Money Matters Simplified

Baking Soda – True Enemy of the Pharmaceutical Industry

2026-03-14T14:25:00.000-07:00

Baking Soda – True Enemy of the Pharmaceutical Industry

Acidic environment is the perfect environment for development and progress of cancer. This is especially true for lactic acid, which dwells in an environment with low amounts of oxygen. If cancer cells are exposed to high amount of oxygen molecules, they will be destroyed.
According to many independent researchers, baking soda is the biggest threat to the pharmaceutical industries, because unlike the expensive products that these companies produce, sodium bicarbonate is very cheap and affordable.
Many theories and solid proofs suggest that sodium bicarbonate can be used for treatment of various diseases such as diabetes and cancer. The use of sodium bicarbonate is not something new in the field of medicine and many oncologists have used it for years in order to ease the effects of toxic treatments.
Some oncologists, to reduce the toxic effects of chemotherapeutic substances and radiation, use this underestimated medicine. It can seriously affect the work of the patient’s kidneys. Millions of people all over the world combine baking soda with water, so they can protect themselves from many diseases and medical conditions.
In order to feel the real benefits of baking soda, people must use it in a proper way. Its effects are even more incredible when it is used in a combination with other natural substances like iodine and magnesium chloride for example. On top of that, sodium bicarbonate is cost-affordable and easy to get.
Many survivalists include this substance in their survival kits. This is the most effective medicaments that you can use even in a case of a nuclear war. Baking soda will protect all your sensitive organs especially the kidneys. Even if you don’t believe that global catastrophes can happen, it is always a good idea to buy baking soda because it doesn’t cost much – 10 pounds of baking soda can be bought for less than $20.
For many experts, lack of bicarbonate is not a serious medical condition although many people are feeling the consequences of situations like these. Acidic pH values are directly affecting the processes in the body.
The biochemical reactions that take place in the body are sensitive and even influenced by the pH value. One of the main factors for maintaining a balanced pH value is the diet. Improper diet leads to misbalance and turns normal pH value into acidic one. This situation ultimately affects the cellular function.
If the acidic pH value stays for a longer period, we can expect cell weakening. As we know, unhealthy and malfunctioning cells are the perfect ground for development of cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, heartburn and many other serious medical conditions and diseases. The benefit of using baking soda is obvious – this substance supports balanced environment and helps the pH value reach its normal level.
Sodium bicarbonate plays an important role in the process of oxygen transport because it has an ability to dilate blood vessels and helps the release of oxygen in the tissues.
Uric acid is found in every person, but increased levels of this acid can cause heart attacks, heart disease, diabetes and kidney stones. After some period, it can create a toxic compound known as alkosan. This is usually the first sign that you are close to developing diabetes and cancer.
By drinking baking soda, you will clean the kidneys from many unwanted substances that accumulate there over time including uranium. This substance is one of the reasons why people experience infection of the bladder, fever, arthritis etc. In addition, taking baking soda will also improve the work of the pancreas, which produces bicarbonate naturally. It also produces insulin.
Even the US military suggests taking baths in which you need to use about 2.5 kg of baking soda so you can protect your sensitive organs including kidneys in a case of a nuclear war.
Meanwhile, during peaceful days you should use ½ tablespoon of baking soda in a glass of water and drink it twice a day – in the morning and evening. You should do this every day and make sure you are using baking soda that doesn’t have traces of aluminum in it (pharmaceutical baking soda).

You can easily find it in your local store. In order to increase the effects you can use apple cider vinegar in the water or replace the water with fresh lemon juice. If you are using this natural remedy for treating some serious diseases, you should mix the baking soda with maple syrup, black molasses or honey. Keep in mind that you need to take this mixture on a daily basis for a relatively long period.

A combination of baking soda and magnesium chloride is the perfect natural treatment for many illnesses such as severe forms of the flu, neurological and cardiac diseases and even cancer. When these two substances work together, they are able to completely remove toxic substances and acids from all the cells, tissues and organs in the body. It is best to use this combination for about 6 months and then take a break of about 2-4 months.

How To Use Baking Soda

There are basically four different ways in which you can use baking soda – in baths, for oral treatments, for home use and for treating enema. If you are looking for baking soda for home use, you can use the one found in stores while if you are looking to treat certain diseases and medical conditions you should buy pharmaceutical soda.

As we have mentioned before, baking soda should be consumed in a combination with a glass of water each day. The best way to do this is to have a glass of water with soda in the morning when your stomach is empty and in the evening before you go to bed. Using distilled water when using this mixture is recommended for those looking for the best results. You can also use baking soda with fresh lemon juice and apple cider vinegar. This mixture can be prepared easy. Just mix two tablespoons of fresh lemon juice, two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar and ½ teaspoon of baking soda. Mix it well and then wait until the foam fells. After that, fill the glass with water and drink the mixture.

If you are aware that the lemon was treated with pesticides, use a mixture of five to six tablespoons of vinegar, two ounces of boiling water and handful of salt to soak the lemon. When the water is not that warm, place the lemons in the mixture and leave them for 24 hours in order to soak properly.

If you are suffering from some serious illnesses or even cancer, you should mix the baking soda with maple syrup honey or black molasses. This treatment lasts between one and two weeks.

Maple syrup – Mix maple syrup and baking soda (3:1 ratio). Heat and stir the mixture over low fore. Once the foam is settled down, place the mixture in a glass bottle and keep in the fridge. Take one teaspoon a day.

Black treacle – Mix one teaspoon of baking soda and black molasses in a glass of water. You should drink the mixture once a day.

Enema – Use few tablespoons of baking soda in one liter of water and mix well.

Honey – Use the same instructions used for maple syrup.

Bath – Irradiation, Chemotherapy – Put 1.5 kg of salt and 2.5 kg of baking soda in a warm bath. In this way, you will be able to remove uranium and other toxic metals from your system.

Muscle tension, fatigue and exfoliation – use one cup of baking soda in a hot tub if you want to perform a very efficient exfoliation. After this treatment, your skin will be rejuvenated and smooth.

Flu – This treatment requires different doses. On the first day, use ½ teaspoon of baking soda in a glass of water. Drink this solution every two hours 6 times a day. Drink it 4 times a day at intervals of two hours on the second day and two doses on the third day (in the morning and in the evening). Continue taking two doses in the following days.

Warts – Massage the wart with baking soda. Make sure that the place is moistened. Continue practicing this procedure until you remove the unwanted wart.

Bone cancer and prostate cancer – Take one teaspoon of baking soda and mix it with one teaspoon of molasses in a glass of water. Drink one glass of this mixture every day for four days. Increase the dose on the fifth day and drink one glass two times a day. In the next 6 days drink this mixture two times a day but use two teaspoons of baking soda and two teaspoons of molasses in a glass of water.

Bladder – Put one teaspoon of baking soda in a glass of water and drink two doses at once, three times a day or 6 glasses a day. Practice this procedure in the first week. In the second week, lower the dose to two times a day and once a day in the third week. Once the third week is over, take a break.

Baking Soda for Home Use

Sunburns, burns and insect bites – Use baking soda and small amount of water in order to create thick paste and use it on the affected area. Remove the layer once it becomes dry.

Yeast dough – Take equal amounts of baking soda and powdered vitamin C. The dough will rise quickly.

Fruits and vegetables – Put two or three tablespoons of baking soda in a bowl of water and wash the fruits and vegetables in it. You can also use a sponge mixed in a mixture and rub the fruits and vegetables too. Use clean water to thoroughly clean the foods after the procedure is finished.

Unclogging kitchen drains – use a cup of baking soda and a cup of hot vinegar in the clogged drain. Wait for 10 minutes and before you pour one liter of hot water. The drains will work perfectly.

Cleaning the washing machine – pour half a cup of baking soda in the washing machine and use the rinsing program.

Brownish spots and dots on the teapot or cups – mix soda with water and rub the cups or teapot. Use a plastic brush for the best results.

Odors in the fridge – take ½ a cup of baking soda, place it in the fridge and the odor will be gone.

Upholstered wallpaper or furniture – create a mixture of baking soda and water and spray it on the furniture. Wait for ten minutes and use a vacuum cleaner.

Cleaning the barbecue or pan – use a mixture of baking soda and water on the dirty area and let it stay for about 10 minutes. Leave it overnight for a better result.

Trashcan odor – apply some baking soda in the bottom of the trashcan.

Cutting board – create a thick paste by mixing one tablespoon of baking soda, one tablespoon of salt and water. Rub the cutting board with this mixture. Once you are finished rinse the cutting board with hot water.

Decreasing the effects of acid content in the food – put a small amount of baking soda while cooking or preparing a sauce.

Washing the dishes – add three teaspoons of baking soda in the water used for washing. This water will provide pleasant effects for your skin.

25 Ways People Earned Money During the Great Depression

2026-03-14T14:10:00.000-07:00

The Survival Mom

In a previous career, I was a history teacher, and I’ve always loved learning about the past and gleaning whatever wisdom I can from the words and actions of others.

A couple of years ago I found an excellent book with dozens of first-person accounts from the Great Depression, We Had Everything But Money. I’ve spent hours reading through anecdotes, touching, humorous, and poignant, and one thing that struck me was the ingenuity of the Americans who lived through those tough times. Many continued to find ways to earn money, even when their own circumstances were dire.

I put together this list. Feel free to add any others that you know of.

To earn money, people:

1. Caught and sold fish, clams, and crabs

2. Made homemade fudge and sold it

3. Sold newspapers on the corner. Kids earned a little extra if they were promoted to “Corner Captain”, a sort of Great Depression multi-level marketing program where a kid brought in other kids to sell papers and earned a bit extra himself.

4. Started a lunch truck/wagon

5. Grew, picked, and sold berries

6. Road work

7. Shoveled snow on roads

8. Multiple part-time jobs, including housecleaning

9. Chopped wood or harvested driftwood

10. Made and sold handwoven baskets

11. Mowed lawns and other kinds of yard work

12. Door to door sales of things like shoes or sewing notions

13. Made deliveries for stores

14. Made and sold quilts

15. Sold homemade baked goods, like bread or pies

16. Sold eggs for 25 cents a dozen

17. Childcare

18. Rented out rooms

19. Mended or altered clothes

20. Washed windows

21. Would purchase produce and re-sell door-to-door

22. Sold apples

23. Loaded coal

24. Piecework sewing

25. Sold homegrown produce

In every case it was a simple matter of looking around to see what people needed, what they wanted, what made them feel good about themselves and about life. Years ago a hairdresser friend of mine said, “Lisa, even if the economy collapsed tomorrow, women still want to look pretty. I would do business out of my home and probably continue to earn pretty good money.”

This is why some people who have lived through economic collapses say that beauty products, such as lipstick, eye shadow, and lotions, are good items for barter.

In addition to these creative entrepreneurial efforts, don’t forget that many people found work in the various Depression-era works programs as part of President Roosevelt’s New Deal, and keep in mind that these people had practical skills that folks today just don’t have. Perhaps some of these might be good additions to your own skillbank:

Rendering lard
Caring for livestock of all kinds
Smoking meat, poultry, and fish
Butchering all types of animals from squirrels to hogs, cattle, and other “varmints”
Foraging
Sewing by hand or with a non-electric sewing machine
Raising flourishing gardens
Preserving food by canning
Tinkering — Knowing how to fix all kinds of things.

As you can see, many of these skills go hand in hand with the money-making ventures of our Great Depression-era grandparents and great-grandparents. Today, so few of us have any of these skills. We are generations removed from farm life and homesteading.

How will YOU earn money in the next Great Depression?

One of the main reasons for studying how people survive, whether economically or physically, is to find lessons we can apply to our own lives and circumstances. For many years, some economists have been predicting an economic collapse here in America. If you are one of the 93+ million of Americans who are out of work, your own personal economy has already collapsed.

Now it’s time to consider how you will earn money, whether or not you are currently out of work. In the days of the Great Depression, it was common for grocers and landlords to provide credit to their customers. Today? That would be a rare occurrence.

From the Depression days there is an abundance of stories of neighbors and church families showing up at the door, laden with bags and boxes of food for a needy family. When one desperate mom was asked by her daughter, “Mama, what’s for dinner tonight?”, the response was, “Whatever the neighbors decide to bring us!” I wish I could imagine that happening today, but our communities and families have become so fractured over the past few decades that it would be a rare event.

So, what skills do you have that might offer a service during a severe economic downturn? What knowledge do you have that would be helpful, even vital, to others? What products can you produce? What skills can you teach?

Ingenuity is something that can never be stolen by thieves, confiscated by a government, or lost to flood or fire. It is possible to survive during a Great Depression and there is plenty to learn from those who lived through the last one.

Soak Cotton Swabs In Vodka.

2026-03-14T14:00:00.000-07:00

Then She Rubs It All Over Her Face. The Result? So Smart!

Vodka is a favorite product of many people. While vodka is a great additive to cocktails and shots, the liquor has other uses too.

Vodka is a distilled spirit that is made up mostly of water and ethanol. It is a very pure alcohol that actually makes it perfect for other uses besides drinking.

Some other uses for vodka that people don’t really know about. You can use vodka as a lens cleaning agent. All you have to do is dampen a cloth with some vodka and rub the lenses on your glasses until the smudges are gone.

You can also clean your razors in vodka. Pour some vodka in a glass and soak the razor blade in the liquid. The vodka will disinfect the razor blade and prevent rusting in the process!

Another little known vodka hack is adding vodka to your flowers. It will keep your bouquet looking fresh for longer, just add a splash of vodka to the water mix in your vase.

Vodka can also be used as a health and beauty product. Rather than spending money on costly astringents and facial toners, you can use vodka to clean your face. It will clean your acne and reduce your pore size, just pour a bit onto a cotton ball and apply to your face.

Another way vodka can make you look your best is its ability to make dull hair look shiny. If you want shiny and rejuvenated hair, just add a few drops of vodka into your shampoo and wash your hair as usual. After you wash and dry your hair you’ll notice how shiny it is.

If you have smelly feet, vodka can fix that too! A cheap and easy cure to smelly feet is rubbing them down with vodka or you can soak them in vodka too. The alcohol will kill any bacteria and give your feet a fresh feeling.

MANA House (Marines, Army, Navy, Air Force)

2026-03-14T13:50:00.000-07:00

Please look at the wish list below and give what you can to Mana House and pass this information to others.

MANA (Marines, Army, Navy, Air Force) House is the transitional housing facility. We provide clients with everything they need to get back on their feet such as:

Hot Meals
Transportation & Bicycles
Clothing
Computer Access
Laundry & Showers
Drug-Free environment
Job Services

Once a client submits an application, we review their information to see how we can best serve their needs with our available resources. Once a veteran passes the screening process, they are allowed to stay at the MANA House for up to two (2) years while actively searching for work or filing VA and/or Social Security Claims.

2422 W Holly St Phx, Az 85009

Needs:

KITCHEN
laundry detergent, bottled water, bleach, peanut butter, spray starch
jelly, cleanser (Comet/Ajax), coffee, multifold paper towels, sugar
40 & 55 gallon plastic garbage liners, creamer, dry cereal, canned soup
canned tuna, bread, fresh fruit, fresh vegetables, milk, paper napkins
paper plates, plastic forks, plastic spoons, liquid dish soap, paper bowls
BATHROOM/SHOWER ROOM
deodorant, razors, liquid hand soap, plastic soap dishes, shower shoes (flip flops)
CLOTHING
Khakis (dockers), dress shirts, white socks, sweatshirts, wind breakers
Jeans, plastic ponchos (rainwear)
FURNITURE
Desk lamps, Alarm clocks, 4 drawer dressers – need 6
Pillows & pillowcases, twin sheets (fitted & flat), 60 sets,
sleeping bags, Bicycles
ON-GOING SUPPLY NEEDS:
Toilet paper, Styrofoam coffee cups, string mop heads,

No rinse floor cleaner
OFFICE SUPPLIES:
Photo copier paper, Day Planners, Stationary, Postage Stamps, Clip Fans

Flashlights, Binders (to carry papers), Portable document keeper
“Wishes”
Dry Cleaners (to clean donated clothes)
Copy printing services
“Dreams”
Gift cards, Starbucks, Movie Tickets, Sports Tickets
“Technology Dreams”
Laptop computers

2026-03-14T13:03:00.000-07:00

16 Things You’ll Notice When You’re In The Presence Of An Empath

You meet a stranger in a grocery store and they suddenly pour their heart out to you and tell you their life story. You find yourself feeling some sort of connection with this person because you can really relate to them. You can’t help but experience their feelings right along with them.

If you’ve met a person or already have a friend like this, they could likely be an empath.

An empath hones a magnetism that instantly draws people toward them. It’s not just that they are sympathetic–it’s more than that. They have the ability to connect with another’s feelings and pains, and they also deeply experience it.

1. They are often described as “too sensitive.”

We often hear other people talk about how someone is too sensitive as if it is a negative attribute. But we forget that being sensitive implies a feeling of connectivity to another person’s experience; a connection between hearts. When we talk to someone who is sensitive, who knows and feels our situation, we feel lighter. So, it is not something to devalue. In fact, in our present time, we rarely meet these kinds of people, and if you do ever get the chance to know one, treasure them; they are a gift.

2. They hate being lied to.

You cannot lie to an empath, and if you do, they can tell when you are. An empath’s understanding nature gives them the ability to see and feel more than what people say. They are transparently honest, and can’t stand it when people lie to them. To them, there is no point in hiding the truth.

3. Negative images have a deep negative impact on them.

Some people can tolerate watching violent or terrifying movies, but empaths cannot. They would rather avoid seeing terrible scenes and knowing about sad stories as these have a direct impact on their deep seated feelings.

4. Crowds are overwhelming to them.

Empaths are often both introverts and extroverts, but they cannot last long in a crowd because of the large amount of different emotions of people all in one place. Empaths take this all in which is exhausting to them.

5. They find peace and happiness in helping others.

If you have that one friend who is always there when you need them the most, then you are a blessed person. Empaths love to help people and it gives them a sense of peace and happiness when they do something for another human being. When empaths help, they do not expect anything in return.

6. They think twice before pouring another cup of coffee or taking medicine.

Empaths have a strong reaction to stimulants like caffeine, which tends to increase anxiety and agitation. Similarly, empaths will often react adversely to medications, and thus, avoid using synthetic solutions.

7. They are true to themselves.

Empaths show who they really are and do not put on any masks. Because of their deep understanding of the nature of people, they have seen that all people are inherently good. Their honesty causes them to be very accepting of other people’s faults. Everyone is a work in progress.

8. They experience what others are going through with them.

Empaths are very connected to those who they care about and open up with. When you tell an empath what you are going through, they also feel what you feel. They have a direct sense of feeling with you, and can understand your experience deeper than other friends would. They experience it with you.

9. They have an incredible bond with animals.

There is no such thing as pets to empaths, because to them, pets are family. To the empath, animals are living creatures with feelings, not meant to be owned or kept in zoos, and deserve the right to live free and happy lives just like everyone else.

10. Being emotionally and physically exhausted is a common occurrence for them.

Listening to one person’s problems can take its toll on you, especially when the person is going through something really heavy. Imagine having to go through this all day with several other people. Because empaths are very sensitive to the emotions experienced by others, it makes them emotionally and physically vulnerable and often exhausted.

11. Giving good advice is their natural talent.

Empaths know how to listen, and they listen to every word you say. They put themselves in your shoes. They truly want to see you succeed and their advice is coming from this space in the heart. Their advice comes from understanding your situation, and is usually worth listening to.

12. They are easily distracted.

They get distracted easily because they see every beautiful detail of every day. The kind of details we usually take for granted, the ‘little things’.

Empaths are not only sensitive to your feelings, but they are also sensitive to their surroundings. They are observant to everything taking place around them, and love to be in nature.

13. They have no room in their lives for narcissists

An empath can be emotionally drained quickly by a narcissist, so they avoid them at all costs. Yet their openness and vulnerability often draws narcissists to them.

Sometimes relationships develop between the two, but they are deeply unhealthy for both, as it is similar to a predator and prey type of relationship.

14. They are hyper sensitive to sound.

An empath’s sensitivity to sound can help them to pickup on unnoticed frequencies and noises, but they are also sensitive to loud noises and this can bring them stress.
They avoid loud and unpleasant settings, yet pleasant sounds such as birds chirping and peaceful music help them to maintain their gentle and loving energy.

15. They are an above-average listener

Some people while listening are spending most of their energy planning what they are going to say in response. This can disrupt their understanding of what the other is saying, because they hadn’t given full attention to listening.

But with an empath, you get your point across easily because they know how to hear you. You feel very comfortable talking with them as they know how to handle a conversation; by truly listening and understanding without judgment.

16. They have a strange effect on electronics.

Hard to believe, but many empaths experience their electronics malfunctioning higher than normal. When they use a computer or a phone, they often have glitches or bugs, or lights become too bright or go out.

If you know someone who has all of these qualities, then consider yourself blessed.

Empaths are a gift to the world, and their sensitive natures should be treasured. Their purity makes them who they are.

2026-03-07T10:22:00.000-08:00

Enjoy each moment of each day, because Life moves very fast,

UNLESS it is Tuesday and you want it to be Friday.

M E Martin 3/2026

2026-03-07T10:19:00.000-08:00

Beware the one barely hanging on to the outside ring of their lifeboat, still screaming commands to you on how to guide your life and decisions. Concentrate not on their commands, but your own willingness to think and determine the best route for you and your goals.

M E Martin 3/2026

Socrates

2018-07-12T10:47:00.000-07:00

Socrates was a classical Greek philosopher credited as one of the founders of Western philosophy, as well as being the first moral philosopher who pioneered the tradition of western ethical thought. While a prominent figure, his ideas are known through the writings of his students Plato and Xenophon. Plato’s dialogues are some of the most comprehensive pieces of literature related to Socrates to survive through antiquity.
Socrates became known worldwide for his contribution to the idea of ethics. His unique line of thinking, questioning and critical thinking in order to discover the truth became known as the Socratic method. His method remains a commonly used tool today, where individuals will ask a series of questions not only to draw certain answers, but to encourage fundamental insight into the issue which is being debated. Recognized as one of the world’s greatest philosophers, many of his ideas have also been thought to be the source of inspiration for many of history’s greatest leaders, and Socrates is credited with laying down the foundation for what became western philosophy.

Let’s keep his great teachings alive by remembering 24 of his most famous quotes:

1) “The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing.”

2) “The unexamined life is not worth living.”

3) “Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.”

4) “I am not an Athenian or a Greek, but a citizen of the world.”
5) “There is only one good, knowledge, and one evil, ignorance.”

6) “Strong minds discuss ideas, average minds discuss events, weak minds discuss people.”

7) “Know thyself.”

8) “He who is not contented with what he has, would not be contented with what he would like to have.”

9) “If you don’t get what you want, you suffer; if you get what you don’t want, you suffer; even when you get exactly what you want, you still suffer because you can’t hold on to it forever. Your mind is your predicament. It wants to be free of change. Free of pain, free of the obligations of life and death. But change is law and no amount of pretending will alter that reality.”

10) “Sometimes you put walls up not to keep people out, but to see who cares enough to break them down.”

11) “Wonder is the beginning of wisdom.”

12) “To find yourself, think for yourself.”

13) “Education is the kindling of a flame, not the filling of a vessel.”

14) “By all means marry; if you get a good wife, you’ll become happy; if you get a bad one, you’ll become a philosopher.”

15) “Let him who would move the world first move himself.”
16) “The secret of happiness, you see, is not found in seeking more, but in developing the capacity to enjoy less.”

17) “The secret of change is to focus all of your energy, not on fighting the old, but on building the new.”

18) “I cannot teach anybody anything. I can only make them think”

19) “Prefer knowledge to wealth, for the one is transitory, the other perpetual.”

20) “Understanding a question is half an answer”

21) “True wisdom comes to each of us when we realize how little we understand about life, ourselves, and the world around us”

22) “To be is to do”

23) “He is richest who is content with the least, for content is the wealth of nature.”

24) “The mind is everything; what you think you become”

July 4th

2018-06-13T15:29:00.001-07:00

Wikipedia
During the American Revolution, the legal separation of the Thirteen Colonies from Great Britain in 1776 actually occurred on July 2, when the Second Continental Congress voted to approve a resolution of independence that had been proposed in June by Richard Henry Lee of Virginia declaring the United States independent from Great Britain rule. After voting for independence, Congress turned its attention to the Declaration of Independence, a statement explaining this decision, which had been prepared by a Committee of Five, with Thomas Jefferson as its principal author. Congress debated and revised the wording of the Declaration, finally approving it two days later on July 4. A day earlier, John Adams had written to his wife Abigail:
The second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more.

Adams's prediction was off by two days. From the outset, Americans celebrated independence on July 4, the date shown on the much-publicized Declaration of Independence, rather than on July 2, the date the resolution of independence was approved in a closed session of Congress.

Historians have long disputed whether members of Congress signed the Declaration of Independence on July 4, even though Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, and Benjamin Franklin all later wrote that they had signed it on that day. Most historians have concluded that the Declaration was signed nearly a month after its adoption, on August 2, 1776, and not on July 4 as is commonly believed.
Coincidentally, both John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, the only signers of the Declaration of Independence later to serve as Presidents of the United States, died on the same day: July 4, 1826, which was the 50th anniversary of the Declaration. Although not a signer of the Declaration of Independence, James Monroe, another Founding Father who was elected as President, also died on July 4, 1831. He was the third President who died on the anniversary of independence. Calvin Coolidge, the 30th President, was born on July 4, 1872; so far he is the only U.S. President to have been born on Independence Day.

2017-11-09T11:14:00.000-08:00

Eight Choices You Can Make Today that Will Change Your Life Forever

by Chris Widener
The direction of our lives is determined by the choices we make every day. They accumulate and add up to our ultimate destiny. Here are eight choices you can make - choices that will create for you a life of abundance and prosperity in all areas of your life.

1. Choose to grow personally. This sounds simple but many people only wish to grow personally. They never choose to grow by taking action, such as actually exercising, saving more money etc. Make a decision today to be a person who is on the never ending journey of personal growth.

2. Choose to always treat others right. We come across all sorts of people, many of whom will treat us poorly. We can choose to treat them right, no matter how they treat us. When they lie, we will tell the truth. When they cheat, we will play by the rules. We may get the short end of the stick some times, but in the long-run we will win. And most importantly, we will be able to sleep at night.

3. Choose to break a bad habit. Take the biggie first. Tackle it head on. If you don't know what it is, ask a friend. Then spend every effort you can to break that habit. Forget about the others, as you will get to them later. Stop smoking, get out of debt, lose your excess weight. Exercise the power to choose!

4. Choose to work smarter. Many people I work with feel like they are out of balance. One of the first things I do is try to find out how much time they are wasting at work, which makes them work longer, which throws the rest of their life into chaos. Getting your work done by diligently working in the time you have will free your life up extraordinarily.

5. Choose to see your work as a way to help others, and not a way to make money. If you put your heart into helping others, the money will most assuredly come. Spend time helping others grow and your finances will grow with it.

6. Choose to become balanced spiritually, emotionally and physically. Our lives are best when we have these three major areas in balance. Spend some time cultivating your spirituality, becoming emotionally healthy, and physically fit.

7. Choose to sow more than you reap. There are many takers in this world, but our lives will be better as we become givers. The world will become better as we become givers. Give away your time, give away your money, give away your love.

8. Choose to get home for dinner more often. The family is the most important group of people you will ever belong to. Make a decision today to grow in your relationship with your parents, siblings, spouse and children. This one choice you will never regret.

One of my favorite quotes: “The history of free men is never written by chance, but by choice; their choice.”
— Dwight D. Eisenhower

2017-11-09T11:08:00.001-08:00

Be Responsible For Your Own Financial Security
by Denis Waitley
There is no job security. You can’t rely on staying with the same company through retirement. Pension plans, when available, are woefully inadequate. Social security benefits won’t come close to covering your living expenses in retirement.
The only way to reach financial security is to plan for it now, regardless of your age. You have to define financial security in your own terms. Have you defined the amount of assets that you need for financial independence?
Financial security is that amount of assets that will give you a specific income, after taxes, to live like you want to, without having to depend on day-to-day employment.
What is that amount for you? I believe it is more than you think. And, I feel that if you define it, you can reach it in ten years or less. Do you have a financial plan and the assistance of a financial planner? You need both. Always retain a financial planner on a fee-for-service basis. Don’t mix financial planning with an investment broker or insurance agent. What are your financial goals and what is your time line? Because I started late in my quest for financial independence, I have a maximum five-year period remaining for capital accumulation.
Action Idea: Wealth is not only based on income, but also on expenditures. Are you spending or investing? Are your purchases goal-achieving or tension-relieving? How do you use credit cards? Use your credit cards for services or purchases that retain their value or that build your business. Don’t use credit cards for vacations and personal entertainment, unless you plan to pay the entire balance in one or two months. Try to pay all your balances in full monthly. In this way, you avoid the ridiculously high interest payments. Realize that paying minimum balances, at high interest rates, means that you are paying two or three times what the original purchase was worth.
Most importantly, save at least 6 to 10 percent of your take-home pay each month, by writing a check into a savings account or mutual fund for that amount, as if it were a utility bill or house payment. The secret of most self-made multi-millionaires is compound interest. If parents saved one dollar each day for their newborn infant, by going without a cup of Starbuck’s coffee, or a Big Mac, or a soft drink for that day, by the time the child reached age forty, he or she would have a million dollars cash. No lottery windfall. No brilliant investment strategy. Just compound interest, which Baron von Rothchild labeled “The Eighth Wonder of the World.”

5 first-time homebuyer mistakes

2017-01-30T09:51:00.002-08:00

By Polyana da Costa • Bankrate.com

Thinking about buying your first home? Before you can unlock the door to homeownership, you have to take some important first steps. From finding the perfect location to financing your purchase, shopping for your first home has challenges that go beyond curb appeal and interior features.

Some of the important steps to homeownership include:

Many first-time homebuyers decide to buy when they feel ready for a mortgage. But just because they can afford the mortgage payments doesn't mean they can afford to own a home, says New York attorney Rafael Castellanos, president of Expert Title Insurance.

"They have an idea of what their mortgage payment is going to be, but they don't realize there's much more to it," he says.

Property insurance, taxes, homeowners association dues, maintenance, and higher electric and water bills are some of the costs that first-time homebuyers tend to overlook when shopping for a place.

"Keep in mind property taxes and insurance have a tendency of going up every year," Castellanos says. "Even if you can afford it now, ask yourself if you'll be able to afford the increased costs later."

Even though it's your first home, you must think of it as a long-term commitment, says Ed Conarchy, a mortgage planner and investment adviser at Cherry Creek Mortgage in Gurnee, Illinois.

"If you have to switch jobs in a year or two, and may have to move for the job, you should think twice," says Conarchy. "Ideally, you should picture yourself living in that house for 5 to 7 years."

Home buying doesn't begin with home searching. It begins with a mortgage prequalification -- unless you're lucky to have enough money to pay cash for your first house.

Often, first-time homebuyers "are afraid to get prequalified," says Steve Anderson, a broker and owner at Re/Max Benchmark Realty in Las Vegas. They fear the lender may tell them they don't qualify for a mortgage or they qualify for a loan smaller than expected. "So they pick a price range out of the sky and say, 'Let's go look for a house,'" Anderson says.

And that's not how it should be done. Yes, it's more fun to go look at houses than to sit in a lender's office where you have to expose your financial situation. But that's a backward approach, Conarchy says.

"You get preapproved, and then you find a home," he says. "That way, you'll make a financial decision versus an emotional decision."

New to the home buying game? You'll need a reputable real estate agent, a good loan officer or broker, and perhaps a lawyer.

Venturing into this process alone, without professional help, is not a good idea, says Anderson. While every rule has its exception, generally, first-time homebuyers should not try to deal directly with the listing agent, he says.

"If you are getting divorced, are you going to go to your husband's attorney for help? Of course not," he says. "Same here. If you go to a listing agent, they are only going to show you their listings. You must find a buyer's agent to help you."

If you hire an agent without a referral from friends or family, ask the agent to provide references from previous buyers. The same goes for loan officers or mortgage brokers.

"It's very hard for first-time homebuyers because they don't know who they are dealing with," Anderson says.

It's crucial to find a professional who will give you "truly independent advice," Conarchy says.

Sometimes that means hiring a lawyer, says Castellanos.

"You are about to make what is possibly the largest single investment of your lifetime," Castellanos says. "You want to make sure it's done right."

Spending all or most of their savings on the down payment and closing costs is one of the biggest mistakes first-time homebuyers make, Conarchy says.

"Some people scrape all their money together to make the 20% down payment so they don't have to pay for mortgage insurance, but they are picking the wrong poison because they are left with no savings at all," he says.

Homebuyers who put 20% or more down don't have to pay for mortgage insurance when getting a conventional mortgage. That's usually translated into substantial savings on the monthly mortgage payment. But it's not worth the risk of living on the edge, says Conarchy.

"I'd take paying for mortgage insurance any day over not having money for rainy days," he says. "Everyone -- especially homeowners -- needs to have a rainy-day fund."

You have prequalified for a loan. You found the house you wanted. The contract is signed and the closing is in 30 days. Don't celebrate by financing another big purchase.

Lenders pull credit reports before the closing to make sure the borrower's financial situation has not changed since the loan was approved. Any new loans on your credit report can jeopardize the closing.

Buyers, especially first-timers, often learn this lesson the hard way.

"They sign the contract and they want to go buy new furniture for the house or a new car," Anderson says. "I remember one case where, just before closing, the buyer drove to the office and said, 'Look at my brand-new car.' I told them, 'You'd better go back to that dealership.'"

Luckily, the dealership agreed to wait a couple of days to report the loan to the credit bureaus, he says. Otherwise, it could have killed the deal.

You've decided to go for it. You know rates are near all-time lows.

Buying a home can be thrilling and nerve-wracking at the same time, especially for a first-time homebuyer -- it's difficult to know exactly what to expect. The learning curve can be steep, but most of the issues can be resolved by doing a little financial homework.

Take these 5 steps to help make the process go more smoothly.

2016-10-10T21:58:00.001-07:00

Most Important Things to Repair Before Selling a House

by Bill Gassett

It is easy to miss a lot of the wear and tear that happens to your house over the years. But when you start thinking about selling, the state of your home becomes much clearer. You know that there are things that need to be fixed and cleaned up. However, you only have so much money and time to make repairs. So, what should you fix?

Keep in mind, articles like this one are meant to provide general advice on what works for most people. Ideally, you will have a real estate agent you can talk to who will look at your particular home and give you targeted advice – which will get you the best results for your circumstances. But even if you are working with a Realtor, this information can give you a starting point on what to discuss with your agent about possible home repairs.

Taking care of the most important things to repair before selling a house will put more money in your pocket! This is one of the primary reasons real estate agent recommend taking care of certain things before you list your home.

Repairs Worth Making Before You Sell

1. Paint

Paint is one of the cheapest, easiest ways to update the look of your home before you list it. And you don’t need to be a professional painter to make this work for you, either. Watch a few videos online, pick your colors and go to town!

Lighter and neutral colors are preferred when selling because they tend to appeal to most people. You never know who will walk through the door to view the house, so it makes sense to keep the styling primary. You don’t have to paint every room, necessarily, just those that obviously need it. Rooms with dark paint, chipped or dirty paint are the ones that will benefit most.

If you have wallpaper in your home, it is almost always a good idea to remove it to sell your home for the most money. Wallpaper dates a home. Buyers have a hard time selling past wallpaper. Some sellers assume a buyer should just be able to “look past it.” They will say to their agent we will give the buyer an allowance to remove the wallpaper. This is a mistake as it defeats the purpose. Getting rid of wallpaper is all about first impressions and making a home more appealing to a buyer. Removing the wallpaper is what puts more money in a sellers pocket.

Just the other day I was having this conversation with one of my clients in Holliston Massachusetts. It was imperative to make them understand how important the initial visit is to a home and the impression it makes on a buyer.

2. Exterior

The exterior is the first thing buyers will see, so you want it to look good. Replace missing fence boards, add sod if the yard is looking the worse for wear, and clean up any junk that may have accumulated in the yard or on the outside of any storage sheds. Make sure the grass is mowed and that weeds are taken care of before someone comes to view the home. You can also plant some flowers in the beds to add color and make the place feel homier. Here are some low-cost exterior home improvements worth doing.

Moss growth on the roof, missing shingles, and problems with the siding are all things that buyers will notice. Try to get all these things patched up now so you don’t have to answer questions about it later.

3. Kitchen

Everyone wants a large, spacious kitchen with all new appliances – where they can cook and entertain (even if they never do either). Now your kitchen may not satisfy these desires without significant upgrades, which may not make sense financially. Do not do a complete kitchen renovation unless your agent tells you that he or she believes you can make your money back on the sale.

However, you can make some minor repairs that will make your kitchen appear more inviting, even if it isn’t a “dream kitchen”. If the painting, lighting, and countertops all scream the 1970s, you can change all of these without too large of an investment. You can paint as necessary, install new fixtures and replace the countertops to something more appealing (granite and marble are not a requirement for an updated look). The price of solid surface materials, however, has come down in recent years so it might be worth getting an estimate for installing granite counter tops, especially when the kitchen counter space is not huge.

As far as appliances go, buyers are going to expect these to work. If the oven, dishwasher or range are out of operation – or in awful shape – replacing them might be necessary to appeal to buyers.

4. Bathroom

A clean bathroom – one where everything works as it should – is a necessity. If you have a problem with a running toilet or a leaky faucet, make repairs as necessary. You can cause the toilet look much better just by replacing the seat. Cleaning up the grout or replacing it is always a good idea, as it can become dirty over the years. Any missing tiles should also be replaced.

If the bathroom has old wallpaper or dingy surfaces, a new paint job is recommended. The brighter and cleaner you can make the room, the better. The bathrooms and kitchen are the most important areas in a home. These are areas where buyers will put their focus. They are also the most expensive areas in a home to upgrade. This makes it vital for you to repair any issues before putting your home up for sale.

5. Lighting

Lighting can make even the smallest home seem open and inviting. You want to maximize the perception of space, so you will want to take advantage of the many lighting options now available. You can learn more about lighting different spaces online and find a variety of affordable lighting options that will be far superior to the current overhead or stand lights in your house. Take some time to analyze your current space and see if you can find some ways to improve the lighting. If you have “dated” light fixtures this is another area that for a little bit of money invested can translate into a quicker sale.

Don’t forget natural lighting, either. Ditch the heavy drapes for light colored curtains that let the in the sun.

6. Refinishing Hardwood Floors

Without a doubt, hardwood floors are one of the most popular flooring selections in a home. As Debbie Gartner, the owner of Floor Coverings International in Westchester NY explains the look of wood floors can totally change the appearance of a home. This is the type of flooring that most home buyers prefer. What does this mean when you are selling? It means that you have your hardwood floors looking their best. Refinishing your hardwoods when they need it can totally change how a buyer views your property. There is nothing like entering a home where the hardwood looks spectacular. The great thing about refinishing hardwood floors is the return on investment which is very high.

7. Functionality

Go to your home and make sure everything works as it should – from the small things like doorknobs and locks to bigger stuff like your garage door. Everything doesn’t have to be new for a home to be desirable to buyers, but all the functional aspects of the home must be in good working order to fetch the best price. A few broken components are all it takes to start driving the price down, so get them fixed.

One of the smartest things a seller can do is be ready for the buyers home inspection. More home sales fall apart at the home inspection than at any other point in time during a transaction. This leads to the importance of know what the most common home inspections issues are and dealing with them beforehand! Some very specific issues can kill home sales. If you are aware of any of these problems it is important to address them before putting your home on the market.

8. Pre-Sale Inspection

One crucial way to avoid the problems that can swiftly end a home sale is to have a pre-sale home inspection. A pre-sale home inspection can help you identify issues and fix them before you try to sell your home. Unless you are a professional contractor, a real estate agent or a home inspector, you are probably going to miss a few things as you go looking for problems with the home. And even if you are a professional, a home inspection will still be required before a lending company will loan a buyer money to purchase your home. If you don’t find the problems now, you will be forced to deal with them later before you can finalize the sale.

Have an inspector look over your home, fix whatever is broken and then move forward with your sale – confident that you have covered all the bases.

Final Thoughts

Obviously, there are other important things to repair before selling a house like a heating system that does not work, a roof that is leaking, previous ice dam problems, structural issues or something that would prevent a buyer from getting a mortgage. It goes without saying that if the purchaser cannot procure a mortgage, it will be awfully difficult to sell your home. Cash buyers do not grow on trees. So if you don’t have an unlimited budget to make repairs, indeed tackle the issues that would stop a sale from happening first. Once those concerns are addressed, you can then focus on some of the other important things I have mentioned above.

Leaving repairs for a buyer is not a smart thing to do if you are looking to get the most money for your home. If your home is in deplorable condition and you are just looking to get out with a quick sale, you might want to consider selling to a real estate investor. There are companies out there like We Buy Ugly Houses who will purchase your home from you for cash with no contingencies. Of course, a company like this is not going to be paying you the market value for your home. This is for those sellers who are desperate to sell and get some remaining equity fast.

Alexander The Great

2016-05-05T13:00:00.002-07:00

7 Houseplants That Improve Indoor Air Quality

2016-03-17T21:32:00.002-07:00

Depending on where you live, you may not get outside very much for fresh air and even if you can, the air outside isn’t exactly fresh. City dwellers tend to have more issues with breathing and lung function due to the constant exposure to pollution. Instead of buying expensive machines to clean the air (beyond normal air filters for your heating and air conditioning), consider adding some air cleaning houseplants instead!
If you enjoy having houseplants, chances are pretty good that you have at least one of the air-cleaning plants listed below.
Most people never really think about all the stuff that floats around in the air and eventually goes into our lungs. Air conditioners and filters are expensive and can only do so much before they are clogged and need replacing. The same rings true for air purifiers: the units are expensive to buy in the first place and then you are looking at years of maintenance and buying replacement filters several times a year. The cost is even higher when you are using HEPA filters!
Air quality is a growing concern and has been studied by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to learn ways they can keep the air clean. You can read about their findings by going here.
There are numerous plants that are commonly found in homes around the country and even the world that not only look nice, they are hardy and will also clean the air you breathe. Here are five very common and easy to take care of plants that will help remove pollution from the air in your home.

Spider plant – If you have ever grown a houseplant, chances are pretty good it was a spider plant. These long leafed plants are especially easy to grow and can take a beating. They are shown to remove formaldehyde, xylene, and toluene from the air. These plants are hardy – I have brought one back from the dead before. There were no leaves left alive but I could see some roots that were still viable and after adding water only twice, it came back to life. The spider plant’s scientific name is Chlorophytum comosum. Also called the airplane plant.

Sword Fern – Also called the Boston Fern, Nephrolepis exaltata, is a full bodied plant that removes formaldehyde, xylene, and toluene from the air. Its bright green color will not only perk up any area, it can survive through frosts and return the next year. Since it will be inside to help clean the air, this plant will do its job year round. They work very well in hanging baskets.

Peace Lily – A gorgeous flour, the Peace Lily (part of the Spathiphyllum species) has large and broad leaves. This plant will remove not only formaldehyde, xylene, and toluene, it also removes trichloroethylene, ammonia, and benzene from the air you breathe. It is an air cleaning powerhouse! The flowers are gorgeous and will serve to look good as well as purifying.

English Ivy – Hedera helix is a plant you have likely seen a lot in your life due to its popularity and easy care maintenance, not to mention the staggering rate of growth. These plants climb and grow fast! Some people might consider them nothing more than an invasive plant or weed – largely because you most often see this plant climbing the walls or up the trellis on abandoned homes and buildings. The fact that it cleans out formaldehyde, xylene, and toluene, trichloroethylene, and benzene is reason enough to bring these lovely, large leafed plants inside.

Bamboo – Bamboo palms are part of the Chamaedorea family that have 107 different species. These plants are fantastic for your home and work area, take up little space, and can live through drier than usual conditions (like when you forget to water). These plants remove formaldehyde, xylene, and toluene from the air.

Aloe Vera – A well documented beneficial plant to have around, Aloe Vera (Aloe barbadensis) removes formaldehyde and benzene from the air. It requires little water and prefers a lot of sunshine but can do well in artificial light, too. Of course, aloe also has the added benefit of being excellent treatment for burns, scrapes, and abrasions.

BONUS: Ficus Tree – Prefer to have a nice little tree? Ficus benjamina, otherwise known as the Weeping Ficus or just ficus, are great little flowering trees that also help clean the air you breathe. It will remove formaldehyde, xylene, and toluene. These mini trees take up little space, will thrive without natural light, and can take being drier than usual for those forgetful waterers. It has the potential for getting rather large (as far as mini trees go) but they are easily clipped back to fit where you need them to.

Safety Considerations

Before you decide which plants you like and rush out to buy some, there are some things you need to consider about your home. Certain plants can cause allergic reactions while others are not good for homes with pets. Cats, in particular, are known for nibbling on leaves and won’t know that the plant they are eating is poisonous to them. The same is true for dogs though there tend to be less cases of poisoning by plant with them versus cats.

If you have birds that you allow to be out of the cage, make sure that the plants they may land on (or nibble on) are safe for them, too!

Other considerations would include your climate, temperature preferences in your home, and sun exposure. Certain plants require direct sunlight for so many hours a day while others prefer the shade. You wouldn’t want to bring a cool weather loving plant in your home if you keep the temperature around 80 degrees (F).

It has been well documented that having house plants can boost your mood, clean the air, and make your home more welcoming. Especially when it is cold outside, house plants remind us that even though it may be freezing outside, it will pass and things will turn green once again!

Old-Fashioned Healing Salves Anyone Can Make At Home

2016-02-29T10:26:00.000-08:00

Written by: Susan Patterson Natural Health

Healing salves, passed down through the centuries, contain the goodness of medicinal plants to relieve pain and inflammation and promote healing.

Here are five healing salves for common problems that anyone can make at home:

1. Burn-aid salve

If minor burns are a common affair in your household, you need this handy burn salve for immediate pain relief and faster healing of the skin. It is simple, yet often as effective as any ointment your money can buy.

The lavender soothes the skin and the honey works to dry up any blisters and promote skin regeneration. Calendula promotes healing and prevents scarring.

You will need:

2 tsp lavender essential oil
2 tsp calendula essential oil
½ cup honey (Manuka honey with UMF 15+ gives the best results)
1 cup coconut oil

How to make:

1. Melt coconut oil by keeping it in a warm place or in a bowl of hot water.

2. Add lavender and calendula essential oils.

3. Allow the mixture to cool until it starts to solidify, and beat in the honey.

4. Store in a wide-mouthed glass jar.

New “Survival Herb Bank” Gives You Access to God’s Amazing Medicine Chest

2. Healing chest rub salve

This decongestant chest rub can bring great relief during the cold and flu season. It is much safer than petroleum-based chest rubs, and a must in households with children.

You will need:

2 tsp eucalyptus oil
1 tsp rosemary oil
1 tsp camphor oil
1 tsp lavender oil
1 tsp lemon oil
½ cup olive oil
½ cup beeswax pellets
1 cup cocoa butter

How to make:

1. Melt the beeswax in a double boiler and add the cocoa butter to it. Mix well until the cocoa butter melts and gets mixed with the melted wax.

2. After the waxy mixture has cooled slightly, add the olive oil and all the essential oils to it.

3. Pour into small glass or metal tubs and let it cool completely before sealing the containers.

3. Healing salve for cuts, bruises and insect bites

Minor cuts and bruises happen all the time. They may usually heal on their own, but secondary infections can complicate things. This healing salve with analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties will not only give immediate pain relief, but will prevent infections and help the injured skin heal faster.

You will need:

½ cup calendula petals (or 1 tsp calendula essential oil)
½ cup arnica flowers (or 1 tsp arnica essential oil)
1 tsp tea tree oil
1 tsp peppermint oil
1 tsp lavender oil
1 cup olive oil
¼ cup beeswax pellets

How to make:

1. Put the flowers in a glass bowl and pour warm olive oil over them. Keep it in the oven or stove at the lowest setting for six to eight hours.

2. Melt beeswax on a double boiler and take off the heat.

3. Strain the flower-infused olive oil into the wax, mixing well.

4. Add all the remaining essential oils and mix well.

5. Pour into glass or metal containers and allow to set before putting on the lids.

4. Old bones salve

This one is excellent for all the aches and pains old age brings, but can be used by the young and the athletic with equal effect. It gives lasting relief whether it is arthritis, rheumatism, sprains and strains, or anything else that gives pain in the joints or muscles. The pain relief comes from the warming effect of cayenne and cloves, while the ginger and turmeric reduce inflammation.

You will need:

1 tbsp cayenne pepper
1 tbsp turmeric powder
2 tsp dry ginger powder
1 tsp clove essential oil
1 tsp wintergreen essential oil
1 cup virgin coconut oil
¼ cup beeswax pellets

How to make:

1. Melt the coconut oil by gently heating it, or keeping it in the sun or in a warm place indoors.

2. Mix in the cayenne pepper powder, turmeric powder and dry ginger powder and leave overnight in a warm place.

3. Melt the beeswax pellets in a double boiler and let the wax cool slightly.

4. Strain the coconut oil through a muslin cloth and add it to the melted beeswax, along with the essential oils.

5. Allow the mixture to cool, stirring several times until it solidifies.

5. Salve for eczema and damaged skin

Skin conditions like eczema require constant care. Instead of depending on commercial products of doubtful composition, you can make a soothing salve that keeps the skin soft and moisturized and helps to relieve any itching and burning.

You will need:

½ cup calendula petals
1 tsp lavender oil
1 tsp German chamomile oil
1 tsp neem oil
1 cup Jojoba oil
½ cup beeswax pellets

How to make:

1. Infuse calendula petals in jojoba oil by mixing both. Keep the mixture in the sun or in a warm place for a day. (Gently heating the mixture will accelerate the process.)

2. Melt the beeswax in a double boiler and let it cool a bit.

3. Strain the jojoba oil and add it to the melted wax along with all the essential oils.

4. Pour into glass or metal tubs and allow to set before capping.

The beeswax-carrier oil combination determines the texture of the salve. You can always adjust it to your liking by slightly changing their proportions. To get an idea of how the final product will be, take a spoonful of the salve mix while it is still warm and pop it into the freezer for five minutes. Add more oil to the warm mixture to lighten the texture or some melted beeswax to make it thicker.

6 Key Traits to be Positively Perceived at Work

2016-02-18T17:41:00.004-08:00

6 Key Traits to be Positively Perceived at Work

Jim Cucinotta

The real key to success is how you are perceived by your team, co-workers and supervisors. Managing that reputation is easy if you develop six characteristics.

If you listen to talk radio, there is a commercial for online reputation management. They clean up unsavory marks against you which of course are undeserved. They do not get to the root issue of why those remarks were made. Just that you can clean them up.

There are corporate courses that teach you reputation management, personal branding, and other self-promotion type materials. These classes tell you how to put yourself in a better light to presumably advance your career. I guess because being yourself makes you unlikable.

In my opinion, the key ways to have a positive work perception would be to have the following five attributes:

1. Reliable- the best way to build a positive reputation is to honor your word. Deliver projects on time, on budget, and with high quality work. Give a consistently high effort every day.

2. Humble- keeping an even keel is key. Even if you are receiving rock star attention and results, remember to be humble. You are more likely to reap the rewards if you realize that this success could be fleeting, but how you act during this time will last forever.

3. Relatable- you do not need to be “one of the guys” to be relatable. You just need to be approachable, generally friendly, engaging, and able to connect with your team and co-workers. You do not need to be the gossip mill or happy hour planner.

4. Concerned- simply put, you need to care about your company, co-workers, team, customer, vendors, and other key stakeholders. You need to balance all of these factors to try to do the right thing.

5. Self-Aware- you must be proficient in your job. You do not need to be the best, but you need to have a thorough understanding of how your position affects the rest of the company- and how the rest of the company affects your position. Understanding where you fit is a key way to make sure you are respected.

6. Fair- always do the right thing. You need to treat people as they need to be treated, not necessarily equally, but always in a just manner.

You need to understand that not everyone will like you, but everyone can respect you. Following these traits will make that possible.

2016-01-29T13:39:00.004-08:00

“If your dream is a big dream, and if you want your life to work on the high level that you say you do, there's no way around doing the work it takes to get you there.”

~Chapman, Joyce on Dreams

10 smart survival strategies for the woman living alone

2016-01-11T11:46:00.001-08:00

Posted on January 11, 2016 by Gaye Levy

Most preparedness information out there seems to assume that everyone is part of a family with a mom, a dad, three kids and a dog — or, if not that, an extended family that includes brothers, uncles and a grandpappy. Somehow, the picture presented always includes a man.

The truth is that is not always the case. There are a lot of women alone out there who are also preparing, and it often seems like they are left out of the equations.

There are all sorts of reasons that a woman might be living alone. She may have just left the nest and is out there joining the adult world with her first job and apartment. She may be divorced or widowed. She may not have children, or those children may be off raising families of their own. Whatever the case, family-based preparedness suggestions don’t always apply to the woman living alone.

Because of that, I felt it long overdue to step up and address specific survival strategies for the woman living alone. Not that these tips are only for women. Many of them are important for any person who wishes to be prepared, and especially for the female prepper who is living alone.

10 survival strategies for the woman (or man) living alone

No. 1: Be extra vigilant with home security. As they say, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Make sure that you have motion-sensor lights at all of the entrances to your home and property. Get a dog. It does not have to be a big dog; my little Yorkie is a great early warning system! Install high-quality locks and be sure you have a fortified door frame.

No. 2: Learn to use a weapon. If you decide to purchase a firearm, get some instruction and go to the range frequently to optimize your skills. If you aren’t comfortable with guns, your weapon of choice can be something else; just make sure you have a way to defend yourself. Consider pepper spray or a stun gun such as this one that doubles as a flashlight. Heck, even a can of wasp spray has a long range and can do some very painful damage.

No. 3: Take a women’s self-defense class. Classes geared specifically toward women are the best if you need a crash course. Of course, if you’re already a black belt in martial arts, all the better! If you can find a recurring class that lets you spar with a bigger “attacker,” this will help the moves become more natural for you.

No. 4: Learn to use tools. Being able to repair things yourself is a big part of being self-reliant. Practice makes perfect. Home Depot and other home-improvement centers offer workshops each weekend that teach customers how to make something. It is a great way to get your feet wet. Also, if something in your home breaks and is in need of repair, search YouTube for some related repair videos and give it a shot yourself. If you do have to call a repair person, hang out and watch; and don’t be afraid to ask questions.

No. 5: Be careful what you say. Obviously, your closest neighbors will be aware that you live alone. But when you’re out and about, don’t broadcast it. Many a stalker first became interested in a victim in the most innocuous of settings. Court records have shown that some stalkers were repairmen, pizza delivery guys and mechanics who realized that the woman they became obsessed with lived alone. As well, in the event of an emergency, you do not want people to remember that you mentioned having a year’s supply of food in the basement. You don’t want to be a target.

No. 6: Don’t make it obvious your house belongs to a woman alone. While you shouldn’t need to be afraid to be feminine, you might want to tone down the pink girlie stuff in the front yard. You can also purchase a large pair of used men’s work boots at the Goodwill, get them dirty and leave them beside the door as though someone just took them off to go inside. And for heaven’s sake, don’t get those stick-figure families for the back window of your vehicle to represent you and several pets. Be discreet.

No. 7: Learn to change a tire. If you don’t already know how to do this, be sure that you know how to change your own tire. A flat is one of the most common vehicular issues that will leave you stranded. My friend Daisy from The Organic Prepper wouldn’t allow her daughters to drive the car alone until they could change the tire in the driveway using the factory jack. Many women have felt scared and vulnerable on the side of the road while waiting for AAA to come and change their tire for them. It also would not hurt to have a can of Fix-a-Flat stuff. Using that, you can make a temporary repair and get on your way quickly.

No. 8: Be prepared to hunker down. Should a disaster or civil unrest occur, one of the most dangerous things you can do is set out on foot. If at all possible, you’ll be safer if you stay put. Have the supplies you need in place so that you can stay home and wait out the chaos.

No. 9: Avoid attracting attention to your home during an emergency. Your goal is to avoid attracting attention to your home; so no matter how well-prepared you are, don’t be the only house on the street with lights blazing from the windows. Invest in some blackout curtains and even consider lining your windows with heavy black garbage bags and duct tape to keep light from escaping.

No. 10: Plan to fortify your home if complete chaos erupts. In advance of something happening, plan how you will fortify your house. Consider a professional-grade bar for the doors, some decorative grillwork for lower story windows and sidelights, or even some plywood that is pre-drilled and cut to fit windows and sliding glass doors so you can cover them if it’s a major hullabaloo.

The final word

I hope you will take this list and use it to formulate your plan for staying safe during an emergency. While you may not be as strong and scary looking as a 250-pound hunk of macho, you can still defend yourself and what is yours will some advanced planning and training.

Do not be discouraged if you aren’t part of a large family or group. For you, it is still very important to prepare and perhaps even more so. Go ahead and adapt the preparedness information that’s out there to fit your personal situation, and be the hero of your story, not the damsel who needs to be rescued!

Enjoy your next adventure through common sense and thoughtful preparation!
–Gaye Levy

Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

2016-01-03T08:43:00.000-08:00

1. Your shoes are the first thing people subconsciously notice about you. Wear nice shoes.
2. If you sit for more than 11 hours a day, there's a 50% chance you'll die within the next 3 years.
3. There are at least 6 people in the world who look exactly like you. There's a 9% chance that you'll meet one of them in your lifetime.
4. Sleeping without a pillow reduces back pain and keeps your spine stronger.
5. A person’s height is determined by their father, and their weight is determined by their mother.
6. If a part of your body "falls asleep", You can almost always "wake it up" by shaking your head.
7. There are three things the human brain cannot resist noticing - food, attractive people and danger.
8. Right-handed people tend to chew food on their right side.
9. Putting dry tea bags in gym bags or smelly shoes will absorb the unpleasant odor.
10. According to Albert Einstein, if honey bees were to disappear from earth, humans would be dead within 4 years.
11. There are so many kinds of apples, that if you ate a new one every day, it would take over 20 years to try them all.
12. You can survive without eating for weeks, but you will only live 11 days without sleeping.
13. People who laugh a lot are healthier than those who don’t.
14. Laziness and inactivity kills just as many people as smoking.
15. A human brain has a capacity to store 5 times as much information as Wikipedia.
16. Our brain uses the same amount of power as a 10-watt light bulb!!
17. Our body gives enough heat in 30 minutes to boil 1.5 liters of water!!
18. The Ovum egg is the largest cell and the sperm is the smallest cell!!
19. Stomach acid (conc. HCl) is strong enough to dissolve razor blades!!
20. Take a 10-30 minute walk every day & while you walk, SMILE. It is the ultimate antidepressant.
21. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day.
22. When you wake up in the morning, pray to ask God's guidance for your purpose, today.
23. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants.
24. Drink green tea and plenty of water. Eat blueberries, broccoli, and almonds.
25. Try to make at least three people smile each day.
26. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip, energy vampires, issues of the past, negative thoughts and things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.
27. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a college kid with a maxed out charge card.
28. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
29. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Forgive them for everything.
30. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
31. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
32. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.
33. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
34. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
35. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: 'In five years, will this matter?'
36. Help the needy, Be generous! Be a 'Giver' not a 'Taker'
37. What other people think of you is none of your business.
38. Time heals everything.
39. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
40. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.
41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
42. Each night before you go to bed, pray to God and be thankful for what you accomplished, today. What if you woke up this morning and only had what you thanked God for yesterday? DON’T FORGET TO THANK GOD FOR EVERYTHING.
43. Remember that you are too blessed to be stressed.
Now: Think about forwarding this to your friends to help them lead a happier and healthier life, too!

17 Critical Survival Items You Gotta Store For A Crisis

2015-11-18T18:23:00.000-08:00

OFF THE GRID

Written by: Rich M Extreme Survival

While stockpiling food is an important part of preparing to face a disaster, your stockpiling shouldn’t be limited to just food. Experience has shown that in the face of a major disaster, much more than the food supply line is severed.
If we look at Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Sandy, we find that pretty much all of the infrastructure goes down in the face of a major disaster. The people living in those areas were without electricity, fresh water, sewage service, communications, police protection and much more. In a sense, it was if they were isolated from the rest of the world. Many things that we depend upon daily were lost to them.
Those things didn’t come back quickly, either. Probably the first part of the infrastructure to return was electric service. Power companies from other parts of the country sent in emergency crews to help with restoring power to the people affected by the storms. Even so, most of the people didn’t have electrical service for more than two weeks. The other services couldn’t begin to be restored until then, because everything depends upon electrical power.
Remember, those were regional events. Should we have the misfortune of being struck by a nationwide event, it would take much longer to restore electrical service; which means everything else as well. It has been speculated that in the case of an EMP attack, electrical service will take eight months to restore.
Just like with your food, you want to have enough other supplies to get your family through the crisis, should a major disaster eliminate the infrastructure we depend upon. Essentially, your food supplies and your other supplies should parallel. In other words, if you have a year of food supplies, you should have a year’s worth of as many other supplies as you can. For some types of supplies, that may be extremely difficult to manage.

The other option, instead of having a year’s worth of supplies, is to have an alternate plan. Let’s take electrical power for example. It would be cost prohibitive to have enough battery backup power to last a year. Likewise, trying to store enough gasoline to run a generator for a year would be impossible. Gasoline doesn’t store well over long periods of time. So, instead of having enough batteries or gasoline, you need a plan to get by without electrical power or with the power that you can produce with your solar and wind power generators.
Determining everything you could possibly need to survive a disaster is a monumental task. No matter how hard you try, there are things you are going to miss. Nevertheless, the more you manage to prepare, the easier it will be for your family, when that time comes.
1. Fuel – Gas pumps don’t work without electricity, so having some extra fuel on hand is a great idea. Not only will you need it for your car, but for your lawnmower and tiller, as well. While you can’t store gasoline for long periods of time, you can store some by rotating your stock.
2. Heating fuel – In addition to fuel for the car, you’ll need fuel to heat your home, especially if you live in a colder climate. There are many ways that a home can be heated, such as by using a fireplace or a kerosene heater. Whatever method you choose, make sure you put in a good supply of fuel for it.
3. Cooking – Your gas or electric stove probably won’t work when the power is out, unless you have a propane stove. You’ll need an alternate way for cooking, as well as fuel for it. That means both something to cook on and the fuel to run it. Gas-powered camp stoves (not the kind that use little propane tanks) are great for this; so is a barbecue grille. The fuel for cooking might be the same fuel you are using for heating your home, but if not, be sure to have an ample supply.
4. Means of producing electricity – Our lives depend so much on electrical power that you’ll need some way of producing at least some. While you probably won’t be able to produce as much as you currently use, you can produce enough for your “critical systems.”
5. Batteries – We use many devices that run off of batteries. Fortunately, one of the major battery manufacturers is now producing standard size batteries with a shelf life of 10 years.
6. Water – You can count on needing a minimum of one gallon of clean drinking water per person per day. If you live in a hot climate, up that to two gallons. This is just for cooking and drinking, not washing. You can’t have too much water.
7. Water purification system/supplies – There’s no way that you can store enough water for your family. A family of four needs a minimum of 120 gallons of water per month, just for drinking and cooking. You’ll need five times that much for washing, if you are extremely frugal with it. Be sure you have ample means of water purification, with a backup.
8. Heirloom seeds – In the case of a prolonged recovery period from a disaster, your food stockpile may not be enough. Heirloom seeds are the old kinds of seeds, before GMOs came about. They are totally natural, excellent sources of nutrition and produce seeds to perpetuate your garden.
9. Gardening equipment – Having a stockpile of seeds isn’t going to do much good if you don’t have the means to use them. Be sure you have the tools and the knowhow to turn those seeds into food bearing pants.
10. Oil lamps and candles – With the electricity out, you are going to have to revert to lighting your home in the old-fashioned way. Don’t just depend upon flashlights (although you should have them), as your battery supply is finite. Candles and oil lamps store well, are inexpensive and provide adequate light.
11. First aid kit and common medicines – Medical services are usually overloaded in the aftermath of any disaster. This won’t be the time to go to the doctor because the kids have the sniffles. Not only would you have to wait for hours, but you might have trouble getting there. Being able to treat injuries and minor ailments at home can be a lifesaver.
12. Tools – Many disasters cause damage to homes. You may have to do extensive repairs to your home. Be sure you have what you need.
13. Cleaning supplies – Many types of disasters bring general destruction, including making a mess of your home. If you are going to try and live in it, cleaning it up will be important; not only for comfort, but for health.
14. Home repair materials – If you have to make some basic repairs, it’s a good idea to have the materials on hand to do them with. You’d be amazed by what you can do with a few sheets of plywood and some tarps.
15. Personal hygiene items – Keeping yourself clean is another important part of maintaining your health. With the shortage of water that you’ll probably encounter, that’s going to be extra challenging. Soap, shampoo, toothpaste and toilet paper will be worth their weight in gold. Be sure to stock up on anti-bacterial hand cleaner as well, the kind where you don’t have to use water.
16. Barter goods – In addition to the supplies your family will need, it’s a good idea to have a stock of goods just to barter with others.
17. Firearms and ammunition – Unfortunately, social disorder attends many disasters. Looting, vandalism and general violence are common. You may have to protect your home and family. Don’t just buy guns, become proficient in their use.
I realize that this list covers a lot of ground, and it will be hard to gather all of this stuff, as well as gather the food you’ll need. Don’t expect to do it all in one week, or even one year. The point is to start on the journey. Every step you take brings you one step closer to being self-sufficient. Many people take years to build their stockpile to the point they want, build their alternate power supply, drill a well and learn new skills. This is an investment in your family’s future; as such, it takes time.
Don’t just stockpile the food and supplies either; learn how to use them. You should test everything you have and become proficient in its use. If you have an alternate method of cooking, try cooking that way. Better to make mistakes and learn before a disaster hits than to wait until it’s too late.

Four Benefits Homeowners Have That Renters Don't Have

2015-11-15T08:52:00.003-08:00

Monkey Business - Shutterstock

There are many reasons why some people prefer to rent an apartment rather than purchase a home. Some jobs require considerable travel and occasional job-location transfers. Career-oriented professionals in their twenties find it easier and more convenient to pack up an apartment when it's necessary to move. For the majority of people, however, purchasing a home makes practical and financial sense. Home ownership in the United States is at almost 64 percent and on the rise. It is within the majority of Americans' reach and can be just as affordable as renting.

Personal Investment
A rental unit can cost as much, or more, per month than the mortgage payment on a home, but without the financial benefits. Home ownership is an investment. Each payment increases your equity, and each improvement you make increases the home's value. Owning a home is also a tax advantage. Real-estate property taxes, insurance, and mortgage interest are all deductible expenses. When you pay rent, you don't receive any of these financial benefits.

Growing Money (Equity)
The amount of your down payment determines the size of your mortgage payment. The money you put down on your home is instant equity. When you buy a home, the majority of your early payments goes toward the loan interest, and only a small amount goes toward the principal. After a period of time, the majority of your payment will go toward the principal. That means the equity in your home is growing faster, and as the paid principal amount grows so does your investment. When you sell your home, you will make money on your investment. Home prices continue to rise, and any remodeling you do also adds additional resale value.

Freedom to Make Changes
When you own your home, you are free to paint a door, rip out a wall, add a porch, or plant a garden. You don't need anyone's permission. (Restrictions may apply if you live in a development managed by a homeowner's association). A homeowner has freedom to make changes to their house, but a renter has to ask permission to repaint a wall.

Payment Stability
With a fixed-rate mortgage, the homeowner will not experience any change in payment for the length of their mortgage. Knowing exactly what to expect each month places the homeowner in a stable environment. Renters, however, must continually sign leases and deal with increases in their payments. Their only option is to look for another apartment with a lower rent.

Does Your Dog Do THIS With You? The Answer Reveals Something Amazing!

2015-10-23T16:03:00.000-07:00

Elyse Wanshel

I have always fantasized about having the same powers as Doctor Dolittle — mostly because knowing exactly what animals are thinking and feeling would be some really valuable information to have.

For instance, why does my dog bark at the vacuum cleaner or hide in a corner whenever the lightest bit of rain starts to fall? I don’t think I’ll ever know the answers to those questions, but thanks to new developments in the science of dog communication, I now know whether or not my dog loves me.

Much like studies that have found that dogs have certain “powers” or enhanced physical senses, scientists have also uncovered that because dogs and humans have been so deeply intertwined through history, dogs have developed unique ways to expressing their love for humans. The signs are very subtle and they’re not always obvious, but as we break down in this exclusive, all you need to know are the tiny signs that prove your dog’s love for you…

The secret ways your dogs says, “I Love You” is a ‘ranked list’.

1. Freaking out when you return.

We all feel special when we come home and we’re greeted by our dog with his tail wagging, a favorite toy in tow, and he’s jumping all over the place like a crazy kangaroo.

And it’s a good thing we like it, because it’s a very distinctive way a dog shows you his love for you — and it’s love in its truest form.

2. Staring directly into your eyes.

On a 60 Minutes segment, Anderson Cooper met with Brian Hare, a well-known dog expert, to discuss how dogs express love. According to Hare, when your dog looks you in the eye, he is “hugging you with his eyes.”
When a dog looks at you while the two of you are playing with one another or just cuddling, oxytocin is released. It’s the same hormone that helps new mothers bond with their babies. If you want to test this out with your dog, don’t go home and a have a staring contest with your pooch. He will sense something is off, and look away because he feels awkward.
Instead, try to naturally maintain eye contact with him during your normal routines and see how he responds.

3. Sleeping in your room.

Another way to figure out whether your dog loves you is observing where he likes to sleep.

It’s part of a big controversy, but if your dog wants to sleep in your bed — even if you don’t allow it — he definitely loves you.
According to Gregory Berns, if a dog wants to sleep on your bed, it’s a good test of his loyalty because he doesn’t want to be separated from the pack.

4. Leaning on you.

The song “Lean on Me” is all about offering support and dogs crave that same kind of security.

Sometimes a dog will lean on a human because he is anxious, wants you to do something, or take him somewhere. But leaning is also a symbol of affection.
Even if your dog is leaning on you out of pure nervousness, he is still doing it because he thinks of you as someone who can protect him and keep him safe.

5. Enjoying your love.

Do you love your dog? According to Gregory Berns, dogs can actually innately sense whether or not you love them.

So if you don’t love them, you’re not getting it back in return!
How does your beloved pup most often show you their love? Let us know in the comments below!

6. Watching you leave calmly.

Some people think that if a dog panics when they leave that it’s a sign that they love them.

That’s not necessarily true, according to Gregory Berns.
If your dog panics when you leave, it’s more of a sign that they have separation anxiety than that they love you.
If a dog goes into his crate or is accepting of you leaving, i.e. they’re calm when you leave, it means your dog loves and trusts you and is confident that you will return.

7. Cuddling with you after a meal.

In his book, How Dogs Love Us, Gregory Berns, if your dog cuddles with your after eating, it’s a strong sign that they do indeed love you.

Most dogs lovers (or even people who don’t like dogs) know that pups are motivated by food. But according to Berns, once a dog eats all its food, his next action can signify what’s most important to him besides eating.
Sometimes your dog may have to do his “business” right after a meal, but watch how he reacts in the morning and at night. If he’s snuggling up with you after one of these meals, then there’s some definite puppy love on his end.

8. Bringing you his favorite toy.

If your pup brings you his favorite, most coveted toy, it doesn’t just mean your dog wants to play.

Although wanting to play with you is a sign of affection in itself, when your dog brings you his favorite ball, it may also mean he thinks of you as his pack leader.
Because of this, he wants to please you by offering you his finest possession, be it a squeaky toy or well-worn Frisbee. He thinks you’ll like it as much as he does, and as they say: “sharing is caring!”

9. Lifting and wiggling eyebrows.

We think we can read a dog by its tail, but its facial expressions are a way more powerful indicator.

In a recent study in Japan, dogs were introduced to their parent, a stranger, a dog toy, and an item they didn’t like.
When seeing their parent, the dogs immediately lifted their eyebrows (especially their left), and when they saw a stranger there was a lot less facial movement, except for movement of the right brow.
Yet, when they saw an item they knew and had bonded with, the dogs shifted their left ear back. But if it was an item they didn’t like, their right ear shifted. According to the study, this suggests the dog is more reserved when they are engaging someone they don’t know or something they disapprove of.

10. Yawning when you yawn.

Yawning is contagious. But did you know this impulse isn’t limited to just humans?

Dogs, because they’ve been bred to read humans, also yawn when someone they love yawns.
A study found that when humans echo another’s yawn, it’s because they’re empathetic, like sympathy pains. It’s impossible to measure if dogs are empathetic, but it’s possible that a dog yawning the same time as a human happens because the dog has bonded with that person.
The study also found that dogs were more likely to yawn when their owners yawned, as opposed to a stranger.

10 Ways Thrifty People Save Money On Groceries

2015-10-10T11:39:00.001-07:00

by Victoria

My reasons for saving money on groceries have changed over the years. At first in our early years of marriage I wanted to spend as little as possible so that we could use what I saved to pay down debts. Now with our debts paid, we can spend a bit more but I still set a realistic budget that fits within our means.

I have also learned so much about good nutrition since my mom’s battle with cancer that took her life several years ago, that my goal is now to squeeze in as many whole foods as possible as well as buying the dirty dozen organic and much of our dairy products. Still no matter what your grocery budget goal is these 10 thrifty ways people save money on groceries can help you reach it.

Here are 10 Ways I keep our grocery budget low

1. I plan a simple menu

How does menu planning save you money? It makes aware of what you already have on hand so that you don’t go out and buy more than you need. It helps you eat out less since you have a weeks worth of dinner ideas at your finger tips and all the ingredients to make them.

Menu planning can seem like a drag to most people. I know it did me until I set a timer one week and figured out that it takes me under 10 minutes to go through what sales bought items I already have on hand and figure out what meals I could make with them and what ingredients I will need to buy to round out the meals.

2. I use my bread machine

Currently I don’t make our bread (see a tip further on as to why) but I still use my bread machine as often as a few times a week baking up dinner rolls, cinnamon rolls, pretzel bits, pizza dough, bread sticks and more.

3. I use free sources of coupons

There are coupons out there available for whole and organic foods. My biggest source for them in my town is my Mperks membership for Meijer . Each week I load up my account with coupons for items on my list. Another source is to Google you favorite grocery products and see if they have websites that may contain printable coupons. There are a few good coupon apps out there too (I don’t have a smartphone so I cannot use these).

Update I have discovered since writing this that you can access most coupon apps using a tablet and I do also own a smartphone now. Here are the apps I have found that include deals for every day items like bread, milk, eggs and such….

ibotta
Berry Cart (organic & gluten free foods)
Checkout 51
Shopkick (a way to earn money as you shop)
Snap
Favado Savings App (more like a deal finder and coupon matcher app than a coupon app)

What I love about coupon apps is that you can use the ones that are not store exclusive like Checkout 51 to save money at places that don’t take printable coupons like Aldi.

4. Junk mail

You could be surprised what you could find in that stack of flyers in your mail box. A few months ago I found a $5 off $25 purchase coupon for Aldi in a stack of what just looked like trash offers. I have also found high value toothpaste coupons which combined with sales has led to free toothpaste.

5. Discount bread store

About a year ago I discovered a discount bread store that stocks the 100% whole grain bread my family eats for significantly less than the stores carry it for and even less than I can bake it for so we made the switch. The store is a bit of a drive for us but it is in a city that we visit a few times a year for various events so when we go we buy 2 to 3 months worth and fill our freezer.

6. Foaming soap dispenser

We include all our personal products as well as household cleaners in our grocery budget. One way I have found to cut down our soap consumption is foaming soap dispensers for our hand soap, dish soap and body wash. I estimate this trick saves us over $300 a year. ( I don’t recommend it for shampoo, I tried and it just did not clean as well)

7. Marked down meat

We don’t eat a lot of meat but when we do it is normally bought from the markdown section. This saves our family and additional 20% off. Sale meat goes into the markdown pile more often than people would think making the prices very low.

8. keep a price book

My price book comes out of the wood work about once a year as I do an annual check up to see if I can beat my current best price for items. The price book helps me find where to find the best price on items that don’t normally go on sale, as well as what is a good sale, and what items are cheaper at the warehouse store.

I find if I spend about 30 minutes each week for a month updating it, I am good to go for another year. Ideally for maximum savings I would carry it and update it all year, but that has yet to happen.

9. Shop more than just the grocery store or warehouse store

I find deals on groceries that can’t be beat by my grocery store at Big Lots all the time. I especially love their 20% off nights for buzz club members as well as the special $5 off $15 purchase coupons the send members in the mail now and again. These make the deals go from good to amazing.

I have friends in other towns that rave about their local scratch and dent grocery stores, or their dollar store food finds. Every town differs as to what deals are available the key is to get out there and look around.

10. Switch to homemade cleaners

Vinegar and baking soda make up the bulk of the homemade cleaner recipes you can find on Pinterest (follow my Homemade Cleaning Products board if you want some ideas). These cleaners cost just pennies and work as well as the commercial brands.

5 Ways to Increase Your Home's Security

2015-09-22T10:24:00.000-07:00

A home is burglarized every 15 seconds in the United States, and over 90% of those robberies occur when no one is at home. If your home appears visible, secure, and occupied, the chances of experiencing a break-in are significantly lower. Below are some of the most effective and proven methods for beefing up your home security without breaking the bank.

1. Invest in Stronger Security
Motion-activated floodlights near any entrances to the home make an excellent deterrent, and window-break alarms provide an inexpensive alternative to a full security system. One area that many people neglect is the front door—most doors aren't reinforced, which means that a single well-placed kick is often all it takes to gain access to your home. The most secure door is one with a double-cylinder deadbolt and reinforced plates on both the door and the frame, both of which can be added to most existing doors at a small cost.

2. Get Rid of Hiding Places
One of the easiest ways to make a thief think twice about targeting your home is to get rid of anything that might conceal them. Tall hedges, privacy fences, and dark yards make it much easier for a burglar to hide from you and your neighbors. Investing in motion-activated porch lights or a timed light will make your home a riskier proposition for would-be thieves.

3. Ditch the Spare Key
Many people keep their spare key under a doormat, flowerpot, or rock, but that's exactly the reason why you shouldn't. Experienced thieves know all of the usual hiding places, turning your spare key into a hassle-free ticket to the valuables in your home. If you are worried about being locked out, then leave a key with a trustworthy neighbor instead.

4. Get a Safe
A small floor safe is one of the most inexpensive ways to protect important valuables. Safes are a great place to store important documents, such as birth certificates, passports, and financial records, as well as expensive jewelry and any cash you might have. Keep in mind that a small safe could still be carried off by a determined burglar, so store it in a place that is out of sight.

5. Use Scare Tactics
A simple and inexpensive way to deter thieves is to use scare tactics. Place a security system sticker on a window in clear view, even if you don't actually have an alarm installed. Similarly, most thieves won't stick around to find out if your "Beware of Dog" sign is true or not! If you are going on vacation or leaving home for more than a few hours, consider leaving a light or TV on to make it look like someone is awake in the house. The majority of thieves are looking for a quick buck and won't target homes that put them at risk of a confrontation.