Ask the Readers: Am I Frugal…or Just Kidding Myself?
Frugal or Cheap?
I need a PO Box. Seriously. After having a discussion with Single Mom Seeking yesterday, I realized just how much. As my site grows and I expand my “Fabulous Financials” empire, I find myself making business deals that require a disclosure of my address. None of these people need to know where I live. Since SMS basically told me to get off my lazy arse and hop to it, I decided to check it out.
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| Box Size: Size 1 – (3 IN X 5.5 IN) Size 2 – (5 IN X 5.5 IN) Size 3 – (11 IN X 5.5 IN) Size 4 – (11 IN X 11 IN) Size 5 – (22.5 IN X 12) |
6-month Box Fees: $42.00 $64.00 $118.00 $242.00 $390.00 |
I need one. I really do. I can’t run my business successfully without it. But why does it have to cost so muuuuuuuuuuch???? I might get the tiniest one available.
Frugal or Lazy?
BabyGirl wants lasagna for dinner tonight, but I don’t feel like going to the grocery store for noodles. Besides, I’m having a craving – chocolate anyone? And I know if I go right now, I’ll come home with a buncha ish we don’t need. So guess what I did? I made a list of everything we needed and paid $6.95 to order my groceries online. Aaaah, that was so easy.
Both questions: Tell the truth. It won’t hurt my feelings. (that much)
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Work to achieve, not to acquire.
And as always, BE FABULOUS!
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Have you checked out Mailboxes Etc or other places like that to see what they charge for PO Box rentals? Compare the prices and size of boxes at several places and don’t forget to compare the hours of operation too and see what fits into your schedule and budget. Only $6.95 to have groceries delivered is dirt cheap compared to what they charge at stores near me. The plus side, no impulsive purchases when shopping this way.
Sue brings up a good point. Also that way they can deliver anything via FedEx/UPS, etc. and you have a Suite # rather than PO box.
I was going to make the same comment as Sue regarding the mailbox. But on the shopping? You did the right thing! When I was doing a six week bootcamp with my trainer I did not set foot in a grocery store. I ordered spinish, salmon even fruit through our local grocery store. They even gave a discount when getting over $100 worth of merchandise. The benefit was that I only ate what I got – and that meant I skipped the juice bars, starbucks and those yummy frozen peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. You saved the 6.95 by not spending it on chocolate!
I’ll ditto the above. Perhaps those places will be cheaper? And the groceries? Just saving you the time made it worth while…
And, being a fledgling responsible money person, I have to ask a question. On your net worth, you update your property value each month. Where do you get the figure from? Thanks, and thanks for having such a well written blog!
If you decide to go with USPS, get the smallest, cheapest box. If you get more mail than it can hold, they’ll bundle it together and hold it for you at the counter. :0)
@ all – See, I knew I’d get a bunch of fabulous tips from you guys. Thank you!
@ woman with kids – The ‘property’ section in my NW spreadsheet is a cumulative total of several things. All values are fixed minus any principal reductions as a result of monthly payments.
My PO Box is $60 a year, and I get to deduct it as a business expense.
I wish I could order groceries. Value “quality time” and no impulse spending. Surely that’s worth a few bucks.
You crack me up.
I have the tiniest P.O. Box due to the high fees. The only glitch is that when you get books — which I often do — they hold them because books won’t fit into the tiny box. Then you have to wait in that long line (out here in Cali, you do).
As “Lys” says, sometimes I do have to get work projects delivered to my home by Fed Ex… I take a deep breath when there’s a UPS hottie at my door.
As “DogAteMyFinances” says above, it IS a business expense.
Mmmm, chocolate!
Get the smallest one and like other have said, the post office workers will hold anything that doesn’t fit. Actually, at my post office, they will often put it into a package locker, then leave the key to the locker in my box.
But when the PO Box is up for renewal, I might switch to a UPS store for the street address option. I know it will be more expensive (about twice the cost is my understanding) but I am really considering it!
USPS definitely has high rates. I looked into splitting it though with another blogger friend just so we could get larger items in the mail. But the alternative seems like a good idea and I’ve heard the rates are better, however, you do have to go when they are open and that might limit your ability to fetch stuff on a timely basis.
If you are busy and otherwise wouldn’t have food to eat in the house, what is the big deal? Your time is money and if it takes you an hour of money making time to buy groceries, does that cost you more than the 7 bucks for delivery while you could have been productive and making $X dollars writing posts for the blog or other money making activity? Think about it that way.
You need the PO Box. Decide how often you will check it. You can always start with the smallest then upgrade. I have one and it’s great, well worth it. Think of it, you can avoid stalkers and having your address plastered everywhere with one small PO Box. Plus, it’s secure!
Getting the groceries delivered was a smart move. You saved time and stress for the low cost of 6.95!
Do you need a business number as well? Just saw this on My Money Blog, check it out!
http://www.moneybluebook.com/grandcentral-one-free-phone-number-for-life/
Oops it’s on Money Blue Book, my mistake.
As to the post box, think of convenience. If it is too small you’ll have to go during business hours, if it is not near you, you’ll have to drive.
I used to use grocery delivery when I worked 100 hour weeks. If you order meat or veg that you don’t like, you can refuse them. Considering even the gas prices of 15 years ago, I thought it was a bargain. Nowadays it’s probably even better, because there’s also the price of the Valium after a typical shopping trip.
Judith in Umbria
Went thru the same thing a year ago – po box or other? I found a comparable company but access bothered me – I could get inside the building whenever I wanted to but it was isolated so…I opted for a PO box.
$6.95 to have groceries delivered? You woulda spent more than that in gas. I ain’t mad atcha Girl. Make it work for you.
I say check out the alternative places like mailbox etc or ups store.. the rates seem to be cheaper for bigger boxes.. I’m still debating on a po box but if I do go with one it will be from one of the alternative locations because they accept fedex/ups packages for you :)
Ugh.. you know i’m a cook so I say LAZY on the lasagna BUT sensible that you didn’t spend extra :) LOL you get a pass this time :)
Single Ma, I think at your income level, considering how hard you work at your job and at your parenting, there isn’t any harm in spending these small amounts to make your life a little easier. And as others have pointed out in re: the grocery shopping, between avoiding impulse buys and saving gas, you’re probably breaking even.
the mailbox – frugal
the food – lazy
both of which i agree with!
Now why is it that two of my favorite bloggers will call me lazy?
HATE YOU!! LOL
Waitta minnit. If you really knew me, you’d know my real answer to the lasagna question would be to take an egg and 100 g of flour and make those suckers. Costs about45 cents US.
Judith in Umbria
I agree that it seems worthwhile to make your mail delivery a little more secure, but if you are giving your name to people who advertise on the site, is it really that hard for them also to find your address? I’ve turned down most potential advertisers because I felt a little weird about it!
PS, I want to hear more about your “empire!” I’m imagining you in a high-backed leather chair in front of an electronic world map with lights blinking at your many bases. Do you have a red hotline phone too??
I don’t give my real name to anyone associated with this blog. Unless you know me in real life, my name is Single Ma – including any mail I receive. I think a time or two, I did provide my first and last initials because USPS kept returning a package.