Vitamin choices

I remember when I was pregnant that the vitamins I took helped not only my energy level but improved my hair and nails as well. The days of taking prenexa are over for me, at my age, but sometimes I think maybe even I should still be taking these vitamins.

I find myself having a lower energy level now than I have in years. Perhaps it's just age. Perhaps it's something else. I really don't know. I just know that I always felt pretty good when I was pregnant. No problems really until the last couple of weeks or so, and I think then it's normal to be more weary and achy. After all, you're nearing the end of 9 months of building a human being and it can take a toll on you!

Technorati Tags: health,vitamins

Tax tips

It's only September, but already I'm thinking about the upcoming tax season and ways I can save a few bucks for myself where paying taxes is concerned. I'm not currently looking for another job, so I have to collect and log my other expenses that have to do with any side jobs (especially online ones) that I do during the year.

However, if you are currently looking for employment, you may want to peruse an article about tax tips for job seekers that's over on the AARP site. Just know that AARP publishes some pretty valuable information, and it's not all just for senior citizens.

An important thing to note is that if you are looking for a new job, you can only take advantage of tax breaks if you are looking in a place that is like your current employment. If you are a waitress, you will be looking for waitress work, for example. Also, if you've been unemployed for an extended amount of time, you can't take advantage of the tax incentives.

But there are tax breaks that apply to you if you fall into the right categories, so why not reap the benefits!

Technorati Tags: taxes

Gift shopping

Autumn is just about upon us in the south. The sun is setting in a different part of the sky and the days are noticeably shorter. Before you know it, Christmas season will be here. It already is in some stores around here!

The early arrival of Christmas decorations is a reminder that we'll be shopping for gifts soon. Maybe you already are, or perhaps you've been accumulating gifts during the year to hand out at Christmas. That's probably the best way to shop.

Still, there will be a few people on your list you haven't gotten a gift for, even if you started last Christmas. Folks who are hard to buy for. Maybe they already have everything, or it seems that way anyway. Now, you have to use some ingenuity to find that gift that suits them. Maybe you are looking at personalized basketballs, unique gadgets for the car or kitchen, or one-of-a-kind antiques. Regardless, just be sure the gift fits the person and their activities so that it's not another dust collector.

Technorati Tags: shopping,gift

Healthful cooking

I want to tell you about the delicious yet healthful supper I prepared tonight. See, I do have high blood pressure. My Sis has heart diseas (which she is managing very well with lifestyle changes). So, we are on a mission to eat and live in a more healthful way without feeling deprived. Maybe then, our life insurance quotes won't be so high!

I used ground pork to create a mix to stuff bell peppers with. I added a bit of shredded cheese, one egg to the whole batch, some chopped bell pepper and onion, and some sage, oregano, and basil. NO SALT! I browned the pork and drained it. (It really didn't have much fat in it at all to begin with.) I steamed the peppers a bit, then loaded the mix into the peppers, topped with a tablespoon of cheese on each, and baked them until the cheese melted and the peppers were tender. Because so much of it was precooked by me, it only took about 20 minutes to finish it off in the countertop oven.

Nobody else is going to look out for our health, so it's up to us to make sure we stay healthy. One big way is in altering how we cook. The stuffed peppers were far from bland -- all those herbs and stuff made for a delicious, hearty main dish that even my 24 year old son thought was awesome.

Technorati Tags: cooking,health

Late season gardening

Since my last post I've planted some fall veggies. I planted turnips mixed with mustard greens in one bed. In another bed I planted that same mix about 3/4 way across and put leaf lettuce for the remaining part of the bed.

I did that a few days ago and checked the beds today. Hooray! I have some stuff sprouting!

I tend to be a worry wort over my gardens, always expecting the worst, I guess. So I really rejoice when things grow. I am hoping there is enough good soil in those beds to support what I've planted. There really should be.

Before I planted, I pulled out all the old, dead summer stuff that was spent. I also removed the black cloth weed barrier. It had served its purpose very well over the summer. I pulled all the grass clippings mulch off the top of the beds and scattered the seeds in. I watered it all very well, then added a thin layer of the grass mulch over the top. Not too much, since I didn't want to smother out the seeds.

It looks like it's all going to be a good fall/winter garden. Since I live in the south, these things will actually grow just about all winter. If there is an ice storm or a hard freeze, I can put sheets of the weed barrier over the top of the plants to protect them. However, these are plants that actually thrive in the cooler weather so they should do very well.

It will be so nice to go out in the cold of December and January and pick fresh greens and salads!

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Long term dream

Between my regular job, some online earnings, and whatever I' allowed to have from previous jobs, I'm still not so sure I can make it if I retire or become disabled. I'll probably need more help later on, especially along the lines of disability insurance.

Still, I continue to tighten my budget as much as possible so that I can live off of the least amount of income. When everything on my truck is in top running order, I can rest easy that, with no further payments, I have a vehicle that should do me for several years to come.

I am continually adding to my garden spaces so I can become more self-sufficient. I really think that's the key in the long run, at least for me. Maybe at some point, I can add a chicken house to the mix for organic eggs and meat, and the free fertilizer.

My long-term dream is to live independently and in the most sustainable way, freeing myself from the burdens of too many possessions and too many bills.

Technorati Tags: sustainable living

Panda Research

A few weeks ago, I told you I was taking part in a couple of other ways to generate income, including paid emails and surveys. Of those I tested, only two seemed to be right for me.

• They don't take a lot of my time
• They don't require me to buy anything
• They do credit my account in a very timely manner

While both have minimum amounts before they pay out, I am quickly reaching those minimums in just a few minutes a day. I already shared one with you -- InboxDollars

The other is Panda Research. The surveys are easy to complete. Occasionally, one will ask that you opt-in to a product or company and pay money. However, you actually don't have to pay anything unless you really want to use that company or product. In other words, just skip it and you'll still get paid for at least reading the email about it. Probably 90%, though, don't ask for anything other than your opinion. You do the product advertising evaluation, then complete the marketing survey.

Technorati Tags: entrepreneurism