Recent comments

  • 25 Things to Throw Out Today   12 years 48 weeks ago

    If you are moving, it is kind to make a notebook, or at least a large manila envelope, with various specifics about your house. As for paint color, who would ever know that it is behind a switch-plate? Or which one? Besides, my house was custom decorated and some of the colors had 12 - 15 numbers in the particular hues and would never fit behind a switch-plate. These notebooks are helpful to both husbands and wives.

    You can add information about burglar alarms, furnaces, pool maintenance, septic tank inspectors, garden plants by area, drain systems, water pumps, and other specific areas of your home that will be so helpful to the folks moving in. I have been given two notebooks in houses I have moved into and they were so helpful that I made sure I kept them up for the new owners when we sold. It is a kind gesture and helps folks who don't have to "start from scratch" on figuring out how to do repairs and check-ups.

  • 6 Financial Mistakes We Don't Make Anymore (and 2 We Still Do)   12 years 48 weeks ago

    I stopped borrowing money in 2009. Now I am debt free except the house. We pay for items with cash or debit card. Since we don't have credit cards or car loans, our money is freed up to save more for purchases and invest more (15% of income). Our net worth has more than doubled since 2009.

  • Wardrobe Staples Every Man Should Own   12 years 48 weeks ago

    If you prefer T-shirts to polo shirts, only wear a solid color. I don't need to know what beer you drink or your favorite band.

  • Ask the Readers: How Do You Save on Gas?   12 years 48 weeks ago

    A few things,

    1. Proper tire pressure
    2. Proper maintenence and oil type - too thick of oil makes the motor work harder to rotate!
    3. A/C on the highway (reduces drag with the windows shut)
    4. Cruise control as much as possible
    5. Weight reduction - don't keep "stuff" in the trunk and car that weigh it down.

    6. This one's a little harder - drive 5mph under the speed limit on the highway. Frustrating, but you get a good deal better mpg!
    7. Brake sooner and accelerate softer!

  • Ask the Readers: How Do You Save on Gas?   12 years 48 weeks ago

    I don't speed and don't do jack-rabbit starts

  • Ask the Readers: How Do You Save on Gas?   12 years 48 weeks ago

    I carpool with my husband to save money on gas. And we drive our smaller car on road trips instead of the Jeep.

  • Ask the Readers: How Do You Save on Gas?   12 years 48 weeks ago

    I buy a fifty dollar unlimited transport pass for the month and use only that to get to work, outings with friends or even errands. When we go out of the city we use a ride share website like www.covoiturage.fr to get a ride to our destination or to share the gas cost with some passengers. This can also be a great way to make new friends! We end up using our car about once or twice a month and with the money we save we can fund road trips about every three or four months.

  • Ask the Readers: How Do You Save on Gas?   12 years 48 weeks ago

    I save on gas in several ways. I drive a hybrid Prius. I gas up in the early morning when the temperature is cooler. I speed up when I'm going down a hill and cruise up hills. I make sure my tires are fully inflated and my air filter is clean. I have an app that tells me which local gas station has the cheapest gas. I chose to live within close proximity of work, the grocery store, and major highways. I do a lot of online shopping at Amazon (with free shipping) so that I do not have to drive to individual stores.
    I save on gas, but I tend to save money on everything in my life. Living frugally is a lifestyle.
    :)

  • Ask the Readers: How Do You Save on Gas?   12 years 48 weeks ago

    I let my sister do all the driving! We always take her car so therefor mine is setting in the drive! But I do offer her money and when I do drive I try to get everything in one trip!

  • It's Not Too Late to Save on Back-to-School Shopping   12 years 48 weeks ago

    Frugalinda LOVES the "shop at home" method! You are absolutely right -- there are so many pens, pencils, notepads, paper, etc. hiding around the house! I used to have my kids go on a scavenger hunt of sorts to find all the supplies on the list. Then, we'd take some clear plastic bins and do the sorting -- tossing the dried up markers & sharpening the pencils. If anyone has checked the price of three ring binders lately, it really does pay to reuse these, tossing the contents (saving the precious notes for the scrap book or keep sake box).

    I did find some good promotions this year at Staples --got a ream of paper for $1 after rebate, and a package of two Sharpies for just a quarter!

  • How to Avoid (and Treat) Cold Sores   12 years 48 weeks ago

    Hello,

    I moved over seas and can get VAltoval over the counter, I understand in most countries they don't prescribe this to just anyone. If you take one every day does it act as a preventative and has anyone had any side affects?

    Thank you for the article and any further advice you can give me.

  • Ask the Readers: How Do You Save on Gas?   12 years 48 weeks ago

    I save gas by not commuting any distance to a job. Most of my trips are short, and I ride the bus as often as I can. I also drive a fuel-efficient car.

  • Ask the Readers: How Do You Save on Gas?   12 years 48 weeks ago

    I try to plan my routes and errands so that I can save on gas and time.

  • Free and Cheap Things to Do in Seattle   12 years 48 weeks ago

    @Lizlovely I do not recommend munching on the stunning scenery.

  • Figuring the Size of Your Emergency Fund   12 years 48 weeks ago

    We currently have a small amount of debt but we get further into debt by not having a small amount saved for unexpected expenses like car repairs and such. In addition to using extra to make extra payments on our debt, we are saving alongside towards an emergency fund so that we won't continue going into debt every time something comes up.

  • How to Get Laid Off: A Step-By-Step Guide   12 years 48 weeks ago

    I was recently laid off earlier in the year after being with the company for 9 years. It took forever to get unemployment benefits due to a separation package. I sent countless resumes and went for interviews with no offers. I finally started getting unemployment and after 4 weeks or so, I got an offer. I accepted the offer even though it was for less pay. After 4 weeks of the 90 day probation, I find that the job is not what I expected and I am doing work that is bad for my health. I would like to search more for what I really want, but I do not want to quit. I'm not sure what to do.

  • Living Without Air-Conditioning Can Save Big Bucks This Summer   12 years 48 weeks ago

    Same here in Portland , Oregon, we don't usually have scorching days in summer. However, this year, we have a hotter than normal summer. Even it s too warm for my taste, I have found a way to keep my house cool without an air conditioner. I bought a window fan aside from the two ceiling fans I already own. The window fan really works wonder for me. I always keep every 2nd floor window open to let in the cool breeze during the night.

  • Ask the Readers: How Do You Save on Gas?   12 years 48 weeks ago

    I made the decision about two years ago to sell my car and I haven't looked back. I am lucky enough to live in a very walkable city (15 minute walk to work) with reliable enough public transportation to get to anything I need to get to within reason and is pretty biker friendly. I think walking everywhere has definitely helped both in my finances and my health so it has two benefits! I've debated something like a zipcar service but don't really think I would use it enough to make it worthwhile. I do find there are some consequences like increased grocery prices since I'm more reliant on the grocery stores in my area rather than some of the cheaper chains on the outskirts of the city but it's nothing in comparison to what gas (and parking, insurance, maintenance) would be.

    I have an app on my phone that gives me all the schedules for the public transportation in my city.

  • How much do I need to retire? How much can I spend?   12 years 48 weeks ago

    Every retiree has his own savings that they need to turn into a source of income. And annuity is designed exactly to do so. That’s why there is a logical appeal to annuity. While choosing an annuity product I think Joint Life annuity can be a better selection. Though this type of annuity may offer you lesser interest rate than other products but it will enhance your probability of utilizing all of your investment.

  • 10 DIY Dog Toys You Can Make for Pennies   12 years 48 weeks ago

    If it hot just get a large pot put a variety of treats toys and balls freeze for around a day and hay presto your dog will have hours of fun,i find it best when you are out but BEWARE not great if you leave it inside or you will arrive home with a rather LARGE puddle!
    ENJOY

  • Investment Advice You Should Never Hear From Your Financial Advisor   12 years 48 weeks ago

    I especially agree with #4. There are just no guarantees or one size fits all solutions!

  • Ask the Readers: How Do You Save on Gas?   12 years 48 weeks ago

    I try to combine my errands to save on gas and use lowes gas rewards and get the cheapest gas

  • Ask the Readers: How Do You Save on Gas?   12 years 48 weeks ago

    Use the grocery gas points from Safeway or QFC (aka Kroger) when possible

  • Food Safety Reminder: Rinsing the Bird Is Bad for Your Health   12 years 48 weeks ago

    The Idea Of rinsing Poultry before Cooking is something That has Never seemed important to me before.
    The only time I would do it is if the chicken was Bloody
    otherwise I would just season it and cook it!

  • Ask the Readers: How Do You Save on Gas?   12 years 48 weeks ago

    I don't drive like a crazy person and when I get around 1/2 a tank I start keeping an eye out for "cheap" gas prices and fill up if I am driving by.