But there’s no need to be in the dark about dinner when you get home. There is a bright light (and a warm meal) waiting for you if you know how to flip the slow cooker switch. So don’t dial for dinner and order expensive take out on your way home, get crocking by cracking out your Crock Pot for frugal and healthy family meals.

If you don’t already own a Crock Pot or a slow cooker, here are 6 Reasons to use a Crock Pot . When you’re convinced that a slow cooker is for you, then here’s how to buy the right one! These are not your mother’s Crock Pots. I swear!

1. “Crock-Pot” vs. Slow Cooker?

Don’t get stuck by playing the brand name game. A Crock Pot is a slow cooker. But a slow cooker is not always a Crock Pot. Seriously. A “Crock-Pot®” is the brand name for those slow cookers sold by the company Rival. Slow cookers are the generic product name for a handy kitchen appliance with a heating element and an insert that slowly cooks food. Hot stuff, non?

Slow cooker competitors to Rival’s Crock-Pot® brand are made by companies like Hamilton Beach, Sunbeam, Proctor Silex, West Bend, and Cuisinart — just to name a few. To keep things legal, these companies have to call their stuff “Slow Cookers”. But really, from a food preparation point of view, there is no difference between cooking with a “Crock-Pot®” and other brands.

Your biggest concern should be the features your slow cooker boasts, not the brand name it wears.

2. Size Matters

Slow cookers come in a range of sizes measuring in quarts. Picking the right fit for your family is important, especially if you want leftovers or want a crock big enough for meals like roast beef or pot roast.

Some simple slow cooker size guidelines:

• Two Adults: If you have two adults dining, then the 3 to 4-quart size can work well. Many recipes are designed with this size in mind, and there are usually some leftovers for lunch the next day.

• Larger Families: If you have a larger family or love lots of leftovers, then go with a 6-quart model.

• Love Leftovers: Get a 6-quart unit if you’re all about making double-measure recipes, cooking one big meal each week, freezing or refrigerating smaller portions, or bringing something tasty to work for lunch.

Even though we are a family of two, I prefer a larger 6-quart slower cooker. The reason is roasts. There just isn’t enough room in a smaller crock for meatier meals calling for chicken, lots of beans, or roast beef. Besides, I’m busy during the week so coming home to leftovers is bliss.

3. Shape: Round or Square?

I was always a bit of a square growing up, but I must highly recommend passing on corners and getting a round slower cooker. Rounded edges are simply easier to clean than square edges with crevices. Also, be sure to get a slow cooker with a tilted or graduated rim. Crocks with narrow or flat rims can bubble and spill liquids over the top. Who needs that mess.

4. Get a Removable Crock Insert

This is important if you want to stay sane with your slow cooker — get a removable crock insert. A removable crock is far easier to clean since it can be separated from the electronic base and set to soak in your sink. The units sold as a single crock with heating base cannot be submerged in water. Besides, a removable crock can be moved to your refrigerator if there are leftovers, making your cleanup and storage easy. I used to own one of those single units in school, and never used it because it was a pain to clean.

5. Put a Glass Lid on It

You’ve got to put a lid on it, so if you want your slow cooker to last get one with a glass lid. Lids with plastic pieces or metal rims may not withstand the test of time since they can melt, warp, and even discolor. Glass lids can also boast a higher dome, giving you more space for cooking tall foods like whole chickens and roasts.

But the big bonus with a glass lid is that you can see your food cooking. Lids that are plastic or opaque require you to uncover your crock to see where your meal is at. When slow cooking, removing the lid is a big no-no since this lets the heat escape, thus increasing your cooking time. Big energy and time waste, non?

6. Fancy Features

Slow cookers and Crock Pots are pretty simple devices — they have an insert, a lid, a heating base, and a temperature dial. But today’s slow cookers boast features that would make your mother’s Crock Pot simmer. Here are some features to consider before plunking down your dinner dough:

• Crock Material: Some crocks are made of stoneware while others are metal inserts with non-stick coatings. The choice is yours, but I’m a fan of the stoneware models since they hold heat well, look attractive served on the table, come in a variety of styles and colors, and refrigerate well.

• Digital Digits or Dials: Some units come with just a dial while others are fully digitized. The units with dials tend to cost less.

• Various Settings: Today’s slow cookers come with a variety of settings to choose from, like: keep warm settings, programmable delayed cooking timers, and multiple temperature settings. Most slow cookers with dials come standard with these settings: Off, Low, High, Warm. Slow cookers with timers are handy for those who work late or start the day early.

It’s easy to lose your head and flip over the fanciest of features. But really, a simple heating unit with a dial will get dinner done.

7. Prices

Like most things in life, you get what you pay for. But with slow cookers paying a lot more moolah doesn’t necessarily get you a better meal. Generally, slow cookers and Crock Pots range in price from a mere $20 to a whopping $220 for the feature-rich and brand name units.

Here are four slow cookers that balance excellent features with frugal prices:

• Hamilton Beach 6-Quart Programmable Slow Cooker (on sale for $50)
• Hamilton Beach 3-in-1 Slow Cooker with 2, 4, and 6-Quart Crocks ($60)
• Hamilton Beach 4-Quart Oval Slow Cooker ($25)
• Crock-Pot 3-1/2-Quart Slow Cooker ($40)

Slow Cooker Recipes

If you get a crock you’ll need some recipes. I’ve done a few frugal slow cooker meals on this blog! Here are some Vegetarian Recipes and a few for the Meat Lovers.

These classic slow cooker cookbooks are awesome and frugal too:

• Not Your Mother’s Slow Cooker: Recipes for Two
• Slow Cooker Ready & Waiting: 160 Sumptuous Meals That Cook Themselves
• Fix-It And Forget-It: 1400 Best Slow Cooker Recipes
• 200 Recipes for Healthy and Hearty One-Pot Meals (vegetarian)

There you have it. Lots of details on how to dial into a slow cooker or a Crock Pot. If you still need some convincing, then here are 6 Reasons to use a Crock Pot.

Your Turn: Do you love your slow cooker? What’s your favorite cooker feature or frugal recipe?

	397 Ways to Save Money Spend Smarter & Live Well on Less By Kerry K. Taylor

Have you noticed that most rock bands have some kind of “rock on” anthem or power ballad? Now, I’m not squawking about the wannabe tunes voiced by those boy bands and pop princesses. No, no, no, I’m rocking on about the timeless ballads from the real rockin’ bands, you know — The Rolling Stones, Bon Jovi, Def Leppard, AC/DC, and Led Zeppelin. These guys are memorable. They hook you into buying their album. They make you want more. Besides, they all have really great hair.

So where am I going with these hair bands and power ballads? I’m getting hair, err, there. The point is, you want to rock your cover letter to hook the reader into hearing your tune. Since your cover letter is your first introduction to a prospective employer, it’s got to be voiced to perfection, demonstrate how well you write, and give some insight into your personality. You’ve got to entice the employer to play your song by showing them you can carry a tune.

If your pitch sounds more like background elevator music, chances are you won’t get any radio play and will have to face the music. So here’s how to skip being a broken record by turning your cover letter into music for the hiring manager’s ears.

1. Be Brief

The best rock songs are what, 3-ish minutes long? If you want to write a hit then you’ve got to have a hook and keep it short. Rambling on for more than a page is not how you go about writing a classic cover letter that gets you the job interview.

Besides, your cover letter must sell you in seconds and show how you contribute to the position at a glance. To help you keep it brief, focus on using quantitative facts and figures to show your stuff and learn to love white space. These Resume Do’s show you how to do it. Good grief, please be brief.

2. Get Customized

Song writers get into big trouble if they “sample” another artist’s tune. In today’s world of copyright infringement, bands must write original works to get a true chart topper. And so should you. Hiring managers are truly tired of hearing the same old song. So stop being lazy and use your creative thinking to write a custom cover letter. It’s not hard to create a new cover for each job application you send out. Promise.

After a few tries you’ll see that cover letter anatomy is similar across the board, but by taking the time to tailor your letter to a specific job you will increase your chances of being called for an interview.

Search the company’s website, read its promotional materials, or just talk to people who work there to get a sense of what skills the organization looks for in employees. Tailor your cover letter around what you find. Mentioning specific details about the company or position shows you’ve done your research and that you care enough about the job to go the extra mile.

So don’t just download a bunch of cover letter samples and then send them off — customize them with your unique skills and voice!

3. Be Persuasive

Rock star power ballads are not meek little wall flowers looking to hide in the shadows. No. Rock anthems are strong and triumphant tunes with the single goal of persuading you to do something — like getting laid. It’s true. Most are about some guy trying to get some girl to sleep with him. But I digress. The truth of the matter is power ballads are persuasive, and they work.

You may not want your cover to get you laid, but you do want it to land you the job interview. So find your 6 action words and learn to use your 8 custom keywords to knock the pants off your hiring manager and persuade them to call you.

4. Write in the First Person

Don’t be afraid to write your cover letter in the first person and drop a few “I’s” into the mix. Your cover letter is a type of introduction, so go ahead and introduce yourself by telling the hiring manager why you’re right for the job.

Writing sentences like, “I welcome the opportunity to meet with you for an interview” and “I am very interested in Initech Corporation’s Technical Writer position and believe my skills and experience are an excellent fit for the job” may just be the type of rockin’ introduction you need to land the interview.

Besides, rock stars refer to themselves in the first person in songs all the time. It’s how they get noticed and land the chicks. Rock on!

5. Tell Why You Want This Job

Forget about your last employer and don’t explain why you are leaving your present job. Instead, detail why you want this job. Do you like the company, the projects, or the type of work? Are you interested in being creative, mathematical, or learning the law? If there’s something special about the job that interests you then please, tell the reader why you’re applying. Getting specific and spilling a secret desire is what rock stars do. So be a star and tell the hiring team why you’re the right rocker for the role.

Final Rockin’ Things

Who doesn’t love a classic rock star. They all sing powerful songs, have a unique voice, and coif really great hair. So it makes sense to me to borrow from the chart toppers and write a cover letter that really rocks the socks off any prospective employer. Yes, I really wrote, “rock the socks off”.

Anynuttyblogger, hopefully you’ve got it covered by including most, if not all, of these “five rockin’ things” in your cover letter. If you’re looking to become an all star resume writer though, check out these other rock star ways to help you land that job interview!

• 6 Action Words That Make Your Resume Rock
• 8 Keywords That Set Your Resume On Fire
• 10 Ways to Build a Resume Like a Professional Resume Writer: The Do

Your Turn: Share your rockin’ cover letter advice. Have you written a cover letter that rocked the socks off some unsuspecting hiring manager?

	397 Ways to Save Money Spend Smarter & Live Well on Less By Kerry K. Taylor

Since I love a good scare — and I know you do too — I think it’s possible to have a howl of a Halloween without doing the Monster Mash (yes, it’s a graveyard smash) on your wallet. So I’ve dipped into my archives and searched the blogosphere to bring you some frugal Halloween costume, candy, and decorating ideas.

The Costless Halloween Costume

What’s up with costume rentals and expensive packaged ensembles? I’ve never spent a dollar to dress up for Halloween, and you don’t need to either. Here are some frugal costume ideas you may just find by shopping your closet.

10 Halloween Costume Ideas: for Kids and Adults

Ok, so #4 on this list is Bust out the bridesmaid dress. Now don’t fear fellas, there are plenty of costume ideas in this post that don’t involve you wearing a pink dress. But if you do feel like giving your chest a wax, then feel free to bust out and be a bridesmaid in a pink (or blue, or yellow, or sea foam) dress.

Launch: 10 Halloween Costume Ideas: for Kids, Adults, and Kiss

10 Cheap Last Minute Halloween Costume Ideas

Sometimes you’re stuck for time and need a quick costume to get yourself into the party. So don’t despair if you’ve got nothing to wear or you’re feeling dog-gone miserable about your outfit. Last minute halloween costume ideas are what this post is about!

Launch: 10 Cheap Last Minute Halloween Costume Ideas

Yes, that’s my dog Pivo and she really does loathe my pink shoes.

Halloween Treats Minus the Costly Tricks

There are endless ways to satisfy your sweet tooth that don’t cost an arm and a leg.

Recipes: Gross, Easy, and Fun Halloween Foods for Kids

Need a frugal and fun Halloween activity to scare the pants off your kids? Try making a Freakish Frog. This is the most popular photo on this blog. I think it’s the tongue.

Launch: Recipes: Gross, Easy, and Fun Halloween Foods for Kids

5 Halloween Tricks that Will Treat Your Finances

I wrote this post for the Your Money Blog and shared some tips for cutting costs on candy.

Launch: 5 Halloween Tricks that Will Treat Your Finances

Frugal Pumpkin Fun for Everyone

Decorating your front door with a classic Jack O’ Lantern is pretty darn cheap, and fun. So get a gourd and get carving!

Printable Pumpkin Carving Stencils (easy and simple)

These stencils are insanely popular with the downloading bunch. This post offers 6 simple designs.

Launch: Free Printable Pumpkin Carving Stencils (Free and Scary)

8 Printable Pumpkin Faces (and Marilyn Monroe)

Looking for more of a pumpkin carving challenge? Then try these 8 pumpkin face stencils. There’s even one of Marilyn Monroe if you’re throwing a swanky soiree.

Launch: 8 Pumpkin Stencils: Scary Printable Pumpkin Faces (and Marilyn Monroe)

How to Carve a Pumpkin (without losing a finger)

If you’ve got a knife stuck in your pumpkin, then you may need some carving help.

Launch: How to Carve a Pumpkin (without losing a finger)

Blogosphere Halloween Links

I searched the blogosphere to share some frugal Halloween linking fun. Enjoy!

Got a Sweet Tooth?

• How to Save on Halloween Candy | Bargaineering
• Pumpkin Cupcakes Recipe | Blogger For Hire
• Candy So Awful It Puts Hair on Your Chest | Through The Illusion

Throwing a Party? Going Trick-Or-Treating?

• Creating a Frugal Halloween | Million Dollar Journey
• Google Street View – Great for home buyers (and for planning a trick-or-treat route) | Four Pillars
• 28 Ways to Have Cheap Halloween Fun | Wisebread

Need a Cheap Costume?

• 7 Most Popular and Practical Halloween Costumes of 2009 | Savvy Student
• Homemade Halloween Costumes for Frugal Kids | Frugal Dad
• Frugal Halloween Costumes | beingfrugal
• 25 Frugal Halloween Costumes | Moolanomy

Your Turn: Are you spending big money this Halloween or keeping costs down?

	397 Ways to Save Money Spend Smarter & Live Well on Less By Kerry K. Taylor

Simply, a diverse portfolio reduces the risk of a single investment being wiped out by market fluctuations while a diverse ecosystem can survive in the face of unexpected disease epidemics and extreme weather fluctuations. You don’t want your retirement funds to become extinct and you don’t want your food supply to be wiped out either.

So what about heirloom tomatoes and seeds? Since I’m all about finding ways to save money while being an environmental steward, I’ve discovered that saving heirloom seeds meets both the money and environmental mark.

A heirloom tomato (called a heritage tomato in the UK) is an open-pollinated (non-hybrid) cultivated variety of tomato that can be grown from seed. Conventional hybrid tomatoes bought from your local grocery store, however, cannot be grown from the seeds you would save from them.

I figure, what’s the point of paying for and supporting parts of the food chain that are not self sustainable? Besides, heirloom tomatoes are very tasty fruits that are easy to grow and it’s free to save the seeds for the next growing season.

Choosing the Right Heirloom Tomato Seeds

When saving heirloom tomato seeds there are three simple rules you should follow for success!

1. Save seeds from only open-pollinated heirloom varieties.

Saving heirloom tomato seeds is easy, but you must choose seeds from only open-pollinated varieties. Here are a few heirloom tomato seeds I have successfully saved!

• Brandywine
• Black Krim
• Cherokee Purple
• And many more!

2. Save seeds from fully ripe heirloom tomatoes.

Do yourself a solid and save your seeds from fully ripe, but not over-ripe heirloom tomatoes.

I know the green tomatoes need love too, but the best seeds for growing are from the fully ripe heirloom tomato fruits.

3. Save seeds from your best looking heirloom tomatoes.

There’s a reason the ladies all love Brad Pitt right? It’s ’cause he’s one hot specimen of a man. Well, you want to use the same logic when saving seeds — choose seeds from the best looking and tasting plants to ensure you grow the best tomatoes.

How to Save Your Heirloom Tomato Seeds

All you need is a sharp knife, a container, some water, a paper plate, and a few heirloom tomatoes to get going on this fun frugal task. Ready?

1. Choose a ripe, gorgeous heirloom tomato. You want to breed only the best.

2. Using a knife, slice across the equator of the tomato. Cutting the tomato in this way easily exposes the seeds.

3. Squeeze the seeds, gel, and juice out into a small container. No need to separate the seeds at this point.

4. Cover the seeds and tomato guts with an inch of water. The water helps to grow mold and separates the seeds from the gel.

5. Label your container so you don’t forget the tomato variety. It’s hard to tell seeds apart without labels.

6. Put the contrainer in an out of sight spot and wait for mold to grow. Unless you enjoy watching mold grow.

7. After 3 to 5 days white mold will grow on the surface of the tomato water. This mold dissolves the gel coating from the seeds. When you see mold (don’t scream), just plug your nose and drain the water. Yes, it’s a little stinky. Be sure to keep only the seeds at the bottom of the container and discard all floating seeds. The floaters will not germinate.

8. Use a fine mesh strainer to rinse the remaining gel from your seeds. Don’t be afraid to use your hands to get those seeds clean.

9. Place your rinsed seeds in a single layer on a paper plate. The paper plate wicks the water away and will not stick to the seeds. The idea is to dry the seeds fast and prevent them from going moldy. Be sure to label your plate. Set the seeds aside for a few days until fully dry.

10. Place your dry heirloom seeds into a labelled baggie. Store in a cool, dry place. Heirloom tomato seeds keep well and germinate for years if stored correctly. I keep mine in the refrigerator. Just don’t let your spouse use them in a salad.

So there you have it! Saving heirloom tomato seeds is a simple way to stash some cash, get involved with biodiversity, and eat healthfully for less. Got any tips for saving seeds? Do you save your heirloom tomato seeds? Share your seedy skills!

	397 Ways to Save Money Spend Smarter & Live Well on Less By Kerry K. Taylor

Does your cover letter suck? Chances are if you’re applying to lots of jobs without a single call, then your cover letter is probably a stinker and most likely sucks.

I make no apologies for saying it like it is and dropping the “suck”-bomb. ‘Cause seriously, when you need a job and want an interview — and you’re no where close to an offer — it’s not like you say, “Ahhh shucks. That’s too bad. Now let’s go eat ice cream and play with kittens.” NO! You probably feel like s$it, wonder how you’re going to pay the rent, and cry, “Oh crap this sucks!”

So yeah, I hear you. Landing a job interview isn’t easy, and it doesn’t take much for an otherwise solid set of skills to be tossed aside due to a few common mistakes. So here are 6 simple ways to convert your cover letter from suck to super.

1. To Whom It May Concern

Please, tell me to whom it may concern. I may not get very concerned if I’m not the right “to whom.”

I often wonder what job seekers are thinking when they address their cover letter “To Whom It May Concern.” Don’t you know? Have you no clue who to target with your job application? You’d better. In today’s crappy economy you’ve got to get your salutation right and make sure your application lands on the right person’s desk. Ohh, and copping out with a generic “Dear Sir/Madam” doesn’t cut it either. People generally like to be addressed as themselves, so if you want the job then get specific with your salutation.

BAD

• To Whom It May Concern,

GOOD

• Dear Ms. Taylor,

BAD

• Dear Sir/Madam,

GOOD

• Dear Human Resources Manager,

If you don’t know who to address your cover letter to then take a gander at the job listing. Chances are the right contact person is listed right there in the job description. If you’re still clueless then research the employer to get the details or address your application to a job title.

The cover letter that best addresses and engages the reader gets the job interview.

2. Desperation

Being desperate doesn’t work in dating. Desperation doesn’t work in cover letters either. Don’t be that guy (or gal) who begs for an interview and tries to bargain for the job. You may desperately need the job, but the more desperate you sound the more likely you’ll turn off the person you’re supposed to impress. Icky.

BAD

• Please give me a call ANYTIME for an interview. I promise to be the best employee you have ever hired. I desperately want this job.

GOOD

• I am very interested in Company ABC’s Software Developer position and believe my programming skills in C++ are an excellent fit for the job. Company ABC has an excellent reputation and I welcome the opportunity to meet with you for an interview.

When asking for an interview be sure to sell your skills and cite your qualifications. Check your desperate emotional desires at the door. Nobody wants to date desperate. Nobody wants to hire desperate either.

3. False Qualifications

Career cheaters and cover letter liars get caught eventually, so don’t do it. We all want to be viewed in the best possible light, but falsifying your job application to get ahead is a sure-fire way to get fired.

BAD

• Saved the company from filing bankruptcy by making several million dollar sales to Bill Gates and Warren Buffet.

GOOD

• Increased sales of user software by 32% in 6 months.

The best way to sell your skills and qualify your qualifications is to share numerical facts with employers. Write percentages, dollar amounts, and numbers to best explain your accomplishments and you won’t feel the need to falsify your cover letter.

4. Too Personal

Do you offer personal photo links or websites on your cover letter? Don’t. No hiring manager wants to accidentally stumble upon pictures of your Brazilian wax on Facebook. Hiring managers want to get to know you on a professional basis. They don’t want to know all about your personal hair removal remedies even if they are applicable to the job.

BAD

• I have 3 years of experience with self waxing and would be an excellent addition to your Spa team. I don’t have professional training but if you want photos, check out my Facebook page to really get a good look.

GOOD

• I am submitting my resume for consideration towards the Esthetician position at Relax Body Spa. My four years of cosmetology experience make me an ideal candidate for this position. My professional portfolio is available via www.example.com

Keep your cover letter professional and your personal life private by offering information that showcases your abilities without revealing too much. If you’ve got an online portfolio, be sure to remove all private content before submitting it on your application. The job seeker who can navigate the fine line between personal and private in today’s internet age gets the job interview.

5. Ego Centric

Is your cover letter all about you, yourself, and more you? Well, you’re sucking big time with this fatal ego centric error. News flash: Your cover letter isn’t about you. It’s about how you fit the employer’s job requirements. What can you do for the employer? What does an employer gain from hiring you? If you’ve got the goods then tone them down by letting your accomplishments boast for you.

BAD

• I was undeniably the best accountant in my graduating class.

GOOD

• In my graduating year of college I received the Gold Medal for Accounting Excellence. This scholastic achievement meets your New Graduate academic requirements.

Share your accomplishments, skills, and qualifications in a way that showcases you as the perfect fit for the job, not as an ego-centric buffoon.

6. Missing Resume

It really sucks when you put a lot of work into your cover letter but forget to submit your resume. Snicker. I understand the excitement of pulling the trigger and sending your application to a prospecitve employer — but forgetting to send your resume is sloppy. Just.Don’t.Do.It. Most employers won’t give you the time of day if you can’t even submit your resume right. Sorry.

Final Things

There you have it. Six of the suckiest things commonly found on cover letters today. These six just tip the list though, so check out these other resume writing deadly don’ts to help you get onto the hiring manager’s interview list!

• 6 Words That Make Your Resume Suck
• 10 Deadly Sins of Resume Writing

Got a personal favorite you’d like to add to this cover letter hit list?

	397 Ways to Save Money Spend Smarter & Live Well on Less By Kerry K. Taylor

Due to popular request (you can stop emailing me now), I’ve used my pumpkin carving prowess to make pumpkin faces! So go ahead and carve a bat, paint a Jack O’Lantern, or get freaky with a Frankenstein face. These pumpkin stencils range from easy to challenging, so pick your favorite face and get carving! I’ve even included a Marilyn Monroe pattern for those looking to throw a more stylish Halloween party.

Download: Vampire Bat (PDF)	Download: Frankenstein (PDF)
Download: Marilyn Monroe (PDF)	Download: Bow Tie (PDF)
Download: Evil Devil (PDF)	Download: Ghost (PDF)
Download: Happy Jack (PDF)	Download: Classic Jack (PDF)

Want something else? Try these:

• 20 Extreme Pumpkin Carving Designs
• Kids’ Costumes for Under $20
• Frugal Adult Costumes
• Halloween Candy, Accessories, Décor, and more!

Pumpkin Carving Stencil Instructions:

1. Download and print the pumpkin stencil you like best.
2. Use scissors to remove the black area of the stencil. Leave the white space free from scissor marks.
3. Trim and make small incisions in the stencil. This helps it to lay flat on the face of the pumpkin. Tape the edges of the stencil to the pumpkin.
4. Transfer the pattern by tracing a marker or pen along the stencil. Alternatively, poke holes along the pattern with a tool or needle. Remove stencil.
5. Prepare your pumpkin by removing the top or base. Remove the pulp and seeds.
6. Using a sharp knife carve a scary face! See How to Carve a Pumpkin for some scary tips!

When picking your pumpkin from the patch be sure to select a squash that suits the stencil. Some patterns work better on rounder, squarer, or taller pumpkins.

More Halloween Fun:

• Free Printable Pumpkin Carving Stencils
• 10 Halloween Costume Ideas for Kids and Adults
• Recipes: Gross, Easy, and Fun Halloween Foods for Kids
• How to Carve a Pumpkin (without losing a finger)
• 10 Cheap Last Minute Halloween Costume Ideas

Got a ghoulish and frugal fun Halloween tip to share?

	397 Ways to Save Money Spend Smarter & Live Well on Less By Kerry K. Taylor

These simple school backpacks are fabulous for lugging light books from class to class or for carrying a frugalicious homemade lunch to the cafeteria.

But you don’t have to be a kid to want a sling backpack. I’ve made several of these backpacks for friends. The guys tend to use them as rough and tumble backpacks or as a simple canvas rucksack for a light hike. I’ve used mine as a backpack purse, a shopping bag, a tote bag, and as a reusable grocery bag. If you’re into the yoga or Pilates scene, then change the dimensions on the pattern for use as a yoga mat bag. How’s that for a flexible free pattern?

Backpack Front

Backpack Back

To keep this craft uber thrifty, skip the fabric store and stick to fabric remnants, cut up an old pair of jeans, or reuse used clothing for a custom and unique backpack design. I often keep my backpack simple, but sometimes I like to add appliqués, names, or initials to personalize the gift. This is also a fun weekend craft to do with kids since you don’t need to be an expert sewer to string together this pattern. To be honest, Carl put this one together himself. He’s the man (with a backpack purse)!

Backpack Materials:

This list may look a little long, but chances are you’ll have everything you need already in your home!

Stuff You’ll Need:

• 0.5m (1/2 yard) of heavy canvas, nylon, or ripstop fabric
• 2m (2 yards) of sturdy cord
• thread
• large safety pin
• two grommets (or eyelets)
• grommet kit (around $5)
• hammer (for pounding the grommets)
• sewing machine
• measuring tape, pencil, pins, scissors

DIY Backpack Instructions:

1. Using a measuring tape, scissors, and a pencil: cut your canvas fabric into a single piece measuring 45 cm X 83 cm (18 inches X 33 inches). Measure twice, cut once.

2. Lay your canvas fabric flat, with the wrong side facing up. Fold and pin a 1 cm (1/2 inch) hem along each short edge. Sew 0.5 cm hems for each short edge. Go ahead and remove the pins.

3. Make a channel for the cord to fit through: Lay the fabric flat, with the wrong side facing again. Fold and pin a 4 cm (1 1/2 inch) hem along one long edge. Sew a 3.5 cm (1 1/4 inch) hem. Go ahead and remove the pins. Note: if your cord is thicker, be sure to pin and hem a wider channel.

4. Sew the back of the bag shut by facing the wrong sides of the fabric together. Just fold the fabric in half widthwise and pin the short edges together. Starting 3.5 cm (1 1/4 inches) down from the channel, sew over top of the hem stitching. Be sure not to sew the channel shut. Go ahead and remove the pins.

5. Sew the bottom of the bag shut by turning the bag inside out and laying it flat so the seam runs down the center. Pin the bottom closed. Sew a 1 cm (1/2 inch) seam along the bottom of the backpack. Go ahead and remove the pins. Turn the bag right side out.

6. Get your grommets ready to pierce through the canvas fabric. With the cord channel at the top, measure and mark 2.5 cm (1 inch) from the bottom of both backpack corners. Punch a grommet (or eyelet) into each marking. You may need a grommet kit to punch the grommet through the fabric.

7. Use a large safety pin to thread the cord through the channel. Hopefully you chose the right sized cord to fit into your channel hem.

There are many choices of cord available. I used a simple white cord in this example, but feel free to get creative with glow-in-the-dark and multi-colored ropes of varying sizes. Just head to your local hardware store for a selection. I’ll be using my green glow-in-the-dark rope for a trick-or-treat bag this Halloween as part of a fun Halloween costume. Boo!

8. Thread the cord through each grommet and tie a knot in each end. Go ahead and fray the rope ends for a more casual feel. Otherwise, you may need to burn the cord ends to prevent fraying.

9. Pull the backpack opening closed and try on the bag. If the handles are too long, retie the knots for a better length and trim the edges. Smaller kids may need shorter handles.

10. Personalize the backpack to suit the wearer. Sew on appliqués, use lettering, apply iron-ons, or use pins to customize the backpack. Have some fun with the design!

I often stuff my sling backpack with a good book, a frugalicious snack, and then head out for a short hike with my dog.

Now get sewing, get creative, and sling together a frugal back to school backpack for your kids or for yourself!

	397 Ways to Save Money Spend Smarter & Live Well on Less By Kerry K. Taylor

Your cover letter tells a story. It’s got a beginning, a middle, and an ending. If you tell your story right then you’ll get your resume read. If your story is a stinker, a fairy tale, a romance novel, or shrouded in mystery then you’ll likely land in the reject pile with the other sad, sordid endings.

If you’d prefer a happy ending by landing a job interview, then it pays to become a skilled writer and learn to construct your cover letter right! Write? To do this, it’s best to have a job description ready so you can match your skills to employer requirements. It’s also a good idea to attack your cover letter after writing your resume since the major cover points can be excerpted easily. Going over the Anatomy of a Killer Resume is a great way to get going if you’ve got resume writer’s block. Promise.

So let’s lose the drama, learn some anatomy, and get the facts right by authoring a cover letter that exceeds any editor’s great expectations. Here’s the general Anatomy of a Killer Cover Letter:

1. Your Contact Information

Like the beginning of your resume, your cover letter must state your contact information, including: name, full address, phone number, and email address. If you miss this mark or mistype your digits you won’t hear a peep from the people with the position. Get these details right and you’re off to a great start. Makes sense, yes?

BAD Contact Information

Mr. Smith
Canada
1.800.dog.chow
pervy@P0rnilicious.com

GOOD Contact Information

John Smith
175 Springfield Road, Vancouver BC, V1B 3Y7
613.555.5555
john_smith@example.com

2. Employer’s Contact Information

Always, always, always get your salutation right and address your cover letter to the RIGHT person. Addressing your application to the WRONG person could send your paperwork astray placing you far from the hiring manager’s desk and near the paper shredder.

Also, do yourself a solid by making the salutation specific and not just To Whom It May Concern, Dear Sir/Madam, or To: Hiring Manager. Going beyond the general position title and getting the name specific personalizes your application and can send you to the top of the pile. It may take a little legwork to find the hiring manager’s name, but by perusing the job description or by researching the company’s website you might just find the salutation you’re looking for.

Lastly, please don’t leave form letter space holders like, [Enter Company Name Here] in the cover letter contact area – or any area for that matter. I’ve seen this happen. Don’t let it happen to you.

BAD Employer’s Contact

To Whom It May Concern, or Hiring Manager
[Enter Company Name Here]
The Brown Office Building

GOOD Employer’s Contact

Jane Davy, Documentation Manager
Initech Corporation
34 Hamilton Street, Vancouver BC, V1B 3H7

3. Your First Paragraph

The first paragraph in your cover letter is important. Your leading words serve as your pitch for the position, so you’ve got to grab the hiring manager’s attention to get them interested. Start the first paragraph by identifying the position you’re applying for and then explain how you found the job. Be sure to mention a referral or friendly mutual contact if it’s relevant to the company, department, or position. Lastly, briefly explain why you’re the right candidate for the position. And please, don’t ever use emoticons (smilies) in your cover letter.

BAD First Paragraph

Please hire me for that job at your company. I’ve been watching the want ads closely for months and this job seems to pay the best. I have a few friends who already work for you, so ask them about my skills. I scored some decent grades at college and I’ve worked two years already.

GOOD First Paragraph

I am submitting my resume for consideration towards the Technical Writer position advertised in The Daily on September 17, 2009. My four years of documentation experience combined with a Bachelor of Computer Science degree make me an ideal candidate for this position.

4. Your Second Paragraph (the third is optional)

Now that you’ve grabbed the reader’s attention, it’s time to demonstrate why you’re a good fit for the company. Be sure to list one or two of your relevant skills or qualifications and show examples that highlight your experience. It’s not a bad idea to mention why you want to work for the company and show that you’ve spent some time researching the organization.

BAD Second & Third Paragraph

I’d like to land a job where I can be an editor and not always write online help documentation. I’ve written help manuals for a number of years now and I’d like a change.

I can document a lot of different things, but I’d prefer to create training videos and it seems like Initech Corporation is a good company who likes to keep employees happy because you’ve been named one of Canada’s Top 100 Employers.

Sure, this may seem a far-fetched example – but I’ve seen MANY cover letters where the applicant complains about their current work rather than pitching their skills for the position. It’s amusing for the hiring manager, but it gets the applicant nowhere.

GOOD Second & Third Paragraph

For the last two years, I have held a technical writing position where my software development skills and training manuals have helped teach accountants to use complex inventory control software. As my resume reflects, I am a strong and flexible writer with experience documenting online help systems, end user manuals, how-to guides, installation manuals, and instructional videos.

I am very interested in working with Initech Corporation due to your selection as one of Canada’s Top 100 Employers.

5. Final Paragraph

The last paragraph is where you seal the deal and ask for the interview. Don’t be shy about it. Restate your desire to work for the company.

BAD Final Paragraph

I probably have what it takes to do a decent job at your company. If you’d like to discuss my skills further, I can be reached on Mondays and Wednesdays but only after 5PM.

GOOD Final Paragraph

I am very interested in Initech Corporation’s Technical Writer position and believe my skills and experience are an excellent fit for the job. Initech has an excellent reputation and I welcome the opportunity to meet with you for an interview.

6. Closing

Keep your closing simple. There’s no need to get weepy, lovey-dovey, or desperate. Always keep your final words professional and to the point.

BAD Closing

Love and kisses,
Miss. Krissy Snow
(smooch)

GOOD Closing

Sincerely,
Your signature (if sending a hardcopy)
Your name

Hopefully this article has demystified the mystery behind the anatomy of a killer cover letter. Once the components are broken down it’s easier to see how it’s possible to tell your story in just a few paragraphs and land that job interview in under a page. Now go get it covered!

	397 Ways to Save Money Spend Smarter & Live Well on Less By Kerry K. Taylor

Do you have it covered? When you hand over your radical resume to a prospective employer do you really have it covered with the best possible cover letter?

If you’re not sure or just plain baffled when it comes to writing a convincing cover letter then this series is for you! I’ve waited a while to follow-up the insanely popular series How to Write a Resume with some stuff on cover letters. But after your numerous kind emails and endless searches for “cover letters” on this blog, I’ve finally succumbed to your cover letter queries and questions. I sincerely believe that this series will give you the answers to help you get covered.

About the Cover Letter Writing Series

Landing a job interview is tough. I’ve been there and I know you’ve been there too. There’s nothing more frustrating then sending your resume and cover letter to dozens of employers only to hear zero to no responses in return [enter sounds of crickets chirping here].

But there are some easy ways to get past the sounds of radio silence and get some interest from prospective employers. In this series I’m going to show you how to do it. I’ll also deal with these common cover letter writing issues:

• How to organize your cover letter.
• Stuff you must include.
• Things to avoid.
• How many pages? What format?
• And much more!

Since I’m a generous (and somewhat insane) blogger, I may just include a few free cover letter examples, free cover letter templates, and some sample cover letters to help you along the way.

So now what?

This blog has a lot of resume writing, career searching, and job hunting posts to getcha going while you’re waiting for more on cover letters. Within these posts you’ll find lots of free downloads, resume examples, job hunting tips, and career path guides all wrapped up in a fun style for those a little stressed with the job search.

If you’re looking to set your resume on fire (in a good way), check out this insanly popular series on resume writing:

Series | How to Write a Resume:

1. 10 Things that Define a Killer Resume
2. 10 Ways to Build a Resume Like a Professional Resume Writer: The Do’s
3. 10 Deadly Sins of Resume Writing
4. Anatomy of a Killer Resume
5. 6 Words That Make Your Resume Suck
6. 6 Action Words That Make Your Resume Rock
7. 8 Keywords That Set Your Resume On Fire
8. 3 Resume Formats: Chronological, Functional, or Screw Both?
9. Free Resume Examples with Resume Tips
10. Get Your Resume Template! (three for free)

If you’re looking for work and have worn shoes from pounding the pavement, then put your feet up (take a breather) and get familar with this job hunting series:

Series | Four Ways to Kick Start Your Job Hunt:

1. How to Choose a New Career
2. How to Find a Job
3. How to Research a Prospective Employer
4. How to Match Your Skills to Employer Requirements (free printable worksheet)

If you’re at a crossroads with where to start (or where to go next) in your career, then get back to the basics and find out what really makes you tick with this career series:

Series | Five Paths to Choosing Your Perfect Career:

1. Five Ways To Find Your Passion (free printable worksheet)
2. How To Find Your Strengths (free printable worksheet)
3. How to Set Your Goals (free printable worksheet)
4. 10 Tips to Nurture Your Network
5. 10 Ways to Enhance Your Education

Now sit back and get ready to write a cover letter that sells your skills, shows your strengths, and gets you that job interview!

	397 Ways to Save Money Spend Smarter & Live Well on Less By Kerry K. Taylor

Being a guest on Headline with host Howard Green was a whole lot of scary mixed with a little bit of fun. I’ve never been interviewed on television before so the whole experience proved to be a huge learning experience. I am thankful for the amazing team at CHBC Kelowna for showing me how to use the ear piece and for plugging me into the mic. Both Rob and Shane were fun to chat with and calmed my nerves before I squawked my stuff on live television. I especially needed the friendly banter since I was scared out of my mind.

What was it like?
To be honest, there’s nothing magical about television behind the scenes. Since I was interviewed remotely I felt pretty disconnected during the interview. I basically sat alone in the studio with the cameraman and listened to my questions through a Star Trek gadget stuck in my ear.

It’s a weird experience to sit behind a news desk, try to communicate with a few people talking in your ear, and then answer back into a dark camera all while trying to look like you’re part of the conversation. I didn’t expect it to feel so strange, but it did.

The $6.94 Shirt
That’s right, I wore a $6.94 blue shirt for the interview. How’s that for fitting the frugal theme? I would have preferred to wear something already in my closet, but because I’ve been living on a farm for the last few years my old “office attire” is now very out of date and no longer fits. Knowing that I needed just a simple blue shirt, I went on over to Superstore and grabbed an inexpensive cotton blouse on sale. I also wore a simple pair of jeans to keep comfy.

I think the hardest part with “getting dressed” for the interview was doing my hair and makeup and not looking too much like a tool. Most stations in Canada don’t offer hair and makeup people to hosts or guests, so I was on my own. I really have no clue how to put on makeup in day-to-day life, let alone for television. But I tried my best to cover my mug and style my hair in a way to not scare off Headline viewers.

Final Thoughts?
It’s taken me almost a week to post this clip for you guys. I thought by now I would have mustered the courage to view the interview, but I must admit I’m just too uncomfortable watching myself on television. I actually didn’t know what the hosts or other guests looked like until after Carl grabbed me some screen shots for this post. Thank you Carl!

Those who have seen the clip tell me I did well and sounded very much like myself (yay!) but I’ve let a few UMMMs creep back into my language (boo). If you’re an UMMMer like me, then joining an organization like Toastmasters is a fabulous, friendly, and frugal way to work on your public speaking skills. I’ve written previously on my challenges with public speaking in Toastmasters is Torture! So why do it?. I think it’s time to head back and de-UMMMify myself.

In all I learned A LOT from my brief encounter with television. I don’t know how I got up the courage to do it, but I did. A huge thank you to Carl for supporting me in the studio. I think the poor guy was more nervous than I was.

	397 Ways to Save Money Spend Smarter & Live Well on Less By Kerry K. Taylor