Gift baskets are a great idea for that aunt or neice that you really don't know that well. Put a bunch of small items in the basket, and they're sure to like at least some of them. And best of all, if it's something they won't use, they usually know someone who will.
Now here's the thrifty part of the idea. You know all of those little sample packets you receive in the mail and don't use. How about filling the basket with little samples.
You can save the sample items throughout the year, and make for a great gift basket at Christmas Time.
Search the internet for web sites offering free sample links. A number of times, you'll see something in which you may not necessarily be interested, but that special person might enjoy.
Visit Free Samples and Stuff For YOU for ideas!
So, start that basket now. And best of all, it doesn't even have to be a basket. A plate, a wrapped piece of cardboard, or anything sturday can be a platform for a gift basket. Just put it all together and wrap with inexpensive wrap and tie a ribbon on the top!
Thursday, March 14, 2013
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Icicles
Are you wondering why you have so many icicles on the edge of your roof? Looking at your neighbors house, wondering why they don't. Or perhaps, they have a few, but not nearly as many as you. And one more question, why is the snow melted on your roof, but not your neighbors?
One answer....Ice Dams.
Ice dams are formed after a snowfall and several days of freezing temperatures. The heat from inside of your home rising into your attic, and causes the snow on the roof to melt. The water from the melted snow runs down your roof and freezes when it gets to the overhang. This part of your roof that hangs out past your house is cold, because it doesn't have the heat from the attic rising into it.
The next question you may be asking, "How do I get rid of ice dams?"
Two answers....attic ventilation and insulation.
First of all, make sure your attic is properly insulated. This will help keep the heat from your home, in your home.
Second, proper attic ventilation will help keep the roof the same temperature as the outside air. This will keep the snow on your roof from melting.
One answer....Ice Dams.
Ice dams are formed after a snowfall and several days of freezing temperatures. The heat from inside of your home rising into your attic, and causes the snow on the roof to melt. The water from the melted snow runs down your roof and freezes when it gets to the overhang. This part of your roof that hangs out past your house is cold, because it doesn't have the heat from the attic rising into it.
The next question you may be asking, "How do I get rid of ice dams?"
Two answers....attic ventilation and insulation.
First of all, make sure your attic is properly insulated. This will help keep the heat from your home, in your home.
Second, proper attic ventilation will help keep the roof the same temperature as the outside air. This will keep the snow on your roof from melting.
Friday, January 18, 2013
Save on Entertainment
With the new year upon us, it is a good idea to take a look at our budget and think of ways to save.
Take a look at your entertainment budget. Are you splurging more than you should?
One thing we may not think about very often is our television entertainment. With the new age of the internet and computers, how often do you actually watch that movie channel. And, are there other ways to watch movies.
Most new television models have a plug for your computer, so they may be used as a monitor. Others even have network accessibility, in which they can be used just like a computer.
If you have your internet thru the same provider as your television, you can probably watch all of those shows that you dvr, online.
So, take a few minutes this month to review what you're watching, and see if there isn't some way to save on that much dreaded cable bill!
Take a look at your entertainment budget. Are you splurging more than you should?
One thing we may not think about very often is our television entertainment. With the new age of the internet and computers, how often do you actually watch that movie channel. And, are there other ways to watch movies.
Most new television models have a plug for your computer, so they may be used as a monitor. Others even have network accessibility, in which they can be used just like a computer.
If you have your internet thru the same provider as your television, you can probably watch all of those shows that you dvr, online.
So, take a few minutes this month to review what you're watching, and see if there isn't some way to save on that much dreaded cable bill!
Monday, January 14, 2013
Programmable Thermostat
The cost of a low end thermostat is approximately $25. Programmable thermostats are estimated to save up to 7% per month in utility costs.
Let's look at some numbers. First of all, we'll be generous and for the sake of round numbers, let's say your gas bill averages $100 in the winter. In just 3 months of winter, you will practically have the cost of the thermostat paid in full.
If your gas bill is $300 a month, the programmable thermostat will pay for itself in just a little over one month. The other 2 months of winter you will save the $21. Not to mention the savings in the fall and spring, when the days are cold enough to run your furnace.
They are really easy to program. Even most of the cheaper models have 4 different programming levels per day, and 2 cycles per week. One cycle for weekdays and one programming cycle for weekends.
As far as replacing the thermostat, there are directions in the box and they are easier to replace than setting up your average entertainment center or home computer system.
Let's look at some numbers. First of all, we'll be generous and for the sake of round numbers, let's say your gas bill averages $100 in the winter. In just 3 months of winter, you will practically have the cost of the thermostat paid in full.
If your gas bill is $300 a month, the programmable thermostat will pay for itself in just a little over one month. The other 2 months of winter you will save the $21. Not to mention the savings in the fall and spring, when the days are cold enough to run your furnace.
They are really easy to program. Even most of the cheaper models have 4 different programming levels per day, and 2 cycles per week. One cycle for weekdays and one programming cycle for weekends.
As far as replacing the thermostat, there are directions in the box and they are easier to replace than setting up your average entertainment center or home computer system.
Monday, December 17, 2012
Saving Can Be Addictive
Whether it's a change jar, a checking account that rounds your purchases up to a full dollar amount, or a credit card that gives you cash back, saving can be addictive. Just give it a try.
Try purchasing a change jar (I know that's spending unnecessarily, but it will be worth it in the long run) that calculates the change as you put it in the jar. Or, how about adding one to your Christmas list. Another option would be to keep a pad of paper beside of your change jar and adding the change each time you drop coins in the jar.
How about one of those checking accounts that round your purchase up to the next full dollar amount and puts the balance of your change into a savings account. Wait a while before looking at your balance, you'll be surprised how fast the dollar amount increases in your savings account.
Finally, if you can, setup a credit card to make all of your monthly purchases. Most credit cards, and some debit cards, now pay cash back. Discover has been doing this for some time. They pay 1% cash back on all purchases, up to a certain dollar amount per year. They also pay 5% cash back on different categories throughout the year. This is a great way to save. Once your cash has accumulated, you can retrieve your earnings and put them into a high interest paying savings account.
As your savings accumulates, you will find saving can be addictive. The more you save, the more you will try to save. Give it a try!
Try purchasing a change jar (I know that's spending unnecessarily, but it will be worth it in the long run) that calculates the change as you put it in the jar. Or, how about adding one to your Christmas list. Another option would be to keep a pad of paper beside of your change jar and adding the change each time you drop coins in the jar.
How about one of those checking accounts that round your purchase up to the next full dollar amount and puts the balance of your change into a savings account. Wait a while before looking at your balance, you'll be surprised how fast the dollar amount increases in your savings account.
Finally, if you can, setup a credit card to make all of your monthly purchases. Most credit cards, and some debit cards, now pay cash back. Discover has been doing this for some time. They pay 1% cash back on all purchases, up to a certain dollar amount per year. They also pay 5% cash back on different categories throughout the year. This is a great way to save. Once your cash has accumulated, you can retrieve your earnings and put them into a high interest paying savings account.
As your savings accumulates, you will find saving can be addictive. The more you save, the more you will try to save. Give it a try!
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Dropped my Thermostat a Couple of Degrees
A few days ago, I was going to be away from home for over 12 hours, so I decided to drop my thermostat a couple of degrees. I was tired when I arrived home, and my thermostat was the last thing on my mind, so I didn't move it back upon arriving home.
The next morning, I realized it, but didn't feel chilled at all. Since I was leaving early in the morning, I decided to leave the thermostat. After that, I didn't think about it for a couple of days. By that time, I realized I could keep my thermostat down at the lower level of 67 degrees in my home while I was home, without feeling at all uncomfortable.
So today when I left, knowing that I would be gone for at least 10 if not 12 hours, I decided to drop my thermostat a couple of degrees....
The next morning, I realized it, but didn't feel chilled at all. Since I was leaving early in the morning, I decided to leave the thermostat. After that, I didn't think about it for a couple of days. By that time, I realized I could keep my thermostat down at the lower level of 67 degrees in my home while I was home, without feeling at all uncomfortable.
So today when I left, knowing that I would be gone for at least 10 if not 12 hours, I decided to drop my thermostat a couple of degrees....
Sunday, November 18, 2012
Pasta
The simple title of this article, 'Pasta', says it all.
Pasta is a great ingredient for budget meals. Here are a few of the past a recipes that I use to keep my budget in tact, when it comes to grocery shopping.
Pasta Salad
Ingredients:
1/2 box rotini pasta
1 cup sliced, diced or cherry tomatoes
1 cup green, red, or yellow peppers (mix it up or use one color, whatever fits your budget)
1 small can black olives (I prefer whole, but choose your favorite style)
8 ounces mozzerella
8 ounces Italian dressing
Directions:
Cook pasta and drain, as per directions on the box. Mix all ingredients in a large bowl.
Baked Spaghetti
I use a couple of variations of baked spaghetti, to keep it interesting. One includes sausage, the other pepperoni.
Ingredients:
1/2 box angel hair pasta
1/2 can Hunts pasta sauce (I recommend Hunts because of the value and taste in comparison to others.)
1/4 lb bulk Italian bulk sausage or 1/4 pack pepperoni
8 ounces of mozzerella
Preheat oven to 425 degrees, while you are cooking the pasta. If you chose the sausage for your baked spaghetti recipe, fry the sausage stirring into small pieces, at the same time you are cooking the pasta.
Strain the angel hair pasta. Add the pasta sauce and the sausage. Stir ingredients and then pour into a small Pyrex baking dish. Top with mozzerella. Bake 10 to 15 minutes, until cheese darkens to your liking.
If you chose the pepperoni option, skip the sausage in the above recipe. After you have topped the angel hair pasta and sauce with mozzerella, add a layer of pepperoni to the top of the cheese and follow the baking instructions above.
Penne Rigate and Sausage
Ingredients:
1/2 box penne rigate
1/2 can Hunts pasta sauce
1/4 lb bulk Italian bulk sausage, or your favorite sausage (sliced kielbasa works well in this recipe as well)
Cook the penne rigate as per the directions on the box. At the same time fry the sausage. Strain the pasta , add the sausage and sauce. Top with parmesan or your favorite cheese.
Enjoy these budget recipes, or mix it up a little to fit your taste!
Pasta is a great ingredient for budget meals. Here are a few of the past a recipes that I use to keep my budget in tact, when it comes to grocery shopping.
Pasta Salad
Ingredients:
1/2 box rotini pasta
1 cup sliced, diced or cherry tomatoes
1 cup green, red, or yellow peppers (mix it up or use one color, whatever fits your budget)
1 small can black olives (I prefer whole, but choose your favorite style)
8 ounces mozzerella
8 ounces Italian dressing
Directions:
Cook pasta and drain, as per directions on the box. Mix all ingredients in a large bowl.
Baked Spaghetti
I use a couple of variations of baked spaghetti, to keep it interesting. One includes sausage, the other pepperoni.
Ingredients:
1/2 box angel hair pasta
1/2 can Hunts pasta sauce (I recommend Hunts because of the value and taste in comparison to others.)
1/4 lb bulk Italian bulk sausage or 1/4 pack pepperoni
8 ounces of mozzerella
Preheat oven to 425 degrees, while you are cooking the pasta. If you chose the sausage for your baked spaghetti recipe, fry the sausage stirring into small pieces, at the same time you are cooking the pasta.
Strain the angel hair pasta. Add the pasta sauce and the sausage. Stir ingredients and then pour into a small Pyrex baking dish. Top with mozzerella. Bake 10 to 15 minutes, until cheese darkens to your liking.
If you chose the pepperoni option, skip the sausage in the above recipe. After you have topped the angel hair pasta and sauce with mozzerella, add a layer of pepperoni to the top of the cheese and follow the baking instructions above.
Penne Rigate and Sausage
Ingredients:
1/2 box penne rigate
1/2 can Hunts pasta sauce
1/4 lb bulk Italian bulk sausage, or your favorite sausage (sliced kielbasa works well in this recipe as well)
Cook the penne rigate as per the directions on the box. At the same time fry the sausage. Strain the pasta , add the sausage and sauce. Top with parmesan or your favorite cheese.
Enjoy these budget recipes, or mix it up a little to fit your taste!
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