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If you are like me, you need to either find more money to add to your income, or you need to budget what  you do get. Fabgrandpa and I are both retired. We both get a Social Security check, and that’s about it. We have enough money to be happy, and get the things we want. Right now. But, with changes being made in Washington every day that could affect our income, we need to find ways to save whenever possible. Here are five ways to save money in 2018.

Cook More Meals At Home

Cooking meals at home for two may seem at first glance to be more expensive than eating out. But, when you consider that you can buy the ingredients to make a meal with four large servings for less than the price of one meal in a restaurant, it makes sense to cook at home. For instance, when I make a meal of meatloaf, mashed potatoes, and green beans, it is enough for us to eat three meals, sometimes four if I make meatloaf sandwiches for lunch. 

Look For Mark Downs In The Grocery Store

I know a lot of people won’t buy meat that has been marked down and marked “For Quick Sale”. But, if you look at the label, the sell by date has not passed on these meat items. It is usually a sell by for tomorrow or the next day. You can reap significant savings on meats by selecting the ones that have been marked down. I got a very nice T-Bone steak last week that had been marked down to $5.85. I took it home and put it in the freezer. You can find mark downs in every department of the store if you keep your eyes open. 

Use Coupons

Clipping those coupons from the Sunday newspaper, monthly magazines, and flyers that come in the mail can save you lots of money. The store I shop at regularly sends me coupons on items  I buy all the time. They make it easy to add coupons to my loyalty card with their app, too. Those coupons are automatically deducted from my grocery bill when the clerk scans my card. Coupons are available on just about everything, even on automobiles. Reedman-Toll Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Springfield has a coupon good for $1000 off the purchase of any 2018 Pick-up Truck. Keep your eyes open for coupons for whatever you want to buy. 

Recycle and Reuse

There are so many things that people just throw away that can be reused in some way. I had a closet full of clothing that I no longer wore, so I gathered them up and took them to a consignment shop in town. I might not get much for them, but the money that I do get can be added to my savings account. Many people recycle aluminum cans and other scrap metal. Selling these items can put money in  your pocket and keep tons of “stuff” out of the landfill. Next time you think about throwing something out, try to think of a way to recycle it or recuse it. 

Plant a Garden

Home grown vegetables taste so much better than those you buy at the store because they are so much fresher. Whether you plant in movable bins, a raised bed garden, or directly in the ground, you can save money and get some exercise by planting your own garden. Some vegetables that are very easy to grow and produce a big harvest are green beans, tomatoes, summer squash, zuchinni, onions, and peas. Plant basil, oregano, thyme, dill, and marjoram for delicious fresh herbs for seasoning your food. 

What do you do to save money? 

Nobody would choose to live on a construction site, particularly over Christmas, right? Well, maybe not, but if you have a major remodeling project going on at your home, you can’t simply snap your fingers and make it go away just because of the holiday season. Of course, as well as being an inconvenience, construction activities present an ideal opportunity for people to injure themselves.

When Fabgrandpa and I  moved into our home in West Georgia, there was plenty to be done My husband and I thought we should have bought a ton of construction signs and hung them all around the place – of course, to inquisitive grandchildren, all that does is increase the mystique of the secret arts of hammering, drilling and sawing all around.

It’s only natural. Children are always interested in new things or unusual activities that are going on, so when Grandma’s house is being ripped apart and put together again, you can hardly blame them for wanting to see what’s happening. Of course, the down side is that construction areas are among the most high-risk environments for adults and children alike.

Know the dangers

I might joke about us putting up construction signs, but that is of course essential so that everyone is aware of what’s happening. If there are signs up, visitors are aware of the risks, and it will, at least, serve as a reminder to the parents of any younger visitors to keep a close eye on their charges.

Agree on a schedule

Any successful project needs good communication. Depending on the type and scale of work being undertaken, there will be times when the things will get noisy, and also when you will be put to greater inconvenience, for example when large pieces of equipment are in use, or when the electricity might need to be shut off.

Make sure you have a firm schedule agreed with the contractors, so that you know what they will be doing and when. Also discuss your own needs. Obviously, over the holiday season you want to be as close to normality as possible for a couple of weeks, but you might also have plans for family visits during the summer. The trick is to work around each other and coexist effectively while the work is ongoing.

Cordon off the danger area

As I suggested earlier, a “keep out” sign might be effective for adults, but it can be just too tempting for the youngsters. While the work is on hold during the holidays, the best plan is to have the construction zone completely cordoned off. Similarly, though, you need to make sure it works both ways, and you have completely construction-free areas, so that you can still live your life away from the noise and dust.

Shoes on

However careful everyone is to keep the construction hazards contained, there is always the possibility for debris to find its way into the most unexpected places. Advise everyone to keep their shoes on to avoid a festive visit to the emergency room!

Everyone loves snow. For about two minutes. After we have built a snowman and made our snow ice cream, we are ready for that white stuff to be gone. If you live in an area where you are likely to get more snow or another winter storm in your area, you need to get ready long before the storm is coming. 

Take your car in to the dealership for service.

Even if it is not exactly time for an oil change, make an appointment at your local dealership, such as Starr Motors Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram, to have a complete service done. Get an oil change, check all the fluids such as transmission fluid, brake fluid, and windshield washer fluid. Have the tires rotated and get a front end alignment. You want your car to be in tip top shape for winter. 

Make a survival kit to keep in the trunk.

It might sound silly to keep a survival kit in the trunk, especially if the only places you drive your car are to work and to go shopping. However, once a few inches of snow and/or ice accumulate on the roads, they can be hazardous no matter where you are going. Having the basic needs in the trunk of your car can keep you safe and warm if you are stranded on the highway. The basic survival kit should include some flares, a shovel, a couple of blankets, some bottled water, a fire extinguisher, and a flashlight. 

Some things to keep inside the car

Things like peanut butter and crackers, snack sized bags of nuts, trail mix, beef jerky and granola bars will provide you with energy if you are stranded overnight. Be sure to pick out things you like to eat. Keep them in a small box on the back seat or in the glove box of your car so you don’t have to get out of the car to get them. Keep an extra portable charger for your cellphone in the car. You should be able to charge your phone up a couple of times with one of those. Put a blanket on the back seat. Also keep a couple of plastic trash bags in the car. You can put them over your shoes to keep your feet dry (and warm) if you have to get out of the car. 

Just a little bit of preparation can make a lot of difference during a winter storm. 

 

 

Have you ever been to Washington, D.C.? I’ve been there at least three times. The first time I went, I was a Girl Scout leader way back in the 80’s. I must have been doing a good job of it, because I was selected from my council to attend an Older Girl Program Workshop. There were 12 delegates from our council, six leaders and six older girls. The purpose of the workshop was to brainstorm new programs that would entice older girls to stay in Girl Scouts and become more involved in their communities and their councils. It was a really fun conference. I met so many leaders from east of the Mississippi River, and had an opportunity to go sightseeing with the girls from our council. 

The girls wanted to go to the Hard Rock Cafe in Washington, so that is where we wound up. However, when we got there, there was a huge long line waiting to get into the shop to buy pins and t-shirts. We asked very politely if we could go to the head of the line, as it was getting really close to our flight time to go home. No one would let us go ahead, so we waited. We finally got in the shop and bought our souvenirs. As soon as we could, we got on the Metro to go to the airport. It seemed to take forever to get there! We made it to Dulles International Airport with only minutes to spare. We were running through the airport just like in the commercial from long ago!  

The second time I went to Washington was also in the 1980’s My Girl Scout troop worked for a year to raise money to go on a train trip that included visiting Washington, D.C., Boston, Massachusetts, and New York City. The first stop of the trip was in Washington. We stayed at a youth hostel and met lots of people from different countries. While in D.C. we went to the National Zoo, the Smithsonian, and the Viet Nam Memorial. The memorial was very emotional for me. One of my cousins  had been killed in that war. We looked up his name and had one of the volunteers there make a rubbing for me to give to my father. I cried there, and the girls in my troop all hugged me. 

I didn’t return to Washington for a long time. When I did, I flew up because my grandson, Owen, was very sick. I went up there to take care of my granddaughter, who was about 20 months old so that their mother and father could spend their time at the hospital. Owen was in the hospital at Walter Reed. He was only four years old, and was in a medically induced coma. He had gone in the hospital to have his tonsils removed, and while there contracted a respiratory illness. One of his doctors actually walked his saliva samples across the street to the National Institute of Health to have them expedite testing of them. They finally did figure out what was wrong, and got our boy well. He spent 16 days in the hospital, with 11 of those days in a coma. He did get better, and I was able to spend the last night at my son’s house with Owen at home. 

 

When my mother in law was still living, we always went to her house for our family Christmas get together on the Saturday after New Years Day. She said it gave everyone a break from the various holiday meals. It also gave us time to do some shopping for gifts during the after Christmas sales. So, whether your family celebrates late, or you’re just late with buying gifts, here are some suggestions for gifts that auto owners will love. 

Most people don’t even consider shopping for gifts at their local auto dealer, like Pearson Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram in Richmond, Virginia. But, you can get some neat gifts there for Mom, Dad, the teen who has their first car, or just about anyone in the family who has a car. 

New Tires

If it has been a long time since your wife or Mom has had new tires put on their car, you might consider getting them a new set as a gift. Whether you buy two or four, new tires will tell them that you love them and want them to be safe.  Your teen son or daughter with their first car could probably use some new tires too. 

Oil Change and Tire Rotation

If you’re looking for an auto related gift but don’t want to spend as much as it takes to get a set of tires, think about an oil change and tire rotation.  If you check the dealership website for coupons, you can get an oil change sometimes for under $40. Taking the time to take their car in to get the oil change done would be a fantastic addition to the gift. 

New Brakes

If the gift recipient’s car is older, consider giving them a set of new brakes. Being able to stop is a really important part of driving the car. They’ll thank you so much for this one. 

A New Battery

If you have noticed that their car is sluggish to start, and the battery is more than a couple of year old, get them a new battery. Winter weather is rough on batteries, and really cold temperatures can drain the power. 

Windshield Wipers

If you are looking for a more inexpensive gift for the car, windshield wipers are a good suggestion. Some types can be purchased for under $20. With cold temperatures, sleet, snow, and salt from the highway. wipers need to be changed often in winter. Having a spare pair in the trunk is a good idea. 

The information and a gift card have been provided by the makers of Sweet’N Low® so that I could share my thoughts and information about the Sweet’N Low® Spread Sweet Holiday Cheer Sweepstakes. The opinions expressed in this post are my own and do not reflect the opinions of the makers of Sweet’N Low®.” 

Sweet’N Low®, America’s favorite pink zero-calorie sweetener, has launched a national sweepstakes to spread holiday cheer, giving fans of the brand the chance to win sweet prizes for both yourself and a friend of your choice. What fun! See how to enter the Sweet’N Low® sweepstakes below:

• • From November 12 through December 23, consumers can enter the sweepstakes on the Sweet’N Low® Facebook page for a chance to win two exciting prize packs – one for a loved one or friend, and one for themselves!
  • The sweepstakes will have daily and weekly winners, plus one grand prize winner receiving the ultimate Holiday package for themselves and another to share with a lucky friend
    • The “give and get” prizes include gift cards, single brew Keurig coffee makers, premium glassware, smoothie makers and much more

• For more information on the Sweet’N Low® Spread Sweet Holiday Cheer Sweepstakes and for some delicious seasonal recipes, visit www.facebook.com/sweetnlow

Here is a delicious recipe using Sweet’N Low® to get you started. You can find more recipes here to look over while you sip this great seasonal coffee drink! 

Gingerbread Coffee: 

• ½ cup ground coffee
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• ¼ teaspoon cloves
• 2 packets Sweet’N Low zero calorie sweetener
• ¼ cup fat-free half and half

In filter basket combine coffee, cinnamon, ginger, and cloves and brew coffee with 4 cups water. Divide between 2 coffee cups and stir in Sweet’N Low and half and half.

Follow Sweet’N Low® on their social sites: 

• Sweet’N Low® website
• Sweet’N Low® Facebook
• Sweet’N Low® Instagram
• Sweet’N Low® Pinterest

 

 My daughter, Becca, lives in Denver. She bought me a ticket to come to visit. I am leaving in the morning from Atlanta for my trip. My son, Seth, is going with me. We are going to have a wonderful time. Seth and I will arrive  between 12:30 and 1:00 p.m. Becca will be working tomorrow, so we will take Uber from the airport to the library where she works, and hang out until she gets off. I am sure I can find something to do, even if it is just working on my laptop for a couple of hours. Becca said there is a good Mexican restaurant across the street, so we’ll probably hop over there for lunch. 

On Thursday, we’re going to Rocky Mountain National Park for the day. I can hardly wait to see it. I have never been there, but my mother went when she was a teenager. She and her sister rode in the rumble seat of her brother-in-law’s car, if you can imagine that! While I won’t be riding in a rumble seat, I will be the passenger in my daughter’s car. It will be nice to just be riding, instead of driving. Fabgrandpa no longer drives, so I have to drive everywhere. 

On Friday, we’ll head over to South Park Valley to do some more sightseeing. We might stop in at South Park Brewing for a beer and a sandwich.  I love going to places like that. I hope we can find a fabric store, because I love to buy fabric as souvenirs when I travel. I still have pieces of fabric I bought when I went to Mexico in 2002. 

Saturday, we’ll go to Denver. I want to see all of Becca’s favorite spots in town. I want to see her farmer’s market, and places she goes to out to eat. I think we will be meeting up with one of my friends from the Grand Canyon for dinner. There is so much to do in Denver, it will hard to decide what to spend our time on. 

On Sunday, we’re going to Boulder, where we will go on a tour of the Celestial Seasonings Factory. Becca said there are a lot of quaint little shops there, which of course is one of my favorite things to do. I’ll be meeting up with a couple of blogging friends too. One of them lives in Denver, the other one lives in Orlando. We have been trying to get together for a couple of years, but never had schedules that clicked, until now. She will be in town for a friend’s wedding, the same weekend I will be visiting my daughter. Funny how that works out!

With all this driving that we’ll be doing, it will be time for Becca to take her car in to the dealership for an oil change and routine maintenance. Taking care of your car will keep it prepared for showing your guests a good time, whether that is showing them your home town points of interest, or visiting national parks and wonderful scenic viewpoints.