"Living Better...For Less"
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In this issue:
Introduction
Couples and Money
The Cleaning Professional
Keeping Up During the Hectic Holidays
Balancing a Ceiling Fan
Tips, Quips, Quotes & Questions
New on the Website This Week
Hello to all my Frugal Friends!
If you're planning on doing any of your Christmas shopping online you'll want to check out some comments on the price comparison search engines that are available. You'll find them at
www.stretcher.com/stories/99/991206b.cfm
All the Best!
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A few months ago I wrote from a woman's point of view. This time I'm wearing my "couple" hat. In my last article I shared a question from a couple who were money opposites, and the obvious agony that that caused. It has been said that most people, among other characteristics, do marry their money opposite. Sadly, this is probably why the number one reason for divorce is money.
It doesn't have to be that way, of course. However, that statistic shows what an important issue money is to get worked out between partners. In the best of circumstances, partners reach "win-win" agreements right from the start-if this isn't true for you, make a course correction now!
What do the couples who are financially harmonious know? Three things: (1) They must talk about it, (2) It is important for both partners to participate and understand, and (3) A good budget is a tool to help them be organized and efficient.
(1) Communication!
Everyone needs a budget for the simple purpose of good communication.
Businesses spend a lot of time and resources on maintaining their budgets because they need a common "language" to discuss their finances. Couples need that "language" too!
A budget facilitates good communication because it allows you to see and evaluate all your spending at once. You can't tell how deep a well is if it's filled with rocks! Getting all your expenses out on the table lets you evaluate them simultaneously, in a rational light. If there is an atmosphere allowing both to honestly express the importance of each item, so much the better. What are your plans, priorities, hopes, dreams, and goals? Maybe you'll decide to eat out only once a month so you can funnel money to a future house fund-or maybe dining out is a really important part of your relationship and you want to allocate a "date night" once a week.
Deciding together helps you both to get on board, and support the decisions during the tough times. Setting up a budget together will save agonizing over spending decisions month in and month out for all the years of your marriage.
(2) Participation and Understanding
Equally important to the monetary benefits of budgeting is that by setting the budget plan up together either one of you can "run" it. Suppose, as is often the case, that one of you becomes the primary bill-payer. Without a consistent system known by both partners, the non-bill-payer is often left in the dark and really doesn't know or understand the family finances.
Further suppose that the bill-payer becomes unexpectedly sick or must travel for awhile. With a budget and system you create together it is easy for the other to jump in.
With a budget, you have a tool for communication that you both know how to use. You have a consistent method. You both "buy into" the ramifications of decisions because it is not a situation of one "imposing" something on the other.
(3) Budgeting is just a "tool."
Unfortunately, most people have learned to think about running a budget as a torture mechanism, something meant to deprive.
However, the literal definition is "to plan in advance the expenditure of." A budget is just a tool; just like your lawnmower, microwave, or computer.
It's just there to help you function better!
Before I end here with "Six Quick Topics to Get the Discussion Started," I wanted to briefly mention that there are books out there to help to excavate the emotional and behavioral issues of our "money personalities." Olivia Mellon is an author who has written several books on the money issues between couples. And the popular Suze Orman ("9 Steps to Financial Freedom") holds a mirror up for you to see what your reflection shows about how you developed your money habits.
Six Quick Topics to Get the Discussion Started:
(1) Personal Money Habits: How much cash do you carry, what types of cards do you use (credit, debit, ATM), what types of bank accounts do you have (checking, saving)? Discuss general philosophies of money.
Jane Chidester (Jane@TulipTreePress.com) is the author of BudgetYes! 21st Century Solutions for Taking Control of Your Money Now!
Visit her Web site at http://TulipTreePress.com Budget Central: Personal Budgeting Information and Resources Repository of information and resources on personal budgeting, financial planning, and household money management--a complete budgeting education.
With the Christmas season fast approaching, along with the lights on the tree, red and green candles around the house add that extra touch of warmth and coziness. But what happens when the candle was spills on to the carpet below? Don't worry! Here's what to do and how to safely remove the wax.
Take a brown paper grocery bag, fold it over two or three times and place it on top of the wax. Now take a warm, NOT hot, but warm iron and gently go over the candle wax, back and forth. The paper bag will act like a sponge. As the wax begins to melt, it will melt into the bag and most of it should come up.
One little problem: If the candle wax has a lot of dye in it, it can discolor a light-colored carpet. Unfortunately, there is not too much that can be done about that.
Robert Kravitz has been in the janitorial and residential cleaning business for 30 years. He writes books on the cleaning industry and may be contacted through his web site at www.alturasolutions.com
For some people the holidays can be a real goal-buster, creating havoc with budgets, organizational skills, and the waistline. Some people plan the whole year for the season, yet others wait until the last minute.
Regardless of the style of preparation, many feel overwhelmed and fatigued by the time the holiday spirit arrives. With careful planning and organization, your domain, checkbook and waistband will survive the holidays. Here are just a few tips that will help make the holidays joyous again.
Wrapping Things Up- Remember grabbing all of those tubes of paper on clearance last year? It is time to find them. While you are searching find your scissors, tape, name tags, boxes, markers, a pencil, and bows. If you send your gifts by mail add packing tape and newspaper or other packing materials. If you use the USPS pick up a few free Priority Mail and envelopes and boxes. (Pick up some holiday stamps, also.) Place this in a box, container, bag or anything else that can hold all of your items. After you have your wrapping supplies together place it in an area that will be easy to access and find.
As you buy or make gifts, wrap them and with a pencil on the back of the name card write lightly (so you can erase it, if you have curious gift receivers) what is inside the present, and cross them off you list.
Start filling you holiday mail packages early. This will free up some storage space and make sure your gifts get to your family and friend with time to spare. Check your local parcel service for holiday deadlines.
Heating Up the Holidays - Remember that nice platter your Aunt Fay gave you three years ago? It is buried back in your cupboard. Last holiday, you wanted to use it (at the last minute) and couldn't find it. This year go through your cupboards and find your relish trays, deviled egg plates, turkey trivets, and all the other items you only use once a year. Place these items up front so that you can find them if the need arises. I know Aunt Fay will be glad you did.
Meal planning can be a big source of stress. Plan your menu, shopping and supplies list well in advance. See if there is any dish on your menu that you can prepare ahead of time and freeze. Plan your attack, locate the dishes, pans, tools, ingredients and preparation area before you start working
Don't overcook. This is hard on your budget and it promotes over indulgence. There are many wonderful resources (some right on the Internet) that can help you plan a menu and will give you the amounts you should cook per guest. Try centering your holiday around something other than food.
You waistline and budget will benefit from this too.
The Gift of the Gift List- Santa has a list and he checks it twice, maybe you should also. I am not talking about being a Scrooge, but if you are giving gifts to you cousin's friend's daughter's child, you might be able to cut back a little.
Many families have found ways to reduce gift giving. Some have even remove the unwrapping frenzy from the holiday line-up and replaced it with other meaningful events. Others have chosen to donate to charities instead of exchanging gifts. Be creative, there are other ways to show that you care for someone. What do you think Grandma would want - An hour visit or a new foot toaster that won't be paid off until next holiday?
Card Sharks - Have your computer help you. Make your own address labels - the
post office will love it too. Organize all of your addresses, stamps, pens, and stationary in one area. Mail out the card as soon as you are finished with it.
Every year, I used to search high and low for the perfect card to send out.
I would shuffle from store to store to find it. One year we were moving and I was not able keep the tradition. I went to an office supply store and bought holiday stationary for less than three of the fancy cards. I wrote personal letters to close family and newsletter form to other friends and family. The feedback was very positive. Plus, I received some wonderful letters in return.
Cookie Cutters - Watch your budget when you bake or make crafts for gifts. For example my sister-in-law decided she would make her niece a dress for the holidays to save money. She thought she could make a dress under $20. (There was a $20 limit on the gifts) The dress ended up costing near $30. The dress was gorgeous but the reason she had made the dress was because she was trying to save money during some hard times.
When you buy craft items or baking items, ask yourself "Can I make this?
(Example: gift bags to place baked goods) Are there any free resources I can use? (Example: a church/community center's craft room that might have access to sewing machines, craft tables, cutting boards etc) Is there something I can recycle? (Example: old clothing for material and buttons) This will save you money and help our environment to boot. Can I borrow or buy it second hand? Try a hobby shop bulletin board, a thrift shop, want ads, and craft shows.
Realize what you need to organize - Don't wait to locate - Start early in the season. Many of times we over spend and duplicate items because we fail to find an item we stashed away in a hide-a-way. If you aren't sure you know your entire secret hiding places start your quest early, and place these items in an area that will be easy for you to access, when you are ready for them. Then relax and enjoy the festivities.
Lisa is responsible for "2nd Helping". The site is focused on weight/health, money management, and housework/organization skills. You'll find it at http://sites.netscape.net/mooregoals/2ndhelping.
Dear NH,
Dear LC,
A wobbly fan is usually (but not always) caused by imbalance in the blades and/or the blade brackets. Though it would be easy to blame poor manufacturing and quality control, the fact is that perfect balance is almost impossible, especially since the unit is assembled on site under "human" conditions. Just a slight variation in a blade caused by "play" in the mounting holes can cause a wobble. Fortunately, unless the imbalance is substantial, the problem only appears when the fan runs at higher speeds.
The first thing to determine is if the fan itself has loosened from its ceiling mount. Try to move the body of the fan... does it appear to solidly attached? Be careful... if the mount is very loose it could fall into your hands! The fan will have a cover or plate that will allow you access to the mounting screws should you need to tighten them.
If the fan seems firmly attached but the mounting box seems to be moving or sagging... RED FLAG! You fan may have been mounted onto a non-code electrical box. Nowadays, all ceiling fans must be mounted onto a special electrical box that is firmly attached across two ceiling joists with special mounting brackets. In contrast, typical electrical boxes are only attached to the side of one joist... great for low weight chandeliers or normal lighting fixtures but not so great for heavy moving objects! If this appears to be the case, you should get an electrician to examine the box and if necessary install the proper supports... or replace the box entirely.
If the fan mounting is secure, examine the blades. Are all screws tight?
Tightening a few loose screws can be all that is needed to end the wobbling.
If all the fasteners are firmly attached, then your mission, should you decide
to accept it, is to balance the blades.
Blade balancing is similar to automobile tire balancing... except you don't have fancy computerized equipment to help you! It is a matter of trial and error... attaching small weights to the blades one at a time to determine which blade is heavier or lighter. There is an excellent FAQ on ceiling fans at Hansen Wholesale at www.hansenwholesale.com/faq.html. They explain the entire procedure used to balance a ceiling fan, though they recommend purchasing a balancing kit. Another website, All About Fans, has a really gritty and down-to-earth method of balancing that does not require a kit. The online address of the instructions is: http://www.faninfo.com/Information_all_Brands_Ceiling/Ceiling_Fans_Balance/ceiling_fans_balance.html
Get a monthly home repair wake-up call with the free Natural Handyman Newsletter! Tips, hints, links, and surprises, delivered right to your Emailbox. To subscribe today, click on the following URL, or cut-and-paste it into your browser: http://www.naturalhandyman.com/newsltr/newsltr.htm
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It can indeed be very frustrating when you have friends and/or family that do not share your views on frugality. Trying to stick to a budget is difficult and is not made easier when it seems your friends are buying everything they want while you go without. From experience I have personally found that what works best for me really depends on the situation. Sometimes it is best to simply compliment the item, "Yes that is
a really nice (whatever)," and leave it at that. When directly questioned about my spending/frugality, I find it is better to simply say state my reasons why I do NOT go right out and buy whatever I want, "My priorities are getting out of debt right now," "I have found that I really do not need a new (blahblah)," or "I am saving for a (thingie)." Sometimes when questioned rudely, I laugh it off with a comment "I'm a cheap (blank) and hate spending my money needlessly/foolishly" - that often makes people back off. Besides, if they are good friends they will probably already know your
frugal views and what your priorities are, and respect them.
(editor's note: more suggestions on what to do "When Friends Say You're Cheap" at www.stretcher.com/stories/99/991206a.cfm
We receive several copies of CD-ROMs for on-line services as I'm sure many folks do. I've taken then and glued two together with the printed side in and they make wonderful decorations. Think of that shiny side with all the pretty Christmas lights, they really are pretty. Take ribbon and make a loop, glue it to the printed side of one CD then glue the printed side of another CD to the CD with the loop. Be sure the loop is large enough to hang
on tree limbs. Then take photos of the kids, grandchildren, the pets and cut
them into circles just large enough to cover the clear circle and hole in the
CD. Do the other side with another photo. Use old Christmas cards if you don't want to cut up your photos.
Editor's note: more inexpensive Christmas Decorations at www.stretcher.com/stories/99/991206c.cfm
My husband and I have used the powder "Capture" for years. It is sold at Home Depot and Sears and has taken out tar, grease, blood and red wine!
You blot the spot with a towel or wash cloth and cold water, after removing any obvious "chunks" of the offending material, brush the powder into and around the spot, let dry and vacuum. NOTHING else has worked for us. We feel the pre-stain that Capture also sells is un-necessary. It sells for about $20 for a small bucket. The better you brush it in, the better it picks up. We have off-white carpet and grey, two teenagers and a cat, and a husband who works on old classic cars, and we're happy!
Editor's note: more comments about different Dry Carpet Cleaners at www.stretcher.com/stories/99/991206d.cfm
Please send your tips to gary@stretcher.com with "Tips" as the subject. 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'. The monthly print edition contains articles that do not appear in our online editions. For a sample copy, send your name and address, along with $2 to: The Dollar Stretcher, Dept OL, PO Box 23785, Ft.
Lauderdale, FL 33307.
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When Friends Say You're Cheap
Comparison Shopping
Inexpensive Christmas Decorations - part 2
Dry Carpet Cleaners
Christmas Gifts Kids Can Make
Comparison Shopping for 1999 Holiday Shipping Rates
A Tasty Holiday Tradition
Love Builds a House
Your Internet Business: Seeing Through the Fog
Backyard Nature Notes: Wildflowers
Noisy Honda Steering
Credit Card Christmas Gifts Could Cost You More Later
An Exit Strategy Could Make Your Business Worth More Today
Spreading Cheer to Your Business Clients
Money Problems Could Be All in Your Head
Credit Unions Could Provide a Cheaper New Car Loan
Negotiating for Small Business Space
Mortgages Are Different for the Rich and Famous
Bank Lockbox Could Save You Time and Money
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by Jane Chidester
Wax on the Carpet!
By Robert Kravitz
by Lisa Moore
The Natural Handyman
by Gary Foreman
gary@stretcher.com
I want to take a moment to remind you to enter our "Refer a Friend Sweepstakes" for the month of December. Just use the handy form on our website www.stretcher.com/sweeps/referdec99.cfm to tell one of your friends about The Dollar Stretcher. You'll automatically be entered into our drawing at the end of the month. The winner will receive both of Jonni McCoy's books: Miserly Moms and Frugal Families. Miserly Moms has been a favorite of our readers. You might even want to check out the review we printed last year www.stretcher.com/stories/981214h.htm. For those of you who aren't familiar with Jonni's story, she was working at a professional position but wanted to stay home with her children. By using work skills she found that she could 'make' more money by staying home.
Even if you're single or have no desire to quit your job, Jonni's books are filled with great info. To order a copy you can visit her website www.miserlymoms.com.
Gary
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by Jane Chidester
(2) Spending Habits: What are your shopping habits?
(3) Logistics of Money Handling: Do you balance your checkbook each month, have a budget, save receipts, do your own taxes, have a filing system?
(4) Credit History: What have you borrowed money for and from whom? Any issues with repayment or debt?
(5) Investments: What types of stocks, mutual funds, pension plans, or money outside of regular checking and savings accounts do you have? How do you choose your investments and who are the beneficiaries?
(6) Insurance: Do you have health, auto, life, disability, and homeowners/renters? Who are they carried with, names on policies, and beneficiaries?
Wax on the Carpet!
By Robert Kravitz
by Lisa Moore
The Natural Handyman
Do you have any resources for balancing ceiling fans? I am a renter and the fan is quite noisy, wobbling and shaking. It is a ceiling-mount fan, it looks new and seems to otherwise be in great shape.
LC
Ceiling fans are both energy-saving and aesthetically a hoot! When I walk into a room with a slowly revolving ceiling fan, I just want to throw off my shoes and collapse on the lounge chair... awaiting the next Pina Colada. Of course, if the lounge chair in under the fan you want to be sure that the fan is going to stay where it belongs... on the ceiling.
NH
Lisa T.
Dana
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