Dave Vollmer wrote: IIn terms of model railroading, I used to buy a lot of magazines. I get MR in the mail, but I used to often buy N Scale and N Scale Railroading and sometimes RMC, SL&NG Gazette, and even RMJ. But now if I have the choice between a magazine and something for the layout, I choose the layout item. In a perfect world I'd love all the magazines to stay in business, but the reality is that most of the info in the magazines is available for free online. Because of that, they're more "expendable" to my hobby budget than the layout items.
IIn terms of model railroading, I used to buy a lot of magazines. I get MR in the mail, but I used to often buy N Scale and N Scale Railroading and sometimes RMC, SL&NG Gazette, and even RMJ. But now if I have the choice between a magazine and something for the layout, I choose the layout item. In a perfect world I'd love all the magazines to stay in business, but the reality is that most of the info in the magazines is available for free online. Because of that, they're more "expendable" to my hobby budget than the layout items.
Subscribe to the ones you know you read regularly(No, I don't work for Kalmbach). Significant savings on the cover price, particularly if you pay for several years up front. You also save gas because they come straight to the house. Plus no sales tax. Not to mention you usually get them about 1 month before they hit the magazine racks.
I still see people walking around with their $5 Starbucks coffee... In fact, there's a place across from the lab I work in here at NC State that sells expensive fancy coffee.
That made me laugh. Apparently your sightings are beginning to get rarer. I just heard this morning on NPR on the way into work that Starbucks is closing 600 of their stores, mostly the newer ones. The assumption in the report is people are feeling the crunch and forgoing those fancy coffee's. I still buy it when I'm on the road and can charge it to my expenses, but rarely do otherwise. The large red containers of Foldgers for about 7 dollars makes EXCELLENT coffee and better than most I get at work or hotels etc. Thats what I subsist on.
I simply don't see how people can smoke, both for health reasons and the very high cost. That is of course why those Indian Smoke Shops here in NY are so popular. But the habit if quit would make nice kitty to spend on the hobby!
Since the other similar topic got locked, I guess I"ll have to respond here about gas and cars..
Some have complained about the high cost of filling up their gas tanks. To be honest, I've never been able to understand for the past 10 years how people could afford to drive around in those large SUV's or pick up trucks which get 15 mpg or less and have huge gas tanks, even before the price of gas started shooting up above $2.50 or $3.00. Now those people are really starting to cry.
I grew up in Davis California where recycling and conservation was always a part of the mind set. Personally I have always driven cars which have decent fuel economy (71 Ford Pinto, 78 VW Rabbit, later model Rabbits etc) and more recently a 94 Ford Taurus Wagon which still go mid 20's highway MPG and Toyota Camry, low 30's and my newest car is the Toyota RAV4 which was rated at 29 highway MPG (really a little less). If the tank is on fumes, it takes about 13 gallons to fill it up. Even that, I am feeling a bit of a pinch like everyone and driving less.
I hate the $4.20/gallon prices as much as the next, but maybe the silver lining is it will finally force some of those gas guzzling monster cars out of favor, and get people back to cars that get better miliage. My co-worker just bought a Toyota Prius hybrid. It gets over 50 MPG. I think it is funny that back in the 1970's, you could buy a diesel VW Rabbit that was crude technology by comparison and get similar mileage as the latest "state of the art" Japanese hybrid car. Kind of sad really.
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
Consider a swap list, for instance, I have a Monon BL2 that does not fit into my B&M/New England scheme unless I re-letter it, but would swap for a New England RR item that I wanted.
That's a good idea regardless of the savings aspect-- do you know of any such list? I have stuff I'd like to have and stuff I'd trade to get it.
Now, as an active duty guy in student status, I still get my regular paycheck. My lab mates are all on some sort of research or teaching assistantships. Yet they still go across the street for their fancy $5 coffee several times a week.
There's a coffee maker in the lab. Two, actually. One has a sign on it that says "free to a good home."
Say you buy a low-end 4 cup coffee maker. Say it's $25. That's about 6 or 7 Starbucks coffees. After that your only recurring expenses are filters and coffee (plus sweetener and creamer of you're so inclined). After a few weeks you're saving enough by brewing your own that you can absorb the gas hike.
Same goes for smoking. As if there were not enough reasons to quit, now think of the pack-a-day savings that could be re-directed to gas.
In terms of model railroading, I used to buy a lot of magazines. I get MR in the mail, but I used to often buy N Scale and N Scale Railroading and sometimes RMC, SL&NG Gazette, and even RMJ. But now if I have the choice between a magazine and something for the layout, I choose the layout item. In a perfect world I'd love all the magazines to stay in business, but the reality is that most of the info in the magazines is available for free online. Because of that, they're more "expendable" to my hobby budget than the layout items.
Fortunately, I have not had to constrain my hobby budget too terribly much. I recently sold my house for a decent profit (I know, I know... we were very lucky) so I may be able to splurge a little.
Modeling the Rio Grande Southern First District circa 1938-1946 in HOn3.
"Rust, whats not to love?"
Flashwave wrote: MAbruce wrote: Suspend all MRR purchases for at least 12 months.I suspect that will save some people here significant money. BLASPHEMEY!!
MAbruce wrote: Suspend all MRR purchases for at least 12 months.I suspect that will save some people here significant money.
Suspend all MRR purchases for at least 12 months.
I suspect that will save some people here significant money.
BLASPHEMEY!!
Preform A Exorcism,Quick!
-Morgan
Autobus Prime wrote:Okay, now, I think we have won the "Spend A Dollar, Save A Dime" contest. :D I'm sure you bought that for performance/souping reasons, though. :)I've used these a bunch, but I note that not every light in the house is a good place for them. Lights that are turned on, used 2 min. or so, then shut off, aren't so good. The CFLs don't reachfull brightness. I really like standard fluorescents for closets, which are efficient too. I have also had trouble with CFLs overheating in fully enclosed fixtures, particularlywhen base-up. Also note that CFLs save little or no power when the heat is turned on (not something you Floridians have to worry about). The waste heat from incandescents actually reduces the furnace load by an equal amount.Good plan. I think air infiltration is actually more important, once some insulation has been added. There is a diminishing ROI on insulation that rarely gets talked about, but basically your stud wall is R3. Adding 1" fiberglass, R3, makes it R6, and cuts the heat loss by 50%. Adding 3", R9, cuts the heat loss by 75%. Adding 9", R27, would cut the heat loss by 90%, but cost 3x as much for that extra 15 percent, than the previous 75 percent improvement cost. Probably the real advantage of thick insulation is that it tends to squash together and fill voids better. I say "loss", though "gain" would be more what you're concerned with. Anyway, if money savings is the goal, this diminishing return should be kept in mind.And for those who think I'm just being an annoying schnook:http://www.acima.asn.au/papers/r_benefit.pdf(It's Australian, but you can adapt it to other countries by converting the currency and being sober while reading it.)
Yeah, I bought the carbon fiber hood more for aesthetic reasons. I bought it in Maryland, where there is snow in the winter. I hated getting rock chips and them rusting, so I bought the CF hood. It also saves weight, which is an added benefit.
About the CFLs. I lied there is only one light fixture that does not have a CFL, and that's my eight month old son's room. That light fixture is controlled by a remote control for when my wife and I are trying to feed him at night, and the light is still on. We can then shut it off while he's feeding and starting to drift off to sleep with the remote control.
6.) I take out any useless things in my car. Less weight in the car.
I tried that once, but I found it kinda hard to drive when I was standing outside the car.
It also annoyed the other drivers because I couldn't go over 4 miles an hour.
Andre
gatrhumpy wrote:I bought a carbon fiber hood for my car, and this reduced the weight of the car by 17 pounds.
I replaced all of my light bulbs in my house with CFLs.
I hope later this year I can buy some more attic insulation, which is blown in for my house.
I think this is a great thread.
CARS:
1.) I set my '04 Accord tire pressures and my wife's '03 Civic tire pressures to 40 PSI. Less rolling resistance on the tires. We have no snow to worry about here in Jacksonville, but we do have rain.
2.) Wife does not work any more after being a Navy nurse for five years. She's now a stay-at-home mom. Less gas and maintenance used by her Civic.
3.) I only brake when I have to. I roll to a stop light to see if it will turn green. If it does, then I will have used less energy in stopping and going.
4.) I also keep the RPMs when accelerating under 2K.
5.) Turn the car off when sitting at a light, sitting at a drive-through, etc.
7.) I keep the cars updated on maintenance.
8.) I bought a carbon fiber hood for my car, and this reduced the weight of the car by 17 pounds.
9.) Only use A/C in car when I have to.
HOUSE:
1.) Wash face with cold water at night instead of warm or hot water. Yes warm water may "open up the pores" a little bit more, but not a big difference.
2.) I shave first in my sink and then shower, so I'm not wasting money on water I'm not really using.
3.) Wrapped all pipes from water heater with pipe foam insulation, and wrapped hot water heater with a hot water heater blanket.
4.) Use cold water for laundry. This means less energy using hot water.
5.) Use fans to circulate cold air from the A/C if you have central air. Only use the fans when you are home, because the whole purpose of a fan is to keep YOU cooler, not the air. I.e. this only is cost effective when a person is there to enjoy it. If a fan is running in the house and no one is home, that's wasting energy.
6.) I try to combine trips whenever possible, and I only go places when I'm on my way home, if possible.
7.) I have my wife try to use the bike to go to local stores, which are only about a mile away. Sometimes the heat to so stifling here in Florida, sometimes it's impossible.
8.) I replaced all of my light bulbs in my house with CFLs.
9.) Bought drapes for some house windows to save amount of light coming into the house.
OTHER:
1.) I buy other store brands of food rather than brand names.
2.) I hope later this year I can buy some more attic insulation, which is blown in for my house.
3.) I stopped eating out at work. I used to do it once a week, and I haven't bought a lick of food at work since June 5th (it's now June 30th). It's healthier too.
4.) Turns lights and appliances off when you don't need them.
5.) I hope to someday install a solar hot water heater, but this would be up to the HOA.
That's all I can think of for now.
tatans wrote: davidmbedard wrote: Speak for yourselves....the Canadian Economy is very, very strong.David BThe economy is OK it's the 17% HST (homogenized sales tax) that's killing us, but we are just waiting for the other shoe to drop, does anyone remember 1981 "bust" in Alberta???? ---get ready for another one ! ! I went through 2 of them.
davidmbedard wrote: Speak for yourselves....the Canadian Economy is very, very strong.David B
Speak for yourselves....the Canadian Economy is very, very strong.
David B
The economy is OK it's the 17% HST (homogenized sales tax) that's killing us, but we are just waiting for the other shoe to drop, does anyone remember 1981 "bust" in Alberta???? ---get ready for another one ! ! I went through 2 of them.
Hey Dave, I heard that you are thinking of becoming an Ice Road trucker for the Big Bucks? Any truth in that rumor? They can't get enough truck drivers up at the tar sands either.
Milepost 266.2 wrote: galaxy wrote: 7) stop eating out.ding ding ding, we have a winner!This is the number one drain on cash, the number one way to run up a credit card bill, and will save you a lot of cash wasted in those side trips to Wal-Mart, Target, etc. "because we're already here".
galaxy wrote: 7) stop eating out.
7) stop eating out.
ding ding ding, we have a winner!
This is the number one drain on cash, the number one way to run up a credit card bill, and will save you a lot of cash wasted in those side trips to Wal-Mart, Target, etc. "because we're already here".
I can go to my local butcher and pick up some good steak for $20, and make dinner for about $30 total, basically making what you can get from going to a expensive dinner out.
tjsingle
Use that federally mandated Q-chip in your TV to block QVC, Home Shopping Network and all the other, "Buy it now before it's sold out," money vacuums.
(If I did, my wife would kill me...)
Chuck (modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)
Share a ride to work!
Sam
Heartland Division CBQ wrote: Good jobs are available at railroads. UPRR says they have the most opportunities now than any other time in their 145 year history. http://www.unionpacific.jobs/
Good jobs are available at railroads. UPRR says they have the most opportunities now than any other time in their 145 year history. http://www.unionpacific.jobs/
Yep. 3 years to go. Though maybe not with UP
loathar wrote: As I was standing at the kitchen sink waiting two minutes for the hot water to heat up I thought, Hmmm...One of those instant hot water heaters that mount under the sink would be a good idea. They only use energy on demand and your not wasting water waiting for it to heat up. I remember seeing them 20 years ago and thought they were a joke, but these days they make a little more sense.Anyone have any experience with these?Last Chance-Unfortunately, many people living in rural areas are forced to make 60 mile(or more) commutes to work because that's where the jobs are.
As I was standing at the kitchen sink waiting two minutes for the hot water to heat up I thought, Hmmm...One of those instant hot water heaters that mount under the sink would be a good idea. They only use energy on demand and your not wasting water waiting for it to heat up. I remember seeing them 20 years ago and thought they were a joke, but these days they make a little more sense.Anyone have any experience with these?
Last Chance-Unfortunately, many people living in rural areas are forced to make 60 mile(or more) commutes to work because that's where the jobs are.
Will let you know. We're installing one in our lake cabin that we're remodeling. The new one is electric and it's replacing a 20 gallon electric tank heater. When everything is hooked up and the water is back on, I'll post about how well it works.
I first ran into demand heaters on a trip to Europe in the 80's. They seem to work pretty well and should save about 50% over the energy usage of a standard water heater.
As for commuting, not a problem for me. I'm retired.
Economists are still debating if we even have a recession. The last recession was in 2001. Since then, we have had the fourth longest economic expansion (thru 2007 at least) in the history of the USA.
The 2001 recession was described as "mild" by economists. The present slowing of growth so far has better employment numbers than was the case in the 2001 recession. Recessions are less frequent, less deep, and of shorter duration than before the mid-1980's.
Now, get back to enjoying the hobby.
GARRY
HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR
EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU
galaxy wrote:7) stop eating out.
1) stop the impulse spending. If it's not on your list or in your budget, forego it.
2) Stop the "sign and go" purchases.....credit cards, installment credit and "no $ down, no payments for..." on whatevers...It will get you into trouble all the time.Only put on the credit card what you can REALLY pay off the next bill when it comes.
3) Send in the payment the day after the bill arrives. HAve the $$ ready for it when it needs to be paid to avoid late fees, and higher interest rates due to missed/late payments. The credit card bills always come out the same time each month, know when yours is due to arrive and have the $$ waiting.
4)Stop the "entitlement purchasing"....does EVERYONE in the family really need (be entitled to) one of each of things? Can't some be shared? This includes cell phones, TVs, computers, cars and even rooms and bathrooms. Do the kids or grandkids really need one each of these?
5) Do you really need 2,367 channels of TV to watch? Cut the cable/satelite bill. Cut out the extra extentions you pay for each person to have their own TV to watch in their own room.
6) Take the safe driver course to save on car insurance.
8) Use cash whenever possible.
9) Don't use expensive interest rate Dept Store cards....they DO take MC, Visa & Discover (usually)
10) Transfer high interest balances to low or zero interest cards, and pay down quickly.
11) Sell any "toys" that you rarely use.....RV's, boats, ATV's, extra vehicles etcetera, even if you only get what you owe on them, at least you will be out from under the payment.
12) NEVER buy anything at full price, only buy on sale.
13) have a yard/garage sale to get rid of "stuff" you don't need, don't won't can't use and make a little $$$.
14) Vacation only within a 50 mile radius of your home/town. You'd be surprised at what there may be to do close to home. That means little gas spent, no motel/hotel costs, no plane tickets, no rental car etc. Take picnic cooler with food for the day.
15) Turn A/C up to 75* and off when gone, and heat down to 60*-65*. Automatic thermostat will help. Put on a sweater, sweatshirt, robe for added warmth. You WILL adjust. If you think its hot or cold inside, step out side as dressed for 5 whole minutes, then come back in. Then tell me it's hot/cold inside!
there's so many more....
-G .
Just my thoughts, ideas, opinions and experiences. Others may vary.
HO and N Scale.
After long and careful thought, they have convinced me. I have come to the conclusion that they are right. The aliens did it.
Having recently been laid off, I can certainly attest to things being less than rosey round these parts. My work is based in residential housing, which is still sucking wind after about a year and a half. I've got some odds and ends to do for people, so the wolf hasn't gotten through the door, but I can sure hear him knocking.
The main thing I do is try to stay positive, thank God for the blessings I do have, and keep my faith that things will work out in the end.
The good news is, I only have to get gas about once a month since I do my free lance work at home. I actually volunteer to run to the grocery store once in a while so I don't forget how to drive!
Just remember... Every day above ground is a good day.
Lee
Route of the Alpha Jets www.wmrywesternlines.net
loathar wrote: As I was standing at the kitchen sink waiting two minutes for the hot water to heat up I thought, Hmmm...One of those instant hot water heaters that mount under the sink would be a good idea. They only use energy on demand and your not wasting water waiting for it to heat up. I remember seeing them 20 years ago and thought they were a joke, but these days they make a little more sense.Anyone have any experience with these?
I have one at work. It's really good, since it heats up really quick, and it actaully produces hotter water (as in scalding hot)
As for me, less leadfooting, keep it under 2500 rpms, pump the tires up to 35 psi, and drive a little slower. (I used to go 60 going through downtown, now it's around 50). plan trips to have more than one stop (i.e. after work go to LHS, wal mart, and Lowes; work is close to those places) I don't know how much gas I've saved (odometer and tripometer quit working), , but I went from filling upevery other week to every three weeks. What bugs me is in a month I went from about 35 bucks for 3/4 of a tank to almost 50.
Vincent
Wants: 1. high-quality, sound equipped, SD40-2s, C636s, C30-7s, and F-units in BN. As for ones that don't cost an arm and a leg, that's out of the question....
2. An end to the limited-production and other crap that makes models harder to get and more expensive.
loathar wrote: davidmbedard wrote: Speak for yourselves....the Canadian Economy is very, very strong.David BGlad to hear that NAFTA thing's working on your end...
Glad to hear that NAFTA thing's working on your end...
Less to do with NAFTA and more to do with very high world commodity prices. There aren't a lot of those commodities that Canada doesn't have oodles of.
David
lvanhen wrote: 2-8-8-0 wrote: Two words. Ramen Noodles! TimLook at the sodium content of those things - high blood pressure here you come!!!!
2-8-8-0 wrote: Two words. Ramen Noodles! Tim
Two words. Ramen Noodles!
Tim
Look at the sodium content of those things - high blood pressure here you come!!!!
mmm....sodium!
- Harry
Consider the 60 mile commute scenario.
We had a govt job in a nice cushy agency filled with money, benefits etc. Gas is or was about 400 dollars per month, per car. Both of us went down there, me to my work and wife to hers.
Total gas cost at the time 800 dollars per month. Commute time about an hour and change subject to traffic which is particularly bad in the morning requiring horsepower and big brakes.
That was then. We took home x dollars per year of income and filed taxes etc... years go by with little change and increasing maintaince to now worn out cars. They just dont make em like they used to.
We commute less than 15 miles now to work that offers the benefits we need with a annual income of slightly less.. ok, half the govt job. However that 15 mile commute takes place on lonely two lane state roads early in the afternoon while everyone else was racing home the other way. and vice versa in the morning. Basically we swapped day to night.
Our brake work has dropped to zero and became years between brake shops, our engines last longer and perform better at least 30 miles to gallon. We drive about 350 miles each week every 7 days and require the car to do at least that much with a 50 mile reserve on our tank. Trips are planned weeks in advance to fit within that mileage limit.
That work commute at 15 miles or so one way is a durn sight cheaper than the big 60 miler.
The savings of gasoline for parking one vehicle and using less gas per week for both of our work is much more than the loss of the nice government salary and 7 dollar/hour blue collar work downtown. We were slaving away slapping 500-700 miles a week on BOTH vehicles with horrendous gas bills each month. That was then.
Yes we gave up the good job downtown but we gained so much spending power as to eliminate credit card bills and take on additional projects. We are still broke but if all the jobs vanished and we only had the two bit mc-job (Try competing against hundreds of graduating teens for that work) we can still make it happen on time, under budget and for less gas each month.
That is our defense in bad times which are upon us. The only bill that matters is the utilities, student loan and the vehicles. That's it. Everything else related to waste, debt or unhealthy consumption eliminated.
Yes the paycheck will only be 250 net after taxes and benefits for that little commute a short distance away. So much better than that bloated govt check of 600-850 net per week with hundreds of expense required to make it. UGH.
Dont get me started with trucking. It takes 10 dollars now to make a buck.
There is one new development here in my own work. In my part time work, I need to work about 3 hours to pay the gas commute there in the work day.
Should gas exceed 5.00 per gallon, I will have to stop working for that employer at that location and go to a much closer work in the same area within a few miles of home. There I know I can keep going for the same pay and hardly any gas.
The employer knows that they will need to provide me with additional hours (Already maxed out) OR provide me with a 30% payroll raise (Already maxed out) to keep me employed at that workplace. That isnt going to happen. Can you imagine a workforce inflation in wages so everyone can get to work and stay there?
What worries me is Society's desire to fly down the left hand lane at 100+ mph in dual pickup trucks in thier anger and rage while late to thier jobs. What is going to become of us all when things really start to get bad.