@Artemis47: Be warned that those stores sell items specifically made from the outlet. You can tell this by their label: it will read "Banana Republic Factory Store." Nothing wrong with buying from there, but reading that they were originally priced at $x is just plain wrong.

@angelina jolie-laide is a mavericky bish AGAIN: I don't own too many cheap clothing, but line drying is what I do with most of my clothing. (Even ones that say "dry clean" only.) I've never had a problem with shrinkage.

@JaneGalaxy: I hate when they use the plastic tagger and place one side of the I inside of a seam. I'm pretty adament about taking all tags off and I can't take that part of the plastic off without ripping a seam.

@returnonthehoney: I got into an owl phase for awhile (blame Emma from "Glee" and reading blogs).

@Rare Affinity: I don't do vintage, but my style leans towards a lot of those designs. I'm a super shopper with access to some great outlet stores. A majority of my clothing is 80-90% off of the retail price.

It really helps if you don't care too much about the latest trends. I've been finding my own style over the years and basically stick with that.

@demonfafa: I'm not a regular commuter, but there are definitely people who will chat on their phone throughout the whole trip. I don't know how it can be done. Parts of the trip are hella noisy. Then again those same assholes will just talk louder during the noisy parts of the ride.

@ihatediamonds: I believe there are some designers online who will custom make fitted dress shirts for women. I can't think of one, but I'm pretty sure it's more expensive than buying something in-store.

@FelineFraulein: Making your own clothing is hard and time-consuming. I get by with simple alterations such as hemming pants or sleeves.

I don't wear flip-flops because I drive. Any sort of shoe without a back on them is dangerous for driving because they may slip while your foot is on the accelerator/brake.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with eating ramen out of the bag. Here's my (college) "recipe:"

@dustycommercial: 20% is the standard. Some do 10-15%. If you do have less than 20% deposit, you have to pay for PMI (Private Mortgage Insurance).

@dustycommercial: I live in an urban area where the housing bubble wasn't hit as hard. (Federal jobs aren't doing that bad now.) In the height of the bubble, a townhouse started at $300K-$400K. Now they're more like $200K-$300K.

@ihityouinthenose: I've found out going to the edmunds forums to figure out what everyone else was paying was a good start. I did this with two new cars.

@msAnthrope: I totally agree with the housing disconnect. I'm firmly middle class heading towards upper middle based upon my career. Unless I get married to someone of similar or better class status (and can split the costs of living), I don't see myself ever being able to own my own place. (I live in the DC Metro…

@pantsless: I wish it were so. There are many young people who start with the concept that a checkbook (and the modern equivalent is a credit card) is actually free money.

@BuffySummers: There's simply no time for it. I graduated high school ten years ago. There was a half year household financial mangement type class available, but college-bound people preferred to take the economics course instead.

@SomeAuthorGirl: It's definitely true for the credit market. I use rewards credit cards (paid off every month). While I'm quite certain I spend more than I would with cash, I get enough back to justify the overspending I know I do.

@eenmijay: I have that one. It's my "portable" surge protector for my notebook. It's a bit heavy, but the USB chargers mean that I don't have to carry around extra adapters for my phone/mp3 player/eBook reader.

@LolaLane: The man was visibly uncomfortable and soon left the area. The father basically ignored the daughter's comment (she asked the question multiple times).