10000 "hits"

looks like we're gonna hit the 10K today (which is 6.2 miles of visitors for the yoggers in the crowd)

i think around 9800 of those are from me and shifta, and im not sure how long we've had the counter in place. i know we went a good period without one, but its still kind of cool to get to 10000 hits, so if youre one of the 3 people who reads this, thanks.
hopefully 2007 will be a little better in terms of material than the latter portion of 2006

stay classy, and feel free to respond to any post. even if you disagree with us, we like knowing that someone is reading and can form a quasi-intelligent thought once in a while...

the frugal gourmet

so, i definitely remember periods growing up where my parents talked about the virtues of being what they termed "frugal" --
of course, as children, we pretty much take our parents at their word and accept what they tell us, at least until we reach a certain age and begin to question the whole rotten scheme.
they painted this term frugal in a very positive light, espousing its virtues and 100% living according to its principles.
my parents are now separated...but more or less "frugal" even still.
i would say my dad fits that term much better than my mom...my mom is just really judicious and willing to splurge on people and things she deems important, with or without guidance from brucey d. i think my dad is just a cheapass, unless it comes to something for himself that he randomly decides is important. no wonder im selfish!

the point of this was to wonder, however...what is the point of being such a tightass throughout life? is this a game? i mean, if you derive pleasure out of figuring out how to eat out for the least amount possible while getting the most food possible (in non-buffet situations), then i guess you could argue the virtues here. otherwise, i feel like youre sacrificing enjoyment at the cost of an uncertain future time.
the only reasons really to be a tightass are: 1) you dont have the money, or 2) youre saving up for something
my dad isnt a rich guy, but he certainly isnt hurting either, so i dont get it.
i understand the desire to save for retirement and all that, but why do you want to live at a mediocre level in hopes of sustaining yourself til youre old enough to retire?

i have definitely been able to loosen my mom up over the past 3-4 years and helped her see the light. i know, sometimes im a good person...weird concept. she's NUTS about socking money away...seriously, its sick.
i finally told her that i didnt understand what she was depriving herself for, and she said something about how it would be nice to retire at a decent age and still be able to leave some money for my brother and me. *tear*
thats how sweet my dear mother is...just crazy. i told her to start living her life, go on trips, and dont worry about me. i cant speak for my brother, but i certainly plan on receiving 0 dollars from her. im sure i will receive something, but in my mind, im not awaiting a big windfall so i can parlay it into a big score. obviously i didnt advocate just blowing through her money like pat obrien on a coke binge, but i told her she should enjoy having it while she can, otherwise she wasted her entire life. i think she got the picture, and i think she even appreciated me laying it down for her

my dad, on the other hand...there's not gonna be any getting through to him. the chick he [re]married is just as bad or worse. its like the white trash cheap fest with these two...bragging about whatever stupid deal they could get on clearance items, asking me why im not so impulsive of a spender like some people my age (1, assuming that im not, and 2, assuming that im apparently just like my dad).
here's a prime example. i go out to dinner with them sometimes when im in town, and it almost pains me to go out to dinner with them, b/c i know a shitty tip is going to be left. im talking like a 3 dollar tip on a 21 dollar tab between the 3 of us, when they SPLIT an entree. the absolute worst is at the mexican restaurant, they will eat a ton of the free tortillas and chips and salsa/queso, still take some of their dinner home, and take whatever is left of the chips/tortillas. its hard not to just scream at them for being fucking absurd. i think i usually fake a seizure and leave for air around this point. really? you want some stale restaurant chips in 4 hours when you eat this? and those store bought tortillas they heated up were so expensive and amazing you had to take them too right?
come on, throw down 5 or 6 bucks and stop licking your plate clean you ingrates! youre missing the enjoyable part of life


slight disclaimer: i fully advocate judicious saving. just like the book "the richest man in babylon" suggests, pay yourself first. sock some cash away, if for no reason other than to have a safety net. you'd be amazed what you can do with 20-25 grand over 10-15 years at a reasonable rate of return.
im also of the school of "work hard, play hard." why are you working hard for that money if you arent going to fully enjoy it? you arent destitute, poverty-stricken, or living in the slums. take a nice vacation once in a while. splurge on a 30 dollar bottle of wine. leave a reasonable tip. this is what separates you from the blue collar factory workers. your financial autonomy and the ability to live the better life. not the ability to stuff your face on cheap mexican for 12 dollars. even they can do that