Photo by subsetsum

While the effects of H1N1 may be slipping from breaking newsworthiness, keep in mind that the annual flu is just beginning to rear its snotty head.  The aches and sniffles this season ushers in remind us of basic disease theory.  When germs spread, folks get sick.  Since you and I don't want to be among the unfortunate, we arm our bathrooms, purses, and office spaces with copious amounts of instant hand sanitizer. 

After all, it's portable, easy, and needs no water.  But are we really protected by them?  Are they more effective that antibacterial soap with water?  And what are the best brands to use?  According to the U.S.Center for Disease Control, cleaning your hands with hand sanitizer is equally effective at killing germs as traditional soap and water--when hands aren't visibly dirty.  Don't expect the Purell to remove caked-on dirt.  Instant sanitizers should be used on unsoiled hands.

So keep a bottle tucked in the purse (or man-bag) and get ready to fight the winter germies.  Don't ignore these basic tidbits and buying truths before stocking up:

1. If you're buying an alcohol-based product, buy one with a skin-softening agent. Alcohol is extremely harsh on the skin. Dial with moisturizers is a good bet. Purell is another strong contender with a line of scented and unscented instant hand cleaners. If you are an anti-bac junkie make sure your lather with lotion several times a day--winter dry skin with constant alcohol application is a recipe for cracked and bleeding hands.

You spend a lot of money each year on stuff.  If you are accustomed to buy now, pay later you are paying even more for the interest on your stuff.  Don't be tricked into the monthly payment mindset--that immediate gratification type of thinking will wipe out your long-term wealth building potential.

1. Furniture: BUY
Unless you move every year or two and pay big moving fees each time, never rent furniture.  Temporary international relocation might be an exception.  Scour the nickel paper for garage sales and pick up odds and ends until you can afford the expensive Haverty's set.  I've found the best sofas at yard sales.

Some rental companies charge up to 50% more than the furniture retail value.  And you have no guarantee as to the quality of rented furniture.  Calculate the overall payout for your rented furniture--you'll find it is much higher than you anticipated.   $200 per month may not hurt your pocketbook immediately, but you'll have nothing at the end of your lease term.

2. Recreational Vehicle: RENT
RVs range between $9,000 and $200,000 with wide differences in quality and performance.  Unless you live in the thing or need it for cross-country travel at least once a month, you'll come out ahead spending the $500 per week rental fee (plus mileage) for your yearly getaway.  Hard core campers who travel 50 days out of the year or more might consider buying a used (at least three-year-old) model.

3. Tools: RENT
Attempting that home improvement job and need a tile cutter?  Just rent one unless you plan on becoming a mosaic artist.  Need to spread a mound of dirt to fill in holes in your backyard?  Round up the neighborhood kids and a bushel of shovels or get a backhoe if the job is a biggie.  

If the carpet looks shabby and needs a shampoo, I like to rent a carpet cleaner from Lowe's or Home Depot.  For an industrial grade cleaning, it's far cheaper than hiring a company and better than the units I can afford.  Keep a cache of the basics for everyday jobs, but for bigger tasks check out your local home improvement store.

Photo by LarimdaME

Is the big day at your place this year?  Don't stress over grocery store anxiety.  Thanksgiving meals can be organized for very little money if you're organized and begin early.  Start collecting pantry goods now to plan for an inexpensive yet yummy dinner.  

1. Look for free turkeys.
Thank goodness our November tradition hails a cheap bird as the centerpiece rather than medium rare sirloin steak.  While intimidating to cook, turkeys are definitely cheap and you can choose from fryers, boneless, pre-cooked, and roaster varieties.  Many grocery stores give out free turkeys with a minimum purchase of items you'll probably need for Thanksgiving dinner.  Other stores will offer buy-one-get-one free birds, especially helpful for large gatherings.

2. Get an RSVP list and assign sides.
After 29 years of sharing Thanksgiving week with 45 relatives, we have narrowed our spreadsheet to an exact science.  The whole point of Thanksgiving is hosting a potluck--think Native Americans and Pilgrims.  Our family takes this practice to an extreme, assigning prep work and clean up duties in addition to bringing food, but it works and we have never left out a dish.  This simple act of getting an attendance commitment from friends and family and inviting them to bring something will help reduce the load.  

3. Avoid the box mixes.
Making your dishes from scratch will not only taste better but will usually save some money off your bill.  Stuffing and canned yams are the worst.  If you're in a bind and have to go with a stuffing box, Good Housekeeping recommends Stove Top Savory Herb Stuffing Mix ($2) and Arrowhead Mills Organic Cornbread Stuffing Mix ($3). 

4. Shop now for canned goods and freezeables.
Consider this next week to be the Black Friday version of holiday food.  Grocery stores are fighting for your Thanksgiving buck and have reduced canned green beans, corn, sweet potatoes, and pie crusts to an all-time low.  They know that you'll spend enough in quantity to make up for the deep discounts.  Go online to scour weekly grocery ads for the best deals, but beware the convenience food lure.  Don't buy huge Thanksgiving food "kits" without comparing prices when purchased separately.

Photo by Dan4th

The Amish could teach us a lesson or two about using old-fashioned construction and cooking methods.  According to a Wall Street Journal article over 600 Amish contractors working in more than 12 states can save homebuyers up to 30% employing simple, yet stable, building techniques and few tools.  

Not everything with a cord will make life easier--and it doesn't usually simplify things either.  While we come a long way from barn raising sans electric tools and churning our own butter, it's worth a second glance to comparing manually driven tools and their electronic counterparts.  After all, saving money speaks across the decades.

Clothes Dryer
Assuming your dryer, which is 5,000 watts, runs for 4 hours every day of the month, you'll spend roughly $60 per month on drying costs alone!  Most of us don't use our dryer that much, but you have to factor in wear and tear on your clothing and the age of your machine.  Older, less efficient units take longer to dry the clothes and you'll end up with faded darks if you over dry.  On the other hand, running a 48" fan for 12 hours each day on hanging clothes will only run you about $2.50 for the month.  Using a drying rack and natural air to get the job done will keep your clothes brighter longer and save money on your dryer.
The Winner: Drying rack with a fan

Can Opener
Forget the electric can opener--I want my hand crank.  The electric gigs run off track so often and unless you spend a bit of money they don't give a smooth cut.  Plus when the electricity goes out and you need to break into the pantry cordless is a necessity.  My pick is the OXO Good Grips Smooth Edge Manual Can Opener.
The Winner: Hand crank opener

Toothbrush
Here's the deal.  If you don't brush your teeth regularly, it doesn't matter if your brush is gold-plated with diamond studs--teeth don't brush themselves.  I tend to get lazy about how long I brush and I get bored.  The electric toothbrush is fun for me to use.  There are a few studies roaming around that say using an electric brush reduces plaque build-up, but most are dependent upon users.  While you can easily dish out over $100 for a rechargeable brush, the Oral-B Vitality costs just under $20 and does and excellent job.  It doesn't have a built-in timer and only has one-brush motion, but it is rechargeable and you can't beat the price.  Consumer Search rated the Oral-B Vitality the Best No-Frills Electric Toothbrush and the Journal of Contemporary Dental Practice found that using this brush is comparable to receiving a dental prophylaxis followed by a manual toothbrush.  
The Winner: Electric for lazy operators, manual for diligent scrubbers

Beater
I have both sitting side by side in my pantry.  While I like the feel of my manual beater, it is nearly impossible to beat baked goods (especially cookies which need to take an extra whipping) long enough without a complete forearm workout.  I'll use the whisk on light jobs, but most recipes need a simple electric (not necessarily the giant Kitchen Aid) beater.  I purchased mine for under $20 and it has lasted for five year.
The Winner: Electric beater

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.