A NOTE FROM RANDAL

Hello Everyone!

Spring is just around the corner. We have a few signs of Spring here in Virginia. Most gardeners have been waiting all winter for Spring to come and are really ready to get out there and dig. For others, deep cleaning, clearing out and organizing comes to mind. Regardless this issue hold many topics relative to Spring and making your life a bit simpler and certainly more frugal.

Thanks for sharing this newsletter with others so we can continue to grow.

Springtime thoughts,
Randal

FRUGAL SHOPPING

We have used this service and found it to be helpful and economical. Between now and March 31st, they have a great promotional program that is FREE. All new members of Ebates will receive a $10.00 bonus after they have made their first qualifying purchase.

If you are going to shop anyway, this is a great way to get a rebate back on your purchases. Just make it a habit to use their service, and you will be informed if there are rebates on the products you are searching for.

Here is the link to get started:

WHAT'S GOING ON IN THE FORUM

Add your advice for these questions at The Frugal Life Forum. Ask your own questions or leave your favorite frugal tips while you are there.

Cleaning

1. Wax on Concrete Mantels

Please if anyone can help me. I have a concrete mantel (which I absolutely hate) and I burn candles all the time. some of the wax spilled over and looks like it stained the concrete. I already scraped off the wax, this is what is left over. Any suggestions?

Miscellaneous

1. 60 And Looking For A New Job But How

I'm 60 years old, moved to the south and looking for a job but finding a lot of discrimination (hidden). I'm signed up with many agencies, have a degree in business and lots of experience and skills, but the few interviews I've had come off with remarks like, "well, you're not a spring chicken..." i don't want to just sit around the house and do nothing. I have a lot of energy, talent and spirit. Anyone have any ideas to help me?

Recycle / Reuse

1. Drying Plastic Bags

Does anyone know where I can get a device for drying more than one plastic bag at a time. I saw one with four dowels that had little soft figurines on top so bags would stay open. Does anyone have any other ideas? What do you do? I'm always in a hurry but hate to toss these out. thanks so much!

FRUGAL PEST CONTROL

Donna just spent a few weeks in the rainforest and she had a gecko at her cabin door that she considered her Gecko Angel. There are some huge roaches in Costa Rica and geckos are known to love them. She had 19 days in that cabin room and never saw a roach, but noticed the gecko (who feeds at night like roaches) around her door many times. We're not in favor of taking geckos from the wild, or having pets that you are not prepared to care for, but there are home-bred geckos and they can live happily in your home taking care of more than just roaches. Be sure you learn more about them before you consider this option.

What we've used in the past for roaches is a recipe to make Roach Balls. It worked and has worked for many others we've given it to.

Roach Balls

1/2 cup boric acid (purchased at pharmacy)
2 T. granulated sugar
2 T. chopped onion
2T. shortening
1 teaspoon water (if needed for consistency)

Blend in bowl till consistency like dough. Then roll into balls. Put a ball inside a small paper cup and place where you have roach problem. They eat the balls and carry them back to other roaches. The roaches die providing food for other bugs that eat dead bugs. This recipe will make about 25 balls. You can freeze extras. Be sure to keep out of reach of pets and children.

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FRUGAL FINANCES

Need Help With Finances?

Check out the Frugal Law Student website. Good for students or non students just have to have an interest in managing your finances better.

Tips and Articles on Finances

FRUGAL COMMUNICATIONS

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FRUGAL DECORATING

Making A Porch Bench

Hi everyone, I have some thing I made recently and had many compliments on. A porch bench!! I found 2 old iron dining room chairs in the back yard when I moved. I took off the seats, I painted them white, put the chairs facing each other, cut a piece of plywood the length and width (1/4 inch wider on each side), screwed two 1x4's on each side for the front and back. I got sponge batting and an old sheet to cover the plywood stapled it to the plywood and screwed the plywood to the two chairs from the seats of the chairs. I then went to a garage sale (I love garage sales)! I found a wicker head board for $5 and screwed it to the back of the bench. it was so pretty everyone wanted to know where to get one like it. Kajunbelle

FRUGAL TIPS

Using Printed Boxes Again

First, I apologize for not posting this prior to the holidays, but that is when I discovered this. I had more packages to mail than I did boxes for them. And it seemed that good sturdy boxes were way too emblazed with graphics or printing. So I took these boxes apart and using the same folds, reconstructed them "inside-out" therefore putting the clean side out and ready for addressing. You can use regular white glue, since you are gluing paper product, but to speed things up, I used an extra tacky glue. The shipping tape then gave it further support anyway. Through the year, I'll simply take apart boxes that I may use next year and reconstruct them as needed. Best part is - I won't have to BUY any (hopefully).

Search The Frugal Life Forum for answers to your questions or to share tips with other frugal folks.

FRUGAL ORGANIZING

With all of the organizational supplies being sold and businesses that are springing up to help people organize, it's obvious we simply have too much stuff. It's impossible to organize if you've got more things than you really have use for. It won't stay organized for long. Maybe an article from our website will help you to know how to get your stuff under control. Here's some topics available:

10 Simple ways to Clear Clutter from your Home and Office

10 Reasons Why You Should Get Organized

Clutter Addiction

Clutter Side Effects - How the State of Your Home Affects Your Life

Treasured Keepsakes or Clutter? A Look at Memorabilia

Systematize and Simplify

Clutter & Organizing

Blackberry Ballet - Tackling Projects One Step At a Time

Discovering Bonus Storage Space - Right In Your Own Home

How To Organize Better!

Letting Go of Clutter In Your Office

Opt-Out of Junk Mail and Tele-Marketing Calls

Why Such a Fuss Over Junk Mail?

FRUGAL GARDENING

We all know that vinegar has a hundred uses in the home, but it can be used in the garden also.

Kill Grass and Weeds
Use full strength in any area where you do not want anything to grow. Be careful not to put it on a slope that will cause it to run down into an area that you want things to grow in. This stuff really works, so use it carefully. You can apply it with a spray bottle.

Dirty Planter and Pots
Planters and pots begin to look old and crummy with the salt buildup from watering. Soak the stains in full strength vinegar. You can use a sponge to soak and then to rub off.

Ant Repellent
Full strength vinegar will keep ants from going into the house if you spray around doorways or any opening you know exists. You'll have to reapply at least two times a week, so leave the bottle right inside the door to remind you.

Freshen Your Cut Flowers
Vinegar helps flowers to last longer in the vase. Add about 1 T. to 2 cups of water and also add 1 a pinch of sugar.

FRUGAL PETS

Healthy Pet Foods

Pet food ingredients can create a lot of health problems for our pets, and that can cost a lot of money with recurring health issues feeding that drain our budgets for the veterinarian. Be an informed pet owner when it comes to what's in pet foods. You already know that you feel better if you eat right. Help them to feel better too. View this video or site to be an informed pet owner.

Natural Remedies and Herbal Heartworm Programs

Yes, there are natural ways to deal with heartworms and there are herbal prevention programs also. Get more info on heartworms.

Pet Topics Information Site

Healthy Pet Corner provides informational links for dogs, cats, birds, horses, rabbits, and reptiles. Visit Healthy Pet Corner.

FRUGAL LEARNING

Singing Success At-Home Study Course

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COPYRIGHT, LEGAL DISCLAIMER & REPRINT INFO
© 2003-2008 Randal J. Watkins

Information in The Frugal Life News (TFL) has been derived from sources believed accurate and reliable. In no event shall *The Frugal Life,* Randal Watkins, or the corporate sponsor, Sunshine Life Center, Inc. staff be liable for any damages whatsoever resulting from any action arising in connection with the use of information herein.

There is no remuneration for suggestions, tips, or ideas submitted by readers. All suggestions, tips, and ideas, submitted for publication in The Frugal Life, become the property of The Frugal Life, notwithstanding similar rights of the reader submitting such suggestions, tips, or ideas. TFL publishes readers' names with their suggestions, tips, and ideas unless a reader requests otherwise at the time of the submission.

Forwarding and Use of This Newsletter
You may forward this newsletter in its entirety and/or use this copyrighted newsletter on a website if you include the following credit with an active link:

Editor, Randal J. Watkins, of TheFrugalLife.com, provides this free newsletter to subscribers. Visit The Frugal Life website to subscribe or find frugal information to live well on what you already have.