Got No Dough - Saving Money in Slim Times

One of the largest parts of our budget is still gasoline despite our best efforts to save in this category. Because of this, I’ve had to continue finding ways to save beyond my 9 Ways to Save Gas.

There are many people who will drive an extra distance to save a few cents a gallon. No offense, but doesn’t anybody realize they probably aren’t saving anything in the long run? The savings is spent on extra gas to go out of their way.

I want to recommend keeping your eyes open as you drive your normal route each day. If you can find a gas station that is a few cents cheaper and not out of your way, then you really will save some money. I was quite surprised the other day as I was driving to work and I came across a different location of my usual gas station and the price was over .20¢ a gallon less than what I had just paid the day before. Pumping 10 gallons of gas at this new station would save me $2.00 and over time that will really add up!

I just wanted to do a quick update regarding my last post about MyPoints. It has been close to two months and I’m already half way to my next $25 gift card. In actuality, you can choose whatever you want, but I always spend my points on the $25 Walmart gift card because I find it most practical for my family.

And do you know what the best part of it is? I earned all of those points by merely clicking on the links in my emails saying that I read them. I haven’t bought anything, given my credit card number or signed up for ANYTHING! If you didn’t sign up last time, I encourage you to check it out - what do you have to lose?

When I first decided to start a website, I spent many many hours searching for a domain name registrar. I didn’t want to pay a lot, wanted something simple to use and most importantly, I wanted FREE whois privacy. I nearly beat my head against the wall because it was next to impossible to find all of those things in one company. Then I found my dream come true - iPower.com.

I paid $6.50 for my domain, which in and of itself is a great deal. Typically the going rate for a domain is around $10.00. Secondly, I got my free whois privacy which cost upwards of $10 per year on other sites. And lastly, it was super easy to use.

Other Services

I have not used any of their other products, but I was quite surprised to see they offer a whole line of web services. Included in this is their $3.95 Web Hosting Package, iPower Dedicated Servers, and Search Engine Optimization.

In Closing

I truly like this company for all that they offer and would recommend them to anyone wanting to save money on their domain name.  I was quite fortunate to find that they offer an affiliate program as well - but even if they did not have one, I would still be promoting them!

Can someone please tell me why it is so expensive to take care of your hair? Shampoos, conditioners, detanglers, smoothers, balms, mousses, hairsprays, gels. Hair straighteners, curling irons, crimpers, blow dryers. Need I say more?

Leave your hair shiny and soft with this quick and cheap treatment for your hair. Perfect for those times when you can’t get to a salon and winter is taking its toll on your locks.

At Home Hot Oil Treatment

1 Tbsp vegetable oil
1 Tbsp olive oil

Combine in a small snack bag and seal. Place in a container of warm water for 2 minutes or until the oil is warm. Apply to hair paying special attention to the ends of your hair. Cover with a plastic cap and blow dry for 5 - 10 minutes. Alternately you can cover your hair with a warm towel for up to 30 minutes. Shampoo or rinse when done.

This year I had to get creative because one entire side of my family going through a really difficult financial hardship.  There was a lot of despair regarding there being a lack of Christmas and so I was determined to do something to raise everyone’s spirits.

I needed an idea that wouldn’t cost a lot, would bring us all together as a family and would perhaps even result in some Christmas gifts that they could give away.  Then the idea hit me - we would have a family baking party.

We plan on doing this tomorrow and have decided to bake Gingerbread Men, Christmas Sugar Cookies, Peanut Butter Cookies and Lemon Cookies.   To ease the burden for everyone, each household will bring something simple like a bag of sugar or a bag of flour.  Each person will have a task in the mixing process, the baking process, the decorating process and the packaging process.  Along the way, we will share a great afternoon together as a family, which is a nice change from our business at our jobs and lives.  In the end, each person will have a sense of accomplishment and a gift to give to another family member or friend.

I encourage everyone to spend a little extra special time doing things with their families.  In the rush of our everyday lives, the ones closest to us are neglected along with our relationships.  Use this time to nurture each other and enjoy the time together.

Although this is a supposed to be a great time of year, for many people it is anything but.  Finances are tight and Christmas is approaching.  A time where you are expected to spend a fortune on gifts for others when in reality, you’re struggling just to survive.  Take the focus off the expensive gifts and turn it to your families.

Christmas dinner is one thing I look forward to every year.  On Christmas Eve I always visit my Mom’s house and we eat together as a family, regardless of how many of us show up.  Well, since this year has been hard on everyone, we’ve decided to lighten the load for everyone and do a potluck.

You can split it up however it works for you, but we’ve decided to each bring a side dish and a desert.  My Mom will be providing the turkey and/or ham (she hasn’t decided).   Here are some possibilities for side dishes:

• Green bean casserole
• Corn
• Stuffing
• Mashed potatoes
• Rolls
• Cranberry apple salad

And here are some possibilities for dessert:

• Pumpkin pie
• Pumpkin cheesecake
• Banana bread
• Fruitcake
• Rumcake
• Sugar cookies

Again, remember, the focus of the season should be your family and spending time with them.  The memories will last a lot longer than material items ever could.

I wanted to take a brief moment to apologize for my absence on my blog.  Please understand though, that this is my first day off in 12 days.

• While others were grumbling about having to work, I was grateful for having a job.
• While others were miserable at having to be at work at 5am on the weekend, I was so incredibly grateful for overtime.
• While others were complaining about how their feet hurt, I was just grateful for being able to walk.

I’ve come to realize more and more that the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence.  Instead of being miserable in your situation, be thankful.  Instead of wishing you were somewhere else, realize that the person that is elsewhere wishes they were in your shoes.  Be thankful for who you are, where you are and with what you have.  And above all, value your time off.  Make the most of it and allow yourself to be renewed.