Sunday, August 30, 2020

A Solution To My Summer Problems At Last


Ok, I'm going to warn you, this post is going to get into TMI territory somewhat, so read further at your own risk.

Ok, I'm fat.

My thighs touch each other when I walk.

More like rub each other.

And each summer, when it would be sweltering outside, and I left the house, my legs would rub each other, damp, and get raw. (Also when during non summer times when there were times of the month with more dampness, if you catch my drift.)

Red and painful.

Chub rub. 

Chafing.

Whatever you call it, it would be painful to walk, because walking would make my raw legs rub against each other, making them more and more raw with each step.

So I'd end up doing this sort of waddle, doing anything I could to stop my legs from rubbing each other.

And then each night shower, scrub very well, because then sleeping would give my legs a fresh start, so in the morning I'd start from zero when I left the house, instead of partially raw and chafed to start the day, which would happen without a nightly shower.

6 Amazing Skincare Ingredients to Boost Your Complexion

Your face is the first thing most people notice about you. And when you have skin issues, it can be embarassing, because skin issues on the face might be one of the things people see first. Here's some suggestions from a reader about what types of all natural ingredients can keep your skin healthy and well.


When it comes to your face, you should only use the best products and treatments. Even if you are looking for a new face wash, always buy from a brand that does everything possible to make sure their ingredients are safe for your face.

We know it can be difficult to tell what brands are trustworthy. That's why we're here to tell you about trustworthy ingredients to look for in a brand's product.

These six ingredients will never fail you - you're guaranteed to buy products that contribute to glowing skin and a healthier body.

Thursday, August 27, 2020

Got The Parenting Blues? Here Are Some Affordable Ways To Overcome Loneliness

Parenting isn't easy. In the past, people lived with extended family, and they had their support to help take care of their children, raising them together with other people doing the same. Now our world is so spread out, and parenting can feel incredibly lonely and isolating, especially when the kids are younger and we feel more trapped at home. For me, one of the biggest things to help me feel less alone as a parent was finding my parenting "tribe" through the internet, people with whom I could commiserate and ask advice. Here's some other ways, suggested by a reader, on how you can overcome loneliness as a parent.


Many parents say that nurturing their little ones is one of the most rewarding things that they could do in their lifetime. However, as most of their time and effort goes into caring and providing for their children, some parents tend to ignore the fact that they’re struggling with loneliness and isolation. New research indicates that 56 percent of parents with children under the age of five experience loneliness most of the time, and it’s even worse for low income parents. It’s true that parenting takes commitment, effort, and a lot of time, but it’s also equally important to acknowledge these feelings of loneliness and find ways to cope with them to avoid depression, feelings of resentment, or relationship fall outs. If you’re experiencing the parenting blues, here are some affordable ways to overcome loneliness.

Wednesday, August 26, 2020

Perfect Gluten Free Low Lactose Easy Macaroni and Cheese Recipe for Sensitive Stomachs, with Aged Cheeses


When we talk comfort foods, macaroni and cheese is probably high up on the list for many of us. Creamy goodness, rich and delicious, it is something most of us have positive associations with.

Though I loved macaroni and cheese as a child, as an adult it was something that was pretty much a no go for me. Gluten was out, and for quite a long time, dairy was as well. I made gluten free vegan mac and cheese and it was delicious, but to be honest, not quite as good as dairy mac and cheese.

Eventually, though, my stomach healed enough that I was able to eat limited hard cheeses (blue cheese, camembert, and brie were the first ones I was able to tolerate) and then over time my stomach got stronger and stronger, and now, while I can't have milk or soft cheeses that aren't fermented, I am able to have cream and cheeses such as swiss, cheddar, and parmesan.

And so, now that I am able to handle a greater variety of cheeses, I figured out a way to make delectable macaroni and cheese using these terrific flavorful cheeses and all things that don't hurt my stomach. It is amazing and I'm so excited to share this recipe with you. While this isn't a good recipe for someone with a milk allergy, if you are lactose intolerant there's a good chance you may be able to enjoy this recipe pain free. Its not lactose free, but it is definitely low on lactose.

And even if you can handle all sorts of dairy, this recipe is just so good that you should try it anyhow!

Perfect Gluten Free Low Lactose Macaroni and Cheese Recipe for Sensitive Stomachs, with Aged Cheeses

Tuesday, August 25, 2020

Various Resources to Help Finance Your Home Care



When parents get old and their children are already living their own lives, it is quite hard to live alone. Alone and aging can be a disheartening condition to live with. In many cases, elderly people choose or need to go to assisted living to help them cope. However, not everyone can afford or wants to spend so much money on such services. If you’re going to look for affordable senior home care, here are some resources that can help you manage your finances when it comes to assisted living.

Monday, August 24, 2020

DIY Apartment Painting -- Instructions How To Paint an Apartment Step By Step -- Part 2

The main wall in the apartment we painted, once patched up.

Ok, so the other day I wrote part one of how to paint an apartment, includinga very thorough list of equipment you'll need However, even the most detailed equipment list won't tell you how to actually paint an apartment. So I'll go through this for you in steps. Of course, I'm not a professional, so some people might disagree with me on the order. But this is my thoughts based on my experience.

DIY Apartment Painting -- Instructions How To Paint an Apartment Step By Step -- Part 2

Sunday, August 23, 2020

Benefits Every Veteran Should Know

If you or a family member are a veteran of the US armed forces, you are eligible for many things that you might not have known about. For example, since my dad was in the US Army, as his kid, I am able to get banking with a very good company that only works with people affiliated with the armed forces. Here's a list of some benefits that can save you money if you are a vet.


Within healthcare and education programs are little known benefits to improve the life of veterans. While the programs alone are substantial, numerous other programs offer more benefits to the veterans and their families. In addition to the veterans, qualifying family members benefit from the programs. Family members may include spouses, parents, and children. Children and spouses may benefit from training and education.

Transferring your education benefit is tax-exempt. Spouses and other dependents may qualify for healthcare benefits through several programs. The VA provides healthcare services such as outpatient medical, pharmacy, alcohol, and drug dependency treatment. A veteran who has a disability rating of at least 60% is deemed permanently disabled. The VA is needed to provide nursing home care for veterans with a service-related disability rating of 70% or more. You ought to find out the specific laws to find out what benefits may apply in your location. Here are some of the main benefits that veterans should consider.

Burial Benefits

Families are entitled to death benefits available to them when a veteran dies. The benefits may include payment to help cater for burial and funeral expenses. The burial benefits you may receive depends on a multitude of factors, including the veteran’s status. VA maintains eligible veterans and dependents buried in one of the national cemeteries. Burial benefits for a veteran in these cemeteries include opening and closing the grave, prolonged care of the gravesite, a Government headstone, and a burial flag at no cost to the family. Burial benefits available to the spouses and dependents include burial with the veteran, perpetual care of the gravesite in a national cemetery. The national cemetery administrations determine the veterans who are eligible for burial in the national cemeteries.

Mortgage Insurance Relief

Another feature of veterans’ benefits is that you do not pay mortgage insurance. Conventional home buyers in Arizona need to pay for mortgage insurance unless you make a down payment of 20% or more. The fee is an annual premium that is paid monthly to the borrower. This insurance helps to limit the lenders’ loss in the event the borrower defaults. The government guarantees the mortgage insurance. The federal government insures mortgage lenders if the borrower is unable to make the monthly payments.

Getting a home loan without making any down payment is compelling for many qualified veteran loan borrowers. Understanding your VA mortgage loans can be a pain in the neck, and that’s why experts at Jake Taylor Home Loans always insist that you involve a professional. Apart from utilizing the VA mortgage loan experts, you can make use of the VA mortgage app and calculators. This tool can assist your savings, cost, and payments on your mortgage. You also get the chance to compare mortgages from both brokers and bankers.

Long-Term Care

Long term care for the veterans and surviving spouses can be expensive. Many families struggle to afford a paid caregiver for the elderly or disabled people. If the person has served for a short 90 days in the armed forces with at least one day of wartime, veteran benefits may ease the burden of paying for long term care. There is a pension benefit as the aid and attendance that provides money to veterans who need to perform everyday activities. Attendance benefits help finance in-home care. Veterans or dependents are eligible if they require the assistance of another person to perform daily tasks. Some veterans need specialized help such as bathing, feeding, or dressing. Specialized help may include individuals who are impaired, bedridden, or residing in a nursing home.

Caregiver Support

Family caregivers give vital support to the health and well-being of veterans. Family caregivers provide specialized care for severely disabled veterans. Veterans eligible for the caregiver support program may have sustained psychological trauma, traumatic brain injury, or mental disorder aggravated in the line of duty. To be available for comprehensive assistance by caregivers, you must have enrolled for VA health services. A primary family caregiver receives a monetary stipend for providing personal care services. The allowance does not replace career earnings. Besides, receipt of the payments does not create an employment relationship between the caregiver and the VA.



Free Tax Preparation

Millions file their taxes every year, and there is a cost associated with filing taxes. Veterans and their dependents have access to free tax preparation services. You can take advantage of specific benefits when you file your individual income tax returns as a veteran. The internal revenue service through the volunteer income tax program has a dedication to helping all veterans. The IRS website provides several links to tax services that guide the veterans. The tax experts are very knowledgeable about tax credits and deductions and can determine a veteran’s eligibility.

Disability Compensation

Disability compensation is a tax-free monthly monetary benefit for veterans with disabilities. Veterans who have special medical conditions, injuries, or disabilities sustained during active military service qualify for disability compensation. You may receive compensation for post-service presumed to be related to circumstances of military service. Besides, the degree of disability specified compensates for the loss of working time from exacerbations. Veterans should provide service treatment records and supporting statements records when applying for disability compensation. Moreover, veterans with disabilities not caused by combat or are over 65 years of age receive disability pensions.

Life Insurance

The military provides life insurance cover for veterans as with active military duty. The VA offers low-cost life insurance options to protect your family. Veterans group life insurance provides insurance benefits for veterans as they are no longer in the service. Automatic payments to members who suffer losses from traumatic injuries are by service member group life insurance traumatic injury protection. Service-disabled veterans’ life insurance guarantees life insurance coverage for veterans with a service aggravated disability. Disabled veterans are eligible to have a premium waiver if you meet policy requirements. It is essential for veterans who receive a disability rating of over 70 qualify for more insurance coverage. Life insurance programs provide financial security, given the extraordinary risks involved in military service. 

The veteran affairs have a mandate to support the well being of the veterans and their families. Veterans play an important role in history and culture. It is vital to provide ideal benefits that honor the sacrifice and achievements of the veterans.

Friday, August 21, 2020

I Did Something Radical with My Hair!


I always hated my hair. 

My hair when I was younger was so straight and fine that when I'd put a pony tail in it, it would slip out. I would attempt to curl it with a curling iron and the curls would fall out after a very short time. 

As I got older, my hair got less "silky fine", and it even got a bit more body and shape, instead of just being pin straight, but I never liked it. 

Because more than anything else, my hair was boring.

Me? I'm not boring. I'm a dynamic, vibrant, vivacious individual. And my hair is just... not.

Boooooring. 

Plain.

Simple.

I tried so many things with my hair throughout the years and nothing made me like my hair more. I tried chin length hair cuts. Nope. I tried layered hair cuts. Nope. I tried growing it really long, and the biggest nope of all. The longer my hair, the more thin and stringy it looks.

If I could have designed the "perfect" hair for me, it would have been boingy curly hair. You know that hair that is just big and alive and that when you pull it, boings back like a spring? I was always envious of people with such hair. But alas, my hair was boring central.

I got so sick of my hair being so boring that I just wanted to hide it. It wasn't me. I felt like my hair made me ugly and someone I didn't like.

Eventually my hair annoyed me so much that I literally gave myself a buzz cut in a fit of frustration.

But that was even worse.

I wanted to feel pretty.

I wanted to feel feminine. 

But whenever I got all dolled up, my hair got in the way and ruined it all. Or at least that's how I felt.

I put out a cry for help on this fashion group I am part of, full of many people that know me, asking how I could transform my hair from something I hate to something I love. And nearly everyone had the same answer- add color! But no, not a natural color like blonde or red, but a fun color. A color that makes me happy. They nearly all said that it should be blue. Royal blue.

And the more I thought about it, the more I realized just how right they were. Blue blue blue. Blue makes me happy. Blue makes me smile. Blue is fun. And that is what I wanted my hair to look like.

6 Little Splurges You Won't Regret

Once upon a time I was very, very, very, very frugal. I spent nothing on myself, and I mean nothing. No extras. No nothing that wasn't absolutely neccesary. And let me tell you, it wasn't good. It had a really bad affect on my mental health and even on my ability to be frugal, because at some point I just broke down and went on a shopping spree from the deprivation. 

Since then, I learned that even when I'm frugal, no matter how frugal I need to be, I make sure to include little luxuries into my life. Because those things are what make life worth living, and give you the strength to be frugal in all the other areas of life, as needed. Here's some suggestions from a reader on what you might want to splurge on, if you are otherwise living a frugal life.

 

Budgeting and practicing frugality is a full-time job. It's easy to get so fixated on saving money that you never allow yourself a little splurge here or there. It's particularly hard as a parent when you're always questioning whether you're spending money in a way that's ensuring a great life for your children.

There are in fact some things that are worth spending a little extra on. After all, if you're always buying the cheapest option, it's likely you'll have to replace household items more often. Spending a little more upfront can often save you money down the line.

Here are six things that are well worth splurging on.

Tuesday, August 18, 2020

DIY Apartment Painting -- Equipment Needed --Part 1


My dad recently moved out of his apartment and as per the standard contract locally, he needed to fully paint it before he handed over the key to the next tenants. Instead of just hiring anyone to do it, he offered me the job. Now I'll admit, I've never painted an entire apartment before, and the last time I painted even a full room was when I was a kid, but I knew I'd be capable of doing it. Of course, before I decided to do it, I posted about it in DIY groups to ask for advice on how to do it and got some great tips. 

Now that I did it, I wanted to share with you how I did it. This post will be about things you need, the next post is about how to do it, and part three is things I learned.

Things You Need To DIY Paint an Apartment

What 2020 Has Taught Us About the Value of Real Estate

I recently read a bunch of things on how coronavirus changed the whole world, with a focus on economy but so much more. Here's a post from a reader on how it has affected the real estate market.


Coronavirus turned the world upside down overnight, plenty of businesses and companies are taking a big economical hit, some are even real estate agencies. A lot of people lost their jobs or got their pay cut in half, leaving them with no choice but to move out of their homes or apartments. Here are some things and consequences we need to consider during this global catastrophe.

Friday, August 14, 2020

Sauted Sweet and Sour Cabbage Recipe -- Paleo, Gluten Free, Vegan, Easy


If you have some extra cabbage lying around, this is a terrific recipe that I learned from my mom. I'm pretty sure this style sweet and sour cabbage has some European origins, something she learned from her mom. It uses the types of produce that are cheap and easy to get in northern Europe where my family originates from, which means it's pretty frugal year round, but especially cheap when cabbages are in season, which is generally in the winter. (But to be honest, I find cabbage cheaply all the time.)

This recipe is not only easy and cheap to make, it is also tasty and is suitable for most diets, from paleo to vegan and most things in between.  I highly recommend it. 

Sauted Sweet and Sour Cabbage Recipe -- Paleo, Gluten Free, Vegan, Easy

Amazing Things Modern Moms Can Do to Manage Their Money Better

When I started this blog, it was because I felt like so many of the money saving tips out there just werent relevant to me and parents in general, since there's a very different lifestyle that someone with kids lives than a childfree person or couple. Here's some tips from a reader on money smart tips that work for moms.

 

Being a modern mother is hard work and there is a lot to think about every day. One of the biggest factors that you need to make the most of is money, and working on how you deal with money. There are so many expenses and financial decisions you need to make as a mom in the modern world, and this is something that you need to keep in mind as much as possible.

Try to do as much as you can to have some sort of action plan that is going to help you when it comes to improving your financial situation. There are a lot of factors that play a part in this right now, and you have to make sure you focus on this. Here are some of the amazing things you can do as a modern mom in order to manage your money better right now.

Spiced Watermelon Kombucha Cooler Recipe -- Gluten Free, Paleo, Vegan, Allergy Friendly, and Frugal


The other day I wanted to make myself a nice drink that wasn't water. And as usual, for inspiration, I turned to what I already had in the house. I had some ready homemade kombucha on my counter, and watermelon in the fridge, so decided to make myself a nice drink using them both. It hit the mark and is definitely something I'll be making again. 

This drink is not only absolutely delicious, it is suitable for so many different diets, whether someone has allergies, is gluten free, on a paleo diet, vegan, etc.  Try it, you won't regret it.

Oh, and did I mention how easy it is to make?

Spiced Watermelon Kombucha Cooler Recipe -- Gluten Free, Paleo, Vegan, Allergy Friendly, and Frugal

Thursday, August 13, 2020

Basic Tips Every Dog Owner Should Know Of

I love having a dog. We've had our dog Snickers for 2 years now, and she is an integral part of our family life. But to say it's only a breeze to have a dog isn't true- there are some more challenging parts, so here's some tips from a reader to help you with some of those challenges.


Being a proud dog owner involves much more than simple, albeit sweet, cuddling sessions. Yes, having a dog that follows you around and comforts you when you are feeling down is pretty cute, but that does not mean that you do not have big shoes to fill as its owner! Because dogs depend on their human parents for basically everything, you need to make sure that you are up for the task.

It can be challenging for first-time owners to know what they should do to keep their furry friends happy, but fortunately, you do not have to sweat it anymore. With our simple guide and useful hacks, you can become the best and most dependable dog parent out there. Just keep on reading to know more.

Our Semi Frugal Summer Vacation- Camping During a Meteor Shower!


The last two years my kids and I camped together on the beach for a few days, and it was great. But my kids requested that this year we go camping in a place with water and trees, and not on a beach. So I told them I'd try to find a place. 

Then about two weeks ago a single mom friend of mine contacted me and asked me if I wanted to go with her to see the Perseid meteor shower. To do that, she recommended that we drive down to a location in the desert, a few hours drive from my home, and go camp there. Only she didn't have experience camping or have the equipment, so we agreed that I'd take care of the camping stuff and she'd pay for a stargazing tour.

Because previous times we camped on the beach, we only had sponge mats, which I didn't think would be soft enough on the hard ground of the desert, so I decided to invest in a bit more camping equipment- I bought some air mattresses to use for this. I also bought another two person tent so that we wouldn't be as squished. Additionally, I purchased some folding camping chairs, because with my body hurting the way it has lately, I didn't want to put extra strain on it by sitting on the ground.

This trip was somewhat frugal. Since we drove there, we needed to pay for the car rental and the gas, which wasn't so cheap. But then again, I didn't pay for busing there, which I paid for my previous camping trips, which also added up.

Then there was food. I bought food from a frugal grocery store near me, and overbought food, but what I overbought was all shelf stable so nothing is wasted. The food just came out of my normal grocery budget.

The new camping equipment did cost more, but I consider that an investment for future camping trips, so it wasn't just an expense for this trip. If I'd planned the trip earlier I could have bought the equipment cheaper and not just at the closest camping store to me, but it is what it is.

The camping site itself was free, and we were worried that because of the meteor shower, it would get filled up early, so we arrived early, but there was absolutely no one there.

4 Ways Entrepreneurs Can Save Time and Focus More On Their Business

As a small business owner I know how challenging the work life balance can be. Here's some tips from a reader on how to balance those out by saving time on various work related tasks.


Many self-starting individuals these days have the drive and creative energy to become entrepreneurs and go into business for themselves. While almost every enterprising person is probably super excited about starting their own initiative or opening a storefront, they are typically strapped for time and tend to feel guilty for not being able to be more productive. The following are four simple ways you can control and manage your time better, thereby giving yourself a chance to focus on your business.

Tuesday, August 11, 2020

The Great Outdoors – Affordable Activities For Scrimping Families

Summer for everyone is usually complicated, figuring out how keep families entertained, and even more difficult when you need to do it on a budget. This year, with corona restrictions and safety precautions it is even harder, but one thing that still works are activities in nature. Here's some frugal nature activities you may want to do with your family the rest of the summer.


When it comes to household budgeting, recreation is often near the bottom of the priority list. As CBS outline, 40% of American families struggle to afford their housing, utilities, food and healthcare, meaning that money for fun is often in short supply. While the consumer markets throw out countless products that shape the idea of what ‘fun’ is, what’s also true is that there’s a huge world out there begging to be discovered. With a bit of creativity, families can have lots of fun while still sticking to a stringent budget

Tuesday, August 4, 2020

Bulgogi Style Beef Recipe; Korean Barbecue Steak -- Gluten Free, Paleo Option, Low Carb, Easy



I want to apologize for the slow posting rate; after exposure to someone with the coronavirus my family is in quarantine, and I have to say that it is extremely extremely hard for me to be focused and get work done while I'm in quarantine. One day simply bleeds into the next, every day feels the same, I'm silumtaneously bored out of my mind yet can't work up the energy to do anything. Add to that that I have a cold or something (waiting for a corona test) and that means that my productivity consists of making and drinking pot after pot of chicken vegetable soup, and not much else. Writing posts has been hard for me to do- this same post has been written sentence by sentence, word by word, over half a week already. Sorry for that. I will try to pick up the pace- I have hundreds of posts in the lineup to write, now I just need to get them done.

And with that prelude, I want to share this really amazing steak recipe. Of course, some people are of the opinion that a good steak doesn't need any seasoning at all- just plain meat and salt is enough. And while that is somewhat true- just because something doesn't need seasoning to make it good doesn't mean that such additions don't make it even better. And lets face it, I'm a frugal girl, I don't often buy "good steaks"- when I do buy steak its usually the cheapo stuff that is far from high quality, and you betcha it calls for something to make it better. I made this steak when making a special welcome back meal for someone special who moved back locally recently after a few years far away, and everyone, especially the 6 year old, devoured it, and wanted seconds and thirds and fourths. For them, I'll admit, I used the nice expensive steaks, but I make it more often with the cheaper steaks and it tastes just as wonderful, if a bit more chewy. 

This steak idea hails from Korea and is based on the dish known as bulgogi, which is a marinated grilled type of beef or pork. It, in my opinion, makes the most divine type of steak. While most versions of bulgogi are sweet, this one is low carb and sugar free. Also, bulgogi means in Korean "fire meat" because this meat was traditionally cooked over an open fire, but now people make it pan fried. I use my grill pan because then it leaves nice grill marks and I can pretend its over the fire while not neeting to fire up a grill. Another thing that differentiates mine from standard Korean bulgogi is that mine is cooked in individual steaks, while most bulgogi's steaks are cut into thin strips. Though mine is untraditional, I assume it can still be called bulgogi, and I highly recommend it.

Bulgogi Style Beef Recipe; Korean Barbecue Steak -- Gluten Free, Paleo Option, Low Carb, Easy

Ways to Keep Your Child Safe Online

As a mom of four kids who regularly use the internet, safety when using the internet is a very important thing for me. Here's some suggestions from a reader on how to keep your kids safe on the world wide web.

Photo by Roman Samborskyi

Seeing as how most of us are still pretty much on lockdown this summer, your children may wind up spending even more time than normal entertaining themselves online. However, while they might be able to stay safer this way health-wise, there are other dangers that may present themselves in cyberspace.

Rather than just worry and wonder about what your kids could be running into online, there are several things you can do to actively try to keep your kids safer online. They include: