“Free Stuff” Archive

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Company Holiday Ideas…

Our organization is short on funds this year (who isn’t?). I expected our annual catered holiday party to be cancelled since feeding 300 or so office staff isn’t exactly cheap – not that the catering has ever been good, but it’s been edible.

We received an e-mail about a month ago proposing a company potluck instead of the catered affair. It sounded like a stupid idea to me. Dry mashed potatoes? Soggy salad? Not my idea of holiday cheer.

As I entered the giant conference room, I was assaulted by the powerful scents of AMAZING food. I was wrong about the culinary talents of my co-workers.

I am fortunate to work with a group of ethnically diverse folks. I filled my plate with lumpia, pancit, spicy dip, Mexican cheese wraps, and other foods I’d never had the opportunity to try before. For two hours, I ate the treasures created by my co-workers and shared my fresh warm bread. We talked and shared recipes. We caught up on recent gossip and for a moment…

forgot that the economy sucks.

It was by far the best company party we’ve ever had.

Try something new this year. It may just be the best thing you’ve ever done.

Maybe this recession isn’t all bad.

Posted by Beks on December 10, 2009 at 11:42 PM in Food Review, Free Stuff, Good Info, Life Experiences | 15 Comments »
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Turning to Reality TV for Help…

I’ve been trying to figure out creative ways to remodel our home for low to no cost. As I watched HGTV this weekend, I thought, ‘I’ll have reality television remodel my home!’

I assumed this wouldn’t be a difficult task. It’s not like there’s a strong filter for reality tv. Come on. I’ve seen Jerry Springer and Tila Tequila.

California’s official nickname is ‘The Golden State’
San Diego calls itself ‘America’s Finest City’
Humility isn’t our strong point.

It only seems obvious that we would point a camera of reality tv at our Southern California city. I went to the HGTV site, Pie Town Productions, and the DIY network. Do you know how many home remodeling shows are based in ‘America’s Finest City’?

Zero.

But, there are two shows that film anywhere, anytime – Extreme Home Makeover and Deserving Design. For Extreme Home Makeover, we lack a compelling unique story. ‘My husband lost his job… just like everyone else’ isn’t nearly as impressive or distinctive as ‘Timmy is allergic to the sun’ or ‘Little Bonnie Sue doesn’t have sweat glands’.

And remarkably, Deserving Design didn’t call me back after I submitted my husband as ‘deserving’ because only once during the last five years of our marriage has he left the toilet seat up. It’s sweet but not as gripping as Jane Doe saving the world over the last 20 years rescuing one sweatshop child at a time.

Bummer. I really needed a new back patio before the toothpicks, dental floss, and tin foil holding it together collapse.

Posted by Beks on November 30, 2009 at 5:00 AM in Free Stuff, General Debt, General Personal Finance | 4 Comments »
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ING Black Friday Deal: Free $121

Black Friday is usually about spending, even if that spending is to get some good deals. ING has decided to flip that equation and is offering to deposit $121 (the amount of money that the average consumer spends on banking overdraft fees each year) for signing up for thier Electric Orange checking account.

In order to receive the $121 bonus, you need to sign up today, and you need to use the Reference Code EOSAVE when opening the Electric Orange checking account . You then need to make 3 debit card signature transactions (the ones where you sign) within the first 45 days after opening the ING Electric Orange checking account. On the 50th day, ING will place $121 into your checking account.

Again, hurry. This offer is only good for today! You can sign up here

Thanks to Safari in the forums

Posted by jeffrey on November 27, 2009 at 3:25 PM in Free Stuff | 3 Comments »
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Is it possible the government has your money?

The California State Controller recently spoke at a seminar I attended. His main focus was the economic status of the state (bleak) but he tried to end on a happy note by reminding everyone to check the California unclaimed property website.

Huh?

I scribbled the info on the back of my napkin but didn’t expect to win the lotto of unclaimed property. No one owes me money right?

Wrong.

Unbeknownst to me, I was involved in a class action lawsuit against a former employer. Employees weren’t given breaks as required by law and the company was required to reimburse employees for the lost time. I only worked for the company 3 months as a summer job ten years ago but… I’m $111 richer.

Check for unclaimed property on your state’s website. There might be some money out there you didn’t know about. Let me know if you find something!

*Note: Women, if you are married, check you married AND maiden name. My unclaimed property was under my maiden name.

Posted by Beks on November 11, 2009 at 5:00 AM in Free Stuff, Good Info | 15 Comments »
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Picks and Pans…

We all buy things we love AND things we hate. Maybe you need to be warned about the carpet shampooer that eats rugs or maybe you need to know about a great grocery dinner deal.

Here are some things that really stuck out to me this week:

PICKS:
Lose It! by FitNow, Inc.
Unfortunately this iTunes application is limited for use on iPhones or iTouch iPods but the good news is… its’ FREE. This application/program is great at helping you monitor portions and nutritional content of nearly everything you eat. It has a huge reference library of restaurant nutritional information and of everyday items from the grocery store. Users simply enter their height/weight information, the types of nutritional content they want to monitor, and their weight loss goals. While I don’t need to lose weight, this program is valuable to me since I want to monitor my fat, protein, and fiber intake for my marathon training. Diabetics can also benefit since this program monitors carbohydrates and sugars. I am now more aware of what I’m eating and how I can make small changes to my eating habits to make a healthier me.

PANS:
Sun Block by Target
I’m a HUGE fan of Target brand products. I like them just as much, if not more, than the name brands. Plus, the cost savings helps stretch my miniscule budget. Unfortunately, I was less than impressed with their sun block. We took this sun block with us on our beach camping vacation and quickly discovered it was a waste of money. Our first clue should have been its label ‘water resistant’ and not ‘waterproof’ like the other sun block products. It washed off at the slightest sweat and did not hold up at all to a quick dip in the ocean. If you plan on not swimming or sweating, it’s great. I don’t know about you, but when I wear sun block… I’m in the sun. And, the sun is hot. In heat, I sweat… er… ‘glow’. I’m fairly certain that’s normal. Sorry Target, head back to the drawing board.

What are your picks and pans this week?

Posted by Beks on July 27, 2009 at 5:00 AM in Free Stuff, Good Info, Living Frugal, Picks and Pans, Saving Money, Spending Money | 3 Comments »
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Health and Finances…

A reader posed the question, ‘What does health and exercise have to do with finances?’

In short? A lot!

A few benefits of exercising (tip of the iceburg)?
Reduced blood pressure
Reduced feelings of depression and anxiety
Helps to control weight
Helps to build and maintain healthy joints, muscles, and bones
Reduced risk of diabetes

What do these have to do with finances?
Have you had to pay for doctors and medication recently?!? Ouch!! Also, exercise helps you sleep, puts you in a better mood, helps your self confidence, and gives you energy – all very important things in the work world where your paycheck comes from! Plus, people with a BMI of less than 22 get sick less often and miss less work.

I’ve been fortunate to have been physically active and healthy for most of my life. Running a marathon is just another way to push myself and stay active. Sure my sore legged walk makes Frankenstein look like a graceful ballerina but it’s important to encourage you to gain control in your finances AND in your health – they are closely connected.

Tomorrow is Saturday, take a walk with your dog, play with your kids, or ride your bike. Take a break from staring at that checkbook and balancing numbers to get some fresh air.

It’s good for you.

Some free sites to help you out?

www.Mapmyride.com
I use this site to calculate mileage and read elevation changes on my bike rides/runs.

www.Mypyramid.gov
This free site helps to guide you on better eating habits.

I’m warning you… these sites can be ADDICTIVE!!

What is your favorite FREE health related site?

Posted by Beks on June 26, 2009 at 5:00 AM in About Me, Free Stuff, General Debt, Good Info, Life Experiences, Spending Money, Ways I Save Money | 2 Comments »
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Resume Help…

My husband is applying for a position at a local government agency. His current position in construction is unstable and he’s trying to be proactive.

The poor guy has never had to look for a job before – his reputation as a hard worker has always earned him employment without even an application. Writing a resume is difficult.

I’m trying to help him but I realize that what I want to write, ‘Good looking, hard working, smart, sweet man’ probably won’t land him the position… and it might be hard to fill a 8 ½” x 11” sheet of paper with 7 words. Sure I could add more like, ‘beautiful olive skin that tans in the sunshine, huggable arms, and a perfect husband’ but somehow, I don’t think that’s the ‘more’ his resume needs.

Unfortunately we’re under a time crunch (the resume is due tomorrow) but for those seeking employment and need resume help, DON’T PAY SOMEONE TO WRITE YOUR RESUME FOR YOU! If you attend college, seek the advice of a job counselor. For those not in college, check the offerings of your local community. Nearly every city in San Diego County offers job and resume assistance free of charge. Not only can these organizations help you with your resume, they often have a good idea of where jobs in your field may be opening.

Posted by Beks on June 16, 2009 at 5:00 AM in Free Stuff, Good Info, Living Frugal, work | 14 Comments »
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