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Monday Motivation Question - October 13
Posted by Ian McKenzie
Written on October 13, 2008
 Image by JustABigGeek via FlickrToday is Thanksgiving in Canada. We’re going spend time with family and friends reflecting what we have; even in the midst of all the current economic turmoil. What are you thankful for today?
Motivation
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How to Live Cheap on a Budget
Posted by Ian McKenzie
Written on October 11, 2008
 Image via WikipediaPosted in Money MattersPeople often think having a budget is the same as not spending money. Nothing could be further from the truth. Budgeting is about tracking and controlling your spending, not living like a hermit in a cave.Even when finances are tight there are ways to get the most out of life, without excessive spending. The five keys to living cheap:Plan your meals, outings and social events.Learn your options: free events, cheap movie nights, discount nights at restaurants, coupons, special sales, etc.Conserve and avoid wasting electricity, food, heat, hot water.Be creative and find ways to save while keeping life interesting.Grocery Shopping & Meal PlanningDeveloping an interest in food and cooking keeps your grocery budget down and improves the quality of what you eat. Preparing food from scratch is cheaper than buying processed foods and is healthier for you. If you develop basic cooking skills, you will be able to make dishes which are better tasting than those served in many restaurants. Once you get the hang of preparing home-made burgers, you’ll never eat in McDonald’s again.Plan your meals. Use your plan to develop your shopping list.Get containers for storing or freezing leftovers.Pack a lunch and snacks.Buy no-name instead of name brands.Get inspired by recipes. Find them on the internet or buy recipe books from used book stores. Share and exchange recipes with friends.Variety is important. A boring meal plan makes it too easy to end up splurging.Avoid convenience stores. There is a cost for the convenience.Replace cleaning products with cheaper environmentally friendly alternatives. Use vinegar and hot water instead of a window cleaner. Baking soda has a number of household uses such as scrubbing pans, clearing drains or deodorizing.Replace paper towels with old clothing or rags for cleaning.Buy in BulkCereals or granola. Try to avoid highly priced boxed cereal.Buy meat in family packs, then freeze in meal-size portions. Make sure you wrap the well before freezing so as to avoid freezer burn.Buy a bag of popping corn instead of expensive microwavepopcorn. Use an air popper (you might find one at a yard sale) or pop it on the stove.Snacks. Nuts or other bulk items make great snacks.Spices are very expensive when bought in containers. Cheaper in bulk.Make Smart Choices at Home Small choices can equal big savings.Television: Do you really need cable? If you have high speed Internet there are places where you can watch some shows for free or buy episodes.Buy Used: Get to know the used marketplace, like Value Village, Frenchy’s or go to garage sales.Call long distance during discount times or get a calling card. If you don’t know when the cheap times are, or if you’re using a cell, you’re probably paying much more than you have to.Be SocialYou don’t have to give up your social life, just because you’re living cheaply; find creative ways to be sociable for little or no money.Get physical. Go for walks, hikes, tobagganing or biking. Camping if you want to get out of town.Free events in your community, such as lectures, movies, farmers’ markets, art shows.Rent a movie with a bunch of friends. It is a lot cheaper than going to a movie. (see popcorn above)Dinner parties. Have a potluck or invite a group of friends over to make sushi or tacos.Order too much at a restaurant? Take it home in a doggy bag for tomorrow’s lunch.
Money Matters
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Taken From Classified Ads
Posted by Ian McKenzie
Written on October 10, 2008
Posted in Friday FunnySome of these seem to contrived to be accidental; I presume some are written to be clever; and some could easily be typos and other mistakes. The list has been around forever and I still get a kick out of it.Free Yorkshire Terrier 8 years-old. Hateful little dog.Free Puppies: 1/2 Cocker Spaniel 1/2 Sneaky Neighbour’s DogFree Puppies: Part German Shepherd Part Stupid DogGerman Shepherd - 85lbs. Neutered. Speaks German. Free!Amana Washer $100. Owned by clean bachelor who seldom washed.Snow blower for sale. Only used on snowy days.2 Wire mesh butchering gloves: 1 5-finger, 1 3-finger, pair $15.Tickle Me Elmo, Still in Box, Comes with its own 1988 Mustang, 5L, Auto Excellent Condition, $6,800.83 Toyota Hunchback — $2,000Star Wars Job of the Hut — $15Full-Sized Mattress 20 Year Warranty Like New! Slight urine smell.FREE 1 Can of Pork & Beans With Purchase of 3 BR / 2 BTH HomeNordic Track $300 Hardly used. Call Chubbie.Bill’s Septic Cleaning “We Haul American Made Products”Shakespeare’s Pizza - Free ChopsticksHUMMELS - Largest Selection Ever! “If it’s in stock, we have it!”Harrisburg Postal Employees Gun ClubGeorgia Peaches California Grown - $.89/lb.Nice Parachute Never Opened - Used Once Slightly StainedAmerican Flag 60 Stars - Pole Included - $100Tired of Working for only $9.75 per hour? We offer profit sharing and flexible hours. Starting Pay: $7-9 per hour.Exercise Equipment Queen Size Mattress & Box Springs - $175Our Sofa Seats the Whole Mob! And it’s made of 100% Italian Leather.Open House! Body Shapers Toning Salon Free Coffee & DonutsKellogg’s Pot Tarts - $1.99/box.Tags: humour, advertising, classifieds, fun
Humour
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Christmas Carols Song Lyrics With Guitar Chords
Posted by Ian McKenzie
Written on October 9, 2008
 Image by volvidejapon via FlickrPosted in The Simple LifeBack in 2005 I compiled a list of links to Christmas carols and song lyrics with guitar chords. Since that time, these lists have proven to be the most popular seasonal posts at Ian’s Messy Desk; so much so, that I like to refresh the list each year to keep it active.If you stop and think about it, carol singing with a guitar is an inexpensive and easy way to enjoy the holiday season. The guitar is probably one of the most popular musical instruments around and in any group of people, there will be a couple who can play.This year, if you’re looking for a simple way to spread Christmas cheer, grab some guitar-playing friends and:Have a carol sing in someone’s homeGo caroling in the neighbourhoodVisit care homes and have a carol sing with the residentsGet the kids away from the Wii and sing some carolsIf you’re planning a holiday sing-along, here’s a good collection of Christmas carols and songs to get you going:A Baby Just Like You All I Want For Christmas is my Two Front TeethAll I Want for Christmas is YouAngels, From the Realms of GloryAngels We Have Heard on HighAs Lately We WatchedAs With Gladness Men of OldAway in a MangerBlue ChristmasBring a TorchChristians, awake, salute the happy morn (txt)Christmas in KillarneyCoventry CarolDing Dong! Merrily on High (Download)Feliz NavidadFriendly BeastsFrosty the SnowmanGo Tell it on the MountainGod Rest Ye Merry, GentlemenGood Christian Men, RejoiceGood King WenceslasGreensleevesHark, the Herald Angels SingHow Great Our JoyHave a Holly Jolly ChristmasHave Yourself a Merry Little ChristmasHere Comes Santa ClausHere We Come A WassailingHuron Carol – ‘Twas in the moon of wintertime (txt)I’ll Be Home For ChristmasIt Came Upon the Midnight ClearI Heard the Bells on Christmas DayI Saw Three ShipsJoy to the World!Jingle Bell RockJingle BellsJolly Old Saint NickLet It SnowThe Little Drummer BoyLo, how a Rose e’er blooming (txt)Mr. Grinch ThemeNuttin’ for ChristmasO Christmas TreeO Come, Little Children (txt)O Sanctissima (txt)O Holy NightOnce in Royal David’s CityO Come, All Ye FaithfulO Come, O Come, EmmanuelO Little Town of BethlehemPatapan – Willie, Take Your Little Drum (txt)Rocking Around the Christmas TreeRudolph the Red Nosed ReindeerSilent NightSilver BellsSleigh RideThe Christmas SongThe First NoelThe Friendly Beasts (txt)The Twelve Days of Christmas(There’s No Place Like) Home for the HolidaysUp on the HousetopWe Three KingsWhat Child Is This?While Shepherds Watched Their FlocksWalking in a Winter WonderlandWe Wish You A Merry ChristmasWhite Christmas
Productivity
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How to Plan Ahead for Christmas
Posted by Ian McKenzie
Written on October 8, 2008
Posted in ProductivityIt’s the beginning of October. You barely have the children back to school, Halloween stuff is all over the place and I’m already writing about Christmas.If you want to reduce the stress associated with the holiday season, get an early start on holiday planning. Christmas is generally associated with love, joy and goodwill toward men. Then December comes along and your stress level is higher than a mountain climber hanging off a cliff by his fingertips. To reduce holiday stress this year, create a holiday checklist to make the season go smoothly.Shop for Christmas Year RoundAnytime you are out shopping keep an eye open for Christmas gifts. You may be able to take advantage of sales or clearance items at off-peak times. [...] Continue Reading…
Productivity
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6 Steps to Get Past the Fear of Public Speaking
Posted by Ian McKenzie
Written on October 7, 2008
Posted in CommunicationMark Twain said, “There are two types of public speakers: those who are afraid and those who are liars.” For anyone who fits into one of those two groups, how do you overcome the fear and become better speaker?You’re not going to eliminate the fear factor, but you can learn to get past the fear. Here are 6 basic steps all successful public speakers have mastered:Be PreparedIt’s not just the Boy Scout motto. If you really want your confidence to sky rocket, be totally and thoroughly prepared. The more prepared you are to give a talk, the more confident you become. Prepare by writing out your presentation, at the every least have an outline and rehearse it more than once. At the [...] Continue Reading…
Communication
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Use a Personal Biography as a Motivation Tool
Posted by Ian McKenzie
Written on October 6, 2008
Posted in MotivationIn Stephen Covey’s book, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, he suggests viewing your life from the point of your funeral and the kind of eulogy you would like given. This gives you direction to set goals for how your life will develop to justify such a eulogy. If the thought of planning your funeral seems morbid, try writing or outlining your personal biography.Imagine the ideal biography you would like written. Give it a title. Come up with something that sums up the essence of how you would like to be remembered. Then, as you reflected on and develop your goals, remind yourself of that title.Here are some of the questions to ask as you consider a personal biography. What have I [...] Continue Reading…
Motivation
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Monday Motivation Question
Posted by Ian McKenzie
Written on October 6, 2008
The adage says, “if you don’t use it, you lose it.” It doesn’t matter what your field, if you’re not constantly maintaining and upgrading skills, you are going to find your competencies breaking down. What are you doing to enhance your skills?
Motivation
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8 Tips for Protecting Against Identity Theft
Posted by Ian McKenzie
Written on October 4, 2008
Image by d70focus via FlickrPosted in Money MattersWhen someone uses personal information such as your name, social insurance number (SIN), credit card number or other identifying information without your knowledge or permission, it is identity theft and it is a crime. Identity theft is one of the fastest growing types of fraud, but there are ways to protect yourself.One of the simplest things you can do to protect your identity is to pay attention to details. It can make a difference. Once a year, get a copy of your credit report from one of the major credit reporting agencies. The report tells you what information a credit bureau has about your credit history, financial information, collection activity and who has asked for your information. By [...] Continue Reading…
Money Matters
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10 Things you Don’t Want to Hear from Your Real Estate Agent
Posted by Ian McKenzie
Written on October 3, 2008
Posted in Friday Funny “I think unexplained crop circles add a unique flair to any home’s garden.” “Actually, it’s only the rear portion of the yard that overlaps the ancient Indian burial ground.” “I understand that the judge has ordered the Hell’s Angels not to come within 50 feet of the house.” “One bleeding sink doesn’t necessarily mean it’s haunted.” “Your neighbour has assured me that, technically, they’re not ‘killer’ bees.” “Even if there was a full-scale mud slide, it’s unlikely that it would reach as far back as your property.” “It’s quite common for roaches to grow that big even when not in the presence of radioactivity.” “Did you know that the band Grave Robber holds their practise sessions right next door?” “It’s true that they died in the house, but the [...] Continue Reading…
Humour
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