Recent comments

  • Last Minute Wrapping Paper: 5 Options   17 years 20 weeks ago

    I have sometimes saved nice boxes (e.g. shoe boxes) and painted them with craft acrylics for wrapping--and to scratch a craft itch. This is also something kids could do if you have some appropriate paints and a little lead time to let things dry. Cover anything you don't want to show and let dry. Then it is easy to go back over with dots, drips, curlicues, wreaths, flowers, etc.

  • Last Minute Wrapping Paper: 5 Options   17 years 20 weeks ago

    Don't forget the ever popular brown paper bag. Jazz it up with a red bow and pretty little gift card and no one will care that you didn't buy special paper just to throw away after a single use.

  • Why Treasury Bills Are Always a Worthwhile Investment   17 years 20 weeks ago

    I am thinking of investing money we are saving for future car, vacation and housing downpayments in this manner, rather than going through vanguard. How do you find the interest rate on the treasury dircet web site?

    Thanks,
    Ron

  • The Best and Worst Places to Stash Cash in Your Home   17 years 20 weeks ago

    LOL! That tampon box suggestion is sure to work!

    Recent case study from my house:

    "Honey, where is the floss?"
    "Under the cabinet."
    "...I can't find it."
    "Hang on."

    {{shuffle, nudge, rearrange}}

    "Here you go. The floss was right behind the tampon box which you refused to touch because you're a boy."
    "Wow! You're totally right!"

  • Last Minute Wrapping Paper: 5 Options   17 years 20 weeks ago

    I'll bet you'll have several people thanking their lucky stars they read this piece. It's really cool you've given people a way to not have to stand in line for wrapping paper today. Merry Christmas!

  • Why is Gasoline So Cheap? A Cost Comparison of 40 Common Household Liquids   17 years 20 weeks ago

    The oil companies want you to forget about alternative energy by temporarily lowering their prices, and force the those new alternative fuel companies out of business, thus we continue to be oil dependent. Keep on pressuring your political representatives to invest in clean energy and do what you can to live as green as possible by the choices you make. You can make a difference.
    http://www.oilwatchdog.org/articles/?storyId=23949

  • Taco Tuesday: The Inner Mechanics of Budgeting on Vacation   17 years 20 weeks ago

    Who can afford to go on vacations? The most I can manage is a change of scene to the public library; it's free and warm (or cool, seasonally). I've thought about seeing Hawaii but it was never important enough to become a priority for the several years it would take me to amass that much extra cash. But you know, there's a lot available in a public library.

  • Frugal Ways to Stay in Touch on the Road   17 years 20 weeks ago

    7 cents for a voip connection from China to US isn't really cheap. I only pay 1.8 cents per minute from my Onesuite.com voip account for calling US from China.

  • Goal Setting: Getting Out of Debt Once and For All   17 years 20 weeks ago

    My wife and I just finished an "emergency fund".

    Next year we are focusing on paying for our house and saving for retirement investing.

    But we are also going to take a little vacation and have some fun to celebrate being on our plan for almost two years.

    Thanks for the post.

  • Deal Fu: Inside the Culture of Obsessed Bargain Hunters, Part I   17 years 20 weeks ago

    @Lizzie: Then, I'd say that's just plain wasteful — not OBH. After all, like your brother said, it's *not* a bargain. More like Obsessive Buying Stuff That Clutters Up The House, or OBSTCUTH — not as catchy. ;)

    @Kirsten: That sounds like a great story in itself — or a user testimonial for SlickDeals.

    One thing I've spotted missing out there with deals sites are more which focus on professional segments of equipment, like pro audio gear. I'll catch starter guitars and the like on sale, but it's tough to find bargains on stuff that's MUCH higher-priced to begin with. Still, an elevated ceiling is no reason to avoid saving.

  • Book review: Farewell, My Subaru   17 years 20 weeks ago

    I read this a few weeks ago, just caught my eye at the library. Doug is an entertainig writer, and has a very hot topic. Awesome read!

  • When Tradition Meets Necessity: The Reintroduction of Soppin’ Bread   17 years 20 weeks ago

    Hi Linsey
    What a sweet story about your growing son! I grew up in the south on a diet of beans and cornbread. A roast was featured as SUNDAY lunch and Sunday suppers were often gravy from the roast over toasted bread with tomatoes run under the broiler. SO good!
    In many cultures, bread is used as individual "spoons" for the communal bowl of food.
    Loved this post and am looking forward to reading often!

  • How to Launder Money   17 years 20 weeks ago

    They are not laundering money, they are stealing money by tricking you into thinking that the check from princess mumbatwe is real and that you are really going to make some money, problem is your check is real and by the time you or the bank figures out whats going on they already have your money and you have to explain to the bank why you just cashed a fake check. I saw a great scam where someone sent them a fake macbook in return for their fake western union money orders, somehow they were able to get someone to film the guy picking up the package too... hilarious... I think it was called p-p-p-powerbook or something?

  • Make Your DVD Player Region-Free in Seconds   17 years 20 weeks ago

    1 user region code/hacks October 11, 2008 Post region code/hack comment
    Region code hack posted by bezzez, October 11 2008:
    I know this work because i just tried it. It also works on the newer JVC models e.g. the XV-N370B

    cheers

    1. OPEN TRAY (NO DISC DISPLAY ON PLAYER)
    2. PRESS 0 (ZERO) THREE TIMES ON REMOTE
    3. REGION MENU COMES UP ON TV SCREEN
    4. PRESS NUMBER ON REMOTE REPRESENTING WHAT REGION YOU WANT (NOTE: PRESS 0 FOR ALL REGIONS)
    5. PRESS ENTER ON REMOTE
    6. PRESS PAUSE BUTTON TO EXIT
    7. YOU DVD PLAYER IS NOW REGION FREE!

  • When Tradition Meets Necessity: The Reintroduction of Soppin’ Bread   17 years 20 weeks ago

    I don't understand...

    What's wrong with your kid licking his plate?

  • Free Food in Your Yard: Edible Weeds!   17 years 20 weeks ago

    Do you know a weed that looks like clover but is a slightly different colour. I found some whilst on a hillwalk and the person who was walking with me convinced me to try some. It tastes like apple and grows mostly in forests but I don't know the name of it, do you?

  • Deal Fu: Inside the Culture of Obsessed Bargain Hunters, Part I   17 years 20 weeks ago

    Finally a great post on the mother of all deal sites - Slickdeals! I've been an avid reader of the hot deals forum for years and have saved thousands (I wish I would have kept a spreadsheet!).

    I'm looking forward to reading the next chapter - and I'm sure many Wisebread readers will visit SD and never turn back - it's an addiction.

  • When Tradition Meets Necessity: The Reintroduction of Soppin’ Bread   17 years 20 weeks ago

    I have a good friend who is also Ethiopian. Last year was the first time I had eaten this kind of bread. It was very different in flavor at first, but it was a wonderful way to suck up all the juices from the sauce, and it was very filling. Thanks for bringing up this unique and tasty dish!

    Linsey Knerl

  • Deal Fu: Inside the Culture of Obsessed Bargain Hunters, Part I   17 years 20 weeks ago

    Personally, I think OBH is another way to spend money without feeling guilty.

    I'm always reminded of my brother's statement to his OBH: "It's still not a bargain if we don't need it."

    I think bargain hunting is great for something I have decided to buy. Unfortunately, I think most of it is used as an excuse to buy, at a lower cost.

  • When Tradition Meets Necessity: The Reintroduction of Soppin’ Bread   17 years 20 weeks ago

    Don't need to excuse oneself for eating all the food on one's plate. 'Nuff said.

    Nor excuse oneself for feeding kids bread, especially homemade.

  • FREE 18" Cultured Freshwater Pearl Necklace   17 years 20 weeks ago

    I just love that necklace, I actually have something similar to that and I'm interested to find the stylish men's necklace.

  • Book review: Farewell, My Subaru   17 years 20 weeks ago

    This was a helpful book review and I will have to keep it in mind if I decide to get. If you get a chance, there is a cool bring your own lunch calculator and blog over at http://www.fitandwealthyblog.com

    Ranny

  • Is the courtesy flush dead?   17 years 20 weeks ago

    Wow! None of this would be open to debate in Australia where we value water as a resource we have to take care of. I don't think any Australian has heard of a "courtesy flush". I would have thought that all of the saving water ideas would just go without saying - but judging by the comments here I'm totally wrong. Truly amazing!

  • When Tradition Meets Necessity: The Reintroduction of Soppin’ Bread   17 years 20 weeks ago

    What else would you do with all that gravy/sauce? Does that get thrown away? I know in some countries it's a sign of gratitude to "clean" the plate with the bread -- I didn't know it was also being rude or crude! Weird!

  • When Tradition Meets Necessity: The Reintroduction of Soppin’ Bread   17 years 20 weeks ago

    I went to an Ethiopian restaurant, and the meal was served on top of a big piece of injera, their pancake-like flat bread. All the sauces and juices soaked right into it. It's pre-sopped!