Leap Day

 

Legal Help for Dogs

'Always pro bone-o.'

More on Bored Panda.  (Don't let Ruby read this...)

'Too late, Mom!'

Guns

 

This lunch lady would have...

More clever comebacks here, thanks to Bored Panda. Some of these are really funny.

The Best Soup In the World

    Mavis Butterfield, over at her blog, One Hundred Dollars A Month, offered a tomato soup recipe she said was a dead ringer for Panera's tomato bisque. I'm not sure about that. I do know that every time I've served it, even people who say they hate tomato soup practically lick the bowl.

It's that good. 

I'm going to give you Mavis' original version (which I followed faithfully the first time around) -- and mine. Both result in incredibly rich, tomato-y goodness.

Mavis's Copycat Panera Tomato Bisque

2 tablespoons olive oil
5 garlic cloves, minced
1 large white or yellow onion, diced
2 {28 oz} cans of peeled tomatoes, undrained
1 cup chicken stock
1 tablespoon sugar
1 teaspoon of dried basil or 6 large fresh basil leaves, chopped
1/4 teaspoon dried oregano

----------------------------------

1/4 cup half and half 

Parmesan cheese to sprinkle on top; Salt and pepper to taste

        Mavis' soup -- from One Hundred Dollars A Month

My riff on Mavis's recipe:

2 tablespoons olive oil, plus a tablespoon of butter

1 1/2 tablespoons dried garlic

1 large onion, diced

1 #10 can tomatoes (diced or whatever -- cheaper than buying 28 oz. cans)

3 chicken bouillon cubes  (plus a cup or so of hot water)

2 tablespoons sugar

1 teaspoon dried basil

1 teaspoon dried oregano

------------------------------------

1/2 cup whole milk

Parmesan cheese, plus salt and pepper to taste

* * * * * * *

Directions for both:  sizzle onion and garlic in the olive oil/butter for a few minutes...then dump everything but the last two line items in a big pot. Let cook slowly for about an hour, thinning if needed with a little water. Buzz the hot soup in a blender -- a handheld blender works even better. Stir in the half-and-half or milk, then add salt and pepper. Serve the soup with Parmesan cheese to sprinkle on top. (It's good cold, too.)

* * *( * * * *

The Brick, who like myself, grew up on Campbell's tomato soup (and didn't like it), LOVES this soup. I have to admit: it's pretty darn wonderful. It keeps in the fridge about a week, but freezes well. 

Makes enough for at 4-6 people, plus leftovers. 

Serve with a grilled cheese sandwich, Mavis' terrific Dutch Oven Bread or her Easy Naan Bread. Or go for the traditional accompaniment: saltine crackers.

Chicken noodle soup's good, too!

Monday Stuff On the Way to Other Stuff: Clearing Out, Finishing Up

    After a fun couple of birthday days for the Brick, it was back to work. The Brick also spent a few afternoons ferrying around a friend who had a hip replacement -- and researching a future repair on the truck. I put stuff away and worked on reports. Exciting, huh...but all were necessary. 

    More of same this week, too.

The snow is gradually melting, with sunny days...but a bitter wind and occasional snowflakes keep the outdoors chilly. It IS trudging toward spring, isn't it? 

Meanwhile:

Weird history facts -- that are true!

The wreck of the ship Nemesis found -- lost for 120 years near Australia.

A two-year wait for this hotel room in Austria -- but it looks like it's well worth it, at $85/night. (Breakfast is included, too, but you'll have to share a bathroom with others.)

Free piano music for all levels! The only 'free' site that didn't give me the runaround, or try to sign me up for a 'free' trial.

Insiders reveal some interesting corporate secrets.

Favorite childhood meals remembered. Quorans look back with nostalgia.

This veteran faked a need for a wheelchair for years -- and collected hundreds of thousands in benefits. He even wheeled out of a meeting, rolled up to his vehicle, got out -- and put the wheelchair in the back before driving off!

Here's a weird one -- someone donated a 14-carat Lego mask to a thrift shop! (Bids for it are up to $11,000-plus, according to the article.)

Turning the tables on the scammers... including revealing their faces. 

Edward Avedisian's $50-million-plus donation to BU...on a modest musician's salary. 

The story of the schooner Jenny -- her crew was still on board. Frozen solid.

The sad story of Henry Worsley's 2015 Antarctic expedition. 

Wonderful go-to recipes for dinner parties.  Yay, Quora!

Don Henley is suing to get his 'Hotel California' written lyrics back -- after they were 'borrowed' by a writer decades ago.

'Genius' decisions by people.  (Yup, foolish ones.)

A rather unnerving look at President Biden's schedule and habits,  through the eyes of his aides.

A man dies from a gila monster bite! This hasn't happened in decades. 

Photos from Robert Peary's 1909 expedition -- crystal-clear!

"What's the most condescending advice you've ever received from someone who assumed you weren't ----- ?"  Quora answers can be VERY interesting!

A new use for fabric softener sheets -- faux granite countertops!

And while you're pondering that... a household mix that will keep your shower grout sparkling clean.

Taking care of your family should have first priority -- even if it means taking a 'lesser' job for a while. And I agree!  (From Financial Samurai)

Have a great week. 

Or Quilts...

 

...or maybe Bigfoot. Who knows.

Do You Need A Million Bucks Before You Can Retire?

     

I thought you'd enjoy this 'blast from the past' about the Brick's retirement. Did he (or we) do it with a million dollars in our bank account? Far from it...in fact, our finances have increased substantially since the Blessed Event.  (P.S. I haven't retired yet. Probably never will.)

Plenty of financial experts announce that 'you need a million dollars in your coffers in order to retire.' Do you believe them?

     Guess what? It isn't true. 

      My husband, known hereafter as the Brick, has been officially retired since September 2015. It was the cap to an interesting series of careers:
     *first, as a student after 6 years in the Navy (poor pay, but help with college costs)
     *a mechanical engineer, often for military contractors (terrific pay)
     *a controls engineer, for the University of Colorado (also great pay)

      Then, after 60-80-hour workweek and exhaustion, he became:
      *a school bus driver.  (awful pay)

      After thirteen years, most of them at less than $20,000 annually, he'd finally worked his way up to designing the computer system that tied the Transportation department together. (reasonably good pay) But it increasingly meant dealing with politics and people...people he didn't always agree with. When the stress started to resemble his previous exhaustion, he took the obvious choice:

      He retired. Not long after his 60th birthday.

      Our finances aren't even remotely in the million-dollar department. But over the years, we'd made several decisions that really helped:

      *The Brick qualified for a pension. He didn't have enough time put in to qualify for PERA, the Colorado version of the state pension fund. That meant meant paying for a few extra years of service -- but we had the money to do so. (I'll explain how shortly.)
      The pension was one of the benefits that kept him working for the state, instead of going back to private work. We chose the option that gave us less for now -- but guarantees me his payment, if something were to happen to him.

      *I kept on working at my job. I have a company, Brickworks LLC, that sells quilting and craft products online, including my own books. (I've written six, so far.) I write articles on a wide variety of subjects. I'm a personal property appraiser of more than two decades...a national judge...and I teach about quilting around the country. It's only part-time, except for the writing. But I love what I do.





      *We had no debt...except the final payments on a car loan. And that was paid within six months of the Brick's retirement. Over 33+ years of marriage, we had no credit card debt, although we used our credit cards for everything from groceries to medical bills. The reason: we paid the cards off every month. No matter what.

      *Our house was paid off. Completely.  We'd sold one house before this one -- and since we paid extra on the balance, had a hefty down payment to make on House #2. That, combined with more scrimping, plus a welcome inheritance from the Brick's mom, let us clear away the mortgage years early.

      *We gradually saved up money in 401(k)s -- and took advantage of every employer's match. Even if we couldn't 'afford' it at the time. When we got raises or windfalls, those were carefully put away to cover expenses for emergencies and taxes.

      *We knew how to work -- at several different jobs. And were willing to keep on doing it. Over the years, the Brick and I have taken on everything from dogwalking to catering, working at Home Depot and Wal-Mart, scrubbing out toilets to home repair.
     Not only are we both capable of doing a number of different things -- we're not afraid of doing so. If it's honest work, and not immoral, we'll consider doing it. Most of all:

      *We knew how to live frugally. Although the Brick made good money while engineering, his pay while bus-driving was less than $20,000 annually -- and that included what I could contribute to the pot. The only way to make it work was following the age-old principle:
              Spend less than you earn. No matter what.

     *That meant buying EVERYTHING at a bargain. Groceries were purchased on sale or discount -- or I made them, using basic foodstuffs. (I also grew a garden, whenever possible.) We raised our own rabbits -- then later on, chickens. Our family hunted deer and elk.

Daughter #2, doing her part to add to the family larder

      I bought most of our clothes at deep discount -- or the thrift shop. (This wasn't as much of a burden as it seems: we live in one of the most prosperous counties in the country, and thrift shop offerings were often of high-end brands and quality.) Our furniture was given to us, purchased on sale or via Craigslist.
      We bought our major appliances the same way -- after we'd done a great deal of research to find the most reliable brands. We purchased two houses, only after doing our homework again, including visiting dozens of homes and carefully bargaining.
      The savings weren't that much by themselves. But over the years, they added up to tens of thousands of dollars.  And they definitely helped ease the Brick's path in the last few years.

      *Even now, we still make our money stretch. Health insurance that's hundreds of dollars cheaper a month. (The Brick found that one recently.) A seniors pass that gets us into national parks for the rest of our lives: $10. (It's going up to $80 by the end of 2017, by the way. If you're 62 or over, buy it now.) Plane and cruise tickets for rock-bottom prices. A 30-foot trailer that will eventually become our permanent home...and the sturdy truck to pull it by. (The trailer's a done deal -- we saved at least $5,000 or more. The truck's still in process. We may have to drive to North Dakota to get it at the right price, but it will be worth it.)
      No savings is too small...because it means we have to work that much less to cover the expense.

     And finally:
     *We love adventures and pleasures, small and large -- but we choose them together. And the best ones are often the least expensive. Driving through Divisa, Panama. (And talking our way out of a ticket for, of all things, making a left-hand turn off the highway. It's illegal there!) Hiking in the mountains, then drinking coffee at night by the fire. (Maybe even hearing the rain patter at night on our tent -- one of the coziest sounds of all, if you're dry.) Late nights watching a movie, homemade caramel corn in hand, knowing we don't have to get up at dawn's crack for work. Teasing our silly dogs, Charley and Abby, as we snuggle in bed on a snowy morning.

Sir Charles, at his zaniest.

      Now that the Brick is retired, he can occasionally go on teaching gigs with me -- which meant that our trips to Oklahoma City and North Carolina were paid for. We take separate jobs now and then, which gives us time apart -- and helps us appreciate the time we get to be together.

Could we have saved more money?  Of course. You always can. In fact, we're still saving some.

Could the Brick have kept on working longer? He'd originally planned to -- it just didn't pan out.

Are we happy, retiring earlier?

You bet.

   

Secret Confessions

 ... like this one:

I find this particularly interesting. My dear little daughters used to call each other "vaca" (cow) until I put a stop to it. At least publicly.

More from Bored Panda here.

Monday Stuff On the Way to Other Stuff: Birthday Week

     The Brick's birthday is Tuesday...Happy Birthday to him! 

This remarkable guy has been in my life for nearly 43 years...and I don't know what I'd do without him. Ruby, either...we both love him very much.

Meanwhile:

Cheerful memes -- that will cheer you up, too.

"Don't be like me" -- interesting advice from Shaq to Kelce. (And us.)

Sometimes living from paycheck to paycheck temporarily can save you enough -- to get out of that pattern.  (From Financial Samurai)

The stripper who accused the college lacrosse players of rape... is now in jail for stabbing her boyfriend to death. Did you know the 'rest of the story?/' (I didn't.) Her story is actually WAY more complicated than this article implies. What a messy, wasted life...and it's all everyone else's fault. (Or so she says.)

Favorite hangover foods.  Biscuits & gravy?!?

The Vietnam War POW who fooled his captors into thinking he was an idiot -- and memorized 256 names of fellow POWS. (He did it to the tune of "Old McDonald," and can still recite them today.)

Feedsacks -- an interesting exhibit at one of the Depression's most useful textiles.

'I'm a "trailerpark mom" on a limited budget. Here's how I do it, foodwise.'

'Six families -- what we spent in a month.'  This is a NY Times article, so you may have to sign in for a free account -- but it's worth it, at least for this post.  P.S. They spend a LOT.

A preserved egg found -- with liquid still inside -- buried in Great Britain during Roman times!

The sad story of the guys in Monty Python and all their terrible, financially-strained lives.  (Where did all the money go??)

I have a Modest Proposal -- let's have EVERY MEMBER OF CONGRESS and EVERY CABINET FIGURE, as well as our President -- take the 'gold standard cognitive test!'  It sure couldn't hurt...

A closer look at tricks and phrases Nigerian scammers use on their victims. 

Protecting your money better in (and from) banks, according to Kevin O'Leary.

The extended cut of that very silly (and funny!) Ben Affleck Dunkin' Donuts commercial. What can I say...

Meatless meals, from a specialist:  The Prudent Homemaker. I'm planning on her 'chicken' fried steak this week for a vegetarian friend. 

Interesting things noted in the 2024 Oscars class photo -- including Godzilla!

Something you CAN do about squatters in Florida, thanks to a little-known law. 

A very effective strategy for making your grocery money go further.  (From My Tireless Retirement)

Reality checks for entitled kids. 

The Arlington, which sank in 1940 with its captain still on board, is found, deep in Lake Superior.

Barney the purple dinosaur weighs in -- for the first time since 2010.  Does this mean he's coming back?

Have a great week. 

True, Dat.

 This is more true than I would care to admit.

Secret Weapons That Keep the Money Coming In -- the Redux

 ...not to mention, getting ahead! 

This was published several years ago, and I thought it worth repeating. I still use these to help us save money! Here's the post, slightly edited and updated.

I wrote some posts earlier, about staying out of debt -- and ways to get yourself out if you were.
    I promised myself that I'd share some of my secret weapons -- tricks I use over and over to keep our household budget balanced, with money stashed for the future. They're particularly important, now that my income has gone down some, and the Brick is officially retired. (Two weeks and running.)
    Our income took a nosedive when he retired, but I am not griping -- he is feeling and acting so much better already. But his body decided to give him one more smackdown first...earlier this week, he started feeling much like he had when his liver shut down, and he spent a week in the hospital. I was frightened...shoot, he was frightened. With God's grace and a dose of antibiotic, though, he is starting to come out of it.
     I am so grateful. 

The lower income is not terrifying -- we've lived on less before. But it does mean that we have to carefully consider any expenses -- and I must pay attention to how much I'm spending for food, decorating...and the business. And that's where the secret weapons come in:

*A small side job, preferably a regular one. For me, it's piano lessons. I've had anywhere from 1-6 students, each paying up to $15 weekly. (Yes, I know. That's cheap for lessons -- I don't do it to make a lot of money. I do it to hopefully pass on the music.) Even if they cancel, due to sickness or traveling (we take off August and December, too), that's $30-45 weekly. It helps fill in gaps, pays for some extras, and gives me money for guilt-free presents for the Brick.

    Even $10 extra every other week can add up. Possibilities:

    Mowing yards or shoveling sidewalks
    Babysitting (even if just filling in when the regular sitter is on vacation)
    Ironing (my mom used to do this for extra money)
    Selling meals or baked goods  (or swapping them for what's needed)
    Picking up/dropping off people from the airport  
    Dog-sitting or dogwalking (Daughter #1 pays for her college this way)
    Church nursery   (many churches are looking for people to fill, for MOPS especially)
    Selling items you've picked up cheaply at library sales, garage sales and the thrift shop 

    Once you get a regular customer and do a good job, they'll help spread the word. But there's also Craigslist and community clipboards.

We also sell eggs -- which pays for the chickies' feed and straw, plus some leftover.
     I am flirting with the idea of going to our local pizza joint, and offering to work one day a week, plus filling in for vacations and sick days. I've noticed they have a fairly high turnover, and could probably use the help. Plus I'm hoping for free leftover pizza! Call it silly, but I have always wanted to work in a pizza place. (And, knowing me, write about it...can't help myself.)
     Keep this money separate. Use part of it to help fund your savings, then stash the rest in a tin. (I use a sugarbowl, as a joke.) 'Found money' goes here, too. It will build up.

A special mug might be fun, too.

*Clearance sections. If you're not checking at the grocery store every time you stop in for milk, you're wasting prime opportunities to save. Grocery stores are not allowed to sell spoiled food -- if something tastes 'off,' then bring the label next time you stop in, and ask for your money back. My local King Soopers has marked-down areas in deli, meat, seafood, dairy...and canned/boxed foods plus produce. The local Safeway has a clearance area for freezer items, too.
     Don't forget the floral section, either. I just bought a dozen roses for a dear friend who lost her father: $3.00. (One rose had accidentally snapped off in the bunch.) Sprouts has especially good deals on flowers -- they'll mark plants and bouquets down to 99 cents.
     Best time to check: Wednesday night isn't bad, for 'old' sale items. I do best, though, late on Sunday evenings. More ideas here, too.

     There's also the discount outlet store. Ours is 45 min. drive away, though, and only open on Fridays and Saturdays. However, it's not far from the drive to see Daughter #2 in Boulder. Guess what days I often choose to go visit her? {Darn: this store closed back in 2019 -- but we've found Sunshine Salvage, an Amish surplus store near Alamosa, that's almost as good.)

*Going 'tomorrow.' This is a new weapon that's been surprisingly effective. If I need something, I'll put it off until 'tomorrow,' when I can get it for a better price...or make a trip with several errands, instead of just one. The one exception: when your coupon or the sale is about to expire. (If your freezer is full, and it's an especially good price, odds are excellent that the item will not be in stock on the last day. Get a raincheck, instead -- and let the store 'keep' your item until you're ready for it.)
     This also encourages you to adapt recipes (often with better results!) and see if you really need that item, after all. Often, you don't.
      
*Stocking up on things you use over and over...IF they're at a great price. Canned soup, chicken feed, toilet paper and frozen pizza all fall into this category. (This is where the extra money you earned from that occasional job comes into play.)

*Want to see the latest movie? Here's where 'tomorrow' plays in. Go to the discount show...or wait until it hits the dollar movie theater. (Or look for a good Groupon deal.) Watch it on video...borrowed from the library. Or if you really want  your own copy, buy it on Amazon, or at Wal-Mart's or Tar-jay's  Black Friday sales.

*Buy high quality only if you're going to use it regularly Otherwise, dollar store stuff works just fine. (I do buy classier items, like paper napkins, at discount places like Tuesday Morning.)
    This applies to clothing (especially sweaters and boots), tools, things like that. And, if possible:

*Buy your high quality items on sale...or used. If there's a good sale, that's great. (Especially after-season items...summer clothes and beach gear are on deep discount right now.) But if you buy high-end items used, odds are good that any potential problems have already been repaired. All you're out is the 'new car' smell -- and often you've saved a LOT. If you can use that item over a period of years, you'll save even more.
     Do your research. (We bought our Subaru Outback this way -- for such a steal that the local dealer kept trying to buy it from us.) Find the brands, makes and models with the best reputations, then look for them at:

*Thrift shops or Craigslist spots in high-income areas: one of your best weapons. These people have money to burn -- or spend like they do. Let them break in that cashmere sweater or portable sander...then you swoop in and generously take it off their hands. (If it's Craigslist, never pay first. ALWAYS dicker; you can pay full price later on, if you must.) 

*Borrowing --and lending -- with people you can trust. Good friends and family members are tops on this list, but we also swap dog-sitting and checking-on-the-house duties with neighbors. Reciprocating is important here. So are sharing items you've gotten a bargain on -- like the boxes of peaches we just got on our trip to the Western Slope. (One of our neighbors never returns a dish without including cookies or a loaf of bread in it. Another just stopped by, with a bouquet of lilies and a "Happy Fall" note -- now, that's the kind of thank-you I like!)

*Do it yourself. Berries, deer meat, greens...all make regular appearances in our kitchen. No, we do not live on a country estate -- Home Depot's roof is just down the hill from our place. But we do have a backyard with a chicken coop in one corner, and a garden in the other. (If you live in the city, grow your spinach and rosemary in a pot on your windowsill.)

    Make your own repairs, sew on your own buttons...and if something is beyond your capability, swap with someone who knows how. (And loves cheesecake, or needs his dog walked.) If you don't know anyone like that, ask your friend at work...or your neighbor...or somebody at church. You'll find just the person you need --with not that much effort.

*Never miss a chance to research and plan ahead. Thinking about going to see your mom in the near future? You should be looking NOW for good plane tickets. (Frontier and others have had some interesting $29-plus offers lately.)
     Planning on turkey for Thanksgiving? Forecasters are saying that since turkey flocks have been hard-hit with sickness lately, turkey prices will be going up 20% -- or more. If you're getting one, you might want to buy it now. (Or think about serving ham, instead -- hogs are overstocked, according to the same forecasters.)
     You'll find the best vacation pricing this way -- the best sales on computers to cars -- and have what you need (and can afford) for gifts, home decorating and future plans -- IF you think ahead. (I kind of enjoy this, too...it's like seeing the floor already tiled or the living room painted, or taking a vacation even before you hop on the train.)

*Unclutter -- then repurpose. I have been cleaning off shelves lately...and finding everything from dozens of shipping envelopes (my staffer thought we were out) to a pair of heavy wool hunting socks, still in their original packaging. (Those will go in Keith's Christmas pile.) Extra items can be donated, and the cost taken off your taxes. Other items can be stripped down -- a high-end silk blouse, for example, often gives you a yard or so of fabric, plus quality buttons to reuse. In the Desperate Old Days, people would buy damaged wool sweaters, unravel them, and re-knit or crochet into gloves and scarves. If that mohair sweater is too small, why couldn't you, too?

And the best weapon of all?

*Be willing to adapt. Sometimes that change out of necessity ends up being the best thing that could happen to you.

   

The Most AMAZING Garden Tour in Vegas!

I have been reading Brandy Simper's blog, The Prudent Homemaker, for years. She regularly feeds several kids and her husband from a garden that bountifully combines veggies, fruit and flowers...on little money and less water. 

Brandy's growing things are beautifully kept -- and just plain beautiful. Now that our landscape is pretty much tan and/or white, all the colors and textures (not to mention the lemons and fresh greens) are a real encouragement to this color-starved Coloradoan.

Now YOU can visit Brandy's garden, and see how she does it!

 She is opening her garden for a tour and class on March 9, in the morning. If you live in the Las Vegas area, or are planning on visiting during this time, it's a budget-priced chance to learn a LOT from an experienced gardener. Frankly, if we lived closer, I'd be there, too. 

This page will tell you more.  Brandy's Facebook page is also helpful. I love visiting her Instagram page, to see what's currently blooming and/or ready to pick. 

Our frost dates are much longer than hers. but it gives me hope that even for us too, spring will come. 

Brandy Simper photo - yes, from her garden.

Happy Valentine's Day!

 

          (photo from Taste of Home)

A loving shoutout to the friends and family who are dear to me, including these two:

Gentle Readers, you're part of that group. Thanks so much for hanging around. 

I'm grateful to you -- from the bottom of my heart.

Dogged Devotion

 

Monday Stuff On the Way to Other Stuff: Church Potlucks - And Updates

 Still here, and putzing away.

We spent a good chunk of last week going to LNCQ (thanks, guild members!), doing some appraising and attending the Southern Rocky Mountain Agriculture Conference. That meant we weren't home as much as either of us liked...although we had a heck of a time getting out of the garage, after the foot of snow dumped last week. Chains, four wheel drive and a lot of shoveling finally got the driveway usable. But the Brick says, and I agree, we need to look for a lightweight snowplow to attach to the truck! 

Today was a potluck. Our church, Calvary Blanca, hosts these once a month. We appreciate it, having come from Creekside (and Central) in Castle Rock, who were -- and are -- famous for their potlucks. (The original church site was on a garbage dump donated by the town. The building was constructed by the men in the church, who contributed their labor after work each night. The women would bring their supper dishes...and combine them for the most amazing potlucks.)

    I have been fascinated by my fellow church members' choices in food. The San Luis Valley is famous for potatoes -- and each potluck we've gone to has a high proportion of potato dishes. The other dominator is green chilies -- we're not far from Hatch and/or New Mexico in general. In fact, there are so many Hispanics in our county that I feel like I stick out too much when getting groceries or shopping at Walmart. The plus side to this is some incredibly delicious Mexican and green chili dishes. After all, Colorado is famous for its green chili. (Did you know that?)

A lot of writing and research needed to get done, so I wasn't able to collect as much Stuff as usual. Maybe next week. 

These aren't green chilies -- but they're tasty, too.

P.S. Oh and the Chiefs won the Superbowl in overtime against the 49ers. (Sorry, neighbors Laurie and Mike...)

And Gronk missed the field goal kick. Again.

Want to be a lighthouse keeper?  Here's your chance. (Applications are due by 12/31.)

Fifteen appetizers -- easy to make, and they look delicious.

Wait a second -- I thought we were being told that inflation of any kind wasn't happening! But 'shrinkflation' is? (And yes, if you buy groceries, you know it's true.)

Iffy Valentine's Day moments. Good for plenty of oddities,  including this one:

Beauty queen scandals -- a surprising number of these aren't really public knowledge. Weird.

A hundred movies everyone should see in their lifetime. Brian Viner's opinion, anyway. 

Self-awareness...from a chatbot?  This could get very scary -- fast.

Kamala Harris states she's "ready to serve."  Gee, I feel so much better, knowing this.

Stephen King's ten favorite novels. (We just watched the superb Cell...and I was curious.)

Wolf packs have been doing just fine in the Chernobyl area. In fact, the wolves have adapted much better to levels of high radiation than researchers thought they would. (Dogs, too.) Could this help cancer sufferers who need radiation therapy??

'Fascinating facts' -- and some weird ones, too.

The Vesuvius Challenge: some of the charred scrolls unearthed in Herculaneum are now readable, thanks to advanced techniques.

Great British dishes -- 27 recipes to try, courtesy of Kitchn.com. (Sausage rolls are high on my list. But I'll need to make some puff pastry.)

An interesting discussion of the 'Biden age question:'  posed by CNN! I am very curious to see where all this goes in the near future. 

And because I can't help myself -- a very funny Ben Affleck commercial for Dunkin' Donuts. (Poor Matt Damon.)

Have a great week. 

Duck!!

 

Figures...

 

25 Ways to Save A Buck or Two This Year

Over the years, I've continued to collect ways to economize a few dollars here, a few there. Some will save you much more than that! Here are 25 for your files.

Purchases -- And Holidays:

1.  Always dicker. This is a given if you're dealing with private sellers at garage sales, or on Craigslist. You may save a few bucks -- or considerably more. (If that doesn't work, try getting something extra thrown in, for the same price.)

2.  Buy it after...or just before. Christmas items have traditionally been priced 50% less after Dec. 25 -- but an increasing number of stores are offering the same discount a day or two earlier. Live Christmas trees are a good example; they take a huge dive in price Dec. 17 or later. (For more Christmas savings, go here.)

3.  Don't forget that lesser-celebrated 'holidays' are important for sales, too. Superbowl Sunday is often heralded by lower prices on televisions, especially large-screen ones. Columbus Day can be big for furniture.

4.  Think month by month. Sales often follow a seasonal pattern, like linens (especially sheets and towels) in January. Late May (especially Memorial Day weekend) is famous for appliance sales -- but also has its share of fix-it specials like paint and tools, for people who are tidying up. Take a look at this schedule for suggestions.

5.  'Back to school' sales are great. Don't wait for Labor Day, though -- most schools now start in early August! Some specials even start in mid-July.  You'll find outstanding deals on office supplies, computers and printer ink, and furniture and linens. Great prices on kids' backpacks and other items, too.

6.  If the holiday is famous for [insert item] -- don't buy it then. (See #2.) Red roses are synonymous with Valentine's Day, for good reason: their 'Language of Flowers' meaning is "true love."  The only problem -- rose prices, especially for red ones, skyrocket around Feb. 14! You're much better off if you...

7.  Buy to last. Instead of roses (which often wilt in a few days), buy flowers that last a long time, like carnations and alstroemeria. Make the same decisions for items you use regularly. Spending more for quality brands in clothing, appliances and household furnishings means they won't wear out as quickly...so you'll have to replace them less. This is an excellent rule of thumb, unless:

8.  If it's more apt to be lost, buy 'good enough.' Gloves, sunglasses, travel mugs...anything that can quickly disappear falls into this category. (So do items like earrings, hairbands and other accessories, unless you've got a way to secure them.) How much good will a hundred-dollar pair of leather gloves do, if one has already fallen out of your coat pocket? 

9.  Are you -- or your child -- taking up a musical instrument? Rent one first, to see if you really enjoy it as much as you thought. Once you're sure, don't buy one from a music store, unless its prices are comparable with private sellers. Our secret weapon: pawnshops. (We bought a good-quality  trumpet, plus a violin, for less than half the retail price.)

10.  If you can -- wait on large purchases. A few weeks may give you the chance to find it cheaper -- or let you decide you didn't need it, after all. (You'll have time to save more, as well.)

11.  Some items are best rented. (See #8.) This includes rototillers and chippers, plumbers' snakes (for clogged pipes), chairs and tables for fancy events -- anything you'll use once a year, or less. Check rental companies -- or even better, talk to the neighbor who owns one.

Food:

12.  Make it yourself.  Yogurt needs little more than a quart of milk, a heating pad, a cup of active-culture yogurt to get things started, and a few minutes of your time -- at a fraction of the cost. (You can control your own toppings and sweeteners, too.) Bread, casseroles, even items like breakfast burritos and homemade noodles are easily made, and cost much less.

13.  Buy local. Buy in season.  Or grow it yourself! (See 'Gardening' below.) Your food will be fresher and cheaper, too.
     Or scavenge from trees and bushes whose fruit isn't being used. (Ask politely first.) In Hawaii, any fruit trees on public land along the roads are up for grabs -- first one there gets the harvest!

14.  Check price per ounce or pound. Larger 'economy' containers may actually cost more than a smaller size...one of manufacturing's dirty little secrets today. Also, don't assume that just because you bought it at a discount store, that item is going to be at the lowest price. (It isn't always.) Check the same item at other stores in your area. (Some, like Amy Dacyzyn of Tightwad Gazette fame, even advocate keeping a price book of the items you use most.)


15.  Make soup. A lot. It helps you use up bits and pieces, leftovers and scraps. And with a slab or bread, a biscuit and some cheese, it's a satisfying meal. (More food savings ideas are here.)

Gardening:


16.  Plant what grows best -- or produces a lot -- in your area. Zucchini has a reputation for producing like crazy -- but that also means an abundance of food at a small price. (Pick the zukes small, and they'll be sweet and tender.) Green beans grow well in many neighborhoods; so do tomatoes. (Although our high-altitude Colorado area is tough on tomatoes. Too many cold nights.)

17. Include 'food' plants in your flowerbeds. Runner beans and snow peas make an attractive backdrop on a trellis for flowers. Lettuce, kale and multi-colored chard are lovely accents -- and edible.

18.  Choose perennials or bulbs. These come back year after year, and often can be divided for additional plants. Some of the best buys are offered as small plants, along with other 'annuals:' good candidates are pinks (otherwise known as dianthus), daisies and dusty miller. Many herbs are perennials which will spread, given time -- mints, lavender and thyme. Strawberries will also start baby plants, using vining 'runners.' 

19. Pick plants that reseed themselves. Larkspur, coreopsis, poppies and cosmos, once planted, will drop their seed to the ground, come fall, then reappear the next spring. (We've also had good results from dill, bachelor's buttons and snapdragons. More info here.) Or harvest the seed or bulbs yourself from plants like hollyhocks and zinnias (seeds) or grape hyacinths (bulbs), then replant to spread them in different parts of your garden.

Travel:

20.  Don't make reservations.  This lets you take advantage of specials -- and special places -- as you find them. (More on this, plus other travel tips here.)

21.  Take the train overnight -- and save on a hotel room. Amtrak offers comfortable 'Family Bedrooms' that fit two adults and two children. The private spaces includes comfortable seats during the day, fold-down berths at night, and access to toilet and showers, with fresh linens and towels, and personal service. An added bonus: Meals are included!
     Make the same trip in one of Amtrak's coach seats for much less. I've slept reasonably well on these seats, as well as on Megabus, which specializes in overnight travel for surprisingly low prices.

22.  If you're staying at a hotel or B&B, get breakfast included. If you can't, find an inexpensive cafe nearby...or carry six or so protein bars in your luggage. Include it with the coffee or tea provided by your lodging. (Bars, along with microwave popcorn, beef jerky, and other lightweight items, also make a convenient late-night snack -- or keep you going when a meal isn't readily available.)

23. Look for multi-course meal specials. In Mexico, this is the comida corrida , a homestyle luncheon often connected with the menu del dia, or 'menu of the day.' Peru simply calls it menu ("men-oo"). Ireland's best buys are early-bird meals good from about 5-6:30 p.m., and half the price of what you'd pay an hour or so later. A little research will tell you what's possible where you're headed.

24.  Eat the local specialties. They're often cheaper, fresher and tastier than "safe" food. (If you're worried about stomach trouble, try an 'old wives remedy' that's gotten us through several countries -- a teaspoon of Pepto-Bismol, once a day.) Definitely take advantage of protein sources eaten by the locals; whatever they're having should be your choice, too.

25.  Learn the language...especially phrases like "Hello - how are you," "How much is ---," "Where is the bathroom," and the most important -- "Thank you." Think of yourself as an ambassador, representing your country. Speaking the language means a willingness to interact on their grounds...not yours. And that often translates to opportunities.

See what you can save this year, by just a few small changes.

For My Darling Husband...

 .... the Brick, who is still, by temperament and experience --

An engineer.

And I love him for it.

...and coffee.