Disqus - Latest Comments for akalumba

Re: [CLOSED] Giveaway — Get a Blue Avocado Lunchbox in Time for School

theitis — Tue, 18 Aug 2015 12:09:53 -0000

Living in a college town, I love the energy that the young people bring to the city every year when classes start again. (It also means that there are a lot more activities and events to do around town--Yay!)

Re: (Trying out the envelope system, sort of)

theitis — Thu, 29 May 2014 10:53:50 -0000

Hey Zina,

I know you didn't ask for advice, but I used to (and still sometimes) struggle with my grocery budget, so I thought I’d share a few things that have worked for me! (You may already be doing these things, but maybe it will be helpful for someone else.)

1. Shop less.

You mentioned this in your post, and I can relate. The more I go to the store, the more I spend, so I try to go only twice a month. If you realize later you need something, take in only the cash (a $5 bill, for example) you’ll need for the one or two items, be it bread, milk, whatever. I can't spend more if I don't take it in with me!

2. Plan meals.

This has been HUGE for me – helps me save and be less wasteful. I have a few staples I make (especially lunches), so I always pick up ingredients for those. Otherwise, I’ll think about my two weeks ahead (Will I be out of town one weekend? Will I have a friend’s bday dinner to attend?, etc.), maybe find a few new recipes I want to try, and I’ll jot in roughly what I’ll eat on each day for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. (You can even just look at it like: I’ll eat fruit and yogurt, or English muffin with peanut butter for my breakfasts for the next two weeks; these are the dinners I’ll make; etc.). I look at the recipes, see what ingredients I’ll need, and make a list, which brings me to my next tip …

3. Make a list.

I assume you’re doing this, but if not: DO IT. It helps me to be more thoughtful before going into the store, and even helps me avoid aisles altogether where temptation may lurk.

4. Take stock.

I used to get to the store and see “flour” on my list and wonder “How much? Don’t I have that?” I’d buy it so I wouldn’t be without, only to wind up with three half-full bags of flour. Now, I check my list against my cabinets/fridge/freezer before I go to the store, crossing off stuff I don’t need and noting how much I’ll need (no sense buying a five-pound bag if you’ll only need a cup).

5. Take a step back.

The closer to ready an item you buy is, the more expensive it will be—I’m thinking pre-cut fruit, packaged salads, pre-mixed frozen meals, bottled marinades, pre-portioned/single-serving items. I’ve learned that if I’m willing to do a little more prep work in the kitchen, I can save myself big bucks.

6. Use less meat.

Beans, legumes, etc. are good money savers. As far as meat goes, I’ll buy a big bag of frozen chicken breasts, and that will last me more
than a month, which is very cost effective.

7. Rethink the budget.

How did you decide on $25 weekly? It seems low to me, though I don’t know what costs you’re splitting with roommates. If you think about it,
that’s only about $3.50 a day, or $1 and some change per meal. If you factor in necessities like laundry soap and toilet paper, that’s a TOUGH budget to stick to. I set a budget for myself a while back and realized it was nearly impossible to stick to. Prices have gone up in the last five years, so old frugality standards re: groceries didn't work for me. If you’re preparing most of your meals at home, shopping smart, using coupons, and STILL not hitting your budget, it might be worth reconsidering.

Sorry for the novel. Good luck!

- Andrea A.

Re: Summer Fun: 115 Movies About Writers, Writing and/or The Writing Life

theitis — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 08:52:37 -0000

A Soldier's Daughter Never Cries (1998) - One of my favorite movies of all time, this one's about an expat writer raising his precocious daughter and shy son in France during the 1970s.

Harriet the Spy (1996) - the book/movie that made me want to become a writer.

In the Land of Women (2007)

For Keeps (1988) - Classic Molly Ringwald as an aspiring high school journalist who gets pregnant.

Zodiac (2007) - Newspaper men trying to catch a serial killer. Jake Gyllenhaal plays a cartoonist at the newspaper, so this one is questionable.

1408 (2007) - John Cusack is a writer of books reviewing haunted hotels.

Just One of the Guys (1985) - High school journalist poses as a boy to prove a point.

Re: the itis

theitis — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 16:10:22 -0000

Ooh, apparently this is She&Him's original video for "Why Do You Let Me Stay Here?"
http://www.youtube.com/watc...

Re: the itis

theitis — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 15:35:38 -0000

I know. The guy in the group isn't in the video, though.

Re: the itis

theitis — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 03:09:15 -0000

Oh I'm glad you said that! This had me choked up as well, and I felt a
little embarrassed for myself, but they do look like they're having the best
time ever and it's wonderful.

Re: the itis

theitis — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 14:01:13 -0000

I don't want to be the one to start it, but I would willingly participate.

Re: the itis

theitis — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 15:02:29 -0000

I placed the creature next to a note begging for a cat. No response from
the parentals yet. They hate cats, but apparently have no problem with
slimy, crawly things. Also, this google ad popped up for me:
Coonhounds For Sale<http: pagead2.googlesyndication.com="" aclk?sa="l&ai=BgeFIQ_X5Sa8mg_CcBqT_rcsKp6-CZePnlN4EwI23AfCiBBABGAEgho-AAigGOABQiqPQl_z_____AWDJ5qGN7KSAELIBCWdtYWlsLmNvbboBCGdtYWlsLWN2yAEB2gEwaHR0cDovL2dtYWlsLmNvbS90Z3YwNWU2MW0wNHJqcnM3ZWN5NWZycDl6aW1iN3V0yALLzpICqAMB6AOzBOgDPfUDAAAABA&num=1&sig=AGiWqtxeSZB3QU720vt02WAVoXXpjP9Dog&adurl=http://www.pronto.com/user/...">
-
www.Pronto.com<http: pagead2.googlesyndication.com="" aclk?sa="l&ai=BgeFIQ_X5Sa8mg_CcBqT_rcsKp6-CZePnlN4EwI23AfCiBBABGAEgho-AAigGOABQiqPQl_z_____AWDJ5qGN7KSAELIBCWdtYWlsLmNvbboBCGdtYWlsLWN2yAEB2gEwaHR0cDovL2dtYWlsLmNvbS90Z3YwNWU2MW0wNHJqcnM3ZWN5NWZycDl6aW1iN3V0yALLzpICqAMB6AOzBOgDPfUDAAAABA&num=1&sig=AGiWqtxeSZB3QU720vt02WAVoXXpjP9Dog&adurl=http://www.pronto.com/user/...">-
Find
Coonhounds For Sales at Great Prices.

Re: the itis

theitis — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 23:58:32 -0000

Are you writing your thesis on Hey Arnold!? I would love to read it! Also, I
will try to come to Dollywood - sounds like a tit of a good time, but I have
tickets to the Indianapolis 500 the next morning, so the driving/distance is
dicey.

Re: "My Autopsy" by Michael Dickman

theitis — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 23:10:37 -0000

That is quite an odd coincidence ... I wouldn't say I have a particular
affinity for twins, but this story was accompanied by these two ginger men
and I couldn't help but read more. As for these quaternary twins...your
description has inspired me to find out more. Weirddddddd!

Re: Hello New World

theitis — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 13:12:46 -0000

That Domino's ad below is so timely!

Re: the itis

theitis — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 17:16:32 -0000

Yeah, I definitely don't have one on my computer either! I haven't held one
of those discs in my hand since the 6th grade probably.

Re: the itis

theitis — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 17:16:27 -0000

Yeah, I definitely don't have one on my computer either! I haven't held one
of those discs in my hand since the 6th grade probably.

Re: Fucking Frogs

theitis — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 10:30:31 -0000

Yeah, and after I wrote this post another one showed up. I wish we could
coexist peacefully, but I am afraid they will jump on my face as I sleep.

Re: Hello New World

theitis — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 12:10:56 -0000

Can't say I disagree with you! I didn't know about thesixtyone.com, so thanks for the heads up. I do love EC talking about his magnetic robot and comparing it to a computer: Adorable.

Re: the itis

theitis — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 00:26:14 -0000

Hahaha. I thought he was way back when he was on Full House. I would say my
opinion had not changed significantly.

Re: the itis

theitis — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 15:24:38 -0000

She hasn't thought about purchasing it, though a while back she did want to purchase this insanely creepy premie porcelain doll for my niece. We got in a big fight about it.

However, I have noticed that the lady magazines she reads are chock full of creepy ads like this. I'll be sure to mail you any ads I think you might fancy.

Re: the itis

theitis — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 10:16:30 -0000

akalumba is my username. Refer that shit!

Re: Random thought

theitis — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 00:46:48 -0000

Did you google that or did you know that? Either is fine.

Re: Where the red hair grows

theitis — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 00:40:16 -0000

Oh, my friend, this is a very scientific study apparently, though I can't
really confirm anything. I haven't any tattoos at all.

Re: monkeypox

theitis — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 00:50:06 -0000

holy effing lord I used to love this movie when I was a kid. I wore that tape OUT!

Re: Night of the living undead

theitis — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 00:08:21 -0000

Hahaha that is hilarious! Those zombies must be from the un-American parts
of America.

Re: the itis

theitis — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 20:35:01 -0000

hahaha - zomg i will try to remember!

Re: the itis

theitis — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 08:41:02 -0000

hahaha I will try hard to remember to do that!

Re: the itis

theitis — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 13:59:22 -0000

Apparently it's $1.80 now:
http://www.indystar.com/app...

Ridonkulous.