Recent comments

  • 16 Ways to Kick-Start Frugality   13 years 1 week ago

    I recently sold my car after committing to working from home and started using public on a regular basis. Overall, I am very happy with my decision. I don't have to pay for gas, car insurance or any costly fixes that my car would have cost. Also, I am saving for some decent wheels :)

  • Ask the Readers: What Are Your Green Goals?   13 years 1 week ago

    My green goal is to use reusable grocery bags all the time

  • How to Break Bad Habits   13 years 1 week ago

    I had an issue biting my nails for a very long time. My girlfriend basically told me that if I stopped, i would be handsomely rewarded. It took some time but the positive encouragement and my willpower got me through! I have been nail biting free for 3 months!

  • Ask the Readers: What Are Your Green Goals?   13 years 1 week ago

    we currently use cloth diapers for our 10 week old and love it. the next step may be using cloth wipes. we of course already feel like we do a lot of laundry but seeing as the wipes can be washed with the diapers, it shouldn't be too much of a transition and will cut down not only on garbage waste but also should save a little money.

  • Ask the Readers: What Are Your Green Goals?   13 years 1 week ago

    I have green "dreams" more than green goals. I would love to add some solar panels, but I have two obstacles. First, the cost, though I think there are lease arrangements that could address this. Second, lack of commitment from my husband. At our age (over 60), the horizon for return on investment is too far out so he opposes the project. But for an achievable goal, I'm replacing CFL with LED lights one at a time.

  • Ask the Readers: What Are Your Green Goals?   13 years 1 week ago

    To drive less to close destinations. We live in the suburbs, but Walgreens/CVS and others are about 1 mile away, so instead of jumping into the car to run errands to these places I am going to try to walk more, especially since the nicer weather is coming around.

  • Ask the Readers: What Are Your Green Goals?   13 years 1 week ago

    I would like to get into vermicomposting. Just have to convince my wife to have worms around!

  • 47 Cheap, Fun Things to Do This Weekend   13 years 1 week ago

    yah, i am one.....

  • Ask the Readers: What Are Your Green Goals?   13 years 1 week ago

    Reduce my household waste (that goes to the landfill) by 50%

  • Ask the Readers: What Are Your Green Goals?   13 years 1 week ago

    My greenest goal is to become as self-sufficient as possible. Grow more, shop less, stop buying processed foods that generate packaging trash, not to mention the energy costs of production and shipping of these items that aren't very healthy. I want to start doing more edible landscaping so I know my family's food supply is healthy and organic. I want to find more affordable, environmentally friendly ways to heat and cool my home, do more reusing and recycling, and make my home as environmentally friendly as possible.

  • How to Break Bad Habits   13 years 1 week ago

    Forming a habit takes only a month--unfortunately, breaking one takes much longer!

    Cold-turkey works best for me, with any habit. It's too easy to cheat trying to gradually cut down on anything.

  • Ask the Readers: What Are Your Green Goals?   13 years 1 week ago

    I would like to do even more recycling than we do now. I would also love to find a way to reduce what we have in a responsible way, probably will end up giving a lot to a non-profit resale store. We try to throw away as little as possible, usually less than one trash bag a week for 4 of us. Recycling helps so much with that!

  • 16 Ways to Kick-Start Frugality   13 years 1 week ago

    You can also delay any non-emergency purchase for two weeks or a month, to see if you REALLY need it or just kinda want it.

  • 7 Ways to Make Money With Friends   13 years 1 week ago

    I also agree with Ree Klein, investing with friends impose a lot of risk that can potentially ruin friendship. I have this experience where I recommended my friend's business to another a client. It went well at first, but as we were about to cross the finish line, my friend screwed up which led to broken promises and mediocre results.

    After that incident, I am hesitant in referring a close friend again and acting as a middleman.

    My example may be an outlier but the bottom line is, dealing with a friend is very risky move.

  • Ask the Readers: What Are Your Green Goals?   13 years 1 week ago

    I'm working on insulating my house better! I know, not very exciting, but we'll see a big savings over time.

  • Ask the Readers: What Are Your Green Goals?   13 years 1 week ago

    I'd like to recycle more. The obstacle is that our town doesn't have recycling! In order to recycle items, we have to drive 30 minutes or more to another city to drop off at a recycling facility.

  • 16 Ways to Kick-Start Frugality   13 years 1 week ago

    Great advice! Also plan your meals ahead and know exactly what you are going to eat and how much. If you fix stew, know how many meals it will be consumed. Don't overbuy and don't over prepare. No more waste.

  • 20 Great Body Weight Exercises (and Why You Should Do Them)   13 years 1 week ago

    Great list.

    I've been using a few of these to strengthen my core and back. I've seen good results, but you need to be consistent. The plank is one of the best as it works more than your core and is a good fat burner. I try and do as these many in 20 minutes each day.

  • How to Get Paid to Take Online Surveys   13 years 1 week ago

    OMG Lynn this list of survey sites is amazing, I have to say that I have to join a few on your list. I thought I had joined all that I could already. Thank you.

  • 20 Recipe Substitutions That Save Money and Prevent Food Waste   13 years 1 week ago

    One question I had asked my fans a few months back is what they did with their pickle juice. We are frugal in our household and stick to a grocery budget every month the best we can so we hate to waste anything if we don't have to. One suggestion was to use if to make dressings and I have done that whenever I get a chance since I like lemon and lime based dressing. I add in a bit of pickle juice and it's perfect. Great post and tips! Mr.CBB

  • Money Resolutions: 6 Ways to Take Control in 2013   13 years 1 week ago

    Since we have paid off our home in December, it's all about saving cash. We still max out 401k, but we hope to save a bundle this year.

  • Frugal Ways to Update Your Wardrobe for Spring   13 years 1 week ago

    You can tailor pieces, like take the sleeves off a blouse for a change. Make capris out of slacks, or shorts out of pants. Every year I buy a half dozen standard tees from target and a new pair of sandals. This years sandals were a mistake, I bought five inch high heel sandals for $20 on line. I figure I need to wear them at least twenty times.

    Last year, I bought new shorts on clearance. I found them 90% off, so I bought eight.

    I tend to splatter a lot while cooking, so I need a lot of items.

  • 16 Best Baby Gifts on a Budget   13 years 1 week ago

    All the little things add up quickly. Second hand items help. I have found the most meaningful gifts are homemade blankets. I still treasure those.

  • How to Clean Your House in One Day   13 years 1 week ago

    I am on the verge of getting a housekeeper. Our home is large and never clean all at once. It is quite depressing to get most done, only to have it undone by family members...

  • 10 Easy Veggies to Plant This Spring   13 years 1 week ago

    Thanks, that's a great suggestion! I hadn't had very good luck with basil in the past but this year they seem to be doing well. As I mentioned, I have a notoriously black thumb and regularly forget to water my plants, so that's probably just my bad!