Grandma

CAR INSURANCE

Next time you receive your renewal notice it’s time to begin comparison shopping. Spend an hour researching insurance rates. When I took some time to shop car insurance I reduced my annual rate by $300.00 and retained similar coverage. If you have more than one policy, i.e. car and home, go through the same agent to receive a multiple-policy discount.

Car insurance is an increasing expense for almost everyone. We can’t afford to have it, and we certainly can’t afford to not have it. When researching insurance companies it is a good idea to follow a few easy guidelines to get the most coverage for your insurance dollars in order to pinch those pennies.

Get auto insurance quotes from as many carriers as you can. Insurance rates may vary drastically depending on the year and model of your car, and the type of coverage you need.

Consider as high a deductible as you can reasonably afford, since higher deductibles translate into lower automobile insurance premiums.

Review quotes and policies carefully to make sure you are only paying for coverage you really need.

Then once you decide, try to pay your premiums by the year if you can, most companies charge a fee if you make monthly installments. Also saves on stamps.

YOUR CAR

Keep up with routine maintenance on your car such as oil changes and tune-ups. This can avoid costly repairs down the road. As the old saying goes “pinch a penny today, or spend a buck tomorrow”.

If you are in a position to do so, change your own oil. Just make sure you dispose of it properly. Don’t go to the auto parts store to buy your oil, Walmart is cheaper for the same product. Sometimes dollar stores also carry oil and filters, check the local shops.

GAS: Use less expensive gas. If you live in North America and have Internet access, you can search for the cheapest gas price in your neighborhood with Gas Buddy, (www.gasbuddy.com) or Gas Price watch, www.gaspricewatch.com). Caution,
don’t go 3 miles out of your way just to save a penny per gallon.

Saving Money At The Pump

by Simon Harris

Gas prices are higher than ever, so you’re likely to see more advertising for “gas-saving” products. Yes, we want to improve on fuel efficiency, but are these products really helping? Or are they just taking an extra bite out of our already shrinking car budget?

The truth is, you should be suspicious of any gas-saving claims for certain devices or oil and gas additives. Even for the few gas-saving products that have been found to work, the savings have been miniscule. You’ll see all sorts of claims and testimonies. “This gas-saving product improves fuel economy by 20 percent.”

Yeah, yeah. Actually, the EPA has tested over 100 of these supposed gas saving doo-hickies, and none of them were found to do the job well. Some of the products can even damage your car. So much for cost savings! Please be skeptical of advertising claims for gas saving devices.

Here’s another quote you might read. “This gas-saving device is approved by the Federal government.” Actually, no government agency endorses gas-saving products for cars. If the seller claims the EPA has evaluated its product, ask for a copy of the report, or check http://www.epa.gov for information. Ah, I
love the power of the internet.

If you want to save money at the pump, try these tips. They’ll serve you much better than some snake oil product.

• • Buy only the octane level gas you need.
  • The faster you drive, the more fuel you use. Its a fact.
  • Use overdrive gears during highway driving. This also saves wear on your engine.
  • Use cruise control on highway trips.
  • Avoid unnecessary braking and acceleration. That means no tailgating! This tip alone can improve your fuel economy by 5 to 10 percent. Sudden starts and sudden stops are wasteful, not to mention the barf factor involved for those of us who get car sick.
  • Unnecessary idling wastes fuel.
  • Avoid carrying excess weight in your trunk.
  • Keep your engine tuned. Engine troubles can increase fuel consumption by as much as 10 to 20 percent.

• Make sure your tires are properly inflated and aligned. Check them once a month. Under-inflated tires increases fuel consumption by six percent.
• Change your oil.
• Check and replace air filters regularly. Clogged filters can cause up to a 10 percent increase in fuel consumption.

There’s no need to buy products that cost you more money than they save. These little fuel saving tips can add up to an extra hundred bucks or so in your pocket each year!

This article courtesy of http://www.car-alarm-guide.net

If you are like me, you love the smell of scented candles, but they can be expensive. Want to make your own? It is really simple to do and saves a lot of money.

Do not throw away the bits and pieces of the candles that have burned down. Save them to make new ones. Place the pieces into a zip lock bag or other fairly airtight container and store in a cool dry place. It doesn’t matter what the scent is, they will all meld together. Of course, if you buy only vanilla, that is the scent you will have.
Check out the thrift stores for candles also, sometimes they have a bag of partially burned ones that you can pick up pretty cheap.

Go to your local craft store or online to somewhere like Yaley Candle Making Accessories

to buy your wicking. It comes in rolls and is fairly inexpensive. Some of the candles you are saving have a metal piece at the bottom. You can sometimes reuse this piece and sometimes you can’t. So buy the bottoms as well.

When the container is full, simply melt the wax. Do this slowly, do not ever walk away from the melting wax, it can get too hot. You want the wax fairly warm, but not HOT. When the wax has melted, you can add coloring or fragrance if desired.

I have an old metal coffee pot (no insides) that I use for this purpose. Reason, it has a spout that makes it easy to pour. It also allows me to strain out the bits and pieces of wick or metal bottoms.

Place your wick in the bottom of your container (reuse the fancy jars your candle came in, just remember to wash and dry them thoroughly). Place a pencil or similar item over the top of the container and tie the top of the wick to it, centering the wick and pour about ½ inch of wax in the bottom. Let it cool, this is to set your wick. Then slowly pour in the rest of your wax to the depth you want.

Place the candle into the refrigerator, to set and cure. Leave it there for a couple of days for best results.
If you want bigger candles and you buy milk or juice in the carton, not plastic, you can use these also. Cut off the top of the container first to the height you want.

For these make sure your wax is not overly warm or it will cause problems. You don’t want your container to burn.

After curing in the refrigerator for a couple of days, peel off your container and you have a large pillar candle.

To make votives and other small container candles, you can use pre-tabbed wicks by simply placing them in the center of the votive candle molds or containers, then pour the wax over and let stand then refrigerate.

Stackpole Books Basic Candle Making Basic Candle Making ISBN: 0811724760 Step-by-step color photographs and descriptive detail make this book indispensable for beginners looking to create beautiful and functional scented candles on their very first try. It’s also great for experienced crafters who want to sharpen their skills. Precise instructions eliminate the guesswork that too often creeps into how-to books. Gleaned from the expertise of master candle makers, this guide presents everything a novice needs to know to get started crafting traditional tapers and molded candles, container and rolled beeswax candles, and interesting variations on each. The book includes guidelines for buying tools and materials, preparing the work space, and working safely and effectively, and offers suggested shopping lists. This book includes the contributions of veteran candle makers and crafters. Scott Ham is a master candle maker and owner of The Gettysburg Candle Company and Moonacre Iron Works in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Alan Wycheck is a hotographer based in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Book specifications: wirebound paperback, 128 pgs., 8 1/2 in. x 11 in. Publisher: Stackpole Books, 2002.

Candle Making: 16 Stylish Projects Step by Step   — Large step-by-step photos with added close-up shots of detailed techniques.– All you need to know about materials and techniques.

Big Books of Candle Making Here crafters and do-it-yourselfers will find more than 40 exciting candle-making projects that are as beautiful as they are fun to achieve. Styles range from elegant and sophisticated to whimsical, offering the perfect decorative accent for every occasion and personal taste.To make success easy and satisfying, each project is fully illustrated with step-by-step color photographs and clear instructions that leave nothing to chance. In addition, the author offers complete materials lists as well as ideas for adding unique, personalized variations to each project.A detailed introduction covers basic techniques for beginners, including important safety guidelines. The book then features five sections with instructions for creating simple candles, molded candles, dipped and hand-formed candles, decorated candles and outdoor candles. With its diverse styles and original projects, this book will be a welcomed resource for beginning and seasoned candle makers alike.

 

Bolster pillows are cylinder cushions which are sometimes called neck pillows or cushions. Bolster cushions provide both comfort and style for your home. They look inviting on beds, sofas, and chairs and can really spruce up otherwise drab furniture. They can also be used to provide cushioning for the arms when you have an armchair without padded armrests. They are great for this same purpose on daybeds and futons.

Best of all, bolster pillows are easy and economical to make with fabric and upholstery foam. In fact, once you see how simple making a bolster cushion is, you can try out other inexpensive foam upholstery projects that will allow you to put a unique touch on your home.
Stylish cushions can be made in any fabric you like. Cotton fabrics, like Amy Butler prints, are ideal for the following method of making cushions. Lightweight drapery and upholstery fabrics are also suitable for this method. Pillow ticking, which comes in several color combinations, makes affordable, stylish cushions, suitable for contemporary and traditional décors.

Bolster foam comes in different diameters. It is often sold in 54″ lengths and must be cut for cushions. One 54″ piece will make several pillows.

There are two ways to make bolster pillows. One way is somewhat difficult for beginning sewers to tackle because it involves cutting fabric circles the diameter of the pillow, covering cording, and installing a zipper. Another way is extraordinarily quick and easy and can be done by anyone, even if you have not sewn before. Using this method, you can make several pillows in a few hours.

Materials:

• Bolster foam 6″ or 8″ diameter, cut to the desired length
• A yard of 45″ or 54″ fabric will make a 24″ long pillow
• Ribbon or decorative cord
• Thread, hand sewing needle
• Thimble (optional, but it makes life easier for the finger that pushes the needle)
• Sewing machine or serger (optional, the entire project can be made by hand)

Cut a rectangular piece of fabric that is about 6″ longer than your pillow length and wide enough to wrap around the bolster foam and overlap slightly.

Turn under ¼” on the edges of the rectangle and press. Turn under again and hem around the rectangle with a narrow hem. If you have a serger you can overlock the edges, rather than turning them under and hemming them.

Roll the finished rectangle around the bolster foam. Leave the same amount of fabric at each end. You can tack or slip stitch the overlapping edge if you like.

The ends can be finished in one of two ways. For a cheerful, casual look tie a ribbon around each end, making the pillow look something like a wrapped piece of candy. For a more formal look, roll the extra fabric under at each end. Tack and adorn with cord or ribbon if desired.

Congratulations! You have made a bolster pillow in nearly as little time as it would have taken to shop for one. Plus you have saved money and added your own creative touch to your home.

Author Bio: Elizabeth Quinn is a professional writer who blogs regularly for OnlineFabricStore.net. She has been sewing for nearly three decades and finds that there is always something new and exciting to learn about sewing.