Tip Hero

Create Your Own Money Saving News Channel in Google

2009-11-22T18:58:00+00:00

Google is one of the most powerful tools in my frugal toolbox. I've written about how I use Google Alerts to Save Money and 9 Ways I use Google to Save Money. I want to share with you a new way I use Google to save money.

I recently created my very own custom money-saving news channel in Google News. I'm always interested in learning new ways to save or stretch a buck and I find myself combing through lots of news stories. Now Google gives you the ability to create your own custom news channel based on your interests. So I decided to setup a custom news channel around frugality and money-saving tips. Setting up a custom news channel is very easy and only takes a minute. Here's what you need to do.

Step 1. First you'll need a Google account in order to save your preferences. Once you have your account, go to Google News. Then, on the right side of the homepage near the top, click on the "Add a section" link.

Step 2. You'll now be on the custom news directory page. You'll see a list of custom channels other folks have created. To create your own channel, click on the big blue button on the right side of the page that says: "Create a custom section".

Step 3. After clicking on the "Create a custom section" button, you are now ready to create your own custom news section. You'll see a form with several fields. Under the field labeled "Section title", give your news section a name. For example, I named mine "Money Saving News". Under the next field labeled "search terms", enter keywords related to the content that you want to appear in your custom channel. For my channel, I used a number of keywords, such as: frugal, money saving tips, penny pinching, saving money, coupons, energy savings -- and more. Use as many keywords as you want. Next, you'll want to select your edition. If you live in the United States, select "U.S." If you live in Canada, select "Canada". And so on. Under the "Source location" field, you can narrow it down even further by state (this is optional). I decided to keep mine at the national level, so I left the field blank. You can also choose to share your custom channel with others by clicking the check box at the bottom of the form. Go ahead and click the "Create" button. Now you've created your very own custom news channel in Google News.

Step 4. If you want to select where your custom news channel appears in the list, just click the "edit this page" link in the upper right-hand side of the page.

Step 5. To edit your channel, select your channel and click the "edit this section" button on the right-hand side of the page. You'll be able to add or remove keywords, as well as change the edition.

Creating your own custom money-saving news channel is fast and easy. It allows you to cut through the clutter and go straight to content in which you have a high degree of interest. One feature I wish Google had (and hope will add in the future) is the ability to use negative keywords. This would give the user greater control over what types of content appears in his/her channel.

Note that you can create several custom channels. I've created one for "Freebies & Samples" too. Another idea: Create a local news channel for sales, deals, coupons, or money-saving tips.

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Get Malcolm Gladwell's "What the Dog Saw" for Free

2009-11-18T04:12:00+00:00

Malcolm Gladwell's new book "What the Dog Saw" currently sits at number 11 on Amazon's top 100 bestsellers list. The book features a collection of Gladwell's articles from The New Yorker and will set you back $12. Gladwell also keeps an archive of all his articles from The New Yorker on his website. You can download these articles in PDF format for free here.

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Compare prices on other Malcolm Gladwell books:

Outliers | Tipping Point | Blink

Photo credit: Pop!Tech

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15 Things You Should Know about Safe Deposit Boxes

2009-11-17T02:21:00+00:00

I've had a safe deposit box for over a year now. When I first got mine I did some research on safe deposit boxes and thought I'd share some of what I found out.

1. Safe deposit boxes are pretty affordable. I have one that is roughly four inches high by six inches wide and two feet long, which costs me $20 per year. The larger the size the higher the price. Annual fees for boxes typically range in price from $20-$150.

2. The contents of a safe deposit boxes are not covered by FDIC insurance.

3. Store copies of important documents in multiple locations. Don't leave the only copy of an important document such as a will, mortgage, title, or insurance policy in your safe deposit box.

4. Seal documents in a zip lock bag or Tupperware for added protection. According to a few articles I've read, flooding is one of the most common hazards to safe deposit boxes.

5. If given the choice, choose a box that is higher up off the floor to give you greater protection from flooding.

6. Never store a passport or any document you might need to get a hold of in emergency in a safe deposit box. What would you do if you needed to get a hold of an important document in your box when the bank is closed.

7. When you first get your safe deposit box ask the bank if there is a number you can call to get access to your box in case of an emergency when the bank is closed.

8. Consider giving a trustworthy person such as a parent or sibling access to your safe deposit box in the event you become disabled or are out of the country and need access to an important document inside your box. This person will need to sign a signature card to gain access to your box.

9. Talk to your insurance agent to see whether your homeowners coverage extends to items in your safe deposit box.

10. Keep an inventory of what's in your safe deposit box and take a picture of the contents to help you with making a claim.

11. Make sure to pay the box rent as the contents of the box may be seized as unclaimed property by the sate if it goes unpaid.

12. When I opened up a safe deposit box the banker told me that it was illegal to store U.S. cash in your box. The banker said this is considered taking currency out of circulation which is against federal law. I read an online post by another commenter whose attorney and banker confirmed this. However, I don't believe it is widely known that you are not allowed to store cash in your safe deposit box. I asked my banker if you could store foreign currency in a safe deposit box but she didn't know. I assume it's ok.

13. Many people use safe deposit boxes to store precious metals like gold and silver. In the 1930's it became illegal to own gold and it was confiscated by the U.S. government. When you went to your box a bank representative would have to make sure there was no gold in your box. If there was, they confiscated it and paid you the prevailing price for your gold in cash. I don't believe this will happen again, for one thing, back in the thirties the dollar was pegged to gold which was the primary driver of the policy. We have since gone completely off the gold standard and the dollar is no longer pegged to gold.

14. If you just want to store copies of important documents you might want to consider an online safe deposit box as an alternative. Some banks are starting to offer these, but check the price because they can sometimes cost more than physical safe deposit boxes which doesn't make much sense to me. If you're not too concerned with security you could also store documents with an online e-mail service like gmail or Yahoo mail.

15. Safe deposit boxes are pretty popular. At one of my local banks not one single box was available. If you are considering getting a box you may want to enquire with your local bank as to availability and move quickly if there are only a few left.

Do you have any safe deposit box tips? Please share them in the comments below.

Photo credit: cliff1066's

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Host a 'Dustcatchers' Clothing Swap

2009-11-17T01:15:00+00:00

Every one has a lot of clothes that they do not wear and a lot of friends. Combine the two by hosting a Dustcatchers.

How it works is that you hold up the item and if someone wants it then she takes it. If more than one person wants the item you do the pick a number between one and ten game.

Typically there are more clothes than anything else. Men can come as well. Anything you don't want can be donated to a charity or brought back to the next Dustcatchers. It is a free yard sale.

When I host the Dustcatchers I serve ginger tea. Forget about food. the meetings should be swift. Encourage people not to give the whole story behind each item.

Homepage photo credit: Orin_Zebest

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If Eating Out is Your Form of Socializing

2009-11-17T00:47:00+00:00

We eat out often with friends, more for the commraderie and relationship than for the food. To cut costs without giving up the routine I sometimes just

order soup;
or forgo ordering an alcoholic drink or a soda and instead order water;
or order a baked potato or a baked sweet potato as my main course;
or order two or three side orders such as corn muffin, stewed apples, coleslaw or green beans;
or use a coupon;
or split a meal with my husband;

Afterward when driving around with the friends, go through the drive up at McDonald's we all order coffee to sip while enjoying each others' company.

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38 Clever Uses for Nail Polish (Reader's Digest)

2009-11-14T19:52:00+00:00

Nail polish remover exists because nail polish can be, um, well, tough to remove. But nail polish's durability also makes it quite useful in a number of interesting ways.

We came across an article from Reader's Digest that lists 38 clever uses for nail polish. There are a few major themes running through the list: Because it's hard to remove, you can use dark-colored nail polish to put marks on objects, such as making poison labels or marking sports gear (like golf balls). You can use clear nail polish to prevent smudging, and also use it to prevent rust and to provide a seal.

We pulled out some of the uses that caught our eye, but we recommend clicking through the link at the bottom of this post to view all 38 uses, as well as a few tips for how best to store the durable substance.

Around the House

Seal an Envelope - "...Brush a little nail polish along the underside of the flap, seal it, and it won't even open over a teakettle..."

Smudgeproof Important Drug Labels - "Reserve the important information on your prescription medicine and other important medicine labels with a coat of clear polish, and they won't be smudged as you grab them after getting your glass of water."

Prevent Rusty Toilet Seat Screws - "If you're installing a new toilet seat, keep those screws from quickly rusting. Paint them with a coat or two of clear nail lacquer..."

Compare Prices: Toilets

Protect Your Belt Buckle's Shine - "Cover new or just-shined belt buckles with a coat of clear polish. You'll prevent oxidation and guarantee a gleaming first impression."

Compare Prices: Belt Buckles

Paint Shaker Holes to Restrict Salt - "If your favorite saltshaker dispenses a little too generously, paint a few of the holes shut with nail polish..."

Seal Out Scuffs on Shoes - "On leather shoes, it's the back and toes that really take the brunt of the wear and tear that leaves scratches on the surface...Paint a little clear nail polish on the outside of the back seam and over the toes. Rub the polish in a little to feather out the shine of the polish. After it dries, you'll be a step ahead of those perennial shoe problems 'driver's heel' and 'jump rope toe.'"

Compare Prices: Shoes

Keep Laces from Unraveling - "...Dip the ends in clear nail polish and twist the raveled ends together. Repair laces in the evening so that the polish will dry overnight..."

Compare Prices: Shoelaces

In the Sewing Room

Make Needle Threading Easier - "...Try dragging the cut thread end through the application brush of nail polish once or twice, and then roll the thread end between your thumb and forefinger. It will dry in a second, and your thread end stays stiff enough to thread in a flash..."

Stop a Run in Your Hose - "...you can stop runs permanently and prolong the life of fragile stockings with a dab of clear nail polish. Simply apply polish to each end of a run (no need to remove hose), and let it dry. This invisible fix stops runs, and lasts through many hand launderings."

Making Repairs

Stop a Windshield Crack from Spreading - "If you've developed a small crack in your windshield, stop it cold with some clear polish. Working in the shade, brush the crack on both sides of the glass with polish to fill it well. Move the car into the sun so the windshield can dry. You will eventually need to repair your windshield, but this will give you time to shop around for the best estimate."

Fill Small Nicks on Floors and Glass - "Have the children been playing hockey on your hardwood floors? Fill those little nicks by dabbing them with some clear nail polish. It will dry shiny, so sand the spot gently with some 600-grit sandpaper..."

Keep Chipped Car Paint from Rusting - "If your car suffers small dings and chips, you can keep them from rusting or enlarging by dabbing clear nail polish onto the damaged areas."

Mend Holes in Window Screens - "You notice a small hole has been poked in your window or door screen. If the hole is no more than about 1/4 inch (6 millimeters) in diameter, you can block the bugs and keep the hole from getting bigger by dabbing on a bit of clear nail polish."

Tighten Loose Screws - "You're not rough with your drawers and cabinets, but you find yourself tightening certain pull screws once too often. Keep them in place by brushing a little clear polish on the screw threads, insert the screws, and let dry before using again. This is also a great solution if you've been keeping a Phillips screwdriver in the kitchen for loose pot handles. You can also use clear nail polish to keep nuts on machine screws or bolts from coming loose, and if you need to take the nuts off, a twist with a wrench will break the seal."

To read the full article and view all 38 tips, click the link below.

Nail Polish uses (Reader's Digest)

Do you know of any other clever uses for nail polish? Please share with the Tip Hero community by posting a comment below!

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Why Are You Frugal?

2009-11-14T19:50:00+00:00

A question popped in my head the other day: Why am I Frugal? I've been frugal my whole life but I never gave much thought as to why. As I thought about it further I realized there�s not one thing I can point to as to why I�m frugal but several interweaving reasons.

I was raised by frugal parents which certainly steered me towards frugality but my brother is not a penny pincher and I�ve seen kids who were raised by spendthrift parents follow the path of frugality and vica versa. I have an insatiable curiosity and I love the ingenuity of frugality, finding all those creative ways to save a buck. I also have a bit of a contrarian streak in me, I�ve never cared too much about fitting in or how others view me, with the exception of ethics; I�ve never been tempted to keep up with the Joneses.

One of the most important things in life for me has always been getting a good nights sleep. I�ve always wanted/needed to have a decent emergency fund to allow me to do so. I also learned the value of a dollar pretty early on, mowing lawns, working on a shipping dock, and a dozen other part time jobs. To me my time is my most precious resource and I treat it as such. When I spend 50 cents on a candy bar I view it as the time I had to spend earning that 50 cents. Conversely money saved up gives me more freedom over how I spend my time. I�ve always thought frugality was fun and not some burden. For me it�s a challenge, sort of like a game to find ways to save money.

I grew up with a comfortable background financially so frugality was a choice rather than a strict necessity. I recognize some people are frugal by necessity rather than choice but I�ve always had the feeling that many of them would still be frugal if they had a million dollars in the bank.

Why are you frugal? Please share your thoughts in the comments below:

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Tips for Cutting Your Children's Hair

2009-11-11T00:24:00+00:00

Paying for haircuts every few weeks is expensive, and it's triply expensive when you have three growing boys like Stacy at "The Good Life on Less".

Stacy admits that "I'm really not good at cutting hair. What to do?" Stacy revealed her dilemma to a gal who used to be a hairdresser who shared several tips for cutting a boys hair. Stacy finally took the plunge and pulled off a fairly decent haircut.

As Stacy puts it: "It's not the best haircut I've ever seen, but it gets the job done and keeps my husband from taking matters into his own hands and "Kojaking" my sons."

Click here to see Stacy's tutorial on Cutting a Boy's Hair.

Items You'll Need:
- Hair Trimmer (Clippers)
- Comb
- Scissors
- Towel or Barber Cape

Tip: If you don't have clippers you can find them at most drugstores like Walgreens or CVS. You can also find them on Ebay. You could wait for one of those $5 off $20 coupons the drugstores put out from time to time. Clippers typically run about $20 and pay for themselves after a few hair cuts.

Another approach is to use the clippers to trim hair so you lengthen the time between visits to the barber shop. I have a pair of Whal clippers and I will trim my sides and back and it usually gives me an extra two weeks before I have to go back to the barber.

Do you cut your children's hair? Got any tips? Please share in the comments below.

Photo credit: The Good Life on Less

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Homemade Swiffer Mop Pattern

2009-11-09T23:22:00+00:00

Berlin over at Berlin's Whimsy has an excellent tutorial on creating a homemade swiffer mop cover. All you need is:

- Basic sewing supplies (machine, thread, scissors, iron, etc)
- 2 pieces of terrycloth material (eg. towels), at least 12 x 14� each
- 2 large and colorful buttons, or velcro
- Tracing paper

Berlin takes you through the process step by step and includes her pattern. Check it out.

Photo credit: Berlin's Whimsy

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Save Money on Hair Coloring with Henna

2009-11-09T22:10:00+00:00

Want an all-natural way to color your hair and save money? Try henna. I'd never heard of using henna as a hair coloring dye until Tip Hero Rinchen chipped in with this tip:

"Over the years I have saved thousands of dollars by using henna to color my hair. I mix it with a lemon juice and what ever else is available. I purchase it in the Indian grocery. Spend $2 on henna every six months or so. I often get stopped by both men and women who love my hair color and are surprised when I tell them what it is. My hair is in excellent condition!"

I mentioned henna to my parents and my father said his mother used henna back in the fifties to color her hair. On Wikipedia, it says henna has been used as a hair dye since the bronze age. Henna is a plant that grows in tropical and sub tropical regions. It produces a burgundy die, called Lawsone, that is particularly good at bonding to skin and hair. Henna is most commonly known for it's use in body art tattoos.

Henna and Hair Color
Many people are under the impression that henna is only used as an auburn hair coloring dye but it can also be combined with indigo to create a range of hair colors including brunette and jet black.

Preparing Henna
If the henna you purchase comes in a block you will want to grate it into a powder. You will then want to put the Henna into a container, an old cool whip container works just fine, and add in water and stir until it has the consistency of yogurt. People add a variety of ingredients to their henna mix including lemon juice for highlights, or olive oil and eggs for texture. Henna doesn't have the greatest smell so many people also add essential oils like lavender for fragrance. You can also freeze any henna you don't use.

Applying Henna
You typically apply henna at the roots and work out. Most people start in the back of the head and work towards the front. It's great if you can get a friend or husband to help you apply. You want to be careful not to get henna on your forehead or neck as it is will dye your skin. One downer about henna is it typically takes 3-6 hours to set. Most people just wrap plastic saran around their hair which seals in heat to help it set, and keeps it from dripping so they can go about doing chores or other activities while they wait for it to set.

Henna is All Natural
One of the biggest draws henna has as a hair dye is that it's all natural. Most commercial hair dyes contain chemicals even if they say all natural on the package. Some people are allergic to chemicals commonly found in commercial hair dyes such as Phenylenediamine (PPD) which can cause skin irritation.
Savings
As Tip Hero Rinchen says, you can literally save thousands of dollars over the years doing your own hair coloring with Henna instead of going to a salon. You can purchase henna at most Indian grocery stores for about $3. You can also find it online and at some bath & body stores like Lush.

Pros:
- It's cheap, you can find henna for as little as $3 at an Indian grocery store
- It's all natural, no harmful chemicals like Phenylenediamine or peroxides.
- It lasts longer than most commercial dyes because henna has smaller molecules that penetrate further into hair follicles.
- You can freeze what you don't use.

Cons:
- It smells, many people add essential oils like lavender for fragrance.
- It takes longer to set, often 3-6 hours.

Learn more about Henna:

You Tube Videos on Henna
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZFI_7F_JuzE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7cJkX_e0cYY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8SIq5MokOpA

Have you used henna before? Do you have a hair care tip? Please share in the comments below:

Photo credit: SashaW

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