I started to notice that I was going a little stir-crazy with Maine winters, so this weekend I’ve decided that I need another project. I’ve always wanted to make ravioli, one of my favorite foods, and this weekend turned out to be the weekend. After some initial success, I’m going back for more. Listening to wonderful lecture .mp3s and cooking with a mug of tea. A pretty blissful and laid back weekend.

  • If you eat organic food (I usually try and cover the cost difference by cutting down on other foods) J.D. collected reader tips for purchasing organic food. (Read it at Get Rich Slowly)
  • Speaking of stocking the kitchen, here are some tips to maximize the value of your pantry. Some of these I’ve used for years, and some of them were delightfully novel. (Read it at The Simple Dollar)
  • Much like the way people think $199 is much cheaper than $200, despite the dollar difference, researchers have also determined that your brain thinks 300 cents is more than $3. (Read it at Consumerist)
  • I love simple and home-made breads. Though there’s no recipe for zucchini bread, my summer staple when my mutant zucchini plant is producing more zucchini than I can eat, there are a number of interesting breads, including my favorite, pumpkin. (Read it at Frugal Village)
  • A same-sex marriage bill has been introduced in Vermont. (Read it at Towleroad)
  • Valentine’s Day is one of those holidays I don’t much care for, but have begun using it as an excuse to get in touch with people. If you’re a romantic though, here are some thoughtful (and frugal) ideas to celebrate. (Read it at The Frugal Duchess)
  • Financial Fate has launched a program designed to calculate future expenses based on the input of certain variables. If you’re looking to plan long-term finances, this site seems like it can be useful. Check it out here.

Queercents Flashback: With all the darkness of a Maine winter, I’ve been itching to get somewhere warm and sunny. Unfortunately, with my recent expenditure on grad school apps, that’s not entirely feasible. Fortunately, there are always staycations, which I think can be just as enjoyable.