Hi again cupajoe, I've said to many over some twenty years as a personal financial advisor, "Learning how money works is an interesting hobby - that pays well". Unfortunately, life and health insurance will cost you more, as well, if you're a smoker. Sorry to add to your bad news. Here's an idea, though. Write down the name, phone number and email address of everyone that you know, current, past, etc. Preferably on your computer, for ease of editing. Also, keep a backup, in case hard drive crashes. Write down all the info you know aboutr each: training, type of work, interests, hobbies, other interests, etc. Soon you'll form a habit of remembering such info when you hear it, then adding it to your database on return home. You can ask some questions here and there - but not so numerous and strongly that people will wonder whether you work for the FBI (if you're a U.S.er). When you need something in your life, some info, etc., go to your database to see whether someone that you know may have some relevant information to offer. Most folks like to be consulted about issues that interest them. If you know some funny little stories, tidbits of info that might be of general interest, etc. send out a message to the folks on your email list. Or to some of them, if you think some might be interested and some not. If you offer some helpful hints at times, people will come to look forward to your messages - possibly develop it into a newsletter. Soon some will contribute to the messaging system. If they value your info, when you ask them for something, they'll give it with alacrity. Next time you consider buying a new car ... don't. Nor buy a used car from a dealership, either. Check your database for "mechanic". Ask a couple of them for some basic suggestions to help you easily weed out poor quality cars offered privately. And whether they'd check out some candiddates for you that pass your prelimiary test. If they take one quick look, listen to the engine and tell you to get out of there with that piece of crap - pay them $10.00. If they check one out a little, pay them $20.00. If they like one that you bring and give it a fairly thorough check, give them $50.00. If you pay them $200. total to look over ten or so vehicles, and get one that saves one trip to the garage for repairs - you'll have saved more than the fee. Seven years ago I bought a little Dodge Colt, 1.5 litre engine, standard transmission, 138,000 km. (about 87,000 mi.) on the odometer from a mechanic friend, for about $2,700. Recently it turned over 300,000 km. (185,000 mi.). I've had to put a number of repairs on it, including replacing a cylinder head gasket recently that cost nearly half of my original cost. But I have enough confidence in it that I'm considering taking off on a 6,000 mi. journey soon, without fearing that it may give me trouble. That car owes me nothing. In the meantime - I've been able to put some money aside so that I can buy a replacement, when required, for cash. Renting money from someone else reduces my lifestyle. I will borrow money to purchase capital goods, assets - but not on consumer items. Yes, a vehicle is a capital item - but it deteriorates much faster than, say, a table, which may sell after a number of years for about what one paid (granted, in reduced-value dollars). Or a home, whose value may well increase over a number of years. In Canada, that increased value accrues to the owner who has occupied it throughout the period with no income tax liability. If you get a nice large ego-boost from driving around in a tin can that looks a lot like last year's model, and has drive train much like last year's - maybe you got a bargain when you bought a new car. My ego doesn't need that kind of boost, thank you. In travelling through a rural area the other day I saw a "Fresh Eggs for Sale" sign. Bought a couple of dozen, have one at home and one at recently deceased step-uncle's farm that I'm watching over till it's sold, where I often eat. They were really large - some so big that the carton labelled "Large" eggs sometimes won't close. So, in passing the other day I bought four more dozen - that I'll offer to neighbours - either at the $1.50 that I paid (reglarly over $2.00 in stores) or at a price part way between. Hope this helps with your problem. I'm afraid that I can't be of much further help - for smokers do love making those dollars - go up in smoke. Love ya, old pal cupajoe. joyful guy

I drive a lot less then I use to running errands. I combine several into one trip and wait till I do have more then one errand before I go. I compare gas prices when out. I grow my own veggies all year long especially salad stuff like lettuce, tomatoes and peppers. I wish I could grow cukes but never do well on the cool coast. I have 3 compost piles. I freeze or can any extras. I bought a dehydrator at the thrift store and hope to try that. I shop at thrift stores and discount stores (Ross, Marshalls, TJ Max) for clothes and look for sales. Even the thrift store has a half price day. I only buy what I need like jeans when the old ones wear out. And I sew, turning old into new. I cut off the sleeves of long sleeve T-shirts when the cuffs wear out and turn them into short sleeve T-shirts. My Mom use to turn the cuffs and collars on dress shirts. She also use to cut a sheet in half when the center wore out and sew the two outside edges together and you have a new sheet. I buy certain items like paper products, canned goods, and meat in bulk at Costco. I split up the meat and use my sealer then freeze it. And we eat very little meat, about twice a week. I make a lot of non meat dishes. I read this somewhere that you can use half the amount it calls for in detergent or soap in your laundry and dishwasher and they get just as clean. I buy box color and do my own hair and also don't get massages/pedicures or manicures. I go to the cheap hair cutting chain places for a hair cut. I shop at Big Lots, Dollar Store. That is where I buy snacks and some canned food. Always check the dates though. I buy cleaning supplies and shampoo and other personal hygiene products there. I am not sold on buying a certain brand, just get the cheapest. I buy cheap shoes at Kmart and Payless Shoes. I an not a shoe fashion person so just look for ones that are comfortable and fit. I buy all my purses at the thrift store. I can't believe women pay $200 or more for purses. Sorry, but I think that is insane. We check out books and DVDs from the library. The only time I buy books is from the thrift stores or online discount places like Half.com or ebay. And we have a used bookstore locally that will give you store credit (1/2 book value) or buy them (1/3 book value) for your old books. Ones they don't take I send to my Mom or give to the library for their sales. We only go out to eat for special occasions like birthdays and anniversary. I make almost all the meals at home from scratch, no pre-made package food that you just pop into the microwave. DH says I am a better cook then most of the restaurants anyway. And after working in a restaurant during college, I am a little leery of eating out. DH and I, when I was working, brown bagged it for lunch and always had breakfast and dinner at home. He has been taking his lunch to work for 32 years. Imagine how much he has saved. We haven't been on a vacation for 8 years. We use that time to work on house projects. We do all of the work we possibly can ourselves like digging out the septic tank. We had to pay someone to put it in because we didn't have the equipment but we saved thousands doing the digging. We pay off the credit card (1) every month. It is the Costco AE card and we get cash back at the end of the year. A big way to save is don't have a lot of credit cards, it can get out of hand. I either live without or buy things on Craigslist that I want. I just got a 21 speed aluminum bike in great shape and only 2 years old for $60. It was $310 new. I also sell things that we don't need or want anymore on ebay and Craigslist. Why keep it if you don't use it. We also give a lot to the charities. DH likes to clean out the house from one end to the other every couple of years. We use ceiling fans and open windows when it is hot. No A/C. In winter we use the fireplace to take the chill off the main area and don't turn on the heat if we are not going to be around. We cut our own wood from the trees we have been growing for 22 years. And always plant more. There is probably more but can't think of them now. Two good books to read are The Tightwad Gazette I & II by Amy Dacyczyn. I got both copies at the thrift store for a $1 each. Remember Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. Clare

We have been working with a modular company out of Virginia. 90% of their homes are custom. Their engineer was able to take my plans for a custom home and tweak them for modular building. They improved on our original plan. We visited the factory and were impressed by their level of construction. Ours will be 3 sections. The nook, garage and screen porch will be built on site. Transporting each section runs $2000 each based on our location. 5 sections may bump that price up. When talking to a builder 3 weeks ago, he said modular can run 10 - 12% cheaper. The savings is getting as much finished in the factory as possible. We are still in the discussion stages. BTW, the company is ModuCraft or Excell. They even had ceramic tile installed in the bathrooms!

@Julia Thank you! I actually figured out the problem and you were right! I got a bright light and inspected my plant and found plenty of mealy bugs! and some gnat flies. I've sprayed it down with neem oil, wiped down each leaf and each vain with Q Tips!! lol (time consuming) Also scooped out the top layer of soil and added some rocks. These were all recommended to me and so far so good! haven't seen any pests around and no new yellow leaves. They were yellowing by the day, and now looks super healthy. I think I'll try insecticidal soap, seems easier to do. Do you have a fave you can recommend?