33's Profile

i think these should be done sequentially because 1, 5, and 9 are aerobic exercises designed to up the heart beat rate to make the following 3 exercises more effective.

as for the stepping on chair (no. 5), one can start with a sturdy stool or low bench and move on to a full chair when you feel you are strong and stable enough to do so.

this set should be excellent when you travel and have no access to a gym or when the weather prevents you from doing outdoor activities.

it can also be done in the office as a group weight loss effort. All levels can do them together because the fitter ones will do more reps than the beginners within the 30 second time limit. All you need is a loud timer set for 30 seconds and then 10 seconds interval (loud enough to be heard over the music if music is used).

It really works!!! I was skeptical but after trying it once I was a believer.

The only luxury I allow in the process is to take the meat out to be room temp before grilling. The basic salt and black pepper season the meat well and the thin layer of flour is sufficient in keeping the meat moist and flavor sealed.

I use a silicone pot cover for my cast iron skillet and never once lift it to check the doneness.

If I grilled two breasts in the same skillet, I would tune the gas flame a bit higher to ensure both pieces would be cooked (they were).

Thank you for sharing this tip. Now I can eat delicious and freshly grilled chicken for dinner if I so desired.

My apartment is 740sf, not small, but is filled with things (not good I know). I made a decision not to buy more than I need in turns of household things instead of stock piling (which had been my usual ways). I don't have rolls of paper towel, bottles of detergent/shampoo/conditioner, tubes of toothpaste, jars of creams/makeup. The only exception is toilet paper. I usually buy the 12 roll version and they have to sit under my recycle trash bin (no room in the hall closet).

As for Cosco quantity, 20 years ago I bought a 48-roll Kirland brand high quality tightly packed toilet paper from Costco. It took me a few years to finally use up. In the mean time it took up so much space in my hall closet it was annoying. I also bought a big box of Tide powder detergent from Costco that took over 10 years to empty.

It's a good thing that in Los Angeles, a car is a must and there are CVS, Target, Walgreens in every other corner. I can easily replenish when the current one is about gone.

I second Segacs' idea of one in bedroom and one in curtain off living room. A friend of mine did this to his first 1-bedroom rental to save $. He slept in living room that was curtained off. His "renter" had the bedroom. Sure it wasn't ideal therefore he only rented to short turn renters, people who'd only needed it up to 6 months so that he could have a breather before the next one moved in.

He did it for about 3 years he stayed there. He saved on rent money but he lost a great deal of dating life because it was hard to bring a gal home over night.

Best luck to you and your BFF. It is hard to live together, just look at the divorce rate.

Won't work for me. simply have too many different types of clothing items; for serious business, for casual business, for weekends, for nights (dressy, casual, or clubbing), for activities (running, yoga, climbing, mountaineering, hiking, kayaking, beach combing), travel clothing, for lounging around the house, for sleeping. Not to mention I get into moods; preppy, Harajuku cute, prim, 80's, boho, gypsie, ethnic, country western, all black, biker, suburban, urban....

my accessories (scarves, hats, jewelry, belts), shoes, and bags have to match occassions and moods therefore they are out of control, too.

Really wish I was a strictly jeans and T-shirt gal but these two I wear the least (and thankfully don't buy them obsessively).

my mom is a minimalist and i am....the opposite. it is hard for me to say no to great finds from Craigslist, TJMaxx, Crossroads Trading, REI, thrift shops, garage sales.

She said that my place gives her a headache from seeing stuff everywhere. I admit. I have enough stuff to furnish a 1500sf house inside my 740sf 1-bedroom apartment.

Then again, if i listen to her (for the past 20 years), i'd have saved another $200,000 cold hard after tax cash in my savings account before compound interest adjustment. If said $200k would be invested in google and apple stock like she had told me to......now I feel like crying! :-(

It really depends on the nature and length of the visit.

I use a single-size futon sofa (my only sofa) in my living room for guest(s). I also have 2 sleeping bags and a full size air matress.

What I can't accommodate are guests who expect me to be the airport shuttle, driver (being in Los Angeles, driving is a must), and a tour guide, unless they are elderly family members. I will take care of my aunts and uncles 100% if they want to crash at my place.

What I prefer are people who are really cash strapped but must spend some time (no more than 2 weeks) in LA or independent people who can see the town on their own and only use my place to crash and store things (also no more than 2 weeks).

As for me, I try my best not to crash at anyone's, except my elderly aunts and uncles'. They will be majorly offended if I don't stay at their places. My preference has always been a shared dorm room at a local hostel.

The 30% rule is a very good one to keep, if your income and area rental can support it. If not, the high rent low income people may have to economize in sharing a unit with roommates.

What i want to address is the opposite scenario: rent expense is below 30% your take home (like my situation).

I moved into my current unit in 1995. Because of City of Los Angeles rent control and my easy going landlord (he doesn't raise me every year), my rent is still below market today.

What I do is to save the portion that makes up to be the market rent.

My logic is that if I move out of my unit today, I will have to pay the market rent renting a new unit. Therefore I just pretend that I must pay this much every month.

Guess what, since I started it in 2007, in 6 years I've saved up over $36,000 after tax money in cash. Not bad huh? :-)

my current 1+1 in Los Feliz area of Los Angeles.

Los Feliz is pretty self contained. There are grocery stores, eateries, small boutiques, and service orineted businesses all within walking distance.

Lots of rental units, too, but vacancies don't last because this area attracts a lot of transplants.

My unit is an early 60's built therefore there's no vaulted ceiling, molding, faux fireplace, or hardwood floor. BUT, I have a large walk-in closet, a big hallway coat closet/storage, and a very good size bathroom. At 740sf, it is fairly big for 1+1 and I love it.

roommate(s)? nevah! I'd rather die than to live with another person. it's me mostly. i can't subject a fellow human to put up with me. so there, no roommate and no live-in boy friend/husband.

distance creates beauty. sadly, many are not in a position to live alone, mostly for financial reason. to them i really don't know what to say other than to wish them the best of luck.