http://www.wisebread.com/taxonomy/term/3754/all en-US http://www.wisebread.com/is-diy-home-renovating-for-you <div class="field field-type-filefield field-field-blog-image"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item odd"> <a href="http://static2.killeraces.com/is-diy-home-renovating-for-you" class="imagecache imagecache-250w imagecache-linked imagecache-250w_linked"><img src="http://static2.killeraces.com/files/fruganomics/imagecache/250w/blog-images/house-repair-4429409-small.jpg" alt="renovtion" title="renovation" class="imagecache imagecache-250w" width="250" height="141" /></a> </div> </div> </div> <p>The DIY movement has really taken off in the last couple of years, and the average homeowner can easily access Internet tutorials on pretty much anything from crafting your own DIY art to installing new can lights to completely gutting and overhauling the plumbing in your master bathroom. But are you cut out for DIY?</p> <p>Not everyone may have the temperament or skills to effectively renovate their home on their own, and a botched DIY job can <a href="http://www.wisebread.com/like-diy-avoid-these-ten-costly-mistakes" target="_blank">end up costing you thousands of dollars</a> in labor and materials. Before you start swinging that sledgehammer, consider whether DIY renovating is for you. (See also: <a href="http://www.wisebread.com/save-on-car-maintenance-with-these-5-diy-tips" target="_blank">Save on Car Maintenance With These 5 DIY Tips</a>)</p> <h2>1. Are You a Meticulous and Patient Person?</h2> <p>DIY home renovation shows make complex tasks such as installing a lighting fixture or mitering corners for crown molding seem like simple, fast, and easy jobs. However, if you're a beginner to DIY, figuring out these tasks can take a long time and require careful study of tutorials, plans, and measurements. In some cases, a slapdash, haphazard approach can be dangerous and cause major problems down the line (especially with electrical and plumbing). Even if we're not talking about dangerous jobs, you can end up wasting a lot of material and time if you're not careful.</p> <p>Are you the sort of person to measure twice, and cut once? Will you carefully study directions on how to install things correctly, or do you prefer to fly by the seat of your pants? Will you get frustrated quickly when things don't seem to fit together perfectly? Will your project sit half-done for the next six months (or years)? Consider your own personality before tackling a major DIY job. Although if you aren't a meticulous and patient person, this might be a good challenge to help you grow in that aspect.</p> <h2>2. Is It Worth Your Time?</h2> <p>Yes, providing your own labor <a href="http://www.wisebread.com/5-household-fixes-you-should-stop-paying-others-for" target="_blank">can save you hundreds, if not thousands of dollars</a> on a renovation project. But consider how much your time is worth. After over a year of renovating our home, my husband and I have adopted the motto, &quot;Everything takes longer than you think.&quot; If you're planning to DIY after a long day of work, consider that you may only have a couple of daylight hours every evening. Also, spending your time doing DIY jobs can take you away from spending valuable time with your family.</p> <p>On the other hand, working on DIY projects together can be a bonding experience for your family, especially if everyone enjoys working with their hands. And if you don't mind having a construction zone in your house for several months, the extra time needed to complete the project may not be an issue for you.</p> <h2>3. Do You Have the Tools?</h2> <p>Doing your own home renovation requires a lot of tools. Do you own, or can you rent or borrow the tools you need? If not, factor in the cost of buying the requisite tools into the cost of the project. Even rentals can cost quite a pretty penny, especially over several days while you learn how to use the tool in the first place. It might be worthwhile to hire in a contractor who brings in his own tools and can knock out the project in a couple of hours.</p> <h2>4. Do You Have the Skills?</h2> <p>Sure, those TV shows make DIY seem like a breeze, but believe it or not, many home renovations take skill. If you're a very handy person, you <a href="http://www.wisebread.com/diy-home-improvement-10-free-options-for-training-and-advice" target="_blank">may be able to acquire those skills</a> in the process and produce something that at first glance approaches professional quality. In many cases, however, your project may end up looking a little &quot;too DIY.&quot; If you don't have an intuition for how things work, an eye for symmetry, and decent hand-eye coordination, DIY might not be for you.</p> <p>Consider whether you can handle skilled jobs such as cutting and installing tile, leveling concrete, and drywalling. For example, my husband and I put up new drywall in our master bedroom. We completed it, but smoothing on drywall mud was a much more laborious and difficult job than we expected (and to this day there are still minor imperfections in the drywall seams). When it came time to tackle the drywall for the family room, we hired a contractor. For a few hundred dollars, he did a beautiful, professional job, and only took one day (it would have taken us a week or two).</p> <h2>5. What's the Worst That Could Happen?</h2> <p>If you're new to DIY, ask yourself what the worst-case scenario could be before you tackle a new project. If it's something with relatively low stakes, why not try it out?</p> <p>Painting your front door or building a coffee table from scrap lumber are fun projects, and if they don't turn out perfectly, it won't really affect your home that badly. However, trying to install your own marble countertops could turn out very badly if you end up breaking a thousand dollars worth of stone. Roofing your own house could turn out extremely badly if you fell and broke your neck. So start small.</p> <h2>6. Do You Understand Workplace Safety?</h2> <p>Every year, <a href="http://news.consumerreports.org/home/2011/06/the-five-most-common-do-it-yourself-accidents.html" target="_blank">thousands of DIYers</a> are blinded, lose fingers, inhale noxious chemicals, fall off ladders, or are otherwise hurt or injured while working on a project for their home. Be informed on the necessary safety precautions to take. Invest in good safety glasses, filtering masks, gloves, and clothing.</p> <p>The considerations above aren't to discourage you from attempting a DIY project. However, it may be wise to start small and work up to a larger project. Doing your own DIY can also be a great opportunity to grow as a person &mdash; to become more patient, more detail-oriented, and to see a task through to completion. And while some jobs may be best left to the pros, others can be successfully tackled by amateurs like us!</p> <p><em>Have your home DIY efforts been successful? Have they been failures? Tell us about them in comments!</em></p> <a href="http://www.wisebread.com/is-diy-home-renovating-for-you" class="sharethis-link" title="Is DIY Home Renovating for You?" rel="nofollow">ShareThis</a><br /><div id="custom_wisebread_footer"><div id="rss_tagline">Written by <a href="http://www.wisebread.com/camilla-cheung">Camilla Cheung</a> and published on <a href="http://www.wisebread.com/">Wise Bread</a>. Read more <a href="http://www.wisebread.com/taxonomy/term/"> articles from Wise Bread</a>.</div><div class="item-list"><ul><li class="first"><a href="http://www.wisebread.com/like-diy-avoid-these-ten-costly-mistakes?wbref=readmore-1">Like DIY? Avoid These 10 Costly Mistakes</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.wisebread.com/build-your-own-furniture-9-helpful-tips-for-non-carpenters?wbref=readmore-2">Build Your Own Furniture: 9 Helpful Tips For Non-Carpenters</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.wisebread.com/diy-home-improvement-10-free-options-for-training-and-advice?wbref=readmore-3">DIY Home Improvement: 10 Free Options for Training and Advice</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.wisebread.com/small-business/4-project-costs-to-consider-before-you-launch?wbref=readmore-4">4 Project Costs to Consider Before You Launch</a></li> <li class="last"><a href="http://www.wisebread.com/5-household-fixes-you-should-stop-paying-others-for?wbref=readmore-5">5 Household Fixes You Should Stop Paying Others For</a></li> </ul></div></div> DIY Home Personal Development budget home projects home renovation Home repair maintenance Tue, 21 May 2013 10:00:32 +0000 Camilla Cheung 974178 at http://www.wisebread.com http://www.wisebread.com/cut-your-electric-bill-with-solar-panels <div class="field field-type-filefield field-field-blog-image"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item odd"> <a href="http://static1.killeraces.com/cut-your-electric-bill-with-solar-panels" class="imagecache imagecache-250w imagecache-linked imagecache-250w_linked"><img src="http://static1.killeraces.com/files/fruganomics/imagecache/250w/blog-images/solar-4250134-small.jpg" alt="solar panels" title="solar panels" class="imagecache imagecache-250w" width="250" height="167" /></a> </div> </div> </div> <p>Thinking about reducing your carbon footprint by going solar?</p> <p>Besides helping the environment, installing solar panels can dramatically reduce your electric bills.</p> <p>Solar panel installers say the panels can cut monthly electric bills by 50 to 90%. The Department of Energy confirms that a solar electric system can meet &quot;nearly all the needs&quot; of an energy-efficient home.</p> <p>A two-kilowatt system could cost $16,000 to $20,000 including installation, or $8 to $10 per watt, according to the Department of Energy. Cheaper PV systems are available, but they only slightly cut electricity costs. At the high end, a five-kilowatt system that completely meets the energy needs of many conventional homes can cost $30,000 to $40,000 or $6 to $8 per watt, installed.</p> <p>What's more, the cost of solar panels has fallen substantially in recent years, due to improving technology and low-cost imports. According to Clean Edge, a renewable energy research firm, solar costs for the panels themselves have dropped from $7.50 per watt to $2.50 since 2000.</p> <p>In addition, photovoltaic, or PV, panels will protect you from rate increases in the future, which run at 4% or more a year, since the sun will never charge more for its power. That means 10 or 20 years from now the cost of electricity may have doubled, but you'll be getting your power for free or for very little.</p> <p>Solar panels also increase the value of homes, so homeowners should get their investment back when they sell their homes. A <a href="http://newscenter.lbl.gov/news-releases/2011/04/21/bright-spot-for-solar/" target="_blank">Berkley Lab study of California homes</a> found that homes with photovoltaic panels sold for a premium over homes without the panels.</p> <p>How much you can save depends on how much sunshine you get, the solar system you install, the cost of electricity in your area, and how much electricity you use, all factors that vary widely.</p> <p>If your utility has net metering, you'll be credited for excess energy the PV system creates during the day. In effect, your meter will run backwards. That means your electric bill could potentially be zero. In some areas, utilities may pay homeowners for excess energy.</p> <h2>Tax Credit Where Credit Is Due</h2> <p>Homeowners can currently obtain a federal tax credit for 30% of installation costs.</p> <p>Many states also offer rebates and tax credits. Eligibility criteria, incentives, and installer equipment requirements vary widely. For listings of state, local, utility, and federal incentives, visit the <a href="http://www.dsireusa.org/solar/" target="_blank">National Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy</a> (DSIRE). The Department of Energy also has a nifty <a href="http://energy.gov/savings">online tool</a> for finding state incentives for solar energy, as well as other alternative energy sources.</p> <h2>How Much Can You Save?</h2> <p>After getting quotes from installers and calculating the state and federal tax savings, use your past year's electric bills to estimate your savings.</p> <p>Divide the installation costs after tax incentives by 25 years to find the system's annual cost, and compare the annual cost to last year's electric bill to estimate your savings. If you borrow money to pay for your solar system, take into account the interest you'll pay, too.</p> <p>California, the largest solar energy market, is pushing PV panels in a big way with its <a href="http://www.gosolarcalifornia.ca.gov/about/csi.php" target="_blank">Go Solar California</a> campaign, a joint effort of the state's Energy Commission and the California Public Utilities Commission. The <a href="http://www.gosolarcalifornia.ca.gov/about/csi.php">California Solar Initiative</a> offers rebates to customers of its investor-owned utilities &mdash; Pacific Gas and Electric, Southern California Edison, San Diego Gas &amp; Electric &mdash; with rebate amounts depending on the performance of the solar panels. All you need is roof or ground space that gets unobstructed sunlight from 11 a.m. to sunset year-round.</p> <p>Customers of municipal utilities may also qualify for incentives through their municipal service providers. For the California Solar Initiative program, you first must complete an energy efficiency audit done through your <a href="http://www.gosolarcalifornia.ca.gov/csi/step1.php" target="_blank">utility's program manager</a>. It can be done online or over the phone.</p> <h2>Buying Sunshine's Electricity on Credit</h2> <p>Installing a solar system may cost tens of thousands of dollars, but you might be able to lease the equipment with little or no money upfront. If you opt for leasing, you pay a fixed monthly fee, typically for 15 to 20 years, while the solar company maintains the panels. Solar leases, or third-party financing, is relatively new and is expected to energize the solar business, says a report from <a href="http://www.greentechmedia.com/research/report/u.s.-residential-solar-pv-financing" target="_blank">GTM Research</a>. To date, leasing is available in 14 states, including California, Arizona, and Colorado.</p> <p>A downside of leasing is that the company, not you, gets the federal tax credit. And you can't be certain the company maintaining the system will be around for 15 or 20 years, especially given the young solar industry's record of turmoil and bankruptcy.</p> <h2>Getting Started</h2> <p>In California, the state maintains a database of solar contractors who are eligible to apply for state incentives; other states may have similar programs. Talk to at least three installers. Ask about their warranties, how many systems they've installed, the average cost per watt they charge, the peak generating capacity, and the total cost including hardware, connecting to the grid, and permits.</p> <p>The contractor will handle the state rebate paperwork. Utility customers get a monthly incentive based on the PV system's output, but owners of systems under 30 kilowatts are also eligible for an upfront rebate.</p> <p>Other states also offer tax credits or rebates. For instance, Arizona, another sunny state, has a 25% tax credit for residents installing solar energy systems, up to $1,000, and Nevada offers a tax rebate of up to $12,500 for residential solar electric systems. Ask your utility company for referrals for installers.&nbsp;</p> <p>So if you live in a sunny spot, you can say goodbye to rising electric bills while feeling good that you're doing something to help the environment.</p> <p><em>Have you upgraded your home or property with solar panels? Are the savings meeting your expectations?</em></p> <a href="http://www.wisebread.com/cut-your-electric-bill-with-solar-panels" class="sharethis-link" title="Cut Your Electric Bill With Solar Panels" rel="nofollow">ShareThis</a><br /><div id="custom_wisebread_footer"><div id="rss_tagline">Written by <a href="http://www.wisebread.com/michael-kling">Michael Kling</a> and published on <a href="http://www.wisebread.com/">Wise Bread</a>. Read more <a href="http://www.wisebread.com/taxonomy/term/"> articles from Wise Bread</a>.</div><div class="item-list"><ul><li class="first"><a href="http://www.wisebread.com/how-to-make-your-own-power?wbref=readmore-1">How to Make Your Own Power</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.wisebread.com/small-business/get-green-for-going-green?wbref=readmore-2">Get Green for Going Green</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.wisebread.com/small-business/tax-breaks-for-going-green?wbref=readmore-3">Tax Breaks for Going Green</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.wisebread.com/surprising-items-that-criminal-recyclers-are-after?wbref=readmore-4">Surprising Items That Criminal Recyclers Are After</a></li> <li class="last"><a href="http://www.wisebread.com/what-americans-can-learn-from-how-the-rest-of-the-world-saves-energy?wbref=readmore-5">What Americans Can Learn From How the Rest of the World Saves Energy</a></li> </ul></div></div> Green Living Home Real Estate and Housing clean energy conserve electricity electric bills solar panels Fri, 03 May 2013 10:24:34 +0000 Michael Kling 971408 at http://www.wisebread.com http://www.wisebread.com/big-lessons-from-the-tiny-house-movement <div class="field field-type-filefield field-field-blog-image"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item odd"> <a href="http://static2.killeraces.com/big-lessons-from-the-tiny-house-movement" class="imagecache imagecache-250w imagecache-linked imagecache-250w_linked"><img src="http://static1.killeraces.com/files/fruganomics/imagecache/250w/blog-images/house-558179-small.jpg" alt="tiny house" title="tiny house" class="imagecache imagecache-250w" width="250" height="167" /></a> </div> </div> </div> <p>Have you heard the buzz about the tiny house movement or seen one moving down the road toward its new (semi) permanent home? If not, chances are you soon will. (See also: <a target="_blank" href="http://www.wisebread.com/mcmansion-to-mccottage-why-smaller-houses-are-smarter">McMansion to McCottage: Why Smaller Houses Are Smarter</a>)</p> <p>The tiny house movement is a social movement in which people voluntarily reduce their living space in order to live more simply, to live debt-free, or to reduce their carbon footprint. Tiny homes come in all shapes and designs and are as varied as their occupants. Although there are no formal parameters, these houses can be fixed or on wheels and range in size from 250-400 square feet.</p> <p>As the movement gains steam and evolves from a fringe curiosity to a full-blown phenomenon, I thought it might be interesting to explore what we&rsquo;re learning from tiny houses and the lessons that continue to motivate new converts every day.</p> <h2>Smaller Can Be Better</h2> <p>According to data from the U.S. Census Bureau, the size of the average American home in 2012 was 2,480 square feet. Since the size of families is shrinking, one has to wonder what we&rsquo;re doing with all that extra space. Is it really worth it to finance, heat, clean, and furnish rooms we don&rsquo;t need? Tiny homes start conversations about expectations, wants, needs, and norms that we seldom explore.</p> <h2>Houses Are for People</h2> <p>We spend a lot of time and money building bigger to house more...things. The beauty and logic of the tiny house movement challenges the notion that our homes need to be large enough to warehouse our unchecked and always-growing inventory of stuff. The primary purpose of a home is to shelter people and &mdash; secondarily &mdash; the optimal amount of useful, beautiful, and sentimental objects that support and enrich our lives.</p> <h2>Simple Living Requires Constant Editing</h2> <p>The British craftsman and poet William Morris said, &ldquo;If you want a golden rule that will fit everything, this is it: Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful.&rdquo; Wise words.</p> <p>Reaching that optimal level of &ldquo;stuff&rdquo; requires constant attention and editing &mdash; especially in tiny spaces. But isn&rsquo;t editing something that should be happening anyway, regardless of the size of our homes? Do we really revel in stuffed closets, garages that no longer fit our cars, basements that look like the National Archives, attics that creak with the weight of dozens of storage bins? Tiny houses require us to do what larger houses let us neglect &mdash; minimize the material albatrosses we travel through life with.</p> <h2>Our Lives Are Mobile; Our Housing Should Keep Pace</h2> <p>Since I graduated college in 1992, I&rsquo;ve lived in four different cities in three states, and for my peer group, that&rsquo;s a relatively low number. Society is more mobile and <a href="http://www.wisebread.com/pack-up-your-house-tips-for-saving-money-and-sanity-on-a-move">adults are more transitory than ever before</a>, but our housing options are still tethered to old social norms. Tiny houses offer ownership benefits that apartments can&rsquo;t, design considerations that traditional mobile homes don&rsquo;t, and financial flexibility that typical houses can&rsquo;t come close to matching.</p> <h2>Prefab Can Be Fab</h2> <p>The reputation of prefab is changing. The old idea that prefabricated structures are quickly and cheaply tacked together is fading away.</p> <p>Prefabricated tiny houses are designed, customized, and built with <a target="_blank" href="http://www.wisebread.com/houses-you-can-build-yourself">an unrivaled attention to detail and durability</a> &mdash; often using reclaimed and repurposed materials. Their potential to revolutionize the way we build on a much broader scale shouldn&rsquo;t be underestimated. With reduced waste, greater cost controls, and year-round climate-regulated building processes, the new prefab really is fab.</p> <h2>Design Matters</h2> <p>Optimizing the costs of any structure begins and ends with the maximizing the space within it. Many tiny homes feel much larger than their footprints because great care has been paid to design, space planning, and other efficiencies. Vaulted ceilings with sleeping lofts, Murphy beds, vertical storage, and versatile furnishings make every square foot matter. It&rsquo;s a lesson that can be applied to any house, regardless of size.</p> <h2>Mortgage-Free Living Is Possible</h2> <p>Perhaps the most profound lesson we can take away from the tiny house movement is its lesson about debt-free living. Mortgage typically represents the single largest debt that most of us will ever face &mdash; one that will track and tax our financial freedom decade after decade. The notion that we can rethink our housing, still enjoy the benefits of home ownership, and reduce <a target="_blank" href="http://www.wisebread.com/whats-faster-for-mortgage-payoff-100-month-extra-or-1-payment-year-extra">or completely avoid long-term debt</a> should be sparking conversations across the country.</p> <p>Maybe you&rsquo;re not ready to downsize to a 250 square foot home &mdash; and I&rsquo;m not sure that&rsquo;s even the point. This style of living isn&rsquo;t for everybody, but there are important lessons we can all learn from it. If we start reexamining the notions that more is always better than less, bigger is always preferable to smaller, debt is an unavoidable part of life, and traditional employment is necessary to fuel a constantly-expanding cycle of consumption, then the tiny house movement has challenged a narrative that is seldom questioned. And to me, that&rsquo;s really big news.</p> <p><em>Do you know someone who lives in a tiny house? Have you daydreamed about living small? Share your story below.</em></p> <a href="http://www.wisebread.com/big-lessons-from-the-tiny-house-movement" class="sharethis-link" title="Big Lessons From the Tiny House Movement" rel="nofollow">ShareThis</a><br /><div id="custom_wisebread_footer"><div id="rss_tagline">Written by <a href="http://www.wisebread.com/kentin-waits">Kentin Waits</a> and published on <a href="http://www.wisebread.com/">Wise Bread</a>. Read more <a href="http://www.wisebread.com/taxonomy/term/"> articles from Wise Bread</a>.</div><div class="item-list"><ul><li class="first"><a href="http://www.wisebread.com/mcmansion-to-mccottage-why-smaller-houses-are-smarter?wbref=readmore-1">McMansion to McCottage: Why Smaller Houses Are Smarter</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.wisebread.com/houses-you-can-build-yourself?wbref=readmore-2">Houses You Can Build Yourself</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.wisebread.com/how-big-of-a-house-do-you-really-need?wbref=readmore-3">How Big of a House Do You Really Need?</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.wisebread.com/prefab-fab-this-aint-yer-grandmas-double-wide?wbref=readmore-4">Prefab Fab - This ain&#039;t yer grandma&#039;s double-wide</a></li> <li class="last"><a href="http://www.wisebread.com/in-two-income-households-can-making-more-put-us-further-behind?wbref=readmore-5">In Two-Income Households, Can Making More Put Us Further Behind?</a></li> </ul></div></div> Home Real Estate and Housing downsizing moving prefab tiny houses Wed, 24 Apr 2013 10:24:32 +0000 Kentin Waits 973603 at http://www.wisebread.com http://www.wisebread.com/make-your-own-homemade-cleaning-wipes-and-canister <div class="field field-type-filefield field-field-blog-image"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item odd"> <a href="http://static1.killeraces.com/make-your-own-homemade-cleaning-wipes-and-canister" class="imagecache imagecache-250w imagecache-linked imagecache-250w_linked"><img src="http://static1.killeraces.com/files/fruganomics/imagecache/250w/blog-images/420011de2fa77084_thumb3.preview.jpg" alt="Cleaning Wipes" title="Cleaning Wipes" class="imagecache imagecache-250w" width="250" height="138" /></a> </div> </div> </div> <p>When there's a mess, instead of reaching for expensive cleaning wipes, make your own for less than a dollar. With the help of vinegar and liquid dish soap, your counters will sparkle without the use of harsh chemicals. And you'll love how this easy <a title="Latest photos and news for DIY" href="http://www.casasugar.com/DIY" target="_blank">DIY</a> can be made over and over with the help of a repurposed coffee canister. Made from all-natural ingredients that power through any mess, adding a few sprinkles of your favorite essential oil personalizes these eco-friendly cleaning wipes.</p> <p>Keep reading for the easy directions.</p> <p><a href="http://www.savvysugar.com/How-Make-Natural-Insect-Repellant-29235245">RELATED:&nbsp;How to Make Natural Insect Repellant</a></p> <h2>What You'll Need</h2> <ul> <li>One-pound coffee canister with plastic lid</li> <li>Paper towel roll</li> <li>Sharp knife</li> <li>1/2 cup vinegar</li> <li>1/4 cup water</li> <li>1/4 cup rubbing alcohol</li> <li>1 teaspoon liquid dish soap</li> <li>10 drops essential oil (optional)</li> <li>Spray paint (optional)</li> <li>Needle</li> <li>Scissors</li> </ul> <h2>Directions</h2> <p>1. After picking up the ingredients for these homemade wipes, they cost just about nothing to make, which means you can have a can of wipes in every room of your home. Vinegar does an amazing job of cleaning up messes while naturally whisking away germs, preventing mold, and killing bacteria. And use your favorite dish soap, or <a href="http://www.savvysugar.com/Homemade-Liquid-Dish-Soap-28764389/">make your own</a>.</p> <p><img width="350" height="350" alt="Project supplies" src="http://static2.killeraces.com/files/fruganomics/u921/34a31fc2f3cb4e1d_P1140492.preview.jpg" /></p> <p>2. Repurposing an old coffee can for this DIY is a fun way to create a container that can be used over and over again. Either leave the can as is, or give it a quick coat of spray paint, inside and out, for a fun look and to keep the inside of the can from rusting.</p> <p><img width="350" height="350" alt="Painting the canister" src="http://static1.killeraces.com/files/fruganomics/u921/dda6d1b743a725f3_P1140496.preview.jpg" /></p> <p>3. To create the cleaning wipes, cut the paper towels in half using a sharp serrated knife, and squish them into the painted can. And using eco-friendly paper towels makes this DIY even greener.</p> <p><img width="350" height="350" alt="Towels in canister" src="http://static1.killeraces.com/files/fruganomics/u921/53b3bf2bf67da3e3_P1140501.preview.jpg" /></p> <p>4. Mix together the vinegar, dish soap, rubbing alcohol, and water in a small bowl. You can add several drops of essential oil to the wipes, which personalizes the cleaner and boosts its antibacterial powers.</p> <p><img width="350" height="350" alt="" src="http://static2.killeraces.com/files/fruganomics/u921/dca807afdb539d10_P1140506.preview.jpg" /></p> <p>5. Slowly pour the liquid over the paper towels. Once saturated, carefully remove the cardboard center, and pull a paper towel from the middle.</p> <p><img width="350" height="350" alt="Paper towels with liquid" src="http://static1.killeraces.com/files/fruganomics/u921/66bbf2b58e52a049_P1140512.preview.jpg" /></p> <p>6. Press a craft needle through the center of the plastic lid several times, and then fit scissors through to cut a circle from the center, around one half-inch in diameter.</p> <p><img width="350" height="350" alt="" src="http://static1.killeraces.com/files/fruganomics/u921/8a4a79458890b7a4_P1140517.preview.jpg" /></p> <p>7. Now feed the paper towel through hole in the plastic lid and secure to the painted coffee can. Not only are these wipes great at cleaning and disinfecting your home, but they also look seriously cute adorning countertops. Simply add a few drops of water to the canister as needed to keep wipes moist.</p> <p><img width="350" height="350" alt="Finished product" src="http://static1.killeraces.com/files/fruganomics/u921/23b7b9e6489dcb07_photo-14.preview.jpg" /></p> <div class="field field-type-text field-field-blog-teaser"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item odd"> If you love the convenience of cleaning wipes but hate the chemicals they include, check out this tutorial for easy and cheap, DIY wipes. </div> </div> </div> <div class="field field-type-text field-field-guestpost-blurb"> <div class="field-label">Guest Post Blurb:&nbsp;</div> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item odd"> <p style="text-align:center;"><a href="http://www.savvysugar.com" style="border:none;"><img width="300" height="95" alt="" src="http://static2.killeraces.com/files/fruganomics/u921/POPSUGARrgb.jpg" /></a></p> <p><em>This is a guest contribution from our friends at </em><a href="http://www.savvysugar.com/"><em>POPSUGAR Smart Living</em></a><em>. Check out more useful articles from this partner:</em></p> <ul> <li><a href="http://www.savvysugar.com/DIY-Pot-Scrubber-29048797">Make Your Own&nbsp;Pot Scrubbers</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.savvysugar.com/Homemade-All-Purpose-Cleaner-28495713">Homemade All-Purpose Cleaner</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.savvysugar.com/Homemade-Toilet-Bowl-Cleaner-28855947">Homemade Toilet Bowl&nbsp;Cleaner</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> <br /><div id="custom_wisebread_footer"><div id="rss_tagline">Written by <a href="http://www.wisebread.com/popsugar-smart-living">POPSUGAR Smart Living</a> and published on <a href="http://www.wisebread.com/">Wise Bread</a>. Read more <a href="http://www.wisebread.com/taxonomy/term/"> articles from Wise Bread</a>.</div><div class="item-list"><ul><li class="first"><a href="http://www.wisebread.com/free-coupons-for-seventh-generation-plus-a-peek-at-their-paper-products?wbref=readmore-1">Free Coupons for Seventh Generation! (Plus a Peek at Their Paper Products)</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.wisebread.com/money-saving-travel-hacks-from-your-own-home?wbref=readmore-2">Money-saving travel hacks from your own home </a></li> <li><a href="http://www.wisebread.com/how-to-build-your-own-air-horn-in-3-minutes?wbref=readmore-3">How To Build Your Own Air Horn In 3 Minutes</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.wisebread.com/sayulita-baby?wbref=readmore-4">Sayulita, baby!</a></li> <li class="last"><a href="http://www.wisebread.com/great-moments-in-geek-history?wbref=readmore-5">Great Moments In Geek History</a></li> </ul></div></div> DIY Home cleaning products crafts easy cleaning Fri, 19 Apr 2013 10:24:33 +0000 POPSUGAR Smart Living 973572 at http://www.wisebread.com http://www.wisebread.com/easy-frugal-ways-to-have-people-over-even-if-you-dont-cook-and-clean <div class="field field-type-filefield field-field-blog-image"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item odd"> <a href="http://static2.killeraces.com/easy-frugal-ways-to-have-people-over-even-if-you-dont-cook-and-clean" class="imagecache imagecache-250w imagecache-linked imagecache-250w_linked"><img src="http://static1.killeraces.com/files/fruganomics/imagecache/250w/blog-images/bbq-4358691-small.jpg" alt="bbq" title="bbq" class="imagecache imagecache-250w" width="250" height="141" /></a> </div> </div> </div> <p>A friend once made the observation that people have the time (and inclination) to cook OR clean. Like me, she opted to cook, meaning, then, that she typically had a messy house.</p> <p>I had never really considered that there were two such types of people. But after doing a mental scan of the homes of friends and acquaintances, I realized she was spot-on. Those with immaculate homes infrequently prepared home-cooked meals whereas those who cook most of the time seem to have, well, lived-in homes.</p> <p>Whatever your personal capabilities, lacking one or the other skill shouldn&rsquo;t prevent you from having people over. There are easy, cheap ways to entertain, even if you are not amazing at <em>both </em>cooking and cleaning. (See also: <a href="http://www.wisebread.com/quick-pantry-snacks-for-unexpected-guests">Quick Pantry Snacks for Unexpected Guests</a>)</p> <p>Let's start with entertaining amidst your mess.</p> <h2>Entertain Cheaply Without Cleaning the House</h2> <p>Friends, acquaintances, and neighbors will appreciate your hosting a get-together, even if the venue is not a formal living or dining area in your home.</p> <p><strong>Throw a Party in Your Backyard</strong></p> <p>Your backyard, patio, or deck is a great place for a casual function. Friends with small children will especially appreciate freedom from worrying about their kids making a mess.</p> <p>Grill burgers and serve with a side item and dessert for a dinner party. Host an ice cream social if you want to have a kid-friendly affair. For either, stash drinks in a cooler and let guests help themselves.</p> <p>Pull out patio chairs or throw a blanket on the ground for seating. Ask guests to bring a lawn or camp chair if you are expecting a crowd.</p> <p>Leave most of the house untouched but clean the few areas that your guests might visit inside.</p> <p><strong>Use the Clubhouse</strong></p> <p>Many people I know have a clubhouse or common area in their neighborhood that can be reserved at no charge. Such an arrangement is ideal for a gathering.</p> <p>Food preparation is a bit more complicated than dinner or drinks in your home. But since you&rsquo;ve saved loads of time by not having to clean the house, you have more energy to plan and prep food and beverages.</p> <p>For a casual get-together, have your favorite pizzas delivered. For a slightly more formal affair, <a href="http://www.wisebread.com/25-great-cheap-and-easy-crock-pot-recipes" target="_blank">fix a hot meal using a crock pot</a> and serve with previously prepared cold items, such as a tossed salad with <a href="http://www.wisebread.com/25-tasty-and-affordable-salad-dressing-recipes" target="_blank">homemade dressing</a> and potato salad.</p> <p><strong>Plan a Picnic at the Park</strong></p> <p>You can host a lunch, early dinner, or birthday party at a park inexpensively. Note that facilities vary in their arrangements: some sites are free of charge on a first-come, first-served basis whereas some venues require reservations and charge a nominal fee ($10) or a hefty one ($200 or more).</p> <p>Free options involve spreading a blanket on an open space or snagging an empty picnic table. There, treat a couple of friends to a casual picnic with fried chicken or sandwiches.</p> <p>For larger events, reserving a space is helpful. Coordinate a potluck dinner with friends if you want to share a meal. Oversee games or free play and serve ice cream and cake for a <a href="http://www.wisebread.com/how-to-throw-a-kid%E2%80%99s-birthday-party-that%E2%80%99s-fun-happily-memorable" target="_blank">kid's birthday party</a>.</p> <p>Remember to bring your own supplies, like plates, spoons, and napkins.</p> <p><strong>Invite Your Closest Friends</strong></p> <p>Your best friends will enjoy your hospitality no matter the state of your house. They&rsquo;ll understand that you&rsquo;d rather spend spare moments in conversation, not polishing furniture or dusting around books.</p> <p>A <a href="http://www.wisebread.com/company-coming-10-areas-to-clean-to-make-it-count" target="_blank">bit of tidying won&rsquo;t hurt though</a>. Just clear the main area and take care of tasks like clearing dirty dishes, taking out the trash, or changing the bathroom towels before, rather than after, the visit.</p> <p>Entertain as simply or elaborately as you want, hanging out over a casual brunch or hosting a fancy dinner.</p> <h2>Entertain Cheaply Without Excessive Cooking</h2> <p>Keeping your space clean and free of clutter can take a lot of effort. As a result, you may not have honed your cooking skills or developed a list of go-to dishes for special events. But you can still have people over with these techniques.</p> <p><strong>Use Simple Recipes</strong></p> <p>Spend most of your party prep time planning the guest list and decorating the area to ignite great conversation.</p> <p>Don't attempt to fix a lavish meal. Prepare a simple-to-make but elegant dish like <a href="http://www.cooks.com/rec/view/0,1739,153176-250204,00.html" target="_blank">creamy baked chicken</a>; or try one of these <a href="http://www.wisebread.com/cooking-for-beginners-10-recipes-for-kitchen-newbies" target="_blank">easy recipes for beginners</a>, such as spaghetti with salad and bread.</p> <p><strong>Serve &quot;Home-Cooked&quot; Meals Prepared by Others</strong></p> <p>Private catering can be expensive, but you can often buy healthy and affordable items from local businesses.</p> <p>In my area, there are a few shops with commercial kitchens that make small batches of reasonably priced entrees, side dishes, and desserts. Items can be purchased fresh with prior arrangements or frozen nearly anytime.</p> <p>Alternatively, buy dishes from the freshly prepared, deli, or bakery sections of a traditional or specialty grocery store. Some frozen foods work well also, such as marinated fish.</p> <p>If you decide to try one of these techniques, be sure to sample the food before your event. Pay close attention to cooking times and consider adding minutes because multiple items in the oven take longer to heat thoroughly than smaller or single-sized portions.</p> <p><strong>Practice New Recipes</strong></p> <p>Just because you don&rsquo;t have a repertoire of wonderfully exotic meals doesn&rsquo;t mean that you can&rsquo;t learn to make a new dish for a special event.</p> <p>Look for recipes that you can easily master, which typically are those with cooking techniques you understand and ingredients found at most stores. Test them in your own kitchen to be sure that you&rsquo;ll enjoy the dish. Consider trying one or two new foods and ask your friends to bring additional items if needed.</p> <p><strong>Throw a Cooking Party</strong></p> <p>Cooking parties can be riveting and well-orchestrated get-togethers based on what I've read. Find formal guidelines in this article on <a href="http://recipes.howstuffworks.com/menus/how-to-throw-a-cooking-party.htm" target="_blank">how to throw a cooking party</a>.</p> <p>For a simpler event, pick a casual dinner or dessert theme. Ask friends to <a href="http://www.wisebread.com/fabulous-party-ideas-for-the-frugal-minded" target="_blank">bring a topping</a> for the pizza, baked potatoes, or salad that you provide. Let your guests surprise you with add-ons or mix-ins for ice cream or plain cheesecake, if you decide to throw a dessert party.</p> <p>Buy the basic ingredients and be prepared with supplies needed to cook, serve, and dine.</p> <p>Confession: I am much better at preparing meals than keeping a spotless house. Getting food and drinks together has always been easier for me than readying my house for even the friendliest of gatherings. And although I am far from a perfectionist, I sometimes find the process of having more than a couple of people over a challenge &mdash; and I thought you might feel the same way. So, to make things super easy (no matter your strengths and inclinations), mix and match the suggestions (buy home-cooked meals and eat outside, for example), relax, and enjoy.</p> <p><em>Do you have frugal, time-saving techniques for entertaining guests?</em></p> <a href="http://www.wisebread.com/easy-frugal-ways-to-have-people-over-even-if-you-dont-cook-and-clean" class="sharethis-link" title="Easy, Frugal Ways to Have People Over (Even If You Don&#039;t Cook and Clean)" rel="nofollow">ShareThis</a><br /><div id="custom_wisebread_footer"><div id="rss_tagline">Written by <a href="http://www.wisebread.com/julie-rains">Julie Rains</a> and published on <a href="http://www.wisebread.com/">Wise Bread</a>. Read more <a href="http://www.wisebread.com/taxonomy/term/"> articles from Wise Bread</a>.</div><div class="item-list"><ul><li class="first"><a href="http://www.wisebread.com/how-to-start-a-frugal-dinner-club?wbref=readmore-1">How to Start a Frugal Dinner Club</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.wisebread.com/how-to-host-a-new-years-eve-party-on-a-budget?wbref=readmore-2">How To Host A New Year&#039;s Eve Party On A Budget</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.wisebread.com/start-a-cooking-club-cook-up-some-frugal-fun?wbref=readmore-3">Start a Cooking Club: Cook Up Some Frugal Fun</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.wisebread.com/a-dinner-party-for-6-feed-em-for-under-20?wbref=readmore-4">A Dinner Party for 6: Feed &#039;Em for Under $20</a></li> <li class="last"><a href="http://www.wisebread.com/fabulous-party-ideas-for-the-frugal-minded?wbref=readmore-5">Fabulous Party Ideas For The Frugal-Minded </a></li> </ul></div></div> Food and Drink Home Lifestyle affordable entertaining dinner party easy cleaning Fri, 12 Apr 2013 10:24:31 +0000 Julie Rains 971677 at http://www.wisebread.com http://www.wisebread.com/best-money-tips-save-money-spring-cleaning <div class="field field-type-filefield field-field-blog-image"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item odd"> <a href="http://static2.killeraces.com/best-money-tips-save-money-spring-cleaning" class="imagecache imagecache-250w imagecache-linked imagecache-250w_linked"><img src="http://static2.killeraces.com/files/fruganomics/imagecache/250w/blog-images/spring-cleaning-4234838-small.jpg" alt="spring cleaning" title="spring cleaning" class="imagecache imagecache-250w" width="250" height="167" /></a> </div> </div> </div> <p>Welcome to Wise Bread's <a href="http://www.wisebread.com/topic/best-money-tips">Best Money Tips</a> Roundup! Today we found some awesome articles on saving money spring cleaning, making your wedding venue more affordable, and tax mistakes to avoid.</p> <h2>Top 5 Articles</h2> <p><a href="http://bargainbabe.com/2013/04/02/save-money-spring-cleaning/">Save Money Spring Cleaning</a> &mdash; When cleaning this spring, remember to vacuum your fridge coils to make your fridge more efficient and save money! [Bargain Babe]</p> <p><a href="http://www.savvysugar.com/How-Save-Your-Wedding-Venue-24257605">6 Ideas to Make Your Wedding Venue More Affordable</a> &mdash; If you want to make your wedding venue more affordable, consider getting married in a rural area. [PopSugar Smart Living]</p> <p><a href="http://www.joetaxpayer.com/the-dumbest-tax-mistakes-to-avoid-this-april/">The Dumbest Tax Mistakes to Avoid This April</a> &mdash; Don't make the tax mistake of under-reporting your income this tax season. [Joe Taxpayer]</p> <p><a href="http://genxfinance.com/cheap-healthy-foods/">Cheap Healthy Food</a> &mdash; Eggs and sweet potato are budget friendly, healthy foods. [Generation X Finance]</p> <p><a href="http://www.freemoneyfinance.com/2013/04/are-you-confident-you-can-retire.html">Are You Confident You Can Retire?</a> &mdash; Did you know 49% of Americans do not feel confident they will be able to retire? [Free Money Finance]</p> <h2>Other Essential Reading</h2> <p><a href="http://sweatingthebigstuff.com/how-beat-big-banks/">How To Beat The Big Banks</a> &mdash; To avoid letting banks profit from you, use in-network ATMs. [Sweating The Big Stuff]</p> <p><a href="http://www.consumerismcommentary.com/psychological-barriers-admitting-theres-a-problem/">Psychological Barriers: Admitting There's a Problem</a> &mdash; Denial can be a huge issue when addressing money problems. [Consumerism Commentary]</p> <p><a href="http://parentingsquad.com/7-reasons-to-eat-meals-at-home-and-7-ways-to-get-it-done">7 Reasons to Eat Meals at Home and 7 Ways to Get it Done</a> &mdash; Eating meals at home helps you save money and slow down. [Parenting Squad]</p> <p><a href="http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2013/04/09/how-your-commute-affects-your-bottom-line/">How Your Commute Affects Your Bottom Line</a> &mdash; When looking for a job, it is vital to take a look at your commute costs before accepting a position. [The Simple Dollar]</p> <p><a href="http://yesiamcheap.com/2013/04/popular-landlord-tenant-rental-scams/">Popular Landlord and Tenant Rental Scams</a> &mdash; If the price on a rental property you are looking at seems too good to be true, it's probably a scam. [Yes, I Am Cheap]</p> <a href="http://www.wisebread.com/best-money-tips-save-money-spring-cleaning" class="sharethis-link" title="Best Money Tips: Save Money Spring Cleaning" rel="nofollow">ShareThis</a><br /><div id="custom_wisebread_footer"><div id="rss_tagline">Written by <a href="http://www.wisebread.com/ashley-jacobs">Ashley Jacobs</a> and published on <a href="http://www.wisebread.com/">Wise Bread</a>. Read more <a href="http://www.wisebread.com/taxonomy/term/"> articles from Wise Bread</a>.</div><div class="item-list"><ul><li class="first"><a href="http://www.wisebread.com/best-money-tips-make-money-through-spring-cleaning?wbref=readmore-1">Best Money Tips: Make Money Through Spring Cleaning</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.wisebread.com/best-money-tips-thrifty-gifts-any-mom-would-love?wbref=readmore-2">Best Money Tips: Thrifty Gifts Any Mom Would Love</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.wisebread.com/best-money-tips-free-and-almost-free-spring-family-fun?wbref=readmore-3">Best Money Tips: Free (and Almost Free) Spring Family Fun</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.wisebread.com/best-money-tips-how-to-stop-buying-so-many-wants?wbref=readmore-4">Best Money Tips: How to Stop Buying so Many &quot;Wants&quot;</a></li> <li class="last"><a href="http://www.wisebread.com/best-money-tips-use-your-social-media-profiles-to-find-a-job?wbref=readmore-5">Best Money Tips: Use Your Social Media Profiles to Find a Job</a></li> </ul></div></div> Home best money tips cleaning spring Wed, 10 Apr 2013 10:00:32 +0000 Ashley Jacobs 973372 at http://www.wisebread.com http://www.wisebread.com/best-money-tips-cut-your-electricity-bill <div class="field field-type-filefield field-field-blog-image"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item odd"> <a href="http://static1.killeraces.com/best-money-tips-cut-your-electricity-bill" class="imagecache imagecache-250w imagecache-linked imagecache-250w_linked"><img src="http://static2.killeraces.com/files/fruganomics/imagecache/250w/blog-images/4343048863_d896385505_z.jpg" alt="cfl bulbs" title="cfl bulbs" class="imagecache imagecache-250w" width="250" height="184" /></a> </div> </div> </div> <p>Welcome to Wise Bread's <a href="http://www.wisebread.com/topic/best-money-tips">Best Money Tips</a> Roundup! Today we found some stellar articles on ways to cut your electricity bill, entertaining yourself for free or cheap, and ovecoming your financial fears.</p> <h2>Top 5 Articles</h2> <p><a href="http://www.savvysugar.com/How-Use-Less-Electricity-29003772">10 Simple and Smart Ways to Cut Your Electricity Bill</a> &mdash; To cut your electricity bill, clean your machines so they run efficiently. [PopSugar Smart Living]</p> <p><a href="http://www.moneytalksnews.com/2013/04/03/the-7-best-ways-to-entertain-yourself-cheap-or-free/">The 7 Best Ways to Entertain Yourself Free or Cheap</a> &mdash; Entertain yourself for free by volunteering at concerts and festivals. [Money Talks News]</p> <p><a href="http://www.bargaineering.com/articles/4-tips-overcoming-financial-fears.html">4 TIPS for Overcoming Your Financial Fears</a> &mdash; Thinking differently can help you overcome your financial fears. [Bargaineering]</p> <p><a href="http://www.moneycrashers.com/ways-keep-money-safe-traveling/">7 Best Ways to Keep Your Money Safe When Traveling</a> &mdash; Avoiding secluded ATMs can help you keep your money safe when you travel. [Money Crashers]</p> <p><a href="http://money.msn.com/saving-money-tips/post.aspx?post=059ef9e9-5d47-4889-9871-2cc743ffc172&amp;ref=bfv">How to raise money-smart kids</a> &mdash; Take advantage of apps to help you raise your kids to be financially savvy. [MSN Money]</p> <h2>Other Essential Reading</h2> <p><a href="http://barbarafriedbergpersonalfinance.com/amass-by-changing-one-lifestyle-habit/">Amass $70,000 By Changing One Lifestyle Habit</a> &mdash; Stocking your car with snacks instead of buying them from snack shops when you're hungry can help you save a ton of money! [Barbara Friedberg Personal Finance]</p> <p><a href="http://www.creditsesame.com/blog/what-banks-are-doing-to-help-troubled-borrowers/">What Banks are Doing to Help Troubled Borrowers</a> &mdash; In order to help troubled borrowers, banks are doing quicker short sales. [Credit Sesame]</p> <p><a href="http://www.freemoneyfinance.com/2005/05/facts_about_us_.html">Facts About U.S. Money</a> &mdash; Did you know paper currency was first issued in 1862 to make up for the shortage of coins and to fund the Civil War? [Free Money Finance]</p> <p><a href="http://www.kiplinger.com/article/real-estate/T065-C000-S000-declutter-your-life.html">Declutter Your Life</a> &mdash; To delutter your life, sell your unwanted stuff on Craigslist or eBay. [Kiplinger]</p> <p><a href="http://parentingsquad.com/11-questions-to-ask-a-special-needs-camp">11 Questions to Ask a Special Needs Camp</a> &mdash; If you have a special needs child who you are sending to camp, be sure to ask the camp about their staff to camper ratio. [Parenting Squad]</p> <a href="http://www.wisebread.com/best-money-tips-cut-your-electricity-bill" class="sharethis-link" title="Best Money Tips: Cut Your Electricity Bill" rel="nofollow">ShareThis</a><br /><div id="custom_wisebread_footer"><div id="rss_tagline">Written by <a href="http://www.wisebread.com/ashley-jacobs">Ashley Jacobs</a> and published on <a href="http://www.wisebread.com/">Wise Bread</a>. Read more <a href="http://www.wisebread.com/taxonomy/term/"> articles from Wise Bread</a>.</div><div class="item-list"><ul><li class="first"><a href="http://www.wisebread.com/best-money-tips-ways-to-cut-your-tax-bill?wbref=readmore-1">Best Money Tips: Ways to Cut Your Tax Bill</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.wisebread.com/best-money-tips-how-to-ask-your-boss-for-a-raise?wbref=readmore-2">Best Money Tips: How to Ask Your Boss for a Raise</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.wisebread.com/best-money-tips-easy-ways-to-cut-your-food-bill?wbref=readmore-3">Best Money Tips: Easy Ways to Cut Your Food Bill</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.wisebread.com/best-money-tips-get-your-kids-to-save?wbref=readmore-4">Best Money Tips: Get Your Kids to Save</a></li> <li class="last"><a href="http://www.wisebread.com/best-money-tips-triggers-for-financial-infidelity?wbref=readmore-5">Best Money Tips: Triggers for Financial Infidelity</a></li> </ul></div></div> Home best money tips electric bill electricity Mon, 08 Apr 2013 10:00:32 +0000 Ashley Jacobs 972569 at http://www.wisebread.com http://www.wisebread.com/savvy-solutions-for-spring-cleaning <div class="field field-type-filefield field-field-blog-image"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item odd"> <a href="http://static1.killeraces.com/savvy-solutions-for-spring-cleaning" class="imagecache imagecache-250w imagecache-linked imagecache-250w_linked"><img src="http://static1.killeraces.com/files/fruganomics/imagecache/250w/blog-images/spring cleaning.jpg" alt="A young woman rakes leaves on a backyard patio." title="A young woman rakes leaves on a backyard patio." class="imagecache imagecache-250w" width="250" height="188" /></a> </div> </div> </div> <p>With the arrival of spring comes the pressure to tidy up our domiciles to an epic degree. Yes, I&rsquo;m talking about the annual rite of spring cleaning. It&rsquo;s time consuming, sometimes overwhelming, and often more expensive than we expect.</p> <p>To help you maintain control of your household budget, I&rsquo;ve developed this list of <a target="_blank" href="http://financialhighway.com/cheap-cleaning-tips/">cheap cleaning tips</a> as an alternative to overpriced products you may not need. If dishing out the big bucks for specialized toilet bowl cleaners and window-shining sprays isn&rsquo;t on your list of financial priorities, consider trying some of these ideas in your own home. (See also: <a target="_blank" href="http://www.wisebread.com/nine-frugal-suggestions-for-a-humble-bar-of-soap">9 Frugal Suggestions for a Humble Bar of Soap</a>)</p> <h2>Homemade Cleaners</h2> <p>The people behind the television commercials will try to convince you that you need something more elaborate, but the truth is there are a number of ingredients kicking around your pantry and medicine cabinet just as well suited to the job. By <a target="_blank" href="http://webesharin.com/2012/01/28/25-plus-uses-for-lavender/">using lavender</a>, for example, you can easily scent a spray bottle of window cleaner in a way that won&rsquo;t have you, your pet, or your children breathing toxic fumes. Other ideas include <a target="_blank" href="http://www.wisebread.com/how-baking-soda-took-my-bathroom-from-%E2%80%9Cyuck%E2%80%9D-to-yes">cleaning your bathroom with baking soda</a> and using rubbing alcohol to shine the chrome fixtures in your bathroom.</p> <h2>T-Shirts</h2> <p>As I discussed in <a target="_blank" href="http://www.wisebread.com/savings-in-every-room">Savings in Every Room</a>, I&rsquo;m a big fan of finding affordable ways to offer more wow factor throughout the house. For those who think a deeper cleaning of the home requires purchasing special rags and wipes, consider the power of an old T-shirt. Not only can they be cut into cleaning rags, but when tied over the bristle end of broom, they do a great job of removing cobwebs and bits of gook that make their way to the upper corners of rooms where the walls and ceiling meet. They&rsquo;re also easily laundered before moving on to the next room, providing a penny-pinching way to clean green.</p> <h2>Socks</h2> <p>I first covered this tip back when I started writing for Wise Bread in my <a target="_blank" href="http://www.wisebread.com/10-ways-to-go-green-and-save-money-at-the-same-time">10 Ways to Go Green and Save Money at the Same Time</a> piece. Saving old athletic socks provides you with two reusable cleaning tools. First, by cutting off the foot portion just above the ankle, you&rsquo;re left with an impromptu dusting mitt that allows you to easily dust and clean chair rungs, table legs, and other things with a similar shape. There are companies that charge a pretty penny for the disposable kind, but why dish out unnecessary dough? Second, the top part of the cotton athletic socks can be slit up one side to create a great dish rag or scrub cloth.</p> <h2>Bureaus for Organization</h2> <p>Often, the removal of dirt isn&rsquo;t the only goal of spring cleaning. We want to feel organized and ready to tackle the rest of the year as well. To this end, I am a huge fan of <a target="_blank" href="http://webesharin.com/2007/06/02/budget-decorating-ideas-new-ideas-for-old-bureaus/">repurposing old bureaus</a>. They can serve as anything from a functional kitchen island to an alternative linen closet in the hallway outside your guest bedroom. They are particularly helpful if the house you&rsquo;re living in doesn&rsquo;t have much in the way of closet space.</p> <h2>Squeegees</h2> <p>I think one of the coolest and least used <a target="_blank" href="http://www.wisebread.com/six-simple-housework-hacks">housework hacks</a> is the utilization of window squeegees. They can save a surprising amount of time over dry cloths when you are trying to achieve a streak-free finish in a hurry. Not only do they work for windows and glass shower doors, but I&rsquo;ve also seen them put into service in homes where the bathrooms and kitchens have a floor drain. Once you&rsquo;ve given your tile a scrub, you can simply squeegee the extra liquid towards the drain and you have a shiny surface that requires much less time to dry. Who wouldn&rsquo;t love that?</p> <h2>Plants</h2> <p>As one Wise Bread writer covered recently, there are a number of <a target="_blank" href="http://www.wisebread.com/the-best-cheap-plants-for-improving-indoor-air-quality">cheap plants which improve indoor air quality</a>. Once you&rsquo;ve got your spring cleaning taken care of, why not extend the results by making sure you detoxify the air as much as possible? Also, if you live someplace with long winters, it isn&rsquo;t the worst thing to have a bit of green in your daily life until it actually starts blooming again outside.</p> <p>While spring cleaning might never be something any of us actually enjoy, it is something that can be accomplished inexpensively. By choosing a few of these solutions, you should be able to save your money for something more enjoyable like a romantic getaway or a great dinner out.</p> <p><em>How are you cleaning up on the cheap this spring?</em></p> <a href="http://www.wisebread.com/savvy-solutions-for-spring-cleaning" class="sharethis-link" title="Savvy Solutions for Spring Cleaning" rel="nofollow">ShareThis</a><br /><div id="custom_wisebread_footer"><div id="rss_tagline">Written by <a href="http://www.wisebread.com/myscha-theriault">Myscha Theriault</a> and published on <a href="http://www.wisebread.com/">Wise Bread</a>. Read more <a href="http://www.wisebread.com/taxonomy/term/"> articles from Wise Bread</a>.</div><div class="item-list"><ul><li class="first"><a href="http://www.wisebread.com/company-coming-10-areas-to-clean-to-make-it-count?wbref=readmore-1">Company Coming? 10 Areas to Clean to Make It Count</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.wisebread.com/spring-into-cleaning-now?wbref=readmore-2">Spring into Cleaning Now</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.wisebread.com/10-inexpensive-spring-spruce-up-ideas-for-your-home?wbref=readmore-3">10 Inexpensive Spring Spruce-Up Ideas for Your Home</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.wisebread.com/how-to-clean-your-house-in-one-day?wbref=readmore-4">How to Clean Your House in One Day</a></li> <li class="last"><a href="http://www.wisebread.com/8-tasks-you-shouldnt-skip-during-spring-cleaning?wbref=readmore-5">8 Tasks You Shouldn&#039;t Skip During Spring Cleaning</a></li> </ul></div></div> Green Living Home Organization green cleaners houseplants spring cleaning Mon, 08 Apr 2013 09:48:34 +0000 Myscha Theriault 969887 at http://www.wisebread.com http://www.wisebread.com/10-inexpensive-spring-spruce-up-ideas-for-your-home <div class="field field-type-filefield field-field-blog-image"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item odd"> <a href="http://static1.killeraces.com/10-inexpensive-spring-spruce-up-ideas-for-your-home" class="imagecache imagecache-250w imagecache-linked imagecache-250w_linked"><img src="http://static1.killeraces.com/files/fruganomics/imagecache/250w/blog-images/5590286986_8c95245b10_z.jpg" alt="spring home" title="spring home" class="imagecache imagecache-250w" width="250" height="167" /></a> </div> </div> </div> <p>After a long cold winter, nothing warms a decorator&rsquo;s heart like the first signs of spring. Spring is a time to pack up the old, usher in the new, kick off the snow boots, and slip on the gardening gloves. If the warm weather has you itching to spruce up around the house, here are a few budget-friendly ideas that spring to mind. (See also:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wisebread.com/your-one-month-guide-to-spring-cleaning">Your One-Month&nbsp;Guide to Spring Cleaning</a>)</p> <h2>1. Clean the Windows</h2> <p>Let a little sun shine in. Clean your windows inside and outside to frame all that springtime green. For an easy homemade glass cleaner, mix equal parts distilled white vinegar and water. Pour into a reusable spray bottle and channel your inner Hazel.</p> <h2>2. Declutter</h2> <p>No matter how wonderful your design skills or refined your tastes, clutter detracts from the overall function and beauty of your space. Box it up, bag it up, sell it, or donate it. It&rsquo;s time to clear your mind by clearing some space.</p> <h2>3. Accessorize</h2> <p>Simple accessories like new towels in the bathroom, <a href="http://www.wisebread.com/7-ways-to-remodel-your-bedroom-without-demolishing-a-thing">new pillows on the bed</a>, or a new area rug can change the vibe of an entire room (and change your mood). If you don&rsquo;t want to spend on new, check out the deals at your local thrift store.</p> <h2>4. Replace Hardware</h2> <p>Replacing knobs and drawer pulls on kitchen cabinets or a bathroom vanity is an easy way to update a look quickly. For a more coordinated look, match the finishes between door knobs, hinges, knobs, pulls, and other hardware like faucets, towel bars, and robe hooks.</p> <h2>5. Green It Up</h2> <p>Whether you grow plants, have a window-sill herb garden, or just arrange a few fresh cut flowers, adding a bit of green is a quick way to spruce things up. Get cuttings from friends or make dramatic bouquets with wildflowers, budding branches, and sculptural driftwood.</p> <h2>6. Reorganize Closets</h2> <p>Almost everyone hates to do it, but cleaning closets is nearly a rite of spring. Focus on one closet at a time &mdash; decluttering, cleaning, and organizing as you go. Trust me, Monday mornings won&rsquo;t seem nearly so bad when you&rsquo;re facing a meticulously organized closet.</p> <h2>7. Revitalize Furniture</h2> <p>Give natural wood a new lease on life with furniture wax or polish. For pieces that are a bit worse for wear, try a scratch cover that&rsquo;s formulated to match the wood&rsquo;s original stain. You&rsquo;ll be amazed how far a little elbow grease goes.</p> <h2>8. Paint It</h2> <p>Repainting is a simple way to get big design bang for your buck. <a href="http://www.wisebread.com/repaint-your-old-furniture-for-a-budget-d-cor-update">Paint can update old furniture</a>; brighten a room; or freshen up a front door, mailbox, or window trim. Choose timeless and coordinating (not necessarily matching) colors for a professional look.</p> <h2>9. Rearrange and Refresh</h2> <p>Sometimes sprucing up is as simple as <a href="http://www.wisebread.com/new-living-room-0-cost-of-rearranging-the-furniture-priceless">rearranging what you already own</a>. Rethink rooms and reconfigure furniture. Decorate subtly around a theme, bring in accent pieces from other rooms, and don&rsquo;t be afraid to experiment with an eclectic mix of periods and styles.</p> <h2>10. Choose One High-Profile Project</h2> <p>If you decide to splurge on a single item, make sure it&rsquo;s high-profile. Investments in good paint, a deluxe area rug, one professionally reupholstered chair, or luxurious bed linens will set the stage for the rest of your more frugal spruce-up ideas. Anchored by one high-profile project, all the smaller details will shine more brightly.</p> <p>I hope a few of these ideas inspire some warm-weather decorating ideas of your own. Remember, spring is the beginning of yard sale season too &mdash; keep an eye out for great bargains and weekend decorating projects you can do on a budget.</p> <p><em>What are your spring spruce-up projects? What projects have been waiting for your creative touches all winter long?</em></p> <a href="http://www.wisebread.com/10-inexpensive-spring-spruce-up-ideas-for-your-home" class="sharethis-link" title="10 Inexpensive Spring Spruce-Up Ideas for Your Home" rel="nofollow">ShareThis</a><br /><div id="custom_wisebread_footer"><div id="rss_tagline">Written by <a href="http://www.wisebread.com/kentin-waits">Kentin Waits</a> and published on <a href="http://www.wisebread.com/">Wise Bread</a>. Read more <a href="http://www.wisebread.com/taxonomy/term/"> articles from Wise Bread</a>.</div><div class="item-list"><ul><li class="first"><a href="http://www.wisebread.com/6-great-alternatives-to-remodeling-your-home?wbref=readmore-1">6 Great Alternatives to Remodeling Your Home</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.wisebread.com/savvy-solutions-for-spring-cleaning?wbref=readmore-2">Savvy Solutions for Spring Cleaning</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.wisebread.com/repaint-your-old-furniture-for-a-budget-d-cor-update?wbref=readmore-3"> Repaint Your Old Furniture for a Budget Décor Update</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.wisebread.com/7-ways-to-remodel-your-bedroom-without-demolishing-a-thing?wbref=readmore-4">7 Ways to Remodel Your Bedroom (Without Demolishing a Thing)</a></li> <li class="last"><a href="http://www.wisebread.com/spring-into-cleaning-now?wbref=readmore-5">Spring into Cleaning Now</a></li> </ul></div></div> DIY Home budget decorating houseplants repainting spring cleaning Mon, 25 Mar 2013 10:24:34 +0000 Kentin Waits 971348 at http://www.wisebread.com http://www.wisebread.com/best-money-tips-have-a-clean-place-without-cleaning <div class="field field-type-filefield field-field-blog-image"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item odd"> <a href="http://static2.killeraces.com/best-money-tips-have-a-clean-place-without-cleaning" class="imagecache imagecache-250w imagecache-linked imagecache-250w_linked"><img src="http://static2.killeraces.com/files/fruganomics/imagecache/250w/blog-images/3184304498_8553af6021_z.jpg" alt="bedroom" title="bedroom" class="imagecache imagecache-250w" width="250" height="167" /></a> </div> </div> </div> <p>Welcome to Wise Bread's <a href="http://www.wisebread.com/topic/best-money-tips">Best Money Tips</a> Roundup! Today we found some great articles on having a clean place without cleaning, giving memorable gifts without going into debt, and spending your tax refund wisely.</p> <h2>Top 5 Articles</h2> <p><a href="http://www.savvysugar.com/How-Shorten-Cleaning-Time-22498197">11 Ways to Have a Clean Place Without Cleaning</a> &mdash; To have a clean place without cleaning, reduce the amount of stuff you have. [SavvySugar]</p> <p><a href="http://ptmoney.com/memorable-gifts/">6 Ways to Give Memorable Gifts Without Going Into Debt</a> &mdash; Give a memorable gift without going into debt by spending time instead of money. [PT Money]</p> <p><a href="http://genxfinance.com/how-to-spend-your-tax-refund-wisely/">How to Spend Your Tax Refund Wisely</a> &mdash; Consider using your tax refund to pay down debt or fix up your home. [Generation X Finance]</p> <p><a href="http://www.carefulcents.com/increase-your-financial-savvy/">3 Ways to Increase Your Financial Savvy as a Female Entrepreneur</a> &mdash; If you want to increase your financial savvy as a female entrepreneur, surround yourself with like-minded entrepreneurs. [Careful Cents]</p> <p><a href="http://www.joetaxpayer.com/5-essential-steps-to-prepare-for-tax-season/">5 Essential Steps to Prepare for Tax Season</a> &mdash; Asking the right questions and getting organized will help you prepare for tax season. [Joe Taxpayer]</p> <h2>Other Essential Reading</h2> <p><a href="http://www.20sfinances.com/2013/02/25/traditional-ira-vs-roth-ira-which-one-is-better-for-young-adults/">Traditional IRA vs Roth IRA: Which One is Better for Young Adults</a> &mdash; Did you know traditional IRAs are tax deferred while Roth IRAs are tax exempt? [20's Finances]</p> <p><a href="http://livingonthecheap.com/fine-arts-on-the-cheap/">4 ways to experience fine arts on the cheap</a> &mdash; To experience fine arts on the cheap, check out community and college art organizations. [Living on the Cheap]</p> <p><a href="http://www.stretcher.com/stories/12/12feb27b.cfm?slider#.USuznoXxJl8">Garage Sales 101</a> &mdash; The best time to have a garage sale is on a weekend in May or June. [The Dollar Stretcher]</p> <p><a href="http://youngandthrifty.ca/who-should-pay-on-dates/">Who Should Pay on Dates?</a> &mdash; Do you think going dutch on a date is a bad idea? [Young and Thrifty]</p> <p><a href="http://parentingsquad.com/8-tips-for-preparing-a-birth-plan-0">8 Tips for Preparing a Birth Plan</a> &mdash; When preparing a birth plan, use clear and assertive language. [Parenting Squad]</p> <a href="http://www.wisebread.com/best-money-tips-have-a-clean-place-without-cleaning" class="sharethis-link" title="Best Money Tips: Have a Clean Place Without Cleaning" rel="nofollow">ShareThis</a><br /><div id="custom_wisebread_footer"><div id="rss_tagline">Written by <a href="http://www.wisebread.com/ashley-jacobs">Ashley Jacobs</a> and published on <a href="http://www.wisebread.com/">Wise Bread</a>. Read more <a href="http://www.wisebread.com/taxonomy/term/"> articles from Wise Bread</a>.</div><div class="item-list"><ul><li class="first"><a href="http://www.wisebread.com/best-money-tips-thrifty-gifts-any-mom-would-love?wbref=readmore-1">Best Money Tips: Thrifty Gifts Any Mom Would Love</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.wisebread.com/best-money-tips-saving-money-in-the-kitchen?wbref=readmore-2">Best Money Tips: Saving Money in the Kitchen</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.wisebread.com/best-money-tips-plan-some-cheap-travel-this-weekend?wbref=readmore-3">Best Money Tips: Plan Some Cheap Travel This Weekend</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.wisebread.com/best-money-tips-improve-your-chances-of-getting-a-job?wbref=readmore-4">Best Money Tips: Improve Your Chances of Getting a Job</a></li> <li class="last"><a href="http://www.wisebread.com/best-money-tips-make-money-through-spring-cleaning?wbref=readmore-5">Best Money Tips: Make Money Through Spring Cleaning</a></li> </ul></div></div> Home best money tips cleaning home house Tue, 26 Feb 2013 10:48:34 +0000 Ashley Jacobs 968096 at http://www.wisebread.com http://www.wisebread.com/best-money-tips-bathroom-remodels-on-a-budget <div class="field field-type-filefield field-field-blog-image"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item odd"> <a href="http://static2.killeraces.com/best-money-tips-bathroom-remodels-on-a-budget" class="imagecache imagecache-250w imagecache-linked imagecache-250w_linked"><img src="http://static1.killeraces.com/files/fruganomics/imagecache/250w/blog-images/7284517300_8fd3715625_z.jpg" alt="bathroom mirrors" title="bathroom mirrors" class="imagecache imagecache-250w" width="250" height="166" /></a> </div> </div> </div> <p>Welcome to Wise Bread's <a href="http://www.wisebread.com/topic/best-money-tips">Best Money Tips</a> Roundup! Today we found some stellar articles on bathroom remodels on a budget, saving money by reducing waste, and investing with little money.</p> <h2>Top 5 Articles</h2> <p><a href="http://www.beatingbroke.com/bathroom-remodels-on-a-budget/">Bathroom Remodels on a Budget</a> &mdash; Remodel your bathroom on a budget by changing the mirror. [Beating Broke]</p> <p><a href="http://beingfrugal.net/want-to-save-money-reduce-your-waste/">Want to Save Money? Reduce Your Waste</a> &mdash; Buying higher quality items will help you reduce your waste and save money. [BeingFrugal.net]</p> <p><a href="http://christianpf.com/investing-with-little-money/">Investing With Very Little Money: 5 Tips</a> &mdash; When investing with little money, consider investing in silver coins. [Christian PF]</p> <p><a href="http://moneyning.com/frugality/saving-money-using-social-media/">Three Ways to Save Money Using Social Media</a> &mdash; Participating in social media competitions can save you money! [MoneyNing]</p> <p><a href="http://canadianfinanceblog.com/4-suggestions-for-paying-off-debt/">4 Suggestions for Paying Off Debt</a> &mdash; To pay off your debt quickly, try to increase your income. [Canadian Finance Blog]</p> <h2>Other Essential Reading</h2> <p><a href="http://www.mint.com/blog/saving/8-excuses-you-cant-use-to-avoid-saving-for-retirement-0213/?utm_source=feedburner&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_campaign=Feed%3A+MyMint+%28Mint+Personal+Finance+Blog%29">8 Excuses You Can't Use to Avoid Saving for Retirement</a> &mdash; You cannot use the excuse that you have too much debt and too many expenses to avoid saving for retirement. [MintLife Blog]</p> <p><a href="http://www.mainstreet.com/article/lifestyle/how-protect-yourself-when-online-dating">How to Protect Yourself When Online Dating</a> &mdash; When online dating, be ultra-cautious to keep yourself safe. [MainStreet]</p> <p><a href="http://personaldividends.com/actions-you-can-take-now-for-a-more-positive-life/">5 Actions You Can Take Now for a More Positive Life</a> &mdash; Have a more positive life now by going to bed a half an hour earlier. [Personal Dividends]</p> <p><a href="http://www.savvysugar.com/Pretending-Get-Laid-Off-28164091">Why It's Good To Pretend You Got Laid Off</a> &mdash; Pretending you got laid off will encourage you to go to networking events. [SavvySugar]</p> <p><a href="http://parentingsquad.com/make-the-dentist-fun">How to Have Fun at the Dentist</a> &mdash; To make the dentist fun, find a kid-friendly dentist for your children. [Parenting Squad]</p> <a href="http://www.wisebread.com/best-money-tips-bathroom-remodels-on-a-budget" class="sharethis-link" title="Best Money Tips: Bathroom Remodels on a Budget" rel="nofollow">ShareThis</a><br /><div id="custom_wisebread_footer"><div id="rss_tagline">Written by <a href="http://www.wisebread.com/ashley-jacobs">Ashley Jacobs</a> and published on <a href="http://www.wisebread.com/">Wise Bread</a>. Read more <a href="http://www.wisebread.com/taxonomy/term/"> articles from Wise Bread</a>.</div><div class="item-list"><ul><li class="first"><a href="http://www.wisebread.com/best-money-tips-items-every-home-needs?wbref=readmore-1">Best Money Tips: Items Every Home Needs</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.wisebread.com/best-money-tips-save-money-while-job-hunting?wbref=readmore-2">Best Money Tips: Save Money While Job Hunting</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.wisebread.com/best-money-tips-ways-to-make-saving-fun?wbref=readmore-3">Best Money Tips: Ways to Make Saving Fun</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.wisebread.com/best-money-tips-cut-costs-on-moving-expenses?wbref=readmore-4">Best Money Tips: Cut Costs on Moving Expenses</a></li> <li class="last"><a href="http://www.wisebread.com/best-money-tips-foods-you-shouldnt-waste-money-on?wbref=readmore-5">Best Money Tips: Foods You Shouldn&#039;t Waste Money On</a></li> </ul></div></div> Home bathroom best money tips home remodel Thu, 21 Feb 2013 11:00:35 +0000 Ashley Jacobs 968007 at http://www.wisebread.com http://www.wisebread.com/11-ideas-to-make-a-small-space-seem-bigger <div class="field field-type-filefield field-field-blog-image"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item odd"> <a href="http://static2.killeraces.com/11-ideas-to-make-a-small-space-seem-bigger" class="imagecache imagecache-250w imagecache-linked imagecache-250w_linked"><img src="http://static1.killeraces.com/files/fruganomics/imagecache/250w/blog-images/6839848535_af0e04b715_z.jpg" alt="small room" title="small room" class="imagecache imagecache-250w" width="250" height="250" /></a> </div> </div> </div> <p>The winning design of a competition held by Mayor Bloomberg for the best micro-home proposal was <a href="http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/01/22/city-unveils-winner-of-tiny-apartment-competition/" target="_blank">announced recently</a> and was chosen for its smart use of maximizing storage space and lighting. The micro-units, measuring 250 to 370 square feet, are being established in part to address the housing shortage in the populated city of New York.</p> <p><a href="http://www.savvysugar.com/How-Entertain-Small-Apartment-26232872">RELATED:&nbsp;5 Tips for Entertaining in a Small Space</a></p> <p>You don't need an interior designer to help make the most of your small space. If your home feels a little bit too micro for you, there are plenty of easy tricks you can use to make it seem spacier than it really is. Read on for some smart decorating tips.</p> <h2>1. Double Duty</h2> <p>Choose furniture that serve multiple purposes to make the most out of them. For example, using a hollowed out ottoman for a coffee table or opting for a sofa bed that can double as a sofa and a bed.</p> <h2>2. Translucent Is the Way to Go</h2> <p>Picking furniture that&rsquo;s transparent and translucent, like ones made out of lucite or glass, can lighten the room, which is key to making it look bigger than it is.</p> <h2>3. Display Them</h2> <p>Don&rsquo;t have a place to put certain items? Try to display them in an artful way and make them look like part of the decor.</p> <h2>4. Hidden Storage</h2> <p>Find ways to maximize every space possible, especially the ones that are hidden. Store clothes and other items in a plastic container under your bed or under your sink.</p> <h2>5. Furniture With Legs</h2> <p>Instead of furniture with a solid and bulky base, try picking ones that stand on thin but sturdy legs, such as chairs with metal legs.</p> <h2>6. Go Light</h2> <p>The color palette of your home should be on the lighter end. Think white, pastels, and muted colors. The light decor will open up your room and make it feel spacier than it is.</p> <h2>7. Think Up</h2> <p>When you live in a small apartment, the space gets filled up quickly. Be creative and make sure the pieces you have are tall and narrow. For example, pick tall and skinny bookcases and side tables.</p> <h2>8. Measure Before Buying</h2> <p>You need to work with the limited space so make sure you&rsquo;re measuring it before you get furniture that&rsquo;s too large or too small. Not having the right size can make the apartment look smaller than it is.</p> <h2>9. Clear Clutter</h2> <p>Purge your apartment of the unnecessary and be aggressive about getting rid of items. Digitize memorabilia you&rsquo;re hanging onto and dispose of items you&rsquo;re not using. Clutter can make a small home seem cramped and getting rid of it will create more visible space.</p> <h2>10. Don't Block the Windows</h2> <p>Let the natural light shine through and keep the curtains simple so as not to make the room feel stifled.</p> <h2>11. Mirror, Mirror on the Wall</h2> <p>Add mirrors if it makes sense and if it doesn&rsquo;t clutter up your tiny home. If placed correctly, mirrors can seemingly widen your room&rsquo;s perimeters as well as lighten your room by reflecting light.</p> <div class="field field-type-text field-field-blog-teaser"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item odd"> Just because your apartment is small doesn&#039;t mean it needs to feel that way. Check out these tips for making the most of a tiny home. </div> </div> </div> <div class="field field-type-text field-field-guestpost-blurb"> <div class="field-label">Guest Post Blurb:&nbsp;</div> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item odd"> <p style="text-align:center;"><a style="border:none;" href="http://www.savvysugar.com"><img alt="" src="http://static2.killeraces.com/files/fruganomics/u4/savvysugar-300-small.jpg" /></a></p> <p><em>This is a guest contribution from our friends at </em><a href="http://www.savvysugar.com/"><em>SavvySugar</em></a><em>. Check out more useful articles from this partner:</em></p> <ul> <li><a href="http://www.savvysugar.com/Storage-Space-Ideas-22707628">11 Ideas for More Storage Space</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.savvysugar.com/How-Decorate-Rental-Apartments-22742698">6 Tips for Decorating Rental Apartments</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.savvysugar.com/Lisa-Ling-House-Photos-Tips-Peaceful-Home-26949318">Lisa Ling: 5 Ways to Make Your Home a Peaceful Oasis</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> <br /><div id="custom_wisebread_footer"><div id="rss_tagline">Written by <a href="http://www.wisebread.com/popsugar-smart-living">POPSUGAR Smart Living</a> and published on <a href="http://www.wisebread.com/">Wise Bread</a>. Read more <a href="http://www.wisebread.com/taxonomy/term/"> articles from Wise Bread</a>.</div><div class="item-list"><ul><li class="first"><a href="http://www.wisebread.com/stretch-out-a-small-space?wbref=readmore-1">Stretch Out a Small Space</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.wisebread.com/studio-apartment-living-a-5-point-survival-guide?wbref=readmore-2">Studio Apartment Living: A 5-Point Survival Guide</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.wisebread.com/cheap-home-furnishings?wbref=readmore-3">Cheap Home Furnishing Ideas</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.wisebread.com/how-big-of-a-house-do-you-really-need?wbref=readmore-4">How Big of a House Do You Really Need?</a></li> <li class="last"><a href="http://www.wisebread.com/decorating-a-living-room-for-you-and-your-money?wbref=readmore-5">Decorating a Living Room for You and Your Money</a></li> </ul></div></div> Home apartments budget decorating small spaces Thu, 07 Feb 2013 11:24:34 +0000 POPSUGAR Smart Living 967630 at http://www.wisebread.com http://www.wisebread.com/best-money-tips-negotiate-your-way-to-a-lower-cable-bill <div class="field field-type-filefield field-field-blog-image"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item odd"> <a href="http://static1.killeraces.com/best-money-tips-negotiate-your-way-to-a-lower-cable-bill" class="imagecache imagecache-250w imagecache-linked imagecache-250w_linked"><img src="http://static1.killeraces.com/files/fruganomics/imagecache/250w/blog-images/5542546563_ed1c2aabe1_z.jpg" alt="watching tv" title="watching tv" class="imagecache imagecache-250w" width="250" height="167" /></a> </div> </div> </div> <p>Welcome to Wise Bread's <a href="http://www.wisebread.com/topic/best-money-tips">Best Money Tips</a> Roundup! Today we found some stellar articles on negotiating a lower cable bill, brilliant uses for beer, and saving money at theme parks.</p> <h2>Top 5 Articles</h2> <p><a href="http://moneyning.com/budgeting/how-to-negotiate-your-cable-bill/">How to Negotiate Your Way to a Lower Cable Bill</a> &mdash; If you want to get a lower cable bill, remember to try to keep your expectations realistic. [MoneyNing]</p> <p><a href="http://www.savvysugar.com/Uses-Beer-25209210">7 Brilliant Uses For Beer</a> &mdash; Did you know beer can brighten wood furniture? [SavvySugar]</p> <p><a href="http://notmadeofmoney.com/blog/2013/01/savin-money-theme-parks.html">Tips For Saving Money At Theme Parks</a> &mdash; To save money at theme parks, buy souvenirs off site and go in the off season. [Not Made of Money]</p> <p><a href="http://www.mightybargainhunter.com/reasonably-priced-gifts-loved-ones/?utm_source=feedburner&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_campaign=Feed%3A+mightybargainhunter+%28MightyBargainHunter.com%29">Ten tricks for reasonably-priced gifts for loved ones</a> &mdash; Want to save money on gifts for your loved ones? Look into getting discount gift cards to save! [Mighty Bargain Hunter]</p> <p><a href="http://www.biblemoneymatters.com/how-to-save-money-when-shopping-online-from-research-to-receipt/">How To Save Money When Shopping Online: From Research To Receipt</a> &mdash; Save money when shopping online by using Amazon.com to research and find the best item at the lowest price. [Bible Money Matters]</p> <h2>Other Essential Reading</h2> <p><a href="http://www.moneycrush.com/how-to-budget-on-an-irregular-income/">How to Budget on an Irregular Income</a> &mdash; When budgeting on an irregular income, base things on the bare minimum. [MoneyCrush]</p> <p><a href="http://www.consumerismcommentary.com/the-wrong-reason-to-become-an-entrepreneur/">The Wrong Reason To Become An Entrepreneur</a> &mdash; The concept of not having to work for someone else is the wrong reason to become an entrepreneur. In fact, entrepreneurs have more bosses than any other type of worker! [Consumerism Commentary]</p> <p><a href="http://cashmoneylife.com/benefits-of-consolidating-financial-accounts/">Account Consolidation - When Less is More</a> &mdash; Consolidating your accounts can make it easier to track your finances and can help you pay fewer fees. [Cash Money Life]</p> <p><a href="http://www.onmoneymaking.com/6-sites-to-make-money-online-from-writing.html?utm_source=feedburner&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_campaign=Feed%3A+OnMoneymaking+%28On+Moneymaking%29">6 Sites to Make Money Online From Writing</a> &mdash; Want to make money online from writing? Check out Textbroker or Bukisa. [On Making Money]</p> <p><a href="http://parentingsquad.com/how-to-treat-head-lice-what-parents-need-to-know">How to Treat Head Lice: What Parents Need to Know</a> &mdash; If your child has lice, you must buy a nit comb and remove every single nit. [Parenting Squad]</p> <a href="http://www.wisebread.com/best-money-tips-negotiate-your-way-to-a-lower-cable-bill" class="sharethis-link" title="Best Money Tips: Negotiate Your Way to a Lower Cable Bill" rel="nofollow">ShareThis</a><br /><div id="custom_wisebread_footer"><div id="rss_tagline">Written by <a href="http://www.wisebread.com/ashley-jacobs">Ashley Jacobs</a> and published on <a href="http://www.wisebread.com/">Wise Bread</a>. Read more <a href="http://www.wisebread.com/taxonomy/term/"> articles from Wise Bread</a>.</div><div class="item-list"><ul><li class="first"><a href="http://www.wisebread.com/best-money-tips-cheap-alternatives-to-cable?wbref=readmore-1">Best Money Tips: Cheap Alternatives to Cable</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.wisebread.com/best-money-tips-enjoy-eating-out-without-spending-a-lot-on-food?wbref=readmore-2">Best Money Tips: Enjoy Eating Out Without Spending a Lot on Food</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.wisebread.com/best-money-tips-money-saving-tips-for-parents?wbref=readmore-3">Best Money Tips: Money Saving Tips For Parents</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.wisebread.com/best-money-tips-financial-gifts-for-children?wbref=readmore-4">Best Money Tips: Financial Gifts for Children</a></li> <li class="last"><a href="http://www.wisebread.com/best-money-tips-tips-for-reducing-your-water-bill?wbref=readmore-5">Best Money Tips: Tips for Reducing Your Water Bill</a></li> </ul></div></div> Home best money tips cable negotiate Tue, 05 Feb 2013 10:48:36 +0000 Ashley Jacobs 967657 at http://www.wisebread.com http://www.wisebread.com/20-awesome-uses-for-milk-crates <div class="field field-type-filefield field-field-blog-image"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item odd"> <a href="http://static1.killeraces.com/20-awesome-uses-for-milk-crates" class="imagecache imagecache-250w imagecache-linked imagecache-250w_linked"><img src="http://static1.killeraces.com/files/fruganomics/imagecache/250w/blog-images/510735051_8610f4de37_z.jpg" alt="milk crates" title="milk crates" class="imagecache imagecache-250w" width="250" height="189" /></a> </div> </div> </div> <p>Before IKEA began selling faux milk crates to use as storage containers, we had to steal the real deal from our local grocery stores. Milk crates were perfect for keeping vinyl records organized; they could be turned upside down to sit on when friends came over; and they made colorful, stackable cubbies for clothing. All fine applications, for sure, but those are just a tiny fraction of the many ways milk crates can make your life easier. Check out 20 more brilliant ways to use milk crates right here. (See also: <a href="http://www.wisebread.com/another-36-uses-for-tin-foil">Another 36 Uses for Tin&nbsp;Foil</a>)</p> <h2>1. Bike Basket</h2> <p>Avid cyclists will benefit from strapping a milk crate to their ride so they can take packages to the post office, carry groceries from the market, or pack a lunch board for an afternoon of fun in the park.</p> <h2>2. TV Stand</h2> <p>When you don&rsquo;t have hundreds of dollars to spend on an entertainment center, position a few milk crates on the floor with the open ends facing out. You can put your TV on top of the crates and organize your media and cable boxes and game consoles within the crates. There are even holes in the back for the cables to snake through!</p> <h2>3. Planters</h2> <p>Create an urban garden using milk crates lined with plastic. Fill the crates with dirt, plant your seeds, and watch your garden grown.</p> <h2>4. Pet Dens</h2> <p>I have two dogs that love to nap in their crates or under the covers. If you don&rsquo;t have a secret spot for your pets already, turn a milk crate on its side, lay a soft blanket in the bottom of the crate, and drape another blanket over the top with space for the animal to walk in and out. They&rsquo;ll love you even more now that they have a private sanctuary of their own.</p> <h2>5. Stepstool</h2> <p>No need to pick up a dedicated stool when a milk crate will work just as well. Use it to reach high cabinets when your tippy toes won&rsquo;t cut it. Store it in your pantry so it&rsquo;s out of the way when not in use.</p> <h2>6. Donation Box</h2> <p>Keep a milk crate in your closet or bedroom and store your unwanted stuff in it. When it&rsquo;s full, make a trip to the local donation center and get rid of it.</p> <h2>7. Shelving</h2> <p>There are lots of ways you can turn milk crates into shelves. You can stack several of them vertically to <a href="http://www.wisebread.com/10-cost-effective-ways-to-make-your-own-bookshelves">create a large bookshelf</a>, or you can screw the crates to the wall in a pattern to create shelving that doesn&rsquo;t take up space on the floor.</p> <h2>8. Chandelier</h2> <p>You&rsquo;ll need a bit of engineering prowess to turn milk crates into a lighting fixture, but it can be done. Take a look at this example of a cool <a href="http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/the-milk-crateaustralia-57287" target="_blank">milk-crate chandelier</a> from Down Under.</p> <h2>9. Ottoman</h2> <p>You can make an ottoman out of a milk crate the lazy way &mdash; by just placing it in front of your chair to prop your feet up &mdash; or you can go the extra mile to make it fancy-schmancy like this <a href="http://cruzinthroughwbt.blogspot.com/2012/10/diy-milk-crate-ottoman.html" target="_blank">milk-crate ottoman</a>.</p> <h2>10. Trash Bin</h2> <p>Line an extra milk crate with a garbage bag, and you&rsquo;ve got an instant bathroom trashcan.</p> <h2>11. Filing Bin</h2> <p>Did you know that the hooks on most file folders fit perfectly onto the sides of milk crates? Get organized with this DIY filing idea today.</p> <h2>13. Car Trunk Organizer</h2> <p>Instead of throwing your junk in the trunk, place it neatly in a milk crate so you can find it more easily when you need it.</p> <h2>14. Rec-Room Table</h2> <p>Don&rsquo;t have a place for the kids or your friends to play <a href="http://www.wisebread.com/play-on-5-great-card-and-board-games">board or card games</a>? Double stack a set of eight milk crates for an instant game table that will keep them from ruining your more expensive furniture. For a flat surface, cut a piece of plywood or cardboard and affix it to the top.</p> <h2>15. Scooter Seat</h2> <p>Even though these might be <a href="http://www.facebook.com/the.humble.milkcrate" target="_blank">the laziest kids in America</a>, the idea is kind of genius.</p> <h2>16. Door Prop</h2> <p>Keep a milk crate near a door that won&rsquo;t stay open to use as a prop so you don&rsquo;t get locked out.</p> <h2>17. Sports Target</h2> <p>Practicing your soccer goals or golf accuracy? Use a milk crate as a target to aim for when playing.</p> <h2>18. Recycling Bin</h2> <p>Line a couple milk crates with clear plastic bags and use them as recycling bins. Use one for paper and the other for glass, tin, and aluminum. When it&rsquo;s time to take the recyclables to the curb (or the collection center to make some extra cash), simply tie up the bags and be on your way.</p> <h2>19. Produce Bins</h2> <p>Give your apples, <a href="http://www.wisebread.com/10-great-uses-for-onions">onions</a>, and potatoes room to breathe by placing them in a milk crate on the floor of your pantry. It&rsquo;ll do you well to line the crates with newspaper to avoid getting muck on your floor.</p> <h2>20. Money Maker</h2> <p>Don&rsquo;t have any use for the milk crates lying around your house? Sell them! There are lots of crates listed on eBay that are selling for more than you&rsquo;d think, but if you don&rsquo;t want to fuss with shipping, turn to Craigslist. Somebody somewhere wants a milk crate with which to do one of these 20 cool things.</p> <p><em>Have other ideas on how to use milk crates? Let me know in the comments below.</em></p> <a href="http://www.wisebread.com/20-awesome-uses-for-milk-crates" class="sharethis-link" title="20 Awesome Uses for Milk Crates" rel="nofollow">ShareThis</a><br /><div id="custom_wisebread_footer"><div id="rss_tagline">Written by <a href="http://www.wisebread.com/mikey-rox">Mikey Rox</a> and published on <a href="http://www.wisebread.com/">Wise Bread</a>. Read more <a href="http://www.wisebread.com/taxonomy/term/"> articles from Wise Bread</a>.</div><div class="item-list"><ul><li class="first"><a href="http://www.wisebread.com/the-meaning-of-milk-label-colors?wbref=readmore-1">The Meaning of Milk Label Colors</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.wisebread.com/10-cost-effective-ways-to-make-your-own-bookshelves?wbref=readmore-2">10 Cost-Effective Ways to Make Your Own Bookshelves</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.wisebread.com/powdered-milk-solutions-for-dairy-lovers?wbref=readmore-3">Powdered Milk Solutions for Dairy Lovers</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.wisebread.com/nonfat-dry-milk-no-longer-a-frugal-alternative?wbref=readmore-4">Nonfat dry milk--no longer a frugal alternative</a></li> <li class="last"><a href="http://www.wisebread.com/5-wise-uses-for-milk-of-magnesia?wbref=readmore-5">5 Wise Uses for Milk of Magnesia</a></li> </ul></div></div> DIY Home Lifestyle budget decorating cheap storage milk crates Mon, 04 Feb 2013 10:48:34 +0000 Mikey Rox 967564 at http://www.wisebread.com http://www.wisebread.com/6-reasons-cutting-your-landline-is-a-bad-deal <div class="field field-type-filefield field-field-blog-image"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item odd"> <a href="http://static1.killeraces.com/6-reasons-cutting-your-landline-is-a-bad-deal" class="imagecache imagecache-250w imagecache-linked imagecache-250w_linked"><img src="http://static1.killeraces.com/files/fruganomics/imagecache/250w/blog-images/4982722491_7342befb96_z.jpg" alt="telephone" title="telephone" class="imagecache imagecache-250w" width="250" height="166" /></a> </div> </div> </div> <p>It's a perennial item on save-money lists &mdash; cancel the landline and rely on cell phones for communications.</p> <p>It's also a sacrifice that I will never make if I can help it, because the security and quality I get from my landline is more than worth the small monthly fee.</p> <p>First, let's put the cost of a landline in perspective.</p> <p>Our household spends approximately $25 per month on a plan with unlimited calling both domestically and to a number of foreign countries. More limited plans, such as several offered by&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.shop.att.com/plancomparison.jsp?">AT&amp;T without long-distance and with a per-call charge</a>, are available for $18 a month or less, depending on your state. If you cancel your home phone service, you are saving the cost of taking a family of four out for fast food once a month. I know that every penny counts, but there are lots of other ways to save $15-$25 a month without sacrificing so much.</p> <p>You may think that giving up a landline is worthwhile even though the savings are small, simply because you rarely pick up the phone to make a call. But even if you use your cell phone for most calls, that landline sitting there is providing you with value. (For a counterpoint, see:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wisebread.com/seriously-get-rid-of-your-landline">Seriously,&nbsp;Get Rid of Your Landline</a>)</p> <p>What do you lose when you give up a landline?</p> <h2>1. Better 911 Response</h2> <p>The main reason I will not give up my landline is that I have three children whose safety is worth more than $25 a month to me. When you call 911 from a landline, your home address appears on the dispatcher's screen; if you call from a cell phone, they will probably see geographical coordinates but not an exact address, according to <a target="_blank" href="http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/magazine-archive/2011/january/electronics/best-cell-phones/911-from-cell-phone/index.htm">Consumer Reports</a>. If you have children in the house, ask yourself &mdash; if they need to call 911, will they be able to clearly tell a dispatcher their address under pressure? Do they know how to unlock and dial a cell phone? Even if you call yourself, what if you are incapacitated and can't speak? Are you willing to hope that the location information the dispatcher gets from your cell phone is good enough for emergency workers to find you?</p> <p>You should also know that when you dial 911 from a cell phone, your call may not be answered by the dispatcher in charge of sending an ambulance or police to your address. In some locations, the call may need to be transferred, wasting valuable time in an emergency. I once called 911 from my cell phone because a woman had just fallen off a ladder in her yard as I walked past. When the dispatcher asked where I was, I could not see an address but told her I was &quot;right across from the high school.&quot; &quot;But what <i>city</i> are you in?&quot; she asked. When I told her the name of the town, she transferred me to my local dispatcher, and I had to start over again.</p> <h2>2. Backup During Natural Disasters</h2> <p>I live just a few miles from the Hayward fault, called a <a target="_blank" href="http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/Hayward-Fault-is-our-deadliest-a-tectonic-time-2496282.php">&quot;tectonic time bomb&quot; by one seismologist</a>. But as catastrophic weather events increase, even people who don't live in earthquake country are living in the shadow of a natural disaster. Even if you used your landline at no other time, wouldn&rsquo;t it be worth a couple hundred dollars a year to keep an emergency back-up communication system in the house?</p> <p>&quot;We are very concerned by incidents where emergency wireless calls to 9-1-1 after yesterday's earthquake were hampered by network congestion,&quot; <a target="_blank" href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2011/08/24/quake-exposes-cracks-in-cell-phone-coverage-emergency-response/">FCC Public Safety &amp; Homeland Security Bureau Chief Jamie Barnett</a> told Fox News after the 2011 5.9 earthquake on the East Coast. <a target="_blank" href="http://bigstory.ap.org/article/phone-companies-start-checking-storm-damage">Superstorm Sandy knocked down 25% of cell towers</a> in the area, and even people who had cell coverage soon lost the ability to use their mobile phones due to power outages.</p> <p>Sure, telephone service can be knocked out in natural disasters, too. But if you have both a cell phone and a landline, your odds are better that you'll be left with some connection to the rest of the world in a disaster.</p> <p>Plus, landlines <a target="_blank" href="http://www.tdstelecom.com/CustomerService/WhyLandline.aspx">still work even if the power goes out</a> &mdash; as long you have at least one handset with a cord that doesn't need to be charged.</p> <h2>3. Reliability and Quality</h2> <p>Recently I was waiting for an important call on my cell phone. The phone never rang, but later I found out that the caller had dialed my number and gotten no answer. Nothing showed up in my phone's &quot;missed calls&quot; list. This kind of thing has happened to me while using various carriers over the years. Other people find that they can't get a strong cell signal inside their own homes or find a call interrupted by a lost signal.</p> <p>When interviewing sources over a cell phone, I often have to stop and ask them to repeat things to make sure I quote them correctly. The sound quality is nowhere near as good as a landline's.</p> <p>Cellular phones' reliability and sound quality problems are a trade-off that we accept because of the huge convenience of being able to make and receive calls wherever we are. But when given the alternative of using a more reliable and better-quality connection at home, I'll take it!</p> <h2>4. Accessibility</h2> <p>Maybe you're one of those people who responsibly deposits their cell phone in a charging station as soon as you walk in the door. I'm not. Chances are, my cell phone is in my coat pocket inside a closet or in my purse in another room. And what this means is that it is not a form of communication that's easily accessible to me or to other members of the household. If a call comes in, I want everyone in the house to be able to hear it clearly. If I'm not free to answer, I want one of my children to be able to answer it without having to search my purse. For one thing, having the chance to receive and make phone calls gives them a chance to learn proper phone etiquette. For another, it's good training if they ever do have to use the phone in an emergency.</p> <p>We keep one handset that is attached to the base with a good old-fashioned cord, so that it can't be lost and everyone in the family knows where to find it.</p> <h2>5. Radiation</h2> <p>&quot;The World Health Organization has declared that cell phone radiation may be linked to brain cancer. Ten studies connect cell phone radiation to diminished sperm count and sperm damage. Others raise health concerns such as altered brain metabolism, sleep disturbance and behavioral changes in children,&quot; reads the <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ewg.org/cellphone-radiation">Environmental Working Group's Guide to Safer Cell Phone Use</a>. The guide also notes that &quot;young children's brains can absorb twice as much cell phone radiation as those of adults.&quot;</p> <p>I limit my chlidren's cell phone use, and one thing that helps us do that is having a landline they can use to talk to their grandparents and friends. I'd also just as soon avoid holding a radiation-emitting device to my own head for long conversations.</p> <h2>6. High-Speed Internet</h2> <p>We <a href="http://www.wisebread.com/cutting-the-cable-cord-has-more-than-financial-benefits">don't have cable</a>, but my impression from practically everyone else I know is that dealing with cable companies is a nightmare. So another reason I appreciate my landline is that it allows me to get fast Internet service with DSL instead of a cable modem. In fact, we take advantage of a package deal that gives us both phone and Internet for a pretty reasonable price.</p> <h2>What About Other Alternatives to the Landline?</h2> <p>Of course, there are other alternatives to landlines besides cell phones. People are using Skype and FaceTime, as well as PC-based voice-over IP and work-arounds like Magic Jack. All of these are great ways to cut down your phone bill, but they don't provide a safe and reliable connection the way a landline does.</p> <h2>Keep Your Landline and Save</h2> <p>If you want to save money on your phone bill, instead of eliminating it, I recommend getting the most basic service just for emergencies, and using these other communication methods or your cell phone for most of your calls.</p> <p>On the flip side, you may find that using a landline for most of your calls allows you to <a href="http://www.wisebread.com/kick-that-cell-phone-contract-save-with-a-prepaid-plan">reduce your cell phone plan</a> to a limited number of minutes, just enough to handle calls that can't wait until you get home. It's entirely possible that you can cut more money from your cell phone bill by reducing the number of minutes you use than you would save by eliminating home phone service.</p> <p>You might find a work-around for any one of the disadvantages of not having a landline. But when you look at the landline's many benefits together, you may find that giving up this high quality and valuable service to save a small amount of money is no bargain at all.</p> <p><em>Have you cut your landline service? Or did you decide to keep it for one of the reasons above (or for some other I haven&rsquo;t mentioned)?</em></p> <a href="http://www.wisebread.com/6-reasons-cutting-your-landline-is-a-bad-deal" class="sharethis-link" title="6 Reasons Cutting Your Landline Is a Bad Deal" rel="nofollow">ShareThis</a><br /><div id="custom_wisebread_footer"><div id="rss_tagline">Written by <a href="http://www.wisebread.com/carrie-kirby">Carrie Kirby</a> and published on <a href="http://www.wisebread.com/">Wise Bread</a>. Read more <a href="http://www.wisebread.com/taxonomy/term/"> articles from Wise Bread</a>.</div><div class="item-list"><ul><li class="first"><a href="http://www.wisebread.com/seriously-get-rid-of-your-landline?wbref=readmore-1">Seriously, Get Rid of Your Landline</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.wisebread.com/living-without-a-landline?wbref=readmore-2">Living Without A Landline</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.wisebread.com/6-reasons-i-still-dont-have-a-cellphone-plan-yet?wbref=readmore-3">6 Reasons I Still Don&#039;t Have a Cell Phone Plan (yet)</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.wisebread.com/fantastic-phone-services-for-people-on-the-go?wbref=readmore-4">Fantastic Phone Services for People on the Go</a></li> <li class="last"><a href="http://www.wisebread.com/ring-ring-ka-ching-lying-about-your-telephone-tax?wbref=readmore-5">Ring. Ring. Ka-ching! Lying About Your Telephone Tax</a></li> </ul></div></div> Home Lifestyle home safety landline phone services Fri, 01 Feb 2013 10:48:39 +0000 Carrie Kirby 966498 at http://www.wisebread.com