Recent comments

  • Ask the Readers: How Do You Save on Transportation?   13 years 10 weeks ago

    Just try to find the cheapest gas around and get it when we are nearby.

  • Retirement Planning If You’re Under 30   13 years 10 weeks ago

    I'm in my 30s now and I agree it is best to plan your retirement early. I both a 401k through work and my own IRA and I'm glad I do. I planned my retirement at 28 as soon as I landed my first full time job w/ full benefits after having a few part time jobs after graduating college after the economy tanked. The way Social Security is going these days I'm definitely NOT counting on it as my sole source of retirement income. Also with retirement planning, especially with IRAs I think its important not to just look at traditional banks but also credit unions sometimes credit unions can have cheaper fees or IRA packages than the traditional bank

  • Frugal Gluten-Free Living: Easy Pizza Crust   13 years 10 weeks ago

    how did it go my husband is needing alternatives for his sugar?

  • Ask the Readers: How Do You Save on Transportation?   13 years 10 weeks ago

    I live in a very eco-minded college town where, luckily, it's fairly easy to get around without a car. I moved downtown this past year so that I'd be in walking distance to work, the bank, the post office, drugstores, and several grocery stores and co-ops. I run virtually all of my errands on foot and find that I rarely even need to use the bus!

  • 7 Strategies for Controlling Toy Clutter   13 years 10 weeks ago

    Thanks for the great ideas! With a large and loving family, our girls seem to wind up with too many toys. We have used a number of these ideas to help control the clutter but I look forward to sharing this with my wife and thinking about some additional things we can do to keep the toy clutter in their rooms under control.

  • 12 Natural Remedies for Stomach Pain   13 years 10 weeks ago

    Good article but you should change number 7. Most OTC antacids aren't sodium bicarbonate. Calcium carbonate is a more common active ingredient. In my experience, sodium bicarbonate doesn't really work that well, and most people already ingest way too much sodium as it is. Potassium bicarbonate is a much better choice.

  • Save on Car Maintenance With These 5 DIY Tips   13 years 10 weeks ago

    Thanks for the quick reference guide regarding ‘Do it yourself’ car maintenance tips. I never thought changing fuse or battery for that matter can be so easy. Yes you’re right even a novice like me can do it.

  • 8 Ways to Be a Better Human by Living Like a Vampire   13 years 10 weeks ago

    LOL... Interesting... But who says vamps have to wear tuxedos? Agreed the cleaning bill could get expensive regardless and zombies are definitely just as "in" as vampires. I'm just not sure if adopting any of their behaviors would offer any benefit. I do see your point on their authenticity, but then they don't do much else besides eat. Plus they're extremely slow and um "lacking" in the personal hygiene area. But hey, never say never... :)

  • Ask the Readers: How Do You Save on Transportation?   13 years 10 weeks ago

    I combine trips to save on gas. We also are driving older cars that are totally paid off instead of making car payments. My husband carpools to work. And we walk sometimes when feasible.

  • How Much Should You Spend on a New Car?   13 years 10 weeks ago

    poor advice... how about never buy a new car unless you can pay cash for it? it's the worst investment one can ever make. i would never advise someone to finance a car. sorry, dont agree on this one.

  • Ask the Readers: How Do You Save on Transportation?   13 years 10 weeks ago

    I bought a double stroller so my kids and I can walk to preschool, the grocery store and church. We also try to do everything else we need to do (e.g., library, bank, dry cleaning) right in our own neighborhood so that we can either walk or do a very short drive. The stroller didn't cost us too much because we were able to cover the majority of the expense with gift cards our kids got for their birthdays. It is great because I can spend time with my kids while getting a workout. (All in all, I am pushing 90 pounds!) Plus the kids love exploring the neighborhood this way!

  • Ask the Readers: How Do You Save on Transportation?   13 years 10 weeks ago

    Well we are a one vehicle family and try to combine errands and trips to when we have to go out and pick up the kids so that we can conserve gas

  • 20 New Things You Can Make With Old Denim Jeans   13 years 10 weeks ago

    I make pursed and things from recycled jeans. The shopping bag/ rag holder is one that I just started doing. Got a few ideas from this.

  • Tasty, Healthy Breakfast Cookies With Chocolate-Covered Espresso Beans   13 years 10 weeks ago

    Awesome recipe! Tweaked it a little by what I had on hand. I used agave in the raw, yogurt, dark chocolate, almonds, whey powder and LOTS of cinnamon. Turned out great

  • Ask the Readers: How Do You Save on Transportation?   13 years 10 weeks ago

    I walk a on a lot of my errands.

  • You Shouldn’t Buy a Home If…   13 years 10 weeks ago

    I bought my house partly because it was my dream home, but also because I DO see it as an investment. Now, I don't think that I'm going to "cash it in" one day to pay for retirement, but I fully believe that I bought in an area whose home values will appreciate in the upcoming decade.

    And frankly, I don't think that's smart!

  • How to Get Rid of Your Old Electronics   13 years 10 weeks ago

    I've had the same problem where I live. Maybe the recycling programs are underfunded. As for the charities, my guess is that they're getting way too much in the way of electronics now. Also, new gadgets are a lot cheaper, which means that even if an old TV works, the discount isn't big enough to tempt most people.

  • How to Get Rid of Your Old Electronics   13 years 10 weeks ago

    I agree. I is sad how much of this stuff just gets thrown away. I think up until quite recently, though, there weren't as many options, especially for things that don't work. Hopefully, we'll see some improvement as more recycling programs emerge.

  • How to Get Rid of Your Old Electronics   13 years 10 weeks ago

    The charities I mentioned in the article all included information on their websites about accepting computers or other electronics. There may be some pretty specific caveats in terms of what they will accept. It would be worth phoning around to find out specifics in terms of the charity organizations in your area.

  • How to Save on Babysitting Without Ending Up on the Local News   13 years 10 weeks ago

    Lucky you!

  • How to Get Rid of Your Old Electronics   13 years 10 weeks ago

    I typically donate all of my old electronics. Great post and suggestions!

  • 8 Cheap Ways to Update a Wardrobe You Hate   13 years 10 weeks ago

    When I went from 177 pounds down to 140, I took ALL my "big" jeans to Goodwill. Turned around.... walked right back into the store... and bought a bunch of size 10's and 12's.
    There are so many consignment shops around now that nobody should be stuck wearing things they don't like.

  • How Much Should You Spend on a New Car?   13 years 10 weeks ago

    Being someone from DC who currently goes to school in Tampa, FL, I am not surprised by that statistic at all. The cost of living and pay is much higher up north than it is in the south, so it isn't surprising that people make and have the extra money to spend on a nicer vehicle.

  • The 5 Best Blenders   13 years 10 weeks ago

    I recently bought the Hamilton Beach blender and love it! I have only had it for a few weeks, but there has been no signs of it breaking down anytime soon.

  • How to Get Rid of Your Old Electronics   13 years 10 weeks ago

    I recently got rid of an old desktop and television and decided to recycle them, all of the charities and homes I contacted in my area weren't interested in taking them in! The only annoying thing about recycling your old electronics is that the places that take them in usually have odd and limited hours, the plant by my house is only open on Wednesdays for a three hour period once every other week to take donations!