Another New CSA and a Change of Herbal Heart

Autumn has come to the mountain just as spring did – one ay it was perfectly clear, close to 80º and comfortably into the mid-60s at night, the next it was barely up to 60º at mid-day and into the high 30s at night. Not only are we seriously behind in the necessary wood supply for heat, I’ve been having to scramble to bring in the remaining peppers and last of the tomatoes. Poplar leaves are already yellow and dogwoods are getting a ret tint on their leave to complement their quickly ripening bright red berries, and the crisp air fills with leaves whenever the breeze blows.

Luckily autumn is my favorite of all seasons. In three weeks from now the lush greens of summer will have turned into impossible corals and day-glo oranges and deep reds and yellows bright enough to light up the night. The smell of leaf-fall is heavenly even though it means endless raking in November, a necessary task to ensure resistance to spring fires. And of course the usual foot-deep winter covering once I’ve cleaned out the garden terraces and tossed the remains of their summer bounty on the compost pile. But it’s raining right now, so I’m shivering inside not daring to use any of the scant locust we have left from last year’s wood supply before nightfall, when it’ll really be needed.

In my last post I talked about a new centralized organizational outfit for connecting CSAs [Community Supported Agriculture farms] and ass orated organic suppliers with customer bases in their area via the internet, for promoting healthy, local food and food products and changing the way we eat. In my wanderings about the web, I discovered another kind of CSA that sounds like something right up my alley.

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4 Unique Ways to Make Fewer Trips to the Gas Pump

Everyone is feeling the pain in their pocketbooks when hitting the gas station. Before you fill up, think about the ways that you can help keep your vehicle going longer between fill ups. There are so many little things that you can do to help make fewer trips to the gas station; you may be surprised at the things to help elevate your gas mileage.

Slow Down

One of the biggest tips to save money on gas is to slow down. The faster you go, the more gas you use. If you go a little under the speed limit on the freeway, you will extend the life of your tank of gas. You can get somewhere faster by driving the speed limit or higher, but you won’t be doing yourself any favors financially. It will cost you more in gas money in the long run.

Cruise

Does your vehicle have cruise control? If it does, make sure that you use it as often as you can. Especially on long trips, cruise control can save you a ton. Setting the speed, and not revving the engine and hitting the break in turn, can help you get more gas mileage out of your vehicle. Though this may not be as effective in town, where you will have frequent stops, you will find that on the freeway, it helps you not only keep the speed you want, but keeps you under budget.

Keep it Light

If your car is full, the trunk is packed, and you have heavy items on the top, you are going to use more gas than if you are carrying minimal weight. The heavier the vehicle is, the more gas it takes to keep it moving. Because of this, you may want to think about what you are packing before heading out on your vacation. Make sure to unpack everything that you can before heading back out. Keep your vehicle as light as possible to save on gas.

Look at Greener Options

If you are in the market for a new vehicle, you may want to consider something that is more gas-effective. Looking into hybrid options can help you save tons at the pump. If you don’t have others to cart around in the car, you may want to look at options like a scooter or motorcycle, which also get better gas mileage.

We all want to save a little money at the pump. The best way to do this is to improve your gas mileage. Even though many ideas may seem like they won’t do much, keep in mind that every little bit helps. What are some other great ways to help your gas mileage?

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Being Frugal With Your Credit Card: 4 Tips

Becoming financially stable is a multi-faceted endeavor achieved by individuals who understand how to live within their means and how to make the best use of their money. Living frugally entails balancing the essential expenses in life and prioritizing to determine the things that you can live without. While credit cards may cause many financial headaches when used irresponsibly, they can be used to the benefit of your personal finances and help earn you extra rewards in the process. What right-minded frugalist would say no to earning cash back?

The convenience of credit cards can be very enticing and easy to use, which is why they can be so damaging when in the wrong person’s hands. However, they do provide safe transactions with a level of security that’s particularly useful when shopping online. Often faster than using cash or checks, keeping track of expenses can be as simple as viewing the account information online. Using a credit card to make monthly, reoccurring payments can cut bill-payment time considerably and reduces the hassle of sending payments made by check or money order. So apart from getting cash back or another type of reward, there are benefits to paying with your plastic friend.

It is important to understand, however, that the benefits of credit cards are only effective if the balance is paid off, in full, each month. Carrying a balance will only increase the interest on the account and strain your budget further. Maintaining a proper schedule for payment is integral to using your credit cards frugally. And with this in mind, here are four frugal principles to manage your credit card account.

Avoid High Interest, Annual Fees

Finding a credit card with the best terms is imperative. If, by chance, you are unable to make a payment in full, having a low interest rate can save you a considerable money, especially if the balance rolls over into another month or longer. Maintaining a balance should only be done in extreme circumstances, as any interest can eat into your budget and make it difficult to balance your accounts. Another thing you must do is to choose a card that does not charge an annual fee (a ridiculous charge in and of itself), otherwise you may get an unwelcome surprise when your statement arrives.

Use Incentives Wisely

Using your credit card to gain extra benefits can make it even more worthwhile to use your card instead of cash. With incentives like airline miles, cash back, or rewards program points, you can earn bonuses on the everyday things you purchase. So for example, if you are a frequent traveler, holding a card that is linked with an airline rewards program can be an excellent way to earn free flights or upgrades and save you a lot of money, plus reward you with access to airport lounges and other travel perks. Be sure, however, that you are only signed up to a card that rewards you for things you would have purchased anyway. Saving money on items that you do not need is not beneficial in any way when trying to live the frugal life.

Schedule Payments and Stick to It

Paying your cards on time and in full is essential. You will need to maintain discipline when spending on your credit cards, otherwise you will be at risk of overspending and even going over your credit limit, which could damage your credit record. By paying in full every month you ensure that there isn’t an unexpected balance with interest on the following month’s bill. Paying on time will also save you from any late fees that may be applied to your account. While a small late fee may seem insignificant in the short term, they will add up if the situation isn’t resolved, taking a chunk out of your budget that could be applied to something better.

Weigh Your Options Carefully

All too often, credit card users will extend themselves beyond their means because they have room in their credit limit. By purchasing only those things that are necessary, you won’t have this issue. When faced with a budget-friendly option and a more expensive item, buying the less expensive alternative will serve the same function and allow you to maintain your budget.

Credit cards, when used properly, can help you to maintain your frugal lifestyle while not going without the essentials. Always remember that you are in charge of the spending and payments, and you must keep track of your balance or you may find it hard to get your spending back under control. By using the above tips, frugal credit card use can be accomplished and sustained.

A guest post contributed by Andy, co-founder of Finance Choices, an independent comparison and reviews website specialising in credit card balance transfers that help consumers reduce their monthly expenses.

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