@Andee - Agree with you affiliate marketing is a good but difficult way to go. Good top 10 list tho. Will share with my friend who's looking to get into making dosh from online.
It really bothers me that so many of the "tips" listed here are effectively theft (or otherwise shady). What bothers me the most about this is that you actually posted those tips with valid, honest ones rather than discarding them and finding better ideas to fill up that space with. Despite you labeling some of the tips as dishonest or whatnot (and despite your introductory statement that these tips are not necessarily ones you agree with), the fact that you share them anyway gives the appearance of implicit approval.
I'm completely disappointed in Wise Bread for letting this article go through.
Hi Andrea - We don't have any dependents, but if my parents lived in San Francisco, we could definitely latch on to their plan, and have one big happy family plan. It is much cheaper.
Also, USAA is very competitive.
Keigu,
Financial Samurai
"Slicing Through Money's Mysteries"
It's so funny how people think they know everything. I learn everyday that I know less and less than I thought I did, thank God for the lesson, and keep living life.
"Hmmm....you can now buy a home without putting up any money. Sounds like what got us into this mess."
My friend, what you don't see or understand is there are honest people out there in this country who are a product of the poor economy and the irresponsible companies that created it. During the dot com crash and Sept. 11th, I was laid off 3 times and sometimes went months in between desperately looking for jobs while working minimum wage to feed my wife and kids.
I have never owned property because of this run of bad luck that prevented my wife and I from even getting started, let alone getting back on our feet. I kept pushing until I found a steady job. But, it was difficult with looming bad credit and a tight income to even think of a 3.5% down payment.
I am happy to say that we are no longer stuck in $1500/month leases from the only real estate you can find out here, and that we are now closing on a home that will put us at $1200/month in a much more energy-efficient and healthy home BECAUSE of the $8,000 from the government. $300 a month means infinitely less stress for this hard working American, and the possibility that I can give up the second part-time job I work in addition to my full-time day job.
I don't agree with everything Obama says, but I can tell you this: the $8,000 tax credit is a start in the right direction to turning the economy around, and comes as a blessing for thousands of Americans like me who have wondered how and why all of their hard work could never amount to the "American Dream".
"There are plenty of glass or Plexiglas "frames" that consists of a clear cover, a solid back, and small clips that allow you to protect and hang your art"
I found these in a variety of sizes at our local dollar store.
I disagree with the stock photography comment. Some people feel like you have to go to school and obtain a fancy degree to freelance write and I know for a fact that isn't so. I have a book deal and have no formal training and no degree. Isn't that something? Talent prevails!
Check thrift stores for frames, I have had great luck in some finding fun and funky frames of all sizes very a very low cost, and if its all dinged up... spray paint is your friend!
I'm surprised that nobody has mentioned the billions of dollars the government gave to bail out AIG. To begin with, it's ludicrous that a company who developed a new money making scheme by insuring mortgages has been given billions of dollars; all because they're too big to fail.... but it is partially this logic that is the argument for extending unemployment benefits as well. The difference is that AIG created it's own massive mess. Unemployment recipients did not.
Between Wall Street, all of Bush's debacles that contributed to this clusterf*%^k, and this global economic crisis that's hitting most countries in the world, are people who are so-called "abusing" their unemployment payments really the culpable ones?
Regardless of how people are using their unemployment benefits, in reality that money goes back into the local economy and supports businesses, who in turn pay taxes and are able to keep employees. If unemployment benefits were not extended, I can't imagine the mei lei that will ensue. Hopefully the extension of benefits will enable people to better position themselves, in whatever way, to eventually figure out how to depend on themselves.
People argue that giving money to homeless people is wrong as they perceive these individuals may use it to buy drugs. I never saw it that way. It is the individual's own choice how they choose to spend their money, and what they do with it is none of my business. In small towns in Italy, in a bygone era, the community would collectively support the "village idiot".
I think what the author is questioning is the ethical questions of using unemployment benefits to further oneself by education or starting a business. In a few states, there is a fund similar to unemployment benefits
called self-employment assistance that allows you to do just that. Interesting that most participating states are on the east coast....
I would argue that an individual who uses it to educate themselves or starts a business should be commended. Hopefully they succeed and are able to contribute greater tax dollars and jobs in the future.
I don't think you will ever convince most people to use cast iron, which is fine with me, that's why they are so cheap. I have always heard that cast iron is the best thing to cook tomato sauce in because it adds extra iron to your sauce. We've been doing it all my life. As far as not using soap, that is a positive too. Just rinse it out and put it back on the stove. Our two pans never leave our stove top and are used constantly.
I've used cast iron to cook pretty much everything for my entire adult life! Just made alfredo sauce last night in the frypan- I actually bought an awesome Griswold 12" cast iron fry pan at a garage sale years ago for $1 and I also bought an entire set of lemon yellow descoware (precursor to Le Creuset) enamel-lined cast iron also at a garage sale for $2 about 3 years ago. I cook everything in the cast iron frypan, including tomatoes and I have never used soap on it. Still alive and kickin' at 50 and rarely sick. I do re-season it just for kicks about once a year. Just finished canning 6 pints of hot pack tomatoes this morning using...yep, the enamel-lined dutch oven. Cast iron and enamel-lined cast iron are very versatile and useful. Yah, they are a little heavy, but I also don't bang the pans on my GLASS TOP electric range either:) I've been using the cast iron on the glass top for 10 years...I'm just sayin'...
See, why would I use cast iron pans? All this talk of re-seasoning and putting it in the oven, washing etc etc, when my non stick pans - I cook and I stick it in water and everything washes off quick and easy. I don't have extra time to be doing 500 steps for one pan.
I actually bought a bread machine -- not a cheap one, either -- but we didn't use it all that much and finally sold it. It's great if you eat a lot of bread, but it's just my husband and I and we're trying to eat fewer refined carbs, not more.
Plus, if you do want to make you're bread you do not need to spend the money and space on a bread machine. In addition to the traditional recipes, there are also plenty of no-knead recipes you can find online. And there are other types of "bread" that are easy to make such as steamed buns, tortillas, flat bread, etc.
We just got an industrial size dust mop. It's 3 feet across and tackles our rooms in no time. Beat that Swiffer!
For dusting, I just use rags or old socks. They really do work well.
Never had a problem with tomatoes, either. And if I did, I'd just reseason it. Big deal! Seasoning a pan is pretty easy once you know how. And I find that bacon grease and hot, hot temps is the key. Vegetable oil doesn't work as well, imho. It leaves it too sticky.
Amber,
The key word there is *cooked*. If you *cook* raw chicken and eggs then they aren't raw anymore. Your pan should be plenty hot to kill pathogens -- otherwise you probably shouldn't even be eating the chicken. (Raw eggs don't scare me, but then mine come from the backyard and not some disease infested chicken factory.)
Also, if you're worried that your pan didn't get hot enough in some places, just stick it in the oven till you're satisfied. Add a little bacon grease and you can reseason it at the same time if you need to.
This was a great post! I got my bread machine for $5 on half-price day at Goodwill. I love it! I actually posted a recipe for it just this morning that my mom developed for my brother. You keep the basic mix in the freezer in individual ziplocks, and just add water, butter, and yeast. By making the packets up ahead of time, it takes literally 30 seconds to add everything else.
You want to double up your savings and save time? Just use a reel mower! Works your forearms and legs, saves time going to the gym, and gives you a nice lawn.
Great article! We at Insula Research also look to hire mystery shoppers and auditors throughout the US and Canada. I also know a few friends who also do some freelance writing. I'm going to send them your article right away.
Fight the notion that the best auto insurance policy is the cheapest auto insurance policy! What you want to know is who is your insurance company looking out for: the policy holder (you) or the stock holder?
Many, MANY insurance companies are skimping on the quality of repair and quality of replacement parts by sending people to their "preferred" shops, who have a contractual agreement with the insurance companies to do the work for less in exchange for more business sent their way.
READ THE POLICY before you buy it! Watch out for policies that allow for aftermarket replacement parts and deny you rights that you thought you would have. How many other contractual agreements do you enter in to before you even read the contract?
For more information about your rights as a policy holder and the tactics insurance companies use to save a buck, check out www.crashtalk.com.
I was going to mention Michael's, but wasn't sure if it was a national chain or only on the West Coast. However, even with the coupons, custom framing is pricey (ready made frames are cheaper, yes). For instance, my sister recently returned from Spain with a painting that she took to Michael's to get framed. It was an unusual size, so wouldn't fit many of the ready-made frames.
Using a 60% off coupon, a simple black frame, and white matting, it still cost her over $100 to frame it.
The acids from the tomato will affect the pan just like spaghetti sauce will bind to your Tupperware (just use some vegetable oil to remove it!); you truly don't have to worry about it as long as your cast iron is seasoned well. We used to make stews and spaghetti sauce in dutch ovens as boy scouts and it never had a detrimental effect. The comments about soap carry similar weight; cast iron is naturally porous which accounts for why you need to season the piece. Soap may get drawn into the pours and the next time you cook with the piece, you might get soap residue in your food - this has sent many an inexperienced scout to the latrine!
We use cast iron all the time at the firehouse; Teflon really doesn't tolerate abuse and the qualities of cast iron really cannot be beat - nothing heats more evenly than cast iron.
You will find a dramatic difference in price/quality between different manufacturers. I have Lodge cast iron products (pans and dutch ovens) and I haven't had a problem. Check your local Walmart, Farm & Fleet or Amazon.com for products from Lodge.
One comment on "The Art of Leaning". It's fine for small pieces, but make sure you anchor larger ones.
Right after we moved, I put a large framed mirror on our mantel. Since we were still unpacking, I didn't hang it, but leaned it against the wall. This worked fine for a while, and I forgot about it.
Until the day 2 friends came over to study with their young children. The little girl (about 6) was playing with a rubber dog toy and bounced it hard against the wall. It created enough of a vibration to send the mirror crashing down, shattering all over the coffee table and floor.
I wasn't upset about the mirror, but I was fretting because if one of the tiny kids was standing in the wrong place, they could have been injured by the heavy mirror or flying shards of glass. I don't know if a mirror qualifies as art, but a heavy art piece would have been nearly as dangerous. Safety first!
Maybe I'm slaphappy but this is cracking me up so much I'm actually crying! Thanks!
@Andee - Agree with you affiliate marketing is a good but difficult way to go. Good top 10 list tho. Will share with my friend who's looking to get into making dosh from online.
It really bothers me that so many of the "tips" listed here are effectively theft (or otherwise shady). What bothers me the most about this is that you actually posted those tips with valid, honest ones rather than discarding them and finding better ideas to fill up that space with. Despite you labeling some of the tips as dishonest or whatnot (and despite your introductory statement that these tips are not necessarily ones you agree with), the fact that you share them anyway gives the appearance of implicit approval.
I'm completely disappointed in Wise Bread for letting this article go through.
Hi Andrea - We don't have any dependents, but if my parents lived in San Francisco, we could definitely latch on to their plan, and have one big happy family plan. It is much cheaper.
Also, USAA is very competitive.
Keigu,
Financial Samurai
"Slicing Through Money's Mysteries"
It's so funny how people think they know everything. I learn everyday that I know less and less than I thought I did, thank God for the lesson, and keep living life.
"Hmmm....you can now buy a home without putting up any money. Sounds like what got us into this mess."
My friend, what you don't see or understand is there are honest people out there in this country who are a product of the poor economy and the irresponsible companies that created it. During the dot com crash and Sept. 11th, I was laid off 3 times and sometimes went months in between desperately looking for jobs while working minimum wage to feed my wife and kids.
I have never owned property because of this run of bad luck that prevented my wife and I from even getting started, let alone getting back on our feet. I kept pushing until I found a steady job. But, it was difficult with looming bad credit and a tight income to even think of a 3.5% down payment.
I am happy to say that we are no longer stuck in $1500/month leases from the only real estate you can find out here, and that we are now closing on a home that will put us at $1200/month in a much more energy-efficient and healthy home BECAUSE of the $8,000 from the government. $300 a month means infinitely less stress for this hard working American, and the possibility that I can give up the second part-time job I work in addition to my full-time day job.
I don't agree with everything Obama says, but I can tell you this: the $8,000 tax credit is a start in the right direction to turning the economy around, and comes as a blessing for thousands of Americans like me who have wondered how and why all of their hard work could never amount to the "American Dream".
"There are plenty of glass or Plexiglas "frames" that consists of a clear cover, a solid back, and small clips that allow you to protect and hang your art"
I found these in a variety of sizes at our local dollar store.
I disagree with the stock photography comment. Some people feel like you have to go to school and obtain a fancy degree to freelance write and I know for a fact that isn't so. I have a book deal and have no formal training and no degree. Isn't that something? Talent prevails!
Check thrift stores for frames, I have had great luck in some finding fun and funky frames of all sizes very a very low cost, and if its all dinged up... spray paint is your friend!
I'm surprised that nobody has mentioned the billions of dollars the government gave to bail out AIG. To begin with, it's ludicrous that a company who developed a new money making scheme by insuring mortgages has been given billions of dollars; all because they're too big to fail.... but it is partially this logic that is the argument for extending unemployment benefits as well. The difference is that AIG created it's own massive mess. Unemployment recipients did not.
Between Wall Street, all of Bush's debacles that contributed to this clusterf*%^k, and this global economic crisis that's hitting most countries in the world, are people who are so-called "abusing" their unemployment payments really the culpable ones?
Regardless of how people are using their unemployment benefits, in reality that money goes back into the local economy and supports businesses, who in turn pay taxes and are able to keep employees. If unemployment benefits were not extended, I can't imagine the mei lei that will ensue. Hopefully the extension of benefits will enable people to better position themselves, in whatever way, to eventually figure out how to depend on themselves.
People argue that giving money to homeless people is wrong as they perceive these individuals may use it to buy drugs. I never saw it that way. It is the individual's own choice how they choose to spend their money, and what they do with it is none of my business. In small towns in Italy, in a bygone era, the community would collectively support the "village idiot".
I think what the author is questioning is the ethical questions of using unemployment benefits to further oneself by education or starting a business. In a few states, there is a fund similar to unemployment benefits
called self-employment assistance that allows you to do just that. Interesting that most participating states are on the east coast....
I would argue that an individual who uses it to educate themselves or starts a business should be commended. Hopefully they succeed and are able to contribute greater tax dollars and jobs in the future.
I don't think you will ever convince most people to use cast iron, which is fine with me, that's why they are so cheap. I have always heard that cast iron is the best thing to cook tomato sauce in because it adds extra iron to your sauce. We've been doing it all my life. As far as not using soap, that is a positive too. Just rinse it out and put it back on the stove. Our two pans never leave our stove top and are used constantly.
Aaron Brothers. Great selection, good value, and they have weekly sales on certain frames. They'll do the matteing for you if you like.
Spend the money and buy a good quality stainless pan. They are bomb proof, and with minimal care they will last for many generations.
If you get one with a high-ish side (say 2 inches), and a lid, it can also double as a stew pot, vegie steamer, etc.
Andrea--Yikes! I've had my insurance go up because of a ticket but not like that. That's nuts.
Financial Samuri--Do insurance companies allow that? If yours does, that's an awesome deal!
I've used cast iron to cook pretty much everything for my entire adult life! Just made alfredo sauce last night in the frypan- I actually bought an awesome Griswold 12" cast iron fry pan at a garage sale years ago for $1 and I also bought an entire set of lemon yellow descoware (precursor to Le Creuset) enamel-lined cast iron also at a garage sale for $2 about 3 years ago. I cook everything in the cast iron frypan, including tomatoes and I have never used soap on it. Still alive and kickin' at 50 and rarely sick. I do re-season it just for kicks about once a year. Just finished canning 6 pints of hot pack tomatoes this morning using...yep, the enamel-lined dutch oven. Cast iron and enamel-lined cast iron are very versatile and useful. Yah, they are a little heavy, but I also don't bang the pans on my GLASS TOP electric range either:) I've been using the cast iron on the glass top for 10 years...I'm just sayin'...
See, why would I use cast iron pans? All this talk of re-seasoning and putting it in the oven, washing etc etc, when my non stick pans - I cook and I stick it in water and everything washes off quick and easy. I don't have extra time to be doing 500 steps for one pan.
I actually bought a bread machine -- not a cheap one, either -- but we didn't use it all that much and finally sold it. It's great if you eat a lot of bread, but it's just my husband and I and we're trying to eat fewer refined carbs, not more.
Plus, if you do want to make you're bread you do not need to spend the money and space on a bread machine. In addition to the traditional recipes, there are also plenty of no-knead recipes you can find online. And there are other types of "bread" that are easy to make such as steamed buns, tortillas, flat bread, etc.
We just got an industrial size dust mop. It's 3 feet across and tackles our rooms in no time. Beat that Swiffer!
For dusting, I just use rags or old socks. They really do work well.
Never had a problem with tomatoes, either. And if I did, I'd just reseason it. Big deal! Seasoning a pan is pretty easy once you know how. And I find that bacon grease and hot, hot temps is the key. Vegetable oil doesn't work as well, imho. It leaves it too sticky.
Amber,
The key word there is *cooked*. If you *cook* raw chicken and eggs then they aren't raw anymore. Your pan should be plenty hot to kill pathogens -- otherwise you probably shouldn't even be eating the chicken. (Raw eggs don't scare me, but then mine come from the backyard and not some disease infested chicken factory.)
Also, if you're worried that your pan didn't get hot enough in some places, just stick it in the oven till you're satisfied. Add a little bacon grease and you can reseason it at the same time if you need to.
This was a great post! I got my bread machine for $5 on half-price day at Goodwill. I love it! I actually posted a recipe for it just this morning that my mom developed for my brother. You keep the basic mix in the freezer in individual ziplocks, and just add water, butter, and yeast. By making the packets up ahead of time, it takes literally 30 seconds to add everything else.
Enjoy!
http://classichomemaking.blogspot.com/2009/10/day-2-spaghetti.html
You want to double up your savings and save time? Just use a reel mower! Works your forearms and legs, saves time going to the gym, and gives you a nice lawn.
You feel like you've accomplished something, too.
having a plan will def help me . whith kknow plan the spending the eating everthing is out of control. planning will help with my diet too
Charissa,
Great article! We at Insula Research also look to hire mystery shoppers and auditors throughout the US and Canada. I also know a few friends who also do some freelance writing. I'm going to send them your article right away.
Take care,
Chris
Fight the notion that the best auto insurance policy is the cheapest auto insurance policy! What you want to know is who is your insurance company looking out for: the policy holder (you) or the stock holder?
Many, MANY insurance companies are skimping on the quality of repair and quality of replacement parts by sending people to their "preferred" shops, who have a contractual agreement with the insurance companies to do the work for less in exchange for more business sent their way.
READ THE POLICY before you buy it! Watch out for policies that allow for aftermarket replacement parts and deny you rights that you thought you would have. How many other contractual agreements do you enter in to before you even read the contract?
For more information about your rights as a policy holder and the tactics insurance companies use to save a buck, check out www.crashtalk.com.
I was going to mention Michael's, but wasn't sure if it was a national chain or only on the West Coast. However, even with the coupons, custom framing is pricey (ready made frames are cheaper, yes). For instance, my sister recently returned from Spain with a painting that she took to Michael's to get framed. It was an unusual size, so wouldn't fit many of the ready-made frames.
Using a 60% off coupon, a simple black frame, and white matting, it still cost her over $100 to frame it.
The acids from the tomato will affect the pan just like spaghetti sauce will bind to your Tupperware (just use some vegetable oil to remove it!); you truly don't have to worry about it as long as your cast iron is seasoned well. We used to make stews and spaghetti sauce in dutch ovens as boy scouts and it never had a detrimental effect. The comments about soap carry similar weight; cast iron is naturally porous which accounts for why you need to season the piece. Soap may get drawn into the pours and the next time you cook with the piece, you might get soap residue in your food - this has sent many an inexperienced scout to the latrine!
We use cast iron all the time at the firehouse; Teflon really doesn't tolerate abuse and the qualities of cast iron really cannot be beat - nothing heats more evenly than cast iron.
You will find a dramatic difference in price/quality between different manufacturers. I have Lodge cast iron products (pans and dutch ovens) and I haven't had a problem. Check your local Walmart, Farm & Fleet or Amazon.com for products from Lodge.
One comment on "The Art of Leaning". It's fine for small pieces, but make sure you anchor larger ones.
Right after we moved, I put a large framed mirror on our mantel. Since we were still unpacking, I didn't hang it, but leaned it against the wall. This worked fine for a while, and I forgot about it.
Until the day 2 friends came over to study with their young children. The little girl (about 6) was playing with a rubber dog toy and bounced it hard against the wall. It created enough of a vibration to send the mirror crashing down, shattering all over the coffee table and floor.
I wasn't upset about the mirror, but I was fretting because if one of the tiny kids was standing in the wrong place, they could have been injured by the heavy mirror or flying shards of glass. I don't know if a mirror qualifies as art, but a heavy art piece would have been nearly as dangerous. Safety first!