Category: Frugal Living, Saving Money & Life Hacks
Watch Out for Interest-Only Home Loans
Now that the economy has picked up some, the housing market is recovering a little, and memories of the financial crisis are fading, some lenders are re-introducing a few “creative” financing methods. It’s possible to get an interest-only mortgage again, or get a loan with a low, low rate at the beginning. An interest-only loan is tempting because the borrower only pays the interest each month. This state of affairs can last from five to 10 years. When you only pay the interest, it feels like you can “afford” more house. You aren’t paying the principal, so you are only paying one part of the loan, and it seems like a good idea. However, you could actually end up in big
Is Dollarama’s $3 HDTV antenna worth it?
Having trouble viewing this? CLICK HERE <!– Content Layout –> Is Dollarama’s $3 HDTV antenna worth it? Saving I bought a three dollar TV antenna from the dollar store. This is what happened. Read More… <!– Footer copyright and linkage –> The Squawkfox Blog is by Kerry K. Taylor www.squawkfox.com Copyright © 2015 Squawkfox.com. All rights reserved.
Daddy plays. Mommy cries.
Having trouble viewing this? CLICK HERE <!– Content Layout –> Daddy plays. Mommy cries. Depression My two-year-old daughter noticed something was wrong. My depression was back. Read More… <!– Footer copyright and linkage –> The Squawkfox Blog is by Kerry K. Taylor www.squawkfox.com Copyright © 2015 Squawkfox.com. All rights reserved.
Spring Clean Your Stockpile
Be sure to include your stockpile on your spring cleaning to-do list. It needs to be neatened up, rotated and replenished from time to time: How Long Shelf-Stable Foods Last Grocery Stockpile List How to Build a Grocery Stockpile Photo © Erin Huffstetler Follow on Facebook | Follow on Twitter | Follow on Pinterest
Turn Cheap Meat into Tasty Meat
Enjoy a good steak now and then, but hate paying good steak prices? Then don’t. Here are a few tips and tricks to help you turn that bargain beef into …Read Full Post
Chocolate Substitutes
Bittersweet chocolate, semi-sweet chocolate, unsweetened chocolate – with so many different types of baking chocolate out there, it’s all to easy to find that you don’t have the one that you need. Fortunately, these simple substitutes can save you a few bucks and a trip to the store. Chocolate Substitutes: Bittersweet Chocolate Dutch-Processed Cocoa Powder Mexican Chocolate Semi-Sweet Unsweetened Cocoa Powder White Chocolate Substitute Photo © Erin Huffstetler Follow on Facebook | Follow on Twitter | Follow on Pinterest
Spring Clean Your Freezer
Go through your freezer(s) this week to see what you have on hand. Then, get everything organized and worked into your meal plan, so you’ll have space to spare when all of those fresh fruits and veggies arrive. Here’s everything you need to whip your freezer into shape: Printable Freezer Inventory List Printable Freezer Labels The Shelf Life of Frozen Foods Is It Safe to Eat Freezer Burned Food? Free Meal Planners How Often Should I Defrost My Freezer? How to Defrost a Freezer How to Maintain Your Freezer Photo © Erin Huffstetler Follow on Facebook | Follow on Twitter | Follow on Pinterest
Save on Mulch
Need to get some mulch on your garden? Save some cash by looking for ripped bags at Home Depot or Lowes. Both stores repackage their broken bags, and sell them at a discount (usually half price). They also do this with soil, sand and gravel. If you don’t see any repackaged bags, just ask where they keep them (or when they’re likely to have more). Related Reading: How to Get Free Plants Make a Soaker Hose Make Your Own Fertilizer Photo © Erin Huffstetler Follow on Facebook | Follow on Twitter | Follow on Pinterest
What’s on Your Yard Sale List?
Yard sale season has arrived! Before I head out, I make a detailed list of everything that I’m looking for, including sizes and any measurement or information that I’m likely to need when I’m out shopping. It helps me to stay focused and minimizes my chance for buyer’s remorse. Here’s what I’m looking for this year: Freezer jars White restaurant-grade dishware (for parties) Size 10 girls’ clothes Marshmallow roasting forks Half-sheet cookie sheets Popsicle molds Craft supplies School supplies What’s on your yard sale wish list? Related Reading: Things You Shouldn’t Buy Used Yard Sale Shopping Tips The Longest Yard Sales in the U.S. Photo © Erin Huffstetler Follow on Facebook | Follow on Twitter | Follow on Pinterest
The Report from the Three-Year Mark: Joan’s Mid-April Financial Update
Note: This is a post from Joan Otto, Man Vs. Debt community manager. Read more about Joan.It’s official: I’ve been tracking my debt for exactly three years.While I didn’t post my first financial update on Man Vs. Debt until a year later, I first sat down and wrote my detailed list of debts – the one you see listed on my Joan’s Finances page – on April 14, 2011.Taking inventory and facing what I owed was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done, but the effect it’s had since then has been nothing short of amazing.In exactly three years, we’ve paid off $33,422.83 in debt.And since I’d figured out our worst-ever total debt (as
Business and Hustling Lessons from the WWE Network
Note: This is a post from Joan Otto, Man Vs. Debt community manager. Read more about Joan.You guys are going to think I spend my Sunday afternoons watching America’s best not-exactly-a-sport sports, between today’s post and the one from last month about 4 Personal-Finance Lessons from NASCAR!I spent THIS Sunday watching… you guessed it… WrestleMania 30, thanks to my roommate’s subscription to the WWE Network, which I admit I watch with rather startling frequency.The funny part is, while I’ve enjoyed professional wrestling since I was in high school, I’d never spent any time – or money – on it since. Until WWE Network came out in late February.And now, even more than the wrestling itself, I’
