The Frugal Bostonian

I reluctantly tried online bill pay through my bank (Sovereign) about a year ago.  I don’t know what I was reluctant about.  This saves postage (which adds up over time), and I have more control over when the payment arrives (thus ensuring no late payment fees, etc.).

To use the service, I log onto my account and click onto the link for bill pay.  The first time I enter a bill I add the account number and verify a few pieces of identifying information.  All that I now need to do is enter the amount.  The account shows when the money will be transferred (usually three business days).

I don’t know what I waited for.  I have at least four bills every month, so that’s $1.50 in postage.  Better yet, I don’t need to deal with running out of stamps, getting to the post office, or forgetting the bill in my bag.  All in all, it’s a great situation.  The service is free through Sovereign (I have a low-end no frills checking account, so this is not a special perk).

I am doing this through my bank rather than through the folks at visa or at the utility company.  I don’t want to give my banking information out, this way I give the creditor information to the bank, and the bank issues the money (instead of the creditor telling the bank how much money they want).  I have not used the bill pay through the vendor, and don’t think I ever will.

Every so often I receive a gift card from someone.  Here’s how I make the best of them:

• I don’t run into the store determined to buy something since I have “free” money, I instead keep the card in my wallet.
• When there is something I want to buy, I check to see if the store where I have the gift card sells it.
• I compare prices, I won’t buy it with the gift card and pay more just because the card is “free” cash.
• It ends up being a great treat to find I can get something I want for free.  I recently wanted a particular new book, and got it with the gift card.  The book had not even been written when I received the card.

If you give gift cards, avoid anything with an added fee.  It’s not optimum to have money tied up in Target of BestBuy gift cards, but its worse to pay for the privilege.  And make sure there’s no expiration.  Make sure to pick a place where the recipient will eventually find something they want.  Most everyone I know shops at Target, but not everyone is interested in electronics at BestBuy.

I got an email from an acquaintance interested in volunteering for a political campaign (Boston has a municipal election coming up: preliminary is on Sept. 22nd, and there’s a senate race going on).

I have volunteered on many campaigns: some to elect a person, some for a ballot question.  I met many  people and learned about the issues.   Since I did not have money to give, I gave my time instead.  If you care strongly about a particular candidate getting elected, or are interested in a ballot question passing (or being defeated), consider joining a campaign.

• Find the campaign’s web site (try googling the candidate’s name, and the office being sought (for example, Hilary Clinton President, will get you close to her site.
• Sign up for the campaign’s email bulletins (campaigns sent out regular updates, often requesting that volunteers take particular action, such as showing up at a rally)
• When there’s a campaign event, show up.  These can be varied: I have stuffed envelopes, delivered campaign literature door-to-door, walked in parades, held signs, and escorted people to the polls on election day.
• Pay attention to whoever is in charge, usually known as the campaign manager.  Sometimes things seem very inefficient, but don’t jump in with your suggestions until you know more.  For example, literature is almost always printed in union shops, don’t start announcing that you know a better place just because it might cost less.  Some businesses donate in-kind services, so there may be a reason that the coffee is coming from across town instead of across the street.
• You’ll probably get to meet the candidate (but, if the candidate is running for statewide office, they will not be showing up at every envelope stuffing party).
• If there’s an outdoor activity at night, or in the fall or spring, bring appropriate clothing: gloves, a hat, an extra sweater: most likely no one is going to have extra clothing if its cold, and it gets cold really fast (even when the sun is shining) when standing around with signs.
• if the event is outdoors during the day, wear sunscreen (regardless of season).
• If there is something you don’t want to do, don’t volunteer to do it. I detest phone banking, I won’t agree to do it, as it would be a thoroughly unenjoyable experience.  But, I will gladly stuff envelopes (a task some people loathe).  There are few things more frustrating than being paired with a volunteer who is not doing the assigned task.  It almost always turns out that the person was asked to do something and didn’t want to say no.  This is a waste of everyone’s time.
• Be polite to everyone. It is usually best to learn the proverbial lay of the land before going beyond small talk.  Every campaign I have volunteered for has had its own collection of characters, and there’s always someone who takes any positive statement about an opponent as blasphemy (for example, in some circles an innocuous mention of Ronald Reagan will generate scorn, while some other circles any mention of the Kennedy family will not go over well).  Until you know folks better, don’t mention that you liked Nancy Reagan’s new hairdo, or that you have the same breed of dog as Ted Kennedy.
• There’s often food, coffee, and snacks at events.  But many times, there is not.  Bring your own snack and something to drink just in case.
• Follow through.  If you volunteer or agree to do something, do it. Don’t agree to do something if you don’t understand what is expected.  A poll worker usually stands outside of the polls passing out literature on election day.  Don’t volunteer to do this for 8 hours unless you think you can survive outside for eight hours.  Don’t agree to host a house party unless you have a suitable house and can generate enough guests to make it into a “party” rather than 4 people sitting around in the living room.   Don’t agree to put a sign on your lawn if you think it is going to annoy your neighbors and you are not willing to annoy the neighbors.

Most people running for office and campaigns for ballot questions need money.  If you have money that you are willing to give, by all means give it.  But if you don’t, don’t feel bad, you are giving your time.  Running for elected office is hard work, I would never want to do it, but I greatly respect anyone who does (imagine if no one would run for office, there would be very little choice of leader, and even if a campaign falls short, the candidate can still help shape the race).

Volunteering can be a great way to have fun and meet people, and should not cost you any money.  Remember to have fun!

Having heard all about the late Senator Kennedy’s autobiography all over the news, I decided that I wanted to read it.  Soon.  Given the popularity, I doubted that I would be able to get it from the library any time soon.  So I decided to buy it.  I don’t usually buy books, but when I do, I usually only buy books I intend to keep.

Fortunately, I got the book for half-off the publisher’s price, and since I had an old gift card in my wallet, it did not cost me any “cash.”

Here’s how I did this:

• I’m a member of “Borders Rewards.”  You give Borders book store basic biographical information and receive a card.  I gave them only my email address.
• I get emailed coupons from Borders periodically.
• The coupon this week was for 40% plus $5 off the book (you need to print the $5 coupon, the 40% works with the card).
• I picked up the book in Borders and handed in the coupon.  I did not have the physical Borders card, so only need to give them my email address to get the discount.
• The book cost $17 (rather than the $35 list price).  I used a gift card, so I was not out of pocket on any money.

The book has lots of pictures, and is well-written.  I am only through a few chapters, but it seems different than most autobiographies by famous people; this one assumes people are familiar with historic events such as the assasination of President Kennedy, but gives the perspective of a brother learning about it and breaking the news to their father.  If I don’t keep the book, I’m sure I will find a friend who wants it.

The gym I joined is doing a lot of promotion for their fall classes and activities.  I noticed many new printed brochures.  On the back of the brochure was a pass for one-time free admission for a single person or family.  I’m going to alert friends and family about this. Here’s many of the possible benefits I see:

• Someone with kids can take them to the gym for a few hours (this place has programs specifically for kids, so that’s the best time to go).
• Someone thinking of joining can test it out.
• I can invite a friend to the gym, and we could play raquetball or do some other activity which requires two people.

I had a yard sale this weekend.  Actually, it’s more accurate to say that I “coordinated” a yard sale.  I had decided to de-clutter my apartment (I inherited an new-to-me piece of furniture, and needed space for it).  Because everyone just moved on September 1st, this was a good weekend to sell housewares (buyers were motivated, unlike May, when sellers are motivated and buyers are not).  Having decided I wanted to get rid of stuff  (and that it would be more efficient to hold a sale), here’s what I did:

• Put a posting on craigslist advising as to the time and place of the sale.  This is free.
• Sent an email to folks in my neighborhood and others who I thought might be interested in selling their “treasures” or buying stuff.  In my email, I announced the time and date, and invited others to participate by bringing a card table or blanket to sell their items.  I also asked them to forward the message to anyone else who might be interested.
• I posted a paper notice on a bulletin board in my building.

The sale was a success.  Five people joined me selling items (these were all friends or acquaintances).  There was a lot of foot traffic (some generated by the craigslist ad, some just people in the area).  Here’s a few tips for a successful sale:

• Be realistic about prices.  A new George Foreman grill costs $20, no one is going to pay $15 for a used one.   If you are getting rid of things you no longer need, price it low so it sells and you don’t need to drag it to goodwill.  Clothing generally does not sell well at yard sales; try a consignment shop or just donate it to goodwill. [Exception: winter coats and outdoor gear usually does okay).
• Have things that will draw foot traffic.  Furniture is always good.  I also have a few cigar boxes filled with old costume jewelry, non-working watches, and other small odds-and-ends.  I sell each item for 25 cents.  These boxes are always popular and always do well.
• If you aren’t sure whether something electronic works, encourage the buyer to take it home and test it immediately.  I’d rather that someone come back and get their money back rather than deal with bad feelings when the unhappy buyer sees me in the neighborhood or at the next yard sale.
• Pricing. There’s a variety of theories about pricing at yard sales, some people think price tags work best, others swear that the best way is to wait for someone to ask the price, then ask them what they want to pay.  I use a combination of these tactics.
• Haggling:  there’s a polite way to negotiate a lower price, and a rude way.  If someone is rude, I will not negotiate the price.  If someone asks the price of an item and I say “$3,” and the person glares back and holds up two fingers (apparently signaling that they’d like to pay $2), the price will stay at $3 for that person.  Here’s why: most of the things are priced much lower than I’d get if I put the time into identifying a more specific market.  When someone can’t be bothered with basic courtesy, I won’t bother engaging in negotiations with that person.   These people are dreadful, and yes, I really would rather “lose a sale” than accommodate a rude person. (I’ll post later on polite ways to negotiate a price).
• Bring a folding table or blanket to keep put under your items.
• Bring a chair of something to sit on.
• Bring water or some other drink, and a snack (your earnings can be wiped out by a few junk food runs).
• Wear sunscreen, bring sunglasses and a hat.
• Look at what other people are selling, and buy things you need, you might save a considerable amount of money (but if you are de-cluttering, don’t buy more clutter).  I got a pair of new sandals for $3, saving over $20 as I had planned to buy new sandals.

Yard sales are fun,  you get to hang out with friends all afternoon and make a little money.  Be sure to figure out your motivation for having a sale.  If you really need money, then scrounge more stuff to sell (neighbors who don’t have a lot of time or energy often give me things for yard sales).

If you’re de-cluttering, consider giving stuff away so you don’t need to drag it to goodwill.  Decide what to do with the “leftovers.”  I’m sending some of my leftovers to a fundraising tag sale next week.  I’ve also seen “yardsale leftovers” postings on craigslist (after the sale, the seller leaves the stuff for people to take for free, someone from craigslist will probably come poke through the remnants).

Someone who lives in the neighborhood was buying stuff and asked about how to run a yard sale.  The neighbor is having a sale soon, and I am sending an email to my “list” to let them know it is happening.  And if I get motivated, I can sell a few more things there!