OK, OK: A Whine-Free, Turning-50 Birthday List: Frugal and Grateful

Did my turning-50 birthday "wish-list" sound like a complaint list? So sorry! It could easily be read as "50 Reasons to Whine" or "50 Things Missing From My Life." Hmmm!?! In fact, fellow blogger Father Sez left this comment:

"Happy Birthday, Duchess. You have not listed the 5,000 things you are grateful that you already have."


Thank you, Father Sez: I have, at least 5,000 reasons to be grateful, including my children. So here's the flip side of the birthday list.

1. Original: Good health and the continued good health of my loved ones

Grateful spin: I'm grateful for my good health and for the good health of those that I love. I can see, hear, jump, dance and write. I feel blessed.

2. A spa date at the Ritz-Carlton in Key Biscayne

I recently attended a business retreat at the Ritz-Carlton in Key Biscayne. After the formal workshop sessions, we were offered free chair massages, manicures or pedicures and a free makeover. I left the event feeling great and looking great.

3. Financial security

Due to new opportunities, including a full-time job with a non-profit organization, my personal finance outlook has improved. I've also started other initiatives that will help. I'm grateful for those opportunities.

4. Lower gas prices

The recent spike in gas prices has prompted us to talk more about public transportation, conservation and fuel-efficient cars. That's a side benefit.

5. More funding for public transportation and education

I am grateful that I have the right to vote and to lobby for community programs that benefit all. And as public transportation becomes more popular, more voters will support funding for mass transit.

6. Sailing lessons and a sailboat

I am grateful that I have friends with boats. I'm grateful that it's very affordable to rent a boat for the day through some of our public or private marine clubs and centers.

7. Peace & forgiveness from anyone I've upset, angered, annoyed, hurt...

Working on this and I'm grateful.

8. Daily yoga classes with my favorite trainers

There are several low-cost yoga classes offered in many neighborhoods. These resources include: community centers, public gardens, hospitals and area schools. There are also free exercise tapes available through the public library.

9. World peace

I can start by making peace in personal areas of conflict.

10. Hot, sweet Cuban coffee with cream every morning: A cortadito!

We make great coffee at home. Nearby markets sell Cuban coffee for 50 cents to $1.29 a serving and I'm grateful for delicious cheap coffee.

11. Time to see every game, play or after-school event featuring my children

I have been blessed to attend sooo many games. I'm grateful for every rebound, song and dramatic speech I've witnessed my children deliver. I'm grateful that I have children. I'm grateful that I have work-commitments that often take me away from my children because the money earned supports my family. I'm grateful that my new employer has very family-friendly policies.

12. Season tickets to Miami Heat games

There are super cheap tickets for $10-12 each. It's also great to listen to a basketball game on the radio or to watch a game at a sports bar with my sons. Additionally, I am grateful to friends who have "gifted" us with game seats from time to time.

13. Enough time and discipline to answer all comments on my blog --Time to write more posts and articles

I'm grateful to be blogging here and now. As my time-management skills improve, I will find more time to write.

14. Funds to pay back my parents for all of the support they have given to me and my children over the years.

I'm working on this. Meanwhile, I'm so grateful for their support and the support of my siblings.

15. More time to resume my (MFA) graduate-degree studies

It's never too late to earn a graduate degree. I'm so grateful for the semester that I spent reading and writing papers for a graduate program. And if I don't earn my degree until I'm 60 or 70, that's fine.

16. Makeup/cosmetics without preservatives and other harmful chemicals

Read the labels. Do your homework and don't spend money on products that could compromise your health. Thankfully there are websites and information about harmful cosmetics. More companies are also creating organic lines of personal care products.

17. An afternoon with Toni Morrison, Angela Davis and Oprah

I'm grateful for the Internet, which provides me with virtual mentoring sessions with those women and others.

18. Great sales for my book: The Frugal Duchess: How to Live Well & Save.

The book party at Books & Books in Miami Beach was a success. Over 150 people showed up and I signed books for two hours. I'm grateful for every sale and I'm glad that my family and friends have purchased so many copies of my book.

19. Enough money to fund parenting workshops for teenage mothers

There are so many community programs that offer this service. Why not write a check? Even a small donation will help.

20. A new battery for my laptop

Order a darn battery and stop complaining.

21. A complete collection of Sex and the City -- I just started watching that HBO series

Order, borrow or check out clips on YouTube.

22. A copy of every movie adapted from a Jane Austen novel

I'm grateful for the library and the video store. I also enjoy all of the fan literary sites that offer creative versions and updates of Jane Austen tales.

23. To be debt-free

There are so many resources online, in the bookstore and in the personal finance network. Make a plan and stick to it.

24. Defensive driving lessons and the courage to finally start driving

I'm grateful for public transportation. I'm grateful that I have so many friends who drive.

25. A trust fund to launch a national billboard campaign in support of public transportation

During recent television and radio interviews, I've mentioned public transportation. I'm grateful for the opportunities.

26. A financial planning session with Warren Buffett

Go online. Use the Internet. Virtual mentoring is wonderful.

27. My own Frugal Duchess show on YouTube.

Don't complain. Don't wish. Just shoot, point and talk.

28. Teflon skin

Whatever.

29. Enough money to adopt or support at least five more children.

Start saving and be grateful for the children you have.

30. A weekly facial date.

I'm grateful that I have inherited great skin from my parents. The Internet has great resources for do-it-yourself facials and home spas.

31. To become very skilled at giving myself a french manicure

Thankfully, there are wonderful kits on the market. Invest and practise.

32. To be a better speller and proof-reader

I'm grateful: My new job forces me to be more detail-oriented. I'm learning to pay better attention. And thank goodness for spellcheck functions!

33. To be more patient with myself and others

Okay. It's a process.

34. To allocate 10 minutes a day for meditation, no matter how busy

I'm grateful for the daily planning programs on my computer. I will add meditation to the action plan.

35. To become a third-degree black belt in karate

I'm grateful for my limited martial arts training and I'm grateful for my newfound self-honesty, which prompts me to ask: Do you really want to spar, break boards and kick someone in the jaw? Do you really want to be a target?

Try tai-chi. Just chill out and forget the competitive parts of martial arts.

36. T0 get seven hours of sleep each night

Thank Goodness for Shabbas! During the weekly Sabbath, I nap a lot on Saturday afternoons. Also: I'm grateful that work and other creative opportunities keep me up late at night during the rest of the week.

37. To keep my house neater

I'm working on this.

38. To take a cruise to Alaska

Thank goodness for the Caribbean cruise I took two years ago with my parents and extended family to celebrate my mom's 70th birthday.

39. To let go of anger, depression and fear

I'm working on this. Thankfully.

40. To invest in stress-reduction classes

Ditto.

41. To be better about sending out thank-you notes

Thankfully, I recognize that this is a problem and I have been better about saying: Thank You!

42. To be completely honest with myself

Ditto.

43. To be better and quicker at detecting the big and small lies I tell myself

Ditto.

44. To be kinder to others

Working on this!

45. To eat ice cream every day without worrying about my weight

I'm grateful that ice cream remains a special treat. I'm grateful that I am no longer super skinny. I am grateful for size inflation because although I have gained 25 pounds since my twenties, (jumping to 115 pounds from 90 pounds), I still wear the same clothing size.

46. To have more children in my life.

I'm grateful for all of the children who are already in my life. I'm blessed.

47. To be more appreciative.

Grateful that I recognize this as a fault. Grateful to all who have pointed out this fault.

48. To bake my own bread and eat only organic food.

Grateful to have the resources to buy organic food. (I shop the sales.) I'm grateful to friends who have offered to bake bread with me.

49. To learn a few ballroom dances

Grateful for all of the times that I have waltzed with my dad. Grateful for all of the times I have danced around the house with my children.

50. To earn a spot on American Gladiator or Dancing With the Stars

Do I really want Crush to whip my butt on the Pyramid? Do I really want Helga to tackle me?

I don't think so. I'm grateful for the Internet, which enables me to watch some of my favorite shows online.

And if you've read this far: I'm grateful to you for listening to me.

Thank You!

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50 Wishes for My 50th Birthday

My 50th Birthday is Friday, July 11 and I'm assembling a wish list, including:

1. Good health and the continued good health of my loved ones

2. A spa date at the Ritz-Carlton in Key Biscayne

3. Financial security

4. Lower gas prices

5. More funding for public transportation and education

6. Sailing lessons and a sailboat

7. Peace & forgiveness from anyone I've upset, angered, annoyed, hurt...

8. Daily yoga classes with my favorite trainers

9. World peace

10. Hot, sweet Cuban coffee with cream every morning: A cortadito!

11. Time to see every game, play or after-school event featuring my children

12. Season tickets to Miami Heat games

13. Enough time and discipline to answer all comments on my blog --Time to write more posts and articles

14. Funds to pay back my parents for all of the support they have given to me and my children over the years.

15. More time to resume my (MFA) graduate-degree studies

16. Makeup/cosmetics without preservatives and other harmful chemicals

17. An afternoon with Toni Morrison, Angela Davis and Oprah

18. Great sales for my book: The Frugal Duchess: How to Live Well & Save.

19. Enough money to fund parenting workshops for teenage mothers

20. A new battery for my laptop

21. A complete collection of Sex and the City -- I just started watching that HBO series

22. A copy of every movie adapted from a Jane Austen novel

23. To be debt-free

24. Defensive driving lessons and the courage to finally start driving

25. A trust fund to launch a national billboard campaign in support of public transportation

26. A financial planning session with Warren Buffett

27. My own Frugal Duchess show on YouTube.

28. Teflon skin

29. Enough money to adopt or support at least five more children.

30. A weekly facial date.

31. To become very skilled at giving myself a french manicure

32. To be a better speller and proof-reader

33. To be more patient with myself and others

34. To allocate 10 minutes a day for meditation, no matter how busy

35. To become a third-degree black belt in karate

36. Te get seven hours of sleep each night

37. To keep my house neater

38. To take a cruise to Alaska

39. To let go of anger, depression and fear

40. To invest in stress-reduction classes

41. To be better about sending out thank-you notes

42. To be completely honest with myself

43. To be better and quicker at detecting the big and small lies I tell myself

44. To be kinder to others

45. To eat ice cream every day without worrying about my weight

46. To have more children in my life.

47. To be more appreciative.

48. To bake my own bread and eat only organic food.

49. To learn a few ballroom dances

50. To earn a spot on American Gladiator or Dancing With the Stars

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Ask Your Boss to Underwrite a Bus Pass and Save $1,200 a Year

A friend of mine has found a way to shave at least $1,200 a year from her commuting costs. She now takes the bus and train to work, and her employer is underwriting a large portion of the fare.

Even if she paid full fare for public transportation, my friend would have saved plenty on her daily commute based on gas prices and maintenance costs for her car. But with her employer underwriting 50 percent of the monthly bus/train pass, her savings are greater.

Ask if your employer offers a discount on monthly passes or tokens for public transportation. Here's how one program works in my area: More businesses subsidizing Transit for employees.

In South Florida and other regions of the country, many employers are providing discounted commuter passes for buses and trains. The South Florida Regional Transportation Authority, which operates a tri-county commuter train in my area, provided me with the following comment about the recent spike in employer-sponsored transit passes:

"In June 2008, Tri-Rail’s Employer Discount Program signed on 1,233 new members and 118 new employers – a record ever since the inception of the program in 1992."

For years, I've traveled by bus and train. In a previous post, I featured my tips for traveling on public transportation: Excuse me, May I Sit Next to You? 6 Tips for Traveling on a Crowded Bus or Train

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I've written a book: a financial memoir with money-saving tips. Here's how you can buy my new book:
@ Amazon.com @ Barnes & Noble @ Borders @ Target.com

How I Failed to Land $22 Round-trip Tickets to DC

Drrr! For several hours last week, I was grounded in cyberspace as I tried to tap into super cheap tickets from Fort Lauderdale to Miami via Spirit Airlines. It was a sweet price: only $11.11 each way, with a list of restrictions and added costs.

I needed five round-trip tickets for a Frugal Duchess book signing party at Georgetown University on July 17th (6-9 p.m.) at the Alumni House at the corner of 36th & "O" Streets in Washington D.C. We're making a family trip of the event and I wanted to take my kids on a tour of GU, where I attended school from 1976-1980.

When I did the math, I figured that we could all fly on Spirit for under $200 with the special price, excluding extra fees for luggage, tax and breathing space. Ha!

No luck. My fingers were busy clicking, tapping and typing, but I was not able to land those cheap flights. The best deal I found was about $200 round-trip or just over $1,000 for all five tickets. My mother thinks that it was a bait-and-switch scenario and the $11 tickets were just a lure.

I'm not sure. I plan to call the company and get some answers. Meanwhile, the latest promo of discounts touts $48 and $24 savings off each ticket.

Here's the link and I wonder if other travelers have better luck.

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Here's how to buy my new book:

@ Amazon.com
@ Barnes & Noble
@ Borders
@ Target.com

ADD & Money Management: Weekly Roundup of Favorite Posts

Attention Deficit Disorder, ADD, can have different effects on our lives and money. Due to fatigue, multitasking, overwork, hormones or other biological causes, many of us have varying degrees of ADD.

What's the impact of ADD on our finances? This post explores that issue: From Adult ADD And Money: Six Overlooked Reasons why you are struggling with your finances: Reason #6 - System Failure

Here are other posts that caught my disordered attention this week:

From The Simple Dollar: Seven Websites That Saved Me Money in the Last Week

From MoneyChangesThings: Meat as a Treat, not an Entitlement

From The Digerati Life: Lose Weight While Spending Less on Food and Exercise

From My Two Dollars Rice is Nice..And Cheap!

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Saving 10 Cents at the Grocery Store

It wasn't a big deal and I'm not going to get rich by saving dimes or brown bags. But I save at least 10 cents with every trip to an area grocery store (Whole Foods Market) that provides instant rebates when you recycle grocery bags.

Here's the deal: When you bring in your own shopping bags, you'll receive a 10-cent rebate for each bag that is used to package your groceries.

This BYOB policy applies to any bag, including the store's own brown paper bags or reusable cloth sacks. For my shopping trips, I have a rotating supply of brown paper bags and on a typical shopping trip, I earn rebates of 10 to 30 cents.

Those small amounts have made a big difference on two occasions, when my grocery bill was pennies above the cash in my hand. In the long run, every little bit counts, especially when it comes to the environment and my pocketbook.

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Here's how to buy my new book:

@ Amazon.com

@ Barnes & Noble

@ Borders

@ Target.com

My Favorite Posts: Weekly Roundup

From toilet paper to cheap gas, there was a lot to read in the world of personal finance. Here are a few posts that caught my eye during the past week:

From Chief Family Officer: My toilet paper/paper towel dilemma: what I ended up doing & what I learned

From Five Cent Nickel: The Hidden Costs of Renting a Car

From The Simple Dollar: No Time for Frugality: Cutting Financial Corners with No Time Investment

From Frugal Zeitgeist: Next time you think you hate your job. . .

From Boston Gal's Open Wallet: This summer's hot trend: Cutting back on energy use

From Consumerist: Buy Super-Cheap Costco Gas Without Costco Membership [How To]

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Here's how to buy my new book:

@ Amazon.com

@ Barnes & Noble

@ Borders

@ Target.com

Survey Says: $5 Gas by Labor Day

This news release about spiking gas prices --$5 by Labor Day-- caught my attention. Why? In January this organization correctly predicted that gas prices would spike to $4 a gas by the summer season:

"Most Americans now expect gasoline prices to hit $5 by Labor Day and favor bold energy- and climate-related fixes, according to a new national opinion survey conducted by Opinion Research Corporation (ORC) for the nonprofit and nonpartisan Civil Society Institute (CSI) think tank and its Citizens Lead for Energy Action Now (CLEAN) project (www.cleanenergyaction.net).

In another finding, energy prices have jumped substantially since January 2008 as the top worry of Americans – ahead of fears of joblessness, recession/economic downturn, and the mortgage foreclosure crisis.

For the first time, the CSI survey finds that a majority of Americans are now more likely to buy a hybrid or other fuel-efficient vehicle than they were six months ago.

The new CSI/CLEAN survey looks ahead to expectations about Labor Day 2008, gauges the level of anger among Americans about today’s gasoline prices, and assesses how gas prices/energy policy will impact the thinking of voters this year.

In an earlier January 2008 ORC survey conducted for CSI/CLEAN, 71 percent of Americans correctly forecast that gasoline prices would hit $4 by this summer."


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Excuse me, May I Sit Next to You? 6 Tips for Traveling on a Crowded Bus or Train

For years I've traveled around Miami using public transportation. And until a few weeks ago, many people -- including a few friends -- thought I was odd to navigate without a car. That's because in car-crazy Miami, public transportation was reserved for the homeless, the disenfranchised and former New Yorkers like me.

And for the last 14 years, I've traveled comfortably on the buses and trains routed through South Florida. I've commuted in style, with very little company. During a typical commute, I could move to a different seat at each stop and never bump into anyone.

That's changed. With gas prices spiking beyond $4 a gallon, I now have a lot of company on local trains. Here's a local story about the huge growth in ridership on a commuter train in South Florida.

I'm grateful for the company, and I offer these tips for novice riders on public transportation:

• 1. Bring reading material. Get extra mileage out of your commute by bringing a book, a magazine or some other text that can be easily folded. Think compact.


• 2. Keep the laptop in its case. A bus stop or a train seat is not the best place to whip out high-tech, big-ticket gadgets. Don't make yourself a tempting target.


• 3. Ask about discount plans. Some companies subsidize monthly passes for employees who travel on public transportation. Transit systems also offer a variety of discount programs. Ask!


• 4. Go audio: Bring along recorded music, books on tapes, language lessons or recorded self-help classes. Learn as you go!


• 5. Be patient: Buses break down; trains get derailed. Leave enough time for mishaps and then just let go and sit back. Getting uptight about delays will not make the train or bus move faster.

And finally: # 6. Know your timetables. Research routes and schedules. It's a real bummer to arrive at the bus stop or train station two minutes after the vehicle has pulled out. You'll save time and (personal) energy by doing your homework. Many public transit systems offer free trip-planning services -- via phone or online -- that will help you map out your commute. Inquire about printed schedules and maps.

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Contest -- Wanted: Crazy Gas Stories for WLRN Radio Broadcast

Do you have a crazy gas story to share? How are you cutting back on gas consumption? The top three energy-saving stories will win a signed copy of my new book The Frugal Duchess: How to Live Well and Save, which was just released from DPL Press.

I'll announce the winning entries on WLRN, an NPR station, where I have been invited me to appear on Topical Currents on Wednesday, June 25 from 1-2 p.m. (EST). Hosted by Joseph Cooper, with Richard Ives as the producer, the program includes live phone calls and email questions. We'll also take a behind-the-scenes tour of my new book, which is part memoir and part how-to.

To enter the contest, send me an e-mail by 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, June 24. I'll announce the winning entries on Topical Currents. I'm looking for creative stories with humor and concrete savings.

Tune in anywhere: Hit the "listen now" button on WLRN's website (http://www.wlrn.org/). If you're in the Miami area turn the station to 91.3 FM on the radio dial.

Leave a comment or send an email (sharonhr@bellsouth.net). Time permitting, I'll mention as many tips as possible, with credit. Thanks & Tune in.

My Free WiFi Comments on CBS4

With my roaming laptop, I've tapped into a number of free WiFi locations. My favorite temporary-office locations include the Dunkin Donuts shop in my neighborhood, a Whole Foods grocery store in Coral Gables, area malls and airports. The following website -- www.wififreespot.com -- is great for tracking down free wireless connections in different states and cities.

My hunt for free wireless Internet connections was recently featured on CBS4 in Miami. This television report -- with a few warnings about Internet safety -- ran on June 21.

Here's a link to the report, which includes a print version and an online link to the news report. The news clip appears in the little video box next to the print version story. Click on the box, and the story will appear after a short 15-second commercial:

"Free Wi-Fi Just A Click Away CBS 4 - Miami,FL"

I'm grateful to consumer reporter Al Sunshine for including me in his news report. Special thanks to Donna Thomas, special projects producer, and John DuMontelle, news photographer. Thanks!

The Gas Pump Edition - Weekly Reading - My Favorite Links

The rise in gas prices and solutions to the pump-driven cash crunch are the themes of my latest weekly roundup. Here are a few posts on the subject of gas prices that caught my eye:

From Monroe on a Budget: AP: High gas prices change lawn mower habits and MonroeTalkers: praying at the pump story

From Single Ma's Fabulous Financials: Rising Gas Prices Make Me Consider Crazy Things

From Boston Gal's Open Wallet: House hunting in the age of $4 gas

From Finabguide's Personal Finance Blog: Filled up for $9.

From Seeking Alpha: Save Money on Gas - Drive More Slowly

From Fund My Mutual Fund: The Slow Death of Suburbs?

From Grace Cheng's Forex Currency Blog: Through $4 Gas, Consumers Find Religion: Record Decline In Driving, Record Level Of Conservation
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Free Books & Entertainment: Meet Me on CBS4

I've been offline for a few days, but here's a link to a local CBS report about free entertainment & book options from the CBS4 team in Miami. The WFOR-TV report --featuring consumer reporter Al Sunshine -- includes me. A special welcome to CBS4 viewers who are visiting my blog.

Here's a snippet of the online print version:

"4 Your Money: Cheap Books & Movies

The Frugal Duchess Looks For Bargains MIAMI (CBS4) ― A good book or video can be a great summer pastime, but paying full price at the store can put a dent in your wallet. CBS4 consumer reporter Al Sunshine says there are some low cost, and even some free ways, to stay entertained. "

Here's a link to full story, which includes a link to the actual video ( in the box next to the text)

I'm grateful to Al Sunshine for including me. Special thanks to Donna Thomas, special projects producer, and John DuMontelle, news photographer. Thanks!
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Selling the Car, Jewelry & Other Stuff to Raise Cash

When our family car broke down and was beyond repair, we found an unexpected source of cash. Instead of paying to have our car towed away, a towing company paid us $250 for the car to resell as auto parts.

Various companies buy undrivable cars; check the Yellow Pages under ''Towing Companies'' or check online for lists of those that buy junk cars.
Much of the unwanted stuff in our garages, closets and storerooms also can be converted into cash.

Old electronics: Cameras, cellphones and other gadgets may have value on eBay and other online markets. Even if gadgets are broken, some parts and mechanisms are useful to dealers who repair or refurbish equipment. Just clearly state the age and defects of the products you're selling.

Gift cards: You can swap or sell unused gift cards at swapagift.com, cardaward.com and giftcardbuyback.com.

Exercise equipment: If stationary bicycles and other sports equipment are sitting unused, sell them.

Scrap metal and gold: There's a market for the metals in gold jewelry and even old appliances. Look online or in phone books for scrap metal or junkyard dealers in your area. Gold jewelry can be sold at pawn shops and jewelry stores or through classified ads and various online sites. Shop around for the best offers. Inquire about pickup services for scrap metal items.

Old books: Textbooks, novels and other texts can be sold online through Amazon.com, eBay and other vendors. Bookstores that sell secondhand books typically accept books in exchange for either credit or cash. If you have a really old book or first edition, check online to see how much sellers are asking for the specific books that you own.

Clothing and accessories: Sell garments at consignment stores, which will take a percentage when your merchandise is sold. Children's clothing and toys are especially popular at consignment stores and online.

This is from my latest column in the Miami Herald.
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Weekly Reading: My Favorite Links

Happy Father's Day: The following items caught my eye this week:

From Frugal Freedom: Another Month Closer To Financial Freedom

From The Simple Dollar: How We Organize Our Coupons and Execute Our Coupon Strategy

From The Digerati Life: Increase the Value of Your Home With a Few Simple, Affordable Changes

From SingleGuyMoney: My New Financial Plan

From Mrs. Micah: Finance for a Freelance Life: How My Mother Gives to Charity


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Saving Money & Energy Around The Home: Tips From Appliance Makers

This news release from The Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers offers great money-saving tips:

"Looking for ways to save money? Look no further than your kitchen. The Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM) offers these simple energy savings tips to consumers looking for ways to cut energy bills this summer.

Refrigerators, dishwashers and clothes washers combined account for a 43% decrease in energy consumption since 2000. Replacing an eight-year old refrigerator, dishwasher and clothes washer with new appliances of average efficiency will save consumers about $95 per year in energy bills.

Replacing an eight-year-old clothes washer will save more than $60 in electricity costs and nearly 5,000 gallons of water per year. Additional savings can be obtained by purchasing Energy Star appliances.

Energy savings can also be obtained by following these easy tips:

· If you are replacing your refrigerator, do not use the old refrigerator as a second refrigerator. This will not yield energy savings. Properly recycle the appliance. To find recycling options in your area, call 1-800-YES-1-CAN.

· Allow hot foods to cool before placing them in the refrigerator; and always cover foods that may release moisture in the refrigerator.

· Limit opening the refrigerator and freezer doors. Label foods or use clear food storage bags to easily identify foods.

· Scrape, but do not pre-rinse dishes before putting them in the dishwasher. Dishwashers do a great job of cleaning soiled dishes.

· Take advantage of your dishwasher’s “eco” option that reduces water use, or use a no-heat air dry feature.

· Use load size settings- if you are washing a small load of clothing, be sure to change the load setting. Use cold water settings whenever possible.

· Always clean the lint filter on the clothes dryer after each use. A clogged filter will reduce dryer performance.

More information on energy savings can be found on AHAM’s web site www.aham.org."

Kiplinger’s: Increase Your Social Security Benefits by $12,000

"Is it really possible to boost your Social Security benefits by as much as $12,000 a year? You bet—but even your local Social Security office may not be familiar with it. The July issue of Kiplinger’s Personal Finance reveals legal little-known strategies to increase your retirement income:

1. A “Sweet Deal.” Take advantage of an obscure option allowing you to halt your current Social Security benefits, pay back all you have collected interest-free, and restart your benefits at a new, higher rate based on your current age. Your new monthly paycheck could be 75% larger than your previous benefit. First step? File Form 521 (available at www.ssa.gov). Don't be surprised that you have never heard of it. Out of the 32 million retirees collecting Social Security, only 71 people who had reached their normal retirement age or older took advantage of the option this fiscal year.

2. Tactics for Couples.

• When One Spouse Has Higher Earning Power. Under the Senior Citizens Freedom to Work Act of 2000, the higher-earning spouse (usually the husband) can file for HIS benefits, allowing his wife to collect her share of SPOUSAL benefits, and then suspend his own benefits while continuing to work, building a bigger payment for the future.

• When Couples Have Similar Incomes. Once you reach your normal retirement age, you can apply just for spousal benefits based on your husband's or wife's earnings record and delay the start of your own, higher Social Security benefits until later.


3. Take Care of the Kids. Children (up to age 18) of parents collecting Social Security can receive monthly payments based on the parent's retirement benefits. So, why not have Uncle Sam help foot the bill for your child’s education? Contribute the funds to a state-sponsored 529 college-savings plan and use the earnings and distributions tax-free to pay for tuition, books, fees and other qualified expenses."

The full article is available through this link.

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Latest Trend: 'Staycations' -- Ideas for Stay-at-Home Summer Trips

A Do-it-Yourself, Stay-at-Home theme park? That's one alternative to soaring pump prices. The spike in gas prices has re-fueled a frugal trend, namely the stay-at-home vacation. Basically, we become tourists in our own hometown. I've taken that trip. Here's a link to one of my past hometown vacations: $600 room for $149: Vacation Part 2.


Meanwhile, this item from CCCS has a long list of stay-at-home vacation ideas:


"School is almost out, camps are ready to start, and many families are planning a different kind of vacation this year.


"Family budgets are already being stretched by skyrocketing gas prices and higher costs on just about everything," said Jessica Cecere, president of Consumer Credit Counseling Service (CCCS) of Palm Beach County and the Treasure Coast. To cope with these rising costs, many families are opting for a vacation close to home instead of one that includes airfare, lodging, rental cars, and dining out.



CCCS clients offered their ideas for vacations in your own backyard:


Create Your Own Theme Park: Create your very own water park in your yard! Set up a slip-n-slide, fill the inflatable pool and turn on the sprinkler. Include an art area on the driveway with chalk and watercolors, and a bubble machine nearby for extra fun. A concession stand with hot dogs, chips, popcorn, cookies, ice cream, and lemonade adds to the fun. All the fun of a theme park without spending a fortune.


Fine Dining: Plan an elegant picnic at a local beach, lake, park, or in your backyard. Get out your nice dishes and glasses, and pack a tablecloth and linen napkins. Dessert and fresh flowers are great touches. Bring some fun outdoor games, such as bocce ball or badminton and make a day of it.


Throw a Party: Plan a theme party, like a luau, beach night, or the 50's and invite friends, neighbors, and relatives. Plan the menu and ask everyone to bring an item. Visit local thrift stores and garage sales ahead of time for decorations and clothing. It not only saves you a ton of money, but we all love to rummage for a great deal! You can also have it at a local city, county or state park. After the theme party, pack up all the items you purchased and sell them as a lot on eBay so you can recoup some of your expense and pass the idea on to someone else!



Look Close to Home: Research programs available through parks and recreation departments in neighboring communities. Many have great pool facilities that are like mini water parks, complete with slides and loads of things for the kids to do. You may have a small additional fee if you are not a resident or member, but the cost pales in comparison to a day at a theme park. If the facility let's you bring in outside food and drinks, pack a cooler for even more savings.

Day Trips: Many families never enjoy the wonderful places to see right in their own communities. A "staycation" provides the perfect opportunity to plan some day trips to local theme parks, gardens, and more.




Here are ten great places to spend a day this summer. [Note many of these ideas mention Florida attractions, but the same concept can be adapted to other regions.]

1. A Museum - Spend the day enjoying arts and culture at one of the many local museums. The Boca Raton Museum of Art, the Norton Museum of Art and the Flagler Museum are all great choices. Entry fees are reasonable and most offer free admission for kids under 13.

2. A Garden Adventure - Whether you visit the Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens, Butterfly World, or Mounts Botanical Gardens, you will appreciate the natural beauty of our area.

3. Lunch at the Lighthouse - Pack a picnic and head to Jupiter for a tour of this local landmark.

4.Learn something new - Take part in a workshop at the Armory Art Center, Old School Square in Delray Beach, or head to your local craft store or home improvement store to build something special.


5. Explore Science - Experience the Robot Zoo at the South Florida Science Museum. Be sure to visit the McGinty Aquarium and the Marvin Dekelboum Planetarium while you are there.


6. Explore Space - A day trip to the Kennedy Space Center will have the kids dreaming of becoming astronauts. Check the schedule for shuttle launches.

7. Visit the animals - Spend the day at the Palm Beach Zoo or enjoy a drive-thru adventure at Lion Country Safari and get up close and personal with giraffes, lions, rhinos and more.


8. Stay Cool in the Pool - A leisurely day at Calypso Bay or Coconut Cove can be just the ticket on a hot summer day. For the more adventurous, try out one of the 29 water slides at the Rapids.


9.Take a ride - There are many wonderful biking paths in our area, including 6 miles at Jonathan Dickinson State Park in Martin County, 5 miles on the Island of Palm Beach, and a 2 mile trail in North Palm Beach.


10. Take a swamp buggy ride through the Everglades, pack the fishing poles and head to Lake Okeechobee, or enjoy some fun in the sun at one of the many beautiful beaches.

Whatever your "staycation" plans, there are many ways to save. Check out attraction websites for discount ticket prices, annual passes, and state resident specials. Pack snacks and lunches for extra savings."


source:CCCS



Here a related link: 10 Luxe-for- Less Vacation Tips

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Kiplinger's Picks Top 10 Cities to Live & Work

Economic prosperity and affordable living were front and center as Kiplinger’s Personal Finance selected its "top ten cities in which to live and work." Key factors included: "strong economies, abundant jobs, reasonable living costs—and fun things to do." The list appears in the July issue of Kiplinger’s Personal Finance and online at www.kiplinger.com/money/bestcities.

Here's a snippet:

"Kiplinger’s Best Cities of 2008

1. Houston, TX — Back with a roar after the oil bust of the 1980s, Houston has reclaimed its title as energy capital of the U.S. and added aerospace, technology and medical companies to the mix, generating more than 100,000 jobs in 2007.

2. Raleigh, NC — On the road to renaissance, Raleigh is bringing urban living to the city through the Raleigh’s Livable Streets project. Top-notch research schools in the area fuel a smart workforce, the main reason companies relocate to the area.

3. Omaha, NE — This city’s success is defined by its mid-western values. People believe in giving back to the community—and that includes the executives of the five Fortune 500 companies headquartered here.

4. Boise, ID — This Rocky Mountain town boasts high-tech businesses including Micron Technology and Hewlett-Packard, the Boise Valley’s two largest employers. With a median home price of $235,000, housing is affordable, and the average work commute is only 18 minutes.

5. Colorado Springs, CO — Natural beauty abounds at this 6,000-foot-high city. A strong military presence—with U.S. Army and Air Force operations, as well as the U.S. Air Force Academy—adds fuel to the economy, as do the aerospace and defense sectors attracted by the military.

6. Austin, TX — Home to the University of Texas and the state capital, Austin is known for great music and a lively culture, but it also offers a strong economy and affordable housing. It has expanded its economy to include digital media, green energy and biotech, creating 114,000 jobs in the area in the past five years.

7. Fayetteville, AR — The Green Valley city is attracting businesses and start-ups in the area with a sustainability spin in industries such as electronics, water purification, dairy products and packaging.

8. Sacramento, CA — A hub of technology, biotech and energy, many Fortune 500 companies have a strong presence in Sacramento. Newcomers are won over by the city’s subtle charms, including more than 210 tree-filled parks.

9. Des Moines, IA — Des Moines’s hometown atmosphere, top public schooling, and affordable cost of living make it an ideal place to raise a family. It also offers big-city amenities such as art galleries, a symphony and a ballet and opera house.

10. Provo, UT — The Provo area has grown into the country’s second-largest software center, featuring top employers Novell and Micron Technology. Workers are drawn to great job opportunities as well as the low cost of living and year-round outdoor lifestyle."

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Private Fund Provides College Scholarship Money as Lenders Pull Back

Even as college loans dry up for many community and four-year college students, at least one private scholarship program in New York City is fighting the trend. The Teak Fellowship -- featured in the June issue of Town & Country magazine -- is actively providing financial and academic aid to low- and middle-income students.

So far the fund has provided roughly $28 million in tuition assistance to 200 college-bound students. I wish that there were more programs like this in other regions of the country, especially since some banks have opted to stop lending to students who plan to attend community colleges and smaller four-year programs. Students attending elite schools will not face the same credit crunch, according to published news reports.

Here are links to some of those stories about the lack of student loans for students attending community colleges: KCTCS off some loan lists and College Families Bushwhacked by New Loan Legislation.

"Our mission is to deliver on the American ideal of meritocracy," Justine Stamen Arrillaga, founder of the The Teak Fellowship, told Town & Country. "We want to reward kids who have talent, ability and drive."

Arrillaga launched the fund in response to two tragedies: 1) The 1988 murder of Teak Dyer, her high school classmate and best friend, and 2) the 1997 fatal shooting of a gifted, low-income student, who was enrolled in an academic program that was under Arrillaga's direction.

"Justine Stamen Arrillaga made it her life's work to give children a chance at successful futures after two of the people closest to her were robbed of theirs," according to the Town & Country feature written by Erik D. Price.

Contact information: 212-288-6678

teakfellowship.org

Here's a link to a free search engine from College Board that helps families locate scholarships and grants for college education.

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Consumer Reports: Thumbs Down on Most Rewards Programs

This guest piece has some insights about all of those so-called rewards programs. There are also tips from Consumer Reports about getting the most out of rewards programs.

"In tight economic times, savvy consumers may look to rewards programs for relief when buying essentials, but Consumer Reports’ July issue finds reaping real savings can be tough, and even the more generous programs have limits on how much consumers can earn.

To keep shoppers coming back and spending more, supermarkets, drugstores, warehouse clubs, gas stations, bookstore chains, and many other retailers are pushing points programs.

About 85 percent of U.S. households participate in at least one rewards program. A recent poll of Consumer Reports Money Adviser subscribers found that 41 percent of the newsletter’s subscribers carried three to five such cards, 9 percent had six to nine of them, and 3 percent somehow found room on their key rings or in their wallet for 10 or more.

Consumer Reports finds that along with the dizzying number of programs have come increasingly complex rules, restrictions, and limits on how much consumers can earn—making many of the programs not worth the bother.

“Carrying the right cards and ignoring the rest can save you a little money on your purchases, but consumers must choose programs that compliment their spending habits,” said Amanda Walker, senior project editor at Consumer Reports.

Some rewards cards do double duty as credit cards. Cash-back, gas, and grocery rewards credit cards can offer some relief for costly essential items, but often carry higher Annual Percentage Rates than traditional credit cards. Looking at some of the more generous credit card rewards programs, CR found that rates varied from 9.74 % to as much as 19.99 %.

“If the rates are high, the cost to carry a balance will often erase any savings the rewards program may offer,” Walker said.

A look at some of the more generous cash-back, gas, and grocery store credit card rewards programs is online at www.ConsumerReports.org.

Getting the most from Rewards Programs:

For consumers looking to reap the most rewards and avoid the traps, Consumer Reports offers the following advice:

Consider where you shop. Save your key ring or wallet space for cards that will earn rewards at stores you use most often.

Project your spending. Translate the amount you’re likely to spend into cash back or points, depending on the program. If it’s points, find out how many you need to get something you might want. If you’re using a credit card, subtract the annual fee, if any. If that calculation shows you’d have to spend a fortune to earn a pittance in rewards, you might want to use another card.
Favor cash back. You might never redeem your points, so at least you will get something. Plus cash-back cards tend to be more generous in their rewards, CR’s research has found.
Skip credit if you carry a balance. Rewards credit cards often charge relatively high interest rates, which will eat up your reward (and then some) if you carry a revolving balance. The issuer can also hold points hostage or stop adding to them if your payment is late.

Do the math on do-good programs. Cards that give your reward to a charity usually pay only about 25 to 50 cents for every $100 you spend. And you can’t write off the donation on your taxes. Both you and the charity might do better if you use a more generous rewards card, keep the money, and just write the charity a check.

Use airline miles fast. Cashing in frequent-flyer rewards has become more difficult because airlines have cut flights and now have fewer seats available. So rack them up and use them up as quickly as possible. Airlines also change their rules frequently, and several big carriers have recently gone bankrupt.

Avoid temptation. Research has shown that people who use rewards cards charge more. It’s easy to overspend just to earn a new digital camera or set of golf clubs. Beware."

For more information or to see a complete breakdown of some of the more generous credit card rewards programs, check out the July issue of Consumer Reports, on sale June 3. ______________

An Invitation: The Frugal Duchess Book Party

Wearing a $20 dress and a lot of attitude, I'll launch my first book: The Frugal Duchess: How to Live Well and Save. The book party will be held at Books & Books on Lincoln Road in Miami Beach.

Please drop by if you're going to be in South Florida on June 12 @ 8 p.m. There will be free food & drinks.

It'll be great to see you there! Thanks.

Here is an excerpt from my book as featured on the Florida Trend website.

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Financial Preperations for Hurricanes, Storms & Other Natural Disasters

I live in Paradise with palm trees, an ocean breeze and hurricanes. But you don't have to live in Florida to create emergency plans for your home and money. Unfortunately, wild fires, high winds and floods can happen anywhere.

Based on that reality, the following release about emergency plans for money apply to all of us:

"Hurricane Season starts June 1, and while Florida was spared from a major storm the last two years, many Floridians have already begun preparing for what could be a very active 2008 season. You may have already stocked up on batteries and bottled water, tested the generator, and planned an evacuation route, but have you thought about how you will manage financially should a storm come our way?

"The economic impact of a major hurricane will be felt long after the storm has passed," said Jessica Cecere, president of Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Palm Beach County and the Treasure Coast (CCCS). "Proper financial preparation and follow-through can make the difference between surviving a natural disaster and being financially devastated by one."

CCCS offers tips to help families weather the storm:

Start an emergency savings account. Most experts recommend having a minimum of three to six months of living expenses in an emergency fund. This fund can provide financial security in the event a hurricane hits, and can greatly reduce the stress of recovering from a major storm or other disaster. These funds can be used to make disaster repairs, cover insurance deductibles, or pay monthly bills if your income is interrupted by job loss.

Review your insurance coverage. Review your policy and make sure you have the proper amount of coverage to repair or replace your home and belongings. Pay special attention to deductibles that apply to specific events, such as hurricanes, which can be a percentage of your home's value. Also review your flood coverage, which must often be purchased separately from your homeowner's insurance. You do not want to be in the position where you need coverage that you thought you had, but do not.

Secure critical documents. Take some time to make sure that your critical documents are in a safe, secure place and could be taken with you if you have to evacuate. Collect critical paper records and if you have records on your computer, be sure to make a backup and store it away from your home. Documents you will want to secure include identification records (driver's license, green card, passport); social security and tax information; titles, deeds, and registrations for property and vehicles owned; insurance policies; credit card, bank and investment records; birth certificates, marriage certificates, and wills. Invest in a fire-proof box or safe-deposit box to keep these records secure.

Review your "what if" scenarios and make a plan. What if your place of employment is damaged and will close either for a few weeks or indefinitely? What if your employer is ready to reopen but schools are still closed and you don't have a place to bring your children? What if your home is damaged and no longer safe to live in? It is a good idea to think about all the ways the storm could impact your life and what you would do if that happened.

For example, if your place of employment will not reopen for weeks or months, do you have an emergency savings fund to carry you through? Is there another place you could work in the meantime? The rebuilding effort following a storm often creates new job opportunities. Talk to friends and neighbors about sharing the childcare responsibilities until school reopens so that you all miss as little work as possible.

"With the prediction by NOAA of up to 16 named storms and 5 major hurricanes, chances are good that we will find ourselves in the recovery process this year," said Cecere. "While we can't disaster-proof our community, we can be prepared to handle the challenges the storm leaves behind."

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The Frugal Duchess Booktique
The Frugal Duchess of Beauty Store

Book Shop of Fear
The Poetry & Drama Queen
Frugal Jazz & Blues
Frugal Comic Book Connection
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Saving Money through Safety: Quick Fixes & Recalls

At a recent event, I met the interior designer who had arranged the large stately room in which the gathering was held. It was a lovely space, but the designer was concerned about the safety of the marble floors and staircase.

To reduce danger, she planned to strongly suggest that her client install carpet runners or a nonskid coating on the steps and high-traffic areas.

Her concerns are well-timed. June is National Safety Month and the National Safety Council is launching a month-long campaign to improve safety at home and in the office. Home-related injuries cost an average of $1,300 per household in 2006, the National Safety Council says. To reduce accidents, it recommends the following steps:

• Fix loose or damaged carpets on floors and steps. Apply nonskid coating or ''slip-resistant mats'' on slippery floors.

• Tidy and declutter. Promptly clean up spills and pick up dropped items. Close drawers and cabinets after each use.

• Inspect ladders before and after each use.

• Install railings and ''grab bars'' in stairways and bathrooms in homes with older residents.

Household hazards also include defective products and contaminated food. You can register online for free recall bulletins from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, the USDA and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, according to Cathy at Chief Family Officer.

Warning: Given the volume of recalls, pick your targets carefully. You can also fill out product registration from the manufacturer after you make a purchase.

By registering a car seat, crib or stroller, you'll receive recall notices straight from the company. In some cases, the manufacturer will send a retro-fit kit to repair or correct the defective item, according to Cathy at CFO.

This is from my latest column in the home & design section of the Miami Herald.

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Memorial Day Travel & Fuel Prices: Poll Shows Derailed Summer Plans

High gas prices -- combined with credit problems -- are prompting many of us to cut or downsize our summer travel plans. That's the word from a recent survey commissioned by TransUnion. Here's the overview from the news release:

"While the Memorial Day holiday usually sees Americans beginning to hit the road for well-deserved vacations, skyrocketing fuel prices and the uncertain economy are likely to make this a difficult summer travel season for many families.

TransUnion’s TrueCredit.com commissioned Zogby International to survey Americans about their summer vacation plans as well as their general philosophies toward financial planning.

*33 percent of all respondents say they will not go on vacation this summer.
*28 percent plan to spend less money than last year on summer vacation.
*21 percent say they plan to spend just as much money as last year on vacation
*13 percent say they will spend more.

Of those who say they will spend less or not go on vacation:

*72 percent cite concern about fuel costs as a reason.
*35 percent cite concern about credit card debt
*47 percent cite concern about other debt or financial obligations
*4 percent express concern about terrorism
*3 percent are worried about identity theft.

“It appears that given the economy, many consumers either can’t justify or feel they won’t be able to pay off the debt they’d incur to travel as they have in the past,” said Lucy Duni, vice president of Consumer Education for TransUnion’s TrueCredit.com. “Since paying your bills on time and carrying low credit balances are critical components of managing your credit health for the long-term, the restraint consumers are showing is probably well advised.”

According to the survey, Americans are taking a long-term view of their finances.

*49 percent say the statement: “I’m a long hauler. I devise and adhere to long-term plans for my money” best represents their personal financial philosophy
*25 percent agree with the statement: “I’m a baby stepper. I set short-term plans and stick to them.”
*18 percent say they are best described as a finger crosser (getting by day-to-day and hoping for the best).
*2 percent characterize themselves as a dice roller (making risky moves in the hope of big returns). "

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The Automatic Pilot Lands in Another Crappy Moment: A Financial Lesson

It was just another crappy moment, but as the cliche goes: I learned a lot. And so goes life with my dog Scruffy, who continues to teach me Zen-like lessons in patience, planning and the dangers of living life on automatic pilot.

Here's the scenario: A little while ago -- at sunset -- I was walking the dog and I ran out of doggy bags during our walk. (TMI) Anyway, when Scruffy (that's him in the photo) headed for a neighbor's yard, I acted like a good citizen. I asked for a plastic bag and cleaned up after my dog. And then stuff really happened. Here's what I learned:

• Don't be smug. Blissed out from my do-good efforts to clean up after my dog, I stopped paying attention to the task at hand. Mindlessly, I let the plastic bag flap in the wind. As such, the bag missed the target, but my hands hit pay dirt. (Don't ask. TMI.) Needless to say, I needed a lot of soap when I returned home. Lesson: Stay focused on money, savings and clean-up efforts. Be mindful. Pay attention to details.


• Don't get angry: Annoyed, I let the leash drop into the mess. As such, one mistake led to another error. Lesson: Misdirected anger just leads to bigger messes in personal, financial and professional matters.


• Don't get lost in regrets. "I'm tired of pulling lessons out of crap." That was my mantra as I walked the dog home. But I was so lost in regrets that I twisted my ankle and almost broke my pretty silk flip-flops from China. (These pretty shoes look like Madame Butterfly meets Surfer Girl). As I tripped over the curb, I realized that in past personal and professional stumbles, I have squandered time, money and effort by banishing myself to purgatory circles of regrets. My target attitude: Stuff happens. Just clean-up and move on.
  
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Welcome to Life Hackery Readers: 99 Uses for Everyday Items

A Big Welcome to readers who are visiting from The Life Hackery. That site has a great feature called "99 Extraordinary, Creative and Unusual Uses for Ordinary and Everyday Objects." I am grateful that my post on weird uses for butter is featured in that roundup.

I encourage regular readers to checkout The Life Hackery list. I thank the editors of Life Hackery for including me in the mix.

Here's a snippet:

"Imagine all of the silly old stuff you have sitting around the house that is simply going to waste and hasn’t been used in years. Think it’s all junk? Perhaps not. Here are ninety-nine creative ways you can use things you thought had only one purpose, from beer and soda to rulers, stamps, sugar, toothpaste, old CDs and even your iPod."

source: 99 Extraordinary, Creative and Unusual Uses for Ordinary and Everyday Objects.

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How One Mom Uses a Freezer to Save Time & Money

With a full plate of family, work and community commitments, one busy mom -- a neighbor -- saves time and money with a 20-cubic-foot freezer. She considers it a valuable household management tool.

Her secrets -- bulk shopping and marathon cooking sessions. On a typical shopping trip she purchases 30 half-gallon containers of milk, and large quantities of chicken and salmon. Her super-sized shopping helps her reduce trips.

She keeps her freezer stocked with soups, home-made breads and other goodies. The rationale: cooking a large pot of soup takes no more effort than preparing smaller portions. And having a supply of prepared foods reduces kitchen prep time for this mom who holds down a part-time job.

She bakes bread for the taste and the savings. ''I don't buy baked goods,'' she said.

The freezer offers cold storage for uncooked noodles, cereals and other grain products. The freezer preserves freshness and keeps products bug free, a consideration in Florida.

Whether you store dry goods or meat in the freezer, the team at Whole Foods store recommends the following handling tips:

• Seal food properly. Food, especially meat and fish, should be properly wrapped and stored to avoid frost burn, leaks and cross-contamination.

• Don't block the fan. If a freezer is overstocked with food, a lack of ventilation could hamper the cooling units.

• Divide and seal fish and meat into meal- or individual-sized portions before freezing. Smaller portions defrost more quickly.

This is from my latest column in the home & design section of the Miami Herald.


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Thank You to Frugal for Life and MSN Smart Money

Dawn at Frugal For Life provided column space to me as a guest writer. My post -- An Open Letter to Consumer Products Companies -- was recently featured by Karen Datko at MSN Smart Spending: "She's ticked and she's not buying it anymore." Thanks to Dawn and Karen for providing the links and the space. I encourage my regular readers to check out the tips and information offered by Dawn and Karen.

If you are visiting my blog from either of those sites: Welcome and please look around at some of my other posts. Thanks!

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5 Great Uses for Rebate Checks: Kiplinger's

Invest in your career? Domestic travel? Those are a few of the creative ideas for rebate checks that arrived in my email box. Here's the list:

"The June issue of Kiplinger’s Personal Finance offers creative ways to spend the cash, benefiting you—and the nation:

1. Travel Stateside. No one can argue the restorative power of some great R&R, especially if the attractions are in the U.S. Check out a two-night trip for two from the Brewster House, a bed-and-breakfast in Freeport, Maine for $580.

2. Boost Your Career. Perfect your Microsoft Office skills and learn to navigate the Internet more adroitly through local community college classes. Use the American Association of Community Colleges' locator tool at http://www.aacc.nche.edu/ to find a local school.

3. Help The Planet. Refrigerators can claim 12% to 20% of a family’s annual power supply, but Energy Star-rated models—many priced under $1,300—consume about as much as a 60-watt light bulb.

4. Focus on Your Neighborhood. By donating your rebate to a community foundation, you can deduct the gift from your 2008 taxes. Find a foundation near you via the Council on Foundations' directory at www.cof.org/locator.

5. Lend a Financial Hand. Fund a family member's mortgage at VirginMoneyUS.com. Or put your own financial house in order. Rates for financial planners in the Garrett Planning Network average $150 to $300 an hour; get a once-over for $800 to $1,500.

Here's the link to the full article.

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Free Coffee Giveaways & Other Great Freebies

Last night, this sign caught my eye: "Free iced coffee every Thursday." Every Thursday from May 22 through June 12, Dunkin' Donuts offers the iced giveaway in different flavors: french vanilla, hazelnut, coconut, toasted almond and other flavors.

Each franchise owner has the option to participate, and my local DD, which is also Kosher, opted to start giving away the free coffees last night. I had hazelnut coffee--with lots of cream and sugar--on the rocks. No charge.

Starbucks also has a weekly coffee giveaway that takes place on Wednesdays during May. We received special cards for this offer. Here are details in this blog post: Free Starbucks Coffee!

Meanwhile, the current issue of Woman's Day has an excellent list of freebies or almost free stuff. The offers are not scams and the author (Mary Hunt) sampled or researched the list.

Here are two of my favorite free offers from her list:

"Business cards

VistaPrint is an online printing company known for its amazing offer of 250 free business cards. They're good-quality, too. Visit vistaprint.com, create your card and all you have to pay is about five bucks for shipping.
Why's it free? VistaPrint would like you to join their 12 million customers who buy printing online, so they offer this enticement. Just know that once you get your business cards, you may hear from them a lot.

Expert computer help

If you've ever had a computer problem and wanted to pull out your hair in frustration, this is for you. Need to solve a hardware glitch? Want to learn how to use HTML? Submit your question at protonic.com and you'll get a pretty prompt answer e-mailed to you from a volunteer expert.
Why's it free? It's no secret that many computer manufacturers provide mediocre support for their own products and charge good money for it. The folks at Protonic are tired of this sort of treatment, and believe it or not, their service is free because they enjoy helping people."

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Kiplinger's Targets 8 Money-Saving Travel Sites

This item -- a guest post-- from Kiplinger's contains some solid tips about affordable travel:

"With average round-trip fares now topping $325, you need to do some serious planning to get the best deal on your next plane trip. The May issue of Kiplinger’s Personal Finance names eight need-to-know sites—guaranteed to save you time and money when booking your next trip—including:

· Kayak.com. The Google of travel, it’s the fastest and most comprehensive search engine. In just a couple of minutes, it will fetch hundreds of airline fares, from Delta to Darwin Airline.
· AirFareWatchDog.com. Unlike many other sites, it lists prices for major discount carriers (notably Southwest) and some smaller airlines. It’s also usually the first to sniff out the lowest fares offered through unadvertised “fire sales,” when airlines try to fill empty seats by dropping fares and posting the discounts on their own sites.
· Farecast.com. It goes one step beyond ferreting out bargain airfares for travelers with flexible travel dates. Farecast.com even tells you whether you should wait to book because fares may go even lower.
· LastMinute.com. Aptly named, it tops the charts for best deals on spontaneous trips. Even buy your tickets and book a hotel simultaneously—just a few hours before takeoff.
The article in its entirety is available at: http://www.kiplinger.com/magazine/archives/2008/05/best-sites-for-cheap-airfare.html."
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Let's Make a Deal: Haggling at Department Stores & Other Shops

Haggling over prices is expected at flea markets, yard sales and auto lots. But my sister, Debra Patterson, negotiated a sweet deal for kitchen chairs at a department store.

Her pitch: “If we buy more, can we get a discount?” The salesman didn’t have authority to respond, but a manager was able to give her a discount of $120 on the set of four chairs.

Asking for a lower price is a strategy that wins high marks from Consumer Reports. In a recent national survey of more than 2,000 shoppers, Consumer Reports National Research Center discovered that 61% of consumers have bargained for furniture, cell phones and other services at least once in the last three years. And of those who tried to cut a deal for home furnishings, 94% were successful in getting better bargains.

Among buyers who negotiated lower furniture prices, 61% saved $50 to $99, with 14% saving more than $100, and 26% saving $1 to $49.

Bargaining can also yield handsome savings on medical bills, home electronics products, appliances, jewelry and antiques, according to the Consumer Reports survey.
Whether dealing with a boutique or a national chain, here are some successful strategies:

- Seize moments of power. Use the opportunity of negotiating a new service contract or renewing an existing agreement to ask for a rate cut or extra perks.

- Use cash. Stores typically pay transaction fees of 2% to 8% on credit and debit card transactions, according to Consumer Reports. Cash sales have an extra appeal and many stores are willing to provide discounts for shoppers who pay in cash.

- Shop for flaws. Managers often give discounts for products with small flaws or for floor models.

- There are also savings in numbers. You can ask for a discount when you buy in multiples.

This is from my latest column in the home & design section of the Miami Herald.

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