[TaxBait]

Originally Posted by TwoSticks

... OTA HDTV ... is going through its growing pains though (I work in the industry), but in time your observation will be spot on. The programming choices will be almost limitless.

I can't wait. I have a digital reciever in my DVD recorder and I'm finally able to get Fox and PBS over the air. With some more antenna work I should be able to get a reliable, high quality picture on all networks. The cable and satellite providers should be getting ulcers over this. No longer will they be able to charge $40+ for $2 of programming.

[1eyedjack]

[quote=TaxBait;2562307]I can't wait. I have a digital reciever in my DVD recorder and I'm finally able to get Fox and PBS over the air. With some more antenna work I should be able to get a reliable, high quality picture on all networks. The cable and satellite providers should be getting ulcers over this. No longer will they be able to charge $40+ for $2 of programming.[/quote
Sounds like a good way to go, now if we could just figure a way to cut the high cost of cable internet connection. I pay over 40.00 a month May have to go without. Can't stand dial-up and no dsl available here. Luckily I heat with wood and don't burn much propane so my electric is less than my cable bill. I realize burning wood is not actually free either, you have to buy wood or a chainsaw, gas,chains,mauls or axes etc. etc. Also the time to do it and somewhere to get wood but for now I don't mind,it is warm heat. Being laid off recently, have the time also.

[ma4t]

I deferred my student loans.

I also sell things I no longer need on eBay.

Finally, when we moved I didn't hook up the internet immediately. Then I started to need it for work so I had to get online. It was amazing how little I missed it because I am online at work.

MA4T

[Cliffie]

I haven't taken a vacation since 1999. I have never had cable. I buy used movies that I know I will want to watch over and over, instead of renting and re-renting for many times the cost of a used copy. I make Christmas cards and presents instead of buying, when I can. I have a Costco card and pay about half for softener salt and basics like canned chicken broth. The heat is turned down to 55 degrees when I leave for work. I e-mail instead of calling. I don't kid myself that I can't live without a cellphone or a Tivo or a Blackberry.

[tuebor]

On the income side of the equation, some people get into the underground economy. I don't mean anything inherently criminal, just things like renting their spare rooms or doing services like yardwork, dog walking/pet sitting, childcare, or driving people to the airport, and not reporting the income. I know people that started doing things like this on a small scale and expanded them to legitimate businesses after they had established a customer base (well, potentially legitimate ... I don't know if these people ever started paying taxes).

Pooling resources helps. For example, if you're unmarried and live in the same city as your parents, live with them for as long as you all can stand each other. The notion that only losers live with their parents after some arbitrary age is bs. There's nothing wrong with adults living WITH their folks as long as they are not living OFF their folks (i.e., they are paying their share of household expenses, doing chores, etc.). Why pay rent to a stranger? Keep the money in the family.

[Driller1]

Originally Posted by tuebor

On the income side of the equation, some people get into the underground economy. I don't mean anything inherently criminal, just things like renting their spare rooms or doing services like yardwork, dog walking/pet sitting, childcare, or driving people to the airport, and not reporting the income. I know people that started doing things like this on a small scale and expanded them to legitimate businesses after they had established a customer base (well, potentially legitimate ... I don't know if these people ever started paying taxes).

Pooling resources helps. For example, if you're unmarried and live in the same city as your parents, live with them for as long as you all can stand each other. The notion that only losers live with their parents after some arbitrary age is bs. There's nothing wrong with adults living WITH their folks as long as they are not living OFF their folks (i.e., they are paying their share of household expenses, doing chores, etc.). Why pay rent to a stranger? Keep the money in the family.

I know many people who work at "cash" jobs and have other taxable income. They are very surprised when I show them how to file their taxes correctly. Claim the money on the cash job, then write off the tax withheld from the taxable job. They are shocked when they get all their money back.

[northernguy1960]

1eyedjack wrote:
Sounds like a good way to go, now if we could just figure a way to cut the high cost of cable internet connection. I pay over 40.00 a month May have to go without.


Many, if not most, libraries have internet access as part of having a library card. Library cards are usually free if you live in city limits and often still free or for a small yearly fee in surrounding areas. Of course the library is good for borrowing books, movies, and music. And you can sit read all kinds of magazines, which is cheaper by far than subscribing. The only drawback is that you can't sit with a cup of coffee there, but heck, that's worth saving $40. a month for sure!


Jeri

[northernguy1960]

tuebor wrote:
The notion that only losers live with their parents after some arbitrary age is bs. There's nothing wrong with adults living WITH their folks as long as they are not living OFF their folks (i.e., they are paying their share of household expenses, doing chores, etc.).

Heck, it might help the parents make ends meet, too, especially if they are on a fixed income!

Jeri

[Coldjensens]

I would welcome any of my children to live with me to any age, but I would not allow sponging. That is very common in other cultures. To my knowledge, it is only here that we dump our children out to try to make it on their own. I do not know where we go the idea that you are a loser if you continue to stay with your family. That is ridiculous. Perhaps you are a loser if you do not contribute, but the concept that a family should spit into multiple separate households is not rational. Why not share the expenses and live together if that is practical? the logic behind the "loser" argument woudl have spouses living in seperate houses just to show that they are able to do so.

[williambeach]

What are people in michigan doing to make ends meet? MOVING!!!!!!!!!