I prefer to only carry 1-2 reward credit cards and focus my purchases on these cards. Spreading purchases around on too many cards will thin your reward/rebate accumulation.
Great article, I have to say I thoroughly enjoy your articles in general. I am impressed by the good sense you display in most of them and the devotion to our loved ones you can inspire in people through them. Thank you!
You also have to beware of companies that put up a "Special Price" sticker, or "Great Buy", even when the price hasn't changed, or it's gone up. I look behind the sale price stickers for the regular price sticker.
At our house, pet food is only a minimal part of their upkeep. Medical bills can abound with large and small breeds alike. So can "Skunk Be Gone" product purchases . . . yup, lots of things are the same no matter what the size. This has been a great spin off discussion . . . thanks!
Until we moved into the hot water situation from hell, we did that. You're right. It is a nice thing to share. We enjoy yard work together too. It's so much easier to stay the course when you have someone in the trenches with you.
You know, I've been meaning for years to get into this. Now that I live in the middle of nowhere, it should be extra motivation. Thanks, Nora!
As for seeds, Walton Feeds always used to carry them in bulk, and I believe Wild Oats and other health food stores carry them. As for me, I'll probably have to place a bulk order, since there really aren't any Earthy-crunchy stores in the area for at least a 2-4 hour radius. Oh well, that should help me stick to it, right?
That's funny, I was just wondering the other day how to do this. I don't have access to the seeds though. I suppose there isn't any way to grow more alfalfa sprouts from the ones you bought, is there?
I agree, that's really sneaky. They do it here in Spain all the time too. I really do think these practices should be illegal because it's like false advertising.
The other day I was buying dish washing soap and they had two offers on the same brand for 30% free. Then, there was a 3rd bottle, the same size and price as the 30% free ones that said "special price". What the heck?
The way I grew alfalfa sprouts as a teenager was to put ~1T of seeds in a quart sized zipper bag, filled with enough water to cover completely. Let soak overnight, then poke the bag with a pin, dozens of times, and squeeze the water out. Rinse seeds once or twice daily, setting bag near a kitchen window, on a paper towel to absorb any excess moisture. Voila, sprouts in 2-3 days. Haven't tried it, but now they have the bags with holes already in them (for veggie storage) which may work equally well. Mmmm. May have to find a new alfalfa seed source.
bunnies are another animal sometimes suggested as an 'easy' pet, but like hedgehogs, they require constant handling from an early age, and much more space than any of the commercially available 'hutches' supply. (I think the usual rabbit hutch design came from when rabbits were kept until they got to casserole-size.) They also need a very varied diet (no pale lettuce, not too much carrot, varied fruit and veg, lots of dark leaves and hay), nail-clipping, and they don't take anaesthetics well, so most vets won't spay the females, only the males. Rabbit fans will tell you how wonderful they are, but they aren't as low-maintenance as some might imagine - definitely do your research if you are considering getting one. Ours are very cute and I like them, but I won't replace them when they pass on.
I am all too familiar with people getting in over their heads financially when it comes to pets.. (thus my lighthearted look at cost-efficient pets ). No apologies necessary -- it gave me a chance to clarify further.
ah, that makes sense then. I'd made the assumption they were pets as Pyrenees are quite fashionable at the moment - a pity as I gather they really are working dogs. I think in a farm and bush environment dogs are well worth having. Fortunately the only marauding animals we have here are mice, rats and snakes, and our cat and small terrier deal with them very well.
Giving an unwanted dog a home is certainly a good motivation, and I know that often it's the people who can least afford it that will open their home to the needy.
The Bernese was a good guard dog in a sense - he only barked if a stranger was about - but unfortunately looked like a big teddy-bear, so we were broken into despite his presence. (and were just grateful he wasn't harmed; nobody was home but him.)
I should know better than to cast aspersions when I know nothing of somebody's situation or motives (and probably shouldn't when I do: who am I to judge?). So, my apologies.
Energizer batteries are made in the US or Japan, except for A23, ehich clearly says "Made in China for Eveready." The little cells inside are chinese made generics / oem, with nowhere near the lasting capacity of regular Energizer made button cells. You get what you pay for :) .
In my apartment, my freezer (actually, ice box within the fridge) is so small that I can't fit very much in it. And living alone, while I absolutely love to cook, I don't like leftovers that much because they usually spoil before I can finish them (ie: small icebox).
I love soups, with crackers, so I scour the sales, and whenever they go on sale at my local store (usually something great like 4/$5) I pick them up, along with whatever healthy crackers I can find. I get the not-spending-a-fortune on soups, but sometimes it's more cost (and definitely time) effective to buy in smaller portions.
Yeah, I usually ignore the subscription offers I get in the mail. You can usually find a better deal online, or better yet just read the magazine from their website.
If you eat it, make your own granola. It's easy, inexpensive (even with the nuts and dried fruit that I love) and healthy. If I could get my kids and husband to stop eating the boxed cereal, my grocery budget would go down quite a bit.
The calcium is a great point to bring up. I also give my pups a small bit (1/4 cup) of dry dog food, as it's good for their teeth. I either make this myself, or use coupons combined with sales to get the smallest bags for pennies or free.
There are some larger bones that are safe to give adult dogs and these will also help with both calcium and strengthening their teeth.
I prefer to only carry 1-2 reward credit cards and focus my purchases on these cards. Spreading purchases around on too many cards will thin your reward/rebate accumulation.
Great article, I have to say I thoroughly enjoy your articles in general. I am impressed by the good sense you display in most of them and the devotion to our loved ones you can inspire in people through them. Thank you!
Thanks for this! I've been wanting to start doing some sprouting on my own, especially broccoli sprouts. Now to find the seeds!
Cheers
Scott Kustes
Modern Forager
Great Post!
You also have to beware of companies that put up a "Special Price" sticker, or "Great Buy", even when the price hasn't changed, or it's gone up. I look behind the sale price stickers for the regular price sticker.
At our house, pet food is only a minimal part of their upkeep. Medical bills can abound with large and small breeds alike. So can "Skunk Be Gone" product purchases . . . yup, lots of things are the same no matter what the size. This has been a great spin off discussion . . . thanks!
Until we moved into the hot water situation from hell, we did that. You're right. It is a nice thing to share. We enjoy yard work together too. It's so much easier to stay the course when you have someone in the trenches with you.
Great piece, Linsey!
You know, I've been meaning for years to get into this. Now that I live in the middle of nowhere, it should be extra motivation. Thanks, Nora!
As for seeds, Walton Feeds always used to carry them in bulk, and I believe Wild Oats and other health food stores carry them. As for me, I'll probably have to place a bulk order, since there really aren't any Earthy-crunchy stores in the area for at least a 2-4 hour radius. Oh well, that should help me stick to it, right?
That's funny, I was just wondering the other day how to do this. I don't have access to the seeds though. I suppose there isn't any way to grow more alfalfa sprouts from the ones you bought, is there?
I agree, that's really sneaky. They do it here in Spain all the time too. I really do think these practices should be illegal because it's like false advertising.
The other day I was buying dish washing soap and they had two offers on the same brand for 30% free. Then, there was a 3rd bottle, the same size and price as the 30% free ones that said "special price". What the heck?
That is one of the most lovely articles I've ever read. =)
Yeah, I heard somewhere that ebay was a reliable source for cheap subscriptions for peanuts too...
Yeah, I heard somewhere that ebay was a reliable source for cheap subscriptions for peanuts too...
Where can I get one of the Wiki globe key chains you pictured?
The way I grew alfalfa sprouts as a teenager was to put ~1T of seeds in a quart sized zipper bag, filled with enough water to cover completely. Let soak overnight, then poke the bag with a pin, dozens of times, and squeeze the water out. Rinse seeds once or twice daily, setting bag near a kitchen window, on a paper towel to absorb any excess moisture. Voila, sprouts in 2-3 days. Haven't tried it, but now they have the bags with holes already in them (for veggie storage) which may work equally well. Mmmm. May have to find a new alfalfa seed source.
bunnies are another animal sometimes suggested as an 'easy' pet, but like hedgehogs, they require constant handling from an early age, and much more space than any of the commercially available 'hutches' supply. (I think the usual rabbit hutch design came from when rabbits were kept until they got to casserole-size.) They also need a very varied diet (no pale lettuce, not too much carrot, varied fruit and veg, lots of dark leaves and hay), nail-clipping, and they don't take anaesthetics well, so most vets won't spay the females, only the males. Rabbit fans will tell you how wonderful they are, but they aren't as low-maintenance as some might imagine - definitely do your research if you are considering getting one. Ours are very cute and I like them, but I won't replace them when they pass on.
I'm sticking with adopting unwanted cats.
I will try this - thank you!!!
I am all too familiar with people getting in over their heads financially when it comes to pets.. (thus my lighthearted look at cost-efficient pets ). No apologies necessary -- it gave me a chance to clarify further.
Thanks for the comments!
Now that is being frugal :)
ah, that makes sense then. I'd made the assumption they were pets as Pyrenees are quite fashionable at the moment - a pity as I gather they really are working dogs. I think in a farm and bush environment dogs are well worth having. Fortunately the only marauding animals we have here are mice, rats and snakes, and our cat and small terrier deal with them very well.
Giving an unwanted dog a home is certainly a good motivation, and I know that often it's the people who can least afford it that will open their home to the needy.
The Bernese was a good guard dog in a sense - he only barked if a stranger was about - but unfortunately looked like a big teddy-bear, so we were broken into despite his presence. (and were just grateful he wasn't harmed; nobody was home but him.)
I should know better than to cast aspersions when I know nothing of somebody's situation or motives (and probably shouldn't when I do: who am I to judge?). So, my apologies.
Energizer batteries are made in the US or Japan, except for A23, ehich clearly says "Made in China for Eveready." The little cells inside are chinese made generics / oem, with nowhere near the lasting capacity of regular Energizer made button cells. You get what you pay for :) .
In my apartment, my freezer (actually, ice box within the fridge) is so small that I can't fit very much in it. And living alone, while I absolutely love to cook, I don't like leftovers that much because they usually spoil before I can finish them (ie: small icebox).
I love soups, with crackers, so I scour the sales, and whenever they go on sale at my local store (usually something great like 4/$5) I pick them up, along with whatever healthy crackers I can find. I get the not-spending-a-fortune on soups, but sometimes it's more cost (and definitely time) effective to buy in smaller portions.
I made a big batch of sauce and kept it for two weeks. After that, I didn't want to risk it. :)
Yeah, I usually ignore the subscription offers I get in the mail. You can usually find a better deal online, or better yet just read the magazine from their website.
If you eat it, make your own granola. It's easy, inexpensive (even with the nuts and dried fruit that I love) and healthy. If I could get my kids and husband to stop eating the boxed cereal, my grocery budget would go down quite a bit.
The calcium is a great point to bring up. I also give my pups a small bit (1/4 cup) of dry dog food, as it's good for their teeth. I either make this myself, or use coupons combined with sales to get the smallest bags for pennies or free.
There are some larger bones that are safe to give adult dogs and these will also help with both calcium and strengthening their teeth.