Second uses for your Christmas tree

Now that you've enjoyed your holiday dinner, and returned those un-needed gifts, what do you do with the Christmas tree? It seems such a waste to put it out for the trash.  There are some second uses for your tree that you can consider.

Haul your tree to a recycling center.  They will put it through a chipper use the mulch in your community for hiking paths and the like.

Other communities sink used trees into ponds and lakes to create fish habitats.  This use is not as wide spread as it used to be, as there are other materials that make better reefs.  

Check with your local parks and recreation department to see if they are looking for trees to recycle this year.

Other uses include stripping the fragrant needles from the tree and making sachets to use in closets, etc.  However, you should still recycle the rest of the tree.

A good money and tree saver for future Christmases is to buy a nice artificial tree now at the after Christmas sales.  You can find really life like trees at as much as 75 percent off this time of year.  Considering that a real tree may cost anywhere from $50 up, over time you'll save plenty and also save the environment.  

This is the time of year when you want to reach out and keep in touch with family members and friends living all around the world. It can get expensive to make long distance calls to all of these people. But don't despair, you don't have to break the budget to talk to them.

There are several wonderful Websites on which you can make calls Free:

1. Skype.com – make free computer to computer calls, or extremely low-cost calls direct to mobile phones or landlines all from your computer.  It's easy, it's fun, and it will save you money.  We use this free service nearly daily to keep in touch with friends, family, and co-workers all over the world, and the quality is great! Make cheap calls to landlines and mobiles – Buy SkypeOut credit here
2. Yahoo Messenger – besides instant messages, you can also use Yahoo Messenger to make computer to computer calls.  For a small fee, you can purchase credits to call mobile and landlines too.  The quality is great, and it is cheap. Download Yahoo Messenger.
3. TextaCellPhone.com – like to send SMS messages?  You can send free SMS text messages online. This service works with many cell phone carriers in the United States and many other countries around the world. 
4. EQO.com – Works like Skype and Yahoo Messenger but you can use it from your cell phone.  You must have the data service on your cellphone for this service to work.  Many of my friends use this service and they love it.  Voice quality is good, and the service is easy to use.

I read an excellent article, Get Out of Debt in 2009, that is a must read for anyone who is deep in debt.  Why not make it your goal in 2009 to try to pay down as much debt as possible next year, or even pay it all off.  

Wouldn't it be great not to have all that debt hanging over your head?  Paying off your debt can offer new financial freedom that you may be dreaming of.  Why not give it a try? 

Want to save on entertainment for your family? Did you know you can download movies online, and even burn them to a CD or DVD? It's a great way to save on your entertainment budget.

This is the ultimate in frugal entertainment.  For as little as $1.37 per month, you can join The Movie Downloads ! It's a wonderful new Web site at which you may download just about any movie that you want to see.  They have a nearly limitless library of movies and TV shows that you can download.  The downloads are compatible with PC or Mac, and it is so easy to use. And, in case you do have questions, their technical support staff are available to answer questions 24/7.  They have a 100% satisfaction guaranteed policy, so if you are not happy in anyway with the service, just cancel for your money back.

We haven't seen a better entertainment product on the market! This is a major savings for your entertainment budget.  TheMovieDownloads.com offers a one – year membership for $2.49/month ($29.88 per year); two-year membership is $1.37/month ($16.44 per year); or an unlimited lifetime membership for $34.95 (best deal).  These packages also would make great gifts for your family members, friends, or even co-workers who love movies.  

For more information about TheMovieDownloads.com Click Here!

If you are looking for more ways to stretch your food dollars, here are a few menu ideas that will not only save money, but your family will love these meals too!

1. Breakfast for lunch or dinner. Yes, everyone loves breakfast food, and breakfast foods are among the most cost effective. Serve homemade pancakes and eggs with some fruit.
2. Soups and stews. First of all, soups and stews are great time savers. You can throw all the ingredients in a crock pot and go. In addition, with the slow cooking method, you can use much cheaper cuts of meat, and whatever vegetables are in season.
3. Use your leftovers. Don't let food go to waste. Use leftover roast in a Shepherd's Pie, shred leftover chicken to make a casserole or burritos. Use your imagination, but don't let that food go to waste.
4. Meatless meals. You don't have to serve meat at every meal, and your family can get enough protein from a meatless meal if you plan well. For example, one of my families favorite meals is pasta with a chickpea sauce. It is delicious and low-cost. Beans, tofu, eggs, pasta with cheese all make good meatless options.
5. Pasta – pasta meals are a great way to stretch the food budget. Pasta sauce with meat is a great way to use sale ground beef, and you don't need as much meat per person. For example you can easily feed 6 people with one pound of ground beef that has been made into a pasta sauce.

Here are some recipes to prove the point. Hope that you and your family enjoy these great meal ideas! (more…)

Dealnews.com offers the latest news on how to save on many different categories of products.  You'll find excellent deals on everything from electronics, computers, household products, and much more.  Take a look at today's deals below, and save money!   

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A friend of mine recently lost her job, and she confessed to me that one of her biggest stresses right now is how to get through the holiday season since she can't afford much in the way of gifts for her friends and family. With the current economic situation, I would guess there are many individuals out there with the same worries.

Giving gifts does not have to be costly, and you shouldn't take on credit card debt for gifts that you clearly can't afford. As the old adage goes, “It is the thought that counts”. It is best to opt for things that may not be that expensive but would definitely bring joy and amusement to the one who will receive the gift.

So, if you want to give gifts but you are on a tight budget, don't worry because there are many ways to cut back on the costs but still be able to give gifts that will be deeply appreciated.

Start a Gift Closet

This is a great idea from my friend Sharon. She shops for gifts the whole year-round, taking advantage of sales and deep discounts that she finds. This offers less hassle and can help you save a lot – it's a definite money-saver since she has several children, children's spouses, and grandchildren that she likes to buy gifts for. (more…)

Mechanics offer the following tips on making your car last longer:

Every 2 weeks or 3,000 miles:

1. Check engine oil, transmission fluid and coolant.

Once a month or 1,000 miles:

2. Check tire pressure – with tire gauge.

3. Check transmission fluid.

4. Check brake fluid.

5. Wax car (to protect finish).

6. Check belts and hoses.

Every 3 months or 3,000 miles: (more…)

I was having a bit of trouble over the weekend with my new frugal lifestyle – can't I still have my Chanel mascara ($28), and my $150+ hair color and style appointments?  What about my favorite Yves Saint Laurent 'Teint Majeur' Luxurious Foundation SPF 18 – #4 Sand at $95 per jar?  I poured over my frugal budget looking for a way to fund my little luxuries, to no avail.  If I am to be a true Frugalista, there must still be a way to look good, while staying on budget.

So, off to the drugstore I went in search of bargain beauty products.   I also found that Wal-Mart and Target offer a nice selection of lower cost beauty products than what I find at my local department stores.

Here's what I came up with, believe it or not:

Maybelline Great Lash mascara on sale for $4.34 was a wonderful alternative to the higher priced mascara's that I have used over the years.  It was highly recommended by a good friend of mine who is a model and actress.  I've tested it for several days now, and it doesn't flake off, or smudge, and is long lasting.  It makes my eyelashes appear longer and thicker, so at a savings of nearly $24, I can't complain.

L'Oreal Feria Multi-Faceted Shimmering Color.  I was very apprehensive about coloring my hair myself at home.  What if I didn't get it on evenly, or I spilled it and made a terrible mess in my bathroom?  In the end, I enlisted the help of a friend since it was my first time.  But, truthfully, I could have done it myself.  It was so easy, the instructions were simple and easy to follow, and the applicator is non-drip so no mess.  My color turned out great, in fact I was actually happier with the results than my most recent salon do.  At around $9 per application, I saved more than $140 plus tip!  

L'Oreal TruBlend Whipped Foundation.  This stuff is amazing!  It goes on smooth, covers well and evenly.  It provides nice coverage without looking pasty or made up. While it may not be my beloved Yves Saint Laurent 'Teint Majeur' Luxurious Foundation, it is a reasonable substitute, and at just under $9 per jar, that's a savings of $86!

If you don't believe me, give the drugstore a try.  I know you'll find some great beauty bargains if you shop carefully, and only buy what you need.  Look at me, I saved over $250 on products that I need and use.  You can too!