Friday Finds – January 2, 2009

Cara’s Finds

—Shake it like a Polaroid picture. Will you miss Polaroid pictures, too? If so check out Poladroid, a free-to-download program that turns digital pictures into a retro Polaroid ones. Here’s a picture of our dog from this summer, yet it looks like it’s from 1979! The images take awhile to “develop.” But using your mouse to “shake” them speeds it up.

Susan’s Finds
As I announced yesterday, my New Year’s resolution is getting financially fit. What better place to start than discovering some blogs to help? I’m sharing what I found as my Friday Finds today. Got some more? Please share in the comments!

— MomAdvice: Well researched and in-depth articles on frugal living, saving money, work at home opportunities, inexpensive recipes, and tips for organizing your life. I met the site’s founder Amy at Camp Baby last year, and she rocks! So does her site. I plan to start reading more faithfully.

— Cash on the Barrelhead: One family’s year-long attempt (beginning in July ’08) to learn how to save, pay down debt and set financial goals. This is the blog I’d like to write myself, but don’t have time. So I’ll live vicariously through the Barreleads instead.

— BeingFrugal.net: Another family digging their way out of debt, with Mom at the financial helm. She shares her trials, tribulations and lessons as she finds her way.

— Self-Made Mom: My blog friend SMM doesn’t exclusively blog about money, but she recently started trying to be more of a “frugalista.” I like her approach, because she’s like me. Doesn’t want to be a money martyr, just wants to save some dough and not live beyond her means. We can toast each other with our made-at-home coffees (not Starbucks!)

Tela’s Finds

–During this last holiday visit to my parents, I set out on a search for some kid and parent friendly DVDs for the portable DVD player (there’s only much disembodied Dora I can stand to listen to from the front seat). When I saw Dr Suess’ Horton Hears a Who was out on DVD, I was intrigued. A coworker had told me it was a winner after he took his daughter to see it at the theater during the summer. It was. It is. I love this movie as as much as my son. Although, truth be told, there are a few “scary” parts with Vlad the bird (not the cookie-baking bunny), that might not make it appropriate for all young’uns.

—The Crockpot Project is complete! I found this blog in its later days of development, and now I have a whole YEAR’S worth of recipes to try. I’m so excited. The blog’s owner, Stephanie, has a wonderful sense of humor, and gives her family’s “verdict” on all her recipes. The best part? She’s going to keep doing the blog! She’s promised weekly updates. Woot!