The other day while I was flipping around the internet I came across a video that decried the very existence of the penny. The video is below for you to take a look at, but suffice to say that the people who put this video together have no love for the one cent piece! After you watch this short video (which I found very entertaining), I have just a few thoughts down below. Enjoy!
So what do you think? Should we get rid of pennies? Personally, I like pennies because if I have a few floating around my pocket, then I can potentially pay for an item with exact change. More importantly, though, I keep a jar of change in my closet that I clear out once each year around Christmas so I can buy myself a little gift. Each year, the jar usually yields about $85, which isn’t so bad (this year, it provided about $167, but that’s because I haven’t emptied it out in two years). Many of the coins that get dropped into my change jar are pennies.
Plus, I think pennies make it easier for young people to learn about money. I’ve seen some pretty impressive presentations prepared by the community outreach sections of traditional banks that talk about the full scale of money – from big bills down to the one cent piece.
Anyway – do you have any thoughts on the penny? Should it stay or should it go?
Are you living in Plainsboro, New Jersey and need some tips to save money? Many people around the country are looking for easy-to-use tips and strategies to save money. Life in Plainsboro can be great for you and your family on many different levels. You may wonder if you can afford life in the town, but the reality is that you can live in Plainsboro, New Jersey on a budget. Check out our money saving tips below and turn money issues into a problem of the past.
If you are new to living in Plainsboro, New Jersey you must stay informed on the latest deals around town. Did you know that you can follow Plainsboro on Facebook? Or, did you know that you can search “Plainsboro local businesses” and connect to well-known restaurants, grocery stores, housing markets and more? A very simple search can even provide you with recommended apartments in Plainsboro.
Online tools are essential to staying informed and keeping up-to-date with current offers. Check out our money saving tips below.
Money Saving Tip One: Locate Affordable Housing
Before you start packing boxes you must have a budget established for your move and potential housing needs. In Plainsboro, some of the large apartment complexes offer move-in incentives including first month free or reduced move in fees. These discounted costs can be easy on your budget during a time that is normally associated with additional expenses or fees. Before you sign any type of lease you should take the time to understand how it will influence your months ahead.
An apartment with a higher rent and a great move-in deal may end up costing the same amount as a cheaper apartment with no move-in deal. Again, online tools are essential! Explore the area and apartment markets online before you schedule any appointment to review spaces.
Money Saving Tip Two: Know Where to Shop
Many towns, including those in New Jersey, have an abundance of local shops that can help you save money. Look around the main downtown and surrounding areas for locally owned shops before you head off to your well-known chain stores. It is great to support local businesses and you can also get to know the community you choose to live in.
Money Saving Tip Three: Comparison Shop for Utilities
There are many positive incentives associated with comparison shopping for cable, telephone services, and internet. Many of the larger companies offer first time sign up deals or even bundling discounts.
If you are moving into an apartment your new home may be pre-wired for specific cable and/or internet services. Remember to speak with your landlord and discover all the possibilities and company options you can shop.
If you are ready to live in Plainsboro, New Jersey you can discover many different techniques to live on a budget. Take time to discover your new neighborhood, local businesses, restaurants, and utility options. It is possible to live on a fixed income in this area.
Oddly enough, I scheduled this entry to be automatically uploaded back when I was in Chicago, but something must have screwed up in the back end system because it never appeared on the blog. No worries, though, because the content wasn’t lost and if you’re reading this, then the entry uploaded as planned!
If you’ve been reading JerseySmarts.com or Joe’s Journal for a while now, then you know that I like reading books about self-improvement including eating better, understanding the human body better, and using money better. Stop Acting Rich …And Start Living Like A Real Millionaire by Dr. Thomas J. Stanley falls into the latter category as this book focuses on how real millionaires spend their money. Sure, we all think that we know who a real millionaire is (the flashy people you see on television and maybe one or two families in your community that live in a bigger house and have nicer cars), but the truth is that some of these folks are only what Dr. Stanley terms the “glittering rich.”
In other words, these are the people who want to live the rich lifestyle without actually having the dollars to back it up! I prefer to call these folks idiots.
What I found most interesting about reading this book is that as you go through each chapter and Dr. Stanley writes about how real millionaires live versus how people who want the prestige and status associated with being rich live, I was amazed at how many people in my own life popped into my head. For example, did you know that most millionaires drive Fords, Chevrolets, and Toyotas? And I’m not talking about the “high end” brands that are associated with each of these companies, either. True, you might expect most millionaires to be riding around in Mercedes-Benz automobiles or BMWs, but the scientifically-researched data proves those assumptions false.
And that is another thing that is great about this book, namely that Dr. Stanley uses scientifically-compiled data to make the points for him. He doesn’t approach this subject with a predetermined mindset where he is attempting to prove that millionaires spend their money in a certain manner (frugality) versus a different manner (splurging). All he does is compile the research and explain what the data mean. Frankly, it’s refreshing to read a book about money that isn’t pushing a certain agenda or method of using one’s scarce financial resources. This book just simply tells the read how real millionaires choose to spend their money in their daily lives.
Again, though, I was struck by how many people came to mind as I read through the book. Using the car example above – how many of us know people that are driving around in cars that cost upwards of $50 thousand? The research shows that there is a strong chance that those individuals are not only not millionaires, but likely struggling to put away any funds for retirement. Think of another example – how many of us know someone who has a “fascination” with certain inanimate objects like watches? Did you know that most millionaires spend less than $150 for their watch? And they usually own one or two at the most. But don’t we all know someone who has to have that thousand dollar Rolex? Talk about a waste of money.
The answer to this question has got to be a resounding “yes!” If anyone hasn’t seen this show yet, I highly suggest that you check out ABC on Tuesday nights at 8:00pm. Shark Tank is a show where entrepreneurs of all shapes and sizes come before a group of wealthy investors (each who has a great back story of their own) to ask for equity investments in their companies.
I think that one of the reasons why I like the show is because one of my job functions is to do the same thing that the sharks are doing, but with socially responsible/minded entrepreneurs. My company frequently receives phone calls from folks looking to start day care centers or affordable housing groups or open community facilities. These people generally want grant funding or an equity investment in their idea. Unfortunately, my company does not dole out grants nor do we make equity investments any more. But all of the questions that the sharks are asking on Shark Tank are very reminiscent of the questions that we ask the potential customers.
Here’s the show’s preseason video showing you what the entire concept is about – check it out, I think you’ll enjoy it!
The other day I picked up my absentee ballot from my post office box. As some of you may recall, I’ve decided to go all absentee ballot, all of the time. Actually, this only counts for the “big” elections since the state doesn’t allow you to use this particular absentee balloting system for the smaller elections like the School Board. The ballot that I received did have small, local elections on it, but I’m permitted to vote in them since the larger election is for governor.
And what a decision we have to make in New Jersey politics, huh?
I think I’ve made it obvious on previous posts on this blog that I’m no big fan of Governor Money Bags (aka Jon Corzine). How this state elected a multi-millionaire to be the governor – especially when he ran on the basis of being able to understand the common man. How can a guy who doesn’t have to worry about money EVER understand what it’s like to be a regular person trying to survive in New Jersey?! Good grief!
Of course, like most statewide elections, the Democrats in New Jersey can get away with anything that they want because they have Essex and Camden counties on lock down. The amount of votes in those two counties is significant and puts the Democrats in a situation where they only need to get a few percentage points in each of the other counties to win major elections. It’s a shame, really.
But this election is different. New Jerseyans are fed up with the deteriorating state of our government and they want real change. Sound familiar? My concern is that while I’ll probably vote for Chris Christie, I’m not particularly voting FOR him, but rather against Corzine. And I’d much rather vote for Dagget or the Libertarian candidate, but I despise Corzine so much that I feel compelled to vote for the only guy who has a real chance to beat him.
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Quote of the Moment:
If you haven’t got anything nice to say about anybody, come sit next to me. — Alice Roosevelt Longworth, 1884-1980
