Archived Message of “The Frugal Life
News”
Published by The Frugal Life.com
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The Frugal Life News
June 26, 2005 Edition
www.thefrugallife.com
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A Note From Randal
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Hello Everyone,
Welcome new subscribers and thanks to all of you who have been sharing The Frugal Life News with others! Being Frugal is, for us, not just an ideal but it truly is our way of life. For this reason, one of our hopes is that you will use our sites and ezines to be better stewards of what you have been given.
For instance, when we go out of town and stay for an extended stay at a hotel or motel we make sure that we don’t have our sheets and towels changed out. This doesn’t save us money, per se, but it does help us feel better about what usage of the Earth’s resources are being used to accommodate our needs.
So remember, being frugal isn’t always about saving you money but it may be to save others money instead and conserve the Earth’s resources too.
Have a great 4th of July celebration.
Frugally yours,
Randal
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Frugal Finances
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The Secret to Keeping Your Budget on Track – by Darlene Arechederra
B-u-d-g-e-t. The very word can cause us to tremble in our new boots! But a hard-working soul need not fear. There’s a simple way to win the battle of the budget. It’s great fun, and what better time to get started! So what’s the secret? Build some rewards and fun into your budget!
Think this tip is too simple to be effective? Consider the last time you blew your budget. You were probably zipping along just fine. Life was great. A month later, you slipped up just a bit. Two months later, boom! Your budget’s blown, big time. How long did it take you to get back on track after that?
Think back on your most recent project. Was there a reward waiting for you after completion? If not, did you feel as if the project took forever, with no light at the end of the tunnel? Your rewards will serve as a mini-light at the end of your tunnel.
How to Set Up Your Goodies List
Here’s where the fun starts. Your Goodies List will be your own personal list of rewards, fun, or items you’d like to buy or do. Jot down some things that excite you, things you can look forward to. Why? Because there’s no budget on the earth that will work if you have no motivation to keep going.
How to Use Your Goodies List to Motivate You
For every month (or week) you’re able to stay on track with your budget, reward yourself with one item from your Goodies List. Keep your reward in a range you can easily afford (just make sure it’s enough to motivate you.) Try $40 or less for a monthly reward. For weekly, try $10. Even $5 can energize you.
In the past, you might have felt as if you were giving up things to stay on track. You’ll find that . . .
For more details go here
Free Lesson #1 – Debt Freedom Course
Pay off all of your debt in 5-7 years using the money you already make. Find out why financial guru and best-selling author, Suze Orman, is advising her millions of followers to “Pay Everything Off as Fast As Possible!”
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Frugal Home Communications
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Frugal Gardening
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Fabulous Time Saving Garden Decor Ideas
More people than not over plant their property. Whether it is in the flower garden or part of their foundation-planting scheme. A few years go by and they find themselves “overgrown” and having to dig out the chain saw and shovel to get a handle on things.
This makes for much more work than what it’s worth, plus it looks awful! When you’re out driving around the neighborhood, take a look at people’s homes. You’ll see exactly what I mean.
It’s best to place your “chosen ones” carefully. Take the time to really think about what it is you want. This article by Joanne Bennett will give you some ideas to simplify the process of establishing your garden’s decor.
https://www.thefrugallife.com/gardendecor.html
Garden Décor Ideas
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Frugal How-To
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How To Make Your Own Baby Products
Want to know how you can make safe, non toxic baby wipes, baby oil and teething gel for your baby?
Just go here for more information:
http://www.theherbsplace.com/essentialchildren.html
Make Your Own Baby Products
Make Your Own Home, Bath and Beauty Products
Essential oil kits allow you to make your own safe non-chemical home and beauty products. Making your home less toxic for yourself, children and pets.
http://www.theherbsplace.com/essentialkits.html
Make Your Own Home and Beauty Products
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Frugal Decorating
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Discovering Bonus Storage Space – Right In Your Own Home – by Lois Breneman
All of us have probably said how we need more storage space in our homes. First of all, getting rid of all those things we really don’t need will cut way down on the needed storage space. Then how about investigating every available space in your home and putting it to good use if you are still in need of more storage space? In many cases it is available and just waiting to be found! Here are some clues as to where you can discover extra bonus space right in your own home!
Hang a clear vinyl pocket organizer inside the linen closet to hold bandaids, small tubes of medications, a thermometer, ball syringes, etc. Everything will be easy to see and locate quickly when needed.
Hang another clear vinyl pocket organizer inside the coat closet for sunglasses, gloves, scarves, fold up umbrellas, etc.
Hang more clear vinyl pocket organizers inside your children’s closet doors, unless the doors are louvered. I’m sure you will agree that small things stored in these pockets are so much better than scattered all around their rooms! And everything will all be visible through the clear vinyl!
If you are in the process of building or remodeling your home, you may want to consider adding one built-in locker for each family member – near the door, all in a row. I have seen this plan carried out in the home of a friend and the mother raved how they all loved the convenience of keeping each person’s coat, boots, gloves, school books, backpack, etc. right by the door. The mother also loved how each person was responsible for his or her own personal locker! A great idea!
If you have a deep closet or pantry where things seem to get lost, store items on trays that can be pulled out, so you have full access to everything and are able to find what you need.
Small round wooden tables that can be purchased for as little as $5 (on sale) can provide lovely hidden storage! With a round tablecloth draped down to the floor, no one will ever know what you have hidden there and it provides a nice decorative touch to a bedroom, living room, family room, great room, dining room or sunroom. A round piece of glass can be purchased to set on top of the tablecloth for protection from spills. A large round lacy doily or a smaller square piece of contrasting fabric placed over the tablecloth can change the whole appearance.
Use empty decorative ceramic containers for storage, as well as decoration. Examples: Pretty ginger jars, covered ceramic dishes, vases or teapots. Painted milk cans can hold umbrellas.
In the bathroom install shelves to set on or above the tank of the commode for additional space. Every bathroom can use more storage and this is an excellent space to use.
Use a hanging shelf that slips over the shower head to hold shampoo, conditioner and razors.
A shallow overhead shelf or two up high at the end of the bathtub is another possibility.
Slide under-the-bed boxes — where else but under the beds! I’m sure you can think of something to store in those (gifts, out-of-season shoes or clothing, etc.).
Have you thought of . . .
For more decorating ideas go here:
https://www.thefrugallife.com/bonus_storage.html
Discovering Bonus Storage Space
Deodorize While You Kill Bacteria and Viruses
Get the anti-microbial properties of essential plant oils so you can kill germs without bleach and toxic cleaning products. The plug-in AromaBall makes it quick and easy.
http://www.theherbsplace.com/essentialaroma.html
AromaBall for Deodorizer and Anti-Microbial Home Defense
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Frugal Pets
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Herbal Heartworm Program and Prevention
Robin Sockness works with pet owners with an individualized program and has currently worked with over 700 dogs. Herbs are safer and less expensive so it’s a win-win situation for all. Prevention programs available.
http://www.theherbsplace.com/heartworm.html
Herbal Heartworm Program & Prevention
Pet Information, Links and Natural Foods
Healthy Pet Corner provides lots of information and links for dogs, cats, birds, horses, rabbits, and reptiles.
http://www.healthypetcorner.com/ecards.html
Healthy Pet Corner
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Frugal Tips From Our Subscribers
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Cat Hair Off Furniture Tip
Use a Bounce (or Downy) dryer sheet to clean the cat hair off furniture. It
works great and just clumps the hair together and sticks to the dryer sheet.
Your guests will love you.
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Home Based Business Ideas
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Nature’s Sunshine Products – Herbs and Supplements
Earn an income selling over 500 natural health products, beverages, essential oils, skin care systems, water filters, and more. Websites for $11.95/month.
http://www.theherbsplace.com/busop.html
Nature’s Sunshine Products
Home Spa Party Plan – Make Bath and Body Products
Have you noticed how popular bath and pampering products have become? The HomeSpa Party Plan taps into that craze. Guests at HomeSpa parties learn how to make bath salts, personalized perfumes, body spritzers and more using essential oils, while you make a nice income.
http://www.theherbsplace.com/essentialspa.html
Home Spa Party
Flint River Ranch – Oven Baked Pet Foods
Make additional income providing healthy pet foods and bones to friends, neighbors and family. Pets keep eating, so customers keep buying. If you love animals, this is a very rewarding home-based business. With only $100.00 volume a month you earn 19% on all sales.
http://www.healthypetcorner.com/FRR/busop.html
Flint River Ranch
Life’s Abundance Foods and Supplements
Formulated by Dr. Jane Bicks and Dr. Barry Sears who developed the Zone Diet for Overweight Dogs. Besides dog, cat and horse products, they have a non-toxic line of cleaning products – safe for pets and children. Websites available for $8.50/month.
http://www.healthypetcorner.com/HPN/busopform.html
Healthy Pet Net
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If you enjoyed what you read today, please forward this newsletter to your
friends!
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Copyright, Legal Disclaimer and Reprint Information
© 2005 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 TFL staff be liable for any damages whatsoever resulting from any action arising in connection with the use of information herein.
TFL does not knowingly accept ads from advertisers deemed detrimental to TFL’s readers, however, publication of an ad in TFL does not constitute an endorsement for such product or service.
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 or use this copyrighted newsletter on a website if you include the following credit:
Editor, Randal J. Watkins, of TheFrugalLife.com, provides this free
newsletter to subscribers. The Frugal Life is sponsored by TheHerbsPlace.com
which provides quality Nature’s Sunshine Products at wholesale prices. Visit
now to shop or view the list of free newsletters available.
http://www.theherbsplace.com
The Herbs Place