I think my first mobile phone was a Sprint, and I later switch to Alltel with my wife because she had to travel in Michigan’s upper peninsula, and it was the only carrier with good coverage on those long stretches of road between towns. I was there when Verizon acquired Alltel in 2008, and I […]
Category Archives: Low End Living
Most of us in the US are familiar with the Big 4 traditional mobile carriers: AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, and Verizon. Many are also familiar with their prepaid services – Cricket, Boost, Virgin, and MetroPCS – although you may not know that they are owned by the Big 4. There are other alternatives, one which I […]
I love coffee. It smells wonderful, good coffee tastes smooth (as opposed to bitter), and the caffeine has significant pick-me-up benefits. But there are several factors your need to look at when choosing a coffee maker and keeping it clean.
Friends, it’s been quite a year so far, and I’m ready to make some big changes. My divorce will be finalized soon, and I’m looking for a position as a technical writer or editor in either the US or Canada. I am willing to relocate.
I’ve been living on my own for three months – and doing my own laundry a lot longer than that. I’ve made several changes in recent months after getting feedback from others on Facebook. Today I’m going to look at the world’s cheapest fabric softener, an inexpensive pretreat for stains that you can make yourself, […]
Shopping lists no longer have to be handwritten. Your smartphone can take over this role too.
Working at the local Meijer store earlier this week, I noticed that they now have a pack of 8 store branded LED light bulbs for $11.99 – just $1.50 each. (Black Friday pricing: $8.00!) I’d say we have now hit the tipping point where it makes little sense to buy CFL or traditional incandescent bulbs […]
I love a good burger, a good pizza, a good beer, a good computer, a good TV show, and writing. One thing I find almost irresistible is a good bargain – which raises the question, What is a good bargain?
October 2016 – Yes, in moderation, beer is good for you. It can help you sleep better, increase bone density, help prevent kidney stones, and help you avoid diabetes and dementia, among other health benefits.
2008 – When you’re reviving an old laptop, you face one issue that you don’t when you rehab a desktop computer – power. Hence the need to have a least a power brick in order to use a laptop as a desktop. Of course, almost (but not quite) every different laptop has a different AC […]
March 2006 – “We know first hand what living with a disability is like. Like a crutch, a walker, a wheelchair, our computer is another tool, albeit an extremely powerful one.”
February 2006 – A good mattress isn’t cheap, most cheap mattresses aren’t very good, and waterbeds remain a popular choice for people who loathe spring mattresses or can’t afford a good conventional mattress.
January 2006 – During my separation, I lived alone in a one bedroom apartment, and my electric bill never hit $10 a month. How’s that for frugal?
2006 – Although I have been disabled for over a decade and a half and am usually strapped for cash, I have a good life – maybe even better than it was when I was healthy.
2006 – I broke in my fifth pair of Kodiak boots last winter. Kodiaks are not the cheapest work boots on the market by a long shot, but they offer superior comfort and last a long time, which in my books equates to true low end living value. A good analogy is Apple computers. They […]
January 2006 – I’m going to tell you some things that you should already know. You might already know these things somewhere in the back of your mind.
January 2006 – Welcome to the inaugural issue of Low End Living and my inaugural column. While the primary focus here is living smart, be it in terms of money, health, or relationships, all three of those things can be improved by taking other stress out of your life.
