How To Refurbish a Pool Table, DIY Cost $300 with Pictures

How To Refurbish a used, broken pool table to a new pool table for $300

Pool--or Billiards, as the game is also known--has been played for centuries. A billiard table is a great addition to any home or game room, and can add a tremendous value to your home. New Billiard tables can cost more than $1,000.00. One way to save money on a new billiard table is to purchase an old one and refurbish the table. 

Before: A wobbly, smelly pool table ready for new life

After: Better-than-new pool table for $300 in Parts & Materials Cost

 How to Refurbish Pool Table

Step 1: Remove felt lining and laminate attached with adhesive.

Step 2: Remove all felt from slate.

Step 3: Remove slate, sand & clean.

Step 5: Affix Felt Cloth to Slate with Adhesive. Pull Felt Tight.

Step 6: Reattach Slate and Laminate Sidings with Felt.

Step 7: Enjoy your brand new refurbished pool table!

For the cost of $300.00, you have a pool table that is better than new and will last many decades with proper care and maintenance. Refurbishing items is a great way to save money while practicing different skills. Have you ever refurbished an item? A car, boat or even a house? More pictures available at: http://imgur.com/a/RnrLb

Mr Frugal Life: Excellent Financial Tips from Warren Buffett

Warren Buffet is known as the 'Oracle of Omaha' for his financial prowess and long, successful career as a "Value investor":

"[Warren Buffet] is widely considered the most successful investor of the 20th century." Wikipedia article on Warren Buffet

Financial and Frugal Tips from the Oracle of Omaha: 

How To Cook Healthy, Nutritious, Tasty Meal for $.50, Save Money on Food Expenses

One of the cheapest, healthiest and best meals on the planet is available for the cost of around $.50-.75 in your area depending on prices, quantity, and quality of food.

Ingredients for Healthy, Nutritious, Tasty meal for $.50

1. Potatoes: Russet, Idaho or the many varieties of healthy, nutritious potato. In my area (North Valley of Albuquerque, New Mexico) I have purchased a 10 lb bag of potatoes for $2.00 or $.20 per lb from a local "Village Market". Most of the time the price ranges from $.35/lb (Costco) to $.99/lb (Whole Foods). At these prices, a 8 oz (1/2 lb) potato is $.17 - $.50. Cost: $.20
2. 4 oz of milk and/or 2 oz of sour cream and/or 2 slices of butter, depending on recipe and personal preference. Cost: .13
3. 1 oz Shredded cheese. Cost: .08
4. Salt/Pepper. Cost: .03
   

   Total Cost for Healthy, Nutrious Meal: $.43

5. BONUS/EXTRA: Ham/Bacon/Shredded Beef. Cost: $.67

Recipe Ideas for Inexpensive and Healthy $.50 Meal

 Experimenting with a variety of recipes with potatoes can be a fun way to save money on your food bill. Many of the following recipes are my personal favorites and I enjoy a baked potato as both a side dish and a main entree.

1. 5 ways to bake Potatoes
2. Terrific Tin Foil Recipes for Potatoes
3. Potato Side Dish Recipes
4. Allrecipes.com Potato Recipes (Great Ideas!!)
5. How To: Soft and Pillowy Mashed Potatoes

What are some of your favorite potato-based recipes?

How To Save Money on Energy Bills: Lower Heating, Natural Gas, Electricity Utility Bills

How To Your Lower Heating Bill

Utility Bills can be one of the largest monthly expenses, after housing and food. Many of the ways to be frugal about energy use are changes of habits, focusing on consuming less resources, and mindfully utilizing time-tested and proven methods:

• A programmable thermostat can save money by setting the optimal temperature, and models are available from Home Depot or Lowe's for $20.
• Reuse all heat: If you cook, open the oven door and let all the heat out.
• Invest in a (cheap) hot water bottle to use while sleeping rather than furnace or wood stove.
• Lower the temperature when you go to sleep. An extra blanket, heated electric blanket, or hot water bottles are an extremely inexpensive way to stay warm. 
• Lower the temperature of your home when you are gone. Also remember, it may be more efficient to keep your home warm rather than going from Hot-Cold. Make sure your thermostat only runs when necessary.
• Keep Curtains Closed.
• Installing inexpensive anti-draft insulation for doors and windows can make areas feel much more comfortable. Upcycle old blankets for use as insulation near windows and doors.
• Wear socks and a sweater indoors and keep thermostat set at a lower temperature.
• Heavy curtains act as insulation during both winter and summer. During the winter, they act as a buffer between warm indoor air and cool windows. During the summer, curtains reflect sunlight that can increase the temperature of the room significantly.
• Fix all air leaks: windows, doors, holes, cracks where your warm air escapes to the exterior. If your insulation is not working properly, you are paying to heat the outside world. Proper insulation is possibly the single most cost effective way to reduce expenses and save money. Use window-wrap during the winter and other insulating measures.

 How To Save Money on Electricity Bill:

• Switch as many bulbs as possible from incandescent to CFL. CFL's require 1/8th the energy and last much longer.
• Turn off lights in any room where you are not using. An old rule (pre wwii): one person-one light. Meaning: if you go to a different room and turn on a light, you must turn off the light you were using previously. This simple step can reduce your electricity bill by 10% or more. 
• Use Candles. Candles are cozy, romantic and a frugal alternative for lighting your house.
• Unplug your devices as soon as they hit 100% charge. Bonus: Unplug the charger after charging.

More Tips on Saving Money on Energy Bills: 

• http://www.reddit.com/r/Frugal/comments/1xn4du/how_to_save_money_on_energy/ 
• http://www.reddit.com/r/Frugal/comments/1yte00/tips_for_saving_money_on_energy_bill/cfnt7o9 
• http://energy.gov/sites/prod/files/2013/06/f2/energy_savers.pdf

Convert coke bottle into soap or lotion dispenser, inexpensive gift idea

Here is an inexpensive (Less than $2.00) gift idea:

Vintage Glass Coca-Cola Bottle Converted to Soap Dispenser

Instructions available: http://keepcalmanddecorate.blogspot.com/2010/09/coke-bottle-soap-dispenser.html

How To Save Money February 2014, Inexpensive Valentine's Day Ideas

How To Save Money -- February 2014

Saving money is important whether your budget is $200 or $2,000 per month. More money means more freedom to pursue the hobbies and activities you desire, and invest more for future purchases such as retirement or paying for higher education. Many times we are living paycheck to paycheck simply because we do not know how much the small expenses (starbucks coffee, premium channels on TV) add up to monthly. 

Top 10 Ways to Save Money February 2014

1. Create a budget. By creating a budget, you know where your money goes each month and how much you can potentially save by reducing your monthly groceries budget, or reducing your utilities bill. 
2. 97 Ways to Save Money around the house. How often do you stock up when you find a deal?
3. Shop for a cheaper cell phone. Even if you are using Verizon, prepaid plans are offered that are 1/2 the cost of contracts. Wait out your contract and switch to prepaid or switch to T-mobile and have your contract termination fee paid by T-Mobile.
4. Create your own gifts for Valentine's Day. What is your special talent that you can share with your significant other? Check Out Pinterest.com for free Valentine's Day ideas:
   

   

   Cheap Valentine's Day Idea: Spell out Your Love in Scrabble Letters with Frame from Thrift Store.

5. 40+ Valentine's Day Ideas for Him. Many of these can be applied for the female in your life, and guaranteed that the person receiving your gift will cherish it much more than flowers or a card.
6. File your Income Taxes (And Receive your Refund) Early.
7. Reduce your heating, natural gas, and electricity bills by 30%. 
8. Reduce your Food Expenses/Monthly Grocery Bill. Buying Healthy, Nutritious and Inexpensive food is a great way to feel better while improving your financial and physical health.
9. Save Money on AT & T Family Plan $27/month including 10 GB Data. 
10. Save $300 when purchasing a brand new mattress. Your mattress will last 10 years. Do your homework when purchasing a new mattress.
11. BONUS: 11 Best How To Save Money Articles February 2014.

Inexpensive Food to Stretch Food Budget and Reduce Food Expenses, Healthy Inexpensive Food, Save Money on Groceries

 Ultimate How To Save Money on Food Guide, Cook great food inexpensively 

After housing, food is the most expensive item on your monthly and yearly budget. The average person can expect to spend between 4,000 - 8,000 per year on food, depending on your diet, location, and how often you cook. The best resources for healthy, nutritious, inexpensive meals are below:

http://www.reddit.com/r/Cheap_Meals

http://www.reddit.com/r/Frugal/comments/u13qa/we_rfrugal_week_1_frugal_food/

http://www.reddit.com/r/Frugal/

http://www.reddit.com/r/Frugal/comments/1fmepp/official_i_have_x_for_x_days_advice_thread_tips/

http://erinonabudget.wordpress.com/2014/01/09/my-6-sweet-and-spicy-chili/

 My Top 5 Favorite inexpensive foods are:

1. Potatoes : Very versatile (Mashed Potatoes, Baked Potatoes) Healthy, and I have purchased for as low as $ .20 in my area.
2. Eggs - Full of protein, can be cooked many different ways. Great food all around.
3. Milk - around $2.50 in my area, Milk is a very inexpensive source of calories and a staple food. Requirement for many different recipes.
4. Chicken Thighs/Whole Chickens - as low as $ .99 per lb , can be roasted and turned into chicken soup, roasted chicken, many different ways for a very low price.
5. Beans - my personal favorite is pinto beans but many types are great cooked in the crock pot.

More Inexpensive, Frugal Foods: http://wegotreal.com/inexpensive-food-help-stretch-food-dollars/

Welcome to the official blog of "Mr Frugal Life" !

Mr Frugal Life: Personal Finance Blog

We are a personal finance and entrepreneurship blog and source of information for people who want:

• Save money, diversify our income, and begin to start investing for our future generations.
• Find gainful, full time employment with benefits through starting our own businesses and promoting entrepreneurial activity.
• Enjoying the freedom to travel, learn, read and explore your own interests. That is truly living a frugal life, and we will work together at the blog of Mr Frugal Life.

Mr Frugal Life is your financial guide:

• How to save money, how to your enjoy life by reducing expenses, how to make money and diversify your income.
• Reducing everyday household expenses such as Electricity, Gas or Wood heating, Food costs, water, entertainment and other household expenses.
• Improving professional skills, abilities, and network. Resume writing tips, Job Postings, tips, and much more!

 Who is Mr Frugal Life?

• I am a 38 year old engineer, entrepreneur and personal finance enthusiast. I have always been interested in owning my own business from a young age. I have developed my own skills and talents to be a full time freelance professional, and I want to help others save money and earn a higher income. 

Why does Mr Frugal Life write?

• I want to help others around me live a more fulfilling and financially independent life. Whether you have just started your financial career, or you are nearing retirement, learning proper financial habits from free lessons is important, rather than continually paying for expensive lessons. We are helping Extremely Low Income, Economically struggling, day-to-day and paycheck to paycheck the average everyday person save money and earn a higher income.

Thank you for visiting Mr Frugal Life and we look forward to helping you save money, earn more income, and enjoying more freedom!