Give Thanksgiving to the homeless

Once again the Fresno Rescue Mission is looking for donations to feed the homeless for Thanksgiving. You can feed each person for only $1.05 You can send your gift online at www.fresnorescuemission.org or you can mail it to P.O. Box 1422 Fresno, CA 93716-1422. There is also a list of holiday needs. Click Here to see the list.

Halloween Freebies

Reminder: TODAY is the Free Scary Face Pancake Day at IHOP  Kids 12 and under get a free pancake with whipped topping and strawberry nose. Kids also get Oreo cookies and candy corn to make the face. Read about it here.
TGI Fridays: Free appetizers and kids meals 10/29 - 10/31 from 5 pm to closing. Details.
Chili's: Kids in costume eat free on Oct 30 and 31.
Applebee's On Oct 31, free kids meal to children 12 and under in costume. Call first to see if your local Applebee's is participating.

Staying faithful

Usually, families with financial problems only recognize the symptoms, such as unpaid bills; or the consequences of the symptoms, such as repossession of property. Seldom do they identify the real underlying cause of the problem. Most symptoms of financial problems that families face today can be traced to ignoring God's financial principles as recorded in His Word.

"Now if you faithfully obey the LORD your God and are careful to follow all His commands I am giving you today, the LORD your God will put you far above all the nations of the earth" (Deuteronomy 28:1).

God designed His financial principles so we could easily understand them. He intends to free His people from financial burdens, not bind them with unattainable rules.

I have friends that think it's too scary to have a budget. They feel they will be deprived if they have a monthly spending plan to stick to. They are wonderful christians but for some reason they don't feel they can trust God with their money. That is what it comes down to is trust. God has a wonderful plan for our money and when His principles are followed they actually find freedom not deprivation. This is such a hard concept to get across. I get how difficult this is. I had the hardest time writing a budget and sticking to it. It's not easy to discipline yourself when you have the ability to instant gratification. After all I'm really the one in charge of the bank account right? I really want to do a better job with this. I have a plan that I usually stick to but every time I don't I regret it. I know better! I wish it wasn't so hard. One of the biggest reasons I started this blog was to keep me on track, to have a constant reminder to be faithful with my money. If you don't have a spending plan, start one. Don't be afraid. Then the next time you need to buy clothes you can dip into the clothing fund you have instead of not sending your utility payment. You can pay for that unexpected medical bill out of your medical fund. You can register your car out of your car fund without all your other expenses suffering for it. Trust me, God's plan works!

The power of prayer

My husband is trying to build a new business. One of the things he is doing is moving pool tables. He has been moving them off and on over the years but not very often so it's never been that big of a deal that we didn't have a truck. Whenever we needed a truck we borrowed one from a friend and just paid for the use of it. Now that he is trying to build it up not having a truck has become a big deal. We needed to move a table recently up to the Bay Area. The original plan was to rent a trailer to take it up there but we discovered at the last minute that we would not be able to do that. I started praying after that. God, I don't know how it's going to happen, only you know how it's going to happen but we need to get that table up there. My husband and I talked about how bad we needed a truck, but that we didn't want to finance it because we were committed to not accumulating more debt. Later that afternoon my husband drove by a truck for sale. It was the exact kind he needed with a long bed. He stopped and looked at it. It was perfect. He shared with the man he was wanting to sell his car so he could buy a truck. The man stated he might be interested in looking at the car if my husband was interested in a trade. After some dialogue between them that was exactly what they did. Traded the car for the truck with no money exchanged at all! God saw our need and answered our prayer. Ask and it will be given to you, seek and you will find, knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks the door will be opened. Matthew 7: 7-8. Never underestimate the power of prayer.

Coupon myths

Myth: Coupons aren't worth enough money to make a difference.
Truth: When you combine coupons with sales you can save an average of 40% off your bill.

Myth: Cutting out coupons takes too much time.
Truth: The average person spends about 10 minutes a week cutting and sorting coupons. Even on the large scale that I use coupons, I don't spend more than an hour a week for a average savings of $25 a week. That is just the coupon savings alone and does not count sales and rebates.

Myth: Coupons are mainly for packaged processed foods.
Truth: There are tons of fresh food coupons out there for dairy products, fruits, vegetables, meat and chicken. Not to mention I never buy non food items like toiletries, cleaning and paper products without coupons.

Myth: Coupons are limited to grocery items.
Truth: I have found coupons for prescriptions, propane, toys, blankets, canning jars, magazines, etc. You never know what you will find if you look.

Best places to find coupons. Sunday newspaper, All You magazine, coupons.com, redplum.com, smartsource.com, and lately facebook has been plentiful. Once you start looking you will find them everywhere.

Getting ready for winter

Winter is just around the corner. It's hard to imagine it I know. It barely even feels like fall. I just turned off the ac less than a week ago! It's important to get ready for winter though so you don't end up spending or losing a bunch of money later. Here are some things on my list.

1. Outdoor furniture. Clean everything off and store cushions indoors. Cover everything up. Big Lots has furiniture covers on sale right now.

2. Now is the time to aerate, seed, and fertilize the lawn.  Clean out and mulch the flowerbeds.

3. Clean out the gutters, sweep off the roof, cut the trees back away from the roof. Seal the chimney. Check roof for any damages and fix if necessary. Get a chimney sweep.

4. Program your thermostat, replace heater filters, and check insulation around windows and doors. Consider a tune-up on your heater.

5. Clean and store all above ground pool equipment. Store filter in a dry place for winter. 

6. Start planning for Christmas. I know it isn't even Halloween! Now is the time though to start making your handmade gifts for Christmas so it's not so stressful during the holiday season. I'm making fruitcakes this year that have to be made way in advance anyway.  I already have Eli's costume for Halloween, and I'm ripping recipes out of magazines for Thanksgiving. It's never too soon. If you don't already have a Christmas fund, now is the time to start one. Shop now, avoid crowds and holiday markups. If you have it all done months in advance just imagine going to holiday parties and just enjoying yourself instead! Personally I am fascinated with the fruitcake process and I can't wait to get started this year to see how they turn out. Wish me luck!

Planning for home repairs

There was a great article in the Fresno Bee recently on planning for home repairs. Crown ministries address this in their class Journey to financial freedom. Let's face it, appliances break. Nothing lasts forever. Your refrigerator, washing machine, etc. all have a life span expectancy. It is recommended that you put away money every month towards the cost of replacement. This goes for appliances, roofs, flooring, etc. How do you know when it's time to replace? Consider the age of the item. Is the cost of the repair at least half the cost of replacing?  Generally, you should consider replacing if that is the case. Any appliance more than 8 years old should be considered for replacement rather than repair. Another recommendation from consumer reports is to replace if it costs less than $150. We recently replaced our roof thanks to a grant from the government. Otherwise we would have had to finance it because we never thought to put money away for this eventuality. Wish we had taken Crowns course before we bought a house!

Appliances
Cooktops - electric	13 years
Cooktops - gas	15 years
Cooktops - magnetic induction	10 years
Dishwashers	9 years
Dryers - electric	13 years
Dryers - gas	13 years
Exhaust Fans	10 years
Freezers	11 years
Garbage Disposals	12 years
Microwave Ovens	9 years
Range/Oven Hoods	14 years
Ranges - electric	13 years
Ranges - gas	15 years
Refrigerators - compact	9 years
Refrigerators - standard	13 years
Trash Compactors	6 years
Washing Machines	10 years

Cabinetry & Shelving
Bathroom Cabinets	Lifetime
Closet Shelving	Lifetime
Entertainment Centers	10 years
Garage Cabinets	100 years
Home Office Desk Units	10 years
Kitchen Cabinets	50 years
Laundry Cabinets	100 years
Medicine Cabinets	20 years

Countertops
Cultured Marble Countertops	20 years
Natural Stone Countertops	Lifetime
Tile Countertops	Lifetime
Wood Countertops	Lifetime

Decks
Wooden Deck Planks	25 years
Wooden Decks	20 years

Doors - Exterior
Fiberglass Doors	Lifetime
Screen Doors - pine	20 years
Screen Doors - cedar	40 years
Screen Doors - mahogany	60 years
Steel Doors	Lifetime
Vinyl Doors	20 years
Wood Doors	Lifetime

Doors - Interior
Closet Doors	Lifetime
French Doors	30-50 years

Electrical & Lighting
Copper Plated Wiring	Lifetime
Copper Clad Aluminum	Lifetime
Bare Copper Wiring	Lifetime
Electrical Lighting Accessories	10 years
Electrical Lighting Controls	10 years

Engineered Lumber
Engineered Trim	30 years
Floor	Lifetime
Laminated Strand Lumber	Lifetime
Laminated Veneer Lumber	30 years
Roof Trusses	Lifetime

Faucets and Fixtures
Accessible/ADA Products	Lifetime
Faucets, Bar/Hospitality	15 years
Faucets, Kitchen Sinks	15 years
Faucets, Bathroom	20 years
Faucets, Toilets/Bidets	10 years
Faucets, Tub/Shower	20 years
Saunas/Steam Rooms	15-20 years
Shower Doors	20 years
Shower Enclosures/Modules	50 years
Showerheads	Lifetime
Sinks - modified acrylic	50 years
Sinks - enamel steel	5-10 years
Sinks - soapstone	100 years
Toilets & Bidets	Lifetime
Whirlpool Tubs	20-50 years

Flooring
Bamboo Flooring	Lifetime
Brick Pavers	100 years
Carpet Flooring	8-10 years
Concrete Flooring	50 years
Granite Flooring	100 years
Laminate Flooring	15-25 years
Linoleum Flooring	25 years
Marble Flooring	100 years
Slate Flooring	100 years
Terrazo Flooring	75 years
Tile Flooring	75-100 years
Vinyl Flooring	50 years
Wood Flooring - all natural	100 years
Wood Flooring - engineered	50 years
Wood Flooring - exotic	Lifetime
Wood Flooring - other domestic	Lifetime

Footings & Foundations
Baseboard System	50 years
Concrete Block	Lifetime
Poured Concrete	Lifetime
Termite Proofing	12 years
Waterproofing with Bituminous Coating	10 years

Framing & Structural Systems
Floor Trusses	Lifetime
Poured Concrete Systems	Lifetime
Roof Trusses	Lifetime
Structural Insulated Panels	Lifetime
Timber Frame	Lifetime

Garages
Garage Door Openers	10-15 years
Garage Light Inserts	20 years

Gutters & Downspouts
Downspouts - aluminum	30 years
Downspouts - copper	100 years
Gutters - aluminum	20 years
Gutters - copper	50 years
Gutters - galvanized steel	20 years

Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning (HVAC)
Air Conditioners - room	10 years
Air Conditioners - central	15 years
Air Quality Systems	15 years
Boilers - electric	13 years
Boilers - gas	21 years
Burners	10 years
Dampers	20 years
Dehumidifiers	8 years
Diffusers, Grilles & Registers	25 years
Ducting	10 years
DX - water or steam	20 years
DX - electric	15 years
Furnaces - warm-air, electric	15 years
Furnaces - warm-air, gas	18 years
Furnaces - warm-air, oil	20 years
Heat Pumps	16 years
Heat Recovery Ventilators	20 years
Humidifiers	8 years
Induction & Fan-Coil Units	10-15 years
Radiant Heater - electric	40 years
Radiant Heater - hot water or steam	15 years
Shell-and-Tube	20 years
Thermostats	35 years
Ventilators	7 years
Water Heaters - electric	11 years
Water Heaters - gas	10 years
Water Heaters - tankless	20 years

Home Technology
Built-in Audio Systems	20 years
Heat/smoke Detectors	5-10 years
Security Systems	5-10 years
Wireless Home Automation Systems	50 years
Wireless Home Networks	50 years

Insulation & Infiltration Barriers
Batts/Rolls of Insulation	Lifetime
Cellulose	Lifetime
Fiberglass	Lifetime
Foam	Lifetime
House Wrap Insulation	Lifetime
Loose Fill Insulation	Lifetime

Jobsite Equipment
Ladders	Lifetime
Lifts	8-10 years

Masonry
Brick Veneers	Lifetime
Brick Walls	100 years
Chimneys	Lifetime
Fireplaces	Lifetime

Molding & Millwork
Custom Millwork	Lifetime
Stair Parts	Lifetime
Stairs - attic	Lifetime
Stairs - circular	Lifetime
Stairs - prebuilt	Lifetime
Stairs - spiral	Lifetime

Paint, Caulks & Adhesives
Exterior paints	15 years
Interior paints	15 years

Panels
Hardboard Panels	30 years
Softwood Panels	30 years
Oriented Strand Board (OSB)	60 years
Particleboard	60 years
Plywood	25-30 years
Underlayment - flooring	25 years
Wall Panels	Lifetime

Plumbing
Cast iron Pipes	100 years
Concrete Pipes	100 years

Roofing
Asphalt Shingles	20 years
Aluminium Roof Coating	3-7 years
Clay/Concrete	Lifetime
Coal and Tar	30 years
Copper Roofs	Lifetime
Fiber Cement Shingles	25 years
Modified Bitumen	20 years
Simulated Slate Roofs	50 years
Slate Roofs	50 years
Wood Shakes	30 years

Shutters
Aluminium Shutters - interior	10 years
Wood Shutters - exterior	20 years
Wood Shutters - interior	15 years

Siding & Accessories
Brick Siding	Lifetime
Engineered Wood Siding	Lifetime
Fiber Cement Siding	Lifetime
Stone Siding - natural	Lifetime
Stone Siding - manufactured	Lifetime
Stucco Siding	50-100 years
Vinyl Siding	Lifetime

Site & Landscaping
Asphalt driveways	15-20 years
Clay Paving	Lifetime
Controllers	15 years
Polyvinyl fences	Lifetime
Sprinklers	20 years
Underground PVC piping	25 years
Valves	20 years

Swimming Pools
Cleaning Equipment	7-10 years
Concrete Shell	25 years
Decking	15 years
Interior Finish - pebble-tec	25-35 years
Interior Finish - plaster	10-15 years
Interior Finish - tile	15-25 years
Waterline Tile	10 years

Walls, Ceilings & Finishes
Accoustical Ceiling	Lifetime
Ceiling Suspension	Lifetime
Ceramic Tile	Lifetime
Standard Gypsum	Lifetime

Windows & Skylights
Aluminum/Aluminum Clad	15-20 years
Window Glazing	10 years
Wood Windows	30 years