A Month of Living Frugally

Well, it's the New Year!  Time to make some resolutions

  According to assorted websites Spend Less and Save More ranks 3rd or 4th in resolutions in 2014.  45% of all Americans make a New Years Resolution and 25% of you will fail to keep it through the first month.  And 2000 lbs of confetti are dropped on New Years Ever--talk about a wast of money !!!

My Spend Less, Save more for the New Year is a simple on--Spend Less, Save More!  To do that I have implemented the following steps:

1)  Pledged to USE up the food in my Freezer and Pantry

To make this more likely I have taken a quick stock of what I have on hand and have set a menu to take advantage of those items.  

  

2)  I will not peruse the sale ads in the Sunday Morning Paper--I have too much stuff already.  To save money I will NOT buy more of what I don't need, already have!

3)  I've planned some craft projects to use up craft items I have on hand (now, I could OPEN my own CRAFT store...so this should be easy but ooh--those new yarns, beads, papers are SO pretty!)

4)  I continued my habit of having an automatic deduction from my checking account to my savings account each pay date.  A minimum of 10% of my take home pay.  Once I see how the pay cut, new Insurance premiums and 401K deductions affect my take home I plan on adjusting this upward by 2% per quarter.

5)  Clean out and get ready for a yard sale this spring.  Might as well make a buck if it possible.  I also plan to find a buyer for an old set of china I have had on had for 25 years and some Stampin' Up stamp sets.  

6)  Make lists of things I (think) I need to buy.  And then wait to buy them until I get a really good deal. Usually by that time I don't need it anymore (or see #8)

7)  Shop Used clothing stores.  I am traveling to the Dominican Republic in April and need clothing that I can leave behind when I return to the US.  I've found some great shorts (Talbots) $3.  Hmmm...maybe I will have to keep these for myself as I had white shorts on my shopping list. More on this in a future post!

8)  Put stuff away in the RIGHT spot.  I can't tell you how many times I have purchased a (usually CRAFT) item and then have not been able to locate it because I was careless and did not properly put it away.  It was lost in the craft-clutter of my basement.  Having to repurchase is not Frugal, especially when you consider the gas and time I also "spent".

9)  And I vow to not have any more late fees at the Library (after I finish this latest 14 day book)

10)  Take advantage of coupons by sorting them each pay day, matching them to my shopping list and REMEMBERING to take them to the Grocery store with me.  

11) Lastly, I am going to unsubscribe from e-mails that flood my inbox with suggestions to BUY something.  This will same me time and money!

I'd love to hear how you are approaching you New Years Resolution to 

$PEND LE$$

$AVE MORE

and for some additional facts on New Year Resolutions check out these links below

Happy Frugality!

http://www.statisticbrain.com/new-years-resolution-statistics/ 

http://www.history.com/topics/holidays/new-years/interactives/new-years-by-the-numbers

$lim down and get $tronger with a walking plan

New Year New You?  Walking is a great (FREE) way to lose a couple of extra pounds (or 15).  If that is your plan this year what you might need most is a plan (and motivation)!  Think it is too hard?  Think again

Never begin an exercise program without first clearing it with your trusted healthcare provider.

The benefit of losing just 5% of your weight can lower your risk for heart disease anmd iomprove yor blood sugar.  If you weigh:

• 150 pounds that is just 7.5 pounds to lose
• 200 pounds  that's 10 pounds
• 250 pounds equals 12.5 pounds to lose

Make walking a habit.  Shoot for 1 mile 5 days a week (15-25 minutes) for the first 2 weeks. 

After 2 weeks if you are feeling fine try the following:

• add weights to your walk (wrist weights, ankle weights or a can of soup in each pocket)
• go longer; try for 2 miles instead of one
• go faster, try to complete the same distance in a shorter time
• add inclines or a few sets of stairs
• add something new like an exercise class

Here is a sample walking plan

WEEK     Monday     Tuesday     Wednesday     Thursday     Friday     Saturday     Sunday

  1               1 mile        1 mile           REST           1 mile          1 mile       1 mile        REST

  2               1 mile        1 mile           REST           1 mile          1 mile       1 mile        REST

 3&4            1 mile        1 mile           add             1 mile          1 mile      1 mile         REST

                                                      strength                              AND

                                                                                                 add 

                                                                                               strength            

Change it up:
Some movers you can add at home

PLANKS:  Strengthen your core, start with 10 seconds and work your way up to 60 seconds
JUMPING JACKS:  10
CRUNCHES:  10
MOUNTAIN CLIMBERS:  10 times each leg
SQUATS:  10
PUSH UPS:  10

add 2 more of each for each week you keep it up!

Top Tip$ for Back to $chool on a Budget

The Nest Effect (thenesteffect.com) recommends these

1. Get Office 365 University: $79.99 USD for a four-year subscription
   At just $1.67 per month, college and university students can’t afford not to get Office 365 University. Get the latest Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, and Outlook) for two devices, including PCs, Macs, iPads, or Windows tablets. A subscription also includes 1 TB of OneDrive storage, and 60 minutes of Skype PC-to-phone world calling per month. 

2. Download OneNote: Free app for most popular computers, tablets, and phones and on the web
   This year, make OneNote the single place for all your notes and information. With this digital notebook you can type, handwrite, paste and insert class notes and research anywhere, and organize them in notebooks and sections that are automatically saved and searchable. Additionally, it’s easy to share and collaborate with classmates for team projects and group assignments. 

3. Keep it in OneDrive: Free app for most popular computers, tablets, and phones and on the web
   Here are five reasons to cross that USB-drive off your shopping list and use OneDrive:  1) You get 15 GB of cloud storage for free; 2) You can’t lose OneDrive; 3) You can easily store and share photos, videos, documents, and more; 4) You can access OneDrive on any device; 5) You get 1 TB of OneDrive cloud storage with an Office 365 Home or University subscription. 1 TB is the equivalent to approximately 50,000 trees made into paper and printed. That’s a lot of trees! 

4. Use Office Online: Free on the web
   Who said nothing in life is free? Office Online offers free web versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneNote that let you create, view, edit, and share documents, spreadsheets, presentations and notes. The best part is, no one needs an Office 365 subscription to work together on a team projects. With Office Online, students can collaborate on group assignments more easily, and parents can share the carpool schedule without having to send bulky attachments. 

Ceiling Fan Fact$

If your home has ceiling fans, you've probably never given them much thought.  But a ceiling fan can help you maintain a constant temperature in your home and prevent the air conditioner or furnace from working harder than necessary.

Did you know that in the summer the ceiling fans blades should be rotating counter-clockwise  and in the winter they should rotate in a clockwise fashion?  The different rotations redistribute the air bringing warm air to the ceiling in the summer and pushing warm air down in the winter.

Ceiling fans only cool YOU!  So turn them off when you leave the room!  And while you are at it--turn off that overhead light or reading lamp.

Fans are energy efficient--they require no more energy than a 100-watt lightbulb.

Thing$ You Can Paint Instead of Replace to $ave Money

7 Things You Can Paint Instead of Replace to Save Money

You know a fresh coat of paint can give any room a quick and inexpensive facelift. But did you know that a little paint can also perk up carpets, appliances, and even vinyl floors?

Basically, if it doesn’t move, you can paint it. But only after you’ve paid special attention to prep — cleaning, patching, and sanding (generally) the area.

Painting isn’t brain surgery, but it’s not a breeze, either. Here are some rules of thumb:

• Prime before painting. Primer will allow the paint to adhere better.

• Most hard surfaces will take primer better if they’re roughed up a little with fine-grade sandpaper.

• When using spray paint, multiple, thin layers are better than one, thick coat. Ease up on your trigger finger, and spray in short bursts.

• Wait for the previous coat of paint or primer to dry completely before adding another coat.

With proper prep, you can paint just about anything. Here are seven of our favorite ideas:

1. Door, Drawer, and Cabinet Hardware

Spray paint can turn builder-grade brass locks and hinges into fashion-forward hardware with an oil-rubbed bronze, pewter, or stainless look.

Prep:

1. Clean hardware with a fine steel wool to remove grease and grime.
2. Rough up the surface with fine-grain sandpaper.
3. Before you paint, insert a tiny strip of painter’s tape into the keyhole to make sure paint doesn’t gunk it up.
4. Prime with a metallic primer, then paint with metallic spray paint.

Tip:

• Insert the door lock’s spindle into a square of Styrofoam, which will hold it upright while you spray around the knob.

2. Brick Fireplace

When you paint your red brick fireplace, you transform the entire room. But beware! Once you paint brick, it’s nearly impossible to return it to the original brick color.

You can paint brick a single color, or achieve some variation — like the variations in real brick — by sponging on slightly lighter and darker hues.

Prep:

1. Lightly sand away any loose bits of brick or mortar with 120-grit sandpaper.
2. Clean dirt and soot with a wire brush and heavy-duty cleanser.
3. Allow to dry completely before applying an oil-based, stain-blocking primer.
4. Paint with a semigloss latex.

Tips:

• Never paint the firebox.

• Brick is porous and drinks paint, so buy twice what you think you’ll need.

• Wear safety glasses and gloves when cleaning anything with a metal brush.

3. Ceramic Tile

Imagine how sweet it is to update ceramic tile without having to bust up and cart away tons of old tile.

Play it safe and avoid painting tiles in high-traffic and high-moisture areas. Some good places are laundry room floors, backsplashes under cabinets (but not above ranges where pasta sauce splatters), and walls around tubs you rarely use.

Prep:

1. Repair cracked or chipped tile with caulk or grout before painting.
2. Give patching material ample time to dry, then lightly sand before applying an epoxy or urethane bonding primer.
3. Sand after priming and between each coat of quality latex paint.
4. Wait several days for the paint to cure completely, then seal with two or three coats of clear, water-based polyurethane.

Tips:

• To get a smooth look, apply paint in zigzags, then roll down in one, smooth motion.

• Use 240-grit wet/dry sandpaper for prep and between coats.

• Don’t forget safety goggles and masks when sanding tiles.

Travel Tip$

When you pack a suitcase, wrap your shoes in a shower cap – This will prevent the soles from touching your clean clothes.

Call your credit or debit card company before traveling internationally so that you’re authorized for vacation purchases – The last thing you want is to be reported for suspicious activity and not have access to your money.

Store your loose cables/chargers in an old sunglasses case to keep everything in one place.

When packing your suitcase, roll your clothes to save space and avoid wrinkles.

TO safely "iron" your clothes in a hurry buy a spray bottle from the dollar store. -- Pack it in your suitcase.  WHen clothes are wrinkled, give them a quick spritz and SHAKE out.  Hang to dry.  Viola!  Wrinkles removed.  Empty the bottle for travel home.  
To use Google Maps offline, type “ok maps” and the current area on your phone will save for later – It’s good for important places you want to visit or need to go to when out of town so you have the info available in case you lose service.

If you’re heading to a theme park or the beach, put your phone in a plastic bag to prevent it from getting wet – A ruined phone is bad enough. A ruined phone on vacation in a different city/state/country is even worse.

Scan your passport, ID, and itinerary and email it to yourself so you have a digital copy in the event of loss or theft.  This is a good idea to do with your credit cards too (front and back)

To prevent bottles from leaking in your luggage, place plastic wrap over the container and then seal it with the cap.

Bring an empty water bottle to the airport and refill it after you pass security – That way you can drink H2O without having to spend $4+.

If you forget the wall plug-in for your phone charger, check the back of your hotel TV. There’s usually a USB port.

Clean up that Me$$

Getting rid of Grease stains

I occasionally get grease splatters on clothing when cooking.  To remove the grease from clothing I saturate the stain with dish washing liquid before laundering.  Be sure to check to see that the grease came out before placing your garment in the dryer.  If not ,l repeat the process.

Spill the olive oil on the table cloth?  Blot up as much as you can with a clean dry cloth.  Then,sprinkle salt on the mess to absorb the oil and lift some of the stain.  Treat with dish washing liquid and launder as usual.

To make cleanup easier when baking with items like honey or molasses I coat the inside of my measuring cup with cooking spray.  Less waste too.

Clean your cast iron skillets with a paste of coarse salt and water.