Recent comments

  • Organize a Room for $10 with No Extra Effort   15 years 7 weeks ago

    If you have kids or pets, storing medication in a shoe organizer where they could be easily accessed is a BAD idea. Those things need to be kept away from paws and little hands.

  • Ask the Readers: Do You Use Craigslist?   15 years 7 weeks ago

    I've tried using Craigslist - and I still check it occasionally. But I have had no luck selling various household items, and the couple of times I've tried to buy something, they have already sold it (even though they just posted a couple of hours before).

  • 4 Steps to Absorb the Cost of an at-Home Lifestyle   15 years 7 weeks ago

    Im not very original so Im not doing anything special other than living with rundown carpeting lol, some older appliances, and just generally holding off on newer purchases. I do wash everything in cold water, and quite hontestly, it conserves your clothing better as well as conserving energy. I have always had a cellphone in leiu of a landline... other than rural areas, where surprisingly landlines are still popular, cellphones are the way to go from now on. Why pay the extra money. Like someone else said, even Skype is a cheap way to go, and i would only suggest this in time of calling someone outside of the country.

    www.moneyistheroot.com (yakezie finance member)

  • Clutter-Free: The Zero-Accumulation Household   15 years 7 weeks ago

    I'm doing a 30 day No-Shopping challenge in a two-fold attempt to both lower my credit bill and to really be conscious of my current stash of "stuff." I figure in stead of shopping I can use that time and money to finish projects I've started, read the books I've already bought and just reorganize what I already have instead of just adding more.

    Great post- I wholeheartedly agree! :)

  • Organize a Room for $10 with No Extra Effort   15 years 7 weeks ago

    Okaaaay.....

    Do you find organizing so hard that you can't do a 5-10 minute sweep and put things in their new home?

    I'd rather put in a tiny bit of effort and get an immediate payoff, thanks much.

  • Ask the Readers: Do You Use Craigslist?   15 years 7 weeks ago

    I used Craig's list when I was looking for a used car for my daughter. I had to weed through the scams and crazies, but did find her a good car!

  • Breaking the Bread Code: How to Get the Freshest Loaf   15 years 7 weeks ago

    Yeah, the problem with this article is that you use the word 'fresh' in reference to mass produced bread! It doesn't matter when it's made, it's not *real* bread, and it doesn't taste as good!
    The way to get a fresh loaf is to visit a proper bakery, or (best of all!) bake your own bread!!

  • 5 iPhone Apps Your Dog Wants You to Download   15 years 7 weeks ago

    When I was a kid, our dog chewed up a beer bottle he found in the woods. Likewise, that pup was lovable, but as dumb as...well, as dumb as something that would chew a beer bottle.

  • Really Great Uses for Kitty Litter   15 years 7 weeks ago

    Then you have a toxic lump that will eventually disintegrate in the landfill and pollute the groundwater. Why not wait for a day when the landfill folks are collecting stuff (they are called "roundup" around here) like this and just give it to them to dispose of properly?

  • Fresh Fruits and Vegetables, By the Month   15 years 7 weeks ago

    This is the first time I've visited this site & I've enjoyed the helpful advice that is accessible for free, but I have to say that your comment is very ignorant. Similar to other posters, who have mentioned that you can go to your local farmers market or supermarket (Shaws), to find what is abundant... the purpose of this advice is not mainly for frugal spending - it's also to note what is best to buy and when.

    I know it's not just me because I have read other questions on various sites that ask the same question... fruits may be in the plenty and cheap or on sale at some market, but that DOES NOT mean they are 'in season' ... you'll know this when you've already bought it, taken it home, cleaned it... just to take your first bite & realize that it lacks flavor or juicyness, etc. What are you going to do, return it? O.o

    Anyway, I dislike Shaws fruit... it may just be the one I'm near, but every time I buy clementines from Star Market, it sucks! It's strange because I could buy clementines year round in NY and they would taste great! Getting back to the point though, I bought strawberries a couple weeks ago that tasted perfect! Recently bought them again and ::sigh:: disappointment!

  • DIY Shampoo: The Baking Soda Experiment   15 years 7 weeks ago

    I just used the baking soda wash and vinegar rinse method for the first time, as I am forever on the search for all natural products to shampoo my hair with. I have to say my hair is naturally wavy/curly, kind of dry but a great tendancy to be oily at the crown, and fine. After using 1 tbsp baking soda into 2 cups of water to wash with, I rinsed with 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar into 2 cups of water to rinse with and my hair has never looked so shiny, felt so soft, or had so much volume. I havent gotten results this nice from many professional products. It is really quite amazing. Like I said this was my first time so I will continue to see the results.

  • Ask the Readers: Do You Use Craigslist?   15 years 7 weeks ago

    Yes, we buy and sell. We like the local aspect of it that we don't need to deal with shipping and we can see the product before purchasing it.

  • Ask the Readers: Do You Use Craigslist?   15 years 7 weeks ago

    yes i do. best deal - canon rebel for 400 buckaroos!

  • 13 Natural and Easy Ways to Lower Your Blood Sugar   15 years 7 weeks ago

    Great article! My fiancee forwarded me a link to this so I could see if there were any good tips on lowering my own blood sugar. (Seems like diabetic vitamins/supplements, including chromium, are something my diet has been missing for a while.)

    A couple observations:

    In the article, you mentioned that glucagon is secreted by the liver. Actually, it is secreted by the pancreas. (I checked with Wikipedia, and double-checked with the NIH since sometimes Wikipedia articles can contain bogus information.) It is true that glucagon signals the liver to convert glycogen into glucose.

    Secondly, in one of the comments, you wrote: "Of course, if your pancreas is giving out on you, really not producing enough insulin, then you are actually a type 1 diabetic."

    Actually, this is not entirely true and likely a bad blanket statement to be making. My own reading indicates that one of the problems with insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes is that it forces the pancreas to hyper-secrete insulin. This increased production is not sustainable, and is believed to eventually result in a decline in the pancreas' insulin producing capacity. Regardless of the theory of how this happens, the decline of beta cells gradually over time is a known phenomenon in type 2 diabetes, although insulin resistance plays at least as important a role in that type; by comparison, type 1 is caused by the immune system attacking those beta cells, and the decline of these cells is much faster for type 1 diabetics.

    I have discussed diabetes treatment with a coworker (we're both type 2 diabetics), and he told me about a study that suggests putting a type 2 diabetic on insulin for a period of time can give the beta cells a chance to recover. I'm obviously not talking about full recovery of 100% function, but any recovery of function is an improvement.

    If you're not sure what type of diabetes you really have, it's a good idea to talk to your doctor or another medical professional. Second opinions don't hurt either.

  • Ask the Readers: Do You Use Craigslist?   15 years 7 weeks ago

    I mainly use craigslist to look for jobs. It's a great tool for finding work. I've looked at some of the adds, but I've never had the guts to purchase anything. I've also subleased my apartment via Craigslist. It's a very good resource, if you know how to sort through the rubbish to find the good offers and opportunities.

  • Ask the Readers: Do You Use Craigslist?   15 years 7 weeks ago

    We had to come up with some money to make our rent so we refinished a desk and credenza and posted it for $750. It'd been several days and we hadn't gotten any responses. On the morning of the day our rent was to be paid, I got an email from someone who was interested in the furniture for the exact amount we needed. We delivered the set that day and paid our rent. 99% of the time I've had great experiences and recognize that most people are fundamentally good but I always trust my intuition. I'd much rather meet someone in town at a busy place then have them come to my home if I'm unsure.

  • Ask the Readers: Do You Use Craigslist?   15 years 7 weeks ago

    Me too! I always hope I can find someone who wants something I have so I can make a little extra money, but I haven't had any luck with that strategy yet.

  • Remove Car Dents Quickly and Cheaply   15 years 7 weeks ago

    Sorry, but have to say all these methods using dry ice, plungers, suction cups, hair dryers are the result of someones joke. None of these will remove hail damage, carpark dings, creases or any kind of complex or sharp dent.

    It _may_ slightly improve some dents, it may "pop" out simple wide and shallow dents. The same dents can pop outwards with little force by hand, but you'll still be left the "eyebrows" or "crowns" that held it in the first place.

    If your car is worth less than a tank of gas, you have nothing to spend on it, or are simply bored by all means try these means.

    But if its your pride and joy, or a great looking car, theres many quality Paintless dent removal technicians who can remove such dents from $65.

  • United World College: Study Abroad For Way Less Than You Think   15 years 7 weeks ago

    UWC is above and beyond excellent in every way. Every country has their own selection committee, so yes, there are different standards for each country, and every country accepts a different number of kids each year. USA Selection Committee is a completely unbias group of individuals from all over the country who spend days pouring over applications (about 500 this year) and then select 100 "finalist" who they travel across the country for a month to interview. Shelby Davis pays for every student who is selected. USA selects 50 students each year. The applicant "ranks" their preference, but the selection committee decides where you are to go, usually within your top 5. My daughter attends UWC and it is rigorous, rewarding and she has friends from over 80 countries. She told me she no longer sees a map with a name of a country, she sees a face. UWC is the real deal, and an incredible opportunity for HS students.

  • The Benefits and Drawbacks of Credit Unions   15 years 7 weeks ago

    I would also like to add that as "SID" said, Credit Unions do not see each other as competition, so they very often will work together on projects and services to do what is right for their members. My credit union gives me access to over 60,000 ATMs all across the country that are fee-free. There is an android app/iphone app that helps me to locate one when I need one. Also, my credit union gave 1 million dollars back to its members this past year in the form of a bonus dividend. Show me a bank that gives back to its customers like that.

    You may think that "technology" that some banks offer is a benefit - sure it is - to the banks! Things like BofA's Keep the Change is a ruse to get you to use signature based transactions because they're cheaper fees for the banks! They're making money, not giving you money.

    Don't believe all the propaganda - the big banks are evil and if you can, move your money to a credit union where you matter...

  • The Benefits and Drawbacks of Credit Unions   15 years 7 weeks ago

    Andrea - have you checked this site? You should be able to use the ATMs at any credit unions without fees.

    http://www.co-opfs.org/public/locators/atmlocator/index.cfm

    They even have an iPhone app!

  • Ask the Readers: Do You Use Craigslist?   15 years 7 weeks ago

    I've bought and sold on Craigslist; it's convenient and free, unlike other sites that want commission. I'm pretty sure I even found my current job a few years ago from a Craigslist posting that a placement agency had posted.

  • Best Money Tips: Get Fit Before Summer   15 years 7 weeks ago

    Wow! Very nice list of articles. Thanks for mentioning our post. Best wishes ahead :).
    Cheers,
    FIRE Finance

  • Clutter-Free: The Zero-Accumulation Household   15 years 7 weeks ago

    I'm printing this out to take home with me :)

  • Save Money on Shaving With These Razor Tricks   15 years 7 weeks ago

    I grew up watching my father shave with Gillette Blue Blades with a razor that he assembled before each use and after each shave disassembled, dried and placed in a case made for the parts. Those blades were not stainless steel, were individually wrapped in paper, and were used only once because they became dull after one use. Gillette had no incentive to improve that until after World War II when a British sword manufacturer began marketing a stainless steel blade. As a father's day gift I gave him a double edge razor that opened with a twist of the handle. The first stainless steel blades were not coated. The coated ones were just as sharp but were more comfortable to use. I continued using my double edge twist handle razor until I no longer could find coated double edge blades. Then I switched to generic disposable single-blade plastic-handle razors. I found those gave as good and comfortable shave as I used to get with the coated double edged, and lasted long enough to be economical.