Posts tagged: money
18 Ways a New (or Old) Homeowner Can Save Money
By DIY Maven
Wether you're new to home ownership or not, there are some things you can do to save bucks. The cost-saving suggestions come to us from The Simple Dollar, and they're so good, I'm going to quote them directly.
- Check the insulation in your attic - and install more if needed.
- Lower the temperature on your hot water heater down to 120 degrees Fahrenheit (55 degrees Celsius).
- Toss a water heater blanket over that hot water heater as well » READ MORE
The Secret to Etsy Success
By DIY Maven
Need to make some extra cash in these hard economic times? Maybe it's time to turn your hobbies into an income source via Etsy. To make your Etsy experience a successful one, let's turn to the advice of Kellbot who actually used to work for Etsy.
- Take better photos.
- Make something people actually want.
- Make something other people aren't making.
- Build a cohesive line.
- Give up on the bad ideas and move to new and better ones.
- Take better pho » READ MORE
Save Money and find Peace by Embracing Artlessness
By DIY Maven
Living an artlessness life. It's exactly opposite of what we encourage here at Curbly, right? Not necessarily. At least not when you consider the art of artlessness as 'living simply and naturally', as Zen Habits defines it. » READ MORE
10 Ways to Save Money by Going Green.
By ChrisjobIt's hip, it's good for the environment, and even corporations like WalMart and Pepsi are getting into it...and, it can save you money. Inhabitots points out ten ways that living more eco-friendly can use less of the earth AND your resources.
1. PLANT A VEGETABLE GARDEN.
2. HOST A BLACKOUT!
3. HOST A TOY EXCHANGE.
4. MAKE YOUR OWN ART SUPPLIES.
5. CHECK OUT YOUR LOCAL LIBRARY
6. ORGANIZE A MAGAZINE COOP
7. USE CLOTH NAPKINS
8. GO THRIFT » READ MORE
Homemade Household Recipes to Keep Money in Your Pocket During a Recession.
By ChrisjobClamping down on spending during tough economic times often means letting go of some extras, particularly some pleasant, but technically unnecessary, personal care products. So Gomestic offers this solution: don't buy them at all. Make 'em.
With recipes from DIY facial astringent to playdough and houseplant fertilizer, you can continue to have the things that make your life a little more beautiful.
- Facial Astringent
- Facial Scrub
- Laundry S » READ MORE
10 Most Common Mistakes of DIY'ers.
By ChrisjobTrying something the first time is gonna lead to a few fluff ups. Here's a well assembled list of ten to keep in mind as you embrace a new project.
3. Not having the right tools. 4. Failing to take proper safety precautions.
5. Failing to recognize the scope of a project. 6. Not having enough help. 7. Failing to read directions » READ MORE
How To Fold an Origami Shirt from a Dollar Bill.
By Chrisjob
Why?
Because you can. And it looks cool. And you might get to keep the dollar you borrowed. And why not...And, oh, just watch the video.
10 Things You Can Like About $4 Gas.
By Chrisjob
Oh, Time magazine...always the optimist. Gas prices are changing the way we live. Here's ten reasons why you should care. Via.
What You Should (and Shouldn't) Buy Organic.
By ChrisjobOrganic foods and produce are healthier for consumers and the environment, but they can be expensive and acrue large transportation costs. Greenopolis has collected a list of those things that are worth buying organic, and those that its best just to try to buy locally when possible.
No Need:
- Avocado
- Banana
- Pineapple
- Kiwi
- Mango
- Papaya
- Asparagus
- Broccoli
- Cabbage
- Onions
Yes, Indeed:
- Fruits: Peaches, Apples, Nectarines, Strawberr » READ MORE
The Money Eating Face Bank
By DIY Maven
The only thing that could possibly make this bank cooler--and creepier--is if it made chewing noises. To appreciate the Face Bank fully, you gotta watch the video! Via The GreenHead.
12 Ways to Waste Money
By DIY Maven
There’s a ton of articles out there telling you how to save money, but what about if you want to waste it? Well, here are a few ideas if you have some cash laying around and you just don’t know what to do with it.
- Buy a new car–preferably at night, and make sure you ask for the optional undercoating.
- Buy a used car with low miles and tons of rust.
- When having your car repaired, tell the mechanic to fix whatever’s broken and to not c » READ MORE
What a Butt-Load of Cash Really Looks Like
By DIY MavenWe here at Curbly are a visual crowd, so when I saw this, I just had to pass it along. It is a visual representation of what a lot of money looks like. And when I say a lot, I mean A LOT. Each block represents a stack of one-dollar bills.
How To Add Flavor to Your Water with Natural Add-Ins.
By ChrisjobAlmost a year ago, I asked Curbliers for their favorite DIY Flavored water recipes. A few days ago, money-management blog Wise Bread offered eight recipes to give your water a little extra zing on the cheap.
1. Salt – Adds electrolytes per those fancy, sugared up sports drinks.
2. Ginger - If you like spices, ginger is a great way to add a "zing" to your water.
3. Citrus – Freeze citrus zest within ice cubes.
4. Herbs - Mint, lemongrass, and » READ MORE
How to Refill a Brita Water Filter and Save $$$.
By Chrisjob
You're supposed to drink at least 64 oz of water a day. Charcoal filtration systems help make sure your hydration is clean and cold. Replacement filters for these systems cost anywhere from six to fifteen dollars, but can be refilled by hand for around fifty cents.
Materials:
- Filtration catridge
- Activated carbon
- Polyethylene plug
- Xacto knife
- 1/2 drill bit and dril
Low Cost Ways to Conserve Water at Home.
By ChrisjobSave money and save the planet with these tips from YahooGreen:
Reduce water use from showers and faucets
- No cost: Limit shower time to 5 minutes or less.
- Less than $10: Install an on/off valve between the shower arm and showerhead.
- $10-$50: Install a low-flow (less than 2 gallons per minute) showerhead.
- $20-$50: Insulate all accessible hot-water pipes, especially those within 3 feet of the water heater.
Toilets are the ene » READ MORE
What will you do with your Economic Stimulus Payment?
By DIY Maven
This week the IRS spent our money sending out letters notifying us that they will be sending out our economic stimulus payments starting in May. What to do with the windfall? If I’d ask MWT, he’d probably say pay down the mortgage. Okay, that’s an option, but it doesn’t stimulate the economy. My vote is for spending it on home improvement projects. It’s like this, the housing market is languishing; we’re not going anywhere anytime soon, so why » READ MORE
How to Fold a Shamrock from a Dollar Bill.
By ChrisjobDon't blow your cash on disposable leprechaun hat or cheap green beer. Instead, take advantage of its green tint and fold it into a shamrock.
25 Money-Saving Kitchen Tips.
By ChrisjobThe Urban Vegan offers some excellent ideas to save money and prevent food waste. The tips are intended for vegans, so that means that they can apply to everyone...unless you manage to survive on nothing but meat.
1. Bake your own bread.
2. Freeze your assets.
3. Cook beans from scratch and freeze them in ziplock bags.
4. Consider the long-term financial implications of organic.
5. Make your own faux meats.
6. Pack your own lunch.
7. Don't buy » READ MORE
Ten Ways to Save Money on Home Improvement Projects.
By ChrisjobSometimes, doing it yourself is the best option, and others, it's best left to the contractors. These ten tips can help you set your priorities, save money, and ulitmately, get the job done.
1) Set your priorities. 
2) Rethink the scale of your improvements.
3) Stretch the future value of your dollars by choosing improvements that offer a strong return on your investment,
4) Avoid costly construction. If possible, don't move bearing walls, alter » READ MORE
7 Ways to Triple Your Refrigerator's Lifespan.
By Chrisjob
- Cleaning the dust from your refrigerator's compressor coil once or twice a year will help it last twice, if not three times as long.
- Use a special coil brush, around $5 from the hardware store
- Lacking this, use a broom or compressed air.
- First remove the grill, then clean the coil.
- Then, clean the grime and dust on the fan blades, then replace the coil.
- Replace your gasket: if a dollar bill slides freely between the rubber gasket strip and the doo » READ MORE
