REMEMBER ME?
  Of our five senses, which one retains memory the longest? Sight? Nope. Touch. Uh-uh. Taste? No again. Hearing? No way. It's SMELL! The smell of your home will remain in people's memories longer than any other part of your guests' experience. As colder weather creeps in, closing up your home keeps out the cold, but it also blocks in cooking odors and other undesirable scents.

  Buy an inexpensive electric potpourri pot (which will regulate its own temperature) or one for your stovetop - you might just want to designate a saucepan you already own as your potpourri pot. Fill it at least half full of water and then add kitchen spices - whole or powdered - like cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg, etc. And you can also use vanilla flavoring alone or mixed with spices. Simmer on lowest temperature to keep your house nice and fragrant. Never leave it on when you're away or asleep. Refill as the liquid runs low.

FREE VIDEO GAMES

  Instead of spending a fortune for games your kids will quickly tire of, get them for FREE at your local library. Many libraries carry an extensive selection of video games that can be checked out for one or two weeks at a time. Saves money and teaches your kids how to do likewise.

  LEAF RELIEF
   Whether leaf blowing or leaf raking, get yourself a big reasonably heavy textured drop cloth and cut your leaf work time in half. Blow or rake the leaves onto the drop cloth; gather the corners into a giant bundle and drag it to your dumping or burning location. If you have a lot of leaves, use a really big drop cloth; tie a slipknot in a rope once you've bundled the corners and haul the bundle off yourself or use the hitch on the back of your lawn tractor (make sure the blade isn't running) to pull it. Inspect your route to make sure you won't be dragging the drop cloth over stumps or other objects that could tear it.

 FALL/WINTER FASHION

    What's hot for 2009/10 cooler weather? Top fashion seems to focus on shoulders and sleeves. Many designs include shoulders that project outward almost in an absolute point. Sleeves incorporate all kinds of poofs, including the classic leg-o-mutton that poofs at the top and is fitted from elbow down.

   Metallics and brocade are huge trends, along with sequins and vests dubbed "sleeveless coats." Leather is very popular and animal prints in every form are making a major comeback. Fur and animal-print purses are definitely hot items.

   You don't have to break the bank to keep up with all this fashion. Anything that's making a comeback is likely to be found in a thrift, consignment or vintage specialty shop. Beat the rush, though; if you wait, you won't get the jump on others who've caught on to the newest fashion trends.

  KEEP YOUR CAR!
   The story of George: George paid his final car payment this month and, instead of trading for a new one, decided to keep his old one, even though he's only getting 20MPG. At $2.50 a gallon and 400 miles a week, George is paying $50 a week for gas. He checked into trading his vehicle for a 35MPG newer model and learned that he'd receive $8,000 in trade for his current car and owe $18,000 on the newer car even with a 0% interest loan, making his payments $300 a month for 60 months. Too, he'd only be spending $28.57 a week for gas with the newer car. Did George make a smart move?

   Because his current car is paid for, George chose to change his insurance coverage to liability only, dropping his annual premium from $1,400 to $600. By keeping his current car, George will be spending $0 a year for payments; $600 a year for insurance; and $2,600 a year for gas - a total of $3,200. If George had opted for the new car, he'd be paying $3,600 a year in payments, plus $1,600 a year for insurance and $1,485.64 for gas - a total of $6,685.64. That's an extra $3,485.64 a year the newer car would cost him, or $17,428.20 over the 5-year loan period. George is one smart money manager!

ORANGE PECAN SPARKLERS
     All you need is four ingredients and a microwave to create a delicious and beautiful snack or gift item for the upcoming holidays: 4 cups of pecan halves; 1/2 c. orange juice; 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon; and 2 c. of granulated sugar. Combine juice, cinnamon and sugar in a microwave-safe bowl; then place in your microwave. You’ll have to experiment with your own microwave, but most will do nicely if you set the power to 50 percent and let the ingredients cook for about 4 minutes. Carefully lift out the bowl - it's gonna be HOT - and lightly stir the contents. Next, mix in the pecans until they're evenly coated. Replace the bowl in the microwave for 4 more minutes at half power. Wear oven mitts as you dump pecans onto wax paper (that has been sprayed very lightly with non-stick coating). Use a kitchen utensil to separate each pecan so they can dry individually. Once cooled, they’re ready to serve or package for gift-giving.

 FALL/WINTER MAKEUP
   What's the fashion trend for faces this fall and winter? Glittering eye shadows, smoky natural colors and smudged or undefined eyeliner with subtle blush and eye-catching lip color. A professional makeup artist walks you through each step in this short video: http://www.videojug.com/film/make-up-tips-for-autumn-winter

HOLIDAY MEAL PLANNING
     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 amount of food for your celebration. 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.

   I close this month with a powerful formula for righteous living:

  “...as you would like and desire that men would do to you, do exactly so to them.  If you [merely] love those who love you, what quality of credit and thanks is that to you?... And if you are kind... to... those who are kind... to...you, what... credit... is that to you? For even the preeminently sinful do the same.  And if you lend money at interest to those from whom you hope to receive, what... credit... is that to you? Even notorious sinners lend money at interest to sinners... But love your enemies and be kind and do good... and lend, expecting... nothing in return..., and you will be sons of the Most High, for He is kind and charitable and good to the ungrateful and the selfish and wicked.  So be merciful... as your Father is... Judge not..., and you will not be judged;... acquit and forgive and release (give up resentment, let it drop), and you will be acquitted and forgiven and released.  Give, and [gifts] will be given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, will they pour in... For with the measure you deal out..., it will be measured back to you.”

                                                       (Luke 6:31-38, ANT)

We all have SO much for which we should give thanks.  Happy Thanksgiving!

  If you haven’t already given your heart and life to Christ, you may have questions about WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A CHRISTIAN.  If you do, please click on that highlighted title and you will be taken to a page on this site which will explain more about being a Christian and how you can become one.

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 the Bargain Alerts you can sign up for on the home page of: www.bargainomics.com. And point others to the Bargain Alert page to see the DEAL OF THE DAY and the latest BARGAIN ALERT!