You are currently browsing the monthly archive for December, 2007.
Well the year is finally coming to an end, and I just want to wish a Happy New Years to all. I also want to end on a nice little frugalistic high note. Resale value. Case in point.
Let’s say that you just purchased yourself a brand new Apple Macbook. You bring it home, and since it’s officially yours, you want to customize it by adding laser letter engravings, stickers, and etc. Well, don’t.
Chances are somewhere down the line for some reason, you may need/want to part with your beloved item (Macbook in this case). You’re going to get a lot less money for an item that has Hello Kitty decals than for a nice, clean decal-less item.
Thrift stores are great places to shop for those one of a kind treasures, at bargain prices. But did you know that you can make those thrift store finds even cheaper?
Every year Savers offers their annual calendar, which is more than a calendar. Inside are a bunch of coupons to make your purchases even cheaper. I always snag two or three calendars, because you can never have enough coupons.
My laptop has not been kind to me as of late. The biggest problem for me is that my usb ports are almost completely shot, rendering my mouse ineffective. My touch pad is also broken in case you’re wondering why I am using a mouse in the first place. Without my usb ports, I also cannot upload new pictures. As much as I need a new laptop, I think I am going to hold off purchasing a new one for as long as possible. Stick with me as I try to find out what to do (frugally speaking).
While channel surfing on my parents’ television I came across this television show, The Ecozone Project. Basically it features different celebrities doing various home improvement projects in an eco-friendly way. Check it out here.
Happy Holidays everyone. I’m back in southern California now, at my parents’ place. I wasn’t able to bring back my point and shoot camera or DSLR, so sorry for the lack of pictures.
My six hour drive from Northern California was pleasant, but more importantly dirt cheap. If I were to have driven the 400 miles or so myself, I would have ended up spending at least $60 on gas. I took the Asian FOB Express bus, which was only $35.
Wet season is upon us, but for some reason there hasn’t been much rain in California. Chances are when it does start to rain, I won’t be able to do much riding outside.
That’s where the trainers and rollers come into play. I’ve mostly been looking at rollers, since they seem to offer more benefits than trainers. They also look a lot more minimalistic, since they are low and flat.
We all know that in small areas, it is best to have furniture that can pull double duty. Kris, from bltd.com, posted this sweet looking piece from DWR. However, not everyone can afford the hefty $998 price tag.
I was really contemplating buying something like this for my place, as an endall solution for my seating arrangement. Fortunately, ikea has something similar, and with some slight modifications could be transformed into the DWR piece.
Good article on compact fluorescent lamps.
The past two days have been very good to me, craigslist wise. I was able to get rid of some big-ticket items, most notably my horrid futon. As my place starts to clear out, my attention is shifting towards my home entertainment.
As of right now, I am listening to music on my tinny laptop speakers. So next on my list are some nice floor standing speakers, which I will document once I setup.
What once used to be a corner occupied by an oversized desk and monitor, is now just a picture frame and drawer unit. Perhaps the days of the drawer unit are numbered as well. We’ll see.
When it comes to purchasing bundled packages, there is always going to be some unwanted item in the deal.
Example: I don’t want the bundled games included in the Xbox 360 package. Going rate for the games on eBay: $15. Done. I just knocked a few bucks off of my purchase.
UPDATE:
I was able to sell the game for $25.
For the few who have yet to see I am Legend, I urge you to watch it. A very solid flick.
Let’s move on to Robert Nevell’s home. Although far from minimalist, you could tell that his home had the qualities of what many of us desire. Furniture featuring clean lines with designs that were not ornate. There was a place for everything, so that the surfaces were free from any stray items. The space was utilized in an efficient way, so that nothing seemed to redundant or inessential.
All in all, a good movie. =)
A friend of mine turned me on to this picture of Steve Jobs back in 1982. Ever wonder where Apple got it’s simplicity? From none other than the master himself.
My minimalistic instincts over the past week or so have been absent. After the completion of my landing strip, I became content.
When striving for minimalism, you can never be content. There is always going to be something that you can get rid of.
In my case, being content led to my having a lack of judgment. Below is the disaster that is known as the futon. Never again.
Also, my computer is dying.
Did you know that you can use the original Xbox Wireless G adapter for your Xbox 360?
I didn’t want to shell out $100 for a wireless adapter, especially after spending close to $400 on an Xbox 360. So after doing a little research, I found out that the old Xbox wireless adapter works just as well as the 360 version. And you can get them for less than $50!
Quite possibly one of the funniest shows I have ever seen. While perusing the internet I came across this deal for Arrested Development, $30 for all 3 seasons! This show is best watched continuously without breaks.
Here’s an oldie but goodie ripped straight from Apartment Therapy. Jack is a musician who lives in a space less than 200 sq ft. Incredible.
Although this is not the exact plan of my studio, the measurements are very similar. This is the floor plan to The Rosslyn, which is located in downtown Los Angeles. Living small can be done! I will be posting more about “Living beyond the sq ft.”
Boils water faster than a traditional kettle; safer too. You can actually afford to buy one for yourself and give one as a gift as well. Buy here.
Minimalistic, yet affordable. The Ikea 365+ bowl, for everyday of the year.
Check out this sweet home made credenza. Admire it, or make it yourself, for less than half the price of similar ones.
