In The Trenches - Sewing

I decided recently that I wanted a new hobby.  Blogging used to be my primary hobby.  And, reading.  After a long day at work both were a nice diversion from the daily routine.

Things have changed a lot for me in recent months.  One of those changes is that I work on the blog, blog related things, and reading about the U.S. Economy many hours a week.  I put enough time and energy into it that I now need an occasional break from my hobby.  I know that other bloggers reading this know exactly what I'm talking about.

In considering a new hobby I wanted to achieve a few things:

• Fun.  Of course, it's not a hobby if it's not fun.
• At home.  
• Within my spending money limits.
• No computers or books involved.
• A finished product.  So much of what I do is ongoing or daily that I wanted to see and touch something I made.

Want cheapskates to spend? Hawk gizmos that save - Yahoo! News

Want cheapskates to spend? Hawk gizmos that save - Yahoo! News

Do you need "Caps that keep the fizz in opened soda cans."?

This is a very interesting article and one that makes me scratch my head a little. Would it be a good idea to buy a gizmo that helps you squeeze the last drop out of a toothpaste tube?

And, using panty hose to help you use the last of a soap bar? Hmm.... I had never heard of that one.

The ideas for helping you save money by spending a little more money are indeed imaginative and creative. Do we need them???? What do you think?

Small Business Roundup #2

I've been keeping my eye out for posts on small business that might provide beneficial information and those listed below are excellent.  Remember, the first part is the blog name that published the article and then the title of the article. 

I have been working on a business plan of my own and it's much harder than I would have expected but I can see that it is forcing me to ask all the right questions, think things through, and think like a business instead of a hobbiest.  Therefore, it is well worth the time and effort as I research and ponder all the questions along the way. 

Whether you are interested in having a little extra spending money or having a full fledge enterprise these articles will help turn your ideas into cash.

Residential Real Estate Inventing - Part 3

This home was purchased with the idea that it was going to be our first flip.  The home had originally been used as a small home church so the living room was exceptionally large with beautiful hardwood floors.  When the owner moved she took what she wanted and left the rest.  The inside was filled with stuff accumulated for years.  There was no telling what was underneath but also no indication that the owner had abused the home in any way.

From the time the offer had been made on the home the market was showing noticeable signs of slowing.  We decided that we would benefit from having a renter in the home in case it took longer than expected to sell.  It turned out to be an excellent decision as the home was not sold for almost two years.  

Support your local businesses

It's wonderful to talk about starting a small business but the other side of the coin is that we need to support them by shopping there.  It has become so easy to shop the import businesses like Walmart where we can find everything we need under one roof at low prices.  As we try to save money it's a logical choice.  So the dilemma begins.  Shop the small businesses that support our economy or choose immediate convenience at the cost of long term decline.  After all, Walmart is a very large employer. Sigh.  Nothing seems easy does it?