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12 Cool Things to Do with Used Dryer Sheets

Jeff Yeager — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 03:29:39 +0000

Since nearly half of all marriages in the U.S. now end in divorce -- and those that do last less than eight years on average -- I suppose it's a matrimonial miracle that after more than 25 years of wedded bliss, my wife and I have only one major dispute.

I'm referring, of course, to fabric softener sheets. She swears by them, and I swear about them, every time she buys them at the supermarket or I find one clinging to the inside of my boxer shorts. (Trust me, at my age you don't need softening sheets in your shorts.)

Rather than argue with my truly wonderful wife about whether fabric softener sheets are worth the money, I decided to instead go for the Guinness Book of World Records for lengthy marriages and keep ours intact by finding some creative ways to reuse spent fabric softener sheets. Here's what I found:

Use them more than once. Although my wife disagrees, I've found that the same softener sheet can be used up to three or four times in the dryer and still get the job done.

Anti-static dust wipes: The anti-cling chemicals in dryer sheets make them perfect for dusting television and computer screens and other electronic dust-magnets.

Lint brush in a pinch: Used fabric softener sheets can be used to remove pet hair and lint from clothing and upholstery.

Pot scrubbers: The softening chemicals in dryer sheets help loosen food particles stuck on pots and baking dishes; place a used sheet in the dish, cover with hot water, and let soak overnight. Rinse thoroughly after cleaning. (Editor's Note: this one may not be for the chemically squeamish.)

Soap grime-fighter: The same softening chemicals make used dryer sheets good wipes to use in removing soap scum from bath tubs, showers and tiles.

Sweet feet: Stuff dryer sheets in your shoes overnight to keep them smelling fresh. They'll also freshen closets, dresser drawers and cabinets.

Dust-free blinds: Not only do spent dryer sheets make a handy wipe for metal and plastic blinds, but the chemicals in them help to repel dust.

Better smelling bookshelf: The bookshelves in my dungeon of a home office smelled like mold until I started sticking a used drier sheet between every third volume or so on the shelf.

Get your shine on: When used as a polishing rag, dryer sheets make mirrors and chrome appliances shine. They're also great for cleaning windows and other glass.

Clothes storage: Placing used dryer sheets in with sweaters and other seasonal clothing before you store them will not only make them smell fresher, but the smell helps keep mice away.

Car care: Keep some in the glove compartment to dust the dashboard and wipe the windshield; they'll make your ride smell a little nicer at the same time.

And finally, can spent fabric softener sheets actually keep a marriage fresh? Why not try a "Dance of the Seven Fabric Softener Sheets" for someone you love? Now that's hot.

This post from the Green Cheapskate by Jeff Yeager is republished with the permission of The Daily Green. Check out more great content from The Daily Green:

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Time to Get Down With Your Inner Zen

Sasha A. Rae — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 18:00:13 +0000

By Sasha A. Rae

The world is awash in a sea of chaos, a sea that can carry you far off your path if you let it. But you don’t have to. You have more control over yourself and your life than you may think. Certainly outside circumstances can be harsh and scary sometimes, economic and personal challenges can pop up all around you, and you can lose a small measure of our confidence as it seems life is swirling out of your control. That’s where the pursuit of peace comes in. Inner peace, the kind that comes from inside and shines out of you no matter what’s happening. And there are some really great, easy and not-too-expensive ways to relax and rejuvenate without breaking your wallet.

Tune into the Yoga Scene

Adopting a regular yoga practice can calm your monkey mind and cultivate a great sense of peace in you. It can also lower your blood pressure and increase your flexibility. A bonus point is that yoga comes in dozens of flavors, so you can pick the one that suits you best. If you’re looking for a gentler and quieter form, check out Hatha yoga, which fosters a deep sense of relaxation and release. Or you can check out Raja yoga, which takes you deeper into self-realization and opens up channels to your inner spirit. For the more active among you, Kundalini yoga is your ticket. With deep and fast movements, this one will rev you up and send you off in the right direction. Then there’s Hot Yoga at temperatures above 100° Fahrenheit to warm you up and limber you out.

While some traditional yoga classes can get pretty pricey, DVDs can offer the same great workout without the cost. Gather a group of friends together for a once-a-week yoga session. You can support each other and reduce your stress at the same time. Or check out your local YMCA. Memberships are inexpensive and usually include free access to yoga classes.

Boost Your Body with Qigong

Raise your energy with some daily qigong. This ancient Chinese practice works on increasing the amount of chi, or energy, in your system and directing it toward what you want. Most of the practice focuses on healing the body, but the energy boost you get from qigong pops up everywhere. You find yourself happier for no real reason, relaxed in the midst of a chaotic environment, even Zen-like in the face of a confrontation. That’s if you do it regularly and consistently.

Slow, smooth movements dominate the practice, so this is only for the most patient among us. The Eight Piece of Brocade is among the simplest series of movements to learn and do, while something like the Hand of the 18 Luo Han can require more practice to master. No matter which one you choose, though, doing them every day will boost your health. Your blood pressure will go down, your circulation will increase and your immune system will improve. Perfect for cold-ridden winter months.

As with yoga, a lot of gyms offer qigong classes or you can check out DVDs. A quick call to a local qigong school or a glance through their website can tell you more about the different kinds of qigong. Taking an introductory course to get your started and then doing the practice on your own also works well.

Master the Art of Meditation

When your mind is racing with a cacophony of houghts and your life is swirling with responsibilities and obligations, it can seem like a luxury to take a few minutes to … do nothing. Think nothing. To just be. But getting a quiet moment or two in a day can mean all the difference between living on the edge and biting off a loved one’s head or responding calmly to things that come up. Because something always comes up.

To get started, you can merely sit quietly in a place where you won’t be disturbed and watch what your mind does. You can also try one of the many kinds of meditation out there. For instance, insight meditation engages the mind by giving it a specific thought to chew on while you sit. Others, such as Siddha yoga, involve chanting from spiritual texts. The Guru Gita is a famous Hindi manuscript that followers have used for hundreds of years and there are dozens of great places across the U.S. where you can find a meditation group to chant with. One of my favorites is the Siddha Yoga Meditation Center of Seattle. Aim for 30 minutes of meditation a day for the best benefits, but start with 10 if your mind operates in overdrive most of the time. Plus, there’s no right or wrong way to meditate. The biggest challenge is to find a time and a spot to sit in silence and let your thoughts wash over you.

If you’re looking for group support or a good meditation instructor, check out the local Buddhist temples. You can also search for meditation groups on the Internet. Or check out your local Unitarian Universalist Church, which often hosts a free weekly meditation group. Be creative and try out several until you find one that works for you.

Let’s get started. There’s no time like the present.

Permalink | Comments | Sasha A. Rae's blog | Channel: Art and Leisure, Health and Beauty

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Best Deals for Friday 01/01/2010

Linsey Knerl — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 17:28:36 +0000

Rabbids Go Home for Wii $27.99 + Free Shipping

The Children's Place Girls' Fleece Sleeper PJs $4.99 + $5 shipping

Up to 84 % off Invicta Watches + Free Shipping

Up to 72% off off Calphalon Commercial Cookware

FREE Dragon Fire Wings at Cheeseburgers in Paradise

Best of Personal Finance Roundup: 8 Money Tips I Learned from Clark Griswold and Christmas Vacation

Linsey Knerl — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 17:00:14 +0000

By Linsey Knerl

Welcome to Wise Bread's Best of Personal Finance roundup. This time, we examine 8 money tips learned from the movie "Christmas Vacation," how to buy a blu-ray player, and 75 Twitter tips from today's small business moms! Enjoy our picks, and have a stellar New Year!

It's Sew Easy to Save

Sarah Winfrey — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 15:00:02 +0000

By Sarah Winfrey

Unless you're particularly crafty, sewing might seem like it's totally out of your league. And it IS intimidating, especially when you've never touched a sewing machine before and you take your first look at the instructions for getting the thing threaded. However, learning to sew some basic items can also save you a lot of money, so it might be worth spending the time to learn.

Luckily, there are some easy projects that don't require very much know-how to complete. All you need to get started is a sewing machine, someone to teach you how to use it or a good instruction manual, and some cheap fabric.

Primary Considerations

If you're not quite sure sewing is the thing for you, see if you can borrow a sewing machine before you purchase one. You might be surprised how many people have them sitting around, packed away somewhere and never used. Make sure you get a good manual with any borrowed machine, and that it has all the working parts (check particularly for bobbins, bobbin covers, and a foot pedal).

Make sure you don't spend too much on fabric. Remnants are always good, as is fabric from Wal-Mart. Think creatively when it comes to getting cheap fabric. Old sheets can be reused, or you can purchase some when they're on sale. In addition, you can use fabric from old clothes. Don't even throw away your scraps. Small pieces of fabric can be used for pillows and quilts.

It's usually easy to find patterns for free, particularly for the basic items listed here. Check the internet, or look up one of the sites listed at the end of this article for some places to start.

Basic Mending and Alterations

One of the easiest things to practice your sewing on is your own clothes. If something gets a hole in it, don't automatically throw it away, use it as a rag, or throw it in the back of your closet. Instead, try to fix it. If you fail, it won't be in any worse shape than it's already in.

You may not even need a sewing machine for this type of stitching. If there's not a good way to get the machine to the place where the hole or tear is, don't hesitate to sew it by hand.

Basic alterations are also a great place to practice. Many professionals charge quite a bit to make your clothes fit the way you want them to, but you can do it yourself without a hassle. Depending on the type of material you're working with, it's easy to hem pants or skirts, change sleeve length, even add a zipper or some buttons. Look up your particular project and material online to find specific instructions if you're not sure where to start.

Diapers and Baby Blankets

If you have a baby or want to give a great gift to someone who does have a little one, homemade cloth diapers can be made cheaply and easily. Note that these aren't useful only for someone who is diapering with cloth, as the diapers are useful as burp cloths and many parents keep them around for baby spills because of their absorbency.

Not comfortable making the actual diaper? Buy some plain white cloth diapers on sale and add some ribbon. You can sew it on around the edges, make stripes across the length or width of one side of the diaper, or do something else entirely.

Making a baby blanket can be as easy as buying a large piece of flannel and turning over each of the edges with your sewing machine. Add some ribbon as a binding and it's an even nicer gift. One great thing about these is that you can make them large enough to use as swaddling blankets, because many of the blankets sold in stores are way too small.

Curtains and Pillow Cases

Both of these are incredibly simple to sew. As long as you have a curtain rod, all you need to do to make basic curtains is finish the edges of your material, then sew a tube of fabric large enough for the rod to go through in whichever end you want to be the top of your curtain. You can use whatever material you want, and make the curtains as complicated as you desire.

Valences are another easy-to-sew home accessory. Simply take a Queen or King sized sheet in a material you like, cut it in half long ways, and sew the short ends together. Make sure all your loose edges are turned under, and you've got a valance to drape over your curtain rod.

Pillow cases require a little more time and skill, but are still relatively easy. Measure your pillow form, then go online to find a free pattern that's the right size. Cut your material according to the instructions, and the sewing is a breeze.

Green Shopping Bags/Tote Bags

These make great gifts, and they're good for your own use, too. Find some sturdy-but-cheap material (upholstery fabric that's on sale can be great for these) and follow any one of a number of free instructions available online. Note that these can be as complicated or as simple as you want them to be, so don't take on more than you're confident sewing.

Green grocery bags make particularly nice gifts, as they're free to the recipient, sturdier than most of the ones you can buy in the store, and make a contribution to the earth. Again find a free pattern and get started.

Once you've mastered the basics, you can take your sewing as far as you to go. Interested in making clothes? It's totally possible. Wanting to delve deeper into home decor? Go for it. When you're established and started, there's nothing stopping you.

How have you used sewing to save some money? Do you have any patterns that you simply adore? Let us know in the comments.

Pattern Resources

Free Patterns from About.com

Tote Bag/Grocery Bag Patterns

BurdaStyle

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5 Ways to Get Junk Gone

Thursday Bram — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 05:18:16 +0000

By Thursday Bram

The beginning of the new year always seems like a good time to get rid of things that you've been meaning to. But sometimes, the reason you haven't gotten rid of a particular piece of junk that is cluttering up your home isn't because you want to hold on to it — or even that it's useful in any way. Sometimes it can just seem entirely impossible to get rid of a particular item.

I've used Freecycle, Craigslist and even just talking to friends to get rid of plenty of things that I didn't necessarily want but still could be used by someone else in the past. But as great as those methods are, there are still some things that they just can't move. I've had stacks of old magazines that no one wants, pieces of scrap metal that simply can't find a good home and rags that just aren't needed. But I don't want to just toss these items in the trashcan: they may be junk, but they may still be useful.

1. Schools

While no one wants to drop off junk at the local school, they may not see some of the stuff you want to get rid of as junk. A big pile of magazines, for instance, can be extremely useful for a teacher wanting to do collage projects. I've found it easiest to just check individually with teachers on whether or not they have a use for anything in particular.

2. Animal Shelters

All those towels and sheets that are too torn up for anyone to want? Well, your local animal shelter may have a use for them. Animal shelters routinely have a need for rags, as well as other items that you might otherwise throw away.

3. Salvage Yards

Just about anything that can be stripped off a car or a building may be able to find a home with a local salvage yard. In many cases, it just has to be in repairable condition — working order is not necessary. In some cases, you may even get money for the items you drop off.

4. Artists

Many artists, especially those working on sculpture, use a variety of items that other people would consider junk. It's very important to talk to the artist you have in mind before just dropping off a piece of junk, though. The number of crafters and hackers willing to repurpose items is also on the rise.

5. Recycling Centers

Just because something is junk in its current form doesn't mean that it can't be recycled. Many recycling centers will take items that you can't put in your recycling bin, as long as you bring them in. Most have websites now listing what they'll take — mine accepts a variety of items including vinyl siding, batteries and computer parts. In most cases, if it's metal, they'll also take it.

If, in the end, you still find that you have a piece of junk that absolutely no one wants, there are some options to disposing of it. Depending on your local waste disposal company's policies, you may or may not be able to add things to your regular pick up. For bigger items, taking them to the local dump yourself may be more cost effective — landfills and dumps typically charge by the truck load to drop off junk. There are also a variety of services that will come and remove junk, offering an easy solution for anyone without access to a truck.

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Uglify Your Stuff To Keep It Safe

Paul Michael — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 17:37:37 +0000

By Paul Michael

I don't know about you, but I buy things based on how they look as well as what they do. I was once told that you don't buy a power drill because it looks cool, you buy it because you need holes. Well, yes and no. As a designer and creative, the aesthetic also plays an important role. But what attracts you to objects also attracts thieves. And so, has the time come to "uglify your stuff?"

I first read about this last year, when I saw that a number of people who owned very expensive bikes were doing their level best to make them look like $20 Craigslist rejects. It's a simple enough idea. You take your wonderful $1000 bike, and proceed to repaint it, badly, apply stickers and scratches and scuff marks, bits of old tape, dirt, grime, in fact anything you can think of, and hey presto - one expensive bike that performs like a dream but looks like a nightmare.

Your average thief wouldn't look twice at this "old" thing, even though it's probably the most expensive bike in the rack. Of course, you have the downside of riding a bike that looks less than cool, but if you're a real biking fanatic that won't bother you. Just like the drill is a means to an end, so is a great bike.

It seems as though this has spread to all sorts of other personal possessions now, and it runs the gamut.

In May this year, blogger Jimmie Rodgers wrote about his ugly camera, and described the lengths he had gone to to make this expensive digital camera look like a cruddy old film camera.

Here's what Jimmie had to say after the uglification process:

"I was able to take over 5,000 pictures with it in Brazil. I was able to follow around a number of well known graffiti artists, and you can check out some of the pics here. I was also able to go into some fairly dangerous areas, and walk out with my camera. I was even mugged a second time, and they left my camera alone, and took my $20 cell phone instead."

It's a trend that's picking up steam. You can buy faceplates for expensive car CD players that turn them into old cassette players. Who'd want to steal that? And it can even go as far as uglifying your sandwich! Yes, people in offices everywhere who are tired of seeing their lunch go walkies are buying zip-loc bags that have mold stains inside the plastic, making a fresh snack look like a breeding ground for bacteria.

Nick Cannon has a list of 16 anti-theft ideas that puts the green sandwich bags on top of the pile. And by the way, those things are real. You can buy them at Perpetual Kid in packs of 25 for $9.99. Yes, they're more pricey than your average zip-loc baggie, but how much does it cost to replace your lunch?

So, would you uglify your stuff to make it more theft-proof? Is it worth it? Aside from affecting the resale value of some things, do you value the aesthetic quality as much as the functional aspect? I, for one, wouldn't make my iPod video look like crap. And as for my MacBook Pro...stay away from that or suffer a fate worse than death!

But if that doesn't bother you, then what would you uglify, and why? Over to you.

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Best Deals for Thursday 12/31/09

Linsey Knerl — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 17:02:50 +0000

Coldwater Creek coupon: 70% off sitewide

World of Warcraft and Burning Crusade Expansion for Mac or PC $17.99

Amazon.com Computer & Accessories Year-End Deals: Over 1,000 items discounted

70% off at the Disney Store

Buy an MP3 Album, Get One Free At Amazon

I Went Christmas Shopping With Fake Money

Carrie Kirby — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 08:04:32 +0000

By Carrie Kirby

Of all the post-holiday letdowns, the one I hate the most isn't the scale or the January weather or the household clutter: It's getting that credit card bill and finding out what my Christmas gifts from my spouse cost us.

In the spirit of avoiding that particular letdown, my husband and I made a new pledge this year: No use of the marital credit card to buy each other's presents. Instead, we would try to come up with gifts for one another completely off the books, using "fake money" like rewards points, rebates, store credits, pocket change, PayPal balances and coupons. Or we could make gifts for one another, but with three little kids running around, neither one of us has much time to be crafty.

I was about 97% successful in shopping for my husband with fake money. He was somewhat successful in shopping for me that way, and he's still working on it -- he bought himself an extension by transferring some money from our savings account to his PayPal account, and is hoping to pay it back if and when some of his items listed on Ebay sell.

I got my husband a video game worth about $60, a CD worth $8 , some bungee cords worth $8, and a cool wireless photo card worth about $60. Also, I filled his stocking with candy and nuts. And hey, I just remembered that I FORGOT to give him a $22 bag of Kona coffee I hid away in the freezer (bought on Free Shipping Day and with a rebate). Not an extravagant haul (I was much more spoiled, since besides a few modest gifts I received a long coveted Kindle e-book reader.), but not exactly lump of coal territory either.

Here is how I bought that stuff while only using about $3 of "real money":

Swagbucks. Late last year, I signed up for this program, which pays you to let Web search data aggregators eavesdrop on your Google searches. After about 14 months, I had accumulated around 700 "SwagBucks," which I traded in for Amazon gift cards. I also transferred a little money to PayPal. I ended up getting $65 in Amazon gift cards, which paid for the video game, part of the CD, and I think something else I got for someone else. (The remaining $3 of the CD, which was marked down to $5 in an Amazon Lightning Deal, was the only money I spent on our credit card.)

Amazon Promotional Credit: I took advantage of one of Amazon's free magazine offers, where you can send in a form to request a credit for the value of the subscription instead. This put a $10 credit on my account, which allowed me to buy a pack of bungee cords marked down to $7.99 on another Amazon Lightning Deal.

PayPal: While my husband and I agreed that we would not use payment from our regular jobs, we each had received payments for random small transactions through PayPal. For instance, the pittance that I earn through Google Ads for my personal blog goes into PayPal, as do the payments and reimbursements I get for occasional mystery shopping jobs. Any Ebay sales we make also go into PayPal. (Confession: There was some money laundering going on here. I paid for several mystery shopping transactions and postage on an Ebay sale with our credit cards, but was reimbursed via PayPal.) I used PayPal to get the photo card and the coffee for my husband.

Store Credits: I used Register Rewards to buy a can of peanuts and some chocolates, I used CVS Extra Bucks to get him a huge Reece's Peanut Butter cup, and I used a $5 Catalina coupon at Jewel-Osco along with a coupon to get him some pistachios.

Coupons: I used $10 Fannie May coupon from the Sunday paper to get him half a pound of fancy chocolates (and paid the $1.50 remaining after the coupon with pocket change), combined manufacturer's coupons with a Walgreen's store coupon to get some free Toblerone bars, and used "buy one, get one free" Reece's coupons with a "buy one, get one free" sale to get some of those for free. I also gave my husband another $10 Fannie May coupon to spend on me, and while I was typing this I ate some of the half pound of chocolate-covered caramels it bought. Thanks, Epu, and thanks Fannie May, because these things are friggin' delicious!

I also used fake money to get gifts for some other people on our list; there were plentiful free photo items available through Shutterfly, Kodak Gallery and others, as well as various $10 off a purchase of $10 or more at stores. And, I got all our wrapping supplies for free: wrapping paper and tape from the Hallmark store using the generous $5 off $5 or more coupons they put out (now expired), and tissue paper and gift tags from CVS during a free-after-Extra-Bucks offer.

Meanwhile, my husband got me several books from his office book exchange without spending any cash. As for the Kindle and other goodies he got me, he did use cash and the cash transferred to his PayPal, but is planning to replace it. I have to cut him some slack since, as a frugal blogger, I hunt down bargains and freebies as my job, while he is stuck in an office most of the day and many evenings to boot.

I feel that this experiment in fake money shopping was successful, so we're going to go for it again next year, this time with a whole year to plan. Actually, we might try to get one another's birthday gifts with "fake money" as well. I'd love to get to the point where I could fund ALL my Christmas shopping with fake money; I'm not counting on it, but who knows? Here are some unturned stones that we could still try:

Resale income: I actually brought a bunch of maternity and children's clothing over to our local consignment shop in order to generate cash for my husband's gifts, but I have not yet collected the proceeds. Assuming I make a little cash there, I'll set it aside for future gifts. Also, I haven't gotten around to putting various household stuff up for sale.

Referral program earnings. I recently started referring friends to Alice.com, the Web site where you can buy toilet paper and stuff for regular prices and have it delivered free. I haven't earned a ton from this -- $21 in the first month -- but over the course of the year this could certainly add up to another video game. Another referral program that I haven't tried but want to is children's clothing seller Boden, which pays you $5 in store credit for every friend's address you hand over. Just click the "Recommend to a Friend" link on the upper right of the Boden home page to get in on this program, and of course don't be spamming people!

Rebates: I have been shopping through Ebates, Mr. Rebates and Shop at Home whenever I buy online, so I'm starting to have small balances accrue in those accounts. Most of them pay a check when you hit $20 or so.

All these little rebates and such don't seem much when they trickle in. That's why I like the idea of saving them all for one purpose -- they certainly seem worth the effort when I put them together and am able to make my husband happy without spending any of our hard-earned paychecks.

If any readers out there used creative means to gift their spouses this year, be it crafts, money laundering or the ever-appreciated "backrub coupon," I'd love to hear about it in the comments.

Disclosure: I used my referral links to the various stores and reward programs I used, so if you would like to sign up for any of them through this post, I will receive a small payment or credit. And then I'll have more virtual pocket change to apply to the hubby's gifts next year, so I should really have him write you all some thank-you notes!

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One Week Left: BillShrink Giving Away $2,500 to Wise Bread Readers

Will Chen — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 06:36:28 +0000

By Will Chen

In one week, Bill Shrink will be giving away $2,500 to lucky Wise Bread readers! To enter the contest, simply leave a comment telling us how you would spend all that money. Will you pay some bills, start a college fund, or have some fun?

Best of Personal Finance: 10 Jobs That Will Get a Raise in 2010

Linsey Knerl — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 17:00:46 +0000

By Linsey Knerl

Welcome to Wise Bread's Best of Personal Finance roundup. In this article, we'll we look at 10 jobs that will get a raise in 2010, a super easy approach to decluttering your home, tax tips for children and newborns, and 4 wine pairing rules to break!

Best Deals for Wednesday 12/30/09

Linsey Knerl — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 15:42:13 +0000

FREE Sample Prilosec OTC

Blu-ray movies for $10 + $3 s&h at Amazon

Jansport Backpacks 73% off!

Fantom GreenDrive 32MB External Hard Drive $149.99 after Rebate

3-Month Amazon Prime Trial for $1

Generic Drugs: Not Always The Same?

Healthcare Hacks — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 15:00:02 +0000

By Healthcare Hacks

In the world of prescription drugs, generic equivalents have been a financial blessing for many patients, saving them millions, if not billions, of dollars each year. For the most part, they perform the same function as brand name drugs at a fraction of the cost. A recent article in the New York Times, however, has indicated that some generic drugs might not work as well as their brand name counterparts.

The evidence thus far, however, has been largely anecdotal. People have reported on various websites, including People’s Pharmacy, that when they switched to generic drugs, either they did not work as well or they experienced adverse side effects. The take home message from all of this is that not all drugs are created equally, and generic equivalents might in fact not do as good of a job at alleviating ones’ symptoms.

This is of particular concern when the medication involves ailments whose side effects can seriously affect a person’s health, including the fields of cardiology and neurology. In fact, the American Academy of Neurology has gone so far as to say that they are not in favor of generic substitutes for certain anticonvulsant drugs (for treating epilepsy) without proper physician’s approval.

The issue, to say the least, is controversial. The insurance industry is particularly supportive of generic drugs and often insists that they be used (or else incur a penalty in the form of higher co-payments), and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as well as the American Medical Association (AMA) both agree that generic drugs work just as well as brand names. But there are an increasing number of incidences that seem to tell a different story, and the growing wave of concern is causing the field of medicine to take notice.

Generic drugs are essentially a cheaper alternative to brand name medications. When a new drug hits the market, it maintains patent protection for twenty years. When the patent expires, other drug makers can rush into the market and sell the drug at a lower price.

According to the FDA, the generic equivalent must have “the same active ingredient, dosage form, and strength,” as its brand name counterpart, though not necessarily identical. It must also be bioequivalent, which means that it must result in blood levels of the active ingredient that are very similar to the brand name drug.

To be considered bioequivalent, the generic drug must achieve blood serum levels that are 80% to 125% of the reference level, a range that some experts feel is too wide and might possibly result in the reduced absorption, and thus effectiveness, of a drug. This is especially important when treating heart conditions and seizures.

Interestingly, the differences might even be of concern when switching from one generic brand to another, and the patient might not even be aware of the change due to the fact that pharmacists are not obligated to inform them of it.

For now, there have not been any well established clinical studies that offer concrete evidence that generic drugs are in fact less effective, and experts contend that in most instances, generic drugs work just fine.

If you have concerns, speak with your physician. If you have questions about the brand or makeup of your medication, discuss your concerns with your pharmacist of insurer.

7 Quick Meals that Are Faster than Pizza Delivery

Myscha Theriault — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 14:00:11 +0000

By Myscha Theriault

Trying to bridge the gap from dining out to eating in? Looking for quick meals that are reasonably healthy? Here are seven simple ideas to start reducing delivery and takeout costs. Think quick meals have to be boring? Read on for inspiration.

Quick Meals:

Salmon Steaks

Put two in the toaster oven to broil, along with some chunked up potatoes. Depending on the thickness of each, you should be done in twenty minutes. This is ten minutes faster than basic pizza delivery services usually promise. Line the tray with tin foil to ease cleanup, and put some asparagus spears on to steam for the last 2-3 minutes. If potatoes and asparagus don't float your boat, here are some additional ideas for simple side dishes.

Angel Hair Pasta and Pesto

Angel hair takes two minutes to boil, and if you are starting from room temperature the pesto takes no extra prep at all. Serve with white wine and a side salad of organic mixed greens from the warehouse store. This is about as easy as it gets when it comes to quick meals that are also elegant.

Gourmet Sandwiches

BLT’s, bruschetta, shrimp toast and wraps are some of our favorite ways to go. Gourmet tuna melts or English muffin pizzas would also be fun options. Don’t forget breakfast-for-dinner sandwiches, as well oven baked veggie burgers.

Cranberry-Walnut Dinner Salad

Mixed organic spring greens, chopped tomatoes and diced onions form a simple and affordable base. Add dried cranberries, walnut pieces and crumbled feta cheese with the salad dressing of your choice. This salad is loaded with flavor and hunger-satisfying protein, making it perfect for lunch as well as a light dinner. Toss some foil-wrapped garlic bread from the store in the oven and serve with your favorite dinner beverage. Here are some other great salad ideas.

Pork Chops

Toss some boneless ones on the grill and throw some basmati in the rice cooker. Microwave some organic frozen broccoli and jazz up the whole meal with an easy and affordable peanut sauce in the blender. Cook extra pork chops to use for other quick meals throughout the week, such as this affordable pancit recipe or pork fried rice.

Polynesian Chicken

It doesn’t get much easier than this, people. My version of Polynesian chicken calls for three ingredients and some leftover rice in the microwave. If you want a little more than soy sauce over the top and don’t feel like a “from scratch” sauce, try a bottom of the jar recipe for sweet and sour sauce made from jam or marmalade.

Shrimp and Snow Peas

This another one you can serve with rice, which is one of my favorite simple side dishes you can make on the cheap. Pre-cooked shrimp with the shells removed and rinse-and-dump snow peas take three minutes maximum to stir fry. If you have leftover basmati to microwave, you’ve got yourself a meal in less than five minutes.

Ask the Readers: Hope in a New Year? (Chance to Win $10)

Linsey Knerl — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 19:28:55 +0000

By Linsey Knerl

As everyone relaxes from a whirlwind of holiday activity, cleans their houses and settles back into their regular routine, many are looking ahead to a bright future in 2010. Others aren't so convinced of the new year's promises, as the job market may be bleak in their area or tax time signals new financial difficulties.

With each passing year, however, we like to reflect upon the old and look hopefully toward the new, and this year is no different. What about you? Are you hopeful for what 2010 may bring? Are you scared? Do you prefer to just keep doing what you've been doing with little regard to the changing of the dates?

Share your thoughts here in our comment thread or on Twitter, and you'll be entered to win one of two $10 Amazon giveaways. Dozens of readers have already won. You could be next!

We encourage you to continue looking up, supporting one another, and being such a loyal part of our online community. And to celebrate what we think will be a FANSTASTIC 2010, we'd like to suggest these uplifting reads:

Win a $10 Amazon Gift Certificate

We're doing two giveaways — one for random comments, and another one for a random tweets.

How to Enter:

Post your answer in the comments below, or
Tweet your answer. Include both "@wisebread" and "#WBAsk" in your tweet so we'll see it and count it.

If you're inspired to write a whole blog post, please link to it in the comments or tweet it.

At the end of the drawing, we'll update this post to include (and link to) all of your helpful responses.

Giveaway Rules:

Contest ends Friday, January 1st at 11:59 am CST. Winners will be announced after January 1st on the original post and via Twitter. Winners will also be contacted via email and Twitter Direct Message.
You can enter both drawings — once by leaving a comment and once by tweeting.
Only tweets that contain both "@wisebread" and "#WBAsk" will be entered. (Otherwise, we won't see it.)

Good luck!

Permalink | 68 comments | Linsey Knerl's blog | Channel: Giveaways

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Best Deals for Tuesday 12/29/09

Linsey Knerl — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 16:21:08 +0000

New Super Mario Bros. for Wii for $40 + free shipping

FREE Download O&O Defrag 10 Professional Edition

Figis: Up to 70% off + extra 25% off via code "024/1001"

Restaurant.com: 80% off + FREE $10 Gift Certificate w/code CHEER

Free Pregnancy Journal

10 Healthy Things to Eat and Drink in the New Year

Lynn Truong — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 15:00:02 +0000

By Lynn Truong

Our sister site, Healthy Theory, has lots of great tips on what to eat to keep your body healthy. Here's a roundup of the most healthy (and tasty) foods to start eating (or eat more of) in the new year.

Champagne

That's right -- ring in the new year with this heart-healthy drink (in moderation, of course). Champagne has polyphenols, which are antioxidants. Two of the components, caffeic acid and tyrosol, have anti-inflammatory actions, which protects the body from injury and damage. They can also remove toxic chemicals from the body. Champagne May Be Good For Your Heart

Pomegranate

Pomegranates may be a little intimidating, but they are a powerhouse of health. Boasting health benefits for the brain, cancer, and arthritis, they're worth the extra effort to eat. The Health Benefits Of The Pomegranate

Coffee

Much of the old coffee research has been debunked, replaced with new studies that show a wide variety of health benefits from the humble cup of joe. Not only can you feel guilt-free gulping down your morning jolt, you can proudly reach for that second afternoon cup as well. Coffee Is Good For Your Brain

Chocolate

Doctors have found that in heart attack survivors, eating chocolate two or more times per week cuts their risk of dying from heart disease by as much as three-fold over people who never eat the stuff (as if you needed another reason to eat chocolate). Chocolate Reduces The Risk Of Death From A Heart Attack

Curry

The next time you’re out having a bite to eat, you might want to consider foods made with curry. Turmeric, which gives curry its distinctive yellow color, has long been promoted as a health-promoting spice because it contains antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents. Curry May Help Prevent Cancer

Tea

It doesn't matter which kind — green tea (teeth, gums, and more), white tea (anti-aging), or black tea (diabetes) — they're all good for you.

Flax

With Dr. Oz and Oprah extolling the benefits of flax, this little seed has been raised into stardom. Flax seeds pack ton of omega-3 fatty acids, which we've all learned does all sorts of awesome things like fight cancer and lower cholesterol. Flax: Integrating The Wonder Seed Into Your Diet

Yellow Peas

Long promoted as a cholesterol free food that is high in protein and fiber, it turns out that yellow split peas might help lower your blood pressure and help prevent kidney disease, as well. Protein From Yellow Peas May Help Lower Blood Pressure

Soy

Soy contains isoflavones, which belong to a class of compounds called phytoestrogens: natural plant chemicals that act like milder forms of estrogen, mimicking their action on the body. Eating More Soy Early In life May Reduce The Risk Of Breast Cancer

Walnuts

One of the biggest reasons that walnuts in particular are so good for us is because they are the only nut that is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which are important for many of our normal bodily functions, including neural cell development and blood clotting. Walnuts Are One Healthy Nut

Getting Kids Started with the Stock Market

Julie Rains — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 14:00:19 +0000

By Julie Rains

Recently, a reader asked how to give stock to kids in her life in an effort to inspire a life-long interest in investing. Now seems like a great time to start investing but opening an account for someone who isn't your child (a nephew or niece, for example) isn't as straightforward as handing over cash.

The investments may cause a burden on the child or the family members. Here's why:

There may be fees associated with the account, such as annual maintenance fees and transaction costs.
Account owners may owe income taxes on dividends and stock sales.
The account value will likely impact the financial aid status of the child (though the investments should be useful in paying for educational expenses).

Ideally, you can open an account with low or no fees and the account will be structured in a way that minimizes the tax consequences. Issues to consider in addition to fees, taxes, and financial aid:

ownership and control of the account (usually the parent or legal guardian controls the account as its custodian)
methods of making additional contributions (purchasing additional shares of stock or mutual funds)
type of investment: individual stocks and/or mutual funds
tax structure of the account: college savings account (such as a 529 plan or Coverdell ESA-Educational Savings Account), Roth or Traditional IRA (kids can have these types of accounts but need earned income to qualify for funding the account), and regular/custodial account that will be taxed at the child's tax rate, usually lower than the parent's rate.

Finally, the tricky thing about opening an account for someone else is that typically you'll need the Social Security Number (SSN) of the child and/or the custodian. Privacy concerns, even among friends and family, may cause well-intentioned gift-givers and recipients to shy away from starting an investment account or allowing another person to open the account.

Still, there are ways to get kids started with investing. Consider these methods:

1) Get things ready to start directly investing in shares of a chosen company using a DRIP-Dividend Reinvestment Plan, generally a low-cost option

Choose a company with a DRIP (see explanation of DRIP) or Direct Investment Program. Companies that have these plans include Target, Best Buy, Lowe's, Home Depot, Nike, Disney, Harley Davidson, Pepsico, Procter & Gamble, and 3M.
Compare plan options at DRIP Advice or do your own research of start-up fees, minimum investment amounts, maintenance fees, etc.
Request or download and print enrollment forms.
Get some tangible item that represents the company: order the annual report (or download and print one), a logoed shopping bag, store gift card, or a company product (Nike shoes) for example.
Write a check to fund the account opening and initial purchase of shares. You can write a check to the child or the parent; or give cash.
Put everything together in a nicely wrapped package (your gift and paperwork).
Let the parent or legal guardian take care of opening the account.

2) Transfer funds from your account to the child's account

You'll need to start by owning some investments that you think will be worthwhile to transfer to someone else. Presumably, if you are interested in helping a young person learn about the stock market, you've acquired some investing experience and hold some sort of investments that can be transferred. However, you may want to start learning yourself and you can acquire stock now to be transferred later.
Initiate a transfer.
Tell the child recipient about the gift / transfer and pass along accompanying paperwork.
Let the child and parents open an account to receive the stock.

Using approaches 1 and 2, you can avoid having access to the child's Social Security Number, so that the parent doesn't need to feel uncomfortable about sharing personal information.

3) Open a 529 Plan for college savings

Choose a 529 Plan offered through your state, another state, or an independent group for participating private schools. Typically, you'll choose from a menu of plans that invest in mutual funds and bonds, rather than selecting individual stocks.
Sign up for the plan as the account owner and designate the child to whom you want to make a gift as the beneficiary.
Make a contribution to the plan to open the account and then make periodic contributions, such as a gift for birthdays and special occasions.
Create a memorable gift by wrapping a savings bank or some item that represents higher education (a t-shirt or sweatshirt of a favorite college) with an accompanying mention of the contribution (or, if the child is old enough, copies of the plan statement).
Keep in mind that funds in the 529 plan need to pay for qualified educational expenses and you can change the beneficiary (though that would negate the value and intent of the gifts over the years).
The child will get a general idea of how investing works but won't be able to make decisions about the investment beyond choosing various plans, similar to the selection of a 401(k) plan; also the child probably shouldn't contribute to the account as he/she is not the owner and the beneficiary can easily be changed.

4) Try these options

Open an account with a mutual funds company, such as Vanguard or Janus. Initial minimum investment is high: $3,000 for Vanguard and $1,000 for Janus (or just $500 with Janus if you make automatic investments). Both companies offer various account types such as Custodial Accounts for Minors and Coverdell ESAs. Investments will be in mutual funds rather than individual stocks.
Open an account with an online brokerage company such as E*Trade or TD Ameritrade. Account requirements vary but you can get started with a nominal investment amount and avoid maintenance and transaction fees. You can invest in stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and exchange-traded funds (ETFs).
Open an account with ShareBuilder, which has minimal account fees depending on the plan. You can start a Coverdell ESA or Custodial Account. (See this post for a comparison of ShareBuilder vs. Online (Discount) Brokerage Company.)
Buy a share and stock certificate from Oneshare. This option seems cool as the gift includes a framed stock certificate and start-up guide, but is the most expensive approach. The process looks simple but you'll still need the child's SSN for a gift.

To help guide your decision, talk with your CPA, financial advisor, plan administrator, etc. and whoever may be responsible for keeping up with the investment.

Have you had great success (or unintended consequences) in starting an investment account for a child? Share your experiences in the comments.

Permalink | 2 comments | Julie Rains's blog | Channel: Investment

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Netbooks Guide: How to Buy the Best New Netbook

Lynn Truong — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 17:00:10 +0000

By Lynn Truong

This article shares tips from the 19th episode of Dealista, our new podcast that'll help you get more for less. Click play to listen, or subscribe via iTunes to take the episode with you!

Download episode mp3 | Check out show archive

Netbooks are all the rage right now, and it’s easy to see why. They’re light, cheap (relatively), and have a long battery life. Anyone who’s struggled with travelling with a laptop can appreciate how truly portable a netbook is (on a recent trip across the country, I was able to put my netbook in my purse). However, there are important differences between a netbook and a laptop (and even among netbooks themselves), so if you’re thinking about buying a netbook, here are some things to consider before deciding on which to purchase.

Netbook Vs. Laptop

It’s important to know that a netbook is not just a small laptop. A netbook serves different needs and can't do everything a laptop can. A few features are sacrificed for the sake of portability. There are three major differences between a netbook and a laptop.

Size: Netbooks are half to two-thirds the size of a normal laptop and weigh about 2.5 pounds.
Price: Netbooks start at $200, but the higher end netbooks can go as high as $600 (which overlaps the prices of lower end laptops).
Processing: Netbooks have a lower processing speed than laptops and no optical drive (you can’t run DVDs or CDs). This keeps the price and weight low and battery life long, but less processing power means it’s difficult to use programs that require heavy processing, like photo/video editing and gaming. Additionally, the lack of an optical drive may be inconvenient for some users.

Shopping For A Netbook

Once you’ve decided that a netbook is for you, shopping for the right netbook can be confusing. While there are actually few cosmetic differences between laptops, netbooks vary greatly in their design and features.

Screen Size

The screen sizes on netbooks can range between 7 to 10 inches (although larger netbooks are coming out every day). That's actually a big difference from the average 15 inches on a full-sized laptop. It’s important to view your favorite sites and test out programs in order to decide which screen size is good for you.

Keyboard Layout

The keyboards on netbooks can vary greatly from each other. Some netbooks have a smaller keyboard, starting at about 88% the size of a full size keyboard. Some netbooks actually have a full size keyboard, but even if two netbooks have the same size keyboard, their layout could be very different — keys can positioned differently (closer or farther apart) — so test out the keyboard before committing to a netbook.

Operating Software

Most netbooks have moved to Windows 7 Starter, which is a lighter version of Windows 7 to help with load time and overall performance. You can also get a netbook with Linux, which is a much more basic and faster operating system. Netbooks with Linux run great for web surfing, email, and word processing via Open Office. However, Linux may be incompatible with some programs, and if you've never used it, you may have to take some time to get used to it. Lastly, you can still find netbooks running on Windows XP or Vista, and of course you can opt to upgrade to full Windows 7 for your netbook.

Battery Life

Being smaller, not having an optical drive, and having a slower processor help the battery life of a netbook significantly. Many netbooks come with a 6-cell battery which can get you unplugged for about 6-8 hours. A laptop usually comes with a 3-cell battery that gets between 1-3 hours. Additionally, netbooks generally come with a built-in web cam, wi-fi, card reader, and USB ports.

Some Recommendations

If you’re looking for a place to start, Gizmodo’s top 3 netbook picks are the Toshiba mini NB205 (what I’m using to write this article), HP mini 311, and Samsung N140. These were my top 3 picks as well, when I was researching which netbook to get. The HP mini 311 currently has the best graphics card for netbooks, allowing HD video playback, better gameplay, and faster video editing. I ended up with the Toshiba mini NB205 because I really liked their unique keyboard layout and large trackpad.

Note On GPUs

Matt left a great comment below detailing GPU features, if you're looking for a netbook that can handle some graphic intensive processes.

Good article, but there's one important, and easily overlooked, aspect you forgot, the GPU. The GPU is a crucial component for people who may want to watch video or play games on their netbooks, especially for netbooks with 10 or 11 inch screens that often have higher resolution.

There are currently 4 GPUs used in most of todays netbooks. The first is the Intel GMA950. This is an older GPU used in cheaper and older netbook models. It's also the worst one out there. Avoid it if you plan on using your netbook for any sort of media.

The next step up in Intel's newer GMA4500. It's a big step up over the GMA950, and handles higher resolution screens much better. However, it struggles with 3D applications. If you're getting a netbook with a high res screen, but don't plan to play games or other 3D applications, then the GMA4500 may work ok for you.

The current top dog in Netbook GPUs though is the Nvidia 9300M, sometimes referred to as Ion. It will handle High def video, newer 3D games on moderate visual settings, and all of Windows 7's UI bells and whistles with ease. The trade off is that you'll often pay $50-$100 more compared to similar netbook models and you might sacrifice a bit of battery life as well.

The last one isn't a GPU at all, but Intel's newest Pinetrail ATOM processors, which incorporate the GPU into the CPU. Early reviews show that they perform somewhere between the GMA950 and the GMA4500. They're cheap though, and they use moderately less power than othe GPUs, so if your graphics needs are modest, these may be a good solution.

Dealista

If you enjoyed these tips you can find more in our show's archive or subscribe via iTunes.

Dealista is a collaboration between Wise Bread and Quick and Dirty Tips, the producer of popular podcasts such as Grammar Girl, Money Girl, Winning Investor, and Mighty Mommy.

Check out more great tips from our sister shows:

Permalink | 14 comments | Lynn Truong's blog | Channel: Shopping, Technology

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Best Deals for Monday 12/28/09

Linsey Knerl — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 16:04:21 +0000

Bakugan Toys Under $10 at Amazon

4 Avon Hand Creams for $5 (Ship Free!)

Up to 70% off athletic shoes at Amazon.com

Amazon Year End Video Game Sale

FREE Sample Kashi TLC Trail Mix Granola Bar

Wise Bread

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Best Deals for Friday 01/01/2010

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Best Deals for Thursday 12/31/09

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Best of Personal Finance: 10 Jobs That Will Get a Raise in 2010

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Best Deals for Wednesday 12/30/09

Generic Drugs: Not Always The Same?

7 Quick Meals that Are Faster than Pizza Delivery

Quick Meals:

Ask the Readers: Hope in a New Year? (Chance to Win $10)

Win a $10 Amazon Gift Certificate

How to Enter:

Giveaway Rules:

Best Deals for Tuesday 12/29/09

10 Healthy Things to Eat and Drink in the New Year

Champagne

Pomegranate

Coffee

Chocolate

Curry

Tea

Flax

Yellow Peas

Soy

Walnuts

Getting Kids Started with the Stock Market

Netbooks Guide: How to Buy the Best New Netbook

Netbook Vs. Laptop

Shopping For A Netbook

Screen Size

Keyboard Layout

Operating Software

Battery Life

Some Recommendations

Note On GPUs

Dealista

Best Deals for Monday 12/28/09