Printable Calendars for 2009, the New Year

What better way to pinch pennies than to find printable calendars online? You may have a software program for your computer that will do this for you, but believe me, there are a lot of them available for free online, I searched!

If you don't see any links on this site, please do search.

If your local markets and stores are anything like ours, you may have been handed free calendars with advertising on them. I know we have one for every room and them some, but I still needed my special datebook that I ask for from my son each year...he knows just what I like, it's one of those "At-A-Glance" day-keepers.

Another free thing that many who have played around on the web know about is emal reminders, there are many services that will send reminders to your email each day that you set up on their calendars, I know yahoo offers this free service.

Whatever you decide to do, may I wish you a Happy New Year...again?

Piggy Banks are Back!

Personalized Piggy Bank for Baby

As a young child, I remember one of my first piggy banks, it was one of those little ones with clear yellowish/brownish glass with a "bumpy" surface. I don't remember what happened to that one, but do have a little blue ceramic one that sits near the washing machine for small change that falls out of pockets in the washer.

Colorado Rockies Piggy Bank, in Honor
of my Colorado Hubby (They have other teams)

Tonight on the news I heard that the Piggy Bank is back now that people are literally counting their pennies. I'm showing you a few of my favorites here, cute, but not sure I'd consider the prices "penny pincher" prices, but I'll let you be the judge of that:-) click on the pictures for more information...or just enjoy looking at these cute little banks.

Ballerina Piggy Bank Art Kit

Since so many Baby Boomers are also Grandparents, some of these may make cute little presents for the grandchildren.

And just in case you're not interesting in cutsie little piggy banks, but want something a little more sinister...but still piggy bank related, how about...

I guess that's enough for now...have fun pinching pennies, no matter what you decide to put them in, and HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Christmas Tree Recycling

Did you use a "real" Christmas Tree this year? We used to every year until our children were grown, and since we live in a small home, now have an artificial 4" tree that stands on a table, along with other assorted decorations around the house and outside. Obviously you do pinch pennies by using the same artificial tree year after year, like a Prelit Fraser Fir Christmas Tree (which are probably at bargain prices now that Christmas is over....a good time to shop for next year), and save trees, but there are enough tree farms that grow trees specifically for Christmas harvesting, that the tradition of having a real tree is something many enjoy. We have wonderful memories of taking our children year after year to find the perfect tree.

When the season is over, we have a recycling center where we can take our trees, and all brush, trees, leaves, etc., are ground and composted, so we can go in the Spring and bring home barrels full of compost for our gardens.

If you enjoy watching birds come to a Bird Feeder , and don't have any trees near the feeder, you may want to set the tree outside near the feeder until spring before discarding it. We live on a lake, and some of our neighbors who fish have been known to lay the trees in the lake to draw fish, I don't advise this as it is dangerous if people swim in the area, and isn't necessarily good for the lake...though my fishing friends may disagree.

Whatever you do with your tree, I hope you enjoyed it, and it has brought you many good memories.

Missed Opportunities

I started this blog a few months back, and have not been faithful with it like I am with so many of my other blogs. What a bummer, just think of all the ways to save during the holidays that I could have shared with you, and so much more.

I was recently reading another bloggers post sharing how blogs come and go, people start up all enthused, and then the enthusiasm dies down, and before you know it, they aren't doing anything with their blogs. I don't want this blog to be like that, and won't let it be.

For now, I'm going to just say MERRY CHRISTMAS to you, and here's to a coming New Year full of new opportunity...I promise I'll be back, and make this blog a useful place to visit.

Go Green with Home Made Pesticide

I'm a member of a nice new group called "Gals Go Green" (stop by and visit) and today someone posted a great little pesticide recipe. I can't use it until Spring, but those of you that are in climates where you can garden, this is a great money saver.

All- purpose insect pest spray
(Organic Gardening, 1996)

Here's what you need:

1 tsp powdered red hot pepper
1 garlic bulb
1 small onion
1 liter of water
1 tbsp of soap
Knife
Strainer

Here's what to do:

Chop onion and garlic. Add powdered red pepper.
Mix the above ingredients into the water.
Soak for 1 hour. Strain. Add soap. Stir well.
Fill the sprayer. Spray plants thoroughly.
Repeat spraying when necessary.

Posted by
http://www.ritasweetsoaps.com/home.html

Splitting Wood With Our Manual Log Splitter

Two weekends ago, my husband was getting ready to tackle our large pile of wood from the precious trees that had to be taken down when our septic system was installed this summer.

He went out, wedge and sledge in hand, ready to get started, and I admit, I was a bit concerned because of his heart attack a year ago last July, and the fact that he has trouble with his back. But he wasn't going to do a lot.

Then a neighbor appeared, pulling behind him something we had never seen before, a hydraulic, manual log splitter, able to handle 10 tons pressure and split logs up to 18" long. It was so easy to use, and SO quiet compared to the log splitter my husband was going to rent. You do get some exercise, lifting the logs, and using your arms in sort of a rowing motion to move the wedge to and through the log. We were simply amazed!

We purchased one online for about what we would have paid rent a splitter for a weekend or two...no noise, no smelly gas smoke from running a power splitter, and so easy to use.

We saved in two ways, we're burning wood as I type and saving on our oil bill, and we saved by purchasing this reasonably priced item over renting as we'll be able to use it over and over. The handles are removed when not in use, and attached to the side of the splitter for easy storage in a relatively small space.

You should be able to click the image for more information if you're interested in one of these log splitters.

Penny Pincher Banking Tips

We have had our bank account in the same BUILDING as long as we have lived here, 25 years this month...but it has changed hands at least 3 times, I know we are having challenges in the economy and they keep talking about banks buying out banks...because of our experience I didn't think of this as anything new. But at the same time, I know we're in challenging times, and in need of pinching pennies more than ever.

Here's some penny pincher banking tips for you, please add your own in comments if you have any:

1. Free checking - I may be behind the times with this suggestion, I remember when they used to charge for checks, if this is still done, there is no reason you can't find a bank that offers free checking.
2. No service charges - Check to see there are banks that don't have service charges, or at least know what the service charges are if there are any. At our bank there are no service charges after you reach the age of 50, in fact, we don't even have to buy our checks, they are free. We also have overdraft protection connected to our home equity line of credit, and if we weren't 50+, would have to pay a fee for each overdraft, but even if you are under 50, it is still better than the penalty you pay if you overdraw your account without protection...$5 as opposed to $25. Review all fees when you sign up for your account.
3. Free online banking - There's no reason why a bank should charge for that service, ours is free, and each time we make a payment through our online banking service, we save postage as well, at the price of postage, that adds up!

There are just a few tips, please let us know if you have more in you comments!