Cheap Cooking Utensils For Your Kitchen
Regardless of whether you’re moving into a new home or you just need new supplies for your kitchen, we have put together a list of a few cooking utensils that most kitchens need and they won’t cost you much money. And you can even find most of the cooking items in almost any retail store in the country. So, are you interested in finding out what cooking utensils you might be missing that don’t cost a ton of money? If so, scroll down and read!
Silverware
The first cooking utensil that we recommend you get for your kitchen is silverware. Unless you are from the Jurassic era, you probably use silverware to eat and it isn’t horribly expensive. In fact, you can find silverware sets for around $10 or less in most stores. The only thing is, it probably won’t be real silver unless you get extremely lucky but that’s just what we call it. A good rule of thumb is that it’s generally cheaper if you buy it in bulk.
Pots And Pans
Next, you’ll want to get your hands on some pots and pans. This will be used for cooking dinner, lunch, breakfast, and practically everything in your home. Sure, a toaster or crock pot comes in handy but pots and pans are far more universal than any appliance out there. If you find a quality set for around $50 or $60 then you’ve done extremely well. There are sets out there that cost hundreds upon hundreds of dollars but they aren’t necessary at all.
Butcher Block
The third cheap cooking utensil that we recommend having in your kitchen is a butcher block. You can find a good butcher block for around $20 or $30 and it’ll do all of the cutting that you need it to. Look for one that comes with knives in different sizes as well as a knife sharpener and a pair of kitchen shears. If it has all of this then you’ve it’s a winner.
Spatulas, etc
Finally, we recommend purchasing spatulas, stirring spoons, and anything else that you may need to make your cooking experience complete. These can generally be found for as little as $1 each and will come in very handy. If you have trouble finding what you are looking for in the store, try purchasing them online from a kitchen oriented site or simply hop on your favorite search engine, perform a quick search, and see what you can find there.
And that’s all that you need in your kitchen when on a budget. If you have all of this then you’ll have no trouble whatsoever putting together endless meals and doing so with little to no hassle. Now, what are you waiting for? Get out there and start gathering some cheap kitchen utensils for your next or pre-existing kitchen. It’s definitely a good investment and they’ll find plenty of use in the average home. Most of all, have fun when you’re shopping.
Cutting Costs On Pet Toys
So, you have a few furry critters running around and want to know how you can cut down on the expensive costs that are associated with pet toys? Good! Because we have a few tips for you that will help you do just that. You see, we know how expensive they can be. Walk into any pet store in the country (or even retail stores) and you’ll see some pretty crazy prices on pet toys. Well, that’s all about to end. Are you ready to get started? Good!
Make Your Own
The first tip that we have for you is to make your own pet toys. It’s a lot easier than it sounds. If you have a cat, try a balled up piece of aluminum foil as they absolutely love it! Do you have a dog? Find an old piece of rope or make one out of an old t-shirt. All you have to do is use your imagination and find out what kind of toys your pets like. From there, it’s all about creativity and know how. Trust us on this one. Pets love this stuff.
Ask Around
Do you know someone that maybe had a pet in the past? Maybe their pet is too old to play with their old toys. Just like children, pet owners tend to keep pet toys long after they are still being used. Find out if any of your friends or family has some pet toys that you can take off of their hands. They’ll be free and they’ll definitely get used by your animals.
Bargain Stores
A great place to get your hands on cheap pet toys is at bargain stores such as Big Lots, Dollar General, and stores like that. You’ll find pet toys and other odds and ends that you can use as pet toys. All you have to do is shop around a little bit and you’re sure to find something that your animals will love regardless of what they are. Go ahead and try!
Yard Sales
Finally, the last place that we have for you to find cheap pet toys is at yard sales. This one is kind of hit or miss as you never know what you’ll find in someone else’s garage but we have ran across quite a few pet toys in the past. The only way to find out if a particular yard sale is home to cheap pet toys though is to check it out so definitely do that.
And if you follow the tips above, you should have no trouble finding some affordable pet toys. After all, not everyone spends a ton of money on their pets’ toys. We know we don’t! We’d rather have that extra money to put into stuff that matters like quality pet food and vacations. Now, what are you waiting for? Get out there and entertain your pets without spending your rent money. We promise that it’s definitely possible and that you can do it!
Cheap Food Establishments You’ll Love
Just like most of you, we absolutely love to eat out. In fact, we probably eat out too much which is something most people do. You’d be shocked if you knew how much money the average person blew on dining out and while we don’t know exact figures, we’d probably be equally as shocked. This is why we thought it was about time we did a little piece on some food establishments that are affordable but don’t skimp out on quality. Although all of these food joints aren’t available everywhere, we’re sure that there is at least one from the list close by. Now, are you ready to check them out? If so, scroll down and take a look!
Golden Corral
For about the price of 3 gallons of gas, you can get all that you want to eat here and then some. Best of all, it’s not like some buffets where you’re limited to fried chicken and sides. No, Golden Corral is much more than that. They have everything from steak to pizza to desserts and everything in between. And yes, they even have soft drinks. The only thing negative we can say about this chain is that they tend to always be crowded but that’s just because they’re absolutely delicious, affordable, and most major cities have at least one.
CiCi’s Pizza
This is an all pizza buffet (unless you count the spaghetti and bread sticks) but it’s also all business. For the price of a pack of cigarettes, you can get all the pizza you can handle. It’s kind of hit or miss for some people as they have some pretty off the wall pizzas such as the Mac n’ Cheese pizza but if pizza is your thing, you won’t be disappointed with CiCi’s .
Hardees/Carl Jr’s
This is the only “fast food” chain on our list and for good reason. While it definitely isn’t the cheapest fast food chain out there, we feel like it definitely has the most variety and bang for your buck. The burgers are delicious, the chicken is on point, and they even have some of the best milk shakes on the planet (we like the strawberry milk shake). Why is there two names? Because they are the same exact food establishment but go by different names depending on what part of the country you live in. You definitely have to try it out!
And this should have you all set. All 3 of these food establishments have their own perks and we think that we did a pretty good job giving everyone a little variety. You have the choice of your typical buffet on steroids, a pizza buffet, or a burger joint. It just doesn’t get much better than that and with prices like these, you’d be hard pressed to find a better deal. Sure, you could go to McDonald’s and eat off of the dollar menu but who wants that? We most definitely don’t. Now, why wait? Go try one one of these out today!
Saving Money On Flowers
Whether it’s for an anniversary or Valentine’s Day, flowers are pretty much the most genuine gift that you can give someone. They work great for Mother’s Day and even birthdays. The only thing is that people tend to spend way too much money on flowers which is a shame because we know a few ways that they could be saving money on stuff like flowers. If you’d be interested in learning how to do this, feel free to scroll down and take a look at the helpful tips below. We promise that you will not regret checking it out.
Buy Off Season
The first thing that you can do to save money on flowers mainly applies to Valentine’s Day but if you think outside of the box, it could apply to other situations as well. We all know that around Valentine’s Day, most stores jack up the prices of roses and then when this holiday is over, they go back down to a normal price. Either way, roses can live a decent period of time if you take care of them so why not buy flowers during the off season?
Don’t Go To Floral Shops
Yes, that sounds kind of contradictory and we don’t mean to ruin anyone’s business but we’ve noticed that flowers tend to be a lot cheaper in retail stores. The only negative to this is that floral shops tend to have better quality flowers but you’re definitely going to pay for it. Feel free to shop around and see what prices that stores in your area have.
Buy In Bulk
This is a very common tip that we give out in all kinds of scenarios and that’s because it applies to many different things. It works out better if you buy a dozen flowers versus buying six or even just one. You save money and you have more flowers to pass around so why not take advantage of these savings and make more than one person’s day this year?
Look For Specific Flowers
Finally, the last tip that we have for you when it comes to saving money on flowers is to look for specific types of flowers. Obviously, on Valentine’s Day, roses are pretty much the most expensive flower that you can buy so you may want to consider getting a different type of flower. Don’t worry though. We’re sure your significant other won’t mind one bit.
And that’s all that you have to do in order to save money on flowers. It may sound too easy but that’s only because it is. If you shop around, look for certain cuts of flowers, buy your flowers in bulk, and shop during the off season, you should have no problem at all saving money on flowers the next time that you need them. Now, what are you waiting for? It’s time to get out there, do a little shopping, save a little money, and have a good ol’ time!
Getting Baby Supplies For Cheap
So, you have a baby on the way (or know someone else that does) and you’re worried about having enough baby supplies. Worry no longer! You see, we put together a small list of ways that you can get your baby supplies without spending your entire paycheck. Yes, this really is possible. While having a newborn child will always be expensive, we can help you put a dent in those expenses if you use some of the cool resources provided below. Now, are you ready to get started? If so, scroll down and check out the neat tips below!
Have A Baby Shower
First and foremost, we recommend having a baby shower. Sure, it’s pretty cliche and almost every mother to be has one but they do this for a reason. Why? They do it for all the free stuff! Don’t be scared to let people know what you need either. Ask them to bring stuff like formula, baby food, clothes, diapers, pacifiers, and stuff like that. While you may need a crib, you’ll find that you spend far more money on the items that we listed above.
Check With Churches
Most local churches have programs in place that help mothers who can’t afford to get all of the supplies that they need for their children. There is absolutely no shame in this unless you don’t need the supplies and you take them anyways. Find out what kind of different programs are available in your area and see what kind of supplies you can get your hands on. It’ll help you out tremendously and ensure that your baby has everything it needs.
Look For Sales
Every once in a blue moon, retail stores have sales on baby items. Keep your eyes open for these sales as you can save a ton of money. The only area that you’ll want to be cautious in is when it comes to baby food. If the food is on sale, make sure the expiration date hasn’t passed and if it’s close, keep that in mind when you buy it as you definitely don’t want to be giving your baby food that has expired. Other than that, you should be more than fine!
Use Social Media
Finally, we recommend using social media to find cheap baby supplies. Reach out to some of your friends on Facebook or whatever social media platform it is that you use. Find out if they have any old baby items that they’d like to get rid of and let them know that you’d be happy to take it off of their hands. If you get stuff like baby clothes and bottles, make sure you wash them before they get used. You can never be too safe with stuff like this.
Now, what are you waiting for? Get out there and save some money on your baby supplies. You’re going to need it in a few years when it’s time to buy your child a car, send them to college, and all of that good stuff. And be sure to share this list with any other mothers out there. We know that they’ll appreciate the massive savings that this list can bring to them.
Tips For Saving Money On Jewelry
We love jewelry and are sure you do too. After all, why else would you be reading this? What we don’t like though is the price of jewelry because let’s face it. Jewelry is never cheap regardless of where you buy it so we can’t help you with that. What we can help you with though is how to save money on jewelry because the majority of you are paying way too much for jewelry. In fact, you could be paying way less if you know what to do. Now, scroll down and let’s get started. We’re excited to teach you how to save money!
Avoid Retail Stores
The first tip we have for you when it comes to saving money on jewelry is to avoid retail stores in general. We’ve noticed that stores like K-Mart and other retail stores typically mark up their jewelry by as much as 300%. Don’t believe us? Buy a piece of jewelry from a retail store, leave the tags on it, and then go try to sell it. Chances are, you won’t even get half of what you paid for it so avoid retail stores. The price markup simply sucks.
Mom and Pop
The next way that you can save money on jewelry is by shopping at local “mom and pop” jewelry stores. They typically have very fair prices and amazing customer service. While we like stores like Zales and Kay’s, we prefer local mom and pop jewelry stores over them just for the price difference and customer service. Not sure which one to check out? Ask some of your friends or family members. They should be able to guide you accordingly.
Order Online
By ordering jewelry online, you should be able to cut out the middle man. By doing this, you’ll save a ton of money. We do have one word of caution though. If you buy from a site like eBay and the savings are tremendous, get it checked out once you receive your item. We’ve bought jewelry online that was real as can be and was much cheaper but we’ve also bought diamonds online that were way cheaper but it turns out it was because they were damaged. Any local jeweler should be able to check them out for you, free of charge.
Buy Used
Finally, the last tip we have for you when it comes to saving money on jewelry is the most obvious one. Buy your jewelry used! Many people get tired of their jewelry over the years and are looking to sell it for prices that are much lower than what it would cost you in the store. Check around and see what everyone has in your area? Need a good place to start? Check in your local paper or on social media groups such as those found on Facebook.
Now, what are you waiting for? It’s time to get out there and save some money on jewelry. The savings are out there but you just have to be willing to grab them!
Where To Find Cheap Books
If you’re anything like us, you absolutely love to read! What you may not love though is the price of books nowadays as they can tend to get pretty expensive. Walk into any store that sells books and you’re likely to see some pretty steep prices. How could anyone possibly afford to read on a regular basis with such high prices? Well, they can’t but if you know where to find cheap books, you can read as much as you possibly want. Now, are you ready to find out our favorite sources of cheap books? If so, scroll down and we’ll get started!
Used Book Stores
This is our favorite source of cheap books not because it is necessarily the cheapest source but because it is the best. You’re more likely to find something specific in a store like this versus one of our other sources. So, if you have a particular title in mind and want to save a little cash, find out if you have a used book store in your area. It’s a very good source!
Thrift Stores
The next source of cheap books on our list is thrift stores. Here, you will find books that others have donated and they are now available to you (and everyone else) at very good prices. In fact, you’ll probably save 90% in comparison to buying them new in a store. The only downside to buying books at thrift stores is that you’re going to have to do a lot of digging to find what you are looking for and even then, you may not find the book at all.
Yard Sales
Yard Sales are absolutely fantastic when it comes to getting good deals on books because 9 times out of 10, the books are new releases. Very few people ever let books pile up only to sell them later on. You’ll find that most books you see at yard sales are books that have came out within the last year or so which makes yard sales a great source of finding newer books at older prices. Don’t know where to find yard sales? Try your local news paper!
Online
Finally, the last place we recommend looking for cheap books is online. Sites like eBay sell books in what are called “lots” which basically means you’ll be getting a bunch of random books for a cheap price. You can search lots by category though if you just hop on eBay and type in something like “romance book lot” and see what you find. It’s truly amazing how many people sell books on eBay so you should have no trouble finding what you want.
And those are our favorite sources of cheap books. To us, a book is a book so there’s no reason to buy it brand new over buying it used unless the used copy is so damaged that you cannot read it or you’re a book collector. Either way, if you want to stock your book shelves for some summer reading, these are the best places that you can do this at!
Increasing The Life Of Your Computer
You know that thing that you’re reading this on right now? Yeah, your computer. That’s it! Well, odds are, it was a pretty expensive piece of machinery. In fact, most new computers will cost you at least $400 (for a good one) if not more. We even know a few people who have spent thousands of dollars on their computer. Either way, we want to help you make the most of your investment and ensure that it lasts for years to come. In fact, we think that your computer can easily last a decade if you the follow the helpful tips below. Ready to get started and see what tips we have in store for you? If so, scroll down and enjoy!
Proper Maintenance
The first tip we have for you is probably the most important. Make sure you keep all of your anti-virus software up to date and run disk defrag at least once a month. On top of that, you may even want to run disk cleanup (this is all assuming you use Windows). If you don’t know how to do this, a quick search on Google or Bing will get you started. Finally, make sure you install Windows updates and do upgrades when they become available.
Clean Your Computer
The second tip that we have for you is one that very few people actually do anymore. Buy a can of air duster (it shouldn’t cost more than $5 or $6 and will last a very long time) to use on your computer AT LEAST once a month. We recommend doing it once a week though. Think of all the dust that settles on a ceiling fan over time if it doesn’t get cleaned. Yeah, the same thing happens with a computer and it can drastically hurt it.
Keep It Cool
Finally, the last tip that we have for you is this. Think of your computer like an automobile. If it overheats, it’ll probably cut off or it may never work again. Don’t let that happen! If you have your computer upstairs, make sure the room is cool at all times. In the Winter, if you have the heat on full blast, get a little desk fan and keep it facing the tower of your cpu which is “the big part” and not the screen for those of you out there who aren’t as much of a geek as we are. Not only will this increase your computer’s life span but it will also ensure that your computer doesn’t bog down or get slower in the very near future.
But if you follow these tips, you should have no problem at all making your computer last a total of 10 or even 15 years. We’ve seen people, who bought their computer back in 98, make it last until a year or so ago. That’s not to say that the computer wasn’t completely obsolete but the point is, they got their money’s worth. We want you to do the same and know that these tips will help you do just that. Now, start implementing these tips!
Does Buying In Bulk Really Save You Money?
We get a lot of questions about this and decided that it was time to address this issue. So, what question are we talking about? Well, although it’s in the title, we’ll mention it again. Does buying in bulk really save you money? The short answer is yes but we’ll go a bit more in depth for you. You see, buying in bulk at places like Sam’s Club or Costco is a great way to save money but it definitely isn’t for everyone. If you’re single or live on your own, you probably won’t save a ton of money shopping at these places. Why? Because it’s really not necessary to go out and spend a ton of money on items that will do nothing but take up space. There is an exception though. Anyone could benefit from buying bathroom stuff!
After all, you can never have too much toilet paper, body wash, shampoo, or tooth paste. If you’re a business owner or have a big family (or even just kids or a husband), you can most definitely benefit from shopping at places like Sam’s Club. You may only save a few dollars but as you probably already know, a few dollars can go a very, very, very long way.
This is especially true if you’re raising kids but again, that’s something you probably already know. Now, what about those of you that kind of fall into the middle? Should you shop at Sam’s Club or Costco or any other store like these? Well yeah, you still should. Here’s why.
Most places like this tend to have really good prices on stuff like televisions, surround sound, furniture, outdoor supplies, sporting goods, and even everyday essentials such as vitamins. In fact, we know a lot of people who exclusively shop at places like these even if it’s for something as simple as a DVD or a new pair of jeans. Walk into any Sam’s Club and you’ll see why. Outside of grocery items (and all kinds of other stuff) that come in bulk, they have some pretty darn good prices on almost anything that you could ever think of.
So, hopefully we’ve answered your question as to whether or not buying in bulk saves you any money. If you still have doubt, the best thing that we can recommend for you to do is to head into one of the stores that we’ve mentioned and see what you find. Compare prices and quantities to that of wherever you normally shop. Chances are, you’ll find that you like the difference. Well, at least we did! But we can’t speak for you or put words in your mouth. You’ll have to come to your own conclusion and as mentioned above, the only way to do this is to give one of these stores a shot. Either way, we’re pretty confident that you won’t regret it. If you do though, be sure to drop us a line and let us know why. It’s opinions like yours that keep us in the loop and besides that, we love hearing from you!
Cutting Down On Medical Expenses
Let’s face it. At some point or another, we’ll all have to go to the doctor or the hospital. What we all won’t have to do though is pay too much for healthcare related expenses. With the tips below, not only will you be able to cut down on doctor bills but you’ll also be able to live a better life. Now, what are you waiting for? Scroll down and learn how to cut down on your medical expenses now. You can thank us later for this helpful, practical list.
Get Insured
The first tip that we have for you when it comes to saving money on medical expenses is simply to get insured. Odds are, you can’t afford to pay for doctor visits, medications, and potential surgeries out of pocket so why not get insured? With the Obama Healthcare stuff in place, insurance is pretty affordable to most anyone now. In fact, most people can get some pretty good health insurance for under $100 a month. You can’t beat that, huh?
Exercise
Yes, we said it. Exercise! Staying in shape will keep you at home more and at the doctor’s office less. It’s great for heart health, your blood sugar, and numerous other things that send a lot of people to the emergency room each and every day. We’re not asking you to go sling around 50lb dumbbells but if you could incorporate 20 minutes of walking a day into your normal routine, you’ll find that you spend more time enjoying life and less in the E.R.
Sign Up Now
Something else that you can do to cut down on medical expenses is signing up for various rewards and discount programs that are available. The main thing here is to thoroughly research all of these programs and make sure you qualify for them. Hop on Google and find programs that are available to you in your area. From there, it’s all about applying to them.
Government Assistance
Can’t afford insurance? Don’t stress it! Almost every state in the country has a government funded insurance system in place that will give you health insurance for little or no cost. There’s no shame in getting a helping hand when you need to and we encourage anyone that needs insurance but can’t afford it to research these programs. To get started, visit your state’s official website and use their search feature to get info on various programs.
And by doing all of this, you should be all set! Not only will you cut down on medical costs but you’ll also have more time to do more important things like enjoying life, spending time with your family, and shooting for the stars. In all seriousness though, your health is not something that you should play around with. Take advantage of the options that you have in front of your, live as long as you possibly can, and enjoy life to the fullest. After all, that’s what we’re all about here at Pinching Your Pennies. Enjoying life, saving money, etc.
Saving Money On Your Water Bill
Some of us have the luxury of living in areas where the water bill stays the same no matter how much (or how little) water you use during the month. Unfortunately, others’ water bills are based on usage and that’s where we come in. We have a few tips for those of you that fall into that category as to how you can cut down on your water bill. They’re easy to implement, they won’t cost you a dime, and best of all, they’ll save you a ton of money. Are you ready to find out what they are? Great! We’re ready to tell you. Now, scroll down!
Take Showers
The first tip that we have for you when it comes to cutting down on your water bill is to start taking showers. No, we aren’t insulting you or saying you are dirty but if you are currently taking baths every night, consider making the switch to showers. You’ll use much less water, it’s much quicker, and you’ll cut down on your water like never before. You also won’t get prune fingers (or toes) like you tend to get when you take a bath instead.
Eliminate The Drip
How many times have you walked into the kitchen and noticed that your faucet was dripping? Okay, probably quite a few times, right? Well, replacing that faucet or fixing the drip could save you a ton of money on your water bill. While it may not seem like much right now, that dripping water can add up over time and make your water bill way more.
Increase The Load
Next, we want you to increase the amount of dishes that you are doing per load. We know that a lot of you do the cups and silverware separate (makes sense) but you don’t have to. It may mean that you have to do a little extra scrubbing but it will cut down on your water bill especially if you’re one of those people (big families) that have to do dishes every single day. If you have a dishwasher, wait until you have a full load to do all of your dishes.
Buy Bottled Water
Finally, the last tip that we have for you is to buy bottled water. It may not make much sense right now but it will. Instead of drinking tap water or using a filter, get your water in a bottle and drink it that way. Every time you fill up a glass of water via your faucet, you’re adding to your water bill. For smaller families (or those of you that live solo), it will help cut down your water bill. Still don’t believe us? Try drinking off brand bottled water.
And those are our tips on how you can save money on your water bill. They may not seem like much but we promise that they work. If you live in an area that has a set amount for the water bill, this list probably doesn’t apply to you but it still wouldn’t hurt to go green and save water anyways. Now, what are you waiting for? Let’s pinch some pennies, live life, and cut down on your water bill. After all, it’s only the right thing to do. Enjoy!
Best Affordable Internet Providers
Internet is something that almost everyone uses nowadays. It’s convenient, it kills time, and some people even make their living on the Internet. You can find everything from music videos to the latest news at the click of a button and the Internet has truly made the way the world works a lot better. So, what if you don’t have Internet? What if you pay too much for Internet? Well, we put together a list of the best affordable Internet providers to give you a hand. Before you scroll down and start reading the list though, keep one thing in mind. This list is based on providers in the United States as that’s where we are located.
Charter
The first provider on our list is Charter Communications. While they aren’t available in all parts of the country, they are a pretty widespread provider. With affordable Internet and well priced bundles (they cost around $99 for TV, Internet, and Phone), Charter is very hard to beat in terms of quality and price. Find out if you have Charter Internet available in your area and make the switch. We promise that you definitely won’t regret doing so.
Verizon Fios
While this is one of the more expensive providers on our list, they are also one of the best. The quality of their services (and speed) more than make up for the hefty price tag that comes with almost any service that Verizon offers including cell phone service. If you have Verizon Fios in your area and are in need of a good Internet provider, going with Verizon may be the best choice if you can afford to. If you can’t, try another provider.
Comcast
Comcast, a lot like Charter, isn’t available in all areas and definitely isn’t as common as Verizon but they are still a good provider. While slightly cheaper than Verizon (and a little more expensive than Charter), they don’t offer services as good as either. The only reason they made the list is because they are affordable and have great customer service. We’ve also noticed that they don’t hire contractors to install your services nearly as much as other providers which is good. Why? Because you can ask questions as well as get answers.
Sudden Link
Finally, the last Internet provider on our list is Sudden Link. They’re pretty common on the East Coast and have some very fast Internet speeds. While they aren’t the cheapest (nor the most expensive), the speeds that are available when it comes to Internet service are pretty miraculous. If you have Sudden Link Internet available in your area, be sure to check them out and compare their services to Verizon, Comcast, and Charter Communications.
Now, are you ready to get Internet or make the switch from your current, expensive provider? If so, see which services that you have available in your area that made our list and make it happen! You won’t regret doing so and it’ll save you a ton of money. Best of all, you’ll have a quality services as well. After all, it’s all about quality that is affordable.
Practical Uses For Flour
When most of us think of flour, we think about it as a cooking tool but that’s not all that it can be used for. Below, you’ll find a few unique but practical uses for flour. The cool thing about this though is the fact that you probably already have flour in your home so if you see a use for flour that you think is cool, you can get started immediately. Now, if you’re ready to learn a few practical uses for flour, go ahead and scroll down to get started.
Paper Mache
The first practical use for flour that we have on our list is paper mache. All you need is a little bit of salt, flour, and water. Yep, that’s it! This is how most people make paper mache once they realize that glue and water isn’t the best route to go. Just think of it as a cheap hobby and you’re sure to have a blast with paper mache and this use of flour.
Decorations
Believe it or not, some people use flour as a decoration. Find a glass vase (or mason jar even) that you can fill up with flour. You can even add some dye to it in order to give it a different color. Just make sure that you use something that you don’t need for anything else as flour, over time, will settle and it’ll be a real pain to clean out of the vase or jar.
Play Dough
Do you have kids? Then you’d be surprised to know that you can make play dough out of flour. You can even make it whatever color you’d like with the use of dye. Just make sure that you’re kids aren’t eating the play dough. Even though it probably won’t kill them, it’ll make them extremely sick and it’s definitely not something that you want to be eating.
Flour Mask
Another use for flour is that of a flour mask. Flour can be mixed with rice, chickpeas, and numerous other food items to create an exfoliating mask that is great for your skin. Best of all, it’s a lot cheaper than going to a salon. You can find all of the ingredients that you need to make different kinds of masks by doing a quick search on your favorite search engine.
Ant Repellent
Finally, the last use we have for you when it comes to practical uses for flour is an ant repellent. Yes, you can sprinkle flour throughout your yard and around sidewalks in order to keep ants away from your house. This means that you won’t have to buy a bottle of $15 bug killer or hire an exterminator if ants are the only pest that you are having trouble with.
But like we said, these are only just some of the amazing uses of flour. We’re sure that you’ll find other things that you can do with flour that might save you time, money, or just give you a new hobby to mess around with on the weekends. Feel free to contact us if you have some uses for flour that we may have missed or that you think we don’t know about!
Getting A Good Personal Loan
Sometimes we all get a little tight for cash and we consider taking out a personal loan but how can we distinguish a good personal loan from a bad one? Well, we have a few tips for you that will help you decide whether or not the loan you are thinking about getting is a good personal loan. Feel free to refer back to this list any time you aren’t sure and share it with anyone else that may be contemplating a personal loan of any kind. Now, are you ready to get started? If so, go ahead and scroll down the page. We can’t wait to help!
Interest
The first thing that you should look at when getting any personal loan in order to decide whether or not it is a good personal loan is the interest rate. A lot of finance companies will charge you around 30% interest which, in our opinion, is far too high. Going to a bank or a credit union may land you a loan with as little as 4 or 5% interest so try that instead.
Terms
Next, you’ll want to look at the terms of the loan. How long do you have to pay it back? How much is your monthly payment? Can you afford to make this payment for the period of time that you need to? These are all questions that you should ask yourself and research when getting a personal loan. From there, it’s up to you decide whether or not it is a good personal loan. Also, don’t be afraid to ask your loan representative any questions you want.
Ask A Friend
If you live in a small area, odds are, you can ask a friend or two about the company that you plan on dealing with. Find out if they’ve ever gotten a loan through this particular company and what their experience dealing with them was like. If it was a bad one, you may want to move on and find something else. However, if they have nothing but good things to say then you may be fine moving forward. Either way, ask a few friends!
Make A Decision
Once you do all of this, it’s time to make a decision. Is this a good personal loan? Is it a bad one? Is the interest rate too high? Are the payments perfect? Do you have to pay on it for too long? Once you’ve brainstormed for a while and asked some of your friends for advice, you should be ready to make a decision. Just make sure you don’t rush your final choice.
And if you do all of this, you should be able to either find a good personal loan company or at least eliminate the bad ones. We’d hate to see you be victimized by a loan shark but it does happen. Play it safe, don’t rush into any decisions, and you should get a good personal loan. Again, if you’re “iffy” about it, feel free to refer back to this list for good advice.
Saving Money On Home Decor
Ask any home owner and chances are, they would love to save money on home decor. Why? Well, who wouldn’t want to make their home look the way that they want but without spending a ton of money? Probably no one in their right mind, right? Well, we have some pretty cool news for you. We have a few cool tips that will get you on the right track towards decorating your home with some of the finest home decor out there without spending a ton of your hard earned money. Ready to find out what they are? Scroll down!
Buy Second Hand Home Decor
The first tip that we have for you when it comes to saving money on home decor is to buy your new room fillers second hand. Essentially, we’re just asking you to consider going to used furniture stores, thrift stores, and anywhere else where you can get great deals on furniture. If you do decide to buy stuff like couches at these places, we recommend that you avoid anything made of cloth unless you have extra money to have it shampooed.
Look For Promotions
The second tip we’re going to give you when it comes to saving money on home decor is to keep your eyes open for promotions. A lot of stores, whether it is Ikea or Big Lots, run some pretty good promotions from time to time which will save you a lot of money on your home decor needs. We’ve seen amazing couches for as little as $299, desk lamps for $10, and even vintage popcorn machines for about $75. These are all amazing deals on cool items that will make your home look fantastic. So, keep your eyes open for these deals!
Buy For The Future
Finally, the last tip that we have for you is to buy for the future. What we basically mean by this is that when building up your home decor inventory, you should plan ahead. Is what you’re buying going to become obsolete in 5 years? Why spend money on anything that is going to be useless in a few years? There really is no good reason to do this. So, what you should do is think about whether or not you’ll still be satisfied with your home decor in a few years or if it’ll be time to replace it again. If it’s something that you think you’ll be happy with for a long time to come, no amount of money is too much to spend on it.
So, now that you have a few helpful tips for buying home decor, you should be ready to venture back out into the real world and make it happen. You will spend money (that’s pretty inevitable) but how much you spend is completely up to you. Just make sure that you’re getting a good deal, the home decor looks great, and you’ll be 100% fine. Still need some additional advice? Drop us a line today and we’ll help you in any way that we can!