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Showing posts with label living frugally. Show all posts
Showing posts with label living frugally. Show all posts

Monday, August 20, 2018

Some of the Best Freebies You Can Get


Poor Man Survival

Self Reliance tools for independent minded people…


ISSN 2161-5543

A Digest of Urban Survival Resources

 


Some of the Best Freebies You Can Get if You’re 65

Here’s a compiled list of great discounts available. Not only can you read about them here, you can click the link provided if you want to take advantage of an entire report of special discounts and sideline money-making resources we’ve compiled below!

 

1. Get Up to $4,264/year Off Your Mortgage

If you’re a homeowner born before 1985 and you want to save yourself thousands of dollars this year, there’s a government program that you might be able to take advantage of called HARP. The Home Affordable Refinance Plan (HARP) is helping hundreds of thousands of Americans reduce their monthly payments by as much as $3,500 in their first year. The program was set to expire in 2017, but has been recently extended through 2018. In order to qualify for HARP you’ll need good credit, so if you don’t have a good credit rating then this probably isn’t for you. If lowering your payments, paying off your mortgage faster, and having an extra $290 a month in HARP savings would help you, then this could be the easiest money savings tip you take.

2. Get a Lower Auto Insurance Rate

You might think you’re already paying a low auto insurance rate, but recent research shows that only 5% of Americans over the age of 55 are paying less than $50 per month for car insurance. If you’re currently paying more than $50 per month, and have had no accidents or tickets in the past two years, you can probably secure a much lower car insurance rate. The best way to do that is to compare quotes from multiple insurers – let them compete for your business. In fact, there’s a new website that allows you to do just that – it’s called Best Quotes Auto Savings. Once you fill out the form on their website they’ll provide you with multiple quotes you can choose from. If you’re still not satisfied, you can always call up the major car insurance companies and let them know you’re looking for better offers and that you’re a senior citizen.

Never Pay For Home Repairs Out-of-Pocket Again

Many people simply don’t have enough money lying around to pay for expensive home repairs. Your home insurance won’t cover your washing machine or AC breaking. What if your heater breaks when you need it the most? How many people have hundreds, or in some cases thousands, of expendable dollars to spend at a moment’s notice for a big repair?

This is why many homeowners are getting this new Home Warranty Program and they’re ending up saving thousands in the long run. ACs, electrical heaters, appliances, roofing repairs – they’re all covered! If there’s something they can’t fix they will just replace it.

 

Born Before 1965? Claim Your Free 72 Hour Survival Food Kit

This special promotion is currently available to anyone born before 1965. With floods, tornadoes, and other natural disasters on the rise, Lindon decided that they wanted every senior citizen to have access to their survival food kits. That’s why they currently have a special promotion for American citizens to get a free 72 hour survival food kit (just pay the S&H fee).
They source most of their raw ingredients from the “fresh produce” category – picture the delicious veggies you find in season at your local farmer’s market. No harmful chemicals, no GMOs and no added MSG.


They also combine their top-quality ingredients using prize-winning recipes so that they’re loaded with flavor. Many of their recipes have won independent taste tests. We recommend giving them a try and taking advantage of this special offer.

Save on Life Insurance

Unfortunately, as our age increases so do our premiums for life insurance. In fact, typically the premium amount rises 8-10% for every year of age. For senior citizens, rising life insurance policy costs can add up significantly.

Many senior citizens also have a hard time qualifying for a new policy once they reach a certain age. The best way to get the cheapest life insurance policy possible is to compare quotes from multiple carriers the same way you would do with car insurance or cell phone plans. National Family is a great resource to use for just that. They will automatically use your information to find you the best life insurance policy for your needs at much lower prices.

 


Go Solar And Cut Your Energy Bill

Did you know you can significantly reduce your monthly electric bill and pay nothing for it? If you live in a qualified zip code you can get paid to go solar! Thanks to a little-known rebate program called Federal Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credit, homeowners who live in specific zip codes are getting thousands in rebates to install solar panels.

Many people were shocked that subsidies and rebates cover 99% of costs associated with installation so it literally costs $0 to have done. Learn more about this program and check if your zip code qualifies. Senior homeowners can literally save $1,000’s of dollars just by using this program.

 

 
Hotel Rooms


If you want to settle down for the night someplace away from home you can be sure to get a discount at Marriott, Comfort Inn, Motel 6 and more.

Keep in mind that discounts may vary and change without notice.

■ Marriott – 15% discount (62+). You can book online or call and ask for the senior discount
■ 
Red Roof Inn – option of “senior rate” when you book online, may not be available for all locations
■ 
Choice Hotels – 10% discount if you book in advance (60+)
■ 
Hyatt Hotels – up to 50% off in participating locations. To qualify for this deal you have to make a reservation in advance and book for two people (60+)
■ 
La Quinta – varying offers at participating locations (65+). Book online or call and ask for senior discounts
■ 
Omni Hotels – varying offers at participating locations (55+)
■ 
Motel 6 – 10% discount (60+). Call and book over the phone in order to get discount
■ 
Wyndham Hotels – varying offers at participating locations (60+)
■ 
Hampton Inns & Suites – 10% off when booked 72 hours in advance.

 

Save on Groceries

 
Once you’ve used your senior discount at all of your favorite restaurants, you’ll need to buy some groceries. Lots of stores give a senior discount – you just need to ask.

Keep in mind that discounts and deals may vary and can change without notice.

■ Farm Fresh – 5% discount Tuesdays and Thursdays (55+)
■ Hy-Vee – depending on location will usually offer 5% discount on Tuesdays and Wednesdays (some stores set age to 65+)
■ Fred Meyer – 10% senior discount on the first Tuesday of every month
■ New Seasons Market – 10% discount every Wednesday
■ Compare Food Supermarket – 10% discount in participating locations, get in touch with your local store to find out more
■ Piggly Wiggly – varying discounts at participating locations
■ Fry’s Food – 10% discount on the first Wednesday of every month to all seniors with VIP card.

Claim Free Everyday Household Products

Here’s a little tip most retirees aren’t told about. Chances are you purchase the same household products on a daily/weekly basis. But what if you could get free samples sent to you from these very same manufacturers? Not a lot of people know about it, but you can actually claim free samples from top brands. If you’re looking for a way to get household goods, pet food samples, sweet treats, posters, days out vouchers and much more, we recommend signing up for the Free Samples Guide. Once you provide them with your email address, they’ll let you know when you’re eligible for the latest free samples and how to claim them.

Special Offer for our Readers



 72-hour Emergency Meal kit that's being offered contains 16 total servings of such delicious meals as Blue Ribbon Creamy Chicken Rice, the always-loved Granny's Homestyle Potato Soup and the stick-to-your-ribs breakfast favorite Maple Grove Oatmeal.

This kit normally sells for $27, plus shipping and handling and is rated 4½ out of five stars by customers.

While supplies last, these kits are available for only $21.95 and that includes Priority Shipping [we were force to increase prices due to another round of USPS price hikes]. Go here for this deal:



Yours for smarter living,

Bruce ‘the Poor Man’

 

 

Additional FREE Resources

 
Your Free Middle Class Survival Kit

SAVE & MAKE Money

Researched by our editors and include 100s of tips, tricks and insider methods of saving money, earning extra money [many from the comfort of your home], the best places to live,  How to find little-known freebies, discounts and other benefits-over 2,000 programs!


 

or…


 

Other notes of interest…


 
Living Frugally In Suburbia
You live differently than your neighbors.

 

14 Frugal Food-Rescuing Tips from Grandma
These depression-era frugal tips still work today!

 
8 Simple Ways to Put More Money in Your Pocket
Have more money without working harder!

 
Knowing When and How to Stockpile Groceries
Stocking up could save your grocery budget!

Small homes are all the rage. But just how much does a tiny house cost? We have the answers, along with an analysis of how much money you can save living in a tiny home.

 
Emergency Preparedness on a Budget 
Affordable ways to prepare for an emergency.

When you’re planning a trip, most likely you’re thinking about the cost. Then, you’re probably wondering which card to use to get the most points out of your trip. But the problem with using a credit card while you’re traveling is going overboard on your spending. An alternative option--prepaid cards.

Sudden windfalls can take many forms. You could bring home extra cash from gambling winnings, an inheritance, or even a financial gift. No matter where the money comes from, though, it’s important to plan how to put it to work for you.

 

Contributors and subscribers enable the Poor Man Survivor to post 150+ free essays & free reports that I provide annually. It is for this reason they are Heroes and Heroines of New Media. Without your financial support, the free content would disappear for the simple reason that I cannot keep body and soul together on my meager book sales & ecommerce alone.  You can make a donation at top of this page via PayPal.

Find survival related books here!

Support our efforts by shopping my storefront…


 

 

A Smoking Frog Feature, Shallow Planet Production

 

Thursday, March 15, 2018

Know Your Knife: A Guide to the Best Knife Steel


Poor Man Survival

Self Reliance tools for independent minded people…


ISSN 2161-5543

A Digest of Urban Survival Resources

 

Know Your Knife: A Guide to the Best Knife Steel


 
There is no tool as versatile, handy, and long-lasting as a well-made knife. The only problem, however, is that telling a good knife from a bad one can be nearly impossible if you weren’t raised by a blacksmith. The biggest factor is the quality of the steel, and since steel is an alloy that’s made in about a zillion different ways, knowing what’s good and what’s not can be a dizzying experience. For this reason, we’ve put together a quick reference guide to some of the most common steels used in knives so you can make a more informed decision next time you buy a blade.

Before we dive in, let’s go over the most common elements present in steel and the properties they give it.

·         Iron is the main ingredient in steel.

·         Carbon is one of the most important factors, as it functions as a hardening element and makes the iron stronger. Every type of steel will have some amount of carbon, and oftentimes the amount can be telling of the quality of a blade. Low carbon means there is 0.3 percent or less carbon in the alloy, medium carbon is typically between 0.4-0.7 percent, and high is generally considered 0.8 percent and above.

·         Chromium is what makes stainless steel stainless. Technically all steel can rust, but types with more chromium (usually around 12-13 percent) are much less prone to it.

Cobalt adds strength to Before we dive in, let’s go over the most common elements present in steel and the properties they give it.

·         Iron is the main ingredient in steel.

·         Carbon is one of the most important factors, as it functions as a hardening element and makes the iron stronger. Every type of steel will have some amount of carbon, and oftentimes the amount can be telling of the quality of a blade. Low carbon means there is 0.3 percent or less carbon in the alloy, medium carbon is typically between 0.4-0.7 percent, and high is generally considered 0.8 percent and above.

·         Chromium is what makes stainless steel stainless. Technically all steel can rust, but types with more chromium (usually around 12-13 percent) are much less prone to it.

·         Cobalt adds strength to do some research.

The 400 Series


420 Steel: Common in lower-end knives, this steel has about .38 percent carbon. The low carbon content means that it’s very soft in comparison to most others, and it doesn’t hold an edge well. Blades made from this material need to be sharpened frequently and are more likely to chip. On the bright side, all 420 stainless steel is extremely rust-resistant. This makes it a great material for diving knives, since their constant contact with saltwater makes them more likely to rust.

425M Steel: This is a material similar to the 400 series that has .5 percent carbon. Not a great steel by any means, but it’s not a bad one either, and it’s reasonably tough for the price.

440 Steel: There are three different types of 440 steel: 440A, 440B, and 440C. The further along in the alphabet, the better it gets. The only problem is that oftentimes manufacturers simply stamp “440” on the tang of the blade without the letter grade, so knowing what you’re buying is tricky. As a rule of thumb, if it doesn’t explicity say 440C, it’s most likely a lower-end version like 440A or 440B. Certain knife manufacturers have even gone so far as to rename 440C as other things in order to differentiate the quality of the product.

·         440A Steel: This low-cost stainless steel has a carbon content range of .65-.75 percent. It is the most rust resistant of 440 steel, and 440C is the least rust resistant of the three. However, taken as a whole, the 400 series is comprised of some of the most rust resistant steel you can buy.

·         440B Steel: This is very similar to 440A, but has a higher carbon content range (.75-.95 percent), so it has better edge retention.

·         440C Steel: This steel has a carbon content range between .95-1.20 percent, and is generally considered a higher end steel. It’s extremely common in knives because it provides a good mixture of hardness and corrosion resistance, but also isn’t terribly expensive.

The AUS Series


The biggest improvement of the AUS series (made in Japan) over the 400 Series is the addition of vanadium, which improves wear resistance and provides great toughness. This also reportedly makes the steel easier to sharpen.

AUS-6 Steel: AUS-6 Steel has .65 percent carbon and is generally considered a low-quality steel. It’s comparable to 420, but with better edge retention and less corrosion resistance.

AUS-8 Steel: This fairly popular steel has .75 percent carbon, which makes it fairly tough. It also has more vanadium than AUS-6, so it holds an edge better. Cold Steel likes to use this stuff a lot in its blades

AUS-10 Steel: Our final option in this series has 1.1% carbon and is roughly comparable to 440C. It has more vanadium and less chromium than 440C, which makes it slightly tougher in comparison, but a little less rust resistant.

ATS 34 Steel: This steel is very similar to 154 CM (listed below), and is generally considered one of the best steels you can buy. It has 1.05 percent carbon, and there are lots of high-end custom knives that use it because it’s just excellent metal. Benchmade and Spyderco seem to be fans of this steel, as you’ll see it a lot in their products.

ATS 55 Steel: This steel (carbon content of 1.00 percent) does not have the vanadium that is present in both ATS-34 and 154-CM (see below). This means that it doesn’t hold an quite edge as well, and has also been reported to be less rust resistant than ATS-34.

ATS 34 Steel: This steel is very similar to 154 CM (listed below), and is generally considered one of the best steels you can buy. It has 1.05 percent carbon, and there are lots of high-end custom knives that use it because it’s just excellent metal. Benchmade and Spyderco seem to be fans of this steel, as you’ll see it a lot in their products.

ATS 55 Steel: This steel (carbon content of 1.00 percent) does not have the vanadium that is present in both ATS-34 and 154-CM (see below). This means that it doesn’t hold an quite edge as well, and has also been reported to be less rust resistant than ATS-34.

It’s just a step above S30V, but is relatively rare in knives because it’s more expensive.

S90V Steel: This steel has superior edge retention, but due to it’s ridiculous hardness, it can be almost impossible to sharpen. You’ll typically only find it in custom-made knives, and it has a carbon content of around 2.30 percent.

154CM Steel: This is high quality steel — arguably one of the best available for knives. It has a carbon content of 1.05 percent, it holds an edge well, and has  pretty good toughness for how hard the steel It is tougher than 440C and is often compared to ATS 34 because the two are so similar. Some people prefer this steel to ATS 34, however, since this one is made by Crucible, an American company.



Editors' Recommendations



Talon Fixed Blade Tactical Knife With Bonus Belt Holder Sheaths




 

The first three elements of preparedness I recommend working on are water, food and security.

The next thing I would concentrate on is building up your food storage. This is something you should start ASAP but can work on over time. Every time you make a trip to the grocery store, spend an extra $5 (or whatever is in your budget) and buy a few nonperishable goods to add to your emergency food stores.

 

RELATED ARTICLE:

 


Brutal Tips, Tricks, And Myths from a Filipino Knife Fighter

I’ve been practicing knife fighting for over a year now. While my dreams of being a professional knife fighter like The Winter Soldier have crumbled away (*tears*) it has brought me some serious and lethal realizations about using knives for combat. Here just a taste of what I’ve learned:


 

 


Special Offer for our Readers

 72-hour Emergency Meal kit that's being offered contains 16 total servings of such delicious meals as Blue Ribbon Creamy Chicken Rice, the always-loved Granny's Homestyle Potato Soup and the stick-to-your-ribs breakfast favorite Maple Grove Oatmeal.

This kit normally sells for $27, plus shipping and handling and is rated 4½ out of five stars by customers.

While supplies last, these kits are available for only $21.95 and that includes Priority Shipping [we were force to increase prices due to another round of USPS price hikes]. Go here for this deal:



Yours for smarter living,

Bruce ‘the Poor Man’

 

 

Additional FREE Resources


How to Survive the War on the Middle Class

14 of the best reports I’ve assembled on protecting your freedom…Here is the download link.

http://1drv.ms/1d9kfiU

 

Living Frugally In Suburbia
You live differently than your neighbors.

 

14 Frugal Food-Rescuing Tips from Grandma
These depression-era frugal tips still work today!

 

8 Simple Ways to Put More Money in Your Pocket
Have more money without working harder!

 
 
Could You Earn Enough Money Being Self-Employed?
Is it just a dream? Or could it become reality?


Knowing When and How to Stockpile Groceries
Stocking up could save your grocery budget!

 


 
Your Free Middle Class Survival Kit
SAVE & MAKE Money
Researched by our editors and include 100s of tips, tricks and insider methods of saving money, earning extra money [many from the comfort of your home], the best places to live,  How to find little-known freebies, discounts and other benefits-over 2,000 programs!
 
or…
 

Contributors and subscribers enable the Poor Man Survivor to post 150+ free essays & free reports that I provide annually. It is for this reason they are Heroes and Heroines of New Media. Without your financial support, the free content would disappear for the simple reason that I cannot keep body and soul together on my meager book sales & ecommerce alone.  You can make a donation at top of this page via PayPal.

Find survival related books here!

Support our efforts by shopping my storefront…


 

 

 A Smoking Frog Feature, Shallow Planet Production