Archive for the ‘Frugal Fun’ Category
Video Games Teach Us About Living Frugally
This might seem a little bit odd, but the other day I got to thinking. I learned most of my business ideas, as well as frugality directly from video games. The fundamental concepts such as; budgeting, invention, and quick thinking are vital in real life as much as in the virtual world. Many of the video games out there, aren’t just about shoot em up blood lust, but more about micromanagement. The Sim series is a great example of this. You can choose to play a character, get a job, and retire, all within a virtual game. Any game that involves planning, building, and strategy will teach you quite a bit on the lessons of frugality.
The evolution of gaming is integrating more and more tools that teach us about management and networking. I have been having fun with a game known as Farmville. My friends have been into it for a while and of course, I just had to play it as well. In the game I am a farmer growing crops for coins. I can get bigger and better toys each time I harvest crops, or help friends with “chores” in the game. The name of the game is teamwork and building communities of friends, which the game calls “neighbors.” If I need something I can email one of my real life friends to give me assistance within the game. Needless to say I have been introduced to new friends within the game and now have a great place to advertise my job skills as well as this blog.
Now The Statistics and The Case For Video Games
Sixty-five percent of American households play computer or video games. This is in sharp contrast to just ten years ago. Now everyone is doing it. By 2009, it is projected that the industry will support over a quarter of a million American jobs. This of course is directly. The indirect benefits are largely unknown. In 2006, the entertainment software industry’s value added to U.S. Gross Domestic Product (GDP) was $3.8 billion. Clearly the direct support of video games is aiding our economy and will continue doing so as our economy slides. There will be better and better games, as the free market demands more excitement and originality.
Pay Attention To Frugality Concepts When Gaming
The next time you play a video game, take notice of the saving going on. Whether it’s conserving ammunition or trying to reach the next level by saving gold coins, you should notice the concepts involved. I have found many free games online that are a joy to play. Some of the best ones I have found involving frugality include; Ikariam, Travian, and others too numerous to list. Find a game you can enjoy, where you can spend a little time being frugal, while being entertained. There are some great skills you can pick up, that will become second nature when you get back to the real world.
I Hate Stocks
The Case Against Equities
I can’t stand stocks anymore. I had friends that were even more frugal than I am who lost their butts in the current market. They lived under the idea that once the money was in “the market” it was out of their mind. I don’t like this line of thinking and neither should you. The only investments I’ve purchased in the past few years have been gold and silver.
There is one idea behind investing in precious metals. They are the exact opposite of stocks in most cases. Gold and Silver go up on fear and stocks go up on ignorant waves of happiness. At times the two can move inversely. Right now the happiness in our market is fading, so my money is on gold and silver. My parents think I get a little goofy when I talk about buying gold and silver.
The Case For Gold
Yes, that’s right, I would like to formally declare myself a gold bug, mom and dad. I’ve been on a silver buying spree for the last 3 years. The coins look absolutely awesome when you get them. I bought one each from a few random companies. When I found one company I felt was prompt, I continued buying from them. There are many reputable sites out their like Apmex, Northwest Territorial Mint, and many others as well. Gold is generally a well regulated commodity, despite what others may think. I don’t exactly buy into all the scams people say there are.
Selling For Cash Quick Can Help
My mother just called me this morning to notify me of a large silver candlestick, she had dug up out of the basement. Her voice was filled with excitement when she proudly exclaimed, “It’s solid silver, with lots of writing underneath. You boys dug this up in the garden a few years ago, remember?” I asked her how much it weighed, to which she replied, “Almost a full two pounds, how much is that worth?” I did some quick calculations in my head. I took $20 multiplied by 32 ounces and told her it would be worth about $600 off the top of my head. She almost screamed into the phone, “Where can I sell this now?”
In reality it’s not that bad of an idea to sell something quickly in order to raise cash. Despite living frugally, the free markets set the price. If there is someone willing to buy at $600, my mother would willingly sell at that price. Both parties go home happy, everyone’s a winner, and capitalism prevails. This is what Wall Street calls “forced deleveraging.” It’s actually good for people to get rid of things they can’t afford when times are tough. The people who saved diligently can buy from these forced sellers, when prices are low, like right now. This is why I purchased gold and silver in the past. Prices were cheap and I bought them from panicked sellers.
As the price continues to drop, I am looking for another buying opportunity very soon. I have begun researching some different gold websites this evening. I’ll look into a few and see what the market does this week. The other great thing about buying silver and gold is; it promotes saving. I find myself saving frequently now and in a fun and exciting way. Looking at gold and silver is much more sexy than looking at paper.
