Great post and a lot of great tips here. Thanks for including us. I like Mike Richard's tip to call before so that the hotel doesn't charge you the fees for booking companies! We've shown up at hotels before and paid over $10 extra per night because we booked online. That's a lot of money if you stay a few nights or (like us slow travellers) a couple of weeks!
I also like Elizabeth's tip "Slip'm a 20" haha. I think this could work for almost anything in life. Want to get into restricted areas? Slip'm a 20. Want stronger drinks for the rest of the night? Slip'm a 20. Want to get backstage? Slip'm a 20. Love it!
I write the blog: In Birdy's Eyes @blogspot.com, there are a few of these money savings tips that I know about and have posted in that blog, however, here is one that most people don't know about and I do it every time I clean my clothes:
Detergent is soap, lye, and fragrance. You can get the same amount of clean with lye and salt, in fact salt also brightens the whites and kills germs, if you want to have your clothes smell good too, run it through the rinse cycle twice, then hand dry the clothes, outside where they will dry naturally, and pick up the smell of the outdoors. Enjoy
At age 4, I rocked a cardboard box ladybug costume--spray painted red with black spot. My mom also sewed many other costumes-- a native American dress out of burlap, a pumpkin out of orange fabric, etc.
My favorite is my son's this year: he's going as a football player out of items we have at home--baseball pants, soccer socks, and an OSU football jersey that he got for his birthday. With a little eye black, he's ready to go and we've save a lot compared to the pricey athletic costumes. (And in Ohio, he'll be wearing his winter coat anyway....!)
Thank you for offering your insight here. You raise some good points regarding the health of cocker spaniels. While I did acknowledge the potential for health issues in this article, I'll agree that perhaps I did not fully explain the array of medical costs that an owner could encounter. Certainly, Cocker Spaniels may be inexpensive to buy, but that's not always the case. And for many owners, the total cost of caring for the dog could be higher than I conveyed here.
We'll be replacing the entry on Cocker Spaniels with another dog.
I made so many Halloween costumes for my daughter, but my favorite was Little Bo Peep and the sheep. The front of the costume was Bo Peep, and when she turned around, the back was the sheep. She had so much fun that year.
Another trick to get lower rates is to use websites from the country you are visiting. I went to Thailand on August and hotel rates from the US were around $300, using Thailand websites, after currency conversion the rates were in the $20s and even lower. I added links to Expedia Thailand in my blog.
My favorite and easiest diy costume is being a judge by using my old graduation gown. I have been this before, but probably won't be it this year, as I have another costume I'm going to repeat.
Exactly! By saving with every paycheck, not only you save for retirement, but also defer taxes until retirement age (when you're more likely to be in a lower tax bracket!).
Some of my favorite hangers are ones my grandma taught me to make when I was a teenager. Take two wire hangers that are identical. Tape them together just enough to secure them, using extra tape on the end of the hook part of the hanger.
Then beginning at the "neck" of the hanger, use 2 colors of yarn to wrap all around the "now one" hanger. Use a kind of wrap as if casting on yarn on a knitting needle, first several "cast ons" with one color, then several with the other color. We used 6 wraps for each alternating color, but use however many you'd like. They don't even have to be all the same amount of wraps. Just make sure they are pushed together very tightly as you go along. Don't cut the yarn between colors - just carry the alternating color across each "batch" of wraps.
After you've wrapped all around the hanger and are at the "neck" again, continue wrapping up over around the hook until you get to the end of it. Make sure your wraps are pushed together extra tightly as you get near the end of the hook part. You can put some glue on the end for extra security if you think it needs it.
I just now went and found one in my closet and there doesn't seem to be glue, but I can see a little tape at the very end of the hook. If I were to make them again, I'd probably make sure that end was covered with some extra-secured and pushed together wraps, with some extra to pull over and glue down on the end. We finished them off with a simple bow at the neck of the hanger made from the same yarn.
I have a few of my own and have used these hangers for over 40 years. I remember making them as gifts in sets of 3 or more that matched. People really liked them, especially if you used yarn in their favorite color/s. They are surprisingly sturdy, and it's a great way to use scraps of yarn in addition to re-purposing the hangers. They are great for hanging slippery tops and dresses and are strong enough to hang a winter coat. You don't have to know how to crochet or knit either. A first or second grade child could probably make these.
The same thing has happened to me! well its still happening. I live in Honolulu, Oahu and found a post of a home for rent. Since I recently moved from Maui to attend college I've been looking everywhere for a home, but its just way to expensive to live here. A studio is practically 1,000$ and over (way out of my budget). I've been struggling and still am struggling to find a place. I found this rental on a very good website (trulia) since of course dealing with craigslist is such a hassle. I researched day and night for the home owner's name and I finally found information of the house and it matched. The name the guy had given me matched the listing I found on the website. At that moment I kind of thought that maybe this isn't a scam and these people are serious. So I did a little more digging and researched his name and found that he does reside in the same address. With that information it gave me a little more hope. So I emailed back and mentioned to him about the keys and house documents and how I would like to receive everything first before making a transaction (just as a precaution). He told me that was fine but before he could send it he will need a confirmation that the money has been deposited into western union. I told him that will be fine but I want confirmation that the package has been sent and confirmation of the contents. So then I received a confirmation email from fedex. I researched the email that was sent from the so called "fedex" and immediately there was a dozen and more websites popping up with the titles "scam", "fraud", "don't reply". At that moment all my hope came crashing down. I thought I could trust this website but I guess you need to be on a look out with everything. I will post the emails I have received, I hope this will help someone.
So as a young person somewhat of the nerd hipster persuasion I think you've forgotten:
(1) My flatteringly unflattering thick rim contacts are way cheaper than contacts any day of the week.
(2) Mason jars. Not sure whether they actually *help* my finances, but they're magic I tell you.
My mom made my sister into a sheep by taping cotton balls to a white top/bottom. It was hilarious, especially since a cotton ball would drop off every few steps! ;)
Good list. Far too many people let the government hold their money all year so they can get a return, when they could be saving or investing that money all along. And once-a-year expenses are really important to include in your budget as well as long-term big purchases like replacing an old car.
Making a costume for Halloween has always been a favorite part of the holiday. to highlights that I put together from scratch were Jemima from the show "Cats" (where I had to cut and style a wizard wig into a Cats' style wig, with an inventive use of acrylic paint to color the hair and hold the ear shapes), and Trini the Yellow Power Ranger a couple years ago.
This year I am trick or treating with my niece, who is the newest iteration of the Pink Power Ranger. I wish I still had the costume, but alas I will have to settle with the Yellow Ranger t-shirt my sister got me for Christmas a few years ago.
I have a group of 8-12 friends that go to dinner 3-4 times a year and we ALWAYS play this game. It's fun and the only thing that we do is if you were the one the paid last time you don't have to throw you card in this time.
Hey Nora,
Great post and a lot of great tips here. Thanks for including us. I like Mike Richard's tip to call before so that the hotel doesn't charge you the fees for booking companies! We've shown up at hotels before and paid over $10 extra per night because we booked online. That's a lot of money if you stay a few nights or (like us slow travellers) a couple of weeks!
I also like Elizabeth's tip "Slip'm a 20" haha. I think this could work for almost anything in life. Want to get into restricted areas? Slip'm a 20. Want stronger drinks for the rest of the night? Slip'm a 20. Want to get backstage? Slip'm a 20. Love it!
my favorite DIY costume is a gypsy!
I write the blog: In Birdy's Eyes @blogspot.com, there are a few of these money savings tips that I know about and have posted in that blog, however, here is one that most people don't know about and I do it every time I clean my clothes:
Detergent is soap, lye, and fragrance. You can get the same amount of clean with lye and salt, in fact salt also brightens the whites and kills germs, if you want to have your clothes smell good too, run it through the rinse cycle twice, then hand dry the clothes, outside where they will dry naturally, and pick up the smell of the outdoors. Enjoy
At age 4, I rocked a cardboard box ladybug costume--spray painted red with black spot. My mom also sewed many other costumes-- a native American dress out of burlap, a pumpkin out of orange fabric, etc.
My favorite is my son's this year: he's going as a football player out of items we have at home--baseball pants, soccer socks, and an OSU football jersey that he got for his birthday. With a little eye black, he's ready to go and we've save a lot compared to the pricey athletic costumes. (And in Ohio, he'll be wearing his winter coat anyway....!)
Ms. Stanley-
Thank you for offering your insight here. You raise some good points regarding the health of cocker spaniels. While I did acknowledge the potential for health issues in this article, I'll agree that perhaps I did not fully explain the array of medical costs that an owner could encounter. Certainly, Cocker Spaniels may be inexpensive to buy, but that's not always the case. And for many owners, the total cost of caring for the dog could be higher than I conveyed here.
We'll be replacing the entry on Cocker Spaniels with another dog.
Thanks.
-Tim Lemke
I always liked the bubble gum dispenser made of balloons. My son (8) was a Lego last year, and it was a hit at his school:)
I made so many Halloween costumes for my daughter, but my favorite was Little Bo Peep and the sheep. The front of the costume was Bo Peep, and when she turned around, the back was the sheep. She had so much fun that year.
Another trick to get lower rates is to use websites from the country you are visiting. I went to Thailand on August and hotel rates from the US were around $300, using Thailand websites, after currency conversion the rates were in the $20s and even lower. I added links to Expedia Thailand in my blog.
My favorite and easiest diy costume is being a judge by using my old graduation gown. I have been this before, but probably won't be it this year, as I have another costume I'm going to repeat.
I remember my mom putting a black trash bag on me and using yellow tape for the stripes to make a bee costume--with cardboard wings!
Exactly! By saving with every paycheck, not only you save for retirement, but also defer taxes until retirement age (when you're more likely to be in a lower tax bracket!).
Exactly! Tax withholding is a poor replacement for a savings account. Uncle Sam doesn't pay interest.
Some of my favorite hangers are ones my grandma taught me to make when I was a teenager. Take two wire hangers that are identical. Tape them together just enough to secure them, using extra tape on the end of the hook part of the hanger.
Then beginning at the "neck" of the hanger, use 2 colors of yarn to wrap all around the "now one" hanger. Use a kind of wrap as if casting on yarn on a knitting needle, first several "cast ons" with one color, then several with the other color. We used 6 wraps for each alternating color, but use however many you'd like. They don't even have to be all the same amount of wraps. Just make sure they are pushed together very tightly as you go along. Don't cut the yarn between colors - just carry the alternating color across each "batch" of wraps.
After you've wrapped all around the hanger and are at the "neck" again, continue wrapping up over around the hook until you get to the end of it. Make sure your wraps are pushed together extra tightly as you get near the end of the hook part. You can put some glue on the end for extra security if you think it needs it.
I just now went and found one in my closet and there doesn't seem to be glue, but I can see a little tape at the very end of the hook. If I were to make them again, I'd probably make sure that end was covered with some extra-secured and pushed together wraps, with some extra to pull over and glue down on the end. We finished them off with a simple bow at the neck of the hanger made from the same yarn.
I have a few of my own and have used these hangers for over 40 years. I remember making them as gifts in sets of 3 or more that matched. People really liked them, especially if you used yarn in their favorite color/s. They are surprisingly sturdy, and it's a great way to use scraps of yarn in addition to re-purposing the hangers. They are great for hanging slippery tops and dresses and are strong enough to hang a winter coat. You don't have to know how to crochet or knit either. A first or second grade child could probably make these.
The same thing has happened to me! well its still happening. I live in Honolulu, Oahu and found a post of a home for rent. Since I recently moved from Maui to attend college I've been looking everywhere for a home, but its just way to expensive to live here. A studio is practically 1,000$ and over (way out of my budget). I've been struggling and still am struggling to find a place. I found this rental on a very good website (trulia) since of course dealing with craigslist is such a hassle. I researched day and night for the home owner's name and I finally found information of the house and it matched. The name the guy had given me matched the listing I found on the website. At that moment I kind of thought that maybe this isn't a scam and these people are serious. So I did a little more digging and researched his name and found that he does reside in the same address. With that information it gave me a little more hope. So I emailed back and mentioned to him about the keys and house documents and how I would like to receive everything first before making a transaction (just as a precaution). He told me that was fine but before he could send it he will need a confirmation that the money has been deposited into western union. I told him that will be fine but I want confirmation that the package has been sent and confirmation of the contents. So then I received a confirmation email from fedex. I researched the email that was sent from the so called "fedex" and immediately there was a dozen and more websites popping up with the titles "scam", "fraud", "don't reply". At that moment all my hope came crashing down. I thought I could trust this website but I guess you need to be on a look out with everything. I will post the emails I have received, I hope this will help someone.
has anyone used it for gums disease appaently for dogs you can. but what about people?
Is it good for gum disease? do you know?
thanks.
As a former churner, I'm a big fan of numbers 2-4. Though, I need to try the $20 upgrade tip sometime!
So as a young person somewhat of the nerd hipster persuasion I think you've forgotten:
(1) My flatteringly unflattering thick rim contacts are way cheaper than contacts any day of the week.
(2) Mason jars. Not sure whether they actually *help* my finances, but they're magic I tell you.
10 minutes to prep lettuce?!?! Wow! Are you prepping for 20? It literally takes 2 minutes.
My mom made my sister into a sheep by taping cotton balls to a white top/bottom. It was hilarious, especially since a cotton ball would drop off every few steps! ;)
I've made some serious mummy costumes with just some toilet paper and tape. They don't last too long, but definitely cost effective!
Good list. Far too many people let the government hold their money all year so they can get a return, when they could be saving or investing that money all along. And once-a-year expenses are really important to include in your budget as well as long-term big purchases like replacing an old car.
Making a costume for Halloween has always been a favorite part of the holiday. to highlights that I put together from scratch were Jemima from the show "Cats" (where I had to cut and style a wizard wig into a Cats' style wig, with an inventive use of acrylic paint to color the hair and hold the ear shapes), and Trini the Yellow Power Ranger a couple years ago.
This year I am trick or treating with my niece, who is the newest iteration of the Pink Power Ranger. I wish I still had the costume, but alas I will have to settle with the Yellow Ranger t-shirt my sister got me for Christmas a few years ago.
I have a group of 8-12 friends that go to dinner 3-4 times a year and we ALWAYS play this game. It's fun and the only thing that we do is if you were the one the paid last time you don't have to throw you card in this time.
My favorite DIY Halloween costume was Mary Poppins when I was a kid.