Saving Money?

It's tough economic times out there right now (understatement, right?!?).

There are several ways you can save money or line your pockets with more. Some of the obvious ones are holding a yard sale by turning your "trash" into cash, turning a hobby into a money-making side-line business or cutting back on cable.

But, one of the most overlooked areas on saving money is right under your nose: Your House. That's right. You can actually save money with your house. How is that (you may ask)? By refinancing. Many of the "financial gurus" out there say that if you can save at least a couple of percentage points on your mortgage interest rate by refinancing you should consider it. It could save you hundreds (if not thousands) of dollars and put that much needed money back into your pocket right now during these hard economic times. (Who could use a little extra right about now, right?)

If you're considering refinancing, check out http://www.mortgagerefinancerates.org/ to see what kind of rate you could get. You can thank me later!
 

TEDxCMU - Chris Guillebeau - Fear and Permission

Join the Microbusiness Revolution!

For years I imagined owning my own business or creating things that people would want to buy from me. Only until now, as a wife and mother, have I realized that dream through my invitations business, The PaperCrafter's Nook, my Mary Kay business and blogging. Needless to say, I believe in the "multiple streams of income" philosophy. And, might I add, you should, too, considering job "insecurity" these days. Even if you want to start something on the side while working a full-time job, it's easier now than it's ever been before to do so with all of the free to cheap tools available to you on the internet!

Do you have that same burning desire to strike out on your own?

I don't have the money...you say?

What if I told you that there is a blueprint you could follow to start your own microbusiness for little money?

Well, there is!

It's called The $100 Startup: Reinvent the Way You Make a Living, Do What You Love, and Create a New Futureby Chris Guillebeau. I came across Chris Guillebeau's "The Art of Non-Conformity Blog: Unconventional Strategies for Life, Work and Travel" a while ago while doing my own research on microbusinesses.

In The $100 Startup: Reinvent the Way You Make a Living, Do What You Love, and Create a New Future
 you find the real-life stories of people who have forged their own microbusiness paths based on their personal passions. I wish I had read this book before I began my entrepreneurial journey as it would have saved me some headaches. For example, for a microbusiness you don't need to have an elaborate business plan. You are a one-person operation. You don't need to don a business suit and get a business loan to get in debt up to your eyeballs to start your business. Bootstrapping is easier than ever thanks to advances on the internet. This book talks about some of those practical steps you can take to get you to that next level!

What The $100 Startup: Reinvent the Way You Make a Living, Do What You Love, and Create a New Future
 is NOT:

It is NOT a pie-in-the-sky, get-rich-quick scheme.

What The $100 Startup: Reinvent the Way You Make a Living, Do What You Love, and Create a New Future
 IS:

It's practical, usable, actionable advice from someone who has "been there", "done that". And, now he's here to show YOU the way, too!

If you decide to purchase this book, let me know your thoughts on it by posting your reply on this blog post!

Good luck!

~ Rachael

Pumpkin Pie

Easy Pumpkin Pie!

 

 

 

 

 

My Passive/Aggressive Disclaimer: For those of you who are WAY beyond this in baking/cooking skills you can ignore this post (or read on and snicker at my novice-level skillz...your choice!).

SCORE!!!

Yes...I made this pumpkin pie! Marvel at my recipe following abilities...

Ok...I can't take all of the credit, though. My five-year-old son, Evan, came up with the idea (which is why we're making pumpkin pie during berry pie season...but I digress). We had all of the ingredients on hand; so, I had no excuse but to try.

Here's the recipe for "Libby's Easy Pumpkin Pie" for one 9" pie (Makes 8 servings):

For the Crust:

• Flour for the surface where you will be rolling out the dough

• Jiffy Pie Crust Mix (half package) - make according to instructions

 For the Filling:

• 1 can (30 oz.) LIBBY'S Easy Pumpkin Pie Mix

• 2/3 cup (5 fl.-oz. can) Nestle CARNATION Evaporated Milk

• 2 Large Eggs, beaten

• 1 unbaked 9-inch (4-cup volume) deep-dish pie shell (see "For the Crust" above or "cheat" by buying a pre-made shell at the store)

MIX pumpkin pie mix, evaporated milk and eggs in large bowl.

POUR into pie shell.

BAKE in preheated 425 degrees Fahrenheit oven for 15 minutes. Reduce temperature to 350 degrees; bake 50 - 60 minutes or until knife inserted near center comes out clean (or until it no longer looks "gooey" in the middle...I had to put mine on for 15 minutes longer than they said). Cool on wire rack (or the top of your stove like NORMAL people do) for 2 hours (or more like 1 hour since your kids will be BEGGING you to cut into it by that time). Serve immediately (duh!) or refrigerate (Buwahahaha...yeah...like it will even MAKE IT to the fridge...pfff).

ADD whipped topping.

ENJOY!

4 Great Ways To Turn Your Clutter To Cash « CBS Pittsburgh

4 Great Ways To Turn Your Clutter To Cash « CBS Pittsburgh

Anyone who knows me knows that I LOVE Barnes & Noble. And, I love my NOOK Color™ even more!

Well, Barnes & Noble is coming out with a new NOOK.

It's called the NOOK Simple Touch™ by Barnes & Noble with Glowlight™.

World’s #1 Reader now with breakthrough GlowLight™:

• First & Only Reader designed for perfect bedtime reading
• Breakthrough technology creates a soft glow optimized for low light reading
  
• Warm light illuminates entire screen evenly
• End bedtime reading debate-when you want to read & your partner wants to sleep
• GlowLight turns on instantly and adjusts easily with a touch
• Revolutionary built-in anti-glare screen protector delivers just-like-paper experience – great in bright sun
• Exclusive Best-Text™ & adjustable fonts make words crisp & clear
• Fastest, most advanced E Ink® display for seamless page turns
• Lightest NOOK ever – perfect for long reading sessions and carrying everywhere
• Unbeatable value: "2 Readers in 1" - Best of E Ink & Lit Display - Amazing in bed and at the beach

You can be one of the first trend-setters to pre-order your very own NOOK Simple Touch™ by Barnes & Noble with Glowlight™ here on my blog for the outrageously low price of $139 and FREE SHIPPING by clicking the following link:

New! NOOK Simple Touch™ by Barnes & Noble with Glowlight™. Read With The Lights On Or Off only at $139 – ships free!

Let me know what you think about this offer and if you want to see more like it!

Happy Reading!

~ Rachael

Use it or Lose it: That is the question!

My family is currently going through Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University workshop through a local church. And, if you know anything about Dave Ramsey, you know that he promotes a debt-free lifestyle. The 2nd Baby Step is the "Debt Snowball". So, in an effort to get that snowball rolling faster, I am evaluating some of our expenses. One of those expenses is the gym membership which I barely use but think that I will someday. It's a tough one for me to decide...Should I get rid of the membership since I barely use it? But, when I do "try" to get exercise I usually do so through the gym. My best weight-loss efforts have been through using the gym instead of "home" or "walking outdoors" methods. You see I am a fair weather person who lives in Pittsburgh...one of the LEAST "fair weather" places to live. LOL! What are your thoughts on this? Should I cut my losses on the gym membership? Or keep it (and actually use it) so that I can save my health? What's your take?