Recent comments

  • Get More from Pumpkin Carving by Baking the Seeds   18 years 26 weeks ago

    Hmnn . . . how about using a little liquid smoke on the seeds along with some seasonings? I think you've started something here, Linsey.

  • Get More from Pumpkin Carving by Baking the Seeds   18 years 26 weeks ago

    We boil ours as well. Good terminololgy the bioling is a "HACK" to salt your seeds faster than the old school soaking. after the boil cool your seeds and pat them dry with a paper towel (to avoid excess moisture) Here's the smokin' part: soak you seeds in your favorite hot sauce we make our own. The longer the soak the hotter the seeds.
    HAPPY SEEDING!!

  • How to Answer 23 of the Most Common Interview Questions   18 years 26 weeks ago

    Maybe it's cultural - I'm a European - but I certainly wouldn't hire someone who answered all the questions just to give the 'right' reply.
    When I've interviewed candidates for a post, it's been fundamentally uninteresting to speak to those who follow this kind of advice and anxiously try to tell you what they believe you want to hear.

    I'm no pro in being interviewed for jobs (finding and changing jobs has been relatively smooth) but I would stress the following:
    -- when interviewed, remember that recruitment is a two-way process: the company is also putting itself on the market place. Therefore don't signal that you sell yourself at any price an in any way (the terrible response to question 21!). I think the right answer should signal professionalism, work ethics and self-respect.
    -- I tend to work much too much, but would never say that in a job interview. If asked about my availability, I would say that occasionally I can put in a few extra hours if there is something unforeseen, but I prefer to work efficiently during regular working hours and plan and manage the workload in a way that preempts the emergencies. So far I have never had any negative reactions using this response, on the contrary, it has put the company representatives a bit on the defensive and they have started to try to sell the post to me by making it sound more manageable.
    The idea is of course that a more demanding candidate tends to get more esteem. And to avoid having to work for a company that has shows no consideration for the needs of the employees.
    -- I would also say that your approach is more important than the reponses. The prospective new employer does not give a toss about the conflicts you've had in your workplace, but needs to see if s/he can live with your way of solving them. No conflicts means that you just go along with what everyone says, which signals incompetence, or that you are covering up, which signals dishonesty.

  • Cracking the Infamous McDonalds Monopoly Game   18 years 26 weeks ago

    is worth stepping into a McDonald's letting alone eating their food.

  • Mind Control Guru Can Pay With Blank Sheets of Paper   18 years 26 weeks ago

    I just wear my lowest-cut blouse and make sure to use it on straight men only.

  • Separate Bank Accounts: 'Till Death (or Banking) Do We Part?   18 years 26 weeks ago

    My husband and I have been together for seven years, married for almost five. We've never shared a bank account, but for practical reasons. Neither of us likes to have to write down what we've spent (just because we're not always near paper, what if we forget, blah blah blah), but we're both EXCELLENT at doing it in our head. (We both use our debit cards heavily, for convenience reasons.) I know what my balance is and he knows what his is, but it would complicate things if we had to remember each individual amount and such. I might know my balance, and I know approximately how much each purchase was, but I would have a harder time thinking "Ok... it was this, but then he spent this" etc. It has nothing to do with not trusting each other with our money. If I need money, he gives it to me. If he needs money, I give it to him. It works. We like it this way.

    As far as bills go, I give him a certain amount from my check. He pays the bills, except for Netflix and groceries, which I pay for. Of course, the amount I give him takes Netflix/groceries into account, but he has the bigger bank balance (read: he makes more money than me), so if there's suddenly something unexpected, he can cover it better than I can. I know what all our bills are, though, and how to pay them, should the need arise.

  • FREE bowling balls - just pay shipping   18 years 26 weeks ago

    they could give you a break on shipping but you'd have to ask. I suspect these things are so heavy, and they're giving them away free, that you won't get much of a deal...if any. Sorry. But it never hurts to ask.

  • Get More from Pumpkin Carving by Baking the Seeds   18 years 26 weeks ago

    I already told my husband about it, since he's going to be doing most of the carving. I'm psyched to try them this way.

  • Get More from Pumpkin Carving by Baking the Seeds   18 years 26 weeks ago

    Boiling is a new thing I'm doing.  We used to just let them soak in salt water overnight... but most people are pressed for time, so the boiling is a hack of sorts.  All I know is that it helps to give them flavor and that crispness that we love so much!

  • Separate Bank Accounts: 'Till Death (or Banking) Do We Part?   18 years 26 weeks ago

    One thing I've noticed is the more secure people are with their money skills, the more willing they are discussing it. People who are successful with money, at least in my experience, are more comfortable talking about it, at least sooner within a new friendship than I've noticed otherwise. Haven't done a huge scientific study or data collection project on this though. Just something I've observed. Any thoughts, Wise Breaders?

  • FREE bowling balls - just pay shipping   18 years 26 weeks ago

    If I were to purchase all 5 balls...what would total shipping costs be?

  • Separate Bank Accounts: 'Till Death (or Banking) Do We Part?   18 years 26 weeks ago

    I believe you nailed the issue with our ability to discuss our sex lives with friends and our inability to handle conversations on our money. Do you think it is a fear of judgment or a fear of people wanting to borrow our money? There is definitely a taboo on discussing personal money stats. On the couple aspect of your article communication truly is the key. I don't believe separate accounts are a big deal. But to live up to their true financial potential as a couple, consistent and regular communication must take place. That will allow them to know where they are at, where they want to be, and realistic ways to get there.

  • Turn $1 into $100 in about 2 minutes.   18 years 26 weeks ago

    ...this video is edited. After looking at the video and pausing it, it is no question that it has been edited. :( So I do agree with some of the other users. But it's still a cool video. :)

  • Get More from Pumpkin Carving by Baking the Seeds   18 years 26 weeks ago

    It's so funny you did this because I was working on a post today that used toasted pumpkin seeds as one of the items. I didn't include a recipe however, and you know, I've never heard of boiling them first! I wonder what that does that just tossing them in the oven doesn't?

    My husband likes to do the Halloween pumpkin carving here, and seeds are one of his favorite snacks. I'll have to make sure we try this process out to see how it improves the process.

  • Long Term Care Insurance for Wise Bloggers   18 years 26 weeks ago

    Thank you so much for relaying your personal experience with us. I believe it is so valuable to everybody here.

    And you're right - you can research something ten ways to Sunday, but sometimes that stable company goes belly-up, and that allergy you didn't figure was relevant on the application becomes a sticky point at claim time.

    Life is indeed a gamble, and although I believe that some insurance is good, the perfect formula is different for everybody.  

  • When Priorities Collide: How to Keep Your Head   18 years 26 weeks ago

    Great advice Sarah

    The questions are easy yet the answers are very hard and may inevitable lead to resentment in such scenarios!

    Certainly you should step away from the situation for a while then when you come back, agree you understand a decision needs to be reached which may not completely satisfy all parties! Agree that you understand resentment may eat away at the fabric of your relationship and needs to be discharged before you start so that decisions are reached from a level playing field without your emotions muddying the water!

    It may help to enrol a third party, or a piece of paper to write all factors, two columns "FOR" and "AGAINST!" Never throw this sheet away and it may help to write at the outset your short, medium and long term GOALS perhaps for the next ten years!

    If you reach a point where two options exist and yet you still cannot decide without one party seeming the loser, sleep on it, and if absolutely necessary let any blame or resentment fall as if on the toss of a coin rather than the fabric of your relationship!

    You may even use a coin!

    I don't wish to spam this blog or I would offer more!

  • Tattoo removal on the cheap...just use a Black & Decker Sander.   18 years 26 weeks ago
    Hm

    I hope that guy enjoys looking like a skin graft recipient for the rest of his life.

  • Save the Tomatoes! Autumn Tips to Prolong the Growing Season   18 years 26 weeks ago

    Our favorite fall treat is green tomato jam. For every pound of tomatoes you'll need 1 cup of superfine sugar and half a lemon. Cut the tomatoes into bite sized wedges and combine with the sugar. Let it sit for a day, stirring occasionally. Bring the sugar-tomato mixture to a boil and simmer for an hour. Add thin slices of lemon and cook an additional hour. When it's all thick and sticky, put it in jars and seal. Yum!

  • Cracking the Infamous McDonalds Monopoly Game   18 years 26 weeks ago

    dudes the game is like totally rigged and it like impossible to win anything above 50 dollars and i won the 50 by buying ten medium cup from every mcdonald by my place

  • Our high, high standard of living   18 years 26 weeks ago

    Yes a person can afford a trip to the dentist. A cleaning is about $60. So is a month of cable. And most urban Universties who have medical facilities offer VERY CHEAP options for care so their students can learn. Trust me, I used those facilities as a poor undergrad before going to Med School. It can work, our priorities are simply skewed.

  • Save the Tomatoes! Autumn Tips to Prolong the Growing Season   18 years 26 weeks ago

    We got the raised bed in so late that it was basically herbs and peppers only, and a pathetic attempt at squash. Hoping to get some tomatoes in this coming spring as they are just so outrageous in the grocery stores. We are definitely planning an indoor integrated greenhouse / garden area / family room when we build so we can have tomatoes all year long.

  • Save the Tomatoes! Autumn Tips to Prolong the Growing Season   18 years 26 weeks ago

    Last year my tomatoes did really well, and were STILL doing really well when the frosts came along. The ones that were starting to pink up I stored in paper bag (when they do ripen, eat 'em quick, as they go bad quickly once ripe). But the ones that were totally green I made into pickle relish (really good) and several quarts of green tomato mincemeat that was just fabulous. I used the last jar of last year's mincemeat a few weeks ago, and now I'm just waiting it out for the next batch!

    Myscha, the taste of green tomatoes in baked goods is not just filler, although it's not "tomatoey" either. More like a tart, tangy fruit taste.

  • How the rich stay rich; a lesson in lateral thinking   18 years 26 weeks ago

    If I were to comment on this millionaire, I would say this guy is penny wise but pound foolish. Why should he go to a bank to save on parking his Ferrari? He shouldn't have bought it in the first place! Tens of thousands of dollars in depreciation a year not including exorbitant maintenance costs with exotic cars.

    If he was so good with his money he should have bought a cheaper car and invested that in his various money making assets and businesses. This website teaches money discipline does it not? =)

    The funny thing is that when I used to work in a laundromat I had customer come in with his Ferrari. Supposedly his insurance costs were enough to buy a new car every year!

    I wouldn't mind racing in someone else's Ferrari though.. =) Interesting article nonetheless.

  • Trade versus localization   18 years 26 weeks ago

    Interesting. I read a book once (since it's in storage I can't reference the title, sorry) that focused on the trade barter thing in relation to business and diversifying what you are actually able to trade a bit. Basically, it's what you were saying above only with the added element of not necessarily shying away from a surplus of a particular item that someone else wants to use as barter for your services. While you wouldn't want to get too out of hand with it (and you want to make sure what you receive is transferrable) the basic idea is that if you have several items of a particular kind you can still use those goods / services to expand what you are able to trade with other businesses and service providers. For example, if you need graphics services and you provide shoe repair the graphics person may not need shoe repair. But he may need any number of things you have on hand, like certificates for service from the cleaning company, for example. That's an oversimplification, but it's basically one of the main points of the book. Another main push was to always barter at the full cash value of your services / goods, not the overhead cost. You'll get a higher value of goods to trade off that way.

    As usual, great post.

  • Save the Tomatoes! Autumn Tips to Prolong the Growing Season   18 years 26 weeks ago

    People put so much effort into their gardens, it's nice to have some suggestions on maximizing the yields. The rope and pull up trick is totally new to me (and cool binder clip idea, thanks). I'll have to pass that one along.

    Also, I'd heard of the green tomato relish and the fried ones, but the cake? Totally new. Is it just for moisture, or is it some sort of really unique flavor?