Curious.com

Top 8 Tips to Save Money and Cut Debt

Did Santa spend too much on hoverboards? Bought way too many losing Powerball tickets? Here are some helpful tips to save money that won’t leave you eating Ramen for every meal or living out of a van How to Brew a Perfect Cup of Coffee by Tundra Restaurant Supply Your kitchen is full of savings! Skipping the take-out coffee alone can save you up to a thousand dollars a year. How to Make Natural Skin Care Products by Holistically Haute Make your own or do without. Most household and body products can be made with a few simple ingredients. Financial Planning for Debt Management by Focused Spender The average American household has $204,992 in debt. Start paying down your debt and reap the benefits. How to Sell on eBay by Matt Bernstein Get extra cash and declutter your home with online selling sites like eBay – now that’s magic. 7-Day Budget-Friendly Menu Plan by Healthy Kids Inc Good to the last bite! Forty percent of food in the US goes uneaten, which costs families about $640 a year. Meal planning is a great way to make sure everything gets used. Consignment Shopping for Baby by Jen Boulden Buy used for everyone in the family (and sell it back when you’re done). Becoming an Expert in Your Niche by TJ Walker Make a little money on the side by turning your hobby into a money-maker. Essential Bathroom Repairs by Home Repair Tutor Clogged drains, a running toilet, frozen pipes – fix it yourself!

Thai's Teaser #29: Lost letters

The new year brings new resolutions, usually around improving your health or avoiding intractable land wars in central Asia. I'm taking the easy route and making week-long resolutions this year. And this week, I resolve to get you an inspirational teaser. Strap in and prepare to be inspired!

A cryptogram is a message where each letter has been replaced with another letter (e.g., all Bs were replaced with Ms).

What is this inspirational quote from an incredibly inspirational historical figure?

A JPF’Z ZYAFL HWEY PV D HDF GYP AT FPZ GATRI ZPJDM ZYDF YR GDT MRTZRIJDM. –DQIDYDH BAFEPBF

Click below for the answer:

5-Minute Refresh

Squeeze in a little time for yourself. These lessons will help you refresh in 5 minutes or less. 5 Minute Meditation for Total Relaxation by The Miracle Forest You don’t need hours to de-stress and meditate. This quick guided meditation is perfect for sneaking in some relaxation when you first get up, between meetings, or before bed. How to Draw Eyes with Pen by Sketch2Draw Unblock your mind and get in the flow with doodling. Ginger Nut Bites Raw Snack Recipe by Mandi Makes A quick snack can do wonders. Get a natural pick-me-up from these healthy bites packed with energizing ginger and nuts. Jump Rope Cardio Training Workout by Adrienn Banhegyi Jumpstart your fitness with this fast cardio workout. How to Overcome Procrastination by True Potential Counseling Let’s get down to business. Knock out that procrastination and make progress. You’re ready.

Thai's Teaser #28: A new business for a new year

I hope you're fully recovered from any New Year celebrations because here's a good one. Ready? Here we go!

To seek his fortune, Alonzo is starting a camp that aims to teach kids how to catch footballs, but it's not going well. He starts to think: "How can I get more kids to attend my camp? Oh, I know! Curious has entrepreneurship and marketing lessons!" So he decides to buy a subscription to Curious.

What do these verbs all have in common?

 seek, teach, catch, think, get, buy

Click below to see the answer:

Thai's Teaser #27: Work hard, play hard

We were thinking "What would be more exciting than a brain teaser from Thai?"

"How about possibly the world's ugliest Christmas sweater? If not, let's do a brain teaser."

So curl up with some hot chocolate, a fleece blanket (preferably with sleeves) and try this Word Ladder*:

Joe loves learning from all around his CQ Wheel, from all of the 8 CQ Tracks. His two favorite are his Work track and his Play track. How can he change WORK into PLAY with a Word Ladder?

*A Word Ladder is a series of words where each word is formed by changing one letter from the previous word; e.g., you can change PIG into CAT like this: PIG => PIT => PAT => CAT.

Click below to see the answer:

Thai's Teaser #26: Learning and Earning CQ

We were thinking "What would be a better way to add more fun and excitement to Curious than a brain teaser from Thai?"

"Definitely this R2-D2 moving mini-fridge. How can you not want one? But let's do a brain teaser anyway."

So take a break from holiday craziness this weekend and give this a shot:

Peter loves learning on Curious, so he takes a lot of lessons and reads a lot of Curios. This month, he noticed that the number of CQ points he's earned is a three-digit number that is the sum of the cubes of its digits. How cool! How many CQ points has Peter earned?

Check back next week for the answer. In the meantime, you can see all of Thai's Teasers here.

29 easy homemade gift ideas

Top 29 homemade gifts Try your hand at a little something homemade and show your friends and family how much you really care with these thoughtful gifts. With 22 days ‘til Christmas, you have plenty of time to make something for everyone on your list. How to Make Handmade Candles by The O'Neil Sisters These easy to make gifts are perfect for everyone on your list. You can make a whole bunch in a matter of minutes and it’s easy to customize scents, colors, and more. How to Make Candy Cane Reindeer by DiY DiVA From stocking stuffers to ornaments, these adorable reindeer are easy and kid-friendly. DIY Grumpy Cat Stuffed Animal by Claire Sophia Bestow this beauty on the Grumpy Gus (or cat lover) in your life. How to Make a Wire Knot Ring by Making It Easy with Liz This twist on the classic gift can be customized to any finger. One-Skein Knitting Projects by Carrie Knits Transform a single skein into everything from a tablet cover to a cabled headband to a felted bowl. How to Make Infused Olive Oil by Tundra Restaurant Supply The foodie in your life will flip for these tasty oils. Bonus points for a putting it in a nice bottle. DIY Bath & Body Products by Lotions and Potions These DIY scrubs, bath bombs, spa quality massage oils, and vegan lip balms are sure to pamper. Paleo Peppermint Chocolate Sticks by Adriana Harlan Pop them in a canning jar and voilà, a gift. 3 DIY Dog Toys Made from T-Shirts by Upcycled Stuff Don’t forget a little something for your best friend! Performing a Relaxing Back Rub by Psyche Truth Don’t know what to give your significant other? How about a Swedish massage – no money or materials required.

How to eat mindfully

Leave behind the guilt and the overeating that often comes with the holiday season. Instead, discover how mindful eating and a healthy relationship to food can lead to less stress, increased energy, and wellness.

This 10-lesson course from mindfulness educator Suzanne Matthiessen introduces basic mindfulness concepts and offers countless strategies for making healthy food choices in any situation.

We make hundreds of food-related decisions every day, often with little thought. The strategies, resources, and mindful eating practices presented in this course will help you navigate each day with ease and happiness.

Thai's Teaser #25: Holiday Shopping

Totally stuffed from eating turkey, stuffing, and a slice of pumpkin pie larger than his head, Matt knew it was time to go holiday shopping. Dreading every moment of it, he headed to the mall and started crossing things off his list. The first six gifts he bought cost this much:

• $2
• $3
• $6
• $11
• $21
• $51

"Wow!" he thought. "That's a really interesting pattern. I only need to buy one more gift, and I know exactly how much I'm going to spend."

Did I tell you Matt's a nerd?

How much did he spend on the last gift?

Click below to see the answer:

45 easy recipes and tips for healthy eating

Tips and recipes for healthy eating Just because there are holiday treats everywhere doesn’t mean you can’t eat healthy. These tips and quick recipes will have your whole family eating better long before the January guilt sets in. How to Prepare Easy and Healthy Recipes by Food Guru Dinner doesn’t have to be an all night affair. Whip up something quick and tasty with these recipes. (Don’t miss the chai spiced overnight oats.) How to Get Kids to Eat Healthy by Evita Ochel From kids’ nutritional needs tips to getting them to eat vegetables, this course will help you to get your pickiest eaters on board. 3 Paleo Dinner Recipes by Real Healthy Recipes Chicken lettuce tacos, chili over sweet potato, and one pot chicken. Need we say more? Baked Peaches with Honey Recipe by Eating to Live Get creative with dessert. This simple recipe transforms peaches (or apples or pears) into a tasty treat. Basic Healthy Granola Recipe by Fitnessology Revolution Don’t wait for hunger to strike to find something to eat. This granola is great on the go.

Top 5 tips to improve productivity

Top 5 tips to improve productivity You don’t need a fancy gadget or a drill sergeant to get things done! Improve your productivity and conquer your to-do list with these tips. The Truth About Multitasking by Es Einsteinium Stop trying to multitask! You are only dividing your attention and slowing yourself down. How to Use Google Apps by Klista Rader From automation tips to smart inboxes to collaboration tools, speed up your work and keep yourself sane with these apps. Meditation for Stillness and Focus by Happy Healthy You It seems counterintuitive, but setting aside time to just sit and breathe actually makes you more productive. The Importance of Delegating by Bruce Wade You can get it all done – if you delegate. From making dinner with your kids to big projects at work, save yourself time with help. Improving Concentration by Mind Edge Learn how to clear distractions and concentrate on what’s really important.

Top 10 DIY Car Repairs

Get ready to travel for the holidays or head to the mountain with these handy DIY car repairs even a beginner can do.

From changing your windshield wipers to putting on snow tires, Eric the Car Guy guides you through the 10 most useful car repairs to do safely at home in this course.

There isn’t anything quite like the feeling of fixing something yourself.

Thai's Teaser #24: Common Words

Here at Curious, we're not above a little shock and awe in education, so we were thinking, "What would be more shocking than a puzzle from Thai?".

Answer: "How about Donald Trump photoshopped into horror movies? But otherwise, nothing, so let's do a puzzle from Thai"

While you try desperately and futily to erase those images from your mind, give this a shot:

What do the following words have in common?

• DEFT
• HIJACK
• CALMNESS
• CANOPY
• LAUGHING

Can you think of any other words that would also fit in this group?

Click below to see the answer:

Winter is coming

Top 5 winter activities Winter is coming. Whether you can’t wait to make snow angels or you’re counting down the days until spring, here are the winter activities you can’t miss. How to Crochet a Blanket by JessieAtHome Keep toasty with this handmade blanket. The best part? It keeps you warm while you crochet it. Hearty Chipotle Turkey Chili Recipe by Rule of Yum Warm yourself to the bone with this delicious chili. Better yet, this one pot meal will save you dishes. Snowboard Stance for Beginners by Thrive Snowboards Whether you’re a pro or a first timer, hit the slopes for some winter fun. How to Take Great Photos in the Snow by Bernie Raffe AMPA Capture your Instagram-worthy winter shot. Remember, picture or it didn’t happen. Creative Writing Tips to Hook Readers by T. P. Jagger Take advantage of being stuck inside and work on your passion project.

DIY Reclaimed Wood Dining Table

Make yourself the perfect dining table, just in time for your Thanksgiving feast.

Upcycle salvaged wood (like old flooring, rustic barn wood, and more) into a one-of-a-kind table and benches with this course.

Follow the Green Workbench step by step from prepping the wood to building the table top, legs, braces, and two different styles of benches.

Don’t need a dining table? You can easily transform the basic design into a desk or something smaller to fit your space.

Thai's Teaser #22: Are you ready for more football?

Let's celebrate! I recently climbed out of the cellar of the Curious fantasy football league (I know you care), so we're celebrating by taking on a football-themed brainteaser. Get your pads on and tackle this one.

A Word Ladder is a puzzle where you start with a real word, then change one letter at a time to make new real words, to eventually end at a target word. For instance, you can change CAT to PIG like this:

  CAT => PAT => PIT => PIG

Can you find the word ladder that changes FOOT to BALL?

Click below to see the answer:

Top 5 Thanksgiving tips and tricks

Top 5 Thanksgiving Tips While we can’t clean your house or whip up the perfect drink right before your guests arrive, we can still help make your holiday go smoothly with these tips and tricks. DIY Holiday Decor & Entertaining Ideas by At Home With Nikki Setting a beautiful table doesn’t have to be expensive. Discover how to use budget-friendly pieces for an elegant setting. Bonus, this course also includes quick and easy appetizers. Thanksgiving Crafts for Kids by Sophie's World Get the whole family in the spirit with easy crafts that can be fashioned into table decorations, placeholders, and more. Homemade Disinfectant Recipe by Cel & Keta Get your house ready for guests and keep illness at bay with this safe, effective spray. How to Make Cranberry Gin Fizz by Local Savour Tart and tangy, this festive cranberry cocktail will spark up any celebration. 30-Minute Cardio Sculpt Workout by Passion Fit The average American will eat more than 2,000 calories at Thanksgiving dinner alone. Start your holiday off on the right foot with a quick workout. Then keep it going all winter.

How to write your first novel

It’s National Novel Writing Month (or NaNoWriMo for those in the know)! Are you ready to finally accomplish your dream?

This course from Teresa Funke, award-winning author and writer’s coach, guides you through the steps to writing your first novel. Get proven tips on outlines, characters, plots, and how to make revisions. You'll even learn how to get your book to publishers.

Remember: Every great author started somewhere.

Thai's Teaser #21: Fantasy Football

Are you ready for some football? I hope so, because football barrels toward you if you're ready or not. Whether you think of football as a brilliant chess match played out with athletic grace or a 'roid-filled concussion fiesta, I know you can figure this out. Give it a shot:

In this football league, there are 6 teams that play each other once (i.e., round robin). Looking at just the first 5 teams, they have 1, 2, 3, 3, and 5 wins in some order, and they have 0, 2, 2, 3, and 3 losses in some order.

What's the record of the last team?

Click below to see the answer:

Top 5 pumpkin projects

For the love of pumpkin ‘Tis the season for everything pumpkin flavored. We’re all in! From decorations that last all season to cookies that barely make it out of the oven, we have everything you need to get into the spirit. Etched Pumpkin DIY Autumn Decor by Renee Loves DIY These pumpkins are stunning. From Halloween to Thanksgiving, these long-lasting etched pumpkins are the perfect decoration. Holiday Polymer Clay Charms by Starshye We can’t get over how cute these pumpkins are. These charms make perfect party favors or a fun alternative to candy. How to Grow Pumpkins on a Trellis by California Gardener You don’t need acres of space to grow pumpkins. Learn how to trellis a pumpkin plant and even create a hammock to support your harvest. Spiced & Iced Pumpkin Cookies by Small Screen Pumpkin spice lattes are so last year. Bite into some serious yum with these killer cookies. Cinderella Pumpkin Carriage by DiY DiVA Still haven’t carved your pumpkin? This lesson will make you glad you waited.

Frightening and Fun Halloween Recipes

Gummy brains. Chocolate spiders. Meringue bones. Scary never tasted so good!

Whip up some creepy crawlers or add a little punch to your Halloween with these recipes from Todd’s Kitchen. The recipes are fun twists on classics (can you pass the Halloween bark?). There are also healthy, low-sugar options like Jack-O’-Lantern fruit salad.

They look so good you almost feel bad eating them. Almost.

Thai's Teaser #20: Climate Range

So we were thinking, "What would amaze our users more than a weekly puzzle from Thai?".

Answer: "Definitely a real-life samurai cutting a fired BB bullet in half. Sending out a puzzle anyway might make the samurai come kill us, but let's do it!"

So... here we go:

One day, while trying to plan out her wardrobe for the next 5 days, Elizabeth looked at the weather forecast. She noticed that the expected high was different on each of the five days, and that the product of the expected temperatures was 12. Assuming the expected temperatures are integers, what are the expected temperatures?

Click below to check your answer:

5 tips to declutter and organize your life

Top 5 decluttering and organizing tips Clear out your space just in time for the holidays! From quick fixes to the most challenging projects (cleaning out the garage anyone?), these tips will help you declutter and organize your space and your life. How to Organize a Bedroom Closet by Engineer Your Space with Isabelle LaRue Don’t get hung up on your frustrating closet space. A custom closet can be inexpensive and make all the difference. Purposefully Decluttering Your Life by Susan Paget - Life Coach It’s not just your physical stuff. Make some room in your life and enjoy the peace of mind. Organizing the Garage by Know It All With Arloa Finally be able to park your car in the garage and find what you are looking for! Reversible Fabric Storage Bag by StyleNovice Now that you have gotten rid of what you don’t need, it’s time to organize what’s left. These storage totes are perfect for closets, cars, and more. How to Sell on eBay by Matt Bernstein Turn your clutter into cash with eBay and other online listing sites. Want to go offline? Take Matt’s tips and set up a garage sale.

Fun Intermediate Crochet Projects and Patterns

Last minute “costumes” and playful projects for around the house abound in this course. From how to crochet flower motifs to crafting hearts, you’ll learn new techniques and discover unique patterns.

If you've mastered the basics of crochet, and want to move on to more intermediate, fun crochet projects and patterns, this course is for you!

Follow along to learn how to create crochet pieces that are fun for the whole family, like crochet beards, a darling tutu dress fit for a ballerina or a princess, and an adorable crocheted hooded cowl with cat ears. Plus, discover how to make fashionable projects like a purse handbag and a finger knitted necklace.

Thai's Teaser #19: English is Just Crazy

Our weekly tour of nerdy, puzzle-y goodness continues with a brain teaser from a guest writer. Lilo is a software developer here who really enjoys a good puzzle. And she found a good one. Take it away, Lilo!

OK, first a random link to something interesting on the internet. How about the 50 states made out of their iconic foods?

There's a 7-letter word such that if you remove the second letter, remove the third letter, or remove the second AND third letters, you have four real, English words (the original word and three new ones), none of which rhyme with each other. What's the original word?

So, can you figure it out? And of course, if you have any great teaser ideas, send them along!

Click below to see the answer: