How long do you own a car for?

I have personally owned 3 cars in my life. My first one I bought in 1988, got rid of it in 1999. My second car which we still own is 1996 Dodge Caravan that my husband and I bought in 1999. I bought my third car in 2005 another mini-van a 2001 Chrysler Mini-van. My husband has had a couple and he tends to be tougher on the cars than me but still gets 5-8 years out of them.

How long do you typically own a car? Less than 2 years 2-5 years 6-8 years 9-10 years 11 or more    Free polls from Pollhost.com

Turn on the heat poll results

Over 1/3 of you have turned on your heat according to our poll Have you turned on your heat yet

I had hoped that I wouldn't have turned it on until Nov 1st but I turned it on October 26th.

Yes 35%
No I will wait until Nov 1st 24%
No, I will wait until Nov 15th 6%
No I will wait until Dec 1st 12%
Heat who needs heat! 24%

Frugal Meal Planning Oct 29th

Sun Steak, baked potatos, veggies

Mon Layered beef in crockpot (actually ground turkey) We were to have this last week but the craziness in dealing with a stolen car threw me into a tailspin.

Tues hmmm candy? Maybe some grill cheese sandwiches

Wed Leftover layered beef in crockpot

Thurs Soup and sandwiches

Fri Chicken, mashed potatos, green beans

Sat Homemade Pizza

Getting engaged

My sister received a beautiful diamond engagement ring a few months back and she is now planning a great wedding. I know my future brother in law had great tastes in choosing a diamond ring for her.

If you are shopping for diamond jewelry ring here are some tips:

• Don’t take home the first diamond jewelry that catches your attention.
• It should fit their looks, personality and lifestyle. Personal style should be reflected in jewelry. Your personality is part of your wardrobe and should be part of your jewlery as well.
• If you approach a jewelry store for something special, they’ll should questions before showing jewelry, like “ask you what your job is, what your life is like" and try to learn all about you.

Primestyle.com offers the finest selection of Quality Diamonds & Jewelry at Low Prices. Located in the world famous diamond district of Manhattan, we ensure that you will NEVER PAY RETAIL PRICES AGAIN...PERIOD! We have many satisfied customers who have purchased our wide selection of Diamond Jewelry and you can read about some of these customer testimonials on our website.

Are you a financial match?

In some ways my husband and I are complete opposites financially, he would rather keep his head in the sand while I need to know where every single dollar is. I know this about him and he knows this about me so we have compromised over the years. Anytime anything more than $50 is going to be spent we discuss it.

If you thinking a taking a walk down the aisle, you should consider taking this financial compatibility quiz

Questions such as What would you do if you received large bonus? What's your approach to retirment? When do you pay your bills?

All important questions before you make a commitment to marriage.

Freebies and Coupons

Smart Spot Free Magazine
Oxygen Nutrition Co Free Sample
Free Holiday Butter Recipes
CLARITIN $3.00 off coupon
Free stuff for any Mother-to-be or Father-to-be! Baby wipes, diapers, bib and more
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Olay Daily face cleanser

Gold

Gold isn't something that many people talk about buying these days. I have Bill O'Reilly talk about buying gold on his radio show. I thought it might be exciting to buy some. Buying gold has been recognized for centuries as one of the best ways to preserve one's wealth and purchasing power.

One company to use to buy gold is Monex Deposit Company. You can purchase gold or other precious metals for immediate personal delivery or arrange for convenient and safe storage at an independent bank or depository. For over 30 years, the Monex companies have been America's gold and precious metals investment leader. They also have large and dedicated staff of hard asset professionals committed to serving your precious metals investment needs and being America's best dealer with a convenient market and competitive precious metals prices.

Gold is a unique investment. From the time of ancient Egyptians, Greeks and Romans to more modern times, man has had an affinity for gold bullion. In all ages, man has been fascinated with the beauty and magic of gold, and with its power to change men's lives. Today, the beauty of a gold bar lies in its proven ability to diversify investments, protect wealth and preserve one's purchasing power.

Stolen car

What a whirlwind of the last few days!

My mini-van got stolen on Sunday afternoon. That was bad enough but my pocketbook was in there too. Fortunately we got it back yesterday in good condition. They had a party in there liquor bottles and some other funny stuff.


My financial world has been up and down this week. I wasn't really in the position to have to buy a new car but we could have bought an older mini-van in cash.

Search marketing firms

As a person that makes money from working online and using the internet to market products, one important thing is to trust Search Engine Marketing techniques. One such firm is Apogee Search is taking an importance stance against the dirty side of search engine marketing.

Apogee Search is a search marketing firm founded in 2001 by early internet pioneers and based in Austin, TX. Since its inception, Apogee Search has rapidly grown to become a preeminent SEM agency in Texas. Focusing on a variety of search marketing methods that include: Paid & Natural Search, Affiliate Marketing, and Pay-Per-Call, Apogee Search's solutions are designed to drive qualified, targeted visitors to B2B and B2C websites for more leads, customers, revenues and profits. "Clients require customers, not clicks," is a strict requirement for all Apogee Search campaigns Apogee Search, announces it has decided to endorse and support the Search Engine Marketing Professional Organization (SEMPO).

Apogee Search is in full agreement with SEMPO’s recent moves toward establishing standards of behavior that will hopefully aid in cleaning up the dirty underside of the Search Engine Optimization and Pay-Per-Click industry.

Apogee Search CEO/President William Leake has long believed that SEMPO could play a more positive role in advancing the overall industry.

"We are thrilled to see that SEMPO is moving beyond its early years, and is
now rapidly growing into a much more mature and credible voice for the
professional elements of our industry. Now that SEMPO is officially reflecting
the positions we have held for years on a variety of issues, including click
fraud, it is now time for Apogee to fully endorse and support SEMPO’s efforts.
SEMPO can count on Apogee as a strong ally as we fight the good fight
together"

Frugal meal planning week of Oct 22nd

Sun Turkey burgers, french fries

Mon Pork Chops, green beans, mashed potatos

Tues Chicken crockpot salsa

Wed Layered ground beef crockpot

Thurs leftover chicken crockpot salsa

Fri Leftover ground beef crockpot

Sat Halloween party!

Freebies

Oil of Olay facial cleanser sample

FREE Special E-Book from Government Money Guru Matthew Lesko



Waterless Dry n clean
Free stuff for any Mother-to-be or Father-to-be! Baby wipes, diapers, bib and more

Mountain Fruit Juice
free beef jerk
Biz detergent
the healing garden ORGANICS wild honey sample body lotion
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Wild Stickers
Free Guinness Magnet
Complimentary Gum Samples!

Thrifty Tips Thursday

Another Thrifty Thursday is here! If you would like to submit a frugal, money saving or thrifty tips, check out the main page for submission instructions.

Are You Too Frugal? Do you window shop at Thrift stores or save the salt in your pretzel bag?
Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for a Discount on a substitute if a store doesn’t have what you’re looking for. Many stores already do this as a matter of policy when dealing with sale items. But even if it’s not on sale, a sympathetic clerk will often throw you a bone if they don’t have exactly what you’re looking for.

Frugal Guy shares an idea on his sock harvest

Frugal Momma shares some quck home and water saving tips

Have you turned your heat on yet?

I am once again challenging myself to
No heat until Nov 1st Last year I didn't quite make it. It's been a little chilly in the house but I am making sure the kids are warm and throwing extra blankets on the beds at night.

Have you turned your heat on yet? Yes No I will wait until Nov 1st No, I will wait until Nov 15th No I will wait until Dec 1st Heat who needs heat!    Free polls from Pollhost.com

Halloween Art projects for kids

With Halloween almost here, here are two art projects that are great for the kids. Check out all of Frugal Halloween Guide Cheap Halloween Costumes and Party ideas

Egg Carton Spiders

What you will need:

Cardboard egg carton
Pipe cleaners
Poster paint
Elastic thread
Something to poke small holes

Instructions:

Cut the egg cups out of a cardboard egg carton. Cut pipe cleaners into 3 inch sections. To make each spider, poke four pipe cleaners through each cup sideways. Bend the ends to look like eight spider legs. Paint the spiders black or in any wildly creative way you want! After the paint has dried, attach a length of elastic thread to the middle of each spider. Have fun holding your thread and bouncing your scary spider up and down as you take it for a walk!

Optional: Decorate your spider with googly eyes, stickers, glitter, or sequins.

Plastic Bag Ghost

What you’ll need:

White plastic trash bags
Black marker
Balloons
Some string
Scissors
Masking tape

Instructions:

Blow up/inflate the balloons and cover each one with a trash bag. With the string, gather and tie each bag under the balloon to make a head. Using your markers, draw a spooky face on the trash bag. Be as creative as you can-make a scary face or a funny face. Whatever you want! Attach a piece of string to the top of your ghosts and display them all around your house and yard, or fill the balloons with helium and have them float around your house. Spoooky fun!

There you have it. Two very simple art projects that you can do with your children with materials you have lying around.



Would you like to quickly make creative Halloween costumes that you and your children will be proud of -- for a fraction of the price of store-bought? Nicole Dean has co-authored a book to show you how -- no sewing involved. Visit http://www.ILoveHalloweenCostumes.com to learn more.
Halloween Kids Craft+project Spider Ghost

Tips for First Time Homebuyers

Hello and Welcome!

In this week's issue Living on a Budget in a Non Budget World
Newsletter.

Money Saving Tips
Featured Article 7 tips for first time home buyers
Money Blog Spotlight
Top Conversations on the Money Saving Forums
Freebie and Contest Alerts
The Frugal Five
Frugal Food Make-Ahead Cheeseburger Lasagna


Read the current issue at

http://www.budgetdial.com/news-Oct1506.htm


If you are new subscriber we keep all of our newsletters online at http://www.budgetdial.com/news.htm

Frugal dinner planning week of Oct 15th

Sun Turkey Burgers

Mon Chili

Tues Ham and Potato Crockpot Soup
Slow Cooke Potato Soup



Ingredients:

5-1/2 cups cubed peeled potatoes, divided
2-3/4 cups water
1/3 cup light butter, cubed
1-1/3 cups cubed fully cooked lean ham
2 celery ribs, chopped
2/3 cup onion
3/4 tsp garlic powder
3/4 tsp paprika
1/8 tsp pepper
1/2 pound reduced fat process cheese (Velveeta), cubed
2/3 cup fat free sour cream
Preparation:

Place 4-1/2 cups of the potatoes in a saucepan; add water. Bring to a boil.
Reduce heat; cover and cook for 15-20 minutes or until tender.
Remove from the heat (do not drain).
Mash potatoes; stir in butter. In a 3 quart slow cooker, combine the ham, celery, onion, garlic powder, paprika, pepper and remaining cubed potatoes.
Stir in the mashed potatoes; top with cheese.
Cover and cook on low for 5-6 hours or until potatoes and other vegetables are tender.
Stir in the sour cream until blended. Thin soup with milk if desired.
Makes: 10 servings

Wed Beef Enchiladas


Thurs Leftover Ham and Potato soup

Fri Leftover beef enchiladas

Saturday Pizza

Halloween costumes out of cardboard box

Here are some cheap halloween costume ideas for kids and teenagers. Check out all of Frugal Halloween Guide Cheap Halloween Costumes and Party ideas

Do you have a cardboard box that is large enough to fit around your child? If so, you can easily make a costume for your child for Halloween – and save a lot of money in the process.

Start by cutting a hole in the box for your child’s head. Or, if the box is smaller, then you’ll attach straps to the edges of the box when the costume is completed (like suspenders) and fit them over your child’s shoulders. Also, cut arm holes if you aren’t doing the suspender method. Then you’re ready to get started. All of these outfits fit perfectly over leggings and a long sleeve shirt (or jacket).

A Wrapped Gift
Wrap the entire box in gift wrap (whatever kind you like the best) and stick a bow on your child’s head. He or she can trick-or-treat as a wrapped gift.

Computer Monitor
Spray paint the box grey. After it dries, paint a white screen on the front of the monitor. Of course, you can have fun decorating the screen with your favorite website, or print the screen from your favorite website and glue it onto the box for a more realistic look.

Box of Cereal
Does your child have a favorite cereal? Fruit Loops, Cheerios, Cocoa Puffs? Any box of cereal can be painted onto a cardboard box and turned into a costume.

Robot
Spray paint the box grey or silver. Then, after the paint dries, find a mish-mash of nuts and bolts and glue them to the box. You may also create attachments from aluminum foil, dryer vents, duct tape, or whatever you have lying around the house.

Invite your child to help with making his or her costume. Spending time creating these costumes together may end up being even more fun than trick-or-treating. Be sure to take lots of pictures.




About the Author:

Would you like to quickly make creative Halloween costumes that you and your children will be proud of -- for a fraction of the price of store-bought? Nicole Dean has co-authored a book to show you how -- no sewing involved. Visit http://www.ILoveHalloweenCostumes.com to learn
more.

Halloween cheap+costumes kids+costume+ideas

Freebies and samples

Free coloring book
Free skin care sample
free PC magazine
Free $50 Amex gift card when you do a Buick Test drive
Dove Wash For our Canadian friends
TeenFreeway.com - Free Sample Kit for Teens!
HeadBlade Company free razor
Rimmel Free Lipstick sample
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FREE stuff for any Mother-to-be or Father-to-be!

Get a free laptop

Retirement age poll

Here are the results for our At what age did you start saving for retirement?

Most of the folks starting saving during their early 20s for retirement which is a great thing. However it saddens we that 12% haven't started saving yet.


Selection Votes
Under 20 21%
21-25 42%
26-30 15%
31-40 9%
41-50 0% 0
51+ 0% 0
I haven't started saving for retirement 12%

Get your credit report for free

One important aspect of everyone's financial life is understanding your credit history. You should take advantage of getting credit reports for free

You should get your online instant credit reports to make sure you are not a vicitim of indentity theft.

-the fastest growing crime in America today is identity theft.
-it takes on average about 12 months for a victim of identity theft to notice the crime.
-last year alone, 9.9 million people became victims.

These services allow you to monitor your free online credit reports on a regular basis to detect any transactions that are not yours and to stop identity theft and fraud before it gets out of hand and seriously damages your credit rating.

There are 3 major credit reporting agencies, Equifax, TransUnion and Experion. These agencies each have a credit bureau on you as well as their own credit scoring system, and as these credit bureaus do not share information, your credit reports and your credit reporting scores may all be different. You should take advantage of instant free online credit reports

Credit Scores are very important because they are one of the major factors a lender will use in order to determine your credit worthiness. This scoring sum is used by lenders as an indicator of how likely you are to repay your loans. They will determine what you interest rates are on mortgage, car loan and even credit cards.

Ground beef recall

Seven states have called a recall of ground beef for E Coli. First spinach now this. Makes me want to eat all local food now and use local farmers since the spinach was from California and now this ground beef is from Iowa.

Georgia, Iowa, Massachusetts, Nebraska, New York, Texas and Wisconsin

I live in Massachusetts so I am glad that we primarly eat ground turkey now instead of ground beef.

These products are recalled:


10-pound boxes of "PACKED FOR: DAVIS MOUNTAIN ORGANIC BEEF, 100% CERTIFIED ORGANIC 3-1 BEEF PATTIES," with lot code G6-540 or G6-544.


Five-pound packages of "DAVIS MOUNTAINS 100% ORGANIC BEEF, LEAN GROUND BEEF 90/10," with lot code G6-544.


One-pound packages of "MASTER CHOICE 100% ORGANIC ANGUS BEEF, 90/10 GROUND BEEF," with lot code G6-544.


One-pound packages of "DAVIS MOUNTAINS 100% CERTIFIED ORGANIC GROUND BEEF," with lot code G6-544.


10.5-pound boxes of "NEBRASKA, BEEF GROUND BEEF PATTY 6 OZ," with lot code G6-541.


60-pound boxes of "SPECIALLY SELECTED FOR: FARNER-BOCKEN FOOD SERVICE BEEF PATTIE MIX 6/10," with lot code G6-542.


One-pound packages of "PACKED FOR: IRWIN COUNTRY STORE, BEEF GROUND BEEF 16 OZ," with lot code G6-541.


One-pound blocks of "PACKED FOR: IRWIN COUNTRY STORE, BEEF GROUND BEEF PATTIES 4-1," with code G6-541.


10-pound boxes of "DISTRIBUTED BY: STUBE RANCH, WAGYU BEEF, BEEF GROUND BEEF PATTIES, 8 OZ. PATTIES," with lot code G6-546.

The federal service said people could get more information by calling the company at 712-755-5158, but that number did not answer Friday night.


Source:
CNN

Frugal Dinner week of Oct 8th

Hello

Happy Sunday!

Sun Steak, potatoes, zucchini

Mon Meatloaf (made with ground turkey), rice, green beans

Tues Pork chops

Wed Leftover meatloaf, add some sauce and pasta

Thurs Soup and Sandwiches cub scout and soccer

Fri Chicken and stuffing

Sat Homemade pizza

Coupons on your cell phone!

For being the frugal domestic diva that I consider myself to be, I have never been organized to take advantage of good coupon deals. However I just found a great new service that will make saving even easier. Get Your Free Copy of Cellfire to Start Saving Today!

Cellfire is a great new service software for your cell phone. Install it and you'll have access to coupons for a growing number of great restaurants, stores, entertainment venues and more. Resturants include TGIFridays, North Beach Pizza. You can get coupons for Bath and Body Works or Hollywood Video. Places that you actually go to!

Here is how it works:

• Coupons are stored on your phone You select the one you want No need to be connected to the interent!
• Select the one you want to use by hitting use now
• Show the cashier the code

It is so easy! The great thing about cellfire it is updated with new coupons and store all the time. And you can also use it over the phone bring up your coupon. Press "Use Now," and select "Via phone call." Jot down the coupon code. Press OK and you'll see a list of locations you can call. If you have a "Call Now" button on this screen, your phone can automatically dial the store! If not, jot down the number displayed and quit Cellfire to call. Mention the coupon code over the phone for your discount

Happy Thanksgiving to our Canadian Friends

This weekend is Thanksgiving in Canada. I have posted in the past some Turkey recipes.

How to cook a turkey

How much does a Thanksgiving dinner cost

Freezing Turkey leftovers

Crockpot recipes for Turkey leftovers

Homemade cranberry sauce


Sweet potato pie

Pumpkin Pie recipes

Happy Thanksgiving!

Canada Thanksgiving Turkey Recipes Cooking Pie Cranberry+Sauce

What's for dinner?

What do you do a pound of ground beef, an egg, onions, cream of mushroom and somehow make that dinner? You come home from a busy day at the office and want to make an easy meal and you don't have a lot of food on hand. Or it maybe you only have a few items in the house and you need to wait until payday to buy more food.

Well RecipeMatcher comes to the rescue! You can enter what you have in your pantry and it will give you the recipes and food plans that you want.

RecipeMaker is an interactive site that allows you to search for recipe three different ways.

1. Category
2. Keyword
3. Ingredients you have

Free Sample Friday and coupons!

ALLURE bra
Bic - Pen Sample
FREE stuff for any Mother-to-be or Father-to-be!

Free Halloween reflective bag
Anthony Bourdain Book Giveaway Offer
Downy Simple pleasures free sample

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Knorr Flavoring Samples
Free Bulbs
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Nursing mom vitamin

Getting into the Halloween Spirit!

In a few weeks it will be Halloween how about treating your computer to a temporary makeover with Free Halloween Screensavers

This is a great spooky screensaver with a full moon, some jack-o-laterns, a skelton. I expect a wicked witch any moment now. I know my son will enjoy looking at that one and totally get them in the mood to go pumpkin picking!

This Hanuted House is just eery! I am sure ghost and goblins are living inside. I know I wouldn't want to go in there.

I love fun and creative sites. It gives something for the kids to check out . Halloween is such a fun holiday! Dress up your computer, get the kids excited. I know looking at this site got me in the Halloween mood. Screensavers.com is a secure site I trust for wallpaper and screensavers. They are easy to download and free!

Thrifty Thursday Tips

Another Thrifty Thursday is here! If you would like to submit a frugal, money saving or thrifty tips, check out the main page for submission instructions.

Single Parent has some good reminders on using up the flexible spending accounts since it is the beginning of the 4th quarter.

How frugal is Blogging away debt?

No credit needed shares 10 free things to do for entertainment

Frugal Momma lets AOL consumers know that AOL's new promotion isn't free automatically.

Thrifty+Thursday frugal free+entertainment AOL flexible+spending+accounts

Stock options

When I was out in the real world, I had a access to stock options at my company. I took advantage of some but never made huge huge moola like some of those IPOs.

If you are looking for stock options advice you should consider using PowerOptions.

They offer

• The Utimate award-winning investment site.
• Toll-free phone number in which have experts to help you invest smarter.
• Patented SmartSearch XL tools helps find the best stock otpions. No other internet site offers that.
• Portfolio to track and manage your trades.

In addition PowerOptions offers you the convenience and control required to automatically sort, filter, and analyze all 2,900+ optionable stocks and 190,000+ options online to find investments to meet your profit goals. Only PowerOptions brings together timely essential data, extensive analysis, and comprehensive option information... All the online tools you need for a competitive edge. Plus a 14-day free trial, an easy online User Guide, toll-free support, and our PowerOptions Performance Guarantee.

What age did you start saving for retirement?

At what age did you start saving for retirement? Under 20 21-25 26-30 31-40 41-50 51+ I haven't started saving for retirement    Free polls from Pollhost.com

I openned up my first 401k at work when I was 24 years old. I was so excited to do it. However I wish I put more money away at that time.

retirement saving money consumer+poll age

Saving on Halloween Costumes

Hello and Welcome!

In this week's issue Living on a Budget in a Non Budget World
Newsletter.

Money Saving Tips
Featured Article Budget Halloween Costumes
Money Blog Spotlight
Top Conversations on the Money Saving Forums
Freebie and Contest Alerts
The Frugal Five
Frugal Food Cheesy Tuna Casserole


Read the current issue at


http://www.budgetdial.com/news-Oct0106.htm

If you are new subscriber we keep all of our newsletters online at http://www.budgetdial.com/news.htm

Vonage

I have to admit that the Vonage commericals on tv get me interested. I came across their site today and it provides in depth information about their services. In case you didn't know Vonage is an alternative to your land line phone and can be a great way to save on your phone bills if you have high-speed internet.


Vonage Phone Features:
Dialing 911
3 Way Calling
Caller ID with Name
Call Hunt
Call Waiting
Personalized Voicemail
Call Forwarding
Call Transfer
Caller ID Block (*67)
Repeat Dialing
Call Return (*69)
International Call Block
Network Availability Number
Bandwidth Saver

Vonage is also teaming up with HP which is a great way to bring their name and VOIP more intot he mainstream.

HP and Compaq consumer desktop and notebook PCs in the U.S. and Canada will contain either a Vonage brochure or an interactive CD-ROM in the PC box explaining details about the service. The brochure will outline the benefits of Vonage service, including integrated communications services, a broad range of features, and contact management. Customers can sign-up via their computer desktop or contact a toll-free number to receive the special offer for Vonage service.

The forums are very interactive with lots of questions and answers. Also if you are a registered memeber of the forums you can access the VoIP Speed Test.

Frugal Dinner Planning week of October 1st

Happy October 1st!

Sun Steak, oven roasted potatos, summer squash

Mon Bruschetta Chicken Bake

Tues Asian beef with coleslaw Also know as crack slaw. I have substituted broccoli slaw or broccoli for this very very yummy!


1 lb ground beef
salt and pepper
2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil
2 garlic cloves , minced
3 green onions , sliced
14 ounces coleslaw mix (if you don't want the carrots use the angel hair cole slaw or just shred up a head of cabbage)
2 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce
½ teaspoon sriracha sauce (this will be pretty mild so add to taste or you can use pepper flakes to taste)
1 (1 g) Splenda quick pack
½ teaspoon ginger paste (you could also use 1/2 teaspoon fresh minced ginger or ground ginger)
1 teaspoon white vinegar (any kind really)
sriracha sauce (to garnish)
Directions:


Brown ground beef and season with salt and pepper to taste.

Remove from pan and set aside.

Heat up sesame oil and sauté garlic, onions, and slaw in sesame oil until cabbage cooked to desired tenderness.

Stir in the soy sauce, Sriracha sauce, Splenda, ginger and vinegar.

Add back in hamburger. Mix well and serve!

Serve with additional Sriracha sauce on the side for people who want to add spice.






Wed Leftover Bruschetta Chicken Bake

Thurs Soup and Sandwich night (cub scouts)

Fri Breakfast for dinner

Sat Homemade pizza

Home improvement dreams

There are number of houses in our neighorhood adding a second level or an addition on. Hopefully we will be able to do some home improvement soon ourselves.

We hope to add a second level on in the next 3-5 years. Currently we have a ranch with a full basement. The basement area is our family room, laundry room and I have do have a good size office. On the first floor, we have our kitchen, living room and 3 bedrooms plus 1 bathroom. I would love to do the kitchen over with granite counter tops plus some new stainless steel appliances.

Our dream would be to knock out the wall between our master bedroom and living room and make that a huge dining room/living room combination.

The second level would be our master bedroom, 1-2 more bedroom and a huge master bathroom with a jetted tub and a steam shower.

Ahhh dreams.

AOL not free automatically

AOL in early August announced to the world that instead of charging customers for a subscription fee it would give away its products in a bid to boost the growth of its online advertising business.

Sounds great! Anyone who has high-speed internet but kept aol simply because they like it would get it free. Not necessarily so.

Anne Bentley , vice president of corporate communications at AOL, said the company didn't want to change the service level of its customers without first receiving their approval. She noted the free service in many cases offered fewer benefits.

``We're not automatically moving people to free," she said. ``That's just not our strategy. You have to take a proactive step, but it's a simple proactive step."

Bottom line is that you need to be proactive with AOL to have them stop charging you.



Boston Globe

Free the Drones

I love reading what other personal finance bloggers are writing about. Free the Drones likes CNN's Millionaries in the Making just like I do as well.

It is an inspirational series that showcases the steps the couples or individuals

And their monthly planning session gives them some good perspective about big upcoming expenses ahead. They catalogue all of their upcoming expenses for the month, and use this planning session to determine their savings rate as well

.

I agree being on the same page as the spouse is absolutely important. Sitting down and discussing a budget is absolutely key to the success of money plan and a marriage in general. Discuss this more at the Free the Drones forum

Cooler weather ants wants to come indoors

I was listening on the news that ants want to come inside when the weather gets cooler. I don't want to be welcoming to those ants so I will making sure that I use my homemade ant killer recipe to get rid of them.