Found a new savings tonight

This night owl business is working for me. Well I am finding new ways to save money at least. When I reopened my checking account the teller was telling me about billpay. Now I have known I had free bill pay but have not used it. What I did not know is they will send checks for you to a business. So that means I no longer have to write out a monthly rent check. I can have them send the check.

This is going to really work in my favor for a few reasons:

1. I don't have to use my stamps.
2. The checks should STOP getting lost. I have had a few times where I have sent my rent and it does not get there or gets there WEEKS later.
3. All I have to do is click a button. I also get email conformation to save showing it was sent.

If I do this with all my bills I save 14.76 a year alone in stamps. Plus a box of checks will last so much longer. I don't pay for my checks but still.

So from now on I will be using billpay for all my bills. My stamps will be for personal use.

Inventory of my stockpile - HBA

Okay went through the closet:
21 Deoderants
12 tubes of toothpaste
4 toothbrushes
4 shaving creams
5 multi packs of ravors
11 loose razors
7 face creams
2 bags of pads
2 boxes of Tampons
5 body washes
6 lotions
8 conditioners
5 Shampoos
12 hair colors
6 lotions
6 bottles of dish soap
8 bottles of laundry soap
1 large bottle of fabric softner
2 hand soaps
49 rolls of TP
4 rolls of Papertowel
misc. cleaners

Big Bowl of samples.

Lots of things to think about

This robbery really has my mind reeling. I don't expect to feel comfortable here for a bit. Not sure if I ever will again.

Some of the things that have now changed:

1. There is always a light on - somewhere in this house.
2. All windows are locked - home or not. I only have open the one I am in the room with. Glad the hot weather is almost gone.
3. My new man is going to rig up somethings for me. Not that I think the theif is smart enough to read this but not giving anyone a chance to know.
4. Using timers on different things.
5. Watching who is around the house.
6. Going to check out some alarms

I had thought of the following and have not made up my mind:

1. Wanted to move to an upper. My landlord will not allow tenants to move to different units. Needless to say he has now lost a tenant. I will be moving..the when is up in the air.

2. Moving..either in Oct. with a friend for a few months. Till I have the cash to move on my own again. Will only live in an upper now.

3. Stay here till Tax time and move then.

4. Our building is for sale. Hope it sells fast and can ask the new owners if I can move into an upper.

I am pretty pissed off that the owner thinks so little of his good tenants (I have been here almost 4 years) that he has not changed locks. (do not worry mine are covered) nor will he allow me to move to an upper. I know he does not care as he takes forever to fix things. Funny how seems like every other month he has to evict someone for non paying of rent money.

Well new idea with the bank issue.

Okay so today I realized that the robbers stole my checks. GRRRRRR.............more things for me to take care of. So I called the bank. They said come in close the account and reopen a new one. So ........the smart girl in me thought wait don't I have an offer from another bank.

I sure do. I have an offer from Chase. IF I open and account with direct deposit. They will give me $100.00. So guess where I am headed in the morning. I will have my Walgreens checks directly deposited in there. I will keep the bank I have now just get a new account. They have things I love and don't want give it up.

So tomorrow I am off to the banks to take care of business.

More Free money from my bank

I found from the robbery that they stole my checks. So I cancelled all my direct deposits. I will be closing my account and opening a new one. I love my bank so I won't be changing banks. While I was on the website I found this:

Savings PayBack
Your perfect match is finally here!

An easy way to start saving
At Guaranty Bank, we're here to help you save. That's why we offer Savings PayBack. Add this function onto any of our checking accounts, and it will do the saving for you.

Here's how Savings PayBack works:

1. Open a Guaranty Bank checking account

2. Add the Savings PayBack feature to your Guaranty Bank checking account
3. Open a Guaranty Bank Regular Savings Account
4. Choose the amount you'd like to save, and Savings PayBack will automatically transfer that amount from your checking to your savings each month
5. When you make 11 consecutive monthly transfers, Guaranty Bank will reward you by matching your average Savings PayBack monthly transfer amount, up to $100, in the 12th month
Earn up to $100 each year!
Savings PayBack is an annual program that keeps giving back. So, the more you save each month, the more you will earn each year. Keep saving and you'll be rewarded year after year!


So I will open my new account. Open the Savings (Which I don't have) and put in 10.00 a month at the least and get free money next year. How cool is that?

Watch your banks websites. You never know what you may find.

Coffee Can Uses

This morning I need to soak some small items in Oxy Clean before going in the washer. I snagged a plastic coffee can from my friend this weekend. I had planned to throw change in there. But then I thought hey this is perfect to soak those small things in there. So my socks and other things that I want to be white again are now soaking and will hit the washer later.

Any new ideas you have come up with for a Coffee Can?

what's your Hot Mama Revolution theme song?

what's your Hot Mama Revolution theme song?

I love this blog. This woman is so funny and brings a smile to my face everytime I read her blog.

My Hot Mama Revoluion song right now is Big Girls Don't Cry by Fergie. I just love Fergie and not sure exactly why. Maybe it is the sassy part of her or the fact her songs make me want to do something during the day.

My theme songs do change depending on what is going on in my life.

Some of my past songs:

1. I will survive by Gloria Ganor - Going through my divorce
2. Only the good die young - Being a mixed up teen
3. His Eye is on the Sparrow - various artists - dealing with my Dad's death.

So go check out Hot Mama Revolution and name your theme song!

This weeks Frugal Project

This week I will be cleaning my carpet. It should not cost me more than the electric to run the shampooer and the fans. My friend let me use his rug shamppoer and I already have soap and spot treatment. So I am going to do this whole house.

It will keep me busy and my mind off of the bad things. I can't wait to see how good my carpets will look after they are done.

One of my main goals is to get the bedroom done so I can move into that room.

Boring Blog for a bit.

My blog is going to be all words for a bit. I came home after a weekend at "the friend's" house (not ready to throw out that boyfriend word) and my house was broken into. They stole my camera, my DVD player and my old cell phone. Those are things and can be replaced. I was not hurt nor were my neighbors so that is a blessing.

A lady I use to work with came into Walgreens tonight. She offered me a job cleaning her house. Which I will be taking. I love her and I know she will be good to work for. I can always use the cash (to buy a new camera).

I told her what happened. She said that someone recently told her this.

We have problems and Situtations. Situtuation can be fixed by money (we may not always have the money, but if we did they would be fixed by money.) Problems can not be fixed by money. So I had situtaion happen to me this past weekend.

I hate to mention it..but the heatting season is coming.

I don't even want to think about winter coming and having to turn on the heat. It seems as if late August is my gameplan month. I start thinking about what I can do so that the heating season does not hurt as much.

2005 I kept the heat at 60 degrees all winter. As soon as the news starts talking how it is going to cost more to heat the house. The faster I start turning things down.

So this coming year my game plan is:


1. Plastic livingroom windows. Might even do the outside too
2. Plastic my bedroom windows
3. Close vent in spare bedroom. Not heating it.
4. Keep heat at 60 (only turn up if we get below zero days)
5. Watch Gas prices compared to Electric. Use spaceheaters if cheaper.
6. Put draft blocker in front of front door..and use backdoor most of the time. Or if I use the front door put a blocker in the hallway to be in place while I am gone.
7. I have a ton of blankets so they will be in the living room and on my bed to keep me warm.
8. close bathroom vent most of the way
9. close kitchen vent

I found these ideas below on Frugal Village

Put a down comforter that on top of the mattress, under the fitted sheet. Helps keep us toasty and doesn't cost a cent! (You do have to rotate it a bit though, or it gets thin where you sleep all the time.)


Shrink wrap the windows, but we put bubble wrap between them to add another layer of insulation. Awful windows in this house and it does really seem to help. I have rolled up old towels and done this in our bedrooms before.

Close doors to unused rooms and close all closet doors in all rooms... why heat my closet? This I totally do. I close the bathroom too as I swear can feel a draft from there.

What are you going to do to save energy this winter?

My Power Outage Is OVER!

I had no power for over 24 hours. 31 hours to be exact. Man that really sucked to a point. First thing was DO NOT open the fridge or freezer. Remember I had all that meat in there and it was NOT going to spoil. No way!.

The good thing was I got a really good nights sleep. No late night TV to watch. I don't know why I have to watch late night TV but I do. Some nights I am up till 2AM and then up no later than 9AM. So I am usually lacking sleep.

The phone started ringing at 7AM and I got 3 calls within the next hour. So I took it as time to get up. No power so no morning TV News and no Computer. I opened all the windows as NO Fans either. Hot and muggy out and hotter and muggyer (is that a word) in here. So I got to work. I could do all those little projects that I have not wanted to do.

So today I did:

I got done:
Coffee Table cleaned off
Room picked up
Bag packed for the weekend
Kitchen counters and sink scrubbed
Dishes put away
Organizer updated
Wrote a letter to my grandma
Found a place to store my books out of site
Cleaned out a basket of old socks
Deep conditioned my hair.
Cleaned off computer table
Made phone call about unemployment
Called an old friend
Called about B's school issues
Called about my school.

When the power came on I had to turn on the air. Sorry but I hate it when your carpet feels wet cause it is so humid. Vacumed the house and took a shower.

I can't wait to get my rugs cleaned then it will feel as if the house is all new to me.

Quick foods can be frugal.

I will admit I did go online to order a pizza. Yeah I know NOT FRUGAL at all. Especially when I just got done saying I am not spending extra money. The only thing I did not get from the butcher was sausage. I might run up and get some for next week.

Now before I hit submit. I talked myself out of it. I did not want to spend $20.00 on pizza,wings and tip. Although that is not a bad price. But come on I just spent $45.00 on groceries today. I closed the pizza window and went to see what did I have that is quick to eat. Found the shredded BBQ pork in the fridge and have fresh bread. I made a quick sandwich. Now I am not hungry and I did not spend $20.00.

I need to make sure I have a few things that are quick for when I come home hungry and it is late.

The BBQ was part of the 20.07 meat deal. So I did not spend $20.00 and now have that still in my wallet. WOO HOO!


To be on the safe side. I took out something to cook for tomorrow.

Need a good laugh

Check out this auction on Ebay. I also have to now look and see if I have any cards to sell. But it is just a funny story.

Grocery Shopping

This morning after I figured out my checkbook. I hit the butcher. Normally I only go and buy meat there. As all the other prices are pretty inflated. I did get a few other things as the weather was crappy and the savings I would have saved was small and probably eaten by more busfare.

All those white packages are meat.

For 20.07 I got:
2 Chicken Cordon Bleus (4 meals)
2 lbs Country Style Pork Ribs (4 meals)
1 lb BBQ Shredded Pork ( 4 meals or more)
1 Whole or Cut-up Chicken (I got the cut up one) (another 4 meals or more)
1 lb Ground Chuck (3 meals)
2 Chicken Patties (pre-cooked) (2 meals)

That alone is about 1.00 a meal.

I added:
1/2 pound of bacon (3 meals)
3.5 pounds of Country Ribs - for this weekend
1 mock chicken leg. (2 meals)
1 chicken burrito (had it for lunch) (1 meal)

Staples were:
3 Potatoes
Loaf of bread
Pack of Tortillas
Bag of noodles
Brownie (so that is not a staple - but it was Yummy)

With the extra meat and my few staples my total was 45.00. 35.32 alone was Meat. So the other things added up to 9.68. That is not to bad in my book. The 20.00 worth of meat will last me awhile. Just the cordon blu alone is 4 meals. I can only eat 1/2 one.

I need to stock up on the meat deals. I want to get another one before the end of August so in the winter if weather is bad I don't have to go out.

Most of the kitchen project is done!

Today I started in the kitchen. I do not have a big kitchen but I had some serious gross walls and a dingy floor.

This morning as I was blog jumping. I came across this post on Clean Floor she said she used Scrubbing Bubbles. So I thought I wonder if it would work here. I decided to bit the bullet and get a can. So I ran to work and got a can. I was washing the walls first with lysol and water. But they just were not coming clean enough. So I thought I wonder if this works on walls too. I sprayed in a small area. OH MY GOSH! You could see how dirty it was. Where I wiped up the scrubbing bubbles. I cleaned all my walls with it and my floor. It was so worth the $2.39 or so I spent on it. My kitchen looks so much brighter with clean walls and a clean floor.

I would have done before and after pictures but I can't find my camera. Can't even blame the kid. Crap remembered now I put it away. LOL! I usually have it on the Computer Table.

So remember scrubbing bubbles is not just for the bathroom anymore.

20 Uses for Baking Soda

I found this at Home Weekly

Some of these will come in handy for me:

Add 1/2 cups or more of baking soda to your bath water to soften your skin.

Apply soda directly to insect bites, rashes and poison ivy to relieve discomfort. Make a paste with water.

Take a soda bath to relieve general skin irritations such as measles and chicken pox.

Take 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda in 1/2 glass of water to relieve acid indigestion or heartburn.

Gargle with 1/2 tsp. baking soda in 1/2 glass of water. Freshens and cleans your mouth.

Used as a mouth wash, baking soda will also relieve canker sore pain.

To relieve sunburn: use a paste of baking soda and water.

Bug bites: use a poultice of baking soda and vinegar.

Bee sting: use a poultice of baking soda and water.
Windburns: moisten some baking soda and apply directly.
Making Play Clay with baking soda: combine 1 1/4 cups water, 2 cups soda, 1 cup cornstarch.

Use soda as an underarm deodorant.

If your baby spits up on his shirt after feeding, moisten a cloth, dip it in baking soda and dab at the dribbled shirt. The odor will go away.

When scalding a chicken, add 1 tsp. of soda to the boiling water. The feathers will come off easier and flesh will be clean and white.

Repel rain from windshield. Put gobs of baking soda on a dampened cloth and wipe windows inside and out.

Add to water to soak dried beans to make them more digestible.

Add to water to remove the “gamey” taste from wild game.

Use to sweeten sour dishcloths.

Use dry with a small brush to rub canvas handbags clean.

Use to remove melted plastic bread wrapper from toaster. Dampen cloth and make a mild abrasive with baking soda.

Back to Basics Monday

I wanted to post early today so I keep my mind in back to basic mode. I got up this morning and made some coffee. Gotta have the coffee! Already started the dishes - yes I am washing them right away. I was not in the mood last night.

Caught myself listening to music on the computer and had the tv on. Turned off the TV. I can't do both at the same time. So that is just wasting money.

This week I am planning on:
Finishing the rug so I can use Mike's rug cleaner next week.
Deep clean my kitchen. I found a solution for washing walls online. I will try it and let you know how it works.

Rainy gloomy day here perfect for sleeping or cleaning. I choose cleaing!

Need to wash but it is going to rain all week. So might do just one or two loads. I hate to use the dryer. But I need some clothes washed. So might have to use the dryer. It is suppose to rain all week. GREAT on the grass on trees, bad on my laundry.

Back to Basics in Frugality

Okay it is time for this girl to get back to the basics of frugality. I keep pushing the limit. Going closer and closer to the other edge. Which I don't want to and I can't afford it. So time to pull back and get back to the basics.

I started today. I did not go out at all. Well did take out the garbage but that is all. So no money spent. I did not even get a paper so I only have some coupons I got last night. I do not need anything from CVS or Walgreens. It has to be 100% free or a money maker for me to even think about it. I saw nothing in either ad that fit that bill.

Worked on the spare room. Which is going to be where I hang laundry this fall and winter when it gets to cold. I will dry towels maybe but nothing more.

Some basic things I am going back to:
1. Stop leaving a light on. I will be on the computer with the kitchen light on.

2. I am opening a new bottle of dishsoap. Measure it out and do the dishes right away. Been slacking there.

3. Keep hanging wash - that is so natural now

4. Meals here. Have been eating out a bit to much. So make a weekly menu.

5. Other things as I notice them.

6. Do not even bother with the CVS/Walgrens ads.

7. Really watch the spending. baby gift is done - only need a bag of diapers.

What are your back to basic tips?

Cleaning of the room!

Spent the weekend at home. I did pick up some hours on Saturday night. I can use the extra money but can't we all.

I did spend about 3 hours in my spare room cleaning. Now I have the floor area done. I am at the point of putting things away, moving furniture etc. I am hoping I can get that rug cleaned. If I get the rug clean enough, then I will move by bedroom in there. It is a bigger room.

As I was working in there, I noticed how much stuff my child HAD! and how well he did not take care of things. I am SO not buying that boy anything.

I would post pictures but can't bring myself to share the shame.

Not spending

I was going to run to CVS and use my other card for the weekly deals. I stopped myself. There is NOTHING that I need and to just get more stuff. I said no..mind you I was out the door at the bus stop. I turned around and came home.

I was going to get the following:
Ban Deoderant - I only have 2 arm pits and have more than enough.
Make up - I have enough. I don't wear that much of it.
More hair stuff - Only because it is expensive and I have 2.00 off coupons. Don't need more just got some extra.
Shavers - those I might still walk down and get since they are free after coupon.

Sometimes NOT stocking up is as good as Stocking up. If I don't need it. Then why get it.

Friday Spending

I am planning a weekend of good cleaning and organizing in my house. I woke up and my back was a little stiff. I only had 2 of the Back and Body pills left by Excedrin. So I went to Walgreens to get some. I hit a motherload while I was there.

I have one of these in my living room and a smaller one in my bathroom.



This is now in my spare room.

Right now they are:
8.49 (with my discount)
-4.00 coupon in Walgreens Rebate Book
-5.00 coupon from the Paper.

So they paid me 51 cents to bring it home. I got 3 of them. We can't keep them stocked people keep buying them.

Then the Body and Back pills:
3.49 my cost
2.00 man. coupon
and a mail in rebate for 1.49

so my cost will be 41 cents for one

And 2.98 for the other 2 boxes.

Then I also got free gum:
Bought 2 packs for 59 cents each.
1.00 off coupon in Easy Saver book
and I had B1 get 1 coupon

I was paid 1.93 for the gum.

I also got a soda.

My total was $4.58 (the bayer alone would have been $3.57 for just one box)

A frugal victory

I got the heads up that some shoes were on sale really cheap. I mean under $4.00 for a pair of sketchers. I would share the deal but they are sold out. I was going to buy a pair but I don't need shoes. Really I don't at least not right now. Sure when I need them it would have been great to have some for $4.00 but I need to start saying no.

Worked some extra hours today also. I was suppose to work 11-4 but instead worked 9:30 - 5 since someone called in sick. Exta money for me.

August 16 - spending

I know I have not posted one of these in a few days. I have been doing my best to keep track but some days the days get away from me.

Today was no spending. I spent the day with the guy I went out a few weeks ago. I spent the day at his house. I love his cat. Charlie is such a good cat and so loving.

I am amazed at what I learned about him today. Makes me like him a bit more. And he is a frugal man too! Who would have thought I would find one.

Christmas will be here soon.

Once school is back in session, it seems as if the holidays just sneek up on us. So have you started thinking of the holidays yet. The gifts to buy or make? I don't have a big family so my list is pretty small. I have been lucky that the last few years I have had a cash only Christmas.

Here is my list for this year:
Mom
Stepmom
Sister
Niece
Grandma
Son - that will all depend on his behavior. I won't give in like I did for his birthday. Since that was a huge mistake.
New man in my life maybe. Not sure about that yet.

Now if I start looking and planning now I can get all my gifts for under 200.00.

What is your gift budget like?

CVS shopping

Okay this is my trip to CVS. I started with 22.99 in ECB, 3.00 off 15.00 and 4.00 off 20.00.

So I got:
Garnier Nutrisee skin clothes (for when I spend the night elsewhere) - had coupon for 3.00 off (Price was 5.99)
Ban deoderant (2 of these)(they were 2 for 5) had 1.50 off in coupons.
Soft soap - had coupon for 35 cents off
Maybelline make up
Revlon make up (had CVS coupon for 2.00 off and my own 2.00 off coupon)
make up brush on clearance
3 schick quarttro razors on sale for 2.00 had 3 coupons for 2.00 off
2 packs of Bic pens - buy1 get 1 (had coupon for 1.00 off)
Kotex buy 1 get 1 for 1.00 (one was 3.29. I had a coupon for 2.00 off and the other one was 1.00 and the package had a coupon for 1.00 off) So I got both for 1.29!
Loreel Lipstick - had 2.00 off coupon
Tyenol PM - had coupon for 1.00
John Freida - buy 1 get 1 50% off. I had 2 coupons for 2.00 each.
Soft soap body wash - had 1.00 off coupon
Advil PM - had coupon for 2.00 off (was 3.99 each)
Lipton Pasta
Sun chips
Soda

Now..I got back in ECB 16.49

My total before coupons was 106.52 After Coupons 26.95

The scary thing is I only bought 23 items. I know the make up and hair stuff is really expensive. But I can not imagine paying full price for those items.

All my fall make up needs are now met.

Okay I did some spending today.

I need a 12 step program for staying away from sales and coupons. Not to mention CVS and Walgreens.

This morning I went to Walgreens for the unilever deal (But 15.00 and get 5.00 back in register rewards)

So I got:
6 jars of Ragu
2 bottles of All Small and Mighty

Used coupons for:
1.00 off 3 jars of Ragu (used 2 of these)
1.00 off All (used 2 of those)

Total out of pocket was 13.43 and got $5.00 back.


Then I had a coupon for 10.00 off photofinishing that was expiring:

Refilled color in 12.75
Shout - 2.97 (had coupon for 75 cents off and 1.00 mail in rebate)
Post it notes - 1.95
Post it notes - 1.95
Post it notes - 1.95

Coupons used:
10.00 off photofinishing (worked for the ink)
75 cents off Shout
6.00 off post it notes

Total out of pocket 6.03

Then I did the Revlon deal: Spend 20 get 10 back
2 eyeshadows 12.00
lip stick 8.00

Had 6.00 in coupons

Total 15.12 (got back 10.00 in register rewards)

Last but not least:
Sunkist soda - thirsty from chasing shoplifter.
Tylenol PM ( 2.49 but there is a 2.00 off coupon in Easy Saver book and 1.00 off manf. coupon)
Post it notes
Bic Pens (2 packs for 39 cents)
Curel foot cream (B1 get 1 1/2 off)


Now had coupons for:
2.00 off tylenol (Easy Saver book)
1.00 off tylenol (Manf.)
2.00 off Post it notes
Curel foot cream 1.00 off
Curel foot cream 75 cents off

Total out of pocket after I used up the rest of my store credit - 1.53

I did hit CVS today too.

Need your help Frugal Cleaning ideas

Okay I can not stand the strong smell from chemicals to clean mildew out of my shower. I feel as if it is in my nose and burns my eyes etc. So I hate to admit that I don't clean it as often as I should. Mostly because of the strong chemical smell.

Do you have a trick to keep it clean without all those chemical smells?

Frugal Books

Now the best way to get frugal books is to use your local library.I do realize that many people also get books from rummage sales. I don't go to many since I don't drive. Although the library is not an option for everyone. I know you are thinking why not. Well look at these instances where a library may not work for some.

1. If you live in a rural area. I don't know if they still have the bookmobile or not.

2. If you are homebound and can't get out often.

3. If you don't drive and the library easily accessable.


I found a Paperback Bookswap Were you can swap your books for books you want to read. It is very simple to use and I tried it and am hooked.





1. First you sign up for free

2. They give you credits for the first 9 books you list. I did not have 9 books to list all at once. So I got 3 credits for the 5 books I listed.

3. You find a book you want and you "order" it. The person with the book sends it to you. They pay for postage.

4. When you receive an "order" you sent the book and pay for shipping. Shipping is by Media Mail. So roughly $2.16 to mail the book.

So basically a new paperback can cost up to $15.00. I checked today when I was in the bookstore. So you get almost 7 books for the price of one.

The book above is one I ordered with my credits. When I am done with it. I will put it back on Paperbook Swap.

It has been a few days since I posted.

Sorry it has been a few days. Taking care of me for a few days. My back was really sore and sitting at the computer was painful. So update here.

Been watching my spending. Even though today I did go out and buy some new panties. I NEEDED them. Mine are in terrible shape. You know it makes you feel good to have nice undergarments.

Today my son turned 16 and it was a hard day for me. I did not get to talk to him but called him a few times. Had to leave a message. Also sent him a card that he will get tomorrow or Monday.

The man I went out with is doing well. He is so darn sweet and it freaks me out a bit. He will send me a message to my yahoo instant messaging when he is at work. He works nights. So I get it in the morning. For someone who does not know me well. Today he knew something was up. I did not come on line till late in the day. I was having a bad day and did not want to "dump" any of that on someone I just met. He told me "I knew you were to calm about the whole thing." So there are things he says or does that just throw me every time. So I will see him tomorrow and then again on Tues. We planned ahead.

That is it for an update on my life.

August 5 spending

I will be getting the cereal etc at Walgreens today. I have to work the closing shift.

So far today:
Paper and Soda - $3.75
Cereal: $5.48 - but got back $5.00 in register rewards -- Wonder if I will ever get 4 boxes of cereal for 48 cents again.
2 pop tarts for: 2.40 but got a 1.00 in register rewards
.85 more baby shampoo
1.73 soda and snack at work.

A photo freebie

Last week when Walgreens had the P&G register rewards deal. I got coupons for $10.00 off photo finishing. I have not finished getting pictures developed from Chicago. Since I am in the process of printing and framing some of them. This was great for me.

Yesterday I got some of my pictures printed for free. I did buy a frame for $10.00 and it was on sale too. So the cost of this wall cost me $10.00. I really like it. I have found memories of the trip. You won't know this but the middle one is the "Bean" in Chicago. I have one of the people I was with that day in the photo as they are looking at the "Bean". These are all b&w photos I took. I did get other ones printed too. I have all the benches printed to make up a collage frame. Had I paid for everything it would have been about $25.00 for this. Instead it was $10.00.

I have one more coupon so this week I am going to go through pictures and then go to Walgreens. Make 4 calendars for 2008 and put a magnet backing on each of them. My sister, stepmom, mom and I will get these for our Fridges for Christmas. Each Picture will have a special meaning to each of us. It will be a very frugal gift for Christmas.

Shopping not to be passed up!

Here is another good week to hit CVS! Go early or find out when the stocking days are.


CVS

Buy $20.00 of these selected products get $20 back in ECB. Use coupons to make the deal a bit sweeter!


List includes:
Planters Nuts 2/$7
Post cereals 2/$4
Kraft Easy Mac or Velveets Shells & Cheese 2/$4
Nabisco crackers 2/$4
Nabisco cookies 2/$4
South Beach Diet bars 2/$5
DiGiorno pizza 2/$11
Maxwell House coffee 34 oz 2/$12

While you are out might wanna hit Walgreens too:

Register Rewards are back. These are rewards you get for buying certain products. They can be used on your next purchase for almost anything:

Various Kellog Cereals - 4/$10 -- get back $5.00
There are coupons in this weeks paper.

Pop Tarts - 2/$6 -- get back $1.00
Coupons in today's paper

Nutragrain bars - Same deal as cereal
Coupons in today's paper

Go get those deals!

Saturday August 4th Spending

Okay so I went to Michael's for some yarn for a baby blanket. My stepmom is going to make it for my niece's baby.

Spending:
10.00 Frame
5.00 slushie at the movie
5.00 yarn - have not paid mom for it yet.

Spending August 3

I know this is late but better late than never. Yesterday money spent was $7.28

I had a blind date and met him at the bar for dinner and drinks. I could have saved busfare and had him pick me up at home. Since I did not know him I prefer if you don't read about them finding my body on the news.

1.75 busfare
3.75 beer
1.78 sunkist soda (2) My drink of choice after beer drinking.

Amazing how fast it adds up though isn't it?

Cleaning the room day 2

Well I am almost done with finding the floor. Teenagers..GRRRRRRR. I have found almost $3.00 in change on the floor. Wish I would find some dollar bills LOL! But don't see that happening.

I have so put up for sale:
Cell phone - SOLD
Dumb Bell
Calculator

Desk on Freecycle. I know there is more for FreeCycle just do not have it bagged up yet. Found a lot of missing dishes. Some had to be pitched. Most are soaking in bleach to kill anything that might be on them. LOL

I hope to have the bases of it done today. I am going to have to get a rug cleaner in there. That carpet is a mess.

Do you enjoy the frugal things you do?

There are times I am doing something and I have random thoughts. Just thoughts that pop in my head out of no where. Yeah I guess that could be kind of scary at times.

Today when I was hanging my first load of wash. The thought popped into my head. I really enjoy hanging my wash. I love the smell of my wash after it has hung outside all day. There is nothing like crawling into bed with fresh clean sheets that where hung outside. The money saving aspect is great too. I figured by looking at my laundry experiment in the side bar that out of the 25 loads I have done since May. I have used the dryer MAYBE 3 times. So that right there is a savings of $22.00. I decided come Jan. I am going to track for 1 year how many times I use the dryer along with how many loads of wash I do. I want to see the savings in print.

While I was hanging the clothes. I looked over at the lettuce. Who would have thought the lettuce would do better than the tomatoes? I have already boiled the eggs for egg salad sandwiches. Have a can of tuna in the fridge for tuna salad. Must be cold for me to eat it. I really did enjoy planting the plants this spring in the containers. Very easy to maintain. A little water and sun..and that is all I have to do. Once in a while I will get a weed but just pull it out. I really like the taste of lettuce right out of the garden.


Other frugal things that don't bother me at all:
1. eating at home
2. using less of products
3. cutting coupons - watching sales
4. stockpiling

Free Coffee Sample!

I love the Vanilla one! Free coffee for all you coffee lovers out there or for a nice addition to a gift basket!

Update on August 2 spending

I spent 85 cents at work. I got a bottle of Gerber Giggles body wash. This will go towards my nieces shower gift. I did take my drink and not buy anything else. I also only took the Giggles out of the clearance area.

August 2 Spending

Okay since it is almost time for me to go work. I have not spent any money today. I am going to be taking a bottle of Ice Tea to work for during my break. I will come home during my 30 min. break to eat and relax. That is a great thing about living so close to work.

There will be nothing bought at work today. My first no spend day of August. Plan on having a lot more of those.

Found Money! I love change

So far this is the pile of change I have found on the floor from cleaning out my son's room. I have not even made a dent in that mess. I won't go there, but glad that I finally am able to go in there and clean it. All the change will be counted when I am done with his room and added to the change jar. I should thank him for helping me fund my trip to Texas. I will also be selling items that he would no longer use if he was here. The other things are getting packed up. If he ever decides to change his attitude towards me, I will ship some of his things.

Do you Swiffer? I do! - Very frugal way too!

Many years ago I bought the swiffer. I loved it. It was great to get the hair off my bathroom floor a quick swiffer of the kitchen floor and not to mention the cob webs (not that I have those ever :) in my house)

Now buying those clothes is not frugal. Use it and throw it away. Not liking that at all. As I entered the frugal phase of life, the swiffer was used less and less. I used up my clothes and tried other ways to use my swiffer but nothing worked. Then a friend of mine mentioned she made a cloth for her swiffer. My first response was okay I want one. How much and will you make me one? She was kind enough to make me one and send it my way. Others heard about it and she was getting more orders.

Here is the cloth she made for me that I use all the time.

















1. It is made with yarn
2. Fits my swiffer great
3. Washes very well
4. Reuseable - so a one time purchase.

She is now selling these cloths through email orders:
1. Cost each is $5 plus shipping. Payment is by Money Order or Pay Pal Only

2. You may contact her at this email address pjinkles@yahoo.com
Please put in the subject line Swiffer Cover - Checkbounced blog.

3. She will then contact you with payment and shipping info. Also these are made as they are ordered so they may take a few weeks. Depending on how busy she is.

I can't say enough about these clothes. I ordered 2 more so I always have one available if one or two are in the wash.

Other comments:

"These swiffer covers grab better than anything, they are reusable and not adding to the landfill, and stylish to boot! I ordered several and have been caught swiffing around the dining room with them on my feet instead of on the swiffer, I love to multi-task."
- Jul in MO


"My swifters covers are a very handy tool, I spray the cover with a little Endust. They pick up more that the commercial covers ever did."
Deb

Another frugal hair moment

So I am not ready to show you my beautiful face. Those of you who know me and read my blog. Well you already know what I look like.

I did a post not to long ago about keeping my hair straight when it is hot and humid out. Now I went and cut my hair. I cut about 3 inches off. Just because it really needed a good cut. My hairdresser is great. He knows I don't like short hair and neither does he. I love that I can sit down and the question is asked "What are we doing today?" The answer is well you know I don't like short hair so just cut it the way you want. I have never gotten a bad cut from him. We decided to do bangs for when I do the straight look. Now I have not straightened my hair since I cut it. I love it curly.

My curly hair is quite frugal too. I paid $60.00 for a haircut, eyebrow wax and tips. Don't freak out cause yes that is some serious change. But I don't cut it that often and to find someone that can cut my hair. MIRACLE righ there.

So how do I figure my hair is quite frugal:

1. I get 2 totally different looks for little money. Curly - free from birth - Straight with a little work. BIG money saved on NO PERMS!



2. When I go curly a little of this Marc Anthony Strictly Curls let it air dry. Nice curls and no frizz.

3. I use all John Freida products for the straight look. I buy all products on sale and with coupons if available.

4. I do all my own coloring and highlighting. The highlighting kits they have out now are very easy. Just need to do it on a day you have some patiences. The first time is the worst.

Taking care of my hair using good products that are not out right expensive saves me at the salon. My hair is usually in good condition considering that I not only dry it but also use a flat iron on it.

What a way to start August with a GREAT freebie

I totally forgot about this. So I saw the box out by the mailboxes. For some reason I checked and it was for ME! I was not expecting anything. Then I saw it was from Marborlo and I knew it was my seasoning kit. These are all full size products. Plus a basting brush and the salt and pepper shakers shaped like little webers. I LOVE IT!

Now time to do some grilling and freezing. As soon as I have money to buy the meat. LOL

Day 1 of August spending challenge

Today I did go to the store and spent $4.42. I only bought food. Instead of going to the store I ran to Walgreens. I figure I did not need much and my discount would make up what I would have spent in bus fare:

1 loaf of bread
3 bottles of Arizona ice tea (Clearanced to 50 cents each)
1 small pint of ice cream
1 bottle of Rootbeer

I will admit when I was about to turn the corner to look at the Clearance Area. My brain said ..remember the challenge. I got the tea since I would have bought drinks sooner or later this month. I did not pick up any items NOT needed. Which usually means, make up or a magazine etc.

Bottom of receipt savings:
Walgreens savings $3.23
Discount .62

Bus fare would have been at least 1.75

How fitting is this?

After I posted about my neighbor I found this in my email box from my stepmom:

WET PANTS
Come with me to a third grade classroom..... There is a nine-year-old kid sitting at his desk and all of a sudden, there is a puddle between his feet and the front of his pants are wet. He thinks his heart is going to stop because he cannot possibly imagine how this has happened. It's never happened before, and he knows that when the boys find out he will never hear the end of it. When the girls find out, they'll never speak to him again as long as he lives.

The boy believes his heart is going to stop; he puts his head down and prays this prayer, 'Dear God, this is an emergency! I need help now! Five minutes from now I'm dead meat.'

He looks up from his prayer and here comes the teacher with a look in her eyes that says he has been discovered.

As the teacher is walking toward him, a classmate named Susie is carrying a goldfish bowl that is filled with water. Susie trips in front of the teacher and inexplicably dumps the bowl of water in the boy's lap.

The boy pretends to be angry, but all the while is saying to himself, 'Thank you, Lord! Thank you, Lord!'

Now all of a sudden, instead of being the object of ridicule, the boy is the object of sympathy. The teacher rushes him downstairs and gives him gym shorts to put on while his pants dry out. All the other children are on their hands and knees cleaning up around his desk. The sympathy is wonderful. But as life would have it, the ridicule that should have been his has been transferred to someone else - Susie.

She tries to help, but they tell her to get out. You've done enough, you klutz!'

Finally, at the end of the day, as they are waiting for the bus, the boy walks over to Susie and whispers, 'You did that on purpose, didn't you?' Susie whispers back, 'I wet my pants once too.'

May God help us see the opportunities that are always around us to do good..

Making someone's day better

This morning my neighbor next store was having a bad day. Her car got broken into and they stole all her cds, stereo equipment and speakers. Thank goodness they left her baby seat in the car and only broke one window. Another car they broke all 4 windows, took the battery and stole all the music stuff. Poor girl was beside herself and to make it worse her husband was mad at HER! Yes he blamed her for the car being broken into and for HIS stuff being gone. It is only stuff. So since she does not have a phone she came over to use mine. I played with the baby and took some photos of him. Which I will use one of my free Walgreens coupons and get printed for her.

I know she is struggling financially. I am so proud of her though since she is working and going to school to make life better for herself and son. Now the husband, I can't stand that man. Such a lazy piece of crap. Does not work nothing but crabs about caring for HIS son so she can work and go to schoool. She told me how broke she was. So I asked do you need any HBA items. She said she will have to buy some soon. Well I went and got her some shampoo, conditioner, laundry soap, deoderant and toothpaste. All stuff I got free or really cheap. Not a lot of stuff but something to make her feel better.

Also I have some extra frames and going to take one of the pictures and frame it for her. I want her to know that people care about her. She is feeling so low right now. I have felt that way many times when dealing with an abusive man. I want her to see she is worth so much more.

Good thing I had that stockpile to help and the coupon to make her feel special today. I have been lucky when I feel so low a card will show up in the mail. I want her to feel that way too.