From: Patti
I just read the question from the mother who was
worried about her daughter’s weight. I recently
started using a website called Sparkpeople.com to
track my calories/food intake and my exercise. I
was so schocked to see how many calories I
consumed when I ate my favorite Chinese dinner,
General Tso’s chicken. I learned a valuable
lesson when I recorded that meal. The reason I am
fat is I eat too many calories. Please suggest
that the mother make use of one of the calorie
tracking websites, like Sparkpeople.com

I haven’t used this site but just from looking at it, it looks really interesting. If you are like doing stuff on the computer this may help you get an idea of how much you really are eating. Tawra

From: Natalie
For Cleaning the oven….

Jill, thank you for the simple wisdom of waiting
(unless unforgiveably filthy!) until after the
holiday to clean the oven.

Today I put mine on a
long “self clean” cycle and had a little stroke
of wisdom myself.

Now, you must be very, very careful to do this…within fifteen minutes of the oven lock releasing, while the oven is still super hot, get the thickest cotton cleaning rag(s) you have and wet with cold water (no cleaning
agents!).

Wipe up the burnt stuff and put a
little elbow grease onto the stuff that didn’t
quite get incinerated.  Of course, you must
frequently re-wet the cold rag because the water
in the cloth will vaporize (steam) once touching
the hot surface, and you must pay attention to
not accidentally steam burn your hand.

But oh the water vaporization did a dream job on my oven
and it now glistens from heat, water, and a
careful rub down!

I would also caution anyone against adding a cleaning agent to this
technique.  The steam and heat release visible
water vapor, and adding anything might create a
fume that could be problematic.  Also be sure to
use a cottom cloth, because synthetics may melt.

I have used the method myself for cleaning my oven and it works great. BUT YOU MUST BE VERY CAREFUL!!! I wait until it still hot but I make sure it’s not so hot that I will burn myself. (Since I burn myself almost everyday cooking, another burn isn’t what I need, yes, I’m a terrible clutz!)

You may want to use those oven gloves if you’re like me.

Tawra

From: Diane
If you have a child graduating this year, now is
the time to pick up inexpensive 2009 decorations
at the party stores.

Great idea!! Thanks! Tawra

Announcing Living On A Dime’s

New Year’s Crazy Book Sale!

50-63% off all print books! Read more about it here!

(Ends Thursday, January 8th)

Well, I guess I’m just too cheap.

I had a $10 off $30 for bath and body works that expired today.

They had their hand soaps on sale for 3 for $10. I also wanted some perfume they had on sale which would have been $20 total then I would just get something else for “free”, probably more hand soap.

Well, I went, with the kids, and it was a disaster. I went to one store and they were out. So I go to another store, thankfully not that far away, but in the mall. Of course we never hardly go to the mall so it was like a circus for the kids. (You can read about our first mall experience last year here.)

Anyway, the next store still didn’t have what I wanted. So I got to thinking, why should i spend $20 on hand soap?  (yes, this was going to be a special treat with my Christmas money) I will just go to Walmart and get the off brand that smells the same but is “body wash”. It’s twice as much soap for only $3 which will last me 3 months or more!

I just LOVE the Moonlight Path scent from  Bath and Body Works but if  I have to work that hard to get it, forget it! I had totally forgot Walmart has knock off now or I probably wouldn’t have wasted my time and gas.

Oh well, live and learn!

Tawra

It’s almost New Years Day and many of you are already starting to think about making a resolution usually they are in the area of; I’m going to eat healthy and lose weight, I’m going to get out of debt or I’m going to get organized.

These are great things to want to do but I’m afraid that about 90% of you won’t keep them so here are a couple of things to think about that will hopefully give you greater success in keeping them.

Of course I can’t in this one sitting give you detailed ideas in each one of those areas but I can give you some general tips to think about that will help you in all of those areas then for more details hit our website, search our blog or books to help you in each specific area and give you practical details how to accomplish what you want to do.

First sometimes it helps to understand why we do the things we do. Most of us want to lose weight and eat healthy on New Years Day because we have just spent the past month gorging ourselves so that we now feel bloated, halfway sick and can’t fit in to our clothes anymore.

So like a pendulum that swings from on extreme to another we think the answer is to eat carrot sticks for the rest of our lives. That usually lasts about 3 days and then we give up.

As far as getting out of debt the same thing applies. We have just spent the past couple of weeks spending more money then we had planned and now we feel guilty and are not going to spend a penny for anything and will panic every time we have to buy something like food or gas because the price is so high.

Then there is getting organized. Right now you are probably surrounded by a Christmas tree and decorations that are starting to accumulate a thin layer of dust which is giving a dingy look to everything. The once bright and cheery look of the Christmas lights have dulled, the candles on the mantle have been burned down to nubs and look more like they belong in a haunted house or on a horror show.

There is leftover wrapping paper here and there with piles of platters and dishes used for Christmas dinner setting on every counter. You close your eyes every time you open the fridge so you don’t have to look at the piles of leftovers in there. Last but not least there are all the mounds of new toys, clothes and gifts. How do you stuff them into the already full closet? No wonder you have the urge to clean and get organized. But where do I even start.

Like I have said before, to much of even a good thing can make us sick and frustrated.

The main point I want to make is that you can do everything that you resolve to do but you need to pace yourself. It’s like running a long distance marathon. You don’t just shoot out off of the starting line going as fast and hard as you can. You will never make the distance that way. Do a small amount at a time and break things in to manageable pieces.

Have a plan. Whether it is writing good balanced meals for each week, making out a budget or even more important being bold enough to write down and acknowledge what your debts are then making a plan of where to cut your spending or when it comes to organizing try making a list of 1-2 areas of your home you are going to organize each day.

Next prepare; do I have the right shoes, are there water stations, and have I slowly worked my muscles into shape? You also have to be prepared for some pain and be prepared for when it hits and not be afraid of it but keep going in spite of the discomfort. You may have to spend some time preparing good meals, balancing your check book or make sure you have cleaning supplies and boxes for when you start organizing. You even need to be prepared for what to do when that overwhelming feeling of discouragement hits.

Have you ever looked up the definition of resolution? I did. It means to have firm determination, bold, steady and to reduce something to a simpler form. You need to be steady and pace yourself. Little by little and piece by piece reduce your mess to something simpler and more manageable. You can’t accomplish any of it in a week or two. Like the tortoise and the hare keep a slow but steady pace to win the race.

Last but not least get up and do it. Stop blaming everyone and making excuses. You won’t even get out of the starting gate if you spend all your time standing there tell everyone why you can’t run. If you can’t run then at least start taking steps and walk. You’ll at least be getting somewhere where if you just stand bemoaning your lot in life and how miserable the world is in these hard economic times is you will get no where.

You may fall (or eat that piece of chocolate cake, spend more then you should have or leave dirty dishes in the sink one day) but pick yourself up, brush yourself off and keep going. The only thing that will keep you from getting there is if you stop (quit and give up) so keep at it.

We will try to do the same and keep plugging along with ideas on how to accomplish all of the above. Now I must quit because I have a messy room that I really need to deal with today! : ) : )

Jill

I just got back from my after Christmas shopping and am excited over what I found this year. I really hadn’t planned on hitting the stores because I didn’t need anything but just happen to be out and about and couldn’t resist checking out the clearance items. I ended up with some unusual things that some of you may not think to look for at these sales and these things were unusual even for me.

First of all I found some toothpicks. Weird huh? I know it sounds silly but I just ran out of toothpicks last week and really needed some. Lo and behold right in the middle of all of Christmas clearance were Christmas tooth picks. One package was equal to 3 of the normal size boxes of toothpicks and I got it for $.24. To make it even more fun they came in these round containers that I can reuse to roll up money in for gifts next year.

Another thing I got was a pair of 7 1/2 in. scissors. Really nice ones for $.60. They were holiday ones with snowflakes on the blades so they were on clearance. Then last but not least they had regular size boxes of tissues for $.25. Once again they had Christmas designs on the outside of them.

I know it’s strange but I do love getting good deals which are unusual. And I wonder where my daughter gets her weird habits from????

Any way it still isn’t to late to get some good deals. I often wait until the day before or after New Years to find some really good things because they are getting desperate to get rid of things by that time and I usually get things for 75% to 90% off so you still have time.

Happy Hunting!

Jill

PS. Also if you have a wedding gift to buy you might consider buying a nice assortment of Christmas decorations to give as a gift for the couple who has everything or you don’t know what to get for them. I received some for my wedding and know of others who have too and I loved it. Pack them in a plastic Christmas tote.

From Delores

We stayed with friends over Thanksgiving.  The husband fixed a kind of turkey sandwich we had never seen before. He used stuffing and turkey for a moist sandwich and then fried it like you would with a reuben.  My husband said it was delicious.

We are taking a break for Christmas. The kids are out of school and we all have some sort of stomach virus that has put us in bed. Thankfully not all on the same day and it’s only a 2 day thing.

We will see you after Christmas, around the beginning of the year.

Have a Merry Christmas!

Tawra

By Gary Foreman
The Dollar Stretcher

Gift Card Presentation

I received a gift card at the office, which was presented in a lovely small frame. It was a cute and clever idea that got a lot of “oohs.” Suit the frame to the person. Also, it’s easier to keep track of in the Christmas wrapping chaos.
Cheri

Scorched? Simple Solution!

To get rid of baked-on or scorched food that is stuck on pans, sprinkle with several tablespoons of baking soda and soak in enough hot water to cover the scorched parts. Leave it alone for several hours and the crud will come out easily, all in one piece.
Sherry L.

Saving Gas

I have a minivan with second and third row seats that are removable. Recently, we took the seats out in order to transport some large items. I did not put the seats back in once I realized the weight of those seats. I figure that by not having that excess weight, it will improve my gas mileage. My seats are safely stored in the garage and I can reinstall them at a moment’s notice when I need them.
Sue

One for All

When you go to purchase your Christmas gifts this year, consider buying one gift for the family, rather than individual gifts. You’ll save and the family will get a nicer gift that all can enjoy.
Lynn H.

Right Now Pretreat

I keep a bottle of stain remover in my bathroom. Now, when I take off my clothes, I can pre-treat them right then before I throw them in the hamper. I keep a bottle in the kids’ bathroom as well and have taught them to do the same. I no longer need to worry about stains sneaking through the laundry!
Renee

Affordable Parties

I like to have parties, but I can’t afford all of the food by myself. I just make it a potluck. Everyone gets to show off a dish, and I don’t have to run ragged trying to have everything ready by myself. I also save at least $25 by doing this.
Ruth

Baking Soda Detergent Extender

To get the most for my dollar when doing laundry, I add about 1/4 cup of baking soda with half the required laundry detergent. I purchase a large bag of baking soda, and it lasts about six months. It’s much cheaper than the detergent. Baking soda is great for laundry, toilets, and countless other cleaning/sanitizing jobs.
Cynthia

Cheaper Body Wash

I prefer using a liquid body wash when I shower instead of bar soap, but the price can be outrageous. Since I use inexpensive Suave shampoo, I thought I’d see what their body wash was like. For a much smaller bottle, the price was triple what my shampoo costs. I started thinking that the shampoo does a great job of cleaning the dirt and oil from my hair, so why not use it on the rest of me? The shampoo doesn’t dry my skin and a little goes a long way. Also, it comes in delightful scents. I can buy a large bottle of Suave for less than a dollar when on sale. I’ve been able to pamper myself a little bit without an inkling of guilt.
I.

Pet Practice

For those of you who enjoy animals, but don’t enjoy the long-term responsibility or high cost, our family has found the answer. It’s foster care. Our local animal shelter has a foster program where you can foster young or ill animals for a short time. The shelter gives you everything you need (food, bedding, cage, toys, etc.) for free and you provide a safe home with a lot of cuddles. The shelter does this so that animals will grow accustomed to the sights, sounds, and smells of a home, which will hopefully eliminate the animal behavior problems that unsocialized animals often have.

It’s also a great way to see if you really want to have the long-term commitment and expense of owning a pet. Our oldest daughter (11) wants to be a vet, so this has been a great way for her to learn about different animals. In the past two years, we’ve had 12 bunnies and 6 cats at different times for 4 to 6 weeks at a time. We hope to get a litter of puppies in the spring.
Tiffany

Bread Machine Home Pizza

We used to go to our favorite neighborhood pizzeria for pizza. At $17 for a large pizza, the cost added up quickly.

For those readers that own a bread machine, making pizza at home is inexpensive, creative and delicious. One large batch of dough makes three thin crust pizzas and costs pennies. You can freeze any portions of dough that you aren’t immediately using for convenience. Since the machine does the work of kneading, it’s super easy.

Last night I made a pizza that was half Greek (basil pesto, feta cheese, calamata olives, onions, and tomatoes) and half pepperoni with roasted garlic, calamata olives, onions, parmesan cheese, and tomato paste. It’s a fantastic way to use up materials in your fridge or pantry!
Kim P.