Posted on 21st March 2009 by Mish in christmas | frugal | homeschool
debt, financial crisis, frugal, homeless, poor, poverty
When we moved back to Vermont in 2003, I was terrified. Without a steady job, I didn’t know exactly from where our money would come. We were always on what I believed to be the edge of poverty. But then I started to think about it. Were we truly poor?
Everywhere I look “books, radio, television” there is someone telling me how to “eliminate debt” or “build wealth.” And the majority of these programs are geared for people who have high-paying jobs, huge homes and new cars and are feeling the “burden” of too much debt. What I don”t see a lot of are books or shows dedicated to helping people live ” and live well – off $10 an hour. In order to be on a “debt diet” one needs to be able to acquire debt. I dare say that most financial experts would argue that you can”t live well off $10 an hour. Those families who make $10 an hour are impoverished and should be educated as to how to make more money. And that”s where the help ends: “Get a better job, get some debt and then I can help you.”
So what is poverty?
Is it families who try and exist on Mom’s salary of $10 an hour? Or is it not having food in the house? Or is it not having the house? Is it not having electricity? Running water? Heat? (more…)
Technorati Tags: debt, financial crisis, frugal, homeless, poor, poverty
Posted on 28th November 2008 by Mish in christmas
buy nothing day, christmas, Christmas shopping, shopping
Today is Black Friday. I just watched a news spot where people actually skipped their Thanksgiving dinner yesterday in order to wait in line in front of a box store and get that thing they want for cheap! I am stunned. In fact, I am stunned every year. I can’t believe what people will go through in order to spend their money. I mean really, if I’m going to stand in line for hours, someone had better be giving me something!
Before you run out the door and spend money on another cheap plastic something – decide if you really wouldn’t rather stay home, enjoy the day with your kids and read a book or watch a movie.
Why? Why avoid the sales and stay home? Well, I believe that by celebrating a “Buy Nothing” day we send a message to retailers and manufacturers that we don’t want their cheap crap anymore. I don’t want my kids to play with it. And I’m tired of it accumulating in my house.
Instead of buying things today – make something. Or check out freecycle.org. Or, if you must go out – go to thrift stores!
Technorati Tags: buy nothing day, christmas, Christmas shopping, shopping
Posted on 6th November 2008 by Mish in christmas
christmas, gifts, holidays, homemade, teens
I love creative – and cheap – Christmas gift ideas! So, I spent the morning looking around for some gifts that I could make and give to my teens too. I found some really wonderful sites with some fantastically creative ideas. This, then, is my own little blog carnival of great Christmas Gift ideas:
1. A Scrappy Belt – for teens. This is from the blog Juicy Bits and is such an amazing idea! 
My 15 year old daughter just loves funky belts to wear with those low-rise jeans I love so much! There are a lot of instructions, so visit the site to find out how to do it.
2. Fingerless mitts – these are great for guitar players and any teen who is just too cool for you (that would be all of my teens). I knit these for my teens last year and they loved them, but Elemental Stitches has a great way to make them without knitting – you just need an old sweater or two!
3. A Laptop Sleeve – from Living Creatively. This is a great idea, especially for teens and college students who are always taking their laptops around. Make a bunch of different sleeves in a variety of colors for quick style changes!
Technorati Tags: christmas, gifts, holidays, homemade, teens
Posted on 20th October 2008 by Mish in christmas
christmas, Christmas shopping, debt-free, frugal christmas, homemade christmas
It’s the most wonderful time of the year. It is. I love Christmas. I love the lights and the snow and the excitement and anticipation. 
I don’t mind shopping…at least a little of it. This year, with the economy in the state it’s in, apparently the retailers are already grumbling about their low expectations for the “shopping” season. Well, let me give you a little advice – don’t feel bad for the retailers. And don’t feel bad for yourself either. Whether you only have $10 to your name or $10,000, Christmas can still be a time of wonder – expecially if you have children.
The first thing you have to do to prepare yourself for a debt-free, frugal – yet fun Christmas – is sit down and get the notion out of your head that you have to spend a lot of money at Christmas. You have to get the image of the tree with TONS of presents under it out of your head. You also have to get it out of your head that you are going to need a credit card to get through Christmas. You don’t. Snip it up now. There is no reason that you need to pay interest on stuff for Christmas. Please, I’m begging you, don’t do it.
Visualize your Christmas without huge amounts of debt. Visualize having cash in hand at Christmas.
(more…)
Technorati Tags: christmas, Christmas shopping, debt-free, frugal christmas, homemade christmas
Posted on 27th September 2008 by Mish in christmas
art, christmas, heidi shaulis, paintings
I was trolling around etsy – just gathering ideas, as I am new to the site and found Heidi Shaulis. It turns out she lives just a couple of towns over from here.
Her paintings are simply beautiful! And her husband’s woodwork is amazing…check them out.
Isn’t that amazing? Her blog says it will be her Christmas Card this year – I hope I can make it my Christmas cards too!
Technorati Tags: art, christmas, heidi shaulis, paintings
Posted on 26th September 2008 by Mish in christmas | food
christmas, christmas gifts, food, green gifts, maple syrup, vermont, vermont maple syrup
A long time ago, my dad told me about a farm that used to lease out their maple trees for the maple-syrup making season. We are doing something similar on the farm. For the last few years, we have had a “Rent a Maple Tree” program. I’ve never offered it online before, but have had increased interest – so I thought maybe readers of this blog might like to give a great, green gift – for the holidays – or anytime!
In your Maple Lease package you get a sexy, parchment paper lease agreement; at least one gallon of pure Vermont maple syrup (or more if your tree makes more); three newsletters updating you on the trees, Vermont and the maple season – as well as historical tidbits and maple recipes!
Click here to get started with your lease!
Technorati Tags: christmas, christmas gifts, food, green gifts, maple syrup, vermont, vermont maple syrup
Posted on 15th September 2008 by Mish in christmas | frugal
advent calendar, bath soaps, christmas, craft project, crayons, felt board, frugal, homemade gifts, presents, quilts
Five gifts for under $5!
1. Homemade Felt Board. I was walking through a trendy toy store once (just once, don’t judge me too harshly) and saw for sale a felt board, with all kinds of television character related accessories. My middle son was enamored with it. Rather than suck up the $32 price tag ($32?!) plus $15 for the different accessory packs, I went to the craft store, bought a pack of felt of different colors and proceeded to wrap a piece of cardboard with felt; then cut out all sorts of different shapes – trees, birds, whatever. I also found felt on a large bolt and was able to pin a large piece up on a wall – creating all sorts of interesting landscapes for the felt shapes. My kids have played with their felt boards for years! And I’ve even made small, portable ones for basketball games and car trips.
2. Crayons. Make new crayons out of old ones! Get old crayons and melt them down (use complimentary colors so they aren’t all brown) and put them in muffin tins or use metal cookie cutters on a cookie sheet to make interesting shapes. Put a bunch together with some neat (possible homemade) paper in a nice basket or box – a great present for a little one!
(more…)
Technorati Tags: advent calendar, bath soaps, christmas, craft project, crayons, felt board, frugal, homemade gifts, presents, quilts
Posted on 5th October 2007 by Mish in activism | attachment parenting | barter | birth | breastfeeding | childbirth | christmas | cloth diapers | co-sleeping | cooking | eating local | family | food | frugal | gardening | global warming | green living | homemaking | homeschool | housework | knitting | michelle kennedy | money | mothering | news | nursing mothers | organic | saving money | simple living | social issues | work from home | writing
freelance writing, green living, homesteading, submissions, writers
Our November-December print issue deadline is Oct. 15 and we could still use a wide variety of frugal tips – particularly holiday-related! Also, any holiday craft or cooking-themed articles would be appreciated. Please email your submissions to Michelle Kennedy Hogan at kennedy.mish@gmail.com
I am also accepting submissions for future issues, so if you have an idea, send it to me! I’ll pay up to $25 plus a one-year subscription
Technorati Tags: freelance writing, green living, homesteading, submissions, writers
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