Recent comments

  • 25 Great Movies About Money   14 years 44 weeks ago

    There are so many movies here that I haven't watched yet but have heard great things about! The Sting is definitely near the top of my "must watch soon" list.

    It's more of a rags-to-riches tale than being about money per se, but I'd add The Jerk to the list. Then again, it's my favorite movie, so I'd try to add it to pretty much any list of good films.

  • How to Use Up Remaining Balances on Prepaid Gift Cards   14 years 44 weeks ago

    I just used my Visa gift card with $0.72 remaining to make an Amazon gift card and it works... no $5.00 minimum! Very useful idea thanks, I wasn't sure how I was going to get this money off the card

  • DIY Shampoo: The Baking Soda Experiment   14 years 44 weeks ago

    Suave sucks! It creates dandruff and stinks. The trouble is well worth the cleanliness and body. It's not about "saving", it's about the chemicals you put on your head that seep in your body.

  • 254 Uses for Vinegar. And Counting.   14 years 44 weeks ago

    Any suggestions for little flies on the siding of our house?

  • Five "Jobs" for Children   14 years 44 weeks ago

    I agree with you. We all do house work because we are all part of the family. We all pitch in. If money is tied to chores, is it an option for kids to say, "Keep your money, I don't want to do the dishes?"

    My son gets an allowance that is not based on housework/chores. It is strictly to teach him about money. He gets a dollar for each year old per week. For example, he is 14 years old. He has a CD and a savings account. Each week $7.00 is automatically moved from our family account to his CD (he is not allowed to spend unless Mom, Dad and son agree on the purchase - savings for first car or school trip or something big (he has $1,300.00 saved). Another $7.00 is automatically moved (from family account) to his savings account. He has a debt card that can only be used at the credit union. When he wants something, he saves and buys it. he use to spend it as fast as he got it when we first started (I think we was about 5 yrs old). Over the years, he has gotten pretty savvy with sales and waiting and saving for items he wants. He is also creative in the gift giving as well. We all make cards with photos and personal messages on the computer for birthdays, Christmas, Father's Day, etc. We also give each other coupons - wash your car, play video game with you, help with yard work, etc. I am not saying he doesn't ever buy anyone a gift, he is just more observant and thoughtful when he buys something. For example, we don't have cable t.v. - we sit watch shows for free on HULU. Only issue was we couldn't hear it very well. For Christmas, he gave me a set of little speakers for my netbook. It was really a gift for all of us!

  • 4 Cheap and Easy Homemade Mosquito Repellents   14 years 44 weeks ago

    CATNIP WORKS LIKE A CHARM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • How to Buy a Laptop Computer   14 years 44 weeks ago

    @Jerry: Great point. I always have an eye out for great deals. If you aren't picky about what you want, you can save a whole bunch of money.

  • How to Buy a Laptop Computer   14 years 44 weeks ago

    You're very welcome!

  • netSpend: The Story of the Visa Debit Card We Did Not Apply For   14 years 44 weeks ago

    Are you serious? Every credit card lender does this kind of crap, not just netspend.

  • Turn Your Passion Into A Living   14 years 44 weeks ago

    Great suggestions. I will definitely start on step 1, creating a list of my skills and passions, as soon as possible. I have lots of passions though, so I hope I come up with a nice, narrowed down list.

    I've also been reading a book lately called "How to Stop Self-Sabotage", it as pretty good advice too on the steps that I need to take in order to reach my goals in life.

    Wish me luck! :)

  • Ask The Readers: When Did You Start Saving For Retirement?   14 years 44 weeks ago

    I like you guys on FB.

  • Ask The Readers: When Did You Start Saving For Retirement?   14 years 44 weeks ago

    I haven't yet. I'm a parent and still in the "college phase" as is my partner. I'm hoping to change that by the time I hit 30 though.

  • 25 Frugal Changes You Can Make Today   14 years 44 weeks ago

    Here's an idea.....stop drinking! That will save you enormous amounts of money per year (plus add years to your life and life to your years!)

  • How to Get Into a Good School District for Less   14 years 44 weeks ago

    This is definitely a good article but I also think that most people could afford to buy in a good school district if they buy small. I currently rent in a good school district but will be hoping to buy when my children actually start school and I don't have to dish out so much money monthly for daycare. However most of the homes in town that are reasonably priced are smaller homes less than 1200 sq feet built in the 1940's. Would I like a slightly bigger and newer house? Sure, but I am willing to make that sacrifice for my children to go to school here. I could afford to buy a bigger, newer home in the next town over but I would be sacrificing their education and to me it's not worth it. I don't need the granite counter tops or 2nd full bath but I do need my children to have the best education.

  • 10 Surprising Facts About Flooding and Your Home   14 years 44 weeks ago

    One other thing - if you have an insurance settlement for damage to physical property of your home due to the flood (and not punitive type damages); the proceeds are generally NOT taxable income.

  • Make Your DVD Player Region-Free in Seconds   14 years 44 weeks ago

    Anyone have the code for a Samsung P241? Going from Region 1 to region-less.. Thank you!

  • netSpend: The Story of the Visa Debit Card We Did Not Apply For   14 years 44 weeks ago

    I also received an unsolicited Netspend card. This is the first time I ever received an official looking credit card requesting activation when I have not applied for the card or have an existing card that was expiring. In my opinion, this is highly deceptive. It should be reported to federal agencies.

  • Why You Should Have Renters Insurance   14 years 44 weeks ago

    My husband and I got renters insurance because we were scared after a friend's renting experience. My friend was renting a house, and there was a (thankfully) small fire in the roof of the house due to old, faulty wiring. She lost nothing, but the thought of how bad the situation could have been spurred us to protect ourselves.

  • Ask The Readers: When Did You Start Saving For Retirement?   14 years 44 weeks ago

    I started when I got my first real job, and it consisted of putting as much as I could away in the state retirement plan. That was when I was 23 years old.

  • How to Buy a Laptop Computer   14 years 45 weeks ago

    Keep an eye on sale prices at your local office and computer stores. I got this Compaq notebook for about half the original MSRP as a closeout. 2 GHz AMD dual core 64-bit processor, 3 G memory, 250 G hard drive, Windows 7 64-bit Home Premium, Lightscribe DVD R/W, built in wifi, 15.6" screen. $350 after all discounts and rebates. Downside? Only 3 USB ports, no webcam. Both are cheap add-ons if I ever feel the need. I don't need no steenking desktop!

  • 7 Time-Saving Kitchen Tips From an Insider   14 years 45 weeks ago

    I love recreating frozen leftovers, especially since I tend to forget to label items that I freeze. I look at it as a nice surprise when I have no idea what I just pulled out.

  • 7 Time-Saving Kitchen Tips From an Insider   14 years 45 weeks ago

    Yes, canning is a lot of work. Fortunately, many veggies can be blanched and then frozen. Glad it was inspiring!

  • 7 Time-Saving Kitchen Tips From an Insider   14 years 45 weeks ago

    So true! Something I didn't add to the list is, "Clean as you go." I start with a clean kitchen and empty dish rack, and I wash everything as I use it. Then when I'm finished, I only have the dinner plates to wash. Of course, having a dishwasher helps, or if you don't, look at it as another opportunity to employ others in the kitchen.

  • Ask The Readers: When Did You Start Saving For Retirement?   14 years 45 weeks ago

    Age 22, first job out of college.

  • 10 Surprising Facts About Flooding and Your Home   14 years 45 weeks ago

    We live in Florida, so this is always a hot topic since flood zones are abundant. I've found that even most people who live outside them get insurance, as you suggest. It's just good practice, since the cost drops dramatically for people outside any flood zones.