Recent comments

  • The Fallacy of Homeownership as a Sound Investment   15 years 42 weeks ago

    I too have a lot of difficulty with the stamped out, non descript, box of a house we often see today. Many "neighborhoods" today are not much different from apartment buildings. The only difference there may be a couple of feet between living units. This is a very narrow life style.
    What would the average American living in their modern neighborhoods do if they suddenly lost all utilities? Like water, electricity, natural gas. What if all transportation was to come to a halt? Like if our nation was hit with a high altitude nuke producing EMP, wiping out all things electronic. How many people could get their own water and produce any food? Most Americans today would not know how to grow a dandelion much less a garden. Yes, lifestyles are a lot different compaired even back during and right after WWII days. New Orleans and Katrena proved that.

  • The Fallacy of Homeownership as a Sound Investment   15 years 42 weeks ago

    I agree with the comment that home ownership is not all about investment. There are many tangible and intangible benefits to ownership. As some has already pointed out, what do we actually own in this life? Stop paying your taxes and see how long you own anything! But still, if we play the game as best we can, there is much to enjoy with the fruits of our labor. Staying within our means is the big thing. For me, renting is too restrictive. I enjoy the freedom of home ownership. Fortunately I can do my own repairs and upgrades. This too is for the most part enjoyable. There is always a "but". But my wife can also nag me to fix something and I can't say it is not my responsibility, call the landlord. No, the buck stops here!

  • 5 Ways to Spend Less on Fido and Fluffy   15 years 42 weeks ago

    What about doing routine vaccinations yourself? You can get vaccines and syringes at any feed supply store and save tons of money (especially for new kittens/puppies who need numerous shots). Also, our humane society offers coupons for $25 spays/neuters for low income pet owners. These two tips allowed us to bring an amazing stray kitten (found under the hood of our car after a six mile high speed drive!!) into our lives at a time that we really could not afford another cat.

  • Secret Lawn Tonic Recipe From Golf Course Groundskeeper   15 years 42 weeks ago

    Living in Florida I hope this works. Just had a bunch of 419 tif installed and it's dying rather quickly. I did lots of water and all of a sudden after 2 weeks I noticed I was losing it. Well it's 6 weeks now looks a little better but not even close to what it was.

  • Ask the Readers: How Much Does it Cost to Raise a Family? (Chance to Win!)   15 years 42 weeks ago

    ha! So true. You win in my book. :D

  • I Finally Canceled Comcast Cable…Before It Hurt More Than My Wallet   15 years 42 weeks ago

    I do not know where you live but Direct TV has partners like Qwest and Century Link as well as others so you can bundle your internet with your direct tv. I should know I left Comcast just today and bundled with Centurylink for my internet and Direct TV

  • 13 Ways to Use Social Media in Business   15 years 42 weeks ago

    The number one thing should be to listen to your customers! Don't look at social media as another way to advertise, but think of it as a way to build relationships with your customers and prospects. And how to we build relationships? By true open honest communication which starts with listening. Before you start blasting out sales and marketing material, take a step back and ask the people what they want. Then patiently listen to the answers and respond. That will put you ahead of the pack.

  • Ask the Readers: How Much Does it Cost to Raise a Family? (Chance to Win!)   15 years 42 weeks ago

    It takes the same stuff it did in the past: Rational thinking, planning, common sense. Nothing fundamental has changed...

  • Buxr Review and Giveaway (Chance to win an Amazon Gift Card, Buxr Travel Mug or Tote)   15 years 42 weeks ago

    It was my understanding that there were more "gifts" available than there were people that commented....Also, "Winners will be announced after September 27th on the original post and Twitter winners will be announced via Twitter."

    SO, who won??

  • Ask the Readers: How Much Does it Cost to Raise a Family? (Chance to Win!)   15 years 42 weeks ago

    As a single mom, I have two beautiful kids. The oldest got a diagnosis of autism at age 4. Beautiful child and beloved but I spent a lot of time taking him to therapies and, when I got a PCA who was good, paying her extra in ways that were legal, like paying for her car insurance.
    I cried when he could play soccer at age 7 instead of going to Occupational Therapy three times a week.
    I had to pay a huge fee to get him extra insurance to cover Occupational Therapy and Speech Therapy and social skills classes. I cannot even add this up. The cost of all the times at school meetings..the leave I had to take from my job..who knows what that is? But, he is a blessing, as is my younger child.

  • 5 Tips to Get the Most Out of a Library Sale   15 years 42 weeks ago

    Love the "unique gifts" idea! I already get used books for the kids at Christmas through online retailers but I never thought of library sales. Thanks!

  • How to Make Moonshine   15 years 42 weeks ago

    Zorcy
    After all is done and the head sinks like you said, drain and then still it right?? I want to make a good whiskey not something that tastes like paint thinner. LOL What about color. This will be clear, right. Can I add some wood chips to the end product for color and flavor?? How long do I have to wait before it is consumed?? Sorry for all the questions. Instead of sprouting the corn can I just gring the dry corn and go from there??

  • The Case for Expensive Shoes   15 years 42 weeks ago

    I agree that cheap shoes are a false economy for many people. I walked the soles off of three pairs of Walmart shoes last year, then gave up and got a decent pair of Merrell mary janes. Not only have they lasted far longer than the Walmart pumps, they only cost twice the price at Marshalls.

    Also agree with Coming and Going that kitten heels get caught in every crack and sidewalk grate and aren't worth the investment. Fool me once...

  • Quickly Remove Scratches From CDs and DVDs   15 years 42 weeks ago

    just rub it on the bottom of ur foot for 3 minutes then wipe the oils off its worked a thousand times for me

  • How to Deal With Collection Agencies   15 years 42 weeks ago

    Catherine-either you do not know your job or you are just being foolish. When settling on a payment agreement you must have it in writing, so both parties understand this agreement. If I had you on the phone and you gave me this kind of statement(we can not send everthing in writing...) I would hang up on you asap. You are making your statement on a one way street (your street).

  • The Case for Expensive Shoes   15 years 42 weeks ago

    I couldn't agree more. There is an additional aspect: health. Good shoes and boots are designed to keep your joints and back healthy and your feet warm (or airy, as the case may be). Health should allways be our first priority when we make spending desicions IMO. T-shirts, scarfes and costume jewellry can be used as fashion items if you crave such things (as I do).
    But shoes - not so much.

  • Start Stockpiling Now: Four Cheap Christmas Gifts to Make   15 years 42 weeks ago

    Thanks for these recipe, I love these specially the chocolate fudge which is my favorite, My in-laws would feel great seeing one of these in their Christmas Hampers
    Thanks for these. Love it!

    http://www.bradfordsbakers.com

  • Ask the Readers: How Much Does it Cost to Raise a Family? (Chance to Win!)   15 years 42 weeks ago

    I have enjoyed reading the various replies on here. It seems to me that the amount it costs to raise a child is as varied as there are lifestyles of people. You can raise your children frugally or you can lavish them in gifts, vacations etc. I think the biggest cost isn't monetary at all. Having children isn't for everyone - it's a big life decision. not everyone is meant to - or should!- have children, that's for sure. i think you have to weigh the cost to your self more then the monetary expense when making the decision to start a family. Have you got a nice amount of savings? have you completed that bucket list of places to go and things to do? are you financially stable? are you emotionally stable?
    I think the price of the decision to have children is the loss of the individual. you will lose yourself, at least for the next 18+ years you will be mom or dad not jack or jill. you'll have someone else to put first instead of yourself.
    the price of that is more then some people can bear or are willing to.

  • Ask the Readers: How Much Does it Cost to Raise a Family? (Chance to Win!)   15 years 42 weeks ago

    I don't think there really is much of a way to guarantee financial security while raising a family unless you start off ultra rich. I thank God everyday for what I have and know that even though we have a decent job and benefits that all it would take is one disaster and we'd have to start over.

    There are millions of people who went to school worked hard and played by the rules and still ended up shafted this recession.

    Christine
    dazed1821@aol.com

  • Is MagicJack a Scam?   15 years 42 weeks ago

    what is over usage, I use mine all the time, and daily... never a bit of trouble...?

  • Is MagicJack a Scam?   15 years 42 weeks ago

    I have Used Magic Jack for over 2 years now, works great for me :o)

  • Ask the Readers: How Much Does it Cost to Raise a Family? (Chance to Win!)   15 years 42 weeks ago

    I think the $200,000 average is way exaggerated. I have a two year old, and another on the way, and my daughter has only cost me about $5000 in two years (including hospital bills from her birth) We cloth diaper, and gladly accept hand me downs.

    Also it seems the more children you have, the less expensive each child ends up being. With our next child there will be very little expenses... the diapers have already been purchased, as well as the gear (crib, swing, etc) and I'll breastfeed again so there's no huge expenses there.

  • Win a Ticket to the I_Blog Conference!   15 years 42 weeks ago

    I'm thinking 'overcoming writer's block' is right up my alley... and Perry is a short hop for us, as compared to most big cities where gatherings like this are held. We don't have a blog yet but are seriously considering one for the near future, and this would be great information to have at our disposal.

  • Win a Ticket to the I_Blog Conference!   15 years 42 weeks ago

    Every session looks wonderful! My favorite would be 'Finding Your Authentic Voice' but so many others are right there. What a great conference! Thank you for the opportunity to attend. :)

  • The Case for Expensive Shoes   15 years 42 weeks ago

    Attilio Giusti for womens work shoes are well made an super comfortable. They are not well known in the States so you can find them on sale at the end of the season (full price 300$ ish.