Blog for the cheap

Computer for the Cheap

noreply@blogger.com (Cold_Ethyl) — Sat, 12 Jan 2008 01:30:00 +0000

I saw this on Epic Fu and thought Id share.

There's a program called gOS that is basically a free operating system that runs solely on the Internet.

It can run by itself or on top of windows.

Wal-Mart.com and has apparently started selling computers with this pre-installed at only $200.

Also clubIT.com is selling a motherboard(inclu. processor) with the gOS software CD.

Not for the gamers so much as someone who just wants a simple PC. Good inexpensive way to get computers into every classroom? Oh yes.The Smashing Pumpkins - Zeitgeist - Bring the Light

Christmas took my Starbucks money!

noreply@blogger.com (Cold_Ethyl) — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 00:07:00 +0000

If you weren't lucky enough to get a Starbucks gift card I bet your missing it the hot smooth drinks right about now. I usually yell things like, "Damn you and your addictive $4 coffee!" as I drive by, followed my much fist shaking.

Well when regular old coffee wont hold you over anymore, don't make a mad dash for your keys and debit card, just make a cheap Frapichino substitute like I do.

Introducing: Shawnachino!

(yes I named it after myself. We are allowed to have our selfish moments every now and then)

What you need:

Plain ole coffee. I have hard that Starbucks uses Italian roast for their coffee. If you can get some then you might try it.

Espresso Machine or Coffee Maker. I was lucky enough to get an espresso maker as a gift one year. Never ask for socks people! What your goal here is to make concentrated coffee. Really freaking strong. If you don't have an espresso maker, I have heard of people running the coffee through twice. Make sure to give your coffee pot a good cleaning afterward if you try this method!

Allot of sugar! I put a cup or more per serving. Then again I am a crazed sugar freak. You might not be. Sweeten to taste!

What to do:

Brew yourself up some strong coffee
Add the sugar while the coffee is still hot so it dissolves fully. This is very important. If you don't then you will have crunchy sugar bits all over in it.
Let the coffee cool. I usually put it in the fridge or briefly in the freezer.
Add milk. You want the concoction to be mostly milk. About maybe 70-20. Look at the color of a Frapichino. Its a very light brown. Pour in the milk until it looks like that.
Taste test.
Add any flavoring you want!
You can melt those leftover chocolate bars from Halloween in the microwave and toss it in.
Enjoy!

End of the year

noreply@blogger.com (Cold_Ethyl) — Sun, 30 Dec 2007 20:32:00 +0000

I hope everyone enjoyed their Christmas. Mine was good. I am looking forward to the new year! I'm crossing my fingers for a less stressful year but it never works lol!

Anyway I want to share a good reason why second hand stores are a wonderful place to shop..

I found this sitting outside their store:

It had $35 on it but I got them to drop it to $30. Oh yes $30 for this couch. It's brand new to! Still smells like the store. The only bit of dirt it on the bottom skirt from them sitting it on the ground.

Finagle tip:

It's a general rule that you offer way lower then what your willing to pay for it. I offered $25, probably if I would have offered $20 they would have went to $25. Ah well $30 is still damn good!

Cheap Wreath

noreply@blogger.com (Cold_Ethyl) — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 23:54:00 +0000

Got the relatives coming over but don't have jack up for decorations? Well I have for you a cheap, easy, fast wreath.

Tools:

Garland
Floral wire
or some type of thin wire/bread ties
Decor
Anything your little heart desires.
Hot Glue Gun
Door hanger and Door..

Alright the best place to get your crap here is your dollar store. I have Dollar Tree's near me and they carry all that stuff.

I want to make a note that if you actually go out and buy pine cones you should be slapped. Just go out into the yard like me and pick them off the ground. Unless you live in the desert, then go ahead.

About washing off pine cones. They will close up. Its actually really neat, and slightly creepy. As they dry they open back up so don't freak out thinking you've screwed up your pine cones. Also a good project for kids to show them a thing about nature.

What to do:

Usually the garland will be sold already formed into a circle for you. Huge time saver? Yes. Yes indeed. Just take some of the wire and wrap it around so it will hold it's shape better. I just kind of twist the garland around itself but I don't use the same one every year. So to have it last longer, wire it.

For decor you can put many things on it. I change it up every year. Some with flowers, pine cones, whatever. This year I chose cones and a bow.

Just take all your decor and lay it out around your wreath. If you need ideas just go look at some expensive over priced wreaths. I guarantee you can recreate anything you see with a little work.

After you choose your layout just hot glue everything down and there you go.

Sometimes the dollar store sells the small battery operated lights you can wrap around your wreath. Id grab them up if you see them.

Also if your paranoid like me, use some wire to attach your wreath to your hanger to keep people from stealing it. You can also use the wind blowing it down excuse.

Quick, easy and cheap? Damn right.

Now go concentrate on how your going to pull a Christmas dinner out of your ass. I can't help there sorry.

-Shawna

Currently Playing:

Alice Cooper - - Schools Out For Summer

Cheap beauty mask that works!

noreply@blogger.com (Cold_Ethyl) — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 10:41:00 +0000

I found this on a site from Ricebunny: Here

It's called an asprin mask! Yes asprin. Who would have thought right? It's basically honey and asprin. Both you can get for a buck at a dollar store.

It works as a scrub, and pore cleaner. Also it whitens your skin which reduces the look of those acne scars from back in the day.

I have been using it for two months and my skin has never looked so good!

Also look at her beauty tutorials while your there. She has some wonderful tips and how to!

Threadbangers!

noreply@blogger.com (Cold_Ethyl) — Sat, 08 Dec 2007 07:25:00 +0000

I happend upon these guys awhile ago. I love what they do and if your into making your own clothes here is the place to go:

http://www.threadbanger.com/

If only I could afford a sewing machine!

Paint!

noreply@blogger.com (Cold_Ethyl) — Sat, 08 Dec 2007 06:58:00 +0000

If you are in a place that has old dinged up time worn walls, but don't have the time or money to completely re-do them then flat paint is your best friend.

Most apartments or houses will have stark white, semi-gloss walls.

I hate white. It reminds me of an asylum. I go crazy looking at white walls all the time to.

We don't like to live in a constant doctors office so let's try to fix that.

What flat paint does- It takes the shine off. So since there is no light reflecting off them, all of the dings and dents sort of hide.

What flat paint doesn't do- CLEAN UP WELL!!! If you get a nasty stain on the wall and you try to scrub it off you will end up taking the paint with it. Do not paint kitchens, bathrooms, or any other place that gets high traffic in flat paint unless you want to be re-painting constantly.

Best thing- It's cheap!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Wondered when I was getting to that eh? Well flat is usually the cheapest out of all the paint types. I got mine for $8 a can at wal-mart. Can anyone say woot?

I did up my living room in a nice flat red. Yes I am daring. I'll have to repaint when I move but that is what the cheap white paint at dollar general type stores are for.

Purpose

noreply@blogger.com (Cold_Ethyl) — Sat, 08 Dec 2007 06:48:00 +0000

Hello and welcome to Blog for the Cheap,

My name is Shawna and I am going to explain the existence of this blog to you.

I am a creative, generally broke, college student. I live in a very very old apartment complex. Think 70's gold/dark brown wood kitchen with vomit yellow bathroom.

When we moved in I had to take a step back and think, ok how I can I make this place look great on a budget.

I tell you it took alot of contemplating but it's slowly improving. I have found great deals, and good crafty ideas that cost mere dollars but make a huge impact.

So that is where this blog comes in. I know there are tons of people like me who don't have $100's to spend but want a nice place to live, or are just cheap.

This blog is for you!

So read on and I hope you find my ideas useful!

Blog for the cheap

Computer for the Cheap

Christmas took my Starbucks money!

Introducing: Shawnachino!

What you need:

What to do:

End of the year

Finagle tip:

Cheap Wreath

Tools:

Garland

Floral wire

Decor

Hot Glue Gun

Door hanger and Door..

What to do:

Currently Playing:

Cheap beauty mask that works!

Threadbangers!

Paint!

Purpose