Frugal Quack

Is there a bigger annual event in the US than the Super Bowl? We don’t think so. The game, the players, the commercials and let’s not forget about halftime. A spectacle all its own. This year (2012) the big match up is between the San Francisco Giants and the New England Patriots. A delicious duel to the very end of fourth quarter, this time in Indianapolis. However will all the hoopla and hype comes a lot of waste and this event is a major purveyor of just that – waste.

One thing we all can agree on though, is that there are things we can do on the big day to make it a bit more on the planet-friendly side. Let’s take a look below at a few simple ideas that won’t break the bank.

Eco Snacks And Treats -

What good is a Superbowl party without delicious snacks and treats galore. Take note of online recipes that call for all natural and organic ingredients, this means the food products are sans additives and or artificial flavorings, colors, etc. Just about any recipe can be made with organic ingredients from the main entree to desserts, snacks and or an ornate appetizer tray.

Organic Brew -

Drinks. You need drinks on Superbowl Sunday and lots of them. Well we retract this comment a tad as you don’t really need lots of drinks. However good organic brews and wine are available in most liquor stores including Binny’s and other local wineries. Look online first for organic beer reviews, however a few good brands include Peak Organic and Sierra Nevada.

Easy Access Recycling Bins -

This is a simple and inexpensive idea that anyone can try in their home. The idea revolves around strategically placing a few BIG recycling bins in the area where the party is to be held. This could be as simple as using large blue colored garbage cans, baskets or bins with a big recycling sign on it. This way all your guests and party-goers will know exactly where to throw their empty bottles, plastic and other assorted items without having to go look for them.

Have fun on Superbowl weekend and hope YOUR team wins. As for us, we are so rooting for the New England Patriots and pretty boy Tom Brady. Whoever your rooting for, may the day and the festivities be a fun and family filled, planet-friendly event.

Guest article by: Missy who writes for a business fuel card comparison website.

Tags: Superbowl weekend eco tips and ideas

It seems like our wealthy just keep getting wealthier while our poor keep getting poorer. Where the U.S. once boasted the biggest, most prosperous middle-class in the world, this group is currently dwindling at an astonishing pace. One recent study indicates that 28% of folks who grew up as “middle-class” have slipped down on the rungs of the income ladder. Why this drastic change?

Our Credit System

Some analysts blame the current credit system for creating our economic crisis and for compounding it even now. Let’s face it; you need a good credit score to borrow money, get a credit card, purchase a vehicle or buy a home. You even need a good score to be hired at an increasing number of American companies.

With the current unemployment rates, many Americans can’t find work and don’t have the credit score required to borrow money from a bank. Finding themselves being squeezed out of a middle-class lifestyle, many people turn to bad credit loans to keep afloat while trying to boost their credit scores.

We need to evaluate our current unhelpful credit system and open it up to the millions of Americans who now find themselves on the fringe of our credit-based culture.

Our Global Economy

The American middle-class is also declining due to the increasingly global economy. Politicians decided that opening up our economy to the whole world would be financially beneficial for both America and American workers.

However, it turns out that middle-class workers are competing for jobs with folks living in countries without any minimum wage laws and few federal regulations. While the global economy has turned out to be good for large global corporations, the middle-class laborers are finding it difficult to find jobs and support their families.

Lower Wages

Most current job openings are in the retail and the service industries. Americans lucky enough to snag one of those jobs typically find themselves working for lower wages. It’s hard to maintain a middle-class lifestyle when you make minimum wage. Many families have to bridge the gap between their earnings and their lifestyle somehow. Usually they get new credit cards or take out a bank loan. But what if you don’t have good credit? You either get a bad credit loan or let your family go hungry.

Cost of Education

One of the goals that dominates middle-class ideology is to help your children have a better standard of living than the one you had growing up. For this reason, many Americans strive to provide their children with great educational opportunities.

But the cost of financing higher education has risen sharply, causing quite a financial strain on middle-class families. Once again, you need a great credit score to qualify for educational loans. Parents with poor credit scores often take out bad credit loans.

Health Care Costs

The cost of health care has also risen sharply while the number of Americans with health insurance has dropped radically. Without health insurance, many American families are just one catastrophic injury or illness away from slipping out of the middle-class and right into poverty.

Conclusions

As income inequality increases in America, the middle class is disappearing, leaving an increasing number of families either very rich or very poor. The middle-class is in danger of disappearing entirely and once it is gone, it is highly unlikely to ever return. Are you ready for America’s two-tiered class system?

If you love a good flick and are headed to see The Lincoln Lawyer this weekend starring the sexy Matthew McConaughey, why not save a few bucks while you’re at it.

Today over at Groupon the daily deal is for $6 tickets to see this movie. As long as the theater chain accepts Fandango you can take advantage of this deal. Head on over to Groupon and score some sweet $6 tickets to see The Lincoln Lawyer.

Which from what I hear looks like an awesome legal thriller. Matthew hasn’t done something like this in a while, he’s been making comedies. This movie is anything but that, it appears to be a good drama that also stars Ryan Phillipe.

Tags: fandango, Groupon, six dollar movie tickets, the lincoln lawyer

Sweet little freebie from the guys and gals over at Post It Notes. They’re giving away a free pad of pink heart shaped Post It notes while supplies last.

These are great for the upcoming Valentine’s Day love filled Holiday. Grab one while you still can.

Cheers,
Danny

p.s. Have you signed up for eBates, yet? If not, click the link below and sign up and every time you shop online you will get up to 5% cash back on all your purchases.

Tags: free post it notes, heart shaped, pink, Valentines Day freebie

Need something fun and cheap to keep the kids busy while riding around town or a longer trip?

How about the free printable Bingo game cooked up by the HomeMakingExpert that you can save to your computer, print and share with your kids. It’s played the same as traditional Bingo but with a much cuter interface. This one features pics of airplanes, cars, bikes and other cool stuff the kids will like.

via Deal Seeking Mom

Tags: cool bingo game, deal seeking mom, DIY, family friendly, free printable bingo game for parents, fun bingo game, home making expert, kid friendly, online, virtual