Recent comments

  • 50+ Ways to Save Water   13 years 2 weeks ago

    I know someone who advises storing water in mason jars in case of emergency. This, is a great idea. The water will stay fresh, free of contaminants, and the process looks pretty straightforward.

    So while it's a good idea to save water (not use as much), it's also a great idea to actually SAVE water in case of an emergency.

    Thanks for the article!

  • 8 Vile Craigslist Scams to Watch Out For   13 years 2 weeks ago

    Because of these scams, I've largely decided to stay away from Craigslist. I know people personally who have been scammed and almost lost a lot of money.

    If you are going to use Craigslist, follow the writer's advice and bring your friends for backup.

    Thanks for the article!

  • Ask the Readers: What Is Your Dream Retirement?   13 years 2 weeks ago

    Why retire? People are most satisfied when they're doing meaningful work.

    I don't consider it retirement but I am planning to trade my house in for a sailboat in the next few years. But I'll still be working from the boat.

  • Frugal Factors: What Traits Do Most Savers Share?   13 years 2 weeks ago

    I think the title of this article is interesting... I am a frugal spender, if that makes sense. I love to shop (for bargains, now) and can spend a pile of money amazingly quickly if I don't check myself. Frugality hasn't come naturally or instinctively to me, but over the years I have become convinced that debt is incredibly destructive and consumerism won't make me happy in the long run. I have been reforming, and see more and more the wisdom in being frugal and telling my money where to go rather than letting it control me. I am getting better and better at telling myself no when I want some thing that I don't need or that doesn't line up with the lifestyle I want to lead for the next 50 years. Yet part of me does wonder if I will ever truly be a saver, and the struggle will ease up eventually, or if I will always be a "spender under control". Thoughts, anyone?

  • 6 Compact Airplane Snacks for Frequent Fliers   13 years 2 weeks ago

    We bring cheese strings and breakfast/nut mixes with us.
    Try the small 2 oz tubs of jiff peanut butter to dip your powerbar or crackers in. These are a life saver when your flight is delayed.
    Camping supply stores (and even stores like Walmart) carry instant meals that mix with water in a cup....scrambled eggs with bacon, sweet/sour chicken, & beef stroganoff will taste GREAT when you are hungery.

  • Ask the Readers: What Is Your Dream Retirement?   13 years 2 weeks ago

    My dream retirement consists of simple pleasures and the time to enjoy them. I hope to have a cozy little home, a garden, and a library full of great books to read.

  • 50+ Ways to Save Water   13 years 2 weeks ago

    Composting toilets are another great way to save money in the bathroom. Also, if possible digging a well at approximately $12/foot makes better use of natural water and costs less. This water can also be recycled into the ground for later use or re-filtration if used for drinking.

  • Cooking for Beginners: 10 Recipes for Kitchen Newbies   13 years 2 weeks ago

    Great ideas! I'll definitely give some of these a try! thanks

  • 10 Surprising Ways to Negatively Affect Your Credit Score   13 years 2 weeks ago

    Wow I never realized getting a new cellphone would lower my credit, but they do check the credit so i guess it makes sense.

  • 5 Ways to Make Extra Income Online Today   13 years 2 weeks ago

    There are multiple websites that post jobs from home, especially blogging. At the end of the day, if you know how to write you can work online.

  • 6 Compact Airplane Snacks for Frequent Fliers   13 years 2 weeks ago

    These are some great ideas! I actually love oatmeal packets especially now that they have made them strong enough to hold water and provide a measurement so u don't need anything else to measure the water to prepare it. I think that's a great thing to carry around airplane or no airplane, it's a great treat for when you are hungry and have no time.

  • 12 Side Jobs for Stay-at-Home Moms and Dads   13 years 2 weeks ago

    I found a great company that focuses on green living and staying home with your kids. Take a look at wb dot momsprovide dot com

  • Ask the Readers: What Is Your Dream Retirement?   13 years 2 weeks ago

    Maybe travel a little. Definitely a home on the beach with my hubby!

  • Company Coming? 10 Areas to Clean to Make It Count   13 years 2 weeks ago

    I am a complete neat freak and always compulsively clean my home and I do all of these things! I tend to even go overboard sometimes, I love to de-clutter and donate items that I no longer need (or I think I don't need) and then I will be up and about looking for the item a week or two later, I need to start taking it easy!

  • 6 Compact Airplane Snacks for Frequent Fliers   13 years 2 weeks ago

    I always bring power bars and granola, never thought about the instant mixes before though. They sound like a good idea, but I feel like the time you are up 1,000 feet and you are trying to hunt down a large cup of hot water it could get a bit messy.

  • 50+ Ways to Save Water   13 years 2 weeks ago

    Your kitchen tips about saving water are great, I never thought about putting the water in a Brita pitcher while I let it heat up! Force flushing the toilet sounds a bit extreme for me, but I guess there are no limits to saving the planet!

  • How to Avoid (and Treat) Cold Sores   13 years 2 weeks ago

    I use patches also I find it helps prevents the spread of the cold sore. I also use Hand sanitizer on my cold sore. I know it sounds abit crazy and sore but compared to the pain that I'm sure you all get with cold sores stinging for a few seconds is worth it. It also help dry out the sore before you put the patch on and helps kill some of the germs and aids in stopping it spreading. Since I've been using this with my patches have found my cold sores only last a week if im lucky (normally I get them quite bad and more than one at a time).

  • Company Coming? 10 Areas to Clean to Make It Count   13 years 2 weeks ago

    When I know I will be having visitors, I make sure the place is spotless! I pay special attention to the kitchen area. It is easy to forget the dishes or to clean the counters.

  • Company Coming? 10 Areas to Clean to Make It Count   13 years 2 weeks ago

    My approach is (1) make sure the bathroom is presentable; (2) remove excess clutter from the public area of the house; and (3) have people over in the evening and use candles for lighting. The less they see, the better!

  • Ask the Readers: What Is Your Dream Retirement?   13 years 2 weeks ago

    My dream retirement would be to live the way I have always lived, in a big city with easily accessible culture, transportation and services. I love my life and just want it to be able to continue without having to work every day. Retirement should be about the extension of your life, not it's destruction.

  • Ask the Readers: What Is Your Dream Retirement?   13 years 2 weeks ago

    Staying healthy! Otherwise none of my dreams could come true.

  • Are You Getting Charged by a Text Message Scam?   13 years 2 weeks ago

    It happended to me through Bingoroo. I notice it on the 4th month. At&T reversed only for the 4th month. So I lost $30 before I lokked into this. This for the author. I called AT&T and added purchase blocker.

  • 50+ Ways to Save Water   13 years 2 weeks ago

    I'm actually looking for a large water tank right now that I can use for watering over the summer months. We have a rain barrel right now, but it's really not enough capacity to carry us through the dry months here in Seattle.

  • Company Coming? 10 Areas to Clean to Make It Count   13 years 2 weeks ago

    ... and if you don't have time for all the putting away in the kitchen, use the oven as temporary storage. (Unless of course dinner plans require the oven, in which case the dryer will do in a pinch.)

    A friend of ours recently said if they could do one thing over in remodeling the kitchen, it would be to have a second dishwasher: one for clean stuff and the other for dirty stuff. :)

  • Why You Don't Need a College Degree to Succeed   13 years 2 weeks ago

    I can see both sides of the argument on this issue and I don't think it has to be as black-and-white as "Degree" or "No Degree." You mention the extraordinary costs of some degrees, however, there are also ways to get college degrees at very low costs. These degrees allow you to "check the box" that you are college educated without breaking the bank. Many employers are not all that concerned with the school you went to anymore and just want to see that you have the discipline and initiative to accomplish something like getting a college degree. Online degrees or community college degrees are quickly becoming a great bang for your buck.