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5

Saturday Entertainment Files: Awesome Frugal Tips and a Powerful Story

Wahoo! It’s the second edition of the Saturday Entertainment Files. I like this series because through it I can share all the various cool and inspiring media that I was exposed to over the week! Hurrah.

This Saturday we have one audio clip, two movies, and a few links. Let’s get to it!

Frugal Soap!
Are you looking to use up the last bits of your soap bars that usually are too small and slippery to hold on to?

I found two cool ideas over the week… one is the Soap Bank! It’s a little mesh net thing in a holder that you can put your slivers of soap into. If you rub wet hands over the net, it will froth, letting you use your soap! I think this is all very clever. I would suggest not to buy this thing, but instead make your own. I get all sorts of little net/mesh bags with gadgets I buy, but you could also probably find something useful at a dollar store or similar. Make your own - you don’t have to make one that hangs on a wall, a simple baggie will do - and get every last bit of soap out of your bars.

soap hole The second option is cheaper, though it requires some skill with a metal file or butter knife. Over at this site they suggest that you ease open the middle of one bar of soap to put the other smaller one inside. While I don’t suggest that you cut out the soap in the bigger bar (that defeats the purpose!), you can soften the soap in the microwave and then push a butter knife inside and wiggle. After a minute you should have a hole big enough to slip your old bard of soap inside, and then you can just press the soap closed again. Very cool.

Start Shaving With a Straight Razor
>>> YouTube Video <<<

This video takes you throguh all the materials you will need to start shaving old-school style (think Sweeny Todd, but without the murder). The second video shows you how to actually shave. I don’t know how many of you guys will actually want to mess with your face and a knife at the same time, but it’s pretty cool! And it will save you loads of money in the long run… and you get a closer shave. The guy who made the video is pretty good now and his instruction is meticulous and entertaining Length: 10 minutes

Hack a One-Time-Use Digital Camera to Work Again and Again
>> Video at MetaCafe <<

If you don’t have a digital camera, you can buy a $20 one-time-use digital camera and hack it to upload pictures to your computer! If you do the hack, you’ll be able to use the digital camera endlessly with your computer - essentially getting an okay digital camera for only $20! I think this is awesome. The video gives you simple instructions in detail so you can figure out how to do it. If you are living the debt-crunch lifestyle and want a digital camera, this is a great temporary option for you. And if you’re not a nerd and not into soldering, you can buy the pre-made cords on eBay, or so the guy says
Speaking of digital cameras, if you have a lower-end Canon…

Hack Your Canon Digital Camera to Give You Professional Settings/Options
>> Article at LifeHacker <<

If you’re like me and you’re into photography (a lot) but don’t have the money right now to buy a fancy professional camera, consider this option! I am going to do this next week. If you have some computer skills, you should be able to do this no problem. The (harmless) software will allow you to expand your camera’s capabilites to shoot RAW, shoot at different f-stops and apertures… I can’t WAIT! I am so excited to be able to shoot RAW.

Strong Woman Watches Her Husband Battle a Fatal Disease
>> dr_terminallyillhusband.mp3 <<

This is a call that came into Dave Ramsey this week that really touched me. The woman is 45 and her husband is terminally ill with a rare brain disease. She calls in to get advice on what to do with the life insurance money, and she’s already right on track. Her conversation with Dave is touching and sad, but really worth the listen. Also, the advice that he gives her is solid. This woman is someone to look up to and I admire her courage and strength.
Length: 7 minutes 30 seconds
Source: Dave Ramsey Radio Show

Depending on your browser, the audio clip will either download to your computer or play in your browser window. If you have trouble hearing the clip, try right-clicking on the file and “Save Target [File/Download] As…”. The clip is an MP3 and should play in your music player of choice if it won’t play online for you.

Happy Saturday!

Filed Under Random Tips, Tricks, and Advice, Saturday Entertainment Files, money and finance

Comments

One Response to “Saturday Entertainment Files: Awesome Frugal Tips and a Powerful Story”

Frugal Dad on April 5th, 2008 10:32 pm

Love the soap tip - I’ve got a sliver in the shower now that I’m trying to use up before cracking open a new bar. Now I’ll use it to start my soap bank!

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