Stressed? Walk Your Dog

If you are flat broke and stressed, someone still loves you!  That someone is your dog!  Take him outside, go around the block, take a deep breath and get some exercise:

Five Ways to Get More Exercise from Walking Your Dog

An Affordable Razor at Last - The Wilkinson Sword Tech 3

I've wandered the land in search of an affordable razor.  I hate having to pay $15 or more for refill cartridges.  I finally found what I was looking for at Walmart - The Wilkinson Sword Tech 3 Razor.  The Razor and two cartridges sold for only $5 and a five-pack of refills only cost $5.

Men's Razor Review: Wilkinson Sword Tech 3 Razor 

 

The inexpensive Wilkinson Sword Tech 3 provides a substantial looking razor with a flexible head, two safe 3-bladed cartridges that incorporate a lubricating strip of all natural aloe, and a holder. At $5, it really cuts the cost of shaving!

The rebellion started as I approached the cash registers at my local Walmart. I thought I'd throw a package of Razor blades into our cart. I saw that Gillette Mach 3 razor blades were well over $13 a box for 5 cartridges. Other razor blades were selling for nearly $20 a box. Shockingly razor blades were priced high enough to actually impact my budget. Then, I saw a new Wilkinson Sword Tech 3 razor with two cartridges for $5 and noted that 5 replacement blades were only $5. That fit my budget perfectly. Plus, I recognized Wilkinson Sword as an longstanding brand of razors and their crossed sword logo looked cool. The deal was closed when I saw that the blades were actually made here in the United States. I threw a new Wilkinson Sword razor into my cart.

For the money, the inexpensive Wilkinson Sword Tech 3 provides a substantial looking razor with a flexible head, two safe 3-bladed cartridges that incorporate a lubricating strip of all natural aloe, and a holder. I waited for the weekend to use my new razor because I wanted to take my time and put it to the test on a little stubble. In the meantime, I did a little research on the company. They were actually founded in 1772 when Henry Nock set up a workshop to make guns in London. In 1804, Nock passed away and his son-in-law James Wilkinson took over the business. They primarily made guns, swords, and bayonets. In 1889, the company formally incorporated as Wilkinson Sword. The venerable British company has changed hands many times since then, merged with Shick, and is now wholly owned by Energizer Holdings. Wilkinson Sword has been making razors and blades since 1890.

Of course, my real question was can all that history make my whiskers and stubble history? I put my new razor to the test at the bathroom sink on a two-day layer of stubble. I didn't do anything special for my test and simply used hot water and a thin layer of Edge Shaving Gel for Sensitive Skin. First, I drew my Wilkinson Sword Tech 3 from it's plastic and cardboard package and took a good look at it. The razor has a wide head and balances towards the front. The Tech 3 is a little larger and a tad heavier than my Gillette Mach 3 Turbo which balances more towards the rear of the handle. The Wilkinson Sword Tech 3 razor has a solid feel with a shiny metal top and a grippy rubber bottom.

The good news is that it was a perfectly fine razor. Using the Tech 3, it was very easy to to cut through my stubble without nicking myself or missing any trouble spots. The razor also cleaned up easily.



The Wilkinson Sword Tech 3 proved to be an economical way to get a close shave. With replacement blades priced at only $5, it will also be easy to pick up new blades any time. I'm very glad to finally be leaving $14 replacement blade packages behind. My new Wilkinson Sword promises to slash the cost of shaving. Viva la revolution!

A 99-cent Splurge!

Tight economic times may be with us, but you can still get something cool for 99-cents!  You can get a small Frosty at Wendy's or an Oreo Ice Cream Sandwich at Steak & Shake!  Those places rock!

Saving money on exercise equipment

This economy is stressful.  Being laid off is stressful.  One of the best ways to handle stress is to exercise and get in shape.  Of course, you can't buy a lot of high dollar exercise equipment when you are flat broke.  Here are some ways to improvise and save money on exercise equipment:

Four Ways to Improvise and Save Money on Exercise Equipment

A Quick Tip to Save Money on Fast Food

If you find yourself tight on funds and still pressed for time and on the go, here is a way to save a few dollars.  Instead of ordering a Coke, tea, or a bottle of water with your meal, get it to go and bring your own water or bottled water from home.  It saves a $1 or $2 each time you order fast food.

By Amraepowell (Own work) [CC0], via Wikimedia Commons

Money Saving Gadgets in the Kitchen

There are a zillion gadgets in American kitchens.  Many Americans have so many small kitchen appliances that they have to build an island with counters and cupboards just to store them all.  However, when gadgets actually encourage you to cook and prepare food at home, they can actually save you money!  For example, if an iced tea machine helps you avoid buying soda, it's a winner!

Dirt Cheap Hobbies

You may not have any money, but that doesn't mean you can't have fun.  You've just got to cultivate some cheap hobbies.  It's cheap to roll dice, play cards, watch birds, watch the stars, play Dungeons & Dragons, or just go hiking.

Photo By:  Javier Mediavilla Ezquibela (Own work) [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html), 

CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/) or 

CC-BY-2.5 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.5)], via Wikimedia Commons

Super Cheap Dining Room from Ikea

We've seen how inexpensively you can furnish a living space using inexpensive furniture from Ikea.  Now, we'll move on to the dining area.  If you are starting out or starting over, you need some place to eat.  If it doesn't make sense to buy a high dollar dining room from a showroom store, you can get what you need from Ikea.  You can furnish a dining room and get essential dining necessities for less than $300 at Ikea.

By Christian Koehn (fragwürdig) (Own work) [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html), CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/) or CC-BY-SA-2.5-2.0-1.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5-2.0-1.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Starting Over at Ikea

If you've got to start out or start over from the ground up and want light weight, affordable, furniture, the Scandinavian furniture store has you covered.  If you look hard, you can get some great deals.  For example, this "Bonus" flatware was only $3.99.

If you'd like to read about how to furnish your entire living room with Ikea furniture for less than $500.  Check out this article:   Ikea Can Furnish a Living Room for $500 or Less

Downsized Homes for Downsized Dreams

In these rough economic times, it's getting harder and harder for Americans to achieve the dream of home ownership and hold onto homes that they do buy.  More and more Americans are seeking alternatives to the big McMansion homes of the 1990s.  Some are downsizing into far smaller homes and cottages that are more affordable and easier to maintain.  The most extreme home down-sizers are actually moving into tiny homes.

By Pearson Scott Foresman [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Here is an article detailing some of the reasons why many people are opting for tiny, economical, homes:

Seven Reasons to Consider a Micro Home

This week we will look at options for furnishing a smaller space on a small budget.  It's one way to kick start a downsized American dream.

Eating Cheap!

Even if you are broke, you still have to eat.  Fortunately, there are still some dirt cheap foods at the grocery store.  They aren't the healthiest foods on the menu.  But, they'll do in a pinch if you have to stretch your money!

Five Super Cheap Foods for a Recession

 By Daniel K. Gebhart (photo taken by Daniel K. Gebhart) [CC-BY-2.5 
(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.5)], via Wikimedia Commons

Living in a Van Down by the River

When lay offs struck our household, we were lucky not to have to live in a van down by the river.  We managed to execute a strategic withdrawal from a crumbling economy, put our stuff in storage, and move in with relatives.  But, we wonder what it would be like to live in a van down by the river.

 By Omer Simkha [CC-BY-2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

How to Live in a Van Down by the River: 

A Plan for Life After the Financial Meltdown 

The American economy is getting pretty scary. With financial portfolios collapsing, a boom in foreclosures, jobs being sent overseas, the looming specter of economic failure, there is a real possibility for unemployment and personal financial disaster. But, look on the bright side; at least we may have time to go camping. In an immortal Saturday Night Live skit, the late comedian Chris Farley once warned kids that they might end up "living in a van down by the river." Now, we might all end up living in vans down by the river. Would it really be so bad to live in a van down by the river?

Living in a van down by the river might be fun. However, you'll have to get some basic supplies together and plan your lifestyle carefully. You'll have to figure out what you'll do each day and what you'll eat. Your living and storage space will really be limited so you'll have to plan very carefully. Fortunately, there have been some classic articles on Stealth Van Living. Stealth van aficionados make it clear that you can make sleeping, cooking, and entertaining possible in the smallest of vehicles.

Personally, if my wife and I were ever to live in a van down by the river, there are a few vital accessories that we would need. First, and foremost, we would need a paid off van. We would be pretty hard pressed to live together with our dog in our little Chevy. Next, we would want a solar shower. A solar shower consists of a 5-gallon black plastic bag that contains water and is heated by the sun. SundanceSolar.com offers a solar shower for about $15. Once the sun heats up the water, you can hang the bag on a pole or tree limb and take a shower. I'd imagine it would be a pretty short shower, but I'd still want one. Even if I lived in a van down by the river, I would want to be able to groom appropriately for a job interview.


Next, I would need a tent. Since living space would be at an absolute premium, it would be nice to have a tent or screened room as a temporary expansion for our humble home. Walmart has an Ozark Trail 12' x 9' polyester dome screen house for only $38.88 online. Other nice screen gazebos sell for less than $100. If you snore heavily, the extra tent would serve the same purpose as a comfortable couch or extra guest bedroom. Target has a Greatland Backpacking tent for only $29.99. You wouldn't need an adjustable rate mortgage to get one.


I would imagine that a van down by the river could get pretty stuffy. In the warm spring and summer months, it could be especially challenging to live in a van down by the river. The Auto Cool Solar Powered Car Fan costs only $15 at TVProducts4Less.com and looks like it might be the perfect accessory for daytime cooling. Since it is solar powered, it would not drain the van battery. Alternatively, a Coolatron 12V car fan would also do a good job of circulating the air. However, it would put a load on the van battery. For real luxury, an auxiliary air conditioner humming away on roof would be best. But, shame on me for being an American and wanting more.


Eating down by the river should pose little problem. As long as the river is relatively clean and contains fish, we should be able to eat. Obviously, if we are going to live in a van down by the river and go fishing, it would be a good idea to select the cleanest possible river. I'd prefer a river in a coast area instead of the local Chattahoochee River. With all due respect to the great country singer, Alan Jackson, that muddy water never meant that much to me. I think a coastal area with marshes and estuaries would provide better opportunities for clamming, crabbing, and fishing. We'd also have to be sure to bring fishing poles, tackle, buckets, coolers, and a camp stove in order to catch our grub. Unfortunately, if we have to live in our little Chevy down by the river instead of a van, we may have to downgrade to Ronco Pocket Fisherman. Fortunately, they are buy one get one free for $29.95 at ronco.com.

It's really diverting to imagine a nice camping trip in a van down by the river, but I think I'd really rather forgo a worldwide economic collapse and a global depression. I've got a fishing pole, but I hope our political and business community leaders don't force me to use it.

Coffee for the Recession

This recession has forced lots of people to wake up and smell the coffee.  Not the fancy coffee with whip-cream and a snooty barrista, but the basic black coffee of hard times.  Coffee that tastes like an H1B worker just took your job.  Coffee that tastes like foreclosure.  Coffee that tastes like your hundredth e-mail rejection.  Once you get used to it, you learn to drink it and savor it.

Actually, if you want a great cup of coffee without the fancy frills, the Proctor-Silex 12-cup Coffee Maker makes a pretty good cup.

Product Review:  Proctor-Silex 12-cup Coffee Maker

Marriage in Recessionary Times

Have you found somebody to love you for richer or for poorer?  You can outsource millions of jobs to India and China, but you still can't outsource love.  If you've found a special someone and you want to get married, you can get married on a budget.  One way to save is to buy your wedding band at Walmart!

The Walmart Wedding Band