VACATION SPOTS

   If you haven't visited the new VACATION SPOT page, you're missing out!  Each month features a terrific destination that's packed with fun for all ages and plenty of FREE and low-cost attractions and points of interest.

  QUICK 'N' EASY MEALTIMES

  MONEY TALK
   Most studies list MONEY ARGUMENTS as the #1 excuse given for divorce. The best way to avoid these disagreements is to BE HONEST.

   $  Don't create debt behind your spouse's back.
   $  Don't hide money from your spouse.
   $  DO talk about money decisions - set a maximum dollar amount ($20 - $50) that can be spent by one partner without consulting the other.
   $  Even jointly, never buy a "big ticket" item without allowing at least 24 hours to think it over and reconsider.  In this girl's opinion, that's anything over $50 (besides fuel or groceries).

 READ ANY GOOD BOOKS?
     I just discovered Sharon Dunn (www.SharonDunnBooks.com), the author of a delightful new series of cozy whodunits! Her first book, Death of a Garage Sale Newbie, was followed with Death of a Six-Foot Teddy Bear. Early 2009 will mark the release of her third in this series, Death at a Discount, all published by Multnomah.  Her books can be found on www.Amazon.com and www.Half.com for as low as $1.10.

 YOUR BARGAINS              
  If you know of a way to help others save money, e-mail me your suggestion, and if chosen, I'll post it in this section.  Ideas need to be practical and current.  In other words, if you caught a great sale, it will be too late to help anyone when your information is posted the next month.  Tell me ways people will be able save money at the time they read your information.  Let me know about money-saving websites, too! Thanks and God bless!

GINGERBREAD GARLAND

  Share a fun time with your kids or grandkids by making a paper bag garland together.  All you need is a few brown paper grocery bags; some scissors; a pencil; scotch tape; glue; a gingerbread man cookie cutter; and some scraps of fabric, buttons, and any other craft items that strike your fancy.

  (1) Cut open and flatten out each paper bag, turning the printed side face down.  (2) Using the cookie cutter as your outline, trace as many consecutive gingerbread men as possible; use any open space on the bag to trace more - connected or separate. (3) Cut out each gingerbread man without separating the connected ones. (4) Use buttons, fabric, etc. to decorate each gingerbread man (glue on fabric dresses to make gingerbread women). (5) Use glue or tape to connect all the gingerbread men together to form one garland. (6) Hang along a wall, over a doorway, or on your Christmas tree.

  EASY WAYS TO REDUCE EXPENSES

   As the times get tougher, it's more and more imperative that we "...count the cost..." (Jesus speaking, Luke 14:28).  If you spend an unnecessary dollar every day, guess what?  In a year's time, you've blown $365.  Think before you spend. 

   If you have a home computer and pay for DSL, tell your provider you want "stand-alone DSL" service. Get rid of your home phone line and get a Magic Jack (www.MagicJack.com). One end plugs into a USB port on your computer and the other end plugs into the phone cord of your regular phone - nothing to it! It's only $39.95 to buy one, including a full year of phone service - and that's call waiting, caller ID, conference calling, long distance, and more. Plus you can get international calling for around 2 cents a minute with no added charges. Additional years of service are $19.95 each. For most folks, this switch alone means an annual savings of $600 or more.

   Put a timer on your electric hot water heater - why pay to heat water at all hours of the day and night? This can mean a savings of as much as 12% on your power bill. And if your hot water heater is set at the typical factory setting of 140 degrees, turning the thermostat down to 120 degrees can save you another 6 to 10%. Wrap your hot water heater in an insulating blanket (click here to see an example), and there's another 4 to 9% savings.  So do the math: just these 3 hot water heater tips could cut your power bill by as much as 31%. Allow me to translate that into dollars: if your power bill averages $150 a month, putting these 3 tips into practice could save you over $550 a year.  And using cold water for laundering will help you reduce your hot water usage, which means even further savings.

HOW MANY WILL IT SERVE? 

For some people, coming up with foods to serve isn’t the problem – it’s figuring out how much of it to prepare. The following information will help you plan on the right amounts for your Thanksgiving, Christmas, or other large group gathering. The servings are generous, so if there are small children expected at your gathering, count one serving per two children.

Meat - If using a whole turkey, 1 lb. per person. If using ham or turkey breast, ½ lb. per person.

Dressing - 1 cup per person.

Bread - 2 rolls or servings per person.

Beans/vegetables - 1 lb. of dried beans serves 6 people; for prepared vegetables, ½ cup per serving.

Creamed potatoes - 1 cup per serving. An average potato will yield one serving, so figure 1 potato per person.

Gravy - 1/6 cup per serving.

Pies - 1 average pie serves 6 people.

Cakes - An average 2-layer cake serves 10 people.

Tea, coffee, or other beverage - For dinner beverage (tea), figure on 3 - 8 oz. servings per person (24 oz. per person). 1 gallon = 128 ounces, or 5+ servings. For after dinner beverage (coffee), figure one 8-oz. serving per person.

  Why does a person “HEM AND HAW” around?  These two vocal terms were combined to form the expression that means to speak hesitantly or uncertainly, as in to beat around the bush.  Originally, HEM was to lightly clear one’s throat.  HAW was first written as HAWK, which meant to forcefully clear one’s throat (as in “hawking up,” rather than what we now hear as “harking up”).  HEM and HAWK got paired in the late 1500’s and was later trimmed to HEM AND HAW.   

"Elijah came near to all the people and said, “How long will you hesitate between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him.”
(I Kings 18:21, NASB)

   How could any people be foolish enough to choose a false God over the Real Thing?  Elijah saw the mixed loyalties of the people and it infuriated him!  “Make up your minds!” he shouted.  “Choose one or the other.  You can’t have it both ways!”  Don’t we of today want it both ways?  We want all the stuff, all the material possessions, all the prestige, all the glory, for ourselves.  And yet we claim to live for Jesus and desire to bring Him glory.  Can’t have it both ways, folks.  Either you’re in this life for Jesus’ glory or for your own.  “How long will YOU hesitate between two opinions?”

Please help me make this website the very best it can be.  Tell me what you like best and least about its content.  Tell others about the free daily Bible Study and sporadic Bargain Alert you can sign up for on the home page of: www.bargainomics.com.