Assistance for Families Faced with Major Illnesses

Spencer Crawford Children's Foundation, Inc.'s services are tailored to meet the needs of each individual family and child. Some families may need limited assistance for a short period of time while other families need additional assistance for a longer period of time. Services are free to those families caring for a child diagnosed with a life threatening illness. For a complete list of the services offered, and to see if you qualify, visit http://www.spencercrawford.org/services.php or contact: Spencer Crawford Children's Foundation, 9900 West Sample Road, Third Floor, Coral Springs, Florida 33065; 561-731-3452 or 877-731-3452; Email: ellen@spencercrawford.org
Application: http://www.spencercrawford.org/uploads/000020.pdf
Income Eligibility: Determined on a case-by-case basis.

Christmas in May?

I know this is a strange time of year to bring up the subject of Christmas, but a little advance planning could take the budget squeeze of Christmas away. Spending a couple dollars a month during the year can save you lots of money (and headaches) when December rolls around.

Here are a couple tips that might give you some ideas.

• Search the clearance aisles regularly. Take your time, and think of those on your Christmas list as you look. This is a great way to pick up items at a fraction of their regular price (especially clothes!)
• If you like to poke around on ebay, think of items that you would like to give as gifts, and do regular searches for them throughout the year. When you find a great deal, grab it. You can also use the cheapest shipping options now, because you aren't in the Christmas rush.
• Take advantage of sales that stores have throughout the year. Memorial Day sales, Labor Day sales, etc. Also, look through the Sunday paper at the sales papers.
• Whenever you're shopping...anywhere, and you see a great deal, but you don't particularly want it, think of who it would make a good present for...and cross them off your list!
• Find a good hiding place for your gifts. (corner of a closet, storage shed, etc.) Keep them all together, so you don't forget any when it's time to get everything together later in the year. Heck, you can even wrap them now, and get that over with too!

Buying even one gift per month should go a long way towards easing the tension of holiday shopping.

 

Thrifty Living for Families

What I saw on the news this past week almost broke my heart, and underscored how bad things are getting in the US for the average family. There was a family in which the mother had breast cancer and could not work. There were two adult children, and a father. The kids had jobs, but Dad was the main breadwinner. Because of the cost of gasoline, they are doing without things that they need, not just cutting the fat. There is no fat to cut in their budget.

So, more than ever, tips are needed to help us get through these rough economic times. We can't depend on our President to do it, as he and his Vice are too busy counting their ill-gotten millions of dollars in war profits and oil dividends, while we suffer. Anyway, check this site out called
Thrifty Living for Families

Party hardy, frugal folk

By MEGAN HERON
Avenue Writer

So, you want to plan a party without sacrificing your next few paychecks to pay it off? No problem. With a few strategic moves and conscious shopping, you can throw the bash of the year with some change left in your pocket.

First, decide on a theme and shop accordingly.

If you want, say, a pirate-themed party, hit up the local fabric shop. Black and white striped cloth or a deep blood-red color can be used for simple decoration: Use the fabric to cover furniture, protecting it from spills and also adding to the setting. Pick up a few colored light bulbs to enhance the mood, or use a light-colored fabric to drape over lamps.

Buy cheap where you can.

Supplies such as plates and cups can be bought at the dollar store. You can create simple decorations out of construction paper, or print pictures from the Internet. Who wouldn't love a picture of Captain Jack Sparrow hanging on the wall?

Create theme-inspired invitations. Throwing a toga party? Dye the paper with tea bags, and then roll them like scrolls. Another sleek trick: You can only allow people with invitations to the party. Allow them to bring one date, but that's it. This will cut back on the amount of booze and food you'll have to buy.

Suggest BYOB.

If you're on a really tight budget, suggest that your guests bring their own supply. If you do decide to buy alcohol, make some sort of punch - you can buy cheaper alcohol when it's mixed with a variety of juices. Throw in a few apple and orange slices for extra flavor, and the fruit will absorb the alcohol and make for a tasty treat.

Ask your roommates to pitch in.

By hosting the party together, you can split the cost. Another bonus: You'll have people assisting in the planning and decorating.

The one party item you shouldn't skimp on is food. If you're just serving snacks, buy in bulk. Also, keep an eye out for sales. Check the newspaper for coupons and sales that apply to your shopping list.

If you're serving more than just chips and dip, keep the menu simple. With the pirate theme, seafood is a given. Stock up on a variety of seafood, and remember to buy in bulk. If seafood is not your forte, one interesting meal is salmagundi. In 16th century England, it was really just a salad made from whatever was available. Also check online for chili and stew recipes. Most ingredients in these meals are cheap and/or replaceable. Add a bowl of salad and accompany each with dinner rolls and you're set.

For some background entertainment, play a theme-related movie, such as "Pirates of the Caribbean," "Hook" or even "The Goonies."

As guests enter, hand out blank name tags and have them go by a buccaneer name for the night. It might sound cheesy, but it could give you something to "yargh" about.

Why green cars are more frugal

Why green cars are more frugal

Why green cars are more frugal

Why are hybrids more fuel-efficient?

Vancouver Sun

Engine size

A gasoline-hybrid vehicle usually has a smaller engine compared with a conventional car. Most cars have a relatively large engine so that they can handle any driving situation -- called peak power requirement. Most drivers use the peak power of their car less than one per cent of the time. A hybrid's engine is sized closer to the average power requirement than peak power.

Electric motor

The electric motor on most hybrids might only have modest horsepower. Their secret is their torque. The Toyota Prius produces 295 lb.-ft. of torque from 0 to 1,200 r.p.m, which is more than adequate to get the car going without the gasoline engine engaging. A hybrid's smaller gasoline engine is usually powerful enough for it to travel at steady highway speeds. But when it needs to go up a steep hill or start off, it usually needs help.

Energy recovery and charging

Braking is used just to slow down most cars. In a hybrid car, kinetic energy is reclaimed by regenerative braking. Instead of just using brakes, the electric motor assists and, in the process, charges the battery at the same time.

Lightweight materials

A lighter car just means that it requires less energy to move. Lightweight metals such as aluminum are used extensively to keep down weight. From the hood to the alloy wheels, most hybrid cars have less steel than their conventional counterparts. Because some models, like the Prius, use the generator to start the car, it dispenses with heavy components such as the starter.

Aerodynamics

Most hybrids use aerodynamic aids to reduce drag -- the friction of an object travelling through the air. Some cars have smooth bottoms, as well as computer-designed shapes and spoilers to cheat the wind.

Engine shut off

Most hybrids shut off automatically when coming to a stop. The hybrid's battery ensures that accessories continue to run even when the gas engine is switched off. Some can accelerate up to 42 km/h before switching on the gas engine. On others, the gas engine is started once the driver releases the brake pedal.

©The Vancouver Sun 2007

Budgeting For Emergency Funds?

Emergency funds are considered to be a necessity as far as financial security is concerned, since it can provide one with financial resources that one can resort to and depend on when an emergency arises such that when one is sick and have the burden of paying huge medical bills, or unexpected home or major car repair.

When one has no emergency fund, one can be obliged to acquire debt on your credit card that might take several years to repay with interest that would later cost so much more.

However by putting an extra thirty to fifty dollars every month in an individual “emergency savings account” one can be secured with what emergency the future may bring. In doing this, it is recommended that one regards the emergency fund as an additional bill, to be punctually paid each month.

Yes, one can and should budget and allocate the extra money for emergency fund, as this is very significant when one refers to his “financial future”. Here, the goal is to create savings from budgeting your income; the emergency savings should ideally be equal to at least three months your living expenditures.

What's important is that you should steadily put a certain amount of money aside, and only use it for real emergencies.

Not like an investment, the success of one’s long-term savings funds does not really count on the amount of return or interests but on placing a fixed amount of money away constantly and steadily so to have immediate access to it at all times.

In spite of one’s financial status, the initial step in the process of constructing an emergency fund is by knowing where your money is presently being consumed or spent.

When one recognizes and determines where one’s earnings are spent, then it will be easy for one to choose and make a decision where to trim down expenses. In other words, budget.

Budgeting is putting or setting aside money for anticipated and unanticipated future use. It is here that one sets up a goal so as to save. So set an emergency fund as your goal.

Checking, savings, money market accounts and “certificates of deposits”, are great places to keep one’s cash that might be needed on quick notice.

The amount saved from budgeting can either go to your savings goal, emergency fund or both. One could utilize the money saved from budgeting financial expenses by saving half of it to your savings account and half of it for emergencies. This way, you achieve your goals in savings and at the same time put in funds for emergency use. It’s your choice.

Frucall for the Frugal - TMZ.com

Frucall for the Frugal - TMZ.com

Frucall for the Frugal

Posted May 13th 2007 3:01AM by TMZ Staff
Filed under: Z-Gadgets

Don't you hate it when you're at your favorite retailer, nowhere near a computer, and you have no idea if the price you're paying for the latest "Gilmore Girls" DVD is the best price possible? You could run home and check the price online, but with gas prices what they are -- there'd go your savings. Enter Frucall.

Frucall will rescue us from price gouging (just not from gas)! With your cell phone, you can call, text or browse Frucall's free price checking service. Just key-in the bar code number from the product you're interested in, and Frucall will give you online prices and product ratings right on your phone! You can then make your purchase (or not) by knowing the best price available. The best part about Frucall -- it's free!

Now you can do your own dialing for dollars!

It really helps to be handy when your dedicated to saving money.  If you can repair your own equipment or do your own maintenance you get to keep your money away from the repair men and sales people. 

One of the most important things is home maintenance and improvement.  The only problem is building up the confidence to actually do the job.  I was raised doing odd jobs around the house with my father.  He was very good with his hands and was always working on something.  While I am comfortable with a saw and hammer I used to hesitate before getting into any bigger than painting or minor adjustments.  I was always scared of getting in over my had or being the guy who had to call for help halfway though the job.  Then I came across this book, "Home Improvement Tips, Techniques and Ideas Guide"  It is a great book with a real easy to use format.  Its like having my father around to ask questions. 

Here is sample of the table of contents:

Do-It-Yourself Home Improvement Dilemma

• Home Improvement Info to Help You Out
• So How Do You Go About Your Home Improvement Project?
• Quick Overall Ideas
• Five Areas You Need to Consider Before You Start Your Home Improvement Project
• The Most Common Supplies You Need For Your Home Improvement
• 10 Most Important Tools You Need to Stock Your Toolbox With
• The Easy Way To Decide When To Hire Professional Help
• Common Safety Tips for Do-It-Yourselfers
• Free Home Improvement Tips For Do-It-Yourselfers
• Home Improvement Projects
• Bedroom Improvement Tips
• Kitchen Design Strategies
• Buy New Kitchen Cabinets or Reface?
• Bathroom Remodeling Tips
• Types of Flooring
• Refinishing Wood Flooring
• Five Key Things to Consider Before Applying a Grout
• Wallpaper or Painted Mural?
• How To Hang Your Wallpaper Properly
• What is Wainscoting and Why is it so Popular?
• How To Install a Brand New Door in 5 Steps
• Foolproof Ways to Install a New Doorbell
• How to Change your Locks
• Sink and Drain Maintenance
• Hot Water Heater Hook-Ups Made Easy
• Taking Care of Your Furnace
• How to Diagnose a Smoky Fireplace
• Working on Electrical Problems

 If you get a chance to check it out, I really recommend it. Home Improvement Help