StBridgit's comments

Saving Money on Dairy Products - Blog Entry

19 Sep 2008 12:30 PM

Yes, you do need a heat source as well. I don't keep chickens myself, but many of my neighbors do--I just borrow their chickens (they come into my yard and eat my bugs, and let my kids chase them around) and buy eggs from my neighbors! Less work for me and all the benefits. :)

Going High Tech for a Low Cost - Blog Entry

18 Sep 2008 02:03 PM

A Kyocera phone, no idea what model! It is through Virgin Mobile.

Saving Money on Dairy Products - Blog Entry

18 Sep 2008 01:15 PM

One thing to remember about raising chickens is that they stop laying when the days get shorter. If you want them to continue laying in late fall and winter months, you must provide supplemental lighting.

Going High Tech for a Low Cost - Blog Entry

18 Sep 2008 08:40 AM

I agree with you entirely on cell phones. I used to have a cell phone with a monthly plan, but frankly I never used the high tech features of the phone, and I never came close to using my monthly allotment of minutes. I cancelled the plan and bought a pay as you go phone. It has a camera, which I actually occasionally use, and I have enough minutes when I need them. And it only costs me about $6 per month, as opposed to the $40 per month I was paying.

Beware of the Shrink Ray - Blog Entry

13 Aug 2008 06:23 PM

Vitamins have been shrinking as well. I now pay the same amount for 180 softgels at Costco that I used to pay for 200, for their fish oil capsules. The diaper shrinkage is the final straw for me--we are going to cloth diapers. My son is 18 months old, so we will only use them for a while longer, but with #3 we will get our money's worth and then some from the cloth diapers. For a one-time start up cost of $250 I will get diapers to last through this baby and the next...well worth it when I look at disposable diaper costs these days!!

Beijing 2008 Summer Olympics Are Frugal - Blog Entry

08 Aug 2008 10:21 AM

That is very interesting! I hope their experience proves that hosting the Games can be done profitably and wisely.

Cost Compare on Dental Care - Blog Entry

07 Aug 2008 07:46 AM

The best insurance against pricey dentist visits is brushing after every meal and flossing at least once a day. And take your kids to the dentist early! You want to nip problems with brushing your baby's teeth in the bud, and they can often show you better ways to get into a baby's mouth to clean their teeth properly. Trust me, as someone who had to pay a lot of $$ to fix my baby son's teeth...it's better to get in there as soon as they have some teeth for a preventative care visit!

Summer Money Grabbers - Blog Entry

01 Jul 2008 09:19 AM

If you are really in the market for a new-to-you swingset, hang on until the end of the summer. In the fall and early spring, people whose kids have outgrown their swingsets tend to get rid of them. You can either buy one for a fraction of the price of a new one, or you can even get one for free! We picked up a swingset/climbing fort that retailed for $1000 new, and got it for FREE. My husband is going to assemble it when we get home, and the only thing we need to replace is one pressure treated post. So for a little elbow grease and about $12, we have a swingset in great condition that our kids can enjoy for years.

Minimizing Your Wash Will Maximize Your Savings 3 - Blog Entry

30 Jun 2008 05:03 PM

For the kids' clothes, I have found that pre-treating stains the day they occur helps reduce the number of clothes they need, because stains come out and fewer clothes are designated as "play clothes only".

Additionally I only do laundry once a week. If someone dirties something and wants to wear it again, they will have to wait for Laundry Day. This way I can get it all clean, folded, and put away as part of that day's routine.

My husband and I also have special places where we put clothes that have been worn briefly but can be worn again. And all bath towels are used for two weeks before being laundered.

Minimizing Your Wash Will Maximize Your Savings 2 - Blog Entry

30 Jun 2008 04:59 PM

I have used Shout's Color Catcher sheets and they work very well. As someone who has had to use Carbona's Color Run Remover, and has had some clothing permanently changed in color as a result of a stray red item, I make it a policy to separate out reds that I haven't washed before. I also find that especially at Christmastime a separate red wash is necessary!