Young & Free Maine

The March Project

Seth Poplaski — Sat, 25 Feb 2012 01:53:31 +0000

Hey everyone, Happy Friday! Well, if you hadn't noticed, I've put on a little weight since starting Young and Free Maine. That is going to change! Check out the weekly video to see what I intend on doing and how you can help me achieve my goal!

Seth P.

Tasty Thursday: Girl Scout Cookies!

Seth Poplaski — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 18:08:33 +0000

It's that time of year. It's the time of year that I come to love and dread all at the same time. Girl Scouts are coming out in full force and asking for your money in exchange for cookies. How can you resist a nice little girl raising money in exchange for amazingly tasty cookies right at your fingertips. Edy's ice cream actually brings out a line of specialty Girl Scout flavors for this time of the year. I love this time of the year because I am a HUGE Samoa and tagalong fan. I also dread it because if I buy any, I will undoubtedly consume the entire box within a short period of time and then be left without my treats. Not only that, but let's be honest. The last thing I need right now is a whole box of cookies. I'm getting married in a few months, and I don't want to be a whale!

All this is to say that I do find myself wanting Girl Scout cookies at certain times of the year when they are no readily available. What happens when it's the middle of summer and I have a hankering for Thin Mints? Well, I decided to do some research and find a few recipes that you can use to recreate the tasty cookies that those darn Girl Scouts offer us ever year. Here are a few!

Samoa Cookies

These are undoubtedly one of my favorite cookies that are put out each year. They have the perfect combination of coconut, chocolate and shortbread. I liken them to a Mounds bar in some ways. For your cooking pleasure, I found a nice simple recipe that recreates these tasty morsels and they take almost no cooking experience at all. Here they are!

Thin Mints

Now, I have to admit. These are not my favorite cookies, although they do hold a special place in my heart. I like the combination of chocolate and mint. I think I've been desensitized to mint as a result of the many Tums and Rolaids I've eaten. Nevertheless, they are quite good in ice cream, and are a nice crispy treat at the end of a good dinner. The good news is that these cookies are also relatively simple to make in your own home. You will no longer have to freeze your stash for emergencies. You can make them whenever you get a hankering! Here's the recipe!

Tagalongs

These are a close second to the Samoa cookies in my book. You can't go wrong with the combination of peanut butter and chocolate. I don't care who you are (unless you have a nut allergy). Peanut butter and chocolate is amazing. Add it to a cookie, and you've got something special going on. I think this goes without saying so I won't go into great detail why this cookie is so great. It just is. Here's a recipe for making them at home!

There, now don't you feel excited? The next time you're jonesing for Girl Scout cookies and it's off season, you can satisfy your craving. YES!

What is your favorite Girl Scout cookie?

Seth P.

Pinterest Tips

Seth Poplaski — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 18:58:14 +0000

I was catching up with my friend Joe today, who owns his own landscaping company. Somehow marketing came up and we chatted a bit about how to better reach different markets around the state and country. I feel like as a result of Young and Free, I am a pretty good Facebooker (which really translates to time waster when I'm not working). Pinterest is something that has all of a sudden taken the internet by storm. I am not currently on Pinterest, and don't entirely understand how it functions, but I know a lot of people who swear by the site. I have a feeling that Pinterest is largely used by females, and less with males. I could be way off the mark, but I haven't heard of too many men who use it. I do know that Darryl from Young and Free South Carolina uses it. I think he may be the only one I know.

Now, with a new social media site means a whole new way of marketing towards different people. If you are someone who owns a small business or just someone who is trying to get your blog, pictures...whatever really, out to the masses, Pinterest could help you on your way! Here's a few tips if you're looking to promote something on Pinterest.

Don't Use Boring Photos

If you are posting photos to your profile, use ones that are visually appealing. People tend to re-pin things that they find they can relate to, things that make them think and things that are cute. If you're going to post a recipe, post a picture with it which really highlights the dish or item you've cooked. If you are posting an inspirational quote, toy with the fonts and put a snazzy picture in the background. Chances are people will take your material and re-pin it.

Use Widgets

What's a widget? It's a little button that says, "Hey! Re-pin my site on Pinterest!" If you're a blogger, you should probably put this on your site. Many businesses have links on their pages where you can "like" it on Facebook (this requires an actual Facebook Fan Page). Pinterest is essentially doing the same thing. If you think you've got good content, tell the world by using their buttons! All it takes is a few people pinning your blog or photos, and then you'll be seen by people all around the country and world using Pinterest.

Ask Friends to Re-Pin

Follow your friends on Pinterest, but ask them to re-pin things that you have posted. If you really want people to know about your awesome blog, great photos or fun crafts, your best bet (I imagine) is to ask people to re-pin what you have. Once someone re-pins something, all of their followers can see it as well. Like I said before, all it takes is a few pins and you've got the word out to hundreds or thousands of people.

For more tips on how to use Pinterest, check here. You can also take a look at how some of the bigger businesses and companies around the world are using Pinterest. It may be worth following them! I did learn that if you are not on Pinterest, you have to be invited by someone else...so find someone who is already on and ask them to send you an invite! Start pinning!

How do you use Pinterest?

Seth P.

Habits of the Frugal

Seth Poplaski — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 18:09:26 +0000

I like to think of myself as a relatively frugal person. I tend to think about big purchases and not impulse buy. I do have a few things in my life that I purchase on a weekly basis (like coffee) but I try and limit myself to a certain amount of money per week on food and drink. At the end of the month, I am always able to pay my bills. I have found that often times, people my age struggle to make ends meet and have to live paycheck to paycheck. I have also found that somehow, many of us can struggle to pay bills, but find ways to buy other "necessities". I think that what many of us need is a financial make over. I feel like we all need a nice dose of frugralness (which is probably not a word). I include myself in this category, and I think there are definitely some steps we should take in living more frugal lives as many of our generation are struggling to make ends meet. Here's a few tips I have found help me be more frugal (not cheap...frugal).

Make a Budget

Crazy concept right? I can't tell you how many people I know who do not have a budget actually set out in front of them. You know what? I don't either! I have made out certain parts of my budget, but I don't have a full fledged breakdown of my monthly spending. If you are someone who doesn't have budget and is struggling to make ends meet, try this. Each time you (and your spouse if you have one) make a purchase, write it down. It doesn't matter if it's a pack of gum or a bill payment. Do this for at least one month (I suggest two or three) and see where your money is going each month. You'll be surprised how much money you spend on things you really don't need. Now, am I saying go crazy and stop spending money on everything but the essentials? No, but the exercise will give you an idea of why you aren't able to make ends meet, or how you can save money in other areas.

Be a Well Oiled Machine

What do I mean by this? Well, make sure you are functioning on all cylinders. Make sure you are physically, mentally and emotionally stable. Make sure you are getting out and exercising a few times a week, which is free if you go for a walk. Read a book or the paper each day to break a mental sweat. I like to do crossword puzzles to help keep my brain fresh. Make sure you have people you can talk to and vent when you need to, or just have a day where you hang out with a friend. Seriously, if you aren't making an effort to make sure you are healthy, your savings may take a hit. Why? Well, often times we'll use money to try and make ourselves happier people. Spend some money here and there, and it can bring you monetary happiness. If you are legitimately happy and healthy though, you won't necessarily need to spend money on things that you normally would. Maybe you can pass on that candy bar. Perhaps that chat with your mom, dad or best friend will help you stabilize your mental health. I will say this. Don't cut out all of your treats. Sometimes spending money on a spa day, or a lazy day is just what you need in order to reset your brain. Just don't make it an expensive habit.

Check out a list of seven things you can do to become more frugal. It's called 7 Habits of Highly Frugal People. It's definitely worth the read, and hopefully will help you become more frugal if it's something you struggle with. I know I am going to try to be a little smarter this year!

What are your frugal tips?

Seth P.

Living Young & Free Show Episode 056: Cheap De-stressing, Conscious Spending & Gone Phishing

Y&F Maine Team — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 17:00:31 +0000

Lee in Alabama shares how to de-stress without spending money, Jenn from St. Louis looks at ways to be more conscious about your spending and Matt from Indiana covers the warning signs of phishing scams.

You can also download all of the episodes as a podcast from iTunes and you can watch all previous shows!

The Y&F Maine Team

Questions From Some High Schoolers

Seth Poplaski — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 20:52:13 +0000

Hey everyone! Happy Friday! I got a chance to sit down with some seniors from Mountain Valley High School, and am just now getting the chance to post it! They asked some great questions, and I decided to highlight a few of them for you! Enjoy!

Seth P.

Tasty Thursday: Energy Bars

Seth Poplaski — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 22:43:45 +0000

I don't exactly know when the energy bar craze hit America, but I do know that I have had my fair share of unpleasant tasting bars on my travels throughout the country. Some are relatively tasty, but some are about as unpleasant as you could imagine. Something about it being loaded with things I cannot pronounce probably has something to do with it. Speaking of which, I ended up buying one of these bars today in Augusta, while on my way to hang out at USM Gorham with the UCU folks. I didn't think to look at what was in the bar because it was cheap, and it was made by Wheaties. After looking at the package...well let's just say, I ate a lot of things I have no idea how to pronounce. If someone could enlighten me as to what mixed tocopherols or medium train tryglicerides are, I'd be appreciative. Rather than going crazy and buying a bunch of bars in the future, and consuming loads of random ingredients, I decided to look for a tasty alternative!

Energy bars are typically high in carbohydrates and protein. Finding an alternative recipe that included both of these, I thought, might be difficult at first. When I think of high protein, I think of meat. Meat bars do not sound tasty. When I think of carbohydrates, I tend to think of pasta. That also doesn't sound like a pleasant energy bar. Although a spaghetti and meatball bar may entice some people....doubtful. After checking on some different sites, I found a great and super easy no bake energy ball recipe that is great for people who are outdoor adventurers. The ingredients are as follows:

1 cup (dry) oatmeal
1 cup toasted coconut flakes
1/2 cup chocolate chips
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/2 cup ground flaxseed
1/3 cup honey
1 tsp. vanilla

Are you ready for the easiness of this? All you have to do is take all of the ingredients and mix them in a bowl. Chill for one hour and they are done! How simple is that? They are tasty, easy to make, filled with energy and most importantly, the aren't loaded with preservatives or random things you cannot pronounce. They keep for about a week and are mighty tasty. Check out the recipe here, and try them out the next time you want to pack some energy bars for your next trip!

Have you tried making energy bars at home?

Seth P.

Coffee Shop Talk

Seth Poplaski — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 19:44:02 +0000

I don't know why coffee is on my mind today. It's probably because I haven't had my first cup yet and it's already three. I came across a fun little article from the Wall Street Journal about things your local barista will not tell you. Not all of it is bad, but some of the things are probably worth noting. Here are just a few of them!

The largest latte may not have the extra kick

The bigger the coffee the more caffeine right? Well...in theory that makes sense, but that only pertains to regular drip coffee. Lattes generally have the same amount of espresso in their medium and large drinks. Starbucks' Grande and Venti drinks have two shots of espresso even though the Venit is bigger. So instead of getting more coffee, you are getting more milk! If you want more of a kick, ask for more espresso!

The darker the roast, the less the caffeine

Wait...That doesn't make sense does it? I would think that the darker the roast, the more caffeine you have. It's actually not true. Because darker roasts have been cooked longer, it burns off more of the caffeine! Ever wonder why breakfast roasts are generally mild? It's because they have a bigger kick to them to get your day started on the right foot.

Be nice, or you'll get decaffed

Be nice to the people behind the window or behind the counter! They are making your drink, and even though they won't spit in it, they can very well pour you a cup of nice hot decaf coffee. As someone who is slightly addicted to caffeine, I am always nice to my barista. I haven't had a caffeine free coffee yet either! Now, I'm not saying that it will necessarily happen, but if you are a jerk to someone, there's a chance that they may not give you exactly what you want...and cue the headaches!

There's a list of ten things you may want to know, so I encourage you to check out the whole article. Now about that first cup of coffee...

What tips do you have for ordering?

Seth P.

Creative Valentine's Day Ideas

Seth Poplaski — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 18:05:40 +0000

Valentine's Day is the one day a year that is dedicated to loving your significant other. Let's be honest though. If you aren't showing your undivided love to your spouse/mate the other 364 days, you better change your ways! Let's hope that most of you have already planned out your Valentine's Day, but on the off chance that you happened to forget that today is a day filled with candy and roses, here are a few last minute ideas for you! The last thing you want is coming home to someone who has done something awesome for you and you have nothing for them. Ouch!

Make Dinner

You come home and you totally forgot to make a reservation! "OH CRAP" you think to yourself, but remain calm as you decide to make dinner at home instead. Pick up a decent bottle of wine (if you are of age) and make a tasty, simple dinner for you and your lover. I can tell you that as a male, cooking and making a delicious meal is a great way to earn some brownie points. Not sure what you should cook? Check out my Tasty Thursday blogs! You'll find some great ideas.

Coupon Book

It may seem a little corny, but there are undoubtedly some things you hate doing that your significant other would like you to do. Maybe it's cleaning the dishes. Maybe it's giving a massage or a foot rub. Perhaps it's putting down the controller for a day and watching a nice chick flick! Whatever it is, make a coupon book that allows them to use at their convenience. It can be as big or as small of a book as you want, but it will show your love that you care about them! The good news is all you need for this is some markers or crayons and some paper. Boom!

Flowers

I'm not talking going out and buying a dozen roses. Yeah, sure that's nice, but how about trying this instead. Buy her some flower bulbs instead that you need to plant. That way, you can see the flowers grow and eventually you will be able to plant them outside in the springtime. Not only have you gotten your significant other some nice flowers, but you've given them something to take care of and something that will look great in your windowsill or flower garden in just a few months!

One of the things I try and do is to wait off until the day after to buy most Valentine's Day related goodies. I mean, let's be honest. If you can wait one day, chances are, you'll get your goodies for 50% off. Most places want to dump their holiday items so they can prepare for the next holiday...which I believe is St. Patrick's Day. If you can come to a compromise with your significant other to wait one day before going and getting anything, you may save yourself a little green!

What are your creative ideas for a special Valentine's Day?

Seth P.

Look out for Knock Offs

Seth Poplaski — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 19:19:38 +0000

I'm a fan of finding the best deals around. Generally speaking, I am hesitant to buying something as soon as I see it because I know that it will either go down in price as the year passes, or I can find a better deal someone else. Some people may call it crazy, I call it smart. One thing I will say though, is that sometimes when you find a deal, it is actually too good to be true. There are people who are out there selling knock off versions of the real deal. Yeah that iPhone 5 that hasn't come out yet, but this random guy has one may look really good and at a cheap price, but realistically, it's a big old knock off. Here's a few of the biggest counterfeit items being sold in America.

Clothing

If you are in the actual clothing store (like a GAP or American Eagle) you're not going to run into a knock off because you're getting the goods right in store. If, however you find yourself at a clothing boutique or flea market, be wary of the clothes you buy. Sure, it may say that the clothing is coming from your favorite store, but double check. Often times you can find differences in quality with the way buttons are sewed on and also the seams of your fabrics. If you frequent one particular store, check and see where your favorite apparel is made. If someone is selling you something similar, but it's made in a different country, chances are it's probably a fake.

Perfume/Cologne

I don't always wear cologne...but when I do, I wear Old Spice. No, that's a lie. But seriously, I don't wear cologne very often. I do wear the cheaper stuff because I find it painful spending anymore than 10 bucks on it. If you are someone who wears more expensive scents, don't necessarily jump at the chance of finding the same scent at a significantly cheaper price. Often times the knock offs may smell similar, but also contain various unpleasantries in their chemical makeup. You never know what you'll be spraying on your body. Yikes!

Watches

I have been a victim of this unfortunately.I was in Bar Harbor with my lovely fiancée Margaux this past summer when I found some slap bracelet watches! I was quite excited, and at only $10, it was a steal. Well...it was a steal for about a week. Mine decided to die shortly thereafter and Margaux's died a few months past that. Now, correct me if I'm wrong, but watches are generally supposed to last more than a few months. I learned my lesson! I should have bought a legitimate slap watch. If you buy a "name brand" watch that is really inexpensive, chances are it's a knock off. Be careful what you purchase because you could end up throwing it in the trash in the not too distant future.

So if you are looking to buy something that costs a little more, it may be worth it to actually front a little bit more money in certain situations. I would much rather spend a few extra dollars on the actual product then to purchase a lesser quality knock off that is going to fall apart or break. Sometimes less isn't more.

Have you been the victim of a knock off?

Seth P.