Recent comments

  • 5 Awesome Easy to Freeze Meals   13 years 5 weeks ago

    Sardines and crackers work too, except for the smell!

  • Pretty, Cheap: Makeup Advice for the Frugal   13 years 5 weeks ago

    I'd have to agree that make up is very expensive. Luckily there are plenty of places to find good deals and sales on quality brands. I usually save until I can afford one expensive item that I've been waiting to buy, and then wait a couple months to purchase the next on the list. Over time, I've gathered a hefty collection of my favorite make up brands!

  • Ask the Readers: Do You Grow Your Own Food?   13 years 5 weeks ago

    We have always grown a garden but the last few years we have grown a very large garden and enjoyed all of the fresh vegetables. We have also canned and frozen the extras. We also have fruit trees and made applesauce and apple pies to freeze. We also share with our neighbors. We plan to plant berry bushes this year as well. We have chickens, turkeys and ducks also. It really helps on our grocery bill

  • Times Are Tough; Would You Consider A DIY Funeral?   13 years 5 weeks ago

    I know this thread is old but as mortuary school student I know legally funeral homes have to accept caskets bought elsewhere. However make sure you get the proper delivery method of the casket. There have been instances where the family selected the cheapest shipping method possible which then caused the funeral director extra work they weren't making money on. Also don't be afraid to talk and ask questions of your funeral director. We are here to serve you. If you give us a range in which you want to spend we will make it happen. And if you ask you will find the funeral director often has nicer items for the same price as CostCo and Walmart.

  • Why You Should Never Buy Souvenirs   13 years 5 weeks ago

    Folks back home only get something if we've been someplace exotic or if they helped us by watching a pet while we were gone. I usually get myself one of those enameled pins most places sell. One SIL does the same and another collects postcards. The kids buy their own junk.

  • Ask the Readers: Do You Grow Your Own Food?   13 years 5 weeks ago

    Yes. We have a townhouse with three raised beds in the back. I am sort of a fly by the seat of my pants sort of gardener. I plant stuff and hope it grows. Often, it's the stuff I didn't think would grow is what does the best. I have had the most success with tomatoes and collard greens. I had so many collards I had to give them away by the bag full to anyone that would take them. Two years ago, we planted half a sweet potato that sprouted in the fruit bowl. I never thought it would grow, but we got a good 12 sweet potatoes from the one plant that year.

  • Ask the Readers: Do You Grow Your Own Food?   13 years 5 weeks ago

    I have a salad table, that I grow different lettuces on, along with arugala and chard.
    I also have some tomatoes, strawberries, and green onions in pots.

  • Ask the Readers: What Do You Buy in Bulk?   13 years 5 weeks ago

    I love shopping at bulk stores, but I am very selective with my purchases. Most items that go on sale in the bulk store's monthly coupon book are generally a good buy. I will compare prices and sales with the local grocery or drug store. Items that go on sale regularly at the grocery store are generally less expensive and you are not required to purchase in bulk. (For example: shampoos, toothpaste, pasta & pasta sauce, ice cream & paper products) I generally don't purchase produce or perishables in bulk, but I do buy their meat & portion-size it. Their milk, cheese, avocados, romaine lettuce & roast chicken is always a good buy. Bulk stores have seasonal items that are generally much lower than general retail. For example, during the summer, they carry a whole line of furniture including sectionals, dining sets, dressers, desks, TV hutches at discount prices. I believe the quality is mostly solid wood. They also have plants, trees, bushes for a fraction of the local nurseries. They also have generous warranties & return policies. I also purchase items that are rarely discounted in retail stores like spices, dog food, vitamins, sunscreen, & beauty products.

  • Ask the Readers: Do You Grow Your Own Food?   13 years 5 weeks ago

    My mom always had a summer garden, and we loved eating fresh peas, tomatoes, and squash as kids. I've kept up some form of vegetable garden for most of my adult life, even when in apartments, using the tiny balcony for container gardening (mostly tomatoes). Since we bought our home several years ago, I've had a nice garden in the backyard (in fact I planted that before we even moved furniture in!). My kids love to nibble on the cherry tomatoes and peppers, and we grill lots of veg in the summer, like our eggplant, squash, and onions that we grow. The coolest thing is seeing my boys enjoy eating veggies, b/c we all know how much better they taste fresh! :)

  • Ask the Readers: How Do You Save on Valentine's Day?   13 years 5 weeks ago

    My husband normally buys my flowers a few days early to avoid the Valentine's Day flower price hike. I decorate the house with crafts that my kids make and I usually make a special dinner with strawberries dipped in chocolate. In my house, we try to make everyday special !

  • Ask the Readers: What About Money DON'T You Know? (Chance to Win!)   13 years 5 weeks ago

    My husband & I are pretty good with savings, but investing our savings & 401K money is the biggest question. Every time we change a job, there's a new 401k plan. Should we be consolidating these 401k plans for easier management. Interest rates are so low right now, where do we invest our money where it will yield higher than 3%, but at the same time, not be too risky. (We're middle-aged). Do we invest in something long-term or short-term because the economy may bounce back and we may have our investments locked in? What is the difference between a financial advisor, financial planner, financial consultant? Would these be the knowledgeable people to go to for these questions? What are their typical fees? Is it a percentage of what they are managing or a one-time fee? My retail bank has offered their personal bankers as well. Is this a good idea? Would these personal bankers provide the full gamet of services including tax services?

  • Ask the Readers: Do You Grow Your Own Food?   13 years 5 weeks ago

    I live in LI, NY & grow cherry tomatoes & peppers with my boys every year in our backyard. They absolutely love every aspect of gardening from planting in the soil to daily watering to harvesting! We simply start with 3-5 hearty plants from a reputable nursery & by the beginning of Aug, there are 6 ft tall tomatoes vines producing as many as a gallon of tomatoes per week. I also keep herbs by the kitchen - this is another super easy way to have fresh herbs on hand. I have sweet basil, cilantro & rosemary.

    Gardening is fun, rewarding & yields organic veggies !

    We also have a fig tree & a blackberry tree which produces the most amazing, big green figs - yum ! We actually don't pick the blackberries from the tree because most of them have been pecked on by birds or squirrels and it's too high to pick. In general, I would not recommend fruit trees because they are hard to maintain & they attract a lot of insects.

    Have a great summer everyone !!!

  • The 5 Best Washing Machines   13 years 5 weeks ago

    One caution is that some of the washing machines now do a terrible job at their default settings, which they have only to get the Energy Star rating. You can't actually wash clothes at these settings and expect them to get clean, though.

  • 2 Investing Concepts Everyone Should Know   13 years 5 weeks ago

    Investing is really great despite of the risk involved in it. Long term investments are the best way to go when you start to invest. Just like what you said, compounded interest is very helpful on this. I just want to say that everybody should learn to invest as early as possible to maximize his earnings and help him or her have a better financial life before he or she retires.

  • 12 DIY Ideas for Creating Inexpensive Art   13 years 5 weeks ago

    Those were great ideas but if would have had posted some pictures of these ideas, it would have been greater!

  • Ask the Readers: Do You Grow Your Own Food?   13 years 5 weeks ago

    We have a small backyard, but we try to plant as much as we can. We have some herbs back there (cilantro, mint, oregano, basil, lavender, and sage). We also have some cintranella plants, onions, and potatoes. If we had a bigger yard, we'd go all out.

  • Ask the Readers: Do You Grow Your Own Food?   13 years 5 weeks ago

    Yes! It's hard to beat home grown tomatoes.

  • Ask the Readers: Do You Grow Your Own Food?   13 years 5 weeks ago

    Growing a garden after taking a year off! First tomato ripe enough to eat today! Have already harvested leeks, dinosaur kale, onions. Waiting with bated breath for the peppers and cukes. Asparagus beans are peaking out of the soil. Can't wait for them, the taste of them grilled is to die for!

  • Spice Up the Conversation by Skipping "What Do You Do?"   13 years 5 weeks ago

    Usually the "What do you enjoy doing?" works best for me when talking to someone new, but a good one at things like job fairs can be something along the lines of "So give me your spiel." It sets you apart from the crowd by challenging them to make an impression, but it will let the person making the pitch freshen up since they have probably made the same speech 5 times over in the last 10 minutes.

  • Ask the Readers: Do You Grow Your Own Food?   13 years 5 weeks ago

    Yes--TOMATOES!!! They're yummy!!!

  • Ask the Readers: Do You Grow Your Own Food?   13 years 5 weeks ago

    Oh yeah, I can't remember how many years in a row we have had one. I am thankful we have the property to do it on. We plant a variety of plants and I can't wait for the first Zucchini....that is one of our favorites.....be sure to pick them small and they are delightful.

  • How to Avoid (and Treat) Cold Sores   13 years 5 weeks ago

    I have found something that has stopped me cold sores (no cure unfortunately). It is a lip balm, I bought mine from the internet. I haven't had a cold sore for 9 months, I always got one a month no matter what I tried. Its called Presley Lip Balm.
    www.presleylipbalm.co.uk

  • Spice Up the Conversation by Skipping "What Do You Do?"   13 years 5 weeks ago

    The approach is delightful; many of the suggested questions first will being puzzlement and then thoughtful and memorable responses. Having been in situations where I was often meeting new people, I began asking, "Tell me your life history in 25 words or less." That too yielded interesting and enjoyable replies. These several additional questions will expand the concept and pleasure greatly. However, may I urge you to expect to answer your own question. -- hwf

  • Secret Lawn Tonic Recipe From Golf Course Groundskeeper   13 years 5 weeks ago

    Can you explain whats toxic in this mixture??

  • Ask the Readers: Do You Grow Your Own Food?   13 years 5 weeks ago

    I try and I am horrible at it! I can grow aloe vera (for cuts/sunburns) and every type of fresh herb known to man (I currently have 5 potted containers with a variety of herbs). Give me tomatoes and they are dead in a week :-/ I have managed to keep my satsuma and key lime trees alive and growing but they are still too young to produce just yet.

    My parents live an hour south of me and grow tomatoes, cucumbers, eggplants, various greens, figs and green beans. My dad usually calls me when he has an overflow of stuff and I'll trade him my fresh herbs for his veggies.