Prairie Eco-Thrifter

AUGUST 17, 2017

The fading strains of Pomp and Circumstance echo in our ears as the summer after your senior year in high school beckons. If you are going on to college in the fall, don’t let summer roll by without doing some preparation work to help you avoid typical college fail points. Here is what they are and how to get ready to duck them. Failure to keep in touch with high school buds and teachers.

College 133

College Graduation Used Points 133

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

JULY 16, 2017

You are probably aware that you should designate beneficiaries to your belongings should you die. Often it seems fairly easy to do, but there can be some interesting unintended results depending on who you designate and what they do after you die. Here are some ways you can mess it up when making beneficiary designations. You inadvertently override your will or trust.

Grandchildren 140

Grandchildren 401K Money Contest 140

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

APRIL 25, 2017

Why is money so important? It is after all, just a way to trade for the things we need or want – much easier that trading objects. Money has taken on a role bigger than just trade. Money has power. Money has the power to get you out of bed everyday. Most of us like to eat, stay warm and eat a nice meal once in awhile. I order to do so, we must earn money (at least most of us must).

Money 138

Money Staying Warm Tools Vacation 138

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

MARCH 8, 2017

My spouse and I have gained quite a bit of experience planting bushes, trees and flowers over the years. Our two biggest experiences were in planting thousands of pine seedlings from the state nursery on our 40 acre farm (in our younger years)and planting around 3000 spring flowering bulbs on our current 6 acres. In between we have planted everything from rose bushes to azalea bushes to fruit and nut trees to vegetable plants and grass.

Finance 133

Finance Growing Flowers and Plants Gardening 133

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

DECEMBER 29, 2016

For years, Audi engineers have been looking for a fuel that has zero negative impact on the environment and can also be integrated into existing Audi engines, and transmission and exhaust parts. Even independent inventors and companies alike have launched countless efforts to develop such a game-changing fuel using components like vegetable oil, algae, and organic waste.

Fuel 100

Fuel Plants Cleaning Re-use 100

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

DECEMBER 22, 2016

It wasn’t so very long ago that most North Americans were self-sufficient. Many families remember a time, not too far gone, when their ancestors lived in a rural community without the benefit of electricity, running water, indoor plumbing, central heat or air conditioning. Instead they had a well, an outhouse, a wood burning stove for heat and another for cooking.

Canning 100

Canning At&T Gardening Garden 100

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

NOVEMBER 4, 2016

Over the weekend, during a family visit, I had a conversation with one of my nephews – a thirty something husband, father and CFO of a small company. He is a wanna be entrepreneur and has had several ideas but has so far not acted on any of them. His latest idea would allow him to make money while satisfying a lifestyle change desire. He and his family currently live in a home in a suburban subdivision.

Real Estate 100

Real Estate Money Bank Banking 100

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

AUGUST 28, 2016

I learned to drink coffee in my twenties – during the 1970’s. Always before, I drank tea, mainly iced – with lots of sugar. But as part of my college life and to keep my new hubby company after college, I started having a cup or two of java. This time I stuck to black, no cream, sugar or flavors – and weak. The caffeine stimulant was just enough to get me up and going each day (and still is).

Coffee 100

Coffee Drinks College Health 100

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

AUGUST 18, 2016

For the past 8 years, I have owned and rented out a property in the Branson, MO area. As sort of an insider, I have seen ways that “in the know” folks can save on their vacation rental stays. When I say ‘vacation rental’ I am talking about renting a condo, house or cabin directly from the owner or from the owner’s property manager.

Vacation 100

Vacation Saving Money Money Rent 100

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

JULY 28, 2016

Many businesses around the world want to prioritise sustainability in their business. For businesses that operate with large cashflows and profits, they are in a position to allocate budgets and resources towards developing more sustainable solutions without any significant impacts to their business. However, many small to medium size businesses that want to make a difference are unable to prioritise sustainability simply because the costs outweigh the benefits to them, as well as the difficulty

Office 100

Office Recycle Recycled Recycling 100

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

APRIL 17, 2016

Stress is bad for you. That’s old news. However, what we aren’t always aware of is how many of our health problems that are affecting our everyday lives are rooted in chronic stress. We are proponents of getting to the source of the problem and addressing it directly, but sometimes it’s not really an option. Whether it’s a rough patch at work, a messy divorce, or a different troublesome scenario, life cannot be avoided.

Bath and Body Works 133

Bath and Body Works Birth Control Cycle Work 133

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

APRIL 18, 2016

Once again, Spring is approaching. As I was doing some yard work a couple of days ago, I noticed my neighbor tilling up a vegetable garden spot in his back yard – a sure sign of spring! Here are 4 thrifty gardening tips for you if you are planning a garden this year. Tip # 1 – Go thrifty on seeds and plants. Save your seeds. If you buy organic non-hybrid fruits or vegetables, you can save your seeds and plant them, year after year.

Thrifty 100

Thrifty Gardening Garden Flowers and Plants 100

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

APRIL 14, 2016

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome refers a painful condition where compression of an important nerve leads to throbbing pain in hands and fingers. The pain can be contributed by repetitive movements over a course of time. Other reasons could include fluid retention. Symptoms to help identify the condition include numbness or a burning sensation in the problem area.

Simple 100

Simple Home Activism Cameras 100

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

APRIL 11, 2016

Furniture is expensive, no doubt about it. In spite of the expense, some of the newer furniture is much less well made than older pieces. Whether you are just starting out; wanting to freshen up your own older items; or furnishing a second home, furniture buying can make a big dent in your budget. But there are ways to save – consider used furniture.

Re-use 100

Re-use Used Furniture Furniture Recycle 100

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

DECEMBER 14, 2015

Do you want to be happy? Most members of the human race do. The pursuit of happiness is common across the globe. Why is that? Is there a greater purpose in the human desire to be happy? I think so. It seems to me that seeking happiness is built into our evolutionary requirements. I think we are hard wired to seek happiness. Darwin agreed, according to Psychology Today article Happiness: ultimately it’s genetic!

Psychology 100

Psychology San Francisco Evolve Goals 100

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

AUGUST 11, 2015

We purchased a vacation condo in a local resort area in 2006 (yep, right before the crash). My sister-in-law and her husband had one that they used and rented out and indicated that it was doing well. That gave me the idea to start looking around for one too. I wanted a place for our family to gather – adult children and grandchildren along with us.

Vacation 100

Vacation Rent Taxes Grandchildren 100

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

JULY 29, 2015

There are few healthier and better ways to save money than organically growing your own fruit and vegetables in your own garden. This allows you to not only take constant care in monitoring the growth of your produce, but it also lets you strictly supervise the cost of producing your goods, which you’ll find is significantly cheaper than purchasing them from the local grocer.

Grow Your Own 100

Grow Your Own Growing Saving Money Money 100

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

JULY 28, 2015

You raised your kids and now they are gone! Empty Nesters at last. After years of worry, expense, teaching and fun you are free of the legal and financial responsibility related to your off spring. After years of hard work, assume you are now in the peak of your earning years and have managed to amass a sizable estate. You can, if you want, take those hard earned assets and enjoy the ultimate lifestyle, or you can decide to start a tradition of annual gifting, from one generation to the next.

Giving 100

Giving Taxes Son Money 100

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

JULY 13, 2015

Before you get ready to shove those kids of yours out of the nest, here are what I consider to be (based on my experience as a person, a Mom, and a Grandma) the most important things you (or someone) should teach them about personal finance. I’m following a long range plan for camp content in my Grandma Rie’s Money Camp and it includes all of these, focusing on different things at different ages.

Personal Finance 100

Personal Finance Finance Debt Money 100

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

JUNE 15, 2015

One of the most difficult challenges in life is when your partner isn’t on the same page you are. In some cases, this might not be a big deal. Your partner might not like the same movies you do, so you go to a movie once a month with your friends. Maybe you don’t care about playing video games, so you quietly read a book while your partner enjoys video game time.

Health 100

Health Video Games Activism Goals 100

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

JANUARY 28, 2015

'We’re a few weeks into the new year. If you’re like many people, you made New Year’s resolutions. Perhaps you vowed to give up smoking or go to the gym every day, or lose 50 pounds. How are you doing with your goals? Are you still motivated, or have you given up already? Chances are, you’ve already given up and are back to your old behavior. If so, you’re in good company.

Goals 100

Goals Contest Win 2015 100

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

JANUARY 19, 2015

'I absolutely love traveling. I love backpacking, camping, hiking , trips to the beach, driving cross country and almost anything that involves me packing up my stuff and heading off into the sunset. Vacations are supposed to be fun activities, where you can relax, unwind and recharge. But sometimes, vacations fail to produce the fun were expecting and stress us out.

Vacation 100

Vacation Clothes Clothing Travel 100

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

JANUARY 20, 2015

'Northeastern University Online. Go Green and Save Money by Using Free Online Calculators Benefits of Online College Courses The Green Option That Saves You Money: Paper Magazines vs… The Financial Benefits of Online College Sustainable Gift Giving this Holiday Season The post The Evolution of Sustainability appeared first on Prairie Eco-Thrifter.

College 100

College Calculators Green Saving Money 100

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

JANUARY 7, 2015

'Happy New Year! You know how they say that how you ring in the New Year is a good indication of how your year will be? Well, that’s probably because many of us wait until we have a fresh start, like that of a New Year, to put our goals into action and start working on our resolutions. Since we just celebrated the New Year, now is the best time to clean up your finances.

Goals 100

Goals Financial Goals New Year's Budgeting 100

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

JANUARY 1, 2015

'Years ago, I lacked self esteem – although I had lots of encouragement from my parents I was a shy girl, who felt inferior to others. Over the years, with effort and with each ensuing success, I have gained self-confidence. It helps me be happier and it helps me step up to challenges. Neel Burton, a psychiatrist and author of Psychology Today article Building Confidence and Self-Esteem puts it this way: “People with long-term low self-esteem generally see the world as a hostile pla

Building 100

Building Aunt At&T Psychology 100

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

DECEMBER 29, 2014

'Change is inevitable, yet we humans seem hardwired to resist it. I did for years. Many years into my career, however, I learned 3 things about change. Here they are. Successful people embrace change. One of my biggest work opportunities came as a result of embracing change. I was a manager of a technical staff who needed to be ready at any time of the day or night to fix computer glitches and other bumps in the night for our clients.

Software 186

Software Work Election Airline 186

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

DECEMBER 28, 2014

'The holidays are, hands down, one of the most environmentally unfriendly holidays of the year. Pair that with Thanksgiving right before it and it makes me squirm just thinking about it. Christmas comes fraught with environmental issues. Not only are consumers in a mania to get their kids a whole bunch of poorly made, plastic toys manufactured in plants that pump a ridiculous amount of chemicals into the air, but also, households ramp up their carbon footprints by using more water, cleaning prod

Green 167

Green Christmas Food Waste Leftovers 167

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

DECEMBER 22, 2014

'Over and over again I hear the same thing: People claiming they don’t have time to do something important, like work out, make extra money, or any other important cornerstone of life like building meaningful relationships. But more often than not, that same person spends at least a half hour if not more time in front of the television each day.

Television 167

Television Televisions Couch Watches 167

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

DECEMBER 21, 2014

'Most people know deep down that riches are not measured by dollars alone. Having lots of money doesn’t make you rich, it just gives you options. But what does make a person rich? Most folks would say: good health, loving family and friends. While I do agree with this assessment, there are a few more things that I feel make our now living generations richer than previous ones, no matter what our bank accounts look like.

United States 162

United States Money Plumbing Mobile Phone 162

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

DECEMBER 16, 2014

'(Photo credit: Wikipedia). You probably don’t want an extra 5 pounds of fat for Christmas, do you? Yeah, neither do I, but with eggnog and hot chocolate and candy laying around everywhere, not to mention the several feasts that happen around this season, get togethers with friends over long and decadent dinners, and all of the baking that suddenly appears at the office, it can be nearly impossible to stave off the extra weight if you aren’t careful.

Holiday 157

Holiday Office Green And Frugal Cookies 157

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

DECEMBER 15, 2014

'Are the men around you angry? Mine sometimes is. One of the things that seems to bother him is that he sees a male dominated world disintegrating. Men raised in earlier times think it is necessary for some things to remain solely for men. Things like joining the service, working in construction, being an airline pilot, going to space, becoming a CEO and etc.

Equal 162

Equal Women Mens Work 162

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

DECEMBER 14, 2014

'The email sat in my inbox for a few days unopened and unread. From the subject line I knew exactly what it was, but I wanted no part of it because I knew the effect it would have on my family’s budget. It was the email that arrives each November informing me that the information regarding our health care coverage options for the next calendar year was available for review, and the enrollment period would be opening soon.

Health Care 187

Health Care Budgeting Budget Gasoline 187

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

DECEMBER 11, 2014

'I always loved Christmas as a child (what kid doesn’t?!), but I love it even more now that I have kids and get to watch their joy. If I’m not careful, I could easily spend a lot of money making their Christmas memorable, but I don’t have to. Whether you’re on a budget or simply want to spend modestly, there are plenty of low-cost ways you can enjoy the holidays with your kids.

Christmas 174

Christmas Kids Lowes Kids and Family 174

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

DECEMBER 9, 2014

'The other day, I woke up, and got straight to work. I powered through until lunch and got all of my work done on my to-do list in just five hours. This is work that I thought would take closer to ten hours, but because I was productive and got down to it with hardly so much as a breath of a break, I got it done in half the amount of time – without sacrificing quality.

Work 180

Work Simple Motivation Cleaning 180

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

DECEMBER 8, 2014

'Back in my teens and early twenties, Mom used to yell at me about not carrying enough cash. She envisioned me running out of gasoline and not being able to get home. At the time, I didn’t have credit cards so it was a valid concern. Either I would be walking or using my last quarter in the pay phone to call home and beg someone to come get me.

Used 180

Used Credit Cards Gasoline Consumer 180

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

DECEMBER 7, 2014

'(Photo credit: Wikipedia). If you haven’t already heard about peer lending, it’s likely that you soon will. The largest loan company, Lending Club, is getting ready to issue stock on the New York Stock Exchange and the media are already all over the story. Online lending has jumped over the last year. It took Prosper Marketplace eight years to originate its first billion in loans.

Debt 188

Debt Personal Finance Finance Credit 188

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

NOVEMBER 13, 2014

'#87984987 / gettyimages.com. Increased blood pressure is one of the common illnesses of the 21 st century. It has many causes but sedentary lifestyles, poor diet and stress play major roles in this dangerous condition. The medications used to lower blood pressure have been shown to have adverse side-effects and many patients wish to avoid them. Here are 4 ways to reduce your blood pressure without drugs.

Activism 195

Activism Ranges Work Cycle 195