Sequester = Politician Self-Interest

We are only a few days away until the automatic government budget cuts and Congress and the President can't come to agreement on specific budget cuts and/or increasing revenue. Ramifications will be across-the-board cuts, effecting defense, education, national parks, air traffic controllers and all services provided by our Federal government.

Why can't the congress agree? To me it all comes down to self-interest, not willing to step up to hard choices and not agreeing on common values. Roy Disney is quoted as saying "When values are clear, decisions are easy." What does Washington value? “How I am going to get reelected” -not what is best for the country?

If a family is in debt, they have to agree on how they are going to reduce that debt. It typically is achieved by a combination of reducing spending and increasing income. If the family agrees to common values, decisions on what to cut and where to increase income become easy. The family looks inward on where to cut and makes sacrifices to balance their budget. The cuts are difficult but the family makes the difficult decisions and works to balance the budget.

On the other hand, our Federal Government can't make difficult decisions so everyone gets cut. It saves the politician's political career because they did not vote to cut anyone's project. Yet they can look good by restoring federal funding. As a country, we need to decide what we value.

The sequester tells me what the politicians do not value the fiscal commitments of the United States. They do not value how hard the tax payers work to earn money to pay their taxes. The sequester could put our economic recovery on hold which impacts everyone. The politicians do not value cooperation and working for the common good.

Politicians were elected to work for the common good. Now is the time to get to work, make the hard decisions, put aside partisan politics, and agree to a budget before the sequester goes into effect. Please do what you were elected to do - damn it!

MarketPlace Money Fun

From Barbara Bogaev on Marketplace Money, “We're still fresh off of our love hangover from Valentine's Day here at Money this week, so we've invited a couple of personal finance experts to answer your questions about money and relationships. Bob and Kristy Walker ..."

The show airs this weekend (2/15/13) on most National Public Radio Stations. If you don't find it on your local NPR station, here is a link where you can listen: http://www.marketplace.org/topics/your-money/letters-how-can-i-budget-when-im-self-employed

It is a great show, regardless if we are on or not so we highly recommend you tune in weekly to enjoy and learn. -Happy Listening

Can’t Buy Me Love – Happy Valentine’s Day

As Valentine’s Day quickly approaches, I think back to the Beatle’s song “Can’t Buy Me Love.” The Wall Street Journal was also thinking of the little things that show love in their article “Small Acts, Big Love.” By putting the other person’s needs above yours, spending a little time, and being creative in your approach, really shows that you appreciate and care for them and you don’t take them for granted.

Some key things to remember when you demonstrate your love through actions:

• Don’t expect a pay back

• Think about what your partner would like, not what is easy for you

• Put your partner’s needs first

• Show respect and appreciation

Here are a few little things that say ‘I Love You’ every day of the year:

• On cold days, start their car and scrape the ice off the windshield

• Make the bed

• Pack their lunch

• Open doors

• Leave the toilet seat down

• Leave the bathroom sink clean

• Pick up after yourself

• Empty the dishwasher

• Make a meal

• Say “thank you”

• Anything that your partner usually does for you, take your turn and do it for your partner

Show your love and appreciation 365 days a year, not just on Valentine’s Day. It doesn’t have to cost a penny and to quote the Beatles “Money can’t buy me love.” Happy Frugal Fun Valentine’s Day – every day of the year.

Building Blocks

Hosting a baby shower? Hate shower games? Pinched for funds?

Try this one. We took scrap wood and cut them up into 2x3x3 inch blocks, sanded and painted a baby-powder white. As the guest arrived, they selected a number or a letter to feature on their block. We had acrylic paint pens for everyone to work with. It was a fun opportunity to release our inner artist. We coated each block with a protective spray, and wa la! Our guest have collectively created a one-of-a-kind set of blocks.

The project cost $5 in paint material and provided not only a group project, but a very special gift for that little one.

Very frugal and fun!

Cleaning Up

Have you ever thought about making your own laundry detergent?  The other day, we were shopping at our local farm/home supply store and found coupons that had all the items necessary to make your own laundry soap on sale.  The total cost to make the detergent for 288 loads was just under $15.00 or about 5 cents per load, about 3 times the savings over commercial laundry detergent.

We tried the laundry soap and it works great!  Kristy is excited because she feels it works better and it is how her grandmother made laundry detergent. The directions:

• 2/3 bar Fels Naptha soap*
• ½ cup Borax
• ½ cup washing soda

Grate the Fels Naptha soap. Mix in the Borax and washing soda.  Store in an air tight container.  Use 1 – 2 tablespoons per load.  Can be used in HE washers.

* Freeze the Fels Naptha soap prior to preparing the mixture to keep it from clogging the grater. 

Happy Washing!

PS. We have had questions following this blog posting asking for the liquid form of the detergent:
• 1/3 bar Fels Naptha Soap
• 1/2 cup Borax
• 1/2 cup Washing Soda
• 2 gallons water (32 cups)

Grate Fels Naptha Soap. Heat 6 cups of water and add grated Fels Naptha until soap melts. Add Borax and Washing Soda. Sir until dissolved. Remove from heat. Pour 4 cups of hot water into 2 gallon bucket. Add soap mixture and stir. Add remaining water and stir. Let sit for about 24 hours until it gels. Use ½ cup detergent per load of laundry. Can be used in HE washer.

Frugal Holiday Celebrations

It’s that time of year again, when the political ads cease and attention is now to get you to purchase and spend for the holidays. The height of consumer spending frenzies is commonly referred to as “Black Friday,” which this year took on Thanksgiving Thursday. I don’t want to bash the consumerism of the holidays, but want to provide you with a few frugal fun ideas to increase your holiday cheer without breaking the bank. Who knows, you just might start some new favorite holiday traditions.

Go Caroling
Bundle up and grab some hot chocolate with your friend and go door-to-door singing favorite holiday tunes. Have a pot-luck dinner or snack before or after the caroling.

Give the Gift of Time
Life is busy and it may seem as if you don’t have any time to give. It may seem easier to just buy presents, gift cards or give. Think about giving your time to a friend or family member. You can help them around the house, with special projects or just an evening of turning off the television and playing cards or board games and enjoying each other’s company and conversation. Your time is very precious and giving of it may be the most expensive gift you give.

Casserole Exchange
The holidays are busy and you may not have time to cook and enjoy a nice meal. Invite friends and family to participate in a casserole exchange. Make four of your favorite casseroles and invite everyone over for an exchange party. You will give away three of your favorite casseroles while having one in your refrigerator or freezer. The new casseroles that you exchanged for can provide some variety to your holiday meals.

Ornament Exchange and Decorating Party
Some of you may take great pride in decorating for the holidays and want total control, while others may dread putting out the decorations. If you are of the latter persuasion, or think more people always are more fun, you could have a decorating party where everyone brings an ornament or decoration. Get out the eggnog, crank out the holiday tunes and have fun.

Other Ideas:
• Drive around and look at holiday lights and displays
• Cookie exchange parties
• Take time to watch your favorite holiday movie or show
• Make your own holiday cards, wrapping paper, gifts

• Secret Santa with a low dollar limit

Travel
Now this might break the bank but our family has the tradition of only buying stocking stuffers and traveling as a family over the holidays. By allocating your gift giving budget to travel, you can do a lot of things and go lots of places. It is our gift to give and receive and focuses us on our values of family time. We all get away for a week or a weekend and spend quality time with each other. It is always fun to explore a different area and it doesn’t have to be far from home.

We wish you the best, to you and yours during this holiday season.

Bob and Kristy

Are You Prepared?

As hurricane Sandy hit the East Coast, with the flooding this past weekend on the West Coast and listening to the struggles of those affected by the disasters, I am wondering how prepared I am for a disaster. Living in the Midwest, I have to worry about tornados, floods, droughts, ice, snow storms, and straight line winds. Granted, we are not talking hurricanes, earthquakes, active volcanoes, forest fires, or tsunamis, but I still wonder if I am prepared to go a week or even a month without electricity or disrupted transportation.

FEMA has at http://www.ready.gov resources and information to help you ‘Ready. Plan. Stay Safe’. It includes what to do before, during and after an emergency, how to prepare plan and stay informed for emergencies, how to build a kit for disasters to be prepared, ways to be involved, information for businesses and fun and games for kids.

What would it take for you to be prepared for a disaster? We are not talking “Doomsday Preppers” mentality, but are you ready for a week without power? How much cash would you need if you could not access your ATM or credit cards? How empty is the gas tank on your car? These are just a few questions that we are considering as a family.

Hopefully we will never have to put our plan into action, but ….just in case.