Archive for the ‘Live Simply’ Category

Stress management without paying a buck

Wednesday, May 6th, 2009

Stress management can be hard to do. This is especially true if you do not really bother to lessen your stress levels. As much as you can, try to de-stress every week so that stressors will not pile up over each other. That way, you will be able to manage them better and avoid having a nervous breakdown in the long run.

Some people however de-stress in the most expensive of ways. Some go to the spas and the salon to de-stress over some beauty regimen. Others do their relaxing while spending their money over the casino table or maxing out their credit limits buying clothes and other accessories. If you don’t take heart and not manage your de-stressing activities well, your de-stressing regiment might give you some stress in the long run.

If you really think about it, there are de-stressing activities that do not have to hurt your bank account. In fact, some will not even necessitate you to spend a cent as most of what you use for de-stressing can largely be found inside your home or are otherwise free of charge. Below are some of the things that you can do to minimize your stress without spending so much. Some activities are for free; others, you only have to pay a minimal fee.

1. Read a book or a magazine or a newspaper For the bookworms out there, reading can be extremely relaxing. It provides an escape that you can use to temporarily forget about your worries. This is the reason why fantasy novels and those that deal with happily-ever-after stories are very popular. These novels entertain their readers to no end, allowing them to relax.

2. Listen to music Soothing music can help you in your relaxation woes. Music, like books, provides an escape that allows you to relax and forget about your troubles. Don’t listen to people though when they say that to relax, you should listen to classical, instrumental and soothing music. To relax, you should listen to music that you like to listen to never mind if they are the kind that rocks the house or have dance beats. Besides, if you listen to music that you absolutely hate listening to, wouldn’t that be stressful?

3. Laugh Joking around with your friends is the ultimate stress buster. Do you know that laughing can relax the muscles a hundred times? In fact, it uses smaller number of muscles as compared to frowning. And the best thing about this is, laughing is for free. You don’t have to pay for it except maybe some food and drinks if you invite your friends to come over. You can do this over a simple game of Pictionary or maybe a beer session. Even something as simple as a sleepover can definitely bring a laugh into your life.

4. Do art Art is a wonderful way to express yourself and this surprisingly allows your brain and your emotions to relax. This is because suddenly, you are provided with an avenue where you can express what you feel without censure or fear of being ostracized. There are many art forms that you can do for stress management- sketches, watercolor, pastel, papercrafts, clothing design.

All these are pretty easy to do. You just have to learn how to do it.

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You Can Go Green And Save A Bundle of Green

Sunday, April 19th, 2009

There are many examples of how going green saves you money. Kermit the Frog was wrong - it IS easy being green, and it saves you money at the same time. As the planet faces a period of warming where our actions are believed to be the prime cause, it makes sense to seek out examples of how going green saves you money and act on them.

Just think about the cell phone charger that is always plugged in or your DVD player that is just waiting around for you to play it once a week or once a month. Does your TV just sit on standby all night? These are prime examples of how small actions can save you money - if you unplug them or better yet buy a smart energy strip you are going green with ease. For even if the items are not being used, those blinking lights and clocks mean that they are consuming energy!

One other prime example of how going green can save you money is switching from bottled water to filtered tap water. Are you aware that the average family spends around $1,400 a year just on bottled water. The worst part is the 95% that ends up in the refuse pile as people just toss their plastic bottles and don’t recycle them! For less than $100 you can purchase a good staged water filter to make your tap water perfect. You can also consider purchasing stainless steel water bottles to carry your water in. They over come the need for plastic and last a long time.

Here is yet another example of how easy going green can save you money. They are simple every day things and are everywhere. If you have a lead gas foot and drive as fast as the law allows or faster, you should think more about how much it is costing you. Your cars engines performs most efficiently at around 55 miles an hour. Combine that with gentle driving on properly inflated tires, you will save money and help the planet too.

You could always use a bicycle to travel around town. Or you could simply walk for those short trips. You won’t be pouring hydrocarbons into the atmosphere, warming the planet, you will save money, and you will get some good exercise at the same time. Walking and cycling when you can are excellent examples of how going green saves you money.

Out of the approximately 65 million newspapers that are printed every day just in the US. Unfortunately 70% will not be recycled. Can you imagine this waste of trees? How can you can do your bit to help? In this day of Internet access you can now read whatever news you want to read simply by going online. Even local papers have an online presence these days, so save some money and read from the web pages. Just don’t spill your coffee on the keyboard.

By simply changing a few things each day you will be easily going green and saving money. They are all around you. Just look and you certainly will find them.

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How To Get a Leg Up on Meat and Poultry Savings

Wednesday, April 8th, 2009

by Alexandra Vrugt

As the price of some of life’s staples rise, many families have started to cut back on what is perceived as the more expensive groceries, such as meats. Sad to say, but in a family, those steaks and chops are usually the first thing to get axed from the shopping list, in favor of cheaper alternatives or double duty protein items such as dairy products. But hold on…you may not have to cut out that shoulder and bacon if you get a little creative with your shopping.

Here are a few ways that you can get your meats and eat them too:

1. Buying a pack of bacon can be very expensive. Before you dish out $4 for a 12 oz package, do some research. Bacon is usually available in national brands. These brands often offer coupons for their products. Collect your coupons and when the bacon goes on sale, usually a Buy One, Get One deal works best, then you buy enough to use and freeze for later. Another way to get cheap bacon is to buy the “Ends”, which are the slices that are left after the butcher has cut away at the whole slab. The ends are usable as bacon slices and may contain chunks that you can use to season other foods. The ends usually cost about $1.25 per pound or less!

2. Chicken is almost always available in the reduced-price meat section. Not only can you buy when they slash the prices, which are usually reductions of 25-60% off of the regular price, but you can also buy bigger portions when they are on sale. For example, it is almost always cheaper to buy a whole chicken, which usually goes on sale at 69 cents or less per pound, than to buy just the chicken breast, which usually bottoms out at 89 cents. Another option is to buy chicken leg quarters, which are very messy to clean, but often get reduced as low as 39 cents a pound!

3. Steak is great, but the price can be a bit daunting…if you don’t catch it on sale. Only buy steak and other red meats when they are on sale. Ground beef often goes on sale for less than one dollar a pound. Then, the stores will often reduce the price even more. When you see this happening, bulk up! But, be careful with buying marked down steak. Often, certain cuts of beef are already priced high, so when they reduce the price, it’s still a very expensive proposition. Check the prices of all of the different cuts and compare them. That way, when they go on sale, you know which is the best possible deal for your family.

Most supermarkets present their mark down meats in the very early morning or right before closing. Shop early and shop late for the best deals. Also, even though it’s not often broadcast or promoted, many grocery stores will match prices from their competitors if you present them with the weekly circular. Finally, different products that are common accompaniments with meat will sometimes offer discounts on meat and poultry if you purchase their products. Many times, these offers are for FREE Meats! Take advantage of them when the products themselves go on sale to really rack up savings.

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Stop by at:  www.makeendsmeetonline.com and collect a FREE Ebook called “15 Top Ways To Save Money” written by Alexandra Vrugt.

Decorating On A Budget

Wednesday, April 8th, 2009

by Alexandra Vrugt

Vacations You Can Buy For Cheap

Everybody needs a break at some point. Who can’t use and appreciate a restful vacation? But, a vacation seems to lose some of its relaxation when there is a big price tag attached to it. It is so much better when you can buy for cheap a great vacation package that your family can enjoy without returning with empty pockets.

Here are a few ways to save on your next vacation:

1. Try a website like Priceline.com or Hotwire.com where you can either choose your own pricing for hotels, flights, and car rentals, or you can exercise flexibility with regard to the hotel name and save a ton of money. These websites can offer discounts as high as 70% off of the regular rate!

2. Swap houses! This is a popular way to save on vacation costs. There are plenty of people in some really cool and exotic places that are willing to switch homes for a period of time. You may only have to pay a portion of the utilities to cover your stay. Imagine being able to buy for cheap a Paris vacation home or London flat! Craigslist.org is a great place to look for people that are willing to make a swap. Do your best to investigate the area of the vacation home and get plenty of pictures from the owners. Of course, make sure to always check references and never leave anything of considerable value in your home. Even though you want to save, you always want to be safe.

3. Consider listening to a time-share pitch. These 2 hour meetings are worth every moment that you get to spend in the luxury hotel that they usually put you up in. Many times, they will throw in a show or free dinner for two. Remember, just because you listen to someone trying to sell you on the idea for a couple of hours doesn’t mean that you have to actually buy. But, if you do decide to go into it, time-shares are another way of possibly saving on vacations and future travel.

4. Join a vacation club or use a rewards program to save! These two options will allow you to buy for cheap and without paying in a lump sum. Vacation clubs are usually an installment program that will allow you to save a few dollars at a time. The members also have access to different deals and savings programs that other are not privy to. Reward programs are fabulous ways to get free hotel nights, car rentals, or upgrades. They are also perfect savings tools because most reward programs do not require you to pay anything! You sign up for free and accumulate points or rewards toward free future travel. Sometimes, you don’t even have to buy anything before you start receiving insider travel discounts. Either way, you can’t go wrong!

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Stop by at:  www.makeendsmeetonline.com and collect a FREE Ebook called “15 Top Ways To Save Money” written by Alexandra Vrugt.

Car Savings

Wednesday, April 8th, 2009

by Alexandra Vrugt

Having the freedom to go where you want is great. Having a car to get you there is even better; thus, solidifying our love for our wheels. That being said, a car can be an expensive acquisition. From the first dealer “fees” to the monthly maintenance or car note, when a car is involved, you can expect to shell out plenty of money. But, it doesn’t have to be that way! Believe or not, you could actually save money from the moment that you buy your car to the amount that you pay for its monthly upkeep. Here’s how…

Dealer Deals - Every year, there is a point when the “old” cars (usually those of the current year) are replaced with the “new” cars (the cars with the next year’s date on them). Dealers all over will try to empty their lots of that current year’s models, and are usually prepared to offer some great savings. Another way to save with the dealers is to consider getting a vehicle in which it is recently off lease. These cars usually have a manageable amount of miles and can be had for bargain prices. If you have a car to trade, don’t offer that immediately. Get the lowest possible price from the dealer, and then tell them about the trade. Additionally, always keep their sales literature to back up any offers that you want to take advantage of also.

Get it free! This is not a joke. Families sometimes go through extreme financial difficulties, which could make owning a car seem virtually impossible. There are many social service organizations that provide cars, totally free of charge, to families and individuals with a serious need. These are often cars that are 4-7 years old that people have donated for a number of reasons, including getting a newer model or maybe their own family situation changed. Their generosity is your gain. If you life fits the mold, don’t let this opportunity pass you by. It could be a real godsend for your family.

Monthly Maintenance Savings - Every week, your local Sunday newspaper most likely holds several circulars and packets of coupons. There may be money saving information on every thing from the cheapest priced oil and antifreeze to deeply discounted maintenance services for your vehicle. Search out the sales and stock up. Use the coupons when it’s time for those oil changes, winterizing treatments, and other basics that can sometimes be costly. \\

Get AAA! For less than $40 for the year, your vehicle could be covered and protected during some of life’s most trying times. From changing a flat tire to free vehicle towing, the cost of not having AAA will far outweigh the cost of its yearly subscription if an emergency catches you without this great service. You could luck up further if you are targeted by their marketing efforts. They offer fantastic deals including a yearly member ship for less than $20 and additional months of coverage for FREE! It doesn’t get much better than that.

The key to saving some cash when it comes to your car is to search out the sales and seize discount opportunities when they arise. The benefits of these tips will be long term and greatly appreciated when you see the money that you save quickly adding up in your wallet!

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Stop by at:  www.makeendsmeetonline.com and collect a FREE Ebook called “15 Top Ways To Save Money” written by Alexandra Vrugt.

Discover How You Can Save Money With Coupons

Wednesday, April 8th, 2009

Manufacturers use grocery coupons in order to convince you to buy and try their products. Newspaper and magazines have always printed grocery coupons but nowadays the best coupons can be found online. You can search out printable grocery coupons on many different websites and often all you need to do is give them an email address or a zip code to print them out.

So how do you implement the strategies to use grocery coupons adequately? If you are just aimless and try to use them without a plan you may end up spending more time and money than it is worth. But with a few intentions you can turn using grocery coupons into an awesome money-saving strategy.

To effectively use grocery coupons you should always plan your menus and your shopping lists first. Manufacturers use grocery coupons to encourage you to purchase their products but if you just buy an item because you have a grocery coupon and you don’t really need or use it you are really just spending your money instead of saving your money. Especially when you are first starting out using grocery coupons it is important to plan your menus and grocery lists first.

After you start feeling more comfortable in using and saving money with grocery coupons you will probably be able to plan your meals and grocery lists around the coupons that you find. This is when it gets to be more exciting and you start saving even more money. Just be aware of the items that you will really use and make sure that you aren’t buying the things that you don’t need. Don’t waste your money on things you won’t use.

Where can you find the best grocery coupons? Well the fact is that grocery coupons can be found almost anywhere. The Sunday editions of most major newspapers always have a an extensive selection of grocery coupons. Grocery coupons can also be found in magazines and flyers and even on receipts from the places that you shop at. But by far the best way to find grocery coupons is on the Internet. There are many websites out there with a great variety of grocery coupons and most just require a zip code or an email.

In order to amplify your grocery coupon savings make sure and combine offers. That means using your manufacturers grocery coupons along with the store grocery coupons and the store sales. When you take advantage of every possible savings strategy you end up with paying the lowest price and that is when using grocery coupons really pays off.

Using grocery coupons can be simple and fun. It can definitely be worthwhile and you can end up saving as much as 50% or more on the things you buy most often and that is worth the time and energy it takes!

Simple Yet Proven Steps That Can Cut Your Supermarket Expense in Half

Tuesday, April 7th, 2009

One way of making it through the current recession paralyzing the U.S. today is to reduce the outflow of cash in every possible way. After all, the money you save today will make a world of difference later. Examine your budget and you will find that a substantial portion of your paycheck is spent for supermarket items. Since nearly everything you buy in it is essential, tightening your purse strings in a supermarket can be too hard.

You can, however, still save some money if you truly set your mind to it and make an earnest effort. Here are some steps to cut down on your supermarket expenditure.

Leave your plastics at home

At every opportunity, use only hard cash for all your supermarket purchases. Using a credit card will only tempt you to buy additional items, even those stuff that you don’t really need.

Credit cards stay with you after you use them. Cold hard cash, however, diminishes every time you spend it, until such time that you need it and find you don’t have any more left. Think of this next time you’re dying to buy something you really don’t need, while hanging on to your last $100 bill. Remember that as long as you pay everything in cash, you are not likely to fall into debt.

Don’t forget those coupons

Use your discount coupons smartly. Using the manufacturer’s coupon together with your store coupon will double your advantage. There’s nothing wrong with using both of them simultaneously and shouldn’t pose any “legal” problem.

Switch to less expensive brands

Buying expensive name brands in the midst of a worsening economy can easily cripple your shopping budget. Instead of buying items with high price tags, it is more practical for the time being to consider getting cheaper store brand items or products on sale. Purchase what is cheaper on the shelves and save more.

Cheaper by the dozen

If essential items for your house go on sale, it will be wise to purchase them in bulk. While it may seem to cost more today, you can end up saving more in the future. A lot of household items like toiletries and bath soaps have long shelf life and are, thus, best for bulk-buying. You can also consider buying in bulk canned foods which have long expiration dates.

A list to curb impulse buying

You often discover during the check out that you have bought more items than you originally intended. This is because you ended up picking a lot of impulse items or stuff you were tempted to get but don’t really need. These could come in the form of candy bars or a large bag of Saratoga chips.

To avoid impulse buying, make a grocery list before you go to the supermarket. A list can save you up to 40% which you can see immediately and you’ll know in advance what needs to be bought and the approximate amount of cash required.

Track the prices of supermarket items

Know which supermarkets and discount stores in your vicinity offer the lowest prices in essential items. Being aware of where to get the best price will provide you bigger savings in these troubled economic times.

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Eco-Friendly Wedding Favors: Ideas for Your Green Wedding

Tuesday, April 7th, 2009

Many events being planned this year are following a hot trend, and eco-friendly or “green” weddings are amongst the ranks of such occasions. With a multitude of products available which are environmentally friendly there are more couples choosing to respect and honor the earth. By choosing items which are less wasteful, your wedding day can help by giving something back to the earth.

Being environmentally conscious is a lifestyle choice and it’s starting with their wedding day. If you and your future spouse care more about the environment and less about having a frilly, wasteful wedding, why not consider going green for your own wedding with these fantastic new eco-friendly wedding favor ideas?

Flowers in bloom. Any environmentally conscious couple can choose to give back to the earth while giving to your wedding guests at the same time. One fantastic way to do this is by giving seeds which can renew life when planted. There are many ways to incorporate this eco-friendly idea. One great way is providing wedding favor flower sets at each place setting. Simply take a terra cotta flower pot, put some biodegradable foam in the bottom, covered with a little bit of moss. Take your wildflower or other flower seed packets and tape them to some small bamboo sticks or skewers to make a “flower arrangement” with them. You may choose to decorate pots by writing your names and wedding date on the flower pot as an added touch.

Guests can take them home, planting the seeds in their own garden or a park near their home. Once the flowers bloom, they will be reminded of your special day. You and your future spouse may even choose to each put seeds in a pot, conveying as the seeds germinate and grow, so will their love grow too, becoming more beautiful with time. This could be chosen as a replacement for lighting a unity candle.

Go natural. Many beautiful natural products can be chosen for use with wedding dcor and wedding favors at your green event. Consider some of these ideas for special gifts you can give not only to your guests, but to the environments as well. How about place card holders made from sea shells or bamboo shoots? You can place these on tables for guests’ enjoyment during the wedding and reception. After the reception is over, they can take them home to use as picture holders, wedding announcements or invitations on recycled paper. If possible, be sure to recycle or donate items you don’t need after your wedding reception, allowing someone else to use once you’re done.

Biodegradable is better. Many products today are available as green products, and include many that are completely biodegradable - from paper products to beeswax candles and everything in between it is possible to decorate for your special day with 100% recycled material. Finding the items needed in biodegradable form is easy, and by choosing them you are contributing to the environment if by chance something ends up on the ground. Think natural fibers when you are planning, and the environment won’t suffer after the party is done.

Turn off the AC and bring out the fans. A perfect way to reduce the amount of electricity wasted on your wedding day is to eliminate the need for air conditioning. When you think ahead while planning the date for your wedding, choose days in late spring or early autumn which provide you with cooler weather, allowing for a more eco-friendly day. If it happens to be a little on the warm side, why not hand out a great eco-friendly wedding favor to help out. By using fans made of silk or sandalwood, you can personalize them for your special day. You while also be giving your guests another means of cooling off when they attend other events, as they fold nicely to fit in a pocket or handbag. Not only will your guests feel like part of an old-fashioned wedding, these fans will add a nice “green” touch to your day.

Having an eco-friendly wedding is a thoughtful way for you do your part to take care of the earth, reminding friends and family how important our fresh air and blue skies are, as well as how nature provides for us.

Police Auctions - How to Source Seized Cars for under $500

Tuesday, April 7th, 2009

Looking to purchase a cheap seized car at Government auctions or police auctions? This article will provide you with tips for beginners when it comes to using Government auctions to get vehicles inexpensively. After you read this article, you will be able to approach government auctions intelligently.

It’s hard to realize that seized cars sold at Government auctions and police auctions are sold as is. A great deal may not be such a great deal if the vehicle is damaged. You can avoid this by learning how to recognize problems by careful inspection.

Unlike going to a used car lot, you cannot test drive the vehicles at Government auctions. Therefore it is important to learn how to visually appraise a seized car, or bring an expert along with you.

Avoid bidding on cars if you don’t already know their value. Have an expert upraised the car, or consult the Kelley Blue Book.

Next, inspect the contract before you enter into it. Some contracts have a specific number of days you have to wait before you can get the title. Keep this in mind if you’re thinking about turning around and selling the seized car right away. Sometimes it is the waiting period that negates the great deal you’re getting on price.

Remember that these are auctions and other people are bidding also. Make sure you bid carefully, and don’t get caught up in bidding wars.

Many car dealers attend these government auctions as well. Be careful when you bid against them, as they almost certainly know the precise value of vehicles they are bidding on.

One of the best things you can do is to look at some of the online auctions. While there are many membership sites offering access to Government and Police auctions, you should use caution as some of them will simply take your membership fee and not provide complete or timely auction information.

How to Recycle Your Old Car

Tuesday, April 7th, 2009

If your old car is no longer running, but is instead taking up space in your yard or garage, recycling it is a great option. Inside that non-working engine are used auto parts Toronto that someone else is looking for. By selling your car to a junk yard or auto salvage yard, you can make a few dollars while putting those old parts into the market for someone else to use to fix their car.

How to Find a Junk Yard

The first step towards recycling your car is finding a junk yard that is interested in buying vehicles for used car parts. Not all junk yards will pay for old cars, and you might as well make some money out of the transaction.

Start searching for auto wreckers and junk yards in your area. Use the phone book and the Internet to locate them, and then give them a call to see if they are willing to accept your car. They will want to know some things about the car, such as the make, model, and year. They also will want to know what is wrong with it, if you know. If some junk yards are not interested, it may be because they have too many of that particular car. Keep calling, because someone will be willing to buy it.

Comparing Quotes

The amount you will be paid is going to vary significantly from yard to yard. Be sure to get quotes from several to ensure that you are getting a fair price. Keep in mind that you will not be given the same value for the car that you would get if you were selling it in drivable condition.

Preparing the Car

Once you have chosen a yard interested in the used auto parts in your car, go through your car and remove everything. The owner’s manual, title, and keys are all that the auto salvage yard wants or needs for the car. Once you turn the car over to them, they are not going to let you go back through it for the personal items you forgot.

Get Your Title

You will have to have a clear title in your name to sell your car for parts. The junk yard does not want the hassle of dealing with a stolen car that has owners searching for it. Of course, you know the car belongs to you, but the junk yard owner does not and does not want to take the risk. If you cannot find the title, order a copy before you try to sell the car.

Take the Car to the Yard

Once you have the title in hand and the car is cleaned out, take it to the salvage yard. If it cannot drive, ask if they would be willing to tow it, or arrange for towing. When you arrive with the car, you will be offered a final sale price after the employees inspect it. Be prepared to negotiate, because this is expected. If you are happy with the price, accept it and sign the title over. You will then turn over the car and the keys and be on your way, no longer worrying about that old junker in your yard.

After you sell the car, the junk yard will take it apart and take any usable parts from it. These parts are then sold to consumers at a discount far below the price of a new part. Instead of gathering dust and rust in your yard, the car now is helping others who need its parts but do not want to pay the price for brand new parts for their older cars. As an added bonus, you will have a little extra money in your pocket.