Summarize the following:
It's one thing to make mental notes of things you've bought over the month, but it's another thing altogether to see them add up on paper. This is especially true if you use a credit or debit card (people tend to spend more freely if they pay with plastic) or pay for things using multiple accounts (and therefore never really see the net total). Manually tracking your expenses will not only help you make better decisions, but also identify areas in which you don't even realize you're overspending. . It isn't enough to just throw a random payment at your credit card(s) every month. Instead, create a strategy, put it in writing, and budget your other expenses around your credit card payments. Here are some popular ways to save money and reduce your debts: Think seriously about starting to save pocket money. It sounds childish, but the savings are anything but. See if you qualify for food assistance. It's not glamorous, but neither is being broke. Reduce your expenses by cutting costs in different areas of your life, such as spending less on entertainment or making sure your car is running efficiently so you spend less on gas. . For a lot of people, a tax refund is a windfall at the beginning of the year. If you anticipate getting a tax refund this year, resolve to set a sizable chunk of it aside in order to pay off some of your debt. For example, don't buy that coffee on the way to work every day; make one at home for a fraction of the cost. Don't buy your books, DVDs, or CDs; just borrow them from your local library. Don't buy lunches for work; just make them at your home. (Pressed for time? Even something as simple as a sandwich or a salad with a hard-boiled egg makes a great lunch. Prep it the night before if necessary.) When you're stressed, treating yourself to the little things can feel like a necessity, and to a certain extent, it is. However, there are much cheaper ways of going about this. Instead of waiting in line for an overpriced mocha, bring a thermos of tea to the park and watch the autumn leaves fall. Instead of going out to dinner with your friends next Friday night, invite them to a potluck at your place. There are plenty of creative ways to cut back without feeling like a Spartan. Credit cards are often our go-to resource for unplanned expenses (the alternator dies, you get sick and miss work, etc.), but this can undo months of payments and completely demoralize you. A better idea is to tuck some money aside strictly for emergencies. This doesn't have to be a drain on your income. Remember those expenses you are cutting back on? Instead of simply not spending, try actually setting aside the money you would have paid on one or two of those expenses (for example, bar money every Friday night, manicure money every-other Sunday, etc.). Create a (free) savings account, put it in a CD, or even hide it in a cookie jar. Remember that this fund is for emergencies only. Break your leg? Go ahead and dip in. Want to upgrade your phone? Find the money somewhere else. Once you start to see that credit card balance go down, you may be tempted to treat yourself to a series of restaurant outings or a shiny new smartphone. Don't do it; a few casual purchases can put you right back where you started, especially if something unexpected happens. Keep the end goal at the forefront of your mindrewards that cost little or nothing are much better, like seeing a movie at a friend's house or making your favorite rich chocolate dessert and eating it all! Remember what you're trying to doget out of credit card debt. Just like smokers almost never quit by cutting back, you probably won't get out of debt if you keep adding to it by using your cards all the time. You want to try to minimize your use of cards or stop using your cards altogether. Freeze them in a block of ice if you need to. Freezing a sealed bag of water with the cards inside is a fun and mess-free way of doing this. That way, your card will be there if you need it, but you'll have to wait for the ice to thaw, giving you hours to decide whether you really need it. Get a lock box. Put your cards in a lock box and put the lock box somewhere out of the way. Either give the key to someone else or put the key at another location, like your desk drawer at work, so that when you need to use the credit card, you will have to think long and hard about doing it. As a last resort, take your cards and cut them in to pieces with scissors to make sure you won't use them again.

summary: Track your spending. Develop a budget for yourself Spend your tax refund wisely Sacrifice a small luxury (or three). Build an emergency cash fund. Don't relax your spending habits because you've successfully paid off some debt. Keep the goal in mind.

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oregano just before the plant flowers, or as needed. Oregano is most flavorful right before the plant flowers, so this is the perfect time to harvest if you plan to dry or freeze your herbs. However, you can also harvest small amounts of oregano to use fresh in your kitchen. Keep in mind that the oregano may taste bitter after the plant flowers, so it's a good idea to harvest the remaining stems before your plant flowers. You can dry them by hanging them in bunches or using a dehydrator. Alternatively, you could freeze them. The best time to harvest oregano is in the morning after the dew dries. The flavor of your oregano will be strongest during warm weather. You can harvest less, but not more. Position the scissors against the stem in a spot that's in between the leaves to prevent damaging the leaves. Place your thumb and middle finger just below the leaves you want to harvest. Slowly run your hand up the stem to pull off the leaves, collecting them as you go. Place the leaves in a clean, dry container for use in your kitchen. Cut away the bare stem using your scissors. This is a great alternative for days when you just want a few leaves to season a dish.
summary: Harvest Place your scissors 1/3rd of the way down a stem of oregano. Run your fingers along the stem to remove just the leaves if you prefer.