And yet I cling to my Pathfinder superscription...how sick is that?
Any "hang to it/cut it loose" suggestions?
Hotdogs in mac-&-cheese is tasty stuff. I sometimes miss it.
And yet I cling to my Pathfinder superscription...how sick is that?
Any "hang to it/cut it loose" suggestions?
** spoiler omitted **
Sorry to hear times are tough, Hugo. I've been there. In fact, when I was unemployed for a year in the wake of the burst of the dot com bubble, I did a lot of cost cutting. Here are some things that might help:
1. Cut out cable TV
2. If you have broadband, call your provider and see if they offer a lower tier of service. If they do, they often won't promote it, because for many people it is just as good (but costs less).
3. Cook more. When it comes to food, convenience is expensive.
4. Look into food assistance. Seriously, swallow your pride. I can't tell you how much it helped me feed the family until I found a new job.
5. Redbox for all your DVD needs. Just return 'em on time.
6. Have (and stick to) a budget. It helps avoid impulse purchases.
And no, you aren't sick at all. :)
Hotdogs in mac-&-cheese is tasty stuff. I sometimes miss it.
Once in a blue moon, perhaps. ;-)
3. Cook more. When it comes to food, convenience is expensive.
And no, you aren't sick at all. :)
Yeah, I'm starting with the cheap cooking option... Eating "good" is one of my biggest "pleasures" so its really hard to cut that off... specially with all the tasty tasty food places around :P
I am sorry to hear that Hugo.
Times is tough. I am grateful to be with the state right now.
Oh, I forgot, if you have to eat out check www.slickdeals.net and www.fatwallet.com first. The forums often provide links to coupons.
Oh, I forgot, if you have to eat out check www.slickdeals.net and www.fatwallet.com first. The forums often provide links to coupons.
I'll do that when I go up to live in the US :P Thanks!
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Welcome to the club, man. Sadly, our members aren't often here by choice.
That said, I've found that when you're forced to eat the same food over a long period (hot dogs and ramen noodles in my case), that adding additional ingredients makes it bearable. I'm a person who likes spicy foods and if you're fond of them as well, I've found that adding a little crushed red pepper to the broth of soup or just a bit shaken on top of a hot dog goes a long way to making foods more interesting.
Potatoes are also your friend, they're often cheap and they can be quite filling. Potato soup (that's taters mixed with chicken broth) is also something I've grown fond of over the years; it's also good with crushed red peppers and some garlic thrown in (careful with the peppers though; they tend to make soup 'hotter' than one would expect).
One note, be careful when you're trying out something new for a first time, don't overdo the spices or you can end up ruining a meal (which is, obviously, a big 'no no').
Spice it up, man; and good luck! :D
I'll do that when I go up to live in the US :P Thanks!
Doh! I forgot. Sorry, Hugo.
I imagine shipping is pretty big. You might really think about ending your subscriptions and purchasing the products on amazon. If you buy several items at once you should be able to get free shipping. This will mean you will miss out on the free pdfs and such, but it might be worth it.
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Sorry to hear about the tough times Hugo. I feel your pain as I am in the same boat currently (Paizocon was my "do something fun for yourself while you can" event).
I would start by recommending you take up baking. Seriously. Cuts bread costs dramatically (and I'm baking right now :) ).
Not the best time for it, as it is late in the year, but putting together a garden will also help cut food costs if you have the space for it. Worst case, grow tomato, pepper or other plants indoors.
Run with the base staples and spices. Lentils, rice, beans, pasta, veggies. And look to local sources for veggies and anything else you can find. You tend to get better quality for equal or less cash.
Cook at home. For the price you pay for a single meal out, you can fix something enough food to feed yourself for a day or two. And the better you get at cooking, the more you won't miss the "good food" as you'll be making it yourself.
Cut out the true extras. I know my Paizo subscriptions will be the last thing to go, but any other discretionary spending needs to be cut away.
Best of luck to you. If there's anything I can help you with, let me know.
I'll do that when I go up to live in the US :P Thanks!Doh! I forgot. Sorry, Hugo.
*licks courtfool...and steals his wallet*
Welcome to the club, man. Sadly, our members aren't often here by choice.
That said, I've found that when you're forced to eat the same food over a long period (hot dogs and ramen noodles in my case), that adding additional ingredients makes it bearable. I'm a person who likes spicy foods and if you're fond of them as well, I've found that adding a little crushed red pepper to the broth of soup or just a bit shaken on top of a hot dog goes a long way to making foods more interesting.
Spice it up, man; and good luck! :D
Overspice=FTW :P
My hotdogs have Ranch dressing and "panela" cheese for a twistI've been on the club since early february on this year... but the past few days have come with unexpected expenses and a few nasty phonecalls...bank phonecalls... So now I'm getting a bit desperate. The savings account is running dangerously low and thankfully there are some projects on the way, but the expenses are coming faster that the pay days and there's nowhere to shake for some emergency money... Today's been the first day I actually do something to cut expenses down.
The suscription is my current "my personal luxury thing" and I'm keeping it mostly under the excuse that its for "work" purposes...You know, to stay on the loop. The thing is that when I get depressed I shop and eat to "boost me up" but then I find me on a deeper problem than before :P You know how self-destructive behavior is, al about rings, what goes around... I've been buying minis like crazy ever since when I started trying to illustrate for a living and I can tell you is not a smart thing at all...but so far the compulsive behavior beats the reasoning.
...sorry for venting this here and thanks for listening guys... you all rock!
I am sorry to hear that Hugo. On the bright side, I will be sending you the $30 I owe you this Friday. It is not much, but you deserve it. ~thinks~ Make that $45. You can use the extra $15 more than I can.
Edit - Save the Pathfinder AP for last on the "To Cut" list. Why? Because it nets you a 15% savings and is not that much. However, if things get really bad, cut everything. They are just toys and you can take a break from toys, if you have to.
I am sorry to hear that Hugo. On the bright side, I will be sending you the $30 I owe you this Friday. It is not much, but you deserve it. ~thinks~ Make that $45. You can use the extra $15 more than I can.
Edit - Save the Pathfinder AP for last on the "To Cut" list. Why? Because it nets you a 15% savings and is not that much. However, if things get really bad, cut everything. They are just toys and you can take a break from toys, if you have to.
Hehehe thanks Sharoth, but I'm already helping myself on your hoard, so no extra $15 please... I appreciate the thought but I like to earn my money, so I'd rather take those $15 for a commission if you want to ;)
*sends more ninjafrogs to get more of the dragon's hoard*
I'll try and wait until the RPG and Beastiary is out... because I DON?T want to miss those PDFs...
that is too bad my friend, I always find that ramen works when I'm in tough times, its ridiculously cheap(~50 cents) and it's filling...though you may not want to have a ramen diet for too long. but on the upside there is a you can do to ramen, plus ya can't argue with something that costs less than bottled water, yet fills you up
stay strong my brotha!
For about $10, you can get a bag of something like 20 skinless, frozen chicken breasts (that's $0.50 a breast, for those of you who are bad at math). Then just get yourself a few different things that you like to put on chicken.
Personally, I find that with a bottle of soy sauce, a jar of spaghetti sauce, some herbs and spices, some ramen, some spaghetti, and a bag of frozen beans,* I'm pretty much good to go. It's also a lot healthier than hot dogs.
*Note: Don't put all of these things together at once.
I am sorry to hear that Hugo. On the bright side, I will be sending you the $30 I owe you this Friday. It is not much, but you deserve it. ~thinks~ Make that $45. You can use the extra $15 more than I can.
Edit - Save the Pathfinder AP for last on the "To Cut" list. Why? Because it nets you a 15% savings and is not that much. However, if things get really bad, cut everything. They are just toys and you can take a break from toys, if you have to.
Hehehe thanks Sharoth, but I'm already helping myself on your hoard, so no extra $15 please... I appreciate the thought but I like to earn my money, so I'd rather take those $15 for a commission if you want to ;)
*sends more ninjafrogs to get more of the dragon's hoard*
I'll try and wait until the RPG and Beastiary is out... because I DON?T want to miss those PDFs...
Call the extra $15 a "you are an awesome artist, so here is your tip"! ~shakes my cane at you~ You will take it and like it, you young wipper snapper! Why, in my day... ~goes off on a long rant about how spoiled you "Younguns" are~
~GRINS~
I feel you Hugo. My bank account is short by a couple of hundred this month. :(
1. Cut out cable TV
Use Hulu or something similar to keep up with "must see" shows.
2. If you have broadband, call your provider and see if they offer a lower tier of service. If they do, they often won't promote it, because for many people it is just as good (but costs less).
If you have cellphones and a landline, get rid of one. Get a pay-as-you-go cell phone & plan. Or, if you have DSL internet, call your phone company and have them kill your voice landline. Most phone companies will try everything (including plenty of excuses) to get you to keep the voice line too, but be persistant and escalate up till you get a supervisor who will give you what you ask for.
3. Cook more. When it comes to food, convenience is expensive.
4. Look into food assistance. Seriously, swallow your pride. I can't tell you how much it helped me feed the family until I found a new job.
Many communities, local churches, and local farmer co-ops offer programs to get you a bunch of food for reduced prices. It may not all be stuff on your normal dining routine, but think of it as a way to explore new foods. Buy dried beans and rice in large quantities and reduce the meat portion of the meal. Definitely learn to bake your own bread and pizza crusts/nan/pitas.
Check out the Fresh Loaf and Bittman's Blog for great ideas and recipes.
Grow your own herbs instead of buying them fresh in the market. If you can, grow some of your own veggies, and lightly prep + cook + freeze any extra (or trade extra with a friend/neighbor for some other food). Try growing your own sprouts -- fairly cheap, definitely easy, mega-doses of nutrients, and you control the conditions, so you eliminate the risk of
Seconding the "same food, new spices" option. My personal new fave is smoked paprika; a small amount adds an amazing taste.
Try to keep your Paizo subsrciption; you have to reward yourself a little or it'll be even harder to stay on budget. Plus, can't you legitimately write it off your taxes as a work expense?
I feel you Hugo. My bank account is short by a couple of hundred this month. :(
~WINCES~ OUCH!!! I am sorry to hear that, Lilith!
Sell your Original art that you did for the Wayfinder...or was it all digital?
Find a way to sell prints of it..heh...
I'm sure some of the people here would buy to original or at least moderately priced reproductions...
Is that how much extra you spent at PaizoCon Lilith?
Food ain't so expensive down here, so If I manage to cut off the "fancy meals" and the snacks, I'll do alright... althou 50 cents a chicken breast IS cheap!
I'm looking for new ways to come up with an extra buck but apparently prints aren't such a good option :D I haven't sell a single print at my deviant site :P Selling the originals is a nice way but very, VERY few people is interested, also shipping them up is quite expensive, but I'll see if I can find a way to work that out. Maybe the illos that actually get published may be easier to sell. Also, the super Pathfinder Paper Minis are still waiting for my sets but smehow there's always something that gets n the way... I need a 28 hours day :D
I have o come up with art/design ideas to bring up extra $. More suggestions are most welcome!
Call the extra $15 a "you are an awesome artist, so here is your tip"! ~shakes my cane at you~ You will take it and like it, you young wipper snapper! Why, in my day... ~goes off on a long rant about how spoiled you "Younguns" are~
~GRINS~
Alright then :D I'll see how can I repay for that Tip ;)
*gets off the lawn before the old dragon opens fire*
I feel you Hugo. My bank account is short by a couple of hundred this month. :(
Darn.... See Liz, I told you we shoud have made that fanzine a sellable one ;P
3. Cook more. When it comes to food, convenience is expensive.
And no, you aren't sick at all. :)
Yeah, I'm starting with the cheap cooking option... Eating "good" is one of my biggest "pleasures" so its really hard to cut that off... specially with all the tasty tasty food places around :P
If you want to eat "good", make friends with people that work in resturants! I am constantly bringing home steaks, fish and other foodstuffs for my wife to have!
I'm looking for new ways to come up with an extra buck but apparently prints aren't such a good option :D I haven't sell a single print at my deviant site :P Selling the originals is a nice way but very, VERY few people is interested, also shipping them up is quite expensive, but I'll see if I can find a way to work that out. Maybe the illos that actually get published may be easier to sell. Also, the super Pathfinder Paper Minis are still waiting for my sets but smehow there's always something that gets n the way... I need a 28 hours day :D
I have o come up with art/design ideas to bring up extra $. More suggestions are most welcome!
Your art on the DeviantArt site is excellent. If you are comfortable doing sci-fi dystopian pieces, you might submit some samples to Catalyst Game Labs for their Shadowrun and/or Eclipse Phase lines.
I work in a fire happy industry and I'm typically unemployed a couple months a year.....
food - a week from now will you remember what you ate today? Chances are probably not. Food is a weakness! I plan all my meals under 2.50 cents a meal and you can have some variety
Rice and beans
Frozen Raviolis
Red kidney beans - microwave em and put a little tabasco sauce on em... 68 cents a meal. Chock full of protein.
Peanut butter and jelly
Pair anything with rice or lots of bread.
wal mart box of rice 1.68
Oriental Chicken Frozen Family Meal - 4.50
I can make three meals out of that... a little over two bucks a meal.
Stop drinking anything but tap water....soda expensive. Bottled water crap. Plus if you live in the states there are trace amounts of many prescription drugs in the water.... you can self medicate.
Get rid of the cell phone...waste...
walk places... I don't drive unless I absolutely have too... keeps you from spending money if you have to walk to the store. Laziness out weighs urge to shop. Plus you get cut...and can find a possible sugar mommy.
if you have enough money...pay your full insurance premium up front...saves you probably 60-120 dollars every six months.
Those are my pointers and I'm unemployed all the time...worst case scenario...fill out a FAFSA... take a few classes at school and you can get student loan money. Thats the last ditch plan.
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I work in a fire happy industry and I'm typically unemployed a couple months a year.....
food - a week from now will you remember what you ate today? Chances are probably not. Food is a weakness! I plan all my meals under 2.50 cents a meal and you can have some varietyRice and beans
Frozen Raviolis
Red kidney beans - microwave em and put a little tabasco sauce on em... 68 cents a meal. Chock full of protein.
Peanut butter and jellyPair anything with rice or lots of bread.
wal mart box of rice 1.68
Oriental Chicken Frozen Family Meal - 4.50I can make three meals out of that... a little over two bucks a meal.
Stop drinking anything but tap water....soda expensive. Bottled water crap. Plus if you live in the states there are trace amounts of many prescription drugs in the water.... you can self medicate.
Dang. Thanks!
Forgot to mention :
Toliet paper can get expensive.... grab it from fast food restaurants
same with napkins... won't have to buy paper towels.
take plastic wear from taco bell... if you eat with a plastic spork you run less water and don't need dish soap to clean up.
crash parties to get better grades of free food. Just look natural. No one will confront you.
Supermarkets throw away a lot of good vegetables... you have to be brave for that option.
I can make three meals out of that... a little over two bucks a meal.
Yes, cutting down food wouls save me lots, at least around $80 a month
Stop drinking anything but tap water....soda expensive. Bottled water crap. Plus if you live in the states there are trace amounts of many prescription drugs in the water.... you can self medicate.
My junk food-soda expenses are around $2 day.. so down with that now! that some $60 a month less
Get rid of the cell phone...waste...walk places...
Have a cheap cell an can't go cheaper, and I need it for work :P. I do walk a lot and ride the bus frequently, so that's covered.
if you have enough money...pay your full insurance premium up front...saves you probably 60-120 dollars every six months.
No money. No insurance. I'm covered by my sugar mommy social health care system. SUCKS!
Well, Honestly, this thread already motivated me to STOP wasting money on junk food and soda and to cook cheaper :D
the Paizo community RAWKS!
Forgot to mention :
Toliet paper can get expensive.... grab it from fast food restaurants
same with napkins... won't have to buy paper towels.take plastic wear from taco bell... if you eat with a plastic spork you run less water and don't need dish soap to clean up.
crash parties to get better grades of free food. Just look natural. No one will confront you.
Supermarkets throw away a lot of good vegetables... you have to be brave for that option.
Wow, you have it all worked out...nice! :D
Hugo, I know that you are married, but I have a question. Do you have any kids?
Is that how much extra you spent at PaizoCon Lilith?
No. The only money I spent at the con was getting to and from and meals.
Since I was once a poor gourmet, I will share a few hints.
1. Cut your own meat. You don't need to be a rocket scientist to cut bones from a pork leg and make cubes out of it. You do, however, need a sharp knife.
2. Save everything. Don't garbage the pork bone. Don't pitch the skin either. The mamas of the old country have been using the skin to cover their cabbage rolls and add flavour. I'm not saying it's healthy, but it is yummy. Save the trimmings from your veggies.
3. Prepare and patience. Those trimmings and ham bone? Those go in a big stock pot covered with water just past the joint of your index finger. Simmer uncovered for 5-8 hrs, depending on the bone. Beef takes longer, chicken less. Fish only takes about an hour. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Delicious stock. Soak your beans overnight instead of buying canned ones. Beans are an excellent source of iron and protein. If you boil your own beans beside your stock pot, you will save major dough and cut out some of the salt. Beans are mildly toxic to humans, so boil the heck out of them the first few times. You can use some of your bean water in the stockpot if you prefer. The crockpot is also your best friend, and you can leave it unattended, whereas I do not reccomend doing this with the stockpot.
4. Eat local and in season. You can get quite a bit of good food locally, and if you are clever, you can do a lot with it. In fact, you can make salads from grated carrots, carrot cake, glazed carrots, carrots in cream (or thickened 3% milk for the poorest)...
5. Eat other cusines. Asian food is surprizingly cheap in Alberta, Canada. You can get 6 meals from a 2$ package of noodles. And they are shrimp flavoured to boot. Here chinese veg are also very affordable. Indian is also a cheap cusine to make, since it uses those beans and lentils I was bragging up and little meat.
6. Buy bulk. Ask around and see if you can find a friend to share some things with. Some suppliers have a bulk discount if you buy multiples. This also works very well with spices and lets you keep them fresh.
7. Plant a garden. It worked during the War, and you'll look really green and get out of the house. You may even find it relaxing. If you have water use issues, use some of the bathwater (sans soap) or the rince water from your dishes. You can grow a garden in a wading pool if your landlord forbids holes in the lawn, just put it in a parking spot. You can also make window boxes or a terrarium for herbs out of a leaky fish tank.
Here's an affordable recipe using some of the things I suggest.
You will need: 3-4 sausages (big ones), 2-3 CUPs chicken stock/broth, 1 CUP pot barley, handful chopped cilantro/coriander (optional) 1/4 white onion, chopped, 1- 1 1/2 CUP green beans (not canned) 2 cloves garlic, spoonfull of butter.
Mince garlic, add to pan with onion and butter. Saute until clear. Add barley, stir to coat. Add 2 CUPs broth. Cover. Boil sausages until cooked. Blanch beans. Add beans to broth when about half absorbed. Taste. If most of the liquid is gone and the barley is still not soft, add the other broth. Cut sausages into coins. Add to barley to heat through. Add cilantro. Cook until wilted. Season heavily with pepper. Serve. This makes 2-4 servings, depending on how hungry you are.
Hugo, I know that you are married, but I have a question. Do you have any kids?
No, Thank gosh... but the wife is pushing that button... I don't think it will be long before she runs out of patience...
S
2. Save everything. Don't garbage the pork bone. Don't pitch the skin either. The mamas of the old country have been using the skin to cover their cabbage rolls and add flavour. I'm not saying it's healthy, but it is yummy. Save the trimmings from your veggies.
This sounds odd...and yummi!
Around here food ain't too expensive, and cooking smart with all the advises here I can cut the food budget by half. And if I kill the junk food/soda budget that's another chunk of money... So I think that will help me sleep better at night.
Most important, this thread have make me plan tomorrow's food expenses, literally. And take a day at a time afterwards to kill the nasty eatng habits.
I think bad habits is what's really killing by economy...
I'm basically in the same boat as you, man.And yet I cling to my Pathfinder superscription...how sick is that?
Any "hang to it/cut it loose" suggestions?
** spoiler omitted **
Grab an oar and lets get goin' :D
~thinks~ Hugo, would you like a loan? Payable ***ONLY*** after you have worked for 6 months at whatever job you get?
~thinks~ Hugo, would you like a loan? Payable ***ONLY*** after you have worked for 6 months at whatever job you get?
Oh man you really go beyond any expectations :D... You just made me smile on a "I can believe this" way, a good way... now you are making me blsuh :P
Again, I really appreciate the thought, but I'm not is such a desperate situation yet ;)
NOW STOP MAKING ME BLUSH!
*hides is shadows +25*
To Hugo and Lilith: What kind of prices do you guys charge for commissioned work? I have a few characters I might like to get drawn up for the neighborhood kids. Sure, it's only a job or two, but every bit helps, right?
Please shoot me an email to answer that :D
~thinks~ Hugo, would you like a loan? Payable ***ONLY*** after you have worked for 6 months at whatever job you get?Oh man you really go beyond any expectations :D... You just made me smile on a "I can believe this" way, a good way... now you are making me blsuh :P
Again, I really appreciate the thought, but I'm not is such a desperate situation yet ;)
NOW STOP MAKING ME BLUSH!
*hides is shadows +25*
~WEG~ Well, why can't I pretend to be a nice guy until I get my hoard back. ~motions with my hand for my Half-Dragon Kobold Ninjas to go retrieve my hoard~ Go my minions! Retrieve my hoard! Be warry of the Ninja Frogs!
~grins~
Edit - Kobolds, even Half-Dragon ones are so easy to bully into submission!
To Hugo and Lilith: What kind of prices do you guys charge for commissioned work? I have a few characters I might like to get drawn up for the neighborhood kids. Sure, it's only a job or two, but every bit helps, right?
Reckless, my rates are here. You can contact me at