So…You Wanta Be A Writer? Get a Website! by Cindy Rushton

Want to write? There are a few things that are absolute MUSTS—a website is one! Websites today are VERY easy. There are so many options! You have just GOTTA have a website!  If you are “challenged” in the area of computer literacy or even financially, you can still have a website very easily.

Get Your Own Website!

I cannot recommend highly enough that you invest in your own website. It is one of the most important things that a writer can do. It is like a “home” on the web for you! Invest in that “cyber-real estate” today! Here are some pointers that will make your website all it can be…

–>    Invest today at MINIMUM in your own web address—buy YOUR NAME. If your own name is available, invest in it today—even if you are not building the website immediately.  For years, I wrestled with a vision for my website. Read more

Non-Edible Gifts by Cindy Rushton

Excerpted from Christ-Centered Christmas  (NOW with companion audios! See our sale!)

* Spicy Cinnamon Sticks…Gather a bunch of extra long cinnamon sticks and tie with a holiday ribbon and a sprig of holly or baby’s breath.  Cute to hang on the tree, sit around, and place on gifts instead of a bow!

* Painted Wooden Ornaments… Purchase pre-cut wooden Christmas cutouts that are pre-painted.  Tie with gold, green, or red thread and use on the tree or as necklaces.  Hot glue a pin on the back to wear as a holiday pin!

* Cookie Cutter Ornaments…Purchase metal cookie cutters and tie bright holiday ribbon through the top!  Easy, Inexpensive, and Precious Gift!

* Recipe Book…It could be just holiday ideas like this one or it could be a collections of all the treasured family recipes.  It could be a collection from all relatives’ submissions.  Be imaginative!  Be sure to keep a copy for your daughters! Read more

Christmas On a Budget by Tawra Kellum

Between high gas prices and consumers’ fears of a financial squeeze, it seems as if a nice Christmas is out of the picture this year. Not so says Tawra Kellam, editor of Living-on-a-Dime.com. To prove it, here are a few of her ideas from to help make Christmas memorable without breaking the bank!
Go Potluck! You buy the turkey — Have everyone else bring the side dishes and drinks. Turkeys in our area are .39/lb this time of year. If you buy just the turkey, it will only cost you about $5-$10 to feed everyone for a large family gathering.

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Leftover Guilt? by Jill Cooper

Don’t you just love Thanksgiving?  It’s the most guilt free holiday of the year.  You don’t have to worry about getting the right gifts or whether everything is decorated perfectly. You don’t have to wonder whether you made enough cookies or whether the food is on your diet. You have permission and can eat to your heart’s content! At times like this, I have to wonder: Have I died and gone to Heaven?!

There is one problem — What happens when everyone rolls away from the table? You stand there in the shadows of mounds of leftovers and the guilt sets in. You really can’t wedge in another bite, but you can’t bring yourself to throw away all that good food. You know that there are people starving in Bangladesh, but you can’t afford the shipping cost to send it to them… What do you do with it?

Here are some ideas from Living-on-a-Dime.com to help you put those leftovers to good use and keep your clean conscience! Read more

Acres of Apples, Frugal to the Core by Jill Cooper

I’ve always dreamed of having an apple tree in my back yard. You know the old saying, “Be careful what you wish for?” Now that I actually have my own apple tree, I stand in my yard watching the apples piling up around me thinking, “Oh no — What do I do with this mess now?” If I could make gasoline out of apples, I could retire, but since that is not an option and my frugal mind will not allow me to waste one apple, I have had to come up with some yummier “apple disposal”  methods. If you find that you have a few dozen more apples than you know what to do with, these recipes from Living-on-a-Dime.com/ will help settle your frugal dilemma.

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Feeding a Family for $300 a Month?

Feeding a Family for $300 a Month?
By Tawra Kellam
Living-on-a-Dime.com/

I do something that most people think they can’t do today. I feed my family of 5 for $300 a month. Most people say that’s an impossible feat, but what boggles minds even more is that I do it without using coupons.

How do I do it? First, I use what I have. If I don’t have milk in the house, I don’t make a special trip to the store for it. The kids won’t die from malnutrition if they miss drinking milk for a day or two. If I’m out of bread, I’ll make some cornbread or muffins. If I’m out of fresh veggies, I will use canned or frozen instead. Stop going to the store for one or two things. I shop for food 2-3 times a month and that’s it. You’d be amazed how much this saves on the cost of gas. Read more

Have a Cool Glass of Cash! by Jill Cooper

If I said I would give you $150 extra a month to help you pay off your credit cards, lose weight and help your family become healthier, would you accept it? Does it sound too good to be true? The average American family spends 1/4-1/3 of their monthly grocery bill on things to drink but can’t find any extra money to pay off their credit cards.
Do you buy sodas, coffee, tea, juice and milk, plus all the things that go into these drinks like creamer, flavorings and sugar? Do you grab a glass of soda, juice or milk instead of a cold glass of water? You may even argue that juice and milk are good for your children but fertilizer (food for you grass) is good for your lawn. We all know that too much fertilizer will kill it and if you don’t water it, it will die. I’m beginning to wonder if most of us are more concerned about making sure our yards are watered then our children. Of course they need some milk but like everything else do it in moderation.

Here are few tips from LivingOnADime to cut the costs of the drinks in your home and find some extra money to pay of your credit cards. Read more

Secrets to Making the Most of Your Money with Harold and Cindy Rushton

Got more month than money? Want to make the most of your money? Want to build a legacy for your children to follow? I have some secrets that just might help. Let’s dig in…

==> Cut eating out! Even eating out as frugally ast you can adds up. If you must be out, take sandwiches or snacks along. Otherwise, make a commitment to be home for meals.

==> Cut soft-drinks and juice! Drink water! No only is it better for your health. It is much better for your pocket-book.

==> Got room for a flower bed? Flower pot? Grow a mini-garden! Grow a few vegetables. Not only is it yummy and more healthy, but it will help your budget.

==> You may not LIKE It… Read more

Quick Debt Attack Tips! by Harold and Cindy Rushton

Do you just HATE debt? Has it ever felt like a noose around your neck? Ready to come away from the slavery? Here are some quick tips to help you attack that debt and find the freedom that you are longer for!

==> What’s in Your Hand? Yep! What do you have in your hand to battle that debt with? Do you have a skill? Do you have stuff? Do you have a product? Do you have equipment? Want your dreams to come true? Well, offer up those “fish and bread” in your hand to the Great Provider. Watch Him do a miracle! He may ask you to use your skill of cleaning to begin an office cleaning business–talk about a great business model with a very limited investment. Maybe you have tons of old books that are just collecting dust–hear the call to sell on Ebay? What about those purses that you make…or books that you have written…or even parts from that junk car in the yard–sell it on Ebay! What about that lawn mower…or that bobcat? Put that ad in the paper and offer up what you have in your hand. Watch God bless!

==> Stop the Leaks! If your money bucket is leaking quicker than you are filling it up, stop everything right now. Read more

Tawra’s Debt Reduction Story by Tawra Kellum and Jill Cooper

In 5 years we paid off $20,000 of debt and medical bills on an average income of $22,000 per year.

We didn’t have $20,000 debt when we were married. My husband had $3,000 in credit card debts at the time. Over the 5 years we made 2 major moves, killed 3 cars, and our daughter was born and placed in Neonatal Intensive Care (the insurance paid all but $7,000 of her bills) Click here to see the list of debts and payments

During the 5 years we have been married, our income averaged $22,000 a year. The first year we earned $13,000 and steadily went up to $28,000 in 1999. We paid off $10,000 in debt and medical bills in 1999, so half of the debt was paid off when we were earning the most money. You may wish to see our budget from 1999 (before my husband was laid off). Our basic living expenses were $18,000 Read more

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