Mad Scavenger

2009-02-16T09:52:00.002-06:00

CAT AND DOG

This is a picture of my cat and dog.

Acer One Review

2009-02-07T10:48:00.000-06:00

The Acer One laptop is a great laptop, if you can find one that works. The first one I purchased from Walmart had an issue with the keyboard. The n key would randomly scroll across the screen. That was OK, I easily returned it and received a new one. The new one had a web cam that would not work. Again, Walmart made it easy to return the laptop for a new one. Third times a charm. It worked great and I had planned on using it for business trips, but my wife quickly laid claim to it and I never saw it again. She tells me it works great. We also bought one for her mother and she loves it as well. It is currently selling for around $300 at Walmart. I advise that you use it considerably in the first two weeks of purchasing it to make sure that it has no hardware faults. I understand that 10% of new hardware is breaks quickly, I just must have been very unlucky on my first two Acer Ones. Other than that, it is a great laptop for some people. I had a little trouble with the keyboard, and I found myself preferring my older and bigger laptop when at home. For being on the go, nothing is better. It is super light and the battery lasts a good two hours. My wife only uses it now and has abandoned her other computers completely. I hear she even uses it at work instead of her desktop. It is a good laptop.

Eating on the cheap.

2009-01-22T11:00:00.002-06:00

In today's uncertain economy, it is very wise to save in as many ways as you can. One of the big costs in our lives is food. Here are some ways to save on your grocery bill.

Do not be afraid to use coupons.
Take meat off the menu as much as possible.
When you do use meat, use recipies that ration it out and make it last longer.
Short on beef? Use pinto beans mixed with beef as a filler. Have you ever tried a pinto bean burger?
Rice, the power saving secret. Try Asian different recipies. You will be supprised how cheap it is.
Try growing your own herbs and spices.
Do not eat out. You can eat for half a week on what it costs for one meal if you follow my advise.
Take your own lunch to work. Rice and a little bit of left overs will go a long way towards saving you money.
Drink water. Your body needs it. Stay away from soda.
Bottle your own water! A good filter only costs 20 dollars. It is also nice to drop a hint of lime or lemon into your own bottled water. It tastes so nice and it's much healthier on your wallet.

Anyone else have any money saving ideas? I would love to hear them.

INTERNET INOVATIONS

2008-07-27T07:25:00.003-05:00

This is really a test to see if I can some how capture misspelled words. Who else types yahoo with three o's? With this post I would like to talk about cable vs internet tv. Did you know that with cable internet you are sharing your connection with up to 500 other people. With DSL you have a direct link right to the internet. I like DSL better, but I never use my house phone. I hate paying for a house phone I never ever use. Its garbage. I wish there was another way to have faster internet.

The future looks like it may bring more ways into the internet. Your power company may one day be one of your options. Who else could be a service provider? Cell phone companies already offer wireless coverage of most cities.

Some people may remember when google joked about using the sewer system for an information superhighway. This may be no joke in the future. The trend is to look at ways of harnesing the internet using already avialiable structures.

We live in an exciting time.

Save huge on going out to eat! Cheat!

2008-03-10T11:25:00.003-05:00

This might seem a little immoral, but understand that you are playing by the rules. Here is a way you can eat take out Chinese and save a ton while doing it. This will work for any kind of take out buffet. Get a take out plate and pile it high with all your favorite meats from the take out buffet. Do not be tempted to grab any rolls, veggies, or other cheapo items you can make in minutes at your house. Make your own rice at the house. This can turn 7-10 dollars worth of take out into up to 6 or 7 meals. You can save a ton by eating take out!!! The trick is to make your own rice. Its so cheap and filling. It is the ancient secret the Asians have been using for thousands of years. Take a little meat and eat it with rice. Try this trick out and see if it saves you any money!

The Answer to the Meaning of Life

2007-12-03T22:37:00.000-06:00

So many people are always asking the meaning of life. I have never understood why people think it is such a hard question to grasp. You just need to put the question into its perspective. Who's meaning are we talking about?

If I raised a chicken from the egg to eat it, then my purpose for that chicken is for it to become food for myself. This is not, however, the chickens purpose for himself. You just need to know from what perspective you are asking the question. If you want to know your own purpose in life for yourself, well then you need to do some soul searching and come up with that answer on your own. This is totally up to you and can very well be whatever you want. If you are looking for some higher meaning in life, then you need to look into whatever religious text you follow. If you follow none, then there is your answer. There is no higher meaning for you.

All of the "really hard questions" just need to be looked at from a different perspective. They are not as hard as some people think, as the answer will vary depending on which angle you view it from.

Coffee Pot Cooking

2007-12-02T20:18:00.000-06:00

If you ever found yourself in a motel with only a coffee pot, you might think that making your own meal is impossible. Have hope, for there is a way. You can make a large number of meals in a coffee pot. Ramen Noodles are a no brainer. The water gets plenty hot to completely cook them. I have had success with Craft macaroni and cheese, but you have to cook it twice. Here are some other ideas.

Ramon Noodles
Easy Mac
Instant Grits
Instant Oatmeal
Instant Mashed Potatoes

I have also had success with using the hot pitcher of water to heat frozen food. Just fold one of those cheapy frozen pizza in half, let it semi thaw, and then put the pitcher on top of it. I had to do this twice, but in the end I had a great hot pizza roll. It really is limited only by your imagination.

Saving money by being Organized

2007-11-30T23:37:00.000-06:00

This saved me about 25%. I totally stream lined my kitchen and supplies closet. I now can find things when I need them so I buy less of that. I also have a list of what I will cook and am able to find everything easily. This cuts down on wasted food. I also make dishes that call for every part. I do not waste anything. Potato skins can come in handy! Use everything. The same goes for your tools. If you can not find nails or screws in the size you need, you might be tempted to buy some only to find them later. Organize and you will save. Hope this helps.

The Reward System: Reward yourself for successing.

2007-11-25T13:27:00.000-06:00

Do you find that you have a hard time getting started in the morning? Does it seem that financial freedom is just so far away and unobtainable that you should give up right now? It may be that you have lost your motivation. We have to have treats along the way, or we will never be able to reach the end goal. This may sound like cheating, but it really is critical to your success.

The secret is to set shorter goals. I will use myself as an example. Several years ago, I wanted more than anything to free from the slavery that is the United States Army. I hated it more than anything, but like many soldiers, I felt stuck. I decided that I was going to make it out and into the "real" world. I felt the best way would be to earn as many IT certifications as I could. This would involve long hours of study. This was already on top of a very hectic Sergeant's work schedule. I realised the only way I was ever going to make it was to reward myself for each step along the way to freedom. As you will see, my presents to myself did not have to be expensive at all.

After two weeks of intense study, I passed my first exam. My present to myself was a nine dollar keyboard. This must be madness, you think. Well, for me it was great. I only had a laptop at the time, and the game I wanted to play required a number pad. It was Nethack. I would not let myself purchase this until I had completed the certification. I allotted myself one week's rest and my present to myself. Then I hit the books again and scored my next certification. Each time I passed, I would do something similar.

This is a very effective system that I think you should consider. Consider what steps must be taken to accomplish your dreams. Break them down into smaller steps and think of rewards for each one. Maybe you could get a car after obtaining a degree. The gift is up to you. Consider it.

Making way more money doing the same Job. Quit!

2007-11-19T19:19:00.000-06:00

Have you been at the same job for more than one year? It might be time to move on. Your current employer is not going to want to pay you more than he already is. Why pay more for what he has always gotten for same price. You are the only one who is looking out for you. If your job does not have a set plan on getting you raises, it might be worth your while to quit. That is right. you heard me correctly.

It is highly worth you while to see if your field has temporary jobs temporary jobs available. Typically, temporary jobs will pay more than traditional full time jobs. There are a number of websites that offer just this type of job. Some contractual jobs also offer this benefit. Check it out and see what you think!

Free software- as in Free Beer

2007-11-18T12:07:00.000-06:00

Many people think that it is necessary to buy the latest and greatest in technology to keep up. I used to believe this as well. It is a marketing lie used to open your wallet for every new program that comes by. Any good computer should last you at the very least, 5 years. I have a laptop that works fine that I purchased in 2003. To many people this would be far too outdated to keep around. The secret lies in the software you are using.

Linux is a free operating system that completely free of spyware and most viruses. You can count the number of Linux viruses on your fingers, it would fill a phone book with Windoze. I moved to Ubuntu Linux two years ago, and I have spent zero dollars on software since. If you need to save money, learning to operate a Linux machine would be well worth the initial time investment. Try going to Ubuntu or Googling for Linux to see which flavour favours you.

The great thing I like about Ubuntu is that it has literally thousands of free applications ready for download using a built in program called Adept Manager. If you like games... why spend hundreds a year when they make em, and I am talking quality games here, for the Linux platform for free. If web design is your thing, we got you covered. You like to watch movies? You love want to edit some pictures like on photo shop? Gimp is a free application that will do this for you.

If you think you have to upgrade to Vista to get the most out of the computing experience. Think again!!! Think smart and think FREE. Think Linux.

50 EASY WAYS TO SAVE MONEY

2007-11-17T07:21:00.000-06:00

Here I hope to bring you 50 useful and easy ways to save money with minimal pain and suffering. There will be a little. I tried to give you some creative ideas. There are a lot of good guides for this, but I tried to give you a few things that are not listed anywhere else. When money is tight try the following tips:

FOOD

1. Eat rice with your meals. It is cheap and healthy. Also do not eat out. Cook your food at home.

2. Buy basic ingredients. They are cheap and give you almost limitless possibilities in picking different dishes to make.

4. Cook food in a energy efficient manner. See electricity savings guide.

5. Do not be afraid to use coupons.

6. Go to certain stores just to buy the sale items. Store managers will hate you for this, but who cares?

7. Buy generic/ store brands for food.

8. Cut down the amount of meat that you consume.

9. Drink water.

10. Raymon noodles anyone?

Hobbies and Entertainment

11. Read more books from your local library.

12. If the library does not have a wide selection, then try http://www.half.com

13. Try a very cheap hobby. My hobby can be viewed here. Trash to Treasures furniture repair.

14. Go for walks outdoors. This will improve your health and reduce your stress.

15. Play free computer games. You will be shocked at the quality and game play you can find in a game that people put together for free. They put a lot more love and time into something that they themselves truly enjoy. Try these websites:

16. Stay away from hobbies that require licences and expensive equipment. Even if only looks like a one time buy, this is almost always never the case.

17. Spend more time online. Learn how to get everything for free on the internet. Why pay for cable when you can watch all the shows online?

18. Make frugality a hobby.

19. If you love to gamble, try spending time really learning your favorite game. Read every resource you can find both online and off. Not only do I find this very enjoyable and interesting, but now I spend more time reading about it than losing money.

20. Try to collect knowledge and not junk.

TRAVEL

21. If you can help it, do not travel.

22. If you travel by car then see if you can trade for one with better gas mileage from a friend. This is easier if it is a slight junker and yours is a nicer car that they would be happy to drive for a week or two.

23. Sleep in the car by day at a Walmart parking lot, or some other place with relativly high traffic. Park in a slightly out of the way spot. Drive by night. This will cut out one of the highest costs, motels.

24. Compare prices and try to talk the managers down when looking for rental cars, or hotel rooms. Everyone's price can come down.

25. Do not eat out. Bring a toaster over or other small appliance needed to make your favorite dishes. Buy from grocery stores. If you are staying in the car then pack sandwiches before you go.

26. Bring books to read.

28. Drive at a steady speed and do not speed. This will eat up more gas.

29. Check to see if travelling by plane would be cheaper, even on relatively short distances. Gas is very expensive.

30. Put together a small travel book bag/pack where you pack all your basic needs. Try living out of it the day before you leave and you will be surprised at what you would have forgotten. Here are some good ideas for your bag. Try getting small containers and fill it up with your shampoo. This is much cheaper than buying a travel shampoo.

Home and House

31. Try to decorate with things you already own. Do not buy lots of useless frivolous things.

32. Try turning castaways into useful pieces for your home. See this blog for more. Trash to Treasures.

33. Check out this electricity savings guide.

34. After the house is made liveable, try only doing more when something is on save, or you can get it free from Craig List.

35. Learn how to do all repairs by yourself. There are plenty of DIY guides on the internet and at your local library.

36. Do not try to live in a house if you can not afford the payments. Get out of it as soon as possible and start small again. It is not the house that makes it a home. It is the people who live in it and your health is more important than the house.

37. A clean and organized house is a frugal house. You will not have to buy lots of the same thing because you can not find it.

38. Be happy with the furniture you have. It is not really important to have the latest fashion if what you have is comfortable. People come to visit you and not your stuff. If it is the other way around, then you do not need those people in your life.

39. Get rid of clutter, have a yard sale or get a booth at your local flea market. The flea market seems to work better for most people. Put all your junk there and get money back in return.

40. Do not be to pick things up from beside garbage cans if it looks usable. The chair I am sitting in now was collected in this manner. A bit of paint and new spare cloth for a seat and it looks great.

Vehicles

41. Make your car last. When you buy a car, plan for it to last as many years as you can. Purchase something that is in a timeless style. Not something that looks funny and will be out of style in a few years.

42. Buy in cash and buy used. There is no reason to spend more than what you can afford out of pocket. If that means all you get is a junker for 2000, then that is what you get. You should not pick up more debt.

43. Try and get one with the best gas mileage.

44. Learn to drive a stick, these are the cheapest to purchase and cheapest to get worked on.

45. Keep your car clean and in good repair.

46. Do not drive like a maniac, it is NOT COOL and it is very expensive.

47. Change the oil yourself, check the tires regularly, and learn to do all basic repairs yourself. It is never too late to learn to do car repairs.

48. Carpool when possible.

49. Walk when possible. I know this is not a popular choice, but it will help save you in more ways then one. Walking is very healthy and being sick can kill your account.

50. Never stop being creative in thinking of ways to save. Any place you can shave a few pennies will add up to a treasure trove in the long run.

50 ways to really save electricity.

2007-11-16T11:55:00.000-06:00

Trying to save electricity in the middle of a scorching summer or a freezing winter can be a daunting task. Here is a list of ways to make opening the electric bill less of a nerve racking experience. Maybe you can find it enjoyable as I do to try and beat the last months bill. I will tell you how I brought my bill from $200 to $60 in single month with no noticeable change in the weather. Here are the 101 tips and tricks I use to save on electricity. None of them are hard at all.

1. Get accustomed to the weather as well as you can. Do not seek one comfortable temperature for the whole year. Try and set the highest temperature you can for the summer, and try for the coolest temperature you can stand in the winter.

2. Use a space heater or a fan instead depending on the season, if you are alone.

3. Take advantage of the power saving features of all your appliances. This is especially useful if you fall asleep at your computer or television.

4. Turn off your PC when not using it. Even if it is in sleep mode, it is still using some electricity.

5. Change all your lights to compact fluorescents.

6. Unplug all wall warts when not in use. They still pull a charge even if they are not in use.

7. Plug all your chargers to a power strip and turn the strip off when not in use. This will help with keeping it convenient to keep the wall warts from pulling a charge.

8. Turn off your water heater when not in use. They sell timers at Home Depot and Lowes that work wonders.

9. Wash clothes in the early morning with cold water.

10. Hang those clothes up on a clothes line to dry. If you are in an apartment then hang them around the apartment.

11. If you need noise to fall asleep, purchase a wave or rain noise maker that has an auto shut off feature after a period of time.

12. Turn off lights not in use.

13. Use a toaster oven when possible instead of the full size one.

14. Do not use the microwave if you can help it.

15. Use natural sunlight when possible.

16. Use solar powered jar lights for night lights. Set them in the window and they light up every night.

17. Try reading instead of listening to music or watching TV.

18. Use Blackle instead of Google. Everything adds up.

19. Cover the windows with blanket in the winter and open them in the summer, with the AC off of course.

20. Dress down in the summer and up in the winter.

21. Spend more time outdoors. It is much healthier and will keep you from running anything at the house. This does not mean go shopping. The idea is to save money.

22. Make sure your house has proper windows and insulation. Feel for any drafts and use something to seal where its coming from. This will make the house much more liveable, and keep your heater or AC from running too much.

23. Use a solar oven. They are a blast to build and work off the sun. Just make sure you follow Hillary's advice and save some of the sun for the environment. Just kidding. :-p

24. If the house is too hot, try getting a hammock for the back yard. Spend your time there instead.

25. Use a solar recharger for your batteries.

26. Use a solar flash light as well.

27. Use candles around the house, just do this safely.

28. Use a battery powered alarm clock and use the solar rechargeable batteries.

29. Keep the fridge closed as much as possible. This is a no brainier, yet some people like to open it up and stare inside for minutes. Know what you want before you open it if possible.

30. Make your coffee or tea on the stove, use instant coffee if you can.

31. Play black out and turn all power off (except your fridge and freezer of course).

32. At night keep your solar powered or shakeable flash light next to your bed, if you need to stand up and do something use the flash light instead of turning the light on.

33. Use old school exercise equipment. Try running on a real road instead of using a tread mill.

34. If you are just watching normal TV and not a movie, try turning off the surround sound.

35. Use headphones on your PC instead of speakers.

36. Change all your screens to LCD's. They do not eat up as much power and they don't cause cancer, that is always a plus.

38. Go fishing :-D

39. Wash dishes by hand.

40. Cook in bulk and freeze it or put it in the fridge, then heat it up as you need to eat it.

41. Look for the ENERGY STAR on any new appliances.

42. Check and see what amount of energy your big appliances are using. It may be cheaper to upgrade. This includes the following:

Air Conditioning
Heating
Water Heater
Clothes Dryer
Lighting
Refrigerator

43. Plant a tree so it will keep the house shaded in the summer.

44. Check for leaky facets and and a leaky toilet.

45. Do not cram the fridge or the freezer. Air needs to get around.

46. Charge things in your car if you have a long commute. That energy would have just gone to waste.

47. I have also charged a battery back in the car. I then use that to power a radio at home.

48. Keep cactuses as house plants, they require drastically less amounts of water.

49. I can not stress enough the power of turning things off when not in use.

50. The biggest thing for me was to think solar. The sun's rays are FREE!