In our hurried modern lifestyle, common etiquette is seldom observed.  Especially in the mall parking lot when we find ourselves in a rush to find the perfect gift during the holiday season.  Parking lot rage can lead to violence.  You don’t want someone vandalizing your car while you’re inside shopping.

If you would like to ponder the wonders of parking lot etiquette, here are some basic steps you can take.

Do not block other parking space seekers while you wait for a space to open up near the store entrance. The drivers in the cars behind you may be finished with their errands, and are ready to head for work or home. If the person is already pulling out, that’s one thing. But if you’re sitting there while they walk to the car you’ll be trying the patience of every other car behind you, especially if they can’t go around you.

Never let small children push the shopping cart for you. A loaded shopping cart in a hilly parking lot can end up crashing into and damaging vehicles. Children should also not be allowed to ride the cart back to the vehicle, with the exception of small toddlers or infants riding in the special seat built into many shopping carts, while a parent has both hands on the handle.

Center your vehicle in its parking space. Overhanging the stripes will tend to crowd the driver who parks in the adjacent space, and frequently leads to door dings in cars.

Never force your car into a space. In crowded, busy parking lots, special compact car spaces are becoming more common. Standard parking spaces are generally 9 feet wide while compact car spaces are only 7 feet wide. Obviously, a large SUV or Pickup will not fit easily in a compact car space, and quite simply put, they are not supposed to.

Watch for drivers backing out of blind spots. Small cars parked between larger vehicles like vans and SUVs often have to back blindly out of their spaces, so be alert and give them a break.

Park shopping carts, dollies, and baskets in designated areas. Many large stores have cart corrals for shopping carts when the customer is finished unloading them. Putting the carts in these locations will make it less likely the cart you were using will end up denting someone else’s car.

Keep children under control walking through parking lots. This will help protect them from inattentive drivers.

Resist temptation to blow the horn (or give the finger) to other drivers. You may feel like they were discourteous, but showing grace, rather than anger, shows more class and prevents reciprocal aggression.

Use your turn signal. Signaling to others when reaching a desired parking spot will reduce unnecessary confusion in the parking lot. It is often thought that when two cars reach a parking spot at the same time from opposite directions, the one that turns their turn signal on first, claims the spot.

Don’t pull too far forward If you drive a small car (Honda Fit, Smart Car, Kia Rio, etc.) do not pull so far forward that your car can not be seen as a person drives down the lane, looking for a spot. Pull into the spot, out of the lane of traffic, but not so far that your car is unable to be seen from the lane.

Even if you decide to adopt these courteous practices, don’t expect others to do the same. Be careful of letting your expectations for others’ behavior contribute to your own potential “parking lot rage.”

 

Fleece is commonly used all over the world, mainly in jackets and blankets as an insulating material during cold weather. Fleece jackets are fantastic for outdoor activity, especially when there is a chance of rain because fleece does not soak up much water. Not all fleece jackets are created equal.   Knowing how to buy a fleece jacket can help you score the perfect style for Fall 2011.

Choose your fleece material. Fleece is thought to be a singular term that describes a type of fabric, but there are actually multiple types of fleece. For the best quality, choose Polartec which is created by the originator of fleece, Malden Mills.

Choose the fleece jacket weight. Fleece jacket weights are divided into 3 distinct categories: lightweight, midweight and heavyweight.

• Lightweight fleece is great for insulating heat while remaining ventilated, allowing air to breathe through the material for improved comfort. Lightweight fleece works great as an inner layer of clothing during the colder months.  The lighter weight makes it easy to perform physical tasks, making it a smart choice for athletes.

• Midweight fleece is the most popular of the 3 weight categories. Midweight fleece jackets are commonly used to bundle up during the cold, worn between the base and the shell layers– between a t-shirt and an outercoat. The midweight is also useful as a simple jacket during the spring and fall seasons when the temperature hesitates between hot to cold.

• Heavyweight fleece is used when warmth and insulation are the most important concerns. Because heavyweight fleece insulates so well, it can keep you warm even when you are being stationary. This makes the heavyweight jacket a good choice for activities such as camping and picnics.

Consider extra features that might improve convenience.  Here are some of the features to be found on modern fleece jackets.

• A snug collar around the neck.  A snug collar–whether it can be folded down or not–can substantially reduce the amount of body heat lost through an exposed neck.
• Front chest and side pockets.  If you are participating in an outdoor activity–hiking, camping, etc.–you may find that a pocket or 2 will come in handy more often than you think.
• Windproof fleece. Even the heaviest fleece materials will allow wind to flow through the fabric, so fleece often loses its insulation value in high-wind areas–unless you windproof it. Some fleece jackets are designed to block out wind by inserting a thin windproof membrane into the fleece material.

Choose whether you want a zip-up or pull-over fleece jacket. A zip-up jacket allows you to wear the jacket open, which can help regulate your temperature more precisely when you get too hot. A zip-up jacket is also more convenient when you find yourself putting on and taking off your jacket frequently. Ultimately, the choice is up to your personal preference

Make a Simple Sweatshirt Special.

I am typically frugal (though not always), though on occasion I take it too far: I have T-shirts with holes in them and I ran in my previous pair of running shoes until the soles were smooth.

Lately, I have learned to be frugal in ways that I would recommend to others. I don’t feel you should have holes in your t-shirts, and you should definitely replace your running shoes more often than I used to, but there are ways to cut back on spending and live a frugal lifestyle.

Why live frugally? Mostly because it allows you to spend less than you earn and use the difference to pay off debt, save or invest. Or all three. Second, because the less you spend, the less you need to earn. And that means you can choose to work less, or work more but retire early.

If you’d like some tips on frugal living, here are just a few. I should note that I do most, but not all, of these tips.

1. Go with one car. Besides your house, your car is probably your most expensive item. If you can do with one, you should.
2. Go with a smaller house. Just because you can afford a larger house, doesn’t mean you should live in one. Live in as small a house as you can and still be comfortable.  You can save thousands a year with a smaller home. Many times, if you get rid of a lot of clutter, you don’t need a large house.
3. Go with a smaller car. Again, you can save thousands by going with a smaller car. A car instead of an SUV is a big savings. Be comfortable, but don’t overdo it. You’ll save a lot on gas too.
4. Rent rather than own. This will probably spark a huge debate.  Basically, don’t assume that buying is the better investment. If you calculate the interest you pay on a mortgage, the cost of insurance and maintenance, buying is often much more costly than renting … and if you rent, save money, and then invest the difference, you can actually end up well ahead in the long run. Now, it’s not a given, so do a comparison, factoring in all expenses.
5. Look for used first. If you need something — I mean really need it, not just want it — see if someone you know has one that they don’t need anymore. Send out an email to family or friends, or ask around. You might be surprised. If no one you know owns one, try freecycle.org or craigslist.org. Then look to buy used, at garage sales or thrift shops.
6. Eat out less. One of the biggest expenses in our daily lives is eating out — the average person spends well over $2,000 a year on eating out. Restaurants are expensive, including fast-food (not to mention the health hazards). It’s much cheaper to cook your own food.  Lately I’ve even been prepping it in the morning, so it’s a breeze to cook dinner when I get home.
7. Brown bag it to work. Instead of eating out, bring your lunch.
8. Adopt a minimalist wardrobe. This tip won’t be for everybody. I generally wear jeans or casual pants, a T-shirt or Polo-type shirt, and sandals or shoes. Plain, solid colors are my favorite. Everything goes with everything else, and I don’t have too many clothes. This saves me the stress of picking out an outfit.
9. Stop online impulse buys. Realize that online buying can be way too easy (you don’t even have to go to a store) and therefore, we make impulse buys. Buy online if you really need something and it’ll save you money, but beware the impulse buy.
10. Don’t “shop”. Don’t go to the mall or other shopping area or department store to look around and shop. Go to a store if you know what you need and get out.
11. Use a 30-day list. To curb impulse buys, create a 30-day list. When you want to buy something, other than a true necessity (medicine or food, for example), put it on this list, with the date you added it to the list. And make it a rule that you can’t buy anything for at least 30 days after you put it on the list. And stick to it.
12. Cut out cable. It saves money every month (in my area, about $60, or more than $700 a year), and also forces you to do things like read and have conversations and go outside. (Confession time: I have not been able to cut out cable!)
13. Use the library. Instead of buying books, check them out. The library often also has a great selection of DVDs (depending on your area), saving you even more.
14. Find free entertainment.  The average person spends about $1,800 a year on entertainment (not including eating out). Now, I’m not saying you shouldn’t have fun … but there are cheaper ways to do it.
15. Frugal exercise. Exercise is important, but it doesn’t have to cost a lot of money.  What about going on a walk? It’s free!
16. Stay healthy.  Staying healthy can save you tons of money on doctor’s visits, hospital bills, and medicine over the long run. An ounce of prevention–eat healthy, and exercise. Simple.
17. Commute by bike. Even if you own a car, commuting by bike will save you gas, and get you in shape at the same time.
18. Carpool or ride the bus. Find a friend or neighbor who works near you, and arrange a carpool. Or take public transportation.
19. Walk. Often we drive to the store, or to a school that’s less than a mile away. Leave a few minutes early, walk, burn some calories, and save gas.
20. Sell your clutter. This is not so much saving money as making it, but the frugal, simplifying cheapskate, like myself, will want to declutter and make a few bucks doing it. Hold a garage sale or sell it on eBay.
21. Frugal gifting. Gifts can cost a lot of money over the course of a year. Look for ways to do it cheaply. Make a gift, or give a consummable like cookies, for example.
22. Quit smoking. I know. It’s hard. Not only will you save on cigarettes (which are expensive over the long run), but also associated costs (I used to buy a soda or beer to go with my cigarettes) … and of course the huge, long-term medical costs. In less than 2 years of not smoking you can save well over $3,000.

 

What to Buy at a Thrift Store Before Heading off on travels:

• Jeans, pants, shorts, and skirts. You’d be surprised how quickly even denim gets worn out when you wear the same pair of pants all the time. So don’t bring your favorite pair of pants or buy brand new ones unless you’re okay with having holes in them when you return home. And for women – in some countries you’ll fit in better, or be more comfortable (think Kenya in the summer), if you wear a long travel skirt. You can easily pick one up at a thrift store so you’ll be prepared when you land.
• Sweaters, sweatshirts, and fleeces. If you’re going to Sweden  in the winter, you’ll want layers. You’ll also want to ditch those layers without a second thought when you head to Australia afterwards. So find a comfy sweater or fleece at a thrift store and throw it in your suitcase.  I live in California and travel to the midwest during the winter months so I always stop by the local thrift stores for a jacket and extra sweater or two.

• Coats and jackets. When you can score a cute jacket for $5 or a warm coat for $15, it’s hard to say no.  Last winter I found a super cute sweater for $4 in my hometown in Iowa.
• T-shirts.   Swing by your neighborhood thrift store and you’ll have your choice of t-shirts.
• Camping gear. If you want cooking gear for your camping trip, but don’t want to take your $200 AllClad skillet, head to the thrift store. You’ll find tons of coffee mugs, pots, pans, silverware, and other camping-style cooking gear.   If you’re looking for a high-tech, lightweight tent, you might want to consider going to a sports store or scoping out Craigslist.

• Jewelry.  Find some cool vintage costume jewelry – it’ll look cool,  and you won’t be mad if you lose it on the trip.
• Winter accessories.   Odds are your local thrift stores are full of scarves, hats, gloves, and even earmuffs. Even in California I have found some amazing scarves in the thrift stores.
• Trendy shoes you’ll only wear for short period of time.   Buy a lightly used pair of shoes before you leave.  I wear a Size 7 (common size) so I only randomly have good luck finding decent shoes in thrift stores– mostly I find Size 8’s.

It’s only October– and people around me are already talking about holiday travel plans and shopping for gifts.  I’m so not ready to start shopping for Christmas gifts and looking for airline tickets. After all, I just bought Halloween candy tonite. Anyway, here are a few random thoughts on preparing for holiday shopping early on & maybe even year-round.

 

Celebrating Christmas usually means spending a lot of money.  This can be a major financial drain on  families. Pick up some budget-friendly holiday shopping ideas to avoid big debt when January 1st rolls around.

Here are some useful tips to spend less this season.

Buy Gifts on Sale All Year Long

Spread out Christmas shopping all year. Ideally, start on December 26th when there are huge sales to clear stock.  Toys, bedding, books, wines and accessories are a few examples of what can be purchased  early and kept for later dates. A big advantage of buying gifts year round is beating the mad rush at the mall just before the big celebration.

Buy Directly From Manufacturers or Wholesalers

Many items can be purchased for up to half of the recommended retail prices.  Occasionally, even branded items can be bought this way. Watch out for  advertisements in the newspaper and drive around commercial or industrial areas  for direct to public sale signs. Do this all year.

Use Discount Vouchers

Discount vouchers that arrive in the mailbox are many times treated as junk mail.  However, some offers are really fantastic. Use these to enjoy big Christmas savings on things like wine, clothing and household items.

Use Credit Card Reward Points

Make the best of all the credit card rewards benefits offered, especially points. Go through the reward catalogue and decide how to best use the points to redeem free gifts. Reward points from loyalty cards can also be used in the same  way.

Take Advantage of Lay-Away During Sales

This is like buying on credit without the interest. Just pay a small deposit  for items selected during sales and wait until before the holidays to pick them up.  Shoppers can also spread their payments to reduce the pinch of having to pay a  big lump sum when collecting the items. Lay-Away is also great for  hiding big Christmas presents from kids.

Buy Online

Shoppers can browse,  compare prices and buy Christmas presents online. Online stores  typically sell products at lower prices too.  Plus, there is no need to jostle among the crowds, stand in line to pay or drive around looking for parking. The madness is 10  times worse with young kids in tow. However, buy online only from reputable  merchants and those with secure payment services.

Christmas doesn’t have to be extravagant.  Families should make a budget holiday shopping strategy every year. Spend less by shopping for gifts  all year round.  I can’t believe I’m talking about this in October!