A Voice from the Eastern Door
A Voice from the Eastern Door
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Summer is here and while most people will head to the river, beach or island, some like the sights, sounds and bustle of the big city, and you can’t get any bigger than New York City. Sure we can run to Ottawa or Montreal but we have all been there and I haven’t run into many things that are really free to visit. What is different about NYC is the number of places offering free entrance. Besides, New York City is so exciting and it’s a great way to introduce your older kids to interesting and educational places and to GET THEM OUT OF STORES AND...
I ran into my niece at the post office, she was driving her small, used and rusting car. She was so excited about being accepted at a local university and looking forward to starting classes in the fall. She said she was getting everything in place to commute and that meant looking for a more reliable vehicle. Unfortunately what was setting her back temporarily was her credit score. Like many young people her age, their credit score isn’t high enough to take them to the next level – a new vehicle, a college loan, home improvement on a fix...
Summer is here and after our long winter – we all want to be OUTSIDE! With the rising numbers of people getting skin cancer it is better to take precautions than end up with potentially harmful sunburn. While most of us walk outdoors with darker, protective skin, ultraviolet rays are stronger than they used to be. If you are thinking of buying the most expensive, highest rating SPF (sun protection factor) beware, most studies have shown that sunscreens do not actually contain the amount of SPF protection as promoted and listed on the container...
I am sure every has heard the expression once, if not a hundred times, “it was a long and cold winter”. With truth to every bit of that expression we can finally start enjoying warm weather activities. It may be a bit too cold to take a swim but just think of how glorious it is to take a walk in the woods, fly a kite in the fields, or take a hike in the mountains. Just think – the sun shining down on you, beautiful scenery all around, clean crisp mountain air and your family and friends by your side. What could be better? Being prepared is wh...
I’ve written a few articles on saving money while on vacation and here are a few more ideas. With that said, going on vacation doesn’t have to break your bank or blow your budget for months to come. The key to saving money and staying within a budget on your vacation is to “HAVE A PLAN”, a plan to have fun and to stay within budget. So you and your family won’t look like the Griswalds in a recession, here are some not so obvious ways to save money on your Spring Break vacation. Be flexible with your flights. When booking online try being fle...
There are many things that can be passed down from generation to generation. Some things are great and others not so; your height, weight, the color of your eyes, an inheritance, and lesser known things such as penis problems, athletic ability, and mental health, even your dislike of going to the dentist can be attributed to genes you’ve inherited from your parents. Now let’s talk money. And sure, it would be great to inherit, well, an inheritance. Of which many of us here will not. So for 99% of us we have to rely on our smarts to make a goo...
There are some things to take into consideration before you spend the money from the Tax Class Action Suit. For one, this money is extra money, it is money you never expected to get, didn’t really work for and never really thought about until you received a notice in mail to reply to it. It is by all accounts free money. We didn’t work for it, we didn’t file the suit for it, we didn’t hire the lawyer for it, and so with all due respect, we shouldn’t complain about it. Receiving extra money should put you ahead, or at least leave you in the sa...
5. Musical Equipment Things like amps, guitars, and recording equipment can run into the hundreds and even thousands brand-new. A decent microphone alone can go for several hundred. Any musician trying to live within his means, which is any musician struggling and rarely succeeding, still has to find some way to produce music. On EBay, Craigslist, and used retailers like Daddy’s Junkie Music (not to mention garage sales), you are sure to find viable and completely decent merchandise to make you at least a practicing musician. If you need a micr...
A couple of weeks ago, I gave you a list of things you should not buy used. Well this week, here is your list of things you should buy “Used”! 10. Clothes It’s utter insanity to buy clothes modeled on vintage styles brand-new and at premium prices. The best possible anecdote is teenagers paying $70 for hand-ripped jeans at American Eagle, when natural wear and tear (and perhaps a job in construction) could do the same thing for free. Authenticity would declare a thrift store or vintage clothing retailer your best source of styles that come stra...
By Kaniethonkie Everyone knows a good deal when they see one, but how about waiting for a good deal? January and February are noted for certain things that go on sale and this year is no different. The cold winter months release some great deals but you need to know what to buy and what to wait for. Fitness Equipment - January and February are great months to take advantage of the “new year resolutions” sale on discounted fitness equipment, in fact deals and discounts almost double during January and February. Winter Clothing and Winter Foo...
Valentine’s Day is just around the corner and by the time this is published, guys and gals – you’ll have 8 days to come up with a gift that has meaning and shows you care. Buying a diamond (or diamonds) is great if you have the money, but you don’t have to break the bank and ruin your budget to show someone you love that you are grateful that he/she is in your life. And for single people - don’t make Valentine’s Day a day for “couples” only. Show your friends, your Auntie’s, or that all important person in the world who showered you with...
2. Swimsuits Buying a swimsuit is about as much fun and demoralizing as buying jeans. So without trying on a hundred of them I can’t imagine wearing someone else’s swimsuit. Think about it - swimsuits hug the body. The close contact can transmit bacteria and other diseases – which may transfer to you when you wear the suit (FYI – you CANNOT get AIDS from a used swimsuit). Swimsuits are also fragile. If the washing instructions aren’t followed, the straps might rip or the swimsuit might lose its shape. So you could be buying something that may...
By Kaniethonkie 2014 is here! And with the New Year you get a fresh start on everything; your health and weight, your home, and your budget. One way of keeping within your budget – “Is it better to buy used or new?” When buying “used” you need to use a whole lotta common sense and be aware of the new and used price of the item you are purchasing. Do your homework and research the item you are looking for. When I am out at a flea market or sailing around lawn sales I often pull out my smart phone and compare prices on a big item purchase....
Continued from last week 11. Personalized Calendars. You can buy calendar blanks or use a template from a program; add pictures of things or people meaningful to the recipient; add in important dates (birthdays and anniversaries of family & friends); and maybe a special note or quote every once in a while. For parents/students you can add in the school schedule; for homeowners you can add in a home maintenance schedule; etc. for sports fans, astrology followers, on & on. To make them extra special I sometimes add little treats – a couple d...
Are you running out of ideas or just tired of the craziness of shopping for gifts they won’t use or remember. Here is a list of ideas for gifts that could become cherished forever, at least make someone smile for your effort. 1. Homemade Truffles. (A soft chocolate center with a choice of outer shell) Truffles are very easy to make and you can cover them with different kinds of crushed nuts and such. You can buy blank little white boxes and decorate them with just some wrapping paper (glued) and ribbon. This is an easy gift to make for under $...
Each November, businesses across North America encourage locals to shop small. It’s a way of bringing in locals (and visitors) to shop in their own hometown, in shops run by your neighbor, your cousin, or just someone you know. There are many reasons to shop small and I’ve listed ten of them below. These are the stores that create jobs, help build our community, and the Iaksotha and Rakeni (Mom and Pop) stores whose every presence makes your neighborhood a neighborhood. Shop Small was created in 2010 by American Express to encourage shoppers to...
We’ve all been living here for many years now and let’s face it - we live in a climate with cold temperature for at least six months of the year. And we all know the dangers of driving an unsafe vehicle during the winter. They make for great stories in the spring but not while you’re broke down and freezing while waiting for help to arrive. These tips can serve as handy reminders you can take to stay safe and keep your vehicle in good working order this winter. In fact the following tips literally could be life saving. 1. GET THE RIGHT KIND...
By Kaniethonkie Looking for a good deal on school clothes? There is always the Big Box Stores; Wal-Mart, Target, JCP, Sears and more. Then there are the “it” stores; J Crew, Aeropostale, Abercrombie and Fitch, all of which buy their clothes from a from a foreign country in a third world market for a fraction of the price and then sell it to you. An average person who works in clothing manufacturing in a third world country makes about $30.00 a month working 14 to 16 hours a day in unsafe conditions. They make about the same amount many people s...
Let’s face it, it’s the end of July, we are hearing advertisements for the Franklin County Fair, the Sate Fair and more. Summer is coming to an end and school is just waiting to start all over again. Whether you have a student entering grade 3 or their freshman year at college, a laptop has become an indispensable tool to learn. It’s great for students who play sports - they can work on homework while traveling, in the hotel room or at some point during your weekend on the road for your child’s favorite sport. Buying a laptop can be overwhe...
By Kaniethonkie We are all for making things easier, finding things less expensive or just finding things quickly. Here are some apps for iPhone users that make things just a bit more organized, save you a bit more money and actually help to keep you in touch with friends and relatives. Now how’s that for a device that sometimes takes us away from face to face time. PHOTOS Whether you have an iPhone or Droid we all have hundreds, if not thousands of photos just sitting on our phones. While you can sort and classify them, really making the m...
By Kaniethonkie When it comes to saving you don’t need money to begin, and summer is the best time of year to get ahead on your savings or to finally start saving money. Some lists for saving money tell you to watch your buys, tuck it away, or manage your 401K better. Yet what about the rest of us who for one reason or another are scrapping the bottom of the barrel in this economy? As a general rule - every person should have at least 3 months of pay saved in case of an emergency or the worst of everyone’s money fears – you lose your jobs....
There are many ways to combat mosquitoes, but if you are worried about the chemicals you’re putting on your skin or on the super sensitive skin of your child, here are eight ways to rid yourself and your surroundings of those pesky insects. They are all safe and environmentally friendly, and I am sure you may have some of these already in your home. Wear light colors. The same premise for keeping yourself cool in the sun will help keep mosquitoes away. Mosquitoes are attracted to dark colors: blue, black and red and heat. So try and keep y...
Herbs and spices are an easy way to liven up all your meals, but did you know they have many other uses as well? By giving your herbs and spices double duty you are expanding their practical use by boosting your health and saving money at the same time. Spices are vegetables in concentrated form, and like veggies, they contain thousands of healthy phytonutrient compounds, including antioxidants. As an added bonus spices are calorie-free and require no prep. The best herbs are fresh, preferably grown in your garden to ensure they are free from...
1. Hiking. The Adirondacks right next door to Akwesasne provides a range of trails from the novice to the experienced hiker to explore. Decide on a trail that matches your ability and time, wear good walking shoes (sure hiking shoes are great but not necessary, and make sure your boots are broken in). Check my past column dedicated to hiking in the Adirondacks for all the info. 2. Tupper Lake’s The Wild Center. This is a great place for children and adults alike. There is a fee, but if you stop in at the Akwesasne Library the librarian will h...
Whether you are just starting out or a mature consumer, credit cards are a staple of the economy and probably play an important part in your life. Young or old, any consumer can learn a few basics to stay aware of what’s going on with your personal finances, because credit cards are the easiest way to financial trouble. Here are some basics to keep in mind when taking care of your personal finances. Your personal finances are much like a garden; you need to work on it a little bit every day. In order to manage your credit cards properly and c...
