What is the best type of disposable AA battery for my digital camera?

I didn’t realize there were types of AA batteries, lithium and alkaline. I just knew that Duracell and Energizer lasted longer than the more generic brands in my Canon A620. Obviously, you save more money if you use rechargables.

Consumer Reports.com says

Buy disposable batteries with specific devices in mind. Lithium is best for a digital camera; the least expensive high-scoring alkalines are fine for everything else. Don’t bother with nickel oxy-hydroxide cells.

Moms Get Organized

Mae and I were at Borders Bookstore the other day for our weekly story time and purchased a family planner and organizer called familytime.mine. The organizers come in an array of styles and colors for the hip and trendy mom.

My favorite features include detachable grocery lists, famous quotes on every page, family business information, stickers, note pages, and a pocket to hold other papers. Once I complete the organizer for the year I will label and store it with my other financial files for that year’s reference.

25 Ways I Save Money

Frugal For Life prompted me to write this post considering some ways I save money. While I wrote the list I had to delete some things because I was going over the 25 ways limit-ha! That is to be continued in a future post.

1. order free samples of lotion, hair products, and razors online
2. plan meals a week in advance and cook more food to be stored in the freezer for easy quick meals (don’t have to go out and buy ingredients to make a recipe when we can’t figure out what to eat)
3. take leftovers to lunch
4. eat from a smaller plate with less portions (we need to lose at least 20lbs too)
5. use a swamp cooler instead of central air
6. turn off the heater in the day time (not that cold in AZ)
7. use energy star saver appliances
8. borrow books, audio CDs, and DVDs from the library
9. use coupon codes when shopping online
10. purchase small items from online merchants like Amazon or deal sites like Woot! (no sales tax and mostly free shipping)
11. shop around and read reviews before I buy something so I know I am not wasting any money on junk.
12. buy generic brand products-Parent’s Choice Diapers instead of Pampers which is half the cost (Parent’s Choice-160ct $20 Pampers Cruisers-140ct $46.35)
13. use coupons and trade coupons at local stores
14. wash clothes and dishes after 7 pm
15. lower the interest rates on my credit cards
16. consolidate loans
17. ask family for money
18. dilute shampoo with 1/3 water
19. have a college student account at local bank that gives me more discounts and waivers-taking advantage of free online bill pay
20. no cable
21. no hot water in the summer (very refreshing) except for DD
22. always ask for a student discount or to get something for free (use charm)
23. browse internet with cell phone rather than home pc
24. have packages picked up at home with USPS rather than driving to post office
25. shop for really cheap or free items on Craigslist (landscaped my front yard with free gravel and palm trees)

Why Doesn’t Blogger’s Spellchecker Have the Word “Internet” in its Database?

I’m not sure if it’s just Blogger or it is with all spellcheckers, but shouldn’t they be updated by now? The “internet” has been around for over 10 years. There should be a wiki-spellchecker so people don’t have to waste too much time pressing “ignore all”.

Great Idea: Parents Lose Weight With the Strollometer!

One of the things babies love the most is cruising along and watching the world breeze by in the security of their strollers. With the Strollometer Moms and Dads can effectively gauge speed, distance, time, and temperature. One mile of strolling burns approximately 100 calories.

You’re probably not aware of how many miles you walk or how much energy you burn just strolling around with your little one!

Winner of the 2006 JPMA Innovation Award and the iParenting Media Award!

Consumer Watch: Window Blinds Can Kill Your Child

When I purchased my home a few years ago, it came with blinds installed. Now that DD is a toddler and constantly plays around the blinds, which have no pull cords, I became extremely mindful of the dangers surrounding our home.

Nearly a decade ago, babies and toddlers were being strangled because they trapped their head in the loop of cord used to raise and lower the blinds. Window-blind designers eliminated the loop on the end of the pull cord and provided a free repair kit that homeowners could use to modify existing blinds.

• Go to the Window Covering Safety Council Web site, www.windowcoverings.org , or call 800-506-4636 and request a free repair kit for each set of blinds you own that were made before 2001. The kit includes small plastic attachments to prevent the inner cords from being pulled loose. The kit also has safety tassels for outer cords on blinds made before 1995.

Read the full article from ConsumerReports.org

Boost Your Energy Each Day By Stretching

At times I go through the day feeling physically exhausted. But being a former athelete I have a habit of stretching. Stretching in the morning and doing simple stretches whenever I begin to feel tired quickly boosts my energy.It psyches me out and gets me fired up, thinking I’m about to play a game of volleyball.

Stretching for 10 minutes a day is like a quick yoga workout. It also increases flexibility and blood flow throughout the body. I need all the stamina I can get because DD moves like wildfire.

For more information and recommendations on stretching visit About basic stretching

Does Debt Come Before Family?

W e filed our taxes a few days ago and will have about $3000 to play with. $2000 will be allocated to pay down our debt if not all of it.

Still, the maternal instinct in me wants to use a $1000 for an emergency fund and put it in a savings account, CD, money market, or mutual fund. But I keep hearing the echoes of Dave Ramsey and Suze Orman saying,”Pay down your debt first and then create an emergency fund.”

Are they saying debt comes before family? Is paying a little extra on interest rates worth the peace of mind of a parent knowing they have a money cushion their child can pounce on? What is the right thing to do?

I will ask friends, family, and online strangers for their opinions and put this issue to rest.

February 2007 Personal Finance Calendar Series

February
Get your tax information collected and submitted to your accountant. Your W-2s and 1099s should have arrived or will shortly. Start rounding up other information you’ll need to complete your tax return. If you have an accountant, you’ll probably get a tax organizer from him or her. If you are your own accountant, pick up a copy of whatever software you use to complete your return and start working through the inputs.

If you are planning to contribute to an IRA for 2006 and haven’t already done that, make your contribution now. You have until April 16 to make your contribution, but why wait? The sooner you get the money in, the longer it has to grow. In fact, why not go ahead and fund your 2007 IRA early this year?

Get your emergency fund in place. Everyone needs an emergency fund. You need to know if something unexpected comes up, you’ll be okay.

2007 Personal Finance Calendar Series-January

With the aid of Morningstar.com’s 2007 Finance Calendar, I am going to create a personalized series at the beginning of every month. I will be posting each month from Morningstar’s calendar then evaluate my financial position and improve on it. By doing this I will be more organized, save money, and have a better peace of mind knowing my family has some financal security for 2007.

January
Start the year with a fresh look at your net worth. The market was relatively good in 2006, so you may find the encouragement you need by comparing where you were last year at this time with where you are today.

Think about the following:

* Do you have enough liquidity in your taxable assets to be able to cover your expenses and any emergencies?
* Are your retirement assets accumulating?
* Have you insured your personal property?
* Is your total net worth increasing from year to year?

Set up a budget. If your compensation increased in 2007, you’ll see your new take-home pay on your first pay stub in January. Multiply that figure by the number of pay periods you have in 2007, and you’ll see how much income you have to work with. (Of course, you can do this even if you didn’t receive a raise.)

–Set targets for how much you plan to spend in major categories, such as:

* Household: mortgage, real estate taxes, association fees, repairs and updates, landscaping, utilities, food, pets, etc.
* Insurance: life, disability, health, long-term care, property and casualty, etc.
* Recreation: Eating out, sports, entertainment, hobbies, vacations, cable/satellite TV, books, movies, gifts, etc.
* Health/personal care: health club dues, out-of-pocket medical expenses, clothing, grooming, etc.
* Dependent care: parents, children, others.

–Take a step back and make sure that you are comfortable with how you’re spending your money. For example, are you so bogged down with household expenses that you have little left for enjoyment? Maybe you can reprioritize how you’re spending your money and take control of creating a life you are excited about.

–Set up a system to track your expenses using Microsoft Excel, Quicken, or Microsoft Money, or any other method that will help you track where all that money goes. If you find you’ve veered off course, just get back on track as soon as possible.