Journal of an Optimist: Tips from the Edge

Thoughts on Extreme Couponing

2011-07-26T06:15:00.000-07:00

You know, I have been watching that "Extreme Couponing" program with An'joe, my daughter-in-law. I know some people who hit the local Rite-Aid with coupons every week when the flyers come out in the local shopper. Now, don't get me wrong, I love living frugally and saving money makes me very happy. I was thinking to myself while I was watching these guys...but is this really saving money? I mean how much toothpaste, fabric softener sheets, and Advil can one family use?

I think if I were going to feel like I was doing something in the line of extreme couponing I would like to go to the store for my:

1-lb of hamburger (aka mince meat)

1 box of spaghetti noodles

1 jar of tomato sauce

1 package of garlic bread

and 1 Marie Callendar's Chocolate Satin pie

and get that for .10 cents after coupons. Never mind the 15 bottles of pop, 42 tubes of Crest or Colgate, 10 bars of Irish Spring soap, 5 boxes of Bounce fabric sheets, etc. I think my reflections are rooted in the daily trips to the local grocery store run by Harold Vey. We walked there every day and got the things that we needed. Someone in the family went to Lawlor's Meat Market and picked up the frying meat (steak) or mince meat (hamburger) and brought it back to the house. We had fresh-baked break and drank a nice cup of tea or a cold glass of water with our meals. There was always potatoes, turnip, cabbage, and carrots to be had.

We never had a stash under the beds of this weeks specials. We did not have to donate our soon to be expired items to the food bank. We only bought what we needed.

Years later Lawlor retired and his shop became a chip store. Ayres had a supermarket a couple of blocks away from our house by that time. Mom walked there every day to get what we needed under one roof. She chatted with the cashier and produce manager, the meat cutter, the clerks and went about her business of preparing meals like you would.

Now, there was a friend of ours who had a nice pantry full of canned goods. She could go in there and get a can of Carnation milk or a tin of Lynn Valley peas when she needed it. It was not a storage locker but rather a closet with shelves on each side. They still went to their local butcher shop and picked up the sausages, or chicken as they needed.

My point? My hat is off to those who spend their days organizing their coupon excursions and returning to their homes with their haul of bargoooons hunted from the local newspaper. AND guess what...I am not the only one who thinks that way. Who knew...

Extreme Couponing More Like Hoarders Than How To

I wonder if the author of this article had a local grocery store where they bought what they needed? Do you think his mother went to a meat market to pick up fresh cut meat from someone like our Mr. Lawlor?

Oh, and just in case you want to check out what my friend will be picking up this week:

Rite-Aid Flyer for This Week

Me? I will be going to the Perry Market Place to pick up what I need where I get points that add up to $$$ at the gas pump. Oh, they have three markdown bins that are really good as well. I will be doing the same at Perry Rite-Aid so there's no fear of me taking all the paper towels on you. Did I mention that they have wonderful markdown specials at the end of the season? Well, it all adds up but I don't have to rent a storage place to keep all my bargooooons. Don't tell anyone but I am spending my money locally to help keep those little stores open...

Sign me, Living Simply in Small Town America

Frugal Tips for the Beginner

2009-09-19T03:08:00.000-07:00

Someone wrote to my Facebook "Living Simply" group to ask for frugal tips. Initially, I wrote several small responses but the list got quite long...lol! See what you can add to the list of frugal information.

1. Downsized - gave excess to thrift shop in town.

2. Purchased and moved to a smaller house. No longer paying rent. Mortgage will be paid off in 14 months.

3. Insulated very well to conserve heat.

4. Install rainwater collection barrel. Too much rain this summer to use for watering the garden.

5. Each year I have had a vegetable garden for produce. Share excess with neighbors.

6. Trade wooden pallets (free) for large brown eggs from friend. (They use the pallets for kindling.)

7. Cooking with two friends who live alone. End result? Wonderful meals and good company!

8. Took vacation that would have been out of reach financially for one person. Advertised trip to Newfoundland on (www.Kijiji.ca) rideshare site. Result? Four people traveling in one vehicler sharing expenses instead of four individuals driving four vehicles to Newfoundland. We had wonderful time!

9. Keeping track of finances for 30 days to track money outgo. Seeing exactly where my money went for that period of time. Making better financial choices to stretch dollars.

10. Buying used textbooks (university) rather than new. Wonderful savings!

11. We recycle our tins, cans, paper, etc.

12. Buy used rather than new.

13. No longer purchase new cars. No car payment.

14. Have unlimited long distance plan to permit economical communication with grandkids in Canada. Very reasonable cost rather than .05 per minute plan.

Sign me, Still saving money in small town America, M

Facebook "Living Simply" link:

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=14664425723

From Everyday Cheapskate

2009-06-17T05:28:00.001-07:00

Housecleaners’ Best Friends: Baking Soda, Dryer Sheets and Hair Spray

Housecleaners’ Best Friends: Baking Soda, Dryer Sheets and Hair Spray

I never get tired of receiving tips from my readers that they have tried and found to be true! Whether it’s a tip that has been handed down from a loved one, or is discovered quite by chance, the excitement is contagious when I open my mail and feel their enthusiasm. As you can see, this week I received many enthusiastic letters.

SHINY SINKS. For an easy, cheap and green way to clean my enamel sink, I scrub with a mixture of baking soda and vinegar. After rinsing, I add the stopper to the drain and pour hydrogen peroxide into the sink to cover the bottom. I let this sit for 15 to 20 minutes and use a sponge to clean the sides of the sink if it’s needed. Any stains usually disappear. There’s no odor and it’s non-caustic. Juli F., e-mail

SPICK AND SPAN PAN. Many years ago, my aunt told me to put baking soda in a pan that had burned, add some water and simmer on the stove for a while, or just let it sit if it’s a dish. Doing this easily removes the burned particles. Geneva D., Florida

SCUFF FREE. I clean houses part-time and I have another great use for baking soda. I discovered that using a baking soda paste (add a couple drops of water to the baking soda) gets black scuffmarks off of floors beautifully. Test in a corner first, but this is safe on most vinyl flooring. It also works on walls but can cause the paint to come off, so test first and be careful. Patty K., Indiana

CRAYON CLEANUP. My toddler loves to sit at the table and color with crayons. When the crayon markings end up on the table or other hard surfaces, I rub them with a used dryer sheet. Doing this cleans up the marks easily with no residue, and the dryer sheet can be reused many times. Erika T., e-mail

MAGIC MARKER. I recently found out that you can remove permanent marker from surfaces using hairspray. I had metal filing cabinets that my mom had labeled with permanent marker, plus several plastic drawers for organizing my kids' room that they “decorated” with sharpie pens. My sister was visiting and had some aerosol hairspray that she sprayed on a napkin and then rubbed over the marker. It came right off, which saved me from replacing these items. Mary Ann D., e-mail

CLEAN CARPET. Cornstarch is great as a quick carpet cleaner. Just sprinkle the cornstarch on the carpet, especially in front of the sofa, chair or entranceway. I usually use my wire mesh sifter from the kitchen to get a fine dusting. Leave on the carpet for one hour and then vacuum. This works really well. Ann P., e-mail

If you liked this article by Mary Hunt, you'll find lots more in theEveryday Cheapskate Archives, orsubscribe to receive Everyday Cheapskate in your email inbox every weekday.

©Copyright 2009 Mary Hunt
Everyday Cheapskate is a Registered Trademark

Traditional Ways Prevail Today

2009-01-11T08:07:00.000-08:00

My husband is a Native American. He is a Tuscarora from New York State. We live simply and I have noticed that some of our lifestyle reflects the traditional beliefs. I was raised with some pretty basic old-fashioned beliefs that go hand-in-hand with DH's upbringing. It is just something that we have always enjoyed. Living simply is very important to both of us.

I am taking a Biological Psychology course presently and in my reading this week I came across something that just stayed with me. DH and I discussed it later. The subject was eating and the brain's functions in the feeding process. The Native American Pima tribe out in Arizona and New Mexico have a problem with obesity. This is genetically connected to the presence of two genes linked to obesity. However, there is also the fact that the tribe were not obese until the 1990s! Previous to that their diet consisted of plants from the Sonoran desert. They have been struggling with diabetes as a result of the severe weight problems.

There is a general enlightened school of thought that is encouraging the people to return to the old ways. This would include changing back to the historically traditional diet. I found several questions and answers when I checked further. The Tohono O’odham and Achimel O’odham (Pima) tribes of Arizona were two tribes that were studied.

This obesity-linked obesity issue has been seen in other native communities as the people change and adapt to the (now recognized as unhealthy) drive-thru biggie-size way of life. An article in the New York Times in 1991 really covered the present day hope that the Pima will be able to resume and reclaim the way of life that was the best for them.

Returning to the old ways has saved many of us in this time of downsizing and economic adjustments. It is such a wonderful experience! I would be fibbing if I did not tell you how much it means to me to live as simply as my grandparents. It means a great deal to me. But getting back to the Native American Pima tribes, I have added several items to offer you the opportunity to check this out. Sign me, Living the old way in small town America, M

AT THE DESERT’S GREEN EDGE
An Ethnobotany of the Gila River Pima - Amadeo R. Rea
430 pages (Hardbound)

For those seeking a real understanding of Pima lifeways or alternative ways of inhabiting arid riparian ecosystems, this book will be a treasured classic. It has the power to immerse and transform, as well as to inform in subtle ways. The Akimel O’odham (Pima Indians) of the northern Sonoran Desert continue to make their home along Arizona’s Gila River despite the alarming degradation of their habitat that has occurred over the past century. First discussing the Pima people’s environment and language, Rea then proceeds to share their botanical
knowledge in entries for more than 240 plants that cover information on economic botany, folk taxonomy, and linguistics, This is an archive of otherwise unavailable plant lore that will become a benchmark for botanists and anthropologists. Enhanced by more than 100 brush paintings, it is written to be useful to nonspecialists and to be a great resource for the Pimas regarding their former lifeways. More than an encyclopedia of facts, it is the Pimas’ own story, a testament to a changing way of life in the Sonoran Desert. 0-8165-1540-9

THE DESERT SMELLS LIKE RAIN: A NATURALIST IN O'ODHAM COUNRTY
BY GARY PAUL NABHAN
Paperback 147 pages.

Longtime residents of the Sonoran desert, the TOHONO O'ODHAM people have spent centuries living off the land - a land that most modern citizens of southern Arizona consider totally inhospitable...bringing O'ODHAM voices to the page at every turn, he writes elegantly of how they husband scant water supplies, grow crops, and utilize wild edible foods, woven through his account are coyote tales, O'ODHAM children's impressions of the desert, and observations on some problems that come with living on both sides of an international border.

The New York Times article:

http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9D0CEFD71F31F932A15756C0A967958260&sec=health&spon=&pagewanted=all

To the untrained eye, a desert is a wasteland that defies civilization; yet the desert has been home to native cultures for centuries and offers sustenance in its surprisingly wide range of plant life. Gary Paul Nabhan has combed the desert in search of plants forgotten by all but a handful of American Indians and Mexican Americans. In Gathering the Desert readers will discover that the bounty of the desert is much more than meets the eye—whether found in the luscious fruit of the stately organpipe cactus or in the lowly tepary bean. Nabhan has chosen a dozen of the more than 425 edible wild species found in the Sonoran Desert to demonstrate just how bountiful the land can be. From the red-hot chiltepines of Mexico to the palms of Palm Springs, each plant exemplifies a symbolic or ecological relationship which people of this region have had with plants through history. Each chapter focuses on a particular plant and is accompanied by an original drawing by artist Paul Mirocha. Word and picture together create a total impression of plants and people as the book traces the turn of seasons in the desert.

Transportation - Car costs Reviewed

2009-01-11T08:01:00.000-08:00

I was checking on my simple living websites and found this really interesting article. The writer goes over the costs of purchasing and maintaining a Volvo in an experiement of sorts. I found it very interesting! It was enlightening, to say the least. Hope that you like it.

http://www.resourcesforlife.com/docs/item487

Sign me, Buying a Blazer....hope that I can afford to drive it, M

Building Small Houses - As a Business

2008-12-01T06:57:00.000-08:00

A friend and I are going to be building a small cabin. It will be for sale at the end of the process...it is a cottage industry. Pardon the pun! However, with tough times upon us we have decided to work at home doing what we love the best. Watch this spot for photos of the progress. You can make an offer when we are done. If you are the winning bid/offer, you can move the little place to your property.

As small business goes, we will take a one-day break and begin the next one. Help us to make ends meet...stay in touch. Sign me, good old-fashioned work ethic in place for success, M and Company

Frugal Things To Do For Fun

2008-07-30T05:58:00.000-07:00

I know that living simply sounds like life without the FUN factor. Well, that is not realistic, right? My friend and I have been enjoying some of the FREE fun things to do in our county. There are many free things out there that are available for anyone wanting to save money without staying home.

A few weeks ago we went to a Super Cruisin' Car Show at the Charcoal Corral in Perry, New York. There were so many cars to see! Corvairs, Corvettes, Chevy Trucks, El Caminos, you name it they had it! I just love the trikes...I would love to get one someday.

Another simple way to enjoy life without the cost:

LEATHERWORK

The Arts Council of Wyoming County offers free Folk Arts demonstrations. The first one that we went to was a leatherwork demonstration by John Mary from South Wales, New York. He was very interesting with lots of stories to share about his work. He showed us how to make an leather carrier/cover for an axe. Here is a picture of the demonstration. John was sitting on an antique leather stitching horse. He also brought along several different types of leather. When he does machine sewing he uses a Tipmann sewing machine called "The Boss".

John Mary, Leatherworker

John also showed us how to braid reins. This is interesting because there are no loose ends. The trick is to gather the ends and pull them through periodically to keep them from tangling. This is a very difficult thing to do...lol.

BLACKSMITH

Last night, we went to a blacksmithing demonstration given by the Arts Council. The blacksmith was Dan Kruszka. We drove to Syler Road in Varysburg, New York. Mr. Kruska was a wonderful speaker with lots of things to share. Indeed, we were surprised to hear that he had he had shod Secretariat! Of course, he modestly added that he had not yet won the Triple Crown so he was not that famous at the time he worked on him.

During the demonstration Dan shared the many different types of horses he had worked on. These included one of the Lippizzaner Stallions and one of the Budweiser Clydesdales. Overall, he was a lot of fun to listen to; he did say that he did not like working on ponies. Of course, I had to ask him if he had ever come across a Newfoundland Pony. He had...lol. One of his doctors had three Newfoundland Ponies. He remembered them as "the horses with all the hair".

Dan Krutzka, Blacksmith

Diagram of a Horse's Leg/Hoof

The Arts Council of Wyoming County: http://www.artswyco.org/index.html

So don't forget to check your newspapers for the local events, there are so many interesting things to do that do not cost much. Even if there is a fee, it is usually minimal. It is also a good way to meet people!

Sign me, Enjoying Frugal Life in Small Town America, M

If you would like to learn more about the Lippizzaner Stallions, go here: http://www.lipizzaner.com/

Yankee Magazine's Books - Great for Living Simply Tips

2008-06-26T06:06:00.000-07:00

Yankee Magazine's Pantyhose, Hot Peppers, Tea Bags, And More-For the Garden: 1,001 Ingenious Ways to Use Common Household Items to Control Weeds, Beat Pests, Cook Compost, Solve Problems, Make Tricky Jobs Easy, And Save Time

by Yankee Magazine (Editor)

Vinegar, Duct Tape, Milk Jugs & More: 1,001 Ingenious Ways to Use Common Household Items to Repair, Restore, Revive, or Replace Just About Everything in Your Life

by Earl Proulx, Yankee Magazine (Editor), the Editors of Yankee Magazine (Editor)

Prosper - Borrower of the Month

2008-06-26T05:58:00.000-07:00

I recently viewed a Prosper commercial on television. Yes, you heard about Prosper here before it went on the tube. Here is a "Borrower of the Month" story:

http://www.prosper.com/prm/stories/shelley.htm

Are these guys just the best! Sign me, Love to hear good things happening in small town America, M

Suze Orman

2008-06-22T07:27:00.001-07:00

I really like what this lady had to say! Wonder if anyone else has heard her lately. What do you think? Let me know. M
http://www.suzeorman.com/

Reusing Plastic Laundry Detergent Bottles

2008-06-21T19:08:00.000-07:00

When I googled "Reusing Plastic Laundry Jugs", I got these great ideas from:
http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf965312.tip.html

RE: Reusing Plastic Laundry Detergent Bottles

We use the gallon milk jugs in the back yard for bird feeders. We cut out one side, leaving the handle, and then hang them from the tree by the handle on a string or wire. Fill the bottom with bird seed. It allows the birds to fly directly into the jug and feed, but since it is hanging and swinging, keeps the squirrels out. (Although the squirrels have been known to chew thru the string and make the entire jug fall so they could get to it in the past. The wire works better.)

Those plastic jugs with handles that laundry detergent comes in are PERFECT to apply salt to icy sidewalks in the wintertime! Just rinse them out and dry THOROUGHLY, then fill with salt and cap tightly. When the storm hits, you can hold it by the handle and sprinkle away!By Becki in Indiana

RE: Reusing Plastic Laundry Detergent Bottles

I refill them with homemade laundry detergent! I figured it out to be between .01-.02 per load. This was calculated using Fels Naptha. I made some the other day using 4 small bars from a hotel. Tightwad Laundry Detergent (aka Tightwad Snot)
1/3 bar Fels Naptha soap, grated
1/2 C. Borax
1/2 C. Washing Soda (not baking soda)
5 gallon bucket

In 2 qt. pot, put grated Fels Naptha soap, Borax, Washing Soda and 4 cups of water. Bring to a boil on medium heat, stirring occasionally until the Fels Naptha is dissolved. Continue on a low boil for 20 min. Add 6 cups cold water, mix with a wisk until solution is blended. Pour mixture into an old, clean, bucket. Add 22 cups of water to the bucket. (at this point, I mark the side of the bucket with a Sharpie so I don't have to measure the water again) Mix with a wisk until blended. (the texture will look like snot..... lol). If you like, you can add some essential oils, or just leave as is. Mix with the wisk every so often for 24 hours. (I did this the first 2x I made the detergent. Now I just mix well with the cold water and pour into 2 large containers). Pour into empty laundry bottles. Use 1/2 to 1 C. per load. Stains can be treated with moist Fels Naptha lightly rubbed onto stain.

For extra heavy duty loads, add 1/4-1/2 cup of Borax.
Cost per load... .01-.02
Cost: Fels Naptha Soap..... .99 (1/3 bar = .33)
Borax......................2.79 (1/2 cup ~ .10)
Washing Soda.........2.59 (1/2 cup ~ .10)
Cost per 2 gallon of detergent .53
Cost per load ~.01--.02
Pretty good savings considering the cost of other detergents exceed .20 per load!

RE: Reusing Plastic Laundry Detergent Bottles

My uncle used all his old jugs as scoops for grain. He left the caps on and cut the bottle into a scoop. At my sisters I made one for the dog and cat food, shich she kept in a large container.

RE: Reusing Plastic Laundry Detergent Bottles

I use my detergent bottles to make wind spinners for my yard.I just cut the top and bottom of the bottle off, then cut down the seam lengthways. You now have enough to make two wind spinners. Carefully cut off the rounded sides of the bottle, leaving the flat area that is the front and back of the bottle.With a marker start in the center of one of the sides and make an ever growing circle until you get to the outside edge. Now with sharp scissors cut on your line. When finished hold up your bottle part, make a small hole at the outside tip, hang with fishing line. You can use a fishing swivel if you have one.

Tip: If you have two alike they will look different but match if you use the backside for one and the front side for the other.

I love it! I never thought there were so many uses for those plastic laundry jugs. Do you have any ideas? I would love to hear them.

For even more ideas, go here: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf001301.tip.html

Sign me, Recycling with Gusto in small town America, M

Laundry-Jug Watering Can

2008-06-21T18:28:00.000-07:00

This comes from Backyard Living March/April 2006:

Instead of throwing away empty liquid laundry detergent containers, rinse them out thoroughly and then recycle them for watering plants. Drill 1/8 -inch holes in the top of the cap, and then drill a 1/2-inch hold just above the handle to relieve pressure so the water flows freely.

Original contributor: Jim Kownacki, Pittsburgh, PA

I like this because it will be handy and much easier to fill up than my regular watering can. Way to go, Jim! Sign me, Glad for something else I can recycle, M

Waiting for the Bus

2008-05-29T11:33:00.000-07:00

I wonder how many of my readers are fussing about the gas prices here in the US? Doesn't it bug you? I mean the local IGA has a large sign that advertises $4.09 for the low-test gasoline. What a kick in the pocketbook that is... I am riding the bus these days. I wish other folks who are tired of the prices would take a time out. Reduced consumption may be able to trigger a de-escalation of the whole climbing price war.

I ride the bus now that I don't have a vehicle. Good grief! Who would want to fill up a full-sized mini van these days???? Hybrids are looking so much better to the consumer with miles per gallon on his or her mind. How about the homeowner? I wonder what the price of propane will climb to by winter. Utility companies are turning off residents who could not pay their fuel bills this past winter. What will the bills be next winter? My guess is that things will be worse. Once the companies get those hard-earned dollars out of our pockets, they won't lower the prices without pressure from above. They are making huge profits.

Hope that you are figuring out simple ways to keep your money in your own pockets. Drive less, burn less propane, spend less time traveling, and keep a log of what you are doing to conserve. Trust me, the gas companies don't appreciate the money that you are pumping into your gas tanks. Maybe we can force a turnaround by just refusing to take this sitting down. I noticed that the TV stations are showing the global gasoline prices to bring our gasoline purchase pricing picture into focus. So, let me see, if they are paying megabucks for gasoline in Europe, I should feel better about paying $4.09 a gallon for low-test...hmmm! Let me see if I get that right.

Be stubborn, make changes that benefit YOU. Cut corners! Tighten that belt.

Walk to the store.
Grill out in the backyard instead of going to the lake.
Rent movies rather than go out to the theatre.
Car pool or ride the bus.
Ride that bike if you can.
When the winter comes, turn down that thermostat, and
Save! Save! Save!

We can make a difference, one gallon at a time. We are not getting rich...the oil companies are. Refuse to be treated this way. Get stubborn!

Sign me, Getting Stubborn and Mad about the Rising Costs in Small Town America, M

From Aussies Living Simply

2008-05-22T08:20:00.001-07:00

I received this via e-mail from one of my Aussie Simple Living friends.

Hey everybodyI thought these tips might be useful on saving gas:

Replace the air filter,
Check the profile of the tires,
Check the tire pressure,
Check the alignment of the tires,
Tune the engine,
Tighten the gas cap,
Check for excess weight on your car, and
Use "energy conserving oil".

Found them (and more) on Squidoo: http://www.squidoo.com/tips-to-save-gas

There's also a video on how to use water to power your car. Does that really work?

Glad to see that the simple living movement is global! Hope that you find something you like. Sign me, Living Simply Tipster, M

Water-Powered Car

2008-04-11T08:42:00.000-07:00

I thought you might like to check this video out. http://snipurl. com/23zuh

This inventor has come up with a water-powered dune buggy! He created a fuel cell that is water powered. Let me know what you think about this tip. I was a little more than glad to see that someone has been working on an alternative to gasoline with the prices rising like they are. With all the water that I have under the house...I would be like Jed Clampett, huh?

Sign me, Surrounded by Water in Small Town America, M

Micro-Financing - www.prosper.com

2008-03-15T08:27:00.000-07:00

I receive several newsletters on a daily/weekly basis. One in particular is from a group of small house living peers. While perusing that newsletter I found a reference to a website that I found to be worthy of note. The name of the website is: http://www.prosper.com/

To quote the website:

"Prosper is an online community for lending and borrowing money. Bidding on borrowers' loans, lenders get great returns by offering great rates.

And that means everybody does better. Together."
_______________

BECOME A BORROWER:

The gist of this process is that you may post a loan request outlining your particular needs and offering a high interest rate. When signing up as a borrower you must provide identification. Your credit score is reported and, if it meets the requirements, you may proceed to create your listing.

For example:

One borrower has listed his loan request (to pay off credit card debt) as:

$18,000.00 @ 17.18%
Bid $50 or more
Funding: 91% funded
Bids: 171 bids 1 day 6 hours 19 minutes left
Borrower APR: 18.64%
Mo. payment: $643.36 (3y loan)

What this means is that he has received 171 bids from individuals willing to lend him this amount at 18.64$ for three years in a very short time!

This particular borrower also had to provide his purpose for the loan as well as an overview of his monthly income and outgo, please see below:

Purpose of loan:

This loan will be used to pay off revolving credit card debt at a lower interest rate. In the near future (2-3 years), I am planning on getting engaged and married to my girlfriend. Eliminating my revolving credit card debt will enable me to successfully plan for the important next steps in my life (e.g., home ownership, marriage, family).

My financial situation:

I am a good candidate for this loan because I am highly responsible and have always made financial payments on-time. I believe in honest, hard work and always living up to financial obligations. I have been on the path to a desired debt-free state since 2004. In 2004, I had approximately $55K in credit card debt. Through financial discipline and strict adherence to my plan, I’ve eliminated/paid-off approximately $30K in credit card debt in just 4 years. With your help, I will accelerate my debt-reduction plan and be on the road to financial freedom in approximately 2-3 years. Thank you very much for your consideration!

Monthly net income: $4500

Monthly expenses: $3597

Housing: $550

Insurance: $68

Car expenses: $378

Gas: $300

Utilities: $50

Phone, cable, internet: $89

Food, entertainment: $400

Clothing, household expenses $0

Credit cards: $1300

Grad. School Student Loans: $462

Basically, this borrower is making a good financial choice by:

Reducing his financial outgo by borrowing enough to pay off his credit card debt
Borrowing that amount at a lower interest rate
His present payment on his credit cards is $1300 while his new payment will be $643.36.

This borrower has an A credit rating though so he will be getting a lot of bids. I noticed that some of the borrowers have less than perfect credit rating. In fact, you must have a credit score of more than 580 to qualify to post a loan request on this site. So this venue is open to regular working-class individuals who don't make $4500 a month.

BECOME A LENDER:

The other aspect of this process is becoming a lender. You may bid on loans with different interest rates that will provide a very adequate profit! Check out the lending process here: https://www.prosper.com/account/common/register.aspx If you are looking for a way to make a difference, this might be the perfect venue for you!

I offer this as my tip of the week. Sign me, Working step-by-step on becoming financially secure in Small Town America, M

Starting Over

2008-03-02T11:18:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow I have to apply for food stamps. It is required of me as a VISTA to use the programs that my clients have to access to make it financially. I have to sit down and figure out my income and outgo. With having to keep up payment on the LYH as well as paying my rent here, this is going to be a struggle. Not unlike the clients that our programs service, I will have to juggle to make it work.

The furnished room that I have found is working out very well. Although it does not have cooking facilities I have gotten permission to cook at work. That way I can cook meals and divide them up to freeze and eat during the week. My landlady has provided me with a small college dorm fridge. When I can I will purchase a small microwave. There are a couple of plates, cups, and some cutlery here in the room. That will be a big help. I have had to buy a can opener but that is the most. Wish I could find another George Foreman grill! That is my favorite way to cook at home.

As I said in an earlier post, the neighborhood is a mixture of people and conditions. I do believe that my landlady keeps such nice rooms to compensate for the surrounding conditions. I have a small deck at my front door to sit out if I like. I have a nice view of an incredibly messy neighbor's yard...lol. I must admit that it brings things back into focus. Living in the older part of town does involve living with all types of people. My co-workers suggested that I not walk around the neighborhood alone again. Personally, I did not see anything that would be of any concern. However, I will be cautious.

I have to make this year work for me. I have to apply what I have learned about making ends meet in the last three years to my new situation. I will document that here for you, my partners in making it on less in small town America. Talk to you later.

Sign me, Making Adjustments, M

Living in Poverty - Day #3

2008-02-26T04:29:00.000-08:00

In case you have not been checking back to see what is new, I am on my way to Oklahoma. I applied for an internship with AmeriCorps. (That is like the American version of the Peace Corps.) I am required to live in poverty for one year. I have to apply for food stamps, subsidized housing, etc. As a VISTA (Volunteer in Service to America) I have parameters that define my experience somewhat. I must live solely on my biweekly stipend that is based on 1o5% of the poverty level cost of living for my particular area. I cannot work another job, not part time or otherwise, can no longer write for Pay Per Post, cannot sell crafts, or supplement my income in any way. I will be making my Christmas gifts so that I will be making crafts (not for sale though). I forgot my sewing machine. Rats!

As I reflected on this process, it occurred to me that I have been in training for this for some time. I have been living on less and less. I have been documenting that process. Wonder if "You Know Who" (God) had this planned for me? What a thought? By the way, we are not allowed to preach, prosletyze, etc. We are not missionaries.

When I was taking care of an Al-Anon meeting I had to explain to a friend (Christian) that I could not permit someone to try to evangelize during a meeting. That was something hard for her to understand. It is just the way it is. No way around it. So, I have been exposed to that limitation before.

Anyway, my experiences in the last three years have made this more than a lesson on how the other half lives. Since DH became sick we have been living at poverty level. Now I get to document it here. Are you ready for this part of the journey?

Later tonight I hope that we will be in Northeast Oklahoma. Check back as this part of the trip unfolds. Will I be saving money, living on less, pinching pennies, chipping away at my debt? You bet! Talk to you later. Hi Cyndi!

Sign me, Moving right along in Small Town America, M

To track our trip, go here:

http://www.mapquest.com/directions/main.adp?go=1&do=nw&rmm=1&un=m&cl=EN&ct=NA&rsres=1&1ffi=&1l=&1g=&1pl=&1v=&1n=&2ffi=&2l=&2g=&2pl=&2v=&2n=&1pn=&1a=&1c=New+Madison&1s=OH&1z=&2pn=&2a=&2c=Tahlequah&2s=OK&2z=&r=f

Today is my eldest son's birthday. He is 35 years old. I called to sing happy birthday to him but he had already left for work. His wife, Angel, answered the phone. Wow! I miss them all! Will call him later this evening to sing to him. He has five kids but we still sing to him...lol.

Happy Birthday Artie!!!!!!

Filing Income Taxes for FREE!

2008-02-01T10:03:00.000-08:00

I came to the computer lab this morning to work on some Microsoft modules. Before I got working on my course load, I went to www.taxact.com to file my income tax. It took a little while but I was able to file both my federal and state taxes. I did pay to file my state tax - $14.00 but they took that amount out of my refund. Both my federal and state income tax returns will be sent directly to my checking account. Before I left the house this morning I had called another very well-known income tax preparation company, no names mentioned, and their starting price was $88.00. I do believe that I made a better financial choice by going with www.taxact.com this morning.

Now, last year I went to the IRS site and chose one of the FREE links they offer. You actually leave the IRS site and go to independent tax preparation companies that provide their services online for free. However, I am going to re-file my 2006 income tax with www.taxact.com - I like their online service! They even have a quality assurance aspect (called Alerts) that will walk you through the finished return and pinpoint areas that need corrected or reviewed.

I feel that this is a definite way to save money. The lab manager sent her return in via e-filing online and had it back her refund back in five business days! It went directly to her bank account. If you decide to give it a try...let me know if you liked it.

Sign me, The Frugal Tipster, M

Real Gasoline Savings in Western New York

2008-01-23T18:57:00.000-08:00

What a lovely surprise I got today when I went to the grocery store. After I bought my groceries I asked the cashier about using my gas card to buy gas. The gas card is something that they swipe every time I buy something at the store. It is actually called a GASBUSTERS Customer Reward Card. Although I have had it for a while, today was the first time I used it to purchase gas.

The cashier told me to go to the scanner and the scanner would tell me what my discount would be. No problem. When I scanned my gas card the scanner read, “.80”…eighty cents? I asked the senior cashier what that meant, being a newbie. She told me that meant that I would get eighty cents off my gas up to 30 gallons. Holy Cow!!! I could hardly believe it. She told me that there had been a customer before me who had gotten three dollars off of each gallon. Way to go!

So off I go to the gas pump, park the van, and go inside. You have to prepay the gas purchase so I wrote a check for $40 because I have less than one-half tank. I could not believe it when I got back to the pump I was like a kid in a candy store! The gas pump read $2.53 per gallon not $3.33! Of course, being frugal, I was getting regular unleaded. I was so tickled with the savings that I rushed home to tell DH.

I take back everything nasty that I thought about Sonoco! I am still ticked at Exxon, Mobil, Chevron, Texaco, and Shell…well you know what I mean.

Now, this is the first time that I have filled the van since I drove to my son's in November. My mind is already working on this. Let's see, if I don't drive it much I wonder how long I can go before I have to fill it up again. I like a challenge...lol.

By the way, this is NOT a sponsored post.

Sign me, (Finally could afford to fill up my van) in small town America, M

Disclosure Policy

2008-01-23T09:49:00.000-08:00

This policy is valid from 01 January 2008
Relative to the following blogs:

www.lessthan800dollarsmonthly.blogspot.com (To be identified within this statement as "the main blog")
www.journalofanoptimist.blogspot.com
www.journalofanoptimistlittleyellowhouse.blogspot.com

Each of these blogs is a personal blog written and edited by me. For questions about either of the above-noted blogs, please contact mistressofthemoonlight@yahoo.com.

Only the main blog (www.lessthan800dollarsmonthly.blogspot.com) accepts forms of cash advertising, sponsorship, paid insertions or other forms of compensation.

The compensation received may influence the advertising content, topics or posts made in this blog. That content, advertising space or post may not always be identified as paid or sponsored content.

The owner(s) of the main blog is compensated to provide opinion on products, services, websites and various other topics. Even though the owner(s) of the main blog receives compensation for our posts or advertisements, we always give our honest opinions, findings, beliefs, or experiences on those topics or products. The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely the bloggers' own. Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer, provider or party in question.

These blogs may contain content which might present a conflict of interest. This content may not always be identified.

To get your own policy, go to http://www.disclosurepolicy.org

Tea Works!

2008-01-08T04:56:00.000-08:00

I was watching Oprah yesterday; she had Dr. Oz on her show. Some of the information that he was sharing was rather gross! Moving right along, when I came back into the living room after the parasitic worm thing, I was surprised when he gave a tip that I really couldn't wait to try. It was so simple!

My youngest son, my granddaughter, and I have something in common. We have bad foot odor! It is a very frustrating problem, not to mention embarrassing. I have tried everything even those food products that everyone raves about. Nothing works! Well, Dr. Oz had recommended something to a viewer who had a terrible foot odor problem. Worse than my own, who knew? He recommended making a tepid iced tea soak solution. He directed the viewer to soak her feet in that every day for a week. My favorite shot is the one where the viewer was sitting with her feet in a large Rubbermaid or Tupperware container. It was a clear container and it contained tea, no sugar, no milk.

Dr. Oz's explanation kind of went by me because I was so interested in the end result. However, I checked with the Oprah website for clarification. Here it is:

Dr. Oz suggested a simple home remedy for Kelsey—soaking her feet in tepid iced tea. "The tannic acid in the tea will actually tan your foot a little bit, which will dry it out," he said. "That's helpful in reducing the amount of sweat, and the odor as well.

"In just a few weeks, Kelsey says her smelly feet have undergone a drastic change. "Since the show, my life has totally changed. Not only did I get a haircut, but my feet don't smell anymore," she says. "Thank you, Dr. Oz, from the bottom of my sole!

"Dr. Oz says the secret to Kelsey's success is the tannic acid—which dries out the skin—but a few other simple remedies can help, too. "An open-toed shoe, ideally. Wear socks that are absorbent," he says. "But for a lot of folks, the only way to do it is to really dry it out."

Thanks, Dr. Oz.
Sign me, making tepid iced tea ASAP, M

Thoughts over a cup of tea...

2007-12-30T07:17:00.001-08:00

A couple of years ago I was reading something when I came across these words. They just seemed very relevant to what I believe; I hope that you enjoy them as much as I do. From the book, "Only Love is Real", by Brian Weiss, MD:

'"The Vietnamese Buddhist monk and philosopher, Thich Nhat Hanh, writes about enjoying a good cup of tea. You must be completely awake in the present to enjoy the tea. Only in the awareness of the present can your hands feel the pleasant warmth of the cup. Only in the present can you savor the aroma, taste the sweetness, and appreciate the delicacy. If you are ruminating about the past or worrying about the future, you will completely miss the experience of enjoying the cup of tea. You will look down at the cup, and the tea will be gone.

Life is like that. If you are not fully in the present, you will look around and it will be gone. You will have missed the feel, the aroma, the delicacy and beauty of life. It will seem to be speeding past you. The past is finished. Learn from it and let it go. The future is not even here yet. Plan for it, but do not waste your time worrying about it. Worrying is worthless. When you stop ruminating about what has already happened, when you stop worrying about what might never happen, then you will be in the present moment. Then you will begin to experience joy in life."'

In closing, I would like to wish you every blessing in the New Year. May your and your families be happy, healthy, and together to share that joy. God Bless!

Sign me, Frugal, Happy, and Living in the Moment, M

Miserly Moms Input

2007-12-27T16:17:00.001-08:00

When I was going through some old papers today I found a list that I had written for future research. There is a website named www.miserlymoms.com that I found in my traipsing around the internet looking for other frugal-minded folk. The site offered some pretty good tips that are very much like what I have chosen for myself. I offer that information here to help anyone trying to design something that "fits" them during their transition to financial freedom.

Analyze spending habits i.e., grocer receipts (shop loss leaders)
Find less expensive substitutes (generic brands)
Cook two meals (no eating out)
Cook from scratch
Buy name brands on sale (not going to Warehouse stores)
No long trips in car (use rented car to save wear and tear on vehicle)
Shop consignment sales.

I think these tips are my interpretation of some information that I viewed on their site, so I beg forgiveness if I have taken poetic license in changing any of the wording. It is not intentional.

The first tip is very common from frugal source to source. The basic problem of not knowing what you are working with is addressed with this step. If you don't know what you are spending typically then there is a huge unknown. I was encouraged to keep a journal for thirty days to get a better picture of my financial situation. This works...very well.

Tip #2 is very simple. I do remember when one of my sons opened a cupboard years ago and remarked that we had way too many no-name brands in there. I was stretching dollars by avoiding name brand products. No-name (generic) or store brands are a very good savings. The products are often times identical! Although I am not feeding teenagers these days, those savings make the difference today as well.

Tip #3 hits home with me. I did not realize just how much money I spent on eating out. When I was late going to a client's house I would buzz through a certain drive thru. That adds up! So now I cook more and put the leftovers up for the next couple of meals or for the future.

Tip # 4 is something that is not always possible. I read somewhere that making marshmallows is not cost-effective or time saving. However, I make tuna macaroni casserole and macaroni and cheese from scratch. The sodium levels in the pre-packaged types are out of sight. Making these has helped me to stretch my dollars and have good downhome meals at the same time.

As Tip #5 says, if you want name brands buy them when they are on sale. (I avoid warehouse store shopping because the packaging it way to big for me.) I just saw something where a lady uses double coupons and, her church family does this too, purchases items for a food pantry for next to nothing! Couponing has not been one of my strong points because I shop the marked down bins and loss leaders. Being a family of one makes my meal planning less restrictive...lol.

Tip #6 impressed me. I never realized the wear and tear that long trips caused my vehicles. I was more aware of this when I was trying to maintain my used cars for as long as possible. Without a car payment I can afford to do much more! Taking better car of my vehicle has become much more important. The author of Tip #6 recommends renting a car to make long trips to save your own. That is an excellent suggestion. You get a newer model car with all the bells and whistles while keeping the mileage down (on your personal vehicle) as well.

Tip #7 suggests shopping at consignment sales. I do shop at consignment stores whenever possible. Right now, I need some nice flannel shirts or winter tops. I don't want to buy new though as this is just not in the budget. Clothing is one of the areas that I have chosen to cut corners in. I bought a winter coat (new) for $175 ten years ago. I am still wearing it. Today, I would not spend that kind of money on a coat! I would shop around and buy a used garment with at least a $160 saving. Although I got my money's worth out of my Northern Reflections coat, I know that I can save money by shopping around.

If you like any of the tips that I have shared here in today's post, please stop by the website www.miserlymoms.com and see what other wonderful frugal advice they have. Sign me, the Frugal Tipster, M

Living Well on a Shoestring from Yankee Magazine

2007-12-24T10:21:00.000-08:00

If you have not read my posting on this book take a moment to go to http://www.lessthan800dollarsmonthly.blogspot.com/ and have a gander at it! It is a pretty good book and I do recommend it to my friends and fellow frugal lifestylers. I was very impressed with what I have been reading and would like to share a couple of words of wisdom that come from the chapter: "The Four Keys to Frugal Living":

To quote from the book:

"There are two sides to the art of living well on less. There's the minute-by-minute aspect, where you take advantage of the many opportunities to spend wisely, to give up the things that don't add to your life, and to save money on the the things you do want and will use. "

Further along it reads:

"But while your're trying some of these tips, keep in mind the other half of the frugal formula: establishing some basic attitudes and approaches so that you can maximize the impace of your frugal ways. In a nutshell, the four keys to frugal living are: "

Key Number 1: Know your Budget Basics

Key Number 2: Get out of and Avoid Debt

Key Number 3: Increase Your Savings

Key Number 4: Living (Well ) Within Your Means

I like this book for different reasons. Living simply is something that can make a big difference in your life if you are open to letting it work for you. When I look at my financial picture I write everything down to give me a very detailed view. Stepping back and sizing the situation up helped me to make the necessary changes to make this work for me. I have less money and must do more with it. Also, I have to save for the future (or for things like my garage). I did not want to live completely without any luxuries so I still order a pizza from time to time.

I came up with a plan that helped me to pay a little to eveything and to gradually work on paying off the smaller balances over time. I also put 10% in savings. My mortgage gets paid every two weeks. My electricity and telephone get paid on the in between weeks. Basically, I know what is coming in (money wise) and what is going out. I do not charge things any more. It is a little easier for me because I don't have any credit cards.

When I lived in Ohio, I had a friend who was a financial counselor and she helped me. She drew up a plan that I did not use at the time but the basic concept was that you rolled the extra money around paying off the smaller balances. As the balances got paid off that money ended up becoming part of the savings. In other words, if you have ten bills and the gradually pay off all the money that would have been used for payments now gets put in savings.

Back then, I made lots more money but had nothing to show for it. Zip!

The last key that this book suggests is dear to my heart. If I save money on three different fronts (i.e., food, electricity, and phone) that permits me to do something that I want to do. In my case, I am saving for a garage but getting my hair done was fun, too.

Anyway, it is Christmas Eve here. Hope that you are not out there charging things and running up those credit cards! I was listening to Kevin Trudeau yesterday and I liked what he had to say. Looking for his book - USED - of course. Talk to you later, Frugally yours, M

Renovation - Frugal Style

2007-12-19T09:40:00.000-08:00

Have you been working on renovating your home? We have been working on the bathroom in the little yellow house. The original bathroom was added onto the right back end of the house. It resembles an outhouse from the road. The room was purple with a claw foot bath. It left a lot to be desired to say the least. Mr. B. moved the toilet into the main house (back right end) and the work began.

All the fixtures are used. We recycled used items to make the project more affordable. The toilet was used (recycled), the lovely medicine chest (handmade) was $10 at a yard sale. The sink and vanity unit was $15 at another yard sale. Both the medicine chest and vanity matched each other so closely they looked like a set. One of my friends had purchased the same medicine chest at our local furniture barn/cabinet shop. She about had a cow when I told her the price I paid for it. She was very impressed to say the least. Now when she needs something she checks with us first...lol.

When we got to the shower we were stumped. We wanted a double shower (like my sister-in-law has) with sliding doors and the room for a bath chair if I should require one down the road.

I had originally priced a regular-sized shower stall at a Bargain Outlet store. The simple shower stall with no sliding door was $250. That just was not going to work. I got online and hunted for a Habitat Humanity store in our area. They have one up in Kitchener, Ontario called the ReStore. They have lots of recycled items that are perfect for budget renovations. Sure enough, there was a store in Rochester. I don't believe that it is affiliated with Habitat though.

Sure enough, they had a double stall with sliding doors. We did some figuring and it would work!
Last week we went to the ReHouse store in Rochester to pick up the shower stall. That place is wonderful! It was worth the hunt because this shower stall is bigger with doors and cost $125. The ReHouse store had 20% off one item so we made a good purchase at a good time.

Mr. B. took the back door off and we muscled that shower into the house. It sure did fill up the bathroom...lol. We have some room for modifications though. The bathroom is part of our bedroom and the wall that separates the room is a temporary wall. With some work we were able to figure things out. What a relief! The shower was the biggest thing we needed to finish the bathroom.

Just for comparison, I checked the retail pricing on a similar shower unit. The closest I could come was a $500 unit. That is my kind of saving - Way to go ReHouse!

Tip for the day: You can cut corners and save money on renovations by using good used recycled materials. The ReHouse store and many other similar businesses have a wealth of wonderful items. These things come from the deconstruction of homes. They have everything including electrical fixtures , flooring, reclaimed lumber, stained glass windows, kitchen cabinets, fireplace mantles, tubs, showers, etc. Don't miss a good buy! Sign me, Mrs. B, Frugally Yours, M

Work-at-home Job Posting

2007-12-18T17:01:00.000-08:00

I am looking for more work at home assignments. I applied to a work-at-home typist/data entry job a couple of days ago. Immediately after sending my message I received an auto reply from the company. Shortly after that I received another e-mail message outlining what I needed to do. (see below)

Dear Marguerite

Here is the information you requested, hope to get you started soon.

Thank you for your interest in the data entry position. Here is a little about the company and the position.

We are a growing enterprise started by 3 stay-at-home moms looking to earn income from home. This is a legitimate offer for self-motivated people wanting to make some extra income. You have the flexibility to work WHEN you want and HOW MUCH you want and therefore dictate how much you earn. This is a great way to earn income for stay at home moms & dads, college students, to pay off credit card debt, or just supplement your existing income.

Position Description: our responsibilities will involve processing responses from online ads (this process is fully covered in the step-by-step training.) You may choose to work part-time or full-time, and earn $300-$600+ per week. You do not have to contact anyone by phone.

All you need is a computer with a valid e-mail address and basic typing skills. Each ad takes approx. 15-20 minutes to process - you will have a virtually unlimited amount of leads so you may work as much as you want and at the time you choose. There is no contract to sign and the amount of work you choose to do is up to you. This opportunity has unlimited possibilities - a perfect option for stay at home moms or dads, college students or anyone who wants their work to revolve around their life, and not the other way around.

Compensation: You will be paid $10 for each order that you process. Payments will be made directly to you The typical rep will make $40-60/day with 2-3 hours of work.
Method of Payment:
You will receive payment for each application you process though Paypal from which you can withdraw into your own account. You are paid for each application you process as soon as you process them - no waiting for a weekly paycheck. The amount of money you make depends on how much time you choose to put into it.

Training: The training materials you will receive give you step-by-step instructions on how to get started. You may begin working the same day you receive your materials because everything is done online. You could have money in your Paypal account within an hour or two of receiving the training manual. There is no special software requirement.

In the past we have sent out the training materials to whomever was slightly interested but have found that many people were wasting our time and energy because they weren't really interested in the position. For that reason, we only accept applicants who are going to be worth our time. Thus, we charge $10 for the training materials which you will receive via e-mail shortly after submitting your payment - we only accept Paypal for payment. This fee will be made back on your very first data entry job! If you are not familiar with Paypal, please visit their About Us page. They are extremely well trusted and have over 100 Million members.
When you have made your deposit, you will receive the training materials shortly thereafter and can get started. Remember, all your questions will be answered in these materials.
Please use the following Paypal button to order your materials. If you do not already have a paypal account, you can still use a credit card or check using the following link. (If you cannot see the button, you can alternatively go to www.Paypal.com and send your paypal payment to mailto:_@yahoo.com and we will e-mail you your training packet.)

We look forward to getting you started!

So basically I would receive $10 per typing assignment. That would be paid to me via Paypal. To get started I would only have to send them $10 through Paypal to (a personal email address*). Sounds easy, right.

I sent them a request. I asked them the following:

K__, thanks so much for responding to me so quickly. Would you be interested in being interviewed? I would like to do a story on your business opportunity. Thanks, M

K__ sent me this response:

No Thank you I'd rather not be interviewed, Im not much into that but thanks you just the same

Patiently, I countered with:

I wondered if you would like to explain how your business works. A lot of these types of jobs are scams. It would give you an opportunity to build your credibility as a work-at-home entrepreneur. M

Surprisingly, there were no further messages. Why? Because this is one of the top ten work-at-home and home based business scams out there. According to www.scambusters.org/work-at-home.html - "Home-based business and work-at-home opportunity scams rank very high on the list of the top types of internet fraud". They have an excellent article that I highly recommend anyone seeking a work-at-home opportunity should read.

For my part, the reality that if I had sent my$10 off for the training materials this is what I would have received. Again quoting Scambusters, "Here's how it works: After sending the fee to the scammer for "more information" you receive a disk and printed information that tells you to place home typist ads and sell copies of the disk to the suckers who reply. This scam tries to turn you into a scammer!"

By the way, I found this job posting on a well-publicized employment site on the internet. It was not in some small-town newspaper tucked away where it would only attract a small group of people.

TODAY'S TIP: If it sounds too good to be true then it is! Please keep your money in your pocket. Stop by the Scambusters site to read the complete article. Sign me, Working at home (Honestly), M

Merry Christmas to Me! Merry Christmas to Me!

2007-12-18T13:53:00.000-08:00

Today is a very funny kind of day. I treated myself to some highlights for Christmas. Of course, I was very pleased that I had a nice hair cut that was included. One of our parish members has a shop with her sister. They are very busy but today I called and they had a slot open. So, Merry Christmas to Me!

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Sunday - The Lull in the Storm

2007-12-16T12:09:00.000-08:00

The snow had quit falling by the time I woke up. I could hear the fine tapping sound of freezing rain as I lay beneath the warm covers. Miss Kitty and I were lounging, too. I could see the snow in the backyard through my bedroom window. It looked peaceful. I had expected huge drifts and minimal-to-no visibility with the predicted blizzard.

I had gotten up in the night and put another fire log in the woodstove. I lit that, put in another piece of firewood, and returned to bed. The house was cozy and warm. All I had to do was add another piece of firewood. I managed to fit a nice piece of maple that had a huge knot in it into the stove. I knew that it would burn for a long time!

I don’t like to buy the fire logs because the cost adds up ($1.75) but with that I could just get right back into bed. If I work on the paper, paraffin, and kindling it takes me a while and then I am wide awake. Not bad at 6:30 a.m. but not good at 3:30 a.m.

But today it looks like the huge blizzard of 2007 has passed my little section of America by. Whew! Thank goodness, the weather man was wrong. When I put on the television I did see that Rochester (they say it "Roshter") had quite a bit of snow. The question is wheether or not the Hannah Montana concert will be a go. Last time she was here her concert got cancelled due to a blizzard. Poor Hannah Montana fans...I hope that the concert won't be cancelled again.

Later after my bath and breakfast, I had time to sit and plan my week. I have an organizer that I check to make sure that I don’t forget commitments or appointments that I have pending. This week I have to sit down and figure out how much I still owe on my mortgage. I would like to increase my payment a little to help pay it off faster.

Sunday is my day to balance my checkbook, check my organizer, check my bill binder to see if I have a payment pending, and tie up my loose ends. Being organized is not something that I like to let slip, I have to make sure that my bills are paid on time. This is what I do!

I think that anyone who is trying to get a handle on financial success or security needs to have a clear picture of the situation. Who do you owe? How much and when is the payment due? What are your assets and liabilities? Like anything in life that we encounter, if we have a starting point we can gradually make a change/difference.

Today, I will set new mini-goals for the next six weeks. When I checked my organizer I noticed that I am completely caught up on my engagements/calendar. I need to enter all my upcoming dates/appointments so that my information will be up to date.

When I made the decision to live simply, I made myself a promise that I would be financially well off and retire early. When I made that commitment, I followed up with the actions that will make that goal attainable. Do you have something that you want? Get on the ball. Make choices that will bring your goal to fruition. Sign me, Not Snowbound in Western New York, M

Day # 94 - Snow Alert

2007-12-15T08:17:00.000-08:00

8:30 a.m.:
My weekend is going to be an adventure. They are predicting 12 to 24 inches of snow. Wow! That is a lot of snow. I am a little concerned that I might be buried in a drift here in my little yellow house. (laughing to myself) The old people at home in Newfoundland would talk about snow being so deep they had to climb out of the second storey windows to get out and shovel. That was long before snow blowers, believe me.

I have been to the store but I am going to go again this afternoon. The whole idea is to just make sure that I don't run out of anything important. When I lived in town this stuff did not bother me because I could walk to the store. It would take me a lot longer to walk to the store from here...lol.

6:35 p.m.:
The weather man is still making a case for the blizzard of 2007. He says that the storm will hit in 3 more hours. I will be asleep but I am sure I will be in for a rude awakening tomorrow morning. To say the least, right?

I was trying to think of a tip for today: With a snowstorm coming, all I could think of is don't give up your woodstove. When I was trying to replace my woodstove with a propane furnace I could not afford it this year. Well when the electricity goes off I will be warm with my wood stove and it won't cost me an arm and a leg to heat my little place. If I had gotten rid of my Vogelzang I would not have the security that I have tonight.

Always have a back up plan. Be prepared for the "what if" factor. If you were preparing for a blizzard would you be able to a) heat your house, b) light your house, c) have water if your water pipes froze, and d) have food in case you get stranded.

In my case, I have a viable heat source that won't be affected by electric power outages, I have candles and oil lamps plus battery-operated lanterns. For drinking water, I have extra gallon jugs of water. I also have food enough for one week.

So my tip for the day is just the old-fashioned "Boy Scout" motto. Be Prepared. Sign me, Frugal Tipster, M

Money in Your Pocket

2007-12-13T11:08:00.000-08:00

I wondered just how many people are completely fed up with paying the high gas prices. I have had to park my van secondary to a drive belt that won't stay on. Last summer my mechanic suggested that I replace the air conditioning condenser (?) and that would stop the squealing. Nope. Then he just replaced the belt because they must have gotten something on the belt as it was still squealing. Then they suggested replaceing the alternator...nope. Did that last year when it was acting up. Even had a mechanic friend work on a pulley to help with the squealing.

The short version of this story is that four hundred dollars later and the belt is still squealing. I put money in the mechanic's pocket. Not to mention the personal inconvenience of being vehicle less during the times that it was in drydock. These days though the belt squeals loud enough to warrant serious pedestrian concern and then the darn thing comes off. That is a little harder to deal with. (Please check my blog for the QEW/drive belt/tow truck incident)

The good news is that there apparently was a guard that Dodge designed to fix the problem through a repair/recall. (I wonder if the first mechanic had heard of that...you think? Ka-ching!) The bad news is that the new mechanic cannot find one of those guards anywhere. End result? The van has been parked. I cannot drive it.

Being an optimist of the highest order, I see this as a boon. In a way, this has put money in MY pocket. No, the mechanic did not give me back the four hundred plus dollars that the experimental repair projects cost me. I ride the bus.

Here in Small Town America, we have a Dial-A-Ride bus service that has made my lack of viable transportation problem a lot less formidable. Unfortunately, not everyone can park their vehicle. This situation adjustment has cost me way less money than driving my own vehicle. Not only am I not paying for the upkeep and maintenance of one of the local auto repair shops, I am not paying the high prices for gas.

In my case, I purchased my new bus pass for $9.00. I get a value pass. I could not ride in my van for less than $25 in gas twice a week. With gas being up over $3.00 per gallon, that is a minimal outgo projection. If I were commuting to work the cost would be much more. So, I have decided to continue riding the bus until I can afford a small used diesel wagon or van. That said, I want to have my diesel converted by Golden Fuel Systems so it will run on used vegetable oil. No more high price gas prices for me. Check out www.goldenfuelsystems.com to see what I am on about.

I will put $25 a week into savings (the least amount I would pay for gasoline weekly); I won't have to take care of any car repairs or maintenance during the interim. My insurance is still in effect but I have to contact them to adjust the coverage. Vans that sit in the side yard don't cost as much to run as vehicles that are driven.

So my tip today is, review your particular situation. Are you caught in a financial Catch-22? See if you can put money in YOUR pocket while making changes that will work out to be a benefit to you. Check today and see what you can do to make a penny-pinching adjustment. I would love to hear about it. Sign me, the Frugal Tipster, M

DEBIT CARD FRAUD - TAXI DRIVER ARRESTED

2007-12-12T06:46:00.000-08:00

TORONTO TAXI DRIVER ARRESTED IN DEBIT CARD SCAM
Courtesy of Toronto.ctv.ca

Toronto police have arrested a man in connection with a taxi cab debit-card scam in which dozens of passengers reported losing a total of $40,000 from their bank accounts. The suspect faces 25 charges in connection with the fraud case. He was arrested on Friday.

Police credit the public in helping identify the man, who is a taxi driver.On Wednesday, police issued a warning to the public after as many as 50 taxi passengers reported losing a few thousand dollars each over the last few months.

Investigators said the victims paid by debit, and were asked to enter their personal banking information into a PIN-pad device. The device registered their personal password but didn't process the transaction. The customer, not having realized the transaction was completed, was then given back a bank card that wasn't theirs, police said.

The suspect is believed to have used the bank cards to withdraw money at bank machines. The victims didn't realize they were carrying the wrong card until the next time they tried to use it, police said. The six-month investigation notes passengers were defrauded in the entertainment district and in midtown Toronto.

Police had released pictures of the suspect, taken from bank security cameras and a passenger's cellphone.

Afzal Mohammed, 53, is charged with:

12 counts of theft under $5,00012 counts of fraudulently using credit card data
One count of Fraud over $5,000

He is scheduled to appear at the Old City Hall courts on Saturday. Police say their investigation in ongoing, and further charges are pending.

DEBIT CARD FRAUD - TAXI DRIVER WANTED

2007-12-12T06:38:00.000-08:00

TAXI DRIVER WANTED FOR ALLEGED FRAUD
Cabbie reportedly steals customers' bank cards

BY JUSTIN SKINNER - November 22, 2007 01:21 PMA

After numerous complaints over alleged fraud, Toronto Police are looking for a taxi driver who they say has been conning customers out of debit and credit cards.

According to police, after providing his victims with a ride, the suspect would swipe their credit or debit cards through a device that looks like a typical PIN-pad reader before handing back a blank card or a credit or debit card belonging to someone else. The suspect then allegedly takes his victims' cards to a bank machine and withdraws as much money as possible.

According to Detective Constable Michael Kiproff of Toronto Police 53 Division's fraud unit, the suspect has been perpetrating this scheme for several months."He usually manages to take out around $1,000, and he's had 30 or 40 victims by now, so there will be tons of charges when we catch him," he said. "Enough's enough. You can't even take a cab and feel safe anymore."

Kiproff said the suspect typically works late at night and targets people who have been drinking, making his victims less likely to realize that they have been handed the wrong bank card until it is too late. He added that the suspect has been known to work a stretch of Yonge Street as far south as the entertainment district and often works in the areas of Yonge and Bloor streets, Yonge and St. Clair or Yonge and Eglinton.

"He's used a bank machine on Wellesley Avenue numerous times, and he's quite brazen about it," Kiproff said. "Obviously, he's concerned about getting the money as soon as possible, because if someone were to get out and try to use the card they've been given to buy a pack of gum or something, he'd get found out quickly."

Images of the suspect have been circulated throughout the city's taxi companies, but none have been able to identify him, leading police to wonder if he is, in fact, a taxi driver."No one knows the company he claims to be working for - none of the victims have been able to remember,"

Kiproff said. "How easy would it be for someone to buy up an old (car), re-do it to make it look like a taxi and then go to Radio Shack to get a few devices for inside?"Police are looking for the public's help in identifying the suspect. In the meantime, Kiproff warned people to ensure that they always receive their own bank or credit cards back after every use, and to shield their PIN numbers when punching them in.

FRUGAL TIPS FROM THE MISTRESS

2007-12-11T16:20:00.000-08:00

I know that my life has changed a great deal over the last couple of years. However, like someone once said, when the world gives you lemons - make lemonade! Here are some of my personal tips to making ends meet while living simply. I would like to stress that I personally choose to live well while cutting corners and pinching pennies. It has to be fun!

About credit card debt: I had a credit card once and it was a bad experience. I remember when I missed my first credit card payment and the late fees knocked me flat. Today, I just cannot afford to pay for the luxury of buying things I cannot afford to pay for within 30 days. My resources are minimal but I certainly don't want to pay all that extra money just to be able to pull out a piece of plastic to shop. However, I plan to purchase a pre-paid Master Card for emergencies. I will add funds to it to create a small kitty. This is separate from my savings.

Eating Out: Choose to not eat out. If you cannot give it up completely, cut back. I still like to eat out once in a while just to pamper myself. The money that I have saved since I quit eating out has surprised even me. I also don’t drink sodas anymore, I make a gallon of sugar-free iced tea and keep it in the fridge.

Reduce/Downsize: At this point in my journey I choose to travel light. My little house is really not as little as it looks…lol. Things that are not important are put in the yard sale pile or donated to the thrift shop in town.

Remind yourself why you are doing this: Are you trying to buy that house in the country? I have to remind myself that I am in this for the long haul. My goal is to keep all expenses to a minimun while not spending money unnecessarily.

Luxuries: Limit the perks and bonus items. I kept my wireless internet connection as a luxury that I use daily. Check yourself to see what luxuries you might not really need. I gave up my cable television to save that extra money. I rent movies at the library. They are free. I do pick up several channels that keep me up with current news.

Live simply in a smaller space: Do you live in a huge house? I have moved into a 535 sq feet house. Cozy? Yes. Economical. Absolutely. I stopped paying rent and now have a mortgage. I will have my house paid off in 2.5 more years.

Read and research: I read the “Cheapest Family in America” by the Economides’ family for pointers and encouragement. I also research topics like “penny pinching” on the internet looking for new ideas.

Reduce, Recycle and Reuse: I recycled my kitchen cupboards from a garage sale. That has saved me a bundle of money. My double shower stall cost $125 at a ReHouse store in Rochester. A new one was definitely not in my budget, what a find! Check out your yellow pages, I bet there is one near you.

Want or Need? If I want something it has to be a legitimate need for it to become a purchased item. With a limited income, I have lots of time to sort that one out.With the price of gas, I have cut my driving down. If I have to go to town I do several errands so as to reduce the chance of making several trips. I have started riding the local bus service. Goodness, I cannot drive to town for what they charge me. What a savings!

Debit Card? Do not use a debit card to make online purchases. Did you know that a scammer can clean out your account if you use it on the internet? Check out my story from a Toronto newspaper. See my link “Debit Card Fraud”

You can do this! It is not as hard as it might seem. Sign me, Living Simply, M