Get Out of Debt - Live Free

Frugal Tip of the Day - Hedge Apples / Osage Orange - PEST CONTROL!

2011-10-10T20:14:00.000-07:00

Nothing says "ick" like spiders, roaches or mice in your house.. unless it's having to use toxic chemicals and traps to get rid of them. Even if you try chemicals, odds are good the spiders won't budge unless...

You do like I do and use Hedge Apples. This time of year we can find the fruit of the Osage Orange tree cluttering up sidewalks and bothering land owners. My boys like to "bowl" using them, and squirrels seem to like the seeds buried deep inside.

Not everything likes Hedge Apples though.. Spiders, for example, and even mice seem to hate them.

A friend of mine has a horse stable with a grain room where she keeps 20 or more sacks of grains at all times. Before discovering Hedge Apples, she always had mice.. ALWAYS, not to mention bugs in general. Nowadays, she throws several Hedge Apples under the grain room and puts a couple more on the beams inside every fall, and she won't see a single mouse all year round.

I haven't had quite that long of an effect, but for at least three months after putting them out, we don't see a spider or other bug (including ants), and the mice that always seem to invade my basement in the winter don't show their faces until the Hedge Apples are blackened and totally dry... even then, the spiders don't really come out in force til I eventually get sick of seeing the dry Hedge Balls and pitch them.

How I do it..
Take 2 Hedge Apples per room.. put one "out" and one in a closet. I set them on top of a wide disposable cup or bowl in case they get gooey (sometimes, although they usually just dry up). Forget about them and enjoy a non-toxic reduction of pests.

I like the way the fresh Hedge Apples look too. You can probably find them laying in a neighbors yard or in a park, but lacking that.. there are enterprising folks selling them on Amazon (see above/below). Your variety of pests might not be as impressed by Hedge Apples as mine are.. but it's worth a shot. I have used them for 10 years and am always amazed again at how immediate the results are, and how long it lasts.

Dollar Store Day Dreams

2011-03-12T23:03:00.000-08:00

So, I'm browsing my Dollar Tree, on the phone with my friend who exceeds my frugalness and debt-free-edness by degrees only known to the Lord Himself. (She is shocked to discover I'm on the phone while shopping.. sheer disregard for the attention that must be paid to avoid impulse buys, of which I made a couple).

Anyway, I'm looking at scrub brushes ($1, of course, which is $3 less than I'd seen elsewhere for the same brushes), and trying to decide which handle style I like. Do I want the raised handle? The flat board handled one that looks more like a shoe brush than one for cleaning floors? Or maybe the long handled kitchen style brush?

And, I had my moment of clarity. At $1 a brush, I could buy all three kinds and use them and save 15 minutes of browsing, not all frugalness is about saving money, much frugalness should be about SAVING TIME!

This brings me to my point (finally!), which is that frugal and penny-pinching should be tools we use with a goal in mind... not an end or goal by themselves.

Everyone wants to live a free, happy, and satisfying life, for as long as we are blessed to enjoy it. However things like stress, debt and sickness, not to mention relationship problems can really "ding" away at our happiness. I've seen frugalness become a burden when it consumes someone's time and life energy to the point where they'd rather spend an hour choosing between one cheap brush or another, instead of buying a couple, going home getting the scrubbing over with and having that chore done so they can enjoy their evening with a free conscious.

Despite the possible waste of buying 3 brushes when I only needed 1, the job got done faster, and I got some time holding my babies that otherwise would have been wasted dithering over a frugal possibility.

Sell that box of knick-knacks pay off debt!

2010-10-26T18:54:00.000-07:00

Stop what you are doing, go grab a box and gather up 20 things you don't love that are laying around your house, take pics, put them on your computer and sell them on www.craigslist.org. Easy. Just do it.

Take the cash and pay off debt.

Be safe though. Meet in public place, cash only, don't sell things like gold/jewelry/electronics/weapons.

Mad about Freecycle

2007-04-19T19:28:00.000-07:00

See.. if I weren't already a Freecycle nut, and hadn't already signed up for the emails and gotten used to scanning them for goodies...

I would have missed a really cool epiphany.

Some background first. I have never been a cloth diaperer.. not since the moment where my mother said... you put it in the toilet and then swish it around (with your hand).. have we even considered using cloth diapers regularily. The most I've done is for an occasional rash to air them out.

I have a now three year old son who is NOT potty trained, but is very interested and will toddle off to the bathroom with his brothers on occasion and even be productive about it. With a new baby, I'm dealing with enough diapers, and have been feeling the urge to train Squeaker to use the potty, but have been waiting til I could afford some good training pants, since my new plan was to fool him into thinking they were underwear like his brothers (who.. don't wear pullups all day long, do they???).

Back to Freecycle. Someone posted some cloth diapers, and in a weird reflexive moment, I decided that I wanted them, dashed off an email asking for them, and promptly forgot about it. Imagine my surprise when I was offered them! I picked them up this evening and my head was full of thoughts like, 'You stupid hoarder.. why in the world did you ask for these? Somebody else is sure to put them to better use" "You know you'll never be a cloth diaperer, this is a waste of time!". etc.

Even after the very nice Freecycler explained how they work (how hard can it be??? You obviously haven't seen modern cloth diapers, they have more snaps that a roll of shipping bubbles, and do you even know what a Fuzzibunz is?), I was still thinking.. (IDIOT, give them back, don't bring more clutter in your house!!). And then.. in a frugal, penny pinching moment.. I had my epiphany.

Ready? Are you sure???

Cloth diapers equals training pants.

That's it, really. So, I came home, told Squeaker that tomorrow he gets to wear big boy pants and doesn't "have" to wear a pullup, and that was that.

Which all goes to prove something, but I'm not sure what. Oh.. maybe that Freecycle is cool, but having sharply honed frugal make-do-ed-ness is better.

Hidden in Plain sight, or Why I know God cares about the little things...

2006-10-03T20:21:00.000-07:00

God has (literally!) led me into a wonderful homeschooling blessing.

This year is our first non-packaged year (we were 100% Abeka before, now My Father's world/Charlotte Mason/eclectic), and I've been so overwhelmed with the need for extensive reading lists (for them and me), having to try things (spend money...) before knowing if it's a good fit, and the whole thing has been exhausting. (including the fact that I'm doing it with a new baby, a toddler in the middle of being very two, etc.)

Here's my blessing...

A couple weeks ago, (the day after DH and I were trying to figure out a way to budget in more HS materials), I visited my Mom after the DC's lessons, and she lives right across the street from a church. She is caring for my grandfather who is in the last stage of Alzheimers, and he receives hospice RN visits. The male nurse came down and gave us a look.. I thought.. "oh no! he thinks we're playing hooky, I'd better explain we're HS'ers!". Turns out.. he is a HS dad AND a priest at the church across the street, AND the church has a private homeschool library that is open to the public for a membership fee of $15.00 a year.. books can be held for an entire year, I can check out as many as I want, no late fees etc.

I made an appt and went today.. came back with a huge box of books, including several expensive curriculum sets that I've been wanting to try.
They have enough top curriculum books and parenting/teaching helps, and reading list material, that I'll never need to buy another piece of curriculum unless I just want to own it for some reason. I also found 20+ excellent books that complement our current topics for my DD's extra reading. Everything from Saxon (all levels), Rod and Staff, Pathways, Abeka, Calvert, Charlotte Mason.... the list goes on and on. I really think I'll be able get all my HS books for the $15.00 membership fee next year.

I'm so excited.. so forgive me if I seem to be gloating.. I feel like doing a happy dance!

This library would have been impossible for me to find on my own. It's not on any of the e-lists I'm on, none of the groups have mentioned it.. and they asked me not to refer people to them.. because they are trying to phase it down to once a month open day... I was their last appt, and last "new" member. Talk about God making a way!

If I hadn't decided to drop by my Mom's for a visit, and hadn't mentioned that we were HS'ing to the nurse/priest (who was late, btw), ... so many things fell into place so that we could be blessed.

It's even more of a blessing.. because I've been so tired and discouraged lately with our HS.. they are learning, but I'm so tired I feel like I'm not making it as interesting/fun etc as I could. I really needed a boost, and now I feel like a kid in a candy shop. We're going to start on our riches tonight, as I'm getting ready to read from one of several Thornton W Burgess books I found.

Just had to do my happy dance somewhere, and I figured my frugal readers would understand why I'm so excited! :D

Backyard Firepit for Free!

2006-09-30T19:31:00.000-07:00

Last year, I really wanted a firepit for marshmallow roasts etc, but we just couldn't justify the money or time.
So.. a few months ago, I prayed and asked God to provide a way.

Last month, somebody freecycled a broken down concrete wall to me, and the bricks were EXACTLY the size and number to make the pit.

Husband has been overwhelmed with other more important projects, that I decided to tackle it myself. (after prayer, of course! )

First, I dug out a rectangle the right size and depth for one layer of bricks , then I just laid them out to make a box, then three more layers, and it was finished, the blocks fit together like they'd been hand picked for the project.. even the broken ones ended up fitting perfectly.. I also ended up with a little ledge to put a grill (rack saved from our old oven). I worked on it for 2 hours from first shovel full of dirt to finish.. then I scrounged around the yard and made two stools (logs on end), and a bench (board on bricks) and was done in time to fix dinner !

I'm always surprised, although I know I shouldn't be.. at just how much the Lord cares about me... even the small things I may want or need... He is willing and able to fulfill the very desires of my heart!

Now.. we're all set for my son's b-day party on Monday.
Our first marshmallow roast!
_________________

U-pick Farms and Orchards

2006-09-26T21:35:00.000-07:00

We had a homeschool "field" trip today. After violin lessons, we went to an apple orchard to meet with another homeschooling family. They were late, and while we waited, we picked raspberries.

This was my second time to pick raspberries there this year and the price was still fabulous. $ 1.50 a POUND! for RASPBERRIES! Wow!

My total bill for the outing (besides fuel to get there) was $ 46.00.

That bought

1/2 bushel mixed apples
6-7 cups of raspberries
4 perfect pie pumpkins
6 smallish gourds for the table centerpiece
1 gallon cider

3 super large red bell peppers (really heavy ones)
1 # green beans
1/2 dozen sweet corn (they were incredibly sweet too)

1 huge jar of honey
6 honey sticks (treats for the children)
2 Creme brulee scented votives (they smelt like caramel apples, I couldn't resist).

2 cider slushes
2 child's ciders

We spent six hours there and the children had a fabulous time (me too! :D ).

For affordable fun, great food bargains and a chance to make great memories.. I highly recommend a U-pick near you!

I love Krogers.....

2006-09-23T20:59:00.000-07:00

In the 13+ years I've been a homemaker, many supermarkets have been available to me.

Payless, Marsh, Shop and Save, Piggly Wiggly, Winn Dixie, JayC, Jewel, and such.

Not to mention super-centers like the super Walmarts, Targets, K-marts, Meijer, etc.

The one that has held my affection the longest is Krogers.

Ah... Krogers.

The reasons I like Kroger stores are numerous... but.. since I'm blogging about it, I'll list some of them.

1. Krogers usually has 90% of my list on a GOOD sale. Better than I could get with a coupon somewhere else. It doesn't seem to matter what I need, I'm sure to find it on sale for a good price (and I do comparison shop, so I know!).

2. Kroger routinely has their excellent no additive cheese, sour cream, and 2qt. Acidouphilous milk on sale for $1.00. Also, just about every other normal thing I buy goes on sale for $1.00 about once a month. Not to mention nearly always carrying medium eggs for around $.58.

3. Krogers has super fresh produce, (including organic!) that is also on sale when I need it. A sparkling clean deli and meat counter, where they will slice roasts for me for free! (you know, those $1.87 lb pork or round roasts?)

4. Krogers's is laid out sensibly, and they don't keep moving the aisles. You can get milk and bread and bananas without wearing out your legs by circling the entire store.

5. The customer service people and clerks are nearly always polite and friendly. I still get asked if I need help out with my bags at Krogers. (and I'm not an old lady either).

6. Krogers let me sign up for their customer card using the name "King Kong" and 12345 Adams St, USA on the form, the lady said it didn't matter what I put down, and that no number was necessary. Granted.. this was about eight years ago.. they might be sticklers for accuracy now, who knows.

7. They have carts that look like race cars.. and get this.. they seat TWO children and have TWO steering wheels. This same cart has a little shelf for my coupon book/purse/whatever.

8. The managers have always been nice (mind now, I've had 6 major moves, and Krogers has been consistent for that long), and if I ask them to get something special in.. they WILL, and act like it's a pleasure. When I have a complaint (rarely) it's taken care of immediately and appropriately.

9. Along those lines... I can special order stuff online from Krogers. Check it out here
Krogers
I can also see the flyers online, which is nice when they fail to materialize in the mailbox.

10. Krogers doubles coupons (except when they triple them :D ), doesn't demand ID for a credit/debit card purchase, and will give me paper bags, even doubled ones, without pouting about it like some other stores (or like Walmart, who has fazed them out entirely).

11. Krogers has a whole organic/natural foods section that is laid out sensibly, has good sales and includes hard to find things like good tasting soy ice cream (Husband is allergic to milk), and organic milk that goes on sale for $2.50 2qt.

12. Krogers hires sweet old ladies who coo over my children when we stop to sample stuff. They also give out GOOD cookies from the bakery counter for the children(usually jumbo chocolate chip, sugar or snickerdoodles).. unlike Walmart, which gives hard, cold and mealy mini-shortbread lumps.

Take a Month off from Electric and Gas Bills

2006-09-20T08:40:00.000-07:00

This is the time of year (Spring is another), where you might be lucky enough and smart enough to get a "bill free" month.

Turning off the a/c and not turning on the furnace can save us around $100.00 this month.

Instead of A/C, open windows when it's warm, and close them before it starts too cool down in the evening. Try it, you might be surprised!

Marry a man who can fix things....

2006-09-18T20:09:00.000-07:00

My husband asked me last week.. as he put the finishing touches on a "DIY" project... "Honey, would you still love me if I couldn't fix your appliances anymore?".

I was shaken! Not fix things anymore!

Until he'd said that.. I didn't realize what an integral part of our relationship his "fix-it" personality was.

My answer was "I don't know, let's not find out.. ok?".

Seriously though.... marrying a man who not only CAN, but DOES fix things is the most frugal thing I've ever done.

Not that I put much thought towards frugal living back then.. but the fact remains...

Single people... consider your spouse-to-be's ways... are they like Solomons industrious ant? or are they talentless, slacker sluggards who'll just call a repairman or charge a new washing machine the first time it hiccups.

Astonishingly Unfrugal things people do

2006-09-05T10:32:00.000-07:00

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Astonishingly UnFrugal things other people do...

1. Going out to eat all the time.. saying and I quote "It's cheaper than having to buy ingredients and cook at home!".

2. Use coupons to buy stuff that is still a lousy deal. An example.. Buying expensive frozen dinners for a family of six... (3.50 each without coupon.. 2.95 after) when the children will still be starving after eating their 6 oz Lean cuisine meal. For 17.70, I can fix a huge potroast dinner, big enough to feed 12 hungry eaters, or a 20 serving lasagne, or three hearty chicken dinners to feed 6. Some things aren't a bargain no matter how big the discount.

3. Using 35mm film. Digital is the frugal choice here. Not only is it cheaper.. but it's easier to store those snapshots you aren't sure you want to put in albums right now.

4. Throw away leftovers and then fix sandwiches for lunches.... Just put the leftovers away in a lunch sized container, toss in a plastic fork, napkin, and drink. When we get lunch meat.. I figure it costs an average of $2.00 per sandwich for fixings. Compare that to using healthier, homecooked and "free" leftovers! If you end up with more than one serving of something.. put them away in serving size containers in the freezer.. just pop one in a lunch bag, and you won't need to add the frozen cooler thing.

5. Taking little boys to get their hair buzzed at a barbershop. It costs at least $6.00 per head at the barbers.. and it only costs $35.00 for a decent WAHL clipper set with instructions. You can't mess up a buzz cut, so why not do it yourself?
The instructions even show how to do other styles as well.. and it's not that hard. It takes me about 15min per head, and I'm still using the clippers I bought five years ago. I've been doing DH's hair too.. he likes a buzz cut in the summer, and I'm practicing on the boys for DH's normal winter cut.

Goofy ways to make money

2006-09-01T08:02:00.000-07:00

I posted this at my personal blog.. and decided you might think it was interesting too.

The Legal Mastermind's loophole number are as follows....

He had two credit cards (total $50,000 credit line) that he maxed out with travelers checks every month.
Cashing the checks and buying 30 day CD's or putting it into a money market account at 3.5% (not sure you could still find that high of a return.. but anyway...)

He cashed out and paid off the cards each month, netting him with 3.5% annual return from $50,000. His credit report showed four more cards in similar use.. (different bank than mine).. so.. if he did that with $200,000... his annual rate of return was about $7000.00.

It may seem like easy money.. but the logistics had to be a bear... and.. as I keep saying.. your time is valuable too.

More Ways to Save

2006-09-01T06:15:00.000-07:00

Medical bills:
1. Everybody see the same Doctor!
Take the time to find a good Family Practitioner that will treat your whole family. Not only are they more flexible and available than specialists... but if you do a good job choosing (aka.. always ask!) they'll be willing to call in antibiotics if you all fall prey to Strep Throat at the same time. You'll save money, time, and hassle if your family has a good Family Doctor. Bonus.. making appts, getting refills, and payment options are more flexible with a Family MD.
Tip.. look for designation "Family Practioner" esp if you have children or elderly. Most General Practitioner's won't treat young children or do OBGYN checks.

2. If you have alot of medications... check out your RX options. For example.. online pharmacies, Sam's club pharmacies and "Discount RX" stores might be worth looking into.

3. Use your medical savings account benefit if you have one. Unless you never get sick, don't wear glasses, and don't see the dentist.. you should use it. They are easier to use than ever before, and you can get reimbursed for everything from co-pays, elective surgery and root canals to contact lense solution.

4. Plan ahead. If you are going to have a baby next year.. make sure your insurance selections reflect that. Dental insurance and vision insurance are good places to look for "plan ahead" options.

5. Stay healthy. A little investment in vitamins (C!), exercise and avoiding bad habits (drugs, smoking, drinking, illicit activity, over eating, fast food) will save you huge amounts of money over a lifetime. A strong immune system is your best defense.. and it is usually the fruit of living frugally (avoiding vice is exceedingly frugal!)

6. The internet is your friend. Here's a good place to start More Frugal Medical here!

Local Entertainment

2006-09-01T05:31:00.000-07:00

Instead of spending cash for concert tickets... this time of year has ripe pickings for free concerts, festivals and other free entertainment possibilities.

Just this week, I picked up a calendar full of great happenings for September for our nearest big city.My source!
Among the offerings for September... 12 free concerts, including jazz, classical, Chinese, bluegrass, Rock, country and thats not counting the dozen or so gospel concerts held in churches.

While spending money on entertainment is unfrugal and unwise when trying to get out of debt... adding enjoyment and cultural opportunities is a great way to not feel "deprived". So.. do some research and go somewhere free, fun and frugal this weekend. I also like City Guide as a search tool for local happenings.

When Frugal Living is a bad thing...

2006-08-29T11:38:00.000-07:00

Everybody likes to save money. We all get excited about bargains.. its the way we are made.

Sometimes though.. being frugal is such terrible economy that it needs to be redefined from a way of saving money.. to an expensive hobby.

Here are a few things that defy true frugality.... many are the epitome of False Economy.

1. Gardening:
Unless you already have all the equipment, supplies, and skills... you WILL lose money by gardening. If you further compound your False Economy and decide to "put up" the fruits of your exhaustive labor by canning (requires a canner, jars, lids and usually extra ingredients).. you'll lose even more. Gardening is a wonderful hobby, but it's a hard sell at Frugal living unless you don't value your time at all. Even without counting your time... it's very easy to spend more in garden prep, seeds, tranplants, fertilizer, insecticide, mulch, and tools than you could possibly recoup in grocery savings. Factor in your time to prepare the soil, plant, tend, harvest and preserve.... and it stops feeling very frugal. Gardening IS however.. a lovely hobby.

2. Displacing water in your toilet tank:
Unless you live alone (in which case your savings will be even less), this can be a very dangerous practice in terms of frugality. That tank is designed to use a certain amount of water to flush... without enough water.. you get clogged pipes, which at the very least will require you to plunge it.. and usually requires a serious bout of cleaning. Worst case... you need a plumber or to buy a "snake". Your time is valuable, cleaning supplies cost something.. doing laundry is expensive (you know somebody will toss some towels down to "soak it up". AND.. the pennies you'll save a month on your water bill doesn't justify the risk and inevitability of clogged drains. For households with grownups only.. you might get away with it.. watch out for this False Economy if you live with children!

3. Most House Renovations:
Most household renovations, with the small exception of some paint jobs.. are true False Economies. If you will be living in your home longer than ten years, and want to redo the kitchen, bathroom, den, add a room etc.. you might recoup your investment. Otherwise.. it's very difficult to recoup any money you spend on a house. That especially means things that don't show.. like replacing wiring, plumbing, garbage disposals, a/c units, gutters, and so forth. Frugal means not wasting your money/time/resources. I do believe that most renovations are very poor investments. Don't fool yourself into thinking you are saving money by replacing those old windows with new efficient windows. You'll spend thousands of dollars for the new windows.. and will save maybe $200 a year. Same goes for new insulation, installing solar panels, or anytime you replace something that doesn't actually NEED to be replaced.

4. Saving stuff:
Whether it's a collection of mayonaise jars, rubber bands, newspapers, or spare parts... You pay for storing it. Most of the time... that junk goes in the garage, or displaces stuff to the garage.. so you can't park vehicles in the garage. In addition to paying for storing it.. your car will use more gas warming up and cooling down if parked outside.. the paint and interior will fade, and you face higher depreciation and risk of damage/loss if you leave it outside. Most stuff people save has negligable value and is easily and inexpensively replaced if needed. Declutter your life, and you'll find yourself a happier person.. and that's priceless.

5. Doing your own taxes.
In general.. if you are single, living in an apartment, don't trade stocks and don't give to charities.. you can do your own taxes and save money. Anybody else is probably better off getting them professionally done, because a professional will find you deductions you'd have never thought of... and you're less likely to be audited if you use a reputable firm too. Our tax savings (from using a professional) more than pays for the somewhat high fees we pay for the service.

6. Discount Clubs/Buying Network Memberships:
Very few people save money.. most spend MORE than they otherwise would. The savings per item is minimal, and the temptation to buy in bulk (waste, storage) is great.. and the temptation to buy stuff you'd never have thought of buying is great too.

7. Multi-level marketing "distributerships"
You won't make or save enough money to justify the time, stress, and aggravation. At least half the people I know who'ved tried these have gone into debt on the road to "get rich quick" multilevel junk. Not to mention alienating people because whatever else mult-level marketing programs do.. they alienate friends and family.

More here and
here

10 Dumb Things to avoid

2006-08-28T21:10:00.000-07:00

10 Dumb Things to Avoid while trying to get out of Debt:

1. Taking out loans to pay off other loans.
That includes refinancing a mortgage or using a Home equity line of credit. Dealing with debt that way is dangerous, and as the huge number of bank incentives to do so SHOULD show us.. doesn't usally work. Two wrongs don't make a right. Your bad habits got you in debt to begin with.. all those poorly thought out decisions.. don't take on new temptation.. you'll end up regretting it.

2. False Economy.
Your time is worth something. Don't spend hours that you could be making money or creating wealth (see below) dealing with frugal things that only save pennies at best. Don't choke on a gnat and swallow a camel. Installing thousands of dollars of weatherproofing/insulation in a house you won't stay ten years in.. that's poor economy... you'll never recoup that money.
I could fill a book with all the ways we practice false economy.. Instead, I challenge you to reconsider every frugal choice honestly to see if it's really saving you anything, or if it's a net loss.

3. Do any remodeling projects.
Seriously.. they always cost more than you think. Painting a room might be ok.. but be prepared for things to go wrong and your couch to need recovering after somebody trips with a paint can.

4. Start a business.
Any business. Just say NO! Most businesses fail after the entrepreneurs pour thousands of hours, thousands of dollars and untold levels of stress into it. Don't do it. Wait til you are debt free before even considering it. Unless you've hit on a model that requires no capital, minimal time, and no space... (and if you have.. let me in on the secret!).. no business startups please!

5. Close any lines of credit.
Pay it off, cut up the card, but leave it open. Open credit will help get you a better score.. a better score translates into a better interest rate, and lower interest rate translates into less money you spend. Don't open new debt.. but you CAN leverage a good credit score into a better interest rate on what you already have.

6. Buy "wholesale" club memberships and use them.
It's very difficult to save enough money using a wholesale club to justify the membership, time, and temptation. Those places are filled with things you don't need but will want the second you see it.. better stick to your neighborhood grocers.

7. Drive more than a little out of your way to fill up at a cheaper gas station.
Do the math. A 30 gallon tank of gas at $2.85 will cost you $85.50. A 30 gallon tank of gas at $2.77 will cost you $83.10.. just $2.40 difference per fill-up. Factor in how much gas you spent getting there, wear and tear on your car, your time..
you can easily find a net loss if you drive more than a few minutes farther.

8. Go shopping unless you absolutely have to.
Groceries.. you need them. Anything else.. you can probably do without, or buy online where it's easier to ditch the stuff in your "Cart". Going to malls or any store just to browse, or without a specific thing in mind is a very bad thing. Consumerism is what got us in debt in the first place (usually), and the best way to avoid temptation is to steer clear of merchandise in the first place.

9. Have a Yard Sale.
You won't make much money.. usually just pennies on the dollar spent, and that's for stuff in good shape.
Instead... itemize your junk, just make a simple list (like.. 3 mens shirts, 4 slacks, 15 womens scarves etc).
Place it in boxes or bags, and take it to your nearest Battered Women and Children's shelter and get a tax receipt.
It's better than Goodwill IMO. They sell the stuff they can't use to Goodwill for $5.00 a bag.
Take the tax receipt and your itemized list.. and deduct up to $500.00 from your taxable income.
The IRS has a splendid chart, but you can approximate it by figuring what your stuff would be priced at a thrift store and claiming that.
By the time you figure your costs, time, and stress.. it's a rare yardsale that's worth the effort. Trust me on this one.. Yard Sales aren't the way out of debt!

10. Spend alot of time "researching" Getting out of Debt/Frugal Living/Personal Finance etc.
Frugality, Personal Finance, Debt consolidation.. you can spend hours researching it.. but what you really need to be doing is putting your own sense of reason in action and DOING something about it. Get organized financially. Keep good records. Declutter your house (mind) of things that oppress you and slow you down. Learn better habits, break old bad habits.
This principle.. is to stay focused and not get too caught up in "the best way". There will always be a latest, greatest way to get out of debt, lose weight, get organized, become wealthy etc.. The only one that will work though.. is the one you start and finish. Don't get sidetracked.. pick something easy and stay with it.. avoiding temptation by not pursuing every "best" idea you come across. Get started DOING something about Debt today.

Make it yourself

2006-08-24T18:30:00.000-07:00

THIS

Here's a fantastic and free site with lots of make it yourself projects. Everything from kid's crafts to how to make party lanterns to how to sew/cook/garden etc.

I enjoyed the recyling ideas, and will be using several (including the Breyer's Ice cream carton crafts) with my children.

Have fun being frugal!

Frugal Pest Control - Osage better than Orkin?

2006-08-21T16:26:00.000-07:00

A few years ago, I came across THIS
website about the fruit of the Osage Orange tree.. the fruit is commonly called Hedgeapples. They are a strange green fruit, and if you leave them around your house.. they will discourage just about all bugs... esp spiders. I've tried them.. they worked for me!

Osage Orange is in season now.. so next time you go for a walk or to the park.. keep your eye out for these free and frugal (not to mention all natural!) pest control treasures!

Surveys for cash!

2006-08-21T15:47:00.000-07:00

I've been doing paid surveys for about two years now. The very best survey company is Pinecone research. However.. they don't let you just sign up.. you have to be referred... so... as they are now taking referrals for Men ages 17-24... here is the link! Pinecone pays $5.00 per survey and sends out checks to arrive within a week after each study. I'm not in their favorite target demographics.. but even so.. I get around $50.00 a year, and each survey usually only takes 10-15min.

Males 17-24, Sign up here, one per household!

Some of the other survey companies I've tried have NEVER paid out, and others have so-called "Screening" surveys that seem to be actual surveys and then will say "sorry, you don't qualify", after a fifteen minute survey.
Pinecone isn't one of those.. if you get a survey email.. and you fill it out.. you'll get the $5.00 every time.. and no wasted time. So.. if you are looking for another income stream, consider Pinecone. If you want to do Pinecone, but aren't a male 17-24yo... check in periodically at Phoenix Freebies in their survey forum.. because they'll post any referral codes for Pinecone as soon as they can.

My children have each gotten payouts from Weekly Readers ages 5+ and my daughter has earned about $30.00 last year through Kidzeyes ages 6+.

I'll post more of my "Paid Survey" winners next week.

Practical Thinking about Expenses

2006-08-21T09:23:00.000-07:00

It's very easy to fall into the consumerism driven mindset that says we "need" things other than basic survival necessities.

What do we really need in life? Shelter, Water, Food, Warmth, Clothing, Transportation.. and Medical care or RX should be on there too.

Nearly everything else that average American's spend their money are definite non-essentials. Think about it.. Does anybody really NEED a $4.00 cup of coffee, a fastfood meal, or spikey heeled shoes? No.. we don't.

We also don't need boxed snacks and cookies (I've started making two batches of banana or pumpkin bread each week and a batch of cookies instead.. guess what? It's cheaper, they taste better, and they are far better for us... my husband added that homemade goodies are comforting to eat!)

We don't need to go to Movie Theaters or rent videos (Library has lots of videos, or you can trade if you really need video entertainment).

We don't need cable TV. Instead... how about something that money can't buy? Building relationships with family and friends through games, outings and entertaining company at home. Not to mention excercise, throwing balls with young children, or having "time" to make goodies that comfort!

I've started to question every purchase. Here is what I ask myself. Self.. is this purchase worth my husband spending this much time away from home at work? Is this purchase worth not being able to save for vacations, retirement, recovering my couch? Is this purchase worth not having the money saved to pay for orthodontics for five children? How many years past retirement age do I want my husband to NEED to work? Is it worth it? Invariably.. the answer is a resounding NO!

Spending on frivolous things is taking money and opportunity from our future selves. I don't know about you.. but I want to have a bright future, one without debt and with the ability to pay cash for our needs and reasonable wants. So here I am.. pluggin away to reduce our debt load.

We are still in the early days of change.. but already, there is more money free to pay down our loans.

Perhaps the best thing about beginning to affect change.. is the empowering mindset that we have a plan and it's being put in action.

Frugal, Fun and Free

2006-08-19T21:21:00.000-07:00

Here are some great sites for cool frugality. It won't cost you a dime to be educated by these folks in the ways of FREEDOM. Becoming and Living Debt Free!

Free the Drones

Frugal for Life

Homeschool - The Frugal Choice

2006-08-19T15:21:00.000-07:00

I just posted this on my homeschool blog. I've given a breakdown of savings.. in brief...(read the whole post if you want the detailed version)...

Annual Savings for my three school-aged children, ages 8 (3rd grade), 6 (1st grade) and 4(preK4):

$2142.24 saved by Homeschool V Public School
$9132.00 saved by Homeschool V Private School

In an effort to further reduce costs... I can tell you that we also visit the DR's alot less frequently than most families with "schooled" children, and spend far less on medicine.. Mainly because we aren't exposed to the constant barrage of unwashed hands/sniffly noses and such that keep schools covered in germs.

I've got friends who have Homeschool HighSchoolers.. and although their books tend to be a little pricier.. it still would cost them at least double or triple to send their child to Public school.. and at least 10X to send to private school.

Considering that most Homeschoolers score far and away above the national average on SAT tests.. Homeschool does seem to be an extraordinary value.

Five First Steps to Debt Free

2006-08-19T08:08:00.000-07:00

1. Realize that being in debt is a bad thing. It's sort of like the AA 12 step program... admitting you have a problem is the very first step. My husband and I were discussing debt and why we want to get of of it with our 8yo daughter last weekend. I was so impressed with my husband.. he told her.. "Taking on Debt is like stealing from your future self". A profound thought, to be sure. And it's true, also. Getting out of Debt, and living without Debt is the very best step to being free.
Debt is a bad thing.. realize it, accept it, and do something about it.

2. Honestly access your debt. Include such things as... not saving any money for short and long term goals. A lack of savings translates into a debt to YOURSELF. It's bad enough to owe other people money.. but living at the extreme edge or beyond of our income creates a debt to our future self as well. List every creditor, list every major "undone" savings goals... and be honest about it.

3. This probably should have gone first.. but I believe that seeking God's help is a major part of becoming Debt free. It seems obvious from the Bible that God disapproves of debt.. because it puts people into servitude.. and that's a bad thing. Asking God to deliver us from debt and to help us gain personal discipline and good stewardship goals.. it's all part of the process.

4. Honestly access your income and resources.. not forgetting such things as free time, talents, training etc that could translate into more income. In order to become debt free... you need to have income, and you'll need to WORK hard at it. In my case.. I'm a SAHM of five children.. there's not a whole lot of free time to be had. However.. I do have some options, and I'll be getting into exactly what we are doing a little later. This is just the first five things to do.. and it all starts with being honest.. to ourselves and to God about where we really are.

5. Start the process of eliminating expenses. Identify extraneous expense. Eliminate Extraneous Expense. Create both income and debt reduction in one fell swoop. Eliminating expense is a double whammy.. and should be the very first practical step towards becoming debt free. It's the first step to self discipline, the first step to good stewardship, and will provide great satisfaction when you have tangible proof that your efforts are working.

Next.. I'll be posting about specific expenses we're eliminating, additional sources of income we've found, and lots of frugal tips to help with all five "first steps" of the Get Out Of Debt - Be Free life.

Getting Out of Debt - Free or goodfree

2006-08-17T14:24:00.000-07:00

It's my dream.. becoming debt free. And now.. I have a way to document all the cool things I learn about on my journey to living free of debt.

It's the "good" life.. living "free".. hence the blog address.

My first post... just a couple links that I've found helpful.

This is my favorite Freebie site. They also have tons of money saving forums to browse through. A must see if you like free samples, or bargains.
Phoenix Freebies

What got me started on my road to Frugal Living...
Frugal Living

And something for every-Mom...
Miserly Moms