Poking around I found a great new site that Could use a lot more people in the ChicagoLand area. I haven't really checked out other areas, but seeing as it's a new site, Most areas could probably use help. It's based off of a freecycle model.
http://wwww.ecobees.com
EcoBees is a little more of a user-friendly interface than craigslist or freecycle.org. The creaters wanted to help supplement exostomg sites that do the same thing. Not necessarily take their place.
Why I find this site better? you can specify the distance you are willing to travel, without having to think of every area that might fall in that or search zipcodes, or join multiple groups if you happen to live on the edge of one.
Other perks are, you can post pictures, and who doesn't like seeing pictures of the items they are getting, You can see where on the map they are in relation to you. Don't worry, they don't give out your address on the map. it just gives a generalized location.
From my understanding the site only launched at the end of March and is doing quite well.
Great new site - EcoBees
Bloggers Rights
Sadly I have been super busy lately, and my blog has been slightly neglected. But I wanted to make a brief post and try to drum up some support for the EFF.org
The EFF has been working for a very long time to protect our rights in the digital & online world, and are starting a contest for people to go to defcon this year. A group of my friends have formed a team and we are trying to raise money, and stir up some competition, and get people donating to the EFF, not because we want to win (we are actually sponsoring part of the prize package), but because it really is a worthy organization.
Even a few dollars help.
Help keep bloggers rights going, so bloggers out there never have to worry about posting on the topics dear to them.
6 Healthy Habits That Can Make You Sick | Healthy and Green Living
6 Healthy Habits That Can Make You Sick | Healthy and Green Living
1. Over-Exercising
2. Staying Out of the Sun
3. Using Antibacterial Soaps and Gels
4. Sleeping (to much/To little)
5. Relying on Air Conditioning (recycled air)
6. Eating Organic Food (just because it's organic doesn't mean it's good for you!)
Green Holidays
How to Green your Holidays. While not all of their suggestions might be plausible for everyone, they still have some nice tips. Even doing one or two things will help.
Why Frugal Is Fabulous, Cool, \"the new black\"
Our Best Bites: Easy Halloween Party Food
Our Best Bites: Easy Halloween Party Food
Seven Tips to Help With Household Budgeting
This was recently passed along on a mailing list I am on, Thanks Kimmie!
Seven Tips to Help With Household Budgeting
1. Keep your financial records organized and your filing up to date. Have a set of file folders for items such as receipts, bills, canceled checks, checking account statements, etc. Have a designated place where you keep or can easily assemble your master budget, your financial files, checkbook, etc. so it is all in one convenient location.
2. Avoid spending cash, unless you are good at writing down cash expenses in a journal. It is all too easy to get $100 from the ATM and then have no idea where it all went at the end of the week. If you have trouble figuring out where your cash gets spent, keep a small amount of cash on hand for minor purchases. For everything else, try to pay by either a paper check, online checking or through credit cards so you have a record of your purchases. Credit cards are a good way to track purchases unless you have trouble controlling your spending. If this applies to you, then avoid credit card purchases and focus on keeping track of your expenses in a journal or by paying for items by check.
3. Give your children a set allowance for things like movies, CDs, snacks and toys instead of just giving them money on as needed basis. Giving children an allowance teaches them to make wise spending choices at an early age. A twelve year old who spends all of his allowance right away on CDs and then doesn't have enough money to go to the movies with his friends on the weekend has just learned a good lesson on the negative consequences of impulse spending.
4. Have a system in place for handling the mail. If you are not in the habit of misplacing bills or checks, good for you. Keep on using whatever system you have in place now. However, if losing track of bills is an issue at your house, it may help to have a designated mail drop box inside the house. Each family member should be instructed that whoever brings in the mail that day should always put the mail in the designated mail box for later sorting. Then the family member who has responsibility for sorting the mail should do so near the financial folders. That way checks get put right away in the check folder, bills in the bill folder, etc.
5. Avoid going to stores where you have had problems overspending in the past. Our neighbors stopped shopping at warehouse clubs and actually ended up saving money. They found they spent more money by not being able to resist all of the warehouse club bargains on products they really didn't need than they would by just getting their food at the local grocery store.
6. Have written, long term savings goals. Some sample goals might be getting out of debt, saving for a college, or building a retirement fund. It helps to avoid spending money on day to day purchases if you have financial goals in mind. Not having any compelling reasons to save makes it easier to fritter away money on small day to day purchases instead of saving for the long term.
7. Have a set time each week to review and pay the bills. If you have the money to pay your bills, there is no point in getting unneeded late fees due to disorganization or lost bills. If you make $15 an hour after taxes, then to make up for just one $30 late fee you would have to work an extra two hours to cover the fee.
Getting organized is one of the first steps to gaining control of your budget. Avoiding unnecessary late fees, paying bills on time, and having a good system in place for filing and paying your bills can all help to keep your household budget on the right track.
Source: Always Frugal by S. L. Simmons
How To Get A Free Education Online. | My Two Dollars
How To Get A Free Education Online. | My Two Dollars
My Two dollars (A fellow blog) has some great tips on getting Free educational material. Including MIT & University of Berkley.
Flu.gov
Flu.gov
For those of you who might be worried about H1N1 flu, or even the regular flu. There is now this lovely site that gives you all sorts of wonderful information. Including an online quiz to see if you have H1N1. Though it is a very short quiz. It is also in favor of the Vaccine. (I have a complete fear of needles, so I try to avoid them at all costs.) But it does have further information on the differences between the two types of flu that are going around lately.
If It Prints, I’ll Let You Know – Printer & Ink Cartridges Blog – Save Money With Online Printer Cartridge Coupons
Most people get their printer cartridges from stores, office stores, chain stores such as target, or even your local drugstores have them these days, one way to save money is to check online. This blog talks about how you can save 30%-50% on the cost of Ink Cartridges from sites online. Personally I get mine from Amazon.com. My printer takes 6 different individual cartridges, and last time I had to get them they were $14.95 for all 6. They start at about $10.00 a piece in the stores, even in stores that specialize in Printer Supplies.
How To Get Rid Of an Ice Cream Headache Video | General Cooking Videos | Howcast.com
How To Get Rid Of an Ice Cream Headache Video | General Cooking Videos | Howcast.com
Build Your Own Wire Photo Wall - DIY - Lifehacker
Build Your Own Wire Photo Wall - DIY - Lifehacker
This blog has a lovely idea on how to display photo & artwork. Lately If you check out the prices of frames, they can be expensive. This is a great modern way of showing off artwork & photos.
Check out the full blog post
New Chicago area code 872 goes into effect Nov. 7 - Message from Montie
New Chicago area code 872 goes into effect Nov. 7 - Message from Montie
Well as Chicago has been growing, it's time for yet another area code! Wee! The new one will be 872, and will cover.
The new area code, 872, will be used in the same geographic region. The 872 area code will be in
Top 6 Ways to Cut Family Food Budget � Regal Springs Tilapia Blog
Top 6 Ways to Cut Family Food Budget � Regal Springs Tilapia Blog
1. Try going meatless a few days a week and eat more salads and soups instead.
If your family is of the ‘meat and potatoes’ variety, you might want to start by cutting meat out of the menu just one day a week. Replace it with beans, tofu, or eggs. Once they’re used to this, increase the non-meat offering to two days a week and see if anyone notices. Another way to get even more out of a dollar: cook dried beans in your crock pot instead of buying canned. It saves you from excess sodium too!2. Start your own garden to grow your own vegetables and herbs.
This takes a little more effort, but if you can manage it, gardening can save quite a lot of money. I have a friend with more cantaloupes than she knows what to do with. Personally, I have had more luck with herbs than actual fruits and vegetables, but that’s resulted in savings too. Herbs are expensive at the store. Having them fresh in my backyard means I’m making more of those recipes I used to skip over because of the pricey ingredients.3. Make your own snacks with goodies like fruits, nuts, and pretzels.
To take this a step further, when fruits and veggies are in season or on sale - buy them. Buy lots of them and tell your family that’s the Snack of the Week. For those salty snacks, buy in bulk and package in plastic baggies for the lunches. That will save you bundles!4. Utilize leftovers to the fullest … don’t let anything become unnecessary waste.
I work at home, and I LOOOOOVE me some leftovers (<- that’s me trying to be Southern) so this one’s easy for me. Think twice before you toss anything out. Veggies can always be used in a salad. Almost any kind of meats can be mixed into a chimichanga. And leftover scrambled eggs are great in fried rice or in a flour tortilla.5. Cook in large batches to increase efficiency and prepare all meals weeks in advance.
If it can be doubled, double it. Then freeze it. If it’s good enough for [insert favorite purveyor of frozen food here], it’s good enough for you.6. Maximize the use of a freezer to save food for as long as possible.
See #5 above, but also buy meat on sale. I cannot tell you how much money I’ve saved doing this one simple thing. Find out when the meat gets marked down at your grocery store and then buy it! You can easily save 20%-30% - and sometimes more - this way. Take the meat home and put it immediately into the freezer. You don’t have to have one of those super duty models. Most standard freezers hold plenty. The trick is to plan your weekly menus based on what you have in the freezer, and always be on the lookout for new discounted meat to replace it.Planting Garlic
Someone recently asked about planting Garlic on a mailing list I am on, and this made me poke around on the internet and find this. I was initially looking to see what they planted. Think I will try to snag some of my sisters Garlic cloves and plant them this winter.
Prolonging the life of your Shaving Razor Blade
How Many Times Can You Use a Razor Blade to Shave? - The Cheapskate Blog - TIME.com
With the rising cost on most consumer products these days, it doesn't hurt to try to save in every possible way you can. One way is if you shave to reuse disposable razors. WiseBread.com offers tips on prolonging the life of your razor blade. Including some lesser known ways of prolonging the life of your razor, such as sharpening them with a pair of Jeans or Coating your Razor... Read More
Omaha.com - The Omaha World-Herald: Community - School, bank offer Money 101
Omaha.com - The Omaha World-Herald: Community - School, bank offer Money 101
A Tip for helping stop the spread of Germs.
With Flu Season coming up again, it's important to be mindful of Germs. One way to help keep from getting tons of Germs, carry a package of wipes around in your car and wipe your hands down well after you come out of store or other places.
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