Post No. 008: My Point Of View On Oral Hygiene

(Image from dreamstime)

My Point Of View On...
Oral Hygiene

My Point Of View No. 1: For those, like me, who don't necessarily remember whether—or not—we have already dry brushed (to remove food particles), flossed, brushed with toothpaste, and orally rinsed with a fluoride mouthwash each day, you can note what oral hygiene that you have completed, if any, in order to keep track of your oral hygiene: for example, on a paper wall calendar, or a digital calendar...

My Point Of View No. 2: ...Now, I formerly utilized a modified-educational grading system (that is, "A, B, C, D, E, F," etc.) in order to represent the many levels of oral hygiene that I had completed each day, which I would write down on a paper wall calendar, or on 100% recycled note paper, but that turned out to be too complicated...

My Point Of View No. 3: ...Then, later on, I switched to utilizing Post-it Notes on a paper wall calendar that I 're-stuck' onto each day that I completed all of the oral hygiene steps; but, then, I got a new smartphone, because I got a second line through my cell phone company...

My Point Of View No. 4: ...And so, I now track when I complete oral hygiene on my smartphone digital calendar which, for me, is at least every other day, depending upon how I am feeling! Sometimes I will complete oral hygiene several days in a row, but other times I 'skip' several days, depending upon how much energy I have. Thus, I also track when I have not complete oral hygiene. (The reader should know that I am HIV-positive with full-blown AIDS.) Besides that, I track the total number of days each month that I have completed oral hygiene—and I also track the total number of days each month that I 'skipped' oral hygiene. So, that is how I track what oral hygiene I have performed each day, if any.

-Paul Whiting
(a.k.a., Math Magician)
"I can explain everything!"

My Mathematical Notes:

The reason that I wrote this prose can be summed up with the following statement: I have struggled my entire life with performing oral hygiene on a consistent basis, which is why I think that I have a difficult time remembering what, if any, oral hygiene I have performed each day; and so, that is why I came up with this system of tracking what, if any, oral hygiene that I perform on a regular basis, so that I can "keep myself in check" with regard to performing good oral hygiene.

By the way, I want to clarify that I use a battery operated electric toothbrush to both dry brush (without toothpaste) and regular brush (with toothpaste), which I feel cleans my teeth better than using a manual toothbrush!

Now, I realize that these disposable electric toothbrushes have environmental concerns, because, according to Friends of the Earth, "Disposable electric toothbrushes are one example of a terrible product...it's virtually impossible to separate out the tech [technology] from the batteries and plastic casing which means valuable and often toxic materials are dumped in landfill or burnt in incinerators."*

However, I feel that my teeth don't get as clean with a manual toothbrush! And I cannot really afford to purchase a rechargeable toothbrush (which I assume are more environmentally responsible—since they aren't disposable—but I haven't researched that yet), because they "run $80.00 to $150.00, plus!"**

In addition to that, I want to clarify that I use a vegan and environmentally-friendly dental floss, but I still use conventional toothpaste, since I have sensitive teeth! And I try to use natural formula mouthwashes—whenever that is possible—otherwise, I use conventional formula mouthwashes.

And this prose was also published on my "Paul Whiting — A Creative Writer" blog (please see the hyperlink below for the blog), since I feel that the message in this prose applies to the message that I am trying to convey through "Paul Whiting — A Creative Writer."

This prose was written in Portland, Oregon.

-Paulee

https://paulwhitingwriting.blogspot.com

*"Electric toothbrush" from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia—which is funded primarily through donations from millions of individuals around the world, including this blogger (I make a totally affordable monthly donation):

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electric_toothbrush

**"Mouth Health: Are Sonic Toothbrushes Really Better?" from The Huffington Post:

https://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/678698

November 5th, 2018 Update: I was updating my analog calendar (in order to track what oral hygiene that I complete each day) and I realized that I needed to update how I keep track on this post, since I had added a new "grade" for tracking, as well as some new "notations." Also, I changed the way that I floss. When I floss, I am certain to floss in both directions (on each set of teeth, both upper and lower). And I am certain that I floss all the way to the top, and bottom, between both sides of each tooth (until the floss stops). Also, I try to "dry brush" (which is, brushing without any toothpaste) before I floss, in order to remove any large particles of food from my teeth before flossing. And I "dry brush" before flossing so that I can concentrate on removing plaque between my teeth, all the way to the top, and bottom, of each tooth; therefore, I am not concentrating on removing just the food particles. And that is why I floss in opposite directions and also why I dry brush before flossing, which I follow-up with brushing with toothpaste and orally rinsing with a fluoride rinse. –Paul Whiting (written November 5th, 2018 and revised July 12th, 2022)

June 28th, 2019 Update: I have modified my oral hygiene legend—yet again! And I decided to add more "grade levels" to the "oral hygiene legend" in order to account for more possible types of oral hygiene that I may complete each day. Plus, I added an "initial system," which indicates exactly what type of oral hygiene that I completed, the combination of which creates the "grading system." –Paul Whiting (written June 28th, 2019 and revised July 12th, 2022)

August 5th, 2021 Update: I have modified my oral hygiene legend—yet again, again! And I decided to simply use Post-it Notes on a paper wall calendar that I "re-stick" onto each day that I perform oral hygiene which, for me, is about every other day, because that is all of the energy that I have. (The reader should know that I am HIV-positive with full-blown AIDS.) So, that is how I "simply" track what oral hygiene I have performed each day, if any. Also, I have changed the order in which I perform oral hygiene: I dry brush first to remove food particles, then I orally rinse next, so that I kill germs before I floss and brush with toothpaste, in order to remove the germs — I assume! — along with the plaque, then I floss to remove plaque and, finally, I brush with fluoride toothpaste. –Paul Whiting (written August 15, 2021, revised October 23rd, 2021, revised February 6th, 2022, revised February 8th, 2022, revised July 12th, 2022, revised April 17th, 2023 and revised April 30th, 2023)

August 18th, 2021 Update: I am realizing that performing oral hygiene every other day is NOT necessarily enough since, when I get stressed out, I have a tendency to "skip" oral hygiene. Thus, I am working on performing oral hygiene every day! However, I am trying to do it intuitively, so that I can train myself to feel like completing oral hygiene, rather than trying to make myself perform it. And I am still using Post-it Notes on a paper wall calendar to track when I have completed oral hygiene. –Paul Whiting (written August 18th, 2021 revised February 6th, 2022, revised February 8th, 2022, revised July 12, 2022 and revised April 30th, 2023)

September 16th, 2021 Update: I recently made a YouTube video titled, "A Philosopher Talks About His Oral Hygiene Techniques And The Products That He Uses" (please see the hyperlink below for the video).

Here is the description from the video:

A Philosopher Talks About His Oral Hygiene Techniques And The Products That He Uses

Paul Whiting: "Poet, Artist and Philosopher"

Published: July 27, 2021

This is a video of me, as a "philosopher," talking about the way that I perform oral hygiene and the products that I use!

You see, I am HIV-positive — with full blown AIDS — and so I don't have a lot of energy on any given day. And it took me a long time (years, in fact) to figure out how to take care of my teeth so that my gums don't bleed when I perform oral hygiene.

And it also took me a long time (years, in fact) to figure out how to track when I performed oral hygiene, so that I could remember when I did it. Thus, I utilize a paper wall calendar with Post-it Notes that I repost on the days that I perform oral hygiene, which is about every other day.

So basically, these are the points that I made:

1. I start out by dry brushing with a sonic, vibrating toothbrush in order to remove food particles first. And I use an "Oral-B Pulsar Expert Clean: Battery Toothbrush," which I have bought before at drug stores.

2. I orally rinse next, so that I kill germs before I floss and brush with toothpaste, in order to remove the germs — I assume! — along with the plaque. And I use "Listerine Naturals Antiseptic: 99% Natural Formula," which I have bought before at drug stores; although, I have noticed that after COVID-19, the drug store that I used to buy it at before no longer had it on the shelf, so I don't know if it's still available.

3. I floss next, moving from one side to the other and then back to the other side again, such as from left to right and then back from right to left. And I feel like flossing this way gets my teeth a lot cleaner, since I am flossing both upper and lower sets of teeth in both directions. Plus, I sort of 'scrape' up and down on each side of the tooth, making sure that I go all the way to the top, or bottom, of each side of the tooth, until the floss stops. And I use "EcoDent Gentle Floss: Vegan Waxed," which I have bought before natural food stores, such as natural food cooperatives.

4. I brush with toothpaste last (using the same vibrating toothbrush again that I dry brushed with) making sure I brush both sets of teeth thoroughly. Now, I formerly used "Rite Aid Maximum Strength Sensitive Toothpaste: Extra Whitening," which is THE GREATEST TOOTHPASTE I HAVE EVER USED; however, ***I no longer shop at Rite Aid.***

And I was inspired to make this video by a previous video that I made, which I have since deleted, where I sang the song "Smile" first and then discussed how I performed oral hygiene. (Also, I made another edition of this same type of video — where I didn't sing first, and then talked about how I perform oral hygiene — but I decided to replace that video with this new version.)

Plus, I am also inspired by having a new smart phone, because I got a second line through my cell phone company CREDO Mobile!

08/18/2021 Update: "I am realizing that performing oral hygiene every other day is NOT necessarily enough since, when I get stressed out, I have a tendency to 'skip' oral hygiene. Therefore, I am working on performing oral hygiene every day! However, I am trying to do it intuitively, so that I can train myself to feel like performing oral hygiene, rather than trying to make myself perform it! And I am still using Post-it Notes on a paper wall calendar track when I have completed oral hygiene."

02/06/2022 Update: "I now track when I complete oral hygiene on my smartphone digital calendar which, for me, is at least every other day, depending upon how I am feeling! Sometimes I will complete oral hygiene several days in a row, but other times I 'skip' several days, depending upon how much energy I have. Thus, I also track when I have not complete oral hygiene. Besides that, I track the total number of days each month that I have completed oral hygiene—and I also track the total number of days each month that I 'skipped' oral hygiene."

This video of "A Philosopher Talks About His Oral Hygiene Techniques And The Products That He Uses" was recorded on Monday, July 27th, 2021 at 12:03 AM.

Watch "A Philosopher Talks About His Oral Hygiene Techniques And The Products That He Uses" on YouTube:

https://youtu.be/NBgy4s_Xprc

–Paul Whiting (written September 16th, 2021 and revised July 12th, 2022)

February 6th, 2022 Update: I have modified my oral hygiene tracking system—yet again, again, again! You see, I got a new smartphone, because I got a second line through my cell phone company... And so, I now track when I complete oral hygiene on my smartphone digital calendar which, for me, is at least every other day, depending upon how I am feeling! Sometimes I will complete oral hygiene several days in a row, but other times I "skip" several days, depending upon how much energy I have. Thus, I also track when I have not complete oral hygiene. (The reader should know that I am HIV-positive with full-blown AIDS.) Besides that, I track the total number of days each month that I have completed oral hygiene—and I also track the total number of days each month that I "skipped" oral hygiene. So, that is how I track what oral hygiene I have performed each day, if any. –Paul Whiting (written February 6th, 2022, revised February 8th, 2022 and revised July 12th, 2022)

This "Paul Whiting — Math Magician" Post No. 008 was edited on December 6th, 2023.

"Prose is using all of the words that are necessary in order to describe all that is necessary to describe." –Paul Whiting [June 1st, 2022]

Post No. 007: My Point Of View On Task Management

(Image from Clean Mama)

My Point Of View On...
Task Management

My Point Of View No. 1: If possible, maintain a to-do list for all of the important tasks that you need to accomplish, so that you are certain to complete your important tasks.

-Paul Whiting
(a.k.a., Math Magician)
"I can explain everything!"

My Mathematical Notes:

The reason that I wrote this prose can be summed up with the following statement: "If possible, maintain a to-do list for all of the important tasks that you need to accomplish, so that you are certain to complete your important tasks."

And this prose was also published on my "Paul Whiting — A Creative Writer" blog (please see the hyperlink below for the blog), since I feel that the message in this prose applies to the message that I am trying to convey through "Paul Whiting — A Creative Writer."

This prose was written in Portland, Oregon.

-Paulee

https://paulwhitingwriting.blogspot.com

This "Paul Whiting — Math Magician" Post No. 007 was edited on December 5th, 2022.

"Prose is using all of the words that are necessary in order to describe all that is necessary to describe." –Paul Whiting [June 1st, 2022]

Post No. 006: My Point Of View On Shopping Lists And Price Comparison Lists

(Image from Family Money Management)

My Point Of View On...
Shopping Lists And
Price Comparison Lists

My Point Of View No. 1: If possible, maintain a shopping list, of the items that you need, for all of your shopping so that you don't forget anything that you need and so that you stay within your budget.

My Point Of View No. 2: If possible, keep a price comparison list of the items that you buy on a regular basis so you can compare prices—while you are shopping—among the stores where you shop for the same items in order to know that you are getting the best prices possible when you shop.

My Point Of View No. 3: If possible, combine the shopping list of the items that you need with the list of the items that you buy on a regular basis: that way, you will have a list of how much that you usually pay at each store for the items that you typically need for the purposes of price comparing. Then, you can simply highlight the items that you currently need to buy on your price comparison list for when you go shopping! Therefore, you can know at a glance if the prices of those items that you need, at the store where you are shopping at the time, are the best prices for those items. In addition to that, you can maintain your price comparison list by writing down the regular prices for each of the items that you buy from each store based upon each item's current price! I need to clarify something with regard to this idea, however: it is labor intensive over time to maintain price comparison lists that are also shopping lists—and doing so creates really long combined price comparison and shopping lists—but you can save a lot of money by always purchasing items that you need at the lowest prices possible for those items at all of the stores where you shop!

My Point Of View No. 4: If possible, set aside your "spending savings" in your monthly budget from coupons, discounts from stores, and discounts from other businesses, etc. Then, save that 'spending savings' for later use. As an example, if I buy an item on sale for $20.00, that was regularly $25.00, I set aside the $5.00 that I saved, in my monthly budget, as if I spent that money since—if I hadn't received a discount—I would have spent that money! Thus, I do this on most of my purchases that are discounted, by setting aside the money that I would have spent, as if I had spent that money. And the first full year that I set aside my 'spending savings' in my monthly budget, I saved over $900.00 in only twelve months! Also, to clarify, I only track what I have saved on discounted purchases that I made with my debit card, in order to set aside those funds in my monthly budget, and not with discounted purchases that I made with cash or credit. Otherwise, I feel that it would be too difficult to set aside funds on purchases that were discounted for which I paid in cash or credit. And, to clarify even further, I only track what I have saved at a store if that store lists the amount that I have saved on the receipt. Otherwise, I feel that it would be too difficult to track discounts on purchases where the store does not list discounts on the receipt. And, to clarify one final thing, I track other discounts from businesses that I also set aside in my monthly budget, such as discounts on my subscriptions to news outlets, or discounts on my monthly cell phone service!

-Paul Whiting
(a.k.a., Math Magician)
"I can explain everything!"

My Writing About Tracking My "Discount Savings" In My Monthly Budget: I track how much I save from discounts on purchases in my monthly budget! You see, beginning in the year 2016, I started to set aside my 'discount savings' in my monthly budget from coupons, discounts from stores, and discounts from other businesses, etc. Then, I saved those 'discount savings' for later use. And the reason that I decided to start doing this is because I couldn't figure why I did not have any money left over at the end of each month, even though I was always really careful about purchasing whatever I needed to buy when it was on sale—as much as possible. Then, I realized that I wasn't keeping track of how much I was saving when I bought items on sale in order to save money! Therefore, that is why I decided to start setting aside what I saved from any discounts on purchases in my monthly budget. As an example, if I buy an item on sale for $20.00, that was regularly $25.00, I set aside the $5.00 that I saved, in my monthly budget, as if I spent that money because—if I hadn't received a discount—I would have spent that money anyway! Thus, I do this on purchases that are discounted, by setting aside the money that I would have spent, as if I had spent that money. And the first full year that I set aside my 'discount savings' in my monthly budget, which was 2017, I saved over $900.00! Also, to clarify, I only track what I have saved on discounted purchases that I made with my debit card, in order to set aside those funds in my monthly budget, and not with discounted purchases that I made with cash or credit. Otherwise, I feel that it would be too difficult to set aside funds on purchases that were discounted for which I paid in cash or credit. And, to clarify even further, I only track what I have saved at a store if that store lists the amount that I have saved on the receipt. Otherwise, I feel that it would be too difficult to track discounts on purchases where the store does not list discounts on the receipt. (I actually used to go back through a store and write down on my receipt how much I saved on each item if the store didn't list the savings on my receipt, but it was kind of a hassle to do so. That's why I only track what I save at a store if they list my savings on the receipt.) And, as I mentioned above, I also track other discounts from businesses that I set aside in my monthly budget, such as discounts on my subscriptions to news organizations, or discounts on my monthly cell phone service! –Paul Whiting (written originally sometime after 2017, then turned into a quote on July 11th, 2022, revised July 13th, 2022, revised August 31st, 2023 and revised June 26th, 2024)

My Mathematical Notes:

The reason that I wrote this prose can be summed up with the following statement: "If possible, maintain a shopping list, of the items that you need, for all of your shopping...and keep a price comparison list of the items that you buy on a regular basis so you can compare prices—while you are shopping—among the stores where you shop for the same items in order to know that you are getting the best prices possible when you shop."

And this prose was also published on my "Paul Whiting — A Creative Writer" blog (please see the hyperlink below for the blog), since I feel that the message in this prose applies to the message that I am trying to convey through "Paul Whiting — A Creative Writer."

This prose was written in Portland, Oregon.

-Paulee

https://paulwhitingwriting.blogspot.com

This "Paul Whiting — Math Magician" Post No. 006 was edited on June 26th, 2024.

"Prose is using all of the words that are necessary in order to describe all that is necessary to describe." –Paul Whiting [June 1st, 2022]

Post No. 005: My Point Of View On Work Ethic

(Image from Phil Ebersole's Blog)

My Point Of View On...
Work Ethic

My Point Of View No. 1: A good work ethic equals being happy, because you know that you can provide for yourself—and others, as well!

My Point Of View No. 2: Doing work well equals being fulfilled, because you—and others, as well—can trust the quality of the work that you do!

-Paul Whiting
(a.k.a., Math Magician)
"I can explain everything!"

My Writing About A Good Work Ethic: A good work ethic equals being happy...and doing work well equals being fulfilled. –Paul Whiting (written approximately on August 1st, 2014, turned into a quote from my notes on July 9th, 2022 and revised August 24th, 2022)

My Writing About Work Being The Source Of All Happiness: The source of all happiness is doing work! –Paul Whiting (written December 2nd, 2015, revised July 7th, 2022 and revised August 24th, 2022)

My Mathematical Notes:

The reason that I wrote this prose can be summed up with the following statement: "A good work ethic equals being happy...and doing work well equals being fulfilled."

And this prose was also published on my "Paul Whiting — A Creative Writer" blog (please see the hyperlink below for the blog), since I feel that the message in this prose applies to the message that I am trying to convey through "Paul Whiting — A Creative Writer."

This prose was written in Portland, Oregon.

-Paulee

https://paulwhitingwriting.blogspot.com

This "Paul Whiting — Math Magician" Post No. 005 was edited on January 31st, 2023.

"Prose is using all of the words that are necessary in order to describe all that is necessary to describe." –Paul Whiting [June 1st, 2022]

Post No. 004: My Point Of View On Household Cleaning

(Image from Clipart Panda)

My Point Of View On...
Household Cleaning

My Point Of View No. 1: If possible, clean as you go, that way your domicile always stays clean—and you don't have to stress about the deeper cleanings, such as special guests visiting, special occasions, holidays, or apartment inspections (if that applies to you).

My Point Of View No. 2: If possible, clean early for the deeper cleanings—such as special guests, special occasions, holidays, or apartment inspections (if that applies to you)—so that your domicile is clean and ready ahead of time.

My Point Of View No. 3: If possible, treat visitors who are expected to visit your domicile like they are going to be a special guest, or like they are going to be the landlord inspecting your apartment (if that applies to you). That way, you can keep up with your deeper cleaning on a more regular basis and stay in practice for the real thing.

My Point Of View No. 4: If possible, treat yourself in your own domicile like you are a special guest who is expected to visit—because you are one.

My Point Of View No. 5: If possible, live by the motto "cleaner than it was before" with regard to doing your household cleaning, because getting everything "perfectly clean" isn't always realistic; however, it is definitely more realistic to get everything "cleaner that it was before!"

-Paul Whiting
(a.k.a., Math Magician)
"I can explain everything!"

My Writing About How I Live By The Motto "Cleaner Than It Was Before": I live by the motto "cleaner than it was before" with regard to doing my household cleaning, because getting everything "perfectly clean" isn't always realistic; however, it is definitely more realistic to get everything "cleaner that it was before!" –Paul Whiting (written October 1st, 2016, revised October 2nd, 2016, revised July 8th, 2022, revised August 24th, 2022 and revised August 26th, 2022)

My Mathematical Notes:

The reason that I wrote this prose can be summed up with the following statement: "If possible, clean as you go, that way your domicile always stays clean...and live by the motto 'cleaner than it was before' with regard to doing your household cleaning."

And this prose was also published on my "Paul Whiting — A Creative Writer" blog (please see the hyperlink below for the blog), since I feel that the message in this prose applies to the message that I am trying to convey through "Paul Whiting — A Creative Writer."

This prose was written in Portland, Oregon.

-Paulee

https://paulwhitingwriting.blogspot.com

This "Paul Whiting — Math Magician" Post No. 004 was edited on January 31st, 2023.

"Prose is using all of the words that are necessary in order to describe all that is necessary to describe." –Paul Whiting [June 1st, 2022]

Post No. 003: My Point Of View On Living Well, Or Wise Living

(Image from addoway safer shopping)

My Point Of View On...
Living Well, Or Wise Living

My Point Of View No. 1: Doing chores equals having rewards!

My Point Of View No. 2: The only rewards that exist in life come from doing the chores which make the resulting rewards possible!

-Paul Whiting
(a.k.a., Math Magician)
"I can explain everything!"

My Writing About A Good Work Ethic: A good work ethic equals being happy...and doing work well equals being fulfilled. –Paul Whiting (written approximately on August 1st, 2014, turned into a quote from my notes on July 9th, 2022 and revised August 24th, 2022)

My Writing About Work Being The Source Of All Happiness: The source of all happiness is doing work! –Paul Whiting (written December 2nd, 2015, revised July 7th, 2022 and revised August 24th, 2022)

My Mathematical Notes:

The reason that I wrote this prose can be summed up with the following statement: "Doing chores equals having rewards!"

And this prose was also published on my "Paul Whiting — A Creative Writer" blog (please see the hyperlink below for the blog), since I feel that the message in this prose applies to the message that I am trying to convey through "Paul Whiting — A Creative Writer."

This prose was written in Portland, Oregon.

-Paulee

https://paulwhitingwriting.blogspot.com

This "Paul Whiting — Math Magician" Post No. 003 was edited on January 31st, 2023.

"Prose is using all of the words that are necessary in order to describe all that is necessary to describe." –Paul Whiting [June 1st, 2022]

Post No. 002/001: My Point Of View On Budgeting

(Image from LifeHopeandTruth)

My Point Of View On...
Budgeting

My Point Of View No. 1: If possible, maintain a monthly budget with your bills listed by due date, so that you can reconcile the monthly bills that you have outstanding with how much money that you have in your checking account; that way, you know exactly how much money that you have to spend—without ever spending more money than you have, or overdrafting your checking account! (I maintain handwritten monthly budgets on 100% recycled note paper, so that I know where every penny that I spend is going.)

My Point Of View No. 2: If possible, maintain a "savings pad" in your checking account in order to prevent any overdrafts due to unexpected transactions. I keep extra money in my checking account as a "savings pad," which, in part, is available for me to keep in my checking account from the money that I have set aside on a regular basis due to what I have saved while I am spending money (such as savings from discounts), which I keep track of as I am saving it! Therefore, I am able to utilize these "spending savings"—which adds up to hundreds of dollars over an entire year—on future purchases and unexpected expenses.

My Point Of View No. 3: If possible, set aside any surplus funds from your monthly budget and then save those surplus funds for later use, such as future purchases, or unexpected expenses. I keep extra money in my checking account as a "savings pad," which, in part, is available for me to keep in my checking account due to what I saved from surplus funds in my monthly budget that I did not spend.

My Point Of View No. 4: If possible, set aside your "spending savings" in your monthly budget from coupons, discounts from stores, and discounts from other businesses, etc. Then, save that 'spending savings' for later use. As an example, if I buy an item on sale for $20.00, that was regularly $25.00, I set aside the $5.00 that I saved, in my monthly budget, as if I spent that money since—if I hadn't received a discount—I would have spent that money! Thus, I do this on most of my purchases that are discounted, by setting aside the money that I would have spent, as if I had spent that money. And the first full year that I set aside my 'spending savings' in my monthly budget, I saved over $900.00 in only twelve months! Also, to clarify, I only track what I have saved on discounted purchases that I made with my debit card, in order to set aside those funds in my monthly budget, and not with discounted purchases that I made with cash or credit. Otherwise, I feel that it would be too difficult to set aside funds on purchases that were discounted for which I paid in cash or credit. And, to clarify even further, I only track what I have saved at a store if that store lists the amount that I have saved on the receipt. Otherwise, I feel that it would be too difficult to track discounts on purchases where the store does not list discounts on the receipt. And, to clarify one final thing, I track other discounts from businesses that I also set aside in my monthly budget, such as discounts on my subscriptions to news outlets, or discounts on my monthly cell phone service!

My Point Of View No. 5: If possible, set up all of your monthly payments to be deducted automatically in order to make sure that you never, ever miss a monthly payment—and so you that do not incur any late fees.

My Point Of View No. 6: If possible, deposit money each month into your savings account in order to be prepared for any unexpected expenses and/or to prepare for retirement.

My Point Of View No. 7: If possible, set aside "carrying cash" each month for any expenses which you may wish to pay for in cash. Then, save your unused "carrying cash" at the end of the month for later use in future months. I also keep "carrying cash" in order to help homeless folks who are panhandling, or 'spanging'—which I have budgeted for specifically—as a way of giving "alms to the poor!"

-Paul Whiting
(a.k.a., Math Magician)
"I can explain everything!"

My Writing About Tracking My "Discount Savings" In My Monthly Budget: I track how much I save from discounts on purchases in my monthly budget! You see, beginning in the year 2016, I started to set aside my 'discount savings' in my monthly budget from coupons, discounts from stores, and discounts from other businesses, etc. Then, I saved those 'discount savings' for later use. And the reason that I decided to start doing this is because I couldn't figure why I did not have any money left over at the end of each month, even though I was always really careful about purchasing whatever I needed to buy when it was on sale—as much as possible. Then, I realized that I wasn't keeping track of how much I was saving when I bought items on sale in order to save money! Therefore, that is why I decided to start setting aside what I saved from any discounts on purchases in my monthly budget. As an example, if I buy an item on sale for $20.00, that was regularly $25.00, I set aside the $5.00 that I saved, in my monthly budget, as if I spent that money because—if I hadn't received a discount—I would have spent that money anyway! Thus, I do this on purchases that are discounted, by setting aside the money that I would have spent, as if I had spent that money. And the first full year that I set aside my 'discount savings' in my monthly budget, which was 2017, I saved over $900.00! Also, to clarify, I only track what I have saved on discounted purchases that I made with my debit card, in order to set aside those funds in my monthly budget, and not with discounted purchases that I made with cash or credit. Otherwise, I feel that it would be too difficult to set aside funds on purchases that were discounted for which I paid in cash or credit. And, to clarify even further, I only track what I have saved at a store if that store lists the amount that I have saved on the receipt. Otherwise, I feel that it would be too difficult to track discounts on purchases where the store does not list discounts on the receipt. (I actually used to go back through a store and write down on my receipt how much I saved on each item if the store didn't list the savings on my receipt, but it was kind of a hassle to do so. That's why I only track what I save at a store if they list my savings on the receipt.) And, as I mentioned above, I also track other discounts from businesses that I set aside in my monthly budget, such as discounts on my subscriptions to news organizations, or discounts on my monthly cell phone service! –Paul Whiting (written originally sometime after 2017, then turned into a quote on July 11th, 2022, revised July 13th, 2022, revised August 31st, 2023 and revised June 26th, 2024)

My Mathematical Notes:

The reason that I wrote this prose can be summed up with the following statement: I micromanage my finances in order to know how much I have to spend each month—and also so that I know where every penny that I spend is going!

And this prose was also published on my "Paul Whiting — A Creative Writer" blog (please see the hyperlink below for the blog), since I feel that the message in this prose applies to the message that I am trying to convey through "Paul Whiting — A Creative Writer."

This prose was written in Portland, Oregon.

-Paulee

https://paulwhitingwriting.blogspot.com

May 11th, 2015 Update (Written Approximately On May 11th, 2015, Then Turned Into 'My Writing' From My Notes On July 20th, 2022, And Then Turned Into An Update From The Aforementioned Writing On July 25th, 2022): I spend what I can afford to spend on charitable donations while still being able to afford to take care of my day-to-day needs. (The reader should know that I am HIV-positive with full-blown AIDS. And I am on Social Security Disability Insurance, or SSDI, so my income is quite limited.) Thus, I would not make charitable donations if I was not able to take care of my day-to-day needs, since I believe in taking care of your own needs first and helping others second—that is, if it is possible and desirable for you to help others. Plus, I personally believe in wisely accepting charity, or assistance, if it is really needed; but, I also personally believe in not accepting charity, or assistance, if it is not really needed. For example, I qualify for assistance to help pay my monthly electric bills, but I don't apply for that assistance, since I don't feel like I really need it. However, if I felt like I really needed that assistance in order to help pay my electric bills, I would definitely apply for it! Therefore, I feel that you should give charity if possible, and accept charity if needed, if that feels right to you. –Paul Whiting (written approximately on May 11th, 2015, then turned into 'my writing' from my notes on July 20th, 2022, then turned into an update from the aforementioned writing on July 25th, 2022 and revised April 17th, 2023)

December 26th, 2015 Update: I budget for "carrying cash" each month in my monthly budgets for any expenses that I may wish to pay for in cash. And I budget—specifically—to use some of my carrying cash to help homeless folks who are panhandling, or "spanging" (which is a term that is a blend of the word 'spare' plus the word 'change' from the phrase, "Do you have any spare change?" or the phrase, "Can you spare any change?") and that is how I give "alms to the poor." –Paul Whiting (written December 26th, 2015, revised September 24th, 2019, revised December 23rd, 2021, revised December 24th, 2021, revised December 25th, 2021, revised December 26th, 2021 and revised July 6th, 2022)

July 18th, 2016 Update: If possible, get out of credit card debt and utilize the money that you save on minimum payments and interest for other purchases. I am out of debt as of January 2016! And I use the money that I save from minimum payments and interest for other purchases, such as charitable donations. –Paul Whiting (written July 18th, 2016, revised October 24th, 2021 and revised June 18th, 2022)

April 14th, 2018 Update: I decided to allow myself to use my available credit card line for when I need to purchase things that I do not want to purchase using my debit card or cash (such as items that I buy on sale), so that I can "buy now and pay later..." And, therefore, I am back into debt as of January 2017! However, I try to be as wise as I can be when utilizing credit; for example, I try to only purchase "non-consumable," or "non-perishable" items (like clothes, home furnishings, appliances, etc.), when I charge purchases to a credit card. That way, I am only paying interest on purchases that are going to be around for a while, rather than paying interest on purchases that I will simply consume immediately. Also, as of March 2018, I am budgeting to pay more than my minimum payment on each of my credit cards. That way, if I totally max out my credit line, I can still afford to pay the minimum payment on each of my credit cards, plus pay additional payments on each card in order to help pay off the principle balance. –Paul Whiting (written April 14th, 2018, revised April 21st, 2018, revised December 26th, 2019 and revised June 18th, 2022)

September 6th, 2018 Update: So, I was totally out of credit card debt (as of January 2016) and, then, I decided to allow myself to utilize my credit line! So, I am back into credit card debt, as of January 2017; however, I am trying to control my spending. Plus, I am making extra payments on my credit card debt in order to pay down the principle balance. In addition to that, when I charge purchases to my credit line, I try to make sure that I am only charging items that are '"not consumable." That way, I am only paying interest on purchases that will last a long time! And, then, if I do buy something "consumable" (such as food that is on sale, which I am buying in bulk in order to save money), then I charge that to a specific credit card which I have designated to not carry the balance of all those "non-consumable" purchases! And, consequently, I pay off that specially-designated credit card as quickly as I can, once I have made those consumable purchases... –Paul Whiting (written September 6th, 2018, revised October 19th, 2018, revised December 26th, 2019 and revised June 18th, 2022)

December 26th, 2019 Update: I decided to totally get out of credit card debt (again) as of December 2019—since I was almost at my credit card limit on the one credit card that I have available. (I used to have two credit cards, but I cancelled one of them.) And I realized that it was going to take too long to pay off that debt with just the minimum payment and one extra payment that I was making—due to still making occasional purchases, which would put my total balance back up toward my credit limit. So, I decided to throw everything that I had at the balance on my credit card and I paid it off! Now, I am trying to only use my credit card for really important purchases; plus, I am trying to treat my credit card as if I am getting a term loan from a bank! –Paul Whiting (written December 26th, 2019 and revised October 24th, 2021 and revised June 18th, 2022)

This "Paul Whiting — Math Magician" Post No. 001/002 was edited on June 26th, 2024.

By the way, the reason that this post has such an odd numbering system is because I published this post, "My Point Of View On Budgeting," and a related post, "My Point Of View On Credit Cards," on the same day and and at the same time! And, for some reason, the order in which these two posts appear on my "Paul Whiting — Math Magician" blog keeps alternating back and forth—I am assuming since they were both published within the same minute on the same day—so that is why I gave both of these posts an alternated numbering system.

"Prose is using all of the words that are necessary in order to describe all that is necessary to describe." –Paul Whiting [June 1st, 2022]

Post No. 001/002: My Point Of View On Credit Cards

(Image from Finance Guide)

My Point Of View On...
Credit Cards

1. Always check credit card offers for the interest rate(s), the minimum payment due each month (which should be a percentage of your monthly balance), as well as check for any annual fees, or other fees, that you might incur on your credit card account before you apply for that card!

2. Always know whether, or not, you can afford to pay your minimum payment(s) on your credit card(s) should you ever "max out" your entire credit line, so that you don't ever end up not being able to pay your minimum payment(s).

3. Always pay your minimum payment(s) on time!

4. If possible, sign up for automatic monthly payments in order to maintain your good credit rating by never, ever missing your minimum payment(s) on your credit card(s).

5. If possible, make more than your minimum payment(s) on your credit card(s), since the minimum payment on most credit card(s) only barely covers the amount of your interest payment and, thusly, that minimum payment cannot really pay down your principle balance at all.

6. If possible, have enough money saved in order to pay off your entire credit line in case of emergencies! That way, you can have your entire credit line available for emergencies—so that you can spend all the way back up to your credit limit—with minimum payments which you know that you can already afford.

7. If possible, don't let your credit limit be the only reason that you stop spending on your credit card(s).

8. If possible, only charge non-consumable, or non-perishable, items on your credit card(s). That way, you are not paying interest on any consumable, or perishable, purchases.

-Paul Whiting
(a.k.a., Math Magician)
"I can explain everything!"

My Mathematical Notes:

The reason that I wrote this prose can be summed up with the following statement: I micromanage my finances in order to know how to use credit wisely and also so that I know where every penny that I spend is going!

And this prose was also published on my "Paul Whiting — A Creative Writer" blog (please see the hyperlink below for the blog), since I feel that the message in this prose applies to the message that I am trying to convey through "Paul Whiting — A Creative Writer."

This prose was written in Portland, Oregon.

-Paulee

https://paulwhitingwriting.blogspot.com

July 18th, 2016 Update: If possible, get out of credit card debt and utilize the money that you save on minimum payments and interest for other purchases. I am out of debt as of January 2016! And I use the money that I save from minimum payments and interest for other purchases, such as charitable donations. –Paul Whiting (written July 18th, 2016, revised October 24th, 2021 and revised June 18th, 2022)

April 14th, 2018 Update: I decided to allow myself to use my available credit card line for when I need to purchase things that I do not want to purchase using my debit card or cash (such as items that I buy on sale), so that I can "buy now and pay later..." And, therefore, I am back into debt as of January 2017! However, I try to be as wise as I can be when utilizing credit; for example, I try to only purchase "non-consumable," or "non-perishable" items (like clothes, home furnishings, appliances, etc.), when I charge purchases to a credit card. That way, I am only paying interest on purchases that are going to be around for a while, rather than paying interest on purchases that I will simply consume immediately. Also, as of March 2018, I am budgeting to pay more than my minimum payment on each of my credit cards. That way, if I totally max out my credit line, I can still afford to pay the minimum payment on each of my credit cards, plus pay additional payments on each card in order to help pay off the principle balance. –Paul Whiting (written April 14th, 2018, revised April 21st, 2018, revised December 26th, 2019 and revised June 18th, 2022)

September 6th, 2018 Update: So, I was totally out of credit card debt (as of January 2016) and, then, I decided to allow myself to utilize my credit line! So, I am back into credit card debt, as of January 2017; however, I am trying to control my spending. Plus, I am making extra payments on my credit card debt in order to pay down the principle balance. In addition to that, when I charge purchases to my credit line, I try to make sure that I am only charging items that are '"not consumable." That way, I am only paying interest on purchases that will last a long time! And, then, if I do buy something "consumable" (such as food that is on sale, which I am buying in bulk in order to save money), then I charge that to a specific credit card which I have designated to not carry the balance of all those "non-consumable" purchases! And, consequently, I pay off that specially-designated credit card as quickly as I can, once I have made those consumable purchases... –Paul Whiting (written September 6th, 2018, revised October 19th, 2018, revised December 26th, 2019 and revised June 18th, 2022)

December 26th, 2019 Update: I decided to totally get out of credit card debt (again) as of December 2019—since I was almost at my credit card limit on the one credit card that I have available. (I used to have two credit cards, but I cancelled one of them.) And I realized that it was going to take too long to pay off that debt with just the minimum payment and one extra payment that I was making—due to still making occasional purchases, which would put my total balance back up toward my credit limit. So, I decided to throw everything that I had at the balance on my credit card and I paid it off! Now, I am trying to only use my credit card for really important purchases; plus, I am trying to treat my credit card as if I am getting a term loan from a bank! –Paul Whiting (written December 26th, 2019 and revised October 24th, 2021 and revised June 18th, 2022)

This "Paul Whiting — Math Magician" Post No. 002/001 was edited on June 26th, 2024.

By the way, the reason that this post has such an odd numbering system is because I published this post, "My Point Of View On Credit Cards," and the post before it, "My Point Of View On Budgeting," on the same day and and at the same time! And, for some reason, the order in which these two posts appear on my "Paul Whiting — Math Magician" blog keeps alternating back and forth—I am assuming since they were both published within the same minute on the same day—so that is why I gave both of these posts an alternated numbering system.

"Prose is using all of the words that are necessary in order to describe all that is necessary to describe." –Paul Whiting [June 1st, 2022]