There are many things to love about autumn. It could be the leaves, turning into glorious shades of red and gold or the fresh mushrooms picked from a field and eaten for breakfast still damp from the morning dew. It could be the horse chestnuts and the memories of conker battles in the playground. Or it could be the reassuring smell of burnt wood as the stove crackles in the corner.
A wood burning stove gives off a friendly orange glow which lights up the entire room. It feels warm and personal which is why animals love sitting in front of them, basking in the warmth. There are many different stoves available in the marketplace. From the traditional cast-iron wood burner to stylish contemporary designs there is an option for everyone. And where would we be without roasted chestnuts at Christmas? Roasting them over a fire gives them a delightfully piquant flavor, something you cannot replicate in the oven. Even roasting hazelnuts is much easier with a wood burning stove as long as you are careful and wrap them in foil first. Jacket potatoes in October with lashings of butter is another favorite, especially when straight from the fire.
Often the choice to get a wood burning stove lies in the availability of the fuel, the chimney arrangements of the house and the space to store the wood. It's worth noting that even if you live in an area where the smoke from fires is controlled by your local council or authority, there are certain types of wood burners that are exempt from the usual restrictions because they burn fuel very efficiently. So enquire at your local stove dealer who is best placed to advise you.
Sometimes wood can be sourced from local joiners or factories who would otherwise send it to landfill. Alternatively, you may ask a local landowner if there is any excess wood that you can cart away. Prices of wood may vary depending on where you live but managed carefully it can be a cheaper option than gas or oil. Most importantly, wood is an environmentally friendly fuel unlike coal or oil and can be sourced locally.
Whilst it is easy to buy split logs, there is a lot of fun to be had splitting your own logs. The exercise is great and it's a simple but surprisingly satisfying way to spend an hour - especially when something is on your mind.
A wood burning stove is so much more than a heat source. It's a memory, a style and, for so many, something they wouldn't change for the world.
Notes for editors: Claire recommends Wood Burn Stoves who offer
Wood Stoves
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Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Monday, October 25, 2010
Free Camping & Dutch Oven Recipes
We are all going to have to cook by campfire or by using a Dutch Oven sometime. I found a ton of recipes online for this. Great ideas, tips, and recipes for campfire cooking. There are a ton of free recipes online. Print them off and start cooking!!
FREE CAMPING RECIPES
FREE DUTCH OVEN RECIPES
FREE CAMPING RECIPES
FREE DUTCH OVEN RECIPES
Thursday, October 21, 2010
How You Can Benefit From Solar Cooking
Solar cooking may be well known for being environmentally friendly mainly because it doesn't use electricity, fossil fuel, charcoal, or wood, but it certainly has a lot more to offer.
One advantage of using this type of household cooking is that the solar ovens are easily portable, allowing you to carry them almost anywhere. You can carry use them in the yard, in the park during picnics, or on the beach while on road trip vacation.
Another benefit is the huge amount of time that you get to save from using solar ovens. You don't have to spend much time preparing, tending or even cleaning up the food after cooking. This is because solar ovens are designed to produce even temperature that keeps the food from burning or from being overcooked. As a result, you get to enjoy and eat perfectly and evenly thawed and cooked food.
You also use this cooking implement during power outages. Because it doesn't make use of electricity, you can still boil water and cook food even during power outages.
Moreover, solar cooking is one of the most inexhaustible and least polluting means of cooking food. This cooking method is advantageous both for people living in tropical countries and those in colder regions.
Most importantly, solar cooking doesn't emit harmful elements into the environment that can be harmful to human health. Because it doesn't make use of charcoal or wood, there are no harmful chemicals or gas released to the environment, reducing or even eliminating the risk of acquiring various lung diseases, such as pneumonia, tuberculosis, and lung cancer.
Resource Box:
Sun Ovens International is a global manufacturer and distributor of solar cooking equipment called solar ovens. Based in Elburn, Illinois, the company touts solar powered ovens as the perfect alternative to traditional cooking devices not only because they are environmentally friendly, but they also can improve the taste of food. For more information, visit SunOven.com or call 1-630-208-7273.
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One advantage of using this type of household cooking is that the solar ovens are easily portable, allowing you to carry them almost anywhere. You can carry use them in the yard, in the park during picnics, or on the beach while on road trip vacation.
Another benefit is the huge amount of time that you get to save from using solar ovens. You don't have to spend much time preparing, tending or even cleaning up the food after cooking. This is because solar ovens are designed to produce even temperature that keeps the food from burning or from being overcooked. As a result, you get to enjoy and eat perfectly and evenly thawed and cooked food.
You also use this cooking implement during power outages. Because it doesn't make use of electricity, you can still boil water and cook food even during power outages.
Moreover, solar cooking is one of the most inexhaustible and least polluting means of cooking food. This cooking method is advantageous both for people living in tropical countries and those in colder regions.
Most importantly, solar cooking doesn't emit harmful elements into the environment that can be harmful to human health. Because it doesn't make use of charcoal or wood, there are no harmful chemicals or gas released to the environment, reducing or even eliminating the risk of acquiring various lung diseases, such as pneumonia, tuberculosis, and lung cancer.
Resource Box:
Sun Ovens International is a global manufacturer and distributor of solar cooking equipment called solar ovens. Based in Elburn, Illinois, the company touts solar powered ovens as the perfect alternative to traditional cooking devices not only because they are environmentally friendly, but they also can improve the taste of food. For more information, visit SunOven.com or call 1-630-208-7273.
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Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Does a Solar Battery Charger Actually Work?
A solar battery charger could soon as common as the cellular phone as technology continues to emerge in an effort to become a world that is more environmentally friendly.
How many times have you pulled out your cell phone or camera to use it and find that the battery or batteries are dead? It's frustrating, isn't it? A battery charger powered by the sun could be just what you need to keep that from happening again!
Why Choose a Solar Powered Battery Charger?
These gadgets are invaluable when it comes to powering up small appliances such as cellular phones, laptops, cameras, and more. What are the benefits?
* You'll have power readily available in remote locations where AC power is not available
* Solar battery chargers utilize renewable, clean energy - the sun's rays
* No need to return to the store yet again to purchase more batteries that will eventually need to be disposed of into the landfill and damage the environment
* An excellent and convenient way to go green and create less of an environmental footprint on the world
* Save money - on batteries, electricity, and gasoline
* Back up battery stores extra power even when not in use
Let's talk about why battery chargers powered by the sun are convenient to have no matter where you go. You could be in the city, the suburbs, or rural areas and a solar charger is going to provide power to your small appliance as long as the sun is shining. Many people have discovered that solar chargers can be invaluable in an emergency too.
We all know that children of today take along some sort of electrical gadget on vacation or trips to keep occupied, right? No matter what your destination, a solar battery charger can recharge an iPod, MP3 player, laptop, cell phone, or hand-held game after a long trip.
Do Solar Power Battery Chargers Really Work?
Yes, they do! Portable solar panels can provide even more power for larger appliances like cameras, laptops, and cellular phones. Smaller items like MP3 players and the like can usually charge pretty well with lower cost chargers. Higher priced solar chargers seem to receive the best customer reviews, especially when it comes to recharging cellular phones.
However, keep a few things in mind...
Obviously, if the sun is not shining, then using a solar charger is not going to work. The cost of a quality solar battery charger is $50-$250, depending on what it is you want to use it for and how much power you require.
Cellular phones require a lot more power than people think, so if you use your phone often and require it to be charged regularly, you may want to consider a universal hybrid solar charger. This type of solar charger can utilize both electric and the sun's energy.
Technology is gaining ground in the area of solar battery chargers, but there are still a few challenges with them. As long as you know and understand how they work, you may discover it's just the right fit for your going green lifestyle.
M.S. Rochell is the editor of http://www.Go-Green-Solar-Energy.com which offers education and inspiration on the benefits of going green with solar energy, DIY solar power, and affordable solar energy solutions. Please visit for more solar battery charger and portable solar tips, and for our free Affordable Solar Energy eBooks.
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Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Ten Ways to Use Less Energy
Lowering your energy use at your residence will also minimize pollution (from burning fossil fuels) on a worldwide scale and save you money. Methods to save energy are simple to implement and, when carried out, go a very long way.
1. Turn down the Thermostat
An effortless solution that will save you cash and save energy is to turn down the heat. Lowering your heat in cold weather by just only two degrees can cut your energy bill by almost 10 percent. Acquire an automatic or programmable thermostat to make it simple to save on heating. Program it to turn down when you're absent from home or you are asleep, and to turn back up half an hour before you'll be up and about.
2. Disconnect Gizmos
Electronic gear and devices consume energy even when they are off. They've in fact been called energy suckers.
Americans waste $1 billion a year powering items like TVs and DVD players despite the fact that they're turned off.
Therefore, unplug your Television, stereo, PC, microwave, and additional devices when you're not using them. Make sure to disconnect your cell-phone and MP3 chargers as soon as they are charged.
3. Set Computers to Sleep and Hibernate
Enable the "sleep mode" feature on your computer, permitting it to consume less energy during durations of inactivity. In Windows, the power management settings are found on your control panel.
Set your PC to "hibernate" routinely after thirty minutes or so of inactivity. The "hibernate mode" turns the PC off in a method that doesn't require you to boot everything when you turn it back on. Allowing your PC to hibernate saves energy and is more time-efficient than shutting down and restarting your computer. After you're done for the day, shut down.
4. Clean Clothes Efficiently
90%, of the energy consumed in the washing of clothes goes to heat the water, so washing in cold is an easy way to cut energy use dramatically. Wash just complete loads. When drying, be certain to check the lint screen prior to each load and clean it afterward. Furthermore, if you wish to take efficiency a step further, suspend some or most items and let them air-dry instead of running them through the dryer.
5.Take shorter showers and don't have baths
Hot water heating is one of the major uses of energy in any home. Showers are the best way save on energy consumption. Baths use much more water and heat than do baths unless you also decide to take very long showers.
6. Eat a smaller amount of Meat
Meat production requires plenty more energy and resources than raising vegetables or grains. In actual fact, eighteen percent of human-caused greenhouse gases comes from the livestock business. You need not have to be a true vegetarian to make a change in this area. Attempt skipping meat just one day a week. If every American had one meat-free day a week, it would cut emissions as much as taking eight million automobiles off the roads.
7. Do not drive to car often or leave it completely
Automobiles devour half of the world's oil, and spew 25% of the world's greenhouse-gas emissions. Leaving your car at home even one day per week will save a lot of gas and reduce emissions. Attempt walking, cycling, carpooling, or taking the bus or subway. See if you can telecommute to work one day a week. Before you drive, be certain your tires are correctly inflated -- underinflated tires will cut your gas mileage by 5 percent.
8. Slash your flights.
Nothing else you do leads to so much climate change in such a short period of time
9. Try green living
Choose one small assignment you can perform in the house to cut back energy consumption. Substitute regular light bulbs with compact fluorescent light bulbs. CFLs consume roughly 1/5 as much energy as normal bulbs, and last about twelve times longer. Install a low-flow shower head that can save on water heating and use. Lessen the temperature of your water heater to one hundred twenty degrees, and insulate the boiler.
10. Repair the drafts
In an average house, up to twenty percent of warmth is lost through drafts. To experiment an area, simply hold the palm of your hand up alongside a door or window. If you feel cold air coming through, warm air is escaping. This is easy to repair and can save you hundreds on your yearly heating bill. In addition, to cut overall home energy consumption, you can also use highly reflective materials to lower surface temperatures of your roof by up to one hundred degrees. Cool roof methods perform best on smaller buildings in sunnier environments.
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1. Turn down the Thermostat
An effortless solution that will save you cash and save energy is to turn down the heat. Lowering your heat in cold weather by just only two degrees can cut your energy bill by almost 10 percent. Acquire an automatic or programmable thermostat to make it simple to save on heating. Program it to turn down when you're absent from home or you are asleep, and to turn back up half an hour before you'll be up and about.
2. Disconnect Gizmos
Electronic gear and devices consume energy even when they are off. They've in fact been called energy suckers.
Americans waste $1 billion a year powering items like TVs and DVD players despite the fact that they're turned off.
Therefore, unplug your Television, stereo, PC, microwave, and additional devices when you're not using them. Make sure to disconnect your cell-phone and MP3 chargers as soon as they are charged.
3. Set Computers to Sleep and Hibernate
Enable the "sleep mode" feature on your computer, permitting it to consume less energy during durations of inactivity. In Windows, the power management settings are found on your control panel.
Set your PC to "hibernate" routinely after thirty minutes or so of inactivity. The "hibernate mode" turns the PC off in a method that doesn't require you to boot everything when you turn it back on. Allowing your PC to hibernate saves energy and is more time-efficient than shutting down and restarting your computer. After you're done for the day, shut down.
4. Clean Clothes Efficiently
90%, of the energy consumed in the washing of clothes goes to heat the water, so washing in cold is an easy way to cut energy use dramatically. Wash just complete loads. When drying, be certain to check the lint screen prior to each load and clean it afterward. Furthermore, if you wish to take efficiency a step further, suspend some or most items and let them air-dry instead of running them through the dryer.
5.Take shorter showers and don't have baths
Hot water heating is one of the major uses of energy in any home. Showers are the best way save on energy consumption. Baths use much more water and heat than do baths unless you also decide to take very long showers.
6. Eat a smaller amount of Meat
Meat production requires plenty more energy and resources than raising vegetables or grains. In actual fact, eighteen percent of human-caused greenhouse gases comes from the livestock business. You need not have to be a true vegetarian to make a change in this area. Attempt skipping meat just one day a week. If every American had one meat-free day a week, it would cut emissions as much as taking eight million automobiles off the roads.
7. Do not drive to car often or leave it completely
Automobiles devour half of the world's oil, and spew 25% of the world's greenhouse-gas emissions. Leaving your car at home even one day per week will save a lot of gas and reduce emissions. Attempt walking, cycling, carpooling, or taking the bus or subway. See if you can telecommute to work one day a week. Before you drive, be certain your tires are correctly inflated -- underinflated tires will cut your gas mileage by 5 percent.
8. Slash your flights.
Nothing else you do leads to so much climate change in such a short period of time
9. Try green living
Choose one small assignment you can perform in the house to cut back energy consumption. Substitute regular light bulbs with compact fluorescent light bulbs. CFLs consume roughly 1/5 as much energy as normal bulbs, and last about twelve times longer. Install a low-flow shower head that can save on water heating and use. Lessen the temperature of your water heater to one hundred twenty degrees, and insulate the boiler.
10. Repair the drafts
In an average house, up to twenty percent of warmth is lost through drafts. To experiment an area, simply hold the palm of your hand up alongside a door or window. If you feel cold air coming through, warm air is escaping. This is easy to repair and can save you hundreds on your yearly heating bill. In addition, to cut overall home energy consumption, you can also use highly reflective materials to lower surface temperatures of your roof by up to one hundred degrees. Cool roof methods perform best on smaller buildings in sunnier environments.
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Monday, October 18, 2010
Homemade Cough & Cold Remedy
It is getting to be that time of year again where everyone in our house is sniffing and coughing and just plain miserable. I have decided that this year I will tryout some home remedies. I will share some of the recipes with my readers of this blog.
Here is the first one:
Ginger Tea
* 1 inch or so fresh ginger root, sliced thin or grated
* 1/2 a fresh lemon, sliced (peel & all)
* 1 clove garlic, mashed
* ~2 c water
* Very generous spoonful honey
Place water, ginger, lemon, & garlic in saucepan; bring to boil, then turn down heat and simmer gently for 20 min. Strain into mugs and add lots of honey. The tea will get stronger if you let it sit! Most invigorating!
The garlic adds a bit of bitterness, but the honey masks that. This tea is very soothing to the throat and warms and opens the chest and nasal passages. Plus there are a lot of those vitamins and other good things! Make this tea at the first sign of a cold. It is a lot more effective than the commercial hot lemon remedies, and of course cheaper!
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Here is the first one:
Ginger Tea
* 1 inch or so fresh ginger root, sliced thin or grated
* 1/2 a fresh lemon, sliced (peel & all)
* 1 clove garlic, mashed
* ~2 c water
* Very generous spoonful honey
Place water, ginger, lemon, & garlic in saucepan; bring to boil, then turn down heat and simmer gently for 20 min. Strain into mugs and add lots of honey. The tea will get stronger if you let it sit! Most invigorating!
The garlic adds a bit of bitterness, but the honey masks that. This tea is very soothing to the throat and warms and opens the chest and nasal passages. Plus there are a lot of those vitamins and other good things! Make this tea at the first sign of a cold. It is a lot more effective than the commercial hot lemon remedies, and of course cheaper!
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Alcohol Camping Stoves
Alcohol camping stoves are the perfect choice for the backpacker looking for a small, lightweight, easy-to-use and inexpensive stove.
The alcohol camping stoves are very simple, they have very little moving parts, no jets or orifices to clog and clean. Alcohol is a renewable resource and is a non-petroleum based product. If you have a spill in your backpack, it will evaporate quickly, leaving no tell-tale odor. It's the perfect "green" fuel.
Ok, let's look at the pros and cons for the alcohol camping stoves...
PRO
1. Simple - No Pumping, Pressurizing, Priming or Pre-lighting.
2. Fuel - Renewable, Evaporates quickly, Burns clean (no soot), Not oily or smelly.
3. Lightweight - Can weigh as little as a few ounces.
4. Reliable - They light first time every time, as long as you guard your match against the wind.
5. Safety - Fuel evaporates quickly and will not explode (non-inflammable).
6. Fuel Transport - Easy; can be carried in a plastic bottle. Do not use an untreated aluminum bottle. If you're not sure, don't use it. See the note at the bottom of the page.
7. Fuel Availability - Everywhere; can be found in drug stores to hardware stores.
8. Noise - Very quiet and generally cannot be heard. This can also be a con.
CON
1. Noise - As I said above, being quiet can be a pro or a con. Pro in that it is quiet, but a Con because you sometimes cannot tell if you have a flame or not.
2. Flame - Alcohol burns clear (slightly bluish) and this makes it very difficult to see. Especially in the daylight.
3. Heat Output - Alcohol camping stoves put out about half of the heat per ounce other liquid fuel stoves produce, i.e. white gas, kerosene, Coleman style fuels, and butane or propane.
4. Group Size - A small group of 1 or 2, maybe 3, is best, because of the slower cooking time. This isn't really a con, but it is something to consider.
5. Cooking Time - Is slower because of the reduced heat output, but for 1 or 2 people it is just fine.
6. Safety - NEVER, NEVER fill the stove with more fuel while it is still burning or hot. This actually goes for ALL stove types.
7. Cold - Alcohol camping stoves are not very reliable in freezing weather. As the temperature drops, the evaporation rate of the alcohol drops. This makes them very hard to start. A work-around for this is to pre-heat the stove with a candle.
8. Durability - Since they are so small and lightweight, they can be fragile. They can be bent, crushed or destroyed easily without the proper care.
Do-It-Yourself (DIY): Alcohol camping stoves are perfect for the DIY crowd. The internet is full of instructions on how to make an alcohol camping stove.
FUEL
1. Isopropyl - NOT Recommended. This can be purchased from any drug store, but it will always have too much water mixed with it. It's never just pure alcohol.
2. Denatured - This fuel comes mixed with other poisonous chemicals. Many times the label will say that it is suitable for marine stoves. I would go with that brand. Another way to tell if the denatured that you have will be any good, is to burn some of it in a metal dish and check for any residue left behind. Do not use it if there is any residue.
3. Grain - Alcohol works well, but can be expensive. Stay away from the colored grain alcohols and go for the clear such as the Everclear brand. Keep in mind that you brought it to use in the stove and not to keep your belly warm. P.S. This is the only fuel than can be consumed by humans. ALL the others are poisonous.
4. Methyl - Other names are methanol, wood alcohol, methyl hydrate, liquid fondue fuel, gasoline line antifreeze. This is a highly poisonous fuel. However, methanol evaporates faster than ethanol at all temperatures and you would have a better chance of starting your stove in cold weather. Store this fuel and the stove that uses it from your food and pots.
5. Gelled Alcohol - Such as Sterno, Canned Heat, Jelled Alcohol. This is good for keeping food warm, but not for cooking. Not enough heat output.
6. Diethylene Glycol - Extremely poisonous and is Not Recommended.
Types of Alcohol Camping Stoves
1. Open Flame - This is the simplest of all the alcohol camping stoves. It's basically an open shallow metal container that you pour the alcohol in and you light it. The pot is sitting on a wire frame above the stove. They are simple to build and operate, but are not the most efficient with the fuel to heat ratio. However, they are a very reliable stove.
2. Chimney or Updraft - This style of stove utilizes the updraft created by the heat of the fire, up a chimney, to the top of the stove and heating the pot. It mixes the air with the fuel at the bottom of the stove to get a better controlled flame at the top. The pot sits on a stand above the stove. It has a good heat output and is very reliable.
3. Low Pressure Side Burner - This utilizes the low pressure draft created like the Chimney stove, but the pot sits directly on the stove. Same stove as the Chimney stove, just a different way of using it. It has good heat output and does not need a pot stand.
4. Open Jet - This stove works by vaporizing the fuel and shooting it out little jets. The fuel is poured in through the top center; it is very lightweight and will simmer, but is only good for small pots. You will need to have a pot stand to keep the pot off the stove.
5. Hybrid Side Burner Jet - This is like the Open Jet, but the vents are on the side. The pot sits right on the stove top so a pot stand is not needed.
6. Pressurized Jet - This is like the Open Jet stove, but the center is closed allowing the fuel gasses to build up pressure. It burns hot and does not allow for simmering. You will need a pot stand for this stove.
Points to Consider
1. Consider making an alcohol camping stove for yourself.
2. Are you going to be doing a lot of extreme cold weather cooking?
3. Burner style - You do not have to settle for just one style. You can have a different style depending on weather conditions and/or altitude.
4. Boil time to fuel usage ratio - This ratio is how long does it take to boil 1L of water to how much fuel is used. This is very important when you are determining how much fuel to carry with you.
5. Flame control - Do you want to be able to simmer or not?
6. Size of group - Remember that 1-2 people are best per stove.
Note: Aluminum: "SIGG, one of the oldest and largest manufacturers of reusable aluminum bottles, actually lines their aluminum with an FDA approved coating that prevent toxins from leaching." According to Elizabeth Borelli of Nubius Organics.
For more on this topic go to http://hubpages.com/hub/BPA-Free-Reusable-Water-Bottles-Containers/.
About Me
Hello, I'm Clayton Hay. I have over 50 years of camping, hiking and backpacking experience. Most of it has been through the Boys Scouts of America in Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Colorado, and New Mexico and the rest with family and friends.
If you want to learn more about backpacking tips, backpacks, tents, stoves, food, nutrition, sleeping bags and travel, then visit me at http://fossilbackpackinggear.com.
Monday, October 11, 2010
Slow and steady wins the race.......
We have been slowly getting our stockpile built back up!! This past year and a half was hard on us and our stockpile. But , I am so glad that we had one. When my husband was laid-off our stockpile was a life saver and was used!! So now I am getting it built back up. I am going to order some more cases of MREs also. We used all of ours. A teenager in the house thought that it was better to eat them all up, he said there was more variety and snacks. Which was true, but I had other food to eat and those were for a REAL emergency, like for if we had no power or something like that. Oh well, I will build that stockpile up again.
I planted a small garden this summer just to see how well things would grow here and have found out that stuff grows awesome - so next spring I will be planting a much bigger garden and with more items. I had a huge lot of cherry tomatoes and even now I am still getting some off of my plants!!
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I planted a small garden this summer just to see how well things would grow here and have found out that stuff grows awesome - so next spring I will be planting a much bigger garden and with more items. I had a huge lot of cherry tomatoes and even now I am still getting some off of my plants!!
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Sunday, October 10, 2010
The Colony On Discovery Channel
Have you been watching the second season of The Colony ? I have missed it because we do not have cable, but I am getting to watch it online. That is what I am going to try and do most of today. I loved the first season. It was just great and I learned some stuff.
If you have been watching it , what are your thoughts on it?
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If you have been watching it , what are your thoughts on it?
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Saturday, October 9, 2010
Get An Emergency Generator To Protect Your Family
Having an emergency generator for back-up at your home or business is a sure way to protect yourself, your family, your property, and important equipment from disaster and damage. Without electricity, the world as most of us know it comes to a screeching halt. Your lights, computer and electronic equipment, heating system, water pump, and important appliances such as refrigerators no longer work.
When electrical power is knocked out by a winter storm and you find yourself with no back-up power, there is a lot at risk. You'll risk frozen pipes and possible water damage, spoiled freezer and refrigerator contents, no computer access. Also, you'll have no power for loved ones who may be sick and use special medical equipment which requires electricity. This winter, you should consider an emergency generator to keep life running as smoothly as possible when bad weather strikes.
When choosing an emergency generator, many people opt for the portable variety. They are small, easily stored and maneuvered, and convenient for relatively short periods of use. These generators run on fuels such as gasoline, natural gas, and diesel. Gasoline is the most practical option, as diesel fuel is mainly used for commercial-sized generators and natural gas is more costly. However, natural gas does burn cleaner and can be stored for a longer period of time.
When choosing the best gasoline-fueled generator, look for one that can be plugged into the house's electrical system. This is a safer model, but a transfer switch will need to be installed by a professional electrician. The installation of this switch is important because it allows the operation of appliances that do not have cords that plug in, such as a furnace or a hot water heater.
Choosing a portable generator with user-friendly features is also a plus. Who wants to deal with figuring out a complicated and difficult to use generator when life has already been complicated enough by such inclement weather? For example, a push start button is a better choice than a pull-rope starting feature.
A larger gas tank is also handy, as it will prevent you from needing to refill the generator so frequently. A five gallon gas tank will keep your generator running for 7-10 hours. A quiet motor is a necessity since most cities have a municipal requirement which does not allow noisy equipment to run continuously and disturb the neighbors.
Those who live in areas where winter weather is at its worst may choose to have an electrical contractor install a stationary, or stand-by generator at the home or workplace. This type of generator is the most dependable for long-term emergencies. The stationary generator provides continuous power because it is connected to an already existing fuel source, such as a gas line.
This option consists of either a simple push-button start-up, or an automatic start-up feature that enables the transfer switch to actually sense the power outage, isolate the designated emergency circuits from the grid, and then the machine is up and going. You do not have to be at home for this automatic function to work, and transfer time is usually only 10-30 seconds.
Permanent emergency generators also have higher power levels than their portable counterparts, ranging from about 5 kilowatts to hundreds of kilowatts in strength. While this version is more expensive and requires an electrician to install it, you will be increasing the value of your home by adding one.
Mister Sparky should be your first choice for a Clinton MD electrician. They provide upfront pricing and their service is 100% guaranteed. No electrical job too big or too small.
Friday, October 8, 2010
Are You Ready For a Disaster?
If you only had a few minutes to get out of your house for a disaster (such as a hurricane) would you be prepared for an emergency? Would you be able to grab your important papers and things you must have and be out of your house in minutes?
Do you know where all of your important papers are? Are they all in one central spot for quick and easy access in case of emergency?
Things such as:
* Drivers License (or other identification)
* Passport
* Birth Certificate
* Social Security Card
* House Insurance papers (or contact info)
* Life Insurance papers (or contact info)
* Marriage License
* Financial Info
* Money
What about some of your favorite possessions? Things that you can't replace, such as photo albums?
Since most people keep a lot of information on their computer or laptop, do you have backups and are they up to date and in a spot that you can easily access?
Do you know what you would take in an emergency? Have you ever thought about it?
I've never been in situation where my home had to be evacuated, though I have been in a hurricane with no place to go (a very frightening experience).
If you are evacuated from your home and your home is destroyed you will have to deal with a variety of issues, including insurance issues, where you will have to prove your identity. Can you?
In an emergency people tend to grab the strangest things. Not always the most practical things.
So think about what you would do in an emergency situation where you had to evacuate (especially if you live in high hurricane areas).
Prioritize your possessions and what you really need to get back on your feet.
Get yourself organized before disaster strikes. And then hope that you never have to put your plan into place.
It's better to be prepared for a disaster than to have to go through the trauma of dealing with things that you are unprepared to handle.
http://www.organizationalconsultingservices.com
http://www.professionalorganizer4u.blogspot.com
Member: National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO); Member: National Study Group on Chronic Disorganization (NSGCD); Certificate of Study in Chronic Disorganization; Certificate of Study in Hoarding; CD Specialist - Level II Certificate; NAPO, Quantum Leap Trainer; NAPO in the Schools Trained Provider
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Thursday, October 7, 2010
You CAN Keep Your House Clean With No Power!!!
You can keep your house clean even if you have no power. I just bought a sweeper to use. I have low pile carpet so it should work pretty good. Plus in the kitchen with the laminate floor.
Even without power you can find many ways to clean the house. I have some water bottles set aside to store water that I use JUST for cleaning. Collecting rain water, etc. I have a great stockpile of cleaning supplies and bleach can be a real life saver. Make sure you have Lysol , too for killing germs.
For laundry I have a hand crank little washing machine and a rapid washer for those bigger jobs, like jeans. I use clothesline also.
So if you are out of power for a short while or a long while - you can still keep your house clean and safe for your family.
Even without power you can find many ways to clean the house. I have some water bottles set aside to store water that I use JUST for cleaning. Collecting rain water, etc. I have a great stockpile of cleaning supplies and bleach can be a real life saver. Make sure you have Lysol , too for killing germs.
For laundry I have a hand crank little washing machine and a rapid washer for those bigger jobs, like jeans. I use clothesline also.
So if you are out of power for a short while or a long while - you can still keep your house clean and safe for your family.
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Preparing Your Family in Case of Emergency
With the difficulties which many people in the world face on a regular basis, it would be a good practice to prepare one's family in case an emergency strikes. The world is full of perilous issues which confront people each and every day. The bad economy which has been rampant for some time has affected millions of people ether directly or indirectly and has caused many to search for home based businesses which may bring more problems if not successful.
Besides the bad economic times, natural disasters which bring immediate tragedy are striking throughout the planet. Manmade casualties which disrupt livelihoods suddenly occur without notice. There is war raging n the world bringing death to innocent people. Crime can hit anyone. These hard times may require family preparedness in order to survive.
There are a number of things anyone can do to prepare for future problems. Everyone will be faced with public or private problems. Although how a person looks at and handles the trials will differ, most people will have severe challenges in their lifetimes.
Material necessities such as shelter, food, and water may be taken for granted by much of society. People who live comfortable lives expect those things to be readily available. Those who live in poverty better understand that life is not easy nor is it fair. Being prepared is sage advice for anyone. Having an adequate reserve of cash and necessities on hand may be vital for survival.
Government and church groups have long advocated emergency preparedness for families and individuals. There may be no warning when a tragedy or disaster strikes a family or a community.
Emergency services may not be available at a moment's notice. Perhaps roads will be closed and areas become inaccessible. Emergency responders who are depended upon to be there when problems arise may not be able to get to people who need help.
There are ways to prepare families for personal hardships which may come.
• Practice an emergency escape plan in case of fire
• Have an emergency roadside kit in your home and car
• Have a three day emergency kit for each family member
Have food in it that the person likes and will eat
Include eating utensils (plastic cup, fork, etc.)
Personal sanitary and cleaning supplies
A change of clothes
Use a small backpack for each kit
Make sure each person knows where the kits are stored
• Keep enough gas in the car for emergencies
• Have Blankets and warm coats available
• Make sure everyone has access to emergency phone numbers
• Store enough food and water to sustain the family if needed
These measures and preparations may or may not be available or useful if an emergency comes, depending on the circumstances. Being prepared does give peace of mind even if a major disaster never strikes the family.
Discover more about emergency preparedness and food storage by checking out: http://www.preparedforlife.net.
Learn about a way to earn and save money for the future by visiting: http://www.moremlmsuccess.com
Besides the bad economic times, natural disasters which bring immediate tragedy are striking throughout the planet. Manmade casualties which disrupt livelihoods suddenly occur without notice. There is war raging n the world bringing death to innocent people. Crime can hit anyone. These hard times may require family preparedness in order to survive.
There are a number of things anyone can do to prepare for future problems. Everyone will be faced with public or private problems. Although how a person looks at and handles the trials will differ, most people will have severe challenges in their lifetimes.
Material necessities such as shelter, food, and water may be taken for granted by much of society. People who live comfortable lives expect those things to be readily available. Those who live in poverty better understand that life is not easy nor is it fair. Being prepared is sage advice for anyone. Having an adequate reserve of cash and necessities on hand may be vital for survival.
Government and church groups have long advocated emergency preparedness for families and individuals. There may be no warning when a tragedy or disaster strikes a family or a community.
Emergency services may not be available at a moment's notice. Perhaps roads will be closed and areas become inaccessible. Emergency responders who are depended upon to be there when problems arise may not be able to get to people who need help.
There are ways to prepare families for personal hardships which may come.
• Practice an emergency escape plan in case of fire
• Have an emergency roadside kit in your home and car
• Have a three day emergency kit for each family member
Have food in it that the person likes and will eat
Include eating utensils (plastic cup, fork, etc.)
Personal sanitary and cleaning supplies
A change of clothes
Use a small backpack for each kit
Make sure each person knows where the kits are stored
• Keep enough gas in the car for emergencies
• Have Blankets and warm coats available
• Make sure everyone has access to emergency phone numbers
• Store enough food and water to sustain the family if needed
These measures and preparations may or may not be available or useful if an emergency comes, depending on the circumstances. Being prepared does give peace of mind even if a major disaster never strikes the family.
Discover more about emergency preparedness and food storage by checking out: http://www.preparedforlife.net.
Learn about a way to earn and save money for the future by visiting: http://www.moremlmsuccess.com
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Pleasant Truths of a Frugal Lifestyle
Our large family has been living on one income for years. Careful spending is necessary in our lifestyle. Many people equate a thrifty lifestyle with cheapness and deprivation. The pleasant truth is that stretching a dollar can be fun.
I spent some time considering a few of the myths attached to frugality. My frugal truths reveal that stretching a dollar is nothing to be ashamed of.
Frugality does not equal deprivation. We purchase many things that we want. We carefully consider purchases, and save our money until we can buy with cash. We appreciate the items we choose to buy.
Being thrifty is not the same thing as being cheap. A frugal option can actually cost more initially, but save a good deal of money over time. We purchase items of the best quality possible within our price range.
We do not eat beans every night for supper. We enjoy a variety of delicious home cooked meals made from basic ingredients. Beans are part of our menu, but so are many other foods either grown on our homestead or purchased at the best possible price.
Living on a budget is not boring. Our one income lifestyle is packed with adventure, creativity, and resourcefulness. It is a game, albeit a necessary one, to see how far the money can go.
A real joy of frugality is that resources are freed up for sharing, donating, and giving. Carefulness in spending can create a surplus in even the smallest budgets. Paying off debt and contributing to savings are also possible through thriftiness.
We aren't deterred by the work involved in our frugal lifestyle. Our methods can be time-consuming, but it is time joyfully spent. Cooking from scratch, using clothes lines, and doing repairs ourselves are more enjoyable than working overtime to pay for convenience foods and credit card bills.
Saving money and spending carefully may be considered a bit old-fashioned in our modern credit card world. But, we have found that living within our means is more important today than ever. Living well on a single income is possible, even with a large family. Whether lived by necessity or choice, frugality can be a lifestyle of joy.
©2010 Julie Cazier
Julie Cazier is a happily married, busy mom of seven.
Life on the farm is good.
http://www.mooberry-farm.com (blog)
http://www.mooberryfarm.com (website)
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I spent some time considering a few of the myths attached to frugality. My frugal truths reveal that stretching a dollar is nothing to be ashamed of.
Frugality does not equal deprivation. We purchase many things that we want. We carefully consider purchases, and save our money until we can buy with cash. We appreciate the items we choose to buy.
Being thrifty is not the same thing as being cheap. A frugal option can actually cost more initially, but save a good deal of money over time. We purchase items of the best quality possible within our price range.
We do not eat beans every night for supper. We enjoy a variety of delicious home cooked meals made from basic ingredients. Beans are part of our menu, but so are many other foods either grown on our homestead or purchased at the best possible price.
Living on a budget is not boring. Our one income lifestyle is packed with adventure, creativity, and resourcefulness. It is a game, albeit a necessary one, to see how far the money can go.
A real joy of frugality is that resources are freed up for sharing, donating, and giving. Carefulness in spending can create a surplus in even the smallest budgets. Paying off debt and contributing to savings are also possible through thriftiness.
We aren't deterred by the work involved in our frugal lifestyle. Our methods can be time-consuming, but it is time joyfully spent. Cooking from scratch, using clothes lines, and doing repairs ourselves are more enjoyable than working overtime to pay for convenience foods and credit card bills.
Saving money and spending carefully may be considered a bit old-fashioned in our modern credit card world. But, we have found that living within our means is more important today than ever. Living well on a single income is possible, even with a large family. Whether lived by necessity or choice, frugality can be a lifestyle of joy.
©2010 Julie Cazier
Julie Cazier is a happily married, busy mom of seven.
Life on the farm is good.
http://www.mooberry-farm.com (blog)
http://www.mooberryfarm.com (website)
Download our free toolbar
Monday, October 4, 2010
Saving on Family Grocery Shopping
Now in today's economic times, using less earned on anything is a plus. However, one must that is hard to cut back on is grocery shopping. Spending less on groceries takes practice and planning. One way to use less on groceries is to shop the specials for the necessary items. Going through sale promotions each month and obtaining the best sales possible will save you some money.
Using mail coupons is also very useful. Not many people have the ability to sit and cut out coupons and compare the item on the coupon to the item that they are purchasing. At times however, there are many good coupons that you can track that will save you quite a bit on your grocery bill.
Another great tip is to find things in bulk. While the initial purchase may be more expensive, the period of time before you need to buy those groceries again is longer. For example, purchasing a case of canned spaghetti may cost less than it would to purchase each can individually. Many times stores offer a quantity discount when you purchase in bulk.
Warehouse outlets sell many items in bulk such as canned goods, frozen goods, cereals, coffee and many other items. Buying in bulk in this manner will always be less expensive than purchasing the items individually or in smaller quantities. However, when considering a warehouse store, remember that there is usually a membership price that must be paid each year to get the lower price.
Wasting less on groceries can be done with planning and practice. Do not expect to get it right all the time, it takes time to change habits.
Lance enjoys writing about using Savings coupons.
Coupons
Using mail coupons is also very useful. Not many people have the ability to sit and cut out coupons and compare the item on the coupon to the item that they are purchasing. At times however, there are many good coupons that you can track that will save you quite a bit on your grocery bill.
Another great tip is to find things in bulk. While the initial purchase may be more expensive, the period of time before you need to buy those groceries again is longer. For example, purchasing a case of canned spaghetti may cost less than it would to purchase each can individually. Many times stores offer a quantity discount when you purchase in bulk.
Warehouse outlets sell many items in bulk such as canned goods, frozen goods, cereals, coffee and many other items. Buying in bulk in this manner will always be less expensive than purchasing the items individually or in smaller quantities. However, when considering a warehouse store, remember that there is usually a membership price that must be paid each year to get the lower price.
Wasting less on groceries can be done with planning and practice. Do not expect to get it right all the time, it takes time to change habits.
Lance enjoys writing about using Savings coupons.
Coupons
Eating Frugally - Keeping These Items In The Cupboard Will Save You Dollars In The Kitchen
If you're like the majority of people, the first place you cut back to save money is in the kitchen. Eating frugally doesn't necessarily mean switching to beans and rice. It does mean eating smarter and planning for leaner times.
Tough economic times have forced so many people to give up their favorite past times like going to the movies every Friday or going to their favorite restaurant as often. Most non-essential items from the grocery list have been deleted like all the different varieties of cookies, chips and microwaveable snacks.
Keeping these items on hand will save you money and help you out in "a pinch."
1. Egg Replacer- it's powdered and mixes with water. Sometimes, when you have 3 eggs left you have to decide between breakfast and a snack for the kids, egg replacer will come in handy. Mix it with a little water and add it to your favorite recipe instead of eggs. Cakes and breads come out fluffier and lighter. A box will go a long way and that alone will save you money and trips to the grocery store for eggs, especially during the holiday season when the price of eggs goes sky-high. An added plus is that it's cruelty-free. It can be found in most grocery stores.
2. Bouillon Cubes- These little treasures come in so handy when there isn't much time or there's no chicken or beef for a soup on a cold winter's day. A jar is only a few dollars and they keep an exceptionally long time. They come in Beef, Chicken and Vegetable flavor. A bouillon cube is basically stock that's dehydrated into little cubes. Just add these cubes to a few cups of water, add a can or box of frozen mixed veggies and soup pasta (purchased on sale, of course) and you've got a little soup made in minutes. Add a can of your favorite beans or extra peas and you've got additional protein in your meal. Combined with a grilled cheese sandwich on the side, your kids will love it!
3. Baking Soda- Not just for the fridge anymore, you can use baking soda for so many things like
* brushing your teeth. Just put a little in the palm of your hand, wet your toothbrush and dab it in the baking soda making a little paste. You'll get white teeth and fresh breath.
* It can be used as a deodorant under your arms (not after shaving because it will burn).
* Use it for heartburn by mixing one-fourth teaspoon to one-fourth cup of water. Stir it well and drink it. It tastes salty but will clear up acid indigestion within 30 seconds.
* You can also add it to warm water and wash your floor with it as a safe, non-toxic alternative to harsh cleaners that aren't safe for your babies or pets.
4.White Vinegar-Surprisingly, you can use it to clean your pipes. Just pour baking soda down your drain and add the vinegar, which is inexpensive and can be bought by the gallon. It will cause the baking soda to bubble up and dislodge grunge from your pipes. It doesn't dissolve hair but soap scum and build-up will disappear. It's a safe alternative to liquid drain openers. If you use it quarterly, as the seasons change, your drains will flow freely and you won't have plumber bills.
Keep these items in your pantry or cupboards and you'll be eating frugally, saving dollars on your grocery bill and helping the planet. It's a win-win alternative to what you may be doing now.
Kerosene Stoves
Top Ten Reasons to Use Kerosene Stoves
There are a lot of reasons to use these good stoves. Here is a list of some of the most important reasons to consider. What a lot of kind people do not realize is that, worldwide, the stoves and heaters are immensely popular. They are inexpensive to purchase and the fuel is so clean, from distillation, that it burns most efficiently. In the US, the most common reason to purchase kerosene stoves is for disaster preparedness cooking.
1- It is the most cost-effective way to cook your food storage. Kerosene is the most efficient fuel (more than 90% efficient).
2- It can heat your home, as well as, cook your food.
3- A new stove can cost less than $50.00.
4- It is more convenient to use than other options.
5- Japan uses kerosene as their #1 source of cooking and heating fuel.
6- The Amish know how to go off grid and kerosene is their primary source of fuel.
7- The fuel can be dyed with food coloring to make it look pretty.
8- The fuel is not flammable. It is actually classified as a combustible. That means it is a lot easier to store than other flammable fuels like gasoline.
9- The fuel supplier will bring it to your home.
10- The third world uses kerosene stoves and heaters as their primary fuel source.
Final Tip
On the first lighting, dry burn the wick right away and it will make your stove or heater last much longer.
For further information about kerosene stoves, please visit Kerosene Stoves or you may also wish to visit Kerosene Heaters
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There are a lot of reasons to use these good stoves. Here is a list of some of the most important reasons to consider. What a lot of kind people do not realize is that, worldwide, the stoves and heaters are immensely popular. They are inexpensive to purchase and the fuel is so clean, from distillation, that it burns most efficiently. In the US, the most common reason to purchase kerosene stoves is for disaster preparedness cooking.
1- It is the most cost-effective way to cook your food storage. Kerosene is the most efficient fuel (more than 90% efficient).
2- It can heat your home, as well as, cook your food.
3- A new stove can cost less than $50.00.
4- It is more convenient to use than other options.
5- Japan uses kerosene as their #1 source of cooking and heating fuel.
6- The Amish know how to go off grid and kerosene is their primary source of fuel.
7- The fuel can be dyed with food coloring to make it look pretty.
8- The fuel is not flammable. It is actually classified as a combustible. That means it is a lot easier to store than other flammable fuels like gasoline.
9- The fuel supplier will bring it to your home.
10- The third world uses kerosene stoves and heaters as their primary fuel source.
Final Tip
On the first lighting, dry burn the wick right away and it will make your stove or heater last much longer.
For further information about kerosene stoves, please visit Kerosene Stoves or you may also wish to visit Kerosene Heaters
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Monday, September 27, 2010
Friday, September 24, 2010
I got my New Book!
I finally got my new book,Country Wisdom & Know-How
, in the mail. And I must say that it is awesome. It is much bigger than I thought that it would be. It is like a paperback coffee table book. That is the only way that I can describe it. It has everything in it. Much more information than some of my other books. Great book for such a low price. I have paid much more for books that have been smaller and with only one thing in them. So this is going to be one of my go-to books for my survival bookshelf. I am glad that I spent the money for it.
Download our free toolbarCountry Wisdom & Know-How
, in the mail. And I must say that it is awesome. It is much bigger than I thought that it would be. It is like a paperback coffee table book. That is the only way that I can describe it. It has everything in it. Much more information than some of my other books. Great book for such a low price. I have paid much more for books that have been smaller and with only one thing in them. So this is going to be one of my go-to books for my survival bookshelf. I am glad that I spent the money for it. Download our free toolbarCountry Wisdom & Know-How
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Kersosene Heater
What would be the best Kerosene heater to get for my small house? It is about 1200 square feet. I want to have one for backup and the old one I had is not wanting to work right. I need to get a new one. The last one we had was only 10,000 BTU, so I am thinking that we would need a bigger one. Does anyone have any advice on the best brands and sizes to get?
Sengoku CV-2230 KeroHeat Convection 23,000-BTU Portable Kerosene Heater
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Sengoku CV-2230 KeroHeat Convection 23,000-BTU Portable Kerosene Heater
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Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Emergency Crank Radio
Emergency Crank Radio-An Important Part of Your Home Emergency Kit
Particularly when you live in a climate or area that can produce some inclement weather, the possession of some devices that can help to keep you safer is a good idea. The weather and other things can offer some severe challenges to your ability to protect your family. Making sure that you have a way to stay in touch and to hear weather, fire, or other reports as they happen is an important part of keeping your family and home safe.
Recent history shows that events such as Katrina, the California wildfires and events such as the Nebraska ice storm several years ago that left more than 1500 people without power for several weeks proves to us that nature can be harsh. Being prepared for these eventualities is just common sense.
A good idea is to always have a kit in your home, no matter where you live. The ideal inclusions to this will be a hand crank solar lantern and a hand crank radio.
Those who lived without the power in Nebraska two years ago found that emergency radios were the only way that many of them could stay on top of the additional storms that were coming into the area. With no power at all, an emergency crank radio will be the only way to stay in contact with others and to hear weather and news reports that may be life-saving to you and to your family.
Many of us remain, sadly, unprepared for emergency situations. Your home should have an emergency kit inside it that offers you clean water for several days, hand crank lanterns, emergency radios, first aid supplies as well as non-perishable foods that can be easily opened an consumed without the need for cooking.
An emergency crank radio should be your first purchase as it is your first line of defense. These are basically radios that may be cranked to produce electricity to operate them, or may be solar charged to produce that power. They are by and large a self contained unit that will also be able to use batteries or to be plugged into a computer for a recharge.
The vast majority of the emergency crank radios that you will find are equipped with multiple bands. They are either AM and FM, as well as short wave that may permit you to tune to home radios as well, which is a definite bonus when it comes to dealing with an emergency situation such as a tornado, a wildland fire, or a blizzard.
Some units are also able to tune to fire and police bands to permit you to hear those as well. NO matter where you live, an emergency kit and a hand crank radio is an important tool that no home should be without.
Nicole Roberts
EmergencyRadiosOneline.com has hand emergency crank radios, radios with cell phone chargers, 2-way radios, radios with flashlights, solar powered radios, solar powered flashlights, crank flashlights, GPS Navigators and emergency supplies to help you be prepared for any disaster. We are here to provide a high quality product at incredible prices.
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Particularly when you live in a climate or area that can produce some inclement weather, the possession of some devices that can help to keep you safer is a good idea. The weather and other things can offer some severe challenges to your ability to protect your family. Making sure that you have a way to stay in touch and to hear weather, fire, or other reports as they happen is an important part of keeping your family and home safe.
Recent history shows that events such as Katrina, the California wildfires and events such as the Nebraska ice storm several years ago that left more than 1500 people without power for several weeks proves to us that nature can be harsh. Being prepared for these eventualities is just common sense.
A good idea is to always have a kit in your home, no matter where you live. The ideal inclusions to this will be a hand crank solar lantern and a hand crank radio.
Those who lived without the power in Nebraska two years ago found that emergency radios were the only way that many of them could stay on top of the additional storms that were coming into the area. With no power at all, an emergency crank radio will be the only way to stay in contact with others and to hear weather and news reports that may be life-saving to you and to your family.
Many of us remain, sadly, unprepared for emergency situations. Your home should have an emergency kit inside it that offers you clean water for several days, hand crank lanterns, emergency radios, first aid supplies as well as non-perishable foods that can be easily opened an consumed without the need for cooking.
An emergency crank radio should be your first purchase as it is your first line of defense. These are basically radios that may be cranked to produce electricity to operate them, or may be solar charged to produce that power. They are by and large a self contained unit that will also be able to use batteries or to be plugged into a computer for a recharge.
The vast majority of the emergency crank radios that you will find are equipped with multiple bands. They are either AM and FM, as well as short wave that may permit you to tune to home radios as well, which is a definite bonus when it comes to dealing with an emergency situation such as a tornado, a wildland fire, or a blizzard.
Some units are also able to tune to fire and police bands to permit you to hear those as well. NO matter where you live, an emergency kit and a hand crank radio is an important tool that no home should be without.
Nicole Roberts
EmergencyRadiosOneline.com has hand emergency crank radios, radios with cell phone chargers, 2-way radios, radios with flashlights, solar powered radios, solar powered flashlights, crank flashlights, GPS Navigators and emergency supplies to help you be prepared for any disaster. We are here to provide a high quality product at incredible prices.
Download our free toolbar
Sunday, September 19, 2010
How to Survive a Full Economic Collapse
An economic collapse is defined as a distressing collapse of a national, regional, or territorial economy. It is basically a stern economic depression characterized by a quick boost in impoverishment and job loss. Today, we have seen the weakening of the US dollar while the prices of commodities such as oil, grain and gold rises. Many have feared for the economic stability of our country.
But what can one do to survive from full economic collapse? The U.S. dollar is already weakening and it may be hard to save the investments of this debt-driven economy. On the other hand, it is never too late to find out some fundamental survivalist skills.
Create an arrangement for how to endure a full economic collapse. Record your debts and assets. Your objectives should comprise of no debt and the procurement and storage of important assets.
You should pay all your debts and shun from getting new ones by paying with cash as an alternative of credit cards. Focus on paying debts with high interest, loans with amendable rates and unsecured debts first.
Reconsider your stocks and mutual funds. In order to monetarily survive a total economic collapse, your funds have to be safe.
Acquire goods and valuables. Buy necessary food supplies such as whole grains and legumes, which can be easily stored.
Form a relationship with your neighbors and assemble a community wherever you are. In the occurrence of full economic collapse, life will become very restricted and endurance will depend on working together with others.
World recognized trends forecasters, known by many around the world as the most addictive & highly accurate. Sign up for a FREE Trends alert at: http://www.forecastfortomorrow.com.
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But what can one do to survive from full economic collapse? The U.S. dollar is already weakening and it may be hard to save the investments of this debt-driven economy. On the other hand, it is never too late to find out some fundamental survivalist skills.
Create an arrangement for how to endure a full economic collapse. Record your debts and assets. Your objectives should comprise of no debt and the procurement and storage of important assets.
You should pay all your debts and shun from getting new ones by paying with cash as an alternative of credit cards. Focus on paying debts with high interest, loans with amendable rates and unsecured debts first.
Reconsider your stocks and mutual funds. In order to monetarily survive a total economic collapse, your funds have to be safe.
Acquire goods and valuables. Buy necessary food supplies such as whole grains and legumes, which can be easily stored.
Form a relationship with your neighbors and assemble a community wherever you are. In the occurrence of full economic collapse, life will become very restricted and endurance will depend on working together with others.
World recognized trends forecasters, known by many around the world as the most addictive & highly accurate. Sign up for a FREE Trends alert at: http://www.forecastfortomorrow.com.
Download our free toolbar
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Can't Wait Until I get This Book!
I just ordered this book and it should be here next week sometime. I can't wait. I have not gotten any new books in a while and I hope that this one is all that it appears to be.
What new books have you gotten lately? Share with us the ones that are a must have for any survival bookshelf.
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What new books have you gotten lately? Share with us the ones that are a must have for any survival bookshelf.
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What is the Best Survival Food to Store and Depend on During Emergencies?
Disasters can happen where you have to rely on your food supplies at home. Getting together some survival food isn't as complex as it might seem. Having the best emergency survival foods, those that won't spoil but still offer good nutrition, are the ones to keep stored for those unpredictable situations.
High Quality Survival Foods
Survival food bars - You can get these in 3600 calorie per day packs. It won't be the best tasting but they will store awhile and provide massive calories. Also looking into bicyclist and backpacker's bars as those are high in calories and require no preparation.
Freeze dried survival food - There are Made Ready to Eat meals and others that are freeze dried and can be stored for long periods of time.
Peanut Butter.
Brown rice - Brown rice offers a bit more nutrition than white rice and will keep your blood sugar from spiking as much.
Beans - Beans are high in protein which is a good option when meat might not be as available.
Seasoning - You don't want your food to taste bland. Keep extra seasonings to provide extra tastes.
Canned goods.
Sprouts - Sprout seeds can be stored for 2 to 3 years and can be grown in a jar in less than a week. Keep these seeds on hand to provide fresh greens which are some of the most nutritious food ever.
Food Storage Strategies
It's best to store the food you already eat. Start rotating a stock of food that you already have so that you don't have to worry as much about long term storage and expiration dates.
Keep bottles of frozen water in the freezer. This will keep the temperature of the food down if you lose power allowing you to enjoy the foods you already have at home first before using your stored food. This also provides an additional water source once thawed.
Try to focus on basic goods over commercially packaged products. They have their place in food storage, but eventually these will expire where you can always be using the basic goods in normal day to day life.
Consider gardening as an option to make your stored food last much longer. A garden can extend the life of your stored food by quite a bit especially during the growing months.
Do you have a plan for natural disasters or pandemics?
Click and learn Urban Survival Skills to properly prepare and be ready for these situations.
Discover Food Storage Secrets that let you have a good supply of food without constant worry about expiration dates.
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Sunday, September 5, 2010
Don't be bored!
I guess , maybe because I am a mom, I don't know, but I also worry about having stuff to do if anything happens to where we are stuck in the house for any length of time. I buy puzzles, games, books, art supplies, toys, and anything else that I can find so that we are not bored. There is nothing worse than being stuck in the house , like during a winter storm, and having nothing to pass the time! I also have a solar powered battery charger so we can have handheld games and radios. I also have hand-crank radios! I love going to yard sales for this kind of stuff. Yesterday I went to one and got a stack of games and puzzles for $2.00!! I made sure of the game pieces were there first though, Nothing worse than trying to play Boggle with a piece missing!! The puzzles I got had never been opened! A favorite game in our house is Trivial Pursuit and we have all of the different ones.
YOU JUST HAVE TO THINK OF EVERYTHING!!
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YOU JUST HAVE TO THINK OF EVERYTHING!!
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Saturday, September 4, 2010
BE PREPARED
Having food in your pantry is better than having money in the bank. You should have cash at home and not in the bank. What if During real hard times , banks might even close! Than how would you have access to any cash if it is all in the bank?? If this does happen , it would be so nice to be able to take care of your family because you thought ahead and had your food stockpile and cash on hand. Buy food and other necessities in bulk. This saves money and ensures that you have a lot of what you need on hand. Even if it is just for a emergency that last for several days , you are prepared. I am really trying to get prepared for this winter in advance. Last winter was so bad and we were frozen into our house for at least a month. I had used up most of our stockpile when my husband was laid-off for 6 months! I had not had a chance to get our stockpile built back up very good. So, this year I am getting prepared. I do not want to take ANY chance at all!!
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Be A Copy Canner!
All that this means is that when you are grocery shopping you buy extra cans of stuff that you routinely use. Things that you know that you will eat. Rotation of your stockpile is the NUMBER 1 thing that you need to learn and stick to. Do not buy anything that your family does not normally eat just because it is on sale. That will be a waste of money.
You can do your Copy Canning technique a couple of different ways. You can buy one can of something for yourself and the other for the stockpile. This will keep you a steady stockpile going.
You can also do what I often do, which is when something that I use a lot goes on sale, I buy as much as I can afford to buy. And this goes for anything. Canned goods, toilet paper, condiments, etc. You can save some money in the long run by bulk buying.
Get to work on seeing how you can be a Copy Canner!
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You can do your Copy Canning technique a couple of different ways. You can buy one can of something for yourself and the other for the stockpile. This will keep you a steady stockpile going.
You can also do what I often do, which is when something that I use a lot goes on sale, I buy as much as I can afford to buy. And this goes for anything. Canned goods, toilet paper, condiments, etc. You can save some money in the long run by bulk buying.
Get to work on seeing how you can be a Copy Canner!
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Freebie
I thought that I would share a free e-book with my readers. It is a Frugal Recipe E-Book. It is in a zip file , but very small. Just something that I thought that I would share. I have been cleaning up my computer and finding all of these great e-books that I had bought off of ebay a while back. Some of them I will be sharing with you on here.
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Sunday, August 22, 2010
Get More Life Out Of Old Clothes.
I always have tons of t-shirts and stuff that I keep and try to make something else out of it. I make cloth diapers, shorts, etc. I love doing this. It is basically free fabric. Jeans can be made into many things , also. Like purses, quilts, pillows, curtains, etc.
If you use your imagination , you can come up with tons of things to make and this is also a great way to save money.
I have found some great ideas online to make items out of clothing.
Recycled T-Shirt Patterns
Great Ideas can be found here
Sewing Projects Using T-shirts
Make Easy T-shirt pants for kids!!
Recycle T-shirts into underwear!!
25 Things to do with your old jeans
Repurpose Jeans
Fabric and Clothing Reuse: This is a mega list!!
Sew A Prefold Cloth Diaper From a T-shirt Check out the whole site for other cheap ways to make cloth diapers.
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If you use your imagination , you can come up with tons of things to make and this is also a great way to save money.
I have found some great ideas online to make items out of clothing.
Recycled T-Shirt Patterns
Great Ideas can be found here
Sewing Projects Using T-shirts
Make Easy T-shirt pants for kids!!
Recycle T-shirts into underwear!!
25 Things to do with your old jeans
Repurpose Jeans
Fabric and Clothing Reuse: This is a mega list!!
Sew A Prefold Cloth Diaper From a T-shirt Check out the whole site for other cheap ways to make cloth diapers.
Download our free toolbar
Saturday, August 21, 2010
14 Tips to Help You Find Great Deals at Garage Sales
For the most part, this can be a fun Saturday activity that can save you tons of money, and become addictive. Warning: Remember not to brake too fast for garage sales; you don’t want to get rear-ended!
* * *
I personally believe garage sales are the best thing since triple coupons for the *cost effective spender.* Others might call us tightwads, penny pinchers, cheapskates, frugal....but I just think we are making smart choices with the money we have to spend!
Here are some tips for making "garage saling" fun and worthwhile:
1. Keep a list of things you are looking for that you *know* you need or want. Often I’m looking for certain garden equipment, kitchen utensils, tools, etc. that I can live without until I find a good deal.
2. Find a good route, in a fairly affluent area, and follow the route and signs along the way. I don’t mean for this to sound snobbish, but I have often found the best quality items in more affluent areas. Generally speaking, clothes, toys, and other items are in great condition because they have a faster turnover as they replace their inventory more often. You’ll save gas by following a particular route once you’ve found an area you like rather than driving in all directions.
3. Get to know your prices, just as you do with your regular shopping. For example, I would never pay over $.25 for a paperback book. Since we like to make copies of movies, we look for video tapes at garage sales. We have often found them at 4/$1.00. We won’t go much higher than that. Some people are clueless about what to charge because they haven’t been to garage sales. You can find wonderful deals, or you can find things way overpriced. If I stumble on one where the items are really high, I usually walk away pretty quickly, unless they have something I’m extremely interested in purchasing.
4. Polish your negotiation skills! This is the best place in the world to practice negotiating. It is also a great learning opportunity for your children. We used to make this a weekly family affair. One of our sons loved to negotiate at garage sales. Now he is in Sales Management and does very well in his profession. There are different ways to negotiate, and sometimes you can get a *feel* for how flexible the people are with their prices by listening to others making offers. I use one of two approaches. I will either say, "Are your prices negotiable? If so, what is the lowest you would go on this item?" The other approach I will use is to simply offer a certain amount based on what I am willing to pay for an item. This is particularly true of items I find often, or something I could walk away from and not be sorry if I didn’t get. Always show respect to the seller when negotiating. You will get much further by being friendly and not trying to use an intimidating lowball approach.
5. In addition to items on your list, look for things that will make nice gifts. Keep a list of those people you need to buy gifts for and any particular interests they might have. You can find wonderful jewelry at low prices. I’ve often found board games in *like new* condition, or still packaged in the original shrink wrap. If the game has been opened, take the time to make sure all pieces are there and things look new. I also have found books in new condition for gifts. Garage sales are great for finding *specialty* gifts that might fit a particular person’s hobby or tastes.
6. You can sometimes find great deals on clothes. It was much easier to shop for my children at garage sales when they were younger and had not developed any particular sense of style! Many times I have found clothes and shoes that I like for myself. I’m one of those who likes to tell everybody about my great finds. I remember an occasion where I was at a business luncheon and an executive at my table complimented the antique scarf pin I was wearing. I knew him very well and felt comfortable, so I told him it was an earring I had found at a garage sale and had paid 10 cents for the pair! He laughed and said I should come up with a better story the next time I received a compliment. I guess we shouldn’t feel compelled to tell all of our secrets.
7. If you have an expensive car, use a different one for garage sales. If you drive up in an expensive car, or wearing flashy jewelry and fine furs (yeah, right!) there goes any leverage for negotiating.
8. Look for block sales. These are great because you can park your car and walk to several at once. Many areas hold annual yard sales and we track those.
9. Don’t be afraid to ask for something you might be looking for but don’t see. My husband always asks sellers if they might have any video tapes they want to offload. Many people say "just a minute," disappear into the house, and shortly we are walking away with a box of tapes we just bought for a song.
10. If you enjoy doing crafts and making gifts, garage sales are fantastic for finding craft supplies. I have found countless items such as yarn, embroidery thread, cross stitch material, stitchery kits that have never been opened, scrap material, silk flowers, lace, shadow boxes, frames, etc. I have also found many supplies for my painting hobby which makes it much more cost effective.
11. Tools, camping equipment, outdoor and indoor furniture are always available at yard sales. This can be a cost effective way to pick up what you need at prices you can afford. I would personally tend to stay away from electronic items since I don’t know much about them. If we find something that either my husband or I are pretty sure we can repair, we might take a chance if we can get a real bargain.
12. We always look for items we can resell to make a profit. We used to resell things at garage sales or through want ads. Now we have Ebay! We have made a lot of extra money over the years doing this.
13. To avoid filling up your own house with more clutter and items you won’t use, always ask yourself if you will be able to use the item you are purchasing, give it as a gift, or resell it for a profit. In my earlier days, I accumulated too much stuff just because I couldn’t resist great bargains. I have become much more picky with all purchases, including my yard sale finds.
14. Budget a certain amount per month for garage sales. Keep the money in an envelope so you will have cash for your purchases. If you buy items to give as gifts, then you might add some to your garage sale funds from your gift fund. There’s always a way to do some creative financing here.
Have fun with this. Expect to go to many garage sales where you won’t find good bargains. My husband and I have a slogan: "We have to kiss a lot of frogs sometimes before we find the prince." Expect to run across a few people who are rude. Probably, they woke up on the wrong side of the bed that morning because they had to get up so early to set up for a garage sale so you could get some good deals! For the most part, this can be a fun Saturday activity that can become addictive. Warning: Remember not to brake too fast for garage sales; you don’t want to get rear-ended!
Copyright 2001 by Karen Kuebler
Better Budgeting
Fabulous Finds
Garage Sale America
* * *
I personally believe garage sales are the best thing since triple coupons for the *cost effective spender.* Others might call us tightwads, penny pinchers, cheapskates, frugal....but I just think we are making smart choices with the money we have to spend!
Here are some tips for making "garage saling" fun and worthwhile:
1. Keep a list of things you are looking for that you *know* you need or want. Often I’m looking for certain garden equipment, kitchen utensils, tools, etc. that I can live without until I find a good deal.
2. Find a good route, in a fairly affluent area, and follow the route and signs along the way. I don’t mean for this to sound snobbish, but I have often found the best quality items in more affluent areas. Generally speaking, clothes, toys, and other items are in great condition because they have a faster turnover as they replace their inventory more often. You’ll save gas by following a particular route once you’ve found an area you like rather than driving in all directions.
3. Get to know your prices, just as you do with your regular shopping. For example, I would never pay over $.25 for a paperback book. Since we like to make copies of movies, we look for video tapes at garage sales. We have often found them at 4/$1.00. We won’t go much higher than that. Some people are clueless about what to charge because they haven’t been to garage sales. You can find wonderful deals, or you can find things way overpriced. If I stumble on one where the items are really high, I usually walk away pretty quickly, unless they have something I’m extremely interested in purchasing.
4. Polish your negotiation skills! This is the best place in the world to practice negotiating. It is also a great learning opportunity for your children. We used to make this a weekly family affair. One of our sons loved to negotiate at garage sales. Now he is in Sales Management and does very well in his profession. There are different ways to negotiate, and sometimes you can get a *feel* for how flexible the people are with their prices by listening to others making offers. I use one of two approaches. I will either say, "Are your prices negotiable? If so, what is the lowest you would go on this item?" The other approach I will use is to simply offer a certain amount based on what I am willing to pay for an item. This is particularly true of items I find often, or something I could walk away from and not be sorry if I didn’t get. Always show respect to the seller when negotiating. You will get much further by being friendly and not trying to use an intimidating lowball approach.
5. In addition to items on your list, look for things that will make nice gifts. Keep a list of those people you need to buy gifts for and any particular interests they might have. You can find wonderful jewelry at low prices. I’ve often found board games in *like new* condition, or still packaged in the original shrink wrap. If the game has been opened, take the time to make sure all pieces are there and things look new. I also have found books in new condition for gifts. Garage sales are great for finding *specialty* gifts that might fit a particular person’s hobby or tastes.
6. You can sometimes find great deals on clothes. It was much easier to shop for my children at garage sales when they were younger and had not developed any particular sense of style! Many times I have found clothes and shoes that I like for myself. I’m one of those who likes to tell everybody about my great finds. I remember an occasion where I was at a business luncheon and an executive at my table complimented the antique scarf pin I was wearing. I knew him very well and felt comfortable, so I told him it was an earring I had found at a garage sale and had paid 10 cents for the pair! He laughed and said I should come up with a better story the next time I received a compliment. I guess we shouldn’t feel compelled to tell all of our secrets.
7. If you have an expensive car, use a different one for garage sales. If you drive up in an expensive car, or wearing flashy jewelry and fine furs (yeah, right!) there goes any leverage for negotiating.
8. Look for block sales. These are great because you can park your car and walk to several at once. Many areas hold annual yard sales and we track those.
9. Don’t be afraid to ask for something you might be looking for but don’t see. My husband always asks sellers if they might have any video tapes they want to offload. Many people say "just a minute," disappear into the house, and shortly we are walking away with a box of tapes we just bought for a song.
10. If you enjoy doing crafts and making gifts, garage sales are fantastic for finding craft supplies. I have found countless items such as yarn, embroidery thread, cross stitch material, stitchery kits that have never been opened, scrap material, silk flowers, lace, shadow boxes, frames, etc. I have also found many supplies for my painting hobby which makes it much more cost effective.
11. Tools, camping equipment, outdoor and indoor furniture are always available at yard sales. This can be a cost effective way to pick up what you need at prices you can afford. I would personally tend to stay away from electronic items since I don’t know much about them. If we find something that either my husband or I are pretty sure we can repair, we might take a chance if we can get a real bargain.
12. We always look for items we can resell to make a profit. We used to resell things at garage sales or through want ads. Now we have Ebay! We have made a lot of extra money over the years doing this.
13. To avoid filling up your own house with more clutter and items you won’t use, always ask yourself if you will be able to use the item you are purchasing, give it as a gift, or resell it for a profit. In my earlier days, I accumulated too much stuff just because I couldn’t resist great bargains. I have become much more picky with all purchases, including my yard sale finds.
14. Budget a certain amount per month for garage sales. Keep the money in an envelope so you will have cash for your purchases. If you buy items to give as gifts, then you might add some to your garage sale funds from your gift fund. There’s always a way to do some creative financing here.
Have fun with this. Expect to go to many garage sales where you won’t find good bargains. My husband and I have a slogan: "We have to kiss a lot of frogs sometimes before we find the prince." Expect to run across a few people who are rude. Probably, they woke up on the wrong side of the bed that morning because they had to get up so early to set up for a garage sale so you could get some good deals! For the most part, this can be a fun Saturday activity that can become addictive. Warning: Remember not to brake too fast for garage sales; you don’t want to get rear-ended!
Copyright 2001 by Karen Kuebler
Better Budgeting
Fabulous Finds
Garage Sale America
Friday, August 20, 2010
Freebie Sites Are A Great Way To Stockpile
I just love getting freebies and samples in the mail. I go to Today's Web-Freebies Blog to find the best freebies to sign up for and my mail box is full every single day. My mail lady really does not like me. Sometimes she has to bring all of my mail to the door in a box!! But I have tons of stuff stockpiled up for when needed. Sample stuff is great for traveling also. Great for kids. My son loves the little bottles of shampoo and toys that he gets in the mail. He gets toothbrushes and stuff like that too.
Saves some money getting freebies in the mail.
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Saves some money getting freebies in the mail.
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Thursday, August 19, 2010
Cook Outside to Save Money
Firing up the grill is a great way to cook in the summer! Here are a few grilling tips and a couple of recipes, too.
For great grilled burgers, form the patty gently. Smashing the meat forces out moisture.
Sear both sides of the burger on both sides, then move the burger and cook with indirect heat till done.
Use a meat thermometer to gauge when the meat is done. Ground beef should be cooked to an internal temperature of 160 degrees.
When grilling chicken, remember that dark meat needs longer on the grill than breast meat. Also, bone-in parts cook longer than boneless parts.
Place the pieces that need to cook the longest on the grill first, and then move them to a cooler area of the grill to finish cooking after they have browned.
Again, use a meat thermometer to tell when chicken is done. Bone-in parts should be cooked to an internal temperature of 170 degrees; boneless parts to about 160 degrees.
Tropical Glaze for Grilled Chicken
* 1 small can crushed pineapple
* 3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
* 3 tablespoons lemon juice
* 1 tablespoon mustard
Drain pineapple, reserving 2 tablespoons of juice. Mix pineapple, reserved juice, brown sugar, lemon juice and mustard.
Brush chicken parts with glaze often during last 10 minutes of grilling.
Barbecue Sauce
* 1 cup ketchup
* 1 cup water
* 1/4 cup vinegar
* 1 tablespoon sugar
* 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
* 1 teaspoon salt
* 1 teaspoon celery seed
* 2 or 3 dashes hot pepper sauce (optional)
Mix all ingredients in saucepan; bring mixture to boil over medium heat. Simmer, uncovered, for 30 minutes.
Use to baste burgers or pork chops during last 10-15 minutes of grilling.
= = = = = = = = = = =
Always be sure to cook on a clean grill. If you have a gas grill, leave it on for a couple of minutes after you finish cooking, with the lid down. If you have a charcoal grill, just close the lid and let it burn out. Then you can scrub the grate with a wad of aluminum foil.
Don't cook at too high a temperature and don't lift the lid and peek too many times. You'll just be adding to the cooking time, because the temperature will be lowered.
For a great warm weather dessert, try this cool fruit combination.
* 1 cup low-fat vanilla yogurt
* 1 tablespoon honey
* 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Stir together and spoon over sliced fresh bananas.
About The Author
Cyndi Roberts is the editor of the "1 Frugal Friend 2 Another" bi-weekly newsletter and founder of the website of the same name. Visit http://www.cynroberts.com to find creative tips, articles, and a free e-cooking book. Subscribe to the newsletter and receive the free e-course "Taming the Monster Grocery Bill".
editor@cynroberts.com
Weber's Big Book of Grilling
How to Grill: The Complete Illustrated Book of Barbecue Techniques
Weber's Way to Grill: The Step-by-Step Guide to Expert Grilling (Sunset Books)
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
10 Ways To Lower Your Utility Bills
The average U.S. household spends about $2,150 every year on utility bills. If you're spending more than $152 per month, you're paying more than average. By making simple improvements to your home you could reduce your utility bill from 10 to 50 percent.
1. Shade Those Windows
How you cover your windows has a direct impact on how much energy you save. Dark curtains and good covering blinds are important. In the summer keep curtains/blinds closed to windows facing the sun. In the winter, open them for some natural heating.
2. Landscape That Lawn
Not just for looks, trees can be an important way to reduce energy. Planting deciduous trees (trees that lose their leaves in the winter) around your home will help keep your home cool in the summer, and let the sun through in the winter.
3. Choose Your Exterior Wisely
When painting, or replacing your siding or roof, be sure and pick white or light colors. This, though it may not help a whole lot, is a no-cost way to reduce your bill. For roofing options, a white metal roof gives the best benefit.
4. Use CFL's (Compact Fluorescent Lights)
CFLs cost a bit more, but use 75% less energy than regular light bulbs and last about 10 times longer -so you save money, and you stay cooler. Replacing just four well-used 100-watt bulbs with equivalent 23-watt CFLs will save you $108 over three years!
5. Turn Off Those Lights
This should be a no-brainer, but we all need reminders every once in a while. This is a 100% free way to reduce your energy bill. If a light isn't being used, turn it off. If this is a hard habit to get into, install timers on all of your lights
6. Buy Energy Efficient Appliances
A lot can be said here, as this is a huge way to cut energy costs. A few things to remember: Every appliance in your house uses energy, and knowing how much energy each uses is a big benefit to you. A good idea is to check the yellow Energy Star label on appliances.
7. Upgrade Your Attic Insulation
If you don't already have insulation, adding it can save you between 10% and 20% on your heating bills. The higher the R value (heat-resistance factor) of the insulation, the better. For the attic, use at least R40. It's also a good idea to use a good sealant on your attic door.
8. Seal Those Air Ducts
The typical home lose 30%-40% of the cooling they pay for. This is because most ducts are leaky. Not a good thing, being as your ducts are the hottest place in your house. To avoid this, seal your duct system with mastic and mesh (not duct tape), and insulated with R-8 or better.
9. Clean Those Air Filters
You need to clean or replace air conditioner and furnace filters at least once per month. A dirty filter makes these appliances work much harder, using more energy and costing you more money.
10. Use More Cold Water
Yet another no-brainer, sometimes people forget this important tip. Reaching for that hot water faucet need not be a necessity. Dishes, clothes and hands can all be rinsed in cold water.
Author: Allan Wilson
1. Shade Those Windows
How you cover your windows has a direct impact on how much energy you save. Dark curtains and good covering blinds are important. In the summer keep curtains/blinds closed to windows facing the sun. In the winter, open them for some natural heating.
2. Landscape That Lawn
Not just for looks, trees can be an important way to reduce energy. Planting deciduous trees (trees that lose their leaves in the winter) around your home will help keep your home cool in the summer, and let the sun through in the winter.
3. Choose Your Exterior Wisely
When painting, or replacing your siding or roof, be sure and pick white or light colors. This, though it may not help a whole lot, is a no-cost way to reduce your bill. For roofing options, a white metal roof gives the best benefit.
4. Use CFL's (Compact Fluorescent Lights)
CFLs cost a bit more, but use 75% less energy than regular light bulbs and last about 10 times longer -so you save money, and you stay cooler. Replacing just four well-used 100-watt bulbs with equivalent 23-watt CFLs will save you $108 over three years!
5. Turn Off Those Lights
This should be a no-brainer, but we all need reminders every once in a while. This is a 100% free way to reduce your energy bill. If a light isn't being used, turn it off. If this is a hard habit to get into, install timers on all of your lights
6. Buy Energy Efficient Appliances
A lot can be said here, as this is a huge way to cut energy costs. A few things to remember: Every appliance in your house uses energy, and knowing how much energy each uses is a big benefit to you. A good idea is to check the yellow Energy Star label on appliances.
7. Upgrade Your Attic Insulation
If you don't already have insulation, adding it can save you between 10% and 20% on your heating bills. The higher the R value (heat-resistance factor) of the insulation, the better. For the attic, use at least R40. It's also a good idea to use a good sealant on your attic door.
8. Seal Those Air Ducts
The typical home lose 30%-40% of the cooling they pay for. This is because most ducts are leaky. Not a good thing, being as your ducts are the hottest place in your house. To avoid this, seal your duct system with mastic and mesh (not duct tape), and insulated with R-8 or better.
9. Clean Those Air Filters
You need to clean or replace air conditioner and furnace filters at least once per month. A dirty filter makes these appliances work much harder, using more energy and costing you more money.
10. Use More Cold Water
Yet another no-brainer, sometimes people forget this important tip. Reaching for that hot water faucet need not be a necessity. Dishes, clothes and hands can all be rinsed in cold water.
Author: Allan Wilson
Monday, August 16, 2010
Thrift Stores = Saving Money
This is a great way to save money. If you have kids than you know how fast they grow and how expensive their clothes can be. I shop at thrift stores for most of my kids clothing. I can get name-brand clothing at next to nothing prices. They have more clothes to wear because of this!! For the price of 1 pair of jeans I can go to a thrift store and get my kids a few outfits and the accessories. You will have to hunt in the store for the good stuff and make sure you look the items over really good. Check the zippers and buttons. Although I did buy my hubby a Christian Dior dress shirt for a $1.00 that had a button missing because I knew I could go home and sew one on!!!! Now I have a new baby and if it was not for thrift stores he would be naked right now! Also when I was pregnant I got all of my maternity clothes at thrift stores and then resold it on ebay and made 3 times more than what I bought it for! Some people even make a business out of thrift stores - go to them and buy high end items for next to nothing and resell it on ebay! You can even get others items at thrift stores that can save you money. I got some awesome shelves last year. They are very old and I got them for $5.00 each. They are worth a lot more than that. If you really look you can get some great antiques at thrift stores.
Thrift Stores also came in handy when I was homeschooling my kids. You can always find textbooks ,workbooks, and more at thrift stores that you might need for teaching. I bought a chemistry kit one year for only $2.00!! A lot less than if I had bought it new and it did not have anything missing.
Great for back to school shopping!!
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Thrift Stores also came in handy when I was homeschooling my kids. You can always find textbooks ,workbooks, and more at thrift stores that you might need for teaching. I bought a chemistry kit one year for only $2.00!! A lot less than if I had bought it new and it did not have anything missing.
Great for back to school shopping!!
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Sunday, August 15, 2010
Meal Planning & Grocery Shopping
This is a great way to save some money. Plan your meals for the week and make a list for the grocery store. Actually stick to the list. When you are at the grocery look for store brand items , they can save you quite a bit. Always check the meat-sales. Our local grocery store puts the meat from that day in a "meat-sale" section and you can get some great bargains there. The meat is always just from that day and never out of date. They just do not like their meat to carry over to the next day so they mark it down. I can get ground chuck family packs for $2.50!! Steaks are usually $.99 and big roast are always $3.00!!!! Our freezer is always full. If you have to buy name brand ,than always try to use coupons or buy the item on sale. When they have something on sale that you are always using ,STOCK UP!! Like ,for example, the grocery store has tomato juice (that I always use for soups) on sale for $.89 when it is usually $1.09, so I bought the limit of 4 cans !! Now I have it on hand and saved money! You can sometimes get some great deals on closeouts. I got 5 things of Suave Deoderant that was once $1.99 for $.88 each because it was a closeout that they were not going to be carrying anymore. If you really take your time , leave the kids at home, and stick to a meal planning list ,you can save a lot of money at the grocery store.Download our free toolbar
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Save Money At Breakfast
You can save a lot of money if you switch to eating oatmeal for breakfast and with these recipes you can make it an enjoyable experience ,too.
Instant Oatmeal Packets
3 cups oats (quick cooking works best)
salt
8 small zip-like baggies
Process ½ cup oats in a blender (or 1 cup oats in a food processor) on high until powdery. Set aside. Repeat with additional ½ cup oats if using blender. Put the following into each baggie: 1/4 cup regular oats, 2 tablespoons powdered oats, and 1/8 teaspoon salt. Store in an airtight container.
To serve, empty packet into a bowl. Add 3/4 cup boiling water. Stir and let stand for 2 minutes. Adjust water amount for thicker or thinner oatmeal.
Try some of the following variations:
Sweetened Oatmeal: Add 1 T. sugar
Brown Sugar/Cinnamon Oatmeal: Add 1 T. brown sugar and 1/4 t. cinnamon
Raisins and Brown Sugar: Add 1 T. packed brown sugar and 1 T. raisins.
Apple-Cinnamon Oatmeal: Add 1 T. sugar, 1/4 t. cinnamon, & 2 T. Chopped dried apples
Fruit and Cream Oatmeal: Add 1 T. non-dairy coffee creamer and 2 T. dried fruit
Health Nut Oatmeal: Add 2 T. any kind of wheat germ
Chewy Granola Bars
3 cups oats
1 cup flour
1 t. baking soda
2 t. vanilla
2/3 cup butter, softened
½ cup honey
1/3 cup brown sugar
1 cup mini chocolate chips or M&Ms
Optional: raisins, dried fruit, sunflower seeds, chopped nuts
In a large bowl, combine oats, flour, and baking soda. In another bowl, combine vanilla, butter, honey, and brown sugar; add to oat mixture and stir until combined. Stir in the chocolate chips and pour into a lightly greased 9x13 pan. Lightly press mixture into the pan with the back of your spoon. Bake at 325 for 22 minutes or until lightly golden brown. Let cool for 10 minutes then cut into bars. Let bars cool completely in pan before removing or serving.
If you cook oatmeal in milk rather than water, the oatmeal will taste creamier. Apple juice, peach syrup, or mixed fruit juice, or even a combination of juices and milk make wonderful new flavors without having to add much extra (if any) sweetener. Cinnamon and nutmeg with chopped apples make a delicious combination. Use your imagination to add whatever you like. (Once, I added hot chocolate mix. That was good!)One last tip for saving money at breakfast: use powdered milk either in part or whole to save money. When powdered milk is cold, you hardly notice a difference, especially on cereal or in recipes. If you think your family will be skeptical about drinking powdered milk, mix it with regular milk. I've served powdered milk with cereal to extended family, and when asked about it later, they never noticed the difference.
Even if your family doesn't want to drink powdered milk, keep some on hand for using in recipes. An added benefit to using powdered milk is convenience. I don't have to run to the store each week for fresh milk since I buy powdered milk in large quantities and make as needed.Download our free toolbar
Instant Oatmeal Packets
3 cups oats (quick cooking works best)
salt
8 small zip-like baggies
Process ½ cup oats in a blender (or 1 cup oats in a food processor) on high until powdery. Set aside. Repeat with additional ½ cup oats if using blender. Put the following into each baggie: 1/4 cup regular oats, 2 tablespoons powdered oats, and 1/8 teaspoon salt. Store in an airtight container.
To serve, empty packet into a bowl. Add 3/4 cup boiling water. Stir and let stand for 2 minutes. Adjust water amount for thicker or thinner oatmeal.
Try some of the following variations:
Sweetened Oatmeal: Add 1 T. sugar
Brown Sugar/Cinnamon Oatmeal: Add 1 T. brown sugar and 1/4 t. cinnamon
Raisins and Brown Sugar: Add 1 T. packed brown sugar and 1 T. raisins.
Apple-Cinnamon Oatmeal: Add 1 T. sugar, 1/4 t. cinnamon, & 2 T. Chopped dried apples
Fruit and Cream Oatmeal: Add 1 T. non-dairy coffee creamer and 2 T. dried fruit
Health Nut Oatmeal: Add 2 T. any kind of wheat germ
Chewy Granola Bars
3 cups oats
1 cup flour
1 t. baking soda
2 t. vanilla
2/3 cup butter, softened
½ cup honey
1/3 cup brown sugar
1 cup mini chocolate chips or M&Ms
Optional: raisins, dried fruit, sunflower seeds, chopped nuts
In a large bowl, combine oats, flour, and baking soda. In another bowl, combine vanilla, butter, honey, and brown sugar; add to oat mixture and stir until combined. Stir in the chocolate chips and pour into a lightly greased 9x13 pan. Lightly press mixture into the pan with the back of your spoon. Bake at 325 for 22 minutes or until lightly golden brown. Let cool for 10 minutes then cut into bars. Let bars cool completely in pan before removing or serving.
If you cook oatmeal in milk rather than water, the oatmeal will taste creamier. Apple juice, peach syrup, or mixed fruit juice, or even a combination of juices and milk make wonderful new flavors without having to add much extra (if any) sweetener. Cinnamon and nutmeg with chopped apples make a delicious combination. Use your imagination to add whatever you like. (Once, I added hot chocolate mix. That was good!)One last tip for saving money at breakfast: use powdered milk either in part or whole to save money. When powdered milk is cold, you hardly notice a difference, especially on cereal or in recipes. If you think your family will be skeptical about drinking powdered milk, mix it with regular milk. I've served powdered milk with cereal to extended family, and when asked about it later, they never noticed the difference.
Even if your family doesn't want to drink powdered milk, keep some on hand for using in recipes. An added benefit to using powdered milk is convenience. I don't have to run to the store each week for fresh milk since I buy powdered milk in large quantities and make as needed.Download our free toolbar
Friday, August 13, 2010
Sewing For Baby
I am wanting to start with some great sewing websites that I found for sewing accessories for babies. If I did not do a lot of sewing when my son was a baby , I do not know what we would have done. What, with sewing diapers and stuff, it really saved a lot of money!! You can find a lot of places online for sewing patterns.
Free baby sling and carriers patterns
Free Maya Wrap baby carrier pattern
Great resources for making cloth diapers - FREE
Free Cloth Diaper Patterns
How to sew a fitted diaper
Martha Stewert Tea Towel Bib
Martha Stewert Felt baby shoes
Free info on sewing cloth diapers and training pants
Free patterns for making baby toys and there is even one for making a cloth book
These are just a starting point for some items that you can sew yourself and save some money. Reuse bigger clothing to make baby stuff ,like toys etc. Reuse blankets and more. Use your imagination.
Download our free toolbar
Free baby sling and carriers patterns
Free Maya Wrap baby carrier pattern
Great resources for making cloth diapers - FREE
Free Cloth Diaper Patterns
How to sew a fitted diaper
Martha Stewert Tea Towel Bib
Martha Stewert Felt baby shoes
Free info on sewing cloth diapers and training pants
Free patterns for making baby toys and there is even one for making a cloth book
These are just a starting point for some items that you can sew yourself and save some money. Reuse bigger clothing to make baby stuff ,like toys etc. Reuse blankets and more. Use your imagination.
Download our free toolbar
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