The Frugal Life News – 12/01/03

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Archived Message of “The Frugal Life News” Published by The Frugal Life.com

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s************************ SEA HEALTH PLUS by Dr. Barry Sears (Creator of the Zone Diet) As Seen on CBS, ABC and NBC Nutrient-Rich Blend of Whole Foods That Includes: (1) plant source trace minerals to fuel the body’s vital processes (2) natural antioxidants to protect (3) certified aloe vera to soothe. In just 30 seconds a day, SeaHealth Plus provides natural ingredients your body knows, loves and uses to feed, balance and protect you from the wear and tear of a hectic modern life. It even tastes great! Get more info: *********************************** THE FRUGAL LIFE NEWS Published Twice Monthly by Randal Watkins https://www.thefrugallife.com The Frugal Life December 1, 2003 ******************************************* The Frugal Life News is sent to subscribers only. Manage your subscription here: https://www.thefrugallife.com/subscrip.html Manage Sub Please note that with over 24,000 subscribers to this newsletter, we cannot reply to all emails. ****************** A NOTE FROM RANDAL Hello Everyone, Sorry for the delay in getting this issue out to you. I have been making changes and provisions for one of our sites to go to a new hosting company and also we are bringing on a new shopping cart. This has consumed more time than we had planned and with the holidays the days have just seemed to come and go. However, we plan to switch over soon so most of the hard work will be behind us. Please take advantage of the great offer Charlotte Gorman has offered us on The Frugal Mind. She and the publisher have offered The Frugal Life News readers a 50% off special deal on her frugal book. This deal also includes shipping charges too. More details are in the “Frugal Finances” section below. Charlotte has been a great contributor to The Frugal Life News over the years and I am sure The Frugal Mind will give you even more great ideas. Hope your holidays are going well and are both relaxing and fun. We will have one more issue on 12/10/03 and then we will be skipping the issue for 12/26/03. As always, thanks for sharing and subscribing to The Frugal Life News. Until next time, Randal ***************** FRUGAL FINANCES WAYS TO SAVE ON PURCHASING HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCES by Dr. Charlotte Gorman* Although major household appliances usually last for many years, the initial purchase can take a large amount of your money at one time if you pay cash. If you finance the purchase, you will have monthly payments (including interest) for an extended period of time. You will have monthly operating costs (utility bills) to pay also. Below are some suggestions for keeping the costs of appliance purchases at the lowest possible level. 1. Ask yourself: “Do I really need the particular appliance I am thinking about buying?” “Do I really need a freezer, an automatic dishwasher, a clothes dryer, or a trash compactor?” “Could I use the money I don’t spend on the appliance for something I need more?” For example, if you are thinking about buying a freezer, consider such things as the initial cost of the freezer, the cost of electricity to operate the freezer, how full you realistically think you will keep it, how much you could save by purchasing items on sale if you had a freezer in which to store them, how much you could save on the cost of food by buying fresh fruits and vegetables and freezing them yourself, and how much you could save by buying in bulk if you had a freezer. Don’t just assume that a home freezer will save you money on your food bill. Think about how much and what kind of use you will make of the freezer. Do some in-depth reading on freezers at your library before you rush out and buy one. 2. Sometimes replacing a particular appliance will be cheaper in the long run than having it repaired. Make the decision which will give you the greatest financial advantage. 3. Never be afraid or embarrassed to haggle for the best price possible on appliances. You may be surprised at the discount the dealer will be willing to give you. For the rest of the article go here: https://www.thefrugallife.com/frugalappliances.html Ways To Save On Purchasing Applicances PLEASE NOTE: *Dr. Charlotte Gorman is an Extension Agent, Family & Consumer Sciences, Texas Cooperative Extension, Texas A & M University System. She is the author of The Frugal Mind, The Little Book of Living Frugal, and Speak for Yourself. ************************ FRUGAL HOME / GARDENING Children’s wagons make great traveling miniature gardens – especially in the early spring – for lettuces and radishes. Pulling in and out of the garage for protection from cold nights. GOT PETS? Visit Healthy Pet Corner for lots of information, products, and links for birds, cats, dogs, horses, rabbits, and reptiles. http://www.healthypetcorner.com All for Pets ****************** FRUGAL SIMPLICITY CLEAN YOUR SILVER WITH HOUSEHOLD BASICS By Annie B. Bond, author of “Better Basics for the Home” Sparkling clean silver on the Christimas dinner table shimmers and dresses up any decoration. You can clean silver successfully using kitchen cupboard ingredients instead of products with synthetic chemicals. Using household basics may surprise you, but the techniques are easy, tried, and true! From here: MAKE YOUR OWN CLEANING, BATH, and BEAUTY PRODUCTS Here’s a kit with everything you will need to start making your own pampering and cleaning products for pennies with the easy-to-follow recipe guide. http://www.theherbsplace.com/essentialstarter.html Make Your Own *************************** FRUGAL TIPS FROM OUR SUBSCRIBERS I’m new to this message board but wanted to give a little advice to someone looking for frugal wedding ideas.  One I used would be appropriate for petite brides.  I wanted a full-length dress, but at 4’11” (I wish!), everything in normal sizes overwhelmed me and was expensive to alter.  One sales woman suggested a “tea” length dress and found one that was supposed to be just below the knee in front and floor length in back.  On me, it was floor length in front with a small “train” in back.  It was perfect and much, much cheaper than anything else I had looked at.  Because I have small feet, I wore little girl dress shoes (size 3).  I carried a small bouquet of silk flowers–a large one would have overwhelmed me.     I called several photographers until I found one in my home town 1 1/2 hours away who was willing to come that afternoon and still charge less than anyone local.  A few years before a student had made a photo album for me which I used instead of an overpriced album from the photo studio.   Our church offered printed programs at no extra charge.  Mom and I made the bird seed bags.  She also crocheted my garter, a basket for the seed bags, and several other objects.  My matron of honor chose her own outfit which she really could wear later (as I had  for her wedding).  Our reception was very simple; what I kept calling a “Baptist” reception–cake, punch (no alcohol allowed in the fellowship hall), mints, and nuts (all bought on sale at local stores).  A group of church ladies took care of the food details for a small donation.  I’ve also been to several weddings where friends and church members brought covered dishes for the reception.   There are ways to pare down expenses.  You are just as married without all the extra money.  Besides, I’ve seen too many families spend a fortune on an elaborate wedding only to have the couple divorce just a few years later. If the family wants to spend money on a young couple, wouldn’t it be better spent on something they need like a house, furniture, appliances, etc.? **************************** WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE FORUM? Maybe you can help these folks out with a few suggestions? Or post some of your own questions. LOG-IN TO POST Here’s the link: https://www.thefrugallife.com/bulletinboard.html href=”http://www.healthypetcorner.com/HPN/busopform.html”> Life’s Abundance HOME SPA PARTY PLAN – MAKE BATH & 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 will learn how to make bath salts, personalized perfumes, body spritzers and more using essential oils, while you make a nice income from Nature’s Sunshine. http://www.theherbsplace.com/essentialspa.html