Recent comments

  • How to Make Moonshine   13 years 36 weeks ago

    You were so helpful. I love the easy idea with the upside down pan lid. It'll probably get contaminated with some extra water but, hell, its worth a try.

  • Savings Rates Below Inflation? Save Anyway   13 years 37 weeks ago

    You want the main chunk of your emergency fund money to be extremely accessible. But there's a lot of room in between the complete liquidity that you want for your emergency fund and any sort of very long-term investment. Sometimes it makes sense to have some only moderately liquid money for a very bad or very long-lasting emergency, and a Roth IRA can be a good choice for those funds.

    I wrote a post a while ago that touched on a particular—rather extreme—version of that idea:

    http://www.wisebread.com/a-second-emergency-fund-you-never-spend

    It drew an excellent comment thread. Well worth reading the whole thing.

  • Where to Buy Discounted Designer Clothing Online   13 years 37 weeks ago

    I would also put idcshop.com.au on the list too... I have been shopping at the store on Oxford Street for years and now they have finally launched their online store.
    They are a designer clearance store.

  • 254 Uses for Vinegar. And Counting.   13 years 37 weeks ago

    Chiggers ( also called no see ums in some parts of the country) are tiny bugs that use their saliva to dissolve the skin making it liquid like so they can suck it up. The chiggers are usually found in the underbrush, wild bushes and flowers in some parts of the United States like the upper mid west area. They are tiny fragile creatures that are smaller than your freckles. They like to live in vast colonies and crawl onto the skin in very large groups, and because they are so tiny, they do not have the teeth to bite a person or animal, but they do have very potent saliva. As soon as you swipe at your skin, the chiggers are swept away. The itching and redness in your skin is the result of the saliva still trying to dissolve the tissue. Adding vinegar to water and soaking the affected area of skin will help to alleviate the itching and just like a mosquito bite, the itching will return the next day. Using the vinegar/water solution for several days will help to clear up the area and reduce the itching.

  • Savings Rates Below Inflation? Save Anyway   13 years 37 weeks ago

    I don't plan on ever doing it, but I read some interesting articles about Roth IRAs and being able to take your initial investment money out very liquidly - as long as you don't take out any of the return.

    I considered using a Roth for my Emergency fund but anything that will get you any return will also put your funds at risk. So most of my savings will continue to sit in a 0.72% money market shrinking away. I'm surprised no bank can compete and find a way to offer me more than that. Then again I just refi'd a house for 30 years at 4% (thats a deal I'd never make even my best friend)

  • Ask the Readers: Should College Students Have a Credit Card?   13 years 37 weeks ago

    I think so. They need to start building credit somehow.

  • Join Our Tweetchat on Thu 8/30, 12pm Pacific for a Chance to Win Prizes   13 years 37 weeks ago

    Thanks for the fun Tweetchat! It was my first one :)

  • 15 Cheap Things to Do Before the Summer Is Gone   13 years 37 weeks ago

    Have that garage sale! It was too hot most of the summer. Nows the time before people stop going!

  • 15 Cheap Things to Do Before the Summer Is Gone   13 years 37 weeks ago

    Expanding on #5....We LOVE to go tubing down a river! I'll drive 3-4 hours just to check out a new river that we haven't tried. Just bring your picnic lunch/snacks and enjoy.
    Cost: Gas to get to the site, & any food/drinks.
    Priceless: The feeling you have floating down the river with a cold drink in one hand & fresh fried chicken in the other, watching the world drift by.

  • Trader Joes vs. Costco: What's a Better Place to Shop?   13 years 37 weeks ago

    Unfortunately I have neither close to my home. I actually drive an hour to Trader Joe's.
    I love that store and all they offer! Great comparison, thanks!

  • Is it worth paying more for faster shipping?   13 years 37 weeks ago

    Wrong! My dogs wireless fence that we borrowed from a friend had to go back unexpectedly because he got a new unexpected dog. I had to get another fence fast and found a phenomanal deal on amazon.Saved me 250.00 . Couldn't have bought one otherwise.Paid expedited shipping to keep my dog in the yard. Got it in 3 days which may have taken 5 or more who knows? Usually can wait on regular usps service but here is one time I needed it quick.Thanks for your comment but I guess it depends on the circumstances.

  • Feeling Stuck? 100 Ways to Change Your Life   13 years 37 weeks ago

    I think your heart knows what you want in life. I tried making a list many times, but it didn't work until I sold everything and with only a backpack took off to Asia for a year. After about 3 months I began to let go of stress, sleep through the night and start to love life again. It opened up my mind and I sat down one day and wrote my list. I moved back to the US a new person. Now everyday is spent pursuing the things I love. I even created a business around adventure and having fun, inspired by my journey. Good luck everyone : )

  • Ask the Readers: Should College Students Have a Credit Card?   13 years 37 weeks ago

    Liked and commented on Facebook!

  • Inside the Shady World of Cheap iTunes Gift Cards   13 years 37 weeks ago

    The reason you can't get the actual card is because it doesn't exist. It's a program (most likely self made) that generates iTunes serials. That's why they sell em so cheep. 15$ for 100$ that goes fast on the market. And there making 15$.

  • 15 Cheap Things to Do Before the Summer Is Gone   13 years 37 weeks ago

    Great ideas! I love fall as well, but it's a good idea to soak up summer while you can. These are great inexpensive ways to do it :)

  • Best Money Tips: Things to Do Before You Retire   13 years 37 weeks ago

    Thanks so much for the mention!

  • 7 Steps to Improving Your Critical Thinking   13 years 37 weeks ago

    Hi Tara,

    First of all great thanks for your informative and useful (specially for me) blog post. After long time I am reading different blog post from my professional field (Forex trading). I am a forex trader and due to this my maximum time spend in either trading or reading forex, finance, business articles or blog posts. So, "That’s pretty overwhelming on its own" is real true for me as well.

    I read your all 7 points and found that I am working on only "Do Your Research" and "Don’t Assume You’re Right" while rest points are missing. I need to work on those as well. I hope, it will change something.

    You can catch me at: http://www.pipstoday.com/

    Thanks
    Michal

  • The Benefits of Apprenticeships   13 years 37 weeks ago

    The engineering firm I work for really should institute apprenticeships. We keep poaching from the other firm in the industry because no one outside knows our industry. They do the same. The result is that we're both understaffed. It's long past time to train some people.

  • Ask the Readers: Should College Students Have a Credit Card?   13 years 37 weeks ago

    I think it's dependent on the child. If my oldest son had a credit card he would be in big trouble, yet my daughter on the other hand...total tightwad, (I'm so proud!).

  • Repair the Car or Spend the Cash?   13 years 37 weeks ago

    It all depends on the kind of damage caused, if they are a little too much we can file a case or else can get it repaired if there is nothing serious.

  • Ask the Readers: Should College Students Have a Credit Card?   13 years 37 weeks ago

    I like you on Facebook (Elena Istomina)

  • Ask the Readers: Should College Students Have a Credit Card?   13 years 37 weeks ago

    I don't think college students need to be in debt that early. Prepaid cards or cash will work fine.

  • 12 Side Jobs for Stay-at-Home Moms and Dads   13 years 37 weeks ago

    I have stayed at home for five years and finally found a legitimate home-based career. I am a consultant for Usborne Books & More and absolutely love it! There is no pressure to meet a quota and I can build my business as big as I want. This is also perfect for me being a homeschool mom, because I have access to some awesome books. Usborne encourages and helps you meet your personal goals, whatever they may be! Check it out: www.giftofusborne.com/Join

  • Homemade Deodorant: Is It Worth It?   13 years 37 weeks ago

    Frugalcat, I admire your ability to get a great deal! As I mentioned in the post, there were several reasons to try making my own. In all honesty, the nice fragrance is my favorite part about it.

    My daughter pointed out that I didn't address the question of underarm clothes staining. This has not been a problem, thus far! I am really pleased because I, too, was worried about the coconut oil.

    Thanks for the comment!

  • Tasty, Healthy Breakfast Cookies With Chocolate-Covered Espresso Beans   13 years 37 weeks ago

    Made these tonight and they were delicious! I used old fashioned oats because that is what I had and let it sit for a bit. I also added shredded zucchini because I have boat loads of it in my garden right now. YUM! Thanks!