Coming soon to a blog near you...!

So sad...did no one miss me?! I will be back in a day or so with new posts but would welcome any suggestions! FINALLY started a new job (though not in my usual role) so have been a bit distracted from my blogging. Send ideas!!! (please!!!!)

Blog Anniversary!!!

So I personally am very enthused about this particular post as it represents my one-year anniversary for the "Penny Pincher Survival Guide!" You may only have read one of my posts or maybe (hopefully?) a hundred or more, but if I saved you a few dollars here and there, I met my initial goal. And, FYI, how appropriate is it that my blog anniversary date is on tax day?!!! I find it amusing, but then you may have noticed that I am typically easily amused! Happy Tax Day everyone! :D

Eco-Hair Help

With everyone watching their budgets and (hopefully!) trying to be more "green" in their daily habits, here area couple of inexpensive and eco-friendly hair products you can make yourself (check for similar ideas in past posts by clicking on the labels associated with this post)!

MINT HAIR RINSE (refreshes dull, limp hair):

Ingredients:
1/2 cup boiling water
1 or 2 mint tea bags
2 Tablespoons apple cider vinegar

Directions:
Pour boiling water over the tea bag(s) and let steep until cool. Remove tea bag(s) and pressing to extract as much tea as possible. Stir in vinegar.

Use:
Shampoo and condition your hair as usual and then apply entire mixture to your hair. Massage it into your scalp and work it through your hair. DO NOT RINSE IT OUT. Dry hair and style as you normally do.

HAIR CONDITIONING MASK (repairs dry, damaged hair - especially if you've used a lot of high-heat styling tools, i.e. dryers, curling or straightening irons...)

Ingredients:
1/2 cup plain yogurt
2 Tablespoons light olive oil
3 to 4 drops essential oil of peppermint OR 1 sprig of fresh mint
1 to 2 drops essential oil of rosemary OR 1 spring fresh rosemary

Directions:
Put all ingredients in a blender or food processor and blend until you have a smooth mixture.

Use:
Shampoo your hair as normal, then apply entire mixture and massage it into your hair and scalp (NOT SURE IF YOU RINSE AFTER SHAMPOOING...didn't specify in article!) Put on a shower cap or wrap your hair in an old towel and leave the mixture on for 15 to 20 minutes. Rinse well with warm water and style as usual.

Picture perfect!

I ran across a few things on the PCWorld website that look like fun. I'll cover the first today and then save the other for a "oops, I forgot to blog" moment!

Visit www.ImageChef.com to see how you can create custom artwork and designs...all kinds of cool things to post on your social networking profiles, use in making invitations, etc.

It offers four categories:

- Sketchpad - assemble a collection of images and symbols and add photos, text, change colors, etc.

- Poetry Blender - overlay text, symbols and/or photos on animated backgrounds.

- Word Mosaic - turn your text into a mosaic of any symbol/shape (i.e. your initials!).

- ImageChef - get cute photo frames and re-size your photos in them for use elsewhere!

Best of all this is free and you get even more capabilities with your free site registration!

I may test this on the blog!

Organizing your closet (cheaply of course!)

Check this out - is your closet as much of a disaster area as mine? Help is on the way!

Spring Cleaning ...'Tis the Season!

Spring brings with it the guilt instilled in us to begin "spring cleaning"...not sure who started this abhorrent tradition, but as it is now here, we need some "guilt-free" ways to address it! "Redbook" (4/10, p.178) has 8 suggestions for items to toss immediately without feeling guilt (reasons are cited in the article so be sure to check it out!):

1) Kitchen items you haven't used in 1+ years

2) Entire contents of your junk drawer (mine is in the kitchen, yours may be in your desk...)

3) Clothes that no longer fit (do not assume if you are a size 16 you will be size 2 in the future...let's be realistic readers!)

4) School work from high school or college (and, I would add, all of your kids' report cards from kindergarten on if they have left the nest! See if they want them...if not, toss 'em)

5) Baby gear...ok I am so past this stage anyway and if you are past baby #2, toss it...safety standards have no doubt changed!

6) Random receipts...if they are not necessary for tax documentation, toss them!

7) Half used bottles of makeup, shampoo, etc. (and I would also suggest extracts in your kitchen cupboard!) - if you aren't using it now, you likely will ignore it down the road too!

8)Books you haven't read (and have had for over 1 year) or will never read...donate them and be done with it!

And, I am certain that a number of items could be added to this list...add your suggestions and then GO CLEAN!

Happy Easter!

Have a wonderful holiday - enjoy friends, families and the renewal that Easter brings.
(And in line with my usual topics, check out sales everywhere tomorrow when Easter decorations and goodies typically are reduced by 50% or more!)

Let me help you help yourself!

As the one year anniversary of my blog draws near (that would be 4/15 in case you want to post notes...!) I become increasingly concerned about whether this resource is actually providing anyone with useful information. I obviously aim to address topics that will save you time and money, but in the coming year (yep, I plan to attempt this for yet another year!), I would like to address specific needs and questions from readers. You can address specific questions to me at HBEdm@aol.com and note "PENNY PINCHER" in the subject line. I will make every attempt to answer questions, find appropriate deals/solutions, etc. for you and you can remain anonymous if you wish. Here's to another year! Salut!

Pet Check

USA Weekend (3/19-21/2010) suggests (per Karen Halligan) that you should check your pet weekly for lumps. If you can identify growths, lumps or bad teeth, abnormal coats, etc. you can potentially save on expensive vet procedures by this early detection. Doing such checks regularly will allow you to readily detect any changes and notify your vet.

No, this is not an April Fool's joke! (no, really!)

In line with my various posts about cool fashion or decorating items that are inexpensive for you and help worthy causes...here is another one that looks amazing (think Christmas...yeah, ok, way too early, but never too early to save a bit, right?!)

Check out www.wanderlustcambodia.com and check out great fashion finds and with your purchase help impoverished women in Cambodia...a win-win shopping experience!