Right Brain Thinker's Frugal Findings

Christmas Food Court Flash Mob, Hallelujah Chorus - Must See!

2010-12-04T09:13:00.000-05:00

Alien Abduction Lamp

2010-11-26T22:40:00.000-05:00

Want to make a fun, economical gift. How about this geeky little lamp made from items from your local dollar store? For better pictures and complete directions head over to DollarStoreCrafts.com.

First Day Fundraising

2010-10-04T22:11:00.001-04:00

Although I have never had a desire to make jewelry, it has turned out to be my best money maker for fundraising. Saturday I spent the day outside Sam's Club peddling my wares, and I am happy to say combined with what I have sold to friends and family, I am half way to my initial goal of $1,000.

Born again - for the third time

2010-06-17T19:19:00.000-04:00

I will never forget the first time I held my son in my arms and gazed upon his face. I knew then and there I had been trusted with something very special. Every single day of the past nearly twelve years, I have had the privileged to see his shining face, and I have been in awe of him. He fills my heart with such joy I cry looking at him sometimes. Yeah, I got it bad - I know! Sometimes, when he was a baby he would look up at the corner and smile, behaving like someone was there talking to him. As he got older and could talk, we would ask him who he was talking to, "Jesus," he would say. Now mind you, we didn't go to church, and although we considered ourselves Christians, he was not exposed to God enough to come up with this on his own. It was then no surprise when he was old enough, that he became born again for the second time.

Recently my precious baby boy experienced a third rebirth. A life altering change so severe, his day to day life will never be the same again. He has type 1 diabetes. Every single meal and snack he eats is preceded by strict carb counting, blood testing, a math formula, and a shot. Even with all this, factors such as heat, exercises, stress, and hormones can cause his blood sugar levels to rise or even worse, drop. There now is the constant fear that he could suffer a seizure (or God forbid something even worse)in his sleep, (or any time for that matter) and he will fight a life long battle against heart disease, kidney disease, eye disease, and circulatory disease.

I started writing this post almost a month ago, when David was still in the hospital. I am finally able to finish it without tears. We have started our new normal and habits are starting to form, although still difficult and somewhat awkward. We are blessed and thank the lord that it was caught in time, that through modern science and medicine we can manage this illness fairly well, that we have a wealth of information at our fingertips via the internet, and that David is a fantastic kid who is handling this like a trooper without complaint. I am even more in awe of him than ever. I think I will stop here and beat the tears this time. :-)

PLEASE Drive Safely

2010-06-06T13:37:00.003-04:00

This is quite disturbing to watch, but I beg you to pass it around, post it on your blog and/or Facebook, have everyone you can over the age of 15 watch it.

Walking for a Cause

2010-05-16T21:19:00.005-04:00

I did two 5k walks this weekend. The ARC of Schuyler on Saturday, and the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure on Sunday. In past years I have also walked and raised money for our local SPCA and a walk in memory of two local police officers that were killed in the line of duty. Now that I think about it, I have been doing them for almost ten years now. I strongly encourage people to get out and participate in walks like this. It's a great way to get involved in your local community, meet new people, raise money for good causes and in doing so make a difference, and get some fresh air and exercise at the same time. If you don't want to or can't walk you can also look into volunteering at them.

Yes, those are boobies on my friend Shelly's hat. She wears them for breast cancer walks. That is her friend Judy in the wheelchair, and my daughter Sarah in the middle. Sarah ran the whole 5k this year. A piece of cake for her since she is a cross country runner, but I'm still very proud of her! Yay Sarah!

Healthy = Frugal = Green

2010-05-08T13:03:00.003-04:00

I think the single most important thing an individual can do to be frugal and/or green is to be healthy. Healthy food doesn't come with over packaging that ends up in landfills, and contrary to what the media tries to tell folks, it is cheaper to eat healthy. Ever check out the price of a pound of dried beans? Brown rice? How about raw veggies like carrots, onions, and broccoli. I'm not just talking about vegetarian food either. Lean meats like turkey and chicken often go on sale for a dollar a pound or less, and one pound will feed more than one person. I can sure buy a lot of these healthy items for the cost of one fast food meal for my family, even if we only ordered off the dollar menu.

Another great benefit to being healthy is cost of health care and medications. My children and I have each gone years without having to go to the doctor due to illness. My children also rarely miss school. It is not uncommon for them to go the entire year without missing a day and one child went the entire time she went back to public school, eighth grade and all of high school, without missing a day. Now don't get me wrong, we do eat far too much crap, but I believe we are still overall pretty healthy due to some basic rules I have always stuck to - but those are for another post. Here is the biggy in regards to the environment when it comes to medications. Did you know that when you take meds they pass through your system and into the water supply. (The same, of course, goes for flushing them down the drain.) Water treatment plants cannot removed all those meds from the water. Here is one of many articles about this issue. I urge you to at least glace at it.

So here is where I tell you what a hypocrite I am. I quit smoking a few years ago. Actually, I quit smoking many times, sometimes many times in one year, over the past 20 something years. I hate to even say it - hate to admit I ever smoked! I never enjoyed it and quitting was the hardest thing I ever did. The result of finally quitting is that I let myself gain weight - a lot of weight! I have lost weight before and I knew that if I could beat nicotine addiction I could most certainly drop the weight. Well, it turned out to be harder than I thought it would be. "They" say (I have no idea who - just go with it) that your metabolism drops after you quit smoking and takes about a year to get back to normal. I really have no idea if that's true but it sure seemed that way. Fortunately for me I don't take medication for anything - yet, even though due to genetics, I am at risk for type II diabetes and high blood pressure.

So here we are, the entire point of this post - well, most of it anyway - it to say this out loud to the world. I have joined in on a weight loss competition with some of the folks I work with, and I'm going to try like crazy to win! I know I rambled all over the place with this post - let's just blame it on lack of fructose and leave it at that!

Ugly Dolls and Craftster

2010-04-25T11:56:00.007-04:00

If you are remotely crafty and have never visited, Craftster, I highly recommend checking it out. It's a melting pot of every thing creative, including cooking, sewing, knitting, and crocheting, which are my personal favorites, although I have definitely been inspired to try new things that I didn't even know about until I saw them there. Members share their creations and you can even get into doing swaps if that's your thing. I found this pattern for Wayuki's interpretation of an Ugly Doll, and (as you can see) just couldn't stop making them. It was so fun putting my own twist on her pattern. I do think it's a bit hard navigating around the site for the first time, so I recommend starting with "Recent With Pictures." You will find it on the front page, right side. I like scanning through the pictures for inspiration as well as new patterns and techniques to try. I, unfortunately, do not recommend Craftster for children. Although rare, there are some "mature content" type crafts on the site. Why someone would want a tea towel, with x-rated material embroidered on it, hanging in their home is beyond me. Any who, I still strongly recommend the site, especially if you are looking for something outside the mainstream style of crafts.

One Month Shopping Challenge - Week 3 & 4

2010-04-05T15:19:00.003-04:00

Well, I have to confess I blew it, I went shopping Saturday. It started out harmless enough, I had some basics (milk, eggs, etc) to pick up. But the weather has been unseasonably warm so I broke the challenge and picked up a few pairs of capri pants, hanging flowers baskets to plant fuchsias in for my front porch, and some other miscellaneous items, some of which are for some craft projects I have been wanting to make. All in all I spent about $100, and since I know I won't be doing any shopping for the rest of this week (week 4), that puts my total for the month (including gas) at a little over $150. An average of less than $40 a week for all out of pocket moneys spent this month really isn't too bad.

My purpose for the whole thing was really only to break a bad spending cycle I had got myself into. This usually happens at the beginning of every year when I am doing a large chunk of my Christmas, birthday, and clothing shopping for the up coming year. I just need to know when to say, "enough!" My focus now is to clean out and use up anything and everything I can. We are still trying to decided on having a yard sale verses hauling it all to the Salvation Army. Guess I'll have to wait and see how much stuff we want to get ride of! ;-)

One Month Shopping Challenge - Week 2

2010-03-28T20:08:00.006-04:00

Well, this second week of my month of no shopping went ok, unfortunately I did end up having to shop. It was brought to my attention that we were in desperate need of cat litter. Turns out the two plastic totes in the garage I thought were full, instead were very empty. My job is just to buy the stuff - the deal has always been I don't feed or clean up after any animal in the house. Four kids is enough for me to deal with in those regards. I knew I wasn't going to get through the entire month without shopping at all, especially since milk doesn't last very long around here. I also had some coupons for free stuff I didn't want to expire so I just combined it all into one trip. After 20 minutes at the checkout at Target, and talking to three different employees explaining the difference between one coupon per purchase verses one per transaction, I finally made it out with $60 worth of goods for $25.10 and a $5 Target gift card. Not too bad considering that is the only money I have spent in the past two weeks. I haven't even had to put gas in my car - I love that little Versa! So here it is - my menu for the past week.

Sunday
Was my daughters birthday - ate out. This was planned from the get go.

Monday
Chicken Cacciatore with Whole Wheat Linguine
Mixed Greens Salad
Rocky Road Brownies

Tuesday
Tuna Noodle Casserole
Peas

Wednesday
Shrimp Vegetable Rice Medley

Thursday
Buttered Pasta with Parmesan Cheese
Mixed Veggies

Friday
Meatloaf
Garlic Smashed Taters
Green Beans Almondine
Rocky Road Brownies (My daughter requested them again because she had a friend over for dinner.)

Saturday
Poached Salmon or Tilapia (I let everybody pick their favorite.)
Potato Galette
Left over Green Beans Almondine
Pizza Cookie

Buttered Pasta - Kids Choice

2010-03-25T19:18:00.002-04:00

There was a time when my kids didn't get much say at all in what we had for dinner, but I have gotten older, tireder, and sometimes I just don't want to decide. So it happened tonight that thee kids and I were standing in the pantry staring at food. My first thought when someone blurted out, "Buttered pasta with Parmesan cheese," was, "No, that's a side dish." Then I reached out a grabbed a box of Barilla Plus Elbows and read the nutrition label. A 2oz serving (1/7 of a 14.5 oz box) has 10 grams of protein and 4 grams of fiber. I had no idea the protein was that high. So paired with mixed veggies on the side, tonight we had another quick and easy dinner. Lucky me!

Shrimp Veggie Rice Medley

2010-03-24T17:52:00.005-04:00

So part of reason for this one month challenge from shopping is to use up some food stuff that has been hanging around. Although I do like frozen veggies, I don't ever recall buying them with sauce on them until the Green Giant Valley Fresh Steamers came out, and the only reason I did buy them is because they were super cheap with a coupon. So there they sat and sat in my freezer. Well as it happens there were only three of us for dinner tonight, and therefore I put off what to make until the last minute. I was going to go with leftovers, but to my surprise there aren't any! They have actually been listening and taking them for lunch, and not eating out - yay!! So here is what I came up.

14oz Bag cooked shrimp
12oz bag Valley Fresh Steamers Buttery Rice and Vegetables
12oz bag Valley Fresh steamers Basil Vegetable Medley

I cooked the bags for half of the recommended time in the microwave. While they were going I got the shrimp started in a covered skillet. I just dumped them in on med high heat and covered until they were thawed and just starting to warm. Finally I combined everything in the skillet and cooked until heated through. This would be a great dish for someone living in a dorm because the whole thing could be done in the microwave. The kids liked it fine, but I probably wouldn't purchase these items specifically to make this dish again. At least not without some great coupons! ;-) Oh, and FYI each serving came out to only about 275 calories.

One Month Shopping Challenge - Week 1

2010-03-20T20:08:00.004-04:00

Last Sunday I decided to challenge myself to not shop (except for necessities like milk, etc.) for one month because...well..Okay I'll admit it - I shop too much and a deal isn't a deal if you just can't use it. I have too much food in this house and it's time to clean it out and start all over. After a week of this I am beginning to think I could make it two or more months quite easily. Which really is a good thing with the threat of an inevitable zombie attack always looming on the horizon. My goal isn't to wipe out my stockpile completely, but to A. alter my shopping habits, B. get back to cooking 99% of our meals, and C. use up some of the stuff that has been sitting around a while.

Let me interject here a few of my feeling regarding breakfast, lunch and snacks. Except for my youngest, it's every man/woman for him/her self. I make dinner leftovers intentionally for lunches, and I (starting again this week)am making muffins a few times a week for breakfast and snacks. My muffins are made with oatmeal, wholewheat, wheatgerm and other healthy stuff like that. If cold cereal is eaten for breakfast during a school day it has to be high in fiber and low in sugar. Sugar cereals are for treats, and weekends. I also keep fresh fruit, veggies and garden salads on hand to round out meals and for snacks.

Although I have stopped doing my own reclaimed food pantry my friend still does hers, God bless her. Two years and a completely worn out minivan was enough for us. Because she sometimes has a surplus, and because my family will eat fruits, veggies, and whole grain breads that a lot of folks don't seem to care for, we are fortunate to be able to supplement our food budget with these items. So if you notice during the last few weeks I list salads and fresh fruits in my menu you'll know how that is possible.

I'd also like to point out a few other observations from this first week. I had two friends approach me with fundraiser stuff their kids were selling. I usually (but not always) would buy something even though I didn't want it, need it, and it's horribly overpriced. But because I have a specific goal it was easier for me to say thanks, but no thanks - I'm not buying anything this month. I have also found something else to divert my attention to - spring cleaning and organizing my house. It's a win win situation this month!

Week One Menu

Sunday
Spaghetti with Italian Sausage and Meatballs
Garden Salad and Italian Bread

Monday
Beans and Rice
Sliced Kiwi
2 dozen Banana, Oatmeal, Pecan, Choc Chip Muffins

Tuesday
Baked Ziti with leftover Meatballs and Spaghetti Sauce
Mixed Greens Salad
Fresh Cantaloupe and Pineapple

Wednesday
Crockpot Pork Tenderloin with Apples, Onion, and Cabbage
Salt Potatoes
Mixed Greens Salad
2 dozen Pumpkin Cranberry Muffins

Thursday
Ham Steaks
Mixed Veggies
Instant Mashed Potatoes
For some crazy reason my kids love this TV dinner like meal.

Friday
15 Bean Cajun Soup
Cheddar Drop Biscuits
Pizza Cookie (Used a package of sugar cookie mix instead of cake mix)

Saturday
Big Fat Loaded Grilled Cheeseburgers on Italian Bread
Cole Slaw
Tater Tots (I love them!)
Peanut Butter Bars

Exceptions to the plan - Monday it dawned on me that Easter was in the middle of my shop free month. Although I have already purchased the kiddie type stuff, we are having company for dinner that day. We have decided to try and stick to the plan as much as possible and forgo the traditional ham dinner for BBQ short ribs and chicken, but there are still a few things I will need to pickup. Combined with things like milk and eggs we will need, I have set a limit of $50 for the month, but will still try and keep it as low as possible. Also, my daughter's birthday is tomorrow and we will be going out for dinner - this was planned weeks ago.

Monogram Plaque

2010-03-15T16:49:00.005-04:00

I am finally getting around to making some of the projects I have bookmarked from Dollar Store Crafts. This Monogram Plaque from Southern Hospitality was quick and easy, and I enjoyed making it. As usual for me, I didn't follow the directions to the T, but I am very happy with the end result. By time I got around to picking up the supplies the Dollar Tree didn't have a wooden "A" left, so I ended up buying what I needed at Jo-Anns. Since they were having a coupon commotion sale, I got the wooden plaque, initial, and scrapbook paper for for a little over 3 dollars. I also picked up the easel, regular price $8.99, on clearance for $1.97 - Yay!

Scalloped Chicken

2010-03-01T22:33:00.005-05:00

This is a good way to use up left over turkey or chicken, and stuffing or dressing. If you don't usually have a lot of leftover meat at any given meal, just keep a zippy bag in the freezer and add to it here and there.

2 cups cubed cooked chicken or turkey
1 can cream of mushroom soup
4 ounces cream cheese
2 ounces American Or Velveeta cheese
1 box Stove Top Stuffing or about 3 cups leftover stuffing/dressing

Prepare stuffing according to package directions. In a separate pan heat cream of mushroom soup, cream cheese, and American or Velveeta cheese, stirring constantly, until cheese is completely melted. In an 8x8, 9x9, or 2 quart casserole dish, layer chicken or turkey, then cover with melted ingredients, and lastly top with stuffing. Bake uncovered in a 350 degree oven for approximately 30 minutes or until bubbly and stuffing starts to brown. This dish can easily be doubled and cooked in a 9 x 13 size baking dish. I always do!

Two Easy Side Salads

2010-02-28T12:02:00.006-05:00

I love mayonnaise laden salads like potato and macaroni, and I make them pretty well, but let's face it - they aren't very healthy. Not only that, but they don't travel well, and by the third summer cook out they become quite monotonous. I have made many a veggie, pasta and Italian dressing salad as well, but we aren't really big fans of Italian dressing and they are just too mundane. This weekend I hit the jackpot and now have two fantastic salads to add to my recipe box.

The first one I just threw together as yet another desperate attempt, and lo and behold they loved it. I hate writing down recipes and I don't usually do exact measuring when I am creating a dish, so here is the approximate ingredients. Just toss it all together and adjust to your own taste. I recommend refrigerating a few hours - to overnight.

ALMOST ANTIPASTO

1 12 oz Jar Marinated Artichoke Hearts - drain 1/2 the liquid
1/2 a 12 oz Jar Roasted Red Peppers
1 6oz Jar Green Medium Pitted Olives (not stuffed olives or use black olives)
1 15.5 oz can Kidney Beans - drained and rinsed (I might use cannellini next time)
2 5oz Cans Tuna - drained
1/2 of an 8oz Jar Basil Pesto
1/2 a bag Wacky Mac Veggie Shapes Pasta - cooked and drained

The second salad, PEANUT COLESLAW is the one pictured above and comes from a blog I stumbled upon this weekend, The 99 Cent Chef. I'm not sure what exactly intrigued me about this recipe, but I couldn't wait to run out and get some cabbage. I doubled his recipe, used both kinds of cabbage, extra light tasting olive oil, and Mr. RBT and I both thought it needed a little salt as well. The final result was a smashing success and is being devoured as I type.

Enough

2010-02-27T01:01:00.002-05:00

Today was our second snow day in a row and it's still snowing. I have officially had my fill of snow and winter. I am ready for sunshine. For garden weeds and grass that needs mowing. For salads for dinner because it's too hot to cook. For box fans in the window to ease the stagnant heat enough to be able to fall asleep. For days and days of such torridness, I would pray for snow to come again! ;-)

Check That Receipt Update

2010-02-25T09:19:00.003-05:00

I went back to Wal-Mart last night and ended up getting the same cashier as before. As it turns out I was paying attention, and she did scan my coupons. I had two more Muir Glen Organic Tomato coupons last night, and after she scanned them she checked the register, sure enough they just didn't show up. She said, "I knew I scanned them before!" Even more reason to check your receipts, know exactly how many coupons you use, and what the value of them is.

Check That Receipt

2010-02-24T14:54:00.003-05:00

I try very hard to pay attention during checkout, but I get distracted quit easily. HaHa It never seems to fail that when I do, I find a mistake on my receipt. Yesterday, I was having a great shopping day at Wal-Mart. My total was approximately $85 and after coupons should have been about $23, but instead came out to $29. Turns out the cashier forgot to scan 6 $1.00 off coupons. Always look your receipt over before you leave, and don't be afraid to speak up- politely, of course!

Gift Journal

2010-02-17T09:20:00.008-05:00

I have been keeping a gift journal for so many years I don't even think about it, and am surprised to learn most of my mom friends do not keep one. Any notebook or journal will do, but a small one has the benefit of being easy to hide and will slip into my purse - if I'd ever remember to take it with me when I go shopping. I also like one with enough pages to last for a few years. Then I can reference back to previous years and avoid giving someone the same thing. Yes, I have done that and it is very embarrassing!

So what do I write in it? For my immediate family (husband and kids), I have sections not only for Christmas and birthdays, but also for every holiday I buy stuff for, such and Easter and Valentine's day. I also track back-to-school supplies and ALL the clothes I buy for the year. I list what I bought for each person and how much I spent. This really helps me stay in budget. I also list the full price of the item, as this really helps me to not over spend. I might have only spent $10 for a gift for my niece and feel like maybe I should get something else, but if I see the retail price was $40, I won't be tempted to over spend. I only give Christmas and birthday gifts for extended family and friends so I track their items on the same page. That way I can see at a glance what I gave/am giving them for both occasions. For items I bought, but haven't decided who I want to give them to yet, I just list them all on one page and then cross them off as I assign them.

One last section that is often overlooked, and can eat away at a budget, is gift wrap and party supplies. I would also include cards, craft supplies, and decorations for particular holidays. These items I especially try to find during 80%-90% off clearance sales, because they can wreck havoc on a budget.

I am really not a very organized person and I am sure someone with much more enthusiasm could find a better way. The idea is just do what works for you.

At Last

2010-01-28T22:04:00.003-05:00

Ahhh, my seasonal job is finally over and I couldn't be happier about it. I have really missed my family and my routine. But that's not what I really wanted to talk about, I just couldn't help but mention it. ;-) If you haven't been to the mall or department stores in the past few weeks I strongly encourage you to venture out. Not only have I got a big jump on birthday and Christmas shopping for the coming year, but also school clothes shopping for the fall. Most of the larger stores have their clearance items at 75% - 80% off. Today I picked up king size pillows that were originally $60 for $7, twin sheet sets for $6.50, and a lot of clothing items for super cheap. In the past few weeks I have also found men's and boy's underwear, socks, and undershirts on clearance. I will pack up all the clothes and in the fall will have most of my back to school clothes shopping done. This is also a great time to get P.J.s, robes, slippers, sweaters, and coats. The trick to maximizing your savings is to think about what you need for the entire year, not just the season at hand, and plan ahead. Except for some jelly beans, I have Easter done too.

Proverbs 27:12 (New International Version)

12 The prudent see danger and take refuge,
but the simple keep going and suffer for it.

In my Head

2010-01-27T22:29:00.001-05:00

This is in my head - so I thought I should share it.

Romans 10:9-11
That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame."

Still Here

2010-01-18T13:00:00.002-05:00

Well, my little neglected blog, I just want to you to know I haven't giving up on you. This year I decided to get a seasonal mall job and it turned out to be much more intrusive into my family life than I had anticipated. The plus side is that it more than paid for Christmas, and since the job isn't quite over I am now using the money to buy back-to-school clothes and items for my gift closet at all the clearance sales. I do this every year, and normally have to budget for it well in advance. Most stores are now at 70% and 80% off for their clearance items. So even with all the chaos, I am still considering doing it again next year. I will just have to be better prepared time wise.

Fast Food Tip

2009-11-05T16:57:00.002-05:00

Be prepared for those nights went you have absolutely no time to cook and are tempted to spend too much money on fast food. This week hamburger was on sale for a price I was willing to pay. I bought 30 lbs, made a gigantic meatloaf, cooked 10 lbs, and froze the rest. The meatloaf served 2 dinners and a few lunches. The 10 lbs I cooked was crumbled and frozen to be used on those nights when I have very limited time. I can throw together a pot of chili, sloppy joes, taco, etc. in about 15 minutes.

This is SO STINKIN CUTE!

2009-09-25T23:44:00.002-04:00

Babies totally ROCK!

The Time Has Come, The Time Is Now...

2009-08-30T20:19:00.004-04:00

About a week ago Mr. Left Brain Thinker and I were in a dollar store and he handed me these reading glasses and said, "Try these on." Well, I had a feeling I might need them because my arms have become too short when I read at night. I gave them a try, and sure enough I could see words again! Even though I have been ignoring them for most of the week I gave them a try while sewing on my machine today - and once again, they worked! I'll try and use them more often - but I don't have to like it!!

Church Sale Haul Part 2

2009-08-24T20:31:00.004-04:00

-2 camp stoves - to donate to Boy Scouts
-metal lunchbox - for an altered arts type project
-7 books - for projects (they will be ripped apart mom)
-Spanish computer course - Shorty wanted the microphone
-Never opened puzzle - for art projects
-Sponge Bob Typing Computer Program
- 2 books of post cards - for trading on Swap-Bot
-2 hats - mine still had $34.00 tag on it
- 3 little dishes - for condiments like sauce for Chinese dumplings
-Orange melamine bowl for fall
-2 new packages jingle bells- to put on hand made ornaments
-ski pole - Shorty wanted it for a walking stick
-10 shirts- guitar hero shirt still had $9.99 tag on it
- 1 mans sweater
and

wait for it

yes
1 mans
toupee! - for our costume tote - the kids do a lot of volunteer work with the Youth Bureau and library - you just never know!

Grand total = $3.60

Afternoon with Shorty and Mr. Left Brain Thinker - Priceless! (He made me say that-really)

And by the way, lunch WAS yummy!

Deja Vous Church Sale Haul Part 1

2009-08-24T10:36:00.005-04:00

Ever have one of those days when you look in the mirror and see your much younger self? I'm talking to the over 40 girls now! I just love it when that happens, as it did this morning. It usually occurs when I am feeling particularity happy, and I'm all smiley and glowy. So why am I so happy today you might ask? I am going to Ithaca. I go at least twice and month for the food pantry, and that doesn't get me excited - that's work. Today is the last day of the Unitarian Church sale - everything is .10. Yes, everything is a dime!! Last year I got 47 articles of clothing for $4.70, plus I picked up some free stuff as well. Oh yeah, I also picked up a bunch of LP's that I melted into bowls, forgot about that! Mostly I look for t-shirts for the scrubbies I sell, but I found some other great stuff as well. Mr. Left Brain Thinker and I are taking Shorty (youngest boy) with us, and I'm taking them both to Ithaca Bakery for lunch - Yummy!! If DH wasn't going, we would go to The Commons, but that's not his cup of tea. Too college town hippie for him haha! I will take pictures and post about my finds - that is if I get out of here and go!!

You Know They Love You When...

2009-08-18T15:53:00.004-04:00

Last month we took my youngest boy to the video arcade on his birthday. My teenage daughters and I agreed we would combine all of our tickets and give them to shorty so he could get a good prize. Well, I am not really a fan of South Park, but when I saw the Kenny doll sitting on the shelf I had an instant crush on him. I just knew he would be perfect for my shelf of adorable items. (Shown in previous post) But alas, it was a love just not meant to be! Not only could we in no way renege on the little guy on his birthday, but someone else got him before we left! Such sorrow!! I found out yesterday, my daughter has gone back twice, and searched every store, but no Kennys to be found. So for my birthday she bought some polymer clay and created a perfect little object for my affection! Oh, she does love me!

My Studio Transformation

2009-08-16T18:58:00.004-04:00

Except for that ugly filing cabinet, it's finally done. Now all I have to do is mess it up using it!!

Total Disfunction!

2009-08-15T09:32:00.005-04:00

When we bought our home it had a large, long, unfinished room on the back of it. There was one doorway into it off the kitchen. It had no heat, a concrete floor, a huge stone fireplace right in the middle, wood paneled walls, super cheap windows, and to top it off, the entire roof leaked where it was tied into the main roof, as well as the entire north wall leaking at the floor level. When we bought the house there was only one small leak under an exterior door and we could not have imaged how bad it would become, or how fast it would deteriorate. We had wanted to gut and finish the room right away, but it ended up taking a lot more time, work and money than we had anticipated, and the problems seemed to grow rapidly.

Well, last year the inside was finally done. We ended up with three rooms; a walk-in laundry room/pantry, a family room/studio for me room, and a much needed forth bedroom. We just barely got the heat installed before winter last year, and I didn't have the money or ambition to finish my "wall". My own little space in the world to create, pay bills, mend clothing, or whatever I want. Well, except for a filing cabinet that will be replaced with one that is currently being refinished, it is done!! The picture above is the thrown together mess of the last year. Tomorrow I will post the new and improved version.

Here's my frugal advise about this. Since we didn't have the cash to do this all at once - we didn't. Because the entire roof needed replaced we did end up having to finance it. We waited until that was paid off before we did anything else, and we paid as we went for the rest of the project. We traded the drywall work on two of the rooms, with a friend who has his own contracting business, for cut, hauled and delivered firewood. My MIL had some trees go down on her property last year, and our friend heats his house with a wood burning stove. Don't be afraid to ask! We are now saving for new windows for the rest of the house and new siding. I am an immediate gratification kind of girl, and it very hard to live with half finished projects. What's harder for me though, is living with debt!

Do not Call - Register Your Cell Phones

2009-08-04T09:55:00.003-04:00

Your cell phones are now open game for telemarketers, and you get to pay for the call! Talk about a double whammy!! Register your numbers at the National Do Not Call Registry, or by calling 888-382-1222. It only takes a minute and could not only save you some cash, but some sanity as well.

4 Ingredient Seafood Pasta Salad

2009-08-01T15:24:00.003-04:00

I keep these ingredients as staples in my pantry so I can whip it up any time the mood strikes. Just put in the amounts you like according to your taste. This is my basic version.

1 box mini bow tie pasta, cooked according to the package

4 stalks of celery, chopped

3 8 oz pkg imitation crab and/or lobster

approx 2 cups Hellmann's/Best Foods Mayo = depends on what side of the Rockies you live on.

*Note - Miracle Whip need not apply. LOL

Hit and Run Zucchini

2009-07-27T18:39:00.005-04:00

By now you are probably wondering what to do with all that zucchini and yellow squash your neighbors keep leaving on your door step. This was actually a problem when I lived in Iowa! A human can only be expected to eat so much zucchini bread in their lifetime. That's when I started grilling it. Kids who previously would turn up their noses at squash, were now requesting it for dinner! We prefer it the simplest way, cut in half length wise, toss with olive oil, salt (Kosher works well) and pepper, then grill. If you have more time you can sweat the squash first so the end result is a bit less "watery". Cut in half, lay on a cookie sheet cut side up then sprinkle on a generous amount of salt. The salt will draw out moisture. Let stand for about 1/2 hour, rinse well, dry and continue as stated above. What to do with leftover grilled squash? Chop, then toss with bow tie or penne pasta, cooked chicken and Italian seasonings to make it a meal. Sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese before serving.

What A Life They Will Have

2009-07-26T20:51:00.004-04:00

Have you seen this wedding video? If they put that much joy into their marriage, it will be quite an adventure!

A Better Burger

2009-07-22T21:35:00.004-04:00

Tired of the same old fat laden grilled burgers? John, over at Patio Daddio BBQhas a great post about Barber Food's Chicken Grillables. He not only discusses some nutrition facts about them, but also has some really kicked up recipe ideas for them! If you click his find a location link and then "special Offers", you will get a $1.00 off printable coupon. I'm heading to the store!

Time to get Real

2009-07-17T14:37:00.008-04:00

I strongly believe one of the most frugal things you can do is take good care of yourself. It cost a lot of money to be sick. I have put on some serious weight over the years and a few months ago I finally had enough. I had reached a number on the scale I NEVER thought would be possible. I was at that weight for exactly 1 day. I immediately joined a gym and got some personal trainer sessions. Hmm, well that doesn't sound very frugal. I figured if it gave me the push I needed to start taking my health serious, it is very much worth it! I have a family history of diabetes and cancer. At 43, and with menopause right around the corner, I felt I was way over due with getting serious. It's not that I don't know what I should be doing, I am just not doing it. We have always eaten fairly healthy. We not only eat a lot of salads, fruits, and veggies, we also eat tofu and soybean products. We eat meat, just not every day. None of my kids are over weight, they hardly ever get sick, and I have only been sick twice in the past 10 years. My problem is lack of exercise, eating too much, and snacking.

Well, I have been working on this for a few months now. Although, I have fallen off the wagon a few times, I am down 16 pounds and a few inches here and there. I have been reading up on some of the latest breakthroughs with natural remedies and will be posting about some of them.

Utility Bills

2009-07-13T23:41:00.000-04:00

I never would have thought I would be able to achieve utility bills approximately the same as I had 10 years ago. Our local gas and electric company is notorious for it's sky high prices. (As is most everything else in the great state of New York!) I know quite a few folks who live over the border in Pennsylvania and are willing to drive the extra half hour/hour a day because they save thousands a year on their overall cost of living. About two years ago I started making small changes which included replacing almost all light bulbs with CFLs, unplugging infrequently used appliances that draw vampire energy , and most importantly, vigilantly turning off anything not in use. That is easier said than done with 4 kids in the house! We have also replaced most of the major appliances in our home. Some, like the hot water heater and the deep freezer, because they were so old. The others because they were old and broke! Remember that washer?! Well, I think the LG front loader has really made a big impact. Our last 3 bills have been under $150. For a family of 6 that's just unbelievable. In 11 years that had only happened a few times - years ago! I strongly encourage anyone to start making small changes every month and see if they don't have a big impact.

Nice

2009-07-12T23:33:00.002-04:00

I am very good at being nice to strangers. I let people go in front of me in line. I say excuse me. I try very hard not to get upset when someone cuts me off in traffic, because after all, I have done it my self.

I'm pretty good at being nice to friends and acquaintances. If they need me to do something for them or give them something, I do if at all possible.

I'm not always so good at being nice to my family. Sometimes they annoy me, they get on my nerves. (like I don't bug them as well!)

I have a very good friend who makes me feel WONDERFUL every time I see her or talk to her. She exaggerates complements, and she complements often. She does it in a sweet, funny way that makes me feel fantastic.

I want to make my kids feel like that all the time. How do I balance making them responsible, keeping them in line, and holding them way up high at the same time? I want to be nice, really nice.

I pledge to try hard every day to be a nicer person to the world and the ones that matter most in my life.

Homemade Dishwasher Soap

2009-06-25T12:21:00.003-04:00

I found this easy recipe for homemade dishwasher soap on Craft Leftovers. If you like free patterns and tutorials, I suggest you spend a little time checking out the rest of the site. I don't have a dishwasher right now but I have hopes for the future!

So Much Waste

2009-06-24T10:23:00.000-04:00

I run a reclaimed food pantry from my home. Twice a month I travel about 30 miles, pick up food that would other wise be thrown in the trash, drive back home, unload and organize, and then approximately 50 families come to my home to pick up the donations. Most of the food I pick up is bakery and produce items that hours, or even minutes before I loaded it into my van was sitting on the store shelves. The food pictured about would have been thrown in the trash because of one bad strawberry, tomato, blackberry, or lettuce leaf in the package. If you would like to learn more about the reclaimed food organization I volunteer for, or how to start one in your area, please check out the Friendship Donations Network (FDN) website.

Tuna What?

2009-06-21T20:24:00.009-04:00

I asked my daughter what she was making. "Tuna Nachos," she replied. At first I thought it sounded gross, but I like tuna melts and tuna noodle casserole. Come to think of it, I really like cheese and tuna together, so why not tuna nachos! Even my husband (who does not like tuna noodle casserole) gave them a try, and a thumbs up.

note* I'll admit that picture doesn't make it look too appealing. I promise they were wonderful!

Featured Again

2009-06-21T12:57:00.011-04:00

I'm always so surprised at the attention my Recycled T-shirt Scrubbers get. They have once again been feature on a blog. This time it is on Andrew's Reclaimed. Andrew makes beautiful items from reclaimed wood, and also sells on Etsy.

Unlike other blogs that are written only to support an Etsy store, Andrew has other interesting information on his blog, like this link to Dumper. You can alter and do all sorts of fun things with photos.

Chaos

2009-06-21T12:30:00.005-04:00

I can't believe I haven't posted since April. My life has been crazy busy! Between homeschooling, working, going to the gym (more about that later), Little League base ball, being a mother of 4, a wife, and running a household, I haven't had time for anything. I have two girls graduating from high school this month, and there has been a lot of end-of-the-school-year banquets, as well. I feel like I'm running a marathon every day and then I just crash. When I finally have the time to do something enjoyable I don't feel like doing anything! Well, I'm done with work for the summer, and the girls graduate next week. The graduation party isn't until the middle of July, and that will be a piece of cake. So, finally I feel like I have some time to get done what I need and want to do.

Help! I'm just too busy!

2009-04-05T08:47:00.002-04:00

With four kids, a part time job, a full time house, home schooling, Boy Scouts, Little League, and hounding, I just can't find the time or the brain power to blog. Oh, and I also knit, crochet, and sew. I sell my items on line and at farmer's markets. I really want to blog though! I see that other moms do it. Any advice out there? Do you jot down ideas during the day, or does it just come to you at the computer? I'd really appreciate your input.

Momix Dance Company

2009-03-20T14:08:00.005-04:00

I had never heard of Momix until I saw the adds on T.V. Not even knowing I was interested in going, my husband surprised me with tickets on our anniversary. I can't begin to describe this performance, but I highly recommend seeing it if you get the chance. I know it's not exactly frugal, but it was worth the price.

Amy Dacyczyn

2009-03-16T19:34:00.005-04:00

Yay! A recent article about Amy Dacyczyn. I'm sure I'm not the only person who feels a fond connection to her. After reading the books individually and then finally owning and almost wearing out my copy of "The Complete Tightwad Gazette", it would be hard not to. I have been meaning to share some of the more inspirational articles with some friends of mine. Especially the one on creative deprivation. If you are not familiar with this book I highly recommend you check it out of the library. I can honestly say it changed our standard of living!

Thank you, Amy. You were, and still are, most definitely right, a family of any size can live on one income.

Random Tip #3

2009-03-11T19:49:00.005-04:00

With the approach of spring, and all the cleaning that usually takes place this time of year, I think it's a good time for some painting tips.

1. Keep handy a bucket of warm water and a rag for cleaning up mistakes and drips. If you clean up a mistake or drip immediately, even on carpet, you should be able to get it all off using just warm water and a rag.
2. Use an empty coffee can (the plastic kind with a handle) to put paint in while painting trim. When you take breaks, just put the top on. Don't forget to give it a stir when you resume painting because it will separate.
3. When taking breaks, cover rollers and brushes tightly with plastic wrap or grocery store bags. For long breaks, such as over night or longer, put in the freezer. Allow a few hours to thaw before using. For short breaks, a few hours or less, you can slip the entire paint tray into a garbage bag and twist tie shut the opening.

The Demise of Common Sense

2009-03-06T21:59:00.002-05:00

Found this on Frugality In the Making and just had to pass it on!

Obituary printed in the London Times

Interesting and sadly true.

Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who
has been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old he was,
since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape. He
will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as:
- Knowing when to come in out of the rain;
- Why the early bird gets the worm;
- Life isn't always fair;
- and maybe it was my fault.

Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don't spend
more than you can earn) and reliable strategies (adults, not children,
are in charge).
His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well-intentioned but
overbearing regulations were set in place Reports of a 6-year-old boy
charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens suspended
from school for using mouthwash after lunch; and a teacher fired for
reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his condition.

Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the
job that they themselves had failed to do in disciplining their unruly
children.

It declined even further when schools were required to get parental
consent to administer sun lotion or an aspirin to a student; but could
not inform parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an
abortion ..

Common Sense lost the will to live as the churches became businesses;
and criminals received better treatment than their victims.

Common Sense took a beating when you couldn't defend yourself from a
burglar in your own home and the burglar could sue you for assault.

Common Sense finally gave up the will to live, after a woman failed to
realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot She spilled a little in
her lap, and was promptly awarded a huge settlement.

Common Sense was preceded in death, by his parents, Truth and Trust, by
his wife, Discretion, by his daughter, Responsibility, and by his son,
Reason.

He is survived by his 4 stepbrothers;
I Know My Rights
I Want It Now
Someone Else Is To Blame
I'm A Victim

Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone. If
you still remember him, pass this on. If not, join the majority and do nothing.

Random Tip #2

2009-02-05T13:32:00.003-05:00

I'm sure a lot of you know how to get ink off of cloths with hairspray. For those who don't here's how. Saturate the stain with hairspray right before you toss it in the washer. For heavy stains and markers, you might have to repeat a few times. Make sure you do not put cloths in the dryer with the ink stain still on, or the heat will set it permanently. Anyway I found this also works on walls. I accidentally drew an ink line on our brand new, white door molding as I was walking by. I tried to remove it with a soapy wash cloth, but I wouldn't come up. With a wet wash cloth in hand, I sprayed it with hairspray and as the ink started running I wiped it right off!

A thought just occurred to me in regards to front load washers, considering we just got one. In the past, I put the just sprayed article of clothing in the washing machine as it was agitating full of water. Since this can't be done with a front loader, I would suggest immediately hand washing out the ink after spraying with hairspray.

Random Tip #1

2009-01-26T09:13:00.002-05:00

Use shampoo to clean the over spray of hairspray off doors and walls. Use vinegar to clean the water streaks (mineral deposits) off bathroom walls.

Cheap, Great Hair

2009-01-20T09:25:00.000-05:00

I have always washed my dirty blond, starting to gray, sort of curly, but mostly frizzy hair everyday. Because it is fine and color treated, using a blow dryer and hot iron just killed it. As a result I just let it air dry, but the results were horrible. Because I washed it everyday, the color would fade out in a little more than a week.

Well, last September after I got my part time job at the school. I decided it was time for a change. When I was in the military I always wore my hair short, but cute. Remember the eightys?? I got the a-line wedge that is so popular right now, and I love it, I love it, I love it!! The best part is I only have to wash my hair every three to four days. I wash and condition it well, blow it out using a product to help keep the frizzies away, and then touch it up with a flat iron. The next day I use a shower cap when I shower and then just touch up my hair. My hair color now lasts me 4 -5 weeks! I know a lot of women have always done this, but I just never thought it would work on my hair. I'm so happy with the time and money I now save.

Creative Reusing

2009-01-15T14:18:00.005-05:00

About two years ago I picked up my kitchen sponge and said, "YUCK!" for the last time. I asked myself how I could replace it with something I already had. I crochet dishcloths, and those are fine for washing and wiping, but I really needed something tough for scrubbing. With four kids, one thing I always had a surplus of was old t-shirts. That is how the Recycled T-shirt Scrubber was born. That year I gave them as Mother's Day gifts, along with soaps my youngest son and I made, to friends and family. They were such a hit I decided to sell them on Etsy. Well, two years and many, many t-shirts later, I have sold over 475 scrubbers! Of course, I'm not going to get rich off of them, but I have been able to pay a few bills and buy my kids some gifts with the money. I now see other people on line making and selling them. Is copying really the best form of flattery?? Anyway, back to the point. Take a look around your own home and see what changes you can make. Even if I hadn't started selling my scrubbers, I still would have saved about $30 a year from not buying the sponges I was using. Since each scrubber lasts years, I am also saving sponges and t-shirts from the landfill.

Prepare for the Zombie Attack

2009-01-14T15:07:00.004-05:00

There are many people who just don't understand my NEED to stockpile. This isn't a new thing for me, I've just finally allowed my self to take it to the level I have always desired. Okay, so I'll never be completely satisfied, but I'm close! I could give many reasons why I find stockpiling necessary. Maybe it stems from having empty cupboards as a child, from fears and insecurities from my childhood. Whatever the reason is I really don't care. I like doing it. I like having it. It makes me feel prepared. Prepared for anything. Like Y2K, Avian Bird Flu, a collapse of the economy, or even the eminent and widely feared Zombie attack! If you don't buy into all that, how about loss of income? That did happen this past year and thankfully we were prepared. My family went without nothing. No missed birthdays, no decrease in Christmas. Everything was on schedule and according to plan because we are always ready and prepared for a Zombie Attack.

Pizza Cookie

2009-01-14T09:15:00.005-05:00

Here's a great use for those clearance holiday M&Ms. I got cake mixes on sale last summer for .17 cents, and the M&M's for $1.39. You can use any flavor cake mix and chips you like. This is just our favorite.

1 yellow cake mix (the kind with pudding in the mix)
1/2 cup of oil
2 eggs
1 bag M&Ms or chips

Mix first three and then add M&Ms. Press into pizza pan. I use a dark pan so I cook at 325 degrees for 20-22 min, otherwise cook at 350 degrees until the edges are just barely starting to brown. Cut while still warm and enjoy!

Happy New Year!!

2008-12-31T19:14:00.008-05:00

I made these little party favors from clearance Easter Kisses, Halloween M&M's, and free Chocolate covered pretzels. The buckets were from Target Dollar Spot, Halloween Clearance, 2 for .25. They were paired together black and silver, and orange and silver. I'm saving the black and orange for a Halloween party. Here's the trick to freezing chocolate without it turning white. Seal it up well, then put it in the refrigerator overnight, and then the freezer. When you want to use it just do the opposite. Take it from the freezer and leave it in the refrigerator overnight. It's the sudden temperature changes that cause the discoloration. The Kisses I had frozen since last Easter looked and tasted great!

Free Magazine Subscriptions

2008-10-16T15:16:00.004-04:00

Looking for free gifts for those on your holiday list? Who isn't in these crazy economic times! How about a free magazine subscription from AdPerks.com? All you have to do is watch some ads, put in the code shown on the screen withing 30 seconds, and then fill out your mailing info. I sit and crochet while I'm watching the ads. So far I have received Popular Science, Good Housekeeping, and today I got Field and Stream. Don't tell, but that's for my 15 year old son.

My Frugal Life Part 2

2008-10-01T14:59:00.008-04:00

The single most important thing to do before becoming frugal is change your mindset about your life and your money, and then plan ahead. If you feel deprived, it just won't work. Accept where you are financially and then be prepared to make changes. Don't have a "poor me" attitude. Don't say things like, "We can't eat out or buy this or that because we can't afford it." Pat yourself on the back and tell yourself you are making changes to better you and your family's lives. The goal is to be able to afford what you need by looking forward and planning ahead. Because everyone's situation is different, I can only tell you what has worked for us. My hope is that others will find useful information that will work for them. I'm going to start with very broad and general suggestions and then get more specific in future posts.

Where to begin? First stop all unnecessary spending. Stop eating out, buying coffee, buying lunch, window shopping (too much temptation!), going to the movies, renting games and movies, buying expensive gifts, buying any and all unnecessary anything. You need all your extra cash to pay down debt (if you have debt) and plan ahead. Here is list one of what works for us. If you need to ease into it and just cut out a few things each month, that's fine. It will get easier!!

Food

(very) well stocked pantry
plan dinner the day before and take anything out of the freezer that I need
make lunches the night before
make salads to last 3 days
only shop to restock pantry
only buy when price is the lowest and use coupons when possible
raised my kids to eat just about anything
use leftovers for lunches and other meals
eat vegetarian meals a few times a week
garden - can and freeze food
volunteer for and receive food from a reclaimed food organization

Laundry

make laundry soap
hang clothes to dry as often as possible
tear fabric softener sheets in half - if I need to use them
wear clothes more than once when possible
use towels and wash clothes for 4-7 days before washing

Household

I only buy about 1-2 rolls of paper towels a year, instead we use white washcloths that can be tossed in with just about any load of clothes.

use vinegar and water for the majority of cleaning
replaced almost all light bulbs with CFLs
reuse, reduce, recycle
compost
stopped garbage pick up - we take our trash and recycles to the waste management station (it's much cheaper)
live in a small house

Clothing and Gifts

I do the majority of my clothes and gift buying for the year in February and March when the stores are running their 75%-90% off sales. Storing items has been a bit of a chore because we are a family of 6 in an 1100 sq ft home.

Shop at thrift stores and accept "gently worn" clothing from friends and family.

I keep a notebook with a list of everyone I buy for, the items I have purchased for them, and the price.

I'm sure this initial list is a bit confusing and incomplete, but I had to start somewhere!

Focused and Organized

2008-09-14T10:10:00.002-04:00

Meredith at Like Merchant Shipshas a post on Frugal Hacks about finding your frugal niche. It is funny that I stumbled upon this older post this morning, because this was on my mind in more ways than one. I sell handmade items on line on Etsy and at local farmer's markers and craft shows. I feel the many different items I sell make my table and online shop look cluttered. As with this blog, it has been hard for me to find my niche and therefore showcase or concentrated fulling on what I am doing now. I realize I have this problem in other areas of my life as well, such as housework and projects I need to finish in my home.

So my goal is to start becoming focused and organized with my blog, my handmade items, my house, and my life in general. Any frugal suggestions in this area are greatly welcome!

New Job

2008-09-13T15:47:00.003-04:00

I wasn't really looking for a job outside the home, but I got one anyway. I work 3.5 hours a day in the cafeteria at a local middle school. The pay is okay, but the benefits are great! This will not only help us stay afloat, but hopefully we'll be able to pay down some debt.

My Frugal Life Part 1

2008-09-08T10:32:00.003-04:00

I originally started this blog as a way for me to organize and reflect on my daily life. Much the same with journals in the past, I have been very sporadic and have found myself unwilling to be able look at past entries without criticizing them. Recently this has been true of my blog, mostly because of the horrible happenings of the past few months. I had a friend commit suicide, we had an unexpected drastic loss of income, my father-in-law has been battling brain cancer, and we are struggling to complete a much needed addition to our tiny 1100 sq ft ranch home for our crammed in family of 6. And that washer my SIL just gave us? It's leaking water as I type!

If it weren't for the frugal lifestyle we had already had in place, we would not be able to meet our monthly needs right now. On the flip side, there really isn't anymore I can cut out of my budget to free up more cash. We still have a considerable amount of debt and I refuse to slide backwards. It is time to think outside the box, and find creative ideas for income, because selling t-shirt scrubbers and other hand made items on ETSY, just isn't cutting it. LOL

I realize one of my biggest problems is organization and staying focused. I'm not only right brained with my creativity, but I also tend to bounce around between projects a lot. Therefore, I have decided to start a series of posts, first dedicated to what I already do in the way of being frugal and green, and then move on to new ideas and things to try. This will also be a great way to reflect on past accomplishments and inspire me in the future. I also hope I can pass on some useful information to my readers and encourage useful comments from you!

He Provides!

2008-09-06T13:13:00.002-04:00

God really is so good! I was talking to my SIL about my washer issue. Last year she bought a new FL set and still had her old washer sitting in her basement. Is is almost exactly like ours, and she said we can have it! I often find myself concentrated so hard on what we need and want that I forget to give thanks for all the little necessities God provides every day. Last year I became active in a reclaimed food pantry, and I also started couponing and stockpiling like crazy. At the time, these actions weren't necessary to our way of life. They did, however, allow us to get some of our debt paid off. Since then our income has dropped significantly and if it weren't for the actions of the past year, we would be up a creek right now! He knew what was coming and provided in advance what we would need, and He is still providing!

Washer still Broken Now What?

2008-09-05T08:28:00.005-04:00

The part we replaced was just a symptom of the original problem. I researched reviews last night and found out my Kenmore 80 Series Super Capacity Plus washer is a big fat LEMON! Now we are faced with a big dilemma, sink another $200 plus (in addition to the $35 we just paid and the original $400 plus for the machine) or spend $1,000 we don't have for a high quality front loader. I read the reviews for Fls last night as well, and I'm not really impressed with most of those as well. One thing for sure, this time I'll get the extended warranty. I hate those warranties because I think an appliance should last more than 1 - 2 years anyway! My last Kenmore set lasted 14 years aside from a few inexpensive parts towards the end. It might still be working for all I know. I would welcome any advice!

Yay! My washer's fixed!

2008-09-04T21:55:00.003-04:00

I have never been so happy to be doing laundry at 10:00 pm. Our (2 year old) washer broke a few weeks ago, and after taking it apart and replacing the, broken in two, plastic part, it still wasn't working right. Mr. Right Brain finally had time to take it apart again, tonight, and found and fixed the problem. Even though we all wear many clothing items more than once, with a family of 6 we have a lot of laundry every week! In the past two weeks I have spent $38 to wash cloths at the laundry mat. That didn't even include drying, which we line dried at home. I was so desperate today that I hand washed a few things just to get by. I was determined not to lay out any more money at the laundry mat. Boy is hand washing hard work! If you are interested in hand washing, Robyn, at Lentils and Rice has some good advice on how to to it much easier. For now, I'm sticking with my much appreciated washing machine!

Back to School

2008-09-04T08:33:00.004-04:00

Well, my three teenagers started school today. (Big unhappy face.) At least I still home school my youngest. Sometimes I think I'm the only mom who is not happy to send my kids off to school. I really like my kids! I enjoy spending time with them, I like to hear their opinions, and I like the people they are growing into. I am so lucky to be their mom!

Christian the Lion What a Reunion!!

2008-07-26T11:58:00.003-04:00

Get the tissue ready!

Best Deals Yet

2008-06-08T18:26:00.004-04:00

This had to be my best shopping trip yet! I'm finally getting the hang of it! I bought $88 worth of food and household items for $7.97. I'll get back $2.97 because of a rebate from Noxema for a oop of $5.00!

Orange Spice Sun Tea

2008-06-06T14:04:00.003-04:00

Today it's in the 90's with high humidity. A perfect day for making orange spice sun tea. I use 6 regular tea bags with 4 orange spice tea bags. My mom used to make it on the stove and use real oranges, spices, and then a lot of sugar - sooo good! I take the lazy route, and then leave out the sugar, that way I can drink more. I found the orange spice tea bags at the dollar food store last year and really stocked up.

June Rebates

2008-06-06T11:55:00.003-04:00

These are my June Rebate items from Rite Aid and Walgreens. I'll probably pick up more from Rite Aide during the month because it's just down the road, but since Walgreens is a 25 mile drive (round trip) I only go there once or twice a month. I like that I can submit them online and don't even have to pay for postage!

Recycle Those Messy Jars

2008-06-05T17:49:00.005-04:00

Have you every thrown out a messy jar because it was such a pain to wash, or because of all the water involved in getting it clean? I fill it about 1/2 full of warm water, add a little dish soap, put the lid on, and shake well. Then I leave it on the counter and occasionally give it a good shake (over the course of the day) until all the gunk is loose.

Cheap Makeup

2008-06-05T11:42:00.003-04:00

I just ordered 45 e.l.f makeup items, including mineral wear foundations, for $67.50 shipped!! Most items are $1.00. Use coupon code CAROLINA for a first time buyers %10 discount and orders over $75.00 get free shipping. I hear that they were bought out by Nordstrom and everything with the e.l.f. logo has to go! Great Christmas gifts for my girls!

A Lot of Free Shaving Cream

2008-06-04T00:09:00.002-04:00

Walgreens has Satin Care shaving gel on sale for $2.00, minus $1.00 Instant Value Coupon from the rebate book, minus $1.00 manufacture coupon - Free. But wait there's more! When you spend $20.00 on certain Gillette products, get a $5.00 Register Reward. 10 free shaving gels and $5 to spend - WOW!

Purchase VS Transaction

2008-06-04T00:03:00.003-04:00

At least once a week a cashier will tell me I can't use more than one of the same coupon because the coupon states one per purchase. I tell them, very nicely, that means one coupon per item, not one coupon per transaction.

Free Rebates

2008-06-03T22:07:00.002-04:00

These are the free rebate items I have picked up so far for the month of June from Rite Aid and Walgreens.

Cheap Razors??

2008-06-03T21:40:00.003-04:00

I guess it's a matter of opinion if this is a good deal. My three teenage kids love these, so I stockpile them when I can get them for a somewhat reasonable deal and give them at Christmas. Last year I put together packages with expense razors and shaving gels for them and they absolutely loved it! Good thing they don't read my blog because I'm doing it again this year! These nine razors with the bonus gel were $77.66 regular price, $54.24 clearance price, minus 9 $4.00 off coupons $18.24, minus $10.00 in gift cards from hair color deal, $8.24 OOP.

Beware Double Coupons

2008-06-02T10:15:00.003-04:00

I recently discovered that both of the grocery stores in my area have a limit on how many of like coupons that will double in the same transaction. So if you are buying 4 or more of the same item and using a coupons that will double, check your store's policy or purchase them in separate transactions.

How To Get Great Deals

2008-06-01T15:58:00.003-04:00

I'm frequently asked how I get such great deals, so here is an example of one I did last week. Target is giving a $5.00 gift card with the purchase of a box of Perfect 10 hair color. I had BOGO coupons so I was able to get 2 boxes for $12.99 and then received $10.00 in gift cards at the checkout. When I repeated the deal I could use the gift cards and pay only $2.99 for 2 boxes. Because I didn't use the gift cards every time I did the deal I ended up with $60.00 in gift cards near the end of the week. Since I had a lot of coupons that were getting ready to expire and Target had a lot of clearance food and nonfood items, I did a big shopping trip. My total was $170, after sale and clearance prices $146, after coupons $96, after I used $30 in gift cards my OOP was $66. This might seem like a high amount spent this week, but since I am still in the beginning of my stockpile stage I bought a lot of certain items like Ziploc bags and Morning Star products.

Where to Find Coupons

2008-05-16T12:38:00.002-04:00

I have people ask me all the time, "Where do you find your coupons?" Even the cashiers at the stores ask me. Where? The internet of course! Hot Coupon World is not only great for coupons, but has a massive amount of information to help you save in the stores. I have also found some real money savers at Mommy Saves Big, and here is a list I happened upon, Coupon Bar. You will have to down load a program (it will be offered when you try to print) to be able to print coupons. It's free and safe! If you are looking for a coupon for a particular item, and don't find it at one of these site, try going straight to the company's web site. I do this often with high success!

My Green Shoes

2008-05-15T20:49:00.001-04:00

You might as well hear this from me instead of someone else. I like shoes that are...well...what some might call unattractive. I call them comfortable! I got these great shoes from Simple Shoes. They were originally $80 marked down to $19.90 each with free shipping. I normally don't spent that much on shoes for myself, but the green aspect got me. My son wants the pair with recycled tire soles - cool!!

Free with Coupons

2008-05-15T20:21:00.001-04:00

Last night I went shopping to four different stores, Jubilee, Wal-mart, Target, and Topps. I spent hours planning my trip by matching coupons to sale items and clipping them to lists. I've learned organization is the key to maximum coupon usage. I also was at my computer while I planned my list. If I didn't have a coupon for an item I wanted, I looked up the company online to see if one was available to print. I was surprised how often one was! I used 80 coupons last night and the 35 that were under a dollar were doubled. I got some OK deals (items I need and usually don't go on great sales but I still used a coupon), some fantastic deals and above it what I got for free!!

Save Big by Stockpiling

2008-05-10T23:50:00.001-04:00

I had quite a few people ask me how I can afford to shop as much as I do. First let me say it comes in spurts. Some weeks there's nothing worth buying and some weeks are a goldmine. This week was a goldmine!! I'd like to explain how stockpiling can save you money in two ways. This week I bought 20 large cans of Maxwell House Lite coffee for $99.80, $4.99 a can. When it was around $6.00 a can it would go on sale for $3.99, somewhere, almost every month. I'd buy a few and then it would go on sale again. Now that the price is over $9.00 a can, it hasn't been on sale much. I had accumulated 30 $1.00/1 coupons and have been waiting for a big sale while picking up one can at a time, paying over $9 a can. This week Tops had it for $5.99 and the manager was kind enough to order in extra for me. The first way I saved is by paying about $80 less for 20 cans of coffee by combining the sale with the remaining coupons I had, and now I can replenish my stash as it goes on sale. The second way I save is by freeing up the money I was paying for coffee every week, I am now able to buy larger amount of other items and stockpile them as well. I had previously stockpiled a year's worth of toothpaste, shampoo, body soap, razors, foil, and months worth of cereal, salad dressings, canned goods, frozen foods, and meats to name a FEW. Every time I am able to stockpile an item for a very low cost it frees up more and more money from my weekly budget, and affords me the time to wait for that item it go on sale or clearance for the price I am willing to pay. Some might say coffee isn't a necessity, why purchase it at all. I very rarely buy pop (MAYBE for a party) and we don't drink a lot of juice. We mostly drink milk, soymilk, and water, and well honestly, it's my husband's and my one vice!

Please Save Me Your Extra Coupons!!

2008-05-10T22:15:00.001-04:00

I never believed those woman on TV who claimed to buy $200.00 plus worth of groceries for $10.00 by using manufacture's coupons and rebates. "Impossible!", I'd yell at the TV when they would show her at store, clutching her binder of coupons, and smiling like she just won the LOTTO. Mostly, I was trying to make myself feel better about feeding my own family of 6 for about $80+ a week. That number had been steadily increasing over the past few year until late fall when I got involved with the "food run" I talked about in a previous post, but I still hadn't been able to get down to the $30 - $50 range I so desired. I honestly believed there was no way to get super great deals using manufacture coupons except the occasional coupon matched with a clearance item. I stuck to my routine of stocking up on loss leaders, searching the clearance sections, and doing the bulk of my shopping at Aldis. All that changed a month ago when I discovered Hot Coupon Worldand I can honestly say I'll never view coupons and shopping the same way again! I may never pay full price again!!

Here, again, is another instance where I am torn between being frugal and being green. I have been purchasing multiple Sunday papers to get the coupon inserts. I have been saving the papers to use as ground covering for my garden and also to compost. I still need to do more research to make sure this is safe. As a last resort I will, of course, recycle them. Here are my reasons for justifying purchasing these papers. We don't subscribe to a daily paper and until recently only occasionally picked up the Sunday paper. Buy using almost all CFLs in my home, hang drying most of our laundry, making my own environmentally safe laundry soap and general purpose cleaner, shopping thrift stores for a portion of our clothing and other items, using reusable shopping bags, making (and selling) items from recycled cloths and paper, recycling, reusing and not wasting everything and anything possible, I'd like to think I'm doing a good job off setting this wastefulness. Even so, what it all boils down to is money, and with two kids graduating from high school next year and then going off to college, I need to save every penny I can. Two years after that I'll have another in college for a total of three at the same time!!

Yes, that is my coupon binder! I'm looking for a great deal on one that zips all the way around and has pockets for scissors and a calculator. I'll probably find one in late Summer with the back to school specials.

Free Box

2008-05-01T10:49:00.001-04:00

I have always been fairly successful at putting on a yard sale. Even though I've had a few that bombed, usually due to bad timing such as a storm or a holiday weekend, for the most part they have faired well. I think one key to success is generosity. In the past few years I have always had a FREE BOX, and in this year's case I had three! I have always given things away at my sales, a toy to a sweet little kid, extra baby stuff to an expectant mom, or just knocked the change off the sale's total. It all depends on the person, the circumstance, and my mood at the time!! The free box serves many purposes. It is usually items that I would have otherwise thrown away, not totally useless items, just not sell able. For example, a slightly melted on the corner spatula, a backpack with a broken zipper, a stack of Taco Bell cups headed for the recycle bin, magazines, stained clothing, and toys or games that are missing pieces, to name a few. I place the box, or boxes, at the back of my sale so people have to come through everything to get to it. Often people will see it just as they are turning to leave, and often people will make a purchase after rummaging through the free box and taking a few items. I started doing this because I hated the idea of just throwing items like that in the trash and I think it makes my yard sale "junky" if I put them out for sale.

Here's a couple other quick tips for a successful sale. Use bright pink poster board for your signs, if it is allowed where you live. Place a quarter box by your checkout area. I had two this year, one filled with small toys and the other household items. After customers put their items on the table for me to tally up they will rummage through the boxes (or let their kids) and will spend an extra buck or two. Another bonus is I don't have to price and find room for all those little things. Lastly, Thursday and Friday are the best days for a sale. I MIGHT consider doing Saturday again, but NEVER Sunday.

My Scrubbies are in the SPOTLIGHT!

2008-04-21T14:29:00.001-04:00

My Etsy shop has been crazy busy for the past 24 hours. My Recycled T-shirt Scrubbies are on the front page in a Spotlight article.

My House is a Disaster!!

2008-04-16T00:19:00.001-04:00

I have read so many posts by other bloggers over the past few weeks about simplifying their lives, I decided to finally get serious about it myself! I come from a family of pack rats, and although I have fought with this my whole life and had plenty of up and down moments, I really thought I had it beat. I've even been ridiculed for having yearly to bi-yearly yards sales and hauling stuff to the Salvation Army frequently, but there's always so much more left in the house! A family of six in a tiny house with no basement really has to have a use it or lose it attitude!

This week the kids are off for spring break, and not only have we been systematically going through the house room by room, drawer by drawer, but I also intend to have a yard sale Thursday and Friday. That means everything has to be priced and set up by tomorrow night! This morning, my house looked like it had been picked up and shook, but by this evening it all started coming together. While the sale is going on we intend to do a thorough spring cleaning from top to bottom, including washing all the bed linens and curtains! Have four kids, three of which are in high school, has been a wonderful blessing this week. They all cleaned out, and got rid of, so much more than I thought they would (willingly!!). We are gong to need a vacation, after this "vacation".

Trash

2008-04-14T00:22:00.001-04:00

We stopped having our trash and recycling picked up a few years ago when the price went up to $24 a month. We now take our garbage and recycling to the waste management station and it cost us between $3 - $6 a month. It doesn't cost me anymore for gas because I combine it with other trips that are in that same area. I'm able to recycle more items at the station than I was allowed to put out at my house. (More variety) I purchase bags for $3 that hold at least 2+ weeks of our family of 6's trash. (You have to have your trash in their bags and be able to tied it shut when you bring it back.) We compost food scraps as well.

From what I've read we are pretty lucky to have this option, I guess most people don't. It can't hurt to call around and check though, because most people that live around here don't know you can do this!

My Interview

2008-04-12T22:25:00.001-04:00

Wow, she posted it fast! Want to read more about me? Check out my 10 question interview on My Wooden Robot. I really feel special!!

PIF

2008-04-11T20:19:00.002-04:00

My Wooden Robot did a post about my Etsy shop. I just completed an interview that hasn't been posted yet, but I'm too excited to wait.

I Thought I Knew About Coupons

2008-04-09T09:18:00.002-04:00

I DO know more about using coupons than anyone I know! I would see little blurbs here and there while cruising around the internet looking for frugal information (and the occasional freebie), and I'd think, "What could they know that I don't?!" I would just assume they were doing what I was already doing. Well, they sort of are, but on a much grander scale, with far greater returns than I could have imagined, and using team work to do it in less time. I would spend hours some weeks clipping, sorting, and matching up my coupons with the weekly sales, not to mention the time to plan and execute my shopping trip, and I was usually getting little return for my time. I had finally given up and haven't been doing it at all for the past few months. Now my stash of coupons have expired!

A fresh clean coupon start it were I am now. I purchased a Sunday paper a few weeks ago and there were no coupons in it?? I purchased one this past Sunday and there were two inserts, and I thought, "Are gone the days of three coupons inserts, along with 2/1.00 eggs and 88 cent hamburger?" Well thanks to my newly found, and most favorite (so far) coupon information site, Hot Coupon World, I know coupons inserts are not just randomly stuffed in the paper, but there is a schedule. The are no inserts on holidays and the P&G Saver goes in at the beginning of the month. I also learned that my $1.00 buy price for deodorant is way to high, even .50 is considered high! Free is the price and with coupons and rebates, and it's really not that hard to do!! I love Free!! I truly believe that saving money is better than earning more money. Don't get me wrong, I'm still for making more money, but what's the sense in working harder if you are just going to be more wasteful!

Torn Between Being Frugal and Being Green??!

2008-04-04T10:32:00.001-04:00

I LOVE free stuff! Free food, free cloths, coupons for free anything, and of course free samples. The choice is easy when my son and I are walking around Sam's Club and enjoying our free Tapas style lunch, sometimes we even get juice! The problem is the samples I get in the mail. I love getting great stuff in the mail. I go to Twisted Branches and Spoofee almost every day, and am currently checking out 2 more freebie sites to set if they warrant daily or weekly visits. I use all these great little finds as gift basket fillers, stocking stuffers, extra special little treats for the snack jar, and even for myself. I always seem to have some great shampoo and conditioner sample in the shower. I have discovered some great products this way, and have even bought full sizes of some products. (When it was on sale and with a coupon of course!)

So here is my dilemma, the over packaging. I feel so guilty when I get a 1 oz serving of cereal in a metallic type bag, in a little box, with additional product information in with it as well. Or even worse and little antiperspirant sample, with all the little plastic bits and pieces needed to make it, also in a little box with additional papers. I hardly even use antiperspirant, which makes me feel even more guilty. (FYI I use a Crystal stick!) I even gave up free samples altogether for awhile, because I was getting everything I possible could and ended up with stuff I could never use or give away. This was last summer when I really started getting serious about being more green and also lowering my utility bills as much as possible. About a month ago the I started back to my old habits, but with a bit more forethought about the ones I chose. Even though I recycle it, I still feel bad about the packaging. I welcome anyone else's opinions on this matter.

Don't Knock it Until.....

2008-04-02T21:09:00.001-04:00

I found this recipe on Lentils and Rice, and even though I knew my kids would try it, and most likely like it, I never dreamed my husband would like it. He only eats a few varieties of beans, and except for hummus, chickpeas isn't one of them. The kids and I like any bean. Here's the strange part of this recipe, lentils and rice said it tastes like egg salad, one of my daughters said it taste like tuna salad, and my husband said it tastes like chicken salad. I agree with my husband, but I also think it taste like chickpeas, which I like very much!

I didn't add as many ingredients as Lentils and Rice did. I guess it depends on how you like your egg, tuna, chicken salad. I used mashed (but not to fine) chickpeas, chopped celery, a little salt and pepper, and mayo. The kids were eating it out of the bowl while I was making it. Finally, something new for lunch!!

74 Cent Dinner for Six

2008-04-02T10:47:00.001-04:00

Mushrooms, broccoli, cherry tomatoes tossed with 1 pound of fettuccine I got on clearance at Target for 74 cents. I also used a little olive oil and spices which I didn't include in the cost. I also didn't include the cost of the gas and electricity used freeze, store, cook and wash up after. In future posts if a significant amount of olive oil, butter, spices, etc. are used I will list the cost, otherwise it's just too much of a pain to calculate.

So are you wondering why I didn't include the cost of veggies? I got those for free from my food run. When I get home from the food run (that's what we call it here at home, so that's what I'm sticking with) , I sort, wash, blanch or saute, and then freeze any fruit or veggie that won't last more than a few more days. If it can't be frozen, then we eat that up first over the next few days!! One time there might be lot of peppers, another a lot of strawberries, you just never know. I have quite a variety of frozen items from the past few months, along with garden and farmers market items I put up last fall.

Homemade Laundry Soap

2008-04-02T00:07:00.002-04:00

I have been making my own laundry soap for months and I just love it! I use to buy 12 or more gallon jugs of soap when it went on sale for about $1.88, and then I would have to store them in our little house. It was a real pain in the winter because laundry soap will freeze if you store it in the garage. Now I just make 2 gallons of soap at a time for under 30 cents a gallon and the real plus is I'm reusing my containers AND it's eco friendly soap!

Homemade Laundry Soap

1/3 bar grated soap
6 cups water
1/2 cup borax
1/2 cup washing soda
2 gallons hot water

I heat the grated soap in 6 cups of water and stir until the soap is dissolved. Add the borax and washing soda and stir until dissolved. Add this mixture to a 2 gallon bucket of hot water and stir. Stir occasionally over the next 24 hours while cooling. If it separates while cooling just stir well to mix.

Reclaimed Food

2008-04-01T21:43:00.002-04:00

I have read that up to 47% of all food in America gets tossed in the trash. I know you are probably thinking that's impossible. I did! First, think of the waste at the farm, then in transport and finally the processing plants or the grocery stores. There's tremendous waste at the restaurants, buffets, and hotels. Lastly, the food we throw away in our own homes.
I'm not going to list specific facts because it's so easy to google the information. Click images and you will see tons upon tons of tossed out food. What I do want to list is the actions I take to lesson this waste.

1. Stop throwing away food. Sounds easier that it actually is! This requires a certain amount of fore thought about the meals I cook. If I cook too much, what do I do with the leftovers. In addition to just eating them again for lunch or another dinner, I will either freeze them to use at a later date or remake them into an entirely different dish. Eventually I will be posting some recipes where I do this quite creatively and with tasty results!

2. Realize the value of what is being wasted. If $20.00 worth of food were thrown away this week, it would be the same as ripping up and throwing away a 20 dollar bill. My husband and I work far to hard for our money, and we work very hard to stretch that money as far a possible, than to just toss it in the trash.

3. Teach my children to appreciate the real value of what we spend our money on, not just food. I believe this is very important so that they will be able to succeed more easily once they leave home. I don't want them to end up buried in debt before they graduate college because they were not taught how to be frugal. I also want them to be conscious consumers, and pass that information on to their children.

4. Now for the bigger picture. I am very fortunate to be able to volunteer for an organization that reclaimed approximately 3 million dollars worth of food last year and distributed it to over 2,500 persons weekly through 25 programs including food pantries and soup kitchens. This is food that is at or near it's expiration date, or is just over stock. It comes from many groceries stores, a dairy, an orchard, bakeries, a health food store and miscellaneous other stores. It is all edible food that would have been thrown in the trash if this organization had not organized ways to reclaim it.
Twice a month, and usually with the help of one of my teenage children, I drive 70 miles round trip to collect food that has been reclaimed and set aside for our small community pantry. We usually have two or three vehicles that caravan together. After the food is collected we go back to the pantry, unload, organized it all, and then it is immediately distribute to families and individuals who need it. With the economy the way it is, the list of people who come to the pantry has been growing pretty steadily. I take home bread, produce and misc. food items to help feed my own family and I feel I am more than compensated for the 140 miles and 10 or so hours a month I volunteer. This has been such a tremendous blessing for my family. Not just because of the food it has provided us, but the opportunity to serve our community in such a basic and necessary way.

Soon I will tell you exactly what I do with that food once I bring it home and the impact it has had on our lives. I encourage you to see if such organizations exist in your own community or start one yourself!

Oh My Little Cuppy Cakes

2008-04-01T21:08:00.003-04:00

I made 30 of these adorable cupcakes for a friend's daughter's bridal shower. Did you guess it's a hand crocheted washcloth? As soon as I get a 40% off coupon for Michael's for the silicone liners, I'm going to make more.

Testing, 123 Testing

2008-04-01T20:53:00.001-04:00

Well, I really haven't a clue as to what I'm doing!! Hopefully I will soon be able to look back and realize it was all very easy to master. I am starting this blog for many reasons. First, I've always wanted to be able to share my frugal ideas and tips with anyone and everyone who wants and can use them.
Second, I wanted a place where I could organized all these scraps of paper clogging my desk and random pieces of information floating around in my head. This will be a much easier way to share my information and recipes with friends and family as well. No more typing up emails and/or cutting and pasting info! Yay!! Maybe I'll be able to use my desk for ... well, desky things!
My third reason might be the most important one of all, and one I wasn't even aware of until I read it on another blog. I am hoping that having an outlet for my never ending and sometimes uncontrollably racing thoughts, I'll be able to give my husband some piece and quit. After working and eleven hour day and then picking up and dropping of kids, the last thing he wants to hear (no matter how much he loves me) is how I was able to make a fabulous meal for .74 cents. Well, that he might be interested in, but you get the idea!

Right Brain Thinker's Frugal Findings

Christmas Food Court Flash Mob, Hallelujah Chorus - Must See!

Alien Abduction Lamp

First Day Fundraising

Born again - for the third time

PLEASE Drive Safely

Walking for a Cause

Healthy = Frugal = Green

Ugly Dolls and Craftster

One Month Shopping Challenge - Week 3 & 4

One Month Shopping Challenge - Week 2

Buttered Pasta - Kids Choice

Shrimp Veggie Rice Medley

One Month Shopping Challenge - Week 1

Monogram Plaque

Scalloped Chicken

Two Easy Side Salads

Enough

Check That Receipt Update

Check That Receipt

Gift Journal

At Last

In my Head

Still Here

Fast Food Tip

This is SO STINKIN CUTE!

The Time Has Come, The Time Is Now...

Church Sale Haul Part 2

Deja Vous Church Sale Haul Part 1

You Know They Love You When...

My Studio Transformation

Total Disfunction!

Do not Call - Register Your Cell Phones

4 Ingredient Seafood Pasta Salad

Hit and Run Zucchini

What A Life They Will Have

A Better Burger

Time to get Real

Utility Bills

Nice

Homemade Dishwasher Soap

So Much Waste

Tuna What?

Featured Again

Chaos

Help! I'm just too busy!

Momix Dance Company

Amy Dacyczyn

Random Tip #3

The Demise of Common Sense

Random Tip #2

Random Tip #1

Other Blogs to Read

Cheap, Great Hair

Creative Reusing

Prepare for the Zombie Attack

Pizza Cookie

Happy New Year!!

Free Magazine Subscriptions

My Frugal Life Part 2

Focused and Organized

New Job

My Frugal Life Part 1

He Provides!

Washer still Broken Now What?

Yay! My washer's fixed!

Back to School

Christian the Lion What a Reunion!!

Best Deals Yet

Orange Spice Sun Tea

June Rebates

Recycle Those Messy Jars

Cheap Makeup

A Lot of Free Shaving Cream

Purchase VS Transaction

Free Rebates

Cheap Razors??

Beware Double Coupons

How To Get Great Deals

Where to Find Coupons