WHEN IT PAYS NOT TO BE CHEAP

Yes, you read the title correctly. There are times to spend more because you save in the long run. It's hard for us diehard CHEAPIOSITY hates to admit it, but it is true.

Here are some things to spend on:

1. Paint: Even though you can find a gallon of paint for as little as $11, cheaper paint will take several coats to cover a single wall, and it likely won't hold up for an extended period of time.
2. Gas Grills: Look for features such as premium-quality burners, stainless-steel grates, and heavy-duty construction. You should realistically expect to spend at least $150 for a quality product.
3. Big-Screen TVs: If you're investing in a really big screen television—50 inches or more—you'll want to own it for a while. So go for as big a screen as you can afford from a reliable brand.
4. Blu-Ray Players: Instead of replacing one cheap DVD player with another cheap DVD player, consider trading up to a Blu-ray player, which supplies true high definition to your high-def TV.
5. Fire Protection: Aerosols such as First Alert Tundra are much cheaper than traditional fire extinguishers and may look like they're easier to use, but they're a lot less effective as well--a true safety concern in the event of an emergency.
6. Mattresses: Can you really afford to not get a good night's rest? Don't spend below $800 for a queen-size set or you'll risk years of sleepless nights and suffer all the effects associated with sleep deprivation.
7. Grass Seed: Inexpensive blends may contain a large percentage of weeds and annual grass seeds, which will die after one season. Spend more for the good stuff.
8. Canister Vacuums: Cheaper vacuums can be both ineffective and frustrating, so expect to spend around $200 and up for a quality product.

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HOW TO FIX OR KILL WEB DATA ABOUT YOU

Web security becomes more and more a problem as technology gets better. It always amazes us how much personal information is available on the Web about us.

Take a look at this New York Times article about how to fix or kill web data about you:

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/14/technology/personaltech/14basics.html?_r=2&ref=technology

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FREE STUFF FOR YOUR PC and MOBILE

PC World has a great article about the best free stuff for your PC or mobile.

Take a look:

http://www.pcworld.com/article/223503/article.html

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HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY

We'll be back next week with more good stuff.

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BUYING BACK USED GADGETS

Did you know that stores like Radio Shack and Target will buy back old gadgets? Not only that but there are websites that do the same.

Some electronics stores like Best Buy are offering to buy back your old gadget when a new one is available. The jury is still out on that one.....call TEAM CHEAPIOSITY skeptical, but when it sounds too good to be true......you know the rest.

Take a look:

http://www.azcentral.com/business/consumer/articles/2011/02/02/20110202target-radioshack-buy-back-used-gadgets.html

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HOW TO GET THE LAST DROP OUT OF CERTAIN ITEMS

Team CHEAPIOSITY believes in good to the last drop:

The way some products are packaged—tubes of toothpaste, jars of mayonnaise—encourages wastefulness. Being thrifty, we consider this sort of thing not just an annoyance but a challenge.

Bananas. Don’t toss overripe bananas. Peel them and put them in a sealed bag in the freezer. You can use them later in banana bread or blend them in smoothies.

Bar soap. Use sudsy water to “glue” the last sliver to a new bar.

Condiments. Remove the mayonnaise coating the sides and contoured bottom of the jar with a pliable, long-handled rubber spatula. For tangy condiments like ketchup, mustard, and barbecue sauce, add a few drops of cider vinegar and swish it around. Also, store the bottles upside down for easier extraction. Many now come with large flat lids.

Cookies. Put broken cookies in a food processor and grind into crumbs. Then keep them in a plastic bag in your freezer. When you have enough, use them to make a crust for cream pie or cheesecake.

Cornflakes. Don’t toss out the broken pieces and crumbs that settle at the bottom of the box. Grind them until fine in a food processor, then use the crumbs to coat fish or chicken before cooking.

Hair gel. Carefully cut the tube from top to bottom with a utility knife. Squeeze both ends and scoop out the gel with a finger.

Honey. If the last of the honey has turned solid, put the bottle in a small pot of boiling water until the thick gunk returns to its original viscosity. You can use the same technique on maple syrup that has started to harden.

Laundry detergent. When the bottle seems empty, use water as the machine fills to swish out the remaining liquid detergent and pour it in with the load.

Pump-top hand lotion. Unscrew the pump top and pour what you can into another (nonpump) bottle. Recap the original bottle and soak it in a basin of very hot—but not boiling—water for a few minutes. When the lotion thins a little, shake and then pour it into the new nonpump bottle. Store the bottle upside down until you use up all the lotion.

Shampoo. Store the bottle upside down to prevent as much product from settling as you can. When no more will come out of the bottle, add a few drops of water and swish it around.

Sugar. If a bag of granulated white sugar becomes rock hard, which usually happens over time from exposure to humidity, pummel it with a rolling pin and then toss the chunks in a food processor. Avoid the problem by pouring bagged sugar into a sealed container as soon as you open it.

Toothpaste. Put a binder clip at the end of the tube to dispense the toothpaste more efficiently. When you can’t squeeze any more out, run the smooth, hard side of your toothbrush handle over the flattened tube.

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CHEAP AND NUTRITIOUS

Everyone is nutrition conscious these days. Here are fruits and veggies that won't bust your budget and still give you good nutrition:

VEGETABLES

1. Cabbage
2. Collard greens
3. Mustard greens
4. Turnip greens
5. Carrots
6. Cauliflower heads
7. Brussels sprouts
8. Broccoli florets
9. Spinach
10. Cauliflower florets

FRUITS

1. Watermelon
2. Plums
3. Oranges
4. Apples
5. Strawberries
6. Cantaloupe
7. Grapefruit
8. Bananas
9. Kiwi
10. Peaches

Lots of vitamins and minerals in both lists. Bright green leafy veggies especially pack a wallop, and bright colored fruits do the same.

Eat healthy and don't break the bank.

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