Kevin's View: February 2007

Wednesday, February 28, 2007

On the Listening Tour, Hillary was pleased and proud that the local sandwich shop in a town she was visiting had named a sandwich after her. She was somewhat less pleased after she found out what was in it. "Mostly baloney," said the proprietor.

Guilt-free rainy day

This guest post from Lewis Beck

Finally, it is a rainy day. It has been so long since we had rain, I forgot how relaxing it is. The best part about the rain is that you can sit inside and not feel guilty about accomplishing absolutely nothing. So, that is my big plan today: accomplishing nothing. It seems silly to plan to do nothing, but sometimes you need a lazy day. I have big plans for my lack of accomplishment today. First off, I am going to read a chapter in my latest novel of interest. Then, I am going to visit www.direct.tv and see what movies are available. I hope to watch at least two movies. I have been so busy that the last movie I saw was 3 months ago. And my final plan for my “nothing” day is to take a nap. Rainy day naps are undoubtedly the best naps ever taken. The beat of the rain on the window, the slight chill in the air, and the guiltless enjoyment of sleeping in the middle of the day are only a few reasons why this is the best part of my entire day. It’s funny how excited I feel about a day of doing nothing, but I am so happy for the rain!

Luke 1:47

And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.

Tuesday, February 27, 2007

Potato Patties and Bread Pudding

Today I ate an odd combination of foods. This morning when I finally ate something I fixed up a potato patty (from the left over mashed potatoes), an egg and some left over bread pudding.
Tonight as I am battling the beginning's of my first cold this winter, I again fixed another potato patty and heated up the last of the left over bread pudding.

Take Some Responsibility

This video is by a young woman who makes some very excellent points about society, debt and people who use credit cards. This 9 minute video is number 3 my DebtFree4ever TV Series.

DebtFree4ever TV: Generation Debt

This is the second video in DebtFree4ever TV's series on debt. Today, is a video from Geraldo At Large on Fox. It is a very interesting look at debt and why credit cards should be avoided and a perfect example of why we should alternative ways (but legal) to pay for college (instead of borrowing on student loans).

Hillary Clinton's Home Town

Bill and Hillary Clinton are driving in the country near Hillary's hometown. They are low on fuel, so Bill stops at a gas station. The man at the gas station comes out and looks into the window.

"Hey, Hillary! We used to date in high school, do you remember me?" he asks.

They talk merrily for a few minutes. Bill pays, and they leave. As they drive, Bill is feeling very proud of himself and looks over at Hillary.

"You used to date that guy? Just think what life would be if you hadn't married me," he says. Hillary looks at Bill and says to him,

"Well, I guess you'd be pumping gas and he'd be President"

Special Gore Sticker of the Day

Did Gore Even Try?

I'M NOT GOING SLOW

I'M NOT GOING SLOW...
THE CLOWN IN FRONT OF ME IS

John 3:16

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Monday, February 26, 2007

THOU SHALT NOT

WHAT PART OF "THOU SHALT NOT"
DON'T YOU UNDERSTAND?

DebtFree4ever TV: Record High Consumer Debt

CBS takes a look at our nations record high consumer debt, in this video.

Enjoying Your frugal Meal in Style

After you have cooked that nice and frugal home cooked meal you need someplace to sit and enjoy it. Like your frugal meal you don't have to break into Fort Knox to be able have a comfortable place. You can dress up your old hard dinning room chairs with attractive yet affordable dining chair cushions.

The styles are endless. If your dinning room chairs need a pick me up. Or just need some help to be more comfortable I encourage you to take a look at these kitchen chair pads.

Now I know this blog is a frugal blog but that doesn't mean being style-less. You can look very fashionable and not break the budget. One of the things I always dreamed of was a chandelier over my dinning room table. We know that is possible with a plug in chandelier. So what are you waiting for? Check them out, make your budget and dress up your dinning room to fit your lifestyle and enjoy your frugal self.

IRS Halloween

The door bell, rings, and a man answers it. Here stands this plain but well dressed kid, saying, "Trick or Treat!" The man asks the kids what he is dressed up like for Halloween. The kid replies, "I'm an IRS agent." Then he takes 40 percent of the man's candy, leaves, and doesn't say thank you.

Luke 19:10

For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.

Sunday, February 25, 2007

potatoes & leftovers

Last night before going to work I ate 2 baked potatoes (about 15 cents each) and some pork & beans. I then took the remainder of the pork & beans to work with me for my lunch.
Total estimated expense 70 cents

When I arrived home I ate a couple of eggs, and promptly fell asleep, missing church again.

Tonight, as I get ready for work, I fixed and ate mashed potatoes and leftover bread pudding.

WET AND HUNGRY

WE'RE BORN COLD, WET AND HUNGRY
THEN THINGS GET WORSE

nervous taxpayer

A nervous taxpayer was unhappily conversing with the IRS auditor who had come to review his records. At one point the auditor exclaimed, "Mr. Carr, we feel it is a great privilege to be allowed to live and work in the USA. As a citizen you have an obligation to pay taxes, and we expect you to eagerly pay them with a smile."

"Thank God," returned Mr. Carr, "I thought you were going to want cash!"

Saturday, February 24, 2007

Petition Drive Started

Since 1990, D. Kevin Surbaugh, of Topeka, KS has been trying to get a National Foster Parents Day instituted.

We the undersigned hear by request that the members of Congress vote on HR 179.
Further we request the President of the United States of America honor Foster Parents across this great nation with a day of honor (possibly the 4th Sunday of May) for their great sacrifice in providing homes to these children in need of a warm and caring place.
A day of honor for those families who open their homes and hearts to children whose families are in crisis, play a vital role in helping children heal and in launching those children into successful adulthood.
A day of honor that would work to increase public awareness of the needs of the 500,000 children in foster care.
A day of honor for those families who are able to serve a role as foster parents should be wholeheartedly encouraged to do so.
This petition will be mailed to members of Congress on July 1, 2007. If you support a simple day of honor for foster parents, please add your signature at this link.

Last Night and This Morning

I guess, I didn't make my regular post before going to work last night, so I better get you all updated on this extremely frugal diet of mine. I reheated a bowl of potato soup for my meal before work. Took another bowl of it to work with me and am eating the last of it as I type, before turning in for the day. I will be up at 4 to get ready for another day.

total estimated cost of my 3 meals...99 cents

I am thinking baked potato and some other veggie tonight

golf V taxes

Q: How is golf like taxes?
A: Well, you drive hard to get to the green, and then you wind up in the hole.

WOMEN ARE GREAT LEADERS
YOU'RE FOLLOWING ONE NOW

Proverbs 15:18

A hot-tempered man stirs up dissension, but a patient man calms a quarrel.

Friday, February 23, 2007

Bush and Saddam

Saddam Hussein and President George W. Bush meet up in Baghdad for the first round of talks in a new peace process. When George sits down, he notices 3 buttons on the side of Saddam's chair.

They begin talking. After about 5 minutes, Saddam presses the first button.

A boxing glove springs out of a box on the desk and punches Bush in the face. Confused, Bush carries on talking as Saddam laughs.

A few minutes later the second button is pressed. This time a big boot comes out and kicks Bush in the shin. Again Saddam laughs, and again Bush carries on talking, not wanting to put off the bigger issue of peace between the 2 countries. But when the third button is pressed and another boot comes out and kicks Bush in the privates, he's finally had enough, knowing that he can't do much else but say "I'm going back home!" he tells the Iraqi. "We'll finish these talks in two weeks!"

Two weeks pass and Saddam flies to the United States for talks. Asthe 2 men sit down, Hussein notices 3 buttons on Bush's chair and prepares himself for the American's revenge.

They begin talking and Saddam is uncooperative, Bush presses the first button. Saddam ducks, but nothing happens. Bush snickers.

A few seconds later, as Hussein continues his belligerence, Bush presses the second button. Saddam jumps up, but again nothing happens. Bush roars with laughter.

As things progress, then the third button is pressed, Saddam jumps up again, and again nothing happens. Bush falls on the floor in a fit of hysterics.

"Forget this," says Saddam. "I'm going back to Baghdad!"

Bush then says through tears of laughter, "What Baghdad?"

Win or Lose

IT'S NOT WHETHER YOU WIN OR LOSE
IT'S WHETHER I WIN OR LOSE

1 John 4:14

And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.

Thursday, February 22, 2007

Soup Night - Day 47

Today I sent out emails to Foster Parenting groups regarding the resolution that was introduced in Congress on my behalf, letting them know. Tonight, after I woke up, I made up a bowl of potato soup.
One thing I am learning is how to use more water and less milk, when making my potato soup. A great way to make the dollars and the milk to stretch further.

24 billion??? Are You Crazy?

Did you hear about this in the news? When I seen it on my television news, I knew I had to search the Internet and discuss this crazy electric bill that several electric customers in Weatherford, Texas received recently.

WEATHERFORD, Texas -- Perhaps his $24 billion electric bill will teach Richard Redden to turn down the thermostat a bit.

Redden and more than 1,300 Weatherford utility customers this week received billion-dollar electric bills marked as late notices. The mega-charges were attributed to a printing error.

Yep, you read that correctly. Individual customers were billed over 24 billion dollars on a single bill. Now that is what I call a huge bill. Redden commented on the billing by saying,

``I know they raised the rates on kilowatt hours a little bit,'' Redden said. ``I guess we shouldn't have run the heater quite so much this month.''

I am with him on turning the heat down, but man that is huge kilowatt rates.

I Admire this Man and His Business Savvy

I don't usually talk about individual stocks. One reason, I am not qualified to recommend and (2) I don't have the cash to invest. However, the guy that bought the Kansas company that I work for, back in the 1990's in order to get a hold of the Food4Less name, has made another play. He later sold my company to a Kansas City co-op and most of the rest of the stores that he built or bought out in California to Kroger.

After stocking up on shares of Wild Oats Markets, Ronald W. Burkle is set to check out at a tidy profit. Whole Foods Market, the natural-foods grocer, agreed Wednesday to pay $565 million for Wild Oats, a smaller competitor whose largest shareholder is Mr. Burkle’s investment firm, Yucaipa. At $18.50 per share, Whole Foods’ offer values Yucaipa’s nearly 18 percent stake at about $94.4 million. Yucaipa paid about $54 million, net of commissions, for its 5.1 million shares, regulatory filings show.

Yucaipa has already agreed to tender its shares under Whole Foods’ offer, the companies said Wednesday.

Despite Burkle's politics I admire him as a brilliant businessman, much the same as Warren Buffett. With that I would very much be interested in buying stocks in Whole Foods.

LIFE GOES FASTER

LIKE A ROLL OF TOILET PAPER
LIFE GOES FASTER NEAR THE END

Busy 24 hours

It is time I get everyone updated on what I have eaten in the last 24 hours. I took leftover chiken and biscuits (chicken pot pie) from my deep freezer to work with me yesterday. When I came home I fried two potatoes and one egg. I then called a local a talk show regarding some federal legislation that I have fought for the past 17 years, before going to bed. Once I woke up I made and ate popcorn for my dinner.

Total spent yesterday was an estimated 45 cents

The Pope

One day a man named Bob was playing a round of golf with the Pope. On the first hole,Bob hits the ball into a sand trap "Damn, I missed." says Bob. The Pope says,"you shouldn't say that it is bad.

Later on in the day on the ninth hole Bob hits the ball into the water. "Damn, I missed." says Bob again. The Pope says, "Don't say that, next time you do, God will strike you down with a lightning bolt."

Close to the end of the day on the last hole, Bob hits it an inch short of the hole. "Damn, I missed." says Bob once again. The Pope looks into the sky as the clouds start to split apart. Then a lightning bolt comes down from heaven, striking and killing the Pope. God's voice echos, "Damn, I missed."

National Foster Parents Day A Possibility?

For 17 years, I have been seeking a National Foster Parents Day. Seventeen long years of various members of Congress, in both parties who were apathetic of a simple day of honor.

A day of honor for those families who open their homes and hearts to children whose families are in crisis, play a vital role in helping children heal and in launching those children into successful adulthood.
A day of honor that would work to increase public awareness of the needs of the 500,000 children in foster care.
A day of honor for those families who are able to serve a role as foster parents should be wholeheartedly encouraged to do so.

In a letter sent to me by Congresswoman Nancy Boyda, I learned that unlike the unanimous support I had in the state legislature, there is some reluctance among members of Congress to create new holidays or designate special dates.

I am surprised, even though I shouldn't be considering that I personally contacted several of the Congressmen of my district (2ND district of Kansas) and have had various degrees of out right No's to lukewarm maybes. I can say the one previous Democrat that I talked to in this District was the one out right no. When I lived in Chicago and I contacted my Democratic Congressman there, he never replied.

This resolution #179 was sponsored by Rep. Nancy Boyda [D-KS] and co-sponsored by these 8 members of congress:

Rep. Dennis Cardoza [D-CA]
Rep. Jim Cooper [D-TN]
Rep. Rosa DeLauro [D-CT]
Rep. Wayne Gilchrest [R-MD]
Rep. Mark Kirk [R-IL]
Rep. James McDermott [D-WA]
Rep. Juanita Millender-McDonald [D-CA]
Rep. Dennis Moore [D-KS]

The resolution was then referred to the House Oversight and Government Reform committee. Members of this committee will be charged with the task to vote on this resolution and making their recommendations to the full house.

Petition now Online!

Proverbs 16:32

Better a patient man than a warrior, a man who controls his temper then one who takes a city.

Wednesday, February 21, 2007

the crook

A crook thought maybe he could rob a church. The crook takes the money but notices a priest. The crook wants to kill the only witness, so he pulls out his gun, and fires. The crook missed and said "Damn, I missed." the preist tells the crook "If you swear in the house of God again, you will be struck by lightening." The crook shoots, misses, and again says "Damn, I missed." Suddenly, the heavens open up and a bolt of lightening thunders down and hits the preist. Then a towery voice says "Damn, I missed."

Singing Driver

Caution Driver Is Singing

Proverbs 14:17

A quick-tempered man does foolish things...

Tuesday, February 20, 2007

Mural Design To Be Revealed

This meeting will be March 6 at 7pm at the Professional Martial Arts building. David L will be available and will have the colors on the mural chart. We will have Grant Cushenbery and the press there to reveal the design of the first section of this tremendous project. Mike reported that the artist from Hope Street is very interested in getting involved in the mural. She is interested in attending our Town Hall meeting. This meeting should not last more than one hour.

Free Food!

For some reason the main aggregator of this personal finance related site, failed to aggregate the post I made yesterday. At any rate, I will continue to post about eating on a budget tonight and even after the current 90-day experiment is over. Today, I received a comment on last nights post telling me about free pancakes at I-Hop all day today. I found it hard to believe, so I called the local I-hop and confirmed it was in fact true. So tonight, I made my way out to that side of town to get my free pancakes with butter pecan syrup. More info on this promotion is below (copied from IHOP.com).

Join IHOP to celebrate National Pancake Day (also known as Mardi Gras, or Shrove Tuesday) on Tuesday, February 20, 2007. From 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., we’ll give you one free short stack (three) of our famous buttermilk pancakes. All we ask is that you consider making a donation to support local children’s hospitals through Children’s Miracle Network, or other local charities.

In 2006, you helped IHOP celebrate National Pancake Day by raising more than $340,000 for charity. In 2007, we hope that together we can top that by giving away enough free pancakes to raise $500,000 for Children’s Miracle Network and other local charities. To find an IHOP location near you, please click here.

There is a limit of one free short stack per guest. The offer is valid at participating restaurants for dine-in only while supplies last, and is not valid with any other offer, special, coupon or discount.

So it wasn't completely free, I left a 75 cent tip and dropped 50 cents in the donation box. I also left my card advertising the main blog, with a not to the waitress for her very excellent service. Maybe if she makes her way to this site, she well comment and say hi.

Hard Work

HARD WORK NEVER KILLED ANYONE
BUT WHY TAKE THE CHANCE?

Referral Visits

I am so enthused (as mentioned here) as I continue to see increased visitors to this blog as an indirect result of the NY Times article featuring Tricia and Leigh Ann. While most of the article focused on a interview with Tricia, most of the referral visits are coming from Leigh Ann's blog, with Tricia's blog being the number 2 referrer, according to MyBlogLog.com.

In addition my article on Bank of America made it into a couple of carnivals.

In addition

Felicia Sullivan links to this blog saying:

seeking some cool bloggers who want to get their sorry ass out of debt or can stretch a dollar like nobody’s business

25 Frugal Tips To Save Money

The 25 Frugal Tips I Attempt to Follow are as follows:

I am in the process of changing my light bulbs to compact fluorescent lights (C.F.L.) bulbs to save money.
In the cold months I keep my furnace setting at 67 degrees.
I am in the process installing outlet insulation. These little babies, help prevent drafts around your outlets and light switches. My first planed major spending this year is getting insulation into my attic. The cost will be around $600 to buy about 20 rolls of insulation, but should save quite a bit in my heating bill. (Not to mention the $500 credit on my 2007 taxes.)
I pay nearly all my bills online eliminating the cost of stamps and checks, not to mention gas if you are one to pay in person.
Reuse the plastic margarine, cottage cheese, etc, etc bowls to store leftover food in.
Turn off all lights when not in a room
Cook my own meals at home, rather then eating out.
Take my lunch to work.
Wash clothes in cold water to save on heat
Pick up money from the ground and save in my change jar
Round up in check book and place excess in savings at end of the month. My new bank actually does this for me, with their keep the change program.
Put raises or bonuses in savings or apply towards debt
I only cut my hair 3-4 times a year...this last year I got a crew cut and was able to go six months before getting another hair cut. This year, I am thinking about doing the same only shaving it bald, and sort of get a feel what it will be like when I go completely bald. (LOL)
Go to thrift stores, yard sales, and auctions, rather then buying new.
Refrain as much as possible from buying things in vending machines
Buy generic (store brands) over name-brand
Pay more than the minimum on my debts.
Re-use the plastic grocery bags as trash bags (especially in the smaller bathroom/bedroom cans). I do the same with paper bags in my kitchen trash can.
I use 1/2 of a dryer sheet per load.
Stock up on non-perishable sale items.
Train myself that my house is not a museum. I don't need to own everything cool that I discover. I can just admire it in the store.
When weather is nice, I walk the 3 blocks to church rather then driving (I usually would have to park 2 blocks away anyway).I do the same thing (or bicycle to neighborhood meetings.
I pop my own popcorn, rather then buying microwave popcorn. I think it tastes better anyway.
Don't go to movie theaters
Buy sodas from the supermarket when they’re on sale instead of from the office vending machine. (I have also started trying to limit myself to one soda a day).

In addition, I want to get a clothes line installed in my back yard.

I Could Use a Little Money

Dear Father,

$chool i$ really great. I am making lot$ of friend$ and $tudying very hard. With all my $tuff, I $imply �an't think of anything I need, $o if you would like, you can ju$t $end me a card, a$ I would love to hear from you.

Love,
Your $on.

After receiving his son's letter, the father immediately replies by sending a letter back.

Dear Son,

I kNOw that astroNOmy, ecoNOmics, and oceaNOgraphy are eNOugh to keep even an hoNOr student busy. Do NOt forget that the pursuit of kNOwledge is a NOble task, and you can never study eNOugh.

Love,
Dad

Stomach Growling

My stomach is growling so fierce right now, but I don't know what to fix. I do know I don't want leftover bread pudding to be my main course again.
So off to the kitchen I go and after much scrouging around, I decided to heat up a bowl of ham and beans from the deep freeze. That should fill me up quite nicely, especially with a side of leftover bread pudding afterwards.

Ecclesiastes 7:9

Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger resides in the lap of fools.

Monday, February 19, 2007

Blog of the Day

It's time to party. Cut the cake and celebrate. I received word that the group at "Blog of the Day," has chosen this site as today's blog of the day.

Electric Bill

I received my electric bill a couple of days ago. When I opened it, I was quite shocked. Not in the amount due, but the kilowatts used. I use average pay, so my monthly amount due is $69.79. This billing cycle was 32 days using 686 kilowatts translating in 21.6 kilowatts per day. Those figures are up from last year when I was billed for 29 days, 636 kilowatts which translated into 21.2 kilowatts per day.
I don't understand, since over the past few months I have been diligent about turning lights off when I leave a room, watching TV less. Actually, the only light burning more often is the yard light, that didn't exist last year at this time. It has a compact fluorescent bulb and comes on at dusk and turns off automatically at dawn. However, over the last couple months the electric bill has been smaller then the previous year.
Also in the last month especially I have replaced 3 burnt out incandescents with compact fluorescent. More bulb changes will occur as more bulbs burn out. I am hoping to eventually get the electric rate down to $50/month.
While I complain in this post about the rising kilowatt usage, I realize the bill could be a lot worst. Still, I am stumped why it was higher this month then previous months when compared to the year previous.
Any other ideas to get my bill down to the target of $50/month? I expect to be 100% compact fluorescent in the next year.

Thank the Military

IF YOU CAN READ THIS, THANK A TEACHER
IF YOU'RE READING IT IN ENGLISH,
Thank A SOLDIER

James 1:19, 20

My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.

Satan vists the church

One bright, beautiful Sunday morning, everyone in tiny Jonestown wakes up early and goes to their local church. Before the service starts, the townspeople sit in their pews and talk about their lives and their families.

Suddenly, at the altar, Satan appears!! Everyone starts screaming and running for the front entrance, trampling each other in their determined efforts to get away from Evil Incarnate. Soon, everyone is evacuated from the church except for one man, who sit calmly in his pew, seemingly oblivious to the fact that God's ultimate enemy is in his presence. This confuses Satan a bit. Satan walks up to the man and says, "Hey, don't you know who I am?" The man says, "Yep, sure do."

Satan says, "Well, aren't you afraid of me?" The man says, "Nope, sure ain't."

Satan, perturbed, says, "And why aren't you afraid of me?" The man says, "Well, I've been married to your sister for 25 years."

Sunday, February 18, 2007

101-k

MY 401-K IS NOW A 101-K

You Have to See this Recipe

OK, So a number of you are probably wondering what I am eating tonight. Well, it's a frugal recipe and something I have been planning for months. Bread pudding.

What I do is, since the recipe calls for stale bred, and since no one seems to like those heels in the loaf of bread is I store the heels from each loaf in my freezer until I have enough bread to make my bread pudding.

Stale bread (about 4 cups)
1 c. sugar
1 tbsp. cinnamon
3 1/4 - 4 c. milk
6 eggs
2 tsp. vanilla
6 pats butter
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 c. raisins (opt.)

Break enough bread into small pieces to fill a 9"x13" baking dish (about 4 cups); sprinkle sugar and cinnamon over bread. In separate bowl mix milk, eggs, vanilla and salt. Sprinkle raisins over bread, then pour milk mixture over bread until they can be seen around bread. Place butter on top. Bake 1 hour at 375 degrees. Serves 12.

LEMON SAUCE:

1/2 c. sugar
2 tsp. cornstarch
Dash of salt

Mix gradually and add 1 cup water. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly until thick and clear. Stir small amount hot mixture into 2 beaten egg yolks, return to hot mixture. Cook and stir 1 minute; remove from heat and add 2 teaspoons butter and 2 tablespoons lemon juice, pour over pudding.

Since I didn't have cornstarch, I used flour instead

Total Cost about $2 divided by 12 servings that breaks down to 17 cents per serving...pretty cheap meal...but full of sugar and carbohydrates.

Yesterday, Mis-Spending & Macaroni Nite

Yesterday, I did well sticking to my budget until I got to work. I ate a box of mac & cheese...total cost 29 cents. but then I got to, with the leftover macaroni and bought a bottle of Propel water (had coupon for free bottle), a candy bar and box of fresh cookies. ~~Spent~~ Wasted $2.72.

Vampires

Q: What's the difference between a Democrat and a vampire?
A: A vampire only sucks blood at night.

Psalms 30:5

For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.

Saturday, February 17, 2007

Damn Men

MEN: CAN'T LIVE WITH 'EM.
CAN'T SHOOT 'EM

Democrats V. Catfish

Q: What's the difference between a Democrat and a catfish?
A: One is an ugly, scum sucking bottom-feeder and the other is a fish.

Titus 3:5,6

Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
Which He shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;

Friday, February 16, 2007

ham & beans

Spent my evening at the lawn and garden show here in Topeka manning the Keep America Beautiful booth. I ran home real quick to pull a couple of containers of ham and beans out of the deep freeze. Heated one up for my "breakfast," and am taking the other to work for my lunch tonight.

Opinion

I RESPECT YOUR OPINION
I JUST DON'T WANT TO HEAR IT

Updating the Resume

For those who have seen my resume online. This week, my life changed. No not another job. Nope no job loss either. This past week I joined an international group that is getting established in Topeka. Acorn is a group that addresses concerns in the inner-city. In some cases they might even fight Wal-Mart.
In addition, yesterday, I accepted a position the board of directors of a not-for-profit known as Cornerstone, which provides low income rentals, emergency shelter and on occasion contract for deed properties. I look forward to the opportunities these two groups will provide.

Dirt Bag

Q: What's the difference between a Democrat on a Harley and a vacuum cleaner?
A: The vacuum has the dirt bag on the inside.

Nehemiah 9:17

...But you are a forgiving God, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love...

Thursday, February 15, 2007

Day 40 - Stuffing

Today, I found a box stuffing in my cubard that was almost expired, so I mixed it up. Served it with left over Au Gratin potatoes. Total estimated cost 46 cents.

My lunch tonight will be left over potatoes, cream corn and corn bread stuffing. I will fill like I am eating like a king, when lunch time rolls around about 3 am.

Day 39 Wrap-up

Morning. Last night for dinner I again ate Au Gratin Potatoes and cream corn. The estimated cost is 37 cents. I know yesterday I said 28, but I figured 4 meals, but I am only getting 3 meals out of what I prepared.

Your Opinion Is Being Sought

OK, this isn't exactly a post on my eating or food spending, but DebtFree4ever.net is seeking your opinion on the new dollar coin. Click here to voice your opinion.

Your Thoughts: Will you use the new $1 coin?

Today, the U.S. Mint is issuing a gold-color "Presidential Dollar" coin that it hopes will appeal to collectors and consumers, unlike the wallflower Sacagawea and Susan B. Anthony dollar coins.
As such the Prince of thrift, would like to know what you think. Do like a dollar coin? Hate the thought? Neutral? Whatever, your thoughts, DebtFree4ever.net would like to know what you think.

Edmund Moy, director of the U.S. Mint, said the relentless pace of inflation means the time is ripe for a higher-denomination coin.

"A quarter doesn't buy a whole lot in a parking meter anymore," he said. "You've got to carry a sack of quarters around to plug that meter. Laundry, car washes are very coin-intensive services."

Weighing 8.1 grams, the same as the Sacagawea, a Presidential Dollar is lighter than four quarters, which weigh 5.5 grams each.

But Moy thinks a bigger plus for the new dollars is their novelty. He hopes they will, ahem, mint a new generation of amateur numismatists.

The Mint will issue the coins as a rotating limited-edition series, one for each president, following the order in which they served.

OK, so I will start it off. I personally like the idea. The U. S. mint should do what Canada did 20-years ago. Discontinue the $1 bill all together and just go with the $1 coin. In so doing the American public wouldn't have a choice and would have to adopt to the new coin.
Speaking from a frugalist point of view, currency wears out and has to be replaced every couple of years. Where as coins, don't wear out and can last forever, at least theoretically.
OK, so now you know what I think, what are your thoughts?

Psalms 145:8

The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love.

God Wants...

God Wants Spiritual Fruits Not Religious Nuts

Skunk

Q: What's the difference between a dead skunk in the road and a dead Democrat in the road?
A: Vultures will eat the skunk.

Wednesday, February 14, 2007

Race Records Boasting

Some race horses staying in a stable. One of them starts to boast about his track record. "In the last 15 races, I've won 8 of them!"

Another horse breaks in, "Well in the last 27 races, I've won 19!!"

"Oh that's good, but in the last 36 races, I've won 28!", says another, flicking his tail.

At this point, they notice that a greyhound dog has been sitting there listening. "I don't mean to boast," says the greyhound, "but in my last 90 races, I've won 88 of them!"

The horses are clearly amazed. "Wow!" says one, after a hushed silence. "A talking dog."

Morning Update - Day 39

Came home this morning and fixed myself a peanut butter and honey sandwich along with a glass of kool-aid.
OK, I said that I would list my shopping for yesterday.
2 boxes of Macaroni & Cheese 29 cents each
2 boxes of Au Gratin Potatoes 79 cents each
5 lb Sugar 2.12
Snack crackers 1.29
------
Total 5.98

As I mentioned last night, I will be creating a side bar tool to keep track of my monthly expenses, some time today.

Marry Me

ONCE UPON A TIME A GUY ASKED A GIRL
TO MARRY HIM. SHE SAID NO.
SO THE GUY LIVED HAPPILY EVERY AFTER

Song of Solomon 1:2-3

Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth - for your love is more delightful then wine. Pleasing is the fragrance of your perfumes; your name is like perfume poured out. No wonder the maidens love you!

Tuesday, February 13, 2007

Au Gratin Potatoes

OK, I am running behind tonight, so this will be really quick. I went grocery shopping and picked up a few items. Spent $5.98. More tomorrow. Look for a tally bar to show up in the sidebar tomorrow as well.
Tonight I ate
Au Gratin Potatoes
Cream corn over a slice of bread
estimated cost 28 cents

got to run.

taking egg salad sandwich to work for lunch tonight.

B. o. A.: No Social Security Number: No Problem

In the country illegally? No problem. Don't have a social security number? That's no problem either. That seems to be the message that Bank of America is sending in a recent press announcement.

According to Reuters, all you have to do is have a Bank of America checking account open for 3 months and if you haven't bounced a check, you will probably get a credit card. Regardless of credit history or a social security number (generally required to open any bank account).

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Bank of America Corp. has begun offering credit cards to customers without Social Security numbers, typically illegal immigrants, the Wall Street Journal reported on Tuesday.

In recent years, banks across the country have been offering checking accounts and even mortgages to the nation's fast-growing ranks of undocumented immigrants, most of whom are Hispanic, the paper said, adding these immigrants generally have not been able to get major credit cards.

The new Bank of America card is open to people who lack both a Social Security number and a credit history, as long as they have held a checking account with the bank for three months without an overdraft, the Journal said.

My concern here is obvious. Not only the issue of illegal immigration, but also terrorism and bank fraud. Say, I have bad credit history, so I create a false identity (bank fraud) so that I can get a new credit card. I think B. o. A. should rethink this plan.

Scam Alert

In today's issue of Money Magazine, Carolyn Bigda writes a scam alert article that I think all my readers should be aware of.

The Pitch - "This is the hotel front desk calling. There is a problem processing your credit card. Can you verify your card number and billing address?"

How the scammer got to you - S/he simply called the front desk asking for room 204 or a common surname, such as "Mr. Smith." Once transferred, the call appears to you as if it's made from within the hotel, giving it an air of legitimacy. Not wanting to get tossed out, you all-too-willingly provide your digits and billing address over the phone-all the information a fraudster needs to begin making bogus charges.

How to foil 'em - "Hotels generally won't ask you to verify credit-card information over the phone," says Joe McInerney, president of the American Hotel and Lodging Association. So if you get such a call, assume it's a con. Say you'd prefer to handle the matter at the front desk: You'll need a minute to gather your wallet or change out of beach gear. When you do make your way down, you will quickly find out if there's really a problem with your card.

2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us eternal comfort and good hope by grace, comfort and strengthen your hearts in every good work and word.

Hot Chocolate

As fixed myself a cup of hot cocoa today, I started wondering if I could cut the expense of this delicious hot drink. I am one those people that find my cocoa, better tasting, if I make it with milk instead of water. So, in my efforts to make my food dollars stretch (and also my milk) further, I only filled my cup half full with milk and then added water.
The taste was noticeably less creamy, but I think I could get used to it, if I put my mind to it. Maybe in time, I could get myself to just drink it with water instead of milk.

THE NEXT WAR

I'M ALREADY AGAINST THE NEXT WAR

Purchasing a new bird

After many years of marriage, a husband has turned into a couch potato, became completely inattentive to his wife and sat guzzling beer and watching TV all day. The wife was dismayed because no matter what she did to attract the husband's attention, he'd just shrug her off with some bored comment.

This went on for many months and the wife was going crazy with boredom. Then one day at a pet store, the wife saw this big, ugly, snorting bird with a hairy chest, powerful hairy forearms, beady eyes and dribble running down the side of its mouth.

The shopkeeper, observing her fascination with the bird, told her it was a special imported "Goony bird" and it had a very peculiar trait. To demonstrate, he exclaimed, "Goony bird! The table!"

Immediately, the Goony bird flew off its perch and with single-minded fury attacked the table and smashed it into a hundred little pieces with its powerful forearms and claws! To demonstrate some more, the shopkeeper said, "Goony bird! The shelf!"

Again the Goony bird turned to the shelf and demolished it in seconds.

"Wow!" said the wife, "If this doesn't attract my husband's attention, nothing will!" So she bought the bird and took it home.

When she entered the house, the husband was, as usual, sprawled on the sofa guzzling beer and watching the game. "Honey!" she exclaimed, "I've got a surprise for you! A Goony bird!"

The husband, in his usual bored tone replied, "Goony Bird, my foot!"

Monday, February 12, 2007

Egg Salad Overload

I am amazed how much egg salad you can get out of a few eggs and a little relish, mustard and salad dressing (store brand of Miracle Whip) makes. Once all mixed together, I filled a cottage cheese container. Looks like I will be eating egg salad most of the week.
I just finished one sandwich, and am going to eat another one here, when I finish this post.

Over The Hill

I MADE IT OVER THE HILL AND
ALL I GOT WAS THIS DAMN STICKER

It's egg time.

Morning, I mentioned last night, in my post on eggs (How Many Ways to Cook An Egg) over at DebtFree4ever.net, that I was boiling eggs. I ate 2 of them before going to work. I need to try the birds nest. In my brown bag lunch I had 3 diner rolls (from the ones I got free the other day) and the last of granola bar from my trip to the dental clinic.
Then this morning, when I arrived home I made a small batch of egg salad and had me two (2) sandwiches.

Top 20 Reason Why Dogs Don't Use Computers

20) Can't stick their heads out of Windows '95.

19) Fetch command not available on all platforms.

18) Hard to read the monitor with your head cocked to one side.

17) Too difficult to "mark" every web site they visit.

16) Can't help attacking the screen when they hear "You've Got Mail."

15) Fire hydrant icon simply frustrating.

14) Involuntary tail wagging is dead giveaway they're browsing www.pethouse.com instead of working.

13) Keep bruising noses trying to catch that MPEG Frisbee.

12) Not at all fooled by Chuck wagon Screen Saver.

11) Still trying to come up with an "emoticon" that signifies tail-wagging.

10) Waiting for the introduction of the Microsoft Opposable Thumb.

9) Three words: Carpal Paw Syndrome

8) 'Cause dogs aren't GEEKS! Now, cats, on the other hand...

7) Barking in next cube keeps activating YOUR voice recognition software.

6) SmellU-SmellMe still in beta test.

5) SIT and STAY were hard enough, GREP and AWK are out of the question!

4) Saliva-coated mouse gets mighty difficult to maneuver.

3) Annoyed by lack of newsgroup, alt.pictures.master's.leg.

2) Butt-sniffing more direct and less deceiving than online chat rooms.

1) TrO{ HyAqR4tDc TgrOo TgYPmE WeIjTyH P;AzWqS,

Sunday, February 11, 2007

How Many Ways to Cook An Egg, Let me Count the Ways

Eggs are cheap and economical. Besides that they are good for you to with enough protein and calories to fill you up. Besides it’s versatile too. So just how many ways to cook an egg are there? Lets count the ways.

Scrambled - A common favorite at breakfast.

Over easy

Poached - I would fix this kind often, if i had the right kind of pan.

Sunny Side Up - My personal favorite.

Hard boiled - They make a great anytime snack.

Egg sandwich - great for breakfast, lunch, or dinner

Egg salad - delicious, quick and easy

Omelets - the possibilities are endless on this one; add whatever you want - I prefer potatoes and ham (and/or bacon)

Deviled eggs - I absolutely love Deviled Eggs.

French toast- bread dipped in eggs- how frugal can you get?

Egg’s nest (aka Bull’s-Eyes) - cut a hole in a piece of bread, put contents of egg inside hole, cook in pan.

Add eggs to skillet bags from the grocery store

Breakfast burrito - cook eggs, put in tortilla, eat.

Chillaquillas - scrambled eggs mixed with cut up corn tortillas; add salsa and green chili for taste

Eggs in Raman Noodles - the combinations of two extremely frugal equals a frugal dynamo

Eggs in spaghetti noodles

Quiche

Eggs mixed with chorrizo - chorizzo is a delicious Mexican sausage; can be served by itself or wrapped in a burrito

Eggs in a pita

Huevos rancheros

Eggs scrambled with rice

Eggs scrambled with beans

Pasta carbonara- cook some noodles, beat some eggs, pour egg mixture over cooked noodles; the noodles will cook the egg mixture; add come bacon and garlic.

Eggs scrambled in shrimp

Substitute eggs for meat in Hamburger Helper

Slice a hard boiled egg in your salad

Egg drop soup

Egg Curry

souffle

Some of the ways I enjoy, while others don't fit in my taste buds. Thanks frugal law student, for inspiring this list. So there are 29 ways, did i miss any? Let me know if I did. Got to run, I have eggs boiling.

Incoming Money Delayed

Thursday was the 8Th of the month. What is so special about the 8Th? The 8Th of each month is when my roommates rent is due. As of yet, I have not received his check and with insurance premiums due, I am getting antsy, even though I know it will probably be setting on my recliner when I get home in the morning. Then again it may depend on his payday, which may not be until this Thursday.
At least I received my weekly paycheck this past Thursday. It was nice to see it back to the regular dollar amount after seeing it drop $25 each of the previous 2 weeks, thanks to cuts in hours at work.
In a related note, it is about time for my quarterly check from Peoples Telecommunications, LLC, which would help out a lot also. That check should come sometime in the next month or so. In addition, somewhere around the 15Th of March, I should receive my K-1 from them, so that I can get my taxes filled.

Popcorn and Gravy

Today, I ate popcorn and gravy. No, not together. Last night when I woke up, after sleeping in till 6 pm, I fixed popcorn for my "breakfast." I made to much popcorn really, but oh man it was so good. Homemade popcorn is so much tastier then that expensive stuff in the microwave bags.

Then this morning for my 6 am dinner, I made up some delicious biscuits and gravy. Using the sausage that I bought yesterday and a couple of slices for the biscuits. (Note to self, I am almost out of flour.) The fact I spent $2.53 on sausage and used it all to make a little bit of gravy with 2 sausage patties, means I easily went over budget today, but I am hopping that by the end of the month, it will average out.

total cost :
Popcorn 5 cents (approximately)
Sausage gravy $3.00

There is a blind man here to see you

A nun in the convent walked into the bathroom where mother superior was taking a shower. "There is a blind man to see you," she says. "Well, if he is a blind man, than it does not matter if I'm in the shower. Send him in."

The blind man walks into the bathroom, and mother superior starts to tell him how much she appreciates him working at the convent for them. She goes on and on and 10 minutes later the man interrupts: "That's nice and all, ma'am, but you can put your clothes on now. Where do you want me to put these blinds?

Inmate of the Month

MY CHILD WAS INMATE OF THE MONTH
AT COUNTY JAIL

Saturday, February 10, 2007

Thoughts & Questions on the Energy Credit

Last year, I posted about my need for insulation (here also). At the time, I estimated I would need about 10 rolls at a total cost of around $300. Well tonight, I was talking to a guy at Lowe's to get a better idea of what I needed (I want to get the energy credit for this year to). R-25 costs about $25/roll and I would probably need about 22 rolls rather then 10, meaning I would need to come up with about $600 to finally get insulation in my attic. Of course that would not get the upper portion of the 3 attics I have in my house, but would get the most important areas on my ceilings.

While I am thinking about the governments energy credit. Does anyone know, if switching to the compact florescent bulbs would be included? I picked up 3 more bulbs while I was there at Lowe's. In fact one was a 2-pack (1st time I had seen a 2-pack) for my ceiling fan. The other was a compact flood light, for my back porch. In addition, I seen the regular compact florescent in a 4-pack (1st time seeing 4-packs to). Next time I buy bulbs, I will be picking up a couple 4-packs at Lowe's. I expect to have most of the lights replaced with these energy savers by the end of the year, and I just wondered if I should save my receipts for the tax man or not.

I know, if I replace the water heater, I can get a credit. But what if I just buy the insulation to wrap my current one in?

Other Ways to Get the credit

Replace old windows with double or triple pane windows

Replacing Exterior doors with doors rated as energy efficient

Metal roofs (meeting applicable Energy Star requirements) - I have thought I would like to go this route instead of my shingles, I just never thought it was more energy efficient.

Residential energy property credit

A new tax credit of up to $500 is available to individuals for non business energy property, such as residential exterior doors and windows, insulation, heat pumps, furnaces, central air conditioners and water heaters placed in service in 2006 and 2007. The non business energy property must be installed in or on a dwelling unit in the United States that is owned and used by the taxpayer as the taxpayer's principal residence and originally placed in service by the taxpayer. There must be a reasonable expectation that the qualified energy efficiency improvements (exterior doors and windows, insulation, and certain metal roofs) will remain in use for at least 5 years.

The residential energy property credit is limited to a maximum of $500 for all tax years and no more than $200 of the credit can be based on expenditures for windows. The credit is equal to: (1) the residential energy property expenditures plus (2) 10 percent of the cost of qualified energy efficiency improvements. Eligible improvements include: insulation materials; exterior windows, including skylights; exterior doors; metal roofs with special pigmented coatings; electric heat pump water heaters; electric and geothermal heat pumps; central air conditioners; natural gas, propane, or oil water heaters or furnaces; hot water boilers; and advanced main air circulating fans.

There is also a nonrefundable tax credit available to help individual taxpayers pay for residential alternative energy equipment. The residential alternative energy credit is 30 percent of a qualified solar electric property expenditure, qualified solar water heating property expenditure, or qualified fuel cell property expenditure made by the taxpayer during the year. The maximum credit for any tax year is $2,000 for each category of solar equipment, and $500 for each half kilowatt of capacity of fuel cell property installed during the year. Eligible equipment must be placed in service during 2006 through 2008.

- http://www.finance.cch.com/text/c60s15d780.asp

Sounds like I would be able to get most of my money back for the insulation, but if I do anything else, it would be just out my own pocket, with no rebate. I mean, If I spend $1000 to get a Pella "blind between the glass" picture window, I would be able to claim a credit of $200 on that window, but then I would only be able to claim $300 on the insulation. Am I reading that all right? Am I missing anything?
No matter what, all these items would help save me money on my home heating/cooling bills.

New Registrar

After 2 days of my domain name being a dead link, it is finally up and running again. It, was time to renew my domain name, so while I was at it, I changed the registrar. The new company, offers more services and hopefully better service then did yahoo. As such, I now have a new email address. It is kevin -AT- debtfree4ever.net.

If anyone tried to access this blog with the domain name during the past couple of days and couldn't, that is the reason. I am truly sorry for the inconvenience and am hopeful that this new relationship will be a positive one. Though, I am not impressed with their "domain management" page. I much rather, the management page register.com has with their sub-contractor "my-account-manager.com," who has all of my other domain names, but charges extra for even email forwarding.

Well, now it's time to start focusing on some finance posts that I have in the hopper. Look for them later tonight or tomorrow morning.

Trampoline

Q: What's the difference between a Democrat and a trampoline?
A: You take off your shoes before you jump on a trampoline.

Bought Meat

I broke down and spent $2.53 this morning on meat...sausage to be exact. Can you say sausage gravy, Got to be careful though, only 4 days into the 2ND month and already spent more then half the money for this month ending March 6.

ANGER MANAGEMENT

ANGER MANAGEMENT GRADUATE
WHAT THE HELL YOU LOOKIN' AT?

Friday, February 9, 2007

Another $7 Spent

The other day, I spent nearly $7 dollars to have the supplies to make my potato soup. $3.15 for a gallon of milk and $2.99 for 10-pounds of potatoes (plus tax).

I used 3 potatoes and this time used more water to help make the milk last longer.

The potatoes should last me most of the month, so that won't be duplicated. Unfortunately the milk won't last that long.

Finishing Up The Leftovers

This morning when I got home from work, I added a little bit of water to the leftover potato soup in the refrigerator and ate a bowl of soup. Tonight, as I get ready to go back to work, I am warming up the last of the soup. If I remember correctly, that will mean I got six bowls of soup out of the three potatoes that I cut up.
While, I love potatoes and could eat some form of potatoes every day, I am glad to be finishing up the soup, so that I can move on to something else to fix and eat.
What, I will have tomorrow for day 35, is at this time still a mystery.

Difference

Q: What's the difference between a Democrat and a bucket of cow manure?
A: The bucket.

PETA

PETA
People Eating Tasty Animals

I Have Sinned

I feel like I should pull a Jimmy Swaggart. Crocodile tears, streaming down my cheeks as I cry, "I have sinned." However, I can't cry on cue like that. So, I guess, plain old honesty will have to. Last night at work, I broke my budget, spending $5.67 for cookies from our in store bakery and a Mountain Dew.

What a waste of money. I really need to learn to resist temptation better.

Thursday, February 8, 2007

Meeeeeat

yes, meat. I am actually going to eat some meat tonight. Well, in the morning actually. I am still going to eat potato soup leftovers tonight. But, I received some lunch meet and bread from a friend of mine (and reader of this blog) who got a bunch of left over lunch meat from "treat day," at his work. So tonight, as I go to work I will take with me a couple of lunch meat sandwiches. I am going to feel like a king tonight.

Bank of America

Over the past few months, I have seen a number of my fellow personal finance blogger's, discussing opening a Bank of America (B.o.A.) account. While, I thought it would be nice to have an account at a bank that was for the most part coast to coast, I have not made the switch for one glaring reason.
What is that reason? My credit Union, gave me free checking. Something the B.o.A.'s of the world would not do. Well the other day B.o.A. delivered packets of information to my workplace, that outlined how if I transferred my direct deposit to them, I would get my checking free.
Now, I had free checking. Great, now I can't use that as an excuse. What's more, I can earn a $25 bonus after I have kept the account open (and active) for 90-days. So, I am making money, but that's not all. I signed up for their "keep the change program," as well. That meant, I had to open a savings account with them. Which means after the same 90-days, I will get another $10 bonus. I also get these same bonus' if I refer anyone to B.o.A., who also earn the bonuses for their new account(s). Plus, my "visa check card (aka debit card) will have my picture on it, for even tighter protection, then my credit union currently provides.

Keep the change

OK, so I mentioned the "keep the change" program. You may have not heard about this. If so, you may be asking what is keep the change?
Simply put "keep the change," is a plan where every time you use your visa check card at the gas station, grocery store or where ever, they will round the amount of your purchase up to the nearest whole dollar and deposit those pennies into your savings account. For example if you spend $5.01, they will deposit 99 cents into your savings account. Or, if you spend $6.99, they will transfer 1 cent to your savings account.
Plus, it gets better. They will match 100% of your "keep the change" savings for the first three (3) months. After that, they'll continue continue to match 5% a year, every year. The downside though, is that none of this matching will be placed into your account until the end of the year.

Can't Say Something Nice

If You Can't Say Something Nice About Someone You're Talking About a Democrat

Tuesday and Wednesday Meals - Day 32

Good Morning. Well this is the second time, I have typed this up. Earlier this morning, blogger wasn't responding, then my computer locked up again. OK, so what have I been eating.
Sorry, about not yesterday, but I want my posts to be interesting as well as informative. I also worked Wednesday (yesterday), and posting on work days is harder, then these nights, (like today) that I am off.
Tuesday, I only ate one meal of 3 eggs and corn flakes.

Yesterday (Wednesday), I made up a batch of my potato soup and ate 2 bowls. That will be on the menu, when I wake up tonight as well.

A blind man in a store

A blind man walks into a store with his seeing eye dog. All of a sudden, he picks up the leash and begins swinging the dog over his head. The manager runs up to the man and asks, "What are you doing?!!" The blind man replies, "Just looking around."

Sponsor: JustSayHi.com

Have you ever visited those so called free personal sites? Only to find out, once you got to the website, that you have to subscribe to their service, if you want to actually view or contact a profile. Well, I may have the site for you. The site claims to be high quality and truly free.

JustSayHi.com. The features are as a good as any paid dating site yet it is really 100% free. No credit card is ever required. We think a REAL free dating site needs to exist and we built it. Help us spread the word that we exist and are here to help people find the relationships that matter. Help us spread free love to the world!

So, if you are in the dating market and are a frugalist, like me, I encourage you to check out this internet dating service.

Sponsor: Chocolate Covered Company

Do you ~~like~~ love chocolate? Millions of Americans do. My favorite chocolate food has to be, those chocolate covered strawberries, that I can find at some of the banquets and conventions, I attend. Well, now I have found, a company that will deliver chocolate to your door. They are Chocolate Covered Company.
As I trolled through the Internet, and stumbled upon their website, I fell in love instantly. Right there on the front page, they were advertising Chocolate Covered Strawberries, for a Valentines Day special. With a great selling message of "because you can't eat roses." They also had the "wedding berries," which was you chocolate covered strawberries again, only they were dipped in white chocolate and a tiny bit of chocolate-chocolate, in such a way that the strawberries looked like they were wearing tuxedo's.
It's not just strawberries though, they also have chocolate fountains, chocolate covered blackberries and cherries. I bet, they could cover in fruit you want in chocolate.

So, what are you waiting for? Valentines Day is coming fast. Get to the website, and buy you loved one something sweet, before it's to late.

Wednesday, February 7, 2007

Pimped Out John Sweepstakes

Cincinnati, Ohio — January 27, Thomas Crapper Day, 2007) — The average person spends 11,862 hours in the bathroom — which equals one year, four months and five days — in a lifetime. It's amazing the crapper, or as some say, "the toilet," has evolved so little since the Romans invented the latrine in 2500 B.C., with the most significant advance happening when Albert Giblin, an employee of Thomas Crapper, perfected an effective flush toilet in 1898. The days of emperors and queens have ended, but that doesn't mean you don't deserve your very own bathroom throne.
After all, what is a toilet? A private seat of power, a place to escape and experience a few stolen moments of pure solitude. It should be the most wonderful location in your home, but unfortunately, most toilets are bland and boring.
Fear not, boring toilet victims! Thanks to Roto-Rooter®, the ultimate toilet now exists. They've developed a customized, one-of-a-kind throne; a truly "Pimped out John," designed to fulfill all of your wildest bathroom dreams. But, you won't find it in stores. Only one lucky person will win this gleaming monument to personal convenience by entering Roto-Rooter's online "Pimped out John," sweepstakes. And, anyone can enter to win at www.rotorooter.com.
Pimped out John
Roto-Rooter's "Pimped out John" is outfitted with every feature a modern king or queen could want in a bathroom throne, and underneath all of the trappings, is a superb Kohler® toilet. This amazing commode is fully loaded with the following "luxury enhancements":

Philips™ 20-inch LCD TV and Star Wars DVD
Xbox™ 360 gaming system
Philips™ DVD player
Gateway® EMachine™ laptop computer with fully articulated robot arm
iPod™ with stereo docking station equipped with toilet paper dispenser
Roto-Rooter "emergency" button
Tivo™ recorder
Avanti™ refrigerator with beer tap, stocked with drinks and snacks
Magazine rack and subscriptions to Sports Illustrated, ESPN and GQ
Bike pedal exerciser
Cup warmer / cooler

Are you tired of reading the same jokes in Reader's Digest? We suggest you watch "Star Wars" on your flat-screen TV instead; and chat with your buddies about the fight scenes using your robot-arm-mounted laptop. Bored with the standard crossword puzzle? Try donning your headset to play online multiplayer video games. Picture this: Your refrigerator and magazine rack are stocked with your favorite drinks and monthlies, your bike pedals are giving your quads a run for their money and you're downloading — and listening to — new music on your iPod. After all, if something goes awry, you can always turn to your big red "Roto-Rooter Emergency" button. You'll never want to leave your toilet ever again.
"The bathroom is the perfect place for your very own throne. It shouldn't always be regarded as the room of last resort," contends Steven Pollyea, Roto-Rooter vice president of marketing. "We hope that with the 'Pimped out John,' young people especially, will have a good laugh and think of Roto-Rooter when they need high quality plumbing and drain service."
And, Roto-Rooter technicians will even come to your home to install the Pimped out John! Visit http://www.rotorooter.com/john/index.php to register to win the "Pimped out John" from January 24, 2007, through April 2, 2007. The lucky winner will be crowned on National Plumber's Day, April 25, 2007.

You might never want to leave your bathroom again.

Pimped Out John Sweepstakes

Philips™ 20-inch LCD TV and Star Wars DVD
Xbox™ 360 gaming system
Philips™ DVD player
Gateway® EMachine™ laptop computer with fully articulated robot arm
iPod™ with stereo docking station equipped with toilet paper dispenser
Roto-Rooter "emergency" button
Tivo™ recorder
Avanti™ refrigerator with beer tap, stocked with drinks and snacks
Magazine rack and subscriptions to Sports Illustrated, ESPN and GQ
Bike pedal exerciser
Cup warmer / cooler

100 Ways to Save Energy in Your Home

Turn off both incandescent and fluorescent lights when they aren't needed, even for a short time.
Fluorescent tubes use 60% to 80% less energy than incandescent bulbs, and last 10 to 20 times longer.
Compact fluorescents are designed to fit most standard light fixtures, last 10 times longer, and use 70% less energy.
Halogen bulbs (spots or floods) use 50% less energy than incandescent bulbs, last two to four times longer, and are compatible with dimmer switches.
Energy efficient incandescent bulbs are the same as "regular" light bulbs, but with slightly less light output. They are available in 34, 52, 90, and 135 watts to replace 40, 60, 100, and 150 watt standard bulbs.
Low voltage outdoor lighting used for landscaping is an energy efficient choice.
Dimmer switches can replace standard on/off switches. They reduce light level, save energy and extend bulb life. (Do not use with fluorescent lights.)
Programmable timers turn selected lights on and off at specified times, and make your house look occupied.
Motion sensor lights turn lights on automatically when movement is detected in a certain zone. Useful as security lighting, and to light your way when you come home in the evening.
Avoid multiple-light fixtures. Four 25 watt light bulbs give off only two-thirds the light of one 100 watt bulb, yet use the same 100 watts of energy.
Avoid long-life incandescent bulbs. They put out up to 30% less light, while using the same amount of energy.
Use a reading lamp where you're seated, instead of lighting the whole room.
Dust your light bulbs and fixtures. Even a thin layer of dust lowers lighting levels.
Walls painted a light colour reflect more light. Less energy is required to brighten the room.
Avoid dark-coloured lampshades.
Compare "Energuide" labels when purchasing appliances.
Set your refrigerator to 3°C (37°F) and your freezer to -18°C (0°F).
Vacuum the condenser coils on your refrigerator and freezer every six months.
Don't overload your refrigerator.
Don't open the refrigerator door more than necessary.
Cool leftovers before refrigerating.
Defrost frozen food in the refrigerator, rather than the microwave.
Locate your refrigerator and freezer away from heat sources.
If you're away for more than 10 days, you can empty and clean the refrigerator and freezer compartment, unplug it, and prop doors open.
Purchasing an old refrigerator may not be the bargain you hoped for. New refrigerators use up to 40% less then one built in 1972.
Replace worn door seals on refrigerators and freezers.
Select the best size fridge for your needs; 13 cu. ft. for one or two people; 14 - 17 cu. ft. for three or four people and additional 2 cu. ft. for each extra person.
Two refrigerators use a lot more electricity than one larger one. Think about whether you really need that second fridge.
Leave cold drinks out in thermos bottles rather than in the refrigerator on hot days.
Keep your freezer 2/3 to 3/4 full.
Defrost your freezer before ice deposit reaches 1/4 inch.
Locate your freezer in a dry, heated area. Fluctuating temperatures will cause it to operate inefficiently, and could damage the compressor.
Wait until your dishwasher is full before you wash. Two half loads use twice as much energy as one full load.
Use the short cycle on your dishwasher when you have easy to clean dishes.
If your dishwasher does not have and energy-saver feature, turn it off at the end of the rinse cycle and open the door to let the dishes air-dry.
If used with full loads, dishwashers are actually more efficient than washing by hand.
Self-cleaning ranges are more energy efficient than regular models because they have more oven insulation.
Use the self-cleaning feature right after cooking, when the oven is already hot.
Pre-heat your oven for only 10 minutes, when baking.
Pre-heating is not necessary for most roasts and casseroles.
Cooking more than one thing at a time in your oven saves energy.
Use glass or ceramic cookware in the oven and lower your temperature by 25°F.
About 20% of an oven's heat is lost when you open the door. An oven with a window allows you to look in without opening it.
Consider using the broiler. It saves energy and requires no pre-heating.
Cook two different foods on one stove top element by using a double boiler.
Use pots and pans that are the same size as the element to reduce heat loss.
Energy efficient pans have flat, clean bottoms and tight fitting lids. Cook with the lid on.
Use a thermos, not the stove, for keeping coffee warm.
A microwave uses up to 50% less then a conventional electric oven.
Since a microwave heats only the food, and not the oven, use it on especially hot summer days.
For large quantities of liquids, soups or stews, your stove top element is twice as efficient as a microwave.
An electric kettle heats water more efficiently then a stove element or a microwave oven.
Electric coffee makers are more energy efficient than a surface element on a stove.
Remove mineral deposits from kettles and coffee makers with a commercial cleaner or vinegar.
A toaster oven (1500 watts) is less expensive to use then a conventional oven (3200 watts).
Electric frying pans use less energy then electric stoves for cooking small amounts of food.
Slow cookers are economical for foods that require a long cooking time.
1/4 of your hot water is used for clothes washing. Wash with warm or cold water and always rinse with cold water.
Buy a washing machine with water level controls and short wash cycles, and use them.
Buy a clothes dryer with and electronic moisture sensor and a cool down (permanent press) cycle.
Drying one full load of laundry takes less energy than two small loads.
Avoid over-drying.
Overloading your washer and dryer make them less energy efficient.
Clean the dryer's filter every time between loads.
Twice a year, turn off the power at the panel and vacuum lint from the dryer motor, drum and exhaust hose.
Use the washer spin cycle twice to save energy when drying clothes.
The most energy efficient clothes dryer is a clothesline.
Take quick showers, instead of baths. An 8 minute or shorter shower uses less hot water.
An energy efficient (low flow) shower head reduces the amount of water needed for a shower by 50% to 75%.
Fix leaky taps. One drop per second wastes 800 litres (175 gallons) of hot water per month.
Turn your electric water heater's thermostat down to 130°F (or 140°F is you have a dishwasher).
Insulate the first 3 to 6 feet of hot water pipe from your water heater with pipe insulation.
Wrap your electric water heater with an insulating blanket.
Turn off your water heater if you're going to be away for 5 days or more.
Install faucet aerators to reduce water flow.
All those little drafts in winter can add up to a hole the size of a window. This air leakage accounts for 30% to 40% of your home's heat loss.
Weatherstrip around doors and windows and caulk (from the inside). Don't forget your attic hatch.
If your basement is unfinished, caulk where the wood frame wall (sill plate) meets the foundation.
Install foam switch and plug gaskets.
With a stick of incense, check pipe and wire entrances, vents, baseboards, and light fixtures. Caulk where you detect a draft.
Put glass doors on your fireplace.
The easiest and least expensive area to insulate is your attic. Insulate to R40. (Note: all openings in the attic should be sealed before insulating to protect against moisture damage.)
Insulate unfinished basement walls.
Insulate upper walls from the inside when renovating or from the outside when siding.
Double glaze all windows. If replacing them, consider Low "E" (Argon filled) windows.
Set your thermostat at about 20°C (68°F) in winter. For every degree above this, your energy use and heating costs rise about 5%.
A programmable setback thermostat automatically lowers house heat at night and turns it up in the morning.
Furnace filters should be cleaned or changed once a month during the heating season, and during the air conditioning season if you have central air.
The same insulation in your attic that keeps you warm in the winter also keeps you cool in summer. Make sure you add attic vents, so hot air can escape.
Shade east, south, and especially west-facing windows in summer by simply closing curtains and blinds. Or install awnings or wooden louvers.
Plant deciduous trees to shade your house in summer.
In summer, minimize washing and drying clothes, ironing, and cooking during the hottest times of the day.
Recommended setting for air conditioning is 24°C (75°F).
Purchase an air conditioner with an Energy Efficiency Rating (EER) of at least 9; it will save you 30 to 6 cents an hour.
Wash or replace your air conditioner's filter once a month.
Fans and ceiling fans keep you comfortable at a fraction of the cost of air conditioning.
Turn your pool filter off on cooler summer nights (and save up to $85.00 on a two-month bill).
Keep your water bed covered and the temperature in that room relatively warm.
Read and understand your owner's manuals. If your appliances have energy saving settings…use them.
Keep all your appliances, furnace, and air conditioning well maintained. If you notice something not operating, call a service person.

Prostitute

Q: What's the difference between a Democrat and a prostitute?
A: The prostitute give value for the money she takes.

Look Out

Look Out! I drive just like you.

Tuesday, February 6, 2007

Supporters Call forTighter Payday Loan Regulations

Supporters of two bills that are working their way through the state legislature in Kansas, this year, showed up at the State Capital today (Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2007) to let state lawmakers know how they feel. As a supporter, I was there to show my support for this group largely from the Wichita area.
J. J. Selmon of Sunflower Community Action, estimated that 250 people were in attendance. Those attending held signs such as:

"I have a dream"
"Payday Loans suck"
"Payday Loans will ruin your life"
Payday Loans = Legalized Loan Sharks"

The Proposed Bills

One (H.B. 2244) would cap interest rates on short-term, auto-title loans. The terms
of these loans are simple and stunning. If you miss one payment, you can lose your car title. Defaulting on a loan as small as $300 can bring a family to a halt.

The other bill (H. B. 2245) would limit the number of payday loans a person could have to two.
Today, the average is six. The law would require payday loan companies to check a database to see how many loans someone had before they offered another.

The bills would not regulate so called refund anticipation loans, according to Rep. McCray-Miller, but would directly regulate payday loans, car-title loans and pawn shops.

The event did not go without criticism, from the loan sharks, in the Payday Loan Industry.

Mike Strong, owner of Mike's TV Furniture and Appliance in Hutchinson, which offers payday loans, said people who are critical of payday loans have never needed to borrow $100 or $300.

"The people who are wanting to change regulations have never had to get a payday loan," Strong said.

The perception of his industry, he said, is that "we're not reputable. But when I talk to customers, they basically think we're a godsend."

Really Mike? Is that so? Guess again. A good number of the people who are calling for the regulations, have been caught in your industries snares and know 1ST hand that you are in fact not all that reputable.
However, I still believe that you have a right to do business. In fact the way you do business, Mike, is better then many of these sharks. You sir, are at least diversified with your TV, furniture and appliance sales. Some of these other bozo's out there have all their eggs in one basket, that of predatory lending.
All I am asking for, is protection for the consumers by limiting interest rates to 36 percent annually that you charge.
As for the customers who think you are a godsend. Why don't we ask your former customers, that have wised up (like Mitzi Rivers)? That would be the true test of how reputable you are.

Mitzi Rivers

In May, Sunflower invited Kansas’ Deputy Bank Commissioner to lead a workshop on payday/car title lending. It was attended by 40 consumers, bank officials, and two state legislators. After the workshop, the legislators and Sunflower leaders laid plans to introduce a bill that will protect consumers.

Seeing Sunflower as a threat to his loan shops, Kenneth Wayco rented 8 buses and 350 people to attend Sunflower’s June 10 meeting for $100 cash, a t-shirt, and a meal. When he saw that he could not take control of the meeting and that his “supporters” were learning too much, Wayco asked them to leave.

In addition to positive media reports about the meeting, “supporter” Mitzi Rivers gave back her $100 and vowed to pay off her seven payday loans. She was paying $330 in fees every two weeks on less than $3,000, with no end in sight. Sunflower introduced Mitizi to a credit union that helped her pay off the predatory loans.

Thousands of hard-working Kansans find themselves in Mitzi’s situation. Sunflower will continue to educate the public, refer people stuck with bad loans, and work with legislators who are writing a bill to curb car title and payday loan shop abuses.

We must protect the consumers. I am not saying drive the Payday loan places out of business, but they need to be competitive with other banks. 300-700 APY is way to much. I support the bill proposed by Rep. McCray-Miller. The payday loan and car title places (you can get a car title loan at your bank to) need to offer more services other then the high interest predatory lending. They must be more competitive with the banks and stop preying on the poor (and our brave men and women in the military).
A vote against these bills is a vote against the consumer.

Somebody Else

Won't It Be great! Somebody Else In 2008

True Cost of Dental Insurance

People are always talking about how great having dental insurance is. Well, it's not all that it's cracked up to be, if you are working class or on a fixed income. For example, I have Delta Dental insurance through my work.
It covers 100% of regular semi-annual check-ups and cleanings as well as x-rays. However, if you need any work done at all, you better get you wallet out, because you will be socked. Of course, one can say that it's better then having no insurance at, which is true. But, if you don't have the money, you might as well as not have insurance. I even heard people say, just make payments, if that happens. These days though, dentists want paid at the time of service. Besides I hate credit myself.
Below is a list of what you can expect to pay, even if you do have dental insurance:

Dental Services Covered

% Paid by
Delta Dental Dental Services Covered
100% Diagnostic:

Oral examinations – one every 6 months

Diagnostic x-rays – bite wings once each 6 months for dependents under age 18 and once each 12 months for adults age 18 and over

Full mouth x-rays – once each 5 years

100% Preventative:

Prophylaxis – cleanings, once each 6 months

Topical fluoride – once each 6 months for dependent children under age 19

Space maintainers – for dependent children under age 9 and only for premature loss of primary molars

Sealants – one per lifetime for dependent children under age 15 and when applied only to permanent molars with no caries (decay) or restorations on any surface and with the occlusal
surface intact.
50% Ancillary:

Provides for emergency examination by the dentist for relief of pain and when no other services are performed.

50% Oral Surgery:

Provides for extractions and other oral surgery including pre and post-operative care.

50% Regular Restorative Dentistry:

Provides amalgam (silver) restorations; composite (white) resin restorations on anterior (front) teeth; and stainless steel crowns for dependents under age 12.

50% Endodontics:

Includes procedures for root canal treatments and root canal fillings.

50% Periodontics:

Includes procedures for the treatment of diseases of the tissues supporting the teeth.

50% Special Restorative Dentistry:

When teeth cannot be restored with a filling material listed in Regular Restorative Dentistry, provides for gold restorations and individual crowns.

50% Prosthodontics:

Includes bridges, partial and complete dentures, including repairs and adjustments.

50% Orthodontics:

Includes Orthodontic appliances for treatment, interceptive, and corrective, for dependent children up to age 19.

With these kind of fees, I was very grateful to the free clinic that came to Topeka this past week. Hopefully, I can end this cycle and not need to come up such fees again, but my guess is that eventually, I will have to go to dentures.

The weekend Wrap-Up

Well, it is time to bring everyone up to date with how I have been doing on this extreme eating budget. Friday, I didn't feel like doing much of anything, once I finally got home from the dental clinic.
As I mentioned in my DebtFree4ever.net blog article (My Experience With Free Dental Care), they feed us breakfast and lunch free.
Breakfast consisted of biscuits and gravy while for lunch they served goulash, chips, applesauce and a chewy granola bar. By the time lunch rolled around, I was setting next to someone I knew and since I don't eat goulash and he couldn't eat chips, we exchanged my goulash for his chips and granola bar.
I ended Friday, being extremely tired (since I didn't get any sleep) as I headed to work. So tired that I used that as an excuse to break my budget and stooped at McDonald's for a cheap hamburger and large fry. I did drink water rather then a coke. In fact, I avoided soda pop all day Friday, Saturday and most of Sunday.
---
Saturday, both meals consisted of ham and beans from the deep freeze.
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Sunday, was the Superbowl and the talk show host of one of the local talk shows that I listen to was cooking a feast on a big smoker, for his churches Superbowl party. He invited all of his listeners to come out and I, the good little frugalist I am, went for the free food. Not to mention, watching all those Superbowl commercials with a bunch of other people.
The snickers ad was hilarious. Oh, and I loved the frog eyes salad.
---
Finally, Monday I ate 3 fried eggs and some corn flakes.

Did I actually Gain Weight?

Earlier in the month, I was concerned that I might lose weight on this extreme budget diet. However, when I weighed myself I was 3 pounds heavier then the scales at the doctors office read a couple years back.
Of course that could mean that in the last couple of years that I had gained weight, or that the 2 scales are giving slightly different results.
No mater it is obvious that I did not go below the 142 pounds, from my last doctors visit. For that I am happy, but I still have 59 days to go in this experiment. I could still shed a few pounds, even though that was not was intended by this experiment.

Great Superbowl Seat

A man had 50 yard line tickets at the Super Bowl. As he sits down, another
man comes down and asks if anyone is sitting in the seat next to him.

“No,” he says, “The seat is empty.”

“This is incredible!” said the man. “Who in their right mind would have a
seat like this for the Super Bowl and not use it?”

The first man says, “Well, actually, the seat belongs to me. I was supposed
to come with my wife, but she passed away. This is the first Super Bowl we
haven’t been to together since we got married in 1987.”

“Oh . . . I’m sorry to hear that. That’s terrible. But couldn’t you find
someone else - - a friend or relative, or even a neighbor to take the
seat?”

The man shakes his head. “No, they’re all at the funeral.”

Monday, February 5, 2007

A frog calls a psychic

Recently, the Psychic Hotline and Psychic Friends Network have launched hotlines for frogs. Here is the story of one frog and his discussing with his psychic.

A frog telephones the Psychic Hotline and is told, "You are going to meet a beautiful young girl who will want to know everything about you."

The frog says, "This is great! Will I meet her at a party, or what?"

"No," says the psychic. "Next semester in her biology class."

Repeat offenders

Stop repeat offenders. Don't re-elect them!

Sunday, February 4, 2007

Leech

Q: What's the difference between a Democrat politician and a leech?
A: A leech quits sucking your blood after you die.

Reality Check

Okay, who put a "stop payment" on my reality check?

Saturday, February 3, 2007

My Experience With Free Dental Care

As I reported previously "Kansas Mission of Mercy," was offering free dental care in Topeka yesterday and today (Saturday). I was able to get another manager to come in a little early so that I could leave an hour and a half early to go to this event and get some dental work done that needed. It was a good thing I did to to. I got in line about 5:45 am and got inside around 6:15. A short time later (around 6:30) I hear that they are turning people away, because they can't see anymore patients that day. Those turned away were told to try back on Saturday.
One lady next to me said she gad got there at 9:30 Thursday night, but got out of line and went set in her car, while her grand kids waited in line. The grand kids were finished by 9 am. I even heard one person was there as early as 1:30 Thursday afternoon. I on the other hand (and the lady who lost her place in line) were there all day. Since, I am a day sleeper, this was especially hard on me. While we waited we were given free breakfast and even free lunch. They diagnosed the areas to work on around 11:30, but I didn't even get numbed until around 4:30. In the end I left there shortly after 5 pm, with my broken tooth now gone, and my prescriptions, which was filled free at the makeshift pharmacy they had set up in the arena.
I ended up going to work, last night, with no sleep and when I finally hit my blanket this morning, I had been up nearly 38 hours. It is for that reason, that I am now just posting this. It was an experience, and I am very thankful, but don't look for me to travel to Garden City next year, when they set up there.
Oh, and the person that came the farthest, was a lady from Oklahoma, at least according to the morning paper.