#and they had sparkling water for like..... 50 cents a bottle like how could i pass up an offer......

[todayisafridaynight]

FIRST OF ALL DAIGO GAMEPLAY REAL

Second of all finished Chapter 1 <3 I watched an Xbox stream muted at 2x while skipping battles because I wanted to save the proper experience for my friend's stream and your stream but uhhhhh <3 without saying too much or setting any expectations <3 personal favorite Kiryu game no contest LOL but I figured it would be so no surprises there... I'm def taking note of how long individual chapters might take and stuff since this wasn't exactly an Optimal Playthrough but we'll get there when we get there

DAIGO GAMEPLAY REEEEEEEEEAL 🗣️🗣️🗣️ OBSESSED WITH HOW HE JUMP KICKS SON STOP THAT YOU'RE GONNA HURT YOURSELF--

but gottamn already done with chapter 1- VERY MUCH APPRECIATE MAKIN MENTAL NOTES ON CHAPTER LENGTHS if that gameplay wasnt optimal then heh 😏 i promise to be worse 😏

[temperkitten7-blog]

6 Random Frugal Tips To Save You Hundreds Per Year (That You Probably Haven’t Thought Of Yet)

When working on saving money, there is a lot of advice out there that seems stale, impractical, or just plain out of reach for the average millennial (and I’d bet often the average non-millennial, too). I’m here to tell you that you don’t need to get one of those massive binders like the moms from extreme couponing shows. You don’t need to stockpile macaroni and Gatorade in your huge basement. You also don’t need a huge basement. You don’t HAVE to buy in bulk, and you don’t need to sign up for every single rewards program you can find. Lots of small, everyday choices you make can have a measurable impact on your finances over time.

1. Stockpile gift wrapping supplies.

Whether you realize it or not, those mad-dash CVS trips to grab a gift bag before a birthday dinner can EASILY add another $10 to the cost of your gift. Instead, gift bags like these come out to about 50 cents apiece. Buy some bags, some cute tissue paper, and ribbons (save these from gifts other people give you!), and keep them together in a box. Then, next time you have a last-minute gift, you’ll be able to wrap it on the cheap and save yourself the stress.

2. Stockpile greeting cards.

Just like the item above, boxes of thank you cards or birthday cards aren’t just for 1950s moms and the newly-married. And not only does this tip save you money (maybe more than you think — most cards at stores cost $5 each) — it saves you time and energy as well. With cards on hand you can take two minutes to send a thank you note to your friend when you remember, all without leaving the comfort of your own apartment.

3. Don’t automatically buy your way out of every problem.

When something you own breaks, or Instagram ads convince you that you need an item, take a moment to consider your available resources before immediately going out and buying something. The other day I was organizing (#KonMarieLyfe), and I wanted a box to put in my makeup drawer. I picked up my phone to check Amazon, but then realized my friend had just sent me a “will you be my bridesmaid” gift in a beautiful, gold box. I emptied it out and it fit perfectly in the drawer — free, gorgeous, and functional. If this sounds like I just got lucky, try it for yourself — you’ll be surprised by how often things serendipitously work out when you need them if you pay attention and use your creativity.

4. Stop buying cleaning products.

And no, I’m not advocating for dwelling in your own filth. But most cleaning products are a scam! Full stop. They are expensive, filled with chemicals that you probably don’t want in your home (especially if you have children or pets), and at least half of them are not necessary. Here’s what I use for 90% of cleaning solutions: a gallon jug of distilled white vinegar ($2); water; spray bottles (see if you can reuse ones you already have from products you’ve used up!); and a can of Bon Ami ($1.50!) for the spots that vinegar can’t get off. Mix a 4:1 batch of water and vinegar in the spray bottles and use it to clean windows, floors, countertops, stainless steel, sinks, and surfaces. Use Bon Ami and water for everything else. Oh, and ditch the paper towels — use rags. Your house will be sparkling clean for pennies.

5. Get enough sleep.

Studies show that impulse control is severely affected by sleep deprivation. If you’re trying to make healthier choices, a lack of sleep can throw a real wrench into that. Sleep also reduces stress, which leads to healthier choices; we can exercise more willpower when we don’t already feel at the end of our ropes. Next time you’re in an anxiety-induced online shopping fugue late at night in bed, close your laptop and get some shut-eye. I promise a full night of rest will make you feel better than another batch of 5 for $25 underwear ever could.

6. Be grateful.

At the risk of sounding too Pinterest board-y, cultivating gratitude is THE most powerful antidote to our consumer culture. Appreciating and valuing the items you already own will make you feel fulfilled and squash the worries you have about keeping up with everyone around you. Yes, you’ll probably never have every material item you’ll ever want, but chances are you have plenty to appreciate already. And be grateful for yourself, too! Take time to appreciate yourself for the efforts you’ve already put into bettering your finances. You can do it!

*****

So, there you have it! Six random tips that could save you money without extreme couponing or line-drying all of your laundry. Hopefully, you find these tips useful, and let me know in the comments what random frugal tips you incorporate into your life.

Emily is a writer and researcher living in the Pacific Northwest. You can follow her on Instagram.

Image via Unsplash

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Source: https://thefinancialdiet.com/6-random-frugal-tips-to-save-you-hundreds-per-year-that-you-probably-havent-thought-of-yet/

[godlessgeekblog]

Can Air New Zealand make a 24-hour flight bearable? Flying premium economy from London to Auckland

It said ‘premium economy’ on my ticket, but frankly it felt more like business class.

I was flying with Air New Zealand from London to Auckland and from the get-go it was plain to see why the airline’s premium economy cabin has frequently nabbed the top spot at the Skytrax World Airline Awards. It slipped to second place in 2018.

After nestling into my large armchair-style seat, the 24-hour flight suddenly didn’t seem quite so daunting… 

THE LONG-HAUL PREMIUM ECONOMY EXPERIENCE

MailOnline Travel’s Sadie Whitelocks journeyed from London to Auckland with Air New Zealand in premium economy. Sadie said the headphones were pretty sturdy in premium economy (above left) and in the wide seats, she was able to curl up sideways to get some rest (right)

Sadie said there was enough room to stretch her legs in premium economy, even with her bag on the floor in front, above left. Right, Sadie was given an amenity kit that contained socks, a toothbrush, ear plugs, an eye mask, a pen and a good-sized tube of ‘intensive’ lip balm by Ashley & Co

I started my epic trip around the world on a Boeing 777-300ER from Heathrow on a Thursday at 3:30pm.

The 24-hour trip would be broken up with a stop in Los Angeles, which would hopefully prevent the deep vein thrombosis from setting in.

It wasn’t too busy in the 54-seat premium economy cabin and I had a window seat with a free spot next to me.

Before take-off the cabin was already reaping the benefits of premium service with glasses of sparkling wine and orange juice being offered around. I indulged in a glass of bubbles but the pour was pretty sharp in taste and I couldn’t finish it. Not off to a flying start, then.

I also discovered a bottle of water and (unbranded) amenity kit on my 19.3 inch-wide armchair complete with socks, a toothbrush, ear plugs, eye mask, a pen and a good-sized tube of ‘intensive’ lip balm by Ashley & Co.

Shortly after take-off we were treated to dinner – and the meal service was swift and efficient. And what’s more, the food was served on proper crockery.

A friendly attendant presented me with a tray stacked with a smoked halibut, egg and apple salad.

I was then offered some bread, with the divine-smelling selection including wholemeal, sunflower, sourdough and some very pungent slices of garlic baguette. 

In Air New Zealand’s premium economy cabin, the seats have almost 50 per cent more recline than in economy. Other perks include generous armrests, leg rests and foot supports

Air New Zealand’s premium economy cabin (pictured) has frequently nabbed the top spot at the Skytrax World Airline Awards

PREMIUM ECONOMY VS ECONOMY WITH AIR NEW ZEALAND  

Premium economy seats have a:

41 inch pitch

9-inch recline 

Width of 19.3 inches

5-inch wide armrest

11-inch wide touchscreen TV 

Economy seats have a:

31-33 inch pitch

5-inch recline

Width of 17.2 inches

9-inch wide touchscreen TV 

The set-up also included a small bottle of deliciously buttery extra virgin olive oil sourced from Hawke’s Bay on New Zealand’s North Island.

After the starter plates were cleared, we could choose from three mains off the menu.

There was beef cheek, Dijon mustard-baked chicken and roast cod dressed in a rather fancy-sounding ‘rose harissa saffron sauce’.

I opted for the beef, which came with roast carrots and turnips. The meat melted in my mouth, and I enjoyed the medley much more than expected.

The meal was rounded out with some cheddar cheese, crackers and a wedge of spiced maple pear cheesecake.

I washed everything down with some Johnnie Walker Red Label whiskey – my secret to sleeping on flights – but noted the impressive selection of New Zealand wine on offer. 

Feeling well-watered and fed, I settled in to watch a few films. 

The entertainment offering with Air Zealand on long haul is the same from economy through to business class and there’s an impressive selection of films, TV shows and music.

After watching a couple of new releases, I nipped to the loo before settling in for a sleep.

For dinner in premium economy, Sadie opted for beef cheek with roast carrots and turnips as her main course (left). Thick slices of bread were also served with small bottles of extra virgin olive oil (right)

Before touching down in Los Angeles, the smell of breakfast roused Sadie from slumber. She had a fresh fruit salad, left, followed by creamy scrambled eggs on top of a toasted muffin with corned beef hash cakes on the side (right)

The premium economy section has dedicated toilets, which are pretty roomy and decked out with bookshelf print wallpaper, giving it a bit of a quirky edge.

However, there was no nice hand lotion or air scent, which other airlines generally offer in the premium cabins.

On venturing back to my seat, I found the premium chair was wide enough for me to curl up in a fetal position in. It also reclined by nine inches. 

I found it pretty easy to snuggle in and fall asleep and I managed to rest well until we touched down in Los Angeles. 

It was the scent of breakfast that roused me – fruit salad followed by creamy scrambled eggs on top of a toasted muffin with corned beef hash cakes on the side.

It’s not a traditional morning snack, but we were also offered doughnuts filled with roasted peach and coconut custard and they proved too tempting to resist.

Sadie said she was impressed by the large porcelain mugs in premium economy (left) and the doughnuts that were offered around proved too yummy-looking to resist (right)

After a pretty frantic transit through Bradley International airport (which helped to work off the doughnuts), I boarded the next flight to Auckland, which would take 12 hours and 30 minutes.

This flight followed much the same format as my first flight, but this time I gave the vegetarian menu a whirl.

The food was as tasty as on the first leg, but the ingredients weren’t on the menu. And when I asked the stewardess what I was eating she wasn’t very helpful.

‘It looks like spinach and beans. You’ve asked me to be facetious,’ she replied. I didn’t really appreciate this response and I’m sure people with serious dietary requirements would want to know what they’re about to consume.

Anyway, thanks to the comfy seat, I managed to pack in a good amount of rest before landing in Auckland at 8:25am. The friend that met me even commented on how fresh I looked!

IN THE ECONOMY CABIN TRAVELLING LONG-HAUL

In a bid to test out Air New Zealand’s economy offering on long haul, I switched cabins on my return journey from Los Angeles to London.

I nabbed a central aisle seat and luckily the chair next to me was free.

Immediately I was aware of the downgrade. Sparkling wine on offer? No. Water and amenity kit waiting for me in the seat? Nope.