Recent comments

  • Your Money Problems: Why They're All Your Fault   13 years 42 weeks ago

    Hi Tara,

    What a well thought out post - I couldn't agree more with the title!
    Almost everyone that I know (who complains about not having enough money) doesn't actually realize that they are their own worst enemy.

    Many of them have so many of life's little luxuries, but fail to see the cost of continuing that standard of living. The biggest problem is that they have now become so accustomed to having the latest version of iPhone or going to every music festival that features each week that it’s hard to go back.

    I find that the only way of assisting people with money management is to help them see exactly how much "spending leakage" is occurring throughout their day to day lives. I do this by recommending to them that they track their spending habits for at least 2-3 months.

    Provided the person is regimented in the recording of all their expenses I simply export this data into a spreadsheet and graph where all their money goes. From there it’s all about priorities. If they want to continue living week to week, pay packet to pay packet then there is little I can do for them.

    Normally most people see the error of their ways and are able to reduce their overall spending by at least 5-10% without heavily impacting on their lifestyle.

    When it comes to money problems, the primary factor is that people do not realize just how many "little things" they are purchasing and exactly how much money it all adds up to. The minute you start tracking your expenses, it becomes a lot easier to help someone start identifying where they can save money.

    I look forward to reading more of your posts.

  • Curing Warts, Removing Splinters, and 19 Other Bizarre Uses for Banana Peels   13 years 42 weeks ago

    hi Really sorry about your condition. Try this. Get some grey duct tape and cover the warts.Leave for about two weeks and you will find the warts will be lifting from the skin. It appears that something in the adhesive causes the body to react at the patch and in the process afects the wart. I understand it was discovered by the US army somewhere. It certainly worked on a big wart on my hand and amazingly caused a veruca on the sole of my foot to disappear at the same time without a patch on the veruca. I think the causes of warts and veruca are similar so the body must have reacted to both invaders

  • Curing Warts, Removing Splinters, and 19 Other Bizarre Uses for Banana Peels   13 years 42 weeks ago

    whilst trekking in Nepal, I observed porters using bannana peel as socks in their boots

  • Financial Math Basics You Need to Know   13 years 42 weeks ago

    These are basic formulas that anyone looking to build a substantial net worth should understand inside out. Unfortunately, the only time you actually learn them is if you were a finance or economics major or if you took the time to learn about personal finance yourself. Isn't it amazing how they don't teach basic money management in high school or college?

  • 25 Ways to Make Money Today   13 years 43 weeks ago

    These are great suggestions, but I'd go one step further in saying you can pretty much do anything you're interested in and make a little money at it. All it takes is a bit of passion and a way to create value for someone else.

    I like to tinker around with different things. I make lamps out of old cups and teapots, as well as aprons out of old shirts. I can find these things at the thrift store for cheap (or sometimes free), then make them into something else and sell them at a great profit. I make 30 bucks here or 50 bucks there. It's not a get rich quick scheme, but it does make some cash.

  • The Best Places to Get Coupons Online   13 years 43 weeks ago

    Another great place for Online Coupons is MoneysaverMag.com they have hundreds of local coupons for dining, home, service and more.

  • 5 Ways to Make Yourself Accountable   13 years 43 weeks ago

    I have been successful with my weight loss program by writing my weight everyday on my bathroom mirror in dry erase marker, for me and everyone else in my family to see. I am lucky enough to have a large "canvas" so I plan to write other goals there when I achieve my goal weight :)

    I have decided to live more mindfully, so I will be writing my financial goals there or on my vision board, someplace that I spend time Every Day.

  • Ask the Readers: Do You Honestly Follow a Budget? (Chance to win $20)   13 years 43 weeks ago

    I have used a budget in the past, but lost my grip when our money situation improved. Guess what? Now we're back to square one... living paycheck to paycheck again. To help me get on track and stay there, I started a tumlbr blog. My latest update on budgeting is here http://financialtoddler.tumblr.com/post/31217827895/isgolfinthebudget

    Starting Friday, we will be doing the old school money envelopes. For us, there is no other way.

  • Remove Car Dents Quickly and Cheaply   13 years 43 weeks ago

    These are great ideas and did work for me to some extent but NOT to what we might expect. Those tiny sharp dents does not pop out due "Physics" limitations as explained by some. HOWEVER, WORDS OF CAUTION USING A LIGHTER FOR HEATING!!!! NEVER OVER HEAT AS THE AIRDUSTER FLUID WILL IGNITE!!! It flared up and it scare the !@#$ out of me. I was thankful it did not explode on my face! I tried heating the dent as described but slightly over a minute because the sharp dent was not popping or fixing and the "spirit of experimentiing".

    A two-cent suggestion to the administrator of is popular thread, you might want to post a warning with the "Lighter" suggestion before somebody gets hurt or worst...

    Thanks for the posting and thread neverthelss.

    John

  • Ask the Readers: Have You Ever Attended a Business Conference?   13 years 43 weeks ago

    Oh my yes, I've attended a number of business conferences! Some have been specific to an industry I was in at the time and I truly enjoyed catching up and hanging with my peers in that business. Other conferences were for general motivation or information for business-building. I enjoyed the content and often the "call to action" or challenges given at those conferences.

    Finally, some of the conferences I attended were simply mandated by a supervisor and my favorite part of those were usually the food!

  • The 7 Rules of Budget Travel   13 years 43 weeks ago

    I think its a great idea to chat up with locals, if language isn't a bar. Even if it is- they are likely to help out compared to a Frommers etc

  • How to Erase Your Medical Debt   13 years 43 weeks ago

    I'm a 34yr old man cannot work because of an injury i have no insurance and no income where can i get assistance

  • What Americans Can Learn From How the Rest of the World Saves Energy   13 years 43 weeks ago

    You are right

    I think Americans have started learning about the use of water tanks

    I believe time has come to save rain water & other natural resources

    http://amprotec.net/

  • Frugal Changes You Don't Want to Make — But Can   13 years 43 weeks ago

    As a 40 something, skipping the coloring of my hair is not an option for me. Way too much grey! I went from highlighting to an all-over color plus highlighting. I even added some wispy bangs to my hairstyle. While my hair costs have increased, Botox would be more expensive. I had it done once for my 11's, and it cost over $600. EEK!

    I cut down on shopping costs by buying a lot of my clothes on ebay. Much cheaper that way.

  • 15 Wonderful Uses for Witch Hazel   13 years 43 weeks ago

    That deodorant recipe looks like a lot to buy, how much would it make? That being said, I love Thayer's (alcohol-free) Rose Petal Witch Hazel Toner!

  • 21 Teeny-Tiny Ways to Save   13 years 43 weeks ago

    I get magazine for free by occasionally doing a survey on my lunch break. You can sign up at e-rewards.com. Got Martha Stewart and Atlantic Monthly, and almost a free night in Hilton points!

  • 10 Tips for Landing the Perfect House-Sitting Gig   13 years 43 weeks ago

    Hi Liz – You have some valuable advice here. I have a bit of experience house sitting and the hardest part was starting up without any references. First up I used my employment references, police clearance is very valuable and any personal references you have.

    I listed my skills and experience upfront and I didn't wait to be contacted, I was one of the first to apply for anything and went to see the person (if possible) as soon as possible. I also used Skype as a way of communicating with people I couldn't visit if they were too far away.

    Love the experience and you always learn something new and see different places. As an older person, it is the perfect way to travel on a small income.

  • 30 Signs That You Were Raised by Frugal Parents   13 years 43 weeks ago

    I come in at around 80% of these! Fun to read.

    In addition to the hidden stash of gift wrap, I have an entire section of the garage filled with bubble wrap. I can't bring myself to throw the stuff away. It gets reused, and if the pile gets too big, I donate it to a local gift shop, who are thrilled to receive it.

  • Big List of Things to be Happy About   13 years 43 weeks ago

    The sound of an ice cream truck? Haha! That sound makes me want to move out to a nicely silent cabin in the middle of the woods! Rest of the list is nice, though. :-)

  • 4 Inexpensive Breakfasts in Under Five Minutes   13 years 43 weeks ago

    Came across your post when I was looking for quick and cheap breakfast ideas. We just tried the breakfast casserole this morning. My husband likes spicy so I put hot breakfast sausage in and diced jalapeños instead of the chili's. It was a winner!! He wants this many times more. Thank you

  • How to Sell Your Hair for Cash   13 years 43 weeks ago

    Well i wonder how much i could get. Im '5'4 and my hair goes to the middle of my calf. I canr donate it cause i need the cash. Hmmm anyone know how much id get?

  • Feeling Stuck? 100 Ways to Change Your Life   13 years 43 weeks ago

    That's a great idea and can really get the juices flowing...

    after you have your list there's a couple things you need to do to make it happen. check out my latest blog post at http://www.matthewinsardi.com/the-ultimate-success-formula/

  • 9 Costly Things New Homeowners Don't Prepare For   13 years 43 weeks ago

    There is a lot to think about and prepare for when buyng your first home. This article may be a little dramatic. I discuss the basics of buying your first home in my new eBook, Home In 10 Steps. You can see more on my blog - www.go2mortgageguy.com

    Happy Reading!

  • 30 Signs That You Were Raised by Frugal Parents   13 years 43 weeks ago

    Absolutely! My teens told me they also do this out with friends, to stretch their allowance a lot further.

  • 3 Reasons Not to Save for Your Child's College Fund   13 years 43 weeks ago

    Yes, censorship is a fantastic idea. We should always prevent differing ideas from being voiced.