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Saturday, November 20, 2010

Money Saving Tip for Workouts and Exercise

As posted in Money Talks News:


  1. Walking or jogging in your neighborhood is free and fresh air is better than the air in a health club.
  2. Buy inexpensive workout and aerobic videotapes and use them at home with your TV. You could easily get a better workout than you’d get at a health club, and you can own the tapes for $5 to $10 each. Rent them first until you know you like them.
  3. If you insist on joining a health club, try joining for a month or buying a series of single-day passes first to make sure you’re going to have the time and discipline to stick with it. Avoid long-term membership contracts.
  4. Avoid buying sports accessories until you know that the activity is a fixed habit. For example, don’t buy a gym bag until you’ve been to the gym 20 times. Don’t buy good inline skates until you’ve racked up 200 miles on the cheap ones. Reward yourself with a Walkman after you’ve jogged 20 miles with only the sound of the wind in your ears. Then buy all that stuff used.

It's Time To Start Thinking About Next Christmas!!

I know, I know, we haven't even got to this holiday season and I'm thinking ahead.  I had to sit down and calculate about how much I want to set aside for next years shopping.  I use Smarty Pig, an on-line savings account that you can set up for any goal (Christmas shopping, travel, weddings, etc.).  You set the goal and they debit your account each month with a set amount to help you reach your goal by the time you set to make it.  They pay some of the best interest rates out there.  At the end of your goal, they can send the money back to your bank,  a gift card or you can choose to shop at stores that they sponsor and get some nice discounts.  I always take the cash.  I've done this for 3 years now.  It's awesome. 

Check out http://www.smartypig.com/

Money Saving Beauty Tip

Pedicures, manicures, fancy haircuts and gym memberships are all luxuries too. If you
are in the professional world and feel that you must have the manicure and haircut,
check out a local esthetcian school; you can get the same services performed by
supervised students at a fracton of the cost.

Friday, November 19, 2010

 Want to get out of debt? "Quit borrowing money! You can't get out of a hole while digging out the bottom." —Dave Ramsey

FREE Personalized Letter From Santa

videocard Free Personalized Video Card From Santa
Here’s something kind of neat. You can get a FREE Personalized e-card from “Magic Santa”
 
Just enter some information about your child and Santa Claus will send back a personalized video!

Thanks, Chi Town Cheapskate

Stockpile Swap Party - I thought this was a great idea


Have an overflowing stockpile or just want to clean out some of your extras before Christmas? Here’s a great idea that Amy emailed in:
Once anyone has couponed for six months or more, you usually find you have a healthy stockpile of items. Recently, I approached my friend Esther about the idea of a Stockpile Swap. We decided on a date, time and location and began to organize this unique event!
We planned our swap on a weeknight, when most people were available. We used many different venues to advertise for the event, such as Facebook, Esther’s blog, and our church newsletter. Each person was asked to bring ten new, unopened grocery, cleaning or toiletry items. We made these terms very clear. We also asked each participant to check expiration dates and double-check that the items had never been opened or used.
Many people brought more than ten items, which just made the selection better. Some people even brought candles, books — all new! I was fearful that we would have many of the same items — mostly highly processed food or way too many Johnson’s Buddies soaps or feminine products. But, I was pleasantly surprised to see such a wide variety of items, and even some organic items. One friend even brought some local honey she had on hand!
We gave each person a name tag with one of four different colors. These colors were used to divide into four smaller groups. Then we established an “order of play”. For example, it went in a rotating cycle of pink, purple, orange, yellow. As a color group would go to the tables, each person could select only one item. We rotated through the same four groups until everyone had accumulated ten items. We then donated the remainder of the items to local needy families.
It was really encouraging to see people go home with ten new items — things they hand-picked and really could use! We also had a coffee table full of coupons that were free for the taking and door prizes to give away.
It was a great night for everyone and something I hope to do every six months or so. It helped me to clear out my own stockpile and select some items that I could use. I left feeling like I’d just scored the deal of the year — for free!
Amy lives just north of Orlando, Florida.  She is a part-time nurse and full-time wife and mother.  She loves to host parties, sew, and spend time with her family.  She blogs about her sewing projects and home remodel at Gabriel’s Good Tidings.

48 Ways to Make a Gift in a Jar

48 Ways to Make a Gift in a Jar: "Home > Holidays & Events > Topics: Gifting & Gift Cards


48 Ways to Make a Gift in a Jar

Submitted by: Kira @ Tip Hero 10/27/2010 9:35 AM

Homemade gifts are the best kinds of gifts. Making a gift in a jar can be really easy and inexpensive (especially if you've already got the jar), and it's fun for the recipient to receive. All you have to do is layer the ingredients and add a tag with the recipe for the jar's contents.

Here are just some of the ideas from Tip Junkie:


Single Serving Pies: once made, all the recipient has to do is pop these into the oven and enjoy!


Cupcakes in a Jar: this is a cute, special treat, complete with icing.


Cookies in a Jar for Santa: these make great gifts for teachers or friends. It makes baking cookies for Santa on Christmas Eve easy, fun and hassle-free.


Homemade Sugar Scrubs: check out 3 easy recipes for scented sugar scrubs, great for the person on your list who needs some pampering.


Homemade Bath Salts and Soaks: another great gift for people who need stress-relief and relaxation.


Peppermint Stick Cocoa: this is a great gift for the holiday season. Just remember to include a recipe tag."

Money Saving Utility Tip:

  • Shorten Your Dryer-Vent Hose: disconnect the hose and vacuum it out. Then trim the hose length so that it's just long enough to reach a few feet from the dryer to the wall. Your dryer will run more efficiently with a short and unobstructed line. The cost of this is free and you'll save $25 a year on electric, gas or propane. Your clothes will also dry 20% faster.
  • Thursday, November 18, 2010

    Kiss Vicks Goodbye – DIY Chest Rub

    When we are sick, many of us reach for the Vicks Vapo Rub.  I often have, hoping it would ease my congestion.  Over the past few years I have grown more wary of using any petroleum-based products, and have sought more natural means of dealing with colds and congestion.
    I was going to save this post for the winter months, but my daughter just came down with a summer cold and I thought some of you might too. (But hopefully not!)
    With the surge in skin-based medicines such as the birth-control patch and the nicotine patch, it has become increasingly obvious how much the skin actually absorbs.  What we put on our bodies is just as important as what we put in our bodies!
    There are many natural products available at the health food store, but they can be expensive.  Making your own chest rub could not be easier.  All you need is a little olive or almond oil and some essential oils.

    Here is the very un-complicated process:
    Pour 2 ounces of almond or olive oil into a small bowl or cup.
    Add 20 drops of essential oil – choose eucalyptus, hyssop, thyme, peppermint,  basil, or rosemary.
    This recipe comes from An Encyclopedia of Natural Healing for Children and Infants, by Mary Bove, N.D. page 286.
    I have personally only used  eucalyptus so far and often make just half the recipe (1 ounce oil, 10 drops eucalyptus).
    Chest rubs are useful because they help to relax the chest muscles by increasing circulation.  The aroma is also soothing and aids the opening of respiratory passages.
    Bove mentions that the recommended essential oils (mentioned above)“are very volatile and therefore penetrate the skin easily, stimulate blood flow, relax the muscles, and deliver medication to the local area.  They can be especially effective with spastic, tight coughs.” (page 99, An Encyclopedia of Natural Healing for Children and Infants )
    With younger children you may wish to start with less than 10 drops per ounce of oil and see how they do.  Do not apply essential oils directly to the skin, and never ingest.
    This post is being shared at Simple Lives Thursday at GNOWFGLINS.

    Money Saving Utility Tip:

    When cooking with your oven, open the oven door after you are done to let the heat help heat the house.

    Eight Way To Reuse Old T-Shirts

    Care2

    Eight ways to reuse old T-shirts

    7 votes
    T-shirt laptop case
    (Laptop case. Creative Commons photo by vox.)
    We all have them in our dressers: A couple of T-shirts that are past their prime, but we just can't get rid of them.
    Whether it's from an awesome concert or a really special family reunion, you can give an old T-shirt a new life with some crafty skills.

    1. Laptop Cozy

    The folks at Make share a quickie tutorial for turning a T-shirt into a laptop case by simply folding the shirt in half with the wrong sides in, stitching up the sides, then flipping it back.

    T-shirt pillow
    (Pillow. Creative Commons photo by zen.)

    2. Pillow

    Cut a straight line from shoulder to shoulder and from sleeves to the bottom hem. Trim as much off of the bottom of the shirt as you like, then stitch it up inside out, leaving a bit of room to flip and stuff.
    Once you've flipped and stuffed your pillow, close the seam with a whip stitch or a sneaky ladder stitch, and you're ready to go.

    t-shirt quilt
    (Quilt. Creative Commons photo by melissadion.)

    3. Quilt

    Is that collection of shirts a little bit out of hand? You can turn a bunch of old T-shirts into a super-comfy memory quilt.
    Just cut your shirts into squares, piece them together, and sew it up! If you're new to quilting, About has some great, quick tips for quilters to help you out. Keep it eco-friendly with organic or recycled batting.

    T-shirt skirt
    (Skirt. Creative Commons photo by Aine D.)

    4. Skirt

    Ready for the quickest refashion yet? Cute Circuit shows you how to turn an old shirt into a skirt in 30 seconds flat!

    t-shirt necklace
    (Necklace. Creative Commons photo by Lazy T Crochet.)

    5. Necklace

    Dollar Store Crafts shows you how to make a simple, elegant T-shirt necklace. I like how she added decorative beads to spice things up.

    grocery totes
    (Grocery totes. Creative Commons photo via 350.org.)

    6. Grocery Bag

    A grocery bag is another super-quick T-shirt craft. The ever-fabulous Martha Stewart walks you through how to turn an old shirt into a reusable grocery bag.

    applique
    (Applique. Creative Commons photo by frangrit.)

    7. Applique

    Is a little spot, tear, or stain keeping your favorite shirt from being wearable? That's easy as pie to fix up!
    Just cover that pesky spot with your very own applique. You can use something store-bought, or cut shapes you like out of fabric or felt and stitch it right on. If you're using a machine to stitch, you'll want to put interfacing inside the shirt behind where you'll be stitching, or the fabric could pucker around the stitches.

    undies
    (Undies. Creative Commons photo by lleite.)

    8. Undies

    Over at SuperNaturale, Logan shows you how to transform an old tee into a comfy pair of undies.
    Have you guys done any creative T-shirt surgery? I'd love to hear your project ideas in the comments!
    Becky Striepe is a green blogger and independent crafter with a passion for vintage fabrics. She runs a crafty business, Glue and Glitter, where her mission is to use existing materials in products that help folks reduce their impact without sacrificing style. She specializes in aprons and custom lunch bags. Like this article? You can follow Becky on Twitter or find her on Facebook.

    Make Money From Home ....

    I don't know how this works, but I'm passing the info along anyway.  It looked like a good opportunity.

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    Minds Pay
    Here is a site where you can review popular products and earn money all at the same time.

    Click Here

    Another Thanksgiving Money Saving Tip

  • Pot Luck to the Rescue: if you're hosting dinner, then have everyone bring their own dish. Just make sure you know what everyone is bringing beforehand so you don't end up with 2 of the same dish. You'll spend less money and less time cooking, allowing you to focus on that turkey! ~ by: Kira @ Tip Hero
  • Wednesday, November 17, 2010

    Homemade Gel Air Fresheners

    Homemade Gel Air Fresheners are a great inexpensive gift to give during the holidays.  I like to make them for the people that work with my husband and myself (we have a lot of people where we work).  I can make about 5 or 6 for less than $2.00.

    Instructions:
    1. Combine 1 1/2 cups of liquid potpourri and 2 tbsp. of salt in a saucepan over medium-low heat. 

    2. Bring the potpourri and salt to a simmer.  Stir the ingredients slowly to dissolve the salt.

    3. Add four packets of unflavored gelatin.  Stir the gelatin with the potpourri and stir to mix it well.

    4. Remove the saucepan from the stove top.  Add 1/2 cup of liquid potpourri and stir to mix it well.

    5. Pour the gel into a heat-safe glass jar ( I use baby food jars).  Allow the jar to cool completely before placing it in a room.

    Tip:  Add food coloring before the gel cools to create a different colored air freshener.  Wrap the jars with wrapping paper or lace or any scrap of material and tie with a ribbon or rafia. 

    Thanksgiving Day Money Saving Tip

  • Multitask: utilize your oven for as many items as possible at the same time to save on energy costs. Throw other sides in while the turkey is cooking. If you have a few pies that can be cooked at around the same temperature, throw them all in while the oven is hot. ~by: Kira @ Tip Hero
  • Tuesday, November 16, 2010

    Thanksgiving Day Money Saving Tip

    Ask your guests to bring their own containers for leftovers.  This way you don't have to use your own and wonder if you will ever see them again.  You also won't have to track down your tupperware and retrieve it.  When your guests bring their own...it will save you time and money.

    My First Blog...

      This website is created for the frugal minded and those who want to be.  I hope it will be a collection of ways to save money.  Maybe help make the world a little more green in the process. 

      Please feel free to post your tips, hints, recipes, stories and successes.  I would love to hear them all.  I am always trying to learn.