Wise Bread (Frugal Living posts)

What Makes You the Expert?

Linsey Knerl — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 03:10:28 +0000

Bloggers get flack sometimes. Even here at Wise Bread, we get the occasional, “Who died and made you the King of Frugality?” rant that leads us to continually examine the quality of posts we offer our readers. But perhaps the most enlightening part of writing for such a richly diverse audience is the genuine sharing of knowledge – one that allows for us to learn as much as we teach.

With every claim to a financial expertise, there are some important things to consider:

We are all human. Textbooks cover economics in a theoretical sense, and for the most part, these theories hold true. What the textbooks don’t take into account is the element of humanity, personal decisions, and the feeling and emotion that make up most decisions of a material kind. Love, in particular (or the desire for it) can cloud the judgment of even the most educated economist. Why am I saying this? Because I have known and respected many self-proclaimed financial “experts” who were successful in their finances, until a sticky personal situation came along (like lending money to a relative, divorce, etc.) They were no more able to handle it than most financially-illiterate people.

You can’t sell it ‘til you’ve lived it. A good friend of mine and her family were recently featured on a national talk show in order to get tips from a frugality expert. The expert studied her lifestyle, and suggested some hacks to help stretch her grocery budget a bit further. The entire scenario played out on TV, and I was able to watch my friend’s smile fade as she listened to the “expert” and her tips. Many of the tips were atrocious, and sounded great in theory, but I could tell that this woman had never actually tried most of them (or attempted to make children go along with it.)

I’ll admit that tough times do call for tough measures, but my friend was far from destitute. Instead of getting tips for using coupons, hitting sales, or making her stuff last longer, she got one-size-fits-all cheats for the very, very poor. (And the “expert” seemed far removed from the advice she was dishing out.)

Economy is relative. One thing that I have learned from writing here at Wise Bread is that my economy is not my neighbor’s. Assuming that my rural, farming family can follow the same tips as my fast-driving city friends, it doesn’t mean it will always be. We’ve seen commenters from all over the world that see U.S. values as something to be desired (or in some cases, something to be avoided.) This will affect how our “expertise” is received, and we must always be sensitive to others in this manner.

A good track record speaks volumes. Some of my favorite financial experts have years of experience behind them. They have not only maintained a successful financial picture, but often times they have come from nothing, only to rise above it. They have grown. They have met the challenges. They have been encouraging in their message. Mary Hunt, Suze Orman, the late Larry Burkett, and Dave Ramsey (among others) are popular, not because they have fantastic PR reps (although that helps), but because they have proven themselves. And their message will stick around as a result.

Nothing says it like a testimony. I see more and more “experts” popping up on talk shows, newspapers, and blogs. I am always on the lookout for something that gives credibility to their message. Many of them have really slick websites, have been featured on talk radio, and even speak at sold-out events, but have they ever really helped anyone? Those experts that can provide me with a testimony (or twenty) are the ones I will trust the most. To know their techniques are proven is a must!

Experts are everywhere. Believe it or not, most of us are an expert in something. If you’ve overcome incredible debt, raised a large family on a limited income, put yourself through college, or started a successful home business, you ARE an expert in finances. Regardless of how many talk shows you’ve done, you do have something positive to offer the world. If you heart is in it, and you have a desire to help others, I encourage you to share it!

The world can’t have enough of these kinds of experts.

Permalink | 9 comments | Linsey Knerl's blog | Channel: Personal Finance, Frugal Living

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Lentil Love: How to Sex Up a Simple Staple and Save

Myscha Theriault — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 18:35:13 +0000

By Myscha Theriault

Let's face it. Lentils aren't usually a food that folks write love songs about, at least in this country. But for price and nutrition, they're pretty tough to beat. Bonus? They don't need a lengthy pre-soak and slow roast like some of their larger bean counterparts. Also, in many parts of the world they are prepared in ways that are so flavorful, we as Americans might not even recognize them. After test driving the Indian lentil soup (yum) from the nearest Sweet Tomatoes restaurant here in the St. Petersburg area, my interest in exploring these little nuggets of nutritional thrift was renewed.

What's to love about lentils? Well, they're dirt cheap, pack a powerful nutritional punch, and are incredibly versatile. Worried about only having access to brown ones? They come in a variety of colors, making them suitable for customizing a meal for visual presentation. And as I mentioned above, they cook up much more quickly than their larger bean relatives, making them ideal for those nights when you are short on time to prepare dinner. So, how do you make them sexy? Here's a break down.

DIPS AND SPREADS.

Looking for an alternative to hummus with your next batch of pita crisps? This affordable recipe mixes pureed lentils with split peas and ethnic seasonings, resulting in an unexpected alternative to onion dip. With split peas being right up there with lentils on my list of rock bottom cheapies I'd like to do more with, I was happy to see them used for something besides my stand by pea soup. Bonus? If you're into vegan, this fits the bill. Here's another link to a spicy lentil pate using coconut and cayenne. A couple of other interesting finds were lentil butter (great for a sandwich spread or hummus substitute) and this recipe for lentil tepenade. Here's another link for reasonably interesting lentil spread.

SOUPS AND STEWS

My previous experiments with lentil soups were hum drum at best. The recent taste test of the Indian lentil soup at the nearest Sweet Tomatoes restaurant renewed my enthusiasm. While I'm still in the process of tracking down a copy of that particular recipe, here's a great Moroccan one from a fun little blog that Linsey turned me on to, and an interesting sounding French version from Chow.com. The most interesting sounding Indian one I've found so far is this one using lamb and served with zatar-seasoned dinner rolls. A few others I found of note?

For pure intrigue and “I've got to know what that tastes like” factor, This Jamaican lentil and coconut soup fits the bill. So does this one for eggplant lentil stew with pomegranate molasses.
Here are one or two directly comparable recipes to a pureed yellow lentil soup that was always one of my favorites to order in Kuwait. Great with lemon wedges and some DIY sumac and pita pocket croutons. Feeling like something slightly more Syrian? Here's a link to a red lentil version as well.

SIDES AND SALADS

How do you turn a pile of dried legumes into a side dish you can serve with confidence? For starters, making a pilaf is really a super simple way to add a little protein and pizazz to a very basic side dish. A few brown lentils and grated carrot with some basmati, parsley and chicken stock in the rice cooker and you've got a scoop-able one dish dinner side you don't have to tend to. But really, that's just the beginning. There are many other options out there, both for hot sides and chilled salads.

Some ideas for sides?

How about this unusual idea for lentil bread, or curried lentils with sweet potatoes? A few others that made my list are herbed lentils with bacon, cauliflower-lentil curry, Ecuadorian sauced lentils, and this recipe for spicy red lentils courtesy of the Mayo Clinic.

Are salads more your speed?

I had quite a bit of luck researching these, finding Mediterranean, Southwestern, German, and quinoa-lentil combo salads. I also found a couple of meal-worthy lentil based salads, including this one for warm lentil potato salad with roasted garlic vinaigrette.

THE MAIN EVENT

Believe me, nobody was more shocked than I to find so many ways to take these things center stage at meal time. Seriously, who knew? In fact, with all the options available, I started to notice some category patterns in the way you could serve them.

As an entrée stuffing.

Personally, I think this is one of the sexier ways I saw them used. Some specific examples? Bulgur and lentil stuffed tomatoes with a yogurt garlic sauce, as an alternative to rice in stuffed peppers, and here in a recipe for baked sweet potato and lentil stuffing.

As a burger or salmon patty alternative.

Again, I have to come clean here. I went into this thinking I'd be lucky to find one or two recipes that weren't tasteless, not to mention visually frightening. I'm happy to report, I was pleasantly surprised. I'm not saying it was an easy search, mind you. There were some seriously terrible ideas out there in internet land. That being said, a few ideas for lentil based patties managed to make their way to the top of my list.

For starters, this resource for a spinach and bean combo patty caught my eye. So did this one for spicy black bean and lentil burgers. Overall though, I think the award for the most colorful, can't wait to try it recipe goes to this recipe featuring yellow lentils, Thai chili peppers and ginger root. Here's an extra one for those on a low glycemic index diet.

Lentil loaf.

Boy, do I know what you're thinking. Lentil loaf. It's hard to even say the words without sounding like you have a ten ton weight on your shoulders. I think one of the things that helped me embrace this idea a little more was knowing from personal experience with other legumes just how effective the right sauce and seasonings can be. The list of links to recipes I felt showed any promise turned out to be quite sparse. Here's a link from Taste of Home, a source I trust for down home flavor. On the upside, the other categories have some yummy sounding options I did not expect, and as a result I have some modification ideas lined up to try. I'll keep you posted.

As a direct bean equivalent.

What I'm talking about here is the use of lentils in ways that you would also use any type of larger bean. Baked in a crock and served with biscuits, as a main chili ingredient, in a burrito, served over rice, whatever.

Make it a co-star.

Lentils make an excellent filler and pair well with other main ingredients to take center stage on the dinner plate. For example, how about this Moroccan meatball and lentil bake, or this spicy South African recipe? I was also excited to find this recipe for traditional Egyptian kosherie, a dish I fondly remember enjoying with a fellow international teacher after a night of bargain shopping in the old souk in Kuwait City. Don't forget the hot sauce though, if you want it to be truly authentic.

A FEW OTHER TREASURE TROVES FROM AROUND THE WEB

While much of my research resulted in large data bases comprised of every tasteless soup recipe featuring brown lentils, water and salt known to man, there were a few little golden nuggets of hope. My top three picks? A collection of slow cooker recipes for lentils, a great break down of one couple's favorite lentil recipes (including great pictures), and this resource from VegWeb.Com.

And, if meatless in general floats your boat, we have a number of resources right here on Wise Bread, featuring tofu, TVP, general meatless dishes and making your own soy products from the raw bean.

Hope this was helpful, folks. As inexpensive as lentils are, it would be a shame not to at least try to incorporate them into your family meal plan a few times a month (or week, if you're feeling adventurous). Now that I know how many appealing options are available, I'll be using these little budget beauties way more often. Got some suggestions or tips? You KNOW how I love to hear from you. Share the love, as usual, in the comment section below.

Permalink | 22 comments | Myscha Theriault's blog | Channel: Food and Drink

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Life Without Television

Andrea Dickson — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 00:26:44 +0000

By Andrea Dickson

I haven't owned a television in over 7 years. I haven't lived in a house with a set in over 5 years. I spend my days largely television-free, and I actually like it.

This isn't to say that I don't watch some television shows over the internet. I have to get my Heroes fix somehow (and Stephen Colbert; I'm sorry, I have a huge crush on the man). But as someone with an addictive personality, I've found that keeping myself away from the boob tube has kept me happier and healthier. While saving money on a cable bill is a good impetus for some people to cut the cable, I already pay $30 a month for internet, and cable wouldn't cost me that much more ($5).

For me, it's not about the money, at least, not directly. It is about the following:

1. Time not spent watching really stupid crap. I'm the kind of person who can veg in front of the television for hours. I'll come home from work, plop down in front of the TV, and before I know it, it's midnight, and I'm rapidly losing IQ points watching local news - nothing is worse than local television personalities. And that's just with basic television! I shudder to think what would become of me if I had something like HBO. I'd become one with the couch, literally, within a few days.

2. I live by my own schedule. Not having a glowing television beckoning to me allows me the freedom to, say, go on longer walks in the afternoon with my dogs. What's the rush to get back inside, after all? Sure, I've got a nice house, but there are no shows that I need to watch. I frequently run into neighbors and acquaintances, also walking their dogs, who would love to chat, but have to get back to the house before Ghost Whisperer or whatever comes on. Sure, you could argue that I could still live by my own schedule if I had a TiVo or other DVR, but the truth is, I'd still be a slave to the shows I recorded.

3. The joys of radio. I've always liked radio better than television, and I'm happy to live in an area where we have a good public radio station. My hometown public radio was mostly classical music, and as nice as that is, I enjoy talk radio - news, interviews, stories. In the same way that books allow your imagination to run wild (in a way that movies or television don't), radio gives you the words and the freedom to create scenes in your mind. I like that, and I appreciate being able to enjoy a medium that doesn't require more than one of my senses at a time. With the radio on, I can listen to the news and cook dinner at the same time without taking my eyes from the stove. I've listened to the presidential and vice presidential debates on the radio this year, and find it to be a more than adequate way to take it all in (mind you, I did miss all of the Palin-winks and the frighteningly bright-white Biden teeth, but still).

4. The joys of reading. I really do enjoy falling asleep in front of the television, but since I don't have one, I like to read in bed until I'm sleepy. Usually, I don't get more than a half hour of reading in before I start to doze off, but I can get through one book a month that way.

5. The joys of the internet. I really do love the internet - it's where I get the majority of my news, entertainment, and extracurricular writing. I can watch movies online through Netflix or Hulu, or on my DVD player in my laptop. I've never been one to tout the big screen experience - to me, seeing a movie on a small screen is just as rewarding as seeing it at the theater. However, watching a movie on my laptop while lounging in bed is not nearly as comfy as watching one on a television from my couch. The result is that while I do catch some TV shows, I watch many fewer than I actually would if I had a TV set up in my living room.

6. No remote controls. I used to get frustrated with my mother's refusal to accept new technology, but I have to admit that the multitude of remote controls in your average living room is baffling to me. Every time I watch a movie at my sister's house, setting up the television, DVD player, and sound system ends up feeling as complicated as performing a live concert. Remote controls are passed around the room like batons as we try to get the picture, balance, and volume JUST right. And one of the remotes is ALWAYS missing. In my house, I don't have a single remote control. Hey, it's hard enough to find my shoes and keys in the morning.

The downside:

I never know what people are talking about when they make inside jokes featuring plotlines from The Office or South Park. I don't watch these shows online because they don't interest me, but if I had a TV, I probably would watch them. So then I would know what people were talking about. But then again, I'd probably never leave the house.

I eventually have to explain why I never have a grasp of pop culture, and I hate sounding like one of those self-righteous jerks who never watches TV. I don't avoid TV to be more high-falutin' than other people - it's just better for me, overall, if I don't.

I can't invite people over to watch TV; this is a big season for debate parties, and I can't host one, because no one wants to sit around the radio with me and imagine how angry John McCain looks. Also, watching television or a movie is a nice way to end a date, but I have to skip that and go straight to the making-out part. Awk-ward.

I almost never see commercials. And commercials are a lot smarter than they used to be. The internet-TV commercials are exceptionally tame.

A picture paints a thousand words. Sometimes, descriptions of events simply can't tell the story the way footage of a suicide bombing or a miraculous rescue after a natural disaster can.

Do Wise Bread readers watch TV? Do you think it's worthwhile for you and your family?

Permalink | 59 comments | Andrea Dickson's blog | Channel: Frugal Living, Lifestyle, Technology

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The 10 Things I Won’t Give Up Just To Save Money

Julie Rains — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 13:00:38 +0000

By Julie Rains

Times are tough and they may be getting tougher as inflation and unemployment rates rise. There are 10 things that I could cut out of my expenses to save money right now but these measures will likely cause my earning power to shrink and my cost of living to rise in the long term. I’ll share my plans for spending, my ideas for cutting back, and so, you won’t think I’m frivolous, my list of things I never bought in the first place.

10 things I won’t give up:

1) Internet access. The Internet has freed me from the limits of my local economy, which has been burdened with layoffs from R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co., Hanesbrands, and Wachovia. It has allowed me to eliminate yellow-page and other forms of advertising in favor of a website and network of contacts that range from bankers, teachers, and sales reps within a 10-mile radius to engineers in Honduras, designers in New York and California, and property managers in Washington, DC. And, my Internet access enabled graduate-level distance studies in journalism, and a freelance blogging job with Wise Bread and Parenting Squad.

2) Good food. I know I could save money at the grocery store if I just bought regular peanut butter or high fructose corn syrup orange drink rather than natural peanut butter or real orange juice, but I want to consume the good stuff and avoid what I am pretty sure won’t be healthy for me. My goal is to stall the onset of disease so I can save healthcare dollars and be healthy enough to work productively for many more years.

3) Fitness expenses, which now consist of a gym membership and athletic gear, such as running shoes, Barracuda goggles, moisture wicking apparel, and concentrated carbohydrate gels.

For a while, I opted for cheaper alternatives that didn’t require planning or a membership fee, such as running and walking in my neighborhood. I also used a stationary bike and home gym. These were good options for a while but I didn’t really maintain a good fitness level as it became difficult to measure my progress. When I realized that I could start facing some serious health problems, I decided that the expense of the gym (in my case, a family membership at a nearby YMCA) was worth it. Having access to resistance training equipment, indoor and outdoor tracks, indoor pool, group classes, and more helps keep my workouts interesting. After a decade hiatus, I am now back to community road races and bike rides.

4) Health insurance. I have a high-deductible policy primarily to avoid having to sell investments in order to pay for a catastrophic health event. The policy itself isn’t particularly useful in covering day-to-day healthcare expenses though I do receive pre-negotiated discounts on medical services.

5) Cancer Screenings. The cost for these range from free for an annual skin cancer check offered on a limited basis by a local dermatologist to $50 or so for a yearly mammogram and $1,500 for a colonoscopy every 5 years. Treatment should be much less expensive in the early phases than in the latter.

6) Dental Care. My childhood dentist didn’t use novacaine when drilling so avoiding the dentist has often seemed like a rational way of saving money, time, and stress. But repairing dental problems can be pricey compared to the expense of regular cleanings, check-ups, and ultrasonic toothbrushes. And since underlying health problems can be signaled by problems in my mouth, it makes sense to get looked at (even for a moment) by a dentist. For inexpensive care, use services offered by area universities or community colleges with dental programs.

7) Dinner with the book club. Once a month, I gather with a few friends (all moms with teenage sons) to discuss our latest selection while dining at Panera Bread, where a sandwich, salad, and/or soup are somewhat extravagantly priced compared to home-prep expenses. Though we’ve considered other sites including our own homes, we haven’t yet strayed from this choice: no one has to ready her house and the folks at Panera allow us to sit and talk for hours. We meet for dinner on un-crowded Saturday nights and stay until closing. The social connections, divergent perspectives shared in a supportive environment, enlightenment regarding literature and teenage culture is invaluable, and cheaper than talk therapy (though please visit a licensed psychologist or psychiatrist if you need help).

8) Kids’ activities, now consisting of junior varsity football, scouts, and church youth group. Despite one child’s athletic injury (a $600 wrist fracture, making me realize why orthopedists are prominent sponsors of the football team), these activities are some of the least expensive available. Summer camps run a few hundred dollars and most outings typically require the cost of food and just a few dollars more. So, I am not planning on cutting these relatively minimal expenses for what I hope will yield dividends in the future, namely strong men and someone to pitch my tent when we go camping on vacation.

9) Chocolate and wine. There are some indulgences I refuse to give up. As my eighty-something dad says (paraphrasing Clement Freud’s wisdom), if you give up what you enjoy, you don’t live longer, it just feels longer.

10) Annual vacations. Getting away from my routines and having novel experiences is essential to my well-being, physically and mentally. And, according to research, vacations may help prevent cardiovascular disease.

10 things I never bought in the first place:

1) Lottery tickets. The lottery came to my home state of North Carolina a few years ago but I haven’t yet bought a ticket. It’s not that I will never, ever buy a ticket but I haven’t yet and now doesn’t seem like a good time to start. (For a lottery alternative, see Philip's post on generating a windfall).

2) A larger car than I need on a day-to-day basis. Yes, I would love to be able to haul gear around on the bed of a pick-up truck or take a vanload of kids to the swimming pool. In some cases, not having the larger car has cost me more (because I have had to buy supplies on the road or take 2 cars so that kids can be seated safely) but in general, I have saved on the initial cost of the car, insurance, property taxes, and gas.

3) Private school tuition. My kids are doing well in their district-assigned public schools and if they weren't, I would consider alternatives such as charter schools more suitable to their needs, tutoring by a professional or me, and/or the guidance of an educational psychologist. I just can't see justifying $10,000+ per year per child for private school.

4) Extra pairs of shoes for the kids. For most of their lives, my kids have had just one pair of shoes: a pair of sneakers for school, play, and nearly every social occasion. Old pairs were saved for use as river shoes on canoeing trips. There are exceptions that require a change in strategy. When a formal event is on the horizon, I wait until close to the big day to make sure that whatever pair of shoes I secure will still fit. Now that they're older, I have gotten them flip-flops or fake Crocs to wear to the pool; fortunately, these type of shoes are not as size sensitive as sneakers or dress shoes, and so have lasted multiple seasons. For hiking boots, I snagged a great deal on functionally great shoes in an unusual color from Lands' End overstocks or bought sneakers with super-duper treads.

5) Mortgage payments on a too-expensive-for-me house. Though I have, at times, regretted not spending more on a larger house that might have increased in value more rapidly than the one I am in now (my home's tax value is less than the median price in my town), I am pleased with the affordable mortgage payment.

6) Cleaning supplies. I’ll admit it – I am not a good housekeeper. Cleaning supplies for anything other than laundry, dishes, and certain parts of the bathroom, are rarely on my weekly shopping list. Soap and water seem to do well; and now that someone I trust has proven its efficacy, I am going to spend my cleaning money on baking soda.

7) Entertainment. I’ve always chafed at the cost of movies and some live shows, considering that there are usually free or cheap alternatives, funded by corporate sponsors, local groups, or my public library.

8) Expensive trips. Though I insist on annual vacations, they haven't typically been luxurious ones. And now that I've started bike riding, multi-day events with tent or gym accommodations appeals to my sense of adventure and frugality.

9) New wardrobe every season. I wouldn’t mind updating my closet more often but I don’t have a great fashion sense and rarely have face-to-face meetings with clients so my fashion clothing needs are minimal. I try to buy classic clothing that lasts nearly forever.

10) More enriching activities for the kids. If you're a parent, you'll know that there are loads of activities for kids. Fortunately for me, my kids don't beg to be signed up for lessons though I wouldn't mind partaking in martial arts, cooking school, and horseback riding. Putting a limit on these saves at least $50 each month plus gas money.

10 things I am considering cutting out or changing:

1) Using a clothes line to dry my clothes (It took 3 days for 3 t-shirts to dry but I am hopeful that the right combination of clothes and lower humidity in the fall will bring faster drying.)

2) Cancelling the newspaper (Reading the paper has been my morning ritual for years but now that the paper is trimming its print offerings, I am considering eliminating this daily habit altogether.)

3) Growing a garden (Right now, I have chard and blueberries but would like to learn how to have a real vegetable garden.)

4) Turning back the heat and air conditioning, depending on the season

5) Baking, not making, homemade gifts

6) Camping rather than staying in vacation rentals or hotels on vacation

7) Consuming cheaper sources of protein (such as applesauce protein bars found in my clean eating post)

8) Shopping more at consignment stores, discount stores, and Goodwill

9) Learning how to landscape my yard (My yard needs some work so, even if I hire a professional, I'd like to get a better handle on what I should and shouldn't do; community college classes are great for this type of information.)

10) Organizing my space (I am one of those people who need to get organized in order to avoid buying tools or other rarely used items I already own.)

So, now you see my priorities, which likely differ from yours, and my feelings about false economy, that is saving money on the front end only to have to spend more later. Feel welcome to consider my list as you ponder yours.

Permalink | 44 comments | Julie Rains's blog | Channel: Frugal Living

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Penny Pinching Ways to Pimp Your Garage

Myscha Theriault — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 17:13:46 +0000

By Myscha Theriault

When you open your garage door, does it look more like the room of doom than a place to park your car? Do piles of culch abound, preventing you from laying your hands on that oh-so-needed tool? Holiday decorations taking up the corner where you can only dream of a humble work bench? Are teenagers in training constantly thwarting your efforts toward a more streamlined man cave? Guys, this one's for you. Here are eleven frugal garage pimping tips for the organizationally challenged.

Ceiling racks.

These are a huge help and perfect for those items you only access seasonally, such as holiday decorations. They come in a variety of styles and save your wall space for those items you need access to on a more frequent basis.

Peg board.

Available for cheap at your local home hardware box store, this stuff is easily attached to wall studs, and can be loaded with hooks to keep your hard to store items in plain sight. Wanna set the teenager in your life up for success? Trace hammers and other tools in black marker exactly where they hang on the peg board. The outline will be there to serve as a reminder to return the tool to its precisely allocated spot.

Wall organizers.

Wire baskets, wall hanging units for smaller screws and nails, and vertical bike racks all come to mind here. Basically, you just want all the precision storage you can get for those tougher to streamline storage categories.

Rolling industrial shelves.

My love affair with industrial shelving has been well documented. I think this stuff is particularly well suited to the garage however, because of the abuse that anything in that room is generally required to take. This is the kind of storage infrastructure that can take a licking and keep on ticking. Bonus? The wired version allows the bulk of the dust and debris to float directly down to the floor, making it easy to vacuum up. If you have some heavier items like air compressors or generators you want shelved, I've seen industrial strength shelves up to that level of task affordably priced at Harbor Freight.

Keep everything off the floor.

If you are following the tips above, this should be easy. Keeping everything off the floor via wired storage items and wall units makes routine push broom sweeping and power vacuuming a breeze.

Bins.

See through ones are great. But for pure durability, I'm in love with the galvanized steel ones you can pick up at Lowe's. They are rectangular, can be stored easily and look like those old fashioned ones that used to slide in and out of the smaller cage style lockers in gym class growing up. Of course, you could go round and shop at a farm goods store. Either way, galvanized storage containers are affordable and stand the test of time. Bonus? They make great ice buckets at a back yard barbecue. Some ways to use them? Storing jump ropes, baseball gloves, soccer balls and sports equipment in general. Gardening paraphernalia would also be a good candidate for bin storage.

Zones.

One of the easiest ways to keep things from getting chaotic again is to keep all categories of items in their assigned zone. For example, all sports equipment, from volleyball nets to croquet, to soccer balls should be stored in the same general area. Ditto for lawn and garden items as well as workshop items and general tools. Trying to incorporate more household support into your child's routine? Having a system where they can look in a general area when you assign an item for retrieval keeps their frustration level low and their success rate high. Side perk? No more volleyball nets on your soldering table or hammers stored in with the football pads.

Hang a neon ping-pong ball.

What? No, seriously. Hang a ping-pong ball. I saw this tip years ago in one of those doctor's office magazines, and we used it in our garage in Italy. If you are tired of having the car be parked too close to the tool shelves by a young person with a learner's permit (or spouse who doesn't see it as the priority you do), pull the car in exactly where you want it parked. Then, hang a bright colored plastic ping-pall ball from a string attached to the ceiling. The trick is to hang the ball so it touches your windshield in a particular spot, like the center spot behind the rear view mirror or behind the inspection sticker. Then set the family rule that whoever puts the car in for the night has to park it with the hanging ball lined up to the agreed upon spot. No windshield scratches, and your accidental paint dings from opening the vehicle door into the side of the lawn mower are a thing of the past.

Padded work stations.

If you have one or two work stations in your garage where you need to stand to work for extended periods of time, consider giving your joints a break with padded floor tiles. You don't need to do the entire room, just a rectangular space large enough to step around on a bit. Your back will thank you.

Power shopping for the man's man.

Stocking a garage or workshop for home use can easily cost a small fortune. But by using simple power shopping strategies and demonstrating a little patience, you can have what you need for much less. Cruise moving and estate sales, as well as flea markets and store models for things like shop vacs, generators, snow blowers, air compressors and more. It might take a bit longer, but so does saving up for the full price version.

Customized drawer liners.

I know we're focusing on the frugal alternatives for garage pimping, but if you do have a set or two of rolling tool cabinets (and they can be affordable from time to time), consider custom cutting holes in a foam liner to keep expensive precision items in place and protected. This also serves the same purpose as outlining items on the peg board. Teenagers in training or friends over to help you with a tougher home improvement project will know where to return items when clean up time arrives. Another great idea is the rubberized rolls of kitchen shelf lining material. It's affordable, and also ideal for those shallow drawers of items you don't want rolling to the back of a metal drawer and being too tough to reach.

That's it, gentleman. My best efforts at a home resource article with your needs in mind. I know you've had to read more than your fair share of penny pinching chick lit in the past. It wasn't for lack of appreciation for your frugal efforts on the home front, believe me. It's just taken me longer to dig up some ideas you might find useful, as mechanically based frugality isn't exactly my strong suit. In fact, aside from my utility cart piece, I believe this is my only attempt. I'll keep digging. In the meantime, I hope these ideas will get you rolling on the road to reclaiming that holiest of man caves, the garage. Good luck guys, and keep me posted on your success.

Permalink | 8 comments | Myscha Theriault's blog | Channel: DIY

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Calling all Artists: Be Your Own Cheerleader and Find that Room of Your Own (free)

Margaret Garcia-Couoh — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 05:02:38 +0000

By Margaret Garcia...

I once got to watch something so masterful it took my breath away. One of my best friend’s (who is a brilliant singer songwriter whose had little or no success at it) has this sister that, well doesn’t have a shy bone in her body. She’d just moved to our town. She wrote one-woman shows that were good but not great. We’d taken her to see a play and on the way out as everyone was filing out for the evening, she was searching the crowd for the people to ‘know’. Who owned and ran the building she wondered out loud? And when could she get her show in here? She’d been in our town less than two months when I got word of her show being up and running. Wow. That was fast.

There were times when I didn’t even get along with her. Her brother and I both did not have the ability to self promote--but that was one thing she was always amazing at---self-promotion and demanding that all around her pay attention and acknowledge her as an artist. When I was younger, I was a wee bit intimidated by her abilities. Now I realize that most artists would be a little better off it we had this gene or DNA that she has to move herself forward. If you are out there somewhere, Nancy? I get it now!

It’s tough being an artist, writer, musician, etc. in America. You try to work in your medium and art form and perhaps you can manage that okay. But you also have to be your own manager, your own secretary, and your own cheerleader. The most successful artists in our culture are not necessarily the best out there—they are the ones however that mastered the art of being four people at once. You have to care when no one else does. That’s not easy especially if you are insecure about your abilities.

Art is subjective. Just because no one gets what you are doing yet doesn’t mean it ain’t art. There are tons of grants, contests, and little opportunities here and there for artists and writers and the like. But there’s also everyone and her grandpa trying to apply for finite resources. It’s much easier to get a grant or a residency if you already are a recipient of one of these things. Recession years aren’t a great time to go begging for money for arts anyhow. So take it into your own hands.

So----? What can you do to help yourself master one of the four parts of American artist harmony?

First, be your own cheerleader. No matter how silly or weird it seems to put yourself out there, do so. Dude, Britney Spears? Sucks. Janet Evanovitch? Sucks. Thomas Kinkade? Sucks so hard you can throw his paintings in your trashcan and they’ll keep you up at night because you’ll be able to hear them sucking two stories below you. But these hacks have a vital thing that you don’t have: confidence that they are awesome little super stars. Of course it’s pretentious to call yourself an artist, writer, poet, whatever. But at the same time if you really are an artist, writer, poet, dance, musician, etc. you need to start owning it. Odds are that your family and friends kind of get the feeling you are one of those artist types anyway. Own up to it. Use the words: “I am an artist.” Yeah, I know. It kind of sounds like you just said ‘I’m an idiot.’ But you have to take yourself and your work at least a little seriously. How do you do that?

Set aside creation time and don’t budge around it. I know a woman who paints every Sunday all day. She doesn’t change that schedule for anyone or anything. Beautiful. I try and often fail at this but each week, I try again to make sure I get in at least a half-day.

Remember that no one cares unless you care. Put yourself out there. I came out as an artist to the arts association in my area and now they asked me to do things and other random organizations do too. Do the open mikes. Do the stupid little writing gigs that you might not like. If nothing else, someone might buy your next beer. Do the volunteer work. Do the blog that pays nothing. A girlfriend of mine and I four years ago decided we’d make more of an effort to get our stuff out there. I chose the blog and barely paid route while after writing one article for an online magazine for free she decided that she’d hold out for big money. She’s still waiting. But the little tiny gigs here and there that paid nothing are starting to pay off a bit for me.

Being a writer and artist in some ways has never been cheaper than right now. Gone are the days of sending giant manuscripts with tons of postage. Slides! Oh my goodness. Now I only submit to people who take online submissions. My friend Lysa, a painter, does the same. Your overhead doesn’t have to be big. I know it ain’t always pleasant to be your own secretary, but you can maybe make one half day a week secretary day and do all that research and send yourself out there during that time.

Ignore rejection and become a star. My all time favorite children’s book is Madeleine L’Engle’s A Wrinkle in Time. Legend has it that it was rejected some 54 times? Geez. I gave up on my first novel after 15 rejections. What a wimp I was! 54 is my new high bar. Go Me! Go You! We Rock!

Where have I been going for advice? One of the best writing books I’ve ever read is Ariel Gore’s How to Become a Famous Writer Before You’re Dead. It’s hilarious and you can find it for under $10 bucks. Read it. It’s full of cheap, easy ways to go about becoming your own literary star. Lynda Barry's awesome new book WHAT IT IS is a bit pricey at $26 but it's got more advice and brilliant illustrations than any creative life book I've ever seen. Put down 'An Artist's Way and those freaking Chicken Soup books and pick up Lynda Barry. You'll be glad you did.

Make friends with rich people who like art and literature. This sounds horribly calculated but it probably isn’t. I had an amazing patron for many years that accidentally found out that I wrote poetry. . When I finished a new story or poem, I would send them to him and his wife. Often he sent hundred dollar bills to me with notes to tell me to keep working. He got me through a major time of low confidence and often took the edge off of poverty. Thanks Howard. I now try and do the same. A good friend of mine who was an artist used to buy paint for artists he knew had less money than he had. There’s a great karmic quality to all this.

I put art in my budget to try and be part of the solution. It’s not a very big part. Not even a full tank of gas. But it’s there. How can I expect people to buy art and literature and music if I don’t?

I can’t write in my house. I can blog here, correct papers here, teach here, cook here, but I can’t write fiction or poetry here and I certainly can’t paint either. I needed a room of my own. But like most of us, I don’t have money to rent a studio or office. But I do have friends. An ex-boyfriend of mine had a good friend that wanted to start an art gallery with absolutely no money. They passed the same empty buildings day in and day out on their way to their day jobs. One day the budding curator called the number on the lease sign and said, “Look. I’ve walked by your building for six months and it’s been vacant. Can I hang some paintings in here to maybe liven the place up a bit? We can be month to month and if you find someone to lease the space, I’ll be out in a day. “ Steve spent the next six months with free gallery space with openings once a month. The building finally did lease—what caught the person’s eye? The paintings.

I used this same basic strategy when I was looking for a studio. Good friends of ours moved across country and lived very near a campground about twenty minutes from my house. They were a little anxious that both their cottage and their cabin would be left there unused –and inviting to possible vagrants and campers, but they didn’t really want to rent it out because they wanted to be able to vacation there themselves. Enter me. I asked if I could use the small day cottage as my studio in exchange for keeping an eye on the place, a little watering, and picking up of any litter. They went for it. (Thank you John and Lisa!). I go down to the cottage once or twice a week. I keep the weeds down. Pick up litter. Let them know when I think the boy they have mowing has slacked. I let them know when there’s been bears. But for the most part? I take long walks around a private river bank, and write more than I’ve been able to in years. Oh yeah, they are definitely front and center in the acknowledgement page if the novel ever sells.

I didn’t think this situation was unique, and it isn’t. Since I’ve found my room of my own, I’ve talked to other writers who’ve been able to strike deals like this one. Up where I live there are many second homes sitting vacant---especially with the price of gas. People who normally drive their SUVs and RVs up here to stay in their cabins aren’t doing it nearly as much. People are striking deals. Knowing that good people will be looking out over their properties is sometimes really all they want.

Just ask. See something vacant too long? Ask.

There isn’t an artist I’ve ever heard of who hadn’t mastered somewhat the art of frugal living. We’ve all eaten pasta and beans & rice for weeks at a time, furniture that came to us free, lived in a one-bedroom apartment with ten people, etc. But living on that edge will only get you so far without a crazy notion from within you that says, you know what? I’m an artist and I’m not afraid to say it. When you get to that point that I got to earlier this year. Say it really loud, out loud to yourself. Scream it into the street loud. When you believe it start making your demands and requests. Ask for the freebies. Ask for the space. Ask for class to teach. Apply for the grant. Ask for the free rent. You might just sound a bit like my best friend’s sister---so confident that the person you ask just can’t say no. We creative people are supposed to be creative. So that should go for confidence and fearlessness too. What’s the worst that can happen to you when you declare yourself an artist? Nothing. What’s the best? Recognition, jobs, free space, grants, and just maybe a quiet cottage on a beautiful river.

Permalink | 10 comments | Margaret Garcia-Couoh's blog | Channel: Art and Leisure, Budgeting, DIY

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Make Your Own Self-tanning Lotion and 5 Other Fabulous DIY Tips from the Web

Linsey Knerl — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 21:43:31 +0000

By Linsey Knerl

Surprisingly simple, and totally affordable, this roundup of quick and easy recipes, tips, and hacks are sure to inspire. Create your own self-tanning lotion, never waste rice again, give during tough times, and more!

1. DIY Self-Tanning Lotion (from Niki Leigh Spa) This one blew my mind. Two ingredients, one fabulous tan. (You may need to adjust for your skin tone, and remember that this is NOT waterproof.) Perfect for a natural bronze look, and it smells yummy, too!

Ingredients:
• 1 tablespoon white unscented lotion
• 1 tablespoon pure cocoa powder

“Mix the lotion and cocoa powder together until very smooth and creamy, and apply with a sponge or makeup wedge. Your tan will last until your next shower.”

2. Clever Uses for Milk Jugs

With 4 kids in the house, we go through A LOT of milk jugs. I feel bad just throwing them away (since they are essentially around forever) and we don’t have a recycling program that will take them. I was thrilled to find this list of 35+ uses for plastic milk jugs . My favorites? The fridge organizer and the “poor man’s blender.” (And for extra fabulous uses for empty containers, see Myscha’s Garbage into Gold article.)

"Organize Your Fridge - Cut the tops off several plastic milk jugs and use the bases to conveniently store grapes, kiwis, pear tomatoes, cheese, lunch meats and other small items in the fridge. Make shorter containers for the storage drawers and trays."

"Poor Man's Blender - Add yogurt, soy milk, fruit juice, nutritional powders, crushed berries or jam to a 1/2 to 1-gallon plastic milk. Replace the lid and shake like crazy. Store extra in the fridge."

3. Save that Extra Rice

Is it just me, or is it impossible to make the perfect amount of rice? I’m always stuck with just enough for one more serving, but the toppings always run out! This tip taken from a reader over at Mary’ Hunt’s Everyday Cheapskate Newsletter is the perfect solution (and might help keep my husband fed on those days when I’m not around to cook.)

“I freeze the rice in margarine tubs, which are perfect for one serving. When I want to defrost it, I heat the rice in the microwave for 3 minutes. The rice tastes like I just made it that day, and it saves me time on busy nights. – Jeanne “

4. Wake Up To Your Own Beat

If you’re like me, you may be living in an area of the country where your radio listening options are a bit limited. Relying heavily on internet radio stations and websites like Pandora , my clock radio has been unused for many years. Kim Komando found out the best way to use your PC as a radio alarm – waking you up to your favorite streaming audio at any time you choose. Check out the full details at Kim’s website!

5. Learn to Barter

Those who find themselves strapped for cash or too far from a convenient service provider may consider bartering, or a trade of services. If you’re not sure what you could offer in exchange for that car repair, plumbing job, or use of storage space, just ask! Good barters I’ve seen lately include:

Use of pasture land for a new fence
Painting a house in exchange for a complete wedding photography session and prints
One hour of auto mechanic work in exchange for firewood

If you have something you can give, there is something you can get. ( I use Craigslist and local newspapers for my bartering.) Just look under the “Wanted” ads.

6. Share and Share Some More...

Tough times call for tough measures, and sometimes that means giving less. I know that when the non-profits start ringing my house, I don’t have to lie in the least when I tell them, “Sorry, I can’t give to your charity right now. Times are too tight.” But that doesn’t mean that I can’t, or don’t, give. I’m just more selective and use a better system for reasoning how much to give.

For a no-nonsense, deeply inspiring look at how much room we really do have to “give” (even those of use who are feeling the pinch of the economy), read Cheaper By the Half Dozen’s $14 Multiplied By…

“What if instead of heading to McDonald's, we drove past it and went to the grocery store and bought a bag of rice and a bag of beans? Remember, this is a once-a-month sacrifice meal. Try to remember that many families eat this way for most every meal. You can do it for one, right? My entire family can eat a meal of rice and beans (ham hocks included for flavor) for $5 to $6. Wow.”

She then takes that $14 saved and considers how many less-fortunate children or families can be helped by that money. Money that they won’t even think about in two days. What if everyone did this? What if they did it more than once a month? What if?

Permalink | 11 comments | Linsey Knerl's blog | Channel: Frugal Living, Life Hacks, DIY, General Tips

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DIY Coffee Roasting

Myscha Theriault — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 18:31:58 +0000

By Myscha Theriault

During a recent discussion after Linsey's small appliance post, somebody mentioned DIY coffee roasting in a popcorn popper. As a fanatical coffee lover and someone always on the lookout for cheap ways to pull off the gourmet experience at home, I had to go digging for more home roasting info. Here's what I found out.

Getting Started

As long as your popper vents from the side and not the bottom, it should be fine to experiment with when roasting your own green beans at home. Sweet Maria's has some simple directions and a visual guide of the different stages of coffee roasting. This link also has a simple visual breakdown of how to try this at home with your own popcorn popper.
Green coffee beans stay fresh for quite some time, providing a long term shelf life for those interested in greater financial returns for their bulk buying efforts.
Looking to branch out while still keeping it cheap? This link has information on how to roast your own beans in the oven, over the campfire, or on the grill.
Getting excited and wanting to take it to the next level? Consider creating your own flavor options. While researching this piece, I found three general ways this can be done: By putting flavoring elements in with the actual roasted beans while they are sealed in a jar, by putting in finer ground elements or extracts into the actual coffee grinds as they are run through the press or brewing filter, or by adding a simple flavor shot or other liquid ingredient to the actual cup of hot coffee.

Things You Need to Know

The actual process is far from neat. Two things I read about over and over again were the smoke factor and the chaff. The actual roasting process can apparently produce a fair amount of smoke, making it advisable to try this in either a well ventilated kitchen or outdoors entirely. The chaff is the light, delicate and tedious skin that separates from the coffee bean during the roasting process. Commercial style roasters sized for home use (which you can certainly purchase if you find this is something you want to embrace enough to indulge in higher tech equipment) have filters or catching traps for the chaff, making it less of a mess to clean up afterward. But if you want to keep it cheap and stick with the popcorn popper option, moving the entire operation to the back deck should certainly do the trick.
The amount of money you will be able to save is directly tied to price you are able find on the raw beans, and how that price compares to the pre-roasted you also have access to. Three places I found online are Sweet Marias, Amazon and Brew Organic. They also each sell small coffee bags, making this a great idea for an out of the ordinary homemade Christmas gift idea.
Another tip I picked up is that you will likely want to cool down the beans as quickly as possible between the roasting process and the storing of the finished beans in an airtight container such as a canning jar. Some people do this by pouring them into a deep sided baking dish to spread them out, or by transferring from one sieve to another until the temperature reduces.

Since this idea is new to me, I'll be continuing to search for new information, books to review, and equipment to test drive. For the time being though, I was just so excited about the possibilities I wanted you all to have the information as soon as I could provide it. Times are tight, and us coffee hounds have to stick together. Any of you with further information or flavoring recipes, please join in the conversation below.

Permalink | 15 comments | Myscha Theriault's blog | Channel: DIY

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