It's tax day!!!!

Whoa, aren't you glad that it's all over with?  Well for some, it may not be over - just yet.   They may have to pay and soon the IRS will be getting in touch to set up monthly payments. Don't try to avoid them.  I did this a long time ago, when I was in the middle of my D and D. (Divorce and Depression)  I will say, on their behalf, they were very nice once we finally made connection. 

There were even times, when I couldn't make the payment and all I had to do was call them. They just want to communicate and stay in touch - you know like a family member you can't stand, but you're nice to?

We got through our relationship in less than a year and that big old elephant was finally off my back.

So lesson # 812 - Don't DODGE the IRS. They will find you. They have their ways!


Oh and I have linked up with a blog hop.

Is there a cheap way to prep?

I've always had that "Prepper's mentality " but mostly I prep for those rainy days - 

I don't prep for the other issues that most Preppers prep for. (Say THAT 4 times!)

On some of the blogs I follow, many are prepping for economic crash, a take over, the collapse of the electrical grid, social unrest and aliens.  I think out of all of those (and I am sure there is more) I would be most apt to prep for economic crash - the ultimate Rainy Day.  Social unrest kinda scares me but I don't live in a urban area anymore and it would be worse living in a metropolitan city. 

I've Prepped earthquake supplies and so that has been good.  Had to even use them once... I really should prep more for that Ultimate Rainy Day.  

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I heard through the blog-vine where the President wants banks to give home loans once again to risky borrowers.  Am I missing something?  Isn't this what happened before?  I checked online and it is not being reported in any mainline news outlet except for the right-winger-types.  So is this true or just a lie?  I'm getting real sick and tired of all the lies and truth being suppressed.  What the hell is going on? 

• Greta - Should President Obama Really Urge Banks to give Home Loans to people with Bad Credit. 
• Obama wants banks to make home loans for people with bad credit
• Infor.Wars: Obama is pushing Banks to make more Home Loans to Borrowers with bad credit.
• The Blaze: Here we go again.

I don't know what to believe anymore.  From anyone...

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 I've watched some of those Prepper shows - you have to have MONEY to be able to do all that,  those people do.  In other-words, I am so screwed if something happens. I honestly do not have the pot to p--- in -  let alone, the money to purchase a container to put under the ground. It's all I can do, to buy food for the month, pay my bills and all.  So what do the real people do?  It's not even about being too cheap to prep. 

So I am going to try and research ways to prep cheaply.  If it is even possible.  Or at least have some food stored like they did in the old days.

I don't know gang, life these days really does seem much harder than it used to be.  I am so happy that we moved out of the metro-area and are now in a smaller, more rural area.  

So, are YOU doing anything to prep?  What is your reason for prepping? 

Lesson 4 -

Made a searching and fearless inventory of our checkbook, bank accounts, credit card debt, etc. to see where we stand financially. 

This is going to hurt. If you were a business, and you didn't take inventory once or twice a year, you would lose everything. You wouldn't know where your money is going. You wouldn't know what to cut out or when to expand. You would be blind. 

It's 2013 - sit down and go through your budget. It's good too, since we will all be filing for taxes soon. Look, I know it sucks. But it's one of those things we grown-ups have to do. Look for the flaws in your budget - and your thinkin. 

• You need to know why you think the way you do.  
• Is it jealously? 
• Is it Envy?
• Is it the way you were raised? 
• Why is it, you feel you NEED so much?  
• Why aren't you more patient in waiting for the things you want? 
• Why do you need to have it all now?  

You really need to do this - to sort out this new life you will be embarking on - think of it as a new adventure you are planning -  More adventure than snorkeling off the coast of Uepi Island (Soloman Islands) Okay that is a stretch. 

You know how misery loves company? There are others out there, who are looking for a way out of the rat race. Find them and be miserable together.  NO, no no no - I'm just kidding. However, do try and associate with those who share the same desire, to get off the fast track.  

And then, go out there - PREACH and spread the word among the Joneses. 

End of the Month = broke

At my cheap and shabby homestead, we get paid the first of every month. So by the end of the month, we are broke.  Well not really broke - compared to many who do not have anything.  You know what I mean. (I hope) So we are laying low this weekend. Doing things that are FREE. It won't be a fancy Easter at my house. No one is coming over - there are no little ones so I can relax. And look forward to Monday, when we can get at our money in our checking account.   The Husband started this new job with the State on Jan 1. So we are still not in the once-a-month swing of things, just yet.

I don't feel deprived though, and that is a good thing. The last couple of evenings, we have gone out and enjoyed FREE things. Like a Easter music event at a local church and a potluck with friends. I admit, there are times I don't want to socialize - I love the comfort of my home but I did enjoy talking and listening to others. You know, we all have our struggles and while I don't like to see friends struggle, there is a bond between all of us.  We all struggle to some degree and we all want to be good stewards. 

On Monday, here in California, sales taxes will be going up. Some counties as high as 9%.  So I would imagine, for those who were considering a big purchase, might be scrambling around right about now - to save a little money.

For me, if I want something new - I just go out to my garage and go "shopping" through boxes of "stuff" that I have collected and plan to re-do. I have a few boxes of old dresses and skirts that I saved just for the material. I really need to get going on some of my projects soon. I talk about it - yet I don't do it. <sigh>

So another new month is almost here - may the new month, last till the end, with a little leftover for good measure!







photo credit: loonyhiker via photopin cc

Lesson 3 of frugal living

3. Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of frugal living, and voluntary simplicity or die trying. 

Okay I don't really mean "die trying". But you do need to Die to self. 

Self: Boy I would love to get that farm sink for my kitchen. It looks so nice plus no one in the neighborhood has that and I would be the first. 

Your will: The farm sink is really neat and I would love to have it. But I just can't see paying that much when there are less expensive sinks available and are just fine.  Perhaps when things become financially better I could change it out - when I do, I promise that I will donate my old sink for someone who might be in this same position I am in now. 

Wow, what a wonderful world that would be.  I believe with the exception of the Rockefellers and the Carnegies, this is how regular people used to live and THINK. There is nothing wrong with that. Who said you have to have it all, right now?

YOU need to make that decision. Don't let it be a decision made by your employer or the bankruptcy attorney, or your credit card bills. Do it while you still have some leverage and some wiggle room. If you don't - well, you can still make that in-voluntary decision but lets hope once you get out of the hot water you are in financially, you won't go back to your old ways.  

I actually was raised in a upper middle class home. But my parents were frugal to some degree. They could afford all their toys. My dad retired in his late 40's.  They bought all their homes with cash, and their vehicles.  When I was executor of their estate I was shocked, at how they had no bills except for the normal monthly obligations - ie. utilities, insurance etc.  

I also was a Nanny for a Swedish family from Sweden. They were extremely wealthy. I watched them how they related to money and "stuff".  In spite of their wealth, they were frugal. Sure they took their trips to Sweden to visit family - everything was paid in cash. (Except for their home)  Their cars were paid in cash.

I was very impressed by this wealthy family and how they related to money in a healthy way. That is why rich people are rich. They don't throw their money away making purchases they cannot afford. When will the rest of us learn this?

I actually like living the way we do. It is an adventure. 

  "Stop Trying to impress others - They are more screwed up than you think" 
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Cheap lesson # 309 - Spring Cleaning - Lemons

I'm a week behind my spring cleaning - so today I am going to delve into cleaning my kitchen from a winter's season of cooking. My son cleaned out the oven last week for me, so that was awesome. 

How many of you, use natural/alternative methods to clean your home?  I've used some, simply because my Mom used them. But I am finding out even more ways to clean my home, with products I already have in my house.  Plus that saves me money! 

I'm in the "wanting to save money" camp but many others are into anything natural. That's fine too. I have to admit, it does give me a sense of accomplishment when I have cleaned something, without resorting to a harsh chemical. Although I will confide - our fiberglass bath tub was a monstrous sight. I tried everything natural to get it clean. Then I searched online and found that EASY OFF OVEN SPRAY (non-fume formula) does the job very well.  I had to get out the big guns for this tub. Now I will do what I can, to keep it off using a more natural approach.

When Life gives you lemons - CLEAN!

• Lemons are an excellent scoring paste when mixed with salt.
• The acid in Lemon juice cleans out rust stains
• Dip the cut side in baking soda to clean counter tops. Do not use on delicate tops - may discolor stone or stainless steel.
• Use on cutting boards - let sit for 20 minutes
• add 1 tsp of lemon juice to your dishwasher for a boost in cutting out the grease
• rub cut lemon on faucets to cut lime buildup - let sit overnight. Wipe down with damp cloth.
• Toss your lemon peels or the old lemon in your garbage disposal. It cleans and smells so much better!
• Add cream of tarter to lemon juice to clean up stains on your counter top and the grout.
• Rub hands with lemon juice to banish garlic or fish smells off your hands.
• 1/2 cup of lemon juice added to your laundry - to brighten your whites.
• Get your plastic-ware, rubber made and Tupperware looking cleaner by using lemon juice to get rid of stains. Let sit in juice.