It’s Not Easy Being Frugal

I like to pride myself on finding great deals, especially online.  Paying full price for anything seems ridiculous, when there always seems to be a coupon or online code available for it.  I’m not cheap; I’m frugal, frugal and proud!

I do usually find myself spending more on electronics, such as a computer or smartphone, but it’s because I believe that I should be willing to spend more on something that I use throughout the day, to ensure better quality and longevity of the product.  For instance, for the first time in my life, I became an owner of an Apple product, when I purchased an iMac in early 2011.  I don’t intend on buying another computer for myself until 2021, and that’s only if my iMac decides to go live with Steve Jobs in iHeaven.

I only allow myself to upgrade my mobile phone every two years, unless it has to be replaced immediately.  I’d truly like to have an iPhone, just because I want to know what all the fuss is about, to see if it’s really the emperor of all smartphones, to compare it to my life with an Android smartphone.  The main thing stopping me from purchasing one, is the cost.  Sure, I can buy it today if I wanted to, but is it really worth it?  Shouldn’t I just be happy that I have a functional smartphone with an unlimited everything plan with no contract?  Believe me, I don’t want an iPhone because everyone else wants or owns one.  I don’t believe in following the crowd.  When Timberland boots were all the rage when I was in high school, I couldn’t care less about owning a pair.  When tablets became popular, I hesitated to accept them, because I felt (and still feel) that having a desktop computer, laptop (that I barely use now), and smartphone are plenty to indulge in my digital world.  While everyone still seems to go bananas for new expensive name brand clothing, I don’t mind buying some of my attire from a thrift shop (not because of Macklemore–I’ve been shopping at Goodwill!) and Target.

Since I’ve taken cooking more seriously, I ditched my old aluminum pans I’ve had since ’08 for some stainless steel cookware.  I feel that the investment is worth it, if I’m gonna step my cooking game up.  Pans I bought from Family Dollar aren’t going to make any of my acidic dishes reach their full flavor capabilities.  Though I spent over $100 on my stainless steel cookware, it will provide me a lifetime of quality.  So the packaging and care manual indicates.

I recently purchased the handbag pictured at the top of this post.  I’ve never spent more than $30 on a purse, but I got tired of buying inexpensive handbags, only to have them start wearing out (mostly the part where the straps are attached to the purse) on me after roughly three months of six day a week use.  I figured, what the heck, I’ll splurge on something unique that appears durable, and see what happens.

All in all, some things are worth investing in, and others or not.  It all comes down to personal preferences, but one must also be practical, especially if you’re trying to live by your means.

American Red Cross for Sandy Victims

I live in Delaware, and even though the national news ignored us during the time of Hurricane Sandy, we were still in the crossfire of this insane and unpredictable storm.  Luckily, where I reside (mostly inland) we didn’t suffer much damage–just lots of flooding and some power outages here and there.  The lower portion of Delaware (located along the Eastern coastline) was not so lucky, however.

I’m still shocked about how badly Sandy tore up New York and New Jersey.  According to CNN, relief to a certain part of NY was sluggish.  Things are so bad in NJ, that voters will have to vote electronically in this year’s fast approaching presidential election.  Nearly three hundred thousand people in these areas are still without power, and an abundance of gas lines are down.  Can you imagine having no power during the latter part of Autumn in NY?  I can assure you, that it isn’t a walk in Central Park.  Here in Delaware, it’s currently in the upper 40s.

I give you all these facts to say, please, even if you can only give $10, donate to the victims of Hurricane Sandy via Red Cross or another like-minded organization.  Help those who have been devastated my an unstoppable force of Mother Nature.  Go here to pitch in now.

Let It Break Has a Book Trailer!

I finally sat  myself down long enough to put together a book trailer for Let It Break, a book of short stories I published earlier this year.

When you self publish, as I have, it’s all on you to do the marketing, so you have to make time and money for it!  Luckily, my long time friend Jontae was able to provide me with a live testimonial.  I originally had planned on having more, but it’s difficult getting people scheduled and prepped for a video shoot, even if they’re doing it from the comfort of their own homes.

I’m hoping that this trailer garners interest in people that didn’t know the book existed, and for those that heard of it, but wasn’t sure if it was worth reading.

I had a good time making this trailer (shooting, directing, making the props, coming up with the “storyline”, editing, and creating the graphics), and I learned a few things as well.   I hope you’ll have a good time watching it…and that you’ll go buy the book, of course

Get LaRae in Waiting FREE on #Kindle!

Today and tomorrow only, I’ll be giving my new Kindle book, LaRae in Waiting, away for free on Kindle.

Here’s a description of the book: In this short drama, a single mother of two deals with living a life of unemployment and the struggle to be independent. The constant waiting for something better becomes a priority, amongst her troubles with her young son, and a lackluster love life. Through her own personal trials and beliefs, she tries to maintain hope, but is hope enough when the odds are stacked against her?

Go get your copy now, and please leave a review on Amazon when you finish reading it!

A Lip Scrub I Love

After battling a lip fungus for nearly two weeks, my lips were in dire shape.  The extent of dry dead skin that covered my kissers was not attractive, and it drove me mental every time I had to re-apply my prescription cream to kill the fungus.  After a week of treatment, I decided to make a DIY lip scrub from honey and organic sugar in an effort to kill the ugly lip skin, but it wasn’t effective.

I realized I needed something that was natural, but was certain to leave my lips smooth and healthy looking, but for less than ten green pieces of paper.  I set out on my search through Etsy, Amazon, and eBay.  I finally settled on Ramirez Exfoliating Cranberry Lip Scrub, and I’m glad I did!

I wish I could’ve provided before and after pix, but I didn’t think of doing so until after my lip transformation.  Not only was this scrub great at removing the dry dead skin on my lips, but it also left them moisturized, even after I removed the dead skin with a damp wash cloth!  My lips felt supple and looked soft; they also felt hydrated and smooth.  I highly recommend this product if you’re looking for an inexpensive, great, and natural lip scrub!

You can see other products by Ramirez Organic Products here.

Smaller Is Better–Car Wise

 

For years, I’ve desired a compact car, especially after visiting France in late ’08.  I noticed in the area I was in, a lot of people drove compact cars.  Clearly, the French have the right idea when it comes to purchasing sensible vehicles for themselves and the environment.

I’m sort of a hippie, so I’m into being as green as I can be, without making my current lifestyle uncomfortable.  I recycle most of my paper, glass, and plastic products.  I properly dispose of grease and batteries.  I’ve even started using [MEN, BEWARE I'M ABOUT TO MENTION A LADY PRODUCT]:  a menstrual cup, so that I can save money and the Earth by using less disposable feminine items.  I let my armpits and legs grow hair during the colder months (though the armpit hair can get a bit gross, so I do shave it, but not so much as when it’s warm).  It’s time to green up my car, too.

Since I have two kiddies, I must have a four-door vehicle.  I definitely want to save on gas, especially since I wanted to set one of my local gas stations on fire after paying over forty dollars to fill up the tank of my sedan.  Ridiculous!  I could’ve gotten some shorties at Wawa with the unnecessary extra payment for gas.  These oil tycoons must be stopped, before we all have to sell ourselves just to get a gallon of the good stuff for our rides.  It’s all problematic.  Anyhow, I’ve always liked Hondas, so I’d like to get a Honda Fit.

After doing a little research (I plan on doing more), I’ve read that the car has had some recalls.  Should I be surprised?  Of course not, seems like every car ever made has had a recall of some sort, but does that mean it’s okay?  Car manufacturers have to do better, but that’s a whole other topic in itself.  Despite the recalls, I’d still like to own this car, because the previous defects don’t seem to take away from the car’s overall performance, and this must be somewhat factual since this particular Honda model won a few awards.

Case in point, smaller cars, mean less money on maintenance, fuel, and more space on the road.  Imagine a world without huge SUVs cluttering the highways.  Yes, I’m anti-SUV.  I’ve always believed, mostly since the early 2000s, that SUVs are just a much cooler and tougher version of a minivan.  Think about it.

 

Get Pizza Gyrl FREE on #Kindle Today and Tomorrow!

My latest short story for Kindle, Pizza Gyrl, is FREE today and tomorrow!  It’s a 90′s romantic dramedy about a thirty-something year old dude recalling his first love at the age of fourteen.  The apple of his eye is an off-beat chick who works in a pizza joint, and reeks of one.  If you’re looking for something to make you laugh and wince, then perhaps you’ll enjoy this story.  Get your FREE copy for Kindle here.

If you miss the two-day giveaway,  you can always buy the book for 99 pennies.  Please leave a review once you complete the story–reviews help get authors and books noticed!

Man Suing Over Movie Theater Snack Prices is Problematic

I’m with this guy, but aren’t there currently bigger fish to fry?  Watch the video above for my full commentary on this topic.

Free Music From @Amazon

I spent a good chunk of my Sunday downloading free music from Amazon.  I was surprised at how many albums and singles were going for zilch.  I’m not sure if anyone else knows about this, but if you don’t, then you should!

I was on a quest to find more international sounds, when I came across music priced at $0.00.  At first, I was like, ‘There’s a reason why they’re free, must suck.’, but I took a chance anyway.  After downloading twelve albums and one single, I’ve only been able to listen to the single and a few tracks off two of the albums.  I’m one of those people that have to have few or no distractions when giving something a first listen.  Needless to say, I trashed two of those albums; always preview music before buying!  Even if it’s free.

Anyhow, I consider myself to have diverse musical tastes, but that doesn’t mean everything gets my stamp of approval upon the first ear bang.  I cleared those two albums I didn’t like because the music wasn’t what I expected; it was all soft and sensual, and I wasn’t in the mood for that.   Don’t take my act of moving files to my trashcan as a statement against purchasing free music; I’ve gotten a lot of great music for free (mostly mixtapes), so go get some tunes for nothing!

 

10 Heart’s Day Gifts for $10

 

Hey there cheap ass!  Since that time of year is here, yet again, the one where love takes a back seat to materialism, I want to suggest some nice gifts that’ll suit your wallet.  No one should have to spend a fortune on a day that’s not even a real holiday.  Wouldn’t you agree?  I mean, really, if I don’t receive a diamond tennis bracelet, flowers, and a box of chocolates, does that mean our relationship isn’t healthy?  Of course it doesn’t!  It just means you’re saving that money you would’ve spent on Valentine’s Day presents, to buy shots at our local bar for St. Patty’s Day!  See, I know how to be reasonable.

For those of you that insist on expressing your love via your credit card, here are ten suggestions that should stop the overdraft fees:

1. Instead of having a romantic dinner at a nice restaurant, go through your weekly batch of news flyers with coupons from fast food restaurants, pick one, and go there!  Nothing says ‘I love you’ like two burgers for the price of one, and large fries at half the price!
2. Bake a heart-shaped cake with your lover’s name on it, and a free drawing of your genitals/genitalia.  Don’t have a heart-shaped cake pan?  No worries!  Just bake in a circular pan, and cut that cake into a heart the best way you can…or cut it into the shape of some genitals/genitalia.
3. For the ladies: A pair of vibrating nipple clamps.
4.  For the fellas: A box of micro condoms (let’s be real–you’ll NEVER be able to wear a magnum!).
5. Red thongs with a heart pattern.
6. A homemade card with glitter.  All you need is some construction paper, something to write with (preferably markers or crayons), a pair of safety scissors (because you’re not that careful), and ten minutes.  If you’re able to find some heart-shaped confetti, then go for that too!
7. Six pack of toilet paper.  What?  We  ALL have to wipe our asses, so why not give a gift that you know your sweetie will use?  Every time they flush, they’ll think of you
8. Economy sized bottle of mouthwash.  If you’re gonna kiss, make sure that mouth is disease and stank free!
9. For the ladies: a red and/or pink dog collar, since your significant other already calls you their bitch anyway.
10. For the fellas: a shock collar.  No explanation needed.

Happy Our-Love-Is-Determined-By-The-Cost-And-Quality-Of-What-You-Buy-Me Day!