readyforrain

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Ready for Rain

Ready for Rain

Christmas Giveaways-Salad Dressing

RANCH DRESSING

INGREDIENTS
1 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup sour cream
1/4 cup buttermilk
1/2 teaspoon dried chives
1/2 teaspoon dried parsley
1/2 teaspoon dried dill weed
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

PROCEDURE
In a large bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, buttermilk, chives, parsley, dill, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper. Bottle and keep chilled in the fridge for at least 1 hour before serving.

ITALIAN DRESSING

INGREDIENTS
1 cup extra virgin olive oil (or any salad oil)
1/3 cup Red Wine Vinegar
2 small cloves crushed garlic (via a press or minced very finely)
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
1/2 cup of minced fresh herbs (parsley, chives, some fresh tarragon and thyme and mint leaves)
salt to taste
ground black pepper to taste

PROCEDURE
In a bowl, whisk together red wine vinegar, garlic, and mustard. Add the olive oil the to vinegar mixture in a slow, steady stream, whisking until emulsified. Add minced fresh herbs. Season to taste with salt and black pepper.


ASIAN DRESSING
INGREDIENTS
1/3 cup lime juice
1/3 cup nam pla (Asian fish sauce)
1/2 cup peanut oil
¼ cup sesame oil
2 Siling Labuyo chopped
2 clove garlic, crushed with the side of a knife, then chopped
6 kaffir lime leaves, minced (optional)
PROCEDURE:

In a bowl, whisk together fish sauce, peanut oil, sesame oil, chili, garlic, lime leaves and the lime juice

White, and Green Pasta Sauce

by Delicioso on Sunday, November 21, 2010 at 7:33pm

GREEN: “Broccoli and Basil Pesto”

Ingredients:

-3cups fresh basil
-1cup fresh broccoli
-1cup grated parmesan reggiano
-1cup EVOO
-2/3cup pine nuts
-5 medium size garlic cloves
-salt and pepper to taste

Procedure:

1) cut broccoli florets. in a small sauce pan, blanch broccoli until cooked and drain. let it cool.
2) in a blender put basil, broccoli, pine nuts and garlic slowly add all the oils then add the cheese, salt and pepper. blend to form paste.

WHITE: “Alfredo Sauce”

Ingredients:

-3 cups cream
-1 cup grated parmesan cheese
-4 tbsp butter
-1 tbsp garlic
-salt and pepper to taste

Procedure:

1. -in a medium saute pan, add 1tbsp butter to saute garlic till lightly golden; add cream and let it simmer then add the cheese
2. -gradually stir in parmesan cheese
3. -finish with butter and season with salt and pepper

Recipe 2/Eric Dizon: Holiday Pasta with Marinara Sauce

45 ml or 3 tb cooking oil
Garlic 15 g
Onion 50g
Ground beef 150g
Carrots 50g
Celery 30g
Bell pepper 30g
Clara ole tomato sauce 250g
1/4 cup ketchup
Salt and pepper
Pinch of Mccormick Italian seasoning
Mccormick oregano pinch
Mccormick thyme
Magnolia quick melt cheese 50g

No Bake Cheesecake with Blueberry, Cookies and Cream Topping

by Delicioso on Sunday, November 21, 2010 at 7:34pm

CRUST
a. 2 & 1/2 cups Graham crackers crumbs
b. 2 tsp cinnamon - baka may mccormick nito
c. 2/3 cup melted butter - baka may nestle butter
d. 2 tsp lemon rind
e. 4 tbsp sugar

FILLING
a. 2 package magnolia cream cheese soften
b. half cup sugar
c. 2 packs gelatin clear
d. 150ml fresh milk - nestle brand please
e. 3 cups nestle all purpose cream chilled

TOPPINGS
a. 1 cup comstock blueberry
b. 250 g oreo cookies

PACKAGING
a. microwaveable clear tupperware
volume 250 ml
- 12 pieces
- ribbons for design
- double sided tape

Banana Cream Pie

by Delicioso on Sunday, November 21, 2010 at 7:35pm

 

Crust
1 1/2 cups chocolate cookie crumbs
1/2 cups butter, melted
1/4 cups sugar

Procedure
1 mix together all the ingredients. Press into the bottom and sides of 9" pie plate
2 Freeze for 1 hour until crust is firm


Filling

1/2 can Condensed Milk
150 grams bittersweet chocolate
1/2 cup Cream
1 Tbsp light cornsyrup
1 tsp Ferna Vanilla
Topping
5 pc banana
1 cup Non dairy whipping cream
1/2 tsp coffee flavoring
chocolate curls

Banana Cream Pie

Crust
1 1/2 cups chocolate cookie crumbs
1/2 cups butter, melted
1/4 cups sugar

Procedure
1 mix together all the ingredients. Press into the bottom and sides of 9" pie plate
2 Freeze for 1 hour until crust is firm
  Filling

1/2 can Condensed Milk
150 grams bittersweet chocolate
1/2 cup Cream
1 Tbsp light cornsyrup
1 tsp Ferna Vanilla
Topping
5 pc banana
1 cup Non dairy whipping cream
1/2 tsp coffee flavoring
chocolate curls

Ready-to-Serve Christmas Hamon

Ready-to-Serve Christmas Hamon

Curing:
Ingredients:
700g-1kg deboned pork shoulder (skin off but not the fat)
2L water
3/4cup salt
1cup sugar
4tsp pink salt/sodium nitrate

Procedure:
1) In a large bowl, stir all ingredients until dissolved.
2) Put the pork in the mixture completely submerged, lay a heavy object on top of the meat completely submerging it.
3) Cover with cling wrap; marinade for 24hrs in the fridge
4) Rinse before baking

Baking:
-twine
-1cup brown sugar
-1can crushed pineapple(undrained)
-2tbsp lemon juice
-1tbsp prepared mustard
-salt and pepper to taste

Procedure:
1) Pre-heat oven to 325 F.
2) Tie meat with twine neatly
3) Bake meat covered with foil for 1hr. Meat is cooked when a meat thermometer pierced in the thickest part of the meat and kept there for 15 seconds indicates 160 F. or Another method for testing doneness is to pierce the ham with a meat fork or the tip of a knife. The meat should show little resistance by easily sliding in and out of the ham if it is done properly.
4) At this point the ham is cooked and ready for glazing to be served or cooled and packed for a giveaway. If not ready to serve make sure to keep in the fridge and not the freezer.

Prep before serving:

1) Preheat oven to 325F.
2) in a small sauce pan,add sugar, pineapple with syrup,lemon juice,mustard. simmer till sauce is thick and season with salt and pepper.
3) Cover pre-cooked ham with glaze. Place in oven and glaze every 10 minutes. Cook to 140 F. plate and carve.

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/notes/delicioso/episode-16-ready-to-serve-christmas-hamon/170553479636240

Thank You book.

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here is the cover of the Thank You book. A nice gift this Christmas. 462pesos. 

by tintin babao

Maicko's first roll over at 3 months

Maicko's first roll ver was last November 7, 2010 at 8:27 pm.

This video was taken November 8, 2010.This was his third time to do roll over.

He also sneeze at this moment.

Enjoy the video!

Visualization helped him top nursing exams

Inner Awareness

By Jaime Licauco

Philippine Daily Inquirer

First Posted 22:05:00 09/14/2010

THE AUG. 28 ISSUE of Philippine Daily Inquirer carried an item on how a nursing student became the top graduate through visualization.

According to the feature story written by Inquirer reporter Juan Escandor, Jr. of Southern Tagalog and DJ Yap:

“Rayan Abogado Oliva, the topnotcher in the nursing board exams last July, had prayed every day that he would top all examinees and posted in his room the number 1 sign which greeted him every morning he woke up.

“Oliva, who graduated magna cum laude at the Ateneo de Naga University, said he was very specific with his request to God that he be the one on top…. He said he had read somewhere that if one had a dream, he had to write it down, place it on the wall and be motivated by it.”

Without perhaps realizing it, Oliva instinctively used an ancient and proven visualization method. Visualization is the key to achieving whatever goal we desire. It means forming a vivid mental picture of what it is we want to get whether it’s a new job, new house, or even an ideal partner in life.

Visualization or forming a clear mental image of what you want works because everything begins with the mind.

Before something becomes a physical reality it must first be thought of or conceived. There is no exception to this principle. The physical is the last to manifest in the order of creation. Before a painting becomes one, it must first exist in the mind of the artist. Before a table becomes a physical reality it must first exist in the mind of the carpenter. Before the sun, the moon and stars exist, they must first exist in the mind of God.

Modern quantum physics is now beginning to accept that thoughts are things, that they have an energy which can affect a material object. The mere act of observing a physical object, quantum physicists have discovered, already changes the object observed. This is essentially what the ancient Buddhists have been saying all along, namely, that “we create our own reality.”

But some individuals say, “I cannot visualize.” That’s not possible because the mind by its very nature visualizes or creates ideas and images. If we substitute the word “remember” for “visualize,” then the problem vanishes. Being told to remember the face of one’s mother or one’s favorite movie actor or actress, sounds a lot easier to do than being asked to “visualize” it.

The mind has many ways of forming pictures. Sometimes we get very clear, detailed images, often in full color. Other times it forms vague images and we merely supply the rest of the details with words or ideas. And in some cases we can’t even see anything in our minds, but merely know that something is there and describing it through feeling or shadowy flashes of ideas.

4 basic steps

According to Shakti Gawain, author of the best-selling book, “Creative Visualization,” there are four basic steps to effective visualization: First, set your goal. Decide on something you particularly want. It should be very specific—for example, a particular house with so many rooms located in such a place, or a particular job in such company.

Second, create a clear concrete picture of what you want. It is important to imagine it in the present tense as already existing the way you want it to be. Picture yourself in it. Include as many details as possible including color.

Third, focus on it often. See it every day. Ponder on the mental picture of your goal constantly. Integrate it in your daily routine. See it as if it is already yours.

Fourth, give it positive energy. Make strong positive statements about the goal or object you want. Imbue it with affirmative feelings of desire, belief and acceptance. Imagine yourself already possessing whatever goal you have established for yourself and have no doubt at all that you will attain it. Imagine the exhilaration or feeling of accomplishment you would experience once you have achieved your goal. Let this be your final vision or thought for the day and surely, what you desire will happen.

Without knowing these principles, the above steps are what Oliva actually followed in becoming the top examinee in the July nursing examinations.

Of course he must have also used his left brain by studying hard for the exams. He did not simply lie down and visualize his goal without doing anything else. He did not follow the legendary Juan Tamad who merely opened his mouth while lying down waiting for the guava to fall on his open mouth. Oliva used visualization and mental affirmation to ensure that his efforts at studying will not be in vain.

Copyright 2010 Philippine Daily Inquirer. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Raspberry S'mores

 

Serves 4| Hands-On Time: 10m | Total Time: 10m

Ingredients

• 8 graham crackers
• 32 large marshmallows, cut in half
• 2 1.5-ounce chocolate bars (such as Hershey's)
• 1 cup fresh raspberries

Directions

1. Adjust rack to middle position and heat broiler or toaster oven. Break the crackers in half to form squares and place on a baking sheet. Arrange 4 marshmallow halves on top of each square. Broil for 30 to 60 seconds or until the marshmallows are golden brown.
2. Break each chocolate bar into 12 pieces. Arrange the chocolate and raspberries on top of half the crackers. Invert the remaining marshmallow-topped crackers onto the raspberry-and-chocolate–topped crackers, pressing gently to make sandwiches. Stack them, if desired. 

by realsimple

Quick Chocolate Buttercream

 

 

Makes enough to frost 24 cupcakes|

Ingredients

• 1 stick unsalted butter (1/4 pound), softened, plus 1 1/2 tablespoons
• 3 cups confectioners' sugar, sifted
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 pinch salt
• 2 ounces unsweetened baking chocolate

Directions

1. Using a hand mixer or an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the butter in a large bowl until soft, about 1 minute. With the mixer on low, gradually add the sugar. When all the sugar has been incorporated, add the vanilla and salt. Increase mixer speed to high and cream the ingredients until light and fluffy, about 4 minutes.
2. Melt the chocolate and the remaining butter in a double boiler over gently simmering water. Beat into the buttercream mixture until well combined.

May 2004

by realsimple

Peanut Butter-Cup Cookies

 

Makes 48 cookies| Hands-On Time: 15m | Total Time: 40m

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 3/4 cup dark brown sugar
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 12-ounce package small peanut butter cups, coarsely chopped

Directions

1. Heat oven to 375° F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.
2. Using an electric mixer, beat the butter and sugars until creamy. Add the egg and vanilla and beat to combine. Gradually add the flour mixture, mixing until just incorporated. Fold in the peanut butter cups.
3. Drop tablespoon-size mounds of dough 2 inches apart onto the prepared baking sheets. Bake until light brown around the edges, 12 to 15 minutes. Transfer to a baking rack to cool.

•  

Peanut Butter Truffles

Makes 35-45 truffles| Hands-On Time: 40m | Total Time: 1hr 10m

Ingredients

• 1 cup peanut butter, chunky or creamy
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
• 12 ounces semisweet chocolate, cut into small pieces (or semisweet chocolate chips)
• 1 cup cocoa powder

Directions

1. Make the filling: In a large bowl, place the peanut butter and butter and mix well.
2. Form the truffles: Pour the ganache into a 2-inch-deep baking pan, spread evenly, and place in the freezer for 30
3. minutes or until set (it should have the consistency of fudge). Using a melon baller or a small spoon, form rounds and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment or wax paper. Let the truffles harden in the freezer for about 15 minutes. After removing from the freezer, roll truffles between your hands into marble-size spheres, squeezing slightly (try to do this quickly, otherwise they'll become too soft). You can now dust the truffles with cocoa and serve them as is, but they'll hold their shape better if you coat them with chocolate first.
4. Make the coating: Let the truffles rest in the freezer while you make the chocolate glaze. Place the remaining chocolate pieces in a large bowl over a saucepan of simmering water and stir occasionally, until the chocolate is completely melted. Remove from heat and let cool at room temperature, stirring occasionally, until the chocolate starts to set at the edge of the bowl. Drop the truffles into the melted chocolate and retrieve them with a fork, allowing any excess chocolate to drip off. Garnish immediately or leave the truffles plain and proceed to step 5.
5. Garnish: For a cocoa garnish, set the freshly coated truffles on a plate and sift the garnish over them. Turn the truffles and sift again to cover completely. 
6. Storage: Place the truffles on the lined baking sheet and allow them to set in the refrigerator for 5 minutes. Truffles will keep for about 2 weeks, chilled or at room temperature, when stored in a tightly sealed container.  

http://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/browse-all-recipes/peanut-butter-truffles-10000000608414/index.html

Mocha-Walnut Brownies

 

 

Makes 16 brownies| Hands-On Time: 10m | Total Time: 4hr 00m

Ingredients

• nonstick vegetable oil spray
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
• 4 ounces semisweet or bittersweet chocolate, coarsely chopped
• 1 tablespoon instant espresso powder
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup sugar
• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
• 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips

Directions

1. Heat oven to 350° F. Spray an 8-inch square baking pan with the nonstick spray. Line the pan with a piece of parchment, leaving an overhang on two sides; spray the parchment with the nonstick spray.
2. In a small saucepan, melt the butter and chopped chocolate with the espresso powder, stirring occasionally; remove from heat.
3. With an electric mixer, beat the eggs and sugar on medium-high until light and fluffy. Reduce speed to low and mix in the melted chocolate mixture, then the flour and salt just until incorporated. Fold in the walnuts and chocolate chips.
4. Spread the batter in the prepared pan and bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 30 minutes.
5. Cool completely in the pan. Holding both sides of the paper overhang, lift the cake out of the pan, transfer to a cutting board, and cut into 16 squares.  Note: Total Time includes cooling time.

By Susan Sugarman,  December 2009

h/ittp://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/browse-all-recipes/mocha-walnut-brownies-00000000025802ndex.html

Basic Gravy

Serves 8| Hands-On Time: 20m | Total Time: 30m

Ingredients

• roasting pan and its contents, from Easy Roasted Turkey
• 1 cup dry white wine
• 1 to 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
• 4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter
• 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
• kosher salt and black pepper

Directions

1. Remove the vegetables and neck from the roasting pan; discard. Carefully strain the pan juices into a fat separator. Let stand 5 minutes, allowing the fat to rise to the top. Pour the juices into a large measuring cup, leaving the fat behind.
2. Place the empty roasting pan across 2 burners over medium-high heat. Add the wine and cook, scraping up the brown bits stuck to the pan, for 1 minute.
3. Pour the contents of the pan into the measuring cup of skimmed juices. Add enough chicken broth to make a total of 4 cups of liquid.
4. Melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Sprinkle with the flour to create a roux.
5. Cook the roux, whisking frequently, until deep brown, 4 to 5 minutes. Keep in mind that the darker the roux, the richer the flavor.
6. Whisk in the 4 cups of liquid and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until thickened, 8 to 10 minutes.
7. Season the gravy with ¾ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon pepper. Strain just before serving. (If you do it any earlier, a skin will form on the surface of the gravy.)

By Kate Merker,  November 2010
http://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/browse-all-recipes/basic-gravy-00000000044774/index.html

 

Irresistible Chocolate Chip Cookies

Makes 40 cookies| Hands-On Time: 15m | Total Time: 35m

Ingredients

• 2 sticks unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 1 cup packed dark brown sugar
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 large egg
• 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• kosher salt
• 1 1/4 teaspoons baking soda
• 12 ounces semisweet chocolate chips

Directions

1. Heat oven to 375° F.
2. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment pape
3. paper or aluminum foil.
4. With an electric mixer on medium-high, beat the butter, sugars, and vanilla for 3 minutes. Add the egg and beat until combined. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and the baking soda. Reduce mixer speed to low and slowly add the flour mixture to the egg mixture until combined. Stir in the chocolate chips.
5. Scoop the dough into tablespoon-size mounds and place on the prepared baking sheets, 2 inches apart. Bake until lightly browned at the edges, 12 to 15 minutes.
6. Cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes. Transfer cookies to wire racks and cool completely.
7.  

Frozen Chocolate Sandwiches

Makes 12 sandwiches| Hands-On Time: 20m | Total Time: 3hr 40m

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup whole milk
• 24 marshmallows
• 12 ounces semisweet chocolate, grated or chopped
• 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
• 18 graham crackers

Directions

1. Line a 9-by-13-inch baking dish with foil, allowing the foil to hang over the sides. Heat the milk and marshmallows in a large saucepan over low heat, stirring often, until smooth. Remove from heat. Add the chocolate and stir until melted and smooth. Refrigerate for 20 minutes.
2. In a large bowl, with an electric mixer on medium-high, beat the cream until stiff peaks form. Working quickly, fold the whipped cream into the chilled chocolate mixture, mixing until no traces of white remain. Spoon into the prepared dish. Tap the dish on the counter to remove air bubbles. Freeze, covered, until set, at least 3 hours.
3. Holding both sides of the foil, transfer the frozen block to a cutting board. Cut into 24 squares. Break the graham crackers in half. Layer the chocolate squares between the crackers to make 12 double-decker sandwiches. Place the sandwiches on a plate, cover, and return to freezer until ready to serve.

http://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/browse-all-recipes/frozen-chocolate-sandwiches-10000001661841/index.html

Flourless Chocolate Cake

 

 

Ingredients

• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, cut into pieces, plus more for the pan
• 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, plus more for the pan
• 1 1/4 cups heavy cream
• 8 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped
• 5 large eggs
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup crème fraîche or sour cream
• 1/4 cup confectioners’ sugar, plus more for dusting

Directions

1. Heat oven to 350° F. Butter a 9-inch springform pan and dust with cocoa powder.
2. In a medium saucepan, heat the butter with ¼ cup of the heavy cream over medium-low heat until the butter is melted. Add the chocolate and stir until melted and smooth; remove from heat.
3. In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, granulated sugar, and cocoa powder; whisk in the chocolate mixture.
4. Transfer the batter to the prepared pan and bake until puffed and set, 35 to 40 minutes. Let cool in the pan for 1 hour. Run a knife around the edge of the cake before unmolding.
5. Using an electric mixer, beat the remaining 1 cup of heavy cream with the crème fraîche and confectioners’ sugar until soft peaks form. Dust the cake with confectioners’ sugar and serve with the whipped cream.

How to Save One-Third of Your Income

Kimberly Palmer, On Wednesday 3 November 2010, 3:23 SGT

One of the main arguments in my book, Generation Earn, is that we need to drastically increase the amount of money we're saving. On average, we should save about one-third of our income in our twenties, thirties, and forties for retirement, emergency funds, and big goals such as purchasing a home. I've gotten a lot of questions about that--how is it even possible? What did you give up to do that? Are you doing that right now? I wanted to share some of the ways I saved that much and explain why I think it's necessary.
[In Pictures: 12 Money Mistakes Almost Everyone Makes]
First, a confession: I am not currently saving one-third of my income. That's because I've experienced two major financial shocks in the last year, having a baby and buying a house. Between mortgage payments and daycare expenses, I've fallen way behind, but I plan to return to my previous saving levels as soon as those costs become more manageable.
For most of my twenties, though, I was saving one-third of my income. About twenty percent went directly into my retirement accounts, so I never even saw the money. I put an additional 15 percent into after-tax savings accounts, which was mostly invested in money market funds.
Here are some of my strategies that made it possible:
Live like a college student long after graduation: My husband and I continued living in a small apartment with our old futon as a sofa for five years after graduation. At first, we didn't use cable and stuck with an old tube television. For awhile, we even figured out a way to make room for our baby in that small space.
Become a frugal chef. I didn't know much about cooking before I got married, but I quickly learned how to make vegetable-focused meals from the Food Network. Using small amounts of meat saved us money, as did limiting our restaurant meals.
Stick with one car. We've always chosen to live near public transportation so we can limit ourselves to one car, which saves us thousands of dollars a year. Between gas, upkeep, and insurance, cars are expensive, so sticking to one can make a big difference. (These first three items--housing, food, and transportation--take up about two-thirds of most people's incomes, so focusing on that pricey trifecta can have a big impact.)
[For more money-saving tips, visit the U.S. News Alpha Consumer blog.]
Use old cell phones. We never joined the smartphone craze, so while we might not look as cool with our bulky old-style phones, we're saving a lot by avoiding pricey data plans and high-tech gadgets.
Splurge on small but meaningful indulgences. When I bought my husband a LCD television for his birthday one year (to replace the old tube set we had), I knew it was a huge splurge, and certainly not a necessary one. But given all of our other sacrifices, I figured it was worth it, and given how much he likes it, I think it was. We also buy high-quality beer to drink at home. Even though a $9 six-pack is no deal, it's much cheaper than drinking at a bar.
Everyone's strategies will be different, since they're based on your own preferences. You might bring a bagged lunch every day but go on an international vacation every year, or indulge in restaurant meals while collecting coupons for the grocery store. As long as you're cutting back on the areas that aren't that important to you, you won't feel like you're making an impossible sacrifice.
Almost everyone can save a significant chunk of income, regardless of income level or where you live. You just have to live a lifestyle that's a lot more frugal than the one you could actually afford. Sure, you might occasionally wish you had a fancier television, or furniture, but purchasing those items give such short-term bursts of pleasure that the cost is hardly worth it. Instead, invest in your relationships, hobbies, and career, all of which can outlast even the most expensive television.
What are your savings techniques? How much of your income do you try to save?

Kimberly Palmer is the author of the new book Generation Earn: The Young Professional's Guide to Spending, Investing, and Giving Back.
 Comments::
>Live a holy life. No entertainment. Give 2 hours a day for our Lord Jesus and give your titles. He takes care of your present and your eternal future!!
>Live within your means and increase that means! You can spend money with your love ones but always think of how you can save while spending and the same time you and your loved ones will also be happy. Example, when you feel like having a food trip, you may go to a cheaper restaurant rather than going into hi-class resto. You may spend on watching movies by buying original DVDs at Php300 and watch it at home rather than going into a movie house with P200 cost of ticket for each person.

On increasing your MEANS, do not rely on your paycheck alone. have your savings invested into instruments that generate higher returns over bank savings and time deposit accounts.

Explore other income generating activities while controlling your family's expenses.

Always have a list of your income and expenses so you will know where you're spending more.

>I'm not a personal finance guru but as of now, I'm following the principles of personal finance and will share you later how will i am doing for the next 5 years! Good luck to all!
try having separate atm one for your savings the other for your expenses...and try leaving the saings atm in your house rather than putting it in our wallet for safety reason hehehee

>Waste not, want not. Be simple, live simply and be happy. At mid-fifties, i can attest to that, and, Thanks God for everything.

http://sg.finance.yahoo.com/news/How-to-Save-OneThird-of-Your-usnews-2368738838.html