Earn and Save

Are you looking for a creative way to save up for that new pair of shoes, that special gift for your husband or best friend, or how about that vacation that you need oh so desperately. If so, here's some ideas for you. Earn some money online. There are many web sites that will pay you to do research, like mturk.com and crowdsource.com. There are also web sites that will pay you to do the things you already do online, like search the web and chat with friends. Check Gather and myLot.com. They both have low payout rates. MTurk is a mechanical turk site ran by Amazon.com. You can save up for that special gift purchase, and pay for it with the cash you earn right on their site. Or transfer the funds into your bank account at any time. Join Inbox Dollars or MyPoints and get paid to read your email. Inbox Dollars has a payout of $30/$25 once you become a gold member. MyPoints pays in gift cards for just about anywhere nationwide, places like Wal-Mart, Red Lobster, K-Mart, and more. Put the funds you earn from the different sites all together, and pay for that special gift or new pair of shoes. Save your earnings all year and throw in the money from those aluminum cans you've been saving, and pay for that big vacation for which you have been looking forward!

Shop on the Internet

If at all possible, when making purchases, try shopping on the internet. 

Shopping on the internet will not only save you money on gas, but many times is less expensive than shopping in the retail store.

Parts for appliances are often found to be half the price, because you are buying from someone who has a worldwide customer base instead of just the people in their town.

If there are stores in which you purchase items frequently, consider signing up for their newsletters.  Typically you will receive emails with coupons, percentage discounts and sale fliers.  Well worth getting a few extra emails if you are going to be shopping from the same store on a regular basis.

Stock up if you find a great deal.  On items that you purchase on a regular basis, be sure to buy a few extra when making your shopping purchase.  You'll only pay the shipping and handling fee one time, plus you'll be saving money in the long run.

Halloween Costume

Don't forget to look up articles on the internet to see if you have the items in your home to make a really cool Halloween costume.

A couple of years ago, I made a Headless Woman Halloween Costume.  It was probably one of the best costumes I have ever had... and I made it homemade, out items from around the house. 

The dress was an old one someone left in a rental property.  The blood was made from corn starch and a couple of other items.  Read the article to get a better idea.

Shopping Habits

It is easy to get into the habit of going shopping every weekend, or every pay day.

If you would really like to cut down on your lifestyle, try shopping on Tuesday or Wednesday. This is better, for one because there are less people in the store. However, just try not to make going grocery shopping part of your weekend entertainment.

Sometimes, it is fun to look, although when we make shopping and spending money a habit, we can very easily get into the habit of living week to week, or pay day to pay day.

If you go during the week, you are more likely to get in and out of the store quicker, because you want to get home and relax a little bit, before you have to go to bed since you have to get up for work the next day.

Better yet, see how long you can go without going to Wal-Mart, Costco, or your local superstore. This can become a game in itself, which will in turn, help you to save money!

Auction For Alabama

Over 40 musicians and artists have donated items for tornado victims in Alabama. This is a great opportunity for you to not only donate but also get a great deal. Most of the goods are autographed and items are selling for as cheap as $1 with free shipping.

On the same note, a number of Nashville artists have started a site called Songs for Joplin. Donate a little and get a little music.

One more Generic Tissue Paper

While we are on the subject of generic tissue papers, I have one more to review for you.

This one is a generic toilet paper that you can purchase exclusively at K-Mart.

The brand is Smart Sense, and to the best of my knowledge it is a generic K-Mart brand.

This paper is equivalent to Charmin and pretty close to Cottonelle. I would definitely suggest this brand, to anyone who is considering trying it.

Happy shopping and saving everyone!

How to Perform a Magic Trick with Pennies

Ever think of being a performer for your child's birthday party instead of the host.

This is a great way to have a great time at the party, and to make your kids enjoy it even more. Especially when they are still young enough to think of their parents as 'heroes'.

Have one of the child's aunts, uncles, or a grandparent fill in as the host for you at the party, and be a clown, magician or perform some other type of act. For older kids, perhaps a dj.

Here is a magic trick to get you started How to Perform a Magic Trick with Pennies.