Recent comments

  • Affordable Accessories to Kickstart Your Style   15 years 8 weeks ago

    Oh, no! That's why I linked to the article on places to find affordable accessories - if you can't afford the artisans on Etsy (I can't afford everything I see on there), usually similar pieces can be found at Claire's or Forever 21!

  • Affordable Accessories to Kickstart Your Style   15 years 8 weeks ago

    Reading this blog just cost me $54. There should be a warning above the fold on those feather earrings. Damn you!

  • The Best and Worst Places to Stash Cash in Your Home   15 years 8 weeks ago

    Okay Folks, a little input here… I have actually read all these posts and I got to say I have had a good chuckle. Some great ideas none the less but here is some real advice for ya… Stop worrying about a “full-proof” way to hide a few hundred bucks around the house. If you are that paranoid about losing some “emergency money”, you should probably just fold it up and put it in your wallet. If you have a significant amount of money to protect buy a good fire-proof safe. It is well worth the investment!
    I just paid a little over $900 bucks for a Winchester gun locker. It is fire-proof and should pretty much survive any disaster just short of the earthquake that the earth opens up and swallows it. Yes, I will store my guns in it but will also insert my smaller fire-proof document safe (extra protection) and that is where my cash will go. Gun locker is rated at 1700 degrees for two hours and document safe is rated at 1700 for eight hours. Although I have not yet done it, you can easily wire the safe directly into your home security system on a different circuit, just in the event the intruder is able to by-pass your home alarms.
    Now why have I gone through this trouble and expense? Well, this part is for the folks that are still walking around with blinders on thinking their money is so safe in the bank… You can take this from the man who’s personal and business accounts were suddenly frozen for over eight weeks by the IRS a few years back. No, I was not guilty and no, they really didn’t care. I almost lost my business! I couldn’t pay my employees! I couldn’t even shop for groceries for my family or make any payments on my home or automobile. They fixed the “glitch” in the system at the IRS after two months… But they did little to fix things such as my credit, loss of employees or the late fees and penalties I had to pay for not making payments in my business and personal loans. I almost lost my whole livelihood that I worked most of my life for all because some slacker in the IRS made a computer error. They took their own sweet time fixing the problem too. OH! I forgot to tell you… They didn’t reimburse me one dime of the THOUSANDS of dollars in lawyer fees it took to help them speed up the process.
    Now, believe me when I tell you that the IRS is only one of MANY government agencies that have the authority to seize your assets for simple suspicion of the least little thing. State agencies such as DHHR can also play with your bank account and business as if it was their own. I only tell you this because I, like many, was a sleeping beauty also.
    Now before you get to thinking I am just another paranoid Joe digging in for the big fall… Well, I am also an employee of Homeland Security. The things I have seen the past few years has scared me silly! I’m sorry folks! I’m sorry to be the one giving you the wake-up call. But if you have any significant amount of money to protect, you better be investing in a good home safe and security system. Most home burglars are not going to pack in a cutting torch or couple hundred pounds of explosives. Some of them may be smart but I would venture to say they are not smart enough to crack a million variable combination. And, if they can lug an 800 pound, five foot gun safe out my front door and load it into a truck or van, after beating the security system and taking it from the bolted floor, without looking a little suspicious, Heck… they can have my money!
    PS. Is it me or did the IRS just say they were hiring over a thousand new enforcement agents? Gee… I wonder why they would do that now?
    Yall have a good day!

  • Ask the Readers: Is it Worth it to Go to College?   15 years 8 weeks ago

    I believe higher education is worth the money if you take what you want to study and potential loan and income into account when choosing a school. Besides, going to college isn't just about what you learn from the books, it's about the entire experience of learning.

    Here's my related blog post: http://savvyyoungmoney.blogspot.com/2011/02/stop-dismissing-higher-educa...

  • 10 Hidden Costs That Hurt Your Wallet   15 years 8 weeks ago

    Great tips - my main problem was the cell phone, and I looked at my plan and changed it. It really does work.

  • While Waiting for Rates: I-Bonds   15 years 8 weeks ago

    Yeah, I've got a couple of I-Bonds from back when the guaranteed rate was 3% or so. That was a sweet deal.

    The current low rates aren't a great deal like that, but they are competitive with other rates you can get, combining inflation protection with the option to switch to something else once rates go up.

  • Frugal Gluten-Free Living: Delicious Homemade Gluten-Free Bread   15 years 8 weeks ago

    I know this is quite a while since you posted this article but check out the gluten free grocery on Amazon and tell me what you think of the cost versus what you pay. I recently found out I am gluten intolerant and I am frugal with my groceries. I have a "Subscribe and Save" acct with Amazon so I get my S&S items 15% off with no tax and free shipping. Compared to the grocery stores and Gluten free stores here in Chicago I feel like I am getting a great deal- is there anywhere you could recommend cheaper???
    -ELizabeth

  • Fresh Fruits and Vegetables, By the Month   15 years 8 weeks ago

    Thanks so much for the list! I'm a nearly broke college student and I've been wanting to plan smoothies that will work for each month for days when I've only got seconds to get to class. Knowing what's in season helps tremendously when trying to calculate what I can afford.

  • Best Money Tips: 43 Ways to Save Money   15 years 8 weeks ago

    I must admit I can't help but flip through the Nordstrom's catalog whenever it comes through the mail. Fortunately, I always refrain from buying anything. :)

  • Best Money Tips: Inexpensive Gifts for New Mums   15 years 8 weeks ago

    You are welcome Tom!

  • While Waiting for Rates: I-Bonds   15 years 8 weeks ago

    I bonds used to be real sweet:

    1) You could use your credit card - charge at the end of the month and not have to pay for 60 days or so. Plus get points from the credit card company - flew First class to asia by doing this.

    2) The limit used to be $60,000 a year.

    3) The guarenteed rate was SWEET - I have gurantees of 3.6%, 3.4%, 3.0% and 2.0% that will keep paying for about 20 more years.

  • Dump Cake and Other Sweet, Easy Treats   15 years 8 weeks ago

    here is a link to a bunch of cake mix cookie recipes!
    http://www.cooks.com/rec/search/0,1-0,cake_mix_cookies

  • 4 Ways Breast-Feeding Saves Money   15 years 8 weeks ago

    You are so right, Andrea. Was it any coincidence that that time I went back to work with each of my critters was exactly the same time they decided to wean? Milk production is difficult when you are being pulled in so many directions, and I find it sad that so many moms are forced to decide between the best in nutrition for their new little bundles or making a much-needed income for their family. In an ideal world, Moms could provide both milk and milk money, and some manage (miraculously) to do so quite well. These Moms have my highest praises, as it's not easy to do.

    I'm thankful I'm in a work-at-home career with this new baby of mine. He's chubby, spoiled, and a perfect compliment to my writing career. If only all Moms could be so blessed!

  • Breaking the Bread Code: How to Get the Freshest Loaf   15 years 8 weeks ago

    Gluten-free bread is still bread.

  • Breaking the Bread Code: How to Get the Freshest Loaf   15 years 8 weeks ago

    An easy way to remember the 5 colors in order is this simple sentence:

    Bread Gets Risen With Yeast.

  • Best Money Tips: 43 Ways to Save Money   15 years 8 weeks ago

    OMG, I NEVER look at catalogs anymore! Ever. I tend not to read women's magazines, either, because it just awakens my lust for more stuff that I don't need. Every now and again, I will allow myself a fashion splurge and buy a copy of Lucky. ;)

  • 4 Ways Breast-Feeding Saves Money   15 years 8 weeks ago

    I only wish that breastfeeding was a more convenient experience. I don't have kids, but I've worked with new mothers who do, and they struggle to get the breastfeeding done in between their 9-5 work days.

  • 4 Ways to Have a Better Day   15 years 8 weeks ago

    The Sneaky Hate Spiral is so hard to avoid! (http://hyperboleandahalf.blogspot.com/2010/05/sneaky-hate-spiral.html)

    I use music to cheer up - I don't tend to listen to music as background noise, so when I need a pick-me-up, music is a great way to change my mood instantly.

  • 4 Ways Breast-Feeding Saves Money   15 years 8 weeks ago

    If mothers-to-be would research the ingredients of conventional formula, and the long-term negative effects on health of these ingredients, they would be a lot more likely to try breastfeeding and to stick to it longer.

  • 4 Ways to Have a Better Day   15 years 8 weeks ago

    I agree 100 %... It is what it is & move on...

  • Good Luck, Bad Luck: Who Can Tell?   15 years 8 weeks ago

    Great story. I'm a great believer that things happen for a culmination of reasons. Working hard and being in the right place at the right time typically go together with the successes I've had in my life.

  • Good Luck, Bad Luck: Who Can Tell?   15 years 8 weeks ago

    That old Chinese proverb is a favorite of mine too. When it looks as if life isn't going your way or seems horribly wrong, it's amazing how quickly it can change. Sometimes it can change with just one phone call or event.

  • 7 Ways to Make the Most of a Tiny Kitchen   15 years 8 weeks ago

    I would have love to seen photos of your apartment.

  • Make Your DVD Player Region-Free in Seconds   15 years 8 weeks ago

    Hi everyboby

    I am looking for the multiregion hack for my European HR550 (blue-ray HHD).
    It is supposed to be similar model with HR570/HR558/HR559.

    Thanks in advance
    Christos

  • Bar Stool Economics   15 years 8 weeks ago

    Except for the small overlooked fact that it is the POOR who pay the tab in this country, while the rich drink for free. Why's the rich man busy dancin' while the poor man pays the band?