25 Money Saving Tips

Yikes! It's almost December. Before you can say ohmigosh, it'll be January 2009. So, what are you doing to save money in these hard financial times? I found this very interesing blog about frugal living and it has an entry showing how various persons have found 25 different ways to save money. Ok, it's not a book but I believe the site is worth a visit.

Let's see, this is what I've been doing:

1. I make my own popcorn most times.
2. I save and reuse plastic shopping bags.
3. I turn off lights when I leave a room.
4. I unplug some electrical appliances when not in use - toaster, blender, cell phone charger.
5. I have a few florescent bulbs.
6. I wash clothes in cold water.
7. I use the ac sparingly and turn on the fan instead.
8. I didn't water the lawn this summer; it rained often.
9. I borrow books from the library instead of spending money on books. Also, I read the newspapers and magazines in the library.
10. I prepare most of my meals instead of eating out and I take leftovers for lunch at work.
11. I keep only 2 credit cards and pay them in full most months
12. I have basic cable - no HBO, no Showtime.
13. I have requested free stuff from heyitsfree.net.
14. I buy some things in bulk - toilet paper, toothpaste, soaps, deodorant.
15. In this cold weather I sometimes use safflower oil instead of body lotion.
16. I use white vinegar in my Downy dispenser instead of fabric softener.
17. I bought an expensive water filter but I no longer buy bottled water every week.


Ok. I could not list 25 but I have been making an effort. Happy Thanksgiving to you!

Dateline: Douglas Preston

I watched a part of Dateline's coverage of The Monster of Florence yesterday on MSNBC. The program must have been a repeat because I went online to see if there was a transcript and found this article dating from June 2007.

For those who don't know, The Monster of Florence is also the title of a book by best selling crime novelist Douglas Preston and it is based on real life crimes which took place in Florence, Italy. I also discovered that Tom Cruise will probably produce and star in the movie version.

November Book Selection

We meet on Friday, November 21 to discuss Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day by Winifred Watson. I found the movie featurette on You Tube. As can be expected, it is slightly different from the book version.

Janisse Ray at the Public Library

Janisse Ray will be back at the public library on Lee Avenue this Thursday at 6:30 PM. She is a memorist and environmental activist and grew up in southeast Georgia near Baxley. Her books are available at the Waycross College Library; Ecology of a Cracker Childhood was her first published book.

All I want for Christmas

Our book club members are not too excited about books on paranormal love but I thought this new book title from the Love At Stake series by Kerrelyn Sparks was really interesting: All I Want for Christmas is a Vampire.

President-elect Obama's book surge

Read in USA Today about President-elect Obama's book surge.

Link to sample text of The Audacity of Hope at Waycross College Library.

See Colin Powell's video about the historic occasion in USA history.

Author Website: Julie Garwood

I am now reading Killjoy by Julie Garwood, published in 2002. Great story so far. Check out Julie's outstanding website.

By the way, what are you reading?

Storyteller Martha Donaldson

I found an interesting link to the Pea Patch Murders here. This sounds similar to Martha Donaldson's story.

Money Saving Tips

This is a really different post. I have been reading about money saving tips mostly from Woman's World and thought I'd share.

I have not tried this body scrub but you can try it and tell me all about it: 2 Tbs canned pumpkin mixed with 3/4 cup raw sugar. This is not for the face.

Body Oil: Sweet Almond oil or Safflower oil. I know some folks who use olive oil on their skin. Your skin will not absorb any unhealthy artificial ingredients. I have actually tried the Safflower oil. I got that tip from Realage.com.

Laundry: Skip the pemanent press cycle on your washing machine because it uses more water per load than regular.

Keep your towels soft and fluffy by adding white vinegar to the rinse water instead of fabric softener. I have been doing that.

Storage of vitamins: Keep them in the refreigerator so they will not deteriorate. The potency of the vitamins will last past their expiry date if they are not exposed to heat and humidity. I just started doing this.

Mopping Floors: Add a few drops of Tea Tree oil (about 20) to water and a squirt of soap. Tea Tree oil will kill bacteria. I like Renew Floor Cleaner which I bought at the Dollar Store. I also sprinkle drops of tea tree oil in the bath and the bathroom basin before cleaning.