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you can also watch TV on the computer with net these days through several sources. Try your channel or show website, adobe air is nice as is windows media center that I noticed comes pre-installed on some computers. Some of these will even let you record them to watch for later! Very nice indeed with a good savings..Plus these days one can also buy a cord to hook the computer up to your TV to watch them on your TV instead of a computer monitor for very little $.

I hope everyone is doing well with their new year... and I hope these posts have given you some incentive or at least ideas on where to make improvements in your own life.

We all want to save money, but it can be difficult sometimes. Where can you cut back when you are already stretched to the limit? With tax season here its easy to say that you are going to spend, spend, spend on all the things you missed out on in the past year. Well, that's great- we all deserve to be treated, but once that money is gone - its gone. 

Let's not forget there are bills to be paid as well. 

So how can you pay the bills, treat yourself, and save money all at the same time? 

PLAN.

Write out all the bills that you owe. Total them up. 

Compare that amount to what you may be receiving from your tax refund. Did everyone claim their EITC?

 Plan on paying off as many small bills as you can and still make small payments on the larger bills ( try to bring them up to date).

Now make a list of the things you and your family NEED - NOT WANT. 

Needs: 

clothing

groceries

haircuts

toiletries

shoes

school supplies

coats

wants: 

xbox

toys

computer games

perfume

manicure

Obviously make sure your family has the necessities. When you have to choose between food and rent - I would say pay the rent. You may be able to get assistance from a non-profit or social services for food - although there is no guarantee. 

So now, you have paid the bills, bought the necessities, and you actually have some money left over....

What I did, is I bought a new TV. Now hear me out before you make a comment. I bought a new TV/DVD combo. I also ordered Netflix and the box that is needed to instnatly download movies. While this was a bigger investment initially, I will save money in the long run. Since I do not watch sports, I can get my news online, and Netflix has all the shows I watch and any movie I want to see - why do I need cable for anything other than internet? I also invested in a modem ( for internet access). 

The cable company charges (RENT) for remotes, modems, cable boxes and service. Since I will not need any of these any longer I will be SAVING@ $100 per month because I will only be using internet service from the cable company and my movie service from Netflix.

So, I know you are asking what was the cost of all this?

for the new 32" TV/DVD, modem, and surge protector ( a MUST - all from Bestbuy)  @$600

Netflix subscription first 2 weeks free then $14/ month - I get 2 movies at a time by mail and can download as many movies or shows as I want.  

However, I will be SAVING @ $75-$100/ month by cutting off cable TV - therefore my investment will pay for itself in @ 6 months. After that time, I will have an EXTRA $75-$100 in my pocket every month!  And I can watch any movie I want - ( no late fees) and still have internet access. 

So while you are thinking about what to do with your tax return, think about what kind of investment you could make in yur own home and still get money back in the long run... let me know what you come up with! 

In keeping with the theme of my NEW YEAR/NEW YOU series, I have been wanting to post about hoarding. A & E TV has a new series on HOARDERS which I have been fascinated, yet repulsed by.  It’s like staring at a car accident. As vile and revolting as it is, for some reason, you just can’t stop watching.  

Now I have had my moments of clutter, but HOARDERS takes filth to a whole new level – way beyond “Clean House”. There are no yard sales, no remodeling, just trucks loaded up with years of garbage! I have seen everything on this show from cat skeletons to dirty adult diapers and everything in between. While “hoarding” itself is NOT a mental illness according the DSM-IV, it is a component of OCD and can be treated successfully. HOWEVER, the first step is cleaning out the garbage and making the home livable.

So, that is the topic of this post – CLEANING OUT THE CLUTTER -

But I don’t want you to look at the WHOLE house or even 1 room.

Just take one spot, one drawer.  

Get 2 bags. One is to keep. One is to toss.

Get a timer. Set it for 10 minutes.

Dump the drawer out in front of you.

Pick up an item.

Have you used it in the past 6 months?

NO? Toss it.                                        Yes? Keep it.

Next item. Same process.

When every item has been delegated (keep or toss) Clean the drawer with cleaner. Determine what the drawer is going to be used for and put ONLY those items in that drawer. Label it if necessary.

Any item that does NOT belong in that drawer gets put in its proper place.

Take the “Toss” bag to the garbage – and LEAVE IT THERE! Once anything is in the TOSS bag, it stays there for good!!!

Move on to the next drawer, using the same process until you have managed to go through the entire house. It is a long and exhausting process, but well worth the effort. Not only will you rid yourself of YEARS of clutter and garbage, but you will replace it with a sense of accomplishment and serenity.  

In keeping with the theme of my "new year, new you" post, I wanted tohelp people focus on ONE THING.

I read a lot of posts where people are overwhelmed with their problems. They have bills, children, transportation problems, marital problems, - the list goes on and on...

Let's face it we can NOT do it all. We are only human. No one can do everything. So what do youdo? Focus on ONE THING. Find the one thing you can do something about and work on that.

Take a look around you. How much of what is going on in your life is truly your problem and within your ability to resolve? Make a list if you have to. (I find these do come in handy.) Write down everything that is on your mind.

Now, cross off everything that does NOT DIRECTLY affect you.

Now re-write your list in order of priority. What is most important to you? Food, shelter, transportation, health, heat, etc.  

How can you get, keep, or maintain these necessities? What do you need to do? 

At this point, you need to swallow your pride and really dig deep to find what resources are available to you to keep these necessities in your life. Organizations like social services, liheap, WIC, 211.org, catholic charities, red cross, united way, and food pantries are a necessary resource and readily available - most links are on my homepage - but you cannot think that you are ineligible simply because of your working status or you are too proud to apply. Most programs have changed their income limits due to the current financial crisis. While you may not receive direct financial assistance, you may receive services or goods which can alleviate your current financial burden. 

So the next time you are faced with a crisis, ask yourself:

• How does this affect me (or my family)?
  
• What can I do about it?
  
• What organization exists to assist me?
  
• Where can I go for help? 
  
• How long will it take for me to see results of my efforts?
• What is the worst possible outcome?
• What is the best possible outcome?
  

Why good people pick lousy partners - another part in the "New Year, new you" series

As with any change in our lives we need guides to keep us focused, and on track. While it is wonderful to help others, it is impossible to do so, if our own needs are not being met. We need to take care of our own needs before we can help others. Therefore, I devised a list, similar to the 12 steps used in AA, that I think would help people in their pursuit of wellbeing. It was written a month or so ago, but I think it is appropriate for this post.

My version of the 12 steps: