The Fabuless Life

Baby Wrap Or Stroller?

LJ — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 04:50:16 +0000

A baby wrap can certainly cost less than most strollers, and the New York Times is declaring that the hottest trend in baby transport is “mom and dad”… via the uber-popular slings and wraps.

Apparently New Yorkers are parking their strollers in favor of baby carriers, which place infants close to the body for additional bonding and hands-free maneuvering. Baby expert Dr. William Sears also claims “babywearing” makes for a smarter, calmer, less colicky infant, with better sleep habits. Can your average stroller do that?

Photo By Paul Netto

I love my Moby Wrap and Baby Bjorn, and they are indispensable around the house and for shorter walks. It can be a great workout, and indeed a chance to bond with baby. Carriers, slings and wraps are definitely cost-effective, stylish options for hauling the kids, but at times, nothing beats the convenience of a stroller.

Still, a high-end stroller can cost upwards of three-hundred dollars all the way to one-thousand dollars, while cotton wraps like the Moby start at about $40 and the ubiquitous Baby Bjorns range from approximately $80 to $180. If you are looking for the Cadillac of baby slings, you could invest in organic, fancy silk or cashmere fabric and pay hundreds more. But you can easily find an ergonomic, affordable baby carrier in your price range that won’t break the bank, or your back. You could even make one yourself — like this dad:

Photo by Jennifer Rosenberg

Some sites to find a variety of slings include www.babysling.com and www.theslingstation.com. Babies R Us, Buy, Buy Baby and Target also carry several of the more popular brands online.

Note: The Consumer Product Safety Commission is warning against possible suffocation dangers associated with bag-type slings, which can double a baby over. These sorts of slings are distinguishable from the baby wraps and carriers discussed above.

Mobile Coupons Offer On-the-Go Savings

LJ — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 06:11:35 +0000

First there was Yowza, which offers scannable coupons on your mobile phone at more than 10,000 locations nationwide.

Yowza searches stores in a shopper’s vicinity, or up to 50 miles away, and identifies related coupons that can be scanned off a cell phone at checkout. (Warning: Yowza only works with IPhones, Androids, Palm Pres, and Blackberries.)

Now Target is offering a scannable mobile coupon program with exclusive offers for shoppers. The coupons are redeemable at checkout. Although this isn’t an entirely new phenomenon, Target claims its program is the first to work nationwide at all of its stores.

You can sign up for the program here on Target’s site. Or you can text the word “COUPONS” to 827438. According to Target, participants will receive text messages on their phones with links to a Web page that features various coupons. The program works with any phone that has a mobile browser and data plan. New coupons will be issued every month.

JC Penneys is reportedly testing a cell phone barcode coupon as well.

Scannable coupons are considered a major growth area, but it remains to be seen how long it will take for this latest technological savings innovation to catch on.

Other sites compiling mobile coupons with scannable barcodes include Google, Coupons.com, and CouponSherpa.com.

Stay Healthy On A Budget With the Mediterranean Diet

vhnewmedia — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 04:23:08 +0000

If your reason for not eating right is it’s too expensive, that’s no longer a good excuse. If you plan ahead, you can eat super healthy at a reasonable price on a Mediterranean diet — all in your own home.

Story contributed by Vjollca Hysenlika

For centuries, Europeans have consumed Mediterranean food, and research shows it’s healthier than any other. According to the Patient UK Newspaper, researchers found death rates were lower in Greece and Southern Italy, most likely based on eating habits, while mortality rates were comparatively higher in the US and Finland.

This could be because the Mediterranean Diet is proven to reduce the likelihood of heart disease, cancer, Type 2 diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, aging, and it can even drastically lower depression.

Fresh Produce-Photo by Vjollca Hysenlika

Through extensive research and personal experience (I was born and raised in the Mediterranean Basin) I can tell you… If you do your homework you can eat healthier without increasing your grocery bill. My mother’s delicious, healthy, and economical Mediterranean recipes have kept the family physically strong and fit. She continually encourages the method to my brother, sisters, and me—and we rigorously follow her advice because the food is delectable, and the results are incredible.

But how do you do it? Well, it’s really simple—just follow the steps below!

First step: Eat large quantities of vegetables, fruit, legumes, organic salads, fresh herbs, whole grains, and rich olive oil.

I highly recommend purchasing your groceries at your local farmer’s market. Everything is cheaper and fresher there. My mother always says “buy the seasonal products”. For instance, in the spring concentrate on the fruit of the forest (such as strawberries, blackberries, raspberries) cherries, fresh salads and herbs, and most of all, olive oil. She recommends rich olive oil…authentic Italian and Greek stores have the BEST olive oil–made in the Mediterranean Valleys. Besides vegetables, peppers and eggplants are keys to great health. Stuffed peppers and low-fat eggplant parmesan are just some of the delicious dishes you can cook.

Second step: Eat reasonable quantities of white meats, fish, nuts, low-fat dairy produce, and wine (with meals).

Fish and white meats (like poultry) are extremely important in Mediterranean cooking. Fish and poultry, each, should be eaten five to six times a week. Fish can be a little expensive, but I recommend buying affordable fish—Publix and Wal-Mart have great deals on seafood. Low-fat dairy is suggested daily—in small quantities. In addition, wine is essential to have on your dining table—I recommend 1-2 glasses per day. (One of the best parts of the Mediterranean diet!)

Third step: Consume low quantities of red meat, sweets and desserts.

Red meat should be served only once a week. Thin, well-cooked steak combined with fresh vegetables is the ideal. Sweets and desserts should be minimized to two times per week. On the other hand, non-rich desserts and fruity cakes are the healthiest ones. Since the fruit of the forest are in season—it is important you make your own fruity cakes. They are healthy, yet delicious!!

The Mediterranean diet has immense health benefits without sacrificing great taste. If Mediterranean food becomes your lifestyle—there’s a good chance you could live longer and keep your body medication free.

Stay tuned for another post on the low-cost, low-calorie Mediterranean diet recipes!

Source: Italia Living

Fly For Less to a Discount Vacation

LJ — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 06:12:27 +0000

You can fly for less!

Sick and tired of the cold weather and snow? Unless you live in a sunny clime, you’re probably desperate for some sun, and a day without a heavy coat. Why not get away for a weekend to refresh your body, mind and spirit? It is possible to fly for less and take a vacation within your budget.

Airfare prices have dropped considerably since the recession began thanks to lower demand, but with the economy showing signs of life, many people are seeing hopeful signs and starting to travel again. This, of course, is a double-edged sword: Increased demand along with rising gas prices have caused many airlines to ratchet up fares as well as impose some pretty ridiculous fees (certain airlines even charged a Super Bowl fee. And there are all those new baggage fees…). Despite all this, there are still many ways to find a cheap ticket to warmer weather if you’re diligent, and can be flexible with your travel dates and/or destination.

Airfarewatchdog.com is a great site that allows you to search for low fares from any city. If you’re not picky about your warm weather destination and have some open dates, you can certainly find a great deal. For instance, as of this post, a ticket from Chicago O’Hare to Miami will cost you $178 round trip, with a variety of dates to choose from.

Another great site is www.cheapcaribbean.com, where you can find inexpensive, all inclusive trips to resorts across the Caribbean and Mexico. Certain high traffic dates are unavailable because of Spring Break, but again, if you are flexible and patient, you can book a vacation that won’t strain your wallet.

Sites such as www.sidestep.com and www.kayak.com are well-known, popular clearinghouses for comparative airfares. A great feature on these two sites (and others) is a calendar that pops up to show you fare options for every day of the month.

So if you’re still stuck in the winter doldrums, consider treating yourself to a getaway. You can fly for less, and five nights in the Bahamas has got to be worth every penny.

Stop Paying The Mortgage?

LJ — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 20:53:54 +0000

The foreclosure crisis that has swept the country has prompted many homeowners to actually stop paying the mortgage in what has been called “strategic default”.

Foreclosure, For Sale

When a homeowner files for foreclosure, they typically have close to a year before they’re actually kicked out, making strategic default an attractive option for the desperate. I.e., you can live in your home essentially payment-free, and maybe not even have to move if the foreclosure papers aren’t filed, or if you reach some sort of agreement with your bank. Of course there is the serious damage to your credit. On the upside, you are freeing up money for other necessities (or non-necessities as the case may be).

An interesting article on MSN Money discusses whether property owners have a moral obligation to pay their mortgage (which is a contract after all) or if it’s okay to just walk away. For those who find themselves underwater or facing potential foreclosure, the article offers a lot of interesting information on the pros and cons of letting your mortgage payments go.

The story claims the number of these so-called strategic defaults are on the rise, as banks find it difficult to pursue delinquents (in states where this is allowed) and as more and more homeowners see no other way out. According to the report, many who are struggling to hold onto their homes and/or are diligently make payments to the bank every month aren’t happy with those who choose to just walk away and stop paying the mortgage.

Interested in learning more? The MSN Money article can be found here:

http://realestate.msn.com/article.aspx?cp-documentid=23390500&page=0#atoolb

Four Ways To Get Paid To Go Green

LJ — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 21:55:50 +0000

If you’re daunted by the idea of going green, and how much “green” it might cost you, President Obama wants to help lighten your load.

The economic stimulus package provides billions of dollars for renewable energy products, and the average taxpayer can tap in to some of that money. Here are four ways you can help both the environment and your wallet come tax time:

Solar Power Is Affordable

1. Solar Power

In the past, the government offered to pay 30% for solar panels to be installed on your home, but with a cap of $2000. That cap has been removed, and with an average installation cost of around $40,000 ($12,000 paid for by the government), solar energy has become much more affordable. Many states also have provisions that pay for an additional portion (however others, like Illinois, ran out of funds due to an overwhelming response). The federal tax credit is good until 2016.

2. Hybrid Vehicles

Tax credits are still available for purchasing certain hybrid vehicles. For instance, you can get an $850 credit if you buy a 2010 Murcury Milan, as long as you buy before March 31st of this year. For those looking into alternative fuel vehicles such as the 2010 Honda Civic GX, you can get up to a $4000 tax credit through the end of 2010. For more information, visit www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/taxcenter.shtml

3. Biomass stoves

You may never have heard of these, but a Biomass stove is one that burns plant-derived fuel, such as wood or other agricultural based products. If a certain stove meets efficiency standards, you can receive 30% of the cost, up to $1500. Biomass stoves typically range from $1500 to $4000. The credit lasts through 2010.

4. Home Improvements

If you made certain home improvements in 2009 or 2010, you can claim 30% of the cost of the products (including labor on heating and cooling equipment), up to $1500. Energy efficient windows, doors, roofing and insulation all qualify.

New Tax Breaks For 2009

LJ — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 05:06:58 +0000

Like most folks in this recession, you’re probably hoping for a nice tax return for some extra springtime cash. If you’re doing your own taxes – or even if not – there are some new tax breaks for 2009 you should know about that can reduce your tax liability or plump up your refund.

Most of them are applicable only if you itemize, but this year there’s something out there for just about everyone.

Haitian relief donations are deductible – Must be made between 1/12 and 2/28. For donations under $250, you need a bank record or a receipt from charity as proof. For donations over $250, a receipt from the charity is required. For donations made by phone or text message, the IRS says a service provider bill showing the name of the charity, the donation date, and the amount will suffice. As usual, you must itemize your taxes in order to be able to deduct charitable contributions.
The Making Work Pay credit is even available for the self-employed - It can be as much as $400 for an unmarried worker or $800 for a married joint-filing couple. You’ll need to fill out the new Schedule M, and file it with your 2009 Form 1040 (entering your eligible MWPC amount on line 63). If your income is too high however, the MWP credit is phased out.
Non-itemizers get an extra standard deduction – If you don’t itemize deductions, you may still be entitled to an additional standard deduction amount. (The standard deduction is $5,700 for singles and $11,400 for married joint-filing couples, and $8,350 for heads of households.) You’ll need to fill out the new Schedule L to claim the bonus. Here’s how it works:
- There’s an additional standard deduction of up to $500 for state and local real property taxes (or up to $1,000 if you’re a married joint filer). The extra deduction cannot exceed the real estate taxes you paid last year.
- If you purchased a qualifying new vehicle between Feb. 17, 2009 and Dec. 31, 2009, you can claim an additional standard deduction for the state and local sales and excise taxes. You can only count taxes on the first $49,500 of a vehicle’s purchase price, but you can benefit more than once if you bought more than one vehicle during the window period. (This break is also phased out if your income is too high.)
You can claim an additional standard deduction for personal casualty losses in federally designated disaster areas.
Tax breaks for supporting struggling relatives – This good deed will not be punished by the IRS. In fact, you may benefit from helping out a financially struggling relative last year. The potential tax breaks range from being able to claim head-of-household filing status (if you’re single) to a $3,650 dependent exemption deduction, to a medical expense write-off.
Deduct job search expenses – This is not exactly new, but it may be for many unemployed Americans filling out tax forms this year. If you itemize deductions, you may be able to write off expenses incurred for a job search on your Form 1040.

Save on Prescription Drugs

LJ — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 00:40:28 +0000

If you’d been laid off, then your healthcare costs may be one of the most pressing concerns on your mind.

With COBRA, or private insurance, costing hundreds of dollars a month, medical expenses can be among the priciest bills in your budget. So finding any means of cutting down your costs is a benefit, especially if you have a medical condition that requires regular care and prescriptions.

There are a number of ways to save money on Rx drugs. Some manufacturers offer discounts on their websites. For example, Pfizer offers a year of free meds for some of the newly unemployed. (Go to www.pfizerhelpfulanswers.com)

You may also qualify for reduced price drugs through programs run by patient-advocacy groups and health-care providers. (Details at www.pparx.org)

Drug savings cards are also available for those who don’t have insurance or aren’t covered for certain meds. The cards offer some discounts at participating pharmacies. (Go to www.freedrugcard.us or www.rxfreecard.com)

Wal-Mart and Target and a few other chain pharmacies are also resources for discounts, offering many common prescriptions, such as antibiotics, for $4.

Dump Cable, Save Money?

LJ — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 20:37:17 +0000

Can you live without cable television? It’s the sort of question that is best answered after putting yourself to the test.

When we recently moved, there was a ridiculous amount of difficulty getting either AT&T or Comcast to come hook up a package including phone/internet/cable. Consequently we were without television for almost a week. Not having any form of television viewing, and not even having the option, is a difficult experience. No one is advocating that. However, do you really need 300+ channels? Ask yourself: How many of these do you really watch on a regular basis?

There were times in my youth when I have been without “expanded” cable, and thrived on a limited channel selection. This was before the digital conversion, and when paying a cable bill was not an option based on my salary and budget. Fortunately, almost every time I moved into a new apartment and connected my TV into the wall jack, I miraculously had a limited number of cable channels available to view. Some might call this “stealing” cable – others would see it as “luck” that the utility company failed to turn off the previous tenant’s connection.

In any event, living without expanded cable was liberating. I spent more time on constructive endeavors and less time vegged out in front of the boob tube.

With the economy the way it is now, it might be time to consider finding other ways to get your TV fix rather than paying an expensive cable bill. Major networks are putting their shows on the internet, and thanks to startups like HULU, viewing television on your computer has become a reality. There is a ton of free video content on the internet (think YouTube), so keeping yourself entertained shouldn’t be a problem if you have a broadband connection. And many networks offer their shows online for free through their websites. Or, if you’re addicted to a particular show, you can often find the entire season on DVD.

Bottom line – think of cost versus benefit. Are you spending close to $200/month on cable? If so, getting rid of it could be a great way to reduce your monthly expenses. That’s cash in your pocket if you’re really not doing that much television viewing anyway.

The only caveat is if you’re a huge sports fan. If you are, the idea of living without ESPN and FOX Sports might be simply impossible. But to watch sports, other local programming, and possibly more, try AntennaWeb to find out what signals are available in your area and what type of antenna you’ll need to capture them. This can help expand your viewing options.

Cash For Appliances

LJ — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 19:31:07 +0000

You’ve heard about Cash for Clunkers, but you may not have heard about Cash For Appliances, another government-run rebate program that is geared toward saving your household money.

Backed by an initial $300 million in funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the goal of the program is to help make American homes more energy-efficient while stimulating the economy. Some states already have a rebate program – in that case, federal money will supplement funds currently being distributed.

Rebates should range from $50 to $200 per appliance depending on the state and what you’re buying. The Department of Energy wants the cash focused on heating and cooling equipment, appliances, and water heaters, since these products offer the greatest energy savings potential.

Qualifying appliances that have earned the Energy Star rating from the DOE are eligible for rebates including: central air conditioners, heat pumps (air source and geothermal), boilers, furnaces (oil and gas), room air conditioners, clothes washers, dishwashers, freezers, refrigerators, and water heaters.

More good news: You don’t need to trade in an old appliance to get a rebate on a new one. And in fact, your state may offer additional rebate money for recycling your used appliance.

If you are in the market for a new appliance, don’t hesitate. Many states have just kicked off their programs, but Kansas ran out of funds in ten days, handing out $2.6 million in rebates already! Starting this month, Georgia, Indiana, Maine, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, and the U.S. Virgin Islands have begun offering rebates. Stay tuned for other states joining the giveaway.

And speaking of the federal governments “Cash For…” programs, another one might be headed our way. The details of the plan aren’t finalized, but President Obama has called on Congress to “provide incentives for consumers who retrofit their homes to become more energy efficient”. If the plan (dubbed “Cash For Caulkers”) goes through, you could possibly earn a credit of up to $12,000 on the cost of labor and materials to weatherize your home. We’ll be tracking this rebate for you as well!