found a local vet that offered kenneling services, so I dropped Ebony off and headed to class. Traffic was kind to me, so I wasn't late.
Naturally, the kennel closes at 6:00 pm, and I don't get home until 9:30 pm. So, I e-mailed Jen with the info on where to get my cat, and she agreed to pick her up on her way home. Jen just texted me to let me know she retrieved Ebony safe and sound, but that her collar is missing. I'm going to have to track it down, because I don't want to have to pay the city of Fremont for a new license.
And, of course, when I get home tonight, I'm going to have to wash all the kitchen utensils that I forgot to put away. That's like 3 loads of dishes. I so don't have time for this!
Edit: Thankfully, Jen found the collar right after I published this. One less thing to worry about.
Well, not just bugs, but everything that goes along with bugs. If I had been Noah, I would have conveniently forgotten to take the insects on the ark. Sure, I probably would have been the recipient of some divine smiting, but I would be willing to take one for Team Humanity.
My apartment complex has a bug problem. I have a cat, so my room is blessedly bug-free. (Cheapest pest control ever. All I have to do is feed her, play with her, and change her litter. In return, she de-stresses me and eats bugs.) Anyway, due to the bug problem, the apartment management has decided to spray pesticide. It goes like this:
On Thursday night, a note is taped to the door of the apartment. It usually gets posted sometime between 8 and 10 pm. The note informs us that the pest control people are coming to spray sometime between the hours of 9 and 5 on Monday. Then there's a list of preparations that need to be made. We have to vacate the apartment for the duration of treatment and 4 hours following. That part isn't too bad. The annoying part is that we have to bag all of our clothing and linens, seal up all of our food, and move all of our furniture at least 24 inches away from the wall. We also have to remove our bedding and take our mattresses off of our bedframe and lean them up against the wall.
This whole preparation process took several hours the first time, but I've gotten it down to a science, and I can prepare in about an hour. Since I have a cat, I have to kennel her for the day. I can't exactly take Ebony with me to work and school.
This morning was pest control day again. I got up bright and early at 5:30 in the morning to prepare. (Jen wisely decided to spend the night at our parents' house, so she avoided the worst of it. I get the last laugh, though, since she gets to put it all back together.) I got Ebony into her crate and headed to the kennel.
I arrived at the kennel at 7:00, when they open. I began the check-in procedure, and the guy at the front desk said that I needed to show proof of Ebony's vaccinations. I had come prepared, and I produced the report I had gotten from the vet on Friday. However, the codes in the kennel's computer system were some sort of cryptic abbreviation, and the receptionist didn't know which abbreviation went to which shot on the list. (The list from the vet had the proper names of the shots.) He asked a few of his co-workers and none of them knew either. He tried to call my vet, but the vet doesn't open until 8. He said that he couldn't take Ebony until he talked to the vet. I suggested he google the abbreviations to see what he came up with, and he looked at me like it was the stupidest idea he had ever heard and said he couldn't do that.
I collected my cat, my vet report, and my irritation and left, informing him that I would be taking my business elsewhere, since the service was so poor. (I had had problems the last time, too.) So, word to the wise, if you're looking for a place to kennel your pets, don't go to PetSmart.
Anyway, I got home at 7:30 am (I had to be in class at 9:15, so time is ticking at this point.) I fired up my laptop and started searching for kennel options. After all, I know how to use Google! I found a local vet that offered kenneling services, so I dropped Ebony off and headed to class. Traffic was kind to me, so I wasn't late.
Naturally, the kennel closes at 6:00 pm, and I don't get home until 9:30 pm. So, I e-mailed Jen with the info on where to get my cat, and she agreed to pick her up on her way home. Jen just texted me to let me know she retrieved Ebony safe and sound, but that her collar is missing. I'm going to have to track it down, because I don't want to have to pay the city of Fremont for a new license.
And, of course, when I get home tonight, I'm going to have to wash all the kitchen utensils that I forgot to put away. That's like 3 loads of dishes. I so don't have time for this!
Edit: Thankfully, Jen found the collar right after I published this. One less thing to worry about.
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