Comments on: Daily Links: A Fool and His Money Edition http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2009/10/28/daily-links-a-fool-and-his-money-edition/ Common sense advice on money saving tips, how to get out of debt, high interest savings accounts, cd rates, money market accounts, mortgage rates, money management and more. Thu, 23 May 2013 15:27:18 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: Dan M http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2009/10/28/daily-links-a-fool-and-his-money-edition/comment-page-1/#comment-210247 Dan M Mon, 30 Nov 2009 19:53:36 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=6998#comment-210247 Interesting note about the Mac Mini: it was recently rated the most energy-efficient computer by an independent organization that researches appliances for energy efficiency: http://www.tuaw.com/2009/11/27/apples-mac-mini-tops-chart-of-green-computers/ At first I thought saving $20/month was a bit high, but comparing the actual results on the website show that it's entirely possible: http://www.sust-it.net/energy_saving.php?id=20 Interesting note about the Mac Mini: it was recently rated the most energy-efficient computer by an independent organization that researches appliances for energy efficiency:

http://www.tuaw.com/2009/11/27/apples-mac-mini-tops-chart-of-green-computers/

At first I thought saving $20/month was a bit high, but comparing the actual results on the website show that it’s entirely possible:

http://www.sust-it.net/energy_saving.php?id=20

loading....

]]> By: Diana http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2009/10/28/daily-links-a-fool-and-his-money-edition/comment-page-1/#comment-205451 Diana Wed, 04 Nov 2009 03:46:17 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=6998#comment-205451 I love this one: save money when dealing with customer service reps. I worked graveyard at a hotel front desk while putting myself through college. When setting prices for a room, I had over a $70 range (or more) that I could quote prices from. Your room could be $70-$140. I could even put you in the whirlpool suite for those prices. What was my pricing criteria? One: all military were given the $70 rate. Two: how much I liked you :) Anyone with a bad attitude was instantly given a higher rate, if I decided we had any rooms available at all (it was graveyard, there are some parties you just don't want to clean up after). I had guidelines from the hotel to follow and always kept in mind that our profit had a direct effect on our jobs. But never! underestimate the power of the person at the desk! I love this one: save money when dealing with customer service reps.

I worked graveyard at a hotel front desk while putting myself through college. When setting prices for a room, I had over a $70 range (or more) that I could quote prices from. Your room could be $70-$140. I could even put you in the whirlpool suite for those prices.

What was my pricing criteria? One: all military were given the $70 rate. Two: how much I liked you :)
Anyone with a bad attitude was instantly given a higher rate, if I decided we had any rooms available at all (it was graveyard, there are some parties you just don’t want to clean up after).

I had guidelines from the hotel to follow and always kept in mind that our profit had a direct effect on our jobs. But never! underestimate the power of the person at the desk!

loading....

]]> By: matt http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2009/10/28/daily-links-a-fool-and-his-money-edition/comment-page-1/#comment-205219 matt Tue, 03 Nov 2009 02:43:03 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=6998#comment-205219 saying you saved $20 a month on electricity by buying a mac mini may be the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard. saying you saved $20 a month on electricity by buying a mac mini may be the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard.

loading....

]]> By: Kate http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2009/10/28/daily-links-a-fool-and-his-money-edition/comment-page-1/#comment-204528 Kate Fri, 30 Oct 2009 14:31:55 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=6998#comment-204528 @5: I see what you are saying, and there are two things you mention that I have no problem with: (1) You are judging institutions, not individuals, when you talk about failing financial institutions, for example. I have no problem with judging an institution. (2) You also talk about judging behavior, and I have no problem with that, as long as the focus is on the behavior, not the person. Just as it would be wrong for me to tell me child "YOU are bad," vs. "What you did was wrong," I think we need to do the same with adult individuals. It's the difference between saying to a person, "Spending more than you earn is causing problems. Here are something you can do about it," and "You are in this situation, because you are bad. I'm better off than you, because I am good." It's a fine line, but it is one I feel called to try to live (and I often fail). If we don't judge behavior, then anything goes. But if we err on the other side, and judge people, then we should expect no mercy when we ourselves fail. And we all fail. @5:

I see what you are saying, and there are two things you mention that I have no problem with: (1) You are judging institutions, not individuals, when you talk about failing financial institutions, for example. I have no problem with judging an institution. (2) You also talk about judging behavior, and I have no problem with that, as long as the focus is on the behavior, not the person. Just as it would be wrong for me to tell me child “YOU are bad,” vs. “What you did was wrong,” I think we need to do the same with adult individuals. It’s the difference between saying to a person, “Spending more than you earn is causing problems. Here are something you can do about it,” and “You are in this situation, because you are bad. I’m better off than you, because I am good.”

It’s a fine line, but it is one I feel called to try to live (and I often fail). If we don’t judge behavior, then anything goes. But if we err on the other side, and judge people, then we should expect no mercy when we ourselves fail. And we all fail.

loading....

]]> By: FB @ FabulouslyBroke.com http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2009/10/28/daily-links-a-fool-and-his-money-edition/comment-page-1/#comment-204355 FB @ FabulouslyBroke.com Thu, 29 Oct 2009 23:19:54 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=6998#comment-204355 Thanks for the link back, JD. And as a fellow blogger, you can afford a little slack once in a while. You're only human! Thanks for the link back, JD.

And as a fellow blogger, you can afford a little slack once in a while. You’re only human!

loading....

]]> By: Jim http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2009/10/28/daily-links-a-fool-and-his-money-edition/comment-page-1/#comment-204328 Jim Thu, 29 Oct 2009 22:08:23 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=6998#comment-204328 I don't think that $20 a month savings is realistic. The guy only looked at his electric bill and assumed the difference was entirely due to the computer change. That ignores all his other electric use as a factor. He probably saves $5-$10 a month with the Mac Mini. I don’t think that $20 a month savings is realistic. The guy only looked at his electric bill and assumed the difference was entirely due to the computer change. That ignores all his other electric use as a factor. He probably saves $5-$10 a month with the Mac Mini.

loading....

]]> By: MICHELE http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2009/10/28/daily-links-a-fool-and-his-money-edition/comment-page-1/#comment-204231 MICHELE Thu, 29 Oct 2009 16:30:29 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=6998#comment-204231 Don't beat yourself up over the term "Daily Links". You are posting them on a day. Good enough. The Daily Show isn't daily either ') But no one is busting their chops over it. Don’t beat yourself up over the term “Daily Links”. You are posting them on a day. Good enough. The Daily Show isn’t daily either ‘) But no one is busting their chops over it.

loading....

]]> By: thisisbeth http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2009/10/28/daily-links-a-fool-and-his-money-edition/comment-page-1/#comment-204202 thisisbeth Thu, 29 Oct 2009 14:49:32 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=6998#comment-204202 I think there are two types of judgment: the one where you judge a person, and the one where you judge an action. It also depends on what the judgment is. For example, if you spend $1,000,000 to buy a candy bar, I could say, "You shouldn't do that" or I could say, "I'm not going to do that." Both are judgments, but the first one is attacking you, while the second is making a decision on my action after seeing yours. (Although I'd probably ask you why you were buying it. There could be a very good reason for it.) I think there are two types of judgment: the one where you judge a person, and the one where you judge an action. It also depends on what the judgment is. For example, if you spend $1,000,000 to buy a candy bar, I could say, “You shouldn’t do that” or I could say, “I’m not going to do that.” Both are judgments, but the first one is attacking you, while the second is making a decision on my action after seeing yours.

(Although I’d probably ask you why you were buying it. There could be a very good reason for it.)

loading....

]]> By: Paul in cAshburn http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2009/10/28/daily-links-a-fool-and-his-money-edition/comment-page-1/#comment-204201 Paul in cAshburn Thu, 29 Oct 2009 14:47:49 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=6998#comment-204201 This post reminded me of how I've handled CSR's poorly in the past. I tend to think of whoever's in front of me at the time as BEING the company, and I hate it when they say "I didn't do it". Since they are the company rep in front of me, I think they ARE the company and should take personal responsibility for the situation. Ok, taking a deep breath... It's so obvious that if I can get them on the same side of the table as me, so to speak, then "we" can find the best solution. Why is it that some things seem so obvious once they're pointed out? That's why I read GRS - for these Ah-Hah moments. :) This post reminded me of how I’ve handled CSR’s poorly in the past. I tend to think of whoever’s in front of me at the time as BEING the company, and I hate it when they say “I didn’t do it”. Since they are the company rep in front of me, I think they ARE the company and should take personal responsibility for the situation.
Ok, taking a deep breath…
It’s so obvious that if I can get them on the same side of the table as me, so to speak, then “we” can find the best solution.
Why is it that some things seem so obvious once they’re pointed out?
That’s why I read GRS – for these Ah-Hah moments. :)

loading....

]]> By: lauren http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2009/10/28/daily-links-a-fool-and-his-money-edition/comment-page-1/#comment-204188 lauren Thu, 29 Oct 2009 14:02:18 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=6998#comment-204188 may i suggest that you have your links open in a new window? :) great links - don't like having to back up to continue on. may i suggest that you have your links open in a new window? :) great links – don’t like having to back up to continue on.

loading....

]]> By: Mr. ToughMoneyLove http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2009/10/28/daily-links-a-fool-and-his-money-edition/comment-page-1/#comment-204184 Mr. ToughMoneyLove Thu, 29 Oct 2009 13:51:25 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=6998#comment-204184 Kate: When the behavior of others affects me personally, I'm all over it. That includes reckless financial behavior the leads to dependency on government. I trust from your comment that you have not judged the failed car companies and financial institutions who have been sucking our tax dollars by the trillions. When my stupid behavior impacts you, you have my permission to judge it. Kate: When the behavior of others affects me personally, I’m all over it. That includes reckless financial behavior the leads to dependency on government. I trust from your comment that you have not judged the failed car companies and financial institutions who have been sucking our tax dollars by the trillions. When my stupid behavior impacts you, you have my permission to judge it.

loading....

]]> By: Kate http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2009/10/28/daily-links-a-fool-and-his-money-edition/comment-page-1/#comment-204175 Kate Thu, 29 Oct 2009 13:28:57 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=6998#comment-204175 I just want to weigh in to say that I admire you for not judging. There are times when we need to gently point out to someone ways they can change for the better (I have friends who are considering bankruptcy and who could be making better choices -- I have been thinking about how I can help them in that matter). However, I know from personal experience how easy it is to slide from "constructive criticism" to judgmentalism. Two signs that I am becoming judgmental: (1) When I spend lots of time griping about how horrible someone's behavior is to others (or in my head, as in "I can't believe he did such and such! What an idiot!"), rather than approaching that person gently, or (2) when I think of myself as better than that person. It's fine to bring up examples of what not to do, but when it is done with grace ("I've done stupid things, too"), that keeps the example from becoming judgmental. So, way to go! I just want to weigh in to say that I admire you for not judging. There are times when we need to gently point out to someone ways they can change for the better (I have friends who are considering bankruptcy and who could be making better choices — I have been thinking about how I can help them in that matter). However, I know from personal experience how easy it is to slide from “constructive criticism” to judgmentalism. Two signs that I am becoming judgmental: (1) When I spend lots of time griping about how horrible someone’s behavior is to others (or in my head, as in “I can’t believe he did such and such! What an idiot!”), rather than approaching that person gently, or (2) when I think of myself as better than that person.

It’s fine to bring up examples of what not to do, but when it is done with grace (“I’ve done stupid things, too”), that keeps the example from becoming judgmental.

So, way to go!

loading....

]]> By: KC http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2009/10/28/daily-links-a-fool-and-his-money-edition/comment-page-1/#comment-204130 KC Thu, 29 Oct 2009 01:27:36 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=6998#comment-204130 It really isn't that hard to imagine how athletes (or others who are ill prepared for sudden riches) lose it all. I think about how much education it took me to get where I am - the formal education and the financial education. All of that I had to get so I could obtain and keep my money. But if you had so much of it - why would you bother to educate yourself about it? After all it is easy for you to come by, right? Well it is while you are young and incredibly gifted. So blowing through $55M, like Walker did, after taxes is just like living paycheck to paycheck...it's just a really big paycheck. It really isn’t that hard to imagine how athletes (or others who are ill prepared for sudden riches) lose it all. I think about how much education it took me to get where I am – the formal education and the financial education. All of that I had to get so I could obtain and keep my money. But if you had so much of it – why would you bother to educate yourself about it? After all it is easy for you to come by, right? Well it is while you are young and incredibly gifted.

So blowing through $55M, like Walker did, after taxes is just like living paycheck to paycheck…it’s just a really big paycheck.

loading....

]]> By: steve http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2009/10/28/daily-links-a-fool-and-his-money-edition/comment-page-1/#comment-204126 steve Thu, 29 Oct 2009 01:15:46 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=6998#comment-204126 “Yes, I think that people do some stupid things with money, but I’ve decided it’s not my place to judge them.” That's fine for you. Personally, I have no qualms about judging an action as long as I remember we've all done foolish things. Although I must admit, I am glad he WAS judged and is serving time! “Yes, I think that people do some stupid things with money, but I’ve decided it’s not my place to judge them.”

That’s fine for you. Personally, I have no qualms about judging an action as long as I remember we’ve all done foolish things. Although I must admit, I am glad he WAS judged and is serving time!

loading....

]]> By: Mr. ToughMoneyLove http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2009/10/28/daily-links-a-fool-and-his-money-edition/comment-page-1/#comment-204118 Mr. ToughMoneyLove Thu, 29 Oct 2009 00:37:19 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=6998#comment-204118 "Yes, I think that people do some stupid things with money, but I’ve decided it’s not my place to judge them." If not you or us, then who will judge their behavior? Shall we let them continue in their clueless ways until they become dependent on public support? What is with the resistance to judging financial stupidity? It is not logical and says more about our own fears of being disliked. “Yes, I think that people do some stupid things with money, but I’ve decided it’s not my place to judge them.”

If not you or us, then who will judge their behavior? Shall we let them continue in their clueless ways until they become dependent on public support? What is with the resistance to judging financial stupidity? It is not logical and says more about our own fears of being disliked.

loading....

]]>