Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Financial Literacy

Establish yourself financially by building good credit and budgeting to keep your "wants" under control:


Open up checking and savings accounts. Don't overdraw these accounts.
If you are considering requesting a credit card, first shop around for the best terms and conditions.
Use gas and retail cards responsibly and sparingly.
Make your monthly payments for loans and services (like your phone bill) on time each month.
Make a list of your values - the things that are really important to you - and set your goals to help you maintain those values.
Create a spending plan that meets your "wants" as well as your "needs." Your total expenses should be less than or equal to your total income. If your income is not enough to cover your expenses, adjust your spending plan by deciding which expenses you can change.
Periodically evaluate your spending plan to make sure it is still meeting your needs and achieve your goals. Update if necessary.
Review your credit report once a year to make sure it is accurate.
If things are getting out of control, contact your creditors, seek help from a reputable credit counseling service, or look into debt consolidation.


Start saving now! Think you can't afford it? Try paying yourself first. When you pay your monthly bills, write out a check to you, and deposit it into your savings account. If you lack the discipline to do this, find out if direct deposit is available through your employer. With direct deposit, a specified dollar amount is deducted directly from your paycheck and credited to your savings account at a bank, credit union, or other savings institution.


Start an emergency savings fund equal to three to six months of your normal monthly earnings. After you have an emergency fund, monthly savings can be set aside for vacations, a new car, marriage--important but expensive goals!


Use your credit cards wisely to help you establish a solid credit rating and avoid financial problems. Every time you use your credit card, you are borrowing money. If you don't pay off your balance each month, you will have to pay a finance charge.


When selecting a credit card, you should shop around for the best deal, based on your budget and repayment habits. Look for the following characteristics:


A low annual percentage rate (watch out for low introductory rates that are raised after a year or less)
The interest calculation method (affects how much interest you pay, even when the APR is identical)
Low or no annual fees
A grace period (may only apply if you pay off the balance each month; may not apply if you carry a balance or take a cash advance)
The credit limit (it may be a good idea to start small–say around $500-$1,500.)
Services and features, such as cash rebates, frequent flyer miles, extended warranties, etc. (while they may appear to be a good deal on the surface, they may be difficult to earn and redeem; evaluate these offers in terms of their value to you, and any extra credit costs you may incur)
Keep copies of all of your credit card records and receipts to compare to your monthly statements. Follow up on any errors. Shred or otherwise destroy carbons and receipts before throwing them away.




Find out everything you need to know about your credit report. If you have ever applied for a charge card, student loan, or other kinds of credit, you probably have a credit report (or credit profile). Credit reporting agencies collect and organize information about you and your repayment history, and make it available to those who are considering granting you credit. Landlords, employers, government licensing agencies, and insurance underwriters can also obtain your credit report.


Most negative information stays on your credit report for seven years, though some bankruptcies remain 10 years. Positive information stays on indefinitely. Inquiries stay on for six months to two years, depending on the type of inquiry.


You can request copies of your credit report by contacting the three major credit bureaus:


Equifax
www.equifax.com
(800) 685-1111


Trans Union
www.transunion.com
(800) 888-4213


Experian
www.experian.com
(888) 397-3742

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Huggies Codes!

Huggies Codes I Found... some I had... most I did not!

BJBNWFHCHRFFPGB (5 points)
BFRJWLQPSGZJPGB (5 Points)
BHMTFZBFRLPZPGB (1 Point)
BHNTQLGQZTJBPGB (1 Point)
BGGZHMJGGPSXPGB (1 Point)
BFJCWFCCTFPPPGB (5 points)
BGGCLHNZGFZZPGB (5 points)
BFMJCPNQCJBNPGB (5 points)
BHGKFQLRTLMPPGB (5 points)
BRSJTFPNPXPQPGB (5 points)
BFHFCXTSNWHKPGB (5 points)
BFNMBKDSPXRCPGB (5 points)
BFGSKHHXKPFTPGB (5 points)
BFGMRKBCNNHHPGB (5 points)
BXZWTNJFSLHCPGB (5 points)
BDGTWXSQBJTXPGB (5 points)
WHTZHNBDQFXKPGB (5 points)
MLXRCCNRWKKWPGB (5 points)

Monday, April 26, 2010

SIXTY USES OF BAKING SODA


Bicarbonate of soda or baking soda has many different uses in the household.

Although much more expensive products have been developed over the years to do the same jobs, baking soda can work for you just as well, if not better. Use it in the following ways:

1. To make your own baking powder, stir and sift together 2 parts of Cream of Tartar to 1 part baking soda and 1 part cornstarch.
2. Be sure to keep an extra box of baking soda by your stove in case of grease or electrical fire. Scatter the powder by the handful to safely put it out.
3. Keep a container of baking soda in your garage as well as in your car to put out a fire. It won't damage anything it touches.
4. Baking soda will also put out fires in clothing, fuel, wood, upholstery and rugs.
5. Clean vegetables and fruit with baking soda. Sprinkle in water, soak and rise the produce.
6. Wash garbage cans with baking soda.
7. Soak and wash diapers with baking soda.
8. Oil and grease - stained clothing washes out better with soda added to the washing water.
9. Clean your fridge and freezer with dry soda sprinkled on a damp cloth. Rinse with clear water.
10. Deodorize your fridge and freezer by putting in an open container of baking soda to absorb odors. Stir and turn over the soda from time to time. Replace every 2 months.
11. Soda absorbs kitty litter odors. Cover the bottom of the kitty box with 1 part soda; then add a layer of 3 parts kitty litter on top.
12. Always add 1/2 cup soda to your washing machine load.
13. Clean combs and brushes in a soda solution.
14. Wash food and drink containers with soda and water.
15. Wash marble-topped furniture with a solution of 3 tablespoons of soda in 1 quart of warm water. Let stand awhile, then rinse.
16. Clean Formica counter tops with baking soda on a damp sponge.
17. Wash out thermos bottles and cooling containers with soda and water to get rid of stale smells.
18. To remove stubborn stains from marble, Formica or plastic surfaces, scour with a paste of soda and water.
19. Wash glass or stainless steel coffee pots (but not aluminum) in a soda solution ( 3 tbsp. Soda to 1 quart water).
20. Run you coffee maker through its cycle with a soda solution. Rinse.
21. Give baby bottles a good cleaning with soda and hot water.
22. Sprinkle soda on barbecue grills, let soak, then rinse off.
23. Sprinkle soda on greasy garage floor. Let stand, scrub and rinse.
24. Polish silverware with dry soda on a damp cloth. Rub, rinse and dry.
25. For silver pieces without raised patterns or cemented-on handles: place the silver on aluminum foil in an enamel pot. Add boiling water and 4 tbsp. Baking soda. Let stand, rinse and dry.
26. Reduce odor build-up in your dishwasher by sprinkling some soda on the bottom.
27. Run your dishwasher through its cycle with soda in it instead of soap to give it a good cleaning.
28. To remove burned-on food from a pan: let the pan soak in soda and water for 10 minutes before washing. Or scrub the pot with dry soda and a moist scouring pad.
29. For a badly-burned pan with a thick layer of burned-on food: pour a thick layer of soda directly onto the bottom of the pan, then sprinkle on just enough water so as to moisten the soda. Leave the pot overnight, then scrub it clean next day.
30. Rub stainless steel and chrome with a moist cloth and dry baking soda to shine it up. Rinse and dry. On stainless steel, scrub in the direction of the grain.
33. Clean plastic, porcelain and glass with dry soda on a damp cloth. Rinse and dry.
32. Remove that bad smell from ashtrays with soda and water.
33. Sprinkle a bit of dry soda in your ashtrays to prevent smoldering and reduce odor.
34. Clean your bathroom with dry soda on a moist sponge - sink, tub, tiles, shower stall, etc.
35. Keep your drains clean and free-flowing by putting 4 tablespoons of soda in them each week. Flush the soda down with hot water.
36. Soak your shower curtains in water and soda to clean them.
37. To remove strong odors from your hands, wet your hands and rub them hard with soda, then rinse.
38. Sprinkle baking soda on your wet toothbrush and brush your teeth and dentures with it.
39. Sprinkle soda in tennis shoes, socks, boots and slippers to eliminate odor.
40. Add 1/2 cups or more of baking soda to your bath water to soften your skin.
41. Putting 2 tbsp. Of baking soda in your baby's bath water will help relieve diaper rash irritations.
42. Apply soda directly to insect bites, rashes and poison ivy to relieve discomfort. Make a paste with water.
43. Take a soda bath to relieve general skin irritations such as measles and chicken pox.
44. Take 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda in 1/2 glass of water to relieve acid indigestion or heartburn.
45. Gargle with 1/2 tsp. baking soda in 1/2 glass of water. Freshens and cleans your mouth.
46. Used as a mouthwash, baking soda will also relieve canker sore pain.
47. To relieve sunburn: use a paste of baking soda and water.
48. Bug bites: use a poultice of baking soda and vinegar.
49. Bee sting: use a poultice of baking soda and water.
50. Windburns: moisten some baking soda and apply directly.
51. Making Play Clay with baking soda: combine 1 1/4 cups water, 2 cups soda, 1 cup cornstarch.
52. Use soda as an underarm deodorant.
53. If your baby spits up on his shirt after feeding, moisten a cloth, dip it in baking soda and dab at the dribbled shirt. The odor will go away.
54. When scalding a chicken, add 1 tsp. of soda to the boiling water. The feathers will come off easier and flesh will be clean and white.
55. Repel rain from windshield. Put gobs of baking soda on a dampened cloth and wipe windows inside and out.
56. Add to water to soak dried beans to make them more digestible.
57. Add to water to remove the "gamey" taste from wild game.
58. Use to sweeten sour dishcloths.
59. Use dry with a small brush to rub canvas handbags clean.
60. Use to remove melted plastic bread wrapper from toaster. Dampen cloth and make a mild abrasive with baking soda

Thursday, April 22, 2010

True Happiness

True Happiness

 
True happiness may be sought,

Caught, or thought,

But never bought.


Happiness is the result of being

Too busy to be unhappy.


 
No one can define happiness.

You have to be unhappy to

Understand it.


Genuine happiness is when a wife

Sees a double chin on her husband's

Old girlfriend.

 
Happiness does not come from

What you have.

But what you are.

 
Happiness is where you find it

And seldom where you seek it.

 

Happiness is home brewed.

The surest path to happiness

Is in losing yourself in a cause

Greater than yourself.



The place to be happy is here,

The time to be happy is now,

The way to be happy is to

Make others so.



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Great Ideas for Kids to do for MOM ... Mothers Day is coming!



Mothers Day is a special day for honoring Mothers through out the world. The Mother's Day holds great significance for all of us. As usual, the Mothers Day 2010 will be celebrated on May 09th, 2010 in the U. S. whereas the U. K. will celebrate the Mothering Sunday (Mother's Day) , 2010 on date March, 14th



World's Best Mom Certificate certificate
http://www.freeprintablecertificates.net/showcover/world_best_mom_certificate_heart


Mothers Day printable coloring pages
http://www.freeprintablecoloringpages.net/category/Mothers_Day


Kids Central...Many Fun things to do
http://www.kidsturncentral.com/holidays/mothers/momday.htm


Billy Bear Cards, word searches, Momma Screen savers
http://www.billybear4kids.com/holidays/mother/mom.htm



Mothers Day Crafts
http://www.mothersdaycelebration.com/mothers-day-crafts.html

http://www.enchantedlearning.com/crafts/mothersday/

http://holidays.kaboose.com/mothers-day/

http://www.dayformothers.com/

http://www.holidays.net/mother/crafts.htm

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Freebies/Coupons/Surveys for today!!

Free Mrs. Budd's Shepard Pie

Survey For A Free Mrs. Budd's Shepard Pie
Click the survey link on the bottom left corner of the page. At the end of the survey you can choose to receive a $3.00 Check or a coupon for a FREE Mrs. Budd's Shepherd's Pie


http://app.icontact.com/icp/sub/survey/start?sid=4329&cid=301655

http://buddfoods.com/




Free iPad Cleaning Cloth
http://www.themissingcloth.com/free-ipad-cloth




Free Tender Moments Collage at Sears
Sears is offering a printable coupon good for a free Tender Moments Collage. There is no session fee

Special Offers - searsportrait.com

http://www.searsportrait.com/cpi/en-US/offers/main/



FREE Sample of Eucerin Daily Skin Balance
http://instoresnow.walmart.com/enhancedrendercontent_ektid86827.aspx


Free Bottle Idol Tan Self Tanner (S/H)


Look Slimmer, Darker, And Feel Incredible. While most self-tanners and sunless tanning products leave an unattractive "orange" finish, only a few products actually give you that beach body you've always wanted. Just apply, get dressed and in several hours get ready to show off your new healthy sun kissed, celebrity tan to the world.

Promo code= "SPRINGPROMONB"

More than 1.3 million new cases of skin cancer were diagnosed in the United States last year so staying safe in the sun is more important than ever. Lucy Danziger joined "Good Morning America" to talk about how to get a safe suntan from a bottle.


Sunless tanning products are becoming increasingly popular as more people become aware of the harmful effects tanning outdoors, and want to maintain a healthy look without the time input or health risk.

TRY YOUR FREE BOTTLE TODAY S/H

Sample Pack Contains A Total Of 4 Reusable Covers, One Of Each Size
(Just pay $3.95 to cover the cost of shipping & handling)Small Size Reusable Cover– fits 2" to 5”, perfect for covering open cans of food, soft drinks and even pet food
Medium Size Reusable Cover– fits 4” to 9” plates, bowls and food containers
Large Size Reusable Cover– fits 9” to 14” dinner plates, serving bowls and casserole dishes
Extra Large Size Reusable Cover- fits 14” to 19” serving trays and platters.
PLUS CoverMate $1.00 OFF retail coupon
https://www.covermatetv.com/Default.aspx?did=738&refcode=covermate

More Pampers Points

•apr2010facebook (exp. 4/30/10)
•WELCOME2VILLAGE
•WELCOME2GTG2010
•OHAMANDAAWGTG08
•THRIFTYMOMMYGTG
•GROWWITHVILLAGE
•JOINTHEFUNGTG09
•XKCMYXFVD96VXVK
•GTGPLAY3USA2010
GTGSPRINGFREE10




My Site for Today

OLD VERSION
www.oldversion.com
Get all those older versions of your favorite programs

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Freebies I found today!!!!

Use promo code DVDONME for a free one-night rental* on Redbox!


Mr. Jim's Pizza Pizza http://www.facebook.com/ MrJimsPizza?v=app_349736107138
TO GET YOUR FREE PIZZA COUPON CLICK ON THE PIZZA OFFERS TAB DIRECTLY BELOW THIS POST. THEN CLICK ON GET MY CODE AND A NEW COUPON WITH A CODE WILL APPEAR. You do not have to print the coupon out, you can just write down the code. Then when you go online at 
mrjims.com to place an online order on the 15th of April just type the code in the coupon box. 



Free Kraft Macaroni & Cheese - Facebook
Kraft Macaroni & Cheese | Facebook
Become a Fan of Kraft Mac and Cheese on Facebook and then go to the Free Cheesy tab to submit for you coupon to be mailed to you.
http://www.facebook.com/ kraftmacaroniandcheese?v=wall





For the month of April, kids eat FREE at IHOP!


Kids Eat Free EVERYDAY from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Families who dine in at IHOP will receive one free Kid's meal with each adult entrée purchase
For more information please visit www.iHOP.com




Pot N Saucy Pasta
prep time 10 min 
total time 35 min 
makes 6 servings
 
Ingredients
 
1 lb. extra lean ground beef
1  onion, chopped
3 cups rotini or other bite size pasta, uncooked
3-1/2 cups  water
1 jar (26 oz.) spaghetti sauce
1 cup  sliced mushrooms
1 red pepper, chopped
1 cup  Mozzarella Cheese
 
Directions
 
BROWN meat large deep skillet; drain. Add onions; cook until tender.
 
STIR in pasta, water and sauce. Bring to boil; cover Simmer on low heat 15 min., stirring occasionally. Add vegetables; cook 5 min., stirring frequently.