Personal Finance and Frugal Living Forums

We buy gifts for people all throughout the year - especially if we have travelled someplace overseas.
I only buy things for people that aren't 'tchotchke' but that are meaningful things they will keep and love. For example my husband picked my dad up an Australian cricket jersey when he was in Australia this year - my dad will adore it. I am willing to wait and look for things that are important. I'd rather do that just give them another 'thing' that they won't remember in a week.
As we collect gifts throughout the year, I keep a spreadsheet so I never forget what we have gotten and for who. I also keep the list with me on my blackberry so that when we're travelling I can remember what we've gotten people. Plus if I come up with any ideas I can write them down before I forget.
I've been busy canning and preserving this summer - we will make gift bags of our homemade goodies for work friends and neighbors - they'll appreciate them since few people home preserve where I live.

We used to make butter in a canning jar with some cream and a marble or two to help churn it. Ummmmmm.

The Ball book is indeed the best. I've got a stack of vintage ones stretching back to 1956 when my grandparents bought their farm and VitaMix to help can. I never canned much except with them but I've made plenty of jam and jelly using that book.

Oh, there are some lovely jar gifts I think I'll be making for gift baskets this year. Yum.

My father has decided to cash in his 401k to help buy a new car because he feels its costing him more than its earning right now. He has about 20k in there at 56 (with lung cancer and COPD) and I worry he'll have less than he thinks after penalties. Is there any provisions that could help because he is sick? Or does that vary by the 401k provider?

We've got to move and finding a new rental is not a pleasant prospect We've been wanting to look into a government grant to help purchase a home (possibly coupled with a VA loan with my parents) and maybe start a business but every time we try we end up bogged down in "free gov grant program" sites or places that want you to pay for lists, info, example applications, etc. I know people do this free, and I'd like a nice estimate if this is feasible or not for us, even if we have to rent a year in between. Anyone have a good link to the actual section of the national government's website I can get looking at?

I would start your safety fund first and get that taken care of before I worried about retirement. If something happens and you need cash, it's better to have it in an account than having to take it out of your IRA.
I'd sign up for an account at ING or HSBC and have the maximum amount put in to a money market account till you get at least 6 months living expenses. You can always sign up for an IRA later and put the entire yearly allowable amount in at once. When you have the safety net in place then think about looking to invest for retirement.

Congratulations on your successful book FD. I can't wait to check it out.

Do you have plans for doing a book tour?

Do you consider shopping part of "research" for your columns and books? If so, does that mean your shopping is tax deductible?

We are a leading supplier of LCD and Plasma TV Wall Mounts, Brackets and Stands for all the top brands. We have a strong reputation of providing reliable customer service and top quality products. We continuously strive to make our products and services better. Buying products from us would ensure complete satisfaction and guarantee a trouble free usage. Products offered by us are available at the most competitive prices.Visit our site www.123brackets.co.uk. Free Delivery!

I'm currently working on water conservation as a way to cut down my bills. I wrote a post with all the tips I've gathered on my blog.

IMO, this is the best time for buying house.

cvs! with coupons and extracare bucks, I can shop for close to free. It's great for lots of basic needs. Clothing, I shop clearance racks at target, penny's, and marshalls and tjmaxx.

I handle most of it though my wife plays a role, we're still getting used to the idea of being married and managing things together.

I started blogging a few years ago because I thought it'd be fun, now look at how things have grown!

Welcome to www.kungfuuniversity.com! Here you will find what is Kungfu, how can learn Kungfu well, how to be a man just like Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan and Jet Li!It's said that Gongfu. Hard work over time to accomplish skill. A painter can have gongfu. Or the butcher who cuts meat every day with such skill...his knife never touches bone. Learn the form, but seek the formless. Hear the soundless. Learn it all, then forget it all. Learn The Way, then find your own way. The musician can have gongfu. Or the poet who paints pictures with words and makes emperors weep. This, too, is gongfu. But do not name it, my friend, for it is like water. Nothing is softer than water...yet it can overcome rock. It does not fight. It flows around the opponent. Formless, nameles...the true master dwells within. Only you can free him. Come on, body! Many wellknown Kungfu masters will teach you form-form. Shaolin, Wudang, Taichi and many other linds of Kungfu. Anyone you like, just have a taste! Once chose, you will be a different person as before. Whoever you are, a painter, a butcher, a musician... To be YOU! Only $360 you can be YOU! Welcome to www.kungfuuniversity.com!

I enjoy the office dynamic. One day a week of telecommuting would be okay, but more than that would get old to me. FWIW, they are piloting some telecommute programs at my work, so it may actually happen.

I agree with thebeskscr beding so sooo cheap there

I write a frugal blog and started it a few months ago. I use to be very frugal and then I got married and moved to the city. My frugal ways went by the way side. Now that we have become serious about having a baby, we need to curb our spending better than we did. So I got out the old Tightwad Gazette and started clipping coupons again. I thought what better way to keep on track than to write about it. So here it is www.frugalsister.com. The article I thought you could use is some websites that my Aunt had found. http://www.frugalsister.com/2008/08/...-websites.html

This site has some cute bento ideas:
http://fiveprime.org/hivemind/Tags/bento

I would consult with a mediator/attorney. If your child is in care though during the day, I'd imagine that $700.00 gets eaten up pretty quickly. Here "cheap" child care is $250.00 per week. And for some that is "Part-time".

Quote: Originally Posted by AlmostFrugal (Post 20760) I managed to get myself in the same sort of pickle for the second week of September, when I will be hosting the Carnival of family life and the Festival of Frugality back to back.

I still think I'm insane. Courage to you! Thanks! Well, the carnivals are both up and so am I (upright, I mean). It was quite a bit of work, but it has been fun and we had a lot of really good entries, especially for the Festival of Frugality. My favorite part of hosting is picking and doing the themes. I've already got ideas for future themes and can't wait to do them. :)

Please stop by for some great recommended reading!

Festival of Frugality No. 139: The Michael Phelps Edition

Money Hacks Carnival No. 26: Old Money Edition

Good luck and have fun next month, AlmostFrugal!

http://www.elderberries.com/elderberry-sambucus-info/

Elderberries are an attractive, fast-growing plant that might make a good edible hedge. One caution: parts of the plant are toxic, so you'd want to be careful with children and pets.