tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33302452841139222772024-03-12T21:51:13.355-07:00Talk Thrifty To MeRide along on the author's journey into frugality and sustainability. Along the way you'll glean thrifty tips, helpful hints, cheap and green craft ideas, realistic recipes and shopping savvy.Betsy Bargainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09792249996787123020noreply@blogger.comBlogger80125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3330245284113922277.post-9584365916130789912011-05-19T16:16:00.000-07:002011-05-19T16:16:10.350-07:00Get Yourself Into A JamA nice freezer jam, that is. One warm evening last week, my craft group decided to do something a little different. We bought a couple flats of strawberries, and made freezer jam. Ball Canning makes a product called Instant Pectin which can be used to make freezer jam out of any type of fruit, without cooking. You can find it in most grocery stores. <br />
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It was easy. First we hulled the strawberries, then mashed them in a big bowl with a potato masher. We left them pretty chunky. Next, we mixed the instant pectin with sugar, according to the directions on the package. Then we stirred the pectin and sugar mixture into the strawberries. We spooned the jam into jars, waited 30 minutes for it to gel, and that was it! The finished product can be stored up to 3 weeks in the refrigerator, or up to 1 year in the freezer.<br />
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We bought canning jars, but since you are not boiling the jars, any saved food jars you have would work fine. This would be a great way to use any surplus fruit from friends who have fruit trees. It is great to do in the house during the summer, since it doesn't involve heating up the kitchen. With some cute handmade labels, this would make a great gift too! Just make sure the recipient knows it can't be stored in the pantry like pressure canned jam.<br />
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Go ahead, get yourself into a jam. You'll be glad you did!Betsy Bargainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09792249996787123020noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3330245284113922277.post-47531646798102955012011-04-21T14:04:00.000-07:002011-04-21T14:04:35.816-07:00Ten Terra-rific TipsIn keeping with my annual <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1303419547_0">Earth Day</span> tradition, I've come up with a list of green tips for you. If you can incorporate even a few of these into your daily routine you will be living much lighter on the planet.<br />
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1. Air dry laundry or use a drying rack whenever possible.<br />
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2. If you must use the dryer, dry loads one after another. You'll use much less energy that way, because the dryer doesn't need to heat up each time.<br />
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3. Make sure your <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1303419547_1">water heater</span> is set no higher than 120 degrees.<br />
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4. Your refrigerater doesn't need to be any colder than 35 to 38 degrees, and your freezer between 0 degrees and 5 degrees.<br />
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5. Install aerators on all your faucets - you'll use a lot less water, and still get decent water pressure.<br />
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6. Bring toxic items such as old paints, cleaners and solvents to a <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1303419547_2" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; cursor: pointer;">hazardous waste facility</span> for safe disposal.<br />
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7. If your office doesn't recycle, see if you can take the aluminum cans and paper home to recycle.<br />
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8. Use your toaster oven or <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1303419547_3">slow cooker</span> to prepare meals whenever possible, rather than heating up your oven.<br />
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9. Bring your used up batteries to your local pharmacy's photo department. Most will accept them and send them in with the batteries they take out of the <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1303419547_4">disposable cameras</span> for recycling. <br />
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10. Consider purchasing LED bulbs for your most used <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1303419547_5">light fixture</span>. The prices are starting to come down and you can get them at the big hardware stores for a more reasonable price. Remember, they cost a lot more upfront, but last 5 to 10 times longer than CFL bulbs, and 50 to 100 times longer than incandescents. They also use about one tenth of the energy an <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1303419547_6" style="border-bottom: 2px dotted rgb(54, 99, 136); cursor: pointer;">incandescent bulb</span> uses!<br />
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For more inspiration, check out my previous earth day posts, here <a href="http://talkthrifty.blogspot.com/2010/04/happy-anniversary-mother-earth.html" target="_blank"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1303419547_7">http://talkthrifty.blogspot.com/2010/04/happy-anniversary-mother-earth.html</span></a> and here <a href="http://talkthrifty.blogspot.com/2009/04/one-small-step-for-you-one-giant-leap.html" target="_blank"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1303419547_8">http://talkthrifty.blogspot.com/2009/04/one-small-step-for-you-one-giant-leap.html</span></a>. Now get busy, and go green!Betsy Bargainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09792249996787123020noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3330245284113922277.post-11402008045112847572011-03-21T13:47:00.000-07:002011-03-21T13:47:16.394-07:00Be Entertained For Monetary GainIn the evenings, while I watch tv, I like to earn a few extra dollars at the same time. If I'm watching something that doesn't require much concentration (most shows fit this criteria) I can easily do two things at once.<br />
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One thing I'll do is click on the ads at "pay to click" sites. This only pays a penny or two for each ad, but it adds up, and doesn't take much time, since I do it while I'm watching the tube. Some of the sites only pay a fraction of a penny per ad, so I skip those. I find them to be a waste of time. Some of the sites I like, that I have actually been paid by, are <a href="http://www.clixsense.com/">http://www.clixsense.com/</a>, <a href="http://paidthefastest.com/members/register.php?ref=kdfree">http://paidthefastest.com/members/register.php?ref=kdfree</a> (this one lets you cash out to paypal after earning only $1), <a href="http://wordlinx.com/?r=286337">http://wordlinx.com/?r=286337</a>, <a href="http://www.logitraffic.com/index.php?ref_id=15293">http://www.logitraffic.com/index.php?ref_id=15293</a>, <a href="http://www2.quickrewards.net/?r=kdfree">http://www2.quickrewards.net/?r=kdfree</a>. Some of the sites I get a referral, so if you use the links I provide to sign up, I will get credit for your clicks too. If you have any friends who are interested, you can have them sign up under you and you will get credit for a percentage of their clicks as well. It only takes a few minutes to sign up for each site, and will only take you a couple minutes each day to click on the ads. Some sites offer a "premium" account which you have to pay for. I never do this. I just sign up for the free, standard account. One word of caution: make sure you have active anti-virus software on your computer. The sites don't guarantee that one of the ads from their advertisers might not have a virus or malware. I have never had any problems, but make sure your virus software is up to date just to be safe.<br />
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Another double-tasking activity of mine is performing short tasks on <a href="http://www.mturk.com/">http://www.mturk.com/</a>. Tasks pay anywhere from a few cents to $20 or more. Tasks can be surveys, audio transcription, tagging photos with appropriate tags, behavioral studies submitted by universities, all sorts of interesting things. I personally don't usually bother with hits that pay under 25 cents for a few minutes work. Before you accept a hit, it will tell you about how long it should take. If you start a hit and find that you can't do it, you can return the hit for someone else to work on, but don't do this too often as it will affect your rating on the site. There is a record of your earnings when you log in to amazon.com, and you can use them there to purchase whatever you want. There is also a way to have the funds transferred to your bank account, although I have not done this.<br />
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I also like to enter contests while I am in couch potato mode. It is free and easy to enter most contests online, and occasionally I win! I like the ones at Woman's Day magazine: <a href="http://sweepstakes.womansday.com/">http://sweepstakes.womansday.com/</a>, All You magazine: <a href="http://www.allyou.com/sweepstakes-giveaways/">http://www.allyou.com/sweepstakes-giveaways/</a>, and Better Homes and Gardens: <a href="http://www.bhg.com/free-stuff/">http://www.bhg.com/free-stuff/</a>. I also find sweepstakes on these three websites: <a href="http://www.online-sweepstakes.com/">http://www.online-sweepstakes.com/</a>, <a href="http://contests.about.com/">http://contests.about.com/</a> and <a href="http://forum.volition.com/forum.asp?FORUM_ID=10">http://forum.volition.com/forum.asp?FORUM_ID=10</a>. Even if you don't win that often, it's fun daydreaming about all the great vacations and life-altering windfalls you could be the recipient of!<br />
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One more view while I earn activity of mine is to take part in the sponsored polls at <a href="http://www.toluna.com/">http://www.toluna.com/</a>. I do the surveys too, but I find I don't qualify for many of them. There are always polls available to earn points. Each poll earns you anywhere from 15 to a couple hundred points, and only takes a few seconds. It might direct you to a survey afterward, depending on your answer, but you don't have to fill it out if you don't want to. You can just direct your browser back to the site and do more polls. It takes 60,000 points to earn a $20 check. I find that I can quickly and easily earn 1,000 points per day, allowing me to cash out for $20 every few months. <br />
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I hope this post has given you a few ideas about how you can be entertained for monetary gain! If you have any of your own tips for earning while you veg in front of the tv, please share!Betsy Bargainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09792249996787123020noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3330245284113922277.post-73006978106599507052011-02-26T21:09:00.000-08:002011-02-26T21:09:04.777-08:00Enjoy A Stack Of Sweet Savings<span><iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=tathtome-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=0375752250&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe></span>This Tuesday, March 1st from 7:00 am to 10 p.m., IHOP is having their annual benefit for the Children's Miracle Network Hospitals. In return for a voluntary donation, you receive a free short stack of pancakes. It's a great opportunity to do some good and enjoy an inexpensive breakfast with friends at the same time. If you have an IHOP near you, why not get out and show your support!<br />
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If you don't have an IHOP near you, enjoy some pancakes at home. They are cheap, easy to make, and can be healthy if you use whole grain flours and top them with fresh fruit, or make savory pancakes and top them with vegetables and cheese. If you prefer your pancakes with syrup, here's a thrifty recipe:<br />
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Homemade Pancake Syrup<br />
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This recipe is taken from The Complete Tightwad Gazette by Amy Dacyczn. <br />
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3 cups sugar<br />
1 1/2 cups water<br />
3 tbsp. molasses<br />
1 tsp. vanilla<br />
2 tsp. butter flavoring<br />
1 tsp. maple extract<br />
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Bring all ingredients to a rolling boil, stirring until sugar dissolves. Turn off burner but leave pot on burner until bubbling stops.<br />
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They are good for breakfast, or have breakfast for dinner once in a while! Good recipes abound on the internet. You can even make a few extra and freeze them, then reheat for breakfast on the go!<br />
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Have some pancakes today, and enjoy a sweet (or savory) stack of savings!Betsy Bargainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09792249996787123020noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3330245284113922277.post-38720651564313707542011-02-07T16:02:00.000-08:002011-02-07T16:02:22.728-08:00Enjoy A Few Laughs With Your Better HalfWhile watching the DVD of a well-known comedian's recent live performance on Netflix instant the other night, it hit me. This would be a fun idea for a frugal Valentine's Day "date night" at home. After all, laughter is an aphrodisiac! <br />
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If you don't have Netflix, you can rent a comedy DVD or find one at your local library. Prepare some appetizers like they would serve at a comedy club. Make a pitcher of cocktails, or mocktails if you don't drink. Wait until the kids go to bed, get cozy on the couch, arrange everything on the coffee table and crack up together. If you get a little tipsy, well at least you don't have to drive anywhere. You won't have to pay a big bar tab at the end of the evening either!<br />
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Happy Valentine's Day!Betsy Bargainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09792249996787123020noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3330245284113922277.post-24961849827371815872011-01-16T21:18:00.000-08:002011-01-16T21:18:24.320-08:00Get A Move OnAlthough I fervently hope my moving days are over, a friend's recent move inspired this post. Moving can be an expensive proposition. Here are a few ways to lower the cost, and make things simpler.<br />
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Don't buy moving boxes. Look on Craigslist or Freecycle for someone who has just moved and is giving boxes away. Wine boxes are great for packing glasses and fragile knickknacks without wrapping. Ask at a liquor store or Trader Joe's for empty boxes. They are usually happy to get rid of them. Ask friends to save bubble wrap and newspapers for you. I packed all my plates between layers of padded mailers last time I moved. It was so much quicker than wrapping each one, and nothing broke! Use your linens as padding for breakables. If you are not able to use wine boxes, socks are great for separating glasses and protecting them.<br />
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Leave clothes on hangers. Make a small hole in the bottom of a garbage bag, poke hangers through, and tie shut. It goes without saying that these should be dollar store garbage bags. When you get to the new house, you can simply hang the clothes up.<br />
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Quilts and blankets are good for protecting furniture corners. They work just as well as those pads that come with the moving truck, which of course you won't be renting. Find some friends with a van or pickup truck. This means that you must be willing to help them when they move, too!<br />
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If you are only moving a block away, consider skipping the truck altogether, and hand carrying everything. As long as you have enough help, it's not that bad, and the planet will thank you.<br />
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Make sure you have lots of reusable bottles filled with cold water for your helpers. Consider making sandwiches for everyone ahead of time, rather than ordering pizza or other takeout.<br />
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I hope you'll be very happy in your new home!Betsy Bargainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09792249996787123020noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3330245284113922277.post-57842256567383998682011-01-02T18:57:00.000-08:002011-01-02T18:57:57.399-08:00Savings Amassed In The Year Just PastMany people scoff at me for taking the time to sign up for freebies, submit rebates and fill out surveys. At the end of last year, I became curious exactly how much money I make by taking advantage of freebies and rebates, and participating in surveys, focus groups, etc. Throughout the year, I've been keeping track. Here are my results for 2010.<br />
The total value of all merchandise received, including free samples, items which were free with a coupon, and items that were free after rebate, including those store gift cards for $10 free at Kohl's or JC Penney, was $995.84. I did not include savings from regular cents off coupons, or my free magazine subscriptions, mainly because I pass them around to my friends and relatives, and I'm not sure which subscription is whose anymore! I estimated the value of each free sample at 25 cents, which may be a little low. Some samples are just a dab of lotion on a card, while others, such as coffee are worth more. I figured it would average out.<br />
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The total earnings from surveys, pay-to-click sites, participating in online communities sponsored by brands and programs like Nielsen Consumer Panel and Amazon Mechanical Turk was $890.22. <br />
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This comes out to a grand total of $1,886.06 from all sources for the year. This has not been a particularly good year for surveys or samples, with the state of the economy. If I had been keeping track in previous years, I'm sure the total would have been much higher. Is it worth it to do all the little things I do to earn extra money? I say definitely! With relatively little time devoted to these activities, you can really augment your household budget. Many of these things I do while watching tv, so they don't really take up much of my day.<br />
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I plan to write some posts in the future that go into greater detail about some of these programs. In the meantime, feel free to comment and ask any questions you might have.<br />
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Happy New Year to all my readers. Let's save some money in 2011!Betsy Bargainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09792249996787123020noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3330245284113922277.post-31203164015983419882010-12-21T22:35:00.000-08:002010-12-21T22:35:15.531-08:00Hot PocketsSome of you may have been wondering what's happened to me. I've been taking a little hiatus due to the hectic holiday season. I'll be back soon with more of my usual lengthy posts.<br />
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In the meantime, I just wanted to pop in here and tell you about a little brainstorm I had. My heater is out of commission, and while waiting for the repair guy to show up, I had a great idea! I have some of those cloth heating packs you microwave with the rice inside. I popped one in the microwave and then slid it inside my sweatshirt, which is the kind with the big pocket on the front. I am sitting here typing away on the couch, toasty warm! This would be a good way to keep your heater turned down low and still stay warm, particularly if you're just sitting around. If you don't have any of those heating packs, you can make a quick one by tying some rice inside a clean tube sock.<br />
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Hope this helps you to keep your heating bill low, and your comfort level high! Happy Holidays, everyone!Betsy Bargainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09792249996787123020noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3330245284113922277.post-28239311547461865252010-11-15T13:48:00.000-08:002010-11-15T13:48:05.395-08:00I Dig Freestores!Saturday was the first gathering of LAfreestore. The LAfreestore is the project of Krisha, a student of Sustainability Studies at Cal Poly Pomona. It is a community exchange designed to bring together members of the community by the sharing of goods, services, smiles and great conversation. This type of exchange is good for many reasons. It's good for the environment since it keeps usable goods out of landfills. It's good for the soul because when we give to others we give ourselves something equally valuable. It's good for the community since it provides people a place to gather and exchange all sorts of ideas and things. <br />
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The origins of LAfreestore can be traced way back to the Digger movement in England in the 1600's. The Diggers were an agrarian, communal society, so called because they grew their own food. They began as the "True Levellers", a protestant movement that got their economically egalitarian views from a passage in the Book of Acts. The Digger colonies were completely wiped out by wealthy, influential groups of Landowners by 1650. The movement resurfaced in San Francisco in the 1960's, led by a bunch of improv actors and activists. They opened up stores where they gave away goods, services, medical care, transportation and temporary housing for free. They also prepared "Digger Stew" from donated and stolen vegetables and meat, and fed anyone who was hungry. From there, Freestores popped up in other cities throughout the sixties, with the largest in New York.<br />
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My friend and I had heard about the event through someone else, and we were not quite sure what to expect. Being big fans of Freecycle, which is an online version of the Freestore, we wanted to check it out. We gathered together some used clothes and shoes, paperback books and toiletry items in tote bags and set out. This first gathering was held in the Eagle Rock section of Los Angeles, in the parking lot of the Casa Princesa Cafe.<br />
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When we arrived, we were greeted by friendly volunteers who took our items to place out on the tables. We could look around and take anything we wanted. No money changed hands. We were encouraged to wear tags naming any skills we could offer to other community members, such as babysitting, housecleaning, Reiki massage or even telling a good joke! These name tags were intended to start discussion between us, and it worked! Before long we were chatting with each other, helping each other to pick out clothes, telling jokes and sharing stories. <br />
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All of the items were clean and in good condition. I was surprised by the variety of stuff available. There were children's and adult's clothes, food, shoes, books, jewelry, CD's and movies, housewares, toiletries, even some seed packets! Next time I'm going to bring containers of seeds I've saved from my garden! We didn't stay very long, but the event was scheduled to last until 2:00 and a band was scheduled to play later. At the time we were there, there were about 30 people, but the idea is that people come and go throughout the day, so I'm sure many more than that were in attendance. <br />
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Right now, the intention is to hold these events twice a year. If you are interested in volunteering, or just want more information, you can visit the website: <a href="http://www.lafreestore.weebly.com/">www.lafreestore.weebly.com</a> or follow the group on Facebook: <a href="http://goo.gl/Lrof">http://goo.gl/Lrof</a>. A few pictures of the event have already been posted on Facebook, and people are sharing their finds. Watch for the date and location of the next gathering! Hope to see you there! If you are not in the LA area, why not consider starting up such an event in your own community? I'm sure you would find it to be a very rewarding experience!Betsy Bargainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09792249996787123020noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3330245284113922277.post-5616384114644107682010-11-10T14:50:00.000-08:002010-11-10T14:52:02.459-08:00When Times Are Tight, Give Thanks For What's Going Right!Times are hard, and many of us are feeling down. In the spirit of Thanksgiving, let's take time this year to be thankful for the things that are going right in our lives. Are all of your family members healthy, or has someone recently recovered after a long illness? Are the kids doing well in school? Are you still in the family home? Do you still have a job? Are you receiving unemployment or food benefits which are keeping your family from being truly destitute? Does your family have active military members who are safe, although they are far from home? Do you have a lot of supportive, nurturing friendships that you treasure? Things may not be perfect, but let's still not forget to count our blessings.<br />
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There are many ways of incorporating this into the holiday celebration. My sister has a small fabric memo board with ribbons to hold the messages. This year we are going to put out a jar of paper strips printed with "I am grateful for..." and a pen underneath the memo board. Each family member will fill one out, tuck it into the memo board, and we will read them during dinner. Some families have a small branch that they stick messages on, some write in a pretty book, others put them in a nice vase. No matter how you do it, you may want to include this activity into your Thanksgiving Day. It may help your family to feel a little more positive about their circumstances. <br />
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I wish you all a fun and relaxing Thanksgiving, surrounded by family and good friends.Betsy Bargainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09792249996787123020noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3330245284113922277.post-73218240711304382792010-10-27T15:42:00.000-07:002010-10-27T15:42:37.413-07:00Squash Those Soup CravingsGot a craving for soup? Cold weather got you wanting something warm and nourishing? Make what I made for lunch the other day. It was really easy. I used a microwave-safe casserole dish with a cover. I combined one 15 oz. can organic butternut squash, one 12 oz. can evaporated milk, garlic powder and salt to taste, a dash of pepper, and a dash of ginger. I microwaved the whole thing with the cover on for seven minutes, stirred, and enjoyed! It was delicious, quick and healthy too! If you don't have ginger, you could substitute nutmeg or sage. Both taste great with squash.<br />
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I hope this simple soup recipe hits the spot. Anyone else have a speedy, effortless soup recipe to share?Betsy Bargainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09792249996787123020noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3330245284113922277.post-41727296820086984522010-10-19T13:52:00.000-07:002010-10-19T13:56:24.548-07:00Beautiful Bloggers, Take A Bow!I was recently honored with the Beautiful Blogger Award by my friend Preeti Bhatt (aka Zengirl) over at Heart and Mind <a href="http://tinyurl.com/2bbk7pd">http://tinyurl.com/2bbk7pd</a>. I was in good company, with other fine bloggers Vaishali Honawar from Holy Cow, Earth Vegan Blog, Evelyn Parham from Becoming Healthier, Farnoosh Brock from Prolific Living, and Sybil from AlternaView.<br />
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<img alt="beautiful-blogger-award" class="yiv430483741yiv1811406782aligncenter" height="200" src="http://www.kaizenvision.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/beautiful-blogger-award23.jpg" title="beautiful-blogger-award2" width="200" /><br />
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If you are not familiar with Preeti's blog, Heart and Mind, you should really drop by and read some of her recent posts, including Feeling Overwhelmed? 8 Ways To Find Relief From It <a href="http://tinyurl.com/29uqcqg">http://tinyurl.com/29uqcqg</a>. Preeti is a fine writer, who focuses on finding balance in your life between what the heart desires and the mind wants. You can subscribe to her blog on the homepage, so you don't miss any of her valuable posts!<br />
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One thing I am supposed to do as a part of receiving this award is to share seven things about me that my readers don't already know. Here goes:<br />
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1. I am a tea fanatic. I absolutely love trying new types of tea, and I rarely try one I don't like, but my all-time favorite is Earl Grey.<br />
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2. I am an avid reader. When I get busy, I really miss finding time to curl up on the couch with a good book and my cat.<br />
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3. I haven't driven a car in over 20 years. This is really odd for a resident of Southern California. I lived in cities where there was great public transportation for so many years I got out of the habit.<br />
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4. I love to garden. Where I live right now, I only have space for containers, but still grow about ten types of vegetables in addition to other types of plants.<br />
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5. I am a crafter. I enjoy rubber stamping, jewelry making and many other crafts.<br />
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6. I am a violinist. It has been many years since I have played, but I intend to get back in practice one day.<br />
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7. I have travelled quite a bit, all over Europe and the Middle East, and have lived abroad as well as in five different states in the US.<br />
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The most fun part about winning the Beautiful Blogger award is getting to select up to five other deserving bloggers to bestow the award on. This was a real challenge, as I follow so many fine, worthwhile blogs, written by smart, imaginative writers with lots of great information to pass on. After much thought and consideration, I selected the following five bloggers:<br />
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Terria Fleming at Daily Good. Terria writes about people and organizations who are doing good in the world through kindness, caring, and green living. If you are looking for something to counteract all the negativity in the news every day, this blog is it! You can subscribe to Terria's blog, or follow her using Google Friend Connect. Read some of Terria's latest posts here, including Best of Remodeling With Great and Unique Homes, about some truly unusual green homes, and The Love Kitchen, about 82 year old twins who are doing their part to end hunger by providing over 2,000 meals a week to Knoxville's hungry. <a href="http://dogoodanddowell.blogspot.com/">http://dogoodanddowell.blogspot.com/</a><br />
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Fern at Life On The Balcony. Fern provides some great tips for the gardener who is either an apartment dweller, or severely space-challenged. If you enjoy Fern's blog, please subscribe. You can also follow her on Twitter. Check out her recent posts, including When You Can't Garden Outdoors Anymore, Grow Vertically Indoors, and Master Gardeners Dig Succulents. <a href="http://lifeonthebalcony.com/">http://lifeonthebalcony.com/</a><br />
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Babe at Frugal Babe. Babe's focus is on living a rich life, without spending a lot of money. Her and her husband paid down a large amount of debt in a very short amount of time, while running a business and keeping a household afloat, so she knows what she's talking about! She would love to have you subscribe or follow her Tweets. You'll find her recent posts, including Ecofrugal Baby - Win Your Copy Here (there's still time to win) and A Better Gift Giving Guide (just in time for Christmas shopping!) here: <a href="http://frugalbabe.com/">http://frugalbabe.com/</a><br />
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Jenn Fowler at Frugal Upstate. Jenn specializes in tips, tricks and techniques for living a good life on a budget. Make sure you visit her Crafts/DIY section for some unique and creative ideas. Her latest posts include Frugal Skills: Coloring Your Hair At Home and Poll: Planning For Holiday Spending. If you're looking for recipes and menu plans, Jenn has you covered here too. You can subscribe to her blog by email or RSS feed, as well as following her on Twitter. <a href="http://www.frugalupstate.com/">http://www.frugalupstate.com/</a><br />
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MJ at Making Do With The Not So New. MJ has lots of great reuse projects on her site, and she even has them organized by material used, so if you are looking for something to do with say, chopsticks, you can go directly to the relevant projects. She welcomes tips from her readers, so if you have any to share please get in touch with her. According to the cool map on her blog, MJ has readers from all over the world, and I can see why! You can follow MJ using Google Friend Connect. Some of her recent posts include Patching Holy Holey Jeans and the clever Bottle Top Bag "Clip". <a href="http://makingdowiththenotsonew.blogspot.com/">http://makingdowiththenotsonew.blogspot.com/</a><br />
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I hope you enjoy browsing through the blogs of the award winners I have chosen. Maybe some of you will find a new favorite!Betsy Bargainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09792249996787123020noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3330245284113922277.post-80376497556571475962010-10-04T21:48:00.000-07:002010-10-04T21:53:28.187-07:00Dual-Use DynamosI like objects that can serve more than one purpose. They save money, and they save space. What are some dual-use items in your house? Here are a few of mine.<br />
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My microwave is used to heat up food, and also sometimes to store foods I want to protect from bugs, and my cat. One example would be freshly baked cookies. If left on the counter, they might be subjected to the lick test by our resident feline taste taster. When placed on a plate in the microwave they are sealed away safely from the eyes of the cat and from those of Mr. Bargain.<br />
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Another kitchen item I use for two different things is my plastic microwave plate cover. Not only is it great for preventing splatters when reheating food, it also makes a good colander for rinsing a few veggies under the tap.<br />
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Corks are another multiple use item. When they are done sealing my wine bottle, I reuse them for sealing bottles of cooking oil or vinegar. I also prop my washing machine open with a cork after use to allow it to dry thoroughly, preventing mildew.<br />
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Chopsticks are a similarly versatile item. When they are not being used to shovel Chow Mein into my mouth, I use them for various craft purposes. They are good for gently popping the bubbles around the edges of the mold when making soap. They are also good for tying wicks around to hold them upright in just-poured candles until they become solid. Another use is poking decorative doodads through the mouth of small bottles or glass ornaments.<br />
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On many occasions I have used a juice glass turned upside down as a cookie or biscuit cutter. Simply roll out the dough, flour lightly, press the glass down into the dough, then twist gently to loosen.<br />
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Rubber bands aren't just for holding groups of objects together. I use them all the time for holding plastic baggies in the dishwasher so they don't fall down onto the heating element while being washed. Place the baggie around six or so prongs, and pull the rubber band down over it to hold it on. The baggie will fill up with water. Once the machine is finished washing, simply empty it out before pulling the rack all the way out.<br />
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These are just a few of the dual-use items in my house. Please share some of yours. I 'm looking forward to learning some new uses for the objects I already have at home!Betsy Bargainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09792249996787123020noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3330245284113922277.post-1796658856198808342010-09-17T16:45:00.000-07:002010-09-17T16:45:21.866-07:00Savings To Spare With Pommes De TerreMy favorite fall pantry staple is potatoes. They are frequently on sale this time of year. Despite the current carb-phobia, they are nutritious, cheap, versatile and filling. Potatoes contain many vitamins and minerals, as well as a type of starch that helps regulate insulin and cholesterol and triglyceride levels.<br />
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Potatoes can be prepared in so many ways. They can be baked, and stuffed with cheese, meat, vegetables, etc. They can be layered in a casserole, grated and made into potato pancakes, or simmered in a stew. They are excellent fried or mashed. With over 3,000 varieties of potatoes worldwide, they are featured prominently in most ethnic cuisines.<br />
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If potatoes are not already a part of your diet, why not pick up a bag today? Try a new recipe from Allrecipes.com, Myrecipes.com or Epicurious.com and come back and share your new favorites with us!Betsy Bargainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09792249996787123020noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3330245284113922277.post-43734827669282619582010-08-30T10:24:00.000-07:002010-08-30T10:24:22.295-07:00Straight Buzz From The HiveIt could be that the bees pollinating my veggies are trying to communicate telepathically with me. I don't know what it is, but it seems all I have been reading lately are tips about bees or honey. Since I'm long overdue at posting here, I thought I'd share a few with you.<br />
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One thing I read was that a simple spoonful of honey could substitute for cough syrup. Since I am in the midst of a miserable summer cold right now, I thought I would test this one out. I ran out of cough syrup last night, and every time I lay down to sleep I would get that tickle in the back of my throat and start coughing. After awhile, I threw back the covers in frustration and made my way to the kitchen. Plundering my collection of honey packets from cups of restaurant tea (I never use the packets when I'm out because they make my fingers all sticky) I found a couple and ripped them open. I squeezed a couple directly into the back of my throat. This did relieve the tickle long enough to let me drift off to sleep. Would it work for a really bad cough? Probably not. Would the effects be terribly long lasting? Not likely. Could honey substitute for cough syrup in a pinch? Sure!<br />
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This brings me to my second tip. Honey is also a natural antiseptic. Try it out on those summer cuts and scrapes! People swore by it before Neosporin was invented! Researchers have even found one type of honey (Manuka) to be effective in treating some MRSA infections.<br />
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I had never heard this tip before the other day. Someone said their doctor recommended taping a penny to a bee sting. The copper would make the swelling go down and neutralize the reaction. There were several people that claimed to have tried this with success. Since I don't relish the thought of deliberately going out and getting stung to test this one out, one of you will have to let me know if this works. I can't wait to hear (not that I'm wishing a bee sting on you)! <br />
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One fun fact: honey is the only food that never spoils! Fruit has been found in Egyptian tombs, preserved in honey, which is edible today. Hope you find these tips to be the bee's knees! At least one of them ought to come in handy at some point if your house is anything like mine.Betsy Bargainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09792249996787123020noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3330245284113922277.post-88008447745954923472010-08-16T13:43:00.000-07:002010-08-16T13:43:51.479-07:00Not Just For Peasants AnymoreNow that summer is in full swing, many of you gardeners will be up to your sunhats in tomatoes and fresh basil. What to do with this sun-induced surplus? Make Bruschetta!<br />
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As far back as the 15th century, peasants were enjoying this delectable appetizer. Today, it holds much more wide-spread appeal. Pronounced (brus'ketta), the name comes from a Roman word meaning "to roast over coals", as the bread was originally roasted over the fire before being topped with the other ingredients.<br />
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There are many variations in preparation. The most common is toasted bread, rubbed with garlic and topped with tomatoes, olive oil, salt and pepper, and fresh basil. Less common versions include red peppers, olives or other vegetables, meat, beans or cheese. Typically, you use a crusty round of bread, such as a sliced baguette. Quality extra virgin olive oil tastes the best.<br />
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When I had a bigger garden, this was my go-to dish for family July 4th celebrations. It was enjoyed without fail by relatives of all ages. Now I make it in much smaller batches just for us, since my container garden isn't up to those quantities! <br />
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I hope you enjoy this recipe. It goes particularly well with a glass of wine! Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Chianti, and Sangiovese are excellent paired with Bruschetta. If you prefer a sparkling wine, try Prosecco. Let me know how you like it!Betsy Bargainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09792249996787123020noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3330245284113922277.post-86527596649166772672010-07-31T22:32:00.000-07:002010-07-31T22:56:12.897-07:00Bag Some Swag!Just in case any of you are not yet signed up with <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Swagbucks</span>, you should sign up, pronto! I love <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Swagbucks</span> because it pays me for doing something I do anyway - search the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Internet</span>. Since November of 2009, when I started using <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Swagbucks</span>, I have redeemed eleven $5 Amazon Gift Cards, just from doing a few searches a day. <br /><br />To use <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Swagbucks</span>, you can either download their toolbar, which I didn't do, because I don't like to download a bunch of stuff, or you can remember to go to the website to perform your search. It's very simple to use, you just type your search in the way your normally would. If you win bucks for your search, a notification will come up in the upper right corner or at the top of the screen, flashing. Search results are provided by Google and Ask, and I've found them to be reliable.<br /><br />I have discovered a few tricks from using the site for the last nine months. If I perform a search and don't get <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Swagbucks</span> right away, it helps to check all pages of results. Sometimes they pop up on the second or third page. You can get 50 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Swagbucks</span> for registering your birthday on the site, and one <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Swagbuck</span> each for checking the Survey section and the No Obligation Offers section (just select "skip" for each offer you're not interested in) and participating in the Daily Poll. If you care to participate in any of the surveys, you can earn bucks that way too. It gives you an indication how likely you are to qualify for each survey before you start. I like this, because if my odds are slim, I don't waste my time! If you do any shopping on the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Internet</span>, you can earn points like that.<br /><br />Don't forget to check Twitter, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Facebook</span> and the official <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Swagbucks</span> Blog. From time to time they will give out codes that you can input to get additional <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Swagbucks</span>. You can also win <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Swagbucks</span> if your name comes up as the Hourly Random Winner on the site. I have never seen my name come up, though. Fridays are <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">MegaSwagbucks</span> Days, and you can win more <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">Swagbucks</span> per search on Fridays.<br /><br />When you have some <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">Swagbucks</span> accumulated, browse around the Swag Store until you find something you want to redeem them for. At the time I'm writing this, my preferred prize, an Amazon e-card, is going for 450 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">Swagbucks</span>. After you order, they send you an email you need to confirm, and then you have to wait a week or so for your prize to post.<br /><br />If anyone wants to sign up, please use my link:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.swagbucks.com/refer/betsybargain" target="_blank">http://www.swagbucks.com/refer/betsybargain</a><br /><br />They give you 30 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">Swagbucks</span> just for signing up. Once you are signed up, you can also earn points when your referrals earn points.<br /><br />I hope you like <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">Swagbucks</span> if you sign up, and that you are able to earn a lot of great prizes! If you have any questions about <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">Swagbucks</span>, feel free to leave a comment and ask me.Betsy Bargainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09792249996787123020noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3330245284113922277.post-69109365409379107682010-07-22T16:07:00.000-07:002010-07-22T16:16:00.077-07:00Bushels Of Uses For Seasonal BountyOne of my favorite things about this time of year is the abundance of delicious, fresh fruit. Your neighbors are begging you to take it off their hands. It's on sale at every grocery store, and available at local farm stands. The only question is, how to use it all up before it spoils!<br /><br />Stone fruits, such as peaches, plums and nectarines have a myriad of uses. They can be grilled, tossed into salads, blended in smoothies, cooked into jam, sliced up and made into a topping for ice cream or crepes, baked into pies or cobblers, canned, frozen or dried for later use, or made into wine or liqueurs.<br /><br />Melons, such as cantaloupe, watermelon or honeydew, can be scooped out with a melon <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">baller</span>, and frozen for later. The texture will be slightly less firm, but it will still taste great. They are terrific in salads and in chicken entrees. They can be dried and eaten later, or frozen into sorbets. They can be juiced. Watermelon rind can be made into pickles.<br /><br />No matter how you eat them now, or preserve them for later, summer fruits are a delicious way to add important nutrients to your diet. Please share your own ideas for using the fruits of the season!Betsy Bargainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09792249996787123020noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3330245284113922277.post-17220177029224658932010-07-11T21:39:00.000-07:002010-07-11T21:44:03.042-07:00You'll Go Bananas For This Icy TreatHot summer days are here. Are you looking for an easy, healthy alternative to ice cream? Look no further! This sweet, frosty treat has no fat or cholesterol if you use soy milk, and very little if you use nonfat or low fat milk. It's also full of vitamins and minerals, and pretty inexpensive, too. The soy milk or juice version is great for those who are lactose intolerant, or vegans.<br /><br />I always buy some overripe bananas on sale, peel them, and keep them in a gallon-size storage bag in my freezer. When I want a treat, I pull out one or two, break them into chunks, and throw them in my blender. If I want a more ice cream-like concoction, I add low fat milk or soy milk. If I want more of a sorbet, I add whatever fruit juice I have laying around. Add it a little at a time, until you get just enough where it can blend without bogging down the motor, but not so much that it's too thin. You want it as thick as possible. If I want chocolate "ice cream", I add a little hot cocoa mix. If I want fruity ice cream or sorbet, I add a little jam or a piece of overripe fruit. Blend until smooth. Use a rubber scraper to transfer the mixture to a bowl. Place the bowl in the freezer. Remove it every fifteen minutes and give it a stir, until it freezes to the right consistency.<br /><br />Enjoy your guilt-free summer treat!Betsy Bargainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09792249996787123020noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3330245284113922277.post-6000368127227697862010-07-02T15:01:00.000-07:002010-07-02T15:09:15.576-07:00Cheap CheatsThere are little tricks we can employ in every area of our lives to save money. I like to call them cheap cheats. Each of them will save just a few cents here and there, but using all of them together can really add up over time. I'd like to share a few of mine with you.<br /><br />Kitchen:<br /><br />-Make your own pickles for pennies. Buy a cucumber on sale. Plunge it into boiling water using tongs for a few seconds to kill any bacteria. Slice thinly and pack the slices into a jar of juice you've saved from <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">store bought</span> pickles. In a few days they are ready to eat! Every few times you'll have to buy a jar of pickles from the store and start over.<br /><br />-Use clean hotel shower caps you've collected while on vacation to cover bowls in the refrigerator. Make sure the plastic doesn't touch the food, as it's not food safe plastic. I wash mine in the top rack of the dishwasher and reuse them. Just make sure they can't fall through to the heating element and melt!<br /><br />Bath:<br /><br />-Flatten the toilet paper roll slightly with your hand before you put it on the holder. It won't roll so easily, preventing family members from accidentally rolling out too much at once and wasting paper.<br /><br />-Water down those little shampoo samples left over from the hotel and use as hand soap. Just save a pump dispenser from store-bought soap and use it over and over again.<br /><br />- A small rubber band wound a couple of times around the base of your soap or lotion pump will keep too much from dispensing at once.<br /><br />Cleaning:<br /><br />-Use newspaper or catalog pages to clean grease out of pans, pet messes- anything too nasty for your washable cleaning rags. No need to buy paper towels.<br /><br />-Even though we use our <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">reusable</span> grocery bags, we still manage to accumulate some plastic ones. Use these to line trashcans instead of buying trash bags.<br /><br />Laundry:<br /><br />-If you use fabric softener, the sheets can be cut into narrow strips, and still work just as well. This can really stretch a box.<br /><br />-Vinegar added to the rinse cycle is an even cheaper, natural fabric softener.<br /><br />Heating and Cooling:<br /><br />-Keep the windows open at night and early in the morning while it's cool, and close them before it starts to heat up.<br /><br />-Close all the blinds on the sunny side of the house until the sun goes down or goes around the other side.<br /><br />-Reverse the blade direction on your ceiling fan in the winter to help push the heat down from the ceiling.<br /><br />Do you have any cheap cheats of your own? I'm always interested in hearing your money-saving ideas.Betsy Bargainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09792249996787123020noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3330245284113922277.post-29075740394302576252010-06-23T15:05:00.000-07:002010-06-23T15:17:08.329-07:00Packaging, Schmackaging<p>My biggest pet peeve when I go shopping is excess packaging. Boxed snacks with little individually wrapped portions inside, shrink-wrapped flats of plastic water bottles, tiny toys in huge <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">clam shell</span> packaging with cardboard inserts, they all drive me nuts.<br /><br />Although I see some small signs of change lately from <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">manufacturers</span>, there is still a lot of room for improvement. What can we do to send a message to manufacturers that we don't want this waste to continue? <br /><br />-Email the manufacturers of your favorite products and ask them to make packaging that can be reused for something. Once upon a time, jelly came in juice glasses with a disposable top. After eating the jelly, you could drink out of the glass. Flour came in cloth sacks that could be used as dish towels. Let's bring this practice back.<br /><br />-Buy staples in bulk and store them in <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">reusable</span> containers. When companies sell fewer of their <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">over packaged</span> offerings, they will have to change their ways or risk losing sales.<br /><br />-Purchase the new, concentrated versions of things like laundry detergents, which come in smaller containers. Manufacturers actually prefer these nowadays anyway, as they help them to save on shipping costs.<br /><br />-Find ways to reuse containers that products come in. Cat litter buckets can be used as planters after drilling holes in them, for instance. Remove labels from jars and coffee cans and use for storage. Plastic food trays or small boxes can be used to organize drawers.<br /><br />-Give locally made handcrafted toys rather than the over-packaged plastic junk made overseas whenever possible.<br /><br />-Buy a filter and filter your own tap water. Stop buying those ridiculous bottles!<br /><br />-Purchase a used item. Yard sales and thrift stores are good places to buy household items that are still in great shape, and they usually don't have any packaging!<br /><br />The practice of <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">over packaging</span> is not going to change overnight. After all, packaging is designed not only to protect the products we buy from damage and theft, but also to entice us to buy the products. However, with a clear message from consumers, and the pressure of increased shipping and packaging costs, change will eventually happen. In the meantime, don't forget to recycle any excess packaging you can't avoid!<br /> </p>Betsy Bargainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09792249996787123020noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3330245284113922277.post-12022325542534835352010-06-13T22:47:00.000-07:002010-06-13T22:51:42.841-07:00Take Me To Your Loss LeaderWhat is a loss leader? A loss leader is a product sold by the store below cost. This is meant to get you in the door in the hope that you will buy other more profitable products at the same time. It also gets you in to the store more often thereby increasing the likelihood that you'll buy more stuff each time you're there. For instance, I usually only grocery shop once a month, but if there are some cheap sale items I need that week, I'll go again. The store only has a few of these items in their <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">flyer</span> each week, because they want you to come in on a weekly basis. Typically, loss leaders are found on the first or last page of a store's <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">flyer</span>. The price will seem unusually low to you. Better than the typical sale price.<br /><br />In order to benefit from these extremely low priced items, you need to do several things. First, you must avoid the temptation to buy other items that are not available for a good price. Second, if the loss leader is an item you use regularly, you should buy as many as the promotion will allow. When something is on sale for a great price, and I am the only one in the family who uses the product, I will ask other family members to buy some for me too. Lastly, don't drive all over town to pick up one or two items that are on sale. That will just eat up all your savings in wasted gas. Plan to stop at each store when you will already be in the area on another errand. Try to plan the most efficient route to hit all your stops.<br /><br />Don't forget, you can still use a coupon on these heavily discounted items to maximize your savings. If you don't have one already, check the online coupon sites. I usually just do a web search "coupon <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">kraft</span> macaroni and cheese" or whatever the product is. Make sure you check the date of the resulting hits. You will find some outdated ones too.<br /><br />Hopefully, this post has inspired you to check your sale <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">flyers</span>, head to your nearest grocery store, and fling open the door, shouting "take me to your loss leaders!"Betsy Bargainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09792249996787123020noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3330245284113922277.post-82938734847270768212010-06-03T17:48:00.000-07:002010-06-03T17:51:30.303-07:00Birthday Booty<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Ok</span>, I got your attention, but that's not what I meant at all. Get your mind out of the gutter! I'm talking about all the free stuff you can get from companies on your birthday.<br /><br />If you like Starbucks, just register a gift card with them, and you'll get a free drink on your birthday. If you keep reloading and using the same card, you will earn a star with each visit. When you reach 30 stars, you will get a free drink every 15 visits, as well as on your birthday. There are other benefits too, which you can read up on at the website.<br /><br />I like to browse around at this cool store called <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Anthropologie</span>. It's expensive, so I rarely buy <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">anything</span> there, but I signed up for their club. Last year on my birthday they sent me a cool little sewing kit. This year they sent me the cutest necklace made out of a birthday candle. If you live near an <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Anthropologie</span> store, you should sign up.<br /><br />Join the email lists of all the restaurants you regularly dine at. Many of them will send you a coupon for a free dinner or dessert on your birthday. Sometimes they require that another meal be purchased, but you're probably not eating out alone anyway.<br /><br />Ice cream chains such as <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Baskin</span> Robbins, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Coldstone</span> Creamery and Dairy Queen typically offer a free cone on your birthday. This year with the economy being bad I got a buy-one-get-one coupon from Dairy Queen, which I thought was a little cheap considering those type of coupons are often found in the local paper anyway.<br /><br />Check with all of your local movie theaters, since many of them offer a free movie or snack bar item on your birthday. If you rent movies, many of the rental chains offer a free rental on your birthday with membership.<br /><br />Ski resorts typically offer a free lift ticket on your birthday (or a free ride for summer birthdays) and many golf courses give you a free round of golf.<br /><br />Local bowling alleys will usually give you a free game on your birthday. They may require you to rent shoes, though.<br /><br />Speaking of shoes, I found a coupon in my email from <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Payless</span> offering me a 20% discount on a pair of shoes during my birthday month. Not a bad discount if you needed a pair anyway.<br /><br />Someone just told me <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Krispy</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Kreme</span> offers a dozen free doughnuts on your birthday. I hope so, since <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">mine's</span> coming up soon! I know <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Dunkin</span>' Doughnuts gives you a free medium drink on your special day.<br /><br />Don't forget to use your junk email address when you sign up for all these freebies. Otherwise, your regular email will be full of ads all year! Register with all the stores and restaurants you normally visit, and I promise when your birthday rolls around, you will have all sorts of offers! <br /><br />If you know of any birthday freebies not mentioned here, please leave a comment and let us all in on them!Betsy Bargainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09792249996787123020noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3330245284113922277.post-19713478923229187712010-05-25T14:13:00.000-07:002010-05-25T14:16:14.430-07:00Each One Reach OneThis post was inspired by Zengirl over at Heart and Mind. She has a great article this time with a lot of thoughtful suggestions about how you can help your unemployed friends. You can check it out here: <a href="http://tinyurl.com/2ckxd7z" target="_blank">http://tinyurl.com/2ckxd7z</a> .<br /><br />Let's face it, a lot of us are struggling financially right now, even if we are not unemployed. I have a few additional suggestions on how you can help your friends and family to help themselves.<br /><br />Are you a whiz at using coupons? Why not share your knowledge with your friends and family so they too can save a bundle at the grocery store? Here is a quick lesson on how to use coupons for those who are not as savvy: <a href="http://tinyurl.com/25fzbc9" target="_blank">http://tinyurl.com/25fzbc9</a> .<br /><br />Do you regularly get a lot of items for free by taking advantage of rebates? Share your secrets! If you don't know how to rebate, here's a quick rundown: <a href="http://tinyurl.com/5uoyn7" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://tinyurl.com/5uoyn7</a> . Don't forget about drugstore rebates. If you live near a CVS, Rite-Aid or Walgreen's, you can get most of your toiletries for free. If you're not familiar with how the different programs work, here are some links that break it down pretty well: CVS: <a href="http://tinyurl.com/22tsoa9" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://tinyurl.com/22tsoa9</a> Rite-Aid: <a href="http://tinyurl.com/2dld8wf" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://tinyurl.com/2dld8wf</a> Walgreen's: <a href="http://tinyurl.com/24lcu4v" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://tinyurl.com/24lcu4v</a> .<br /><br />Is your thumb a vibrant shade of green? Why not help an agriculturally-challenged neighbor to plant and maintain a few tomatoes or a zucchini plant? Start small so you don't overwhelm the fledgling gardener.<br /><br />Do you have Little House on the Prairie-type skills? Help a friend learn to make jam, bread or yogurt, or learn how to can or dehydrate produce. Then they can take advantage of those great supermarket produce markdowns, or their own garden surplus if they are talented in that area.<br /><br />Are you a Knit-wit or Stitch-witch? Pass those sewing and needlework skills on! Making useful items from old clothing or altering cheap yard-sale or thrift store finds can be a valuable skill.<br /><br />If each of us taught only one other person a skill that would help them to save money and improve their life, what a difference it could make!Betsy Bargainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09792249996787123020noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3330245284113922277.post-12760090805974210542010-05-13T22:09:00.000-07:002010-05-13T22:16:25.810-07:00Home Green HomeAn article I came across recently about a man who builds houses out of at least 80% recycled materials gave me the idea for this post about green homes. The man's name is Dan Phillips, and his Texas company builds low-income housing for single parents, artists and low-income families. He works together with a non-profit that helps to secure financing so that these individuals can take out an affordable mortgage to buy their home. He employs unskilled, minimum-wage laborers and teaches them valuable skills which they can then take to better-paying future jobs. So, his homes are great because they are keeping <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">useable</span> items out of the dump, they are providing job training for low-skilled workers, and they are giving poor people the chance to own their own home rather than living in housing projects. Because of the way they are constructed, these homes all have a one-of-a-kind look. You can look at some photos here:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/46321673@N02/sets/" target="_blank">http://www.flickr.com/photos/46321673@N02/sets/</a><br /><br />Yurts are another type of "green" home. Based on the tents used by Central Asian nomads for centuries, they are lightweight, but weatherproof and strong. They consist of a durable fabric cover, and a wooden frame. The door is framed in, and there is a solid floor. Plumbing and electricity can be hooked up in these structures. They are easy and inexpensive to erect, use minimal materials, and have no negative impact on their surroundings. They can also be quite beautiful, as you can see here:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.yurts.com/gallery/photo-gallery.aspx" target="_blank">http://www.yurts.com/gallery/photo-gallery.aspx</a><br /><br />Tailor-made for minimalists, the Tiny House ranges from 65-140 square feet, and comes on wheels so it doesn't need a building permit. You can buy them already constructed, or build your own. They have a tiny kitchen, mini bathroom, a living-dining area, and a loft bedroom. They can be hooked up to plumbing and electricity, or use tanks and solar power like an RV. The heater runs on propane. You just tow it to where you want it, and you're ready to go! Slightly larger versions, the Small Houses range up to 800 square feet, all in one large room. You buy the plans for these, and build them yourself on location. Why are these homes green? If you live in such a small space, you use very little energy, and consume very little in general. Check out some photos here:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.tumbleweedhouses.com/houses/" target="_blank">http://www.tumbleweedhouses.com/houses/</a><br /><br />Aptly named, the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Earthship</span> uses mostly recycled materials such as used tires and aluminum cans. The tires are filled with earth, stacked up, and plastered with adobe or cement to conceal the tires. The cans are plastered over and used to make thin, curving interior walls. This type of house takes advantage of passive solar power to heat the house. The insulating effect of the earth in the tires keeps it cool. These houses often include systems to capture rainwater and reuse <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">greywater</span>. If artfully constructed these homes can be much more attractive than they sound, as you can see here:<br /><br /><a href="http://earthfirst.com/7-amazing-handmade-eco-friendly-homes" target="_blank">http://earthfirst.com/7-amazing-handmade-eco-friendly-homes</a><br /><br />The <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Straw Bale</span> House has a traditional wooden frame, but the thick walls consist of bales of straw that have been plastered on both sides. These walls provide excellent insulation that minimizes the need for heating and cooling. These houses sometimes have a Hobbit-like quality. You probably noticed one incredible example at the previous link, before the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Earthship</span> as you scrolled down the page.<br /> <br />Living in one of these unusual homes can be a challenge. Short-sighted or simply unfamiliar with these types of homes, city officials can refuse to issue permits for them. Insurers sometimes have a hard time determining their value to insure them. Banks sometimes balk at loaning money for them. If you can get past these obstacles, you could really enjoy living in one of these inexpensive, environmentally sound abodes. Wouldn't you like to hang your hat in a place that will make your friends and family "green" with envy?Betsy Bargainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09792249996787123020noreply@blogger.com6