Photo by cwalker71

Those jolly round veggies are ripe for the picking.  But brainstorming what to do with them beyond October 31 can be tricky.  Never underestimate the creative power of a gourd, especially while they’re super cheap.

1. Make some music.
The gourd maraca has long been a staple in various indigenous African and South American tribal music.  Not only are they cheap, but also easy to make and just plain funny looking.  You have several options ranging from rain makers and harps to drums and guitars—the sky’s the limit on your creativity and level of difficulty!  Check out this article which includes tips on creating instruments used in the Richmond Indigenous Gourd Orchestra.

2. Toast the seeds.
Forget trying to segregate the pumpkin mush from the seeds.  Lucinda Scala Quinn, executive editorial director of food for Martha Stewart Living, says to spread out the sloppy mess in a thin layer on the pan and bake for 10 minutes at 375⁰.  The goop will easily separate from the seeds.  Toss with olive oil and salt; or cinnamon, brown sugar, and salt for a delicious afternoon snack.  Always season after baking the seeds.

3. Carve or paint for decoration.
Who says the gourd and squash décor comes to a crashing halt after Halloween?  The new thing is to cover your gourds in monochromatic colors for an inviting entry arrangement or spray paint with glitter glue and set on top of small cake stands.

4. Create a centerpiece.
Clean out the inside of a gourd and dry to make a fabulous vase for fall flowers—just make sure the base is stable.  Modernists, don’t count out gourds as an accent to your sleek design.  Ready Made poses several awesome centerpieces for non-traditional décor.  A simple approach to gourd design is to gather colorful leaves outside, buy a few fall silk flowers, and adorn your gourds in a shallow dish extending down the table.

5. Just eat it.
If you’ve never savored tasty butternut squash soup, you’re missing out.  The texture and flavor is similar to sweet potatoes, but doesn’t fall apart as easily.  Or go crazy and try out bitter gourd curry, a spicy vegetarian dish that goes well with rice.

Photo by ting0308

It's fun to watch people in public these days.  The instant hand sanitizer folks have totally capitalized on public fear of the hiney flu and are raking it in big time.  Shoppers at the mall cower at every sneeze--they douse their babies with six wipees if anyone within fifty feet sneezes and glare mercilessly at offending coughers.  By all accounts the H1N1 flu is no picnic with dangerous spikes in temperature and virtual wipeout for several days.  Whether it be the flu, allergies, or just a scratchy throat, there are several ways to treat the winter nasties without incurring a $150 doctor bill.

1. Buy (or make) a humidifier.
These are as cheap as $14.99 from the drugstore.  The arid air inside the house can keep your membranes overly dry, preventing congestion from draining properly.  A humidifier moistens the skin and nasal passages allowing you to breathe easier.  Keep your humidifier clean, though, to avoid generating mold in the air, which can actually make you sicker.  Another option is to take several hot showers each day or lean over a pot of boiling water.

2. Drink herbal tea.
Look for varieties that have a boost, like echinacea or licorice, and add honey to make it super soothing.  People who gargle with black tea extract twice a day have a higher resistance to the flu.  Visit the local natural foods store to take the herbs in a more concentrated form as a tincture.  

3. Spray some Chloraseptic.
While this doesn't seem to last long, a quick squirt of over-the-counter throat numbing spray can give you some momentary relief for just $6.95.  Just as with lozenges, they do nothing to cure your aching throat.  If you are still using the spray for a week, try something else or call your doctor.  

4. Chew some zinc lozenges.
There are mixed results on the effectiveness of zinc lozenges to reduce the duration of a cold.  Take them sparingly, as side effects could be potentially more harmful when used over time.  Look for lozenges that have zinc gluconate to prevent stomach irritation.  They are best to take when you are slightly congested with a runny nose.  Costs will run $6-$8

Photo by Globetoppers

My grandmother was one thoughtful gal.  Perhaps it was her early breast cancer diagnosis and survival that gave her a healthy perspective on the importance of life.  She became an expert pianist, taught Sunday school, and served as principal of an elementary school for fifteen years.  Although they started dirt poor and worked in public sector jobs, she and Grandpa willed over $1.5 million in invested assets to their kids upon their death.

They were the post-depression kids who ate potato soup and butter sandwiches for a decade.  They reused aluminum foil shamelessly.  So it surprised my socks off when Grandma said she would "in a heartbeat" go into debt to travel the world.  My grandma?  The one who saves every piece of gift-wrap paper to use later?  The same lady who drove a ten-year-old car and walked to the grocery store to save gas?

Without blinking she completely agreed that debt wasn't that bad of a thing for some special occasions.  Knowing her character, I suspect she didn't mean to incorporate it as part of a regular financial routine, but rather to have a healthy perspective of spending.  Just where do we draw the line for wallet splurges?

• Growing a Family

On my husband's trip to Africa, the most frequent question asked by men in the local tribe where he volunteered was about children.  "Why do Americans only have one or two children?  You have so much money."  Peering into a one-room hut with seven children, he couldn't muster a decent response.  The old adage rings true: if you wait for complete financial stability to have kids, you will die childless.  We have become confused in our culture to equate children with huge expenditures of money.  Don't get me wrong--it does cost extra money to grow a family.  But not the quarter million that sensationalist media makers like to proclaim.  You may have to forgo the $400 jogging stroller or electric wipe warmer.  Sacrifice is key here, not over-indulgence, which is what most of us assume is required.

The Splurge: Maternity coverage and baby medical bills will top the list of potential debt crashers.  But aside from less expensive (and potential more risky) options like home birth, they are unavoidable.  Stick to cloth diapers, breastfeeding, and second hand stores for all baby gear.  If you are really low on cash, contact your local police department--they often have a surplus of donated car seats that haven't been in an accident.



• Special Travel

No, no, my quicksilver credit card swashbucklers.  This is not a free pass to rack up debt on a yearly vacation to the South Pacific.  And I don't recommend charging the entirety of your trip, regardless of merit.  But some travel can't be postponed--you just have to make a wise call.  I especially don't recommend jet setting if you have a mound of extra debt hanging over your head.  It's far more difficult to enjoy a trip if you're plagued with bills at home.

The Splurge: Consider traveling to other countries if you have friends or family who can put you up for no cost.  Temporary military or time-share placements would allow you to visit whereas you could never afford it.  Seeing family for health or celebration purposes would also be a legitimate reason to pay in plastic money.

Photo by joshbousel

In our overly politically correct society, it's a conundrum that marketing around the annual birth date of Jesus Christ becomes fiercer each year.  Just what is the purpose of Christmas trees sans angels and the rabid replacement of "Christmas" with "holidays"?  Most people have no self-reflective radar on the meaning behind trudging off to the mall and digging into debt for some nebulous tradition.  After all, how do "holidays" motivate folks to buy, if not out of obligation?

I don't offend easily, but the aggressive Christmas marketing strategies are enough to make me boycott gift buying.  If you want to take a stand against commercializing Christmas, you don't have to swear off buying completely.  Just be smart and follow these savvy shopping tips to avoid becoming a "holiday" lemming.    

1. Make your own gifts.
Get Rich Slowly has an amazing list of 34 easy-to-make Christmas gifts.  Who doesn't love a jar of hot chocolate mix or a homemade gingerbread house kit?

2. Never enter a mall without a list.  No browsing allowed.
The music alone will lure you to the cash register.  I'm convinced stores pipe in cookie scent too.  If you must go to a physical location to purchase, enter at your own risk with an agenda in hand.

3. Avoid shrink-wrapped gift packages.
Nobody likes the generic body lotions and candle sets.  I'm sorry if you've been that aunt thus far, but it's time to stop.  No more gift sets.

4. Give only to charities.
Shop within your budget for a selected charity.  Don't give blindly, but rather research each option and make a few phone calls to verify what they need.  Nonprofit organizations have specific requirements for donations, so don't assume your benevolent gesture will be appreciated unless it matches their needs.

5. Shop online only.
Recognize your Pavlovian nature and avoid the "holiday" mall environment all together.  Most stores offer free shipping this time of year--you'll probably find better deals online anyway.

Photo by dsearls

I'm sick of paying $45 for a trim.  If that isn't a rip off, I don't know what is.  And I'm the low maintenance kind of gal who doesn't color, highlight, or whatever else.  Because I'm so cheap I only get my haircut once every four months and opt for styles that grow out well.  Every time I leave the salon I ask my stylist when I should come back--inevitably she laughs at me, knowing that I'd never return within the "recommended" eight weeks.  All men have to do is waltz into a barber shop (no appointment necessary) and walk out twenty minutes later for just $15.  

Ladies, if you can't resist being a diva about the quaff, just know that average prices will run you over $600 each year for highlights, cuts, and product.  There are several ways to chop your hair budget and still retain your sheik, shaggy bangs.

• Find a beauty school nearby.
Students need practice before stepping into a salon as a certified stylist.  While this may make you nervous, think about it for a minute--students will take the most care and time in giving you a great cut.  They are more willing to pay attention and focus than many stylists who've been in the business a long time.  The Paul Mitchell School near me offers $10 haircuts and others offer free open houses throughout the year.  Be ready to spend extra time, though.  Students and their instructors are meticulous about getting the style right.


• Get trims from discount stylists.
Before you snub your nose at Super Cuts, take note that even beauty magazine editors will visit the discount stylist in between major style changes.  As long as you have a good cut working already, ask for a 1/2" trim of the exact same style.  They already have a good "map" to follow.


• Preserve the quality of your hair.
Wash your hair every other day, even if you work out.  Most shampoos have chemicals that strip many of your natural oils and leave your hair dry and brittle when used every day.  Your hair doesn't need that much processing on a regular basis.  You'll save money on shampoos and haircuts, as the quality of your hair will stay healthier longer.  Also use heat treatment sparingly.  Allow your hair to air dry for as long as you can before apply intense heat from the blow dryer and straightener.  


• Choose styles that grow well.
I agree with you; short hair is cute, but cute costs.  Longer styles don't need as much maintenance.  Select a stylist who can give you a good cut that won't need a six-week check up.  Go for mid to long styles with layers.


• Opt for "half-head" highlights.
If you must alter your natural color (which you absolutely don't need to do) then ask for half-head highlights if you have medium or long length hair.  No one cares if you highlighted the bottom half and you'll get a much better deal just doing the top.  

Photo by show and tell

Cool weather inevitably brings a sense of mourning to our loss of fresh (and cheap) berries and melons.  What's left are gourds, squash, and virtually nothing sweet.  Fear not, produce lover.  The fall holds some nice surprises--you just need to know how to look for them.  Check out the best fruits and veggies for your buck and tips on how to select the best of the bunch.  

Apples
The forbidden fruit is in high supply during these crisp, cool months.  Orchards are abloom with ripe, tasty varieties and they cost the least during the fall.  Pick apples that have a robust color, are firm, and don't have any bruises.  The best feature of the apple is it's shelf life--they last up to two weeks (sometimes more) in the refrigerator.  My personal flavor favorite for a snack is the Honey Crisp variety.  Granny Smith are great for cooking while Golden Delicious make great pies and apple sauce.
Best Apple Recipes: Slow Cooker Apple Sauce, Apple Pie

Broccoli
It never seems like a lot of fun to make broccoli.  This great-for-you food just never has a wow taste and always seems to lack something.  To maximize the flavor of your broccoli, pick stalks that have dark green florets.  Avoid any yellowing or whitish bunches.  A stalk will last up to five, maybe six days--if your leaves are wilted or the stalks are wiggly, it's well past it's prime.  For the best steaming and sautéing, try to cut your florets as uniform as possible.  For a quick dressing, mix red wine, lemon juice, brown sugar, salt, and pepper and pour over slightly cooled steamed broccoli.
Best Broccoli Recipes: Broccoli and Rice Casserole

Butternut Squash
A ripe butternut squash adds a flavorful punch to any fall dinner.  Plus, squash stay ripe for up to a month in a cool dry place (not the fridge), which takes a lot of pressure off a cook.  For the best texture, cut the squash in half, take out the seeds, and bake at 400˚ like a baked potato.  Add some butter, cinnamon, and sugar to make an easy squash casserole.  
Best Butternut Squash Recipes: Butternut Squash Bisque

Grapes
Who said the sweets were on hiatus?  Grapes are ripe and out in force.  The best way to pick good grapes is to select a bunch with a nice, even color and firm feel.  If they already feel mushy at the store, you'll need to eat them within two days.  Good, plump grapes will keep for up to a week in the refrigerator.  Most of us keep grapes for an easy snack or after dinner sweet, but you can also roast them with pork chops and chicken.  For a sweet, eye-candy treat or wine tasting accompaniment, dip a washed bunch of grapes in water, roll in sugar, and free for 30 minutes.
Best Grape Recipes: Grape Salad

Photo by MENE TEKEL

Don't get sucked into "easy" credit--there's no such thing!  Keep a wary eye out for these deceptive credit strategies that will nickel and dime your account to death:

1. No Interest on Furniture Loans
Impressed by those "no interest until 2015" ads?  Before you sign off on a mound of debt there are several surprises hiding inside the fine print.  If you qualify for a loan term with no interest, you must pay back the entire balance within the specified period.  If by the end of your term you still carry a balance for your furniture, all the interest since the beginning of the loan will be added.  Even if you only owe $20.  Plus, if you're a minute late making a payment, interest will kick in for the entire loan.  What seems like a good deal can quickly sour if your bill arrives late or if the billing department "somehow" didn't receive the bank draft.  Your best bet is to save up cash for your furniture and avoid sleepless nights.

2. Making Minimal Payments
There's a reason credit card companies set a minimum payment for your credit card.  They're trying keep you locked into some sort of payment for the rest of your life.  The minimum payment usually covers only the finance charges on your debt, so you can literally pay indefinitely and make no headway.  While it's better than paying nothing at all, try to aggressively attack your debt and set a time limit to pay it off completely.  Carrying a balance is never a good idea.

3. Late Payment Consequences
One or two days late making a payment is no big deal, right?  After all, your biology teacher let you slide on getting your project in on time.  Welcome to the world of cutthroat profits.  Credit card companies love it when you pay late.  Not only do you get slapped with a fee, but also they can hike up your interest rate to an obscene percentage.  Not to mention it reflects negatively on your credit score.  Our lesson to learn here is pay early to avoid risking huge fees.

4. Cash Advance Charges
Have you ever used those nifty "checks" sent by your benevolent credit card company?  They seem so easy to use.  This brilliant marketing strategy comes at a huge cost to gullible customers.  First off, they aren't truly checks--you don't have the money.  These cash advance checks have a minimum purchase, usually $75 or more, and they charge a revolting 3% interest on top of your regular finance charges.  How sweet of them to help you out in a pinch.  Rip up the checks before you have a chance to consider using them.

Houston boasts Texas-sized shopping, sporting events, festivals, and home cookin' in a city of friendly people who aren't afraid to lend a hand.  Expect a welcoming environment in "Space City" as well as first-rate museums, quick access to the beach, and multicultural flavor.  Make your stay in Houston the best possible with these tips for visitors and residents.

TRAVELERS

• Hotels and Budget Suites
Check in at the famous Hotel Derek or Alden Hotel for cheap with deals from Houston.com.  Stay within 15 minutes of downtown in comfortable suites for less at the Holiday Inn Express Houston Hillcroft.  The Baymont Inn and Suites is close to Hobby Airport and convenient for visits to NASA, Galveston, and Kemah.  Check here for a comprehensive list of budget options.
        
• Hostels and Other Travel Options
Stay downtown at the Joie de Vire Guesthouse for as little as $12 per night (floor mat) or $32 private/mixed guest room for two sleepers.  Free WIFI for the first day, breakfast, linens, and maps provided.  The Houston International Hostel is within walking distance of the city's major museums and provides free WIFI, guest kitchen, BBQ area, and common room.  Keep in mind the facilities are locked from 8a-5p every day.

RESIDENTS

• Recommended Neighborhoods
Many Houstonites have chosen to move out of the 610 loop to the surrounding areas of The Woodlands, Spring, Katy, and Clear Lake for cheaper housing prices and better schools. Inside-the-Loopers (ITLs) can look to West University, Midtown, The Heights, and Montrose are your best bets for safet--just prepare to pay for those convenient locations.  
 

• Tips for House/Apartment Hunting
Beware suburbanites in your SUVs--Houston traffic is notoriously hideous and you may quickly find yourself in a two-hour daily commute to downtown.  Always test your drive before choosing a location.  Houston has virtually no zoning laws, so don't be surprised to find a video rental store, law office, two houses, and a strip club occupying the same street.

TRANSPORTATION

Access to Houston is relatively easy with George Bush International Airport north of the city and the more locally used Houston Hobby twenty minutes south.  My favorite airline, Southwest regularly flies out of Hobby.  Houston has big freeways, but with a 16.9 percent increase in population in just a decade, the roads are painfully crowed.  If visiting the area, steer clear of the major thoroughfares between 7-9:30a and 3-6p to save some sanity.  Harris County is trying to catch up with transit services by adding a rail service from downtown to Reliant Stadium south of the city.  If you plan to hit the Museum District, Hermann Park, or Main Street it makes for an easy ride.

Photo by dimiqueen


Whether you're a Dave Ramsay junkie or trying to learn from some big mistakes in your spending habits, it's no secret that using credit cards encourages more spending.  But I have to assume that you have some clue about how important a budget is to curbing your spending before reading this.  Both credit cards and cash have major benefits and drawbacks. 

If you have a problem with over spending, deciding between cash only or credit/debit card exclusive systems is like trying to stick a Band-Aid on a gushing artery.  You can't renovate what you don't own--so get a grip on a budget first.  Once you're set with monthly expenditures, take a close look at your credit car bills and cash spending.  Above all: to thine own self be true.  Know your natural inclinations to spending and adjust to reduce it.

Once you're ready to take a stand, consider the following:

The Pros to Cash Only:

•  Cash is finite. Your credit card limit is too, but assuming an outrageous spending limit will only incur huge finance charges.  Once you run out of dough for the month, you're done.  This means no furtive, late-night dashes to the ATM.  If your budget is up for the month, train yourself to not buy anything else.  Just as with starting exercise, you'll have some soreness at first but the repetition and strength of habit will make it easier in the future.

      
• Cash is accepted everywhere.  Our card of choice, American Express, is not.  Plus the swipe machines go down occasionally and you won't have an option then either. 

      
• Avoid late fees.  Even if you pay off your credit card bill at the end of the month, quirky things happen.  Bills don't arrive on time or get lost.  If the unexpected can happen, it will.  Credit card companies thrive off late fees and even one late payment can mess with your interest fees.  When you pay with cash, the transaction is completed immediately.

      
• Cash is convenient for random expenditures like tips and split bills at restaurants.  No more worries about having an extra dollar or two on hand for cash only needs.

As a recent sojourner to the Big Apple, I have a good idea of how much damage a big city can do to a budget.  We're talking wrecking ball style demolition.  Those of us in flyover country may be a little on the provincial side, but we can still spot a ridiculous waste of money, cosmopolitan hub of the universe or not.  Traveling to a big city is exhilarating; seeing the architectural wonders, big blinky lights, and world-class shows puts a goofy grin on any corn-fed hick like myself.  It's even fun to get yelled at by a passerby.  

Part of what makes traveling in a big city difficult is locals have enough to contend with aside from gawking, picture snapping fanny pack wearers who dare to occupy space on the pavement.  If you travel to a densely populated area, beware that you're not always welcome.  Plus you will have to accustom yourself to close proximity.  Steal squirts of instant hand sanitizer mid-transit to get a semblance of clean.  

Heed the following advice if planning a trip to Big City, USA to condition your wallet for a spending marathon:

1. Get to know your destination city's transit system and utilize it.
Sure, you may see some creative types dressed in rags or speaking in tongues, but most large cities have well-used public transportation monitored by local authorities.  Your chances of being mugged aren't worse on a bus or train than they are on a street.  Buying a week-long transit pass will usually save you more money than paying ride to ride.  If you rely on rental cars and taxis you can quadruple travel expenses.  View it as a learning experience and enjoy navigating the city local style.

2. Get a CityPass, provided you're interested in most of the options.
It's fine to be interested in tourist things.  That's what you are, so don't fight it.  And many of the city's touristy spots are legitimately awesome.  CityPass offers a buffet of options from which to choose at up to 50% off all attractions.  Many of the nation's biggest cities have a deal with them for museums, tours, and observatory decks.  Review the options ahead of time and always plan on visiting the high traffic destinations early in the morning.

3. Have a sit-down meal once a day, not three.
The first thing to do after collecting your busted baggage is to buy some protein bars, cereal bars, and fruit from a nearby market.  Many big cities don't offer refrigerators in your hotel room, so buy food that can be stored at room temperature.  A word to Middle Americans: we don't pay much for our food in comparison to our East Coast neighbors.  Restaurant fare is expensive, and the pre-meal bread isn't free.  Make your lunch or dinner the sit-down meal and eat on the go at other meals.  

4. Bargain with tour guides.
If you opt for a carriage ride through the park or guided bike tour of the city, haggle the price.  Unless it's a big bus-like tour the individual guides will usually offer a lower price (plus tips) on a slower day.  It can't hurt to ask and start to walk away.