If your living room walls are more bare than Mother Hubbard's cupboard, you might need to spice things up a bit. "Yes, I do, Dear Designer," you say. "But my last dollar went to Starbucks for that Triple shot, Skinny Cow, Double Chocolate latte!" As I peel you off the wall from your chocolate caffeine high, I recommend easy and cheap ways to add more interest to your walls. Although I will admit that the sight of you hanging off the wall with a chocolate mustache and twitchy eyes WAS interesting!
1. Lots of Frames. Visit your local dollar store or thrift shop and pick up cheap frames and mirrors of assorted sizes and shapes.
2. Remnants. Edge the frames with fringe, braid or even pompom remnants. Get the remnants from the thrift store, local fabric shop or raid your own rag bag. The lace on that old shirt that had a hole in it would work great around the mirror.
3. Paper. Don't have a painting or photo you want to display? Try framing of piece of remnant wallpaper, or a saved piece of wrapping paper, a fabric remnant that has a striking geometric print or even a colorful place mat cut to size (pick up one for a song at that same thrift store).
4. Chalkboards. Check out your child's room or your local thrift shop (yes, I DO spend all my time there!) for assorted chalkboards and arrange them on your wall. Use them for an ever-changing display of your child's art, messages, or caffeine-powered rants.
5. Just Paint. If you just cannot think of anything to put in those frames, paint in coordinating colors and hang them empty on the wall in groups. And if you have a sense of humor, you might frame that bad patch on the wall and pretend the blemish was intentional!
6. Records. Pick up old vinyl records from the thrift shop - particularly bad or scratchy ones because we don't want to ruin the good ones. For the sake of musical history, I recommend using old Lawrence Welk albums. Spray these in bright colors and attach them to the wall as instant graphic elements.
7. Used Canvases. Pick up old, used canvases from failed art projects at the thrift store (and shed a tear for dashed dreams of artistic grandeur), spray paint the whole thing black or white. Then visit the kitchen corner of the thrift shop and pick up all of the wooden spoons, spray paint in bright colors and glue to the canvas in an arrangement of your choice. Hey, its not Matisse, but it works.
See! With a little imagination and some pocket change, you can add life to your living room walls. Now, I wonder what we could do with all those used Starbucks coffee stirrers you have been saving.
Showing posts with label Home. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Home. Show all posts
21.4.09
Save money on Electricity...
Listening to the radio this morning they were talking about ways to eliminate high electricity bills. I figured it was a good sign to cover a topic that I hadn't covered before. I'm about to take that great leap (again ((for the fifth time))) and move into a new place. Taking on utilities bills is something I haven't done in quite a long time, rent for that matter. What better time than the month of April, Earth Day is coming up, to re-evaluate managing what we consume and trim costs on that consumption.
Even if you’re not on the green-movement bandwagon, you might want to look into buying energy efficient compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFL) just to save money on electricity. True, CFLs cost a bit more than regular bulbs, but they consume a third of the power and last up to 10 times as long; that’s good news for the Earth and your wallet.
If your hot water heater is electric, it could account for up to twenty percent of your monthly electric bill. There are, however, several things you can do to reduce the money spent on electricity for hot water. (And don’t worry; they don’t involve taking cold showers!)
First, make sure your water heater is wrapped in a good hot water jacket, which insulates the tank. They’re only $10-$20, so even if you’re renting, offer to pay for one if your landlord will slap it on the tank for you. Next, wash your clothes with cold water whenever possible. While hot water is good for really dirty loads, it can also shrink and fade clothes; usually cold water does laundry just fine.
Finally, ensure that you do laundry and dishes efficiently. Don’t run half loads in the washer or dishwasher if you can help it, and learn to air dry your clothes. Yes, it’s not as fast, but you’ll learn to love not only the electricity you save, but also the crisp and unwrinkled feel of your clothes.
Heating, cooling, and cooking make up about 50% of household energy use. To save on your electricity, go easy on the AC or use a programmable thermostat to start cooling the air a few hours before you get home from work and to go off as the air cools at night and you go to bed.
Ceiling fans and attic fans are great at circulating the air, which can make your home feel many degrees cooler.
Large appliances like your refrigerator, stove, and microwave are other big consumers of electricity. Your fridge can account for 20% of household electricity use. Replacing old appliances with newer energy efficient models may seem like a big expense, but it can pay for itself in a few years. Set your fridge and freezer to lower (warmer) settings and make sure that the doors seal properly. You can do this by taking a piece of paper, your GECU bank statement would work nicely ;), and closing it in your fridge/freezer door. If you're able to move the paper up, down or pull it out, your doors are not sealing properly.
Note: I’ve been hearing a lot lately about unplugging appliances and electronics while you’re gone because they actually drain power even when they’re off. I was skeptical, so I dug around a bit. I found it to be true: Anything that’s plugged in will drain some juice, even when it’s turned off. Turns out, however, that the amount of power is so low that unplugging everything when you’re not home is unlikely to save you more than a dollar on you next electric bill.
Finally, installing low-flow shower heads, toilets, and faucets can reduce your overall hot water usage. Shower heads start at less that $20.
Even if you’re not on the green-movement bandwagon, you might want to look into buying energy efficient compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFL) just to save money on electricity. True, CFLs cost a bit more than regular bulbs, but they consume a third of the power and last up to 10 times as long; that’s good news for the Earth and your wallet.
If your hot water heater is electric, it could account for up to twenty percent of your monthly electric bill. There are, however, several things you can do to reduce the money spent on electricity for hot water. (And don’t worry; they don’t involve taking cold showers!)
First, make sure your water heater is wrapped in a good hot water jacket, which insulates the tank. They’re only $10-$20, so even if you’re renting, offer to pay for one if your landlord will slap it on the tank for you. Next, wash your clothes with cold water whenever possible. While hot water is good for really dirty loads, it can also shrink and fade clothes; usually cold water does laundry just fine.
Finally, ensure that you do laundry and dishes efficiently. Don’t run half loads in the washer or dishwasher if you can help it, and learn to air dry your clothes. Yes, it’s not as fast, but you’ll learn to love not only the electricity you save, but also the crisp and unwrinkled feel of your clothes.
Heating, cooling, and cooking make up about 50% of household energy use. To save on your electricity, go easy on the AC or use a programmable thermostat to start cooling the air a few hours before you get home from work and to go off as the air cools at night and you go to bed.
Ceiling fans and attic fans are great at circulating the air, which can make your home feel many degrees cooler.
Large appliances like your refrigerator, stove, and microwave are other big consumers of electricity. Your fridge can account for 20% of household electricity use. Replacing old appliances with newer energy efficient models may seem like a big expense, but it can pay for itself in a few years. Set your fridge and freezer to lower (warmer) settings and make sure that the doors seal properly. You can do this by taking a piece of paper, your GECU bank statement would work nicely ;), and closing it in your fridge/freezer door. If you're able to move the paper up, down or pull it out, your doors are not sealing properly.
Note: I’ve been hearing a lot lately about unplugging appliances and electronics while you’re gone because they actually drain power even when they’re off. I was skeptical, so I dug around a bit. I found it to be true: Anything that’s plugged in will drain some juice, even when it’s turned off. Turns out, however, that the amount of power is so low that unplugging everything when you’re not home is unlikely to save you more than a dollar on you next electric bill.
Finally, installing low-flow shower heads, toilets, and faucets can reduce your overall hot water usage. Shower heads start at less that $20.
16.4.09
Save money on Toys
I remember writing my christmas lists when I was younger. I filled pages and pages of cutout pictures of toys from the Toys R' Us catalog. Money never figured into my reasoning, Santa was fully capable of bringing me everything I could ever want or need. As a firm believer in Santa Claus, I was never upset when he didn't bring me EVERYTHING. I looked at it as I was giving him a selection to choose from, I was going to be happy with anything he brought. But if you're not Santa, toys can get pretty expensive. So to help with that I give you the ten ways to save money on toys!
Host a toys party. Kids might play with toys for a little while, and then get bored with them. But they're perfectly good toys. To prevent waste, and to save money on getting new toys, invite some friends, family and neighbors to a toys party, asking everyone to bring good toys that they're willing to exchange. Have some food, play games, think up different ways to exchange the toys, and leave with a whole new set of toys, without spending a dime.
Thrift shops. They often have a bad image, but if you check out the thrift shops in your area, you might find that there are some good toys for very cheap. It's worth a look at least.
Rummage sales. You can get some great toys from people who are cleaning out their house or moving. Spend a Saturday looking at different rummage sales in your area. It can be a lot of fun.
Exchange a box with friends. When you notice your kids not playing with toys, just put it in a box in your closet. Ask your close friends to do the same. When the boxes are full, exchange them.
Make your own. Some of the best toys are made by parents. From kites to blocks to forts, if you get creative, you can make some fantastic toys and only spend a fraction of what it would cost to buy. And the best part: your child could help, especially with the decorating.
Shop after Christmas. It's well known that the best deals are the week after Christmas, when the rush is over and stores are trying to get rid of excess inventory. But there are other good sales as well, when stores are closing out, or trying to get rid of old inventory to make way for the new. Keep your eyes open and you can find some great deals.
Green them up. Getting environmentally friendly toys will not only help Planet Earth (and it's never too early to start teaching your kids about the environment), but they're also safer and cheaper in the long run. Avoid harmful PVC material, and look for wood — the toys will last much longer, and are safer for children. Look for simpler toys that don't require batteries. Look for non-toxic paints, and sturdier toys that will last a long time.
Use their imagination. Kids can be amazingly creative. Sometimes they enjoy playing in or with the box the toy comes in more than the toy itself. Give them some paint or beads or glitter and glue, and they can have a blast. Let them play outdoors, and make toys with sticks or other things they find in nature. Make a fort out of bedsheets or a refrigerator box. Let them use their imagination, and old toys can become new again.
Look for coupons or online sites. Do a search here or elsewhere online for discount coupons, or look on Freecycle or Craigslist for some free stuff.
Reduce your need. The best way to save money on something is to learn to need less of it. Talk to your kids about the cycle of consumerism, about always wanting more and newer toys, about how advertising creates a need in us to buy new stuff, about how it's bad for the environment to keep producing and consuming more and more stuff, about how kids in other parts of the world have to go without toys ... and teach them to spend their time helping others instead of wanting to buy stuff for themselves. It's never too early.
How to save money on gas!!!
- Drive less
- Walk, bike, ride the bus or join a carpool.
- Reduce your commute by moving closer to work or working closer to home. This will save time as well as money. You may even be able to save even more money by becoming a one-car family.
- Combine trips. If you can do several short trips in one longer trip, you will save fuel and time. Make lists to avoid having to go back. Call ahead to avoid wasted trips.
- Walk between stops. Once you get into town, some of your stops may be near each other. Park between some or all of them and walk.
- Park in the first spot you find. If you wander all over the parking lot looking for that really close parking space, you'll use more gas. Don't be afraid to walk a ways if it comes to that - the walk will do you good!
- Find good prices
- Don't be brand conscious when buying gas. Buy where you can get the best deal. Regular gas is very much a commodity meaning there isn't any significant difference between any of the brands. In fact, all the brands fill their tanker trucks at whatever refinery is closest and the only difference between "brands" is a few gallons of a proprietary additive package that gets mixed with the fuel loaded to the truck. All additives must meet OEM and EPA performance standards so the only real difference between brands is the audacity of the superior performance claims.
- Use a fuel with the lowest required octane. Low-octane "regular" gas is usually all that is required. Octane is only a rating of the fuel's resistance to engine-damaging pre-ignition ("knock") in high-performance engines (that few people have). Low octane gas is less expensive and a better value if that's all your engine requires. Best case scenario you're wasting money by filling up with a higher than recommended grade of gas. Worst case scenario that high octane fuel is building up damaging carbon deposits in your engine because it's not being burned as completely as lower octane fuel would be. Check your owner's manual to be sure. Modern high performance cars will sometimes recommend higher octane fuels because they are engineered to use those fuels. The use of lower than recommended octane will not make your car explode, the ECM (Engine Control Module, aka:computer) will adjust the fuel injectors and spark timing to save the engine and compensate for you cheaping out at the pump. Those adjustments will consist of retarding the spark (reducing power and efficiency) as well as dumping lots of extra fuel into the cylinders to cool them, potentially costing you more than getting mid grade or premium IF that's what your car requires. Also remember that engines need less octane at higher altitudes. If your engine does not "knock" on regular, paying more for a higher octane rating is a waste since the increased octane makes no significant improvement to gas mileage and it is no better for your engine. All available fuels have detergent and additive packages.
- Apply for a credit card which offers gas savings when you use the card for purchases. This works in much the same way that some credit card companies allow you to earn frequent flyer miles when you use their card for purchases.
- Join a loyalty club. Some gas stations, department stores and grocery stores offer lower prices when you present their membership card. Keep your eyes open and verify that their prices are really lower than other stations in your neighborhood.
- Check the web for deals. With the ever increasing gas prices, use the Internet to find the cheapest gas near you. Some of these sites even offer text messaging capabilities, where they will send you the a text message with the location of the cheapest gas in your area. Here are 3 sites that enable you to search for lower price in your town: MapQuest, GasBuddy.com and GasPriceWatch.com. GasPricesRelief.com now supplies a free gas card valid at most gas stations. But don't drive miles out of your way or wait in excessively long lines (your car gets 0 MPG while stopped and idling.) just for a cheaper station, or you will defeat the purpose.
- Mix octanes. In some areas, the lower octane may be too low for your car and the mid-grade or higher octane may be more than what you need. To avoid overpaying and still get the correct octane for your car you can mix the gas. For example, if your car takes 87 octane and the pumps have 85 octane and 89 octane, then when filling your car, fill half the tank with 85 octane and the other half with 89 octane and this will give you an equivalent of 87 octane plus it will save you money because the lower octane gas costs less.
Determine whether gas with ethanol is right for your vehicle- If there is a high proportion of ethanol, the lower energy content of the fuel will almost always lower mileage.
- Fuel with ethanol may be less expensive than standard gas, but consider the reduced fuel economy. You may or may not save money by filling up with cheaper (subsidized) ethanol blended fuel. You first need to know if, and how much your fuel economy suffers on ethanol blended fuel vs. non-ethanol fuel. You then need to calculate your fuel cost per mile (or km) for each fuel.
- Ethanol is not much better for the environment, because only ethanol made with sugar cane is more fuel efficient from the harvesting and processing than regular gas. Fuels with ethanol additives can corrode fuel lines in vehicles not designed with ethanol fuels in mind, but E10 and E20 do not damage your engine.
- Don't refill your tank until the last quarter tank but don't push this any further. Doing this can extend your gas because you are hauling a lighter fuel load. It also gives you the opportunity to buy more gas if you run across a bargain. However, in cold weather, you run an increased risk of condensation in the fuel tank. Running a car with less than a quarter tank can shorten the life of the electric fuel pump and running on empty will often destroy the pump because it is forced to run constantly trying to pressurize fuel since it often has access to only air. The hard-running pump motor then overheats because it needs a bath of liquid fuel to transfer operational heat to and it also loses pressure building ability because its internal seals needs gas to lubricate against friction. Keeping the tank one-quarter full also is a safety issue as you never know when you might experience an emergency and need gasoline in your car!
- Fill the tank full. If you need to fill up, fill up all the way. The more money you try to save by adding $10 today and then $20 tomorrow will be wasted since each time you will have to travel to the station and wait for a pump. Instead, do it all at once to save time and money.
- Don't top off the tank. It is wasted money and bad for the environment because it invariably forces liquid fuel into the evaporative emissions system where it overwhelms circuits that are supposed to only route fuel tank vapors to the engine while it is running and can be burned.
- Buy gas on Wednesday. Gas prices are statistically the cheapest on Wednesdays, but this is only statistically true over a large number of days. It won't be true every week.
- Buy gas three days before a holiday. Gas prices almost always go up for holidays.
- Take care of your car
Give your car a tune up. Properly maintaining your car will keep your car running as efficiently as possible.- Change the oil regularly. Use a synthetic oil instead of mineral oil. This will cause your engine to run better and give you better mileage.
- Upgrade your air filter. More efficient brands of air filters cost a little more but will pay for themselves in most vehicles in fuel savings. Check it every oil change and change it regularly. Clogged air filters cause engines to work overtime which requires more fuel.
- Use a fuel injector cleaner or complete fuel system treatment occasionally. Not only will you see a boost in gas mileage, but in your car's overall performance. Fouled injectors vaporize fuel poorly, affecting how completely the fuel is burned.
- Upgrade your tires. Low resistance tires, such as Michelin Energy MX 4 Plus claim to increase gas mileage.
- Check the air pressure in the tires every week. Buy an inexpensive air pump and an accurate tire gauge. Keep all tires inflated to the pressure as recommended for your car.
- Clean out any unnecessary items in your car. If you have heavy objects in your car that you don't need, remove them. If your car is lighter, it will use less fuel to get where you're going.
- Remove unneeded racks. If you have a bicycle or ski rack, remove it when you're not using it. It causes drag and lowers mileage.
- Buy a different car
- Buy a diesel. Diesel cars can often get better mileage than comparable hybrids. Getting a diesel car also allows for use of bio-diesel or even waste vegetable oil (WVO/SVO) fuel.
Buy a hybrid. Not only do hybrids give you immediate savings at the pump, the U.S. government and your local state offer tax breaks for people who use gas-saving cars. Federal deductions for using gas-saving cars can be as high as $2,000, but check before buying to see if they're still in effect. Also, check with your insurance company because Hybrids have higher insurance rates.- Buy a smaller car. Generally speaking, smaller cars are lighter and get better mileage.
- Buy a motorcycle or scooter instead of a car. They are cheaper and often get 70 MPG or better. Riding gear is available for most weather conditions. A good example is the Kawasaki EX250, which costs about $3,000, gets 60-70 MPG at highway speeds, and can go 0-60 MPH in under 6 seconds!
- Drive smarter
- Avoid idling. While idling, your car gets exactly 0 miles per gallon while starting the car uses the same amount as idling for 6 seconds. Park your car and go into the restaurant rather than idling in the drive-through. Idling with the air conditioning on also uses extra fuel. Also, avoid going so fast that you have to brake for someone. Whenever you brake, you waste the gas it took to get going that fast.
- Plan a Road Trip">Plan your trips in advance. This can prevent wasting fuel and wasting time. Plan to use alternative routes. Often back roads can prevent you from stopping at traffic lights and more importantly sitting in traffic jams. Try to schedule your trips and errands when traffic is lighter.
- Use a global positioning system (GPS) to help you navigate and find the fastest and shortest distance to your destination. Avoiding hills and stops will increase your gas mileage.
- Drive at a consistent speed. Avoid quick acceleration and hard braking. Cruise control will keep you at a constant speed, even when going up and down hills.
- Avoid stops. If approaching a red light, see if you can slow down enough to avoid having to actually stop (because you reach the light after it is green). Speeding up from 5 or 10 miles per hour will be easier on the gas than starting from full stop.
- Anticipate the stop signs and lights. Look far ahead; get to know your usual routes. You can let up on the gas earlier. Coasting to a stop will save the gasoline you would otherwise use maintaining your speed longer. If it just gets you to the end of a line of cars at a red light or a stop sign a few seconds later, it won't add any time to your trip. Ditto for coasting to lose speed before a highway off-ramp: if it means you catch up with that truck halfway around the curve instead of at the beginning, you haven't lost any time. In many cities, if you know the streets well, you can time the lights and maintain the appropriate speed to hit all green lights. Usually this is about 35 to 40 MPH.
- Maintain a safe following distance. Don't stick to the bumper of the car directly in front of you. You will brake more and accelerate more to keep that unnecessary and dangerous narrow gap. This also gives you a lot more room to play with when you are timing traffic signals. Likewise, "Handle Tailgaters on the Road">ignore tailgaters. They will tailgate you whether you go the speed limit, or 100MPH over the speed limit. Allow them pass when it's convenient.
- Slow down. Air resistance goes up as the square of velocity. The power consumed to overcome that air resistance goes up as the cube of the velocity. Rolling resistance is the dominant force below about 40 mph. Above that, every mph costs you mileage. Go as slow as traffic and your schedule will allow. Drive under 60-65 since air grows exponentially denser, in the aerodynamic sense, the faster we drive. To be precise, the most efficient speed is your car's minimum speed in it's highest gear, since this provides the best "speed per RPM" ratio. This is usually about 45 to 55 miles per hour.
- Take off slowly from a full stop. This is one adjustment that will have dramatic effects on your gas mileage; don't tear off from a stoplight or stop sign!
- Stay well away from store fronts where you will spend significantly more time idling and waiting for pedestrians and other vehicles.
- Use A/C only on the highway. At lower speeds, open the windows. This increased the drag and reduces fuel efficiency, but not as much as the AC at low speeds (35-40 mph). The air con - when used a lot - is known to use up about 8% of the fuel you put into your car.
- Shift into neutral if you are not comfortable with downshifting. Standard transmission vehicles may save gas by shifting into neutral when going down hills steep enough to maintain speed (although engine braking is safer on steeper declines). Do not do this in a Hybrid car, they use this "regenerative engine braking" to generate electricity and charge the batteries. NOTE: This strategy will result in more wear and tear on your brakes. Neither of these strategies is recommended for normal automatic cars. Also, if you own a car with fuel injection, it is more efficient to keep the car in a high gear while going down hills. Simply take your foot off the gas.
- Park in the shade. Gasoline actually evaporates right out of your tank, and it does so faster when you park directly in the sun - winter or summer. Parking in the shade also keeps it cooler inside, and you will need less A/C to cool off when you get back in. If there is no shade available, park so that your gas tank (the actual tank under the car, not the valve to fill it) is facing away from the direct sun. Also, today's fuel systems are supposed to be airtight. Your gas cap should have a seal in it. Make sure that the seal is keeping the fumes in and outside air out.
2.4.09
Save money, stay beautiful
Since most of us are forced to be recessionistas at the moment, I thought I would share with you some of my beauty tricks that have been passed down to me by my mom and some of my friends. I didn’t always use them before, however, I’ve been trying to stick to a budget lately and they sure do come in handy. Believe me ladies, being sexy on a budget has never been so easy.
So, here are the five money saving beauty tricks
1. Mascara magic. When your mascara dries out, hold it under hot water for 5 minutes and it will be just like a new one, so you don’t have to buy one as often anymore.
2. Stretch your shampoo and conditioner with water. It’s been proved in many studies that most shampoos and conditioners are too concentrated to begin with. So why not save money by cutting them both down with water.
3. Do not buy any more scrubs. DIY by mixing brown sugar and honey which can then be used as a natural/effective scrub on your face and body.
4. Nail polish revival. Do you have a lot of old, dry nail polishes? Well, you can give them a second life by adding a bit of nail polish remover with acetone.
5. No more makeup removing wipes. Just use baby wipes instead to remove your make up. I’ve done a bit of research on the subject and here is an article proving that it’s absolutely safe to do so, plus it costs 70% less.
I hope you found these helpful and I would love to hear about some of your beauty tricks.
24.3.09
You give me fever...
I had the unfortunate luck to contract a ferocious food poisoning bug... from tofu curry. I'm not sure how it is possible, but let me tell you... its worse than ferocious. Spent the good portion of four days resting at home or in bed.
So I thought today's post would be about saving money, as always, but not skimping on the things you desperately need in case of emergency illness. Because it is great to save money and preventative maintenance (my term for the decade) is the best way to save money on unnecessary hospital or doctors visits.
In case of ferocious food poisoning (not limited to tofu curry)
*Time to rest- It is better to miss one or two days of work to stay at home and feel better than to have to spend your entire work week recuperating from the illness you let spiral out of control.
*A OTC medicine that reduces fever- Follow the directions on the bottle, no matter how crummy you feel you don't want to cause anymore damage or stress to your body by taking to much. These miracle pills will help keep your fever low and will satiate the need to rip your throbbing brain from your skull. Its graphic, but you'll know when you're there.
*Chicken noodle soup- Being a vegetarian, I didn't get to utilize this aspect of treatment, but it has renown healing properties in the chicken and the broth. It is light enough that it just might stay down but hearty enough that your body can draw enough nutrients to fight back.
*Cold drinks/Hot Drinks- If you're fever is ferocious, you'll know this too, you'll experience hot and cold flashes like your grandma said she was experiencing as she went through the change you'll want some cold drinks for the hot flashes and the hot drinks for your cold sweats. Old wives would tell you to drink clear soda, but studies have shown that the darker ones are better at soothing your rumbling tumblies (my mom's term... think I'll adopt that one too) so drink up. For your hot drinks, stay away from anything dairy including any creamer you might pop into your coffee or tea. And remember LOTS AND LOTS OF WATER. Part of your raging headache is because you're not hydrating enough and your body needs to remain hydrated if you want to spend the least amount of time being ill.
*Shower, shower, shower- As soon as you feel your body temperature rising, hop in the shower for a few minutes to attempt to keep yourself cool. Before you go to bed for the evening, hop in the shower in anticipation of another fever while you sleep. When you wake up in the morning, shower if you feel sweaty because well sanitation is also something we should keep in mind when we're sick... or not.
Keep in mind that you might also be contagious, in case it isn't the ferocious food poisioning, and take precautions to not spread it to your family.
Other types of emergencies that we need not skimp over may involve having a useful first-aid kit in your house. Stock it once, frown at the price, and move on. Keep it well stocked and know what to use when (most come with an instruction booklet) and rest in the knowledge that it would have cost you about $50.00 an item at the ER.
Include the following in each of your first-aid kits:
* first-aid manual
* sterile gauze
* adhesive tape
* adhesive bandages in several sizes
* elastic bandage
* antiseptic wipes
* soap
* antibiotic cream (triple-antibiotic ointment)
* antiseptic solution (like hydrogen peroxide)
* hydrocortisone cream (1%)
* acetaminophen and ibuprofen
* extra prescription medications (if the family is going on vacation)
* tweezers
* sharp scissors
* safety pins
* disposable instant cold packs
* calamine lotion
* alcohol wipes or ethyl alcohol
* thermometer
* plastic gloves (at least 2 pairs)
* flashlight and extra batteries
* mouthpiece for administering CPR (can be obtained from your local Red Cross)
* your list of emergency phone numbers
* blanket (stored nearby)
Visit youtube.com to learn how to perfrom CPR or the Heimlich maneuver.
AND STAY HEALTHY!!! :)
So I thought today's post would be about saving money, as always, but not skimping on the things you desperately need in case of emergency illness. Because it is great to save money and preventative maintenance (my term for the decade) is the best way to save money on unnecessary hospital or doctors visits.
In case of ferocious food poisoning (not limited to tofu curry)
*Time to rest- It is better to miss one or two days of work to stay at home and feel better than to have to spend your entire work week recuperating from the illness you let spiral out of control.
*A OTC medicine that reduces fever- Follow the directions on the bottle, no matter how crummy you feel you don't want to cause anymore damage or stress to your body by taking to much. These miracle pills will help keep your fever low and will satiate the need to rip your throbbing brain from your skull. Its graphic, but you'll know when you're there.
*Chicken noodle soup- Being a vegetarian, I didn't get to utilize this aspect of treatment, but it has renown healing properties in the chicken and the broth. It is light enough that it just might stay down but hearty enough that your body can draw enough nutrients to fight back.
*Cold drinks/Hot Drinks- If you're fever is ferocious, you'll know this too, you'll experience hot and cold flashes like your grandma said she was experiencing as she went through the change you'll want some cold drinks for the hot flashes and the hot drinks for your cold sweats. Old wives would tell you to drink clear soda, but studies have shown that the darker ones are better at soothing your rumbling tumblies (my mom's term... think I'll adopt that one too) so drink up. For your hot drinks, stay away from anything dairy including any creamer you might pop into your coffee or tea. And remember LOTS AND LOTS OF WATER. Part of your raging headache is because you're not hydrating enough and your body needs to remain hydrated if you want to spend the least amount of time being ill.
*Shower, shower, shower- As soon as you feel your body temperature rising, hop in the shower for a few minutes to attempt to keep yourself cool. Before you go to bed for the evening, hop in the shower in anticipation of another fever while you sleep. When you wake up in the morning, shower if you feel sweaty because well sanitation is also something we should keep in mind when we're sick... or not.
Keep in mind that you might also be contagious, in case it isn't the ferocious food poisioning, and take precautions to not spread it to your family.
Other types of emergencies that we need not skimp over may involve having a useful first-aid kit in your house. Stock it once, frown at the price, and move on. Keep it well stocked and know what to use when (most come with an instruction booklet) and rest in the knowledge that it would have cost you about $50.00 an item at the ER.
Include the following in each of your first-aid kits:
* first-aid manual
* sterile gauze
* adhesive tape
* adhesive bandages in several sizes
* elastic bandage
* antiseptic wipes
* soap
* antibiotic cream (triple-antibiotic ointment)
* antiseptic solution (like hydrogen peroxide)
* hydrocortisone cream (1%)
* acetaminophen and ibuprofen
* extra prescription medications (if the family is going on vacation)
* tweezers
* sharp scissors
* safety pins
* disposable instant cold packs
* calamine lotion
* alcohol wipes or ethyl alcohol
* thermometer
* plastic gloves (at least 2 pairs)
* flashlight and extra batteries
* mouthpiece for administering CPR (can be obtained from your local Red Cross)
* your list of emergency phone numbers
* blanket (stored nearby)
Visit youtube.com to learn how to perfrom CPR or the Heimlich maneuver.
AND STAY HEALTHY!!! :)
18.3.09
Use what you got!
Where I have noticed the biggest impact of smaller expenses is with food. I don’t have much time to actually slip into the kitchen and whip something up. Dinner for me is chips and salsa or whatever my boyfriend has on hand. But if I want a full meal, I have only limited options on my time restraints: fast food or restaurant food. Both are expenses I could do without and both are just downright horrible for you.
So I went on a mission! A mission to find recipes that involve only using things I already had on hand and were easy enough that a person with all thumbs like me, could manage to whip up. I designated a cooking night, had my recipes and went to work. And it all turned out fantastic!!!
So if you’re looking for a few recipes involving anything in your cupboard, fridge or freezer, please check out Mommy’s Kitchen for more recipes like the ones below!
Fall Off The Bone Ribs
These are the ingredients you will need: Country Style Pork Ribs, BBQ Sauce any brand, Brown Sugar, Honey, Seasoning of choice, Apple Juice or Beer and Foil.
Take a broiler pan and fill the bottom section of the broiler pan about half full of Beer or Apple Juice. On the top section (the part with the slits) lay out your ribs. You may add a rub or sauce at this time or leave them plain. Use Seasoning Salt, Emeril Essence Spice or whatever spices you have on hand will work.
Cover the pan with foil and fold edges under to seal in the steam as they cook. Place in a 300 oven for 2 ½ to 3 hours. Remove foil carefully as steam will be hot. Now all the grease is down in the bottom of the pan with the beer or apple juice, the ribs are completely cooked and tender.
All you need to do is finish them up on the grill or under the broiler with sauce. Add honey and brown sugar to any barbecue sauce. For grill place ribs on grill and coat with you favorite sauce. Grill on each side just a few minutes until crispy. For broiler, Add barbecue sauce and broil for a few minutes on each side. Watch closely because sugar in the BBQ sauce will burn quickly.
Cheesy Au Gratin Potatoes
1 Recipe Basic white sauce (recipe below)
1 1/2 Cups Cubed Velveeta Cheese or Shredded Cheddar Cheese
(I used Velveeta)
6 - Medium Potatoes, Peeled cooked and cut into 1/4 inch slices
1/2 Cup plain Bread Crumbs
1/2 tsp Salt
1/4 tsp Pepper
2 T. Margarine (Melted to use with bread crumbs for topping)
Boil potatoes, cool, peel and slice into 1/4 inch slices. Place potatoes in a greased 2 qt. casserole dish. In a separate sauce pan prepare white sauce. (recipe below) Stir in cheese salt and pepper cook and stir until cheese is melted. gently add cheese sauce to the potatoes and turn gently to coat. Mix bread crumbs and melted butter sprinkle over potatoes. Cover and bake at 350 for 20 minutes. Uncover and bake 5-10 additional minutes till bread crumb topping is golden brown.
Basic White Sauce
2 Tablespoons butter or margarine
2 Tablespoons all purpose flour
salt and pepper
1 1/4 cups milk
In saucepan over medium heat melt butter. whisk in the flour salt and pepper until smooth. gradually add milk Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes. until thickened; use immediately.
So I went on a mission! A mission to find recipes that involve only using things I already had on hand and were easy enough that a person with all thumbs like me, could manage to whip up. I designated a cooking night, had my recipes and went to work. And it all turned out fantastic!!!
So if you’re looking for a few recipes involving anything in your cupboard, fridge or freezer, please check out Mommy’s Kitchen for more recipes like the ones below!
Fall Off The Bone Ribs
These are the ingredients you will need: Country Style Pork Ribs, BBQ Sauce any brand, Brown Sugar, Honey, Seasoning of choice, Apple Juice or Beer and Foil.
Take a broiler pan and fill the bottom section of the broiler pan about half full of Beer or Apple Juice. On the top section (the part with the slits) lay out your ribs. You may add a rub or sauce at this time or leave them plain. Use Seasoning Salt, Emeril Essence Spice or whatever spices you have on hand will work.
Cover the pan with foil and fold edges under to seal in the steam as they cook. Place in a 300 oven for 2 ½ to 3 hours. Remove foil carefully as steam will be hot. Now all the grease is down in the bottom of the pan with the beer or apple juice, the ribs are completely cooked and tender.
All you need to do is finish them up on the grill or under the broiler with sauce. Add honey and brown sugar to any barbecue sauce. For grill place ribs on grill and coat with you favorite sauce. Grill on each side just a few minutes until crispy. For broiler, Add barbecue sauce and broil for a few minutes on each side. Watch closely because sugar in the BBQ sauce will burn quickly.
Cheesy Au Gratin Potatoes
1 Recipe Basic white sauce (recipe below)
1 1/2 Cups Cubed Velveeta Cheese or Shredded Cheddar Cheese
(I used Velveeta)
6 - Medium Potatoes, Peeled cooked and cut into 1/4 inch slices
1/2 Cup plain Bread Crumbs
1/2 tsp Salt
1/4 tsp Pepper
2 T. Margarine (Melted to use with bread crumbs for topping)
Boil potatoes, cool, peel and slice into 1/4 inch slices. Place potatoes in a greased 2 qt. casserole dish. In a separate sauce pan prepare white sauce. (recipe below) Stir in cheese salt and pepper cook and stir until cheese is melted. gently add cheese sauce to the potatoes and turn gently to coat. Mix bread crumbs and melted butter sprinkle over potatoes. Cover and bake at 350 for 20 minutes. Uncover and bake 5-10 additional minutes till bread crumb topping is golden brown.
Basic White Sauce
2 Tablespoons butter or margarine
2 Tablespoons all purpose flour
salt and pepper
1 1/4 cups milk
In saucepan over medium heat melt butter. whisk in the flour salt and pepper until smooth. gradually add milk Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes. until thickened; use immediately.
13.3.09
Don't waste it! Plan, reuse and save!
On average, American households waste 14 percent of their food purchases. That is a huge amount if your household matches the average. This means that for every $100 you spend on your groceries, $14 worth of it turns into wasted food.
By learning a few tips and techniques, you can cut down on food wastage, and possibly even completely eliminate your food wasting habits.
1 Good Meal Planning
As mentioned in the article "Grocery Shopping on a Budget", meal planning is one of the most important ways to reduce your food wastage. Before shopping, plan every meal for the week and write the shopping list accordingly. This should prevent you from buying foods that will not be used, and therefore, not ending the week with excess garbage. When planning your meals, consider how much time you will have available for meal preparation in order to ensure that it is realistic for you to stick to the plans.
Be sure to check your fridge and freezer before writing your shopping list. There may be some items that you already have, or there may be some leftover produce that you could make use of by adjusting the meal plans.
2 Keep the Fridge in Order
To ensure good food waste management, clean and organize your fridge often. This way, you will be aware of what food you have leftover, and what needs to be used quickly. Keep the older produce towards the front so that it gets used first. Dedicate one shelf to leftovers, again with the older items in the front.
3 Food Waste Log
Keep a food waste log on the fridge. Every time you throw out food, write down what it is and estimate it's cost. You will soon learn which foods you are buying too much of and how much it is costing you. Start adjusting your shopping list accordingly, and work on reducing the costs of your food waste.
4 Food Approaching Best Before Date
It is important to consume this food before it goes bad. The first approach would be to attempt to use the soon to be bad food in an upcoming meal. With vegetables, you could consider cooking and storing them in a container. This will give you a few more days in which to use them. Milk, meat, bread, berries, and leftovers from previous dinners can all be frozen.
5 Using Leftovers
No matter how well you plan, you may still end up with leftovers from your dinners. Should this be the case, be sure to immediately place them in covered containers and store. If you plan to eat the leftovers within a few days, put them on your “leftover shelf” in the fridge. Otherwise, store them in the freezer for use within a few weeks.
6 Leftover Night
One way to get rid of leftovers is to have a weekly leftover night. All the leftovers that you have accumulated in the week can be served buffet style. You may need to cook a couple of additional items depending on how much leftovers you have, but this would still be an excellent way of using up all your old food and cutting down on food wastage.
7 Keep the Freezer in Order
Even in the freezer, food will eventually go bad. Although the frozen foods will last a while, it is still a good idea to occasionally use up all this food from time to time. This way, you won’t have frozen items at the bottom of your freezer slowly going to waste.
8 Canned and Dried Foods
As with the foods in the fridge, keep the older canned and dried foods at the front of your shelves and cupboards to ensure that they get used. These foods do have a long shelf life, but they don't last forever. When you open packets of dry food, nuts, flour, grains, etc. seal the packets tightly or transfer to air tight containers. Otherwise, the food may go stale or attract bugs.
9 Save the Bread
There are plenty of options for soon-to-be bad bread. If you have not already frozen it and the bread has gone stale but without traces of mold, consider using it to make croutons, bread crumbs, or even french toast.
10 Broths
If you have vegetable or meat scraps, you can use them to make a broth. They are easy to make and can be used in soups and stews amongst other things. It is also an excellent way to cut down on food waste.
By learning a few tips and techniques, you can cut down on food wastage, and possibly even completely eliminate your food wasting habits.
1 Good Meal Planning
As mentioned in the article "Grocery Shopping on a Budget", meal planning is one of the most important ways to reduce your food wastage. Before shopping, plan every meal for the week and write the shopping list accordingly. This should prevent you from buying foods that will not be used, and therefore, not ending the week with excess garbage. When planning your meals, consider how much time you will have available for meal preparation in order to ensure that it is realistic for you to stick to the plans.
Be sure to check your fridge and freezer before writing your shopping list. There may be some items that you already have, or there may be some leftover produce that you could make use of by adjusting the meal plans.
2 Keep the Fridge in Order
To ensure good food waste management, clean and organize your fridge often. This way, you will be aware of what food you have leftover, and what needs to be used quickly. Keep the older produce towards the front so that it gets used first. Dedicate one shelf to leftovers, again with the older items in the front.
3 Food Waste Log
Keep a food waste log on the fridge. Every time you throw out food, write down what it is and estimate it's cost. You will soon learn which foods you are buying too much of and how much it is costing you. Start adjusting your shopping list accordingly, and work on reducing the costs of your food waste.
4 Food Approaching Best Before Date
It is important to consume this food before it goes bad. The first approach would be to attempt to use the soon to be bad food in an upcoming meal. With vegetables, you could consider cooking and storing them in a container. This will give you a few more days in which to use them. Milk, meat, bread, berries, and leftovers from previous dinners can all be frozen.
5 Using Leftovers
No matter how well you plan, you may still end up with leftovers from your dinners. Should this be the case, be sure to immediately place them in covered containers and store. If you plan to eat the leftovers within a few days, put them on your “leftover shelf” in the fridge. Otherwise, store them in the freezer for use within a few weeks.
6 Leftover Night
One way to get rid of leftovers is to have a weekly leftover night. All the leftovers that you have accumulated in the week can be served buffet style. You may need to cook a couple of additional items depending on how much leftovers you have, but this would still be an excellent way of using up all your old food and cutting down on food wastage.
7 Keep the Freezer in Order
Even in the freezer, food will eventually go bad. Although the frozen foods will last a while, it is still a good idea to occasionally use up all this food from time to time. This way, you won’t have frozen items at the bottom of your freezer slowly going to waste.
8 Canned and Dried Foods
As with the foods in the fridge, keep the older canned and dried foods at the front of your shelves and cupboards to ensure that they get used. These foods do have a long shelf life, but they don't last forever. When you open packets of dry food, nuts, flour, grains, etc. seal the packets tightly or transfer to air tight containers. Otherwise, the food may go stale or attract bugs.
9 Save the Bread
There are plenty of options for soon-to-be bad bread. If you have not already frozen it and the bread has gone stale but without traces of mold, consider using it to make croutons, bread crumbs, or even french toast.
10 Broths
If you have vegetable or meat scraps, you can use them to make a broth. They are easy to make and can be used in soups and stews amongst other things. It is also an excellent way to cut down on food waste.
10.3.09
Declutter and Save!
Ways to Sell Clutter and Junk
Most off us have clutter and junk in our homes that we would like to get rid off. A lot of this clutter can actually be worth something, and with this article you will find out how sell your clutter and junk.
Maybe you or other people in your household have a habit of building up clutter. Maybe you have items which you have outgrown, lost interest with, or just no longer need, all packed into a closet or taking up space in the garage.
Well, if you consider the phrase "one man's junk is another man's treasure," then you could could be sitting on a small gold mine.
There are a few different ways that you can sell your unused items. With a little bit of work and preparation, you can get rid of your clutter and also earn yourself a tidy sum while doing so.
Get Rid of Clutter Online
Pretty much anything can be sold online, from broken electronics to houses, from chicken suits to lampshades. Of course, if you have many items, it can be very time consuming, especially if you are not used to using online tools to sell items.
eBay is of course the most commonly used auction site, and is very useful when trying to clear out clutter from the home. eBay has a market place for almost any item, with only very few exceptions. Through ebay, you can sometimes sell items for much more than you could anywhere else.Works For: Almost Anything (some exceptions being - wild animals, firearms and fake or counterfeit currencies) .
Buymytronics and Gazelle, are websites that pay you to recycle your aged and junk electronics. If you have an old cell phone lying around, or a faulty vhs player, then you may be able to get some money for it. Works For: Used and faulty electronics.
Craigslist has in recent years taken the place of old fashioned newspaper classifieds. Listings are free and can be made quickly. Selling is localized which is very useful for bigger items that need to be picked up rather than shipped.
You can use specialized sites such as Amazon, Cash4Books or Half, to sell old books, cds, video games and movies. Works For: Used Books, CDs and other media.
Yard Sales and Flea Markets
For a way to sell clutter and junk relatively quickly, and without having to spend hours typing out item descriptions online, yard sales and flea markets would be your best option. Preparation is required for a successful sale, but the process can be enjoyable and worthwhile. You may be surprised at what you are able to sell. Works For: Anything.
Consignment Stores
Try getting rid of clutter by taking it to consignment stores (also known as second hand stores). They will offer you a portion of the proceeds from the sale of any item that you bring in to them. Payment will not usually be made until if and when the item sells. Works For: Clothing, Books, Furniture, Sports Equipment, Household Items,Toys.
Auctions
For clutter of value, such as jewelry or furniture, it may be worthwhile going through an auctioneer. It will often be necessary to get the jewelry or antique, appraised beforehand. Works For: Quality Jewelry and Furniture.
Antique and Collectible Dealers
If you suspect that you have antique or collectible items, then search for your nearby dealers and see how much they will offer you. It is possible that you would earn less than you would by selling the items yourself, but it could be a lot quicker and easier. Works For: Antiques and Collective Items.
Newspapers
People still do check the classified sections of newspapers, so this is still a worthwhile tip for selling your junk and clutter. You will generally have to pay to list in the classifieds, plus you will be limited to the number of words you can print, but it reaches the buyers who do not use the internet. Works For: Anything
Other Ways for Getting Rid of Clutter
Bring your junk into Pawn Shops for a quick sale. They won't take any type of junk though, and don't expect to get the true value of the item, or even close to it. The big advantage is that is is quick and easy.
If you have musical instruments for sale, try contacting the music director at Local Schools. They are often looking for discounted instruments.
The same technique may also work for used computer equipment. Contact local schools and colleges and see if they have a need for them.
If you have old appliances that don't work, you may be able to trade them in for cash by taking them to local recycling centers.
If you have barely used baby toys and clothes. Try listing them through Parental Websites.
Most off us have clutter and junk in our homes that we would like to get rid off. A lot of this clutter can actually be worth something, and with this article you will find out how sell your clutter and junk.
Maybe you or other people in your household have a habit of building up clutter. Maybe you have items which you have outgrown, lost interest with, or just no longer need, all packed into a closet or taking up space in the garage.
Well, if you consider the phrase "one man's junk is another man's treasure," then you could could be sitting on a small gold mine.
There are a few different ways that you can sell your unused items. With a little bit of work and preparation, you can get rid of your clutter and also earn yourself a tidy sum while doing so.
Get Rid of Clutter Online
Pretty much anything can be sold online, from broken electronics to houses, from chicken suits to lampshades. Of course, if you have many items, it can be very time consuming, especially if you are not used to using online tools to sell items.
eBay is of course the most commonly used auction site, and is very useful when trying to clear out clutter from the home. eBay has a market place for almost any item, with only very few exceptions. Through ebay, you can sometimes sell items for much more than you could anywhere else.Works For: Almost Anything (some exceptions being - wild animals, firearms and fake or counterfeit currencies) .
Buymytronics and Gazelle, are websites that pay you to recycle your aged and junk electronics. If you have an old cell phone lying around, or a faulty vhs player, then you may be able to get some money for it. Works For: Used and faulty electronics.
Craigslist has in recent years taken the place of old fashioned newspaper classifieds. Listings are free and can be made quickly. Selling is localized which is very useful for bigger items that need to be picked up rather than shipped.
You can use specialized sites such as Amazon, Cash4Books or Half, to sell old books, cds, video games and movies. Works For: Used Books, CDs and other media.
Yard Sales and Flea Markets
For a way to sell clutter and junk relatively quickly, and without having to spend hours typing out item descriptions online, yard sales and flea markets would be your best option. Preparation is required for a successful sale, but the process can be enjoyable and worthwhile. You may be surprised at what you are able to sell. Works For: Anything.
Consignment Stores
Try getting rid of clutter by taking it to consignment stores (also known as second hand stores). They will offer you a portion of the proceeds from the sale of any item that you bring in to them. Payment will not usually be made until if and when the item sells. Works For: Clothing, Books, Furniture, Sports Equipment, Household Items,Toys.
Auctions
For clutter of value, such as jewelry or furniture, it may be worthwhile going through an auctioneer. It will often be necessary to get the jewelry or antique, appraised beforehand. Works For: Quality Jewelry and Furniture.
Antique and Collectible Dealers
If you suspect that you have antique or collectible items, then search for your nearby dealers and see how much they will offer you. It is possible that you would earn less than you would by selling the items yourself, but it could be a lot quicker and easier. Works For: Antiques and Collective Items.
Newspapers
People still do check the classified sections of newspapers, so this is still a worthwhile tip for selling your junk and clutter. You will generally have to pay to list in the classifieds, plus you will be limited to the number of words you can print, but it reaches the buyers who do not use the internet. Works For: Anything
Other Ways for Getting Rid of Clutter
Bring your junk into Pawn Shops for a quick sale. They won't take any type of junk though, and don't expect to get the true value of the item, or even close to it. The big advantage is that is is quick and easy.
If you have musical instruments for sale, try contacting the music director at Local Schools. They are often looking for discounted instruments.
The same technique may also work for used computer equipment. Contact local schools and colleges and see if they have a need for them.
If you have old appliances that don't work, you may be able to trade them in for cash by taking them to local recycling centers.
If you have barely used baby toys and clothes. Try listing them through Parental Websites.
5.3.09
COUPONS!
Is clipping and using the grocery coupons in the Sunday newspaper a waste of time? No! Using coupons, smart shoppers have learned how to live on a grocery budget of $50.00 a week! Savings may be small in the beginning but with knowledge, time and practice coupon shoppers are saving more than ever imagined. Even if you don't NEED to pinch your pennies, you can still have more than you ever thought you could!
Accumulate Coupons
The first step to these terrific savings and successful coupon use is accumulating coupons. Each week there are usually two different coupon inserts in metropolitan newspapers with a third insert available once a month. Having multiples of each coupon enables a shopper to take advantage of the great deals in bulk. This helps build a food storage. Obtaining multiples of coupons is not difficult. Family, friends, neighbors and co-workers are great sources for obtaining multiple coupon inserts. There's a great trading forum here at PinchingYourPennies.com, where you can trade the coupons from Sunday paper that you can't use, for coupons that you can.
Another source of coupons is the internet. Printable coupons and coupon offers can be found at many manufacturer and coupon related websites. Many manufacturers also offer coupons which are sent post mail.
Additional coupons and in-store savings can be found at most grocery stores. Coupons commonly called blinkies are available in red machines set up in aisles in the stores. Also, apply for grocery store courtesy cards. Most grocery chains have these complimentary cards which provide extra discounts and savings at their stores. These discounts can be combined with coupons for maximum savings.
Get Organized
The second step to successful coupon use is organization. There is a variety of ways to organize and maintain coupons. Successful coupon users have a place to keep and organize the coupons. This can be a box, binder or flexible file. Plastic flex-type coupon organizers can be purchased at many stores. Many coupon users make their own binders using a zippered binder filled with photo pages or sports card pages. A box with dividers can be made or purchased. Whatever is used, the coupons are divided and placed in categories which provide for easy location while shopping.
There are many methods to saving and cutting the coupons and inserts. Some coupon users will cut all coupons and file them in their coupon organizer. This way all of the coupons are available when shopping. If a surprise deal or sale is found, the coupon is ready. Others cut only the coupons they are sure to use and leave the rest in the coupon inserts. When a sale or deal on a specific item occurs, they can go back to the insert and cut the needed coupons. If doing this, find a way to file and organize the inserts. Print or write out a list of which coupons are in each insert.
What is Food Storage?
The third and most powerful step to successful coupon use is called building a food storage. When a great deal is found, buy in bulk. This is why accumulating multiple coupons is necessary. Buying a lot of one thing at a great price can lead to never having to pay full price again. For example, buying six months of cereal at a great price means cereal will not need to be purchased again until you run out. This can be done with many food items and most household goods.
Use Coupons Wisely
Using coupons wisely is another key to successful coupon use. There are many ways to do this and maximize the savings. The first way is to avoid using a coupon just because it exists. If there is a coupon for an item that is not a great deal and is not needed, do not use it. Unused coupons can be traded. Expired coupons can be sent to military bases overseas where they are valid six months past the expiration date.
Watch the sales at different grocery stores. Pair the sales with the coupons to get great savings. Many times items are just a small fraction of their original price when this is done.
Know the coupon policies at local stores. Stop at the customer service desks and ask about their coupon policies. Some stores double and triple the value of coupons. Some stores will combine a manufacturer's coupon with a store coupon. If a store has a coupon in their ad or in store and there is a manufacturer's coupon for the same item, both can be used. Two manufacturer's coupons can not be combined. There are some stores that accept competitor's store coupons.
Read each coupon carefully. Most state "one coupon per purchase". Each item bought is a purchase. If 10 of an item is purchased, 10 coupons for that item may be used. It is rare for a coupon to state "one coupon per customer".
When coupons are collected, organized and used in these ways it is easy to slice your monthly grocery budget in at least half. One PYP user has done just that.
Tips of the Trade
Successful coupon shoppers also use the following tips to maximize their savings.
* When at item is Buy One Get One Free, often two coupons can be used.
* If the coupon says "off any size", its often more profitable to use it on the smallest size.
* If the store is out of an advertised sale item, get a raincheck. Use it later with coupons.
* Keep a list of needed items.
* Plan your meals around items in your food storage.
* Avoid trips to convenience and corner stores.
* Don't shop when hungry. This will reduce impulse buys.
* Remember one store does not have the lowest prices on everything.
* Check expiration dates on food items, especially when stockpiling.
* Watch for price discrepancies at checkout. Make sure all coupons are deducted.
* Try different brands. Eliminating brand loyalty increases savings.
* Have fun and be proud of the savings!
Grocery coupons are not the only way to save money while shopping. There are many ways to save money when shopping for almost everything.
Accumulate Coupons
The first step to these terrific savings and successful coupon use is accumulating coupons. Each week there are usually two different coupon inserts in metropolitan newspapers with a third insert available once a month. Having multiples of each coupon enables a shopper to take advantage of the great deals in bulk. This helps build a food storage. Obtaining multiples of coupons is not difficult. Family, friends, neighbors and co-workers are great sources for obtaining multiple coupon inserts. There's a great trading forum here at PinchingYourPennies.com, where you can trade the coupons from Sunday paper that you can't use, for coupons that you can.
Another source of coupons is the internet. Printable coupons and coupon offers can be found at many manufacturer and coupon related websites. Many manufacturers also offer coupons which are sent post mail.
Additional coupons and in-store savings can be found at most grocery stores. Coupons commonly called blinkies are available in red machines set up in aisles in the stores. Also, apply for grocery store courtesy cards. Most grocery chains have these complimentary cards which provide extra discounts and savings at their stores. These discounts can be combined with coupons for maximum savings.
Get Organized
The second step to successful coupon use is organization. There is a variety of ways to organize and maintain coupons. Successful coupon users have a place to keep and organize the coupons. This can be a box, binder or flexible file. Plastic flex-type coupon organizers can be purchased at many stores. Many coupon users make their own binders using a zippered binder filled with photo pages or sports card pages. A box with dividers can be made or purchased. Whatever is used, the coupons are divided and placed in categories which provide for easy location while shopping.
There are many methods to saving and cutting the coupons and inserts. Some coupon users will cut all coupons and file them in their coupon organizer. This way all of the coupons are available when shopping. If a surprise deal or sale is found, the coupon is ready. Others cut only the coupons they are sure to use and leave the rest in the coupon inserts. When a sale or deal on a specific item occurs, they can go back to the insert and cut the needed coupons. If doing this, find a way to file and organize the inserts. Print or write out a list of which coupons are in each insert.
What is Food Storage?
The third and most powerful step to successful coupon use is called building a food storage. When a great deal is found, buy in bulk. This is why accumulating multiple coupons is necessary. Buying a lot of one thing at a great price can lead to never having to pay full price again. For example, buying six months of cereal at a great price means cereal will not need to be purchased again until you run out. This can be done with many food items and most household goods.
Use Coupons Wisely
Using coupons wisely is another key to successful coupon use. There are many ways to do this and maximize the savings. The first way is to avoid using a coupon just because it exists. If there is a coupon for an item that is not a great deal and is not needed, do not use it. Unused coupons can be traded. Expired coupons can be sent to military bases overseas where they are valid six months past the expiration date.
Watch the sales at different grocery stores. Pair the sales with the coupons to get great savings. Many times items are just a small fraction of their original price when this is done.
Know the coupon policies at local stores. Stop at the customer service desks and ask about their coupon policies. Some stores double and triple the value of coupons. Some stores will combine a manufacturer's coupon with a store coupon. If a store has a coupon in their ad or in store and there is a manufacturer's coupon for the same item, both can be used. Two manufacturer's coupons can not be combined. There are some stores that accept competitor's store coupons.
Read each coupon carefully. Most state "one coupon per purchase". Each item bought is a purchase. If 10 of an item is purchased, 10 coupons for that item may be used. It is rare for a coupon to state "one coupon per customer".
When coupons are collected, organized and used in these ways it is easy to slice your monthly grocery budget in at least half. One PYP user has done just that.
Tips of the Trade
Successful coupon shoppers also use the following tips to maximize their savings.
* When at item is Buy One Get One Free, often two coupons can be used.
* If the coupon says "off any size", its often more profitable to use it on the smallest size.
* If the store is out of an advertised sale item, get a raincheck. Use it later with coupons.
* Keep a list of needed items.
* Plan your meals around items in your food storage.
* Avoid trips to convenience and corner stores.
* Don't shop when hungry. This will reduce impulse buys.
* Remember one store does not have the lowest prices on everything.
* Check expiration dates on food items, especially when stockpiling.
* Watch for price discrepancies at checkout. Make sure all coupons are deducted.
* Try different brands. Eliminating brand loyalty increases savings.
* Have fun and be proud of the savings!
Grocery coupons are not the only way to save money while shopping. There are many ways to save money when shopping for almost everything.
18.2.09
America Saves Week
Next week is America Saves Week. Feb. 22-March 2!
This is a great time to break out your budget and see just how much you can save for that week. And once you've proven to yourself just how awesome you are at saving, carry the savings ambitions onwards!
When making a purchase, ANY purchase, make sure you are shopping smart.
* Smart spending starts with managing expenses, and the best way to properly manage your money is by creating a spending plan.
* Use coupons for as much as possible. Keep them in your car! You'll want these on you when you make emergency or unscheduled stops. And don't forget to look for fast food coupons! I'm sure even Chico's has them! ;)
* Research prices before making any purchase, especially large items. This will help you find discounts, rebates, and coupons. Salescircular has the price comparison for you!
* Become informed about the product.
* Read the fine print on offers.
* Avoid impulse buying as much as possible.
* Remember, you generally pay a price for convenience. It might be worth driving a few extra miles or waiting a few more minutes.
* Getting the lowest price is not always the smartest thing to do if you get poor quality.
* Paying the highest price does not always guarantee best quality.
* Don’t be afraid to ask for a lower price, and ask if you can have a discount for paying with cash instead of credit.
* Think in terms of quality over quantity.
* Brown bag your lunch to the office, at least a few times each week (have the kids do the same thing for school a couple days a week)
* Rent a movie instead of taking the whole family out to a theater
* Carpool or consolidate errands to cut down on extra gasoline expenses; when you do buy gas, do it in the middle of the week and at a gas station that has competition close by
* Stock up at holiday and back-to-school sales for things you know your kids and family will need
* Use email for long distance communication instead of the phone
* Swap babysitting nights with family or friends
* Use a shopping list when at the store; do not deviate from your list whenever possible
* Keep your eye on the register when checking out at stores, purchases can easily be rung up wrong
And if you're looking for that perfect budget worksheet, This is a great PDF for you!.
This is a great time to break out your budget and see just how much you can save for that week. And once you've proven to yourself just how awesome you are at saving, carry the savings ambitions onwards!
When making a purchase, ANY purchase, make sure you are shopping smart.
* Smart spending starts with managing expenses, and the best way to properly manage your money is by creating a spending plan.
* Use coupons for as much as possible. Keep them in your car! You'll want these on you when you make emergency or unscheduled stops. And don't forget to look for fast food coupons! I'm sure even Chico's has them! ;)
* Research prices before making any purchase, especially large items. This will help you find discounts, rebates, and coupons. Salescircular has the price comparison for you!
* Become informed about the product.
* Read the fine print on offers.
* Avoid impulse buying as much as possible.
* Remember, you generally pay a price for convenience. It might be worth driving a few extra miles or waiting a few more minutes.
* Getting the lowest price is not always the smartest thing to do if you get poor quality.
* Paying the highest price does not always guarantee best quality.
* Don’t be afraid to ask for a lower price, and ask if you can have a discount for paying with cash instead of credit.
* Think in terms of quality over quantity.
* Brown bag your lunch to the office, at least a few times each week (have the kids do the same thing for school a couple days a week)
* Rent a movie instead of taking the whole family out to a theater
* Carpool or consolidate errands to cut down on extra gasoline expenses; when you do buy gas, do it in the middle of the week and at a gas station that has competition close by
* Stock up at holiday and back-to-school sales for things you know your kids and family will need
* Use email for long distance communication instead of the phone
* Swap babysitting nights with family or friends
* Use a shopping list when at the store; do not deviate from your list whenever possible
* Keep your eye on the register when checking out at stores, purchases can easily be rung up wrong
And if you're looking for that perfect budget worksheet, This is a great PDF for you!.
10.2.09
Love is in the air... Not in your Wallet
V-day is only days away! How will you celebrate? I have never really liked receiving gifts on Valentines day, or any holiday for that matter. I'm not a gracious gift receiver and I usually make a mess of things, but I have the best time giving gifts!
This year with my stringent budget, I might have to improvise on this years festivities. But here are a few ideas you can try out with me.
Cheap ways to celebrate Valentine's day:
Purchase some clear red balloons. Before blowing them up, place either wrapped candies, small gifts, and/or love poems inside each one, and then give them to your loved one as a bouquet.
Cook a favorite meal at home - Instead of going to an expensive restaurant, it is fun to dress up a favorite meal cooked at home. You can light candles on the dinner table, dim the lights, and put on some mood music. It is also possible to duplicate expensive meals at home at wholesale costs if you are adept at cooking.
Knit a scarf. Keep the physical warmth in your relationship along with the sentimental warmth.
Write a love letter to say I love you.
Create handmade coupons with gifts your partner can use anytime, such as a massage or a night out on the town with friends. Does your partner ever ask you why you love them? Then create your own little booklet using dollar store items just for them entitled, "Why I Love You: Reasons".
Make a mixed CD of all of your favorite songs, or create a compilation of love songs that remind you of your mate. Better yet, learn how to play one of these love songs on the guitar and serenade him or her on Valentine's Day.
Grab some construction paper and cut out as many hearts as you like. On each one, share a story about your relationship that shows how much you care. Once finished, take the hearts and string them individually from the ceiling so it looks like your home is raining love.
Take time off. If you both have some vacation time built up, put in for a day off and spend it together.
Volunteer. If you're both socially conscious (and also adding in the fact that Valentine's Day is on a Saturday this year), why not spend the day involved with a volunteer project together instead of doing the typical date thing?
Create Valentine's day crafts This site has a lot of great ideas
Take a walk or hike together - Once my husband and I walked for a few hours on the beach and collected seaglass, and we turned it into a bit of a competition to see who found the biggest piece. When you walk together you see the world differently than from your TV or your car and I think it is romantic because walking makes the world and your lover seem more real and tangible.
Creatively use free flower petals - Usually florists throw away the outside petals of flowers to make the flowers they sell look perfect. Each day if you just go by a florist they will probably have a lot of free flower petals for people to take. You can take these petals and do many things with them. For example, you can decorate the dinner table, bed, or float the petals in a bath.
Surprise your significant other at times you usually do not see him or her - If you work in different places then it would be fun to have a surprise lunch date set up for your mate. Of course, do not do this if your partner does not like to be bothered at work or if they are embarassed by you.
Take photographs together and of each other - After being together for a bit you may find that you do not actually have that many photographs of each other. It is fun to just set aside a time to pick up the camera and take pictures of each other. You can also go to a photobooth and take pictures together. Photographs are always good reminders of the good times you have had.
Shower or bath together - Cleaning each other in the tub or in a shower is great fun because you can touch each other everywhere. It could also conserve water. If one person rinses while the other lathers then it is possible to use the same amount of water one person usually uses to clean two people!
One central theme among all these ideas: it's often not the amount spent (for some people it is, but probably not the majority), but the heartfelt expression of love that means the most. So open your mind and be creative. There are tons of ways to say "I love you" without spending a bundle, and many of these meaningful gifts are the presents that will be remembered most in years to come.
This year with my stringent budget, I might have to improvise on this years festivities. But here are a few ideas you can try out with me.
Cheap ways to celebrate Valentine's day:
Purchase some clear red balloons. Before blowing them up, place either wrapped candies, small gifts, and/or love poems inside each one, and then give them to your loved one as a bouquet.
Cook a favorite meal at home - Instead of going to an expensive restaurant, it is fun to dress up a favorite meal cooked at home. You can light candles on the dinner table, dim the lights, and put on some mood music. It is also possible to duplicate expensive meals at home at wholesale costs if you are adept at cooking.
Knit a scarf. Keep the physical warmth in your relationship along with the sentimental warmth.
Write a love letter to say I love you.
Create handmade coupons with gifts your partner can use anytime, such as a massage or a night out on the town with friends. Does your partner ever ask you why you love them? Then create your own little booklet using dollar store items just for them entitled, "Why I Love You: Reasons".
Make a mixed CD of all of your favorite songs, or create a compilation of love songs that remind you of your mate. Better yet, learn how to play one of these love songs on the guitar and serenade him or her on Valentine's Day.
Grab some construction paper and cut out as many hearts as you like. On each one, share a story about your relationship that shows how much you care. Once finished, take the hearts and string them individually from the ceiling so it looks like your home is raining love.
Take time off. If you both have some vacation time built up, put in for a day off and spend it together.
Volunteer. If you're both socially conscious (and also adding in the fact that Valentine's Day is on a Saturday this year), why not spend the day involved with a volunteer project together instead of doing the typical date thing?
Create Valentine's day crafts This site has a lot of great ideas
Take a walk or hike together - Once my husband and I walked for a few hours on the beach and collected seaglass, and we turned it into a bit of a competition to see who found the biggest piece. When you walk together you see the world differently than from your TV or your car and I think it is romantic because walking makes the world and your lover seem more real and tangible.
Creatively use free flower petals - Usually florists throw away the outside petals of flowers to make the flowers they sell look perfect. Each day if you just go by a florist they will probably have a lot of free flower petals for people to take. You can take these petals and do many things with them. For example, you can decorate the dinner table, bed, or float the petals in a bath.
Surprise your significant other at times you usually do not see him or her - If you work in different places then it would be fun to have a surprise lunch date set up for your mate. Of course, do not do this if your partner does not like to be bothered at work or if they are embarassed by you.
Take photographs together and of each other - After being together for a bit you may find that you do not actually have that many photographs of each other. It is fun to just set aside a time to pick up the camera and take pictures of each other. You can also go to a photobooth and take pictures together. Photographs are always good reminders of the good times you have had.
Shower or bath together - Cleaning each other in the tub or in a shower is great fun because you can touch each other everywhere. It could also conserve water. If one person rinses while the other lathers then it is possible to use the same amount of water one person usually uses to clean two people!
One central theme among all these ideas: it's often not the amount spent (for some people it is, but probably not the majority), but the heartfelt expression of love that means the most. So open your mind and be creative. There are tons of ways to say "I love you" without spending a bundle, and many of these meaningful gifts are the presents that will be remembered most in years to come.
20.1.09
Save Money, Stay Healthy
I try to write my blogs with pertinent information for the day. Usually that happens to be ideas that I get from the radio or television, but today's blog has more to do with the fact that I'm sick. I've had a fever for the last couple of days and if it doesn't clear up by today, I'm going to make a trip to the doctor.
So today's blog is about staying healthy, because lets face it, its not cheap to remain unhealthy. If you are unhealthy, overweight, or sick you carry on your shoulders an unnecessary amount of stress. And stress is a killer!
Here are some tips from Health.com:
1. Join now
If you do have enough money in your budget to pay for a gym membership, act now to take advantage of New Year’s savings. Many fitness clubs slash their membership rates in January to draw in people who make weight-loss resolutions; for example, the Los Angeles Times reported this week that the upscale SportsClub/LA recently invited past members to restart their membership at a savings of almost $1,000. Other chains offering reduced rates for the new year include Bally Total Fitness, Curves, and Gold’s Gym. Paying a whole year’s dues up front, instead of month per month, may also save you money—but only if you’re sure not to give up or cancel your membership.
2. Renegotiate your rate
If you’ve lost your job and relied on a cheaper corporate gym rate, talk to your membership coordinators and see if it’s possible to keep the same rate, rather than paying full price; fitness clubs are also hurting from the economic crisis and may be more willing to give you a discount rather than lose you as a customer. You may also find that you’re eligible for discounts at a gym by being active in other community organizations, such as food co-ops or volunteer groups, or through your insurance plan. If you’re hurting for cash, ask about limited membership options for less expensive rates, which may limit the hours or areas of the gym you can use. One Gold’s Gym in Green Brook, N.J., for example, is offering a free 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday membership for the month of January to people who have recently been laid off, BusinessWire recently reported.
3. Bike to work
If you’re close enough to ride a bicycle to your job instead of driving or taking public transportation, you may save in more ways than one. Spending less on gas or train and bus fare is an advantage, of course, but some employers are actually starting to reward bike riders with monetary reimbursements as well. In 2007, Google began giving free bikes and helmets to its employees, and since then several other companies have begun to follow suit, providing various forms of compensation for those who pedal to work. And we may soon see more widespread rewards: Last year’s Energy Improvement and Extension Act, which went into effect on January 1, 2009, makes it legal for cycling commuters to apply for a $20 per month reimbursement. Visit BikeLeague.org’s FAQ page for more information.
4. Modernize your home gym
Strength-training at home no longer requires a huge, bulky weight-lifting contraption that costs thousands of dollars and takes over your living room. Today’s home fitness equipment is portable, storable, and best of all, affordable. Hot this season is the Iron Gym ($30 online and in retail and fitness stores), an as-seen-on-TV gadget that becomes a pull-up bar when secured in a doorway, a push-up and dips bar when used on the floor, and an ab toner when used with the attachable arm straps. For a slightly higher price, you can get the higher-tech GoFit Gravity Bar ($100), which also includes resistance bands that let you work your legs and lower body, along with a training DVD and laminated exercise booklet. Pair these workouts with an outdoor walk or run and you’ll take care of both your cardio and strength-training needs without setting foot in a real gym.
5. Lay off your personal trainer
If you’ve had the luxury of investing in a personal trainer for the last several months or years, you may find that your individual sessions will have to be the first thing to go when money gets tight. But instead of letting go of this valuable guidance completely, ask about group sessions that might make training more affordable. You might also turn to virtual coach programs such as PlusOneActive.com, active video games such as Wii Fit (which contains a personal trainer program), or computerized gadgets that can track your heart rate, daily number of steps, or calories burned.
6. Join a fund-raising team
It always helps to have a concrete goal when trying to get in shape, and signing up for an organized run, walk, or triathlon is one of the best ways to stay focused. Entry fees and transportation can be expensive, but often you can sign up with nonprofit organizations that cover your event-related costs (and provide free training sessions and advice from experienced coaches) as long as you raise the required amount of money for their cause. Chances are you’ll be responsible for producing a good chunk of cash, but people will be more willing to help if they know their tax-deductible contribution is going toward a good cause. Some of the larger organizations that coordinate athletic fund-raising include the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Susan G. Komen for the Cure, the March of Dimes, Autism Speaks, and the American Heart Association.
7. Let the Internet do your bargain hunting
Thrifty online shoppers know that you can often get great deals without the hassle of crowded malls and pushy salespeople—if you know when and where to look. Sign up at ShopItToMe.com/running and they’ll email you when workout clothes or shoes in your size go on sale at various sites all over the Web.
8. Consolidate your goals
The social networking site 5k5k.org is a free online program designed to get people in shape to run a 5K while saving or paying off $5,000. The site’s members (about 100 as of this week) share stories and help to motivate each other toward these long-term goals, while its founder—a fourth-grade teacher and former U.S. marine—checks in often with helpful tips and blog posts.
9. Know when to splurge and when to save
A good pair of walking or running shoes, an easy-to-use heart-rate monitor, or a portable MP3 player will be a valuable investment if you know that you’ll use them often, but a lot of fitness products are pricey just because of the name brand, or contain high-tech features that will only get in your way. Don’t be afraid to check retail stores like Target and Wal-Mart for basic lightweight, breathable workout apparel, or secondhand sports stores for fitness equipment. Do your research ahead of time, talk to experienced salespeople, and know exactly what you need—and beware of anyone trying to sell you something with more expensive bells and whistles. Here’s a great primer on what’s worth spending and what’s worth saving.
So today's blog is about staying healthy, because lets face it, its not cheap to remain unhealthy. If you are unhealthy, overweight, or sick you carry on your shoulders an unnecessary amount of stress. And stress is a killer!
Here are some tips from Health.com:
1. Join now
If you do have enough money in your budget to pay for a gym membership, act now to take advantage of New Year’s savings. Many fitness clubs slash their membership rates in January to draw in people who make weight-loss resolutions; for example, the Los Angeles Times reported this week that the upscale SportsClub/LA recently invited past members to restart their membership at a savings of almost $1,000. Other chains offering reduced rates for the new year include Bally Total Fitness, Curves, and Gold’s Gym. Paying a whole year’s dues up front, instead of month per month, may also save you money—but only if you’re sure not to give up or cancel your membership.
2. Renegotiate your rate
If you’ve lost your job and relied on a cheaper corporate gym rate, talk to your membership coordinators and see if it’s possible to keep the same rate, rather than paying full price; fitness clubs are also hurting from the economic crisis and may be more willing to give you a discount rather than lose you as a customer. You may also find that you’re eligible for discounts at a gym by being active in other community organizations, such as food co-ops or volunteer groups, or through your insurance plan. If you’re hurting for cash, ask about limited membership options for less expensive rates, which may limit the hours or areas of the gym you can use. One Gold’s Gym in Green Brook, N.J., for example, is offering a free 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday membership for the month of January to people who have recently been laid off, BusinessWire recently reported.
3. Bike to work
If you’re close enough to ride a bicycle to your job instead of driving or taking public transportation, you may save in more ways than one. Spending less on gas or train and bus fare is an advantage, of course, but some employers are actually starting to reward bike riders with monetary reimbursements as well. In 2007, Google began giving free bikes and helmets to its employees, and since then several other companies have begun to follow suit, providing various forms of compensation for those who pedal to work. And we may soon see more widespread rewards: Last year’s Energy Improvement and Extension Act, which went into effect on January 1, 2009, makes it legal for cycling commuters to apply for a $20 per month reimbursement. Visit BikeLeague.org’s FAQ page for more information.
4. Modernize your home gym
Strength-training at home no longer requires a huge, bulky weight-lifting contraption that costs thousands of dollars and takes over your living room. Today’s home fitness equipment is portable, storable, and best of all, affordable. Hot this season is the Iron Gym ($30 online and in retail and fitness stores), an as-seen-on-TV gadget that becomes a pull-up bar when secured in a doorway, a push-up and dips bar when used on the floor, and an ab toner when used with the attachable arm straps. For a slightly higher price, you can get the higher-tech GoFit Gravity Bar ($100), which also includes resistance bands that let you work your legs and lower body, along with a training DVD and laminated exercise booklet. Pair these workouts with an outdoor walk or run and you’ll take care of both your cardio and strength-training needs without setting foot in a real gym.
5. Lay off your personal trainer
If you’ve had the luxury of investing in a personal trainer for the last several months or years, you may find that your individual sessions will have to be the first thing to go when money gets tight. But instead of letting go of this valuable guidance completely, ask about group sessions that might make training more affordable. You might also turn to virtual coach programs such as PlusOneActive.com, active video games such as Wii Fit (which contains a personal trainer program), or computerized gadgets that can track your heart rate, daily number of steps, or calories burned.
6. Join a fund-raising team
It always helps to have a concrete goal when trying to get in shape, and signing up for an organized run, walk, or triathlon is one of the best ways to stay focused. Entry fees and transportation can be expensive, but often you can sign up with nonprofit organizations that cover your event-related costs (and provide free training sessions and advice from experienced coaches) as long as you raise the required amount of money for their cause. Chances are you’ll be responsible for producing a good chunk of cash, but people will be more willing to help if they know their tax-deductible contribution is going toward a good cause. Some of the larger organizations that coordinate athletic fund-raising include the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Susan G. Komen for the Cure, the March of Dimes, Autism Speaks, and the American Heart Association.
7. Let the Internet do your bargain hunting
Thrifty online shoppers know that you can often get great deals without the hassle of crowded malls and pushy salespeople—if you know when and where to look. Sign up at ShopItToMe.com/running and they’ll email you when workout clothes or shoes in your size go on sale at various sites all over the Web.
8. Consolidate your goals
The social networking site 5k5k.org is a free online program designed to get people in shape to run a 5K while saving or paying off $5,000. The site’s members (about 100 as of this week) share stories and help to motivate each other toward these long-term goals, while its founder—a fourth-grade teacher and former U.S. marine—checks in often with helpful tips and blog posts.
9. Know when to splurge and when to save
A good pair of walking or running shoes, an easy-to-use heart-rate monitor, or a portable MP3 player will be a valuable investment if you know that you’ll use them often, but a lot of fitness products are pricey just because of the name brand, or contain high-tech features that will only get in your way. Don’t be afraid to check retail stores like Target and Wal-Mart for basic lightweight, breathable workout apparel, or secondhand sports stores for fitness equipment. Do your research ahead of time, talk to experienced salespeople, and know exactly what you need—and beware of anyone trying to sell you something with more expensive bells and whistles. Here’s a great primer on what’s worth spending and what’s worth saving.
13.1.09
Illegal Interest rates, check your state
Thanks to Debt-Professor.com.
STATE USURY LAWS
ALABAMA, the legal rate of interest is 6%; the general usury limit is
8%. The judgment rate is 12%.
ALASKA, the legal rate of interest is 10.5%; the general usury limit
is more than 5% above the Federal Reserve interest rate on the day
the loan was made.
ARIZONA, the legal rate of interest is 10%.
ARKANSAS, the legal rate of interest is 6%; for non-consumers the
usury limit is 5% above the Federal Reserve's interest rate; for
consumers the general usury limit is 17%. Judgments bear interest at
the rate of 10% per annum, or the lawful agreed upon rate, whichever
is greater.
CALIFORNIA, the legal rate of interest is 10% for consumers; the
general usury limit for non-consumers is more than 5% greater than
the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco's rate.
COLORADO, the legal rate of interest is 8%; the general usury limit
is 45%. The maximum rates to consumers is 12% per annum.
CONNECTICUT, the legal rate of interest is 8%; the general usury rate
is 12%. In civil suits where interest is allowed, it is allowed at
10%.
DELAWARE, the legal rate of interest is 5% over the Federal Reserve
rate.
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, the legal rate of interest is 6%; the general
usury limit is in excess of 24%.
FLORIDA, the legal rate of interest is 12%; the general usury limit
is 18%. On loans above $ 500,000 the maximum rate is 25%.
GEORGIA, the legal rate of interest is 7%; On loans below $ 3,000 the
usury limit is 16%. On loans above $ 3,000, the limit appears to be
5% per month. As to loans below $ 250,000 the interest rate must be
specified in simple interest and in writing.
HAWAII, the legal rate of interest is 10%. The usury limit for
consumer transactions is 12%.
IDAHO, the legal rate of interest is 12%. Judgments bear interest at
the rate of 5% above the U.S. Treasury Securities rate.
ILLINOIS, the legal rate of interest is 5%. The general usury limit
is 9%. The judgment rate is 9%.
INDIANA, the legal rate of interest is 10%. Presently there is no
usury limit; however, legislation is pending to establish limits. The
judgment rate is also 10%.
IOWA, the legal rate of interest is 10%. In general consumer
transactions are governed at a maximum rate of 12%.
KANSAS, the legal rate of interest is 10%; the general usury limit is
15%. Judgments bear interest at 4% above the federal discount rate.
On consumer transactions, the maximum rate of interest for the first
$ 1,000 is 18%, above $ 1,000, 14.45%.
KENTUCKY, the legal rate of interest is 8%; the general usury limit
is more than 4% greater than the Federal Reserve rate or 19%,
whichever is less. On loans above $ 15,000 there is no limit.
Judgments bear interest at the rate of 12% compounded yearly, or at
such rate as is set by the Court.
LOUISIANA, the legal rate of interest is one point over the average
prime rate, not to exceed 14% nor be less than 7%. Usury limit for
individuals is 12%, there is no limit for corporations. (As warned,
you cannot evade the limit by forming a corporation when the loan is
actually to an individual.)
MAINE, the legal rate of interest is 6%. Judgments below $ 30,000
bear 15%, otherwise they bear interest at the 52 week average
discount rate for T-Bills, plus 4%.
MARYLAND, the legal rate of interest is 6%; the general usury limit
is 24%. There are many nuances and exceptions to this law. Judgments
bear interest at the rate of 10%.
MASSACHUSETTS, the legal rate of interest is 6%; the general usury
rate is 20%. Judgments bear interest at either 12% or 18% depending
on whether the court finds that a defense was frivolous.
MICHIGAN, the legal rate of interest is 5%; the general usury limit
is 7%. Judgments bear interest at the rate of 1% above the five year
T-note rate.
MINNESOTA, the legal rate of interest is 6%. The judgment rate is the
"secondary market yield" for one year T-Bills. Usury limit is 8%.
MISSISSIPPI, the legal rate of interest is 9%; the general usury
limit is more than 10%, or more than 5% above the federal reserve
rate. There is no usury limit on commercial loans above $ 5,000. The
judgment rate is 9% or a rate legally agreed upon in the underlying
obligation.
MISSOURI, the legal and judgment rate of interest is 9%.
Corporations do not have a usury defense. (Remember that a
corporation set up for the purpose of loaning money to an individual
will violate the usury laws.)
MONTANA, the legal rate of interest is 10%; the general usury limit
is above 6% greater than New York City banks' prime rate. Judgments
bear interest at the rate of 10% per annum.
NEBRASKA, the legal rate of interest is 6%; the general usury limit
is 16%. Accounts bear interest at the rate of 12%. Judgments bear
interest at the rate of 1% above a bond yield equivalent to T-bill
auction price.
NEVADA, the legal rate of interest is 12%; there is no usury limit.
NEW HAMPSHIRE, the legal rate of interest is 10%; there is no general
usury rate.
NEW JERSEY, the legal rate of interest is 6%; the general usury limit
is 30% for individuals, 50% for corporations. There are a number of
exceptions to this law.
NEW MEXICO, the legal rate of interest is 15%. Judgment rate is fixed
by the Court.
NEW YORK, the legal rate of interest is 9%; the general usury limit
is 16%.
NORTH CAROLINA, the legal interest rate and the general usury limit
is 8%. However, there is a provision for a variable rate, which is
16% or the T-Bill rate for non-competitive T-Bills. Above $ 25,000
there is no express limit. However, the law providing for 8% is still
on the books- be careful and see a lawyer!
NORTH DAKOTA, the legal rate of interest is 6%; the general usury
limit is 5 1/2% above the six-month treasury bill interest rate. The
judgment rate is the contract rate or 12%, whichever is less. A late
payment charge of 1 3/4% per month may be charged to commercial
accounts that are overdue provided that the charge is revealed prior
to the account being opened and that the terms were less than thirty
days, that is, that the account terms were net 30 or less.
OKLAHOMA, the legal rate of interest is 6%. Consumer loans may not
exceed 10% unless the person is licensed to make consumer loans.
Maximum rate on non-consumer loans is 45%. The judgment rate is the
T-Bill rate plus 4%.
OREGON, the legal rate is 9%, the judgment rate is 9% or the contract
rate, if lawful, whichever is higher. The general usury rate for
loans below $ 50,000 is 12% or 5% above the discount rate for
commercial paper.
PENNSYLVANIA, the legal rate of interest is 6%, and this is the
general usury limit for loans below $ 50,000, except for: loans with
a lien on non-residential real estate; loans to corporations; loans
that have no collateral above $ 35,000. Judgments bear interest at
the legal rate. It is criminal usury to charge more than 25%.
PUERTO RICO, the legal rate of interest is 6%; all other rates are
set by the Finance Board of Office of Commissioner of Financial
Institutions. Judgments bear interest at the same rate as the
underlying debt.
RHODE ISLAND, the legal rate of interest and judgment rate is 12%.
The general usury limit is 21% or the interest rate charged for T-
Bills plus 9%.
SOUTH CAROLINA, the legal rate of interest is 8.75%, and judgments
bear interest at the rate of 14%. Subject to federal criminal laws
against loan sharking there is no general usury limit for non-
consumer transactions. The South Carolina Consumer Protection code
provides regulations for maximum rates of interest for consumer
transactions. Please consult with counsel for the latest rates.
SOUTH DAKOTA, the legal rate of interest is 15%, judgments bear
interest at the rate of 12%. There is no other usury limit. There are
certain limitations on consumer loans below $ 5,000.00.
TENNESSEE, the legal rate and judgment rate of interest is 10%. The
general usury limit is 24%, or four points above the average prime
loan rate, WHICHEVER IS LESS.
TEXAS, the legal rate of interest is 6%. Interest does not begin
until 30 days after an account was due. The judgment rate of interest
is 18% or the rate in the contract, whichever is less. There are a
number of specific ceilings for different types of loans, please see
counsel for information.
UTAH, the legal rate of interest is 10%. Judgments bear interest at
the rate of 12%, or a lawfully agreed upon rate. There are floating
rates prescribed for consumer transactions. Please see counsel for
information.
VERMONT, the legal rate of interest and judgment rate of interest is
12%. On retail installment contracts the maximum rate is 18% on the
first $ 500, 15% above $ 500. The general usury limit is 12%.
VIRGINIA, the legal rate of interest is 8%. Judgments bear interest
at the rate of 8%, or the lawful contract rate. Corporations and
business loans do not have a usury limit, and loans over $ 5,000 for
"business" or "investment" purposes are also exempt from usury laws.
Consumer loans are regulated and have multiple rates.
WASHINGTON, the legal rate is 12%. The general usury limit is 12%, or
four points above the average T-Bill rate for the past 26 weeks,
whichever is greater. (The maximum rate is announced by the State
Treasurer.) Judgments bear interest at the rate of 12% or the lawful
contract rate, whichever is higher.
WEST VIRGINIA, the legal rate of interest is 6%. The maximum
"contractual" rate is 8%; Commissioner of Banking issues rates for
real estate loans, and, may establish maximum general usury limit
based on market rates.
WISCONSIN, the legal rate of interest is 5%. There are a myriad of
rates for different type of loans. There is no general usury limit
for corporations. Note that a loan to an individual, even if a
corporation is formed, will violate the law. The judgment rate of
interest is 12%, except for mortgage foreclosures, where the rate
will be the lawful contract rate.
WYOMING, the legal rate and judgment rate of interest is 10%. If a
contract provides for a lesser rate, the judgment rate is the lesser
of 10% and the contract rate.
ALABAMA, the legal rate of interest is 6%; the general usury limit is
8%. The judgment rate is 12%.
ALASKA, the legal rate of interest is 10.5%; the general usury limit
is more than 5% above the Federal Reserve interest rate on the day
the loan was made.
ARIZONA, the legal rate of interest is 10%.
ARKANSAS, the legal rate of interest is 6%; for non-consumers the
usury limit is 5% above the Federal Reserve's interest rate; for
consumers the general usury limit is 17%. Judgments bear interest at
the rate of 10% per annum, or the lawful agreed upon rate, whichever
is greater.
CALIFORNIA, the legal rate of interest is 10% for consumers; the
general usury limit for non-consumers is more than 5% greater than
the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco's rate.
COLORADO, the legal rate of interest is 8%; the general usury limit
is 45%. The maximum rates to consumers is 12% per annum.
CONNECTICUT, the legal rate of interest is 8%; the general usury rate
is 12%. In civil suits where interest is allowed, it is allowed at
10%.
DELAWARE, the legal rate of interest is 5% over the Federal Reserve
rate.
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, the legal rate of interest is 6%; the general
usury limit is in excess of 24%.
FLORIDA, the legal rate of interest is 12%; the general usury limit
is 18%. On loans above $ 500,000 the maximum rate is 25%.
GEORGIA, the legal rate of interest is 7%; On loans below $ 3,000 the
usury limit is 16%. On loans above $ 3,000, the limit appears to be
5% per month. As to loans below $ 250,000 the interest rate must be
specified in simple interest and in writing.
HAWAII, the legal rate of interest is 10%. The usury limit for
consumer transactions is 12%.
IDAHO, the legal rate of interest is 12%. Judgments bear interest at
the rate of 5% above the U.S. Treasury Securities rate.
ILLINOIS, the legal rate of interest is 5%. The general usury limit
is 9%. The judgment rate is 9%.
INDIANA, the legal rate of interest is 10%. Presently there is no
usury limit; however, legislation is pending to establish limits. The
judgment rate is also 10%.
IOWA, the legal rate of interest is 10%. In general consumer
transactions are governed at a maximum rate of 12%.
KANSAS, the legal rate of interest is 10%; the general usury limit is
15%. Judgments bear interest at 4% above the federal discount rate.
On consumer transactions, the maximum rate of interest for the first
$ 1,000 is 18%, above $ 1,000, 14.45%.
KENTUCKY, the legal rate of interest is 8%; the general usury limit
is more than 4% greater than the Federal Reserve rate or 19%,
whichever is less. On loans above $ 15,000 there is no limit.
Judgments bear interest at the rate of 12% compounded yearly, or at
such rate as is set by the Court.
LOUISIANA, the legal rate of interest is one point over the average
prime rate, not to exceed 14% nor be less than 7%. Usury limit for
individuals is 12%, there is no limit for corporations. (As warned,
you cannot evade the limit by forming a corporation when the loan is
actually to an individual.)
MAINE, the legal rate of interest is 6%. Judgments below $ 30,000
bear 15%, otherwise they bear interest at the 52 week average
discount rate for T-Bills, plus 4%.
MARYLAND, the legal rate of interest is 6%; the general usury limit
is 24%. There are many nuances and exceptions to this law. Judgments
bear interest at the rate of 10%.
MASSACHUSETTS, the legal rate of interest is 6%; the general usury
rate is 20%. Judgments bear interest at either 12% or 18% depending
on whether the court finds that a defense was frivolous.
MICHIGAN, the legal rate of interest is 5%; the general usury limit
is 7%. Judgments bear interest at the rate of 1% above the five year
T-note rate.
MINNESOTA, the legal rate of interest is 6%. The judgment rate is the
"secondary market yield" for one year T-Bills. Usury limit is 8%.
MISSISSIPPI, the legal rate of interest is 9%; the general usury
limit is more than 10%, or more than 5% above the federal reserve
rate. There is no usury limit on commercial loans above $ 5,000. The
judgment rate is 9% or a rate legally agreed upon in the underlying
obligation.
MISSOURI, the legal and judgment rate of interest is 9%.
Corporations do not have a usury defense. (Remember that a
corporation set up for the purpose of loaning money to an individual
will violate the usury laws.)
MONTANA, the legal rate of interest is 10%; the general usury limit
is above 6% greater than New York City banks' prime rate. Judgments
bear interest at the rate of 10% per annum.
NEBRASKA, the legal rate of interest is 6%; the general usury limit
is 16%. Accounts bear interest at the rate of 12%. Judgments bear
interest at the rate of 1% above a bond yield equivalent to T-bill
auction price.
NEVADA, the legal rate of interest is 12%; there is no usury limit.
NEW HAMPSHIRE, the legal rate of interest is 10%; there is no general
usury rate.
NEW JERSEY, the legal rate of interest is 6%; the general usury limit
is 30% for individuals, 50% for corporations. There are a number of
exceptions to this law.
NEW MEXICO, the legal rate of interest is 15%. Judgment rate is fixed
by the Court.
NEW YORK, the legal rate of interest is 9%; the general usury limit
is 16%.
NORTH CAROLINA, the legal interest rate and the general usury limit
is 8%. However, there is a provision for a variable rate, which is
16% or the T-Bill rate for non-competitive T-Bills. Above $ 25,000
there is no express limit. However, the law providing for 8% is still
on the books- be careful and see a lawyer!
NORTH DAKOTA, the legal rate of interest is 6%; the general usury
limit is 5 1/2% above the six-month treasury bill interest rate. The
judgment rate is the contract rate or 12%, whichever is less. A late
payment charge of 1 3/4% per month may be charged to commercial
accounts that are overdue provided that the charge is revealed prior
to the account being opened and that the terms were less than thirty
days, that is, that the account terms were net 30 or less.
OKLAHOMA, the legal rate of interest is 6%. Consumer loans may not
exceed 10% unless the person is licensed to make consumer loans.
Maximum rate on non-consumer loans is 45%. The judgment rate is the
T-Bill rate plus 4%.
OREGON, the legal rate is 9%, the judgment rate is 9% or the contract
rate, if lawful, whichever is higher. The general usury rate for
loans below $ 50,000 is 12% or 5% above the discount rate for
commercial paper.
PENNSYLVANIA, the legal rate of interest is 6%, and this is the
general usury limit for loans below $ 50,000, except for: loans with
a lien on non-residential real estate; loans to corporations; loans
that have no collateral above $ 35,000. Judgments bear interest at
the legal rate. It is criminal usury to charge more than 25%.
PUERTO RICO, the legal rate of interest is 6%; all other rates are
set by the Finance Board of Office of Commissioner of Financial
Institutions. Judgments bear interest at the same rate as the
underlying debt.
RHODE ISLAND, the legal rate of interest and judgment rate is 12%.
The general usury limit is 21% or the interest rate charged for T-
Bills plus 9%.
SOUTH CAROLINA, the legal rate of interest is 8.75%, and judgments
bear interest at the rate of 14%. Subject to federal criminal laws
against loan sharking there is no general usury limit for non-
consumer transactions. The South Carolina Consumer Protection code
provides regulations for maximum rates of interest for consumer
transactions. Please consult with counsel for the latest rates.
SOUTH DAKOTA, the legal rate of interest is 15%, judgments bear
interest at the rate of 12%. There is no other usury limit. There are
certain limitations on consumer loans below $ 5,000.00.
TENNESSEE, the legal rate and judgment rate of interest is 10%. The
general usury limit is 24%, or four points above the average prime
loan rate, WHICHEVER IS LESS.
TEXAS, the legal rate of interest is 6%. Interest does not begin
until 30 days after an account was due. The judgment rate of interest
is 18% or the rate in the contract, whichever is less. There are a
number of specific ceilings for different types of loans, please see
counsel for information.
UTAH, the legal rate of interest is 10%. Judgments bear interest at
the rate of 12%, or a lawfully agreed upon rate. There are floating
rates prescribed for consumer transactions. Please see counsel for
information.
VERMONT, the legal rate of interest and judgment rate of interest is
12%. On retail installment contracts the maximum rate is 18% on the
first $ 500, 15% above $ 500. The general usury limit is 12%.
VIRGINIA, the legal rate of interest is 8%. Judgments bear interest
at the rate of 8%, or the lawful contract rate. Corporations and
business loans do not have a usury limit, and loans over $ 5,000 for
"business" or "investment" purposes are also exempt from usury laws.
Consumer loans are regulated and have multiple rates.
WASHINGTON, the legal rate is 12%. The general usury limit is 12%, or
four points above the average T-Bill rate for the past 26 weeks,
whichever is greater. (The maximum rate is announced by the State
Treasurer.) Judgments bear interest at the rate of 12% or the lawful
contract rate, whichever is higher.
WEST VIRGINIA, the legal rate of interest is 6%. The maximum
"contractual" rate is 8%; Commissioner of Banking issues rates for
real estate loans, and, may establish maximum general usury limit
based on market rates.
WISCONSIN, the legal rate of interest is 5%. There are a myriad of
rates for different type of loans. There is no general usury limit
for corporations. Note that a loan to an individual, even if a
corporation is formed, will violate the law. The judgment rate of
interest is 12%, except for mortgage foreclosures, where the rate
will be the lawful contract rate.
WYOMING, the legal rate and judgment rate of interest is 10%. If a
contract provides for a lesser rate, the judgment rate is the lesser
of 10% and the contract rate.
7.1.09
Gifts in time of Cholera...
Financial Cholera that is. I'm a gift-giving fiend and that is going to be a hard habit to break. Every holiday, birthday or just-because day it seems I'm passing along gifts to friends, family and co-workers. This year that has to change. Does that mean nobody gets a gift? Well, no, it doesn't mean that at all. It just means that when it comes down to gifts, I'm going to have to get creative, get smart and get thrifty.
Luckily for me I'm a crafty packrat that enjoys making things anyways, so it should come relatively easy for me. Having hordes of crafting materials at my disposal also means that I won't have to shop for supplies and most gifts that I do make will be next to free.
Things I enjoy making that would make great gifts include:
Shopping Bags! Old T-shirts + Scrap Fabric= Instant green shopping bags! Fun and trendy.
Great Looking Bags!
Instructions for another bag
My Personal Favorite
Jewelry! Necklaces, earrings, bracelets... Its all beautiful! Buy these supplies in bulk though. Even at Hobby Lobby, glass bead prices can get seriously out of hand.
A fun, informative Blog
Buy in Bulk with Google Shopping
Knitting hats! Perfect winter gifts for friends, family and new babies! Who doesn't love a winter beanie? Get a loom and do it in a flash with no previous knitting experience required.
Fantastic Loom-knitting Blog!
Baby blankets! I'll post my mom's secret blanket recipe at a later date, but its fabulously easy, its fast and its fun! They make great baby shower gifts celebrating the wonderful new-edition!
Gifts I will try my hand at this year:
Baking! Who doesn't love cookies, cakes or pies? You can find great baking supplies that are gently used at goodwill or other thrifty stores. Baking cookbooks and recipes are available all over the internet too, just have to look for them. You can also get packaging for your gifts to have them look professional. This is only a cheap investment if you bake gifts often, so plan ahead for holidays as baking ingredients aren't cheap.
Baking Supplies at Shopgoodwill.com
Bake sweet treats!
Search for Cookie Gift Boxes/Baked Goods Gift Boxes/Treat Gift Boxes
Jars! Creating your own jams, spreads and other jarred goodies might become an expensive endeavor, but you should be able to find the necessary supplies for relatively cheap if you shop smart. There are also fabulous websites, and I mean fabulous, that have all the information you could care to know about creating your own jar-masterpieces.
Here is one of those fabulous websites!
Pay Attention to shipping costs when buying online!
Make sure you're informed!
If you're not in the creating mood, don't waste your other talents! You can offer to babysit for friends and family so they can have a special night out, mow a neighbors lawn or offer to put up christmas lights for the holidays. Helping out is usually the greatest gift you can give.
Hugs and Pennies!
Krystal
Luckily for me I'm a crafty packrat that enjoys making things anyways, so it should come relatively easy for me. Having hordes of crafting materials at my disposal also means that I won't have to shop for supplies and most gifts that I do make will be next to free.
Things I enjoy making that would make great gifts include:
Shopping Bags! Old T-shirts + Scrap Fabric= Instant green shopping bags! Fun and trendy.
Great Looking Bags!
Instructions for another bag
My Personal Favorite
Jewelry! Necklaces, earrings, bracelets... Its all beautiful! Buy these supplies in bulk though. Even at Hobby Lobby, glass bead prices can get seriously out of hand.
A fun, informative Blog
Buy in Bulk with Google Shopping
Knitting hats! Perfect winter gifts for friends, family and new babies! Who doesn't love a winter beanie? Get a loom and do it in a flash with no previous knitting experience required.
Fantastic Loom-knitting Blog!
Baby blankets! I'll post my mom's secret blanket recipe at a later date, but its fabulously easy, its fast and its fun! They make great baby shower gifts celebrating the wonderful new-edition!
Gifts I will try my hand at this year:
Baking! Who doesn't love cookies, cakes or pies? You can find great baking supplies that are gently used at goodwill or other thrifty stores. Baking cookbooks and recipes are available all over the internet too, just have to look for them. You can also get packaging for your gifts to have them look professional. This is only a cheap investment if you bake gifts often, so plan ahead for holidays as baking ingredients aren't cheap.
Baking Supplies at Shopgoodwill.com
Bake sweet treats!
Search for Cookie Gift Boxes/Baked Goods Gift Boxes/Treat Gift Boxes
Jars! Creating your own jams, spreads and other jarred goodies might become an expensive endeavor, but you should be able to find the necessary supplies for relatively cheap if you shop smart. There are also fabulous websites, and I mean fabulous, that have all the information you could care to know about creating your own jar-masterpieces.
Here is one of those fabulous websites!
Pay Attention to shipping costs when buying online!
Make sure you're informed!
If you're not in the creating mood, don't waste your other talents! You can offer to babysit for friends and family so they can have a special night out, mow a neighbors lawn or offer to put up christmas lights for the holidays. Helping out is usually the greatest gift you can give.
Hugs and Pennies!
Krystal
2.1.09
6 ways to save money! All year around!
Before I get into today's content, I would like to present exhibit a: flat tire. This flat tire awaited me after leaving the office on wednesday. Oh the horror! Heh. Luckily I have a coupon and the repair will cost me nothing. :) HURRAY!
AS for today's content, lets start the new year off right: 6 of my all-time favorite ways to save money. Not that I've been a huge saver in the past, but it's a new year and a new time to start!
1. Services: Improve them or Lose them! You are not a slave to your landline, cable, insurance or internet plan providers! The one thing they don't want you to know is that their competitors are willing to beat the price you're currently paying to get your business. Shop around for a great deal and at the very least, contact your current provider and very nicely tell them you've found a better deal and if they want to keep your patronage they'll beat or match it.
Compare Internet Service Providers
Compare Phone and Long Distance Providers
Compare Auto Insurance Providers
2. Services: Sell your Cell! Maybe not literally, but based on my own experiences my cell phone is a convenience that can be very inconvenient. Generally, the only time that it would be cost-effective to shop around for a new cell phone carrier is when your contract with your current carrier has expired. If thats not the case for you, it may be to your advantage to ride out the remaining couple of months. If you have a substantial amount of time before your contract expires, it may be more cost-effective to eat the cancellation fee and ditch your cell phone carrier. At this point you are now free to shop around for a new carrier or purchase a pay-as-you-go phone. Most top carriers now have their own p-a-y-g phones, so check it out.
Compare Cell Phone Carriers
3. Dear Diary: Record your purchases in a journal. It may sound cheesy, I thought so when my financial coach slid a journal across the table to me, but it works. I took a unique spin on my journal and use it not only as a log for my purchases but also as a book that holds all of my receipts. Each receipt tells a story and has a moral or a lesson. You'd be surprised how much this curbs your spending especially those of the impulsive nature. This in combination with a transaction register, ask the helpful teller at the counter for one of these free at most banks, will help you to start saving with results you can see.
4. Goodwill: Goodtimes. I bought the majority of my christmas gifts online... at shopgoodwill.com and have nothing but pleasant things to say about the quality and the pleasure each gift brought. And the deals at the stores are just as fantastic. Like any store, you'll want to do your research first. Most Goodwill stores have a 50% color for each week. Determine what color is on sale and shop primarily from that selection. Also like other stores, have a list. It's easy to make unnecessary purchases when things are as cost-affordable as they are in Goodwill, but this won't help you save.
5. Give goodwill: turn junk into benjamins. Spring is going to creep up suddenly on us in the next couple of months. While you're spring cleaning--which can help save money if you tackle dusty coils on your fridge, chimney sweeping and cleaning vents-- start sorting through stuff you don't use anymore, don't want any longer or just don't need. Turn this junk into benjamins by having a yard sale, selling at a discount to friends, family and coworkers, selling to a thrift or consignment store or by collecting a tax deduction by giving it to charity.
Yard Sale Queen has great tips.
Charity guide explains more about donating clothes.
6. Print, Cut, Save: Online coupons. For starters NEVER pay money for coupons. Defeats the point. There is a difference between getting a good deal and paying for a good deal. There are a wealth of great companies online that offer coupons for the products you buy everyday. Check out the websites for your favorite grocery brands for valuable coupons, samples and discount opportunities. If you want more bang for your time, there are a few websites out there that compile coupons for thousands of products. If this is the route you choose to go, remember, keep it easy and keep it free.
Retailmenot-- you'll thank me later
AS for today's content, lets start the new year off right: 6 of my all-time favorite ways to save money. Not that I've been a huge saver in the past, but it's a new year and a new time to start!
1. Services: Improve them or Lose them! You are not a slave to your landline, cable, insurance or internet plan providers! The one thing they don't want you to know is that their competitors are willing to beat the price you're currently paying to get your business. Shop around for a great deal and at the very least, contact your current provider and very nicely tell them you've found a better deal and if they want to keep your patronage they'll beat or match it.
Compare Internet Service Providers
Compare Phone and Long Distance Providers
Compare Auto Insurance Providers
2. Services: Sell your Cell! Maybe not literally, but based on my own experiences my cell phone is a convenience that can be very inconvenient. Generally, the only time that it would be cost-effective to shop around for a new cell phone carrier is when your contract with your current carrier has expired. If thats not the case for you, it may be to your advantage to ride out the remaining couple of months. If you have a substantial amount of time before your contract expires, it may be more cost-effective to eat the cancellation fee and ditch your cell phone carrier. At this point you are now free to shop around for a new carrier or purchase a pay-as-you-go phone. Most top carriers now have their own p-a-y-g phones, so check it out.
Compare Cell Phone Carriers
3. Dear Diary: Record your purchases in a journal. It may sound cheesy, I thought so when my financial coach slid a journal across the table to me, but it works. I took a unique spin on my journal and use it not only as a log for my purchases but also as a book that holds all of my receipts. Each receipt tells a story and has a moral or a lesson. You'd be surprised how much this curbs your spending especially those of the impulsive nature. This in combination with a transaction register, ask the helpful teller at the counter for one of these free at most banks, will help you to start saving with results you can see.
4. Goodwill: Goodtimes. I bought the majority of my christmas gifts online... at shopgoodwill.com and have nothing but pleasant things to say about the quality and the pleasure each gift brought. And the deals at the stores are just as fantastic. Like any store, you'll want to do your research first. Most Goodwill stores have a 50% color for each week. Determine what color is on sale and shop primarily from that selection. Also like other stores, have a list. It's easy to make unnecessary purchases when things are as cost-affordable as they are in Goodwill, but this won't help you save.
5. Give goodwill: turn junk into benjamins. Spring is going to creep up suddenly on us in the next couple of months. While you're spring cleaning--which can help save money if you tackle dusty coils on your fridge, chimney sweeping and cleaning vents-- start sorting through stuff you don't use anymore, don't want any longer or just don't need. Turn this junk into benjamins by having a yard sale, selling at a discount to friends, family and coworkers, selling to a thrift or consignment store or by collecting a tax deduction by giving it to charity.
Yard Sale Queen has great tips.
Charity guide explains more about donating clothes.
6. Print, Cut, Save: Online coupons. For starters NEVER pay money for coupons. Defeats the point. There is a difference between getting a good deal and paying for a good deal. There are a wealth of great companies online that offer coupons for the products you buy everyday. Check out the websites for your favorite grocery brands for valuable coupons, samples and discount opportunities. If you want more bang for your time, there are a few websites out there that compile coupons for thousands of products. If this is the route you choose to go, remember, keep it easy and keep it free.
Retailmenot-- you'll thank me later
