MIY day #1: Bath stuff

Ok! I'm scheduling my first MIY day on Jan 17, at 2pm. The agenda? Bath Stuff. All the easy guys, so no worries. It is our first time after all.

Bath salts (of varying colors and scents)
Sugar or salt scrubs (those with ants may want to avoid the sugar)
Bath bombs (or bath fizzies) and their variant
Bath melts, and
Milk and honey bath mix

So fun so fun! and so luxurious! The point is to learn to make some really great bath stuff, without spending a ton of money. All the ingredients will be stuff you can pick up at the drug store, except perhaps the scents. I'll be splitting up the shopping list between everyone, so be sure to RSVP by Jan 10. And if there's a particular scent you would like, let me know so we can make sure its there.

Here's the details on each product:

Bath Salts can be made with any type of salt, though some are definitely better than others. We'll be using a mix of epsom salts, sea salt, and rock salt, as those are the easiest to come by, and are the base of all bath salts. Epsom and sea salts are the most theraputic for the skin and muscles. There are other types of salt that hold fragrance better, but as these don't need to sit on store shelves for two months, why worry about it?

Sugar/salt scrubs will simply involve mixing various oils good for the skin with our course ground sugar or salt. Sugar tends to be a bit gentler as an exfoliant, but as mentioned before, can be a disaster if anyone has ants, so depending on who attends, we may make both types, or just the salt scrub.

Bath bombs (fizzies) are so easy, but seem so mysterious. We're going to take the mystery out. Made with baking soda and citric acid, these are fun, and very impressive when you mention to someone that you made them yourself. You'll never pay $5 for a bath bomb again.

Bath Melts are the silky, oily cousin of bath bombs. We take the basic bath bomb recipe and add shea butter and cocoa butter, and if you like, even some dark chocolate. Instead of fizzing everywhere, they slowly foam and melt into your bath, creating a soft, moisturizing experience.

Milk and Honey bath mix is pretty simple too. There are a zillion variations on dry milk baths, and this is one. Dry milk, honey, oatmeal and some bubbles and viola! A milk and honey bath with yummy relaxing bubbles. If you want, leave the bubbles out, and just use the mix. Also works as a bath bomb, and hey! Since we've got the ingredients already, why not go wild. ;)

Indoor gardening

I haven't been to my community garden plot in ages. Between rain, cold, and the early sundown, there's been no opportunity. I'm looking forward to making up for lost time this weekend, but in the meantime, I've also been mulling around an idea of container gardening. Jeremy would never let me do too much, but two vegetables we like, buy a lot (and overbuy so they can rot in our fridge a lot) are lettuce and chard. And surprise! Both are extremely container friendly!

So I'm ordering some lettuce and chard seed and seeing what I have around the house for a container, or maybe picking up containers from a thrift store. Since both plants have shallow roots, I can use anything that is a foot deep, and at least a foot in diameter. Plastic storage containers, old pots and bowls, whatever. Drainage will be an issue, but if its a container I can't drill, then there are some creative ways to deal with drainage, starting with a thick layer of gravel at the bottom of the pot.

At some point I also want to try this. But that's another project for another day.

Good resources for frugal finances

Top 9 Good Habits for a Recession This is just a good article, with links to many other resources, including free financial planning software and a free excel spreadsheet to plan out a debt snowball.

12 Steps to a Prosperous New Year is also a great resource, linking 12 different articles, one for each of the 12 days of Christmas. The end of the year is a great time to plan out your goals for the new year and get your finances in order.

Jeremy and I are doing that this weekend (hopefully) and I can't wait. It makes me feel so much better when I know we are on a plan and that we are moving forward towards whatever goal we decide to set. This year it will be being debt free by the end of the year, with a good emergency account saved up, as well as saving something for a down payment on a house. (Those things might actually be affordable by the time we're ready to buy one!)

Following in Japan's footsteps?

Great article in the Wall Street Journal today comparing our crisis to the crisis Japan had in the 90's, referred to as Japan's lost decade. They had a paired crash of both their real estate and stock market, and a decade of recession as a result. During that time, Japan's government made stimulus payment and bailout after bailout. Lots of public works. They didn't make a dent, and ended up putting Japan $1.35 trillion further into debt.

In fact, despite multiple examples in history and around the world showing otherwise, we are still convinced that the government can borrow, tax and print more money, and pay enough to stop any sort of economic crisis. Sorry, but no. Its never worked. Ever.

"Not to spoil the party, but this is not a new idea. Keynesian "pump-priming" in a recession has often been tried, and as an economic stimulus it is overrated. The money that the government spends has to come from somewhere, which means from the private economy in higher taxes or borrowing. The public works are usually less productive than the foregone private investment." - Barack Obama-san, WSJ

Honestly, we are seeing a "cleaning out" of our markets bad and inflated investments. Unfortunately, we're also seeing some deflation happening, which, if it catches momentum, could spell real trouble for us long term, economically.

As individuals, its pretty great. The ratio of debt to income in America has lowered for the first time in 52 years!! (We've been borrowing more and more and more for 52 years....and now we're surprised to get the check. We have been so spoiled) The amount of dollars saved per person actually raised and is close to being a positive number. (That's right, we've borrowed so much that even when every person's savings in America is added all together, we're still in the red!)And with deflation, it means things are more affordable, and cash savings are easier to hold onto.

All in all, yes, its painful, but this is a step in the right direction. Its like when you go on a diet after eating McDonald's for years. The first couple days you are starving and feel really crappy. And here's your Uncle Sam trying to hand you another Big Mac so you don't feel so hungry. Gee thanks.

Someone Else's Junk

So, prior to today's major happenings (see Miss Piggy moment below) I was excited to write about yet another amazing trip to the Salvation Army. thrift stores are such an under-utilized asset. (yes! triple word score!) Recently, Jeremy and I were talking about getting a bread machine, so we can make our own bread, pizza dough, etc.

And, for those who don't know, there are two kitchen appliances you are almost guarnteed to find at any decently sized thrift store: ice cream makers and bread machines. (If you don't see any, wait a couple weeks...they'll show up) They always seem like good ideas at the time, and then get used maybe twice and put away. And then someone finds a dust covered "thing" and donates it.

So, instead of spending $200 on a solid bread maker, we spent $4.

Our Salvation Army is good for a lot of other stuff too. I bought a ton of Christmas decorations this year from them. When I needed new work clothes, they were totally there for me. And creative plates, baskets, bowls etc to put homemade goodies in for Xmas? Yup, they set me up.

I used to think that they never had anything good, and then I took more than two seconds to think about it. Seriously, what do I see the people in my life donate? What do I donate? Its usually clothes slightly out of style, working but unused electronics, and other cool sundries.

So maybe I don't want the sweater that doesn't fit anymore, but someone will. And that street goes both ways. The prices are rediculous (especially on 50% off days - check your local thrift store to see if they have these) and you can find some seriously awesome stuff. Just plan enough time to sift through all the ungl bridesmaid dresses and julienne french fry cutters.

Oh, and awesome tip for those into brand name bling. Thrift stores based in rich areas like Beverly Hills will carry pricier items, at pricier prices but still way below retail. Milano Blahnik's for $50, anyone?

My Miss Piggy Moment

I am so pissed. Jeremy practically kills himself trying to get everything done for these people. (student film) They don't feed him well, they constantly ask for him and the crew to be okay with less than 12 hours to rest, and they treat him with no respect on top of it. And now, weeks after he hurt his foot, after he finally was seen limping be enough people to get attention, he goes to the doctor and his foot is fucking broken.

Not only is it broken, but its broken in a way that he can't walk on it at all for two months. And if it doesn't heal correctly, which sometimes happens with these breaks, then they may have to do a bone graft from his hip. We're not there yet, but I hate that the doc even felt he had to mention it.

They (the student director's school) are paying for the initial doctor's appointment, and should be paying for all the follow up as well, so at least they are doing that. But I am having a serious Miss Piggy moment. I thought about reporting to the union or talking to the producer directly, but didn't for Jeremy's sake. (It made me happy to think about though) and now, I am so ramped up. "You hurt my Kermie!!!! Hi-YAH! Hi-YAH!"

Either they will pay for worker's comp or we will file unemployment. And they are covering the doctor's bills, so that's good. At least they aren't total scum. But that protective energy is on full blast baby. So watch out. I am NOT a happy camper.

Biggest Loser: Spray Family Edition - Week 6

So, three posts for today. Sorry bout that, but this way, you can read about what you want, and skip what you don't. :)

So Sunday was our final weigh-in for the CoreGym informercial to show the results. I wasn't so sure about whether we would do well enough, but wow. Looking at the "Before" pictures, its really stunning. Final total: Katy lost 13 lbs and 16 inches, Jeremy lost 10 lbs and 13.5 inches.

Winner: Katy! Though its not quite fair, cause he's injured and his job made it much harder to workout and eat healthy. But still. Woo!!!

We filmed testimonials about the CoreGym and how awesome it is. (It is btw, I'm not lying) and the whole time I was still just blown away by the difference in the before and after pics. I was so gross looking! I'll post the before and after pics when I get them. I asked for an email with them, but who knows how long that'll take.

Jeremy and I are still going to keep up with our CoreGym workouts, but I'll stop the weekly updates. I still want to get down to 135, but now that there's no timeline, I've decided it'll be healthier and longer lasting if I do it slowly. So no more big goals, just happy happy Katy and Jeremy. Happy, thinner, sculpted and hotter Sprays. Woot!!