Learn the local language, travel on the cheap

Wanderlust anyone?  You may be planning a trip abroad or just fantasizing about one, but don’t forget to include a little language learning in your preparations–if you want to save money, that is.

How speaking the language will save you . . . click here to view my full guest post at Young and Thrifty.

And if you’re unfamiliar with Young and Thrifty, you may want to browse the site a bit.   It’s not everyday you run into a Personal Finance blog that is not only reader-friendly but also has the goal of “saving generation Y.”  Of course, I’ll be reading and taking part in the discussion at Young and Thrifty, should you chose to comment there.

The ‘you deserve it’ trap and weekly post picks.

Earlier this week, I was reading a post by Revanche at A Gai Shan Life.  Revanche, who had recently started a new job, had a few friends asking her how she intended to treat herself now that the first paycheck had arrived.  In her musings afterward, she said something I found quite compelling:

What object is necessary to “symbolize” my intrinsic satisfaction? By its very nature, my “accomplishment” suffices. What need do I have of obtaining an object as a reward for doing a job? [That's what payday is for!]

I love a post that makes me think–that makes me ask myself questions.

Are we entitled to rewards for good behavior?

The very idea that good work deserves a reward strikes me as kind of odd.  I think I’m in Revanche’s camp on this one: good work, or achieving some goal is the reward, right?  And why should one expect a reward for doing the right thing, the honorable thing, or just the thing that makes you happy in the first place?

But what’s wrong with treating yourself from time to time?

Well, that’s a good question.  My answer would be that there is nothing wrong with indulging oneself on occasion. . . but why should it be the knee-jerk response to doing something right or getting one’s way?  When treating yourself becomes a habit, and your spending and/or eating (funny how those go hand in hand sometimes) to show how you deserve something.  Well, I think that’s a problem. And it’s a problem that is fueled and fired by plenty a publicity campaign out there.

Treating yourself when things don’t go your way?

Say you get caught in the rain and a car splashes a puddle over your legs as you’re walking home–I myself might be more likely to stop in a cafe for a cup of tea or take a hot bath when I get home–what about you?   If I’ve had a terrible day at work, I might decide to take a break and do yoga or cook a favorite meal for dinner.  Then again, treating yourself to make up for something sounds like a slippery slope as well–if taken to the extreme.

What do you think?

Is the first paycheck at a new job the time to treat yourself?  Does it matter if you’ve been feeling deprived or if you think you’ve won a major victory?  Are there times when you’re more likely to treat yourself than others?

My Post Picks of the Week:

Simple Living in Suffolk asks the question What Happened to the Middle Class in the UK? It’s a great read that puts the concepts of tax increases into perspective at a time when nations like the UK, France and the US are quibbling about the topic.

And speaking of putting things into perspective, Forrest at Frugal Zeitgeist does just that for us in Condom Soccer Balls–not just for hard times.  Check out this post to see life through Forrest’s eyes as he points to the ingenuity of some of he locals during his stay in Egypt.

In Don’t Forget Your Can Opener, Monevator reminds readers of the point of keeping smart finances: financial independence and the freedom to chose when to walk away from an employer, among other things.

Budgeting in the Fun Stuff reminds us about that fun, frugal local resource: the library.  Which reminds me, I need to get to my library to see if I can find a copy of a book I’ve been wanting to read. . .that costs 24 euros in the bookstore!

And Frugal Scholar strikes a nerve on the education front with Giving up Half a Million to Teach Literature. Her annoyance (and mine) at the fact that education is so underfunded and teachers are so poorly paid and precariously employed might just be sour grapes.  What do you think? Are we just a few teachers bristling at the idea that teaching shouldn’t be paid a living wage?

Saying “NO” to Fitting in. And weekly post picks.

I could type you a grocery list hundreds of items long detailing all that my husband and I have said ‘no’ to as we’ve cut our expenses and our time commitments. The tangibles (gadgets, toys, clothes) that we didn’t collect. The experiences (vacations, cruises, dining out) that we don’t indulge in. . .

For the rest of this guest post, go Early Retirement Extreme, one of my favorite blogs, in case I haven’t mentioned that in the past

I also encourage you to check out a few other gems I found this week:

From the Wall Street Journal: The Foreclosed Families of Abacus In which Frugal Scholar takes us through a careful consideration about the people behind the loans that Goldman Sachs bet against.

What Can One Person Do? On the Ultimate Money Blog.  A reminder that our steps toward doing the right thing for the planet isn’t as futile as one might think.

An Amazing, Eco-Friendly, 24-roomed, Transformer Apartment Check out this link on everyday minimalist for a convertible apartment.  You just have to see it for yourself. . .

Dual Household, Single Income–and frankly, the whole blog.  I discovered the Gai Shan life this week.  It chronicles one woman’s efforts to support her parents and sibling using only her income, her wits and her sense of humor.  Definitely worth a few clicks.

Car-free Sunday: Weekly Post Picks

Mini-Tip for using the car less: be close to services AND nature.

The view on our way out of town--on foot.

I’m headed out this morning to take advantage of the sunny weather and go for a walk/hike with my husband.  One great thing about the city we’re currently staying in is that you can actually leave from downtown and hike on foot.

In may cities, finding shops and services within walking distance proves easy.  It’s getting out of town and into nature that is not.  Hemmed in, we find ourselves using the car.  I don’t know where we’ll end up living when DH get’s his transfer notice in May or June, but I hope we can find services AND fresh air withing walking distance.  It’s not easy to do.

This week’s post picks: Here are a few posts I’ve enjoyed in the blogosphere this week. You’ll see them featured on my side bar all week.  Enjoy!

Fabulously Broke in the City: Sometimes I Wish

The Young and the Thrifty:  Variable and Fixed, Open and Closed Mortgages

One Green Generation:  Are We Normal?

Early Retirement Extreme:  Money Versus Resources

Wealth Pilgrim: Friend discovers husband’s credit card debt, screams, “I want a divorce!”

Well Heeled Blog: Dream Apartment or New Job–What would you do?

Funny About Money: Women’s Work Manifesto

Eliminate the Muda: Combat the Closing Techniques: the Reverse Psychology Close.

Punch Debt in the Face: Carnival of Personal Finance.

DH is home!! plus weekly post picks.

After just over four months of hospitalization and rehab since his car accident, DH is finally home for good!  We are going to stay with my in-laws for a month or so (they’ve got an elevator in their building!)  while DH goes to outpatient physical therapy.   We’ve had a great sunny weekend (finally!) and went walking/hiking this morning.  Life seems to be getting back to normal!

In other news . . .  you can check out my guest post today about the dangers of being passionate about your career on Funny About Money.  Who has had some interesting guest posts this week as her shoulder has been out of commission.

And check out my weekly post picks–as always, they’ll be up on my side bar all week.

Buying Futures at the Supermarket (Funny about Money)

What Were You Paid to Give Up Your Dream? (Money Funk)

Early Retirement: The Extreme Method (Monevator)

A Wooden Ride-on Toy (Getting There)

The Scarlet D (Stay At Home Mom, CFO)

Buy Less Plastic, Spend Less Money (Fake Plastic Fish)

How to Become a Financial Planner (Wealth Pilgrim)

Has Middle Class Been Redefined?  (I Pick up Pennies)

Are blog giveaways a good idea?

I hope you can excuse my relative newby status when it comes to blogging and some of its conventions.  I’m forever learning new tricks of the trade, but I haven’t entirely decided what I think about giveaways. Are they a good idea?  What purpose do they serve?  I mean, I’m not on the brink of existential crisis, but I’m feeling inquisitive . . .

Blog giveaways that have caught my eye recently:

• Consciously Frugal gave away a reusable water bottle as a way to promote the cause of reducing garbage–particularly of the plastic variety.
• Joyful at Snap that, Penny gave away some Olympic memorabilia from her home town of Vancouver, a fun way to thank readers and include them in the Olympic spirit.
• At Wake up to Frugality, JN Urbansky gave away a t-shirt made of cotton from the US, an intriguing reminder of the importance of scrutinizing where our “stuff” comes from.
• Young and Thrifty, who aims to generation Y through better financial planning just gave away a copy of One Up on Wall Street.
• Mrs. Money at the Ultimate Money Blog is giving away $100.  Actually, you can still enter that giveaway until April 15th.

Blog giveaways: What’s the point?

Since I’m conveniently located in France, I watch most giveaways from the sidelines.  I don’t expect anyone to send a ‘prize’ overseas, after all.  And to date, I have yet to think of something related to my blog that I’d like to give away.  Which leaves me to wonder about the whole idea of giveaways on blogs.  I have yet to draw a conclusion as to what I think.

To my beginner’s mind, it would seem that the reasons for hosting a blog giveaway are:

• Showing appreciating and recognition for readers–particularly those who participate in discussions
• Pure, simple fun
• Drawing attention to a cause or event
• Inspiring others to change their habits
• ‘meeting’ new readers or increasing subscriptions
• ???

Do you participate in blog giveaways?

What’s your take on this phenomenon?  If you have a blog, do you host giveaways?  Why or why not?  Have you ever entered a giveaway or won a giveaway on another blog?

Oops!  and for full disclosure. . .

I just realized I should add 2 things.  First of all, by blogging about Mrs. Money’s giveaway, I’m technically fulfilling on of the terms for entering the giveaway.  But like I said, I think there are actually legal concerns with sending money overseas (even in card form) and just cost issues with sending giveaway items to France.

AND–I’ve just made one exception to my own general rule of not joining in giveaways.  I’ve offered to pay shipping expenses at Fake Plastic Fish for a book she’s giving away on how to turn old plastic into art projects–it’s a perfect teaching tool for my husband who is a primary teacher who loves science but struggles to find good art projects.  If I don’t win, I may just buy him a copy.  I love the idea.

So there you have it: my own stumbling and newbie participation in blog giveaways.  As you can see, I have yet to form a coherent opinion!

Reading for a Snowy Sunday in April

That’s right, here in the French Alps, we’ve got snow . . . again. . . on Easter!  I’m sitting in my PJ’s writing this post and staring to think that I’m going to try to enjoy this late snowstorm.  I assume it can’t last until May, right??  When we express our amazement, the old-timers laugh at us and tell us all to stop whining.  Fifty years ago, winters were always like this.

As pretty as it is, I'm wondering when the snow will stop.

If your Sunday weather has you indoors looking for a little reading, consider perusing the following “Weekly Post Picks.” You’ll find links to these gems in my sidebar for the rest of the week as well in case you don’t have time right this minute.

Weekly Post Picks:

• My Life in Ether–an interesting discussion about the way blogging changes the way we live, communicate and keep in touch with our friends.  By the way, if you have yet to read anything on Wake up to Frugality and you like interesting ideas and great writing, I highly recommend this site.

• 10 Baby Steps to Minimalism: #6, Buy Second Hand–a post at Everyday Minimalist with a detailed discussion on a topic dear to my heart.
• Interested in Making your own Deodorant?  I can’t wait to try out this recipe from Mrs. Money.
• 11 Tips for Eating Healthy on a Budget–from the Simple Mom.  A post that proves you don’t have to be rich to eat well.
• How Companies Try to Scam Each Other in Real Life–If you run a small business, check out this one at Out of Debt Again. I was shocked, but not entirely surprised by some of the scams people will try to pull.
• You won’t get a lot of referrals to credit card sites from me, but here’s a post from Credit Card chaser that shows just how far the concierge service at one credit card company will go.  Enjoy a little laughter at this credit card company’s expense: The Credit Card Concierge Experiment: How to Make Visa Obey Your Every Desire.
• For a thoughtful look on our attachment to people through things, check out The People Behind the Clutter at the Girl with the Red Balloon.

And don’t forget to check out  this week’s Yakezi Carnival.

I may be crazy to get so excited about seedlings. . .

But I have to announce that I am the proud grower of three little citrus sprouts!

If I could say that they were lemon, or clementine or orange I would, but the truth is, I don’t know!  How is this possible?   Basically, I’ve been sticking seeds from various citrus into a pot that was once inhabited by a poinsettia plant (RIP).  I must have poked seeds of various kinds in there every week, but nothing grew.

our new citrus seedlings in their indoor home.

When I brought my plants to my in-laws house in February, my MIL was kind enough to allow me to create a jungle under the stairs with all my houseplants. She even accommodated my ugly little pot of dirt in an old red saucepan.  When I told her I hoped to sprout citrus seedlings, she laughed–sort of the way you might laugh at a six year old for doing something odd. But she put the pot in a sunny (yet not so visible location).

Despite finding my ritual of poking seeds of tasty fruits into my little pot of dirt humorous, my MIL eventually adopted a similar ritual. Now neither of us knows what the heck we have growing here!  We suspect orange or clementine, but it’s too early to say.  I think the leaves are large and glassy enough for us to be reasonably sure that we have citrus though, and not some kind of soil/seed contamination.

As you probably know, citrus is not usually a local food in the Alps. As those of you who’ve been following this blog for a while probably know, I try very hard to stick to a local diet.  But I’m from Southern California, darn it.  I grew up in orange groves with orange blossoms and citrus all the time.  One of the biggest drawbacks to living in France?  The fact that citrus only grows in Menton–which is too far away to be considered in the 100-mile diet.  Argh!  Here I am, faced with the tragic choice between life in France and consuming citrus. . .unless I can grow my own indoors!

The citrus sprouts at home in the jungle under the stairs.

My plans for the seedlings:

Let them grow a little more, then separate them into their own pots.  In the meantime, I’ll have to make sure I learn more about the best kinds of soil for them.  This spring and summer, I’ll start moving them outside for plenty of daylight, but will move them back inside in the winter to protect them from frost.  In about three years, I’ll know if these little beauties will bear fruit. . .and if so, what kind.  Very, very exciting.

I first heard of this from Thomas over at the Growing Tradition who is working on his own indoor citrus plants. (Read his latest post on citrus indoors here.)  My sister-in-law has a lemon tree that she started this way as a child and still maintains here in France, so I know it’s doable.  It will take patience, of course, but I’m excited about this little step in the process.

What kind of blogs do you read?

If you’re like me, you may find that the blogs you read span a seemingly random range of topics.  I read on travel, politics, personal finance, philosophy, homesteading, gardening, minimalism, art . . .  In fact, I’m pretty certain that the subject of the blog is not nearly as important as the writer’s perspective, philosophy and humanity.

If you think about it, choosing to read someone’s blog is like choosing to spend time with that person (albeit on a virtual level), which is why finding a blog in a search engine doesn’t cut it for me. Finding blogs in a search engine is a little like finding new friends in the phone book . . .

Which brings me to another question: How do you find great blogs? I find mine much the way I find friends in real life.  I grow contacts over time through communities.   It’s a slow, laborious process, but one that pays off.  Although, I’m always curious to hear about other techniques. . .

. . .

And for those on the quest for some good reads,

Here are some posts from this week that you may enjoy (I did!)

Racing Rats and Empty Achievements :  A little number from Consciously Frugal who never stops railing against the mistake of identifying human beings with their jobs.

Frugality on a Whole New Level: A little something from Budgets are Sexy that made  me laugh at someone else who had a ‘frugal gone to far’ moment for a change.

What is Almost Frugal? Here’s a little quiz that will teach you about yourself and a blog that just happens to be written by a few writers with a French connection–one of whom lives only about an hour and a half from me in South East France.

What’s it like to live in one of America’s 25 richest counties? Stay at Home Mom CFO asks us to examine whether living in affluent areas affects your spending habits.  I’ll resist the urge to rant at length on that topic right now . . . although it’s very tempting.

The End of Simplifying Jacob at Early Retirement Extreme remains one of my favorite bloggers to read–and his take on the limits of simplifying have certainly been on my mind this week.

Is it More Frugal to be a Minimalist or a Hoarder? If you liked my post on whether or not to fight clutter this week, you’re bound to like this post from Mrs. Money.

Travel to Japan with Elminate the Muda where the simple search for an authentic restaurant brings you head first into some fascinating and humbling cultural perspectives in The best customer service I ever received.

Spring, sprouts, newborns and new creations. . .

This week, I’d like to direct the spotlight on a few folks in our community who have inspired me with their spring adventures.  Whether they’re working on frugality, simplicity, independence or just a little home made fun, these three impressed me with what’s new around their homes.  If you’re feeling in a springy mood, you’ll enjoy the following as much as I did:

Don’t miss El’s pictures of her new-born kids (goats) and bunnies on Fast Grow the Weeds! If you live someplace where spring is taking its sweet time, a little glimpse of the new life on El’s farm ought to remind you that winter won’t be around forever.

If you’re interested in reviving your green thumb as the frost lifts, check out the new spouts in Thomas’s garden at A Growing Tradition. If you browse around his blog a bit, you can get all kinds of interesting gardening ideas. . .

And if you need a little inspiration for beautiful, useful, yet frugal homemade crafts, Margo’s new comforter on Thrift at Home should do the trick.  I love the way she used what she found and what she had to make something new and refreshing.  I can picture this comforter staying in the family for generations. Better yet, I can picture myself actually being able to make something similar!  Simple, yet fantastic.

Enjoy the spring links and the spring around you.