The Fine Art of Frugality

For Mom's of Tot's: Cheap Kicks 1.0

2011-11-01T16:12:00.000-07:00

For the past week or so, I've been gathering and testing ideas for toddler activities.

I find that on the days we spend all day at home, my two year old daughter reaches the end of her rope at about 3pm, which means I reach the end of mine at about 3:10. The morning is spent in chores (for me) and playing (for her), and then lunch and nap time and her daily show. But that last 2 or 3 hours before Daddy gets home are pretty hard on us both. I could easily fill that time with all kinds of work, but she needs interaction and entertainment.

I've been inspired by a blog I follow, called 'Sew Liberated'. She has been posting pictures of her afternoon adventures with her two sons. They are really into learning through play and have invested a lot of thought and money into the activities they put together.

I already do 'school' most days with Aria (which consists of drawing, remembering our letters and making crafts) but I really liked the ideas on Sew Liberated - they were fresh and creative. Scouring the sights she recommended for inspiration, I compiled a list of things that I thought we could try at home and then shopped for the supplies we didn't already have.

The first Activity we tried was a bean bin, which was a SHOW STOPPING SUCCESS. And I didn't have to purchase a single thing to put it together. She played for two solid hours with those beans.

After that, we tried window markers (which cost anywhere from $3 - $12) which was successful as far as entertainment goes, but only holds her attention span for about 15 minutes.

Today, we made our own flubber. This was a good thing. A very good thing. I had everything I needed but the glue, so it only cost me $2. After her show was done, we put on our aprons and mixed it up together and then we played together for a while. I was pretty much done after about 20 minutes, so I left her to it and I would say that, including the making it, that activity was good for about an hour and a half.

Should you so desire to try this out, I found the original recipe here. I halved the batch and it's more than big enough, so here's the half recipe:

Mix 3/4 cup warm water, 1 cup Elmers School Glue and food coloring in one bowl.

In a SEPARATE bowl, mix 1 1/2 tsp borax with 1/2 cup warm water.

Pour bowl one into bowl two and watch it turn into flubber. You don't need to mix it but you can if you want. Once it globs, work it for a few minutes and it will turn into flubber (for a while there I was worried, but it really works).

Extreeeem Frugality - When a sale is a bad thing

2011-08-29T18:23:00.000-07:00

I'm feeling pretty nast right now. NAST. Yep. What is nast you ask? Well, it's a combination of heartburn, gas, and bloatation that renders the sufferer a useless lump. A burpy useless lump, who is suffering extreme regret over the money I saved at Superstore last week.

Back story: I've been a bit under the weather lately, and have been trying to purchase inexpensive and easy to prepare meals. Normally I make most of our food and don't buy pre-packaged, but feeling ill can change a woman's priorities. So I bought fish sticks and french fries (big hit). Perogies and sausage (score). Delissio Pizza on special for $5 (rock on). And then I saw the sale sign in the freezer section:

Regular $9.99, on special $6.99 - Frozen Lasagna.

So I thought to myself - that big lasagna for 7 bucks? This is too good to be true. It's big enough for two meals for three adults - almost a dollar a meal! I am the FRUGAL QUEENNNNNN MUAHHHAHAHAHAHHHH! And I put it on the cart (wince) and paid $7 for it (dismayed sigh).

Now I happen to know from years of stretching bucks that there is a difference between a good deal and a good fleecing. And I should have known that for $7 there is only one kind of lasagna possible. The gross kind. The kind that tastes like ravioli out of a can. The kind you will never, ever taste lasagna again without remembering.

That's not frugal. It's cheap. WHITE TRASH CHEAP! Do you hear that, Superstore?

Day 26... Goals Met, Challenge Defeated.

2011-01-26T09:52:00.000-08:00

Hello Darlings!

I have met my goal, and so am calling my own personal gypsie challenge successfully ended. I will also be too busy for the next 4 days to post anything, so I thought I ought not (isn't that a seussian sentance) leave you hanging.

It's been a great month for me, failures and all. I honestly thought I had bitten off more than I could chew, but it has worked. As soon as that last payment comes through, we are so having a credit card cutting ceremony. Perhaps I shall photograph it for you all.

I have been thinking a lot about how it's a cultural norm to carry debt from month to month. On the radio the other day, they were saying that on average Canadians carry (not including a mortgage) TWENTY FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS OF DEBT. I nearly pooped my pants. If that's the average, then that means there are those who are much farther in debt than even that. What a heavy burden to bear. And what a foolish way to live.

This year, we are going to try to live without credit of any kind - because we aren't responsible enough to only spend what we can pay off each month. If we don't have the money in the account, we simply cannot have what we want or even need. Just because living from month to month on credit is normal, that doesn't make it a healthy or successful way to live. If you are one of those rare and beautiful birds that can keep control over a credit card and pay it off each month, I salute you. All of the above is not directed at you. I am preaching to people like me.

Here is an old wartime slogan that I am trying to stencil onto my brain meat:

"Use it up
Wear it out
Make it do
or Do without"

Day 24.... and Counting

2011-01-24T08:49:00.000-08:00

~~Unnecessary Spending Status: $20~~ (I'm not telling)
Unexpected Income: $280
Amount Paid to date on that Beastly Credit Card: $976.68

Okay, so Saturday was my birthday, and my husband (in a rather Lordly manner) declared the gypsie challenge officially paused for celebratory purposes and SPOILED me ROTTEN for two whole days. Nothing truly outrageous, but quite a bit more than any gypsie in their right mind would spend on a given weekend without coming home with a piece of new furniture or something. He says we'll make it up by having an independent frugal day in February.

He took the whole house out for breakfast, took me VV shopping (anyone who knows me knows that this was quite exciting for me). Then he promised to buy me a bike (so, we haven't spent that money yet. We'll need to save it up in addition to the donations we received). Then we went out for dinner before we did our weekly dance lesson. It was QUITE the day!

But, not very gypsie. The really wonderful thing about all of this, from a financial perspective, is that we had the money sitting in our account, and didn't have to charge up our credit card. And I love that. I want that to be the story for the rest of my life.

Well, only six days left!

Get out there and get frugal!

Love, Victoria

Day Twenty - Small Victories

2011-01-20T14:45:00.000-08:00

Okay - so I just had to tell you that I went out, did my returns AND DID NOT SPEND ANY EXTRA! In fact, I ended up about $70 up, which was cool. So in a fit of victory, I threw some more money on the card. Now I am not sure how it happened because I counted it all out before I started the challenge, but there must've been some purchases yet un-billed on the card, because even though I have slammed nearly a grand on that beast, I still have exactly $300 outstanding on the card. So guess what?
Oh, yeah, my goal just went up.
Ten days.
Three Hundred Dollars.
May your prayers carry me to victory. :0D

Unnecessary Spending Status: $20
Unexpected Income: $200
Amount Paid to date on that Beastly Credit Card: $976.68

Day Twenty - The Blahs

2011-01-20T10:34:00.000-08:00

Hello Again, Gypsies.

Today, I would like nothing more than to shop my little heart out. However, this would not be responsible of me, and we only have 10 days left to pay off the ole' Master Card. So today I am going to do some returns I have been procrastinating on, and then maybe take my daughter to the pet store. But, oh, how I long for a Timmie's.

Confession: I went on a girls date with a free ticket to the movies, but the movie was started by the time we got there, so we went to earl's instead.

Unnecessary Spending to date: $20

(cringe)

Day Eighteen

2011-01-18T12:01:00.000-08:00

Okay, so I am sorry not to have written - my basement flooded twice and I am dealing with a 'situation', so not much time for blogging.
Pantry Challenge week was BRUTAL, but I spent only about $40 on groceries (4 adults and one infant), so that was pretty successful. We did sleep in one morning and only rolled out of bed 10 minutes before we had to leave so we spent $4.46 at McD's on a coffee to share and 2 for 1 McGriddles. I put it under the 'unnecessary spending' but it really was quite necessary. I am a monster without breakfast. The other $5.5o under unnecessary spending really WAS unnecessary and completely unapproved purchase by my husband. He is unapologetic and will be punished. And what would he break our vow to purchase? What could he not live without, I ask you? Ginger Ale for him and a buddy. Seriously.
I am going to wax off his eyebrows while he sleeps.
Anyways, there is less than 2 weeks left, so stay strong. And if you've bombed, don't be discouraged - there's still twelve days in which to impress yourself with your thrifty skills!

Unnecessary Spending Status: $10
Unexpected Income: $200
Amount Paid to date on that Beastly Credit Card: $676.68

Day Twelve. Shopping Gypsie. Not so happy.

2011-01-13T20:34:00.000-08:00

Today I took my little brother shopping to our local mall. He had some gift cards that he wanted to blow. I made coffee at home and brought snacks. I packed us into the car with a light heart excited for a little quality time with my bro. Yep. I am sure you can tell which direction this story is heading.

There was a sidewalk sale.

I found a beautiful leather belt with embossed scrollwork on it for $14. But I did not buy it. I found beautiful thick black tights with slits and buttons at the ankle for $24. But I did not buy them. I found a glorious pair of skinny jeans for $10 and 3 for $10 tank tops. But I did not buy them. I found at least THREE BEAUTIFUL HOODIES that called my name lustily. But I DID NOT BUY THEM. AHHHHHHGHGHHGHGHGHGH!

THe PAIN paIN pAIN PaiN!!!!!! kj;afpadrjewiojasflkjdlsjf
adkfa;jsfdja!!!!!
!!!kj;aajsfkioueirw,kvxnvxckpa!!@@
ajdfjalkdfajl
a!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(You do NOT want me to translate. Assume excessive use of the coarser terms for 'I feel cranky about this')

I want you to know that I was SORELY tested and I think malls are the devil. And I think I was a lunatic to leave the house this morning. I NEED NEW CLOTHES, NOW, *$%*##@&$!!!!
RAWWWRR!
THe urge... too strong... loosing... control... arrgg...

Stale Flour and French Fry Cravings

2011-01-12T17:20:00.000-08:00

We got snowed in today with a foot of snow and some freezing rain. Where I grew up the only thing that stopped you was the cold. In Alberta, it's only after about -32 degrees Celsius that the school buses stop running. But on the west coast, life is different.
We have spent the day in the house and yard (the yard was abandoned after a frustrating attempt to convince my daughter that snow isn't 'dirt' and it's ok to get it on your clothing.). I sewed a bit. Napped a bit. Ate a bit.
But frankly, being indoors with a beautiful 2 year old and a snowed in husband has been less idylic that one would imagine.
And my whole wheat flour seems to have gone stale. For the last little while it has had a 'dusty' sort of flavor. And because I am currently a gypsie, we are still eating it. But what I REALLY want is MCDONALDS!! So when I would normally bake something filthily rich and fatty to distract myself from the trappedness, not so much today.
Ohhhhhhh.....

Day Eleven - The First Actual Self Denial

2011-01-11T20:38:00.000-08:00

Okay.

We are out of raisins. Chocolate chips. ALL Fruits and Veggies, except for 5 (count em) radishes and 3 bananas. No crackers. Ran out of recycling bags. No soup stock. A half a cup of yogurt in the fridge with about 27 different condiments. And then last night we realized that we had only 4 diapers left. Four. That's a days worth, at best. And a grocery list as long as my forearm.

And only 17 dollars in the ole' bankaroni.

True dilemma. Food? Diapers? Yikes.
How much did I want to avoid using my credit cards? How much do I mean this Challenge? Erp.

So I, not sure what else to do other than go into more debt, prayed.

And then, I found a 10 gift card in my living room.
My husband got a $20 check.
And I hit a diaper sale.

So for just over $37, I got a bag of spinach, a bag of onions and some Asian Pears. I got a box of diapers, some molasses (for making bread) and bulk soup stock.

I have never been so grateful to come in under my limit. I have a $1.97 in the bank and $1.12 on my gift card left over and I am SO HAPPY THAT I DIDN"T USE MY CREDIT CARD!!!!!!!!!!!

Spending Status: $104 (All necessary)
Unexpected Income: $156
Amount Paid to date on that Beastly Credit Card: $470

PS - Never make pea soup without soup stock, using old dried out carrots. Trust me on this one.

Day Nine - The Sweet Stench of Temptation

2011-01-09T19:02:00.000-08:00

OHhhhhh, the angst.
I forgot about Sundays.
It is our busiest morning; stressful and hectic - which is ironic because it's 'the LORDS DAY' which would imply serenity. My daughter wakes around 6, my husband needs to leave around 8, I make a communal family pancake & coffee breakfast, the boys leave around 9 and then I need to get us womens beautified, ready and out the door by 9:45 to make it to church on time (hit and miss on that part).
Long ago I learned that if I do not make a slow cooked lunch on Sunday morning, we go out for Wendy's or McDeath-to-your-bowels by default, because by the time we get out of church, it's usually around 1pm, and we are WAY too hungry to go home and select a recipe-thaw some meat-wait for it to cook.
But due to the chaos of the holiday season, I was totally out of my groove this morning and COMPLETELY forgot about lunch. Until about 12:30, when my stomach started cramping.

OHhhhhhhhhh, the angst.

I passed 3 of you on my way out of the front doors, wrestling intense temptation. Sure it's gypsie challenge month, I rationalized, but last night we got supper for free. Surely that would release me from my vow for one measly meal? Surely everyone would understand.

And I am sure you would've. But, dang it - I wouldn't. And I wrestled that beastly french fry craving to the ground and kicked it's cussing cuss cusssity cuss cuss (gotta love Fantastic Mr. Fox). We came home and made pizza. And I ate more than half of it.

I am frugal. Hear me ROOOOOOOAAAAARRRRRRR!
Cuss.

Spending Status: $67 (All necessary)
Unexpected Income: $156
Amount Paid this afternoon on that Beastly Credit Card: $470

Day Seven - Pantry Challenge Begins!

2011-01-07T13:35:00.000-08:00

Penny Pinchers UNITE! Rah!

Okay, this is my first official week of pantry challenge (I just accidentally typed 'panty challenge' there and had a decent chuckle. Had to share.) We purchased the essentials yesterday for a grand total of $26 dollars, and I am now going to rock the pant(r)y (har, har, har).

This goal will actually be a bit more challenging than last years was for me, because I have been using stuff up from my pantry more often, but I still am starting with 3 shelves of a large pantry, one double shelved cupboard and a sizable drawer loaded with dry goods. Let the games begin.

Obviously the first few days are going to be super easy because there's alot to select from, but as the ingredients get stranger, the difficulty will increase. Also, I have an added twist to my personal challenge, because I have two male boarders living here - so beans'n'toast isn't super acceptable when someone is paying you for groceries.

Tonight will be pot roast and potatoes and mixed veggies. Nothing unusual there, except I am out of beef stock and am planning on seasoning my roast with HP sauce and Montreal Steak Spice (I am actually giggling out loud at my culinary audacity. You don't mess with Mama's Pot Roast. That is, unless you are on a pantry challenge....)

Now I realize that perhaps I should define Pantry Challenge for those of you who haven't heard of it before. I looked for a decent definition on line to no avail, so here's my personal definition:

For a predetermined length of time, for the purpose of saving money and using up existing resources, with the added benefit of freeing up cupboard space, you use the food stuffs you have on hand, purchasing as little as possible from the grocery store.

If you need help turning unusual ingredients into a meal, use the 'ingredient search' function over at 'all recipes'. Hot resource.

Have a Frugal Day!

Victoria

Spending Status: $28
Unexpected Income: $156

Day Four!!!

2011-01-04T13:09:00.000-08:00

Hello Gypsies!!

I am LOVING this challenge STILL! So far I am $104.50 up and have only spent $1.67 (on rubbing alcohol. So boring!)

I have talked to a few of you in the last couple of days and the common thread I am hearing is one of fear of failure. So I have to give you guys a pep talk:

THERE IS NO PRESSURE FROM ANYONE! You make this fabulous month of gypsie-ness what ever you want it to be. If you want to just pick one area in your life to be a gypsie in (ie: not buying coffee out) that is exactly what you should do!
Don't set impossible goals that will make you feel like a failure!
Set yourself up for success, and when you succeed you'll want to do it again.
Okay?
No judgement. No pressure. No one-size-fits-all plan. Just a bunch of people trying to change one little thing at a time.

YOU ARE DOING A GREAT JOB!
Now go make yourself a cup of tea and have a great day!

Love Victoria

Day Two

2011-01-02T15:57:00.000-08:00

Hello Again Friends! Just a quick entry:

I don't mean to brag, because I know that the hardest part is the last part, but so far this Gypsie Challenge is ROCKING! I am already $75 up into the challenge and have not spent a PENNY!

My family went for lunch to our friends house today, and they talked a lot about how generosity is one of the biggest parts of being financially successful.

So maybe we should do some good deeds this week... but they'll have to be secret. Otherwise it doesn't count.

:0)

The First Day is the Easiest

2011-01-01T15:21:00.000-08:00

Hello You Fierce Frugal Women (I assume no men are reading this because I don't know of any who are)!

Today is January 1! Happy New Year!
And happy first day of gypsie-ing (so not a word). This day should be fabulously easy. I myself have spent absolutely nothing AND gotten free breakfast. That's hot. Then I slept for three hours (which is really awesome. Also ridiculously cheap.) And then ate left overs (more free food). Now I am going to go do my cleaning job and earn some money. Not very new years - ish, but very frugal.

Make sure to finish your goals today, if you haven't already! Reviewing your goals regularly is a huge key to success!

Setting A Gypsie Up For Success

2010-12-30T12:59:00.000-08:00

The Gypsie Challenge is a simple concept. Spend as little as possible for one month. After the gluttony of December, we are ready for a bit of self denial. But as ALL of us know, good intentions pave the way to Hell.
A dream without a plan is only a wish.
So, in amongst the Auld Lang Syne New Years Preparations, your very first Gypsie Assignment is this:

1.) Set a simple, achievable goal.

2.) Make a detailed plan for how to get there.

3.) Post your plan in a place you will look at AT LEAST twice a day.

For example:

I, Victoria, will pay off my MasterCard by February 1, 2011.

I will do this by:

a.) Not eating out in January (unless I don't have to pay - ie. gift cards).

b.) I will complete a pantry challenge in January (more to come on this).

c.) I will have a sale in my Etsy shop (on now, free shipping & 25% off. Coupon Code: WinterBlowout2010 ) to raise funds.

d.) I will not purchase any clothing (again, gift cards are exempt).

e.) I will use my car less to save money on gas.

NOTE: I know that there are at least four of us, but come ON! We need a bit more momentum! Leave a comment or shoot me an email to join the Gypsie Challenge!!!! Latecomers WELCOME!

A New Year of GYPSIE CHALLENGE!!!!

2010-12-29T16:45:00.000-08:00

Hello All,

I have fallen sadly behind in my frugality blogging. Reasons? Many. Debt? Yes. Frugal? Trying.

And so, with the approach of the new year, and all things new, I have decided to pay off my credit card in one month. Yes. And to the horror of all people out there who are private about their finances, I will disclose the amount I plan to save/pay off this month.

ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS!!! MUah, ah, ah!!!!

This is my first financial goal of 2011, and I am totally going to rock it!!!

For those of you who were gypsies with me last year, you will remember the pain and glory of the GYPSIE CHALLENGE!

The premise is simple: spend as little as possible for the month of January.

What ever you do after that is a matter of personal preference.

I, for one, am going to embrace a pantry challenge, no eating out, and gas conservation.

If you would like to follow, and I really hope you would, just leave a comment below (you need to have a blog profile to do so, but don't worry - it's painless and quick) and let the frugality begin!!!!

It's Boring. But CHEAP.

2010-09-07T08:40:00.000-07:00

This morning we ate slow cooker oatmeal for breakie. Not the sexiest breakfast ever, but when you are feeding three grown men, a ravenous toddler and yourself, you occasionally have to compromise with cost effective options.

I made the mistake of eating this plain once, and it almost turned me off of oatmeal forever. Just don't do it. In order to make this bowl-of-hot a success, you need to gussie it up before you even look at it close.

Luckily for me, peaches were 77 cents a pound yesterday (which is DIRTY DIRT CHEAP). So I dressed up my oatmeal with peaches, skim milk and sweet. My baby got raisins (and ate like a hungry, hungry caveman) and my man snagged himself a combination of the above.

Here is the basic recipe, which you can spice up to your liking:

Slow Cooker Oatmeal (As seen in Company's Coming)

2.5 Cups Old Fashioned Oatmeal
5 Cups of Water
1/2 tsp Salt

Mix it in your 3.5 quart slow cooker on low overnight. That's it. And if it sounds plain it is. The onus is on you to make this cheap meal a success. (Break out the cinnamon, Compadres)

Working Girl

2010-08-27T08:02:00.000-07:00

Yesterday and today I am filling in at my husbands work as a laborer. It's nice to be able to help him out and work with him, and it's even nicer to get a bit of extra money. He says I am a hard worker, and I have to say that's a little badge I will wear with pride. AND we got to take our coffee break together so we went on a coffee date. Oh, so nice.
So these two days have consisted of getting up, and tearing around the house getting all sorts of things done before 8am. Including dinner.
Can I just remind you how frugal and amazing it is to use your slowcooker? I mean DINNER FOR TONIGHT IS DONE! DONE!
And so cheap. So much cheaper than being exhausted at the end of the day, picking up our daughter from the sitters and then making a bad decision last minute to hit Wendy's because we are so hungry we simply cannot wait to go home and cook before we can eat.
Well, I am off to work.
Bye.

Inspiration: Sharing

2010-08-19T08:56:00.000-07:00

Yesterday morning, with hot coffee and muffins (naturally decaffeinated green tea for me), I had the opportunity to sit down with a girl from my church and teach her a bit about budgeting and frugality. It was so great to be able to share some of the lessons I have learned with someone who wanted to make a positive change. It also helped me see how far I have personally come - sometimes I feel like because our budget is so tight, I am not doing a good job. But I am.
It was inspiring and created fresh desire in me for being frugal.
If your feeling a bit stagnant in your frugality quest, I highly recommend helping out a friend with theirs!

The Spot

2010-08-15T08:38:00.000-07:00

In our quest for frugality, we have recently discovered a 'spot'. It's been there all along, but it was hard to see at first.

It is the point where our priorities, our self control and our budget meet.

We could, potentially live on less than that, but it would mean compromising on our priorities and a level of self control I don't personally possess (ie - eating a lot of potatoes and white rice and staying home all of the time = an unhealthy lifestyle). So we are faced with an mildly foreseen truth.

The spot rests in a slightly higher pay bracket.

We have stretched our bucks as far as we can (with the occasional relapse into spend mode that we are still trying to pay off), and now the time has come for change. I think it's important to take stock and realize when a change needs to be made. Every one can benefit from that.

So we are looking at income options for both of us that fall within these guidelines:

1) I am a stay at home mom. We desire to raise our own children, so it's ideal that if I work, it is from home.

2) Even though money is important, our marriage is MORE important, so we won't allow a situation where we don't see each other for whole days.

And after that - it's all idealism, really.

On The Line

2010-08-12T11:48:00.000-07:00

During the summer months, I have been trying to line dry as much laundry as possible. I know I've written at length in the past about saving money in the laundry room, but I have just got to post about how much I am loving my little laundry line and rack in the summer sunshine on my back porch. It all started with a little pamphlet in my hydro bill. The pamphlet was offering a $75 dollar rebate to any household who could, over the course of a year, reduce their energy usage by 10%.

As I have just acquired two male boarders, I didn't even consider their offer - my bill will be going up, not down. But some of their suggestions appealed to me; particularly the challenge to line dry our laundry.

At first, it was a pain in my tookus.

It takes four times as long to hang it as it does to throw it in the dryer, in addition to which we have wasps slowly taking over our back porch so the irritation of those precious minutes was compounded by wasp evasion. But as the days have turned into weeks, my daughter has started 'hep'ing mummy, which is sweet though terribly inefficient. And there is something surreal, in the very best meaning of the word, about wearing an apron in morning sunlight and hanging warm, clean smelling, damp clothing on haphazard ropes strung on your porch to the sound track of wasps wings and lawn mowers.

As your bare feet kiss a sun warmed porch, something inside your soul just knows that it's GOOD.

Bibles For Missions SCORE

2010-08-09T17:54:00.000-07:00

3 Pairs of Shoes.

1 Pair of Rubber Duck Boots

2 Change Pad Covers.

1 Play Pen Base Sheet.

1 Dress.

1 Onesie.

1 Sweater Vest.

1 Pink T-Shirt.

One Low, Low Price.

$3.15

Damn, I'm good.

Glow On, Little Worm, Glow On

2010-07-28T09:51:00.000-07:00

Everytime we go to Wal-Mart, my daughter finds a glow worm in the toy isle and carries it around Wal-Mart pushing the button to make it glow and sing over, and over, and over again. It is sweet to watch, but with a price tag of $15.64, I just could never justify buying her one just because she liked it so much.

Yesterday, Bibles For Missions was having a 50% off sale on their toys. And...

Guess who scored a fully functional near mint condition glow worm for a buck?

That would be me.

Heat Waves, Speed Bumps and Band Wagons

2010-07-09T09:40:00.000-07:00

Hello to my remaining two readers :0D
My apologies for the neglect. Thanks for sticking around.
Money wise it was a bit of a brutal month.
There were speed bumps in our finances.
So I ignored the budget. And so I fell off the bandwagon.
Then, I tried to sell some items on Craig's List. And failed.
After that, I planned a garage sale. It fizzled.
So, I was discouraged and went shopping.
We went camping. Spent more than we could've.
I gained 5lbs on snack mix.
I took up novel reading. Again.

So you see, it was really to SPARE you that I didn't write. It would've discouraged you in your money saving endeavors. Really.
I swear.

Okay, so now that I've made my excuses, without further ado:

How To Survive and Save Money With Kids During a Heat Wave:

1) Find a local spray park to play at - they're free. I was invited to do this yesterday, and I loved it. If you bring snacks and blankets, this can evolve into an all day affair.

2) Make your own spray park in the yard. If you don't have a kiddie pool, be creative. Use a big tupperware. Heck, if your kid is small enough, use the turkey pan. We did this last year and it was successful - just remember that you'll need to be close enough to keep it from tipping.

3) Check out your community for free activities. The customer service desk in our mall has a huge selection of free pamphlets on self guided tours, local hikes and leisure center activities - all for free. Also, a friend told me this morning that our local library has loads of free kid activities and crafts on Wednesdays during the summer.

4) Your local newspaper is a huge resource for upcoming activities in the community and coupons for local businesses. I've clipped loads of half price coupons for our local waterpark from the paper.

5) Visit a pet store. They will be air conditioned and it will burn at least half an hour - besides, it's unlikely that you'll spend any money.

6) Go to the lake for the day. All day parking is less than $10.

7) Find a friend with a pool. :0D

8) Meet a friend for coffee at McDonalds (one with a play place). Again, air conditioning, so you can blow a few hours and only spend 2 bucks. Just make sure to feed your kids first and let them know you aren't going to buy them any food so they won't be disappointed.

9) Go to the library. You can pick out books to take home, but you can read books together there as well. A bonus for my local readers is that our library has a pond and ducks, so if you remember to bring bread you feed the ducks, too. (Note: you aren't supposed to feed the ducks. I know this, but I still save our stale bread for them. I think that the sign is up because people were feeding the ducks bad food, or something.)

10) Make your own popsicles.

Father's Day on The Cheap

2010-06-11T08:56:00.000-07:00

Hi Friends.
Yesterday I made up my Father's Day Plan.
Experience has taught me that the only way to save money on special occasions is to PLAN AHEAD. This prevents a flurry of second guessed guilt spending the day before said event. I have drawn up a meal plan with recipes, a schedule of events (including a wake up time for me, because if I don't get up early AIN'T any of it going to happen) and a gift list.
If you are trying to find ideas yourself, the internet is a very helpful place - but if you don't have the time to look, I will try to help you out a little.

Questino's To Ask Whilst Planning Fathers Day:
1) What does my man enjoy?
2) What are his favorite foods?
3) What is my budget?
4) How much effort can I put in?

For us, I have time but not much $$$ to invest.
My man enjoys the outdoors and quality time with those he loves.

SOoooo...
I am going to start the day with a very special family breakfast: I have written to the other side of the world and got his mum's much raved about pancake recipe. Once he's off to work, I will prep lunch and get the rest of us off to church. We'll have a family lunch, then nap - and then a family bike ride through some local nature trails. Then dinner with friends on a farm.
For his gift I am making these cute magnets (possibly as tacks) for his work office, and getting everyone from the family to draw him a picture or make him a note. These little love offerings will all be placed in a "King Of The Day" box. And I will make a card out of stuff I have laying around.

This plan is simple and will cost me a grand total of $2.50.
And THATS how you do it on the cheap!

The Queen of Thrift

2010-06-06T17:55:00.000-07:00

I have seriously outdone myself this time. I have been trying to stockpile larger sizes for my daughter so that when the time comes we won't be in a panic about clothes for her.
I hit BFM (Bibles For Missions) this week and they were having a sale. I got 12 items of clothing for my daughter and 5 books.
Just ask.
How much did I spend.
Just ASK!!!!

$3.52

Oh, yeah.

Shoe Love

2010-06-04T10:52:00.000-07:00

Alright, if I haven't confessed it yet to you, it must be known that I have a problem with shoes.

I can never get enough of them.

This month we are REALLY trying not to spend money on extras, so I have not spent any unnecessary money except for buying me and a friend coffee, permissible because the last two weeks combined I have spent $60 less on groceries than I normally would in one week (the pantry and fridge are starting to look bare). But last night I went second hand shopping with said friend, and did completely okay until we hit the shoes.

Shimmery, mint green, peep toe flats.

Cranberry leather & wood strappy clogs.

Sweating, I called my husband.

And for the first time in my married life, he told me to come home without the shoes.

Luckily, after I had put both pairs back on the rack and was waiting at the till for my friend to purchase her items, I thought to look if I had any VV coupons. Which I did.

Which was for the exact price of the green flats, if I put them on my friends bill.

Which she generously allowed.

And WALLLA!

Free shoes!

Yay coupons!

PS - You get VV coupons by buying thier calendar in December each year. They have a monthly coupon that is usually pretty good: buy 4 items get the 5th free, spend $100 get $50 off, etc.

Tell Me I'm Not the Only One!

2010-05-31T19:32:00.000-07:00

Okay, so this week I was visiting with another crafty Mama, and I was introduced to a whole SLEW of new money saving directions. And what could this new multifaceted savings opportunity be centered around?
UTILITIES!

So, in my late night internet scouring zeal, last night I did some research. First I landed here. There wasn't much that I hadn't covered but for numbers 4 and 5; insurances and being energy smart. However, there was a lovely little pair of links that took me here (lowering your electric bill) and here (saving on your water bill). I stayed up too late reading all of that, but I have filled my schedule for months on little projects around the house!
These kinds of projects cost a bit up front, but they save you dollars every month. We are having a particularly squeezy month, so this month I will only do projects I can do for free, but I am exited to be resourceful!
Today, for my first project, I put a Faucet Aerator on my kitchen tap. Apparently, this reduces the flow of water without reducing the pressure, thereby saving money on Hydro. Who knew?
And I was pleased to read that I am already saving money by saving 'grey' water for my plants!

Did you know that you can apply through BC Hydro for a energy saving kit? You have to come in under a certain salary bracket to qualify (which they conveniently do not disclose on the brochure), but I am excited to try that this week.

And I feel I should say I am sorry for leaving you hanging this past month with no posting - I've been all in my head and treading water, if that makes sense...

Staying Home

2010-05-05T12:33:00.000-07:00

Today I saved money by loving my home life.
Lately I have been avoiding my house. As a stay at home mom, thats a bit of a problem.
But this morning, I dove into domesticity with nary a second thought.
I made laundry soap and scrubbing powder.
I made the best ever Oatmeal Raisin Cookies.
I cleaned, did laundry and organised.
I played good music and put Cranberry Clementine in my diffuser (oh, heavenly).
I gathered props for the skit on Friday night.
I drank coffee from my favorite mug, and read "The Message" to my daughter.

Finding contentment in the Everyday is a very sure way to save money, but a bit tricky to do.
I find that if I put on music that encourages me, light a candle (or a diffuser) and have a few minutes of quiet time to order my inner world, everything lines up and my day falls into place.
What works for you?

Kids Swap - The Big Red Barn

2010-05-02T20:28:00.000-07:00

In Chilliwack as you head west there is a big red barn. Further out there is a big yellow barn. Believe it or not, these are actual terms of direction. As in, "You know, the exit by the big yellow barn." Please, no female driver jokes.
Anyways - yesterday was my first ever kids swap at the big red barn. I've heard about it MANY times from other mom's as the IT place to pick up hot stuff on the cheap - but I am either hopelessly out of touch with current events (actually, that's a fair accusation) or the organizers are crap at advertising. I was filling up with gas early Saturday morning, when a hand written sign on poster board let me know that I was at that very moment missing the kids swap.
So I popped in later when I had a few minutes. I was warned that all the good stuff goes quick, so I can't say what I missed - but I was very pleased and tempted beyond what I expected. However, I didn't loose control and only walked out with a few things that I had been wanting to buy anyways.
So, would you like to know the score?
For the grand total of $11, I got an outdoor swing (the kind you install from a tree branch or under your deck), one of those little four wheel trucks that toddlers can ride - Pooh theme with all of the musical buttons, etc. still in good working order, and (my favorite) one of those little popcorn 'vacuums'.
There were loads of clothes and toys and strollers that ranged from almost new prices to dirt cheap.
I will definitely attend next chance I get, and I highly recommend to the local girls that they do too!

Norwex, If you like that sort of thing

2010-04-24T14:47:00.000-07:00

Okay, so I am still a fan of homemade cleaners, but I have found a new product that is spinning my tuque (as my mom would say). Norwex is a Norwegian company that makes cleaning cloths, among other things, that you only use water with. The cloths kill germs but are 100% safe for you and your kids. Clean your house with water. Shazam! How's that for natural.
The down side is that it's fricken expensive. Seriously.
UNLESS...
You host a party. I went to my friends party, bought a few items and signed up to host. My party was last night, and I am BLOWN AWAY by all the free stuff I am getting. Everyone should hose one and invite all their friends. This is one product that is worth spending on, if you can; but if you can't, it is well worth your while to make up some snacks and have the girls over.
The product I am specifically salivating over are their face cloths.
$20 for three, and they'll last at least 2 years. Sounds pricey. Until I tell you that you will no longer have to buy face soap (mine costs $30 every three to four months) or exfoliator (which if you haven't been buying, you seriously need to read up on exfoliating) OR makeup remover. Yes, it takes off foundation. Yes, even waterproof mascara. Yes, yes, yes. You can use up those products and not buy them anymore. These cloths are going to pay for themselves in the first 3 months. I LOVE how clean my face feels after I use my pink face cloth - it actually feels CLEANER.
So if you are at all interested, I would highly recommend it...

Roughing It - SPA 3.0

2010-04-19T09:03:00.000-07:00

Last night was SPA night, and although this may not excite you as much as it excites me, I finally found a hair dye in the right color. Nice'n'Easy 120 (Natural Dark Brown). I have tried 4 different colors the last 4 times I have done my hair, which has left me a bit mottled looking, so things are looking up from here! What is really exciting about finding a color I like is that Nice'n'Easy sells touch up kits for 2 or 3 bucks cheaper, so if I don't change my color, I save even more money when I cover up those unsightly white hairs that are sprouting like weeds all over my head.

Any Requests???

2010-04-18T19:43:00.000-07:00

Remember how I said that I was going to try to sell stuff online for the next big project? Well, after my friend commented on that post about her great successes in that area, I figured that it's been proven that it works, she says she's made a bzillion bucks doing it - so you don't need to hear it again from me. So I will skip that and find a new pasture to graze in.... only, I am not sure where.
Any suggestions, dear readers? Is there an area of money saving that you are interested in and would like me to head?
As you can tell from my infrequent posting, I am at a bit of a loss as to what comes next.
I'll do some brainstorming, and get back to you....

Oatmeal on the Cheap

2010-04-15T08:17:00.000-07:00

I don't even know if I have mentioned it before, but a big savings in our monthly grocery budget is oatmeal. A big 1 kilo bag of it is between 5 and 6 bucks and will last a month. Considering that a box of cereal is the same price and will last a week, oatmeal is a good idea, even every few days.
Here is our tried and tested recipe:

Burton Oatmeal
(1 serving)
1/2 cup quick oats
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup water
Handful of raisins or cranberrys (optional)

mix in a microwavable glass bowl (make sure you've room to spare because oatmeal grows). Microwave uncovered for 3 minutes, then stir. Microwave for 3 more minutes. Stir again and let sit for a minute or so.

We eat it with brown sugar and milk, but I've been tempted to try honey... mmmmm....

America, Cheap America

2010-04-12T07:31:00.000-07:00

EVERYTHING that I wanted was cheaper in the States.
My craft supplies (I needed special paint) was half the price.
My make up was 10 bucks cheaper.
My hair spray was close to the same.
A gallon (4L) of milk was $1.99.
And the lawnmowers were $100 cheaper than here, at regular price ($360 Here, $260 there - HOT). We didn't end up getting one though, because I have heard tell that there are some cheaper places right here in town, so we are going to investigate (and borrow our neighbors mower in the mean time).
And for the men out there: everything we looked at in Home Depot was cheaper there. In a disturbing role reversal, my husband was full of shopping excitement while I wandered around aimlessly with the baby wondering when we were going to eat.

Shopping Around, Internationally

2010-04-08T08:13:00.000-07:00

We are going to visit one of my favorite people in Washington this weekend - and her mommy of course! One of my dearest friends moved to the States a few years ago for the love of her man, and in order to have any proper girl time, one of us has to make a road trip. I could pretend that this is a bad thing, but I happen to LOVE Walmart in the States. And Joanne's; my word, any other crafters out there?

So we are heading down tonight, and tomorrow we SHOP!

In times past, I would shop for clothes and girly stuff, but since we are homeowners now, our shopping is going to look a little different. For example, we are going to check out lawn mowers. Sexy, no? And I need new foundation, and I am wondering if it's cheaper there (my mom got me hooked on some really nice expensive stuff, but if it isn't cheaper in the States, I am going to try a cheap brand [shhh... don't tell]). If you stay 48 hours or more, the duty free limit is $450 - surely a lawnmower and some make up will be far less than that!

If you live close to the border like us, it's well worth the hour drive... I will let you know what we save!

Setbacks

2010-04-06T09:49:00.000-07:00

Okay, so there are many reasons I have been such an infrequent blogger this month - but the most important one is... (sigh) our tax return.
I think it's important to share defeat as well as victory with you, my friends.
I have been counting on throwing a couple of extra payments on our mortgage this year (as is a responsible and LOVELY thing to do) with that tax return. For months I have been dreaming about watching that enormous number shrink a little bit extra this April. But as enormous as our tax return is this year, I don't think that we are going to do it.
Why?
Car repair $350
New tires ? (I was told $600)
Get Will & Power of Attorney $400
...
and the list goes on.
So I have been dreading posting, not because I feel like a failure, but because somedays this money thing seems impossible to get ahead in and posting about saving $5 on toddler shoes or cheap beef just seems a bit trite.
It seems silly to be so disappointed about not being able to make extra mortgage payments, but you know how you get your heart set on something?
And (oh, the horror of typing this out), yesterday our groceries cost me $200. It was like watching a car accident. We were just out of so much stuff...
So I post, dear friends, so that when you have a month of enormous unexpected bills and expenses, you will know you are in good company (with me).

Hopeful Herb Garden

2010-04-05T19:59:00.000-07:00

As you can see, my little herbies are definitely not growing yet. Hmmm. Maybe it's too cold yet?

Baby Saving 2.0

2010-04-03T09:55:00.000-07:00

Since I've been working a fair bit these last two weeks, I've been scrambling to find free child care. I have a few faithful friends who are more like family, really, and for the most part they've been able to cover most of my shifts, and gladly which is a real bonus. But I didn't want to stretch anyone too thin, so I tried to find a sitter.
Luckily, I know another SAHM who's pinching her pennies, so I asked her. And she said?
Keep your money. Let's swap hours. I'll watch yours if you watch mine later.
Genius.
We all have heard about swapping hours for dates or what have you, but I just hadn't done it yet. So for the very few of you, if any, who haven't heard the idea yet, I thought I would post.
It's an especially great idea for those of us who don't have grandparents near by who are itching to babysit.

Roughing It - Laundry, The Verdict

2010-03-30T12:11:00.000-07:00

Alright, I have been using homemade laundry soap long enough to feel like I know a bit about it, and here is my official tried and tested opinion.
This is the best recipe with the clearest and easiest to follow instructions. It was the first one I used, and it turned out the best.
For really dirty loads, I add an extra cup of washing soda to boost the cleaning power. And you really CAN use vinegar as a fabric softener (I noticed no fading or bleaching, but I don't use it in every load). The "Dryer Balls" or reusable fabric softener sheets work fabby (just not on fuzzy baby blankets. Trust me)
BUT
Even with bleach and hot water, homemade laundry soap just doesn't cut it for whites or heavily soiled light colors. I have a baby, and a lot of her white & pastel colored items are now super stained.

So I recommend homemade soap for all medium and dark loads and the occasional light/white load. Which means that I went out today and purchased liquid laundry soap (a bit defeatedly, I assure you).

Along that train of thought though, YOU SERIOUSLY NEED TO TAKE A CALCULATOR, PEN and PAPER to the grocery store. I went in thinking I would pick up the cheapest detergent I could find and was all set to grab the biggest box of NoName powdered stuff when I noticed the amount of loads the box yielded. So I made my way down the isle with my calculator figuring out the price per load, and WONDER OF WONDERS, I got a name brand concentrated liquid detergent for way cheaper than the "economy" sized box. It just goes to show. They'll gouge you if they can so SHOP SMART!

Also, (although you thrifty animals probably already do this) today I bought the huge NoName brand dish detergent refill bottle and am just going to fill my empty Sunlight bottle up. It saves a bit of money, and it saves on packaging, so double bonus.

And can I just say that buying bulk is not always cheaper. Walnuts were twice the price in bulk as in the baking isle.

Spending Vs. Earning

2010-03-24T12:13:00.000-07:00

If ever I was in doubt about my destiny as a stay at home mom (S.A.H.M.), this past week is proof positive that I am meant to either a) Stay home with my kids, b) Have no children and work; but definitely not c) Have kids and work.
In the span of two weeks I will have worked about 38 hours in addition to my regular SAHM duties, and (it being day 10 of my 14 day stretch) I am starting to feel... excessively respectful for the women who have to do this full time. Yes, I think that is exactly what I am feeling.
In addition to life's regular ups and downs, I am working almost 20 hours a week, packing lunches, doing laundry, cleaning house, making meals, listening to exuberant 20-somethings plan out their futures, run errands for other people, spend quality time with my distraught and disrupted one year old and on top of all of this, having to wear pantyhose and a full face of make up to be ignored and abused by women long old enough to know better.
And all I can say is that I hate the stress, and that the women out there who do this are crazy, amazing, tough and deserving of every praise. Stop and think for a moment. Some women work FULL TIME with children.
{Moment of respectful silence}

I am so grateful that I don't have to do this. That this week is simply an opportunity to help my old boss, replace what I spent last week, top up the grocery fund and buy a few much needed items.

But in order to not have to do this every week, I am willing to live with less.
I mean I would rather live without new clothes and nice cosmetics than be crazy stressed and neglect my family to have more money to buy more stuff. And I feel so blessed to be able to make that choice.

You can have money, or time; but no matter which way you choose to live, you will never get today back.

Sabbatical

2010-03-19T08:52:00.000-07:00

Hullo Faithful Readers,

Sorry for letting you hang for the last week.
I took an unforeseen sabbatical.
And?
And I also spent money I didn't have in shopping therapy.
I did score some amazing deals, though.
I got a pair of high end leather shoes that retail around $180 for $20.
And I got some $30 moisturizer for $6.

I gave up on my naturopath diet for dinner one night and was repentant and reformed the next morning.

Anyways, I just wanted to let you know I hope to be back in the saddle this week.

If Organic is So Natural... Why isn't it Cheap?

2010-03-12T11:11:00.000-08:00

Last night (THURSDAY), I had to go grocery shopping again because we ran out of produce and I can't eat much else. And I did my usual shop on Monday.
So I am a bit ripped off because our grocery bill is skyrocketing due to my Naturopath's instructions. How can I be frugal AND healthy?
I mean, you have no idea how frustrating it is to me that is cheaper to eat ALPHAGETTI or Noodle Soup, which are super processed and packaged foods, than it is to eat beans and rice, or fruit.
I try not to rant here too much, but DANG. DOUBLE POOP DANG.
Luckily this month I have a few opportunities to top up the grocery fund, but I can't help but think: In this RICH {and I mean REALLY REALLY RICH} country, why can't I afford to eat as God intended? Pure, wholesome, chemical free food?
Anyways, my friends, if you have the answer, enlighten me.
I will post again when my attitude has cleared up.
(Hmmfffph)

Scubbie Girls, taking a Break and the NEXT BIG THING

2010-03-10T08:24:00.000-08:00

SO I read a few DIY Green cleaning books and watched a few DVD's, as you all know, and I am DONE. I like Karen Logan best, and all of the others were impractical or outrageously expensive (why NOT have a solar powered water heater?). I think I got really lucky by reading her first, because from what I have seen she is the clearest, most authentic and grounded author on the subject.
I hope that you have gotten as much out of the project as I have!
If I find new tips or tricks or (heaven forbid) a better book, I will post in future about it.

Right now I am turning my eyes towards money earning instead of money saving.
Interested? Here is what I am planning for my next project:
I have a few items that I would like to get rid of. I am hoping that by 'getting rid of' I actually mean SELL. So I am going to venture onto the online world of commerce and sell a few items on Craigslist, E-bay, etc., let you know how it goes, and give you any tips I come up with, because I happen to know you all have loads of crap in your closets you'd love to get some coinage for!

Energize THIS

2010-03-09T07:27:00.000-08:00

Have you ever used rechargeable batteries?
I used to think that they were a waste of money; that they would lose their charge after 5 times and they would only work for a few hours before needing to be plugged in again. But THEN I married a techie who has opinions on all things electronic and was swept away in the tide of technological advance. First he talked me into buying my very own "Mac" and then he {very high handedly} told me that we use rechargeable batteries.
I will save you the trouble of reading THAT dialogue and tell you that I graciously agreed, knowing that I might possibly be mistaken about batteries. As it turns out, I was.
In the three and a half years we have been married, we have purchased four AA batteries twice, and they are still working very well in a myriad of little gadgets around the house. They come in a lovely little charger that plugs into a wall outlet.
Cost effectiveness? * * * * Four Stars
Depends - regular price for 4 batteries and a charger is $25-$30, and for the batteries alone is $15. BUT, you can find them on sale for $20 and $11 respectively. If you get the sale price, and each set of four lasts between 1-2 years (they've lasted longer for us), I'd say that's pretty good value for money.

Grocery Scrooge - Bread

2010-03-08T12:12:00.000-08:00

I always do my grocery shopping first thing on Tuesday mornings. I try to get to the store between 8 and 8:30 - I love getting there when the displays are perfect and well stocked and I can take my time without being stampeded by 14 other people in a rust to get home.
Today my husband had a dentist's appointment on the other side of town, so I used that hour of dead space to save my self the trouble of having to shop tomorrow. I stopped at three different stores to price compare and bought a bit at each. It's worthwhile, at least where we live because the stores are very close, to go to each because each one has their specials meant to pull you in. Kin's Market has oranges for $.39 a pound, Safeway was scandalously expensive, and Superstore has cheap bread along with the lowest prices.
In Superstore, if you go early in the mornings there is always a rack near the bulk/meat departments FULL of day old bread and buns that are marked 50% off. Today I got 14 Grain Bread for $1.25, 12 Rolls for $1.25, 8 Wonder Hamburger Buns for $1.10 and a loaf of Sourdough for $1.20. Because they aren't fresh I always freeze what we aren't going to eat that day.
I am a big advocate of making your own bread, but for the healthier loaves, you can't really beat prices between $1-2. And after trying my hand at bun making, I have to say that I prefer store bought buns for flavor, but it's just so much easier. And 12 cents a bun is pretty cheap.
Haha - cheap buns!

GIVEAWAY WINNER!

2010-03-06T11:38:00.000-08:00

This morning I did the draw for the Clean House Clean Planet give away
and the Winner IS...
(drum roll, please)
CORY MAC!

I will get that to you this weekend, and a hearty congratulations!
Thank you to the others that participated - maybe you'll win next time!

Last Chance for the Giveaway!

2010-03-05T09:44:00.000-08:00

I have the worst cold ever. I have been prone on the couch for a few days now and instead of getting better I seem to be getting worse... oh, the joys.

I just wanted to write to remind you that today is the last day for my Clean House Clean Planet giveaway - leave a comment on this post or the giveaway post for your chance to win.

It's actually kind of funny because I thought it was this great idea and so far there's only one comment - I am guessing that not everyone is as excited about mixing their own cleaners as I am... :0D

Composter

2010-03-02T06:59:00.000-08:00

So, as part of my new gardening persona, I decided to do composting. But compost bins were hard to find in town and when I looked online, ALL of them were more than $100. To put rotting vegetation in. Yeah, right.
So I went on craigs list.
And I would have you know that yesterday I became the proud owner of two recycled 58 gallon barrels (one for a rain barrel, one for composting) for the hot HOT price of $15 a piece. All I have to do to make the one in to a composting bin is drill a few holes in the bottom.
The rain barrel will be a bit trickier, because we are going to drill a tap into the bottom of it, but I have a plumber friend who is going to help us for cheap (maybe free?).
Also, I have been shopping around for gardening tools, and I got everything I needed for $2.50. Yep. I borrowed a shovel, edger and clippers, and purchased a spade, trowel and watering can for $2.50 at the local thrift store.
Man, I love a bargain.

A Green Experiment

2010-03-01T07:54:00.000-08:00

I am going to try and grow a few herbs.
If you know me very well at all, you will know that I am very adept at killing plants and may be inclined to laugh, but I feel a new phase coming on, so I am willing to try and see if my brown thumb has turned green.
I purchased chives and rosemary at $1.79 a packet, and Stevia at $3.79 a packet. It cost about $6 for some seed starter and I am going to look at BFM for pots today. But I am also going to try using the bottom of a 4L milk jug as a starter container. If I get a decent crop of Chives and Stevia, will definitely make back my expenses within a few months, so I think it's worth a gamble.
But I also (... I wonder if I have bitten off more than I can chew...) picked up onions and garlic for $2 a piece. I haven't decided yet how to plant them (in a container or the ground, but I would definitely make the money back if I can actually grow them.
Wish me luck... I am going to get started today.

Frugality's First GIVEAWAY!!!

2010-02-26T12:20:00.000-08:00

Hello My Darlings,
Did I mention that this week was spring break for us? It was. And my routine has got all buggered up with sleeping in, staying home and snuggling my man. Ohhhh, poor me. :o)
But we have still been frugal, which is more difficult on Spring Break. There's a carefree scent in the air that you have to guard against. And the Master of the House smells it too. Two temptations are harder to squash than one. But we went swimming on our budget pass at the pool, wandered our local greenhouse and made good food at home. Oh - and we ravaged the local library of all its best books and movies. Spring Break on a budget has been bad for the housework but stellar for my nerves. (deep sigh of relaxation). Oh, and I made Frugality's Pea Soup once again - such a good soup!
And I've been thinking about you guys a lot.
Which brings me to a very fun announcement.

Remember my ranting and raving about "Clean House Clean Planet" by Karen Logan? Well, I believe in her book so much that I have a spanky new copy to give away to one of you, my lucky readers. All you have to do is leave a frugality related comment on this post. The deadline is midnight, a week from today (March 5), so start typing!
I am willing to mail this little book to Canada and the mainland US, but no further, so sorry to my readers farther away.
Oh, and should you desire to tell your friends about my little giveaway, please do - I'd love more friends on the frugality train!

Cheap Date (You FLoosY)

2010-02-24T11:28:00.000-08:00

I find that one of the hardest parts of being on a budget is the lack of money for dates. Before we had kids, or before we were married, we thought nothing of going out to dinner, picking up Starbucks and hitting a late movie. Sounds pretty harmless, eh? But dinner out is going to cost you around $40. Starbucks will cost you from $5-$10 and two movie tickets will cost you about $20. Thats a date that costs $70. Ouch. If only I had known.
So I have been compiling a list of free up to $10 dates that we use...

Cheap as a FLooSY dates:
1) Redeem Airmiles for free meal gift certificates. This week I looked and they have the Keg, Earls & BP in $25 and $50 denominations.
2) Redeem Airmiles for movie tickets - you can even get ones with popcorn!
3) Find an Arcade that still charges a quarter a play - $5 each will take you a long way. Our best local spot is Castle Fun Park.
4) Never underestimate the power of your local coffee shop. Share a large coffee and a cookie (in addition to being cheap it's more lovey; just look at Lady and the Tramp). I find there's so much pressure to be romantic because you get so little alone time, but just relax and talk or try doing a crossword together instead. [Airmiles also has Starbucks Cards]
5) Make your favorite hot drink at home and go for a long walk. I don't know about where you live, but we have some beautiful trails around here. Being beside water or under trees reminds you of your larger priorities. It's like a reset button.
6) Go for a drive. You can make this more romantic by parking and necking. :0D
I said NECKING, you dirty birdie. {I feel I should state that this last part is just an idea. I have never taken part in above mentioned activities}

Okay, so I know it's only six dates, but if you only go on a date once every two weeks (which is optimistic) that will last you 3 months. Three months worth of dates for less than $20. Sounds like a deal to me!

A Time to Spend

2010-02-21T15:40:00.001-08:00

Forgive me for my infrequent and dispirited posting this week; my daughter is on day six of a rather irritating malaise. It started on Monday night when she woke up four times, feverish and fussy, the last time soaked in sweat and inconsolable. The next two nights were more of the same and the days were filled with crying and irritability. On the fourth day she broke out in rash which quickly covered her trunk and face and went from pin prick pink to red lace. And her ire increased. The doctor says it is nothing serious and to keep her comfortable and well watered, but I am no longer concerned about my daughter. After six days of being the sole care giver to a very temperamental one year old, I feel as though I need a strong sedative or a stronger drink before I do myself (or my husband) some serious harm.
Which brings me to my point.
There is a time to save, and a time to spend.
And I have decreed this as a time to spend. In moderation of course. Knowing that an ounce of comfort food is worth a pound of... er, Cure or something, I have desecrated the Pantry Challenge and purchased some treat items along with $20 worth of medication for my daughter. Also, we spent the 3 hours my husband was home today in walking to Tim Horton's and spending $4.13 on 2 coffees and a cookie, and wandering aimlessly about the countryside with the stroller. I have used up next weeks grocery money, but we have all survived the week (the odd's of which were slim to none at about 5pm yesterday), so I feel the need to remind us all that some times the best frugality is spending.
After all, what is your sanity worth?

PS - Don't get all angsty about me spending the grocery money, for those of you who know me personally and are worrying that we're in dire straits - I sold two hats on Esty this week, so we'll be fine.

Cheap vs. Cheap

2010-02-19T12:37:00.000-08:00

My daughter has these awesome plastic velcro bibs that you can just wipe clean. Well, I should say she had these awesome bibs until the dye started rubbing off of them and onto her face. Yes. And they lasted about 13 more seconds in the kitchen until my husband saw the 'MADE IN CHINA' tag on them. Which is not to say I am for or against China, but anyone would have to admit China doesn't have a great track record with safe products for children. So into the garbage they went, but we still needed bibs.
I thought to myself, "Don't I have some vinyl in the basement?" and the answer was a resounding yes! I traced the old bibs, cut the vinyl and stuck velcro on. It took me about 2 minutes, the cost was pennies and my problem was S-O-L-V-E-D. Now, I am not saying they are beautiful enough to give as a gift or sell, but they are a definite success!

Today there was a $7 bag sale at our local BFM, and I went in search of craft supplies. If you aren't familiar with a bag sale, basically you get to cram a bag (and not just a little grocery bag) with as much as you can fit into it for only $7. I looked around for about an hour, and I found a few items - but not enough to fill a bag, and I didn't want to just buy things for the sake of a sale. So guess what? I walked away.

Sometimes you get so excited about saving money on a good deal that you forget that no matter how cheap something is, if you don't need it or if it's not good quality, it's just junk. And today, when I was finding stuff cheaper than I will find it again for some time, I still kept my head. This is an unparalleled success for me, and I just wanted to share it.

Baby Saving

2010-02-15T08:53:00.000-08:00

My 14 month old is in the process of learning how to eat like a grown up. We have repeatedly introduced the spoon to her daily eating regimen, but it seems that she thinks of it as something to point with or throw instead of using it to scoop food into her mouth. She has these cute little brightly colored toddler spoons we got dirt cheap (something like 20 for $3.50) in the States. I only wanted one, but buying 20 of these was cheaper than any of the single spoons there. As soon as I started using those spoons, I was on the look out for cute little brightly colored plates, bowls and cups to match; but in the midst of my shopping dilemma I realized that I had plastic containers and lids that would do just as well.
Kid stuff is SO expensive, and what's more, it seems like most people buy everything brand new and matching when they have their first little sprog. And I don't blame them - every magazine, commercial and store you walk into has a 4 piece bedroom set and color co-ordinated crib linens with decor and toys that accent the color scheme. It just seems like the thing to do. And it's fun.
We were lucky enough to get everything we needed second hand and her whole bedroom cost us $81 (linens included). It's not a matching set, but the colors are the same so it doesn't make much of a difference.
Along this line of thought, here are some of the things we are actually doing (that are cost effective and they work) to save money in raising our little monkey:

~We ask for diapers and wipes as gifts (do they really need more toys?)
~We arrange clothes swapping with other moms.
~We thrift shop for clothes, baby items, books and toys
~We use plastic containers and lids instead of buying plastic dishes
~We return gifts we don't need for items we do need
~When she turned one, we switched to whole milk from formula
~When she turned one, we gradually stopped buying baby food and cereal and give her real food
~We do walks, play dates and go to the library for entertainment
~We always bring snacks and drinks when we leave the house
~We mostly only give her water to drink (it's healthy AND you're already paying for it)

To sum it up, we use what we have, play with what we have, wear what we have (even if it's not stunningly stylish and in perfect shape) and don't spend what we don't have.

Frugality's Pea Soup

2010-02-13T13:16:00.000-08:00

I am going to share one of my cheapest recipes with you. I made it for lunch today and I don't think I will ever get over how easy it is to prepare. It's simple, but yummy. It's SO inexpensive, and it's got protein in it.

Frugality's Pea Soup

8 cups soup stock (beef, chicken or veggie)
2 cups dried split peas (green or yellow)
2 onions, chopped
1 tbsp minced garlic
1 1/2 tsp Mrs. Dash Original (or alternative no salt seasoning blend)

In a big soup pot (bigger than you think you need, because when you blend it later you'll be grateful for the splash guard) add all the ingredients and bring to a boil on high heat. As soon as it starts boiling, cover it and reduce heat to medium low. Cook it for about 2 hours, stirring occasionally. When you are ready to eat, use a braun hand mixer and blend it right in the pot (careful not to burn yourself - it splashes) and you're ready to serve. I have also done this in a slow cooker, or reduced the cooking time by increasing the temperature and stirring more often.

In other news, due to a 'budgeting hickup' I am going to do a Pantry Challenge for the next two weeks. I am sure you've all heard of it (and I know at least 2 of you have done it) - but just in case someone hasn't, you basically try to use up all the stuff in your freezer and your pantry and stick to only buying fresh stuff instead of your usual monster shop. Today I compiled a list of what I've got and this afternoon I am going to make a rough meal plan. I've meant to do this a few times, but never got around to it, so I am actually glad for this opportunity. I'll let you know how it goes :0D

Valentines Day - Frugal Family Edition

2010-02-11T08:36:00.000-08:00

I was looking through the paper the other day and there was an ad for a valentines day package for $88. They were actually advertising this price as though it was a good deal. Now just so I don't sound like a V-Day Scrooge, I have nothing against going out and spending a lot of money on a special evening to celebrate. If you have the money and haven't made any plans, SHAME on you. Go and be extravagant and romantic, my friend. But if you are staying home simply because $88 is as far off as $888, then I thought I would give some FREE ideas. Last night I looked on the internet for good stay-at-home-v-day ideas and there were basically a list of CD's you can buy, home decorating projects that would take a week, instructions to eat oysters, an mildly rude inuendos. Here are simple, free ideas that ANYONE can do:

1) Dress up nice just as you would for a real date (this can include the whole family).
2) Dinner and a Movie - make a nice dinner after the kid(s) are in bed and "rent" a movie from the library.
3) Or celebrate love with your whole family at dinner, and later just have a special dessert for mum and dad - here's a link that I like: http://www.canadianliving.com/food/chocolate_fondue_fun.php
4) Write a love letter
5) Put on your most romantic music and slow dance in the living room.
6) Tell each other your love story, from your own perspective.
7) Talk about your dreams for the future with strict "no-reality-check" instructions.
8) Do a picnic style date - pack a meal in a basket, lay down a blanket and pick some fun music.
9) Tell your spouse what you love about them. Be extravagant in your praise and compliments.
10) Go to the Theater at home: Buckets of popcorn, pick an old flick you've had forever and make sure to hold hands (hee-hee).

Now, just because you can't afford to go out, don't make excuses and 'forget' to celebrate. Remember when you were single and you despaired of ever being in love with the right man. When you wondered if anyone would ever love you. When you cried yourself to sleep at night. Remember why your spouse is so important. Remember how they lit up your whole world when you first fell in love.
You can't afford NOT to celebrate. Love and romance need tending, just like plants. Do something small, if it's all you can. Do something simple. But make sure that you put in the effort to appreciate the rich gift you have in your spouse. Valentines Day is a perfect excuse to get started.

The Shocking Truth

2010-02-09T19:10:00.000-08:00

Confession: I am so curious about other people's budgets. If I could have a psychic gift of knowing peoples budgets, I would plant myself in the middle of an airport or mall and end up starving to death in rapture. It's not idle curiosity about who makes what - what interests me is how it all gets broken down and spent (or saved). I think it would be SO interesting. Because I don't think that it would necessarily show on the outside. I think we would be surprised how much so'n'so gives away, and which people are savers and which ones are total crap at money.
Money is so much a part of who we are - it's like a subconscious voice that helps us (or hinders) making important decisions and off the cuff judgement calls. It follows us everywhere. And I bet if some of us sat down and laid it out on an enormous table, we'd even surprise ourselves, in both good ways and bad.

For us, because we were able to buy this lovely home, our budget has become a tightly run ship. We are richer than ever before, but poorer, too. Even though I miss shopping and lattes, I am so grateful for this opportunity to learn to be deliberate with our money. I think it is a quality that too many people learn too late and in North America it's becoming less and less common.
Having less to spend has made us more thoughtful about spending. Even on decisions about cleaning products (as you've read), cosmetics and car maintenance. Things most of us would consider necessities and tack on to the monthly budget. Things most of us would even go in debt for (Visa, baby). But when your resources are limited, your choices weigh more (if you have any sense in your head whatsoever - which I didn't up until about 6 months ago).

But instead of feeling hemmed in, I feel liberated.

I know my thoughts are a bit disjointed tonight, but I think what I am trying to say is this.

We are trained almost from infancy to spend money. Advertisements and entertainments are everywhere, in everything. All of them teaching us that spending money is fun and makes you feel good. But I am totally rocked by this truth: YOU DONT HAVE TO SPEND.
I can live without a composting bin, or new windows, or the latest style in shoes. I can live without specialty coffee, rented movies and dinners at restaurants. I can even do without certain groceries. And I am still happy. I still have things to do, places to go and people to see. My husband still loves me in the clothes I've had since he married me. My friends will still visit with me if its not at Starbucks. Supper still tastes good without Gouda or Havarti. And it definitely isn't a bad thing for my bottom if I walk instead of drive once in a while.

So, go on, I dare you: give yourself permission not to spend.

Roughing It - Laundry 2.0, The Review

2010-02-06T09:04:00.000-08:00

I finished up the bucket of powdered laundry soap I made, and only got 15 loads out of it.
It worked just fine, but was less cost effective than the liquid batch, and even though it was so easy to make, I would have to make it 6 times as often, which is not really easier in the long run.
I would use this recipe again if I needed something really quick, but not as a long term solution to my laundry needs.
I will try a new formula this week.
Also, my box of Oxy Clean, along with my fabric softener, is gone, so I will be trying out alternatives to those products.

A tip for the other housewives out there: I swear to you that doing one load of laundry a day will revolutionize your routine. Never do 5 loads of laundry in one day again. Never fold clothing for an hour straight. I start my load first thing after breakfast and fold it early afternoon. I learned this from Fly Lady http://www.flylady.com/ among other fabulous tips on how to stay sane.

Absence

2010-02-02T11:01:00.000-08:00

Halloooo!
Just a quick note to let you know that I will not be posting for the next few days.
Try to bear it bravely... :0D

WE MADE IT, GYPSIES!!!

2010-01-31T18:14:00.000-08:00

Well, here it is, January 31. We made it. Just barely. A month of Gypsy Challenges, Failures and Triumphs.
Firstly, confessions.
Yesterday I spent 1.50 at the dollar store on kitchen items and today I spent $16 dollars at value village on alternative cookbooks. They were all practical items that we needed, but they were outside of the gypsy parameters. So, all told?
$17 on Birthday Roses
$1.50 at the Dollar Store
$16 on Cookbooks
=
$34.50 worth of bad girl.
But it was a month of reflection, resourcefulness and discipline. And, although this may expose me to judgmental thoughts, when I have compiled a months non-essential spending in the past, the numbers have been STAGGERING! Say it again: STAGGERING!!! So even though there have been failures, I feel triumphant and resplendent in the fluorescent lighting of my basement.

What have I learned?
~Well, I have learned that if you look around your house, you probably have the thing, or something like it, that you are planning on buying or think you so desperately need.
~I have learned that self restraint is a gateway for blessing. I received so many gifts and encouragements, opportunities to earn and opportunities to give, in the midst of our "no-spending".
~I have learned that I really don't have any unmet needs. We are truly a culture that lives solely in the realm of 'wants' - what a tremendous curse and blessing.

Thank you for joining me and keep pinching those pennies, Gypsies!

______________________

UPCOMING!

I am planning a survey, a gift give away and possibly a frugality themed party in the near future (and when you're a mom, the near future means sometime this year) so keep your eyes peeled, lovies, because good things are coming your way!

Roughing It - Scrubby Girls, The Review

2010-01-30T11:14:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I made up a batch of four of Karen Logan's cleaners: all purpose cleaning spray, all purpose anti-bacterial spray, a diaper pail deodorizer and an all purpose scrub. I cleaned my kitchen thoroughly with them using a rag and a scrubby. And what do I think?

I LOVE THEM.
THEY SMELL GOOD.
THEY CLEAN GOOD.
THEY WERE CHEAP.

They were very simple formulas and quick to mix up. You can customize your scents using different essential oils (which were the only things that I had to buy - I went for peppermint and tea tree from the health food store) and you put the ingredients and formula on the bottle so they are easy to re-fill.

I would definitely give them 5 stars out of 5 all around.

And the best part? My husband came home and said how good the house smelled!

I really feel I should encourage you to try this - it has been such a rewarding journey so far, and beneficial in so many ways! If you have any practical questions, PLEASE email me and I will be glad to help you find whatever you need.

REMEMBER: Clean House Clean Planet by Karen Logan. It's available at the library, on e-bay and amazon.

An Answer for Dry Cleaners

2010-01-29T10:04:00.000-08:00

I had a question about DIY dry cleaning this week.

I read, read and read some more, and I would have to say that as far as I will go with DIY dry cleaning is the Dryell Kit at the grocery store.

Most of the DIY recipes involve coating your clothing with clay, wheat germ and other bizarre stuff and rubbing it, hitting it or shaking it, sometimes in a bag. I've been working on my anger for sometime now, and I try not to cuss much, so I will say that my response when I read the above information was absolute and utter silence. But if looks could kill, my computer would be dead.

On the other hand, the Dryell Kit is easy to use {but smells like a clean old man, if that makes any sense} and is cheaper than dropping your clothes at the dry cleaner.

Also, I feel I should tell you that you will need to dab clean any spots or stains because the Dryell kit will not take those bad boys out.

An Answer for HE Users

2010-01-29T09:41:00.000-08:00

I've had a question on wether you can use the homemade detergents in High Efficiency Washers. Here is what the site I got the recipe from says:

Can You Safely Use Homemade Laundry Detergents With A High Efficiency Washer (HE Machine)?

I have no experience with this but there are lots of comments that say it’s fine to use. Be aware that using anything other than what your machine manufacturer recommends may void your warranty.
Go through the comments in the original post and you will also find several recipes offered and recommended for HE machines. (see below, comment by "Troy")
Homemade detergent is low sudsing which is important for HE machines.

Troy says:

Hello Everyone,

For the last year, I have been using the following Mix for my Sears Kenmore HE front loader:

3 bars Fels Naptha
3 cups Borax
3 cups Arm and Hammer Washing Soda.

Grate the Fels Naptha, then put in a food processor with a chopping blade and chop until fine.

Pour into a large bowl with the Borax and Washing Soda and stir until combined.

Use 1/4 cup in a HE front loader, use 1/2 cup in a top loader. In my HE front loader, it dissolves perfectly

I use Vinegar as the fabric softener and add Mrs. White’s Liquid Bluing for the Whites load. The whites come out wonderful, the colors are bright and clean., and best of all, it is better for the environment.

I also found this info:

Regarding High Efficiency (HE) Front-Load Washers

You may have been told you need to use “special soap” for your HE front-load washing machine. Let me enlighten you as to why. HE front-load washers require “special soap” for one reason and one reason alone…low suds; because they use less water, they require soap that is less sudsy. The good news is, the homemade detergent in this recipe is VERY low suds. Just make sure you use the recommended amount of detergent. http://diynatural.com/simple-easy-fast-effective-jabs-homemade-laundry-detergent/

PROGNOSIS:

Most of what I have read by impartial observers and those who have been using it for years say a resounding YES to homemade detergent in HE washers, with the odds slightly more in favor of the liquid detergent.

Roughing It - Laundry 2.0

2010-01-28T16:33:00.001-08:00

Well Scrubby Girls, I finished that enormous bucket of home made sludge. It lasted from October 21 to January 21, so I would say that 3 months worth of laundry for a buck or two was well worth it. Granted, it did need a boost now and again for stains and dirty dirties, but the savings makes home made laundry detergent unbeatable.

For whites, I recommend adding a cleaning booster like oxy clean or bleach, though. I found my whites and brights getting dull.

As promised, I am trying a new formula this time, and I have to say that even though the liquid stuff was easy, this was the work of a few minutes. This is what I did:

How to Make Powdered Laundry Soap:

Clean an old yoghurt container.

Finely grate a bar of soap. (I used Ivory)

Mix in a bowl with 1 cup borax, 1 cup washing soda.

Pour into yoghurt container.

Label and put the lid on.

Use 2 tbsp for your average load.

Could it get simpler?

I think this way will be slightly less cost effective, but the simplicity might be enough to lure some of you to try it. I will let you know how long it lasts.

I am going to research less toxic washing boosters and fabric softeners this month and let you know what I find.

And a bit of good news - although most of your commercial laundry supplies are laden with toxins, I was very pleased to find that Spray'n'Wash spot cleaner/stain remover is given a very good rating for low toxins and is on safe lists for use! And I was ALREADY using it!

****

A thought I am having - if you want to try the homemade powdered soap but don't want to make it let me know and I will whip you up some for cheap so you can try it before you buy all of the supplies.

Swiffer Solutions

2010-01-26T16:01:00.000-08:00

Just a quickie today Ladies and Gents...

I have a swiffer mop because I have a laminate floor and I bought it when we first got married before I had a thought in my head about responsible living.

But after I ran out of the first box of wet cloths, and then the first box of dry cloths, my stingy side took over. And for a long time I was cranky at this stupid ongoing expense.

But after a brainwave of indiscernible length, I came up with this idea:

I bought a 2 pack of brightly colored microfiber cloths at the dollar store.

At home I measured them, cut them to fit the swiffer (I got 2 or 3 out of each cloth) and sewed the edges.

They are the only orange cloths in the house, so they never get used for anything but the floor, and I wet them with hot water, wring them out and swiffer away.

RATING:

5 STARS out of 5 for cost, effectiveness and environmental friendliness.

Gypsies - COUNTDOWN!

2010-01-23T09:48:00.000-08:00

Hello my fellow gypsies.

How is the challenge going?

If you have bunged it up and are disconsolate, be of good cheer. There are still 8 whole days of challenge left and that means 8 whole days of potential victory!

On that note, I have a confession.

Yesterday was my birthday and my husband broke the code, and bought me roses. I cannot fault him.

It was our only flub and I can't even really classify it as that.

:0D

"Natural Cleaning for Your..." Doosh Bag

2010-01-20T20:17:00.000-08:00

I have just read most of "Natural Cleaning for Your Home - 95 Pure and Simple Recipes" by Casey Kellar. Should you be reading this, Casey, I suggest that you go find a book and a cup of tea and not read what follows. It will surely hurt your feelings.

Firstly, dear readers, I feel I must give you an excerpt from the dust jacket:

"....Ever get the feeling that life has gotten too complicated? That everything has become too expensive? That you're spending your days running around in a crazy frenzy, creating mountains out of tiny little molehills?

If so, take this simple test. Go to the cabinet where you store your home's cleaning products and take a look inside. If you see rows and rows of cleaning products, each specialized for a slightly different task, and if just looking at all those bottles and containers fills you (and your wallet) with fear and fatigue, then it's time for a change.

Natural cleaning for your home can get you back on track to a fresher, calmer home life..." blah blah blah... save money.... blah blah blah... don't need harsh disinfecting chemicals.... blah BLAH BLAH!!!

I would like to point out a few things before I rant.

1) The words "Pure" and "Natural" in the title.

2) The bolded sentence in the excerpt above that would imply she is about to introduce us to a simpler, cheaper way of cleaning.

3) She actually writes in the dust jacket that we don't need harsh disinfecting chemicals to clean.

Lock and Load, Girls.

I don't know what the words 'natural' and 'pure' [or 'harsh' for that matter] mean to you, but I take offense to the inclusions of: Ammonia, Asprin, Ethyl Alcohol (she recommends VODKA), Gasoline, Liquid Iron, Liquid Whiting, Muriatic Acid, Propylene Glycol and Turpentine. What isn't natural by these standards? I will not even attempt a single recipe from this book on principle. If your title is misleading, what faith should I put in your formulas?

As for saving money? I have no idea what the prices were in 1998, the year this book was published, but I can safely say that in 2010, throwing out my "rows and rows of cleaning products, each specialized for a slightly different task" and using the 9 kitchen ingredients she lists along with the 47 item hard to find 'natural and pure' shopping list would be financially detrimental to several months worth of budgets.

Even some of the formulas, several of which involve mixing ammonia with pretty aggressive ingredients, give me pause. Do I really want to mix this up and put it on a carpet? A leather seat? My DOG?

Verdict: This book is what I would refer to as:

Main Entry:	crap
Part of Speech:	noun
Definition:	nonsense
Synonyms:	baloney, bunk, bunkum, claptrap, drivel, foolishness, hogwash, idiocy, ludicrousness, poppycock, ridiculousness, rigmarole,tomfoolery, twaddle {I think claptrap and twaddle are my fave's}

Supply List

2010-01-19T09:36:00.000-08:00

I am currently 100 pages into the first book, called "Clean House Clean Planet" by Karen Logan, which was recommended to me by a friend who scrubbed my tub using baking soda and vinegar (my baby was 3 weeks old, and I hadn't been able to bend down far enough to clean the tub in about 6 or 7 months. It was gross.)

I am already confident enough in her so far to strongly recommend the book to you - I found it at my local library, and will purchase it when a bit of extra coin comes my way. Karen speaks in an understandable way and is easy to relate to because she's a mom trying to make bucks stretch farther and make her home safer. This book is ideal for the person who is interested in green cleaning/money saving and doesn't know where to start. She is a wealth of knowledge on why to make the switch, how to do it, and how much you'll save.

I have to make a few purchases before I am able to try her recipes, but here are the ingredients you will need:

Arm and Hammer Baking Soda (it doesn't clump as easy as other brands)

Heinz White Vinegar (it's less processed or something)

Lemon Juice

Borax (its in a green box in the laundry isle)

Liquid Soap (Vegetable Oil Based, Castile or Glycerine) - you can get Dr. Bronners Castile soap from our local health food store (the one in Walmart Mall is better), and it's good for more than cleaning - you can use it for LOTS of different stuff. I'll post about it another time.

Salt

Essential Oils (Like Tea tree, lavender, lemon & Peppermint) [optional]

And a few spray bottles, squirt bottles and shakers.

It's that simple. I would take time to read the book before you purchase the items you need, though, because she has lots of helpful and money saving tips on getting the right stuff.

The Myth About Gift Giving

2010-01-15T21:44:00.000-08:00

So, I make most of my gifts to save money and have been for about the last year. A lot of people look at me like I am a mythical creature or like I have a growth coming out of my forehead when they find this out. Again, and not to rag on it, but it's our corrupted culture. We are going soul bankrupt. When you can't give a homemade gift without embarrassment, it's a sign. Like fiery chariots in the sky and the like.

Then there's the people who admire this achievement, but say with great conviction, "But I could never do that. I don't have a creative bone in my body." Let me say with great conviction, that's a load of bull crappers. If we are made in the image of God, then we are creative. We just aren't all the same KIND of creative.

So what are you good at? Do you bake? Do you write? Do you sing? Do you sew? Do you? You can take your area of expertise and turn it into gifts. Write some one a story. Give someone a ready made cookie mix. Or, better yet - cookies! Make a CD of your songs and give it to everyone for Christmas. Be creative. Any one can give some one a starbucks card (which is not to say that I don't appreciate them, because I DOOOOOOO!), but only you can give of yourself. You are the greatest treasure you own. My most precious possessions would surprise you, and one of them is a {very poorly} handsewn stuffed puppy. Some of the most touching mementos I have are letters, poems and stories. Some of the deepest treasures in my heart are unrecorded words.

So I want you to think in a different direction when you think of gifts. Think of the person. Give of yourself. Touch peoples hearts. You'll save money, but more importantly, you will live a richer life. This is the journey. Because when we die, all we take with us is relationship. Nothing else will stick to our souls hard enough to cross the great beyond.

Scrubby Gypsies... er....

2010-01-13T10:22:00.000-08:00

Hello All!

Well, I am VERY proud to announce that I have not made any boo-boo's and am still a gypsy. I have been very restrained, and it's been easier than I thought because I have so far got an unexpected $70 this month, a $30 gift card for WOOL and a free coffee. So we are even UP in our budget. Even though I am not spending, I have not only what I need, but I have the option of getting what I want, too. Somehow it makes my resolve even stronger. I haven't used any gift cards this week at all.

On to the DIY Cleaning.

I have requested a bzillion books from the library, so I am waiting on that, but yesterday I watched a DVD from the Green Living Series, and not only is DIY cleaning less expensive, it is "green".

Did you know that the air in your home can be up to 5 times more polluted than what's outside? And most of that comes down to the toxins in cleaning products. By making your own cleaners, you reduce the risk of accidental poisoning, long term respiratory illnesses, even cancer - and of course, you are reducing the toxins leaving your home and entering the environment through the drain. The companies that produce cleaning products are required by law to indicate if something is poisonous or will burn your skin, but there are no rules or laws regarding ingredients that can cause serious illness over a long period of exposure. Some cleaning products even include known carcinogens. YIKES!

Also, there are studies out there that draw a direct link between cleaning products and NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS IN CHILDREN. The studies go so far as to say that it is a silent pandemic. I don't know about you, but when I heard that I was pretty much done. Our children are exposed to a much higher and varied amount of chemicals than any other generation before, they're getting new sicknesses and no one's really saying anything about it. So let's BE the change!

I haven't used any of the formulas that were in the DVD yet, so I am not going to give them to you until I've tested them, but I really think that this is an important change for all of us to at least try out. So try and think about it in the next few days. If our minds change first, then anything is possible.

Roughing It - Scrubby Girls

2010-01-09T09:38:00.000-08:00

Alright, for those of you getting bored with the Gypsies, a sub-plot.

But first, to set the stage, an assignment. Go look at your cleaning cupboard.

Count the bottles.

How many of them have danger symbols on them?

How many of them cost more than $4 a pop?

How many of them do you really need?

Okay, I hope that your mind is suitably open.

You can apparently clean your house with simple kitchen ingredients that will not only expose you and your family to less toxins, they are CHEAP as chips.

I am going to test this and review it here for your money saving pleasure.

I will research various methods & theories using the library and internet (and of course your suggestions and questions) and my goal is to separate fact from propaganda and also set us up with a list of cleaning supplies and tools.

Disclaimers:

1) I will never give up my Magic Eraser. It is a superior cleaning product that truly shocked me into submission the first time I used it. No matter how toxic it is. Some things are beyond reproach.

However, you can save money on those bad boys - the Dollar Store by Canadian Tire (for my local readers) sells no name ones for $1.25, which I have tested and find to be just as good.

[EDITORS NOTE: I found magic erasers even cheaper at Superstore. It was a generic brand and you got 2 for $2.25]

2) I will never give up bleach. There are somethings that need to be disinfected to a higher standard than others (mould, poop, vomit) and for those reasons, I will always have an enormous jug of bleach on hand.

Temptation, Overcome

2010-01-07T09:48:00.000-08:00

Oh, my, yesterday was a hard day not to spend money. It was one of those days where the house is clean, the baby is happy, the To-Do's are done, and instead of feeling a sense of freedom, I was at a loss with what to do with myself.

So I decided to go out. But no sooner had I decided that than an intense craving for a Latte hit me squarely between the eyes. And some french fries. And a new shirt.

RIDICULOUS.

But once the temptation was over come I realized that that is why we North Americans shop so much. I mean, do we really need {or even, truly, want} a new shirt. No, probably not. We want the feeling that comes from a purchase. We want the potential that comes from a new outfit. We want the feeling of well being that a $5 latte produces.

We shop because we are bored. Because we're lonely. Because we're unfulfilled. Because we're stressed. Because we're afraid. Take your pick.

I was feeling lonely - my husbands second day back at work after a glorious 2 week break and the house felt awfully empty, the day terribly long. So what did I do? I went and visited him at work for 15 minutes. Did wonders. Then two errands. And afternoon nap was upon us. Temptation, overcome.

DAY 4 and going STRONG

2010-01-04T22:23:00.000-08:00

Alright, darlings.

Day four of the Gypsie Challenge.

Frivolous $ Spent?

Absolutely nothing.

Granted (and suddenly I feel like I am confessing), I used my Starbucks Gift Card once this week, and bought a coffee another time with money that had been given to me, but I am not really counting gifts as part of the challenge. Is that cheating?

Wait... I am the BOSS. I get to make the rules.

So, lets start that again.

In case you are wondering, fellow gypsies, gifts don't count in the challenge. Heh.

In other news, I made a transaction on the down low this evening. No names named, no faces seen. Just a farmer, his free range chickens and my hungry family. You can save around $2 a dozen (if you know the right people) on free range eggs by finding a local chicken farmer.

This gets 4 out of 5 stars because:

PRO - Eggs keep for months in a cold place. So when your supermarket eggs have a best by thats only a few weeks away? YOU ARE EATING REALLY OLD EGGS. When you go to a local farmer you guarantee yourself fresh eggs.

PRO - You are supporting local businesses. This is good. If you don't know why, pull your head out of your bottom and ask someone. After washing your hair. And possibly brushing your teeth.

PRO - You save money. And isn't that why you're here?

CON - It's less convenient to drive out of your way, with cash, to get them than it is to pick them up along with the milk and cheese.

Gypsie Update

2010-01-02T08:22:00.000-08:00

No takers!? Aye, me, sad hours seem long...

Well, I am going to do this on my own then.

And so far so good! One day down and 30 to go = zero dollars spent. In fact, today I will be earning some unexpected income, so we're on the plus side.

To curb my spending tendencies, last night we watched a documentary on Lions in India and I started 3 sewing projects. Nice. I can see that this month is going to be very interesting.

Oh, and an interesting frugality tip:

You can make your own cutting boards by trimming the edges off of old ice cream pail lids. Granted, they are round, and they don't last as long as other cutting boards, but they work.

A Challenge Inspired by the Gypsies

2009-12-30T17:57:00.000-08:00

Hello, and welcome back to reality!

Presents opened, obligatory holiday-beast-feast-weight gained (these gelatinous love handles can't handle much more) and bedraggled tree tucked back into it's rubbermaid tote under the stairs until next December.

And now, because the beginning of a new year is always filled with such potent potential and intention, I challenge you to a duel.

It was born this afternoon, as we watched a documentary on Gypsies called, "When the Road Bends". It was about how hundreds of years ago a bunch of people left India and spread all over the world, and today the only thing still connecting them is their common ancestry and the music they still carry with them. So all these modern day Gypsies get together and travel across North America doing this concert of Gypsy music.

Firstly, I would like you to know that my 13 month old daughter SANG ALONG to parts of it (she's just as odd as her father and I are). And Secondly, I was reminded again of how STINKIN' RICH we are. Here are these famous musicians (in their own countries) and they live in tiny apartments or huts in villages without electricity or running water. Not a ONE of those ridiculously talented people lived in a house as nice as, or as big as, or as filled with nice stuff as mine. And most of them? Use the money they earn to give their children or siblings a chance for a better life (ie - literacy or bringing electricity to their village).

Wow. So I started thinking about it.

If you're anything like me, I know you've wondered. Possibly even fantasized about it. Just how resourceful could you be - how much self denial could you take? Let's find out...

THE CHALLENGE:

I challenge you, oh fearless readers, to spend as little as possible for just ONE month. And when I write as little as possible, I really mean it. How little can you spend in a month? Most of us have freezers and pantries full of unused goodies that we keep from month to month - how much could you bring your grocery bill down this month by using that stuff up? By having friends over for tea instead of hitting the Bucks? By fixing what breaks instead of replacing it? By DOING WITHOUT (ohhhh, those dirty little words)? Lets find out.

Let me know if you're with me for the month of January 2010 by leaving a comment. And please, share your ideas and stories as the month progresses, k?

Christmas Blog Buster & Cheese

2009-12-10T20:15:00.000-08:00

Hello my Money Saving Minions.

Forgive my long absence.

It's CHRISTMAS's fault.

I am so busy baking, crocheting, organizing, planning, sewing, selling and sleeping that I have not had time for much other than the occasional party. It's been a REAL rough ride, oh poor me. More shortbread to eat.

Anywho, I have absolutely nothing new to tell you about money saving for Christmas. I am saving money by crocheting, a skill which is only slightly less popular than, say, eating vegimite; so odds are that it won't help you.

But here's a tip on cheese (which most of you REALLY should know already, but just in case:) Dairy in general is like a KAziLLION times cheaper across the boarder. Seriously. It would be worth the gas money.

And with that, I am spent.

Grocery Scrooge - Meat

2009-11-27T11:54:00.000-08:00

While I am not personally an avid fan of anything that has a history of breathing (bones, blood, gristle and veins.... blech), we consume a lot of meat. The men in my house aren't huge eaters (thank God), but they definitely look at me funny when I try to sneak a meatless meal in once in a while, and my husband makes a big show of getting out some yoghurt or cheese while mumbling about protein.

A little while ago I did a random months tally of our grocery bills, and I have to say I nearly lost bowel control on the spot.

SIX HUNDRED DOLLARS.

For those of you who don't think that's very much - that's a $20 bill per DAY.

Granted, that included all household supplies, toiletries and baby needs, but it seems a bit much to me for three adults and a 20lb drool machine.

Obviously, something needed to be done.

So, what were we burning all of that money on?

Well, the occasional pre-packaged pizza, for sure. And cheese.

But I think it was the meat that was killing us.

So here are my MEAT MONEY tips:

(don't read this if you are a meat snob)

1) I get a 5 pound tube of ground beef at PriceSmart for between $11 - $14 (prices fluctuate). When I get it home, I cut it (still in the plastic) into 5 pieces and wrap them individually for freezing. This is WAY cheaper than buying the individual packs. For those of you that prefer extra lean ground beef (I have a sensitivity to cooked fat, so I know all about that), I just rinse the meat with hot water when it's almost done cooking.

2) Instead of buying different cuts of beef and pork for stirfry's, stroganoff and all manner of cooking, I cut up a cheap roast (or pork loin) into cubes and steaks. I know, I know, it's not the SAME, but we are talking about when you need to save money, and this is SO MUCH cheaper.

3) For tuna, I purchase the enormous can at costco (unless I hit a wicked sale on the small cans). I drain the can at home and using a heaped 1/2 cup measure, portion it out in to ziplocks, which I freeze. I got 12 out of my last can (but I forget how much I paid for it - maybe $8) and each baggie makes 2 sandwiches.

4) Sandwhich meat? Just say NO. That stuff is BAD for you. They are charging you $15 a kilo for pig lips and *ssholes peppered with nitrates. Okay, enough preaching.

5) Okay, and here's my weakness. Chicken. I just can't stomach the little wings and thighs. They still look so... chicken like. I tried. I really did - it was so much cheaper. But I'll go vegan before I do that with any regularity. So what we do is get the $26, 4 Kilo Box of frozen chicken breasts from PriceSmart. I know, I know. There's meat protein in it. But it's that or no meat for me. Yuckies....

And after all of that, you can always do what my friend does to stretch the budget. "Essence of Meat"... which means just use a little bit of meat in the meal and increase the amounts of your cheaper ingredients.

Thrifty Christmas

2009-11-19T12:10:00.001-08:00

I am pretty sure that everyone out there is thinking about cutting back this year for Christmas - I know I am. Aside from the complete absence of extra money to throw around, there's something so alluring about returning to the earthy, homey goodness of what Christmas is supposed to be. Here's what I've done so far:

We are just starting out as a family, so I didn't actually have any decorations. This may horrify you, but I hit my local Bibles For Missions and got a box full of garlands, wreaths, stockings and baubles for $10 or $15 bucks.

Also... (deep breath)... I bought second hand gifts for my daughter. A wooden rocking horse for $10 and a big bag of duplo for $3.

I am planning ahead too, so most of my gifts are going to be homemade, and our activities will be social as opposed to costly. I am even shopping a bit now for the food stuffs to get in on early sales.

One of my best finds was a big box of vintage christmas cards for $1, so I won't have to buy the cookie cutter ones from wal-mart.

What I am really trying to say is that I think one of the best ways you can save money this Christmas is by living deliberately - not by obligation. Slow down. Choose. Don't get caught up in our strive yourself to death culture. Take time this week (while you've still got time to plan) and think about what really matters to you, what your priorities are. Dream about what you want from this season, while you celebrate the great gift that God gave us. After that, it's easy to allocate money and time where it needs to go.

This year, my dream is that we will have a childhood Christmas - a crazy, eclectic tree, gifts from the heart, snow, hot chocolate, friends and stockings hung from the fire place. I want no part of the frenzied consumer death march that most people engage in. I want quiet evenings laying on the couch by the fire reading, playing & talking. I want love. Peace. Warmth.

Mmmmm....

Roughing It - Laundry, The Review

2009-11-19T12:03:00.000-08:00

Sorry for my long absence, faithful readers! I had a busy week or so!

Okay Folks, here it is: The long promised homemade detergent review:

The recipe I used gets 6 stars out of 5 for cost effectiveness,

but only a 4 out of 5 for performance. I find that it works fine on most stuff, but for the really dirty (like pretty much anything a baby touches), it needs a boost. I had a box of oxy clean on hand and a scoop of that made a big difference. Seeing as oxy clean recommends a scoop in every load anyways, you could argue that the handmade detergent is fine, but I am going to try a new recipe when I run out.

Recommendation: If you want to give it a try, use a different recipe than I did, or wait for me to find a better one! I did read somewhere that adding extra washing soda boosts the cleaning power, so I am going to try that when I run out of oxy clean!

Roughing It - SPA 2.0

2009-11-05T15:59:00.001-08:00

(continued)

Now on to a very touchy subject for thousands of women out there who spend between $100 and $300 every 6-8 weeks.

As I mentioned before, I colored my hair last wednesday night. As in: I colored MY OWN hair by MYSELF. I understand if you are shuddering in horror. I truly get why it strikes terror into many of your hearts. Everyone knows the dangers of dying your own hair. Irregular results. Splotchy forehead. Early morning trips to the salon wearing sunglasses and a head scarf. I myself have accidentally dyed my hair black. Twice. So, it is not the naive preaching to the innocent. No. This post is a woman-to-woman, nitty-gritty, in-the-trenches of beautification type communication.

So, with that rather self important build up, what I have to say is this: If you have that much money to spend on your hair, DO IT. I envy your hair every Sunday when I ought to be setting my thoughts on God and all things Holy. Truly, your streaks are glorious and your trendy new 'do' inspires me. You are probably the woman with acrylic nails and saucy new shoes. The one who, in my heart, I secretly hope lets herself go and stops making the rest of us look so bad. But I digress.

However, for the rest of us, who really shouldn't be spending that much on the dead thing growing out of our heads, you will perhaps feel sympathetic when I tell you that I have had my hair cut twice in the 21 months. Yes. That is, to the best of my memory, one hundred percent truth. I have also colored it (at home, with a $8.49 box color) twice in that time. And that is the extent of my hair budget. So about $100 in nearly two years.

I think you will agree with me (especially if you have seen my hair at all in that time) that perhaps I have taken the money saving to an extreme and that a middle road must be found. And we both know (if you have been at ALL paying attention for the last 67 seconds) that I am definitely not the one to be trusted with finding that middle ground for me, you or anyone else. I simply want to introduce the plausibility of spending less on your perfectly dyed-streaked-trimmed-trussed-and-tousled coif.

More Secondhand Goodness

2009-11-03T08:38:00.000-08:00

So we've already covered the basics of secondhand shopping, but here are some rather clever ways to save using the second hand principle:

Book Mooch http://bookmooch.com/

Do you like to read? Well, join this world wide trading site and for the cost of sending a book through the mail, have one sent to you. You get .1 points for each book you list to trade, and 1 point for each book you send. Trade in one point for each book you 'mooch'.

PRO'S: There's something so delicious about being connected to the whole world (even just through book trading). You can trade old books you aren't using anymore for second hand books - hello environmentally friendly options!

CON'S: The first thing I discovered is that sending a book through the mail is not as cheap as, say, buying a book at the bookman. And the site selection is limited to what people across the world are giving away (no crochet books for me...).

RATING: Two stars out of five for practicality and frugality, but Four stars for fun.

Free Cycle http://www.freecycle.org/

This community based program is simple. I have something I am not using, so instead of throwing it away, I will give it away. You can request an item, or list an item. Joining is free (and simple). I haven't found anything to give away or pick up yet so I can't list pro's and con's, but I know someone who has and she was over the moon about it. The only thing it appears to cost you is the gas to go pick your stuff up.

RATING: Four out of Five at this point. The only downside is that there's not a huge network in my local community yet, so there's only 5 pages of stuff to look through...

Clothing Swap

Okay, I don't have a particular site for this, but you can easily create your own on face book (if you just can't abide by doing it the old fashioned way) or set one up by talking to your friends and acquaintances. This is great especially for kids, but definitely for us as well. Have a bunch of people pack up what they aren't using (with the stipulation of no stains or rips) set a time, location and date and make a plate of brownies and a pot of coffee. I am planning one of these myself, so I will let you know how that goes and any pointers for making it easier.

Cheers, V.

PS - Just to let you know, today is day two of using the homemade laundry soap. No complaints yet. I haven't noticed any difference at all, actually.

Roughing It - SPA

2009-10-29T08:09:00.000-07:00

Wednesday night is my alone night. Everyone has something to do, so I put baby to bed at 7 and have about 2 and a half hours of uninterrupted alone time. I often do my blogging or work on my crochet projects, but last night my eyes were sore from too much reading without my glasses on, so those things were out.

So I fell back on my fall back plan: I did one of my monthly spa nights.

Only as I was mid-pluck, did I realize that had I gone to a real salon my bill would have been at least a hundred dollars, if not closer to a hundred and fifty. So for the attractive price of about $10, I had these treatments done in my own home, at my own convenience: Hair Color, Eyebrow Shaping, Armpit waxing, a deep cleansing facial and an intensive moisture treatment on my feet. Yes. And all of this beautifying took me only an hour, because I am much more efficient than a salon.

Of course, I am aware that going to a spa is much nicer than hanging out in your own bathroom, and having someone pamper you is often nicer than pampering yourself. But when you cannot afford spa prices, here are my recommendations:

For Waxing:

A) I have a fair bit of experience with home waxing, and I recommend 'sugaring' before waxing. The sugar washes off with water (wax does NOT) and for some reason, it is less painful for me. The brand I use is called "MOOM" and you can find it at most drug stores (London Drugs, Shoppers) but not usually in your grocery store. The MOOM kit contains re-usable cloth strips, and you heat the "sugar" in hot water or the microwave. It takes a while the first time, but after you've done it once, it's much easier. The MOOM is about $16 a box and you could do your bikini line or armpits about 4 times. In a spa you could get your armpits done once for this price.

NOTE: I would only recommend home waxing if you have had a waxing treatment first with a trained technician - you know what to expect as far as the pain levels go, and you know how your skin will react to waxing.

Also, from experience, you should definitely read all of the information in the box before you trial-by-error. I did not, and suffered the consequences.

B) Although I prefer the MOOM, Nair Pretty offers pre-packaged wax strips big enough for your legs, arms, or whatever. The advantage of the Nair strips is that they are portable, you rub them between your hands to prepare them, and you throw away the mess. I used these last night on my armpits, and I would definitely purchase them again.

More to come....

The Rule

2009-10-28T12:59:00.000-07:00

I grew up pretty poor, for the most part. Often, when you hear the word "Poor" you assume that means that someone can turn 30 bucks into a months worth of groceries and other such magic tricks; that is not the kind of poor I mean. We were the kind of poor that meant when you get money, spend it quick, because it's going to be gone soon anyways. The kind of poverty that becomes a catch 22. I don't have money to spend because I spend all the money I have. I spend all the money I have because I don't have money to spend.

When I got my first job (and the many jobs I had afterwards), I blew everything I had within a week on slurpees and eating out, and clothing and shoes. I literally spent a decade worth of paychecks and have nothing to show for it (except perhaps my love handles).

The change that lead to THE RULE (ohohohhhhhh!) was getting married. Suddenly there was someone there who knew how naughty I was. Someone who would have to eat canned beans because I was wearing GAP jeans. And suddenly, new clothes were less important. Suddenly shopping wasn't as fun. Suddenly, someone would suffer from my irresponsibility. And not so suddenly, I changed.

I created a rule. This rule was a line drawn before every purchase. A question to be savored before every latte. A decision to live by.

The rule is simply this: WAIT.

The questions is 'can I live without it?'

The decision is: I will put others before myself.

So when I think we need a new duvet cover, I put it on the back burner of my mental list. I price compare at my local stores. I check (oh, yes. Hot water and bleach) the second hand stores. I inspect the duvet cover I already own. And after a bare minimum of 3 days (but it can take months), I decide and then act.

What I do not do is go out and buy the first one I see at Sears.

I do not steal money from the grocery budget.

I don't mope about not being able to afford the one online.

This may not be rocket science to you, but it was for me. And it has made me so much more responsible with my money.

PS - I made black bean soup today. I think my life has changed forever.

Stinky Shopping: Get Your Thrift On

2009-10-24T20:47:00.000-07:00

Okay. It was only a matter of time. You knew it was coming.

Second Hand shopping.

This is one of the best ways I save money.

A lot of my friends (the ones who didn't grow up poor) think that it's gross - it's stinky and dirty, they can't find anything, there's to much to look through. I am not going to argue against that. It does have a musty smell. And if your worried about dirt, pick up a travel size bottle of purell. And there IS a lot of stuff to look through.

But think of it like a treasure hunt. Grab a coffee, and go with an idea of what you want (ie- winter clothes for 12m baby, or size 14 blue jeans). If you find it overwhelming, I recommend heading straight to the section that you are interested in first (baby clothes, housewares, etc). Every single second hand store I have been to (and they are many) is arranged by department, size, and some by color. And for this little bit of extra work, here's the pay off: you will save so much stinking money that it will convert you forever.

I find amazing stuff - $150 dollar Aldo boots for $20, GAP jeans (long & lean) for $10, a brand new printer still in its box (who gives that away, I wonder. Still, we were grateful) - you name it, and I've seen it and probably bought it. And it's not all worn out and stained (although I recommend a thorough once over for tears and stains before making any purchases), often it looks as though it's barely worn. That's a blessing of living in a rich country that believes in fads - people toss their clothes after a few months. Even if they've spent a lot on them.

I am so committed to this that here is my proposal: If you are open to the idea of this, but find yourself battling reservations, I will do an introductory second hand shopping date with you (providing you live in this lush green valley), coffee on me, okay? I will teach you in the wh-ays of the frugal haus-frau, no?

Still unsure?

Here's the deal sealer: for those of you who know her, I turned Pammy. Yes. Not a word a lie. Just ask her. And if I can turn her, I can turn you.

RE-Cap:

1) Write List Of Needed Items

2) Make Coffee For Travel Mug

2.5) Grab Purell & Facemask if needed

3) Go To Nearest Thrift Store

4) Find PERTINENT Sections & Perform Search for needed items

5) Do Thorough Stain & Tear Check

6) Purchase

6.5) Use purell in parking lot if needed

7) Do I-cant-beleive-how-much-$$-I-saved-dance on hood of car

8) Return home

9) Repeat as often as needed

Tried and Tested Homemade Baby Wipes

2009-10-23T08:16:00.001-07:00

Good Morning, my partners in crime.

I recently made a friend online named Jenni, and for being my first customer ever on etsy, she will go down in history as a "Lovely Person" (she even shouted me out on her blog:

http://travelinglonghorns.blogspot.com/2009/10/apples.html

{I am so flattered}).

She's been reading the new blog, and has this to share with us:

Also I saw you started a new blog and yesterdays post was very touching. My sister has made homemade baby wipes and swears by them. 1 Tbsp baby oil, 1 Tbsp baby wash, 1 cup water and place in container with paper towels, the best is the select a size kind like bounty though they are a bit more...but you can buy in bulk. Also there are other recipes but this is the one she uses!

I forgot to add my sister wasn't sure about the recipe for wipes the amount of water, it may need more. Some other recipes use more water and essential oils instead. The reason she swears by it is the baby oil moisturizes and protects. I guess regular wipes have alcohol and who wants to put that on a baby's bum? A little background on why she tried it, she had a tight budget and had gone shopping for groceries only to realize she was out of wipes after getting home. So she looked up a recipe and made do with ingredients on hand. Hooray for frugality and necessity.

I am thinking that you could use one of the wipes containers (I love the pampers ones, with the soft rubbery dispenser top) you've used up already (maybe that goes without saying?). I will look into the cost effectiveness of this option and post a review for us all.

A word on homemade stuff.

A lot of people seem to think it's just 'too hard' for 'too little pay off'. But I wanted to say that it's one of those things that only seems too hard until you actually do it - take, for instance, the laundry soap. I procrastinated for a week, dreading how long it was going to take. And you know what? It took less than a half an hour of easy work! It's harder to make lunch. And the powder formulas take a fraction of even that! I was looking at the detergents in the laundry isle yesterday, and the cheapest 64 load bottle was around 10 bucks. Just think about that - I saved NINE DOLLARS (a 90% off sale is almost unheard of)!!!! YAYAYAYAYAYAAAAAYYYYYY! So I just want to encourage you that it's not hard.

Would it help if I started a 5 star system? Like when I review a homemade recipe, I can rate the cost effectiveness, the easiness, the effectiveness of the product?

Okay - and a tip from one of my FAVORITE readers, a slow cooker blog: http://crockpot365.blogspot.com/2008/10/save-money-by-using-your-crockpot-slow.html

I am linking you straight to the post on cheap slowcooking, because as she writes, doing new recipes all the time gets expensive.

Humility

2009-10-22T08:57:00.001-07:00

So last night while my husband was at work late, preparing for a massive annual conference, I stayed up late watching (crying at) you tube videos of impoverished children in 3rd world countries. And I have an addendum (is that the right word?) for this blog - we are not poor. We just need to learn to manage what we do have better. Learn what's really necessary and what's just habit (because my mom always bought this brand).

I think, that if you are on this journey with me, you need to start with the right mindset - that you are wealthy beyond most peoples imaginations, and you are robbing yourself blind, month after month.

There is this one particularly disturbing image of a young kid with it's face at a cows bottom, drinking its urine or something. Because they have no water that's safe to drink. I think that image will stay with me for the rest of my life as iconic of true poverty.

So, my wealthy friends, today when you open the fridge, start the car, or crawl into that big comfy bed of yours, remember that even though you can't buy everything you want (like those saucy shoes at aldo) you have everything you need. And I don't mean that as some kind of don't-waste-your-food guilt trip, I mean it as a perspective adjustment to help us find contentment. We really are rich! And starting with that attitude is going to change your world!

Roughing It - Laundry

2009-10-21T20:55:00.000-07:00

Homemade Laundry Soap.

Just say it.

It conjures up images of powdery white residue on dress pants and blue goo dried on the side of the washer. And for some reason, pioneer women with washboards.

But I am so cheap, I have gone and done it.

Yes. This morning I made laundry soap. In my stock pot.

So, before you write me off as some kind of granola eating nutbar, here are my reasons for this truly odd behavior:

1) It is DAMN cheap to make. Around a buck for 64 loads. Read that again, Tide lovers: A BUCK FOR 64 LOADS.

2) It is a lot less toxic for you and the environment than the store bought stuff because you aren't adding fragrance or dyes and whatever else they poop into there.

3) Because I can. It makes me feel all capable and wifely.

I got the recipe here: http://www.thefamilyhomestead.com/laundrysoap.htm but you can find all kinds of recipes (liquid or powder, scented or unscented) on line doing a simple google search.

I have to finish using up my Sunlight, but once we've switched over, I will post on my new concoction's effectiveness.

I have yet to use up my bounce sheets, but I have a set of Dryer Balls that I will be using after I do. Although you can find expensive ones that make all sorts of outrageous claims, I have a pair from the dollar store and they work fine. So for $1.25 (dang inflation) you can replace your bounce sheets. For good. This is really cheap.

A note on the Dryer Balls: although I found them fine with most things, they DO NOT like fuzzy blankets. I practically had an electrical storm in the laundry room.

As for fabric softener, I have bad news. It's one of the most toxic things in your home. Yep. That 'just washed' smell you sniff as you snuggle your kiddies to bed? Not so healthy. The good news is, apparently you can just use vinegar in your downy ball instead. I have about a years supply of downy so I won't be able to let you know on that for a while, but if you are interested in alternatives, this guy has SO many tips: http://tipnut.com/frugral-fabric-softener-recipes-dryer-sheet-tips/

Okay, so as a re-cap:

1) It's better for your wallet

2) It's better for the environment

3) It's better for you & your kids

4) It takes a half hour or less to do.

Any takers? :0D

PS - it turns out a milky clear color and smells clean.

Love Don't Pay the Rent

2009-10-21T20:44:00.000-07:00

Strangely enough, I feel less and less like writing about feelings and poetry and crap like that these days. More and more, I find myself composing posts about saving money and then not publishing them. They don't really fit in my other blog.

Thus "THE FINE ART OF FRUGALITY". My new pet.

Because with a new baby, our first mortgage, and neither of us with fancy degrees to earn us 6 digits - money is on my mind (but not really in my hand. Or wallet.)

I am going to share my money saving research, tips, ideas and progress. I would LOVE for you to be a part of this journey - face it, we could all use a couple of extra buckaroos! Please leave ideas or questions in the comments, and I will endeavor to get around to them! (Isn't endeavor such a smarmy word? I like it SEW mahch!)