THE THING ABOUT MONEY....

by Denise Blasor

Summer time and the livin' is easy! It sure looked that way for one extended family having a grand old time last Sunday in Ventana al Mar park in Condado.

It had set up camp under the cool shelter of pine trees and palms at the edge of the beach and brought along just the right amenities to while away a lazy day, like folding chairs and a table laden with enough food and drink to keep everyone in the group, young and old, properly fueled throughout the afternoon. The kids had the run of the beach and each other's company for play while the grown ups sat around comfortably and chattered away with gusto. As far as entertainment goes, you can't do better than this and it would seem an economical way of partying with family and friends and an option not likely to bust the host's pocketbook.

These days, the money issue is ever present in people's minds regardless of where they live -- be it in Puerto Rico, the United States, or anywhere else. Which is why the virtues of frugal living and saving money have never looked more appealing.  

Spending less can be as simple as buying in bulk, taking advantage of sales, or even going dutch with a friend on such purchases as a book and, why not, a magazine subscription. Not carrying a credit card when going shopping is sure to help anyone avoid temptations that come along the way; and what about deferring gratification, say until the next day? You might find that after 24 hours your compulsion to buy a particular item has evaporated into thin air. Frequent lunching out can punch a hole in any budget so the sensible thing to do is pack a lunch or turn last night's leftovers into an appetizing meal you can take to the office. Gas is expensive; why not arrange a car pool with fellow workers for every day of the week? If people were to take this advice seriously, the morning commute would be much easier since less cars would be out on the road. And everyone would save money and have some enjoyable company while driving to the office. 

Now consider the household budget and how it can benefit from homemakers jettisoning many toxic cleaning products in favor of cheaper and earth-friendly alternatives. Take vinegar, for example. This common product is a natural cleaner, disinfectant, and deodorizer all in one. Diluting one part vinegar into one part water gives you an amazing solution to use in the bathroom and the kitchen. Adding half a cup of vinegar to your washing machine's rinse cycle will leave your clothes much softer. Then there's lemon, which can be used to scrub dishes, surfaces and stains. And let's not forget baking soda, another great abrasive and effective deodorizer to keep on hand for cleaning jobs around the house.

While it doesn't take an MBA to find ways to reduce spending, it does require discipline, an attitude that can be sorely tested by the retail temptations luring us into debt with the siren song of excess. But increasing or getting into debt is exactly what people should avoid these days, given the job insecurity prevailing in today's uncertain economy which should make everyone aware of the importance of building an emergency fund to fall back on if things go bad. According to the experts, that fund should be enough cash to pay all your basic expenses for a period of six-months.

"I don't know what might happen in the next year or two. None of us do. However, I do know this -- those who have freed themselves of the burden of debt, built an emergency fund, and made adequate preparations for a worst-case scenario, are those likeliest to succeed -- even thrive -- in the coming years," advised Jason White in a recent post of his Frugal Dad blog (http://frugaldad.com). His site is one of a farrago of blogs that have mushroomed on the internet to address ways to maximize your money. For a list of top saving money blogs go to www.onlinemba.com/top_saving_money

The times may be hard for a great many people but there is one consolation: sooner or later the economy will have to rebound. Hopefully, the lessons learned during this economic downturn will prove useful even when the future good times roll by. Lastly, a few more words of advice, courtesy of Dawn Cadwell whose Frugal For Life blog ran for four years until this past March: Buy quality, it will last longer; make sure to research the best deals; buy based on need rather than want; live below your means. (http://frugalforlife.blogspot.com) 

by Bill Santiago

More than at any time in history, mankind faces a crossroad. One path leads to despair and utter hopelessness; the other to total extinction. Let us

pray that we have the wisdom to choose correctly. -- Woody Allen

 

A FRENCH FREEBIE

By Juliette Blasor

If it's July 14, then it's Bastille Day, when the French and Francophiles the world over celebrate the anniversary of the storming of the Bastille fortress-prison (July 14, 1789) and the beginning of the French Revolution. Puerto Rico too plans to join in France's National Day, courtesy of the Alliance Française and sponsors like the Tourism Co., El Nuevo Dia, Cruceros To Go, Nikini, Cointreau, and others. AF has organized a memorable extravaganza to take place on the grounds of Ventana al Mar Park: the highlight of the evening will be an 11 p.m. performance by the Gipsy Kings family, French musicians who have gained fame for their spectacular renditions of Spanish music. THE program kicks off at 2 p.m. with games & fun for the young followed at 5 p.m. by a live transmission of the Bastille celebration in Paris and, at 7 p.m., local musical performances highlighting the diverse and rich cultural exchanges between France and the Caribbean. Five French restaurants will be on hand to serve up a sample of French delicacies ($7 per dish) and, of course, there will be wine and cheese for sale. A raffle will give participants a chance to win prizes such as a Caribbean cruise, four days at the Paris Hilton Hotel, French products, and more. Last year's event drew more than 5,000 persons of all ages and all backgrounds. Organizers expect an even larger turnout this time around with some 8,000 people expected to show up for the event which will conclude with a display of fireworks at the stroke of midnight.

Alliance Française of Puerto Rico, 787.722.3174/5434 www.afpuertorico.org

by Bill Santiago

NIFTY MEOW PRODUCT

As any cat owner will admit, cleaning the cat litter is probably one of the least pleasant tasks involved in feline care. But a new self-cleaning litter box sold by Feline Pine makes the whole procedure a veritable breeze (The company also sells the amazing Feline Pine Cat Litter that is odor and chemical free plus it's not messy). The litter box consists of a plastic box and an elevated insert with holes. When it is time to clean the box, all you have to do is lift the insert and dump its content in the garbage. Check it out at www. felinepinelitterbox.com

($21.99 plus $12 shipping for orders in the continental states; orders outside the U.S. pay an additional fee. For more information, call 561-793-1859)

Copyright © 2011 Lorraine Blasor All Rights Reserved