Recent comments

  • 5 Great Choices for Free Online Data Storage   13 years 39 weeks ago

    I sure wish these reviews (and all articles) had dates on them.

  • How to Host an Awesome Frugal Movie Night   13 years 39 weeks ago

    Excellent recipe, Barbara! Can't wait to try it - maybe tonight if we get rained in. :)

  • Best Money Tips: How to Save Energy This Summer   13 years 39 weeks ago

    You're welcome, SB, and thank YOU for the great post!

  • How to Answer 23 of the Most Common Interview Questions   13 years 39 weeks ago

    Thanks for the awesome tips on interview questions. I am currently searching for a job and this has really helped.

  • Running the Numbers: Living on One Salary   13 years 39 weeks ago

    My wife and I are hoping to be fortunate enough to make this a lifestyle choice in the near future. We've started downsizing by canceling our satellite service and one smartphone line. The second car just might be the next thing to go and we just recently started checking the local paper for side jobs. This post lays out exactly what we are trying to do to prepare for living on a single salary. Great information.

  • The Comprehensive Guide to Changing Your Name After Marriage   13 years 39 weeks ago

    I'm getting married in less than two months, and I just can't fathom the concept of changing my name. I've been who I am for nearly 41 years, and I am the same person in marriage. It feels so archaic and punitive to be stripped of your name upon marriage, like women who were forced to leave their families and become part of their husband's family upon marriage.

    When my future husband and I were first dating, he assumed I'd take his name upon marriage. I told him no early on - one, because I love my name, and two, because he's been married before so there's already been a Mrs. _____. His sister also shares my first name, so if I changed my last name to his, we'd have identical names. (Sharing first is confusing enough.)

    When he became slightly indignant, saying that if we were going to be a family, we ought to have the same last name, I simply suggested that he change his last name to mine. He was flummoxed. Mine is, without doubt, a "better" last name - it's more melodic, easier to spell, and it goes better with his first name. He also likes my family more than his own family of origin. We both agreed that, if we were to share a last name, mine would be a better choice.

    In the end, though, he just couldn't fathom changing his own name, either. He's been known by that name for 40 years, too. And that made him suddenly understand how shockingly presumptuous he had been in assuming that I'd naturally just abandon my own name without question.

  • 5 Ways to Earn Cashback Rewards Without Extra Spending   13 years 39 weeks ago

    "The first place most consumers go wrong when it comes to earning rewards is assuming they need to somehow start spending more money."

    - Well in my case i did the same thing in the beginning, now i'm a little bit better in organizing and checking my warranty in case we pass our credit limits.

  • Ask the Readers: How Do You Get Rid of Your Unwanted Stuff?   13 years 39 weeks ago

    I donate it or sell it on ebay.

  • Best Money Tips: How to Save Energy This Summer   13 years 39 weeks ago

    Thanks for mentioning my post!

  • Want Free HBO or Showtime? Just Ask.   13 years 39 weeks ago

    I Wish HBO would make a classic HBO that shows all the 80's stuff on it like movies shows and cartoons and even the HBO 80's theme song on it the space HBO i loved that HBO they have that hbo 80's theme song on youtube just saying

  • How to Travel Full-Time for $17,000 a Year (or Less!)   13 years 39 weeks ago

    Obviously what is 'cheap' differs from person to person, but I also think the $17,000 seems very high. I've spent well under $10,000 (probably closer to $5000) over the past year of traveling and I paid for my own accommodation (hotels and guest houses--mostly private rooms) every single night and I paid for all my transportation costs as well.

    That being said, the author did mention some major purchases, so I think that's probably why the figure seems so high to many of us. And of course, it depends on the region traveled. A lengthy amount of time in Europe or N. America will drive up costs quickly.

  • Ask the Readers: How Do You Get Rid of Your Unwanted Stuff?   13 years 39 weeks ago

    I usually donate it or give it away. Over the years many people have kindly helped us. I feel it is only proper to pass it on.

    Christine

  • Home Exchanges: Free Accommodations With Perks   13 years 39 weeks ago

    I love that the word about home exchange is getting out there! We are on our 6th ever exchange at the moment, a beautiful riverside place with hot tub in Oregon. We are on a huge home exchanging adventure where we will be doing back to back exchanges all round the world for the next 9 months. Phew- its a lot of logistics but so worth it, we've had some wonderful experiences already that we just wouldn't have had if we had stayed home or in hotels. It's amazing how quickly you feel like you are at home even when the life you have stepped into is million miles from the one you left behind. Loved the post!
    Hannah

  • How to Host an Awesome Frugal Movie Night   13 years 39 weeks ago

    Thanks for including a link to the Vootbeer; I do a cocktail every Friday but that little buggar has been hugely popular. Simple and just fun...it would absolutely be great for a movie in!

  • Ask the Readers: How Do You Get Rid of Your Unwanted Stuff?   13 years 39 weeks ago

    I have a uncertain life; I [sometimes] spend large and/or frequent amount of time(s) in hospitals as a inpatient. So, I lately I've worked seasonal jobs. I spit things up between salvation army, good will, and plato's closet. Salvation army gives me a ticket for tax deductions so I either don't have to pay alot or I recieve a little more money. (Every penny counts) Good will either gives you a tax ticket or 10-35% percent off store purchases; I mostly get replacement kitchen and clothes items. Plato's closet helps me swap clothes that I've never wore (due to my change in size due to illness). A lot of the times I can even get the charity organizations to pick up the clothes. I can clear my stuff and give to charity the best way I can.

  • 5 Myths About Car Insurance   13 years 39 weeks ago

    As for #3... if you have a certain type of comprehensive coverage, your insurance policy actually WILL cover stolen items from your vehicle.

  • How to Get Cheap Auto Insurance for Young Drivers   13 years 39 weeks ago

    I'm not a big fan of doing this, but if you REALLY want to get cheap insurance for your young driver, equip him/her with only liability insurance. Usually, that is the only type of insurance that is required by law. By skimping out on the other coverage, you will save on your overall premium. Sure, it's a bigger risk, but you will definitely save money if there is no accident.

  • Ask the Readers: How Do You Get Rid of Your Unwanted Stuff?   13 years 39 weeks ago

    Find forums relating to enthusiasts of the gear you're trying to sell. For example, DVXuser has a great used gear forum for audio/video production.

    eBay also has a free classifieds section which is not as popular as craigslist but is another alternative.

    If you're just trying to get rid of stuff that isn't garbage, I always try to donate it to a good cause. Our local fire station as a thrift store it uses to raise money. Very cool.

  • How to Host an Awesome Frugal Movie Night   13 years 39 weeks ago

    Also maybe check your local library--mine has tons of dvd's you can rent for a week at a time for free.

  • Ask the Readers: How Do You Get Rid of Your Unwanted Stuff?   13 years 39 weeks ago

    I've donated, sold on Craigslist, sold on Amazon, and just plain thrown away. It varies.

  • 4 Cheap and Easy Homemade Mosquito Repellents   13 years 39 weeks ago

    The above commentor could not be more incorrect. Bulk vanilla from out of country is not always imitation just because it is cheaper. Yes in the states the real deal is expensive and in small bottles but real pure vanilla can be purchased from other countries at great prices and yes it is dark in color. The pure vanilla also does NOT attract mosquitoes as claimed but repels them. The only problem in using vanilla is that it is only good for 30-45 minutes and must be re-applied. As an alternative to DEET however it's great, especially if you won't be out long or don't mind spraying yourself down every hour or so.

  • Join Our Tweetchat on Thu 7/19, 12pm Pacific for a Chance to Win Prizes   13 years 39 weeks ago

    Thanks so much for the party!!

  • How to Host an Awesome Frugal Movie Night   13 years 39 weeks ago

    Thanks for the response - I personally wasn't offended because I don't actually fit that demographic. I realize you didn't say anything about bon bon's (which is why I put it in parenthesis) I just thought it sounded like a dig to put midwestern women and pinning junk food all day in the same sentence. I appreciate you posting link - it's interesting - I'd love to see what the demos are like including the past six months.

    We started having regular movie nights with another couple. Every other week we host and prepare dinner and pick the movie (we choose random movies that the others may not have seen or remember and rate them).

  • Help From a Former Pack Rat: Getting Rid of Stuff   13 years 39 weeks ago

    Ha! No way. At some point in middle school, I decided that I wanted to keep everything I ever "created." While I was home, I threw out two giant bins filled with sketchpads featuring bad drawings of "fashions," made-up comic book characters, and portraits of Scully and Mulder.

  • Help From a Former Pack Rat: Getting Rid of Stuff   13 years 39 weeks ago

    Yes! Great point. At the beginning of the trip, my mom asked me, "Do we have anything you might want?" (They're getting rid of a lot of stuff too.) I took a few minutes to think about it, but the answer was pretty simple: If I've gotten along fine without stuff that's at my parents' house, I definitely don't need it.