It’s spring, almost April and in this newsletter lots of different things to tell you about-
Coupons on ebay
Seems the auction site isn’t just for buying and selling any more. You can get coupons too-
http://extras.ebay.com/
Spa Night on the Cheap
I saw this article and bookmarked because I”m always looking for inexpensive ways to treat myself to my own spa at home-
http://shine.yahoo.com/event/makeover/diy-beauty-treatments-you-can-make-in-your-own-kitchen-1263801/
Erasing Debt
Thought this was an interesting article-
http://finance.yahoo.com/banking-budgeting/article/112352/how-to-erase-70000-in-debt?mod=bb-debtmanagement
Time to Do Some Spring Cleaning
I tend to hang onto things, yes, sometimes when I should toss or donate them so this was definitely an article for me-
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Gadgets-You-Should-Get-Rid-Of-nytimes-1557697455.html?x=0
Jiffy Mixes
I often buy the popover and corn muffin mixes from Jiffy because they’re always great value and oftentimes cheaper than making my own, now they’re offering a book-
http://www.jiffymix.com/bookorder.php
Gourmet Breads
Another thing I love but the prices deter me from buying them more often are gourmet breads. Here is a link to some great bread machine recipes-
http://shine.yahoo.com/channel/food/recipes/category/methodCategory–tx_met_bread_machine?&cuisineCategory=tx_cui_american&pg=2
How to Do Most Anything
I can’t remember how I stumbled upon this site but when I did I spent an hour browsing all the content. Lots of good stuff about how to make various items and I warn you once you click on the link you’ll want to stick around for awhile-
http://www.instructables.com/tag/type-id/category-living/
Retirement for Women
We’re reminded just about everyday that we need to save for retirement and women often fall behind with that goal. Here’s a book that outlines specific details just for us girls.
http://www.wiserwomen.org/index.php?id=83&page=What_Women_Need_To_Know_About_Retirement
Bootcamp for Budget Smart Girls
I was sent this and thought I’d pass it along to you. Real Simple Magazine is offering a bootcamp dedicted to getting you on the right money track-
http://www.realsimple.com/work-life/money/planning/learnvest-bootcamp/?xid=roundtable-bootcamp
Phone Service
Just about every budget related article focuses on ways to save money on your phone service. When I was sent details about Ooma I thought I’d pass them along to you. Here are the details and the company kindly answered a few questions I about the service-
Ooma provides free home phone service using broadband Internet and your existing home phone. All the customer has to do is purchase an Ooma device (MSRP $249.99), plug-in their high-speed Internet and an existing home phone into Ooma Telo – and then calls anywhere in the U.S. are free, with extremely cost-effective international calling at pennies per minute.
Ooma Telo can be purchased online at Amazon.com or Buy.com and is also available at major retailers such as Best Buy, Costco, J&R, Fry’s and more.
Is this a one-time purchase or is there a renewal fee each year?
Yes, by making a one-time purchase of the Ooma Telo (MSRP $249.99), customers are able to enjoy crystal-clear voice quality and great features such as free voicemail, caller ID, call waiting, 911 service. They only need to pay applicable taxes and fees (typically less than $3.50 per month). There are no yearly renewal fees or contracts.
Can people keep their same phone number?
In most cases, yes, Ooma can transfer (port) an existing phone number to Ooma. Normally there is a one-time processing fee of $39.99, but if they sign-up for an annual subscription to Ooma Premier ($119.99/yr), Ooma will waive the porting fee. Customer can confirm that their number can be ported by going to www.ooma.com/products/port. New customers are advised porting typically takes up to three weeks and they must keep their current phone service until the transfer is complete.
What are some international calling rates? Are there any special codes that have to be used?
Customers can call most countries for standard Ooma rates that are usually less than a penny per minute. Ooma Premier customers also have the option to save even more by subscribing to one of Ooma’s international calling plans. More information about the calling plans and bulk rates can be found here: http://www.ooma.com/premier/international-bundle
Some sample rates include:
· Canada less than $.02 per min.
· Italy less than $.03 per min.
· Hong Kong less than $.03 per min.
· Mexico less than $.14 per min.
A list of country calling rates and country code can be located by going to http://www.ooma.com/products/international-rates
To make international calls customers are required to use a country code, it’s essentially the same experience as if they were calling from a landline or cell phone.
Drop Your Debt
Something else to pass along to you-
Mint.com wants people to win big money; by helping others lose—money, that is. Mint’s Drop Your Debt Challenge, “The Biggest Loser” for your finances, is awarding a $5,000 prize to the person who refers the mos tpeople to the challenge. The challenge ends April 4.
To officially register for the Drop Your Debt challenge, and the $5,000 prize, go here: official registration. Then get as many people as possible to sign up. Facebook it, tweet it – or even hire the Goodyear blimp – just make sure friends/family put down the e-mail of the person who referred them when they sign up.
Looking After Your Car
And yes, one more thing to pass along to you. This time an offer from Bendix and some tips on looking after your car-
According the Consumer Reports, vehicle maintenance and repair costs account for about 4 percent of the total cost of ownership over the course of five years. While that might not seem like much, it can really add up. And after the warranty expires, repair and maintenance costs can become very expensive.
Bendix Brakes is launching a program, “Bounce Back with Bendix” that helps consumers with some of those expenses. Between April 1 and May 31, 2011, when consumers have qualifying Bendix brake products installed at a participating repair shop, they will receive a coupon to be applied toward future maintenance costs.
Tips for consumers
· A good reputation goes a long way – Ask your friends or neighbors if they recommend a repair shop or check out sites such as Yelp, Angie’s List or Consumer Reports to see what people are saying.
· It never hurts to get a second opinion – especially for larger repairs.
· Make sure the work ticket lists the problems your car is experiencing , not just the recommended repair.
· If you car is towed, make sure you specify which repair shop you would like it towed to.
Good Buys for April
New To the Stores: Hass avocados, beets, Texas sweet onions, peas, green beans, some strawberries
At Their Peak: Asparagus, artichokes, spring salad mix, field rhubarb
Grab Them Now: Kale, leeks, spinach, navel oranges
A Desperation Dinner
I mentioned that I put together a list of menus for April, meals I call desperation dinners and thought I’d share one with you-
You can just eat this as is or you can add chopped cooked chicken or marinated tofu. I like to serve it with plain white or whole grain rice. This serves four.
For the marinade-
- 1/3 cup soy sauce, sodium reduced if you’re watching your salt intake.
- 1 tablespoon light sesame oil
- 2 teaspoons finely minced ginger root
- 2 tablespoons honey
- Mix everything together.
- For the vegetables-
- Two tablespoons oil
- 2 cups broccoli
- 1 cup sliced carrots
- 1 cup sliced mushrooms
- 1 cup sliced onions
- Optional, cashews, baby corn and water chestnuts, sliced
Add all the vegetables in a bowl and mix, add the marinade, coat all the vegetables and put in the fridge for at least an hour before preparing.
Heat about two tablespoons oil in a skillet or wok. Add the vegetables and stir fry until they’re tender but still have some bite left to them. Keep stirring them because the honey in the marinade has a tendency to make them stick to the skillet. If you’re using chicken or tofu, add this now.
Have a good month.
