June 6 2011/ Swimming in the Ocean is Free perfect for us BROKE people

Today, me and Kate decided to go for a swim in the ocean. Despite the fact that we are poor and don't have really two dimes to rub together, we still live in a semi-nice apartment right across the street from the Atlantic Ocean. Our land lord is wicked cool, we are about three weeks behind on rent (we pay weekly) and he is very understanding. Okay, moving on.

Swimming on the ocean is not only FREE and FUN, but it is also very good for your health in more ways than one. After researching the topic, I was amazed at all the good things that come from taking a dip in the sometimes overwhelmingly salty and cold water. After getting over the initial sting of the cold water, go outward a little and let your body ride over the waves. Feel the crest sweep your body towards land and experience the sensation of the sun washing over your skin. Below are some benefits of swimming in the ocean;

1. By being in the salt, you are helping your body get rid of unwanted toxins

2. When you are swimming in the ocean, without even realizing it, your body is being nurtured by the sun and helping it to produce vitamin C.

3. Sunlight and salt water combined help to heal your skin and hair

4. By being in such a natural environment and naturally enjoying yourself, you are de-stressing and it also helps you sleep better at night ( YAY FREE beauty sleep)

5. It's great exercise, you burn calories and don't really even feel like you're doing much to do so.

It was a lot of fun, needless to say, and we also made a few new friends who were out their swimming with us. We tried to ride some waves into shore, and were mostly unsuccessful, but still, it was like being a kid again. You usually see adults in their beach chairs trying to get the ultimate tan or tending to one of the younger of their big brood, or reading a book. Everyone see's "these" adults when they go to the beach. And then you see "us", the adults who are riding the waves on a boogey board or surf board, or with just their body (since we are broke) this is the route we took. "We" are the adults without the children, who have left their books at home and are just trying to enjoy the day, for FREE!!!! Tomorrow, we will try something different.

My Animals have fleas but I am not a Millionaire, what should I do?

Hello All,

I know it has been a hot minute since I have last posted something and to be completely honest with you it is because I have a hit a brick wall. Now, you might be asking yourself, but Jessica, you are only two posts in, how can you have hit a brick wall? And, you have a good point. I just feel like my idea for this blog was such a crucial point in my quest for financial freedom that I almost felt like my blog should look and be more awesome that it is.

In saying this, I fail to realize that not everyone can be good at the blogging game and it takes some many many moons to make their blogs look freagin awesome. So, with that said, even though my blog isn't off the chain with its graphics and titles, I still have a lot of good ideas and good ways to save money here in the Grand Strand.

HOW TO SAVE MONEY ON FLEA MEDICATION

I have four animals, three cats and one dog. Before moving to the beach it seemed like fleas were just non-existent in our lives. My animals have always come first but after initially medicating them with the flea medication revolution, which costs almost $90 at 1-800petmeds.com, we never had to deal with it, for two years not one flea.

Fast forward, Myrtle Beach summer 2011: It has been a flea freaking nightmare since we arrived. All four of my furry family members (indoor as well as outdoor cats) and Boohbah (my dog) were infested from head to toe. It would have cost us for just out cats, $70 for a two month supply and another $70 for the Boob (don't make fun of his name, it's not his fault). With only me working and paying all the bills that was just an impossible feat. So with a little research on Kate's part we found a perfect solution.

The patent on Frontline ran out earlier this year, meaning anyone can copy cat the medicine and sell it for cheaper, which is what Wal-mart did. (THANK YOU WAL-MART). The awesomeness does not end here. Their version of frontline is called PetArmour Plus and for my cats it now only costs $28 for a one month supply and for my dog another $28 for a three month supply. Still, the awesomeness is not over. Instead of spending close to $60 bucks, to just go back and do it again next month we learned this great trick. Buy the largest dose possible and break it down into smaller doses for your furry friends (this is safe bytheway, so don't get all bent out of shape) and save EVEN MORE. I bought the dose for a 130lb dog, a three month supply worth and broke it up into four doses, one for each animal. Now, all I have to spend to keep them safe is $28 every three months.

We went from having to spend $140 every month for four animals, to spending $56 every month, to spending $28 every month. Our animals are just as healthy now as when were spending seven times as much. It is scientifically proven to work and it has worked miracles on my wallet and on my animals. Below I will break down the dosage for you and then I will also include some links for you to go to, to buy this new fabulous medicine called PetArmour.

Dogs 0-22 lbs .67 ml

Dogs 23-44 lbs 1.38 ml

Dogs 45-88 lbs 2.68 ml

Cats of all weights .50 ml

Visit this website for just a little bit more info on the whole deal: http://www.mymoneyblog.com/saving-money-on-pet-costs-frontline-plus-flea-medication.html

Visit: http://www.petarmor.com in order to buy PetArmour plus and to also read a little bit about this miracle happen stance, or visit your local WAL-MART to purchase it live and in the flesh.

Saving Money at the Laundromat

I know what most of you are thinking. How in the hell am I supposed to save money at the laundromat? The machine costs x amount of quarters and there is nothing I can do about it. Right? Well, sorta. Doing laundry at any laundromat is wicked expensive, but doing your laundry at a beach laundromat is even more hellish. Well, after having to do laundry at the beach laundromat for about two months now, I have learned a few tips on how to make my trip to the laundromat less expensive and less hellish.

Save your Quarters

I am a server, and every night I need to get "jingle" (change) in order to give my guests the correct amount of change. I started to get a collection of quarters, dimes and nickels, which for me come in handy, especially at the laundromat. After about four shifts, I manage to save about ten in quarters and then I don't have to dip into my precious dollar bills in order to get my clothes clean. How can you do this if you're not a server? When you're at a store ask for a dollar back in quarters. Instead of making exact change when you are buying something, collect the change.

Prioritize

Like I said before, I am a waitress. My uniform consists of a white button down long sleeve polo shirt. I HATE IT! My shirts never make it past one shift. So in order to do my laundry I have to work, and if I want to work I need to keep my white work shirts at the top of the laundry list, right? Right! But I can also save a little room for the wife beaters, the over the shoulder bolder holders, white socks and towels too. If I am careful I can wash a good amount of the most important things in one load.

Am I really getting 32 loads of my detergent?

Actually, after counting, no I am not. I get more like twelve, because I am greedy. Hence, why I am broke at the beach. ANYWAY, measure the detergent, its not that hard and I promise things come out just as clean if you use the recommended amount, rather than YOUR recommended amount. Just saying.

Wash the beach stuff last

Now, why would someone who lives right across the street from the beach put her beach duds last on the list? Because, I am not in my bikini all damn day like some tourist. I am in it for max three hours, getting a tan, or swimming in the ocean. All you need to do is rinse the bathing suit, or bikini, right after your done wearing it and hang it up. If I am not in my work uniform, I am in my beach duds (i.e. bikini, cover-up, and flip flops). Making my laundry list shorter and my days not as stressful.

June 6 2011/ Swimming in the Ocean is Free perfect for us BROKE people

Today, me and Kate decided to go for a swim in the ocean. Despite the fact that we are poor and don't have really two dimes to rub together, we still live in a semi-nice apartment right across the street from the Atlantic Ocean. Our land lord is wicked cool, we are about three weeks behind on rent (we pay weekly) and he is very understanding. Okay, moving on.

Swimming on the ocean is not only FREE and FUN, but it is also very good for your health in more ways than one. After researching the topic, I was amazed at all the good things that come from taking a dip in the sometimes overwhelmingly salty and cold water. After getting over the initial sting of the cold water, go outward a little and let your body ride over the waves. Feel the crest sweep your body towards land and experience the sensation of the sun washing over your skin. Below are some benefits of swimming in the ocean;

1. By being in the salt, you are helping your body get rid of unwanted toxins

2. When you are swimming in the ocean, without even realizing it, your body is being nurtured by the sun and helping it to produce vitamin C.

3. Sunlight and salt water combined help to heal your skin and hair

4. By being in such a natural environment and naturally enjoying yourself, you are de-stressing and it also helps you sleep better at night ( YAY FREE beauty sleep)

5. It's great exercise, you burn calories and don't really even feel like you're doing much to do so.

It was a lot of fun, needless to say, and we also made a few new friends who were out their swimming with us. We tried to ride some waves into shore, and were mostly unsuccessful, but still, it was like being a kid again. You usually see adults in their beach chairs trying to get the ultimate tan or tending to one of the younger of their big brood, or reading a book. Everyone see's "these" adults when they go to the beach. And then you see "us", the adults who are riding the waves on a boogey board or surf board, or with just their body (since we are broke) this is the route we took. "We" are the adults without the children, who have left their books at home and are just trying to enjoy the day, for FREE!!!! Tomorrow, we will try something different.