FREE OR LOW-COST FINANCIAL COUNSELING

    If you’re struggling with your finances, you may qualify for FREE or very inexpensive financial counseling through the NATIONAL FOUNDATION FOR CREDIT COUNSELING. The NFCC is a nonprofit network with over 800 locations that offer financial counseling in person, online, by e-mail and phone. You can contact them via their website or by phone at: (800) 388-2227.

 WARDROBE MAGIC

  Reorganize your closet and arrange clothes by item and color - dark-colored pants together; etc. Above all, separate sets. No longer think of that green skirt and jacket as one outfit. Put the skirt with the skirts and the jacket with your jackets. You'll be pleasantly surprised to find you can put together several "new" outfits by combining pieces you'd never before realized would coordinate.

SPOUTING OFF ABOUT YARN

  Yarn is perfect for decorating packages; tying up bundles of letters or receipts (because it won't deteriorate and break like a rubber band); flagging limbs or plants to be cut or moved; and all sorts of other uses. Whatever you use yarn for- even if you're a real live knitter- a teapot makes a perfect storage container. Wrap one color or an assortment of colors of yarn into balls and thread the ends out the spout for virtually tangle-free handling.

  MAGNETS & KNEE-HIS

  Ever drop an eyeglass screw on the floor and go berserk trying to find it? Keep a magnet handy so you sweep it back and forth across the "drop zone." But what about items magnets don’t attract – buttons, beads, etc? Secure a tightly stretched old knee-hi or pantyhose leg over your Dustbuster or regular vacuum’s opening using duct tape or a heavy-duty rubber band. Run the vacuum over the suspected "drop zone" and the fabric will keep it from being sucked into the vacuum; after a few moments of vacuuming, switch the machine off and check to see what you've pulled out of hiding.

 SWEETS FOR YOUR SWEETIE

  SPECIFIC WAYS TO CONSERVE ELECTRICITY 

   With all the cold weather we've been having, you probably cried when you saw your power bill! There are plenty of ways to cut back that expense, so check out these suggestions:

(1)   Unplug any appliances or other electronic items not in use. Almost all of these use electricity just by being plugged in. Hopefully your TV/DVD player and computer/printer are connected to surge protector strips. Everything that's plugged into one strip can be powered off in one flip of the switch on the surge protector.
(2)   Change to lower wattage light bulbs and/or fixtures that use less bulbs; better yet, replace incandescent bulbs with  fluorescents.
(3)   Touch up caulking and/or other insulation around doors and windows. Consider installing insulating draperies.
(4)   Don't heat an unoccupied house. When you're away for 4 or more hours, set your thermostat at 65 or lower; if away for an extended time, dial it down to 50. When you're home, turn down your thermostat at night and sleep with more blankets - studies have shown that people sleep best at a temperature of around 65 degrees F. Installing a programmable thermostat enables the temperature adjustments to occur automatically at the times you program them to.
(5)   Wear warmer clothing indoors, especially socks - if you're feet are cold, your body is cold.
(6)   Use an electric blanket or throw to cover up when watching TV or reading. It's far less expensive to operate the blanket or throw than to heat the entire room or house more warmly.
(7)   When showering or bathing, don't turn up the heat in the whole house - that's one seriously costly mistake. Instead, invest in a small electric space heater (I paid $10 for mine) for each bathroom & make sure you have GFCI outlets to plug them in. 
(8)   Whenever possible, use a microwave, toaster oven or crock pot instead of an electric stove or oven - that's 110 volt usage as opposed to 220. Save even more by preparing enough for several meals each time you cook. Serve one meal; then divide the rest into reasonable portions & label, date & freeze for future mealtimes.
(9)   Make sure your hot water heater is set to less than 130 degrees and is covered with an insulating hot water heater jacket. Putting it on a timer can save you even more money.
(10) Wash & rinse clothes in cold water as much as possible.
(11) Don't operate your dishwasher or washer until you have a full load.
(12) Install water-conserving shower heads.
(13) Don't leave the television on just for the "company" - if it's not being watched, turn it off.
(14) Turn off lights in unoccupied rooms. Start a "fine" jar & charge yourself & other household members 25¢ each time they leave an unnecessary room light on.

BUTTON IT!

  Before wearing any new item that has buttons, dot a small amount of fast-drying clear nail polish onto the threads on the back side of the fabric where each button is sewn on. This will help keep the threads from pulling loose, so you're less likely to ever lose a button.

 THIS MONTH'S PASSAGE
    The apostle Paul offers some great advice for Valentine’s Day and every day: “Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ” (Ephesians 5:1-2a, NLT).

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.