Ruth's How-To Blog

Ticket Amnesty Programs

2012-01-09T17:48:00.000-08:00

'Tis the season — to get a deal on those old traffic tickets that are hanging over you!

If you have old tickets that are preventing you from registering your car or renewing your driver’s license, you may be eligible for a ticket amnesty program. Occasionally, counties offer amnesty programs that allow you to pay a significantly smaller amount to clear your tickets. In some cases, you may even be able to do community service hours in lieu of a cash payment. However, most traffic courts require an appearance in court or special arrangements in order to perform community service hours. In California, the current rate is a $10 credit for every service hour. Therefore, if you owe $1,000 in fines, you must perform 100 hours of work for an approved non-profit agency or organization.

Please be aware that every county and state have different qualifications and procedures, so I can really only recommend that you go to your county's website and look for “Ticket Amnesty” programs. If one is not offered at this time, keep your eyes open, since these programs can save up to 50% on those old fines.

In California, many programs run from January until June. DUIs are NOT included in any amnesty program.

Link:
http://www.solano.courts.ca.gov/GeneralInformation/TrafficAmnestyProgram.html

How to Clean Animal Urine Off a Book

2012-01-03T13:17:00.000-08:00

I've had the unfortunate experience of little dogs who think that a box is a thing to pee on -- and that box was full of books. Being a fanatic about my personal library, I had to devise a method of salvaging my precious old books from the ravages of animal urine. If only the cover and a couple of pages are affected, this method works pretty well. If the entire book is contaminated, well, you can probably get another copy of the book on Amazon or at your local used bookstore.

Step 1
Wipe the book off with paper towels.

Step 2
Spray outside of book lightly with vinegar. Wipe it off with paper towels. Repeat until the urine is gone. Let the book dry completely.

Step 3
Immerse entire book in a box filled with baking soda. Leave it there for several days. Carefully give it a sniff test.

Step 4
Repeat as needed.

WARNINGS:
The baking soda may fade the cover cloth, especially if the box is still damp when placed in the box.

Despite what well meaning friends or family may tell you, do NOT use ammonia to clean up urine. The stench is from ammonia in the urine. If you use ammonia to clean it up, you will simply attract more pet accidents. Vinegar neutralizes ammonia.

When I Grow Up, I Want to be an Old Woman

2011-11-14T10:57:00.001-08:00

Our children look at us as if we're already old. But age is just a number and we're not old at all. Age will catch up to us eventually, but why let it ruin our lives? When I grow up, I want to be an old woman!

Step 1
Look at your life realistically. If you're a working parent, doing your best to pay bills and raise kids, then stop dreaming about retirement and live your life in the here and now. Do make plans for your retirement and definitely save money, but live for today, don't stress about tomorrow.

Step 2
Get regular checkups. Routine maintenance is important to growing up to be an old woman. Many conditions and diseases can be caught early by simply having regular checkups.

Step 3
Vaccinate! Why be miserable with flu, pneumonia, childhood diseases when you can get a shot and not have to be sick at all!

Step 4
Eat a healthy diet. The USDA pyramid provides the building blocks to a healthy diet. A proper balance of protein, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins and minerals will keep you kicking long after your kids think you should stop dancing.

Step 5
Exercise! If you keep moving, your joints are able to keep moving. It will also help keep your weight down (an important item to us ladies!) Dance, walk, jog, roller skate, just keep moving.

Step 6
Rest. Get enough sleep. Rest when you're tired, it will make all the difference in how you look and feel.

Step 7
Seek help when you need it. Whether it's spiritual, financial, physical assistance you need, you should not let pride stand in your way. Get help if you need help.

Step 8
Give. Bless others as you have been blessed. Volunteer, teach, share your knowledge with those less fortunate than yourself.

Step 9
Find serenity within yourself. Pray, meditate, read, find that part of your spiritual life that gives you peace within. Stress really can kill you, so don't let life stress you out.

Step 10
Smile! Enjoy your life, so you can grow up and become a happy old woman.

Tips & Warnings
•Take care of yourself so you can take care of the others in your life.
•Stay away from negative people, they'll drag you down.
•Be careful, you may find you enjoy aging (and embarrassing your kids) a little too much!

How to Push Up Your Iron Count

2011-10-21T12:37:00.000-07:00

If you give blood, platelets or plasma on a regular basis, you know the importance of keeping your iron count high. It has to be at least 38 in order to donate. If your iron count is lower than 38, you will be deferred for that day and have to return to the blood bank or plasma center at a later date. Fortunately, it's not that hard to get your iron count up to an acceptable level.

Step 1:
Add a B-complex vitamin to your daily eating plan. B-complex vitamins help your body metabolize foods, particularly meats, which contain iron and proteins.

Step 2:
Drink a glass of orange juice or eat fruit rich in vitamin C with your meals. Vitamin C helps your body absorb iron from foods.

Step 3:
Add iron-rich foods such as liver, clams, oysters, beef, spinach, broccoli, cooked dried beans and enriched cereals to your diet.

Step 4:
Use a cast iron frying pan to cook meat and eggs. The iron in the pan leaches into the food you eat, thereby naturally enriching all your foods with extra iron. Combined with the B-complex vitamins and vitamin C, it will increase your iron count.

References:
WebMD: Top Iron-Rich Foods - http://www.webmd.com/diet/iron-rich-foods

I'm Going to Post All of My Old Articles Here

2011-08-10T09:09:00.000-07:00

So keep watching, there's going to be everything from getting your kids back from CPS to how to make Gluck.

Yes, the name of the recipe is Gluck.

Yummy....

Keep watching here!

An Interesting Turn of Events

2011-05-07T08:19:00.000-07:00

Well, my main writing site is phasing out revenue share articles. The old program, where I make a few bucks every month is going away.

Yes, they've offered me a buy-out equivalent to 5 to 6 months of earnings. No, I'm not taking it.

Why? Well, I make most of my revenue share money off a few articles, but they've all made a little over time. Mainly I don't want to give up my half dozen top earners. So I'm going to publish them all elsewhere, one by one. Maybe they'll all end up here. Maybe at the competition's websites. Don't know yet, it's way too soon to tell.

There are a couple of other issues too, including the fact that I'd be selling all rights to my entire library of articles posted on that website, and I'm just not comfortable with that. I also don't want to take down articles from the few other places I've published them.

So, there it is, I'm not selling my rev share articles. I'll rework and republish elsewhere. (And yes, I have a copy of every single one saved to my computer. I did that a while back when there were rumors flying...)

In the meantime, I will continue writing flat-fee articles and be happy for the income and the opportunity.

How to Filter Ditch Water

2011-03-27T11:29:00.000-07:00

Living here in California, we need to be aware of emergency and survival tactics. We just never know when wind, flood, earthquake will hit. One of the most important elements of survival is water. So I wrote this little eHow on "How to Filter Ditch Water the Easy Way."

In an emergency situation, there are four elements to consider for survival: shelter, sanitation, food and perhaps most important, water. Without water, a person can die in just a few days. However, during an emergency, clean water may not be available. Even when resources are limited, there are simple ways to filter dirt, bugs and bacteria from the available water supply. Methods like these are already being used in third-world countries to provide safe drinking water.

Read more:
How to Filter Ditch Water the Easy Way eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_8087449_filter-ditch-water-easy-way.html#ixzz1HpHSCZGH

How to Access California SDI Payments

2011-02-27T06:48:00.001-08:00

I recently wrote this article. Having been on SDI, the change from checks to a Visa debit card was a surprise to me. However, it really was a pleasant surprise! While the first statement arrived a few days before the card, when I sent the statement in for the next check it was literally lightning speed. I mailed the statement on Wednesday and the money was on my card by Friday evening. Wow!

How to Access California SDI Payments

The State of California has implemented a new system of paying State Disability Insurance (SDI). Previously, your doctor's office sent the SDI forms to the state and you waited for a check. The new method of payment is with a prepaid debit card...

Read more: How to Access California SDI Payments eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_7989889_access-california-sdi-payments.html#ixzz1FAfmXiIM

How to Win At Lotto

2010-12-12T09:11:00.000-08:00

Well, you know I really don't have the winning numbers.

But here's two simple ways to "win" at Lotto.

Put the money in a jar at the head of your bed. Don't play the Lotto at all. Instead, save that money and when the jar is full, put it into savings. Or pay off a credit card bill -- a real win-win for your budget.
Play the game with the smaller prize, like California's Fantasy 5 game. The prize is smaller, only $50,000 (or more, depending on how many times it rolls over without a winner) but the odds are much better. In fact, to get a free ticket only requires hitting two numbers. If you play every day, the same numbers, like I do, you're likely to get at LEAST one free ticket every week. At least.

Now, there's nothing wrong with dropping a dollar on a Lottery ticket. But if it's wrecking your budget, remember that all too many "big winners" waste the money and end up worse off than they were before they won. In fact, one guy lost his life over his Lottery winnings. He was murdered by a so-called friend.

If you're obsessing over any kind of gambling, consider a getting help with Gamblers Anonymous or Celebrate Recovery. Seriously.

Links:

Gamblers Anonymous: http://www.gamblersanonymous.org/

Celebrate Recovery: http://www.celebraterecovery.com/

How to Find Out If You Have A Warrant In California

2010-12-02T07:51:00.000-08:00

With the holidays looming, it's past time to check into old issues and see if you can get them resolved. People make mistakes and sometimes they can be pretty serious. For example, did you forget a court date, not show up for jury duty, fail to pay tickets, or bounce a few checks?

Unfortunately, you may find out that you have a warrant the hard way -- at a simple traffic stop when the officer cuffs you and hauls you off to jail. Don't let that happen to you!

Read more: How to Find Out If You Have A Warrant In California eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_6041789_out-warrant-california.html#ixzz16vHge2wd

Handling your business before the holidays is a good way to start off the New Year, a clean, fresh start on the rest of your life.

Mom's World Famous Gluck

2010-12-01T19:45:00.000-08:00

This is our family's traditional day-after-Thanksgiving (and Christmas) meal.

Gluck

"Gluck is what my dad calls the traditional casserole my family makes after Thanksgiving and Christmas. It's delicious!"

Read more: How to Make Gluck eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_5691616_make-gluck.html#ixzz16vGCtm1B

Seriously, you've never had the best of holiday leftovers until you've tried Gluck!

The Holidays Are Coming!

2010-10-02T08:14:00.000-07:00

Yes, it's October already! Time to clean the yard up, figure out how to store the lawn furniture, finish building that shed I've been working on for the last year (at least get the roof on it!) and start plannning for Thanksgiving Dinner.

I've published several of my favorite recipes on eHow.com:

How to Smoke Your Holiday Turkey
I always smoke my turkey for the holidays. That frees up my oven for all the rest of my holiday cooking. It's really not that hard, but you have to start about two to three days ahead.
Read more: How to Smoke Your Holiday Turkey eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_5490320_smoke-holiday-turkey.html#ixzz11DQOP7bi

How to Make Super Healthy Mashed Potatoes
Mashed potatoes are a favorite dish for most of us. Yet, all too many of us buy into the "mashed potatoes are fattening" fallacy. Well, they don't have to be, mashed potatoes can be a super healthy dish that your family will love.
Read more: How to Make Super Healthy Mashed Potatoes eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_5151611_make-super-healthy-mashed-potatoes.html#ixzz11DP1Ry6c

How to Make Healthier Sweet Potatoes or Yams
I like yams, aka sweet potatoes, but I don't like that gooey mess of marshmallows, mushy canned yams and sugar that most people make for Thanksgiving and Christmas.So I came up with my own recipe.
Read more: How to Make Healthier Sweet Potatoes or Yams eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_5281875_make-healthier-sweet-potatoes-yams.html#ixzz11DOaLHCQ How to Make Healthier Sweet Potatoes or Yams eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_5281875_make-healthier-sweet-potatoes-yams.html#ixzz11DORP6qB

About Demand Studios

2010-09-30T21:51:00.000-07:00

I've been writing for Demand Studios since May. So far, I've made about a thousand dollars, just writing on the weekends, averaging four articles per weekend. (Yes, I know, I need to step up the pace, but I tend to get caught up in research.)

And, I must say that I really like those twice a week deposits into my PayPal account. Yes, they pay twice a week for the flat fee articles. Approved by Sunday midnight, paid on Tuesday; approved by Wednesday midnight, paid on Friday.

Loving it!

Unfortunately, my kids found out. Oops. So now they ask for more stuff, while I'm just trying to make more money to pay bills.

And I still get a little bit every month from my old eHow account. I need to take the time and work my way through the old stuff, do a little bit of revising and updating, keep those articles fresh so they keep making money for me.

Oh, my old eHow address is: http://www.ehow.com/members/razzberry-jam.html

And my new Demand Studios articles don't show up the same way on eHow, so it's easier to do a google search using "ehow.com Ruth deJauregui articles" and see what pops up. I stay busy, so it changes fairly quickly.

Anyway, I'm planning on continuing writing for Demand Studios as well as working on my novel and writing in my blogs.

(I promise to write more often. Really!)

Catering -- A Hard but Fun Job!

2010-08-20T08:13:00.000-07:00

Need a part time job?

I worked five summers as a catering assistant, working mostly in the Napa/Sonoma wine country at weddings. The work was long and hard, but it was a great part-time gig!

How to Become A Successful Catering Assistant eHow.com

Checking Out Break Studios

2010-06-25T08:33:00.000-07:00

I've read a number of encouraging reports about Break Studios. They are similar to Demand Studios except they only pay $8 an article, and payday is twice a month -- the 1st and 15th.

The positive spin is that people are reporting that they can write articles in less than half the time that it takes to write an article on Demand Studios and you get several rewrite opportunities.

Now, not that I'm going to disparage my fellow writers, but when someone says they can whip out an article in 10 minutes, I wonder if it's a quality article or if it's something they're an expert in, so it's easy for them.

Well, I should at least write a couple of articles to try Break Studios out. The titles might be a little easier. So if you see a byline of razzberry-jam or my real name, yup, that's me!!

Too Busy To Write?

2010-06-13T11:04:00.000-07:00

Well, I've been moved from the old eHow to the parent company, Demand Studios.

It's been a learning curve, but I think I'm improving. Demand Studios has a very specific writing style that must be adhered to. Like I said, it's been a learning curve.

While I sort of miss the freedom of eHow, I really, really like the twice a week payment to my PayPal account. I've already made more in the last month and a half than I made in my seven months of writing for eHow.

Better, the old eHow articles, all 108, are still making residual income.

So, I've got to find time to write in my blogs too. I've just been too busy with Demand Studios...

How to Deal With Child Support Issues

2010-03-13T10:45:00.000-08:00

I've written a couple of articles on Child Support, focusing on California. If you live in another state, there will be differences in how your child support agency handles cases.

Thanks for checking out my articles!

How to File For Child Support In California

Your child/children deserve the support of both parents. Unfortunately there are absent parents, men and women both, who think that they have no financial responsibility toward their own children.

The California Department of Child Support Services can help you establish a child support order and garnish your ex's wages. You don't have to be on welfare, this service is free to everyone. If you already have a child support order, DCSS can handle the garnishment and future child support hearings for you.

This article is geared toward single parents. Separated and divorcing parents will have some extra steps as they go through the process, but in general, the process is very similar.

For the rest of the article, please click here: http://www.ehow.com/how_6007908_file-child-support-california.html

---------------------------------

How to Get Your License Back After Suspension For Failure To Pay Child Support (California)

There's a lot of people out there who've lost their jobs and failed to pay their child support.

If you're one of the unfortunate victims of the bad economy and if the child support is being collected by the Department of Child Support Services (DCSS), you risk having your license suspended.

However, it's not hopeless, you don't have to pay the entire past due amount to get your license back!

For the rest of the article, please click here: http://www.ehow.com/how_6032306_license-pay-child-support-_california_.html

Spring Is On Its Way!!

2010-02-19T16:03:00.000-08:00

Yes, Spring is on the way.

The almond tree is flowering already, despite the continuing rains. You know what they say, April showers bring May flowers...

Well, here in Cali, the showers are in January, February, March AND April.

In any case, I have some articles for you to peruse, while you dream of Spring and your garden...

How to Divide Cannas:
http://www.ehow.com/how_5310408_divide-cannas.html

How to Garden In A Concrete Jungle:
http://www.ehow.com/how_6007075_garden-concrete-jungle.html

How to Grow Pumpkins In A Pot:
http://www.ehow.com/how_6007280_grow-pumpkins-pot.html

How to Garden In The City:
http://www.ehow.com/how_5331768_garden-city.html

How to Grow Volunteer Tomatoes:
http://www.ehow.com/how_5213985_grow-volunteer-tomatoes.html

And hey, thanks for looking!

How To File A Claim With CalTrans

2010-02-19T08:48:00.000-08:00

CalTrans is the state of California's Department of Transportation.

Basically, these are the guys that maintain and repair the freeways and State highways.

This is also the agency where you file a claim if your car was damaged or you were injured by a flaw or problem on a State Highway. For example: You're driving on the freeway and you hit a huge pothole. BANG, your tire blows out and you end up on the shoulder with a blown tire, damage to your undercarriage or frame, and a tow truck bill.

There are specific steps to take in filing a claim against any government agency. This is how you do it with CalTrans.

How To File A Claim With CalTrans:
http://www.ehow.com/how_5983525_file-claim-caltrans.html

Super Bowl Sunday Recipes

2010-02-06T10:57:00.001-08:00

Mmmmm, Super Bowl Sunday and the massive potluck. Yummy!

Here's a couple of recipes that are good all year long, but especially good on a football Sunday afternoon. (And they're easy too!)

How To Make Baked Beans and Ribs:
http://www.ehow.com/how_5960756_make-baked-beans-ribs.html

How To Make Hearty Potato Soup:
http://www.ehow.com/how_5960662_make-hearty-potato-cheese-soup.html

How To Make Green Pea with Cheese Salad:
http://www.ehow.com/how_5593786_make-green-pea-cheese-salad.html

How To Garden In The City

2010-02-06T00:26:00.000-08:00

We're still in the middle of winter, but I noticed that my almond tree is already starting to show little blossom buds at the tips of its twigs. Spring is coming and we should be thinking of our gardens.

If you live in the city, you may think that you can't garden. Well, I have great news for you, unless you live in the bottom of a well, you can probably manage a small garden.

How To Garden In The City:
http://www.ehow.com/how_5331768_garden-city.html

Recovering From A Detached Retina

2010-02-06T00:08:00.000-08:00

It's hard to believe that it's been over 10 years since I had a detached retina. It was a very frightening time, I could have went blind in that eye. Fortunately I had an excellent retina specialist and she saved my vision.

How To Recover From A Detached Retina:
http://www.ehow.com/how_5355115_recover-detached-retina.html.

Recommit To Your New Years Resolutions

2010-01-24T10:16:00.000-08:00

In the New Year, eating healthier and getting enough rest are high on my priority list (along with making more money of course!).

I believe I'm not alone, that you also want to make this a better year, so here's a few articles to help with your New Year's resolutions, just in time to help you renew your commitment to 2010!

Yummy!

How to Make Healthier Sweet Potatoes or Yams: http://www.ehow.com/how_5281875_make-healthier-sweet-potatoes-yams.html

How to Make Super Healthy Mashed Potatoes: http://www.ehow.com/how_5151611_make-super-healthy-mashed-potatoes.html

How to Make Chunky Tomato Soup: http://www.ehow.com/how_5067538_make-chunky-tomato-soup.html

How to Trick Your Family Into Eating More Vegetables: http://www.ehow.com/how_5310410_trick-family-eating-vegetables.html

Enjoy!

I Am REALLY Upset!!*

2010-01-22T08:19:00.000-08:00

The how-to website where I write articles has a mirrored site in the UK.

That's cool.

What is uncool is that MY articles are on that website and I don't get a freaking nickel for them! And they have no intention of paying for the traffic on the UK site. AND somehow they've managed to leverage the UK articles so they're higher on Google, so that readers will be more likely to go to the UK site than to the US site!

Therefore, my earnings are half what they were two months ago!

NOT COOL!

There's been a promise to take the articles off the UK website. It hasn't happened yet.

I'm really unhappy about this turn of events. It's not like I make a lot of money, but dang, to take what little I do make and cut it in half? It's not even a tank of gas for a month's earnings!

Sigh.

Yes, I'll keep writing there, because I'm a writer and we do what we do. A penny is better than nothing. But I don't have to be happy about this...

*Hey, it looks like they fixed the problem! I checked a couple of articles (on Google) that I know for sure were mirrored and they're only showing on the US website AND my earnings went up a dollar today. (They were averaging less than half that since the holidays.) Maybe the situation is being resolved. I hope so anyway!!

** Well, the more things change, the more they stay the same. We were "compensated" for the UK fiasco. Yeah, that buck and a half really makes up for the 50% drop in earnings. Sigh. And the glitches in the publishing system continue...

Another Super Interesting Blog

2010-01-21T20:27:00.001-08:00

Wow, this guy has a great imagination and actually implements his ideas!

I'm not so much into the bikes, but the great ideas for trailers are so, so cool. And cooler (maybe hotter), he actually made some of them and took them to Burning Man, which is held in August in the Nevada desert.

Way cool! http://highmileagetrikes.blogspot.com/