When Your Piggy Bank Don't Jingle (4 of 10)

#4: MAKE YOUR OWN LAUNDRY DETERGENT!!!

I was a little skeptical at first and rolled my eyes a bit at the idea of making laundry detergent after growing up a hardcore Tide user.  Since being in a position where I need to cut corners wherever I can with money, this caught my attention.

What do you save???

Tide - right at 20 cents per load

Homemade - between 1 & 2 cents per load

In general, what I've read shows that you'll pay around 1/10 of the cost over a year.

Does it work???

So far I've been pleased.  I've read several blogs and articles about it and you can see actual picture comparisons of people who compared Tide with the Homemade stuff.  They turn out very similar.

Need Proof???  Do this Google search "Make My Own Laundry Detergent".  I'll let you pick which link to click...there's over 1.7 million of them.  You'll see slight variations of ingredients or steps to making, but this is one of the many and what I have been using for a couple years now.

Below are a few pictures from the last batch I made.  You'll find others if you do the Google search.  Good luck!!!

Laundry Detergent

Makes: 3-4 gallons.

Time: 15-20 minutes.

INGREDIENTS/MATERIALS:

Bucket (5gal size)

Water

2/3 Bar - Fels Naptha Soap (grated - use cheese grater)

1 c. Washing Soda (Arm&Hammer)

1 c. Borax Powder

OPTIONAL – 30 drops lavender essential oil OR 20 drops tea tree oil (for scent)

DIRECTIONS (Lots of steps, but it's EASY & fast):

1.    In large stock pot, heat 3 quarts water.

2.    In a second (medium-sized) pot, begin heating 2 quarts water.

3.    Into large stock pot, stir in 2/3 bar grated soap until dissolved. 

4.    Into large stock pot, stir in Washing Soda and Borax.

5.    Stir often until mixed well.

6.    Remove from heat.

7.    Pour 2 quarts hot water into bucket from second pot.

8.    Add soap mixture from stock pot into bucket.  Stir well.

9.    Add 6½ quarts hot water to bucket.  Stir well.

10.  IF using essential oils, add these now.

11.  Set aside for 24 hours to cool and thicken to a jelly-like consistency.

HOW TO USE:

Use ½ cup of detergent per full load when washing.

TIPS:

- You don't need to boil the water, just "heat" it.

- Look for the ingredients at WalMart and grocery stores.

- Grate 2 bars of Fels Naptha at a time and store the left over in baggies marked "2/3 bar Fels Naptha" to save time and clean-up down the road.

Ingredients (minus the fragrance - I don't use it)

What you'll get when you're done.  Good luck!!!



RECIPE: NO WAY Rachel Ray!!!

My wife just made a Rachel Ray smoothie: "Super Strawberry Smoothie".  Hands down the recipe we usually use wins the taste test EVERY time.  Sorry Rachel.....you're show is cool, but this smoothie has GOT to go!!!  Cooking shows are cool and they look like experts, but does all the junk they make REALLY taste as good as they make it seem???

For once, I'd like to see a chef take a bite and go, "Blaahhhhh!!  That's sick!  Never mind, DON'T make this at home.  It's really nasty!"

OK, here's the recipe I use AND at the bottom is Rachel Ray's if you don't believe me...

STRAWBERRY - BANANA - ORANGE SMOOTHIE
by: Unknown

Servings: 1 very large or 3 small glasses
Time:  Less than 5 minutes. AWESOME!!!

Ingredients:
1c.  Orange Juice
1     Banana
8-9 Strawberries (frozen)
6oz Yogurt (Strawberry OR Strawberry-Banana)

Directions:
1.  Put all in a blender and push GO. 

TIPS:
- Put your frozen strawberries in LAST so they don't jam your blender.
- A variation is to use blueberry yogurt and add a few frozen blueberries.
- I've tried blueberry juice and it's pretty good, but OJ seems to be best overall.
- To increase servings add 1/2-1c. OJ and 1 banana.


(NOT-SO) SUPER STRAWBERRY SMOOTHIE
by: Rachel Ray

Servings: 1-2

Ingredients:
1c. Milk
1 Banana
6 Strawberries (frozen or fresh)
4oz. Low-Fat Strawberry Yogurt

Directions:
1. Put all in a blender and push GO.

WHERE DID RACHEL GO WRONG???
- DON'T use milk in a fruit smoothie....use fruit juice.  Right???
- I wouldn't use thawed strawberries.  Frozen fruit gives a better texture.

Recipe RAVE: Spaghetti Squash Spaghetti

Three words....YUM, HEALTHY, and EASY! 

If you've never tried this before, put 'spaghetti squash' on your next shopping list.  If you don't know what to look for, hunt for a yellow egg-shaped squash a bit smaller than a football.

SPAGHETTI SQUASH SPAGHETTI

By: Who Knows

It's too easy to give credit anyway....like giving credit for bread and butter; right?  But I will have to give Mrs. Denbow a big "thank you" for introducing me to it.

Serves: 4-5

Time: 25-30min

Ingredients:

1 - Spaghetti Squash

Spaghetti Sauce (same as regular spaghetti)

Cheese (parmesan, mozzarella)

Directions:

1.  In a large sauce pan w/ 3in sides, bring to boil 1.5-2 inches of water.

2.  Cut squash in half END to END & scoop out seeds.

3.  Place 1/2 of squash in boiling water face down for 15-20min. (see pic)

4.  Prepare sauce. (May need to start this earlier if it takes longer than Step 3).

5.  Remove squash (use a fork).

6.  Hold squash upright and scrape out squash. (see pic)

7.  Add sauce & eat! (see pic)

(Step 3)

(Step 6)



(Step  7)

NOTES: 

- You don't have to 'cover' when boiling the squash, but will alter cook time & temp a bit.

- Basically ALL but the rind is edible when scraping out middle after cooking; no wasting! :)

Movie: Exit Through The Gift Shop (2010)

If you think "tagging" (spray painting buildings with various graphics/pics/etc) is cool and like documentaries, you'll enjoy this movie.  As for me, I could have skipped this one and maintained my intelligence level and probably gotten something constructive accomplished......despite the high reviews it received by both critics and movie goers; see below.

Don't expect action, laughter, anything jaw-dropping, suspenseful, or overly dramatic.  It's simply the story of a nut who really likes the video camera and follows well-known taggers around the world until he becomes a tagger himself.  He then follows in the footsteps of some of those taggers and puts on an art exhibit and makes a chunk of money all the while revealing how nutty he is.  The End.

I'll give it only 2.73 out of 5 stars.  It is Rated R for "some language".  From what I saw, it could have been PG-13 pretty easily, but because it was about an illegal activity that makes our cities and towns look like trash (most of the time) I like the rating.

RottenTomatoes (click the link to read more reviews and to see the trailer)
Movie Watchers rated it: 92%
Critics rated it 97%

A Neat Community Event

Here are several pictures from the Knoxville, TN 3rd Annual Chalk Walk.  After experiencing the atmosphere I was left wondering why all cities don't have one of these events.  Very cool!!!  In addition to the fun, there were cash prizes for the winners of each category. 



Did you guess who she is??? L.T.

Clever.

 One of the competition's categories was 'film'.

Next to this Fox & The Hound drawing was the DVD box with the same picture.  Impressive!

These two ladies, Helen and Ellen, twin sisters, run the "Love Kitchen" in Knoxville.  A place where homeless or poor folks can get a free meal.  They make several thousand meals a day and even use volunteers to deliver.  They apparently made an appearance on the Oprah show and I recently saw them on an episode of "Secret Millionaire" filmed in Knoxville.  If you need a hug, a good example of a humble servant, or dose of Jesus just walk in the door and say hello. 

This elephant was really neat.  Cool (well, warm...harhar) colors.  That's as funny as this post is getting, sorry.

  



I'll give this event an A+.  GREAT for families, creates community, a good reason to get out, low (or no) tax-payer cost, generates business for surrounding establishments, and lots of fun.  Can't wait for next year!

Recipe RAVE! Bet You Can't Eat Just One!

This is a YUMMY dessert that Tami (my wife) found in the Kraft Food & Family magazine (Summer '09 issue, pg.25).  If you have small kids, this is a great recipe everyone can enjoy making.  We'll be making this LOTS I think for years to come.

Cookies & Cream Pudding Pops

Prep: 10min + Freezing

Servings: 9

Ingredients:
1 pkg./box (3.9oz) Jell-O Chocolate Instant Pudding
2c cold Milk...as opposed to the warm kind??? Weird.
6-9 Oreo cookies
1/2c Cool Whip Whipped Topping thawed

9 Small Cups (like Dixie Cups). Plastic worked great.
9 Popsicle sticks (or plastic spoons)

Directions:
1. Beat pudding mix and milk in large bowl with whisk; 2min.
2. Place cookies in Ziploc bag; smash them up.
3. Add cookies and Cool Whip to pudding; stir until blended.
4. Spoon into 9 cups..
5. Insert Popsicle stick/spoon into each for a handle.
6. Freeze for about 5hrs or until firm.  Now eat 'em!

Don't worry about the leftovers....you'll figure out what to do with those when the kids hit the sack! :)  Good find babe!  A+.....again.  I think Isaac approves too!

MOVIE: 127 Hours

If you like suspense, stories of perseverance, will-power, and survival, you'll enjoy this movie and might bite off a nail or two in the process; it's on DVD now (go rent it!)

If I had to say something negative about the movie, I wish they would have taken about 15 minutes out of the middle of the movie and created a nice ending; it's pretty abrupt after all the suspense.  It's like needing a cool-down after a hard workout. 

Positives...a good story that keeps you interested and gets your nerves, GREAT camera work, and the movie makes you feel like you're right there with him...if not 'actually in his shoes'.  I also liked that I didn't know any of the actors.  The new face, James Franco, made it more 'real' and less 'movieish'.

I'll give it a 4.32 out of 5 stars.  It is Rated R, but no sex/nudity although it's implied briefly.  Rating is mostly for a bloody/graphic intense scene.

RottenTomatoes movie watchers rated it at 93% and the critics gave it 85%. Click the link to read more reviews and to see the trailer.

Enjoy!

In Case You Didn't Know...

Migraines suck.

"How To" & Handyman $ Saving Tip For YOU!

The past couple weeks/months have brought some handyman challenges to my home (car brakes, garbage disposal, brake hose, garage door, etc).  I'd consider myself overall a little better than average for being handy around the house, but if you've never had to or tried to do something, well then, you just don't know.

Since I am pretty good at fixing things, it REALLY irritates me to pay some guy $75-100 just to tell me what's wrong with something and then fix it with little effort or skill involved.  I'm certain that we've all thrown money out the window for services like that.

OK, here's the tip that could save you money like it has saved me over the past few months.....

If you've never used the website YouTube, you need to make it a 'favorite' right now on your web browser.  Yes, it's got tons of silly stuff on there, but there are also literally countless "How to" videos on there that offer tips and suggestions for doing almost anything.


Here is how it has saved me $$ in the past month or so:

Just today I looked up how to repair a garbage disposal that isn't working (and yes, I already knew about the reset button on the bottom).  I had it fixed and running 5 minutes later.  Before I checked YouTube, I seriously thought I was going to be replacing it. 

A month or so ago I looked up how to change brakes.  I've heard they were easy to change and I've been wanting to learn a little more about car repair.  I ended up changing them myself for the first time and only paid for some lubricant and the brake pads....no service fees AND I learned something that will save me money for the rest of my life. 

Here's a "how to" example that my wife took advantage of.  A few weeks ago my wife watched a video about how to do a "frozen butter cream transfer" (it's OK, me neither).  It's a cake decorating technique that allows you to transfer just about any design onto a cake with icing.  The cake turned out fantastic! Way to go babe, I'm impressed!

Hope this helps and good luck!

Recipe RAVE! Delicious & EASY Fajitas!!!

You'll be putting this one in your cookbook for life....it's in ours and we LOVE it!

Grilled Chicken Fajitas

by: (I got this out of a Taste of Home magazine I think)

Serves: approx. 3-4 people

Ingredients:

2 Chicken Breasts (boneless)
3 Bell Peppers (green, red, yellow)
1 Onion (med-large)
BBQ Sauce
1 pkg. Flour Tortillas
Sour Cream
Cheese (Mexican Style fine shredded)

Directions:
1.  Cut onions and peppers into strips (1/4-1/2in wide) and marinade in BBQ sauce (at least 30min).
2.  Clean chicken breasts and marinade in BBQ sauce (in separate bag at least 30min).
3.  Turn grill on medium/medium-low.
4.  Place veggies in a cheap tin pie plate.
5.  Cook chicken & veggies in tin stirring occasionally until chicken is done and veggies are still a bit crisp.
6.  Cut chicken into thin strips.
7.  Heat tortillas in microwave until hot.
8.  Assemble fajitas (chicken, veggies, cheese, sour cream) and ENJOY!

Possible Side:
Chips & Salsa

Like Azaleas?

Here's a picture of one of the three azaleas I've got in my back yard (east Tennessee).  It's a neat variety I got from Home Depot called "Encore Azalea" that blooms 3 times like this each year (spring, summer, and fall) instead of the normal one time.  I bought them fairly small and I felt they grew pretty fast with the help of some acid-based fertilizer.  If I remember correctly they need 4 feet of space and do well in part to full sun.

Do You Use PLASTIC? Here's A Thought...

I was listening to Dave Ramsey on the radio at lunch today and he had a good perspective about credit cards for a viewer who was very good about paying off the card each month and earned a couple hundred bucks each year on incentives.

After restating his stance on credit cards (which is "don't use them"), Dave shared results from a study that showed when people use credit cards they are much more likely to spend more money. I think if we were honest, we could all say that's probably a pretty accurate study (grocery shopping and WalMart trips are the worst!)

His point was this: If you earn a couple hundred "free" dollars in incentives, so what... You'll carelessly spend a lot more than that simply because you're using plastic.

I'd have to say that I'd be guilty of that myself. It's a lot easier to spend more than your budgeted $20 when you've got a credit line of $10,000. If you've only got $20 cash then it's pretty hard to get out of the store with $25-50 worth of merchandise.

A few weeks ago my wife and I decided to start using cash for everything but gas. That meant that we wouldn't be earning or investing with our UPromise College Savings card we had attached to our 529 Plan for our kids.

This segment of his radio broadcast was some great affirmation for our decision. In the long run, I believe making small, regular deposits into the investment accounts equal to those we were getting from the credit card will help us come out on top without the worry of a big credit card bill each month even though we regularly pay it off each month.

Think about this.... What if our government paid for everything up front without making more money each time they made a purchase??? What kind of debt would we be in then???

When Your Piggy Bank Don't Jingle (3 of 10)

#3: Be Savvy With Your Gas!

This is somewhat related to one of the other Piggy Bank posts, but not so much related to the 'cost' of the gas you buy as to how you manage what you've got in your tank.

With gas prices climbing each month, we are ALL (well most people) are going to need to be at least a little smarter with how we use the gas we buy. I don't think I've ever been at a point in my life when I've thought more about how much money I'm spending in gas each time I go somewhere and if the trip is worth the cost of gas.

Here's an article that gives some great ideas. Several other links in the article seem interesting as well.
23 Top Tips for Better Gas Mileage

A few of my favorite tips are:
1. Getting gas when the temperatures are the coolest.
2. Combining all your errands/shopping into one trip. Think ahead!
3. Drive slower (eee...that's a toughy for me).

I've read in several places that every 5mph over 60mph costs you A LOT in gas mileage. So does that mean that the manufacturers rate new car gas mileage when the car is traveling only 60mph or less to get the best possible numbers for advertising? Hmmm...

Movie: How To Train Your Dragon

If you like action, digital animation, bad guys vs good guys, and think dragons are cool you'll enjoy this movie; it's on DVD now.

It moves pretty quickly, keeps your attention, and has some great animation. It's got humor, tense scenes, and a good lesson. All parts of a good movie.

I'll give it a 4 out of 5 stars.

RottenTomatoes movie watchers rated it at 90% and the critics gave it 98%. Click the link to read more reviews and to see the trailer.

Enjoy!

VCU beats KU to go to the Final 4?!

YOU'VE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME!!! (that was my other 'appropriate' title option)

If you're wondering who VCU is, you're not alone....and that's why losing to them is all the more ridiculous! (Virginia Commonwealth)

I don't think I've EVER seen a 2 loss team ranked so high look so TERRIBLE. That's one more reason for me to despise KU.

Why all the irritation when I'm a MIZZOU fan??? Before the Florida vs Butler and KU vs VCU games, I'm 2 points down in my pool and am the only one who can earn any more points. If Florida OR KU win, I win the pool. Both teams were favored to win; KU by a good margin. After Florida (#2 seed) lost to Butler (#8 seed) to get into the Final 4 I still thought I had a darn good chance of getting the KU (#1 seed) win over VCU (#11 seed)....did you forget who they were again??? Virginia Commonwealth...it's OK, they weren't in the news until now.

SO, I lost the pool and am still in awe of the game. I watched the whole game and besides the first minute of the game, VCU outplayed KU in EVERY aspect of the game. They made KU look HORRIBLE. VCU was up by 18 at one point and KU was able to come back to within 2 in the second half, but never took the lead and finally lost by about 10.

OH, I forgot to mention that VCU was a play-in team for the tourney which means they had to play one last game and win to even play in the tourney....now they're a Final 4 team. I guess that's why it's called "March Madness". Way to go VCU (that's Virginia Commonwealth). Nice game.

Recipe RAVE! You GOTTA Try This Soup!

I really enjoy trying new recipes. I do cook and enjoy it when I do, but I'll have to give my wife some big brownie points for making some of these recipes I find. (Thanks babe, you ROCK!) OK, here it is! It's one of my favorites and VERY EASY! Let me know what you think.

Tortilla Soup
by: Kelly Siwek

1/2 lb Chicken Tenderloins - bonelesss
1 - 8oz can Tomato Sauce
1 3/4c Water
2tbsp Taco Seasoning Mix
1/4c Onion - chopped
1 - 16oz can Tomatoes - stewed (cut them up more)
1 - 16oz can Pinto Beans - drained

MUST HAVE Garnishes: Sour Cream / Frito Chips / Shredded Cheddar Cheesse

Directions:

1. In a large sauce pan, cook chicken & onion until chicken is done.

2. Remove chicken and shred with a fork.

3. Drain/Strain excess water from pan.

4. Add water, tomato sauce, stewed tomatoes, beans, shredded chicken, cooked onion, and seasoning mix to sauce pan.

5. Cover and simmer over medium heat for 20-30 minutes.

Serves 4 adults. It's a good leftover so I usually double it.

When Your Piggy Bank Don't Jingle (2 of 10)

#2 Find the cheapest gas stations.

Right now I know where 3 of the cheapest gas stations are in town and NO, they aren't 'off-brand' gas stations by any means. They regularly beat the competition by 5-15 cents per gallon and on average I save $1-1.50 for every fill-up; sometimes over $2. I wouldn't recommend going too far out of your way, but a mile or two is still worth it. I got lucky and found three that happen to be spread around town and are right on my regular routes.

That's another tip for saving money; going out of your way for a coupon or sale means you're spending extra gas to save and are probably buying something you wouldn't have bought if you didn't have coupon....BE SMARTER THAN THE RETAILERS!!! For example, I've heard people say they're going to get something they 'need' (that's another rant) because it's on sale or they have a coupon for 10% off (yet another rant) and they drive 20 miles to get there (40 miles round trip). Unless you've got several other errands to run, you just negated your coupon by spending your 'saved money' on gas ($6-8 for 2 gallons) getting to your destination. Oh, and don't forget to add in all that other junk you just bought that you didn't go for in the first place (I'm real guilty of that one when I visit WallyWorld - that place is the worst consumer trap out there if you're not on guard!)

To help you find some cheap stations, you can use an iPhone App that tells you where to find the cheapest gas station in your area OR look it up online; they update prices often.

Here are a couple:
http://www.gasbuddy.com/
http://www.gaspricewatch.com/

I just used the 'gasbuddy' site and looked up one of my 3 cheap stations. The average in my town is $3.35 right now and my station is selling it for only $3.21. That's 14 cents PER GALLON cheaper!!! That's over $2 saved for 15 gallons.

If you need help making this more real to you, from now on when you get gas, go in and give the cashier an extra $2 just for the heck of it (or just chuck it out the window as you pull out of the station).

Sometimes things like gas/hot water/electricity/a drafty window are hard to put into perspective when they seem so intangible or disconnected on the money end each time we pay a bill or fill the tank.

March Maddness! I Can't Take It!

How can you argue that there's a better sporting event than the NCAA Tournament?!

I won't admit to how long I spend analyzing teams, numbers, and match-ups while filling out my bracket, but I really get into it and it's loads of fun to watch. Now I just need to learn how to balance family and the NCAA Tournament....can it be done???

Well, if you love it as much as I do, give me a shout and you can join the pool I started online. I'm hoping to have a good response to the 60-70 invites I sent out today.

Since the tourney hasn't started yet I won't give away any of my picks, but I'll say I'm not as confident in Ohio St. as most folks are for winning the whole thing.

Ok, gotta go keep things in balance and hang out with the family. Happy picking!

A Walk In The Park

So we went to the park for a couple hours before heading to church Saturday night. The weather was just perfect! This is a large park with probably 200+ people there and room for all. As we're watching our kids throw sticks and leaves into the creek, I look up and standing near his family, who is having a picnic under a pavilion, one of their boys (maybe 4yrs old) stands with his pants to his knees peeing out into the grass....yes, and he was facing us.

Is this a Rant or Rave? I don't know, but it's something.

Oh, did I mention that the restroom was less than 30 feet from them?!

Ok, I've made up my mind, this was a Rant. Sheesh...that's ridiculous (and pretty funny)!

Have A Car/Home Loan??? Check This Calculator Tool Out!

I'm sure most of you have heard of mortgage calculators. Here's one that I've found to be pretty easy to use and eye-opening.

Bankrate.com

The cool part about this particular calculator is that just below the normal calculator part is an additional tool that allows you to see how adding extra money (each month, one time, or once each year) to your payment will affect the payoff date of the loan.

EXAMPLE:
Just for kicks, I checked to see what an extra $20 and $100 a month would do to 'my' loan.

$20 EXTRA:
It took almost 2 YEARS off the payoff date.
Total Savings = $17,760 (about $2 every day or $730 per year for 26yrs!)

$100 EXTRA:
It took 7 YEARS off the payoff date.
Total Savings = $56,400 (about $6 every day or $2,190 per year for 26yrs!)

WOW!!! Please tell me I'm not the only one motivated to put an extra bit of money towards my loan each month. Now....where do I find that money???? Eeek!

Do You UPromise???

Here's a GREAT way to save for your child's college OR to help pay down YOUR college debt!

Like many other credit cards, this Bank of America UPromise credit card earns you money back on EVERY purchase. There are literally thousands of participating merchants, restaurants, and grocery products that allow you to earn additional money.

After you've earned the money each month, you've got 3 options: Request a check, Paydown a student loan, or Save & Invest.

Here's an example of how it works (how I use it):
I go about my daily routine, making purchases as normal earning money back along the way. I've got all of my other bar code cards (from the grocery, retailers, pharmacies, etc) registered into my account along with other family members that give me their codes. Each time one of those bar codes is swiped when purchasing a UPromise product OR at a UPromise retailer, I get the credit. Each quarter, all the money that's accumulated in my UPromise account gets dumped into my children's College Savings 529 Plan and invested.

So, how does the idea of investing free money sound???

There's a link in my blog roll to the right or just click here: UPromise

If you want to link your UPromise account up to a 529 Plan as I have and don't have one set up yet, check out the 529 account link to the right as well....ok, or just click here: 529 Plan

DISCLAIMER... If you aren't good with credit cards and don't pay off your bill each month or don't make the minimum payments, it would be wise for you to cut up your cards. Your interest and penalties will WAY out weigh any savings you'll get done with any card. Get control of your spending first.

When your piggy bank don't jingle (1 of 10)

I'll follow this post with 9 others over the next while giving 10 ways to save money when you REALLY don't have any money left in your budget. They are in no particular order.

#1: Really make an effort to buy used when you can (or just use what is available for 'free').

CARS - Everything I've read and experienced says that buying a new car is one of the biggest wastes of money because of the long-term cost. Check out Dave Ramsey's plan for paying cash for cars. How would you feel if you NEVER had a car payment for the rest of your life AND you got to purchase and drive nice 1-2 yr old cars each time you bought? Darn good if you ask me!

BOOKS/MOVIES - Amazon is a great place to start for finding just about any book you want a lot cheaper than buying new. And from my experience, has been pretty safe and trustworthy for the most part. AND don't forget about your local library; you're paying for that through your taxes anyway, right?! My library even has an online reservation system for what seems like 10,000+ movies. I haven't rented a movie (other than $1 RedBox) in a LONG time.

TOOLS - What are neighbors for??? Don't forget to be a neighbor in return. Your time and lending hand are a great free service to others even if you aren't where you want to be financially. Helping others is a great way to welcome blessing in your life.

LANDSCAPING - Try to buy smaller versions of what you want; it will grow over time. Also look for things that you can split in a year or two. This will give you some free plants. Keep in mind that at some point, your neighbors will be looking to thin our their own multiplying plants. Offer to take them off their hands; maybe you could help them out and do the work of splitting them. If you have some to share, offer a trade.

Does this 'green' idea save you green???

What is a rain barrel? It's simply a large barrel placed at the end of your downspout that collects rainwater for the purpose of later use. The idea is that it saves you money, you're conserving water, etc...

I like to be 'green', but I'm not opposed to seeing a little change in my pocket in the end for my effort either.

Here's the math:

Average cost: $100-150.
Capacity around 50 gallons.
Cost per gallon where I live = $0.013

Now let's use $120 and 50gal for our math just for fun to see how long it will take for us to "break even" using the rain barrel.

$120 / $0.013 = 9230.77 / 50gal. = 184.6

184.6 is the number of times you'd have to fill up the rain barrel before you'd get your $$ back from buying the rain barrel. I really hope my math is wrong!

This means that IF you had 15 rains per year that fill up your barrel, it would take just over 12 YEARS recoup your money. Do they even last that long outside????

Another ARTICLE that says it would take 40 years to get your money back on his average of 5-10 fill-ups a year with a 50gal/$100 barrel. YIKES!

My conclusion....if you want a rain barrel, get it for the purpose of going 'green', NOT saving green because you WON'T. In fact, the opposite will almost inevitably occur. However, when and if I make enough money to toss at a rain barrel or two or three.....count me in. We all need to do our part and go beyond reasons related to the 'green' most are worried about.