Where are you cutting back?

[TommyCracker]

You can use 3rd party apps on Roku, which is what I use.

I have a Roku on my upstairs TV and was never able to figure out how to get the apps (like Cinema HD, Ocean Streams, Kodi, Flixoid, etc) which has all of the pay service streams, but that was three years ago and I never use that TV anymore.

 

[twenty02]

In this case, the Administration has everything to do with creating inflation, which will require higher interest rates to bring down.

Everything? No.

There would have been much higher than normal inflation no matter who won the WH in Nov 2020. We know this, as inflation has been greatly elevated world- wide. And it was a combo of supply constraints and an overzealous central banking system in the US and Europe


Biden’s ill advised stimulus package a year ago didn't help, a very misguided policy.

 

[CO. Hoosier]

Great topic.

I've been fortunate enough to build a nice stash of cash mainly because I had a good paying career, I've never been obsessed with nice things (actually the opposite, I like figuring out the cheaper way) and I never had any kids (which we all know is expensive as holy hell).

Here are the things that I'm most proud of finding cheaper alternatives.

1. Entertainment. Cut the cord and get an Amazon fire stick. Why Amazon, because it's the only streaming device I know that allows you to put third part streaming apps on it. That means nearly all current programming is available through the 3rd party app. From movies to your favorite shows to live sports....it's all out there.

All it costs is the fire stick ($55) and a VPN subscription ($4 a month).

Only wrinkle is I think the industry is going to start cracking down on 3rd party apps but they haven't yet and it will probably be country specific (which is where the VPN comes in).

-Shared YouTube TV account. YouTube TV allows for something like five separate accounts on a plan. My GF currently covers it but her dad and I have our own accounts and he lives in Arizona.

2. Food: Learn to cook and learn to do some basic butchering. There's sooooo much amazing cooking advice out there and by cooking yourself you can cut your food costs by 70%. I have learned to make everything that I love as good or better and faster than take out (when you account for lead time to drive to the place). From Giordano's deep dish pizza to chic fil a sandwiches to benehana chicken fried rice with homemade yum yum sauce to amazing pasta techniques to salads to steak n shake smash burgers to fries that are fresher and better than restaurants to incredible steaks to tacos and on and on and on. I save so much money and it's fun as hell to do.

Other things w/food:
-Buy a casket freezer.
-Visit goodwill stores first for kitchen appliances (I got a bread maker and a vac sealer for $10 total).
-Buy deli style food storage containers for leftovers (super cheap, super convenient and stacks well in the fridge saving space).
-Learn basic butchering (I can buy a whole chicken for $12 to $15. From that I get 2 breasts, 2 tenderloins, 2 legs, 2 thighs, 4 wings, 1 carcuss that makes a gallon of chicken stock, leftover meat that makes incredible dog treats) because I learned how to cut a chicken. Same thing with pork shoulder. It's one big bone (that you freeze for two weeks and give to your dog) but you get a bucket of pork carnitas meat to be used for tacos, pasta, salads, bbq, etc.
-Use a wok for deep frying. It's wide so I keep splatters to a minimum, it's easy to slide food into the oil safely, it's easy to grab food from the oil.

3. If you're in the market for a new car, consider a hybrid. I just bought a used Chevy Volt and it's the coolest car I've ever owned. I get -40 miles of pure EV range which covers my total commute.
I have unlimited milage because it has a gas engine (which is basically an electric generator) which gets around 35 mpg.

It's got really good get up, it's a smooth as butter ride, it's extremely quiet, I very rarely use the brakes (as it has regenerative braking which puts power back into the battery). Other than our of town gigs I never have to go to the gas station. Recommended oil changes every 25,000 miles and the disk brakes should last forever because I never use them.

As far as money saving, I supposedly pay around $3.50 for 100 miles of EV power. Currently with gas prices being what they are that's over $20 in my Lexus.

Extrapolating that out I typically put around 18,000 miles. At the ev price that will cost me $630 a year.

On my old Lexus that would currently cost me $3,600 a year.

Now if those factors stay constant and I keep the car for ten years (my Lexus is 20 years old) that's $30,000 in gas savings.

So if you're in the market for a car and do the majority of your driving within a fifty mile radius...I strongly recommend the Volt.

The benefits of family is priceless. Not having kids because of cost is not a wise use of money.

 

[DANC]

I have a Roku on my upstairs TV and was never able to figure out how to get the apps (like Cinema HD, Ocean Streams, Kodi, Flixoid, etc) which has all of the pay service streams, but that was three years ago and I never use that TV anymore.

You just have to search the apps and then click to put them on your menu. Then you can sign up for the ones you want.

 

[kurt cloverdales]

If you are someone who has to start cutting back, I’d urge you to start shopping at ALDI if you do not do so already.

Buy your meats at ALDI and report back if your medical bills and possible divorce offset the savings

 

[DANC]

The benefits of family is priceless. Not having kids because of cost is not a wise use of money.

I'm counting on my daughter to feed me my gruel and change my diapers! Cha-Ching!

 

[TommyCracker]

Our transportation secretary can wear fake boobs to breastfeed. Maybe we all should get fixed up to look pregnant and have a FastPass every time we go to Disney.

Hold on...did you actually believe that pic was real?

You need to quit the internet ASAP.

 

[Hank Reardon]

It’ll cost you dang near $45 for a trip to Arby’s for 4 people!

Yeah, $100 for 4 people at a restaurant doesn't seem like a lot to me. But then again we drink. Quite a lot.

 

[twenty02]

I'm counting on my daughter to feed me my gruel and change my diapers! Cha-Ching!

Beat me to it.... the price of nursing homes makes daycare look like a picnic. And money well invested

 

[DANC]

Everything? No.

There would have been much higher than normal inflation no matter who won the WH in Nov 2020. We know this, as inflation has been greatly elevated world- wide. And it was a combo of supply constraints and an overzealous central banking system in the US and Europe


Biden’s ill advised stimulus package a year ago didn't help, a very misguided policy.

Biden's stimulus package isn't what kick-started inflation - it was his canceling of the XL pipeline and government energy leases, which immediately raised energy (gas) prices. Stimulus money was just gas on the fire.

How anyone can ignore his war on fossil fuels as a major contribution to inflation is beyond me.

 

[anon_mlxxvlbug9dpa]

We've cut back on restaurants.... not due to price, but crap service. And generally crappy food. We make better food at home than is served in 90% of places. Or maybe I'm just old and grumpy

That’s all true. I’ve absolutely mastered steak and pork chops at home and my wife won’t order salmon out based on how good mine is. I think the only way to get better is to go to a $75/steak steakhouse and that’s a rarity.

 

[TommyCracker]

The benefits of family is priceless. Not having kids because of cost is not a wise use of money.

Yeah the kids thing was just a statement of my circumstance, not a recommendation.

However I highly recommend having kids when you're ready and with a partner to are truly in love with (that whole 'choice' topic).

I've got a hellofa girl now but we're too damn old so, we love our dogs.

 

[Cortez88]

Buy your meats at ALDI and report back if your medical bills and possible divorce offset the savings

I’ve eaten plenty of ALDI meats and they are fine. I’ve smoked dozens of their whole chickens, thighs, and wings.

 

[anon_mlxxvlbug9dpa]

I’ve eaten plenty of ALDI meats and they are fine. I’ve smoked dozens of their whole chickens, thighs, and wings.

I’ve found Aldi chicken to be fine. Their steak and pork and fish hasn’t been great.

 

[JamieDimonsBalls]

report them to desantis

No need, everyone knows this

 

[UncleMark]

Hold on...did you actually believe that pic was real?

You need to quit the internet ASAP.

stoll will believe anything on the Internet he wants to believe and nothing he doesn't.

 

[anon_mlxxvlbug9dpa]

stoll will believe anything on the Internet he wants to believe and nothing he doesn't.

Religion will do that

 

[kurt cloverdales]

I’ve found Aldi chicken to be fine. Their steak and pork and fish hasn’t been great.

brother-in-law years ago, brought over some Aldi steaks one time to pay me back for something can't even remember what it was, haven't done him any favors since.

 

[TommyCracker]

You just have to search the apps and then click to put them on your menu. Then you can sign up for the ones you want.

These aren't the same. I just looked and Roku still doesn't allow it.

They are called APK apps which has something to do with android. Anyway the only way to use these apps on Roku is to download them to your phone and then cast them (per the internet).

The fire stick allows you access to these guys, and everything is available and has been for a while. It's similar to having one of those gigantic yard satellites back in the 80's that would grab broadcast feeds.

Bottom line, I haven't needed any subscriptions for a couple years. For example, your 2000 mules movie is available to stream, for free.

This guy explains how to set it up.



This guy is kindof the guru of it.

 

[ce36ei]

Beat me to it.... the price of nursing homes makes daycare look like a picnic. And money well invested

Just “hide” your money in a trust or something else and nursing homes become free. I know that’s our plan, and I know many others who are nicely retired who’ve done the same.

 

[twenty02]

Just “hide” your money in a trust or something else and nursing homes become free. I know that’s our plan, and I know many others who are nicely retired who’ve done the same.

I'll take suicide via opiates and bourbon over a Medicaid nursing home

 

[kraft cheese+macaroni]

I have the same pet peeve. It’s Kroger, not Kroger’s. That would be like saying Wal-Mart’s or King Soopers’.

When someone says they’re going to Kroger’s, I always want to reply and ask if they (the Kroger’s) are new to the neighborhood.

And I do miss that all of the Kroger stores in Btown had nicknames - Krogucci, Krotucky, Kroghetto, NoKro, and not sure about west side.

KroGreeneCounty

 

[ce36ei]

I'll take suicide via opiates and bourbon over a Medicaid nursing home

Well it’s certainly an option, and not a bad one!

 

[Marvin the Martian]

I'll take suicide via opiates and bourbon over a Medicaid nursing home

My sister had some big health problems last year and was in a Medicaid facility. What a horrible place.

 

[kraft cheese+macaroni]

Buy your meats at ALDI and report back if your medical bills and possible divorce offset the savings

Fixed great ribs on my new Pit Boss two weeks ago. Ribs were from ALDI.

 

[TommyCracker]

Damn! You could have a podcast

Marion Kay spices sells a chicken spice called 99x that is supposedly Colonel Sanders actual original recipe spice mix.

The legend is Sanders was pissed because after he sold KFC they started altering his mix, so he sold gave it to Marion Kay to ensure it would not die with him.

I've used it and holy shee ot, it makes a crazy tasty chicken sandwich etc, better than chic fil a IMO.

This is what the internet was made for...sharing tips and tricks!

 

[twenty02]

My sister had some big health problems last year and was in a Medicaid facility. What a horrible place.

Horrible is correct. Any plan that results ending up there is a bad plan. Or generally no plan at all

 

[DANC]

These aren't the same. I just looked and Roku still doesn't allow it.

They are called APK apps which has something to do with android. Anyway the only way to use these apps on Roku is to download them to your phone and then cast them (per the internet).

The fire stick allows you access to these guys, and everything is available and has been for a while. It's similar to having one of those gigantic yard satellites back in the 80's that would grab broadcast feeds.

Bottom line, I haven't needed any subscriptions for a couple years. For example, your 2000 mules movie is available to stream, for free.

This guy explains how to set it up.

View embedded media

This guy is kindof the guru of it.

View embedded media

I don't know what apps you're talking about then. I get HBO, Netflix, Paramount+, etc.

EDIT: Oh, you're talking about free? No, those aren't free, but some others are.

 

[Noodle]

If you are someone who has to start cutting back, I’d urge you to start shopping at ALDI if you do not do so already.

ALDI is a good chain. My better half, who works in the food industry, has started going there simply because she likes the products they carry. She knows the food business quite well.

 

[DANC]

My sister had some big health problems last year and was in a Medicaid facility. What a horrible place.

All nursing homes are horrible. Some worse than others, but all of them are horror shows.

 

[twenty02]

Back to the OP question....was just in Vegas last week. Apparently no slowdown in consumerism there. Everything packed....hotels, shows, etc....including the many $100+/plate dinner options.

Same story for Michigan and Wisconsin golf destination resorts this summer. Most places 100% fully booked for the entire summer.

 

[mcmurtry66]

Marion Kay spices sells a chicken spice called 99x that is supposedly Colonel Sanders actual original recipe spice mix.

The legend is Sanders was pissed because after he sold KFC they started altering his mix, so he sold gave it to Marion Kay to ensure it would not die with him.

I've used it and holy shee ot, it makes a crazy tasty chicken sandwich etc, better than chic fil a IMO.

This is what the internet was made for...sharing tips and tricks!

That is crazy! You need a TikTok channel! Hell with a podcast. That's old people stuff. Hacks like that are gold on TikTok. My daughter is constantly showing me stuff like that

 

[twenty02]

These aren't the same. I just looked and Roku still doesn't allow it.

They are called APK apps which has something to do with android. Anyway the only way to use these apps on Roku is to download them to your phone and then cast them (per the internet).

The fire stick allows you access to these guys, and everything is available and has been for a while. It's similar to having one of those gigantic yard satellites back in the 80's that would grab broadcast feeds.

Bottom line, I haven't needed any subscriptions for a couple years. For example, your 2000 mules movie is available to stream, for free.

This guy explains how to set it up.

View embedded media

This guy is kindof the guru of it.

View embedded media

There's always ways to pirate shit.... but life is too short to worry about the latest way to steal something. It's one thing when you are in college and broke and pirating music and movies, but how about just paying a few $ for your entertainment?

The "cinema" app has apparently already been shut down.

 

[anon_mlxxvlbug9dpa]

Fixed great ribs on my new Pit Boss two weeks ago. Ribs were from ALDI.

Talk about your process. I’ve been nailing brisket and pork butt all year but ribs keep turning out mediocre.

 

[mcmurtry66]

There's always ways to pirate shit.... but life is too short to worry about the latest way to steal something. It's one thing when you are in college and broke and pirating music and movies, but how about just paying a few $ for your entertainment?

The "cinema" app has apparently already been shut down.

Years ago I had a Bosnian soccer buddy who opened a shitty little bar in the bosno hood. He would have people over for champions league and all that. one night he had the ufc fights for his friends. two or three months later he got a demand letter from some firm representing Joe Hand Promotions seeking something like $150k. My buddy wasn't even charging to watch the fight. He was a bosnian guy who had no clue about any of that stuff. I can't remember it all but there was a fed stat that allowed like $100k in stat damages and attny's fees for unlicensed showing of fights at commercial businesses. Ever since then I've been spooked about pirating shit

 

[Cortez88]

Talk about your process. I’ve been nailing brisket and pork butt all year but ribs keep turning out mediocre.

I wasn’t happy with the texture of my ribs using the standard 3-2-1 or 2-2-1 for babybacks. I cut out the foil wrap portion and have been making much better ribs.

 

[ribbont]

I cut back on condoms. I'm getting f'd all the time by this economy to the point that I am not really in the mood for sex.

On a side note, my wife is the happiest she's ever been.

 

[mrhighlife]

Thank the Covid shutdowns all you wokesters wanted.

? You are way more outraged and pearl clutchy than I'll ever be.

 

[anon_mlxxvlbug9dpa]

I wasn’t happy with the texture of my ribs using the standard 3-2-1 or 2-2-1 for babybacks. I cut out the foil wrap portion and have been making much better ribs.

So you just spritz?
What temp and how long?

 

[kraft cheese+macaroni]

Talk about your process. I’ve been nailing brisket and pork butt all year but ribs keep turning out mediocre.

3-2-1 was all. I rubbed it down the night before, wrapped it in saran wrap and then did the 3-2-1 method. GroarkBoys on TikTok is my go to BBQ guru