Recent comments

  • Who Cares About Where The Stock Market Is Headed?   16 years 24 weeks ago

    My latest passion is frugal living as a choice , in my hub I share my experience and tips, visit and enjoy reading, and share your comments

  • How to Sell Your Hair for Cash   16 years 24 weeks ago

    Kimberly Carillo-contact me at jimslim306@yahoo.com

  • How to Sell Your Hair for Cash   16 years 24 weeks ago

    Contact me if you want great pay for your hair. jimslim306@yahoo.com

  • Gifts for the Person Who Has Everything   16 years 24 weeks ago

    Hi,
    Your have a lot of good info.
    I can take some from it.
    I am so impressive with the the info given in FOOD!
    Thanks for sharing!

  • How to Make Moonshine   16 years 24 weeks ago

    i think what i'm asking is if you did a real tasty, quick, with the new super-duper turbo-charged yeasts, what kind of flavor would come through a reflux still if you cut it off at 170- 140 proof? and then let it ride down and cut it at say 80? 60? 40? 20? more flavor down low? mixed all together(minus heads and tails), would you have a good tastin' medium strong spirit? then, if you took the same mash and ran it through an inefficient pot still(no offense), two or three times, what would be the difference? if you wound up with the same proof, say 110-120 in the end, wich would taste better? difference in a headache? i think i read that if an inefficient pot still that produces lower lower proof spirit is run, then rerun,and reran to get 180-190 it tastes better because alcohol A N D flavor are condensed? can anyone say first hand?? moral being, if you use a bunch of tasty berries and sugar, can a pot still produce better flavor at higher proofs? just that it is more work? is the difference noticable at high proofs? or is it all just a hammer to the head?, so just mix it with something tasty???

  • Gifts for the Person Who Has Everything   16 years 24 weeks ago

    I always have a hard time shopping for my parents, because, well, they have everything! Something that has gone over pretty well, though, is to buy a new or better version of something they already have. For example, I gave my mom a set of high-end cooking utensils to replace the old, worn out ones she's been using for 20+ years. I gave my dad a nice, monogrammed bathrobe to replace his old threadbare one.

  • 14 Gift Ideas for the Truly Broke   16 years 24 weeks ago

    I can afford to buy Christmas presents, but try to avoid those that aren't consumable, since most of us have too much clutter already. I haven't had time to bake this year, and a creeping waistline is an extra incentive not to. However, my latest obsession is simple, quick, and so tasty!

    Melt bulk dark chocolate in a double boiler (I usually use around 1&1/2 cups).
    Add the minced, grated peel from one orange, plus about an 1/8 teaspoon each of cinnamon and dried, ground chipotle pepper.
    Spread on a piece of parchment paper on a cookie sheet, about 1/4 inch thick.
    Liberally sprinkle in toasted, chopped almonds and dried cranberries.
    Press into chocolate to set, and freeze.
    Break into pieces and give to appreciative friends and family!

    It's worked like a charm for me :)

    Merry Christmas, everyone!

  • How to Make Moonshine   16 years 24 weeks ago

    merry christmas from missouri!!! keep the spirit alive!!!two arkansayers drivin down the road, pass a sign that says free sex with a fill-up. dude pulls in, pumps truck full of gas, runnns inside, says 3. guy says damn close i was thinkin of 4. ****. next week theyre drivin by again, dude pulls over, pumps truck full of gas. runnnns inside says 7. guy says damn close again, i was thinkin of 8. ****. gets in his truckand drives off. hisbuddy says, i think this here game is rigged, some kinnda racket. hell no it's not, my wife won twice last week!!!! i wish someone that knows, would give some more about the finer points of using fruits/berries in their mash. peaches in the summertime apples in the fall yaknow. i'm just learning, but i've heard it's done best in a pot still?? how does a reflux do?

  • The Pros and Cons of Paying Cash for a House   16 years 24 weeks ago

    I have been living off of investments for about a year since I am lucky enough to have them and I am going to school. It's not a ton of money, but since I am pretty frugal in general, I live very comfortably. I am about to buy a condo and it occurred to me today that the money that I have sitting one of my mutual funds hasn't been doing very well over the last few years. If I look at the stats, it is making less than 5% and I only making about 2000 annually in dividends.

    I think that not having to pay interest for 30 years would be worth it, and if for some reason, the value of the condo diminished over the next couple of years, it would be no more of a risk as paying rent.

    Besides, I like the idea of having my cash flow fluid- I could save a lot more that way than having the money tied up with stocks- especially since it seems the real estate market, no matter how volatile- is still more concrete than the stock market. I would rather be dirt poor with a place to live than be worried about having to move out because the stock market tanked and I can no longer afford to pay my bills.

  • 14 Gift Ideas for the Truly Broke   16 years 24 weeks ago

    I love these and am always delighted by gifts. If someone would, for example, load some of my CDs onto my computer, I'd be in heaven!

    Such a great list, Myscha. Merry Christmas!

  • What You Need to Know About Roth IRAs in 2010   16 years 24 weeks ago

    That is correct and a good point. You do not have to pay taxes on any "after-tax" amounts in the non-deductible IRA .. only the gains would be taxable in that scenario.

    If 2008 wiped out a lot of those gains, a Roth conversion might make sense in that you can then get that money into a tax-free account and any gains from here on out will be entirely tax free.

  • ‘Tis The Season To Get A Speeding Ticket! Are You Next?   16 years 24 weeks ago

    There are many common misconceptions about speeding tickets including the following:

    Police officers follow quote systems?
    They may exist in some areas but it doesn't really matter. Police officers patrolling around will issue tickets to whomever they see violate the law. Don't think that their supervisors won't ask them how many tickets were issued when they return to the police house (quote or not).

    Officers will not issue a speeding ticket to motorists traveling less than 10 mph above the limit?
    It depends on the officer. Generally, you'll get a 5 mph grace and sometimes up to 10 mph.

    If I am stopped, I should flash a PBA or other police card?
    I'd say no. If you have one, I'd be subtle about. As you "look" for your license, make sure officer can see that you have one.

    If the cop makes a mistake on the ticket like writing the wrong birth date, then I'll win the case?
    No, unlike a parking ticket, most mistakes on the ticket will not result in a dismissal. Further, up to the time of trial, the officer may amend the ticket to correct a mistake or omission. Exceptions exist for substantial errors like the date of offense and place of occurrence.

  • 14 Gift Ideas for the Truly Broke   16 years 24 weeks ago

    I saw the cutest idea at a craft show this fall. They put the dry ingred. in a baggie instead of a jar. they then wrapped it in a flour sack type dish towel. They tied it with rafia and had a small whisk tied into the bow. I was thinking that instead of just leaving it blank, you could embroider on the towel or use fabric paint. You could do Christmas trees for now, or if a wedding shower you could put the bride and grooms names on the towel. I have a couple showers coming up and thought you could put some small kitchen tools in there, some recipes, etc. You know are really giving something personal, and wrapping it in something that is reusable! So many ideas on this one that are coming to me! If you have kids they could do handprints for Grandparents, or just let them go to town with the paints for one of kind artsy towels!

  • 14 Gift Ideas for the Truly Broke   16 years 24 weeks ago

    I have to share this idea. Myscha mentioned the dry mixes in a jar. I was at a craft show this fall and saw the cutest idea for this that was a little different and more personal. Instead of doing the dry ing. in a jar they put them in a baggie, and then they encased it all with a flour sack dishtowel that you could either embroder a design or name, or use paints and do a theme for say Christmas, or a wedding shower the bride and grooms names. They did not do anything on the cloths so that is what I came up with for ideas. They then took rafia to tie a bow with it and had a small whisk tied into the bow, along with the directions. So, you are being creative, personal and using a reusable to wrap the gift in. I plan on doing this idea for a few wedding showers I have coming up. You could put small kitchen tools in the cloth, maybe some recipes, etc instead of the dry ingredients.

  • 14 Gift Ideas for the Truly Broke   16 years 24 weeks ago

    Great advice in giving something of worth to both the giver and recipient.  A few thoughts on holding costs down: limit the list in the first place (something your friends may come to appreciate at some point); host a holiday party instead of individual gifts; give the fruits of your work already packaged -- for example, one year, we received a nice photo of the family homestead (such a gift in a traditional size such as 8 x 10 or 5 x 7 would be nice); or a handcrafted or handpainted item.

  • Book 'Em This Season   16 years 24 weeks ago

    I love the idea of writing a personal note, something I had never really thought of. I am giving books this year including one that is pre-owned; it's not from my personal inventory (the copy I read was from the library) but one I ordered via paperback swap.

  • Ask the Readers: What's Your Best Post-Holiday Purchase? (Chance to win $10!)   16 years 24 weeks ago

    I only shop for the clothes deals after the holiday...you can get really good bargains.

  • Ask the Readers: What's Your Best Post-Holiday Purchase? (Chance to win $10!)   16 years 24 weeks ago

    My family always gets together to celebrate the holiday's around New Year's Day -- so I do most all of my holiday shopping for extended family after the 25th and get to take advantage of the bargains.

    Saves me lots of money every year!

  • Advanced Grocery Deals: Catalinas   16 years 24 weeks ago

    We always hand the Kroger plus card to the checker first thing.

    Anyway, I know we got Duracell catalinas based on the regular price but they were on sale and didn't total up to the amount needed to get the catalina. It may not be that way at all Kroger stores, but it is at the one we shop at.

    Not to be rude, I wouldn't fudge the order 'cause remember that old saying "when first we practice to deceive, oh what twisted webs we weave"

    Happy Shopping!!

  • 14 Gift Ideas for the Truly Broke   16 years 24 weeks ago

    When I don't have a lot of cash to give family and friends expensive gifts, I make it a point to do some sort of gift, either dry mixes in a jar, or homemade sweetbreads, cookies,  chocolate covered pretzels, etc.

    You can also follow me on Twitter and Trek Hound.

  • 14 Gift Ideas for the Truly Broke   16 years 24 weeks ago

    That would definitely be an appreciated gift in my household! I personally can't bake worth a darn, but admire anyone who can.

  • 14 Gift Ideas for the Truly Broke   16 years 24 weeks ago

    last Christmas, I gave the gift of bread. It cost about a dollar a loaf to make. I wrapped it in colorful saran wrap that was the same price as the clear stuff and very few people dislike fresh bread. This year with things a bit better and my debt paid down to manageable proportions, I found Christmas decorations on sale at a local department store (Kohls) for just a couple of bucks each. Really cute ones. Next year...who knows, but the one thing being broke taught me is the value in the gift is not the amount you spend, but the thought you give.

  • Child Abuse and the Recession   16 years 24 weeks ago

    You write awsome article, bookmarked

  • What You Need to Know About Roth IRAs in 2010   16 years 24 weeks ago

    I think you need to clarify on the taxes. For most people, who put money into a regular IRA (at least the last 10 years), did so because they were over the income limits and unable to contribute to a Roth IRA. I put in after-tax money into my traditional IRA & I will ONLY pay taxes on the gains that I have made in the last few years. I do NOT pay taxes again on the original contribution amounts since I didn't deduct them originally.

  • 8 Gifts the Man in Your Life Really Wants   16 years 24 weeks ago

    I'd have to say headlamps drive me nuts. You can't use them without blinding the people around you. I will not take mine when I am camping with my son because he is incapable of leaving it off. It turns a camping trip into a nightmare of lost night vision. Now one of those old angled military flashlights wit the red filter would be awesome. I could also use a medtation cushion and a bamboo flute with a deeper tone than the one I have now. Oh yeah, and a promise from my son to leave the flashlight alone when we are camping.