The Art of Frugality

Honey Honey

2009-03-17T08:48:00.000-07:00

Recently I was trolling around looking to see if honey does all it’s touted to do for the face. Then I discovered a really delightful DIY mask on ehow.com. The best part? It uses everyday ingredients you have in the house.

Honey Mask
Ingredients
1 T honey
1 t olive oil
Egg yolk

Mix the honey and olive oil together, then add yolk.
Mix until creamy
Apply warm washcloth to your face to open up the pores. Apply mask and let sit for 20 minutes, rinse with warm water followed by a splash of cold water.

According to ehow honey kills germs, reduces swelling and inflammation. The olive oil is used to moisturize the skin without the greasy film other heavy oils can leave behind while the egg yolk is used to remove oil, dirt and the resulting greasy shine from your face. If your feeling particularly harried, add cucumber slices to the eyes to reduce puffiness.

Sometimes I really love being a recessionista.

MIA

2008-09-22T12:11:00.000-07:00

My apologies for my 2 week absence. Hopefully I'll prepare some worthy content for you, in teh meantime here is an excellent Financial Toolbox article from the people at Kiplinger: click here.

Rich Dad...Stupid Dad?

2008-09-09T09:09:00.000-07:00

Ok, to be fair, I've never read Robert Kiyosaki's books (I know, half of America has..I just never got around to it). The more I hear about the guy the more I really don't like him or his teaching principles. This is a guy who claims the way to make money is through debt?? Granted it's all in building your real estate empire but how relevant is this today given the whole Frannie Mae, Freddie Mac, Bear Sterns dibacle?

Most of the reputable personal finance bloggers out there recognize Kiosaki as little more than a guy who can write a pretty word or too with no real sound financial basis. Take for example this great article calle Let's Read Some of Robert Kiyosaki's Drivel at allfinancialmatters.com. The author dissects an article by Kiosaki which claims that mutual funds are no better than playing the lottery. Someone...please explain.

I guess the issue with Kiyosaki is his "win big," "get rich quick" attitude. It's off putting for those who know the road to riches is paid in patience, steady investing and common sense not in finding "the next big thing." Though I do believe risk is a big part in getting pay offs I'd much rather take caluclated risks and follow the advice of someone like Andrew Tobias then take out 70,000 to buy an apartment complex a la Kiyosaki advice. call me crazy....

If you're tempted by the promise of Kiyosaki just check out John Reed's Analysis.

I Have Found Heaven and It Is Maria Badescu

2008-09-08T10:47:00.000-07:00

So you all know how much I love skincare. I live for this stuff. I'm espcially a huge fan of masks, but at an average of 40 smackeroonies a pop it get s a bit expensive. That is until I found Mario Badescu. Who is he? Mario Badescu has been known for personalized skin care treatments and products. Products and services have been proven to help those suffering from acne, rosacea, aging and other skin problems. He owns a salon in NYC and is known amongst the stars.

Alright, alright enough promoting and let's get to what you all want to know. Is he affordable?? Well in terms of his services, I wouldn't know nor would I fly all the way to NYC to find otu (even I have my limits). However, I have ordered many of his products and can I just say that they are GOOD. Seriously. I was shocked at how gentle they were and how the products that touted a "get glowing skin" braggadocio actually got my skin glowing. What was even more shocking? The surprising costs. Here are some of my favorite products, what I think and how much they are gonna cost you.

Drying Mask- 2 oz, $18.00 This stuff smells awful, I'm pretty sure it has to do with the Colloidal Sulfur based formula. This mask also does exactly what it says: dries existing pimples and oil and helps clarify problematic skin. Soothing Calamine makes this mask safe and gentle for most skin types. Because of it's thick pudding-like consistency a little bit goes a long way.

Drying Lotion- 1 oz, $17.00 Made with Calamine and Salicylic Acid this stuff is pretty intense. You dot it on whiteheads and overnight BAM they are gone! Ok, granted it actually took my unsighlty whiteheads more than overnight to disappear but in 72 hours my breakouts were contained. Use sparingly because this stuff can really dry you out. I bought one 2 months ago and am just now running a bit low. But then...I also used it every night.

Healing and Soothing Mask- 2 oz, $20.00 This mask calms red, irritated skin. I definitely noticed a glow after using it. I love this because it is gentle and cream-based so it doesn't get hard and crackly. Leaves skin nice and soft!

The best part? Each order comes with a bevy of free samples so you can try out some great products of theirs! Each sample has about 4-6 applications worth.

Beddy Bye

2008-09-08T10:28:00.000-07:00

Have you looked at the price of buying a new bed? Golly gosh, I had no idea these things cost so much! Luckily for you I researched a bit and found some creative ways to make a bed for less. Without further ado, here are some instructions on making a frame from myfamilylovesit.com

Materials:

2 x 4 x 96 - 10 pieces ($2.11 ea)
2 x 10 x 8 - 6 pieces ($7.99 ea)
3/4 x 49 x 97 MDF - 2 pieces ($22.99)
deck screws
wood glue (optional)

Tools: (you can always borrow if you don't have these)

miter saw
circular saw
power drill/driver

Step 1:
Using the 2×10s create a base that resembles this:

To determine the dimensions add about 1 inch to the height and width of the mattress. Then subtract 12 inches from each dimension to give the inset to protect toes.

For example a standard King size mattress is 80 x 76. The bottom frame would be 69 x 65. There is a lot of room for adjustment ther since you never see this layer. The important thing is that your frame is level.All lumber was screwed together using some old 2 1/2″ deck screws. Drill pilot holes to prevent splitting and used a little wood glue to create a strong bond.

Step 2:

Use scrap pieces of 2×10 to create blocking:

Make sure to offset them like in the picture; so you are able to screw in from both sides. No exact science here, just make sure they fit tightly in the spaces

Step 3:

Now you're ready for the top layer of the platform. Using the 2×4s. follow the same strategy, but this layer will be slightly larger than the mattress.

Step 4:

Next place the top layer on top of the bottom and center it. Toenail the top layer into the bottom at all intersections with the deck screws (remember to drill those pilot holes first).

Step 5:

The last step was attaching the mdf to the top. You may want to have these pre-cut at a place like Lowes. Their sheet cutter is more accurate and can save time. Attach these with 2 inch deck screws about every 12-16 inches.

giving it to the man

2008-09-04T11:33:00.000-07:00

..and now for something completely different: a very special men's edition of Thrifty Find Thursdays. Remember boys: simplicity is key. And for godssake stay away from striped polos.

Mossimo® Western Shirt, Target $21.99
Levi's® Red Tab™ 527™ Low Rise Jeans, Kohls $34.99
Airwalk Lion Crest Twin Gore, Payless Shoe Source $25.99

Great for following the girlfriend around for a shopping trip; add a skinny tie and voila you're ready for a night on the town. Gotta love outfits that pull double duty.

Almost Frugal

2008-09-02T14:23:00.000-07:00

Head on over to Almost Frugal to check out the Festival of Frugality#141!

Workin' 9-5

2008-08-28T10:54:00.000-07:00

Sheryl Bangle Shop Suey Boutique, $16.00

Isaac Mizrahi Sateen Slim Skirt Target, $24.99

Ruffle Elegance Woven Shirt Forever 21, $19.80

Almond Rattan Handbag Forever 21, $18.80

Kardin Dress Pump Payless Shoe Source, $24.99

15 Minutes Got Me $200

2008-08-27T11:05:00.001-07:00

How? I followed the advice that every frugalist recommends and called my insurance company. I was involved in an accident which was my fault back in September (the day my obsession for finding the best curry in San Diego became my burden), and that upped my insurance from $670 every 6 months to a whopping $1025. Today I started thinking: ok so yes I was at fault in an accident...but what would other insurance companies charge me? Furthermore, what would my insurance quote me at as a new customer? So I used a pseudonym and wham! bam! thank you ma'm (ooer) I saw a nice little quote for $800.

So I called my insurance company and asked if there were any discounts I could take advantage of. I briefly mentioned that I had seen quotes for less at other companies (even with factoring in my accident) and the incredibly nice and helpful rep spent some time with me. So how did they lower my bill? A more accurate adjustment of teh estimated annual miles I drive (this alone reduced my policy by 100). She was ready to send me off when I asked if there were more discounts that could be applied since it was still higher than what I had seen. She questioned me about my profession and since I am college educated and considered a "professional" I received an even greater discount to the tune of $782.00 per month- a $238.76 savings (that they will refund to me for the payment I just made).

Wowza was that the most profitable 15 minutes I ever spent...

Secrets to Getting a Killer Wardrobe

2008-08-26T11:48:00.001-07:00

I wore a dress a while back, a dress that never fails to get compliments, and I realized it was probably the best 80 bucks I spent. I actually remember buying the dress because I was 18, at the end of my senior year and $80.00 for a kid with no job was a load. But here, 5 years later I still get a lot of use out of the thing, and surprisingly it hasn't faded or become worn at all. Then i think about the $150.00 I plunked down 2 years ago for a Bebe dress. I think I wore it all of twice before getting uproariously drunk one night and vomiting all over it. I later sold it on ebay for 60 bucks (ummm I dry cleaned it first).

Anyhoodle, these little anecdotes makes me realize the value in buying something you truly, truly love versus buying what's hip and something you haven't given a lot of thought to. I think back on some of my favorite pieces and I have a skirt from the Gap that was around 50 bucks from when I was 18 (actually...I'm wearing it right now), a hat I bought two years ago for a forgotten sum, a coupel pairs of jeans that are over 2 years old bought for about 130 each and a brocade coat I splurged on for a few hundred when I was 19.

My favorite pieces are not necessarily pieces that cost a lot of money (though at the time they did seem like hefty financial sacrifices), but rather they are ones I wear time and time again. They are my go-tos for when I have nothing to wear. They are the pieces that sit silently in my closet comfortably at ease knowing that when I come to clean the closet out, they will be left there untouched. Most importantly they are pieces that never grow dated or old.

When buying an item, we've already discussed the value in holding off and determining if it is something you truly want. I think when it comes to fashion, this may not always work. Holding off for a bit may seem viable, but dang it if those gladiator sandals that go up to your shins are still to die for after a week of contemplation. So when weighing the decision to purchase fashion I believe in adhering to these valuable self-tests.

Timeless
Is the piece timeless or of the moment? I would much rather invest my money in pieces that have a quality shape and material, ones I know will stand the test of time, then throw away 20 bucks on a peasant skirt I would only wear for a season (because, we all know what happened with that trend). By choosing timeless classics, no matter the price, you are ensuring that the piece will be worn for years to come (see: my J. Crew dress, any basic skirt, pants that fit like a dream).

Cost per Wear usage
Ok, so it's no secret I am a HUGE Christian Louboutin shoe fan. I mean, I see those babies and I simply drool and mumble "mmmggggooood" Would I buy a pair? At this point, most likely not. Granted these are shoes that will, most likely, withstand my timeless test, however, have you actually seen a Christian Louboutin shoe? The chances of me wearing those babies enough times to make up for the $600-plus price is unlikely. I have a classic little black dress I bought at Express a couple years ago. It is not necessarily something I wear on a daily basis, but it is a perfect piece when the occasion calls for. Timeless? Absolutely. Low cost per wear? At $50 I can wear it a few times a feel justified in the purchase (and I do).

Mix and Match Capability
Don't you hate when you buy an absolutely gorgeous item, only to be able to wear it with one other coordinating piece? I sure do. Nothing is more frustrating and useless. What good is that adorable little zebra print capelet if it really only goes with those black capri pants? This is why I also put my items through a mix and match test. When I see a piece I melt over, I quickly do a mental invetory of the items in my closet that would compliment it. The desired item must coordinate with at least three pieces already in my closet (shoes, pants, tops, jackets etc). This ensures I squeeze multiple outfits from one piece. Many of you already know how the surrounding items can completely change the look and feel of a single piece, so it's important that I have clothes that can pull double duty.

When in Doubt: Accessorize
You can make an entire outfit feel new with the simple addition of an accessory. Buying costume jewlery from Target, Claire's or the like can up the sizzle factor on a piece with out the fizzle on your bank statement. I am especially a fan of "statement" pieces in which a simple white tank top and jeans is adorned with a necklace that speaks for itself. Exquisite jewlery (and I'm nto talking about the baubles that cost an arm and leg here) needs simplicity as it's background, and there is something so chic about a basic top and bottom combined with a gorgeous ring, necklace or bracelet. Headscarfs and hats are also excellent pieces to enhance with.

Basics
Is the piece basic enough? This is essentially all of the tests wrapped into one. If you buy a $20.00 white tank top, chances of you passing all the tests are likely. A basic piece that fits like a dream is the ultimate in frugal dressing. Think of your favorite outfits, or your favorite top. You probably wear it a lot, with a lot of items and it probably has flexibility in the things it pairs with. Buying basics can also be jazzed up with your accesories, making a drab outfit pop. So stock up on all those solid color tanks and tee's, get those blue jeans and then wear the heck outta em.

Hopefully, you have gotten some use from these tips (if you didn't dont' tell me). Also, most importantly, getting a great deal is only a great deal if you use the piece! Never buy what you don't need. Happy frugal buying!

Meander On Over

2008-08-25T13:49:00.000-07:00

to the Simple Dollar and check out an excellent article for beating all those nasty tricks stores play on you to get you to spend the moolah.

Oh Dearie

2008-08-22T07:44:00.000-07:00

I plum forgot yesterday was Thursday and I totally missed the boat. So to make it up to you here is a killer website that features a "Deal of the Day." It's called Gomattagirls.com and each day they bring you an item that is at an unbelievablely low price. Todays deal is an adorable little frock:

Retail price: $175.00
Gomatta price: $49.00

Simple Things

2008-08-20T09:19:00.000-07:00

Sometimes, in our everyday life, we get so wrapped up in our to-dos, suppose-to-dos and have-to-dos we forget to take a moment and enjoy life. Here is a list of some things that enahnace life; simple yes but enjoyable? always.

1. A good read
2. Singing a favorite song on the radio
3. Yoga
4. Unexpected beauty in an unexpected place
5. Flowers
6. Farmers market
7. People watching
8. The smell of freshly baked goods
9. The first sip of a delicious glass of wine
10. Laughing until you cry
11. Having a really good conversation
12. Hugging a child (whether it be your own or a relative...just not a random one you see ont he street please)
13. Performing a random act of kindness (yes letting that car in front of you counts)
14. Dancing
15. Your absolute favorite meal
16. Having a real conversation with a child (you'd be amazed at the way they look at life)
17. Submerging your head under water and listening to the sound of nothing
18. Stargazing
19. The sound of the ocean
20. Ice cream on a hot day
21. Hot chocolate on a cold day
22. Christmas Eve
23. Blowing bubbles
24. Playing with a puppy
25. Having a picnic
26. Going for a scenic drive
27. Watching a fish swim in its tank
28. Ripe, juicy fruit
29. A cool breeze
30. The feeling of the sun on your skin
31. Jumping on the bed
32. Playing hooky
33. Watching an old movie
34. Accomplishing a goal...even if the goal was to get out of bed in the morning
35. Staying in your pjs all day
36. Holding hands for the first time
37. Coffee
38. Laughing at an inside joke
39. Cleaning your house (ok not the actual act of it but the relaxing bit after everything is shiny and clean)
40. The smell of clean laundry
41. Soaking in a bubble bath
42. Face masks
43. Gentle stretching and meditation
44. Old couples in love
45. Blowing a dandelion
46. Running.. no matter the distance
47. Giving a gift for no reason
48. The feeling after you are finally over your heartbreak
49. Getting into a bed of really soft, satiny sheets
50. Taking a moment to recognize your breathing, the air on your skin and reveling in the feeling of being alive

Finance Fiesta

2008-08-15T07:52:00.000-07:00

Hey all! Wide Open Wallet hosted Finance Fiesta: The Olympic Edition. Some excellent articles to check out so be sure to stop by and enjoy.

Ready to Be Rich is a man after this girl's heart when he took on Ways to Save Money on Hair.

Looking to make a little cold hard cash on the side? Check out Your Finish Rich Plan where an article tackles this in Making Money Online, Ten Things I wish I knew as a Beginner

An excellent article at Physician Entrepreneur delves into investing: Investing in Bonds-The Basics

Debt Smackdown discusses the concepts and feelings that are often connected with amassing money at What Do You Believe About Money?

Beach Romp

2008-08-14T10:03:00.001-07:00

Women's Bikini Bottoms Old Navy, On Sale $10.00

Women's String Bikini Top Old Navy, On Sale $10.00

Women's Terry Empire Cover Up Old Navy, On Sale $12.99

Car Sharing

2008-08-11T13:31:00.000-07:00

So I was reading an article on usnews.com when a mention of car sharing caught my attention. What is it? It's a car sharing service for people who arent' willing to commit to the full time aspect of owning a car. How does it work? Well according to Zipcar you can rent a car for hours or days depending on yoru need. They have value plans that entail paying a monthly fee and a discount on the driving. A sample of this plan is the "Extra Value Plan" that has a $50.00 monthly commitment, a $25.00 one-time application fee and a 10% driving discount that starts at $8.10/hour and $59.40/day. Insurance, gas and 180miles are free.

This all begs the question: but is it worth it?? Ok maybe if you live in a densley populated city where public transportation is sufficient day-to-day and there is the odd occassion where renting (sorry sharing) a car is necessary. But living in a spread out town....I don't know I think that with the money charged to rent you could own a car for slightly more. Anyone care to share their thoughts on this concept?

Gallivanting in Style

2008-08-07T08:20:00.000-07:00

ELLE™ Leaf Smocked Knit Dress Kohls, On Sale $29.99

WANTED Egypt Gold Ring Thong Sandals, $15.00

Kinna Hobo Payless Shoes, $22.99

Yum Yum Savings

2008-08-06T08:14:00.000-07:00

HP.com: $1.00, $2.00 and $3.00 off printer paper
Honey Bunches of Oats Just Clusters: $2.00 off
Nature Valley Granola Bars: $.60 off
Yoplait Yogurt-Original, Light, Thinck and Creamy or Whips: $.50 off
Eight 'O Clock Coffee: $1.00 off
Pepperidge Farm Baked Naturals: $1.00 off

Cutting the Fat...Off My Budget

2008-08-06T07:59:00.000-07:00

For those of you who have ever tried to lose weight (and assuming that most of you have at least read articles about losing weight), you're probably familiar with the concept of writing down everything you eat. This tactic has proves time and time again to aid the individual in lsoing weight, the underlying principle being that you think twice about what you eat if you have to write it down. I found the same goes for trimming down your budget.

In May I began to not only live by a budget, but to also record everything I spent within the same budget to see what the delta would be in my proposed spending vs. actual spending. My first month I proposed a $2,3000 monthly budget. This budget included all the mandatory bills and entertainment, books, clothes, shoes and so forth. What did I clock in at? $2,600. The great thing about having tracked this? I not only saw that I went over my budget, I knew what it was exactly that tipped me over (the answer is spa treatments). So in June, I kept at it, then July and now into August. After looking at the three months of data I have compiled, I've managed to shave my monthly budget down to $1,800. That's nearly a 70% decrease!

In getting my monthly expenditures within reason, I did make some cuts along the way. I reduced my cable/internet bill by getting rid of cable completely, I haven't been to the spa in a few months and new clothes have become a thing of the past. But what did I find? I found more money to finally pursue cake decorating and yoga, more time to spend reading and satisfaction knowing that I can treat myself to a spa indulgence without feeling guilty. I found that writing down everything you spend works quite similar to writing down what you eat. Several times I found myself tempted to plop down forty bucks for some shoes but when I realized I'd have to be writing that amount down and subtracting from my monthly budget....well that urge sort of fell by the wayside.

Although constructing a budget is the first step in living within your means, it is only of great use when you apply it to your everyday spending habits, particularly in the beginning stages.

History is merely a list of surprises. It can only prepare us to be surprised yet again.” -Kurt Vonnegut

2008-08-05T12:20:00.000-07:00

Great article I stumbled upon while trolling around bogleheads.com. You can check it out here at Seeking Alpha: Investment Discipline in the Year of Capitulation

Essentially, it discusses the importance of investment discipline in a bear market. Check it out and let me know what you think

The $25 Dollar Way to Change the World

2008-07-31T12:53:00.000-07:00

A lot of personal finance blogs discuss giving to those who have less. I think this is an amazing concept and one I am just now realizing. I recently discovered Kiva, a person-to-person micro-lending site. Micro loans are gaining popularity as a low cost way to contribute to charity. Essentially, you donate however much you can afford (Kiva's minimum is $25) and these loans are given to struggling entrepreneurs in improvished countries. Most often these are women caring for large families.

The cool thing about Kiva is it shows you who youa re donating to and what sort of business they run. Also notifys you when the micro loan has been repaid. Check it out! A bargain price to feel like you've made this world a slightly better place

Slumber Party...or Lounge All Day

2008-07-31T08:30:00.000-07:00

I can't think of anything more comforting than staying in your pjs all day. Problem is you can start to feel a little ragged when you wear solely for comfort. I guess that's why I'm a fan of Vicky's Secret: you can look oh-so cute and cuddly and still be as comfortable as you would be in cut off sweats (which are always my choice if I know I will be spending the day in seclusion).

Victoria's Secret Pink Poplin Scrub Pant, On Sale $15.99

Victoria's Secret Scoopneck Racerback Tank, On Sale $7.99

Yum Yum Savings

2008-07-29T13:57:00.000-07:00

Here's a little taste of savings to get you going this week.

Foster Farms Turkey Meat, $1.00 off any two
Shoes.com, 15% Off [code: JULYSAVE]
C&H Sugar, $.55 off any two
Scott Tissue, $1.00 off
Barnes & Noble.com, %15 off [code: J4H7X7R]

San Diego: The Land of Five Dollar Entertainment

2008-07-28T14:21:00.000-07:00

So you find yourself in San Diego, whether it be living or visiting, and looking for some entertainment for under 5 bucks. Easy! Here is a list of my favorite events that you can enjoy with a little help from Abe (Lincoln that is).

Flamenco!, free

Enjoy a free show from Anthony Carcia every Saturday at the Sky Lounge at Sheraton Suites. Thursday-Saturday from 5-7pm. Bonus: Can you say Happy Hour makes a cheap dinner?

Passport to Balboa Park, $3.00 per Museum

Get culture overload and enjoy seven days of museum visiting at Balboa Park. The Passport is valid for seven consecutive days, and includes one admission to each of the 13 attractions; the price for the passport total is $39.00 for adults (averages to $3 per museum) and $21.00 for kids (averages to $1.62 per museum). Participating museums:

Japanese Friendship Garden
Mingei International Museum
Museum of Photographic Arts
Reuben H. Fleet Science Center
San Diego Air and Space Museum
SDAI- Museum of the Living Artist
San Diego Automotive Museum
Museum of San Diego History
San Diego Model Railroad Museum
San Diego Museum of Art
San Diego Museum of Man
San Diego Natual History Museum
San Diego Hall of Champions

Free Museum Tuesdays, free

So you're flexible and don't feel much like buying the passport? Well follow this schedule and every Tuesday you can experience select museums for free:

First Tuesday
Reuben H. Fleet Science Center,
Centro Cultural de la Raza
Model Railroad Museum***
Natural History Museum***
*** Free to San Diego County Residents and Active Military only

Second Tuesday
Museum of Photographic Arts,
Museum of San Diego History
Veterans’ Museum and Memorial Center

Third Tuesday
San Diego Art Institute
San Diego Museum of Art
San Diego Museum of Man
Japanese Friendship Garden ***
*** Free to San Diego County Residents and Active Military only
Mingei International Museum

Fourth Tuesday
San Diego Air & Space Museum*** (See Special Information following museum listings)
San Diego Automotive Museum (last admission 3:45pm) **
San Diego Hall of Champions***
House of Pacific Relations International Cottages
*** Free to San Diego County Residents and Active Military only

Fifth Tuesday
Normal museum prices in effect.
The Timken Museum of Art is always free.

Racing Season at the Del Mar Racetrack, $6.00

7/16-9/3

Ok, so this one is a dollar over BUT these races are a huge thing here in San Diego. Located in Del Mar, you can not only enjoy a fun sport, but soak in the great sights of the beautiful Del Mar community. Also, if you happen to be free on Fridays stop by for the weekly concert that is free with admission. With concerts like: Gavin Rossdale, Gnarls Barkley, Ziggy Marley and Devo you're getting a killer deal.

La Jolla Cove, free

This hot sport is not only walking distance from the commercial area of La Jolla (read: shops), but is probably the best beach around. Bring your flippers and goggles for a little snorkling and check out the tide pools with all sorts of creatures in them.

Annual Julian Fall Apple Festival, free

9/15– 11/15

Julian is a town about an hour northeast of San Diego. Their known around here for their apple harvest (and thus apple pie) and many San Diegans enjoy day trips here to remember what fall is like around the rest of the country. Make some time to head up there for their Festival and enjoy autumn foliage, arts shows, entertainment and seasonal foods, such as apple pie and cider. Roadside stands offer fresh local apples, pears and homemade cider.

Banksy

2008-07-24T10:58:00.000-07:00

Check out his work here: http://www.banksy.co.uk/menu.html. Easily kills about an hour or so.

Words to Succeed By

2008-07-24T10:36:00.000-07:00

Ok so I'm a tad less than brilliant and thought yesterday was Thursday and so I posted my Thrift Find Thursday on Wednesday. Oops. So to (sort of) make up for it here is a bunch of awesome quotes from reputable peeps. Found them on CNN and wanted to share the wealth. I'd also like to "dedicate" this post to my good friend, and amazing mentor Scott. It's totally something he would appreciate.

Mellody Hobson, President, Ariel Investments

When I was 22, a friend who is very successful explained to me that no one
ever got rich through earned income. "Look at all the great wealthy families,"
he said. "From Carnegie to Rockefeller, it was never how much they made at work
that made them wealthy - it was their investments." And that made me shift from
thinking about a paycheck to thinking about building equity and long-term
wealth. And it has helped me a lot. Instead of a raise, I ask for more
stock.
Whitney Tilson, Founder and managing partner of T2 Partners and the Tilson Mutual Funds

About 12 years ago I was trying to learn more about personal investing.
My good friend Bill Ackman, currently a hedge fund manager for Pershing Square
Capital Management, told me, "Read all of Warren Buffet's Berkshire-Hathaway
shareholder letters. That's all you need to know."

I've been reading them voraciously ever since. They teach the
principles of sound investing: Buy a stock only when you can purchase it at a
large discount from what any rational cash-paying buyer would pay per share to
own the whole business.
Abby Joseph Cohen, Senior investment strategist at Goldman Sachs

The best advice I was given was to "ignore the noise." Financial
markets are, by nature, volatile and messy. Successful long-term investing
emphasizes the fundamental underpinnings of the economy and companies. These
building blocks rarely shift quickly, although market prices can change
frequently and dramatically even during the course of a single trading session.
Wise investors make their decisions based on a few essential elements and
are not easily deterred by market gyrations. But wise investors are also willing
to adjust their views when the critical variables shift or do not play out as
expected. The source of this advice was my father, Raymond Joseph.
Timothy Ferriss, Author: The Four-Hour Workweek

Professor Ed Zschau at Princeton University gave me a short but
powerful piece of advice. I had volunteered for the second time to clean erasers
and place name placards on desks before class to get to know him.

He said with a smile, "Don't get too good at the little things" and
explained that if you excel at the menial tasks, those are the responsibilities
people will associate you with and give you. Get noticed for doing things that
help the big picture, not for fetching coffee, and your financial picture will
grow just as fast as your reputation.
Robert Frank, Professor of Management and Economics, Cornell University; Author: The Economic Naturalist

Back in some early grade at the Riverside Elementary School in Miami,
the teacher asked the class to imagine that we put one paramecium on one square
of a checkerboard and then it had two daughters that occupied the second square,
and the two daughters each had two daughters who occupied the third square and so on. How many would you have by the time you got to the 64th square?

A lot. If you lined up all the paramecia end to end, they would
reach the sun and back 6,000 times over. That lesson easily translated into
money: If someone had put aside $1,000 the day I was born, with a 9.5% annual
return it would be worth almost $210,000 today.
Gus Sauter, Managing Director and Chief Investment Officer, Vanguard

I got my number-one piece of financial advice in an investments course
at the University of Chicago business school in 1979. It may sound a little
self-serving: Index investing is a great way to gain exposure to the
marketplace.

The second-best advice I ever received came from a friend of my
parents. He said, if you think investments are going to do something within a
certain time frame, double that time frame. It could be anything from growth
stocks outperforming value stocks to the dollar strengthening. That kind of
advice gives you a dose of humility: It acknowledges that trying to exploit a
trend is very difficult, even if you're right about it, because your timing may
be all off.
Dan Fuss, Manager, Loomis Sayles Bond fund

I worked at the bank in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, where I grew up, shortly
after I got out of the Navy in 1958. The president of the bank, Art Kohaske,
used to say, "Know your borrower." Mr. Kohaske drilled that into me: You had to
know the people, know the business. And I admired him greatly.

I translated that lesson into "Know your issuer." In other words -
to put it in CFA talk - know the specific risk that you're taking with a
particular investment. You can apply that advice to government agencies, munis,
corporate bonds, stocks - it applies big-time to stocks. That is really very,
very good advice. If you really know your companies, really know them, you have
a phenomenal advantage, particularly in markets like this where you get rapid
movements up and down that aren't related to individual companies.

David Laibson, Professor of Economics, Harvard University

Back in the early 1980s, at the beginning of the bull market, I had a
high school teacher who was a stock picker, and he was very bullish on a housing
stock, Kaufman & Broad. I was an impressionable teenager, and I invested my
very limited wealth in this stock. It went through the roof. I concluded as a
consequence of this experience - during a bull market, of course - that I was a
brilliant investor. I start buying and selling stocks, going long, going short,
going nuts.

This went on until I was in college. I made some money, and then I lost
a lot of it. The real cure was the 1987 crash. It's easy to trick yourself into
thinking you can outplay the market. In watching my confident investments go
sour, I learned that I don't know more than the market and, thankfully, I
learned that with only a few thousand dollars. Now I buy diversified portfolios
through mutual funds and ETFs.

Ed Zore , President and CEO, Northwestern Mutual

I started out as a stock trader in Northwestern Mutual's investment area. I
was very young and eager to learn everything I could. I remember looking through a list of stocks in the company's portfolio and wondering why we didn't buy more of the highest-yielding stocks.

When I asked the portfolio manager, he informed me that when a stock offers a dividend that's high for its category, it can mean that the dividend is in jeopardy. That's when I learned that if a stock looks like it's offering you a free lunch, you should find a different restaurant.

Don Phillips, Managing Director, Morningstar
Tom Mathers, founder of the Mathers Fund, shared these words of wisdom
at an early Morningstar Conference: "If you find a great growth company, don't
sell it just because it gets a little pricey - you may never get back in again."
He told a charming story about how he and his wife were redecorating their home
in the 1960s and wanted to buy a piano.

Tom held some shares in Disney, and while he liked the company, he
thought its stock price was a bit rich at the time, so he sold the Disney stock
to fund the purchase of the piano. Tom never got back into Disney and instead
watched it rise and rise. Years later Tom would walk through his living room,
see the piano and mutter to himself, "That's the most expensive damn piano on
the face of the planet!"
Bill Nygren, Manager, Oakmark Select Fund
Back when I was in college, I remember watching Johnny Carson interview
Andrew Tobias, who was giving personal financial advice. Johnny asked: "What's
the best investment for someone who has only $1,000?" Mr. Tobias said,
"Nonperishable consumer staples."

Of course, the audience roared. But Mr. Tobias was being serious
and said that if you purchase nonperishables when they are on sale, the return
on investment is enormous. That answer focused me on the idea that investing
wasn't only about stocks and bonds but rather was a mind-set for making sense of
all of the transactions a consumer engaged in.

aaaaand discuss.

Ultimate Money Saver: Baking Soda

2008-07-23T09:27:00.000-07:00

If it's one thing I just can't get enough of it's products with multiple uses. Finding multiple uses for one thing ranks right up there with receiving new DVDs of Six Feet Under, baking cupcakes that turn out divine and buying what I need on sale. In other words: it gets me excited. So imagine my delight when I stumbled upon all the multiple uses for baking soda. I knew I coudl use it to deodorize my fridge, I knew I could use it to clean silver jewlery, and I knew it was called for in many recipes. Holy Crap! There are more uses than even I could ever imagine. So here are my favorites:

BODY

Insect Bites

Mix baking soda and water into a thick paste and spread over infected area. Let paste sit on skin for a few minutes. Will provide you relief from the insane itchiness that accompanies those nasty little bites.

Facial Scrub

Mix baking soda and water into a thick paste and spread on face. Let sit for a minute or two then gently scrub; provides gentle exfoliation that won't irritate sensitive skin.

Fresh Breath

Eliminate dragon breath by gargling with water and 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda. MMMMMM...kissable.

Cut Gas

Sprinkle baking soda over foods that usually give you gas. Unless you really like being able to clear a room in .05 seconds flat.

CLEANING

Bath

Mix baking soda with vinegar to create a thick paste and spread along the tub to clean grease, body oils (umm ew) and soap scum.

Jewlery

Use paste of baking soda and peroxide to rinse dirt off. For shine, soak jewlery overnight in mixture of vinegar and water.

Sinks

Clean your sinks by mixing 1/2 c. baking soda, 1 c. vinegar and 1 c. water.

Vomit

I can't even write about this without gagging a little but it's something that works: sprinkle baking soda to bring up the odors, and salt to get the liquids in the carpet. Vacuum as needed. I wouldn't do liek most college boys and actually vacuum up the vomit though, you'll forever smell the grossness everytime you vacuum.

All Purpose

Create an all purpose cleaner by using a quart of water, 4 teaspoons of baking soda and 1/2 a c. of water in spray bottle. Safe to use on: counters, windowsills and floors.

Crayon Marks

Since I live alone, it's pretty rare (i.e never) that I encounter crayon marks on my walls but I do get the occasional scuff. This will work on both: create thin baking soda/water paste and gently rub the area. Wipe clean with hot water.

DIY

Repairing Plastic

Place a few drops of super glue in the hole/indentation. While wet add baking soda. Follow this addition with a couple more drops of glue and let dry. Mixture becomes very hard, which you are able to sand, drill etc.

Rust

Skina potato and dip in baking soda. Rub the rusted area; repeat dipping potato in baking soda and rubbing until rust is gone.

Strip Wallpaper

Add a tablespoon of baking soda to bucketful of warm water. Remove wallpaper as usual.

Pest Control

Using 1 tablespoon baking soda to 1 tablespoon sugar icing. Create a trap using a container they can crawl into but can't crawl out of. The insects will eat the mixture and bloat up. Remove as necessary.

Working Woman

2008-07-23T08:57:00.000-07:00

Tab-Front Wide Leg Pants, Gap On Sale $19.99

Knife Pleat Blouse, Forever 21 $19.80

Worthington® 'Hilary' Pump, JC Penney On Sale $29.99

Mock-Croc Laptop Tote Bag, Walmart $25.00

Silvertone Dark Red CZ Solitaire Ring, Overstock.com $11.99

The Art of Simplicity

2008-07-22T10:20:00.000-07:00

I subscribe to Get Rich Slowly's blog, in which everyday articles are sent to my email. Often times, in reading what J.D has posted I get great ideas for my own blog. Additionally, he makes me feel better about those times when I wish I could spend every last dime I posess. So it isn't a shock that I read a particularly noteworthy entry on his blog, one in which I feel I should also spread. It's the art of living simply.

In reading many personal finance blogs and books, I often find their stance on spending to grow tiresome. I feel like spending money on frivilous items is a waste and I should be saving every last penny. While I do agree with the concept of saving as opposed to spending, I still believe I deserve to get a massage one month or splurge on that dress I've been coveting. My guilt is entirely self-imposed, but yet, I have not found an escape for it. Reading Get Rich Slowly's article "Five Tactics for Pursuing Voluntary Simplicity" actually eased this stress a bit. In this article, another article from Wise Bread is drawn upon, which actually originated the train of thought regarding this matter.

So, what is voluntary simplicity? It's choosing to live a life of simplicity as opposed to a life focused on money. Instead of choosing a career based upon salary, you're choosing a position in which you truly enjoy; a position that is, perhaps, more fulfilling regardless of pay. Wise Bread goes on to say,
Choosing to live simply doesn’t mean that you have to give up all the cool
stuff you want. It means, rather, that you have to focus on a small number of
wants — the ones that matter the most to you.

It's this statement I found, that resonated with me. AH HA! So living a life of frugal choices and maximum savings isn't about depriving myself of the things I hold most dear, but rather focusing on what I find most important (spa treatments, makeup and shoes) and eliminating or cutting back on the things that are not (cable, clothes, and expensive food). Obviously, different people are going to have different priorities and place their emphasis on other aspects and these priorities will likely change over time. I can not see myself still placing a large emphasis on shoes when I have a child to raise and food may become a high priority. But oh the freedom of wanting a few things instead of wanting everything!

Get Rich Slowly illustrated five excellent ways to pursue this life of simple living and, instead of paraphrasing and not doing the article justice, here are the steps verbatim:

1. Live intentionally. Decide what’s important to you and what you want to do
with your life. Set goals. Be aware of why you’re spending your money. Try to make conscious decisions, and not just react out of emotion.
2. Raise some capital. Personal finance isn’t all about saving, Brewer argues. It’s not all about living cheaply, either. It’s about finding a middle ground that works for you. But every goal will require some money to back it up. Prepare for
emergencies, invest for the future, and use your money to support your values.
3. Find your true calling. “Find meaningful work, so that you can spend your
time doing something that you care about,” Brewer writes. Saving and investing
don’t just yield financial benefits, he says, but they also allow you to choose a vocation instead of basing your job decisions only on salary.
4. Do it yourself. This notion has figured prominently in my thinking lately:
that whenever possible, I want to do things myself instead of paying to have
them done. (This probably has something to do with the fact that I just spent several thousand dollars on a re-wiring project.) There’s a lot of satisfaction to be derived (and often money saved) from growing your own food, repairing your own home, and maintaining your own car.
5. Value community and experiences over stuff. You are not what you own; you are what you do. It took me a long time (nearly forty years) to realize this. I still haven’t fully wrapped my mind around it. But like Brewer, I’m coming to understand that it is relationships and experiences that give life meaning.

For more on the philosophy of money check out Wise Bread's blog.

Chic on the Cheap: Ideas for Decorating on a Budget

2008-07-21T10:49:00.000-07:00

I love decorating. Something about being able to let the creativity flow and make my space a home, I've just always been drawn to it. Unfortunately, my wallet is unable to support this hobby so I've found some interesting ways to spruce up my living quarters on a budget.

Declutter
This is the most useful tip I can give. Before beginnning on a massive overhaul of your place, start by getting rid, or hiding, the clutter. The truth is half the stuff we own, we don't use. This is particularly true when you live in a house because the large space allows you to take on a pack rat mentality. Go through your stuff and if you haven't used it (or maybe you don't even know where it came from to begin with) get rid of it. You can sell this stuff on ebay or craigslist and donate what you can't sell. The rest of the clutter you have (let's face it; we all have it) disguise by creating a method to the madness. Organize in baskets, containers or closets. This way everything has a place and it helps give your rooms a calm atmosphere.

Jazz Up the Walls
Furniture can be a neccessary expense, but wall decor? You can easily add maximum bang for minimal buck.

Wallpaper

I found this idea recently, scrolling through Domino Magazine's website. Cover small sections of the wall with satin polyurethane. Then using pages from old books, place each page seperately on the covered space. Seal with another layer of polyurethane. Working in small sections at a time complete the process until you've papered the section of wall you wish to cover. This look is perfect for an office/den or even a guestroom.

Ikea has these great little art cards, 5 for $5.00. Makes a perfect set of art for cheap, doncha think? You can pin to wall with thumbtacks in a block of five or ten, secure with 3m tape dots or find 4x6 frames and make it legit (ish). These cute little cups would be perfect in a breakfast nook or kitchen.

Multiple Uses for Decals
You can find Blik Wall Stiks at Urban Outfitters for around $45.00. These removable decals are especially great for apartments where painting or wallpapering walls isn't exactly ideal. You can also use removable decals on furniture, where a coat of paint just isn't working for you. Also try on cupboards, toilet tanks and shelving. A moderately priced feature that allows you to change it up as easily as you change your socks (which I hope you do every day....)

Flooring
I love wood flooring. Not only is it so "now," there's a certain warmth you get with it that can not be obtained with carpeting. Not to mention, I think it's much easier to clean. But oh! The expense. Sooo why not use wine crates for small spaces that long for the rugged feel of wood? (ooer) Get crates from a local liquor store and take apart. Cut the sides (or have someone who's handy with a saw do it for you) so that they are even and planed to the same depth. Install using antiqued or old nails and seal with polyurethane.

Feel free to share any budget ideas you have in decorating!

Hot Summer Nights

2008-07-16T08:16:00.000-07:00

Mixit® Ruffle Sleeveless Top JCPenney, On Sale $17.99

Padmini Denim Short Forever 21, $19.80

Jatara Sandal in Tan Payless, $24.99

Gold Studded Bracelet Claire's, $10.50

Flat Gold Bracelet Set Claire's, $7.00

Forolk Handbag Aldo, On Sale $24.98

Indulge Guilt Free (well...almost)

2008-07-15T13:28:00.000-07:00

I'm tired of eating healthy. There I said it, let the gasps abound. Though I could give in to my sweet tooth and eat about a gallon of ice cream or an entire pan of brownies, maybe i'll just indulge in some of these yummies for under $25

Philosophy Red Velvet Cake, $16

Lover's Choice Combo Massage Oil and Cream - Chocolate (well helloooooo), $14.99

on10 Hershey's Lip Balm Ultra-Moisturizing Trio SPF 15 $16

Sephora Brand BODY Sugar Body Scrub, $18

Creme Brulee Bowl Candle, $18.00

Vanilla Sugar Foam Bath, $1.99

Boots No7 Stay Perfect Eye Color Cream - Fudge, $7.99

huh....what do ya know now I really have a hankering for something sweet...and...sudsy....

Frugality is Good for the Soul

2008-07-15T08:54:00.000-07:00

My parents have always been frugal. Not cheap, because when they splurged they really splurged, however, they do not live a lifestyle congruent with their positioning in the class system. My father is a vice president of an energy company and my mother works for a association that deals with trial lawyers. They do not live in the lap of luxury, and for the life of me I never understood this. Why wouldn't my mother go out and buy expensive handbags and big diamonds? Why doesn't my dad drive the latest model sportscar? And why are we living in the same house we've lived in since I was two?? As a materialistic (yes, I admit I am) and money-driven individual, my parent's lifestyle was inconceivable to me and I vowed I would not live the way they do: simply.

I've been reading The Millionaire Next Door lately and an intresting concept jumped out at me (actually, it's the fundamental concept of the entire book). The difference between a UAW and a PAW. What do those mean? Well according to the book, UAW stands for Under Accumulator of Wealth where wealth is defined as an individual's net worth. Don't be confused and assume this refers to how much one makes a year, but rather, how much does the indivudal have in investments, CDs, money markets and the bank. A PAW, as you may have assumed, is a Prodigious Accumulator of Wealth, or someone who has a high net worth.

This concept: the idea of being a UAW versus a PAW made me think about saving and living frugal in a whole new way. Turns out that typically, a UAW earns a rather large income but spends the majority of it, while the PAW may make a large amount a year (or not), but lives off only a fraction of this. The entire underlying focus is: living beneath your means.

Now I'm sure you're asking yourself, "Well, what's the point in working your tail off to not enjoy the fruits of your labor?" and I think that is an incredibly valid inquiry. One in which I am struggling to answer myself. I think the key to living this way is to a) not entirely deprive yourself and b) take solace in knowing that should you lose your job tomorrow you are able to sustain your lifestyle for quite some time. If you're living in a mansion, driving a Benz, how likely will you be able to support this lifestyle when you retire or lose your job? The answer is: you won't. Because you have very little in the bank, and a high consumption rate your lifestyle would change dramatically. You are now working in order to live.

As a PAW, you may not be driving the nicest car, you may not have that yacht, or that Chanel suit, but the difference is: you can afford to if you really wanted. I believe that my position has changed after learning PAW and UAW and what it means to be either of them. My parents are a perfect example of a PAW: frugal, living off a fraction of their income and living a fulfilled life with nice things (albeit not extravagant). What a relief to be able to plop down a large amount of money when unexpected twists and turns leads to a financial obligation you weren't anticipating. When your kids need help financially, how comforting to know you can give them assistance without feeling the pinch in yoru purse. I have been extremely blessed with all that my parents have been able to provide for me, and now I believe it is my turn to become a PAW so I can live a life with financial independence. I finally understand their way of living and I plan to emulate it.....even if it means havign to tell my parents they were right ;)

Mutual Funds: The Switzerland of Investing?

2008-07-14T13:25:00.000-07:00

So you've been saving your pennies and dimes and have built up a substantial amount of money. What do you do with it? Do not just let it sit in savings, even if it is a high yield Account. Why? Because when you're only earning 3.00%APY and inflation is 4%...well you do the math. Here is my (very non-professional) basic advice.

First off, you want to have an emergency fund which equals approximately 3-6 months of your monthly income. This chunk of money benefits you when you incur large, unexpected costs (and no, I'm not talking about that to-die-for Chloe handbag). This is also your safety net should anything happen to your job. Life is full of unexpected twists and turns and by having an account ready it minimizes the risk that you will turn to credit when in need. I recommend keeping this fund in your high yield account since these account allow easy use and transfer of money when you're in a pinch.

The key to building investments is to use passive income as your goal. Passive income is defined as income which is sustained through little work. Sounds like a dream doesn't it? Well it takes a large chunk of moolah to generate enough passive income to quit your day job and begin your dream of moonlighting as a professional karoke singer. However, you can use the passive income you generate, no matter what the amount, to either a) reinvest or b) use as a monthly supplement to what you are already making. (I say reinvest...oh did you guess that already?)

Learn the Basics
Ok, ok I hear you panicking now. You know nothing about investing? Well, my soon-to-be money savvy friends, that's what a library is for. Stock up on books such as The Lazy Person's Guide to Investing and Boglehead's Guide to Investing both of which come highly recommended and pack in a lot of great information for the investing novice. Learn key facts such as the difference between Small-, Mid-, and Large-cap funds. How do the funds classification correspond with your goals? And also learn when a stock, versus a mutal fund versus a bond is more preferrable (hint: none of them are a perfect choice, but some align more with your objective than others).

Utilize Your Advantages
An important factor to keep in mind is you're young! You have the golden nugget of time on your side and therefore have a greater ability to choose options that may carry more risk. Most trends show that in the short-term stocks come at a very high risk, but hold on to those babies and you can see significant returns. The longer you have to hold onto your investments the more risk you're able to take on since dips and valleys may very well hardly register 5 or 10 years from now.

Stop Being a Sheep (baaa)
There's a reason why the majority of people do not day-trade for a living. People often fall into the trap of buying a stock when it has hit big and selling the minute they see a decline. You can not get rich by following trend, but rather buying quality stocks at bargain prices (my good pal Warren Buffet said that). Buy low then hang in there for the further lows that may follow. You know your risk is fairly less when you invest in stock that isn't "the next big thing" but rather a steady earner throughout time.

Know your Aptitude

It's difficult managing a laod of individual stocks, which is why I would say stick with mutual funds. What are these? Well, a mutual fund pools money from multiple investors to construct a portfolio of stocks, bonds, real estate, or other securities, according to its charter. Each investor in the fund gets a slice of the total pie. So how do you measure a fund's risk? It takes some analysis on your part:

What is the fund's biggest quarterly loss?
Measure the fund's volatility against the S&P 500 ("the mainstream fund" if you will)
Calculate the standard deviation: this will show you how much the fund bounces in its average returns.

Don't Dump a Loser
Ok, dump a loser if we're discussing your love life here. But with funds, any and all will have an off-year. This is why it is important to benchmark against the S&P 500 as well as check to see if it has trailed comparable funds for more than two years. If it hasn't, hang int here. Through benchmarking the rough patches, you can determine if this is an industry- or market-wide occurance or if you have a real stinker on your hands.

Remember the key to building your portfolio is not about getting rich quick but, instead, finding stocks and funds that match your goals and holding onto these guys.

Cry Over Spilled Milk

2008-07-11T12:06:00.000-07:00

Because that stuff's getting expensive!

The cost of one gallon of Safeway Lucerne 2% Reduced Fat Milk clocks in at a whopping $3.99 here in Southern Cali. So what can you do to ease this cost burden a bit? Switch to powdered milk. OK, so you're probably picturing yourself waking up in the morning and pouring you cereal and chocking it down with some powered stuff sprinked on it. It doesn't work like that. Following the directions on the container, you typically mix water with powered milk. Reconstituted, powdered milk tastes very similar to skim milk, and you can find whole dry milk though it is rare.

So you get some dry milk, mix it up and then want to kill me because it tastes chalky and weird. Stick with me readers and read these tips from Hillbilly House Wife:

Fill your pitcher or container with half the amount of water you will be using. Measure in the appropriate amount of dry milk powder. Stir to dissolve. Fill the pitcher with the balance of the water called for above. Stir again and chill.

Use cool water when possible. The powder tends to dissolve more readily in cool water.

Stir the milk a lot, to dissolve the milk powder. Then let the milk sit for a little while and stir again. The protein in the milk powder blends most easily if it gets a chance to stand after mixing.

Chill for at least 4 hours or overnight.

Add flavor by dropping one or two drips of vanilla to improve the flavor. You can also add a spoonful or two of sugar for the same purpose.

You can even use it in baking with no detectable difference.

Sweetened Condensed Milk

1 c. instant nonfat dry milk solids

2/3 c. sugar

1/3 c. boiling water

3T. melted margarine

Combine all ingredients in blender. Process until smooth. Store in refridgerator until ready to use. Yield: 1 1/4 cups for $.60

Cream

Use only half of the required water

Instant Hot Cocoa Mix

1/3 c. dry milk

1 t. sugar

1 t. cocoa

1 c water

Heat in mircowave for two minutes

Not ready to switch to full dry milk consumption? You can stretch your gallon by using half milk half dry milk (with water).

Let's Go to the Mall!

2008-07-10T10:10:00.000-07:00

Lux Deep V Crossback Top Urban Outfitters On Sale $14.99
Bongo® Distressed Denim Bermuda Shorts Kohls On Sale $14.99
Mixed Charm Necklace Forever 21 $4.80
Whale Canvas Hobo Forever 21 $19.90
Button Decor Fedora Go Jane On Sale $18.99
Charles Albert Candice Shoe Buckle On Sale $9.75

Treasure Hunting: the Recession Way

2008-07-09T12:32:00.000-07:00

OK, so I realize the majority of young, female professionals balk at the idea of digging through...trash. I understand that, no really I do! But do you even know how much stuff you can find? With a quick coat of paint, or a tweak here and there and you can find amazing useful things for your abode.

A few months ago I was walking out to go to work and I noticed a box of great stuff sitting outside the dumpster. One simple look yieled glass candlestick holders and a cute picture frame that held many photos (still in it's original Target box). I took the frame for my desk at work and promised to come back later that day. So I did, and lo and behold the box had vanished. Lesson number one of dumpster diving was learned that day: get to know your neighborhood trash pick-up schedule. Other lessons learned are as follows:

Finals=Treasure

Hunt around the dorm trash bins around the same time finals are happening (and especially immediately after) and you're bound to pick up some useful things. When I was in college my best friend managed to pick up a stereo and entertainment center from a back alley. The nicer the school, the better the stuff. But then, that's just common knowledge.

Scope Then Scoop

Scope out places of interest (apartment buildings, notable neighborhoods) and learn the trash pick up schedule. Also, often times apartments have an unofficial dumping area for free stuff. You can typically spot this because someone puts furniture in that area and the place quickly becomes populated with other orphaned odds and ends.

Stay Within the Law

So I've been known to bend a few rules here and there. However, in some states dumpster diving is illegal. I highly suggest you learn the law before you venture out; at least then you know to keep a low profile. Also, avoid mail at all costs. Be respectful of other's trash and avoid potentionally personal information.

Broken Doesn't Eliminate Use

You may find something that needs more than just a coat of paint. Don't disregard the item simply because the previous owner lacked the imagination or motivation to envision the piece as it should be rather than as it is. A great way to read up on fix-it how to's is online at Home Depot. With a simple tutorial and the right tools, you're only limited to what you can't concieve (well ok and the number of injuries you may incur before throwing in the towel....) If it doesn't work out, just put it right back in the dumpster.

Use Dumpsters to Make Money

Just becaus eyou may not necessarily need another coffee table doesn't mean you can't take it in, give it a little love and resell if on Craigslist. Even if you sell it for 15 bucks: it cost you nothing to acquire.

Recommended Tools

Flashlight
Gloves
Baby or Anti-Bacterial Wipes
Long Stick (to use in probing stuff you don't really want to touch)
Bags (grocery or otherwise to collect your items)
Step Stool (so you can peer over the rim of the dumpster)
Razor Blade (to rip open boxes or bags)
Pepper Spray

Use Common Sense

Evaluate the safety of the situation you're in. Is the dumpster attached to a trash compactor? Is the dumpster locked up? Use common sense and if the object of desire is soaked in mystery liquid...just don't. Make sure to go with a buddy should you choose to embark on your treasure hunting during the night and just remember to be safe.

Stores to Check Out

I would look at craft stores, discount retailers (like TJ Maxx), party supply stores, drugstores, discount or used bookstores and maybe even grocery stores. Strip malls are better bets. Malls? Probably not. You're more likely to find furniture and appliances at apartments and in neighborhoods but stores offer great chances to score greeting cards, books, decorations and odds and ends.

I Love to Shake aaaaaand Then Bake

2008-07-07T13:41:00.000-07:00

When I moved into my studio apartment, no microwave was to be found. Three months later, I still haven’t gotten around to buying one and I’ve realized something astounding. Not having a microwave has helped me save money. How? I’m less tempted to buy convenience foods (why buy Lean Cuisine when I can’t cook it?) and have become more familiar with cooking and utilizing the tools readily available to me. I am by no means a rockstar in the kitchen but that's all changing (hellooo grilled chicken of last week). What tools are a must (stove, refrigerator and oven are givens) for beginning any culinary adventure?

Crockpot
I bought a 3 QT Crockpot for $16.00. This is an excellent tool for making sauces, stews and chili. Great time saver too, put your ingredients in the pot before you leave for work, come home to a delicious meal.

Knives
Knives come in handy when you need to…er…well cut things. Forget the deluxe 32 piece knife set. Unnecessary for someone just starting out (plus that’s just 32 different ways you can cut yourself), get a pairing knife and a chef’s knife and you’ll have everything you need. You can find perfectly suitable knives at Target or a discount retailer like TJ Maxx.

Toaster Oven
I use this to reheat leftovers, bake potatoes and toast bread. 3 in 1 use? Aces!

Cutting Board
Because cutting on the counters= very bad

Grater
This allows you to grate veggies, cheese, fruit (did someone say lemon zest?) and even breadcrumbs. Preferably not all together…

Two Baking Pans and a Baking Sheet
Perfect for cooking chicken, baking desserts and making casseroles. You don’t need a plethora of baking pans, two sized will suffice. A 9x9 for your smaller side dishes and a larger 9x13 will certainly cover your bases.

Two Pots and a Skillet
I have two pots, a large one and a medium one. I use these to reheat leftovers, cook vegetables and make small amounts of gravy, sauce and the like. The skillet is excellent for eggs, breakfast items and cooking your meat. That’s it, I haven’t yet found a need for one of those cooking pot sets that comes with 10 different sizes of pots. One day I will, and then I will ask for it for Christmas ;)

Spice Rack
Preferably loaded with your basic spices. I enjoy the spice array: basil, oregano, cinnamon, garlic powder, onion powder and nutmeg.

Fourth of July ::cue fireworks::

2008-07-03T08:36:00.000-07:00

For this edition of Thrifty Find Thursday I though I'd honor the holiday with a partiotic outfit appropriate for hitting the beach or relaxing poolside. Enjoy!

Striped Convertible Bandeau Top Gap on Sale $14.99
Striped Keyhole Hipster Gap on Sale $14.99
Women's Long Gumball Necklace Old Navy $16.50
Women's Rope T-Strap Sandals Old Navy on Sale $19.50
Women's Racerback Tank Dress Old Navy $15.00

Couch Potato Guide to Workin on Your Fitness

2008-06-30T12:31:00.001-07:00

So lately I've been noticing a distinct enlargement of my mid-section through over-indulging and lack of exercise. I've never been one for working out like a mad woman, but I do enjoy physical activity and to be honest the hardest part is getting motivated to begin. So I recently began reading a book I've had for about a year (yes, and I'm just now reading it): YOU On a Diet which outlines a whole plan for thinking about food differently and incorporating daily activity into your life. The best part? Exercise can be done easily in the comfort of your own home.

I know it's hard to think that one can work up a significant sweat without the use of heavy duty equipment and a cute trainer (mmm....pecs) but the workout outlined in YOU On a Diet is not only easy to follow (takes about 20 minutes from start to finish) it's cheap! Should be done 3-4 times a week.

1: (Stretch) Roll with It 5 reps ea. shoulder

Basic move. Roll your shoulders forward for a count of ten then backward.

2: The Chest Cross 25 reps ea. shoulder

This is a 2 part exercise. 1)Stretch arms out straight in front of you w/ palms facing in. Left arm above right arm pulse horizontally. repeat with right arm above left. 2) Move hands rapidly up and down. For the arm going up: palm faces the ceiling. For the arm going down: palm faces the floor.

3. (Stretch) The Clapper 10 reps

Just like it sounds. In a standing position clap in front of you; then bring the arms behind you and clap behind you. Make sure to keep your chest lifted through the duration of the movement.

4. (Stretch) The Hippie 15 seconds ea. side

With feet flat on the ground, bend forward at the waist. Alternate bending one knee and keeping the other leg straight (both feet should remain flat).

5. Push Up exercise to failure (basically: go until you can't anymore)

If you can not do a full body push-up (ummm me), do push ups with knees bent. Make sure you keep your stomach muscles tight and your chin slightly up (look 6in past your fingers)

6. (Stretch) Pecs Flex

Sit up straight on your heels and clasp your hands behind your bum. Lift arms (knuckles facing out) while opening chest wide. Make sure to squeeze your shoulder blades together and breathe into the muscles being stretched.

7. Steady on the Plank exercise to failure

Get into full push-up position with elbows and toes on the floor. Kepp your bum tight and your stomach pulled in toward your lower back. Hold position.

8. Whose Side Are You On, Anyway? exercise to failure

Turn to the side by putting an elbow on the floor and rotating the opposite hip toward the ceiling. Keep your body in a straight line and resist pushing your butt back. Keep your abs tight as you hold the position for as long as you can. Alternate sides. Advanced Modification: dropping your hip, tapping it on the floor and bringing it back into the lateral plank.

9. (Stretch) Up, Dog, Up 10 seconds ea. position

From a down push-up position, with your hands below your shoulders, lift your chest and torso up into the air so your upper body is nearly perpendicular to the floor as you come onto the tops of your bare feet. Lean backwards to stretch your abdominals, but keep your butt relaxed. After holding, look over your right shoulder; hold. Left shoulder; hold.

10. The Rickety Table 20 reps ea. side

Put your hands and knees flat on the floor with your fingers spread apart and pointing directly forward. Keep your back flat and parallel to the floor. Look down 6in above your fingertips. Reach your right hand forward and your left foot back and stretch them as far away from each other as possible, keeping your right hand higher than your head. The higher your arms goes up, the more work your back has to do and the more effective the exercise. Now, bring your right elbow to your left knee. Your stomach should be pulled in the entire time, supporting your lower back. Advanced Modification: move your arm and leg out at a right angle from body, keeping them above your spine.

11. Superman exercise to failure; goal: 1 minute

Lie flat on your stomach, reaching your arms out in front of you with palms down. Spread out your extremities straight out in all four directions and lift your arms and legs simultaneously for enough repetitions to cause some mild fatigue. Continue to look down during the movement, and don't over extend your neck up. Focus on how long you can make your body-not how high you can get it.

12. (Stretch) The Seated Pretzel

Sit down with legs stretched in front of you. Set your right foot down on the outside of your left knee. For back support, put your right hand behind your right butt cheek. Bring your left toe straight up. Reach your left hand up like a stop sign and then twist to right and bring your left tricep to outside of the right thigh. To go deeper, twist more to apply pressure against your right thigh. Act like a string is pulling the top of your head up to elongate the spine. Breathe by expanding your rib cage like you are blowing up a balloon.

13. Leg Drop (like it's hot) exercise to failure

Lie on your back and put your knees at a 90-degree angle and your feet in the air. Drop your heels down, tap the mat, and bring back up to 90-degrees. Advance Modification: Do it with straight legs

14. X Crunch exercise to failure

Lie on your back with your feet on the ground and knees at a 45-degree angle. Cross your arms behind your head, putting your opposite hand to opposite shoulder forming an X behind your head. Rest your head in this X and keep your neck loose (in the beginning, you can put a tennis ball under your chin as a reminder). Using your abdominal muscles, crunch up about 30 degrees from the floor. Without holding your breath, you need to suck in your belly button to the floor to tighten the natural girdle you have to keep the entire 6-pack tight (oh it's in there). Also pull up your pelvis muscles (like when you are holding in your pee) to strengthen the bottom of the natural girdle.

15. Seated Drop Kick 2 sets of 25 reps ea. leg

Sit with your legs straight out in front of you. Bend your right leg up with knee pointing towards the ceiling. To keep your back straight, interweave your hands around this knee. Act like there is a string pulling from the top of your head elongating your spine (and don't bob your head). Lift your left straight leg 6in of the ground, keep your left toe pointed towards the ceiling.

16. Invisible Chair exercise to failure; goal: 2 minutes

Sit in a chair position (with no chair!) with your back against a wall, and with your hands palms up resting on your knees. Keep furniture near you or under you, so you can grab it to help yourself back up when you're done. Keep your heels directly below your knees and at a 90-degree angle; your shoulders should be rolled back and the back of your head against wall.

17. (Stretch) Nice Thighs 20 seconds ea. leg

While standing on one leg, bend the knee of the opposite leg and grab the foot behind your back with one hand (use one arm to hold something to keep balanced). Pull the foot toward your butt while lifting your chest forward and squeezing your shoulder blades together. Switch legs.

Combine these exercises with 30 minutes of daily cardiovascular exercise (can be broken into chunks throughout the day) and you'll be on your way to Fergielicious-ness...or at elast you won't be dying after climbing a flight of steps.

Picture and Workout Source: YOU: On a Diet, by Dr. Michael Roizen and Dr. Mehmet Oz

Dinner and a Movie

2008-06-26T12:01:00.001-07:00

Chiffon Top in Navy Forever21 $19.99
Skinny Capri Pant Bitten at Steve & Barry’s $8.98
Fuchsia Handbag Aldo on Sale $19.98
Necklace Mod Circle Pendant Claire’s $7.50
Women's Mossimo® Piper Patent Sandals – White Target $17.99

Giving Windows the Right Treatment

2008-06-25T11:44:00.000-07:00

i was cruisin through cyberspace looking for innovative ways to add some decor flair when I came across this awesome how-to from iVillage. Cost and source of materials has been added by me! Your guide in a frugal-filled life.

Moroccan Inspired Hanging Box Valance
Materials:
Artist wooden stretcher bars $14.82 Artistcraftsman.com
Fabric/paper I found a piece on sale at $4.99/yd Joann's Fabric and Craft
Cardboard
Cording $5.99 Joann's Fabric and Craft
Hot glue gun
Staple gun

To Make:

1. Measure window and purchase stretcher bars for a wooden valance frame that extends 3 inches to the left and right of the window and about 18 inches long (or to desired length).

2. Assemble stretcher bars into a valance frame. Designate top and bottom. Nail extra vertical bars (about four per side) to the back so the valance will stand out about 4 to 6 inches from the wall.

3. Cut a custom design out of cardboard and staple it to the front and sides of the frame.

4. Stretch your fabric over the cardboard frame. To make a smooth, taut fabric surface, stretch and staple the fabric from the middle out rather than from the edges in. Alternate stapling top and bottom, left and right.

5. To stretch around the inverted corners of your frame, cut a diagonal slit through the corner of the fabric. Now you have two flaps to stretch behind the frame.

6. Staple fabric into wood on the back, and hot glue the fabric to the cardboard if it doesn't reach the wood.

7. Glue down a pretty design with cording and attach tassels from behind.

Oh-So-Lovely Steals and Deals

2008-06-25T10:45:00.001-07:00

I’m a sucker for beauty products, and when I say sucker I mean I can not go within 10 feet of Sephora without being pulled to it like iron to magnets or a moth to the flame (or women to Robert Downy Jr, I mean for being a 10+ year drug addict the dude is smokin'... but I digress). The downside to this obsession of mine is the high price in which I pay to look (or maybe it's just appear) beyooooootiful (my grandma's words not mine....is anyone else noticing the obscene amount of parenthesis I seem to be using?). Anyway, there is nothing I love more than a cheap beauty find that happens to reside in the drugstore, because with me convenience is always worth it. So here's a list of my favorite cheapies that work.

Jergens Natural Glow $6.99

Oh Jergens Natural Glow how do I love thee? Let me count the ways...errrm I never was one for Shakespeare but one I am for? A natural tan that doesn't scream "OOMPA LOOMPA!" and if you believe this is the age of natural self-tanner you would be wrong. I love this tanner because, though it takes a few days to develop, it gives me all over color that appears natural and light. I usually use it after I've spent the day at the beach or by the pool since it seems to do much better as an enhancer rather than building a tan from scratch. Not to mention, the stuff smells good and pulls double duty as a lotion. Makes my skin soft and yummy? Check. Gives the appearance of a longer tan? Check. Gives me the brown skin I've alwasy longed for? Aaaannd Check.

O.P.I Nailpolish $7.50

Ok so at $7.50 a pop this stuff doesn't exude deal, per se, but it sure beats a manicure. The reason I can justify the $7.50 price tag? Rich color and long lasting. This stuff never chips or cracks, and if I spot a chip it's usually because I've been wearing it for a couple weeks without any touch-ups. The assortment of colors (over 200) doesn't hurt one bit either.

Aveeno Positively Radiant Daily Moisturizer $14.39

I suffer from dry skin and this rich moisturizer never leaves me feeling greasy, yet soothes my skin and leaves it soft and dewy. The Positively Radiant formula also evens skintone and I noticed the improvement after a couple weeks. Plus the SPF 30 means I don't have to apply seperate sunscreen and will protect me from wrinkles (fingers crossed).

Clean and Clear SOFT In-Shower Facial $6.99

I read about this gem on 15 Minute Beauty Fanatic. You apply in the shower, leave on for a minute then scrub with the exfoliating beads. They aren't kidding when they say it leaves your skin smooth and soft. The results were incredible for a product that costs as much as an In-N-Out meal.

e.l.f. Professional Complete Set of 12 Brushes $12

Love these brushes and cheap cheap cheap! At a buck each or $12 for a set of 12 (it's not rocket science people), these brushes allow you to stock up on brushes you never even knew you needed (an eyeliner smudger, 3 different types of eyeshadow brushes, brow brush etc).

Managing Spend Lust Better Known As: I Gots the Urgin for Some Splurgin

2008-06-25T09:12:00.000-07:00

Lately I've been coveting a high priced line of skincare known as the holy grail of facial products (well according to some of my favorite beauty blogs anyway). This product, Somme Institute, while effective and high quality, also comes at a hefty price. The following is a list of the products I want to purchase with their prices listed:

CLEANSER, 8 oz. $40

TRANSPORT, 3 oz. $58

SERUM, 1 oz. $82

A-BOMB, 2 oz. $70
Total $250 (not including tax and shipping)

Now I deem this product worth it some several reasons:

The serum and A-Bomb items are said to last around 4-6 months
You can squeeze excess moisture off the Transport pads, using the liquid for an additional time after the pads are gone
The high quality of the product ensures minimal amount used equals maximum results
The proved benefit of these products along with my quest for perfect skin outweigh hefty costs incurred

The old me would simply run out, buy the product then feel the weight of the consequences later when I noticed a void in my bank statement (usually I hear crickets chirping too but I’m pretty sure that’s psychosomatic as opposed to reality). But the new me (the new me is defined as: frugal, cautious, patient and culinary-skilled…we’re workin’ on the last bit) has decided to wait to purchase these items. I recently set up 2 ING Direct accounts: one for my emergency fund and another for what I deem my “luxe” fund. This luxe fund will consist of dollars and cents I’ve saved when I was able to and when I’ve built a big enough chunk, I may use it for whatever I deem worthy with no guilt. I know this method may seem common sense to most, but would you believe it took me years to actually realize the benefit of such a system? Furthermore, in setting up an ING fund which is removed from my bank and thus, far more difficult to reach, has proved to be much more effective. So, my luxe-loving, frugal minded readers, I have listed other ways to cut impulse buying and save for what really matters: a Gucci bag, a BMW or just a really awesome massage.

Freeze Credit Cards
This is an idea that is as old as time (or as old as credit card debt maybe…). Stick your credit cards in some water and place in the freezer. Why does this method work? Because it forces you to slow down and really think about your purchase before whipping out the plastic. You have to actually wait for the ice to thaw or make efforts to thaw the ice yourself before you can use the card. This allows time to be spent really thinking about the impending purchase and whether it’s worth it. Plus, in removing the credit card from you wallet, you are mitigating the risk of depending on credit as opposed to the cash you have on hand, which we all know can only benefit you in the long run.

Take Get Rich Slowly’s Advice: 30 Day Rule
I love J.D and his Get Rich Slowly philosophy. Not only is the man knowledgeable in the area of personal finance, he’s seen firsthand the havoc debt can create when you are simply irresponsible with your spending habits. His 30 Day Rule is unbelievably easy, yet you’ll surprise yourself with how such a simple concept is so novel to those impulse shoppers at heart. His steps are as follows:

1. Whenever you feel the urge to splurge — whether it’s for new shoes, a new
videogame, or a new car — force yourself to stop. If you’re already holding
the item, put it back. Leave the store.
2. When you get home, take a piece of paper and write down the name of the item, the store where you found it, and the price. Also write down the date.
3. Now post this note someplace obvious: a calendar, the fridge, a bulletin board. (I use a text file on my computer.)
4. For the next thirty days, think whether you really want the item, but do not buy it. 5. If, at the end of a month, the urge is still there, then consider purchasing it. (But do not use credit to do so.)

I like to equate this method with stop drop and roll. In the fired frenzy of desire, it takes a moment of clarity to stop, think about what you are about to do then calmly walk away (it’s ok to cry a little too).

Switch to Cash Only
I read a pretty interesting article in Money Magazine this month about eliminating credit and debit card purchases nearly entirely. The way this works is you set a budget for the month then withdrawal the amount of cash you are going to use. I suggest not keeping the entire amount in your wallet because, well, that would be beyond stupid. However, keep an envelope in your home with the monthly cash. Use debit cards for purchases that require Visa or Mastercard (online, travel plans and the like) but only use the debit card for absolutely necessary cases. Oh yeah, and cancel your credit cards…or employ tip one and put them on ice.

According to the article, the time period before interest in incurred on the balance of the card has dropped from 25 days to 20 days, and late payment amounts can add up over time. Additionally, studies have shown (and so has my pocketbook) that when plastic is involved, whether it be credit or debit, the spender is more likely to vary off course and spend more than when cash is in hand. The bank or credit card will often let you spend money you don’t have (albeit with some fees to pay later on), but the cash you carry, once depleted, is no longer there to spend.

Save the Money You Save
Hit a massive sale? Saved big with your coupons? Take the amount of money you saved in those transactions and apply them to your savings account. Often times, saving is all about mind games you play with yourself and this can be a small gesture that has big pay offs.

Out of Sight Out of Mind
Set up a savings account such as ING or eTrade and choose to direct deposit a portion of your paycheck to these accounts each pay period. It follows the rule of paying yourself first and what you don’t see in your checking account, you don’t miss. It’s the most pain-free way of saving I’ve come across thus far and has yielded significant results. Sure, less money goes into my checking account but I find that I still have money to pay all my bills. What I don’t necessarily have money for are all the small inconsequential purchases I used to make (4 bucks for a coffe? Sure! Another 20 for a meal out? Alrighty! OOOh I really like those shoes….) but I know that in saving my money I will be rewarding myself soon.

I think the primary principle in saving money is similar to following a diet. It isn’t a temporary lifestyle, but rather a lifestyle change. Furthermore, it isnt’ about depriving yourself entirely of enjoyment, but rather finding enjoyment in simpler things for the time being until you can afford to splurge. It’s hard to stick with a plan that never rewards you, but when you can indulge yourself guilt-free life is that much sweeter.

Summer BBQ

2008-06-19T09:12:00.000-07:00

I want to introduce a new segment I'll be doing every Thursday: Thrifty Find Thursday. Each Thursday I will compile an outfit made up of garments that cost under $25 each. So enjoy all you frugal fashionistas out there!

Top Go Jane.com $17.99

Denim Bermuda Shorts Old Navy On Sale for $11.99

Gold Sandals Payless Shoes $15.99

Necklace Forever 21 $5.80

Straw Bag with Gold Detailing Payless Shoes On Sale for $12.99

Gas-Saver

2008-06-19T07:34:00.000-07:00

I’m pretty sure that most of you are aware of gas prices at this point, and I don’t have to tell you that the price per barrel is setting all kinds of high records. However, there is one thing you can do to improve your gas mileage that you may be unaware of. On a recently trek through the internet, I came across an article detailing Hypermiling and how it can save you money at the pump. Hypermiling is a technique of driving which incorporates more efficient changes that lead to an improvement in your car’s gas mileage. Such improvements, as I’m sure you are picking up on by now, will save you money. So how does one go about hypermiling? Well, my little oil-guzzling dears, I will tell you some of the many ways people out there are conserving fuel.

Take Your Gas Mileage
This can be done by setting your trip odometer to 0 the next time you fill up at the gas station. On your next stop at the gas station make sure to note how many gallons it took to fill your car up. Record this number along with the reading on your trip odometer; divide the number of miles driven for that period by the number of gallons it took to fill the tank. This is your gas mileage.

Lighten the Load
Simple people: the heavier the car, the more energy it uses in hauling it’s fanny down the street.

Avoid Hard Acceleration
The harder you press down on the gas pedal, the more gas you’re gonna use. If you have an automatic transmission, let momentum carry you forward a bit before pressing the gas pedal. It takes a lot more energy to start a stopped object than it does to increase the speed of an already moving object. Capiche?

Car Maintenance
Tires that are low on air make your car work that much hard to reach and maintain speed. Also, changing your oil every 3,000-5,000 miles will ensure that your car runs easily and thus, uses less fuel.

Park Forward
Park in a spot facing out, since it uses 25% less gas to pull forward than it does to back out.

The 3 Second Rule
Do you believe that cars actually apply their brakes 10%-25% more than necessary? Actually, after driving with my mother….I believe it. In creating a three second cushion between yourself and another car, you are allowing yourself more space to adjust to the other drivers around you without constantly applying the brakes (sidebar: if you can’t remember how to do the three second rule choose a landmark as you’re driving and time the number of seconds that pass from the time the car ahead of you passes it to the time you pass it). Through creating a buffer between yourself and other cars, you are more likely to rely upon your car’s momentum rather than the brake to slow down; doing so takes less energy (read: gas).

Remember, even when employing some of these tips; be courteous and aware of other people on the road. Sure, going exactly the speed limit is going to save you some money but is it worth causing an accident?

Book Swap

2008-06-17T12:51:00.000-07:00

Lately I've been debating about whether to cancel my cable. I know this will save me loads of money per month, but it will also induce massive amounts of boredom since TV is one of my main sources of entertainment (oh I know, I'm a total potato ok?).

Now before you wax on about how I’m killing brain cells and I’m nothing but a droid obsessed with obtaining “stuff” fueled by the havoc commercials wreak; allow me to defend myself. 1) I have Tivo so those commercials hold little power over me and, more importantly, 2) I’m also a huge reader. Books, however, are something I can dramatically reduce the cost of.

There are the obvious choices such as the library and used book stores. However, I managed to come across another (easier) source for my thirst of knowledge. What is this titillating tidbit you ask? Why it’s Paperback Swap! An online medium for folks to get rid of the books they don’t want and find books they do. How it works is you register and list the books you have and want to get rid of; which is done by ISBN number (the barcode numbers on the back of your book). Each book is worth a credit, so you send a book off and you receive one credit which can then be used to select a book from another user. Granted, the likelihood of finding new releases is rare, however, I’m willing to wait a few months to save 15 bucks. Shipping typically costs around $2.50 and while you pay to ship the book to the requester, when you request a book the shipping is paid for.

I love this site because, though I enjoy knowledge packed non-fiction, I've also been known to devour a little genre called Chick-Lit. Chick-Lit books make awesome beach reads, but are a little hard to justify purchasing since I tend to read them once and be done with them (unlike books similar to Freakonomics and The Encyclopedia of Theories books I read over again). It's a perfect way to indulge guilt-free and still stay busy during the idle summer months.

Frugal Food Fixes

2008-06-17T09:24:00.000-07:00

When I was younger my mother used to make an excellent (and cheap!) meal: Cabbage and Noodles. That’s it. It was an easy meal that featured simple ingredients and looking back I now know she made it, not for it’s inexpensive attributes, but rather because she has always hated cooking and this recipe is super easy. Sauté onion in a pan of butter, add cabbage. Boil egg noodles al dente, add to mixture, salt and pepper to taste. Add boiled kielbasa sausage and in 15 minutes you have a meal that kids love (me and my sister did). My father hated this meal, however, because he said it reminded him of the Depression and it’s simplicity left much to be desired (can you tell, he’s the cook in the family). Though the economic outlook was much more optimistic during this time (it was the early 90s, after all), I feel that cheap eats is more a priority now than ever before. Not only has gas reached record proportions but food has as well. According to MSNBC According to MSNBC, food inflation is the highest it’s been in 17 years and

“Eggs cost 25% more in February than they did a year ago, according to the
USDA. Milk and other dairy products jumped 13%, chicken and other poultry nearly
7%.”

The cost of wheat has particularly caught my eye, because this effects everything from ceral to bread to crackers. According to ABC correspondent, Sharon Alfonsi on World News with Charles Gibson:

“U.S. wheat stock piles have hit a 60-year low and wheat prices have never been
higher. That means the cost of pasta has doubled and that loaf of bread – it’ll
cost you an extra 20 cents. Economists say it is the fastest-rising rate of food
inflation in nearly 15 years.”

So it all got me thinking….I have recently realized that food is an easy way for me to save money. I refuse to sacrifice quality of cosmetics, hair product and skin care, however, food is something I can easily scrimp on. Not only can I save by employing my shopping savvy skills (coupons, lists etc), I can also choose recipes that feature inexpensive ingredient. Genius! (….or common sense for the innately frugal folks). Though something like rice and beans is an easy and cheap recipe, I wanted to feature some recipes that didn’t scream “RECESSION!” So for your palate pleasure here are my choices of cheap recipes.

I came across a blog called Cheap Eats where $3 recipes are featured. The following is his recipe for Penne Pasta Casserole (I eliminate the meat since I’m a vegetarian which further lowers the cost). Another tweak I would do is substitute mozzarella cheese for cheddar, I don’t believe it would raise the cost of the recipe too dramatically. Besides, I’m far too Italian to make this dish without a proper nod to my people.

Penne Pasta Casserole
1 26oz can spaghetti sauce (Hunt’s, etc.)

1/2 med. yellow onion

1 tbsp e.v. olive oil 2-3 cloves minced garlic

1/2 box dry penne or other pasta

1/2 cup basil leaves, chopped

1 cup grated cheddar

1/3 lb ground beef or italian sausage

salt, pepper, sugar to taste

Brint a pot of water to a boil, preseason with salt and olive oil. Over low heat in a large skillet, add some olive oil, onion, garlic and a pinch of salt; sauté until translucent (you can keep adding some water to prevent it from drying out). Remove to a plate. Add the ground beef and/or italian sausage (casing removed) and brown that. Drain it, return to pan with onion mixture. Add spaghetti sauce, and cook on low stirring occasionally for about 10-15 min. Add chopped basil (and any other herbs or veggies at this point). You may want to alter the flavor with salt, pepper and sugar depending on your spaghetti sauce.

When water boils, add the penne and UNDERCOOK it. How much depends on you and your oven. I just know you don’t need to cook it all the way because it’s going in the oven. When done to your liking, drain pasta and rinse it in cold water, if you like. I know they say not to rinse it, but because it’s a casserole I feel the noodles benefit a bit from a dunk.
Combine spaghetti sauce mixture and noodles together in the pot. In a shallow baking dish (flatter, shallower allows for more cheese browning area - if you like that.) Top with cheese, bake at 350F for about 30-45 minutes. You might want to cover lightly with aluminum foil until the last 10 minutes. You can also blast it in the broiler if you like the top extra crunchy.

Before I went veg I loved the combination of Turkey and Cranberry. Here is an easy recipe for those of you who share my sentiment. Additionally, if fresh cranberries can not be found, I’d substitute dried ones.

Cran-Apple Turkey Medallions
2 pounds turkey tenderloin, cut into 3/4 inch medallions

salt and pepper

1 tablespoon butter

1 tablespoon oil

2 minced garlic cloves

4 diced shallots

1 cup peeled and diced cooking apples

1/2 cup coarsely chopped cranberries

1/2 cup orange juice

Salt and pepper the turkey medallions. Melt the butter and oil in a large skillet. Brown the turkey medallions quickly on each side. Reduce the heat and add the garlic and shallots. Cook until the turkey is thoroughly cooked and no longer pink in the center. Place the medallions on a warm serving plate. Add the rest of the ingredients to the skillet and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer until the apples are soft. Pour the sauce over the medallions and serve.

I found this recipe on Frugal Cooking and though not fast, makes a great snack. Perfect for freezing and having anytime, it take’s a little elbow grease, but once made would be a great convenience.

Soft Pretzels
*If you plan to freeze these do not put salt on them until after you pull them from the freezer
4 to 4 ½ cups flour

2 ¼ teaspoons yeast

1 ½ cups milk

¼ cups sugar

2 tablespoons cooking oil

1 ½ teaspoons salt

3 tablespoons salt

2 quarts boiling water

1 slightly beaten egg white

Sesame seed or coarse salt

In mixer bowl combine 2 cups of the flour and the yeast in saucepan heat milk, sugar, oil and 1 ½ teaspoons salt just till warm (115 –120) stir constantly.
Add to flour mixture. Beat at low speed of electric mixer for ½ minute,scraping bowl. Beat 3 minutes at high speed.

Stir in as much of the remaining flour as you can mix in with a spoon.
Turn out onto lightly floured surface. Knead in enough of the remaining flour to make a moderately stiff dough that is smooth and elastic(6-8 minutes) Shape into a ball.Place in lightly greased bowl; turn once to grease surface.

Cover; let rise in warm place till double( about 1 1/2 hours)Punch down; turn out onto lightly floured surface,cover let rest 10 minutes. Roll into a 12x8 inch retangle. Cut into 16 strips, each 12 inches long and ½ inch wide. Roll each into a rope 16 inches long.Shape into pretzels.

Let rise, uncovered, 20 minutes.

Dissolve 3 tablespoons salt in the boiling water. Lower 3 or 4 pretzels at a time into boiling water; boil for 2 minutes, turning once. Remove with slotted spoon to paper toweling; let stand a few seconds then place ½ inch apart on well greased baking sheet.

Brush with mixture of egg white and 2 tablespoons water. Sprinkle lightly with sesame seed or coarse salt. Bake in 350 oven 25 to 30 minutes or till golden brown.

Wanna figure out the cost per serving of some of your favorite recipes? Check out this awesome Cost Per Serving calculator

Olive You, Olive Oil!

2008-06-13T13:09:00.000-07:00

Last night I was treating myself to an at-home pedi when I realized I was lacking some heavy duty moisturizer that would do my dry little tootsies some good. So I did what any dollar-conscious, frugal loving gal would’ve done and took a gander through my kitchen cupboards. I came across some olive oil and figured, why not? I dabbed some on a paper towel and proceeded to rub my feet down with the oil, paying special attention to my cuticles on my toes. I rubbed the oil thoroughly and then slipped on some cushiony socks and would you believe I woke up this morning with the softest feet ever? It got me thinking and after a little research I found that olive oil is incredibly versatile around the house (the baking soda of oils, if you will).

Body Aches and Pains: It has been said that olive oil can relieve pain caused by arthritis, and the results last for a substantial amount of time. You can also ease muscular tensions my massaging the oil into sore spots. You will feel the effects immediately.

Earache relief: According to Rachel Lewis, MD, a pediatrician at Columbia University Medical Center. Warm olive oil can be used to soothe the symptoms of an achy ear. (Note: Only for kids 2 and up). Use a syringe to place 2 to 4 drops of warm oil in the ear of child, 5 to 10 in ear of adult. Make sure to follow up with doctor as this is not a cure.

Dry-hair conditioner: Healthy Living found this use for olive oil: Revive damaged hair with this treatment from John Masters of John Masters Organics hair- and skin-care lines: Saturate hair with extra-virgin olive oil, then wrap with a warm towel for 20 minutes. Shampoo, rinse, and condition if needed.

Lip Balm: Mix olive oil and bee’s wax in a 1 to 1 ratio.

Bath Oil: Pour 1-2 ounces of olive oil into the bath (mix with essential oils for a soothing aromatherapy affect)

Body Scrub: Mix oil with sea salts or sugar for an invigorating and hydrating scrub. You can also use coffee grinds, which will minimize the looks of cellulite.

Sleep Better: By having a sip of olive oil before bed, you may hydrate a dry throat and lubricate throat muscles. …this is one I’m going to have to pass along to my parents.

Treat Lice: Apply olive oil to your youngster’s hair, and leave on for at least 40 minutes. Shampoo twice, then apply a preventative.

Remove paint from your skin: Rub on olive oil onto messy hand and arms (or faces) and allow the oil to soak into the skin for five minutes, and then rinse with soap and water.

Hang in There! You're Something Special.

2008-06-13T12:27:00.000-07:00

Try as I might, I'm a horrid picture hanger. I often finish my projects with pencil marks all over my walls, many nail holes and pictures hanging in a crooked fashion. Hanging multiple frames in a horizonal line? Forget about it. That is when I discovered frame clustering. It's easy to do and can be used as an inexpensive design element to your home. You can hang similar frames with black and white photos, or incorporate a more eclectic feel with varying frames styles. Here are some ideas you can use to create a mixed cluster.

Fabric
This can be relatively cheap and easy to do. Check out JoAnn’s or Beverley’s for clearance fabric; usually there are some really great patterns out there that would make a god-awful Mumu but an excellent piece of work. You can typically pick up fabric for as low as $3.99 a yard. Cut the fabric and staple to a piece of cardboard for a tight appearance (don’t glue it or it may bubble) and frame. Voila! A fine piece of art for under $10.

Empty Frames
I wouldn’t recommend an entire wall dedicated to this particular element, but hanging a few empty frames among a cluster can help simplify a design technique that can be overwhelming

to the eye. An ornate frame works best for this since it is, in and of itself, aesthetically pleasing to look at.

Personal Photos

I have a printer that has photo pronting capabilities. Usually I take the photos I have on my computer and, using a photo editing function, make black and white pictures. Once i've compeleted editing (taked all of 5 minutes) I print these photos out on bargain photo paper; I've picked up photo paper at the dollar store and have also spotted generic paper for as low as $5 for 100 sheets. The reason I choose black and white for most of my photos is so the graniness and poor resolution that can often result from using cheap paper, is far less noticable. I find it to average out less per photo than going to CVS or Walgreens, and it's easier too!

When I'm 64- A Very Broad Overview of Retirement

2008-06-13T08:35:00.000-07:00

I don’t think I need to tell you that for the generations that will follow the Baby Boomers into retirement, Social Security will be a distant, quaint memory. The truth is, I believe young people recognize how important it is to invest in a 401(k), however, how many of these younglings recognize the value in saving now rather than later? According to a new report, "401(k) Plans Are Still Coming Up Short," from the Center For Retirement Research at Boston College, only 62% of people ages 20-29 participate in employee 401(k) plans.

Now I know what you’re thinking, “But I don’t make enough to contribute to my company’s 401(k)!” and my answer to you is this: you can’t afford not to. Most companies match fifty cents to your dollar for up to 6% of your contributions and that, dear friend, is what we call free money. When these contributions are deducted from your paycheck pre-tax, it’s hard to even miss what wasn’t there to begin with. Ya dig?

Money Crashes puts it in this respect:

if you started contributing to $100 a month to your retirement account at the
age of 25, and you were going to retire at the age of 60, then your account
would reach $379,000. If you started saving for retirement at the age of
35 with the same contribution, then you would have just $132,000.

And that scenario doesn’t even account for company contributions! Bottom line and common sense dictate: the sooner you begin to invest, the longer amount of time your money has to grow based upon your employer’s (or your own homegrown) portfolio mix. This has an impact on your bottom line when the gains from each year build upon the previous year’s balance (compounding interest at work).

Diversify
When you begin to invest at an earlier age, it also enables you to take more risk. The volatility of the market will have less negative impact on your balance, in the long run, and can actually work in your favor. In order to save enough money to live work-free, you will need the monetary growth that stocks are capable of providing. According to CNN:

From 1926 through 2006, stocks - broadly speaking, using the S&P 500 index
as a measure - have posted an average annual return of 10.4 percent versus just
5.9 percent for bonds, according to Ibbotson Associates.

However, before you rush out and put all your money on the company is providing timeshares for your dog (the next big thing, I swear). You should consider stock funds as opposed to individual allocation. Money Magazine provides an excellent allocation plan that diversifies and ensures stability (see left). Additionally, I recommend checking out this helpful tool Retirement Calculator, which can be incredibly eye-opening...and a little stress-inducing.

Different types of accounts:
Now that we’ve gone over the basics here are a few different accounts broken down to a very, very basic level.

401(k)- this is the plan offered to you through an employer
Traditional IRA- provides tax-deferred growth, which means you pay your taxes on the investment gains only when you make withdrawals. Furthermore, based upon your qualifications, your contributions may even be deductible.
Roth IRA- contributions are not tax-deductible but when you withdraw your gains, you don’t owe Uncle Sam any tax.
Roth 401(k)- provides no up-front tax deduction, so your contributions won't reduce your current taxable income. But all the money you withdraw is tax-free as long as the funds have been in the account for at least five years and you are at least 59½ years old.

No matter what you decide to do, all I can reccommend is extensive research and utilizing the tools that are offered to you. Best of luck dear friends and let me know if you ever buy that shiny black Aston Martin!

Grocery Tips and Tricks

2008-06-12T21:03:00.000-07:00

I'm not going to delude you into thinking that I am one of those coupon ninjas, swooping into the grocery store matching coupons with sale items with thrift-like precision and buying $200 for $3.39. But I will tell you that there are a few things out there I picked up on that do save me money. Let's face it: five dollars saved? Well then that's five more dollars I get to keep.

Keeping a Price Book

This is a strategy I picked up from Amy Dacyczyn's The Complete Tightwad Gazette, and it's a relatively cheap and easy thing to do. All you need is a spiral notebook (or binder) and the weekly ads from your local grocers....oh yeah and maybe an hour or so of time. Each page in my notebook is labeled by item and then alphabetized (this is where a loose leaf binder may be more user-friendly). It is on these pages that i keep track of individual grocery stores sales. If you often shop at more than one store you can also record everyday prices here too which will track pricing trends (and inevitably save you more). Since I am all about convenience (along with frugal methods) I tend to only focus on sale items, keeping track of the normal prices at the one grocery store I frequent and comparing the sale items to other stores. I've found that for the most part, my grocery store tends to be cheaper with better sales with the odd exceptions here and there. You can print a free price log here: Grocery Price Log

Coupon Clipping
Let me tell you, this is probably the most fun but for me. I only clip the coupons for items that I actually buy. I use the following sites in addition to the weekly inserts in my Sunday paper:

I recently read about a coupon strategy that is setting the frugal world afire. It's called the One Month Coupon Strategy and I read about it on The Simple Dollar. Rumor has it that if you save the coupons you have clipped for roughly 30 days, the items that were featured as coupons have now gone on sale. The Simple Dollar explains why this is,

Why does this work?
Coupons in the newspaper are usually the first wave of a product push from large companies. They’ll put out coupons to start bumping up the sales, then they’ll move onto sale prices later on in the promotion. The reason for doing these in waves is so that the overall product sales trend looks solidly positive and not just a big spike with a fall-off. Plus, coupon users who use the product, like it, return to the store, and notice the item on sale are often willing to buy the item again. I’ll admit to noticing this working for me in the past with products like V-8 Fusion.

List, List, List
OK, look I know this one is pretty basic but hear me out. Have you ever stopped by the grocery store when you were hungry for just a few quick items? Next thing you know you're walking out with 4 boxes of Eggo Waffles, frozen pizzas and those really delightful fruit snacks with juice in the middle. Believe me, I've done this so many times that now I ensure I am satisfied before shopping, even if it mean having to go home from work to eat before setting out on my journey.

Well keeping a list is a lot like that. Sit down and make of list of the items you need or will need and have coupons for. It's easy to sit down after clipping your coupons and compiling a list of items you need based upon weekly sales, coupons and legitimate needs (if you're low on toilet paper, chances are you aren't going to be waiting around for a sale or a coupon to save that extra $.55). When you go to the store, stick with this list! I don't care if kumquats are on special $2 for 10lbs. If it isn't on your list, don't get it. This minimizes the affects of GADD (Grocery Attention Deficit Disorder) and your chances of walking out with unnecessary items that cost you money.

I know my tips hear aren't Earth shattering, nor will they probably save you thousands of dollars (if they do, by all means you can send some my way), however, hopefully you've picked up some interesting strategies to try out. Make sure to keep me posted on your savings!

spa-ahhhhhh

2008-06-12T11:55:00.000-07:00

So I think by now it's pretty safe to say I'm a spa addict. I can admit to that without (much) shame. I mean, really there is no better feeling than walking out of the spa, face nice and tight, body relaxed and toes painted, but all those warm and cozy feelings go away the minute I look at the impact all that indulging has on my bank account.

So for all you fellow self-indulgers out there, here are some at-home recipes you can try that won't hurt the pocket books and will still give you that same spa feeling (ok, ok maybe not the exact same but we're on a budget people!) Recipes courtesy of Spa Index

p.s these work wonders with a nice glass of red wine and your closest girlfriends handy.

Apple Cucumber Facial Mask
1/2 cucumber, peeled
1 egg white
1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon lime juice
1/2 teaspoon apple mint leaves
1 drop lime essential oil

Combine all 5 ingredients in a food processor and process until smooth. Add the essential oil last and mix well. Refrigerate the mixture for 10 minutes.

Apply a layer to your clean face and neck area and leave it on for 20 minutes. Rinse well with warm water. Apple Cucumber Facial Mask is best when used immediately as the ingredients are perishable. The leftovers can be refrigerated in the coldest section of the refrigerator for up to 1-2 days but should be discarded after that

AVOCADO CARROT CREAM MASK
This mask combines avocados, which are rich in Vitamin E, with carrots, which are high in beta-carotene and antioxidants, and cream, which is high in calcium and protein. These ingredients will rebuild skin collagen, improve tone and texture, and fade age spots.

1 avocado, mashed
1 carrot, cooked and mashed
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 egg, beaten
3 tablespoons honey

Combine all ingredients in a bowl until smooth. Spread gently over your face and neck, and leave in place 10-15 minutes. Rinse with cool water and follow with your favorite toner.

Frozen Egg & Honey Facial Mask
Recommended for dry skin
1 egg
1/2 cup coconut oil, melted (but not hot)
1 tbs. honey
Step 1: Beat the egg in a small bowl until frothy and well-mixed. Slowly add the liquid coconut oil and honey, beating until your mask is the consistency of mayonnaise.
Step 2: Take an empty toilet tissue roll and set it on end in a clean bowl. Spoon mixture into the cardboard toilet paper roll (or consider using an empty deodorant container). Place tube, in the bowl, in the freezer overnight.
Step 3: To use, peel away just the top 1/4 inch of the cardboard roll and smooth the frozen stick over your face (think of it as a push up pop). Leave your mask on for 5 to 10 minutes, then rinse off with warm water.

Return the cream stick covered with plastic wrap and frozen between uses.
Particularly soothing on a sunburn. Keeps indefinitely.

OATMEAL BLUEBERRY MASK
This easy mask, used once or twice monthly, will both deep clean and exfoliate your face. It's particularly beneficial for oily skin, as it drying and pulling effect.

1 cup oatmeal
1 cup blueberries
1 tablespoon honey
5-6 almonds, whole

Puree all ingredients in a blender until finely blended. Spread mixture over your face, and allow to set and dry (10-15 minutes). Rinse with warm water, and splash your skin with cool water or toner. This mask be may stored in your refrigerator for up to one week, covered tightly.

SPA INDEX HONEY OATMEAL FACIAL
1/4 cup plain yogurt or buttermilk
1/2 cup oatmeal
2 tablespoons of honey

Finely grind or process the oatmeal in a blender or food processor. Set aside. In a small bowl, stir together honey and yogurt, and then add ground oatmeal. Mix thoroughly until a smooth paste consistency has been reached. Smooth over your face and neck, leave on for fifteen minutes, and rinse off with warm water. Can be used daily.

ALMOND-MAYONNAISE SCRUB
Recommended for Dry Skin; Exfoliation

1/4 C. almonds
1/8 tsp. mayonnaise

Grind almonds in blender until they form fine almond meal. Whirl in mayonnaise. Gentle rub scrub onto your face, and leave in place 10 minutes. Rinse. Use a toner thereafter. Shelf Life: Refrigerate for 2-3 weeks.

so....is anyone else kind of hungry?

We Got a Single Over Here!

2008-06-11T13:22:00.000-07:00

Remember when you'd be standing in line at Disneyland and the ride escorts (what is the formal name for those guys?) would shout that phrase for all the park to hear about the single spot they had open next to a kid? And that kid, oh that poor, poor kid would be trying his hardest to shrink in his seat so as to appear as innocuous as possible. Cooking for one can often be like that.

Sure making your money stretch when feeding a family of four can be daunting, but you’re also wasting little in ways of food. Cooking for one? Well I did manage to make a box of Macaroni and Cheese last for approximately 5 days but it is now a very rare occasion where you will find me eating it at all. So it begs the question: how does one save money on cooking (while keeping a healthy amount of variety in the meals) when the amount of cooking they need to do is for 1-2 people?

Prepare Meals a Week Out
Sounds easy enough right? Compile a select few recipes and build your week's meal around these (Bonus Point: Choose recipes that feature ingredients coinciding with that week’s grocery sales). This ensures that you will only be making one shopping trip (possibly two to capitalize on any deals your local grocers have going) which saves on gas and time.

Cook Once, Eat Twice
I hate leftovers, no wait I despise them. However, if I make something one night, and realize it can be turned around for a whole new meal the next, well then you’ve got yourself a deal. The most versatile ingredient to do this with is chicken. Now although I, myself, am a vegetarian I’m sure many of you out there are not. So here is an example of two recipes using the same ingredient.

Chicken Risotto
INGREDIENTS:
4 boneless, chicken breasts
3 Tbsp. olive oil
1/2 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. pepper
1 onion, finely chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups uncooked regular long grain rice
4 cups chicken broth
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 Tbsp. butter
PREPARATION:
Cut chicken breasts into 1-1/2" pieces and sprinkle with salt and pepper. In heavy saucepan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onion and garlic, and cook for 5 minutes until tender. Add chicken pieces, and cook and stir until chicken begins to brown, about 3 minutes.
Cook until liquid is reduced, stirring frequently. Continue to add chicken broth to keep rice covered, stirring frequently. Cook about 25 minutes until rice is tender. Add cheese and butter just before serving and stir to melt. 6-8 servings

Risotto Cakes with Tomato Sauce
INGREDIENTS:
1 Tbsp. olive oil
1 onion, finely chopped
14 oz. can diced tomatoes, undrained
1/2 tsp. dried thyme leaves
1 Tbsp. fresh chopped parsley
1 tsp. sugar
salt and pepper to taste
1 egg white
2 cups leftover Risotto
3/4 cup dry purchased bread crumbs
1/4 tsp. dried thyme leaves
2 Tbsp. butter
2 Tbsp. olive oil
PREPARATION:
In large saucepan, saute onion in 1 Tbsp. olive oil until tender. Add tomatoes with their liquid, 1/2 tsp. thyme, parsley, and salt and pepper to taste. Bring to boil, then reduce heat and simmer over low heat while preparing risotto cakes. (You could also just warm up 2 cups of your favorite pasta sauce.)
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. In large bowl, combine egg white and leftover risotto and blend until combined. In shallow pan, combine bread crumbs and 1/4 tsp. thyme leaves. Form 1/4 cup portions of the risotto mixture into 8 cakes and roll in bread crumb mixture to coat.
Heat butter and 2 Tbsp. olive oil in nonstick skillet. Fry risotto patties 2-3 minutes on each side, turning once, until golden brown. Place on cookie sheet and bake at 400 degrees 5-10 minutes until heated through. Serve with tomato sauce. 4 servings

Easy Freeze
Incorporate meals that are easy to make, portion out and then freeze. One of my favorites?

Vegetarian Chili
INGREDIENTS
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 medium onion, chopped
2 bay leaves
1 teaspoon ground cumin
2 tablespoons dried oregano
1 tablespoon salt
2 stalks celery, chopped
2 green bell peppers, chopped
2 jalapeno peppers, chopped
3 cloves garlic, chopped
2 (4 ounce) cans chopped green chile peppers, drained
2 (12 ounce) packages vegetarian burger crumbles
3 (28 ounce) cans whole peeled tomatoes, crushed
1/4 cup chili powder
1 tablespoon ground black pepper
1 (15 ounce) can kidney beans, drained
1 (15 ounce) can garbanzo beans, drained
1 (15 ounce) can black beans
1 (15 ounce) can whole kernel corn
DIRECTIONS
Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Stir in the onion, and season with bay leaves, cumin, oregano, and salt. Cook and stir until onion is tender, then mix in the celery, green bell peppers, jalapeno peppers, garlic, and green chile peppers. When vegetables are heated through, mix in the vegetarian burger crumbles. Reduce heat to low, cover pot, and simmer 5 minutes.

Mix the tomatoes into the pot. Season chili with chili powder and pepper. Stir in the kidney beans, garbanzo beans, and black beans. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, and simmer 45 minutes. Stir in the corn, and continue cooking 5 minutes before serving.

One of the best websites I came across is All Recipes since it allows you to adjust your serving size, which in turn automatically adjusts the ingredients (goodbye dividing fractions, I never did like you much). Additionally, you can select recipes that catch your fancy and add them to a shopping list function thus make shopping even more convenient!

Have any yummy, frugal recipes? Do share.

Total Cost of Ownership

2008-06-11T11:05:00.000-07:00

Wow, that phrase is a blast from my college business course past. With the housing market taking a turn for the worse I had an epiphany that perhaps, now would be an ideal time to buy. Especially since I am a young professional with nary a black spec on my credit report (well 0k there is the Cox Bill debacle of ’07 I still need to straighten out) nonetheless, I begin to ponder whether a mortgage of a slightly higher price is better than rent. After all, this money is going towards an investment, something that will only benefit me in the long run right? Wrong. Turns out, counterintuitive as it may be, that buying isn’t always the best option. First clue to this conclusion (excluding the lecture I received from my mother along the same lines) was a website I stumbled upon called TCalc a web based financial calculator that, among numerous other scenarios, can calculate how much money you save by renting or buying. You can see my results below:

According to the site I would save $11,360.31 over the next 5 years by renting.

So if you realize renting is your best option for the time being, how do you ensure you are paying a fair price for your area? Rest assured, my friends, I've got this one covered as well: check out RentoMeter. It'll give you the surrounding rents for your area and provide your rent on a Barometer scale. Mine ended up falling right in the middle. Share your thoughts on renting vs buying. I'd love to hear.

a primordial living space

2008-06-11T09:16:00.000-07:00

I recently downgraded from a one-bedroom apartment to a studio. Living in San Diego as a young, single female, this decision was the most logical in saving money, simplifying my life and also seeing if maybe Carrie Bradshaw was onto something. While the extra money I save in living in a smaller space will not go to expand my non-existent collection of Christian Louboutins (oh the humanity), it will go into an ING Direct savings account I opened that is currently earning 3.00% APY which is far more than my credit union. Thus, building that famous “emergency fund” we are always reading about from personal finance blogs (see, The Simple Dollar’s Emergency Funds: How and Why You Should Get Started Right Now)

Anyway, for your reading enjoyment a brief list, according to Suite101 on the sweeter side of studio living:

Keeping Studios Clean

Most studios don't have room for dust-collectors like coffee tables, china cabinets, and entertainment centers. Instead, buy double-duty furniture (day beds and decorative chests), some functional items (computer desk, small dining table, television stand), and if space allows, a sofa or bookshelf. The flip side is that small spaces magnify anything that is less than white-glove clean. If you forget to make your bed or mop the floor when a visitor stops by, you can't close the bedroom door or shoo guests out of the kitchen.

Decorating A Small Space

Keeping clutter to a minimum goes a long way. Keep the kitchen area neat and free of dirty dishes, and vacuum and dust frequently. A studio is not the place for knickknacks any more than it is for large furniture. These things take up valuable space. Make sure that furniture and decorations don’t impede movement around the space. It pays to measure the furniture and make a floor plan before moving in. Don’t rent sight unseen and plan to just fit everything in once you get there.

Organizing Small Apartments

Plan before going grocery shopping. Small spaces have limited storage room. Bargain shoppers beware - there may not be room for jumbo packs of paper towels. Clutter makes a small space seem even smaller. To achieve a cozy but airy atmosphere, store things in sneaky spaces – under the bed or sofa, in the cabinet over the fridge (just not in the stove – it’s dangerous). Try dividing the space into mini-rooms. Place a small telephone stand in one corner. Create an entertainment space: buy a shelf that attaches to the top of the television to hold a stereo.

Add Simple, Personal Touches

Life in a studio is simple living at its finest. Everything you need is there - a roof over your head, a place to sleep, a place to cook and eat. You also have room for those touches that make a space home. Walls to hang pictures, a window ledge to place a vase of flowers, a closet or corner for mementos and books. What you do not have room for, you truly don’t need right now.

e.l.f, more than just a mythical creature

2008-06-10T19:54:00.000-07:00

So I recently discovered e.l.f cosmetics, and though the path that led me to this discovery was paved in gossip and ruminations, I certainly don't regret the destination. Some of you may have heard the rumblings of Bloomingdale's purchase of a small internet-based cosmetics company. Well these rumors are untrue, however the price of the product is very, very real. Most items on the site can be purchased for $1; that's right my fair, frugal friends, you can stock up on make-up brushes, and all your cosmetic needs for a buck each.

I received my package about a month after my order was placed (due to high volume of orders, shipping takes an obscene amount of time). While I wouldn't necessarily choose their eye shadow as my first pick in a line up, I found their lip balm, make-up brushes and eye liner to all be suitable. C'mon folks, for a dollar it's at least worth a lookie loo. Check them out at: http://www.eyeslipsface.com/shop.asp