Christmas is coming and that can either make you very happy or stir up feelings of depression.  If you hate the thought of Christmas because you don’t have a lot of money to spend on it, it’s time to rethink your values.  OK, I know it’s hard when you kids want the moon and all you can afford is a pebble.  It helps if you are honest with them.  Remind them that your budget doesn’t stretch just because it’s Christmas.  Then tell them that you want to have a great ... Read Full Story

I’ve been noticing many people using garden plaques in their landscaping schemes. They bring an interesting focus to an otherwise bare wall and make an ordinary home a conversation piece. On a recent walk I took some pictures to share some of the neat ways they are being used. This picture doesn’t do this house justice. It is located on a main street in my housing development and is more or less a landmark. The sun plaque is so attractive and fits their color scheme so well t... Read Full Story

I’ve been noticing many people using garden plaques in their landscaping schemes. They bring an interesting focus to an otherwise bare wall and make an ordinary home a conversation piece. On a recent walk I took some pictures to share some of the neat ways they are being used. This picture doesn’t do this house justice. It is located on a main street in my housing development and is more or less a landmark. The sun plaque is so attractive and fits their color scheme so well t... Read Full Story

Image via Wikipedia Find It Free When you are seriously working on stretching your budget, you can’t beat free.  You can join the Free Cycle Network.  In it, people who have something they no longer want offer it free for the taking to anyone who wants it.  The problem is that things move quickly and it’s hard to connect for what you want. The Second Rule of Couponing My local store doubles coupons up to $2.00.  That means that if you have a manufacturer coupon for $2.00 an... Read Full Story

Image via Wikipedia Find It Free When you are seriously working on stretching your budget, you can’t beat free.  You can join the Free Cycle Network.  In it, people who have something they no longer want offer it free for the taking to anyone who wants it.  The problem is that things move quickly and it’s hard to connect for what you want. The Second Rule of Couponing My local store doubles coupons up to $2.00.  That means that if you have a manufacturer coupon for $2.00 an... Read Full Story

Image via Wikipedia Plan Ahead and Shop Around Running from store to store to compare prices makes no sense.  You will use up more gas and time than you will save.  With the internet at your fingertips, there’s no need and comparison shopping is easier than ever before. Last December I was in the market for a small countertop convection oven.  I wanted it to be big enough to hold a casserole or even bake a chicken or pan of muffins.  By searching Google, I found several sites th... Read Full Story

Image via Wikipedia Plan Ahead and Shop Around Running from store to store to compare prices makes no sense.  You will use up more gas and time than you will save.  With the internet at your fingertips, there’s no need and comparison shopping is easier than ever before. Last December I was in the market for a small countertop convection oven.  I wanted it to be big enough to hold a casserole or even bake a chicken or pan of muffins.  By searching Google, I found several sites th... Read Full Story

Last Friday (9/4/09) the Associated Press headline read, “Recovery difficult as jobless rate hits 9.7 pct”. When you realize that people working part-time because they can’t find a full time job or people who have stopped trying to look for work aren’t even included in those figures, it’s clear that many of us are having a hard time stretching what there is of our finances. Even if you have been lucky enough to keep your job, chances of getting a raise this yea... Read Full Story

Last Friday (9/4/09) the Associated Press headline read, “Recovery difficult as jobless rate hits 9.7 pct”. When you realize that people working part-time because they can’t find a full time job or people who have stopped trying to look for work aren’t even included in those figures, it’s clear that many of us are having a hard time stretching what there is of our finances. Even if you have been lucky enough to keep your job, chances of getting a raise this yea... Read Full Story

I’ve read more and more instances of garden statues being stolen.  If they were made of a metal like  copper, they can be melted down and sold with no one able to trace them.  Otherwise, people steal the statue that you so lovingly bought and resell it someplace like  Craigs List or a fleamarket.  With the economy the way it is, don’t put anything near the street that you can’t afford to lose. Conversely, if you install an expensive  statue or fountain, you might want to tak... Read Full Story