Sunday, August 29, 2010
School Suppies on the Cheap.
I still have no idea why we have "fund raising" for people to get school supplies for their kids. There are so many sales before school and things are so cheap; I just don't get it. We have a whole "fill the bus" full of school supplies at my place of employment for those that are unfortunate in this community. I went shopping for my own child and even with the expensive $15 calculator he needed for Algebra, I only spent $25.00. Ok, that's not exactly all I spent, a couple of weeks ago I got him a new backpack for $16.00. But still; the problem I see is that people don't know how to tell their children "no". My child doesn't need the $3.00 notebook just because it has some sort of "cool " character" on it. The $ .15 plain blue notebook works just fine and has the same amount of paper in it. If he wants something "cool" on the outside; then get the markers out and let your creativity take control! Besides, from what I remember from being in school; those covers to the notebooks don't last very long anyway. To save money throughout the year; be sure to stock up on, at least,also twice as much as you need to start the school year so that when you need to replenish stuff, you have those lying around (it also saves on those last minute trips to the store which always costs more in the long run).
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Preparing for the Holidays
Check out my friend Chris' blog about getting ready for the upcoming holidays.
http://christinesenter.com/preparing-for-the-holidays/
I know..it's only August but ya know..she has a point...Christmas is just around the corner and if you want to give a homemade gift; you have to plan ahead. You can't just wake up around Thanksgiving and decide to make something for the people in your life. So...what should I make for those I love? I don't really know how to make much of anything. I've been playing with my sewing machine making some baby gifts; but none of my friends or family member have babies. I have been trying to crochet, but that hasn't been going very well. Maybe a batch of cookies...I can bake pretty ok, nothing gourmet, but I haven't killed anybody yet. LOL
http://christinesenter.com/preparing-for-the-holidays/
I know..it's only August but ya know..she has a point...Christmas is just around the corner and if you want to give a homemade gift; you have to plan ahead. You can't just wake up around Thanksgiving and decide to make something for the people in your life. So...what should I make for those I love? I don't really know how to make much of anything. I've been playing with my sewing machine making some baby gifts; but none of my friends or family member have babies. I have been trying to crochet, but that hasn't been going very well. Maybe a batch of cookies...I can bake pretty ok, nothing gourmet, but I haven't killed anybody yet. LOL
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Multi-purpose Product from the Laundry Room
I got this emailed to me the other day...thought I'd share the knowledge. More uses for the Bounce dryer Sheet:
1. It will chase ants away when you lay a sheet near them. It also repels mice.
2. Spread sheets around foundation areas, or in trailers, or cars that are sitting and it keeps mice from entering your vehicle.
3. It takes the odor out of books and photo albums that don't get opened too often.
4. It repels mosquitoes. Tie a sheet of Bounce through a belt loop when outdoors during mosquito season.
5. .Eliminate static electricity from your television (or computer) screen.
6. Since Bounce is designed to help eliminate static cling, wipe your television screen with a used sheet of Bounce to keep dust from resettling..
7. Dissolve soap scum from shower doors. Clean with a sheet of Bounce.
8. To freshen the air in your home - Place an individual sheet of Bounce in a drawer or hang in the closet.
9. Put Bounce sheet in vacuum cleaner.
10. Prevent thread from tangling. Run a threaded needle through a sheet of Bounce before beginning to sew.
11. Prevent musty suitcases. Place an individual sheet of Bounce inside empty luggage before storing.
12. To freshen the air in your car - Place a sheet of Bounce under the front seat.
13. Clean baked-on foods from a cooking pan. Put a sheet in a pan, fill with water, let sit overnight, and sponge clean. The anti-static agent apparently weakens the bond between the food and the pan..
14. Eliminate odors in wastebaskets. Place a sheet of Bounce at the bottom of the wastebasket.
15. Collect cat hair. Rubbing the area with a sheet of Bounce will magnetically attract all the loose hairs.
16. Eliminate static electricity from Venetian blinds.. Wipe the blinds with a sheet of Bounce to prevent dust from resettling.
17. Wipe up sawdust from drilling or sand papering. A used sheet of Bounce will collect sawdust like a tack cloth.
18. Eliminate odors in dirty laundry. Place an individual sheet of Bounce at the bottom of a laundry bag or hamper.
19. Deodorize shoes or sneakers. Place a sheet of Bounce in your shoes or sneakers overnight.
20. Golfers put a Bounce sheet in their back pocket to keep the bees away.
21. Put a Bounce sheet in your sleeping bag and tent before folding and storing them. It will keep them smelling fresh.
22. Wet a Bounce sheet, hose down your car, and wipe love bugs off easily with the wet Bounce.
By the way...I have used many of these ideas over the years...and they do work. My favorite way to do this is just about the time I am prepared to throw away that used fabric softener sheet. I never use the name brand product and I always use it in at least 2 dryer loads. I always look at ways to stretch the use of things which adds up to lots of $$ in my pocket to use for more important things.
1. It will chase ants away when you lay a sheet near them. It also repels mice.
2. Spread sheets around foundation areas, or in trailers, or cars that are sitting and it keeps mice from entering your vehicle.
3. It takes the odor out of books and photo albums that don't get opened too often.
4. It repels mosquitoes. Tie a sheet of Bounce through a belt loop when outdoors during mosquito season.
5. .Eliminate static electricity from your television (or computer) screen.
6. Since Bounce is designed to help eliminate static cling, wipe your television screen with a used sheet of Bounce to keep dust from resettling..
7. Dissolve soap scum from shower doors. Clean with a sheet of Bounce.
8. To freshen the air in your home - Place an individual sheet of Bounce in a drawer or hang in the closet.
9. Put Bounce sheet in vacuum cleaner.
10. Prevent thread from tangling. Run a threaded needle through a sheet of Bounce before beginning to sew.
11. Prevent musty suitcases. Place an individual sheet of Bounce inside empty luggage before storing.
12. To freshen the air in your car - Place a sheet of Bounce under the front seat.
13. Clean baked-on foods from a cooking pan. Put a sheet in a pan, fill with water, let sit overnight, and sponge clean. The anti-static agent apparently weakens the bond between the food and the pan..
14. Eliminate odors in wastebaskets. Place a sheet of Bounce at the bottom of the wastebasket.
15. Collect cat hair. Rubbing the area with a sheet of Bounce will magnetically attract all the loose hairs.
16. Eliminate static electricity from Venetian blinds.. Wipe the blinds with a sheet of Bounce to prevent dust from resettling.
17. Wipe up sawdust from drilling or sand papering. A used sheet of Bounce will collect sawdust like a tack cloth.
18. Eliminate odors in dirty laundry. Place an individual sheet of Bounce at the bottom of a laundry bag or hamper.
19. Deodorize shoes or sneakers. Place a sheet of Bounce in your shoes or sneakers overnight.
20. Golfers put a Bounce sheet in their back pocket to keep the bees away.
21. Put a Bounce sheet in your sleeping bag and tent before folding and storing them. It will keep them smelling fresh.
22. Wet a Bounce sheet, hose down your car, and wipe love bugs off easily with the wet Bounce.
By the way...I have used many of these ideas over the years...and they do work. My favorite way to do this is just about the time I am prepared to throw away that used fabric softener sheet. I never use the name brand product and I always use it in at least 2 dryer loads. I always look at ways to stretch the use of things which adds up to lots of $$ in my pocket to use for more important things.
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Bartering..the Ultimate Frugal Idea
I needed help getting my sewing machine working...she needed to get her e-mail up and running. She had the know-how about sewing machines and my hubby is my computer geek. This was a perfect match. This was a great way to help both people involved and no one spends any money..just a little time. Remember when people use to pay their bills by offering goods or services? Why don't people do this more often? I think this is the best frugal idea in the world! I think we sell ourselves short by not offering this as a solution to help everybody involved. Am I suggesting that we pay all our bills that way; that is not how society works anymore. But why not allow us to use our talents to benefit everyone involved? Think about how you could exchange your goods or services the next time you need or want something..this could be a win-win situation.
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Living Without a New Car?
Is it possible to live your life without paying car payments?
My response is yes. I know; it's a novel idea. Credit has been a main staple in most people's lives in this day and age. But what did people do 100 years ago when they wanted or needed to buy something? There were no credit cards at that time, and there were no "borrow money from the bank to buy that horse to get you where you need to go". People paid cash...imagine that... using cash for your purchases. "But I need a new car to get to and from work", you say. But do you? Will a good quality used car do the job? We don't have brand new cars, but they are good quality cars that get us both to and from work and we work a minimum of 30 miles away from home; often times my husband works much farther away.
But cash for a car? I am living proof that it can be done. We don't drive new vehicles. My husband drives a 2002 Pontiac Bonneville and I drive 2006 Chevy Malibu Max. These are definitely not luxury cars but they were well maintained prior to our purchase and we have taken good care of them since aquiring them (other than the baseball size hail that put some pretty dents all over mine). But that didn't hurt anywhere near as much as those people in my office watching the storm and crying over their new, financed car and wishing they were in the position I am in.
Is this something that can be done overnight? Of course not...but it can be done. I highly recommend for you to read "Financial Peace Revisited" by Dave Ramsey. This is a guide to help you do the things you want in life...all without paying someone else to use their money.
(Edited 8-1-10)..just found more information on this idea at:
http://www.livingonadime.com/paying-cash-car/comment-page-1/#comment-3623
My response is yes. I know; it's a novel idea. Credit has been a main staple in most people's lives in this day and age. But what did people do 100 years ago when they wanted or needed to buy something? There were no credit cards at that time, and there were no "borrow money from the bank to buy that horse to get you where you need to go". People paid cash...imagine that... using cash for your purchases. "But I need a new car to get to and from work", you say. But do you? Will a good quality used car do the job? We don't have brand new cars, but they are good quality cars that get us both to and from work and we work a minimum of 30 miles away from home; often times my husband works much farther away.
But cash for a car? I am living proof that it can be done. We don't drive new vehicles. My husband drives a 2002 Pontiac Bonneville and I drive 2006 Chevy Malibu Max. These are definitely not luxury cars but they were well maintained prior to our purchase and we have taken good care of them since aquiring them (other than the baseball size hail that put some pretty dents all over mine). But that didn't hurt anywhere near as much as those people in my office watching the storm and crying over their new, financed car and wishing they were in the position I am in.
Is this something that can be done overnight? Of course not...but it can be done. I highly recommend for you to read "Financial Peace Revisited" by Dave Ramsey. This is a guide to help you do the things you want in life...all without paying someone else to use their money.
(Edited 8-1-10)..just found more information on this idea at:
http://www.livingonadime.com/paying-cash-car/comment-page-1/#comment-3623
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
New Uses for Things You Already Have
I love learning about new uses for things I have lying around the house...here is a few ideas for something that most women have lying around.
Nail Polish
1. Keep an eyeglass screw in place. If your specs are a bit wobbly, tighten the screws and top them with a dollop of polish.
2. Secure buttons. Apply a thin layer of polish to the center of a button to keep the thread from coming loose.
3. Avoid rust stains in the bathroom. Coat the bottom of a shaving-cream can to fend off rings on the ledge of the tub.
4. Seal an envelope. When a flap won’t stay stuck, find closure with clear polish.
5. Extend the life of jewelry. Paint a thin coat onto a costume bauble to prevent it from losing its luster.
(From RealSimple.com)28 Uses for Everyday Items By Sharon Tanenbaum and Ashley Tate
The hidden talents (both new and tried-and-true) of kitchen and bathroom staples
.
6. When You bring a new prescription home from the drugstore, paint over the label with clear nail polish. That way, even if the bottle gets wet, the ink won't run and you'll still be able to read the instructions.
7. Do you have trouble lining up those all-but-invisible arrows on childproof medicine bottles? Pain the marks with brightly colored nail polish, and you'll get 'em together on the first try, every time.
8. If you drip-dry clothes on wire hangers, nicks or rust spots on the hangers can end up staining you clothes. Keep 'em sealed with clear nail polish.
9. Are your shoelaces fraying at the ends? Twist the strands together tightly, dampen them just a little, dip them in clear nail polish, and let them dry.
10. Stop pantyhose and stocking runs from spreading by dabbing them with clear nail polish (I have used this..it works!).
(From Supermarket Super Products by Jerry Baker)
Nail Polish
1. Keep an eyeglass screw in place. If your specs are a bit wobbly, tighten the screws and top them with a dollop of polish.
2. Secure buttons. Apply a thin layer of polish to the center of a button to keep the thread from coming loose.
3. Avoid rust stains in the bathroom. Coat the bottom of a shaving-cream can to fend off rings on the ledge of the tub.
4. Seal an envelope. When a flap won’t stay stuck, find closure with clear polish.
5. Extend the life of jewelry. Paint a thin coat onto a costume bauble to prevent it from losing its luster.
(From RealSimple.com)28 Uses for Everyday Items By Sharon Tanenbaum and Ashley Tate
The hidden talents (both new and tried-and-true) of kitchen and bathroom staples
.
6. When You bring a new prescription home from the drugstore, paint over the label with clear nail polish. That way, even if the bottle gets wet, the ink won't run and you'll still be able to read the instructions.
7. Do you have trouble lining up those all-but-invisible arrows on childproof medicine bottles? Pain the marks with brightly colored nail polish, and you'll get 'em together on the first try, every time.
8. If you drip-dry clothes on wire hangers, nicks or rust spots on the hangers can end up staining you clothes. Keep 'em sealed with clear nail polish.
9. Are your shoelaces fraying at the ends? Twist the strands together tightly, dampen them just a little, dip them in clear nail polish, and let them dry.
10. Stop pantyhose and stocking runs from spreading by dabbing them with clear nail polish (I have used this..it works!).
(From Supermarket Super Products by Jerry Baker)
Sneaky Chef Mastermind..the Frugal Way
What for dinner? I have leftover taco meat...what to do with it??
Cook some Ziti noodles; drain...
add one can of Spaghetti sauce (I use Hunts w/veggies in it)
add the taco meat
add 1 container of cottage cheese
add in 1 cup of thawed and drained frozen spinach
Stir all this up and put in a dish and add mozzarella on top.Bake until cheese has been melted.
Enjoy.
Don't tell my 13 yr old that there are healthy veggies in this dinner (he just knows it is delicious) ;)
Cook some Ziti noodles; drain...
add one can of Spaghetti sauce (I use Hunts w/veggies in it)
add the taco meat
add 1 container of cottage cheese
add in 1 cup of thawed and drained frozen spinach
Stir all this up and put in a dish and add mozzarella on top.Bake until cheese has been melted.
Enjoy.
Don't tell my 13 yr old that there are healthy veggies in this dinner (he just knows it is delicious) ;)
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