Not Buying It: My Year without Shopping By: Judith Levine
non-fiction 264 pages 2006
Book Count: 19
This is the story of a person who tries to spend a year without buying any luxuries. So she basically buys simple foods for a year. I.e. no pre-made food, no clothes,or fancy shampoos only basics,charities, bills and taxes. Now there are a time or two that she does buy something, but only a couple times. Because this book is about NOT doing something, there is a lot of pages spent on other things then what they did that day. It has a lot on why one should or shouldn't buy things, politics, rants on society and the like. The parts on the not shopping were interesting, but all the other parts were meh. It is interesting that a liberal Democrat, arty, person in a two income home in a election year gives less total to "charities" (i.e. tax deductible groups, politic parties, the arts) then like 1% of their income. (I can't find the page, its on, but it was a tiny amount, a membership to a couple museums and suggested donation to a saving the earth group could equal that amount. We give more then that in a year, sure as the writer is an atheist, it's not like they are going to tithe, but you would expect them to be into giving to different causes they are into.)
Monday, March 30, 2009
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Friday, March 27, 2009
A Note to Self: Downsized But Not Defeated
Downsized But Not Defeated: The Family Guide to Living on Less By: Hope Stanley Quinn & Lyn Miller-Lachmann
Non-Fiction money 292 pages 1997
Book Count: 18
First, in case you didn't read the post two days ago, we were reading this NOT because we were downsized at work, but because we are into reading books on saving money at this time. This book has a lot of good information on if you suddenly HAVE to live on less money. It deals with what bills you should try and cut or reduce and what things you will still want to have in case (like car and house insurance.) It goes over the benefits of things like budgeting, cooking from scratch, and involving the whole family in saving money. But, it is more about when tragedys happen then a just want to save money type of book. It would be useful for that and it has lots of advice of where to get help. Also, I would like to know what type of made up world they are living in where ever school has at least a school nurse and some may even be a place to get cheap medical services for kids. I have never been in a school with a nurse and everything I've heard about schools with them, they don't do much of anything. Also, given the cost of running a oven, verses the cost of bread even not at a discount or bakery outlet store, I would think it wouldn't be cheaper to make at home. (Excluding, if you had a breadmaker, then it might be cheaper.)
Non-Fiction money 292 pages 1997
Book Count: 18
First, in case you didn't read the post two days ago, we were reading this NOT because we were downsized at work, but because we are into reading books on saving money at this time. This book has a lot of good information on if you suddenly HAVE to live on less money. It deals with what bills you should try and cut or reduce and what things you will still want to have in case (like car and house insurance.) It goes over the benefits of things like budgeting, cooking from scratch, and involving the whole family in saving money. But, it is more about when tragedys happen then a just want to save money type of book. It would be useful for that and it has lots of advice of where to get help. Also, I would like to know what type of made up world they are living in where ever school has at least a school nurse and some may even be a place to get cheap medical services for kids. I have never been in a school with a nurse and everything I've heard about schools with them, they don't do much of anything. Also, given the cost of running a oven, verses the cost of bread even not at a discount or bakery outlet store, I would think it wouldn't be cheaper to make at home. (Excluding, if you had a breadmaker, then it might be cheaper.)
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Today's savings
OK, this was actual a couple days ago, but I though that it would make a good title for a reoccurring bit. So anyway I went to the shoe store to look for Easter/dress shoes for the kids as the oldest is outgrowing all of her dress shoes and well, little shoes look so cute. Anyway we found a pair of black dress sandals that the oldest liked on clearance for $4 in here size. And there were ones in the baby's size that were brown Maryjanes with pink hearts embroidered on. There were on clearance for $5. So for under $10 I got them both dress shoes that should work until they outgrow them/ fall (which ever comes first) as they won't get ruined after wearing them once like white ones do with little kids.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Shopping Highs!
We have have yet another great shopping day of savings. So we have decided to go on a savings spree. We will be reading books on saving (as we went to the library during a shopping high) and working on saving more in life. And then we well tell you all about it to give you something else to read between looking up odd laws, famous members of the undead and manatee mating rituals. (See, last post if you too wonder what people are reading this blog while looking for those things.)
Monday, March 23, 2009
Reader Rant
OK, I just went and looked at my weekly information on how many people read my blog and other basic info on readership. And I have so many questions now. First, every time my own computer gets recorded as a reader because the cookies get reset or something, it sets up a new city it thinks I'm at. And its not like it is at times anywhere close to where I live. Also, why is it that the only people who randomly look at my blog from googling something are looking for one of three things: 1. odd laws, 2. manatee mating 3. vampire, undead and other Halloween type things. Who are all these people looking for manatee sex. What kind of freaks are you. I can understand a hit or two of people looking for this, especially right after the episodes of Connan O'Brien that I was talking about, but really!!! And last, how come anytime some one who is from a place that I know people looks at this they're here for under 1 second. If your a friend or family member at least wait a second, before deciding that you don't want to read this. You're making me a touch paranoid that everyone hates this blog, I read yours (If you gave me a link, or I could find it on my own. Minx yours is IMPOSSIBLE to find, send a link pleeze!!)
Sunday, March 22, 2009
A Book in Review: American Thighs
American Thighs: The Sweet Potato Queens' Guide to Preserving Your Assets By: Jill Conner Browne
Non-Fiction, humor 307 pages
book count: 17
First, if you don't know who the Sweet Potato Queens are, we would suggest reading one of there earlier books first to learn more about them and/or tasty but dangerous recipes. This one as the title notes is on keeping you body looking good as you age. It includes many funny stories on age, the past, immaturity and other related subjects. And it has profound age advice, like maybe we shouldn't have spent years out in the sun covered with baby oil and enjoy being young, and other things no one has ever thought up before. It was not the best of their books, but there is little that can beat bacon covered in sugar, so it is just that the bar has been set so high, not that it wasn't a great book we really enjoyed, as it was and we would suggest it to other people to read.
Non-Fiction, humor 307 pages
book count: 17
First, if you don't know who the Sweet Potato Queens are, we would suggest reading one of there earlier books first to learn more about them and/or tasty but dangerous recipes. This one as the title notes is on keeping you body looking good as you age. It includes many funny stories on age, the past, immaturity and other related subjects. And it has profound age advice, like maybe we shouldn't have spent years out in the sun covered with baby oil and enjoy being young, and other things no one has ever thought up before. It was not the best of their books, but there is little that can beat bacon covered in sugar, so it is just that the bar has been set so high, not that it wasn't a great book we really enjoyed, as it was and we would suggest it to other people to read.
Friday, March 20, 2009
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Shopping High!
Today I did my grocery shopping for this week. On Sunday I bought a paper to see if the coupons in the Sunday paper make it worth the cost of the paper. ($2). Anyway the store was doing double coupons $.50 and under (which I learned in the paper) and was doing a mix and match 10 for $10 plus the 11th free. So I bought the sale items in groups of 11 (to max. sale) and bought a tube of toothpaste that was part of the sale and that I had a $.50 coupon for. So it was $1 and I got $1 off its price. Free toothpaste!!!!!!! And it wasn't even the 11th item. Over all I saved $7 in the paper's coupons as well as $9 from the store it self's coupons. With a total savings on the receipt of over $60, although, it would really be more as it doesn't count if meat's on sale for $.99 a pound when it's normally $1.99 a pound or if a bakery or deli item is repriced at 40% off because it's a day old or expires soon. Yahhhh!!!!! Shopping High!!!!!!! I love saving money on things!!!
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
A Note to Self: The Pitiful Gardener's Handbook
The Pitiful Gardener's Handbook By: Eden & Cheney
Non-fiction: gardening 171 pages
book count: 16
This book was a waist of my time. It had a few good ideas about how to make your garden fit around your life, but it wasn't at all what I was looking for. It was about landscaping and I was looking for ideas on how to have a good veggie or flower garden with out a ton of work.
Non-fiction: gardening 171 pages
book count: 16
This book was a waist of my time. It had a few good ideas about how to make your garden fit around your life, but it wasn't at all what I was looking for. It was about landscaping and I was looking for ideas on how to have a good veggie or flower garden with out a ton of work.
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Friday, March 13, 2009
It's Friday the 13th!!
(again)
and I have a black cat at my feet. Maybe I should stay away from that abbandoned camp with that tragic event. :P
and I have a black cat at my feet. Maybe I should stay away from that abbandoned camp with that tragic event. :P
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
A Note to Self: The Great Tomato Book
The Great Tomato Book By: Sheila Buff
Non-Fiction: gardening, 160 pages
This is the book for people that love tomatoes and growing them. It includes a lot of information on how to grow tomatoes, including when to start them, types, and how to deal with problems growing them. It also includes info on cooking with them and their history. It is a very usefull book. Now if only my heirloom seeds would come in soon!
Non-Fiction: gardening, 160 pages
This is the book for people that love tomatoes and growing them. It includes a lot of information on how to grow tomatoes, including when to start them, types, and how to deal with problems growing them. It also includes info on cooking with them and their history. It is a very usefull book. Now if only my heirloom seeds would come in soon!
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Monday, March 09, 2009
A Book in Review: Oh, the Things I Know !
Oh, the Things I Know!A Guide to Success, or, Failing That, Happiness By: Al Franken Ph.D. (Hon)
non-fiction: advice 153 pages 2002
Book Count: 14
This is a book of advice for the new college graduate. It is devided into 3 books. One for when you are in your 20-30, one for middle age (40-50) and one for old age (50+). Each deals with toppics connected to that age range. Things like: hating your job, gaining weight and ending up in a nursing home. It would be a good gift for a fun graduation gift.
non-fiction: advice 153 pages 2002
Book Count: 14
This is a book of advice for the new college graduate. It is devided into 3 books. One for when you are in your 20-30, one for middle age (40-50) and one for old age (50+). Each deals with toppics connected to that age range. Things like: hating your job, gaining weight and ending up in a nursing home. It would be a good gift for a fun graduation gift.
Tuesday, March 03, 2009
A Book in Review: Witch Ball
Witch Ball By: Linda Joy Singleton
Fiction: young adult, paranormal 247 pages 2006
Book Count: 13
This is the third book in "The Seer" series. Once again we are doing great at reading books in the right order for a series; however, you don't need to read the earlier books to enjoy this one.
This book is about a teenage girl with physic abilities. She was given a witch ball, which is a glass ball that was traditionally used to protect households from witches. This one is connected with a spirit. She must work to stop the malicious spirit as well as deal with the life of a teen greatly complicated by her abilities. The story was well paced and mostly interesting. I found the ending to be a bit too predictable. . . it's predicted that she dies, but there is still another book, what do you think happens?
Fiction: young adult, paranormal 247 pages 2006
Book Count: 13
This is the third book in "The Seer" series. Once again we are doing great at reading books in the right order for a series; however, you don't need to read the earlier books to enjoy this one.
This book is about a teenage girl with physic abilities. She was given a witch ball, which is a glass ball that was traditionally used to protect households from witches. This one is connected with a spirit. She must work to stop the malicious spirit as well as deal with the life of a teen greatly complicated by her abilities. The story was well paced and mostly interesting. I found the ending to be a bit too predictable. . . it's predicted that she dies, but there is still another book, what do you think happens?
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