House and Home
My Fascination with Backyard Homesteading
The thought of homesteading has fascinated me since I first read the Little House on the Prairie series, when I was in third grade. Finding a plot of land and working that land to support your [...]
Are You Prepared for a Weather Emergency or Natural Disaster?
I grew up in sunny Central California, and I now live in Southern Oregon. Weather emergencies aren’t something I’m terribly familiar with. We don’t get hurricanes or tornadoes. No blizzards or electrical storms that take the [...]
Cheap and Simple Home Decorating
Home decorating isn’t my forte. I think it’s because I’m more logical than artistic. Still, I’m always looking for ways to make my home more beautiful and homey. And of course, anything I do has to [...]
Controlling the Paper Monster
Last year we moved into our house. It was (and still is) a fixer, and throughout the year, we’ve been painting, putting up baseboards, fixing doors, and so on, and so on. Because of all the [...]
Protect Your House While You’re on Vacation
Since it’s vacation season, I thought I’d touch on some ways to keep your house safe while you’re away. After all, you work hard to afford your house and the things inside. It only makes sense [...]
How to Keep Cool When It’s Hot Outside
Temperatures here in Southern Oregon are on their way UP! We hit 90 degrees yesterday, and we’re supposed to hit 90 again today. Yep, it’s gone from mild to hot in a hurry! So how do [...]
Garden Update: A Lesson Learned
About a month and a half ago, I posted that I had started my garden on a nice spring afternoon. I had planted some broccoli, an artichoke, strawberries, and four tomato plants. The good news is, [...]
How to Clean Mini-Blinds Easily and Cheaply
It seems that almost every house (except mine) these days has mini-blinds. I can understand why. They’re affordable, versatile, and they come in a wide range of colors. But let’s face it. They’re a pain to [...]
Should I Buy a House to Get First Time Home Buyer Credit?
Question I will be graduating from college this May. I have about $47,000 in student loan debt and about $15,000 in investment accounts (which are not retirement accounts). With the new $15,000 first time home buyer [...]
Getting Rid of Landline and Going Wireless, the Pros and Cons
After my customer service fiasco turned victory yesterday, my husband asked me why we keep our land line with Qwest. We both have cell phones, and neither one of us really gab on the phone very [...]
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Disclaimer and Legal Mumbo Jumbo
I'm just an average mom, trying to live a frugal life and get out of debt. I write about things that have (and haven't) worked to improve my family's financial situation. What works for me may or may not work for you, and you should always consult a financial advisor before making important financial decisions.
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