I'm off and don't know when i'll be online again. I wanted to leave you in the company of some really thought provoking folks.
Their names are Craig and Marc, two riotous friends of mine and unapologetic hollywood writers who decided that the difficult financial times we're experiencing demanded of them to stop putting whoopy cushions under each other seat, and at long last begin to give back to society.
The result is The Extremely Poor Richard's Almanac, a site filled with unique tips on how to save money on practically everything. You will lose a few friends in the process of following their advices. You may even been thrown in jail or alienate your children, but the $savings$ will be real.
On breakfast:
'For starters, forget the milk. After all, did anyone ever say that your corn flakes have to be floating in milk? Well, actually the powerful Milk Lobby has been saying it for years, but that’s for another blog. Cold tap water works just as well, the lack of a competing flavor actually brings out the subtle taste of every nugget or flake. And that’s not to mention the significant price differential between tap water (free) and milk (not.)'
On restaurant eating:
"Arrive at the first restaurant and inform the maitre d’ that your guest is running late, but you’d like to be seated anyway, tough day at the office and all that. As soon as your tush hits the well upholstered chair, a waiter will bring a basket of warmed bread and other pre-meal treats. Eat them. Every bite. Then pretend to get a call on your cell phone, tell the maitre d’ that your guest got into a minor car accident, thank goodness they’re all right, but you really have to go. Exit and proceed to the second restaurant. Repeat the process and then again at the third. The pre-meal treats should add up to a fairly decent meal. Caution: Do not attempt this technique if you are allergic to olive tapenade."
There is much more,such as tips on how to save water by showering at friends house, or how to save 100% of your cell phone bill by 'going Amish' I'l let you check it out for yourself.
Hilarious!
I love the breakfast motto, tap water is free, milk is not. A friend of a friend actually eats his Grape-Nuts cereals in warm water.....
Posted by: Mary-Laure | December 30, 2008 at 08:10 PM
Hilarious - I am now a fan! Happy 2009 (I have written a post on how to survive it)
Hugs
Di
Posted by: Di Overton | December 30, 2008 at 08:10 PM
very funny, come back, we miss you although I am sure you are on weel deserved vacate!
Posted by: Cat | December 30, 2008 at 08:10 PM
What a fun blog topic. I will most certainly swing by and see your buddies.
Posted by: La Belette Rouge | December 30, 2008 at 08:10 PM
corine,
I am up and running with a commitment to post everyday and found this post of yours and your link to the Extremely Poor Richards Almanac inspiring and funny!
Posted by: bethenais | December 30, 2008 at 08:10 PM
Mmhmm. I think your buddies have been hanging out with my stepdad. Or maybe one of them IS my stepdad. No, wait, he would never actually step foot into a restaurant. So it can't be him. But my other friend WOULD do that. I tried not to go to restaurants with him. Too embarrassing.
Posted by: muralimanohar | December 30, 2008 at 08:10 PM
I love these money saving tips, right up my street.
Posted by: BrianRS | December 30, 2008 at 08:10 PM
corine,
I have been laying low from bloggy ville as of late- but, still visit frequently and adore your posts and laughed here in the south of France with my french hubby and imagined packing the lot of them as suggested by your friends at the Almanac! have a holly holiday! i do plan to post more this year- I miss the talented blogland crowd!
joy
bethenais
Posted by: betheanne | December 30, 2008 at 08:10 PM
Going partly Amish isn't a far off advice :) But if I'd rather eat cereal dry than with water.
I'm laughing at their family bed advice :) I saw a movie once about eskimos, a couple, the man's brother, and the brother's wife slept in the same bed naked to keep warm. The family was torn apart by the brother screwing the man's wife in the very same bed the rest were sleeping in :)
Posted by: alis | December 31, 2008 at 05:31 AM