Comments on: Maximizing the Free (or Nearly Free) Things That Make You Feel Good http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/01/15/maximizing-the-free-or-nearly-free-things-that-make-you-feel-good/ Simple, applicable personal finance advice for the modern world Sun, 22 Nov 2009 01:50:09 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: MIKE http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/01/15/maximizing-the-free-or-nearly-free-things-that-make-you-feel-good/comment-page-1/#comment-170318 MIKE Fri, 01 Feb 2008 22:44:49 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/01/15/maximizing-the-free-or-nearly-free-things-that-make-you-feel-good/#comment-170318 @AnKa Yep, water utility bill is bundled with rent ;) @AnKa

Yep, water utility bill is bundled with rent ;)

]]> By: John http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/01/15/maximizing-the-free-or-nearly-free-things-that-make-you-feel-good/comment-page-1/#comment-163914 John Fri, 25 Jan 2008 16:19:29 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/01/15/maximizing-the-free-or-nearly-free-things-that-make-you-feel-good/#comment-163914 Do you plan on making a post out of the list? Do you plan on making a post out of the list?

]]> By: eileen http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/01/15/maximizing-the-free-or-nearly-free-things-that-make-you-feel-good/comment-page-1/#comment-159586 eileen Sun, 20 Jan 2008 02:56:24 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/01/15/maximizing-the-free-or-nearly-free-things-that-make-you-feel-good/#comment-159586 Trent, I just stumbled onto your posting about "free entertainment" via MSN money where I was checking retirement calculators. It was very thought provoking, especially as we are working to reduce our entertainment budget. So often we wonder what we should do and it almost always involves going out to dinner or seeing a movie. But the fact is, we LOVE to read, I love to garden, we have two terrific kids we enjoy spending time with, we both like to workout at home, etc. I think your idea of making a list of such ideas and keeping them posted is excellent. I will look forward to reading your other articles. Thanks for posting this. Trent,

I just stumbled onto your posting about “free entertainment” via MSN money where I was checking retirement calculators. It was very thought provoking, especially as we are working to reduce our entertainment budget. So often we wonder what we should do and it almost always involves going out to dinner or seeing a movie. But the fact is, we LOVE to read, I love to garden, we have two terrific kids we enjoy spending time with, we both like to workout at home, etc. I think your idea of making a list of such ideas and keeping them posted is excellent. I will look forward to reading your other articles. Thanks for posting this.

]]> By: Carol http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/01/15/maximizing-the-free-or-nearly-free-things-that-make-you-feel-good/comment-page-1/#comment-156498 Carol Wed, 16 Jan 2008 21:31:49 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/01/15/maximizing-the-free-or-nearly-free-things-that-make-you-feel-good/#comment-156498 The best things in life are free. Sometimes just looking at a sunset, or the green trees, which I wish I could see now in my yard, playing ball with my dogs, having time to talk to my husband, getting a good book from the library are the best things. The best things in life are free. Sometimes just looking at a sunset, or the green trees, which I wish I could see now in my yard, playing ball with my dogs, having time to talk to my husband, getting a good book from the library are the best things.

]]> By: AnKa http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/01/15/maximizing-the-free-or-nearly-free-things-that-make-you-feel-good/comment-page-1/#comment-156378 AnKa Wed, 16 Jan 2008 17:43:37 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/01/15/maximizing-the-free-or-nearly-free-things-that-make-you-feel-good/#comment-156378 'sex is free' - LOL. You're *so* naive. Seriously though, can you shower for an hour for less than a dime? ’sex is free’ – LOL. You’re *so* naive.

Seriously though, can you shower for an hour for less than a dime?

]]> By: ms_christilin http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/01/15/maximizing-the-free-or-nearly-free-things-that-make-you-feel-good/comment-page-1/#comment-156300 ms_christilin Wed, 16 Jan 2008 16:06:27 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/01/15/maximizing-the-free-or-nearly-free-things-that-make-you-feel-good/#comment-156300 (I’m very sorry, but those who say the joy related to having children is FREE, are not looking at the big picture.) I'd have to say that you are completely missing the point of this discussion! It's not that having children is a free activity, but the decision to have them is already made and the expense figured into their lifestyle. The point now becomes this: having already paid this price, do I now make the most of it by enjoying my children at every opportunity (essentially free), or spend my available time doing something that is going to add more expense to that cost which has already been accepted? I totally agree with Trent on this! I stayed home to raise and homeschool my children, who are now all adults (and very well adjusted, if I may say so myself). My husband and I paid a great financial price in unrealized income for me to do so, and are continuing to recover with regards to our retirement, but I would do it all over again, given the same choices. (I’m very sorry, but those who say the joy related to having children is FREE, are not looking at the big picture.) I’d have to say that you are completely missing the point of this discussion! It’s not that having children is a free activity, but the decision to have them is already made and the expense figured into their lifestyle. The point now becomes this: having already paid this price, do I now make the most of it by enjoying my children at every opportunity (essentially free), or spend my available time doing something that is going to add more expense to that cost which has already been accepted? I totally agree with Trent on this! I stayed home to raise and homeschool my children, who are now all adults (and very well adjusted, if I may say so myself). My husband and I paid a great financial price in unrealized income for me to do so, and are continuing to recover with regards to our retirement, but I would do it all over again, given the same choices.

]]> By: Betty Ann http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/01/15/maximizing-the-free-or-nearly-free-things-that-make-you-feel-good/comment-page-1/#comment-155951 Betty Ann Wed, 16 Jan 2008 04:43:11 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/01/15/maximizing-the-free-or-nearly-free-things-that-make-you-feel-good/#comment-155951 P.S... my savings went down to under 1,000.00 .. due to some real life issues... but I do have $200,000 in equity in my home........I do plan on living NYC someday... will be too expensive to retire here with mine always being a SAHM (stay at home mom); or working around my last child school schedule.. Might be foolish..but i raise 3 ; almost 24,22 and 12 they all 3 will be turning this winter shortly. I have to find another revenue of income for retirement beside social security and equity in this home; without it interfering with my last child's life.. Children are beautiful and easy to raise frugally; but yet; leaves me little time to sought more income. I work only in the field when he is in school and enter reports from my lap top at home. No Latch-Key school program; i'm here for him and his play dates each day. I might have to sell my home and leave NYC somewhere cheaper; or get a 3 family home and rent 3 units and live in a well transformed basement (I read that in a book like Your money or your life; to live by renting the larger units and living in the smallest). I have options.. but right now being a MOM .. a single mom is most important.. but wish I had more free time to do more free fun things too. P.S… my savings went down to under 1,000.00 .. due to some real life issues… but I do have $200,000 in equity in my home……..I do plan on living NYC someday… will be too expensive to retire here with mine always being a SAHM (stay at home mom); or working around my last child school schedule..
Might be foolish..but i raise 3 ; almost 24,22 and 12 they all 3 will be turning this winter shortly.
I have to find another revenue of income for retirement beside social security and equity in this home; without it interfering with my last child’s life..
Children are beautiful and easy to raise frugally; but yet; leaves me little time to sought more income. I work only in the field when he is in school and enter reports from my lap top at home.
No Latch-Key school program; i’m here for him and his play dates each day. I might have to sell my home and leave NYC somewhere cheaper; or get a 3 family home and rent 3 units and live in a well transformed basement (I read that in a book like Your money or your life; to live by renting the larger units and living in the smallest). I have options.. but right now being a MOM .. a single mom is most important.. but wish I had more free time to do more free fun things too.

]]> By: Betty Ann http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/01/15/maximizing-the-free-or-nearly-free-things-that-make-you-feel-good/comment-page-1/#comment-155948 Betty Ann Wed, 16 Jan 2008 04:38:02 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/01/15/maximizing-the-free-or-nearly-free-things-that-make-you-feel-good/#comment-155948 Hi Trent: Yet another great POST... You are truly blessed.. I have my own list of free or nearly free...and some are easy to fit in 5 minutes here and there; others take time getting to and back (and free to travel all around NYC with my monthly unlimited bus/train pass for only 76.00; which I have to buy for work anyway). I have some great things I could do for FREE with my 11 year old son; but time is a factor; the traveling from one part to another part; that sometimes it is just more simple to walk the dog and talk and enjoy a simple thing like that.. Thanks for this Blog.........this is one of my other free thing to do as a single mom.. of 3. Reading this over coffee or tea... Hi Trent:

Yet another great POST…

You are truly blessed..

I have my own list of free or nearly free…and some are easy to fit in 5 minutes here and there; others take time getting to and back (and free to travel all around NYC with my monthly unlimited bus/train pass for only 76.00; which I have to buy for work anyway).

I have some great things I could do for FREE with my 11 year old son; but time is a factor; the traveling from one part to another part; that sometimes it is just more simple to walk the dog and talk and enjoy a simple thing like that..

Thanks for this Blog………this is one of my other free thing to do as a single mom.. of 3. Reading this over coffee or tea…

]]> By: sunny http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/01/15/maximizing-the-free-or-nearly-free-things-that-make-you-feel-good/comment-page-1/#comment-155892 sunny Wed, 16 Jan 2008 02:52:45 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/01/15/maximizing-the-free-or-nearly-free-things-that-make-you-feel-good/#comment-155892 lovely exercise, will give this a whirl tomorrow while I'm at work. lovely exercise, will give this a whirl tomorrow while I’m at work.

]]> By: Dividends4Life http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/01/15/maximizing-the-free-or-nearly-free-things-that-make-you-feel-good/comment-page-1/#comment-155828 Dividends4Life Wed, 16 Jan 2008 00:47:03 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/01/15/maximizing-the-free-or-nearly-free-things-that-make-you-feel-good/#comment-155828 >listing all of the things that I truly enjoy >doing that are either completely free or have >a negligible cost That is an exercise that would be good for us all to do. It is very easy in this fast-paced world to forget what is truly important. Best Wishes, D4L >listing all of the things that I truly enjoy
>doing that are either completely free or have
>a negligible cost

That is an exercise that would be good for us all to do. It is very easy in this fast-paced world to forget what is truly important.

Best Wishes,
D4L

]]> By: Frugal Bachelor http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/01/15/maximizing-the-free-or-nearly-free-things-that-make-you-feel-good/comment-page-1/#comment-155827 Frugal Bachelor Wed, 16 Jan 2008 00:45:53 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/01/15/maximizing-the-free-or-nearly-free-things-that-make-you-feel-good/#comment-155827 I'm very sorry, but those who say the joy related to having children is FREE, are not looking at the big picture. The figure typically quoted to raise a child in the United States is $250,000. Think about it: you need a bigger house (which means more interest paid, higher property taxes, more furniture, more maintenance, more energy, more heating/cooling), you need to feed them, you need to send them to school, you need to bring them to the doctor, the dentist, you need to buy them clothes, you need to buy them toys and gifts, you need to drive them all over town constantly. That figure does NOT include opportunity costs. You can argue that the enormous cost incurred by raising children is WORTH IT, but please do not claim that it is FREE. You are paying $1.68 PER HOUR, non-stop 24x365x17 to raise children, and a heck of a lot more than that per hour if you only count the time you actually spend with them. I’m very sorry, but those who say the joy related to having children is FREE, are not looking at the big picture. The figure typically quoted to raise a child in the United States is $250,000. Think about it: you need a bigger house (which means more interest paid, higher property taxes, more furniture, more maintenance, more energy, more heating/cooling), you need to feed them, you need to send them to school, you need to bring them to the doctor, the dentist, you need to buy them clothes, you need to buy them toys and gifts, you need to drive them all over town constantly. That figure does NOT include opportunity costs.

You can argue that the enormous cost incurred by raising children is WORTH IT, but please do not claim that it is FREE. You are paying $1.68 PER HOUR, non-stop 24×365x17 to raise children, and a heck of a lot more than that per hour if you only count the time you actually spend with them.

]]> By: Rick http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/01/15/maximizing-the-free-or-nearly-free-things-that-make-you-feel-good/comment-page-1/#comment-155812 Rick Wed, 16 Jan 2008 00:08:18 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/01/15/maximizing-the-free-or-nearly-free-things-that-make-you-feel-good/#comment-155812 @Joe: What is a "sappinest quotient"? Regarding the ads, Trent can put whatever he wants. It's his blog. And besides, so what if he changes his mind about display ads or not. People change. Circumstances change. Beliefs change. In any case, I never minded even the Payday Loan ads. @Trent: This was an excellent post, and it just goes along with the adage: The best things in life are free. God has given us nature and relationships. Why do we need anything better? And as you've said before, money is not happiness. It is simply a tool. It's the rest of life that truly gives one a sense of happiness and contentment. @Joe: What is a “sappinest quotient”?

Regarding the ads, Trent can put whatever he wants. It’s his blog. And besides, so what if he changes his mind about display ads or not. People change. Circumstances change. Beliefs change. In any case, I never minded even the Payday Loan ads.

@Trent: This was an excellent post, and it just goes along with the adage: The best things in life are free. God has given us nature and relationships. Why do we need anything better?

And as you’ve said before, money is not happiness. It is simply a tool. It’s the rest of life that truly gives one a sense of happiness and contentment.

]]> By: plonkee http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/01/15/maximizing-the-free-or-nearly-free-things-that-make-you-feel-good/comment-page-1/#comment-155786 plonkee Tue, 15 Jan 2008 23:12:23 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/01/15/maximizing-the-free-or-nearly-free-things-that-make-you-feel-good/#comment-155786 @Corey: It's the initial relationship start-up costs that are the killer though if you're not careful. @Corey:
It’s the initial relationship start-up costs that are the killer though if you’re not careful.

]]> By: Jen http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/01/15/maximizing-the-free-or-nearly-free-things-that-make-you-feel-good/comment-page-1/#comment-155781 Jen Tue, 15 Jan 2008 23:10:16 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/01/15/maximizing-the-free-or-nearly-free-things-that-make-you-feel-good/#comment-155781 Lol...Cory, I'd have to disagree with you about sex being free. Depending on your gender and situation, there can be birth control to worry about, and generally the most effective stuff will cost you. Not that I'm discouraging sex, of course. :-) Lol…Cory, I’d have to disagree with you about sex being free. Depending on your gender and situation, there can be birth control to worry about, and generally the most effective stuff will cost you.

Not that I’m discouraging sex, of course. :-)

]]> By: Jim http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/01/15/maximizing-the-free-or-nearly-free-things-that-make-you-feel-good/comment-page-1/#comment-155718 Jim Tue, 15 Jan 2008 21:58:42 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/01/15/maximizing-the-free-or-nearly-free-things-that-make-you-feel-good/#comment-155718 Cat-Daddy, I wasn't trying to seriously suggest that we should be spending every waking moment doing something that earns us money. That would be a ridiculous (and unhealthy) argument, which is why I ended the post the way I did. I was pointing out that from an economic perspective, these activities aren't truly "free", but that they carry with them an opportunity cost, a cost that most of us (myself included) are willing to pay because of our priorities in life. Cat-Daddy, I wasn’t trying to seriously suggest that we should be spending every waking moment doing something that earns us money. That would be a ridiculous (and unhealthy) argument, which is why I ended the post the way I did.

I was pointing out that from an economic perspective, these activities aren’t truly “free”, but that they carry with them an opportunity cost, a cost that most of us (myself included) are willing to pay because of our priorities in life.

]]> By: Cory http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/01/15/maximizing-the-free-or-nearly-free-things-that-make-you-feel-good/comment-page-1/#comment-155665 Cory Tue, 15 Jan 2008 20:52:12 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/01/15/maximizing-the-free-or-nearly-free-things-that-make-you-feel-good/#comment-155665 Sex is free ... once you get past the initial relationship start-up costs ... Sex is free … once you get past the initial relationship start-up costs …

]]> By: Leisureguy http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/01/15/maximizing-the-free-or-nearly-free-things-that-make-you-feel-good/comment-page-1/#comment-155621 Leisureguy Tue, 15 Jan 2008 19:34:56 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/01/15/maximizing-the-free-or-nearly-free-things-that-make-you-feel-good/#comment-155621 A complementary approach is to find ways to create pleasure from things you have to do anyway. For example, learn more about cooking and cooking efficiencies so you can really enjoy your time preparing meals. Add a small flower or herb garden to your yard so you can find yardwork more enjoyable. A complementary approach is to find ways to create pleasure from things you have to do anyway. For example, learn more about cooking and cooking efficiencies so you can really enjoy your time preparing meals. Add a small flower or herb garden to your yard so you can find yardwork more enjoyable.

]]> By: Joe http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/01/15/maximizing-the-free-or-nearly-free-things-that-make-you-feel-good/comment-page-1/#comment-155612 Joe Tue, 15 Jan 2008 19:23:43 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/01/15/maximizing-the-free-or-nearly-free-things-that-make-you-feel-good/#comment-155612 The sappinest quotient for this article, even for you Trent, is through the roof... The sappinest quotient for this article, even for you Trent, is through the roof…

]]> By: sir jorge http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/01/15/maximizing-the-free-or-nearly-free-things-that-make-you-feel-good/comment-page-1/#comment-155597 sir jorge Tue, 15 Jan 2008 18:54:17 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/01/15/maximizing-the-free-or-nearly-free-things-that-make-you-feel-good/#comment-155597 this is a great piece of advice this is a great piece of advice

]]> By: Frugal Dad http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/01/15/maximizing-the-free-or-nearly-free-things-that-make-you-feel-good/comment-page-1/#comment-155577 Frugal Dad Tue, 15 Jan 2008 18:18:52 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/01/15/maximizing-the-free-or-nearly-free-things-that-make-you-feel-good/#comment-155577 I had a similar experience this weekend. I took my son to the park and we spent two hours playing, swinging and walking around the perimeter of the park looking at squirrels and birds. The cost - $0.00. The saying, the best things in life are free really is true. If we can free ourselves from the materialism thrown at us from every angle thanks to the media maybe more of us could realize it. I had a similar experience this weekend. I took my son to the park and we spent two hours playing, swinging and walking around the perimeter of the park looking at squirrels and birds. The cost – $0.00. The saying, the best things in life are free really is true. If we can free ourselves from the materialism thrown at us from every angle thanks to the media maybe more of us could realize it.

]]>