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Review: MVD Entertainment Group

Tuesday, August 31, 2010



MVD Entertainment Group is a corporation consisting of three major divisions: MVD Visual, MVD Audio, and MVD Distribution.
I recently recieved one of there dvds to review: Nicole Brown Simpson - Final 24: Her Final Hours
This dvd Focuses on Nicole Brown Simpson's, wife of famous football star O.J. Simpson, final 24 hours.
This compelling documentary unlocks the hidden secrets, psychological flaws and events that result in the tragic deaths of famed notorious and the iconic.
Nicole Brown Simpson started her day with her ordinary run. Little did she know that it would be the last run she would take.
A very sad and compelling story.
Visit MVD Entertainment Group for all your entertainment needs.

How to Save Money with DIY Painting



Once you have decided to save money by avoiding a painting contractor and doing the painting yourself, you are probably interested in more ways that you can trim your home improvement budget. There are plenty of ways that you can learn how to save money with DIY painting. In fact, saving more money is one of the reasons that people often paint their houses themselves - you can be sure that few painting contractors will use these cost cutting techniques. After using any of these tips, be creative and come up with your own money saving alternatives. You might be surprised what you find at your local home tools resale store or thrift shop.



Saving Money on Paint

Before you head out to buy paint, make sure that you accurately measure the surface that needs to be painted and buy only the amount of paint that you need. If a gallon of paint is enough for about 400 square feet, take this into consideration when buying multiple gallons. Remember, however, that a single coat is rarely enough to finish the job. Also, keep in mind that you will need to subtract window and door space from the calculation.


Once you have your measurements, don't rush off to the major home retail store just yet. Instead, try visiting a nearby recycling center or hazardous waste disposal facility and seeing what they have available in their lot. You may find hundreds of gallons of different paint at serious discounts. Construction companies and painting contractors will often bring their paint in for disposal much earlier than necessary. Take advantage of these low cost alternatives - even if it means going a shade brighter, even a painting contractor will tell you that.

Saving Money on the Project

Instead of buying roller pan liners from the store, just look for some cheap plastic grocery bags to serve as quick and free liners. If you don't have any available, you can often get a few from the local grocery store for free. Once you have used them, simply turn them inside out and throw them away. You can also just buy an old sheet from a thrift store to use as a drop cloth rather than investing in a heavy duty painter's drop cloth.


Finally, avoid using painter's tape. Masking tape will often work just as well at a fraction of the price. Many times, you don't even need to use the tape at all. Wasting money on painter's tape can be an added cost that you don't need. When you are ready to store leftover paint, use some plastic wrap over the top of the can before attaching the lid. Even a little bit of paint at the bottom of the can may be used later for trim so don't be too quick to get rid of it. Using the plastic wrap will preserve the life of the paint until you need it again.

Review:Old Salem Museums & Gardens and free catalog

Monday, August 30, 2010




Old Salem is a truly unique place—a community built on the foundation of the Moravian religion, later transformed into one of the most successful economic centers in early America. Old Salem is not simply about Moravian history; it is a reflection on an evolving diverse community in the South, struggling with common principles such as freedom, faith, tradition, government, slavery, and war. These principles remain relevant for today’s citizens of the United States and the world.


We recieved some Movarian cookies from Old Salem Museums & Gardens, to sample.




Flavours include: Moravian Ginger, Sugar, and Cranberry Orange , Moravian Ginger, Apple Spice, and Maple  and come nicely gift packaged. You can find a fine collection of great gifts in their online store, or request a catalog.
These are a nice tasty, very thin tea type, wafer cookie. Very nice with tea/coffee or to nibble as a snack.
Proceeds from your purchase of their products directly benefit the preservation, restoration, and educational programming at Old Salem Museums and Gardens.
They invite you over.

It's Coming...September 20-October 20-Sharp Dressed Man Event

Gerry will be 50 on October 29th, and in honor of his birthday, I am having a "Sharp Dressed Man" Event.

Gerry rarely buys himself new clothes or even second hand for that matter, and I thought it would be nice for him to have a new wardrobe, courtesy of our sponsers.

It will be a great time as well for you to enter some giveaways for the men in your life.

Sponsers most welcome.




button design by 2X Design

One of those days

Sunday, August 29, 2010


We all have those days I think, where we just don't do a good a job as we want- whether it is with that diet we want to start today, a sewing project we want to finish up or being as frugal as we want to be. Today was one of those days for me.




I've been frustrated lately about all the detours we have had around town- our town is having its Main Street tore up to have sewer and water pipes replaced- this has been ongoing for at least a month, and it's a very big inconvenience-it means time lost travelling the long way as well as extra gas to go the longer way.I'm not sure when they will be done, but it still looks like a while.



On another note, I was able to use some of my free coupons at the grocery store today, but I also tried to use my $25 Mastercard gift card up,( which I had gotten from a rebate). I had picked up $27 worth of groceries,and at the till they could not process it...I was creating a line up, and so I said don't worry about it, and figured I could use it on my next grocery trip at another store-but I wasn't impressed, as I could have done without some of the items I picked up just to use it...grrr.



I also tried calling to comment on three grocery products today,(which I do every so often- lately, have been doing daily though),but to no avail. Everyone today just gave me the " thank you for calling- we appreciate your comments".



Oh well, maybe tommorow will be a better day for being frugal, getting some deals or perhaps winning a contest.

Sunday-August 29

I've added a new "tag" to the blog called About Us. I have older posts that I eventually want get catagorized to place them in this catagory, but this will be the place to read any updates on us, as a family.
  Today,I made some carrot muffins again.




I like this recipe from Cooks.com since it requires little ingrediants.Although you may want to double it,( which is what I should have done) as only makes 6 muffins. I was using up some carrots that we bought for .99 for a bag, for a roast I put into the slow cooker today.I also used the ends and peelings of the carrots to feed our 4 guinea pigs.
Today's muffin making got me thinking of blueberry muffins. We had alot that Gerry had used to make jam this summer, and when my niece had asked if I wanted more, ( as she picks them and sells them to me), I said I had enough. Now I wish I would have said yes. The wild blueberries my sister said are all dried up now. We had some bushes we planted in the yard but they didn't come up..may have been too late in the year. They were from a review I had gotten to try them out. Gerry said they may come up next year but we are thinking of going to dig up some wild plants for our yard later.
**** Update- we went and got the trees and have planted them:









                   We ordered a roll of a "stone look" wallpaper from Sears, for our archway in the living room that Gerry built, for the inside of the living room side, so will have photos once that comes in, after Sept 22 I am told.Cost: $30

                    Gerry has moved things around in the back yard again, changing the area where our gate was before, as one of the sheds had water run off of the roof that was creating a skating rink by the back gate, when it froze. We take the garbage out to the back that way, so that wasn't good for anyone going back that way.Problem fixed and no money out of pocket.




Ria will be done at the petting zoo, ( which she is manager of), in the next 2 days, and soon all the animals will be going back to the farms that they came from.She always does a great job of running that place.
Erika will be starting her accounting in Calgary on the 7th of September for first classes.

Off to make lunch- salmon and egg salad sandwiches. Just pulled the last of my green onions yesterday from the garden, so that will go into some sandwiches.Didn't have many, but will plant more next year I think, as well as start more of my planting indoors, so that it gets a good start.Pulled the last of green leaf lettuce too- it didn't look the greatest this year and used alot of it to feed the guinea pigs.

Have a great day everyone!



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Win Big For Only Pennies

Friday, August 27, 2010



Bargain shopping just got a whole lot easier and more enjoyable. Online penny auction websites are all the rave these days and it’s no wonder. They offer a unique and entertaining competitive shopping experience providing the opportunity to secure highly coveted items at deep discounts.



For example, leading penny auction site Bidcactus.com recently auctioned off a new 40-inch LCD TV, which went for $4.14, and a $100 Walmart gift card, for 49 cents.


So how does it work? To start, consumers place bids on items using credits that they have purchased; each time a consumer bids on an item, one bid is deducted from their account and the auction price increases by $0.01. Bidcactus even allows shoppers to vote on what item they want to see auctioned off next.


What’s more, in true back-to-school spirit, Bidcactus, the go-to source for Back-to-School items (think: gift cards, gadgets, hi-tech dorm room accessories), is giving away 25 free bids with any purchase of a laptop through the end of this month.



www.bidcactus.com

Happy 25th Birthday, Ria!

Thursday, August 26, 2010



My oldest- Ria.. hard at work at the petting zoo!
Happy 25th Ria!! Lots of love-
xoxoxo

Attention: Independant Home Business Agents



Attention Independant Home Business Agents, we are looking to post about your business on our site.
If you sell Avon, Tupperware, etc., you can post about your home business here, providing we recieve review product.
We will only accept one person per business venture, and your home business will also be tweeted on our 2 Twitter sites:
oneincome and promoteforyou.

You can contact me at: oneincomedollar@yahoo.ca









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Review and Coupon Code: Miss Malaprop



A picture is worth a thousand words they say.
I was taken with this picture of New Orleans Original Café Au Lait Soap when I visited Miss Malaprop's shop.
Made from French roast and chicory coffee and topped with a heavy pour of half and half, Café Au Lait is a gourmet double layer coffee scented soap that neutralizes odors while nourishing over worked and washed skin.The bar weighs approximately 4.7 ounces and is $5.25.(FREE SHIPPING on orders over $50!)
I love handmade anything, and Miss Malaprop's shop is a  shop where you can see all of her amazing handmade finds . Here you'll find unique handcrafted and eco-friendly gifts for yourself, your friends, your home and everyone in between!
Check out all the unique handmades- from recycled to organic to handmade to fair trade.
Thank you Mallory for the unique soap!

Miss Malaprop would like to offer Stretching the One Income Dollar readers 10% off any purchase when they shop and check out.
Please use coupon code: OneIncomeDollar.

Save Money with Urban Gardening



Money is tight for everyone right now. All our budgets have been squeezed and we want to get the most out of every cent we earn. One great way of saving a little money is to grow your own veg and herbs. This is often seen with a bit of trepidation by people because they don’t have the space or they’re in the city. Well there’s no need to worry even if your in the most urban of areas. This article talks you through some of the key points of container gardening and how, even with just a little space, you can grow your own flowers, herbs and vegetables.


Conditions


It goes without saying that the two of the key components of any garden are light and water, which need to be considered when establishing a container garden. If you have a balcony or large outdoor window sill, then your plants will be exposed to natural light and precipitation so they will need less looking after. It is important to remember; however, that the rain which reaches the plants may be restricted by over hanging structures, so even when it is wet you may still need to water your plants as the rain water may not be getting to the plant’s soil. If your container garden is going to be entirely inside, then you need to make sure each plant is put in a position which gives it it’s required exposure to light and that you are watering the plants regularly.


Size


If you are very limited on space, such as if you only want a few plants for an indoor windowsill, then you need to pick plants which are space appropriate. It is no good planting a rapidly growing large plant in a small space, whereas similarly you do not want to invest in a large planter for a balcony only to plant a few small plants which leave a lot of exposed soil. Plants such as chives are great if you don’t have a lot of space as they grow in compact groups in a small area, yet after they have been cut they will re-grow providing you with a lot of use. If you have a larger space to fill plants such as Rosemary, Lavender, or mint are great as they sprawl across where they are planted, gradually filling the container.


Nutrients


The downside of a container garden is you only have small area of soil, so your plants do not have any access to additional nutrients from the wider ground. As a result of this it is important to feed the plants and replace the soil they are planted in every two years. If you are growing herbs or vegetables then it is a good idea to use an organic plant food as this means the plants won’t absorb anything which is dangerous or repellent to eat. If you have the space, you may want to make your own compost as this is a cheap and eco friendly way to keep your container plants nourished.



Grant loves to help out urban gardeners to get the most out of their garden space no matter how small it is. He can be found on his garden design website which specialises in garden design in Berkshire.

Time To Renovate-The Living Room-Update

Tuesday, August 24, 2010



The other side of the wall, in our living room. 
Gerry spent yesterday after work working on the archway and mudding. Says he will need to pick up more mud tonight after work and put on another coat.
We also bought a new light switch cover for the other side of the wall, nice bright white, compared to the dingy yellow that was on there.
Total out of pocket expense to date: $175.13




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Review: Grasshoppers (shoes) plus a Chance to Win!



I was quite excited to get my new pair of Grasshoppers suede shoes today. I always have such a hard time I find ,finding the right color or style that I truly have invisioned in my mind, and settle for second best.
They will be perfect for the cooler weather we have already begun having and remind me so much of Fall.
They are a soft shoe with a nice, decorative,padded insole.
I made sure I gave them a good spray as well with some suede protector, to keep them looking like new.
The Delight Suede, is available in 3 colors, different sizes and different foot widths.
For the bargain shopper, Grasshoppers has a last chance sale area, and free shipping for orders over $75.
Order online or find a store near you.
Enter to win a $250 shopping spree from now till November 1,2010, by entering your email address and signing up for their newsletter.

Babies Cost a Bundle: How to Save Money on Newborns



Bringing home baby can require a lot of greenbacks. Between clothing, furniture, and toys, you’ve already spent more than you make in three months, not to mention all the medical bills. You didn’t know that your little bundle of joy was going to cost you a bundle, but when you hold him in your arms, you know it’s worth every penny. Unfortunately, those pennies can add up to dollars and debt. So now that you’ve got your newborn home, you may want to start thinking about ways to give him everything he needs without some of the crazy costs associated with baby gear. To that end, here are a few items that you can save big on when it comes to caring for your newborn.


Formula. Of course, the cheapest feed is mother’s milk, but if you find that you can’t breastfeed or you simply choose not to, there are ways to save on the nutrient-rich formula your baby needs. Many companies will send you free samples if you write in to request them, so that’s a good place to start. From there, you can join baby clubs on formula-manufacturer websites to get newsletters complete with coupons.

Diapers. Considering how many diapers you’ll go through in a day, a week, a month, and a year, you will no doubt find that you’re spending over a thousand dollars a year on diapers. That can put a big dent in the college fund! So think about switching to cloth diapers. They’ll take a little more time and effort, but they can save you a ton of money, they’re better for the environment, and they lack the synthetic fibers and potentially harmful chemicals found in disposable diapers (which often cause rashes and allergic reactions).

Toiletries. Shampoos, soaps, and lotions for baby can be pretty pricey, especially if you want options that are natural and toxin-free. For less expense and guaranteed organic products, look online for recipes to make these cleansing items at home.

Clothing. Babies grow fast, and they go through clothing just as quickly. So there’s really no need to spend a ton of money on brand name clothes that they’re going to mash food on and outgrow in a matter of months. Consider asking other mothers for hand-me-downs or get mix and match pieces from discount stores. You’re newborn won’t know the difference!

Furniture. Certain pieces of baby furniture are an absolute necessity (you’ll certainly want a crib), while others can probably be done without (changing table, bassinet). But whether you want the whole set or just a couple key pieces, consider saving your wallet and the Earth by buying recycled furniture (many stores sell both new and used, while other sell all recycled pieces). You can also repurpose old pieces around your house, like a dresser that’s been gathering dust in the garage, by simply slapping on a new coat of paint in a kid-friendly color that matches your nursery.




Kyle Simpson is a writer for Cloth Diapering. The website is devoted to educating parents on the benefits, both eco and health related of cloth diapers for your baby.

What's Your Take On Dollar Store Grub?

Monday, August 23, 2010



What's you take on Dollar Store grub?
I have always promoted the thought of paying less for products, and the Dollar Stores are great places to find cheap food, but what is the quality of the food you are getting?
I have noticed by reading labels, ( I became more of a label reader once I started having more digestive problems),that alot of the products from these stores are made in other countries. Do we know the standards of safe food production in other countries?No, probably not. Do we eat anything because it's "cheaper?"
Perhaps buying generic would be a better option. Cheaper, but made here at home.
We've changed our way of thinking in this house. If it's not made in Canada or the USA, we don't buy it.
Of course Dollar Stores are still a great place to get anything else you need- for a buck.
It's great to save money but always remember, everything is a 2 sided coin.
I welcome your opinions.

Save With Your Email: Set up a Separate Email Address for Saving



We have all seen it. We’re at the grocery store and in line, right in front of us, is the savvy shopper who just bought an entire week’s worth of groceries for only $10. Have you ever wondered how he or she does it? Not only is this shopper saving hundreds of dollars every week, but also how in the world does this person keep track of all those coupon codes? Chances are that deal-wheeling shopper in front of you uses a separate email account to keep track of all of those deals.



If you’re like many in today’s economic climate who want to save money on groceries, on school supplies, or even at your favorite restaurant, then learning to save with your email address is a great place to start. There are many advantages to setting up a separate email account for coupons. Let’s take a look at some of the most common advantages.



1. A separate email account will save you time. If you have a designated email address for only coupons and coupon codes then you always know where to look. Simply go to your email and check out the savings at your favorite store.


2. Search for your coupons. An email account that is separate from your personal account allows you to search for the coupons you use most. You don’t have to wade through pages and pages of coupons you don’t even use.


3. Give your email address to your favorite websites. Have you used sites like Offers.com to find great deals? Or have you gone into your favorite clothing store and been asked for your email address? Every time you are asked for your email address online or in person, give your separate email address. You’ll be much more organized this way.


4. Get rid of spam. Today’s world is spam laden. Nobody wants to have their inbox full of unwanted messages. When you set up a separate email account for coupons and deal, you can save your personal account from hundreds of unwanted spam offers.


5. Know where to go. After you’ve made your weekly grocery list, go to your email account and check for coupons for the things on your list. Often online coupons last much longer than those that come in your weekly mailer. Go to your inbox, search for a coupon, and you’re all set.

6. Set up email filters. If you are geeky enough, you can effectively organize your dedicated email inbox to let deal alerts related to different product categories go to different folder. Here's a post that describes the process and gives an example of how to use Gmail filters to save.





Setting up a separate email account for all of your coupon codes is a great way to save money and save your sanity. You can easily and quickly search for those coupons that you need. You won’t have to worry about wasting time going through hundreds of coupons you don’t need and you can have one handy place to keep track of all the coupons you’re interested in. Simply sign up for a separate email address and start to see the savings for yourself. Who knows, the next time you are in the grocery store you may be the savvy shopper who only spent $10 on a week’s worth of groceries.

Frugal Ideas for Giving Your Home a Makeover





When you have become bored with same old interior of your home, but the budget contains no extra money for frivolous purchases, it is time to consider frugal ways to stretch your decorating dollars. Change can be achieved without emptying the family safe if you use a little ingenuity and planning. Small ideas sometimes make the biggest difference. Some of the following suggestions may spark your creativity and help you give your house a new face even when funds are limited:




• Check the attic for old trunks which can be covered with bright table cloths and used as coffee or end tables.



• Enlarge favorite photographs and vacation scenes at a photo center and frame to accent walls.



• Dry seasonal flowers or use fresh flowers from the garden and display in cheap vases adorned with bright ribbons.



• Use a hot glue gun to attach tassels or rows of bead to old lamp shades.



• Transform old furniture, such as overstuffed couches and chairs, with new slipcovers in stylish fabrics.



• Change out the fan chains and cabinet pulls and drawer handles.



• Cut out whimsical images from free wall paper sample books and use to appliqué the walls of a child’s room.



• Use bright towels or mismatched sheets to sew new curtains for windows.



Whilst making good use of items you already own is a great idea, sometimes it is necessary to acquire a new piece of furniture. However, rather than buying brand new, you can save a lot of money by checking out secondhand furniture at garage sales, junk shops or on Craig’s List or the Freecycle website. It often doesn’t matter if a item isn’t quite to your taste, as there are easy ways to give old furniture a makeover. For example, wooden coffee tables or bookshelves can be rejuvenated with a lick of paint, and couch slipcovers are great for giving old-fashioned sofas an updated look.



To make a real impact on the appearance of a room, most people find that an extra splash of color also works very well. Ask friends and relatives if they have small amounts of paint left over from a larger project. Use these colors to paint accent walls or stencil patterns on cabinet doors.



Another great idea is to use discontinued or leftover ceramic art tiles in creative ways. Some of the following ideas for using tiles may be helpful:



• Create a small border around the tub or sink.



• Build a backsplash behind the kitchen stove.



• Place one individual ceramic art tile in the center of each cabinet door.



• Frame the fireplace with a single or double row of tiles all the way around.



Scraps of fabric also come in handy when you are trying to effect changes in your home’s décor. They can be used to make curtains for smaller windows or sewn together in various patterns to make table cloths and runners. If you have plenty of scraps or old clothing that can be cut into scraps, you can make rag rugs by following the directions given online. These are so attractive when used on wooden floors.



Why spend a fortune on a home makeover when these changes can be just as satisfying? In addition to reflecting your personality in your décor, when you actually do the work yourself, your friends and neighbors will be even more impressed with the results. You may actually inspire them to make a few decorative changes as well.

Review and Giveaway: ( Canada only) Brother Sewing Machines



It arrived! My Brother NS-40 computerized sewing  machine.
My daughter is the big sewer in the family and had these great comments about the machine.


Two words: SEW AMAZING!


I was super excited to try out my new Brother NS-40 sewing machine and it didn't disappoint one bit. I started up my machine and was wowed by the LCD screen and touch controls, automatic bobbin-winder and needle-threader. I tried out a few of the 40 programmed stitches and churned out 3 ferret hammocks in just over an hour! Drop in bobbin-loading, auto back stitch feature and a stylish design make this machine a great pick for anyone looking to upgrade their older model; This is a wonderful machine for the beginner or the seasoned sewer.

At approx $499. ,this machine is a bit costly, but with Brother's limited 25 year warranty this is definitely a great deal and well worth the extra splurge. I have purchased many low-end sewing machines under $200.00 over the years and you really do get what you pay for; and the NS-40 is a sure bet on money well spent.

This machine is easy to use and allows for simple clothing repairs, quilting, 5 types of buttonholes and free motion stitching. It has enough bells and whistles for a person to play around with but not so much that it becomes hard to use or an unnecessary function.

I enjoy making my own clothes (and stuff for my ferrets' cage) and usually repair clothing a few times if I can instead of just throwing anything away. I have been working on cutting the pieces for my third T-shirt quilt and cannot wait to get sewing!
 
 
 
OVERVIEW: NS-40


Whether you're new to sewing or a skilled veteran, you'll love the creative potential the NS-40 brings to your design table. Dream it, then do it with the NS-40's wide array of decorative stitches and convenient machine features. Made by Brother, powered by your imagination!





FEATURES: NS-40



· 40 Stitch Compact Computer Sewing

· Aluminum Chassis

· Stitch Selection via Unique Jog Dial and LCD Window

· 5 One Step Buttonholes

· 7 Point Feed Dogs

· Needle up - needle down

· Variable Speed Control

· Stop/Start Button

· Auto Needle Threader & Bobbin Winder System

· Workspace 160mm x 100mm (6.3"x4")

· Drop-in Bobbin Brother and its logo are trademarks of Brother Industries, Ltd., Japan. All specifications are subject to change without notice. All registered trademarks referenced herein are the property of their respective companies




Brother is graciously giving away the exact same machine to one lucky winner from Canada.
A random draw will be made by Random.org on September 7,2010 from all entries received.


To Enter:

Tell me why you'd like to win this machine, ( all entries still randomly drawn)


Extra Entries:

Follow me on Twitter: oneincome

Grab my site's button

Grab my Work at Home button

Follow me as a Google friend

Sign up as an email subscriber


Good luck to all!

A Week of Menus: Subs

Sunday, August 22, 2010



I realized it's been a while since I added any new content to this part of the blog.
If your looking for ideas for lunches this week, how about some subs?
It can be a week of subs for lunch if you wish.
Served by itself or with an extra of your choice.
( Don't forget it if you have a garden to use your lettuce and tomatoes from there!)


Monday: Ham and Cheese: add lettuce, tomato and mayo

Tuesday:Meatball sub: with mozza cheese and pizza sauce

Wednesday: Turkey: with lettuce , tomato and mayo

Thursday:Steak and cheese: with lettuce tomato and mayo

Friday:Tuna fish, with lettuce and a buttered bun

66 Ways to Save Money



TRANSPORTATION


Airline Fares

1. You can lower the price of a roundtrip air fare by as much as

two-thirds by making certain your trip includes a Saturday

evening stayover, and by purchasing the ticket in advance.

2. To make certain you have a cheap fare, even if you use a

travel agent, call all the airlines that fly where you want to go

and ask what the lowest fare to your destination is.

3. Keep an eye out for fare wars. Be prepared to act quickly.

Car Rental

1. Since car rental rates can vary greatly, shop around for the

best basic rates and special offers.

2. Rental car companies offer various insurance and waiver

options. Check with your insurance agent and credit card company

in advance to avoid duplicating any coverage you may already

have.

New Cars

1. You can save thousands of dollars over the lifetime of a car

by selecting a model that combines a low purchase price with low

financing, insurance, gasoline, maintenance, and repair costs.

Ask your local librarian for new car guides that contain this

information.

2. Having selected a model, you can save hundreds of dollars by

comparison shopping. Call at least five dealers for price quotes

and let each know that you are calling others.

3. Remember there is no "cooling off" period on new car sales.

Once you have signed a contract, you are obligated to buy the

car.

Used Cars

1. Before buying any used car:

a. Compare the seller's asking price with the average retail

price in a "bluebook" or other guide to car prices found at

many libraries, banks, and credit unions.

b. Have a mechanic you trust check the car, especially if

the car is sold "as is."

2. Consider purchasing a used car from an individual you know and

trust. They are more likely than other sellers to charge a lower

price and point out any problems with the car.

Auto Leasing

1. Don't decide to lease a car just because the payments are

lower than on a traditional auto loan. The leasing payments may

be lower because you don't own the car at the end of the lease.

2. Leasing a car is very complicated. When shopping, consider

the price of the car (known as the capitalized cost), your trade-

in allowance, any down payment, monthly payments, various fees

(excess mileage, excess "wear and tear," end-of-lease), and the

cost of buying the car at the end of the lease.

Gasoline

1. You can save hundreds of dollars a year by pumping gas

yourself and using the lowest-octane called for in your owner's

manual.

2. You can save up to $100 a year on gas by keeping your engine

tuned and your tires inflated to their proper pressure.

Car Repairs

1. Consumers lose billions of dollars each year on unneeded or

poorly done car repairs. The most important step that you can

take to save money on these repairs is to find a skilled, honest

mechanic. Before you need repairs, look for a mechanic who:

* is certified and well established;

* has done good work for someone you know; and

* communicates well about repair options and costs.



INSURANCE

Auto Insurance

1. You can save several hundred dollars a year by purchasing auto

insurance from a licensed, low-price insurer. Call your state

insurance department for a publication showing typical prices

charged by different companies. Then call at least four of the

lowest-priced, licensed insurers to learn what they would charge

you for the same coverage.

2. Talk to your agent or insurer about raising your deductibles

on collision and comprehensive coverages to at least $500 or, if

you have an old car, dropping these coverages altogether.

Taking these steps can save you hundreds of dollars a year.

3. Make certain that your new policy is in effect before dropping

your old one.

Homeowner Insurance

1. You can save $100 or more a year by purchasing homeowner

insurance from a low-price, licensed insurer. Ask your state

insurance department for a publication showing typical prices

charged by different licensed companies. Then call at least four

of the lowest priced insurers to learn what they would charge

you. If such a publication is not available, it is even more

important to call at least four insurers for price quotes.

2. Make certain you purchase enough coverage to replace the house

and its contents.

3. Make certain your new policy is in effect before dropping your

old one.

Life Insurance

1. If you want insurance protection only, buy a term life

insurance policy.

2. If you want to buy a whole life, universal life, or other cash

value policy, plan to hold it for at least 15 years. Cancelling

these policies after only a few years can more than double your

life insurance costs.

3. Check your public library for information about the financial

soundness of insurance companies and the prices they charge. The

July, August, and September 1993 issues of Consumer Reports are a

valuable source of information about a number of insurers.


BANKING/CREDIT

Checking

1. You can save more than $100 a year in fees by selecting a

checking account with a minimum balance requirement that you can,

and do, meet.

2. Banking institutions often will drop or lower checking fees if

paychecks are directly deposited by your employer. Direct

deposit offers the additional advantages of convenience,

security, and immediate access to your money.

Savings and Investment Products

1. Before opening a savings or investment account with a bank or

other financial institution, find out whether the account is

insured by the federal government. An increasing number of

products offered by these institutions, including mutual stock

funds and annuities, are not insured.

2. To earn the highest return on savings (annual percentage

yield) with little or no risk, consider certificates of deposit

(CDs) and treasury bills or notes.

3. Once you select a type of savings or investment product,

compare rates offered by different institutions. These rates can

vary a lot and, over time, can significantly affect interest

earnings.

Credit Cards

1. You can save as much as several hundred dollars each year in

lower credit card interest charges by paying off your entire bill

each month.

2. If you are unable to pay off a large balance, switch to a

credit card with a low annual percentage rate (APR). For a

modest fee, Bankcard Holders of America (703-389-5445) and RAM

Research Corp. (800-344-7714) will send you a list of low-rate

cards.

3. You can reduce credit card fees, which may add up to more than

$100 a year, by getting rid of all but one or two cards, and by

avoiding late payment and over-the-credit limit fees.

Auto Loans

1. If you have significant savings earning a low interest rate,

consider making a large down payment or even paying for the car

in cash. This could save you as much as several thousand dollars

in finance charges.

2. You can save as much as hundreds of dollars in finance charges

by shopping for the cheapest loan. Contact several banks, your

credit union, and the auto manufacturer's own finance company.

First Mortgage Loans

1. You may save tens of thousands of dollars in interest charges

by shopping for the shortest-term mortgage you can afford. On a

$100,000 fixed-rate loan at 8% annual percentage rate (APR), for

example, you will pay $90,000 less in interest on a 15-year

mortgage than on a 30-year mortgage.

2. You can save thousands of dollars in interest charges by

shopping for the lowest-rate mortgage with the fewest points. On

a 15-year, $100,000 fixed-rate mortgage, just lowering the APR

from 8.5% to 8.0% can save you more than $5,000 in interest

charges. On this mortgage, paying two points instead of three

would save you an additional $1,000.

3. If your local newspaper does not periodically run mortgage

rate surveys, call at least six lenders for information about

their rates (APRs), points, and fees. Then ask an accountant to

compute precisely how much each mortgage option will cost and its

tax implications.

4. Be aware that the interest rate on most adjustable rate

mortgage loans (ARMs) can vary a great deal over the lifetime of

the mortgage. An increase of several percentage points might

raise payments by hundreds of dollars per month.

Mortgage Refinancing

1. Consider refinancing your mortgage if you can get a rate that

is at least one percentage point lower than your existing

mortgage rate and plan to keep the new mortgage for several years

or more. Ask an accountant to calculate precisely how much your

new mortgage (including upfront fees) will cost and whether, in

the long run, it will cost less than your current mortgage.

Home Equity Loans

1. Be cautious in taking out home equity loans. These loans

reduce the equity that you have built up in your home. If you

are unable to make payments, you could lose your home.

2. Compare home equity loans offered by at least four banking

institutions. In comparing these loans, consider not only the

annual percentage rate (APR) but also points, closing costs,

other fees, and the index for any variable rate changes.


HOUSING

Home Purchase

1. You can often negotiate a lower sale price by employing a

buyer broker who works for you, not the seller. If the buyer

broker or the broker's firm also lists properties, there may be a

conflict of interest, so ask them to tell you if they are showing

you a property that they have listed.

2. Do not purchase any house until it has been examined by a home

inspector that you selected.

Renting a Place to Live

1. Do not limit your rental housing search to classified ads or

referrals from friends and acquaintances. Select buildings where

you would like to live and contact their building manager or

owner to see if anything is available.

2. Remember that signing a lease probably obligates you to make

all monthly payments for the term of the agreement.

Home Improvement

1. Home repairs often cost thousands of dollars and are the

subject of frequent complaints. Select from among several well

established, licensed contractors who have submitted written,

fixed-price bids for the work.

2. Do not sign any contract that requires full payment before

satisfactory completion of the work.

Major Appliances

1. Consult Consumer Reports, available in most public libraries,

for information about specific brands and how to evaluate them,

including energy use. There are often great price and quality

differences among brands.

2. Once you've selected a brand, check the phone book to learn

what stores carry this brand, then call at least four of these

stores for the prices of specific models. After each store has

given you a quote, ask if that's the lowest price they can offer

you. This comparison shopping can save you as much as $100 or

more.


UTILITIES

Electricity

1. To save as much as hundreds of dollars a year on electricity,

make certain that any new appliances you purchase, especially air

conditioners and furnaces, are energy-efficient. Information on

the energy efficiency of major appliances is found on Energy

Guide Labels required by federal law. Check with your electric

utility to learn if it has a program to help reduce the costs of

any appliance purchases.

2. Enrolling in load management programs and off-hour rate

programs offered by your electric utility may save you up to $100

a year in electricity costs. Call your electric utility for

information about these cost-saving programs.

Home Heating

1. A home energy audit can identify ways to save up to hundreds

of dollars a year on home heating (and air conditioning). Ask

your electric or gas utility if they can do this audit for free

or for a reasonable charge. If they cannot, ask them to refer

you to a qualified professional.

Local Telephone Service

1. Check with your phone company to see whether a flat rate or

measured service plan will save you the most money.

2. You will usually save money by buying your phones instead of

leasing them.

3. Check your local phone bill to see if you have optional

services that you don't really need or use. Each option you drop

could save you $40 or more each year.

Long Distance Telephone Service

1. Long distance calls made during evenings, at night, or on

weekends can cost significantly less than weekday calls.

2. If you make more than a few long distance calls each month,

consider subscribing to a calling plan. Call several long

distance companies to see which one has the least expensive plan

for the calls you make.

3. Whenever possible, dial your long distance calls directly.

Using the operator to complete a call can cost you an extra $1 to

$3.


OTHER

North Coast Financial


Food Purchased at Markets

1. You can save hundreds of dollars a year by shopping at the

lower-priced food stores. Convenience stores often charge the

highest prices.

2. You will spend less on food if you shop with a list.

3. You can save hundreds of dollars a year by comparing price-

per-ounce or other unit prices on shelf labels. Stock up on

those items with low per-unit costs.

Prescription Drugs

1. Since brand name drugs are usually much more expensive than

their generic equivalents, ask your physician and pharmacist for

generic drugs whenever appropriate.

2. Since pharmacies may charge widely different prices for the

same medicine, call several. When taking a drug for a long time,

also consider calling mail-order pharmacies, which often charge

lower prices. See the October 1993 issue of Consumer Reports

(available in most public libraries) for a list of several of

these pharmacies and their toll-free phone numbers.

Funeral Arrangements

1. Make your wishes known about your funeral, memorial, or burial

arrangements in writing. Be cautious about prepaying because

there may be risks involved.

2. For information about the least costly options, which could

save you several thousand dollars, contact a local memorial

society, which is usually listed in the Yellow Pages under

funeral services.

3. Before selecting a funeral home, call several and ask for

prices of specific goods and services, or visit them to obtain an

itemized price list. You are entitled to this information by law

and, by using it to comparison shop, you can save hundreds of

dollars.

The Consumer Literacy Consortium is a working group of

representatives from federal and state government agencies,

consumer groups, business organizations, and educational

institutions that seeks to develop and disseminate essential

messages to inform and educate consumers. Membership in the

Consortium does not imply endorsement of all of its messages or

the products and services of other members.

Cooperative Extension System

Federal Trade Commission

Federal Reserve Board

Minnesota Attorney General's Office

National Association of Consumer Agency

Administrators

U.S. Consumer Information Center

U.S. Food and Drug Administration

U.S. Office of Consumer Affairs

American Council on Consumer Interests

American Association of Retired Persons

Center for the Study of Services - Checkbook Magazine

Consumer Action

Consumer Federation of America

National Coalition for Consumer Education

National Institute for Consumer Education

TARP, Inc.

Alamo Rent A Car, Inc.

American Insurance Association

Direct Selling Education Foundation

MCI Consumer Markets

NYNEX Corporation

Sprint

Time To Renovate-The Living Room-Update












The renovations continue. Here Gerry is putting up the partition from the kitchen to the living room. Going to be adding in an archway in the entranceway to the living room.

So far out of pocket expense:$160

To be continued...




Photobucket

Shop Online-Save Money, plus 10% Discount



We all know how important saving money is. In this economy, who can afford to buy things at retail prices? Nearly everything you need is available online but how do you know you’re getting the best bang for your buck? You worked hard for your money – spend it wisely. There is no reason to spend more money than you need to on things like groceries, shoes, accessories, and even eyeglasses.





We all know to penny pinch and not to give into our temptations (unless our temptation is at a half off sale). When it comes to shopping online, you have to dig a little more to find the deals you want. Finding a good deal isn’t always as easy as inserting your search into Google. Penny pinching takes work but a lot of sites take most of the work out of saving for you. When looking for prescription glasses, read reviews before making your selection. Not every company is created equally.





When reading the reviews, look for coupons. Often times, bloggers and reviews will include company coupons or exclusive coupons for the product they are reviewing. GlassesUSA.com often works with bloggers to review their glasses. They do this so potential consumers will read unbiased reviews. Coupons are usually placed to encourage consumers to purchase products. For instance, if you’d like to take 10% off your next purchase of glasses or sunglasses from GlassesUSA.com, go to their site and use the code: Mommy10 when prompted.





Speaking of coupons, Facebook is a great way to find coupons. Nearly every company, like GlassesUSA.com, has a Facebook page that you can like. GlassesUSA’s Facebook Fan Page often showcases their newest promotions and discounts for their glasses online. Don’t overlook Facebook as millions of North Americans utilize the site for social networking.





Still not finding what you’re looking for? Sign up for newsletters. Companies will often send newsletters to customers with their latest sales. When all else fails – do a Google search. Google can be your friend but you may find a lot of unnecessary links.

Today's Winner

Saturday, August 21, 2010

Today's winner of:
http://www.oneincomedollar.com/2010/08/review-and-giveaway-dr-lucys-cookies.html
is:
dphumphrey (at) sympatico.ca


*** Winner has been contacted and has 7 days to contact me before a new winner is chosen.

Thank you for all who entered!

Bargain Savvy

Bargain Savvy




It’s in our human nature to seek out a good bargain, we do it to benefit our family and to improve our quality of life as a whole. Unfortunately, many companies use this desire to find a bargain (as well as other parts of our personalities) to their advantage. They target their ad campaigns towards what we want, rather than what we need and as a result we end up over-spending under the guise of saving.



This is why we’ve compiled a list of three seller tricks that are the most easy to fall for. Once you know about them you’ll know what to look for, and can hopefully stay well away from their lure...



1. Read between the Lines



Sellers use exciting words but often don’t actually mean what they imply. One prime example of this is online casinos that advertise a $1500 free welcome bonus. You don’t get that money given to you when you create an account, you have to deposit $1500 first, and then the site matches that bonus 100% and adds the $1500 on. In most cases you have to deposit in small bursts, too. In the end, people leave because they’ve been duped, but the casino have done no wrong (it was all written in the small print) and they’ve got your email address and various other details for future use.



Be aware that any deal may not be quite what it seems. If it involves investing a large amount of money, or giving your personal details, just make sure you read into it carefully and check that you won’t be stripped of your cash later on.



2. If It’s Too-Good-To-Be-True, Investigate!



When it comes to free samples you can’t go far wrong; the company benefit from the exposure. Yet when you’re being offered a free product with no evident motive, you should try and seek it out first.



What we’re trying to say is that things are rarely really free. It’s an incredibly attractive prospect, but you should be investigating into why and how the product is free. Are they asking for great amounts of your personal information? Where will those details go? Am I going to be entering into a contract that I have to start paying for after the first 2 ‘free’ months?



3. Don’t Fall for In-Store Tactics



Sellers have spent a lot of time and money researching how shoppers behave and think. They’ve now utilized that knowledge to manipulate us when we’re in the ‘shopping zone’. Some even carried out surveys where they installed cameras on grocery store shelves to track where our eyes go when we’re browsing for products. From there, they could decide on the optimal place for different ranges.



The important thing to remember when shopping is that sellers know just how to change our mind set from ‘I’m buying only what I need’ to ‘I don’t need it but like the look of that, it’s discounted, I’m buying it’. Consideration of an item goes out of the window after that point, and we’re far more likely to impulse buy.



Breaking the momentum when it starts is important in saving money, and many people recommended leaving your cards at home and taking only the cash that you need for essentials. Not only do you not want to come home with your essentials, but you see the physical cash and get an impression of how much it really is, too.



Do you have any personal tips and tricks for beating seller subliminal messaging? Please help us to help others and share your methods in a comment below...



The guest post is provided by Jessy of DIY Gadgets and CouponSherpa, the social voting site for coupons and deals as well as the ultimate source of Kohls coupons.

Sales Spider: A Great Place To Network




If you have a blog, small business or home business, and haven't checked out Sales Spider, you may want to see what they have to offer.

-Home Business

-Customer Service

-Food Services

-Business Development

-Small Business

-Computers-Support Service

-Marketing

-Advertising
 
Sales Spider offers a great place to network for any small business.
As well, everyone you invite that joins SaleSpider.com makes you $1.00.

Review: Costume Super Centre.com and 10% Discount

Friday, August 20, 2010



My daughter is a HUGE Nightmare Before Christmas fan, so was super stoked to review the Deluxe Sally Halloween costume. The quality of the material is great she said. Patchwork dress is polyester but seems thicker/more durable than the usual cheapy store costumes. Costume also comes with a lace edged petticoat to go under the dress to give the skirt more volume. This costume includes the patchwork dress, petticoat, red yarn wig, and elbow length fingerless gloves with stiching design. 

She  loved that this costume is actually what you see on the front of the package, unlike costumes where you must purchase additional accessories to achieve the look. All that is needed to complete this great costume is some black eyeliner/facepaint to draw on the additional stitches and a pair of great boots to transform yourself into Sally the ragdoll!

•This is an officially licensed costume.
•Size: Small (4-6), Medium (8-10), Large (12-14)

Costume Super Centre not only has great women's costumes, but costumes for men,girls, boys, toddlers and so much more!

Use Promo Code 10SPRING at Checkout for 10% Off All Costumes



Lay's Chips Trip Campaign- Canada



I can't believe summer is slowly coming to an end, as we've already begun seeing dew on the cars and lawn, night temperatures are dropping and mornings are cooler but warming up in the afternoon. Where does the time go? I'm not ready for Fall.

We didn't get much chance to get away too far this year, due to Gerry having some issues at work, but hopefully a Fall trip may be in our future.

Did you use any of your Lay's points this summer?
If you haven't had the chance to use your Lay's Chips points this summer,
the Lay’s Chip Trips program remains open through December 31st, so there’s still plenty of
time to use up those points!

• Head on over to the Lay’s Chip Trips now.
There are many close to home offers that you may be able to take advantage of before the kids head back to school.

Enjoy the offers and as always, enjoy Lay's chips!



Disclosure - I am participating in the Lay’s® Chip Trips program by Mom Central on


behalf of Frito Lay Canada. I received Lay’s® Chip Trips points and a gift card to off-set my trip

costs to facilitate this post. The opinions on this blog are my own.
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