Get a (Really) Free Credit Report, No Strings Attached

Many websites and TV commercials flaunt information about “free” credit reports and use gimmicks to rope you into paying for a credit report or a monitoring service. You can get a free credit report from the three major credit reporting companies, no strings attached!! Just go to www.annualcreditreport.com, Equifax, Experian and TransUnion will provide you with a free report once a year, just for asking! If you space your request, that’s one report every four months. It is wise to keep an eye on your report and check it for accuracy. If you would get your report by mail, just call 1-877-322-8228.

Save Pennys with Blue Dawn Dishwashing Liquid

Say "Hello" to a very versatile and surprisingly multi-purpose household product, Blue Dawn Dishwashing Liquid. Here are nine ways to save with Blue Dawn.

ICE PACK. Partially fill a strong zip-type sandwich bag with Dawn dishwashing liquid, close and freeze. Just to be safe, double bag it. Freeze. The liquid soap stays cold much longer and it can be re-frozen many times. It will conform to the place you need an ice pack.

BUBBLE PARTY. Combine ten parts distilled water and one part Dawn Dishwashing Liquid to make your own bubble solution. And add 1/4 part white corn syrup (like Karo) if you want to make more sturdy bubbles. Gather up things like clean soup cans that have both ends cut off orHula-Hoops with makeshift handles attached. If you want to, you can pour the solution into a plastic kiddy pool and make huge bubbles. Turn it into a scientific experiment and go on a hunt for bubble-making items in your kitchen. This is a super cheap idea that's lots of fun.

HAND DEGREASER. Forget those pricey automotive hand cleaners. Full strength blue Dawn Dishwashing Liquid cuts through grease and gets hands and nails clean with no harsh chemicals.

CLEAN AUTOMOTIVE TOOLS. Soak them in a solution of Dawn dishwashing liquid before you put them away to remove all the oil and grime. As a bonus Dawn will help prevent rust from forming on the tools.

MANICURE SECRET. Soak fingers in full-strength blue Dawn It makes the cuticles soft and easy to work with. And it removes the natural oil from the fingernails, which allows the polish to adhere very well.

REPEL ANTS. Spray countertops, cupboards and any other area where you see ants with a solution of Dawn and water. Wipe dry The slight residue of Dawn that remains will not be a problem at all for kids or pets, but ants hate it. Should you see a trail of ants, go ahead and hit them with the Dawn spray. You'll see. It will kill them.

BATHROOM CLEANER. Original blue Dawn Dishwashing Liquid has some kind of miraculous quality about it that makes it "melt" through stubborn soap scum and hideous build-up on showers and tubs, no matter whether porcelain, acrylic or fiberglass. Use it straight up and you'll bless the day you read this column.

HAIR PRODUCT BUILDUP. Once a month use original Dawn as you would shampoo. It will remove excess oil from your hair and scalp and strip away any build-up of styling products-without any damage. Perform this once a month and you won't have to buy expensive salon products that do the same thing.

STAIN SPOTTER. Original blue Dawn Dishwashing Liquid used full-strength gets just about any kind of spot out of washables. Keep a small squeeze bottle in the laundry room so it's always handy. Especially Ketchup!!!BONUS: Dawn Dishwashing Liquid is biodegradable, while other chemical solvents may not be.

Timing is Everything!

Different bargains can be found during different times of the year.

The best time to find a deal on the following:

Cars September
Computers July and August
Furniture January and July
Linens January
Major Appliances September and October
RV's Fall and Winter

Thrifty Tips

Tub Tips:
If you think your tube of toothpaste is empty, cut the tube in half and you will find enough past to last 5 or 6 more brushings.

Use baking soda as a toothpaste, it is just as good as store bought paste.

To remove stains from your teeth, occasionally brush with lemon juice.

Make your own mouthwash using a few drops of essence of peppermint and a pint of water. This costs a fraction of commercial mouthwashes.

Bath Sachets:
2 Cups ground up soap slivers
4 Cups fine rolled oats
1 Cup powered borax
2 t. sachet power

Mix all ingredients together and spoon into small squares of material, gather edges together and tie with a ribbon. This makes a cute, inexpensive gift. I you want a quick fix, spoon ingredients into an old sock, tie and toss in the bath.

Don't want to make bath sachets? Don't waste your soap slivers. Take a fresh bar of soap, prick holes in one side of the fresh bar and one side of the sliver. Wet both and press the soap tightly together for a minute and leave overnight. When using the "new" bar, use the side with the sliver first.

Make liquid soap with your soap slivers. Put the slivers into the blender with a little water. Blend on low until you are happy with the consistency, pour the liquid soap into a dispenser.

Why Do Middle-Class Americans Struggle

The Commerce Department recently reported that the national personal savings rate for 2006 slumped to the lowest level since the Great Depression. On Average, Americans not only spend all the money they make after taxes, but also are digging into their savings or putting more debt on their credit cards.

Many middle-class Americans struggle because of corporate greed, downsizing, outsourcing and out of control health care costs. While these are all legitimate problems and concerns, could it also be that we are not willing to give up our wasteful ways and current lifestyles?

Remember last January, before the Super Bowl? 2.5 million Americans went out and bought themselves a high-definition television set just for the game!! Add to that expense, and average of $49.00 per person was spent on related merchandise, food and beverages.

If you are an average, middle-class, hard working two family income household, do you think these are expenses that you could afford? Were you able to make ends meet after these expenditures?

It's A Tea Party!

If you’re a tea sipper like I am, you probably have dozens of tea bags laying around your house in your drawers and cupboards. Friends and family give me tea as gifts for all occasions. I pick up bags at restaurants, hotels and even send for free samples. Here are a few tips to help you save a few pennies and us up those extra bags of tea.

As an air freshener mix one quart brewed tea and four tablespoons lemon. Put in a spray bottle and shake well and spray!

Cold tea is an excellent cleaning agent for any kind of wood. Dampen a soft cloth with tea and gently clean your wood furnishings and molding.

Mix one part tea to one part double-strength beef stock as the liquid when making a pot roast or stew.

To accelerate the germination of seeds, mix two tablespoons of cold strong tea with each pound of seed. Cover and set in the frig for five days. Before sowing, spread the seeds out onto papers to dry and let dry.

To relieve minor burns, apply a wet tea bag directly to the burn.

Soothe canker sores by applying a wet tea bag directly on the sore.

Soothe tired eyes with cool bags of tea. Place bags over closed eyes and rest for 15 minutes.

Get relief from a sun burns by patting the burn with wet, cool bags of tea.

If you would like to add highlights to your red or brown hair, rinse your hair with brewed tea.

Quotes

Think what you do when you run in debt; You give to another Power over your Liberty.
Benjamin Franklin

They that go a-borrowing go a a-sorrowing.
John Clarke