Weekly Roundup - Living On Nothing Edition [Survival Today - an On going Thread #3]

Frugal Dad .com ^ | July 23, 2009 | Frugal Dad

[nw_arizona_granny]

Weekly Roundup - Living On Nothing Edition Category: Roundups | Comments(15)

Did you hear about the guy that lives on nothing? No seriously, he lives on zero dollars a day. Meet Daniel Suelo, who lives in a cave outside Moab, Utah. Suelo has no mortgage, no car payment, no debt of any kind. He also has no home, no car, no television, and absolutely no “creature comforts.” But he does have a lot of creatures, as in the mice and bugs that scurry about the cave floor he’s called home for the last three years.

To us, Suelo probably sounds a little extreme. Actually, he probably sounds very extreme. After all, I suspect most of you reading this are doing so under the protection of some sort of man-made shelter, and with some amount of money on your person, and probably a few needs for money, too. And who doesn’t need money unless they have completely unplugged from the grid? Still, it’s an amusing story about a guy who rejects all forms of consumerism as we know it.

The Frugal Roundup

How to Brew Your Own Beer and Maybe Save Some Money. A fantastic introduction to home brewing, something I’ve never done myself, but always been interested in trying. (@Generation X Finance)

Contentment: A Great Financial Principle. If I had to name one required emotion for living a frugal lifestyle it would be contentment. Once you are content with your belongings and your lot in life you can ignore forces attempting to separate you from your money. (@Personal Finance by the Book)

Use Energy Star Appliances to Save On Utility Costs. I enjoyed this post because it included actual numbers, and actual total savings, from someone who upgraded to new, energy star appliances. (@The Digerati Life)

Over-Saving for Retirement? Is it possible to “over-save” for retirement? Yes, I think so. At some point I like the idea of putting some money aside in taxable investments outside of retirement funds, to be accessed prior to traditional retirement age. (@The Simple Dollar)

40 Things to Teach My Kids Before They Leave Home. A great list of both practical and philosophical lessons to teach your kids before they reach the age where they know everything. I think that now happens around 13 years-old. (@My Supercharged Life)

Index Fund Investing Overview. If you are looking for a place to invest with high diversification and relatively low fees (for broader index funds with low turnover), index funds are a great place to start. (@Money Smart Life)

5 Reasons To Line Dry Your Laundry. My wife and I may soon be installing a clothesline in our backyard. In many neighborhoods they are frowned upon - one of the reasons I don’t like living in a neighborhood. I digress. One of our neighbors recently put up a clothesline, and we might just follow his lead. (@Simple Mom)

A Few Others I Enjoyed

* 4 Quick Tips for Getting Out of a Rut * Young and Cash Rich * Embracing Simple Style * First Trading Experience With OptionsHouse * The Exponential Power of Delayed Consumption * How Much Emergency Fund is Enough? * 50 Questions that Will Free Your Mind * Save Money On Car Insurance

[Marmolade]

Haven’t heard of using vanilla as a mosquito repellent. I’ll have to remember to give that one a try. Thanks for sharing.

[upcountry miss]

Nope. No holes in frozen clothes. I know. With five children 50+ years ago, I have had thousands of frozen diapers and no holes, just frozen hands!!!!!

[DelaWhere]

Thought you might appreciate this:

“Arguing with an engineer is like mud wrestling with a pig; After a while you realize you are getting muddy, and the pig is enjoying it”

[nw_arizona_granny]

http://www.sacbee.com/topstories/story/2160824.html

Breaking News Alert: Sacramento police arrest campers, advocates at ‘safe ground’

Sacramento police arrested about 10 homeless residents at their “safe ground” campsite this morning, including two advocates for the homeless.

Read More

[snip]

The action followed a police search early Wednesday, when officers cut a lock, walked onto the C Street property and issued citations for illegal camping. They also seized 32 tents, sleeping bags, cots and other items as evidence. The property is owned by Attorney Mark Merin, who had given permission for campers to live at the site.

continued............[At least they did not break into a foreclosed home and take it over...]

[nw_arizona_granny]

Coconut Oil - Miracle Medicine and Diet Pill
_http://www.healingnaturallybybee.com/articles/coconut3.php?print_
(http://www.healingnaturallybybee.com/articles/coconut3.php?print)
by Eric Armstrong

Source: Coconut Oil - Miracle Medicine and Diet Pill
_http://www.treelight.com/health/nutrition/CoconutOil.html_
(http://www.treelight.com/health/nutrition/CoconutOil.html)

Throughout this article, “coconut oil” means virgin coconut oil — oil
that “has not” been refined, bleached, or deodorized. Although none of that
processing is necessary, some manufacturers do it anyway, which produces the
same problems as those associated with hydrogenated oils. (The 8% of
unsaturated fats that coconut oil contains can be damaged by such high-heat
processing.) So when you shop, look for virgin coconut oil — oil that isn’t
bleached, refined, or deodorized.

Coconut oil [unrefined only] can replace most of your medicine cabinet,
energize you, and make you slimmer in the bargain.

[nw_arizona_granny]

Blueberry Pound Cake<<<

Maybe you should send one of each, so I can give them a fair taste test..........

LOL, the things dreams are made of.

[nw_arizona_granny]

I wondered how your cart turned out.

Shame it did not work as you dreamed.

Winter and early spring dreams and plans, do tend to not work, quite like we planned for them to ..... or at least mine did not.

[DelaWhere]

>>>Shame it did not work as you dreamed.<<<

Worked well enough - works great weeding small plants before the rows begin closing in. Now it is more for hauling as it has fold-up sides and holds quite a bit.

[CottonBall]

Fortunately I lived before the internet and looks like the prior-experience will pay off because the tumor is expanding..

I don't know if the youth of today can handle life without immediate gratification. For myself, I look back to the days of only 3 TV channels and 'limited' communication - like phones and mail - being a big plus. It was more relaxing and much more appreciated.

[CottonBall]

ROFLOL! I do remember some pretty active 'discussions' when I was working with all engineers. But, I have to add that those debates were a lot different than any discussions I've had with liberals. I love talking to people that use facts and can use logic and reason. And listen to the opposing side, whether they agree or now.

Arguing with a liberal is like having a debate with a 2 year old.

[CottonBall]

We’ve talked to many of them about all the terrible things going on with these horrendous bills in the House, the czars, the underhanded programs to indoctrinate people. Our classmates in Sunday School, our family, our coworkers just look at us.

Frustrating, isn't it? :( We are in a fairly red county too (kern) and the turnout for the Apr 15 TeaParty was great! But....most of the masses don't care. Not until it is too late.

I'm afraid we are experiencing what those that recognized what Hitler or Lenin were really up to felt long ago. That the actions didn't match the empty promises and that the sheeple were too cowardly or self-absorbed to do anything about it.

I'd like to find someplace filled with Freepers to move to. ;) But I imagine most states/counties/cities are similar to what we've already experienced here.

[CottonBall]

Too bad when the poo hit the fan, we won’t have the internet to refer to.

Have you found the links to the downloaded threads that some kind posters here did for the first 2 theads? I have 'em saved and am hoping to have power and a working computer when things get bad!

[CottonBall]

Looks yummy!

[CottonBall]

Blueberry Pound Cake

yummmmm!

[CottonBall]

Here’s an easy to make soup that I’ve made to take to a friend’s dinner tonight. I’ve made it before and it can be pretty flavorful - and spicy depending on if you follow the instructions on the red pepper!

Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana

1 lb Italian sausage
1 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper (optional, use if not using hot Italian sausages)
2 large russet baking potatoes, sliced in half,and then in 1/4 inch slices
1 large onion, chopped
1/2 can oscar meyer bacon bit
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups kale or swiss chard, chopped
2 cans chicken broth
1 quart water
1 cup heavy whipping cream (I use fat-free half and half)

Cook sausage in a 300°F oven for approximately 30 minutes.
Drain sausages on paper towels and cut into slices.
Place onions, potatoes, chicken broth, water, garlic in pot, and cook on medium heat until potatoes are done.
Add sausage and bacon.
Salt and pepper to taste.
Simmer for another 10 minutes.
Turn to low heat.
Add kale and cream.
Heat through and serve.

[Eagle50AE]

At 6:00PM EDT I checked and nothing posted,, picked berries and came back and checked minutes ago and Viola..

3 Failed Banks...

Don’t want this on the nightly SRM News on a Holiday Weekend..

Achtung’

Here is the lowdown:

1.

Vantus Bank, Sioux City, Iowa, was closed today by the Office of Thrift Supervision, which appointed the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) as receiver. To protect the depositors, the FDIC entered into a purchase and assumption agreement with Great Southern Bank, Springfield, Missouri, to assume all of the deposits of Vantus Bank.

The FDIC estimates that the cost to the Deposit Insurance Fund (DIF) will be $168 million. Great Southern Bank’s acquisition of all the deposits was the “least costly” resolution for the FDIC’s DIF compared to alternatives. Vantus Bank is the 87th FDIC-insured institution to fail in the nation this year, and the first in Iowa. The last FDIC-insured institution closed in the state was Hartford-Carlisle Savings Bank, Carlisle, on January 14, 2000.

2.

InBank, Oak Forest, Illinois, was closed today by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, Division of Banking, which appointed the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) as receiver. To protect the depositors, the FDIC entered into a purchase and assumption agreement with MB Financial Bank, National Association, Chicago, Illinois, to assume all of the deposits of InBank, except certain brokered deposits.

The FDIC estimates that the cost to the Deposit Insurance Fund (DIF) will be $66 million. MB Financial Bank, N.A.’s acquisition of all the deposits was the “least costly” resolution for the FDIC’s DIF compared to alternatives. InBank is the 86th FDIC-insured institution to fail in the nation this year, and the 14th in Illinois. The last FDIC-insured institution closed in the state was Mutual Bank, Harvey, on July 31, 2009.

3.

First Bank of Kansas City, Kansas City, Missouri, was closed today by the Missouri Division of Finance, which appointed the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) as receiver. To protect the depositors, the FDIC entered into a purchase and assumption agreement with Great American Bank, De Soto, Kansas, to assume all of the deposits of First Bank of Kansas City.

The FDIC estimates that the cost to the Deposit Insurance Fund (DIF) will be $6 million. Great American Bank’s acquisition of all the deposits was the “least costly” resolution for the FDIC’s DIF compared to alternatives. First Bank of Kansas City is the 85th FDIC-insured institution to fail in the nation this year, and the second in Missouri. The last FDIC-insured institution closed in the state was American Sterling Bank, Sugar Creek, on April 17, 2009.

Redneck math add this ( 240 million) up as “likin the paint off 1/4 Billion $$”

source:

http://www.fdic.gov/news/news/press/2009/pr09161.html

http://www.fdic.gov/news/news/press/2009/pr09162.html

http://www.fdic.gov/news/news/press/2009/pr09163.html

also:

please look at the Market Ticker for an Interesting study..

Weekend Chart to Ponder, Macro Economics

http://market-ticker.denninger.net/archives/1411-Weekend-Chart-To-Ponder-Macro-Economics.html

[Eagle50AE]

We were encouraged to write down, describe in detail , and lay away for our children’s children...’lest it is taken away, what our country was like, how unique , and the blessings we have received in the United States.

I received this and it made a smile for me and hopefully it will you too.

Circa 1950’s - 1960’s

This is a PowerPoint File, about 5.2 meg and the download will be good for 7 days or 100 downloads...

https://www.yousendit.com/download/YkxMTmZXcWZrWTlFQlE9PQ

freepmail if any questions... enjoy and remember.

[Eagle50AE]

hey they add 2 more ..

Five more banks fail — 89 so far in 2009 [FDIC Friday] [cost is $401.3 million] [Obamanomics]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2332617/posts

[DelaWhere]

>>>I look back to the days of only 3 TV channels<<<

LOL - it seems like just yesterday when there were NO TV channels. I certainly remember when the family would sit and everyone would ‘watch’ the radio. Kids would lie on the floor and adults would sit in the chairs and everyone would stare at the big wooden wonder box as they listened to Amos & Andy, Jack Benny, Gabriel Heater, Programs like The Shadow, The Green Hornet, Suspense, The Royal Canadians, Tom Mix, Jack Armstrong (the all American boy) and many many more.

First TV we had had a tiny 6” screen in black and white, but we had two arms bolted to the top of the TV that held a huge blown glass lens that was filled with mineral oil. Worked pretty well too as long as you sat right in front of it, otherwise everything was distorted.

Then came color... That consisted of a 3 color plastic sheet you put over the screen - Blue on top,Pink in the middle and Green on the bottom. So, you always had blue skies, pink faces and green grass - (or blue ceilings, pink walls and green carpets.)

Then, one year my grandfather got a real color TV - The whole family was at my Aunt and Uncle’s for New Years dinner, and while the women were fixing it, all the men just had to go drive 20 miles to my grandfather’s house to get something...(I think we forgot it too) - (to see that magical color TV) The Mummers Parade was soooo realistic looking... Dinner was almost cold before we got back. (of course NO microwaves to warm things up with - oven was stuffed to keep it all warm.) All on ONE channel!

Then life went on - we carried those memories for several years before we finally succumbed to the temptation of getting our own.

It made Spring, Summer and Fall much longer, and Winter much shorter. (we didn’t watch it when it was nice outside.)

[DelaWhere]

>>>Grilled Zucchini Roll-Ups With Herbs and Cheese<<<

Seeing that reminds me of my middle daughter - We took her on a dinner train in New Hampshire, and when they served the meal, she looked at it for a minute, then up at me and said “Dad is this ‘Rich People Food’”. I asked her what she meant, and she said “ You know the kind that tastes kind of funny and they don’t give you very much of it”.