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Publication Information: Copyright "The Dollar Stretcher, Inc." 2001. ISSN 1527-2974
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In this issue:
Introduction
Festive Party Punches
by Brenda Hyde
Make the Most of After-Christmas Sales
by Deana Ricks and Angie Zalewski
That's Outrageous!
Online Insurance Payment
contributed by Carolyn B.
Tips, Quips, Quotes & Questions
On www.Stretcher.com This Week
Introduction
by Gary Foreman
gary@stretcher.com
Hello to all my Frugal Friends!
This week we're going to have an abbreviated version of the newsletter. Like you, we're busy with last minute preparations.
Many of you probably won't read this issue until after Christmas is over. You may even be a little let down after all the gifts are opened and the parties are over. I know that feeling. If so, you might want to take a look at a Christmas story that I wrote. It's a fictional piece and a little different than the type of articles that we usually feature. You'll find it at www.stretcher.com/stories/961223b.cfm
Have a blessed Christmas!
Gary
Festive Party Punches
by Brenda Hyde
There is something festive about a bowl of punch served in dainty glasses from an old fashioned punch bowl. Whether you are visiting with family on Christmas Eve, throwing a traditional New Year's Eve bash or gathering for a special birthday, try one of these festive punch recipes!
Old Fashioned Fruit Punch
This is from the Rumford Complete Cook Book-1931
Ingredients:
- 2 pounds sugar
- 2 quarts water
- 2 quarts mineral water
- 1 large pineapple, shredded
- Juice of 6 oranges and 4 lemons
- 2 cups sliced strawberries
- 3 sliced bananas
- 1 cup raspberry or other fruit syrup
- Cracked ice
Boil the sugar with one pint of the water to form a syrup; add the remaining water, mineral water, fruit and ice. Served very cold.
Strawberry Punch
Ingredients:
- 3 cups boiling water
- 1 small package strawberry gelatin
- 1 package (10 ounces) frozen, sugared strawberries
- 1 can frozen lemonade
- 1 liter gingerale
- 1/4 cup sugar
Mix gelatin and water, add thawed strawberries, lemonade and sugar. Before serving add the gingerale.
Banana Fruit Punch
Ingredients:
- 5 Bananas
- 46 ounce can pineapple juice
- 12 ounce can frozen orange juice
- 4 tablespoons Real Lemon concentrate
- 4 cups sugar
- 6 cups water
- 2 liter bottle of lemon lime soda
Process bananas in blender until pureed. Mix with other ingredients, except for soda. At this point you can freeze the punch in a container, and break up in a punch bowl one hour before serving, adding the lemon lime soda at this time.
Citrus Punch with Sherbet
Ingredients:
- 1 large can pineapple juice, chilled
- 1 large can grapefruit juice, chilled
- 2 liter bottle lemon lime soda
- Lime or lemon and orange sherbet
- Mix beverages together and place small scoops of sherbet on top. This makes 1 punch bowl.
Tropical Kiwi Punch
Ingredients:
- 12 ounce can Pina Colada Mix
- 2 kiwi, peeled and sliced
- 1 banana, sliced
- Vanilla ice cream
- 2 12 ounce cans cold gingerale
In a blender combine the Pina Colada Mix, kiwi and banana. Mix until smooth. Freeze the mixture for one hour. Pour 1/4 cup of this mixture into 8 glasses, dividing evenly. Top each with a scoop of ice cream. Add the chilled gingerale to each glass to fill. Top with a slice of kiwi if desired. Serve immediately.
Brenda is a wife and mom to three. She is also editor of http://seedsofknowledge.com and http://oldfashionedholidays.com where special occasions and traditions are celebrated year round with recipes, crafts, decorating and more!
Make the Most of After-Christmas Sales
by Deana Ricks and Angie Zalewski
Wouldn't it be great if the good things of Christmas could last all year long? Well, we may not be able to enjoy a cheery fire and eggnog in July, but after-Christmas clearance sales can make your wallet jolly month after month. Here's how to take advantage of the year's best sales:
Buy for next Christmas: Seasonal items like holiday kitchenware and decorations will have the deepest discounts. If you ran out of gift wrap or cards this year, stock up for next year when these items go on sale for 75% off. Buy discounted solid colored wrap to use on other gifts throughout the year. Holiday fabric for tablecloths and next year's craft projects is also a good deal.
Buy gifts for all year round: Toys on clearance are great for birthday parties throughout the year. Shop after-Christmas sales for gifts to give to your loved ones on their birthdays, anniversaries, etc. Store them under the bed or in the closet labeled with your friend or relative's name. Make a note on the new year's calendar that you already have a gift for their birthday.
Watch expiration dates: Prepackaged gift sets like ice cream sundae toppings or barbecue sauce packs are great gifts to give during the year as long as they are free from holiday markings and expiration dates.
Don't buy what you don't need: Even if it's on sale, if you just don't need another set of lights, don't buy them. Pass also on items, that though on sale, are still over-priced or not useful. Buying what you don't need is never frugal.
Examine sale items carefully: After being handled by many Christmas shoppers, some items may show their wear. Be sure they are not damaged. This is especially important if seconds or irregulars are mixed in with the clearance sales.
Get the 411: Find out the store's policy on returns and exchanges. Most sales on after-Christmas clearance merchandise are final, but the store should still settle complaints on broken or defective products.
Come early or stay late: Consider shopping at the beginning or end of a clearance sale. You will generally find the best selection when the sale begins but the lowest prices as the sale ends.
These tips and more can be found in "Cheap Talk with the Frugal Friends: Over 500 Tips, Tricks, and Creative Ideas for Saving Money" by Angie Zalewski and Deana Ricks (Starburst Publishers 2001). Angie and Deana are founders of the Frugal Family Network, Inc and have been featured in the LA Times, Washington Times, and Modern Maturity. "Cheap Talk with the Frugal Friends" is available at your local bookstore or it can be ordered at www.frugalfamilynetwork.com or by calling 1 800-441-1456.
Copyright 2001, Frugal Family Network, Inc.
That's Outrageous!
Online Insurance Payment
contributed by Carolyn B.
I had to make some changes to my car insurance policy over the phone. The customer service representative suggested I pay the additional money I owed online and, according to her, "that way you'll save the cost of postage." When I went to the company website to do as suggested and went through the online payment sign-up process, I noticed a small message on one of the many pages of information there was to read telling me there is a $4 charge on every online transaction! So, the company has their customer service reps suggest to the customer that they will save a few cents, when it will really cost more in the long run! I wonder how many people realize they are being charged that extra money? What a racket.
Now it's your turn! Just send an email to: Outrageous@stretcher.com and tell us what drives you crazy! You'll feel better for venting!
Tips, Quips, Quotes and Questions
Recycled Christmas Cards
The Saint Jude's Ranch for Children in Nevada has an innovative
recycling project that turns your old greeting cards into needed funds
for the ranch. Saint Jude's receives used greeting cards from all over
the world. The children cut out the front covers and remake them into
new cards. The trimmings are sold to a chipboard manufacturer, so every
part of the card is reused. The new cards are then sold as a fundraiser
for the ranch, which is dedicated to helping abused and neglected
children. You mail cards to:
Saint Jude's Ranch for Children
100 Saint Jude's Street
Boulder City, NV. 89006
To purchase cards, write to:
Saint Jude's Ranch for Children
P.O. Box 60100
Boulder City, NV. 89006
Ana J.
New Year's Resolution
Resolved: to be mindful that all you have is all you need.
Sometimes the hardest part of making changes is just becoming more aware.
Thus, every January, I find it an eye opener to pick a week and vow to spend
no money for the entire week. Okay, Okay. I know you saying "what about gas
for the car, electric for the house, oil for the furnace?" Become a real
ecology nut for the week and see what you can do. Car pool. Wear an extra
sweater. Use up your holiday candles.
Remember this is an experiment in
awareness, not perfection. Simply do your best to spend no money. Use what
you have. Start with your brains. Instead of meeting a friend for lunch
out, invite her over - surely you have food left over from the holidays.
Plan your menus around what's on hand. Clean out the refrigerator and make
soup. Read the articles on Dollar Stretcher, again. Read your frugal saving
books, again. Go to the library and borrow videos. Get your exercise
shoveling snow, walking the dog, cleaning out the pantry to see what's
there. Make no toll calls; email your family and friends-you're already
paying for your ISP.
When your inner voice says you need to go to the store
for whatever, stop and listen again. Remember that the Bible story of
feeding the multitudes with four loaves of bread and that Hanukah story
about the oil lasting eight days, are both teachings on all you have is all
you need. Give it a try. I find it soul mending as well as leaving some
extra cash in my pockets.
Sue G.
Sparta, New Jersey
Please send your tips to Tips@stretcher.com If we use your tip or reply to 'Can You Help' in any of our publications we'll send you the next three issues of our print newsletter as a 'thank you'.
On www.Stretcher.com This Week
Festive Party Punches
by Brenda Hyde
For that special gathering
http://www.stretcher.com/stories/01/011224a.cfm
Make the Most of After-Christmas Sales
by Deana Ricks and Angie Zalewski
A great time for savings!
http://www.stretcher.com/stories/01/011224b.cfm
How do you get out of an auto lease?
http://www.stretcher.com/brm/01/011218b.htm
Cut Your Holiday Bills in Half
by Gregory Thomas
It's just a matter of time
http://www.stretcher.com/stories/01/011224c.cfm
Separate Ways
The emotional costs of divorce are bad enough. Don't make it worse
http://www.stretcher.com/brm/01/011217.htm
I Is for Income
Series I savings bonds are worth a look if you're worried about inflation
http://www.stretcher.com/brm/01/011217a.htm
Emergency Funds
In a layoff-ridden recession, an emergency stash is more important than ever
http://www.stretcher.com/brm/01/011217b.htm
Cutting Credit Card Use
A falling economy and layoffs give spenders some second thoughts
http://www.stretcher.com/brm/01/011218.htm
A New Year
20 to-do's for 2002
http://www.stretcher.com/brm/01/011218a.htm
When the ATM Malfunctions
The machine claims it gave you money, but you know it didn't. What now?
http://www.stretcher.com/brm/01/011219.htm
Borrowers With Bad Credit
New regulations extend protection to more subprime and home equity borrowers
http://www.stretcher.com/brm/01/011220.htm
Is the Refinancing Party Over?
Mortgage rates are heading in the opposite direction of the Fed's rates
http://www.stretcher.com/brm/01/011221.htm
Consumer Finance Report
Analysts forecast of borrowing costs and CD yields
http://www.stretcher.com/brm/01/011221a.htm
Moving CD to a Higher Rate
If rates go up, can your CD go with them?
http://www.stretcher.com/brm/01/011221b.htm
Start Now!
Ten ways to save $50
http://www.stretcher.com/brm/01/011221c.htm
Penalties for late tax filing
http://www.stretcher.com/brm/01/011217c.htm
My Story: Blanket Storage
by Susan Beth
Space efficient storage
http://www.stretcher.com/stories/01/011224d.cfm
Should parents co-sign for a student's mortgage?
http://www.stretcher.com/brm/01/011217d.htm
Should you buy a house even if you can't put 20 percent down?
http://www.stretcher.com/brm/01/011219a.htm
Do you need a real estate lawyer?
http://www.stretcher.com/brm/01/011220a.htm
Looking for a safe investment?
http://www.stretcher.com/brm/01/011221d.htm
When toys are taxable
http://www.stretcher.com/brm/01/011218c.htm
Coordinating a couple's separate IRA account distributions
http://www.stretcher.com/brm/01/011220b.htm
Using retirement money to fend off foreclosure
http://www.stretcher.com/brm/01/011221e.htm
Readers' Tips
http://www.stretcher.com/stories/01/011224t.cfm
Home and Small Business
A Holiday Wish List
What the boss wants for Christmas
http://www.stretcher.com/brm/01/011217e.htm
Survival Tips for 2002
http://www.stretcher.com/brm/01/011218d.htm
Charitable Giving
Getting the most out of a corporate tax donation
http://www.stretcher.com/brm/01/011219b.htm
Online Fraud
Online credit card fraud expected to spike during holiday season
http://www.stretcher.com/brm/01/011219c.htm
Santa Claus Inc.
The usual small-business obstacles, plus a recession, consumer pessimism and tragic events, made for a lackluster 2001
http://www.stretcher.com/brm/01/011221f.htm
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