The Renegade Web

10 healthy, easy and cheap snack ideas

renegadeweb — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 03:25:23 +0000

10 Healthy, Easy, and Cheap Snack Ideas!

Most of the time, it seems that the snacks that are the least expensive tend to be not so good for you. There’s the chips, the cookies, the candy, and many others that are very tasty, but also packed with calories, sugar, fat, preservatives, or many other things that, in excess, can be detrimental. So what to do?

Of course, with any kind of food, you will always want to consult the nutrition facts to see if the following ideas will work for you. One quick and easy way to find this information for virtually any kind of food is to visit CalorieKing. I used this to help gather the calorie content and nutritional value of the foods I discuss below. It is a great tool to use anytime!

But without further ado, check out this list of 10 healthy, easy, and inexpensive snack ideas…

I’m tired of the doom and gloom. Here’s some puppy pictures instead.

renegadeweb — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 21:54:28 +0000

clipped from protectingourenvironment.com

I’m tired of the doom and gloom. Here’s some puppy pictures instead.

Economic collapse, mortgage meltdown, unemployment, stocks crashing, fraud, greed, scams….I’m so tired of hearing about all the mess that we’re in without one bit of good news anywhere in the media.

So this morning I decided to look at pictures of puppies instead. And you know what? It definitely cheered me up.

Why don’t you give it a try…

Short term stimulus or long term stability?

renegadeweb — Sat, 21 Feb 2009 02:24:51 +0000

clipped from moneytheory.com

Short-term stimulus, or long-term stability?

Okay, I couldn’t go without posting a bit about my views on the stimulus package, which is so ever present in the news, so here it is…

$787,000,000,000 is a lot of money! (With the zeroes included, it looks like a lot too!) Now, I somewhat understand the philosophy of why the government has scurried so quickly to move this through all branches of the Federal government. Supposedly, the injection of this money into a wide variety of industries and sectors of our economy is supposed to spur growth, create jobs, and help stimulate spending. I guess it is believed that without this, the economy may further deteriorate, and may spiral further down into deep recession. With bad news constantly rolling in about the financial state of our world, I suppose there is reason to act quickly.

98 Ways to Save Money Tips

renegadeweb — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 03:17:26 +0000

Really unique and super easy ways to save money on just about everything.

clipped from moneytheory.com

98 Ways to Save Money Tips, Part One

The recession and its associated effects have forced many of us to re-evaluate where our dollars are going. If you find yourself in a situation where you have no choice but to tighten your belt in as many areas as you can, then this list should help give you many areas for opportunity.

Eating Out

Order water instead of a paid drink at a restaurant. This can save you at least $2 or more at most restaurants.

Take your lunch to work instead of eating out. If you eat out five days a week, and spend an average of $8 per day, this will save you at least $40 a week!

If eating at a fast food restaurant, go for the specials. The fast food industry is very competitive, and especially during these economic times, they have a lot of good deals going on where you can get a full meal (and sometimes a drink) for around $3.

Don’t order appetizers when dining out. They are usually around $6 – 8, so you can already see the savings!

An epic battle being waged

renegadeweb — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 07:40:05 +0000

Jack Crooks

There is a battle being waged now in the world of economics. This battle is fierce. And no matter who wins, the impact will be felt far and wide. I dub this epoch struggle: “Godzilla vs. King Kong”

I’m not sure who will win, but I do have a favorite.

What I’m talking about is the intellectual and tactical battle concerning the best way to deal with the nasty recession engulfing us from a monetary and fiscal policy perspective.

There Are Two Basic
Schools of Thought Here …

King Kong School — Intellectual Leader is Milton Friedman (Money Supply Theory)
Milton Friedman believed that the government should flood the economy with massive amounts of money to enhance and increase consumer demand.
Milton Friedman believed that the government should flood the economy with massive amounts of money to enhance and increase consumer demand.

Basic Premise: In order to keep the current recession from turning into a depression as we witnessed in 1929, the government must stimulate the economy with massive amounts of money so that we can enhance and increase consumer demand.

This is where Mr. Bernanke and President Obama’s advisors reside.

Godzilla School — Intellectual Leader is Irving Fischer (Debt-Deflation Theory)

Basic Premise: In order to keep the current recession from turning into a depression as we witnessed in 1929, the government must step-back and let the invisible cleansing hand of the market wash away the debt before any real economic growth can again take hold in the economy.

Here is the outline for this theory:

Irving Fischer’s Debt-Deflation Theory holds that the government must let the invisible cleansing hand of the market wash away the debt before economic growth can resume.
Irving Fischer’s Debt-Deflation Theory holds that the government must let the invisible cleansing hand of the market wash away the debt before economic growth can resume.

1. Debt liquidation leads to distress selling

2. The amount of deposit currency falls and the velocity of currency in circulation slows

3. Prices plunge and the dollar rises

4. Business values fall further

5. Corporate profits tumble

6. Output, trade and employment take a header

7. Pessimism and loss of confidence spread like wildfire

8. Hoarding becomes commonplace and the velocity of currency circulation comes to a standstill

9. Complicated disturbances erupt in the rates of interest: a fall in the nominal rates and a rise in the real rates

My Favorite —
The Good Old Godzilla

And for this primary reason …

When debt levels reach such huge proportions in an economy, pumping more money into the system is ineffective because the velocity of money declines.

Let me explain the term “monetary velocity” and how important it is:

Monetary velocity means how fast money is circulated in the economy — the speed in which it is spent. And it is a key measure in the definition of economic growth.
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Now stay with me … while I explain this simple equation:

M x V = P x O

M = Money Supply

V= Velocity

P = Price Level

O= Economic Output

Ben Bernanke and those in control of U.S. economic policy believe that if the “M” in this equation is lifted, it will impact prices (reduce the deflationary scare) and output (economic growth) accordingly.

But here’s the rub: When debt levels become so huge, people get scared. They save, hoard and use their money to pay down debt. They don’t take on more debt or run out and spend more just because the money supply has been increased by the government.

In fact, more money pumped into the system only adds to the total debt in the economy, and therefore prolongs the downturn.

The practical policy is to accept the fact that “V” shrinks dramatically at times like these — thus we have the big dip in “O” (output) and “P” (prices).

Here is How the Market
Cleanses the System …

Debts get paid down; reserves are rebuilt with increased consumer and institutional savings. This provides the eventual pool of capital for fresh growth.
At a time of major risk aversion, the world will flock to its reserve currency — the U.S. dollar.
At a time of major risk aversion, the world will flock to its reserve currency — the U.S. dollar.

And once the debt is removed, monetary velocity “V” increases to more normal levels; therefore tinkering with money supply isn’t necessary.

Sadly, I think, all governments are on the side of King Kong. And their flood-the-market monetary policies may make this global recession a whole lot worse.

So from a currency perspective I think it means this: We will be locked in a sustained period of risk aversion (rising unemployment, deflation, and sovereign debt defaults) as this crisis plays out. And in a world of major risk aversion, that mantle rests at the feet of the world reserve currency — the U.S. dollar.

Best wishes,

Jack

This investment news is brought to you by Money and Markets. Money and Markets is a free daily investment newsletter from Martin D. Weiss and Weiss Research analysts offering the latest investing news and financial insights for the stock market, including tips and advice on investing in gold, energy and oil. Dr. Weiss is a leader in the fields of investing, interest rates, financial safety and economic forecasting. To view archives or subscribe, visit http://www.moneyandmarkets.com.

Links I love: Recession Edition

renegadeweb — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 00:48:26 +0000

Here are some great articles I found this week about the recession we’re currently in…

MoneyTheory » Has the recession got you down?

The recession is certainly impacting most everyone in one way or another. One thing that I have observed is that a lot of people feel stressed, anxious, or scared due to the current circumstances. They may feel that their jobs are in peril, that their investments will be ruined, that they won’t be able to support their families, and a variety of other tumultuous emotions.

U.S. recession ends by 2010? | The Industry Standard

Financial experts can’t agree on how long this recession will last. Renowned economist Martin Feldstein says the US recession will last beyond 2009. Feldstein was the former president and …

The Real News Network – Two years of recession, or ten years of hell?

F US economy has been hollowed out over the last 15 years and debt load is staggering.

Will Recycling Survive the Recession? : TreeHugger

The recycling industry is in a state of panic, hit by two forces beyond its control. The first problem is the economy (go figure). Demand for consumer products is down; retailers are focusing on price versus.

Medicaid programs feel weight of recession

As states await a fiscal lifeline from the federal government, their Medicaid programs — burdened by surging enrollment and shrinking budgets — are reaching a crisis point.

A locally sourced economy can create jobs and independence.

renegadeweb — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 18:31:07 +0000

clipped from moneytheory.com

A locally-sourced economy can create jobs and independence.

Natural systems utilize resources to their maximum possible benefit. Now there is a lot to be learned from this example. Species are creative as to the varied ways they use the materials in their local environment. Virtually nothing goes to waste. We can do the same.

And in many ways, you may do so already. But are there some ways you can make better use of what is around you? Instead of treating certain things as waste to be discarded, is there something productive you can use them for, which will prevent you from buying something in their place, thus saving you money?

It is really amazing as to what can be achieved from this overall philosophy, which will also be discussed in more detail in a later post. But how can this principle help create jobs and independence?

Money is not natural

renegadeweb — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 04:11:05 +0000

An interesting way to look at money – especially in these crazy economic times.

clipped from moneytheory.com

Money, in essence, is not natural…

There are basic elements of life that must be met in order to ensure survival. Once these needs are met, then in general, the next things of importance can be embraced, and a sense of fulfillment met.

So how does money fit into this picture?

Before I delve into a bit of philosophy about that, I wanted to take a moment to examine the natural world around us.

In the natural order of things, money plays no part. There is no other species of life that uses it, nor is their a true ecosystem or natural pecking order that revolves around it. But yet, there are hundreds of thousands of species among us that live out their existence without the use of a unit of trade or legal tender to bring amount their means of survival or fulfillment.

The Bestselling Sony HDR SR12 HD 120GB HDD Digital Camcorder

renegadeweb — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 04:38:56 +0000

The Sony HDR-SR12 10.2 MP HD 120GB High Definition Hard Drive Handycam Camcorder with 12x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom is an extremely popular camcorder that’s gotten rave reviews from countless users.

You can shoot video and still photographs like a pro. Complete the picture. The HDR-SR12 Handycam camcorder delivers an incredible, Full HD 1920 x 1080 high-definition video package built around an internal 120GB hard disk drive. A professional-quality Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* lens and ClearVid CMOS sensor (with Exmor technology) and Bionz image processor let you capture crisp, detailed video and still images. Additionally, Super SteadyShot optical image stabilization and Face Detection technology help reduce blur, increase color and contrast, and make everyone look their best.

The Fun of Frugality

renegadeweb — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 06:11:42 +0000

clipped from moneytheory.com

The Fun of Frugality

Jan 9th, 2009 by Jason

Sometimes it’s easy to get the notion that being frugal gets labeled as being “cheap,” “boring,” or just plain “uncool.” Other times, some may think that frugal people are not living life to the fullest, and are constricting themselves too much by pinching every possible penny they can. I am here to squash those notions.

Of course there are extremes with regards to anything, but the general sense of being frugal and cost-conscious doesn’t define a person. And I’m not a big fan of labels anyways. Just because a person uses generic products, for example, certainly doesn’t mean that he or she doesn’t have good taste in food. Sometimes, it may just be an example of them being open-minded.