Tag: money

Total Money Makeover

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I am a big fan of Dave Ramsey, about the only time I don’t listen to his show is when I have either just done, or are planning to do, something with my money that I know doesn’t fit in my budget. (like borrowing from my 401k to buy homestead land). There is a psychological lesson in that statement….

Dave is the real deal when it comes to financial management. He is a self made millionaire who has made and lost fortunes. This has caused him to learn two seperate and equally important lessons, how to make money, and how to keep it.

I find that his book, Total Money Makeover, is especially useful for preppers.

In general, Preppers already know how to save, and how to discipline ourselves in the short term for long term success, but we might not have the tools to make good choices with out money.

Dave has a simple system that is proven to work if you commit yourself to following the steps. We follow his system at our house, and think that as a part of a larger plan his baby steps are a essential to becoming self reliant.

April 10, 2018
How to Save Money on Gas for Your Car

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With the price of gas on the rise it is important to take measure to save money on gas for your car by cutting down the amount of fuel that you are using. There are some tips on how to save money for gas for your car.

Drive Less

Instead of running errands several times a week combine them into one trip. Instead of driving from store to store walk whenever possible. All look for stores that carry a variety of items so you will not have to travel to so many different places. The less you drive the less gas you will need to put into your car, t his will obviously help save money on gas.

Shorten the Warm Up Time

During the winter months many people think that they need to let their car warm up for several minutes before driving off. You only need to warm your car up for 30 seconds to one minute before driving. If you leave the car idling for more than a minute you are wasting gas. Not only that you are putting greenhouse gasses into the air. Many modern cars do not need a long period of time to be ready to go even during cold mornings. One minute is all you need. This will save you both time and gas.

Use Cash to Pay

Many gas stations charge an additional fee to customers that pay with credit cards. This fee is due to the processing fees from the credit card companies. When paying with cash or a debt card the cost of gas is often a couple of cents less. This can add up to savings over the year.

Find the Right Station

When getting gas the location of the station can play a role in the price. Often stations that are right off the highway charge more money for gas than those that are in town. To find the gas station with the lowest price be sure to check an app. There are several apps that will show the prices for gas from various stations around town. When passing by that gas station get the gas while it is cheap. If you belong to a club store be sure to get gas while shopping there as the price is often less than even the cheapest gas station.

Time Your Purchases

The time of the day that you purchase gas can affect the price that you pay. You should either purchase gas early in the morning or later in the way. Due to the cooler temperature the gas will be denser and you will get more gas for your dollar. If the price is gas is going to gas up it usually happens in the afternoon. Getting gas early can help you save several cents per gas.

Slow Down

The faster you drive the more gas your car is going to use. The drag is increased on your car and in order to provide the power that is needs the more gas your car will use. Driving at the speed limit or below it will allow your car to use more gas efficiently. Also be careful not to accelerate too quickly. The faster you accelerate the more gas your car will use.

Watch Your Braking

The more you brake the more gas your car is going to use. Frequent braking will also wear down your brake pads faster. In order to brake less you maintain a safe distance from other cars. This way if they slow down you will not have to hit the brakes. You can also begin to brake earlier and slowly. This will help you save money on gas.

Keep an Eye on the Tires

Make sure that the tires are inflated properly at all times. Be sure that the tires are properly inflated as this will help you get better gas mileage. When there is a change in temperature the tires can lose two to three pounds for every square inch. If you decide to use snow tires in the winter months once spring comes around replace them. While snow tires will help create extra friction and grip to the road they will use more gas.

Close the Windows

During the warmer months many people like to open their windows to feel the cool breeze. While this may feel nice it is wasting a lot of gas. Wind can cause the car to drag and will require more gas to get it moving. Close the windows when possible.

Remove Extras

It is not unusual to see cars with racks and carriers on the top and the back. While these are useful for those on the go and can carry bikes and skies they can also use additional gas. When these items are not being used to carry things take them off. Also do not use the car to store items or keep unneeded things in them. The heavier the car is the more gas it will use to keep going. Be sure to unpack the car and is something is not being use get rid of it.

Conclusion:

These are some tips on how to help you save money on gas. You need gas for your car to run but these simple tips can help you save money and get more gas and mileage for your dollars.

November 16, 2017
Possum Living

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After being out of print for decades, Possum Living: How to Live Well Without a Job and (Almost) No Money is being reissued with an afterword by an older and wiser Dolly Freed.

In the late seventies, at the age of eighteen and with a seventh-grade education, Dolly Freed wrote Possum Livingabout the five years she and her father lived off the land on a half-acre lot outside of Philadelphia. At the time of its publication in 1978, Possum Living became an instant classic, known for its plucky narration and no-nonsense practical advice on how to quit the rat race and live frugally. In her delightful, straightforward, and irreverent style, Freed guides readers on how to buy and maintain a home, dress well, cope with the law, stay healthy, save money, and be lazy, proud, miserly, and honest, all while enjoying leisure and keeping up a middle-class façade.

Thirty years later, Freed’s philosophy is world-renowned andPossum Living remains as fascinating, inspirational, and pertinent as it was upon its original publication. This updated edition includes new reflections, insights, and life lessons from an older and wiser Dolly Freed, whose knowledge of how to live like a possum has given her financial security and the confidence to try new ventures.

February 11, 2016
How to Prevent Your Macbook Cord From Breaking

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Apple products have an almost cult-like following – and in most cases the quality control is deserving of admiration.

However there is one area that apple gets wrong. The power cords fail on a regular basis, cost nearly $100 each, and apple holds a patent on them and zealously guards it so when the cord breaks you have to spend $100 to keep the $2000 macbook from turning into a brick.

The best way to keep from having to buy new cords is by preventing your macbook cord from breaking.

I prevent cord breakage by supporting wear points on the ends

I have tried tape, but it does not last long, so this time I started using sugru to build up the area around the magnetic connector. This prevents macbook cord breakage by keeping the cord from flexing at its most vulnerable spot.

Watch the video above to see exactly how the sugru was used. In this post I used a homemade sugru style silicone to make these modifications, but real sugru would work just as good (if not better). I used the homemade kind because it was cheaper and I did not have to order it.

January 8, 2015