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Stock Your Pantry and Make a Killing

Stock Your Pantry and Make a Killing - Cereal

An NBC TV reporter, Brahm Resnik, stood in our pantry gazing at the floor-to-ceiling shelves (8 feet tall x 9 feet wide). We could tell he was trying to compose a logical question. Finally, he blurted out, “You say you spend $350 per month to feed your family of seven, but how much did it cost to stock these pantry shelves?” We knew he didn’t understand our philosophy of setting aside a specific amount of money each month for groceries and then using that money to not only purchase our groceries but also to stock up on special sales. That’s … Read more »

Should I Invest in a Rental Property?

I live in Australia and am thinking of getting an investment property and having a tenant in it. I have seen a 2 bedroom unit I like very near the railway station and a major hospital.

The current tenant has been there for 3 years and is paying $400 per month. It is an older unit but in good condition and no immediate renovations are needed.

What is your opinion on buying properties for investment? Depending on the length of the loan I take out, the tenant could cover most or all of the monthly payments.

Renter Pays Interest Only for Home Mortgage

I … Read more »

Trade School Discount Services

Money is really tight and with unemployment on the rise, the number of people going to school to “re-tool” is also increasing. This means that students in service industries: hair and nail care, dentists, massage therapy and more, will need people to “practice” on. If you’re willing to take some risk, you can save a lot of dough. You may be surprised about the services they offer.

Here are some ideas from Joy in Topeka, Kansas (our comments are in italics).

Massages  Look for a nearby massage or physical therapy school. During finals week, physical therapy assistant students … Read more »

Sacred Cows

In years past, when we helped people one-on-one with their finances, we regularly saw one scenario repeatedly: The Sacred Cow.

In India, many people consider cows to be sacred. Bovines freely roam the streets and countryside, nosing through rubbish and gently begging food from passers-by. While millions around them go hungry, they are untouched, free to consume all they desire.

What is an Economiser Sacred Cow?   It’s a term we used whenever we encounter a “luxury” item that folks who were struggling financially were unwilling to sacrifice on the altar of fiscal responsibility.

All of us have … Read more »

Read the Signs: Cucumbers and Christmas?

What do straight and curly cucumbers have to do with Christmas? Plenty! We’ve spent lots of time in the garden this year, and have been fascinated as we’ve watched it grow. Let us explain.

Tough economic times are here. By reading the signs carefully, you can make a game plan to help you survive and triumph in the current economy. But you’ve got to have your eyes wide open, take in the data and apply it to your life — read the signs and then take action.

Shapes and Curls   This summer and fall, we’ve grown … Read more »

Persistence Pays

Is it just us, or are you finding it takes more follow-up phone calls to get even little things done these days? Years ago, we could make one phone call, maybe two, and get a question answered or a sticky situation ironed out. Today, it takes dogged determination and a computer tracking system to help us follow up on long drawn-out tasks.

 Here are some recent examples.

Congressional Red Tape   Daughter Becky is going to receive her bronze and silver medals from the Congressional Award organization. It’s a personal development, physical fitness and community service award for … Read more »

Oak Tree or Weed?? Get Rich Slow!!!!!

It makes our blood boil. It really does! The barrage of Get Rich Quick messages permeating our culture. They hit mailboxes, inboxes, magazines, bookstores, newspapers, television and even our telephones as “friends” call urging us to try new easy money-making ideas.

Every year, millions of people plunk down hundreds of millions of dollars to find a simple way to become rich. Unfortunately, these schemes do more to increase our poverty rather than our wealth.

Fast Money — Quickly Gone   It’s almost a parable. A lottery ticket cashed in for millions. The press conference, the happy faces, the jumbo check — and they live happily ever … Read more »