Monday, January 12, 2015

Job Hunting and Working Those Side Hustles



You might have noticed if you're a regular reader of my blog that I've suddenly started posting a bunch of articles about either job hunting, side hustles, or earning or saving money.
There's a reason for that. I am currently job hunting, after a job ended and then a promised job situation fell through. So now I'm doing all I can to survive and pay my bills.

I know I'm not the only one in this situation, so I thought I'd try to help others who are job hunting or trying to get through a tough situation, by sharing information on earning money, saving money, and job hunting, on my blog. If I help even one family I consider it a job well done.

I also have a Donation button on my site and am asking for donations to help keep me writing and sharing good information and inspiring people in any way I can.  If any of my readers feel inspired to help by donating, there's a button on the right side of my blog, under my photo and personal information. I thank you in advance for your donations, large or small!


Sunday, January 11, 2015

How to Stay Warm Frugally in Cold Weather



With energy costs sky high, a lot of people are going to be turning their thermostat down this winter in an effort to cut heating and energy costs in every way they can. This means a colder house, but there are ways to stay warm this winter while saving on your heating costs.

I once saw a girl get out of her car at a gas station, in the midst of a winter snowstorm, wearing a tank top, shorts, and flip flops on her feet. I watched incredulously as she pumped her gas dressed as if she were at the beach instead of in the midst of a harsh wind and freezing temperatures. I can only guess that she had her heater on full blast in her car so that she thought it didn't matter what she wore.

Wearing those kinds of clothes around your own house in the winter time means you are behaving in a similar fashion. You too aren't dressed appropriately for the winter weather, but rather you are dressed for the artificial climate created by using excessive amounts of energy and fuel in your house, and heating it to the highest possible degree.

Of course, with energy costs sky high, people are starting to rethink habits like overheating our homes in the winter, as well as the way we dress inside our homes in the wintertime. To save money you can turn your thermostat down, but if you do you will want to dress in a manner more suited to the cold weather.

Dress in layers, so you can then adjust the layers as you get warmer or colder, rather than turning the thermostat up and down. Keep it turned down, a few degrees lower than you normally would, or to a temperature that seems reasonable to you. Consult energy and heating experts if you are unsure of the proper temperature. Try 60 degrees, or 55 degrees, at first. Then go a bit lower if you can without being too uncomfortable.

Dressing in layers means you start with long johns, add shirts or tops, then perhaps a wool sweater or a fleece vest, then maybe even a coat if its cold enough. Warm socks are important too, and so is a hat since a lot of heat is lost through the top of the head. Don't go barefoot on cold floors either, wear socks and warm slippers.

You'll want to be able to move around and do your chores, so don't put on so many layers that you can't move comfortably. Your body will adjust to the cooler temperature in your house in time, and you may find you don't need as many layers to stay warm as you did in the beginning.

Sleep is vital to health, so it is important that you are warm and comfortable at night. If you are too cold, you'll have trouble getting a good nights sleep.

Flannel sheets keep you warmer than cotton ones, and you can preheat your bed before you get in it by placing a water bottle at the foot of the bed. Make sure you have plenty of warm blankets. Snuggling with your mate keeps you warmer also, and it feels great to snuggle together under the warm blankets when the room is cold.



Cold weather calls for cold weather foods like bowls of steaming hot soup, stew, or chili. Hot drinks are nice too. Salads and summer foods usually don't seem as satisfying during cold spells, so go with your cravings and eat heartier foods during the cool weather.

Get some exercise because that will warm you up too.
  • Make sure your home is adequately insulated for the cold weather. If not, do what you can to get it insulated before winter sets in.
  • Shut off a room or two that you don't use much, if need be this winter, and only heat the rooms you use most.
  • Try sleeping in an unheated bedroom; you may find it invigorating and end up preferring your room to be unheated in the winter.
  • Don't do anything to endanger your health or wellbeing.