Thankful with a Side of Thrifty

The Positives of Housing Exchange Students

2011-11-29T16:25:00.000-08:00

Many of my readers know that since 10/08, we have had three different foreign students living in our home, pretty much continuously, except for the summers. Obviously, there are positives and negatives to this arrangement, and every family is different, but we have had wonderful experiences with all of our adopted kids: Teresa from Guatemala, and Young Meen and Seung Gi from South Korea.
Tere, our Latin girl, was only here for 8 weeks. She was very outgoing and wanted to be involved in all that we were doing. She was here for a language/cultural immersion program, so studying wasn't a priority. We travelled quite a bit and I even got up early to go Black Friday shopping with her--something I will probably never do again!

Young Meen was with us for 2.5 years, and she and my daughter were like sisters by the time they graduated in May:

Seung Gi has been with us since the beginning of this school year. Like Young Meen, (and in our experience, most Asian students) he is quiet and prefers to spend much of his time alone in his room. I know this is bothersome to some families we have been in contact with, but we really don't see this as a negative, it is mostly a cultural difference.

How do we handle having a "stranger" in the house? Again, I know every family is different, but we essentially treat our students as we would a guest/boarder in that we don't feel we have to have the same rules for them that we have for our own kids. We only have three basic rules. They have to: eat (a minimum of) the evening meal with us, clean their room on Saturday, and go to church with us for one service a week. Unlike I would be with my own kids, I don't worry myself with how much time they are on the computer, what they are eating, or how they doing with homework. IF any of these issues became a problem, I might worry, but these kids are here to get an American education-most have been away from home since middle school-and trust me, Asians are pretty self-motivated.

Are we compensated? With Tere, no; with the Asian students, yes. How much? Because our school has different agents that we work with, I am not able to divulge this information, but most pay a monthly stipend of at least $400. Anything $400 and under is non-taxable, more than that and you have to claim the difference.

So to sum it all up, having a foreign student in your home can be a very rewarding experience in many ways, a situation I would highly recommend!

Wednesday, November 30th, is that last day you can vote for me in the cheap sally contest. Thanks for all your help!

www.cheapsally.com/contest/tricia-cliff/

Free almonds

2011-11-21T19:14:00.000-08:00

Not a lot to say today but I did want to share this link for a free almond sample before they are all gone..enjoy!

Here's a great link for a 1 ounce sample of fresh almonds (thanks, Lori!) http://www.caalmonds.com/ Look for the link that says "free sample" on the left side.

Free sample of Atelier Cologne: https://www.facebook.com/AtelierCologne?sk=wall

Thanks for your votes! www.cheapsally.com/contest/tricia-cliff/

Friday Freebies

2011-11-18T12:19:00.000-08:00

I'm just gonna come right out and say it...this cheap sally contest has been wearing me out. There have been 78 days of voting so far (just 12 left!)...my brother calls it the longest job interview EVER. I have to agree. All I can say is that you are the most amazing friends. Except for a few moments here and there, I have stayed #1 in the state of NC the entire time, but the lady in second place has worked me for every vote. Honestly, with the exception of maybe MN, we have to be the most competitive state out there. If I were still in Maine, I would be not even breaking a sweat at this point. Here's the irony: if in the last few hours #2 surpasses me...even if I am #2 in the nation...I would not advance to round 3 because you have to be #1 in your state. Sigh. I've made peace with it though. If I end up losing, I will honestly be able to say I gave it my very best shot! So, thanks to all. Hang in there with me:
www.cheapsally.com/contest/tricia-cliff/

It's a much colder day here--27 degeess this morning. I managed to get 4 loads of laundry on the line, make a big to-go cup of generic coffee with 55 cent-after-coupons Coffee-Mate, deliver the turkeys to our church, clean two rooms, and stop at Carolina Thrift, just for fun. They had Christmas music playing and one of the workers was singing away. Totally made my day. Came home to some gift cards in my mailbox, $200 worth to be exact. I "bought" them with points from my credit card and am hoping that they will knock out the majority of the kid's gifts. That's right...getting my inner-Christmas-frugal on. Life is grand.

Except I'm hungry. Why am I hungry? I decided it was time to do my 3-day drink fast. I'll feel really great after tomorrow when I can have real food again. Don't worry...I'm not starving myself. I actually get about 1000 calories a day, and part of that comes from 2 homemade protien shakes that give me 40 gms of protien. I am a grazer by nature, and this fast shows up my weaknesses big time. Do you have any idea how much junk food shows up at a nurse's station around the holidays? Krispy Kremes, anyone?? Oh my word. But I've been good. And I feel very focused...and hungry...

Here are some great freebies for you:

A sample of Biolage shampoo: https://www.facebook.com/MATRIX?sk=app_289095531122361

A sample of Seattle's Best Coffee if you are working on Black Friday:
https://www.facebook.com/SeattlesBestCoffee?sk=app_263817277002311

Free sample of Nature's Bounty Fish Oil and $2 coupon: https://www.facebook.com/NaturesBountyVitamins?sk=app_161033847281768

Free Roadside Blooms 2012 Calender: https://apps.dep.wv.gov/reap/calendarsignup.cfm

Free sample of Calvin Klien Beauty perfume: http://www.minimartclients.com/CalvinKlein-BeautyPromotion/

Coupon for a free liter of Living Life water from Thorntons: https://www.facebook.com/thorntonsinc?sk=app_163849080647

Give back ideas and nearly free Bounce bars!

2011-11-16T10:08:00.000-08:00

Wow, it's really raining here in High Point today, but it's unseasonably warm, so I'll take it. It's been the perfect day to work on some holiday projects: Each year our church hosts a Thanksgiving dinner for area foster families, and I generally bake two turkeys--that I get on sale, of course. So today smells like Thanksgiving at my house. The kids also participate in the Samaritan's Purse shoebox drive every year:
http://www.samaritanspurse.org/index.php/OCC/afr/. It's such a concrete way to give. Does your church or community center host any meals? A shoebox drive? Angel Tree? There are so many ways to give that don't cost much. What are your favorites??

What freebies have arrived in your box lately? In the past few days I've received Hugo cologne samples, 4 Barista K-Cups, 3 Twining Tea Bags, a Kinerase skincare sample, a Kleenex sample and 3 Platex Tampons, along with many coupons. Make sure you are getting free products...sign up when I post the links! It's even more fun now because I have many of them shipped to my daughter in college to fill her box also. You know how college kids like mail! Right now there are more sales than freebies, but always be on the lookout.

A couple of tips I recently read (and tried successfully):

What's your recipe for making traditional rice? Two parts water to one part rice, I'm guessing, and if you let it cook too long, it gets really sticky. I read somewhere that if you think of rice like pasta, and boil it in at least 4 parts water to 1 part rice and then drain it, it will not be sticky but will have more of a "minute rice" consistency. Guess what? It worked!

And don't you hate to have "pilly" sweaters? Use a pumice stone to take off all the pills; works like a charm.

Have you tried the new Bounce Dryer Bar? I did when they offered a rebate earlier in the year, and I do have to admit that I like not having to remember to add a dryer sheet. Right now there is a rebate offer for $5 back and there was a coupon for $1 off in the last P&G coupon insert. It's for a 6 month bar...that makes for a very good if not free deal!
http://www.bounceeverywhere.com/BounceBlog/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Bounce_Rebate.PDF

Thanks for your votes! 14 days left: www.cheapsally.com/contest/tricia-cliff/

On doing what you love (big changes in the family)

2011-11-15T10:54:00.000-08:00

I've literally been jumping up and down around the house quite a bit lately (try not to paint that picture too literally), but oh-my-goodness...big things happening here. By now, some of you have heard that my husband, Mike has decided to return to teaching next year. OK, you may be thinking, so what? Well, it's quite a big "what" at our house, as in, "What are we going to be doing next year?" Not too long after Mike told his boss of his desire to be in the classroom again, his predecessor called this same boss and said he was feeling the call to come back from Taiwan. So BAM, just like that, God closed the door to Mike's principal job. Isn't God amazing? No going back now, we have crossed the proverbial Rubicon. And I really couldn't happier, if not just a tad stressed. (OK, maybe sometimes more than a tad...)I'm just really proud of my husband for following his heart in this because I think he's a great teacher and he needs to be doing what he loves, even if it means a pretty significant pay cut.

Speaking of doing what you love: recently Mike heard a speaker who was talking about finding your passion: Look for areas where you produce the most fruit, get the most positive feedback, and feel the most fulfilled. Teaching. That's it for my husband. A confirmation of sorts. The fact that he has no job after June is just a minor glitch, seriously. I know that God will take care of everything. He's never let us down before. Where will we go? No idea. Life is such an adventure.

All this makes me wonder....about me. Fruit? Fulfillment? Feedback? My passion is getting a deal...and writing. I'm not super great at either, but that's not the point. That's where this blog becomes my outlet. So thanks for reading!

Why am I jumping around now that husband is jobless in July? It isn't about that. One reason was that I sliced my thumb open on the side of the kitchen sink and it motivated me to want to start on a kitchen remodel. Another reason was finding out that our story about our car wreck and subsequent annual visits back to the hospital is a *potential* winner in the Dave Ramsey Giving Challenge! Three winners get $5000.00 to give to their charity of choice. I love Dave...even before this...enter your story here and inspire others: http://www.daveramsey.com/specials/christmas/ictid/text2.hub.3way.c11/

Um let's see, what else? Starbucks is having their annual BOGO free drinks Nov 17-20, 2-5 pm: http://merry.starbucks.com/en-us/#/bogo/

Laurel Oaks Christian Church on Old Plank Road in High Point is giving away the remainder of their pumpkins. Just run by and get them!

I discovered a great new site: http://www.airbnb.com/ where you can list rooms/apartments/houses/futons for rent and/or find a room somewhere. And it's free to list, unlike most sites. Check it out!

I got a BIG FAT check from ebates (that's what they call them) for $40.00. If you don't have an ebates account yet, you really need to sign up. You get cash back just for shopping online and going through their site. Do it now before you start all your holiday shopping. From now until the end of the year, you can get an extra $150.00 just for getting 10 friends to sign up...so help me out, then get 10 of your friends to do the same! Merry Christmas! Use this link:
http://www.ebates.com/rf.do?referrerid=94Ggv5UtRDNLQspdeKYU7Q%3D%3D

I haven't fixed my dryer yet (it's been over a month now) and when I saw how much less my electric bill was this month, I'm rethinking paying someone a minimum of $75 to show up and tell me how much more they are going to charge. Alright...I WILL fix it, but it's been a worthy experiment.

And we should get our van back this week! We've been a month without that also. Great month.

Thanks for voting for me in the cheap sally contest. Only 15 more days of voting. It's been a long 10 weeks and I appreciate your tenacity. Most of the other bloggers have thousands of followers...I don't. But you all are the best and I'm currently 8th in the nation, 1rst in NC! www.cheapsally.com/contest/tricia-cliff/ Thank you!

Happy Veteran's Day!

2011-11-11T12:04:00.000-08:00

Hello Blogger Friends! Hope you are geared up for a beautiful, if cooler, weekend.

If you have served our country or are currently serving, I want to personally thank you for your dedication and sacrifice. It is appreciated.

Rather than compile yet another list of wonderful discounts and freebies available to you Veterans, here is a link with a boatload of them: http://freebies4mom.com/2011/11/11/weekend-freebievents-1111-1113/

Thanks for keeping me in first place in NC in the cheap sally contest. So appreciated:
www.cheapsally.com/contest/tricia-cliff/

A dozen items you should never pay for...

2011-11-09T11:25:00.000-08:00

(our sweet potato harvest)

Ahhh, what a glory day. Beautiful blue sky, brilliant leaves, a delish lunch of sauteed cabbage and noodles, an hour browsing my favorite magazines at the library, putting away my sweet potato stash, and a Rite-Aid shop all planned where I will be picking up 4 free items: feminine pads, lotion, toothpaste and toothbrush. I have been couponing and rebating for so long now that it always surprises me when I am asked, "What do you mean when you say you don't pay for _______?" So for those of you still new to this, here's a list and few pointers:

Simply put, I rarely pay money for: shampoo, conditioner, hair color, antiperspirant, lotion, make-up, toothpaste, toothbrushes, mouthwash, tampons, feminine pads or contact solution. There are a few other items, but this delightful dozen make up the majority of my small stock pile, and I do mean small. With seven of us using these products, they don't last long.

How is it done? I buy these items at Walgreens, RiteAid and CVS. I don't shop at every store every week, in fact, most weeks I only hit one. All three stores have rebate/printable coupon programs: Walgreens has Register Rewards (RRs), CVS had Extra Care Bucks (ECBs) and RiteAid has the +UP program. All three now print the rewards right when you buy, which is very convenient. Just don't lose them! Even when I was living in Maine and only had RiteAid available to me, I kept a decent stockpile. Here are the some things to remember:

1. Don't be brand loyal. I have 10 different kinds of toothpaste right now--they all do the job.
2. Don't wait until you run out of an item before you buy. Always keep ahead or you will pay full price.
3. Get the Sunday paper and look through the sale ads. Specifically look for items that are free or nearly free.
4. After you have the list of free items that you want, look on http://www.southernsavers.com/ and click on the link to that store. Here Jenny will tell you where to find coupons for these same items, including links to printable coupons and the dates that they were in the Sunday paper.This is where the fun begins. Now you can get the products for free AND make a profit.
5. If the item is completely free and you can't use it, buy it anyway. Make gift bags for local charities of use for gift bags of your own. I routinely put lotion in baby shower gifts for mom to use.
6. Use your ECBs, RRs, and +UPs to purchase your "freebies" the next week, paying very little out of pocket. Most are only good for 3 weeks, so keep up with them. Don't let the expire. If there's nothing you want to buy, pick up a gift or something useful like paper towels or toilet paper.
7. Consider getting yourself a laser printer. I bought one last year on black Friday and it has more than paid for itself. Before I had it, I was slow in printing colorful coupons that uses too much ink. Now I look for free paper at Staples and Office Depot and use the rewards to get free toner.
8. Have fun knowing you are saving yourself tons of money!!

Here's a facebook freebie for a free Scotch Brite Sponge:
https://www.facebook.com/#!/ScotchBrite?sk=app_214537625283071

And thanks for your continued votes in the www.cheapsally.com/contest/tricia-cliff/

Got shoes? Information on CDs (no, not the kind you listen to:)

2011-11-02T16:08:00.000-07:00

You may have seen this photo making its way around facebook, and as with most other folks, it gave me pause to think about just how blessed I am. But it also made me realize how much of a blessing all the shoes that I have been collecting will be to someone...somewhere! To all of you who have donated to the http://www.soles4souls.com/ shoe drive, thanks! I am collecting until the 11th of November, so bring out those used shoes.

Today I am sharing a post from fellow blogger Trent Hamm, who blogs daily at http://www.thesimpledollar.com/. I really like Trent's posts. He is very down-to-earth and I have learned much from him. Today he was answering reader questions about investing, and while most of you (like me) don't have big chunks of change sitting around, I learned some things about CDs that I didn't know. If you have anything invested in retirement accounts, as we do, you know how depressed the market is right now....so here are some things to think about, at least for the short term:

CD “Ladder” by Trent Hamm

"A certificate of deposit (often called a CD) is something you can buy from a bank. CDs are usually sold at a particular length of time and at a particular interest rate.

Typically, people will go to the bank, buy a CD with a particular interest rate and length, and wait for that length of time. At the end of that length of time, the buyer gets their money back plus the interest earned on the money during that period. If you try to get your money early, though, you usually have to pay a stiff penalty.

So, let’s say you find a 1 year CD at your local bank with an APY of 2%. You put $10,000 into it. At the end of the year, you get your $10,000 back and get another $200 back in interest. You can set this up to happen automatically so that the $200 gets rolled into your checking account and the $10,000 goes to buy another CD. All you see is the $200 in your checking account each year.

So, what’s a “ladder”? Let’s say you buy one of these CDs at the start of each month for a year. This means you’ve spent $120,000 on CDs over a year.

At the start of each month, one $10,000 CD matures, paying you $200 (assuming they’re always at 2% interest). That $10,000 then automatically buys another one year CD. That way, when that month rolls around next year, the same exact thing happens again.

The problem with this approach right now is that the interest rates on CDs are so incredibly low that you’re not really getting much of a boost at all beyond what interest rate you can get for an ordinary savings account. As the economy rebounds, these rates will go up and, eventually, CD rates will exceed savings account rates by enough to make it worthwhile.

If you’re thinking of this option, I offer a couple points of advice.

One, don’t put all of your money into this CD “ladder.” Keep at least a month’s worth of living expenses outside of this in savings as an emergency fund so that you don’t have to sell a CD early.

Two, wait to start this until there’s at least half a percent between a one year CD rate and what you can get in your savings account. Since you have to lock away your money for a year, you shouldn’t do it unless you’re getting some reasonable compensation for it."

And thanks for keeping me #1 in the state in the cheap sally contest; much appreciated:
www.cheapsally.com/contest/tricia-cliff/

November Winner!

2011-11-01T15:36:00.000-07:00

Just a quick post to announce the winner of this nice little teapot: ssevie98@. Be sure to answer when I email you & congratulations!

Has anyone else noticed that there seem to be many, many prize drawings, sweeps and coupons since this new month hit? My goodness, I can hardly keep up....but tomorrow I will try to have some new listings for you. In the mean time, thanks for voting for me: http://www.cheapsally.com/contest/tricia-cliff/

Easy French Onion Soup; Target sale and HT doubles

2011-10-29T07:48:00.000-07:00

For many of my readers, I'm sure you would agree that it almost seems as if we went from fall to winter overnight. Here in High Point it was 80 on Thursday and 38 on Friday evening--quite the drop. Many of you in the northeast are getting snow today, and as much as I now dislike the cold, there is a part of me that twinges with a sad nostalgia. I can remember as a kid, there was nothing more exciting than snow on Halloween! So, with the advent of cold weather, I thought I'd share this recipe that I found. I love French Onion Soup, but no one else in my family is crazy about it. Consequently, I generally save this for the few times a year that we eat out in nicer restaurants. This recipe is so easy though...mmmm. You can half the recipe if you don't want a family size batch.

Easy Onion Soup

(makes about 6-7 cups)
1or 2 medium onions
4 tablespoons real butter
2 tablespoon flour
4 cups broth - beef is best but chicken or vegetable will do
2 cups white wine - or water
Salt and pepper to taste
Grated Parmesan or Swiss cheese
Good French Bread sliced in 1" thick slabs

Cut the onion in quarters and finely slice into half moons. Heat the butter over medium heat, then add the onions. Stir and cook over medium heat until they are slightly caramelized and soft - about 6 or 7 minutes. Don't let them get too dark or the soup will be bitter. Add the flour and stir until the onions are coated. Add the broth and wine, and bring to a boil. Lower the heat to a simmer and cover the soup. Let it simmer for a minimum of 10 minutes or so, lifting the lid at the end to let it reduce a little. Taste and season. Serve with fresh grated cheese and good bread. If you want to spend just a bit more time and get the real "French" feel, place the bread on top of an oven proof bowl full of soup, smother with cheese, and place under the broiler for about 5 minutes or until the cheese is melted and slighty crusty. To die for.

Top five: Davis, Will (17:34), Aaron(18:30), Connor, David

Lee (20:20)

Yesterday was the last Cross Country meet of the season. I'm so proud of my boys (and the whole team) for all setting personal records and finishing strong.

Today my husband ground the coffee and made eggs my favorite way--his Saturday morning tradition when I'm not yardsaling. We Skyped my daughter and later we are taking the boys to see Real Steel, compliments of a friend who actually sent me cash to buy the tickets. She said it was so good that I shouldn't wait until it was in Redbox, but she also knew I wouldn't pay for it. Funny thing is, she's a frugal type also, so it must be worth the money. Looking forward to a good afternoon. Tonight is the fall festival at our church...Friendly Hills in Jamestown. It starts at 5:30 pm. If you have little ones, bring them out for a good FREE time!

And a heads up for you triad readers. Next week is super double coupons at Harris Teeter (doubling to $1.50) Be sure to check http://www.southernsavers.com/ now as Jenny is already posting links to printable coupons. These will be the items that are still on the shelves. Anything with a recent coupon in the Sunday inserts will be sold out in the first 2 hours.

Also, for any Target shoppers, it has been reported that SOME Target stores are having a 70% off sale in parts of their "dollar spot" section, located at the front of the store. May not be worth a separate trip, but if you are going anyway, check it out. Great stocking stuffers or items for Operation Christmas Child.

Thanks for your continued votes in the cheap sally contest. http://www.cheapsally.com/contest/tricia-cliff/

Sell your old Corelle for a nice profit! New freebies, including Pantene gift set.

2011-10-27T08:20:00.000-07:00

I'm sure many of you have seen advertisements for Replacements, Ltd., a company in Greensboro, NC that buys and sells china and other tableware. They advertise in many magazines, and I have seen the massive warehouse (the size of 7 football fields, they say) myself. I wrongly assumed that they only deal with high end china patterns, but such is not the case. Did you know that also purchase Corelle made by Corning? How many of us have that in our cabinets?? If you have an older (or even current) pattern that you are thinking about selling at a yardsale, go ahead and check out their site at http://www.replacements.com/. I think you will be pleasantly surprised at their offer. If you live in the triad area, I would recommend going directly to the store. They do, however, pay for shipping or you can ship yourself. They do not buy anything that has chips or cracks. Of course, they also purchase china, silver, crystal and glassware, but the Corelle surprised me the most. For most patterns, they will beat any price you could get at a yardsale. Just another way to make a buck in this economy!

Here are a few freebies for you today:

If you happen to be in Target, you might want to pick up the holiday Pantene gift set they are selling for $9.99 which comes with a FREE subscription to Allure magazine. The best part? If you don't want the magazine, you can opt for a $12.00 refund, which make this a money maker. Free Christmas present! Check it out here (info about the refund is at the very bottom of the form) : http://condenastdirect.com/corp/pantene/

Free sample of Hugo Boss Men's cologne: http://www.boss-fragrances.co.uk/free-sample/?lc=gb

Free sample of Chinese tea: http://www.rosechinesetea.com/free-tea-samples.html

12 free issues of Ski Magazine: https://www.valuemags.com/freeoffer/freeoffer.asp?offer=Ski-RDC.aspbe

It's almost time for another giveaway! All you have to do to be in the running is to either subscribe to or follow my blog. Next drawing will be November first. The prize? This incredibly cute Le Creuset teapot:

Thanks for your daily votes in the cheap sally contest!

http://www.cheapsally.com/contest/tricia-cliff/

Great new freebies and a van report

2011-10-26T11:06:00.000-07:00

I love autumn, even though it means the end of lower energy bills. The leaves, the hearty soups, pumpkins everywhere...it's such a beautiful season and I rejoice in God's creativity. Aren't you glad that any one season doesn't last forever?

I finally have my computer back and it seems to be in working order now. However, our van is out of commission and I really liked that van! We hit a deer while we were in PA visiting our daughter (see picture...think her brothers were glad to see her?) and still aren't sure of the prognosis. The insurance company is trying to decide whether it should be totaled or fixed--a waiting game right now. So thankful that no one was hurt, even if we were 7 hours from home. Also thankful to have a great insurance company.

(funny, it's not as bad in the picture as I remember it that night)

I really like getting unexpected freebies in the mail. Yesterday I got a mailer from the new Sheetz store that opened in High Point. It has 7 coupons for free items, plus a card to get free coffee or fountain drinks for 30 days. Wow. Thanks Sheetz. I'll be visiting. I also received my totally free digital camera today, a Kodak Z5010 that I "purchased" using Max Rewards points from Office Max. It's regularly $229.00. I'll be giving reviews after I play with it for awhile:)

Here's a link for a free-after-rebate neti pot from Arm and Hammer:
http://www.simplysaline.com/NetiPotKit_RebateInfo.pdf

One of the things that we do in our family to save money is home haircuts; I cut Mike's hair and he does the boys. I conservatively estimate that we have saved well over $3000.00 in our married years. I even offered to let Mike cut my hair, but so far he has refused and I have relied on coupons. Anywho...we purchased a Wahl home haircut kit with clippers and scissors for $20 at Walmart nearly 20 years ago and it's still going strong. Get the very same kit now for under 10 bucks...here's how: http://www.southernsavers.com/2011/10/wahl-hair-cutting-set-20-pc-kit-for-9-77/ Go on youtube and find tons of how-to-cut-hair tutorials.

Get a free (facebook) sample of Nescafe Peppermint Mocha. MMMMMMM.:
https://www.facebook.com/nescafeusa?sk=app_112925635457264

Free sample of Dove leave in conditioner: http://www.dove.us/Products/Hair/Make-Friends-with-Your-Hair/Sample.aspx

Free sample of Garnier Color Shield Shampoo and Conditioner ( and you may have to cut & paste the link):

http://www.startsampling.com/sm/shieldcolor102000/main.iphtml?item=102000&source=&key=7562f8e4d1c7d26bff5c67affbc2038a

If you live on at least an acre of land, you can get the magazine "Living the Country Life" completely free! Click here: https://secure.livingthecountrylife.com/bhg/store/checkout/partner/index.jsp?promoCode=I0025LD33&_requestid=376294

The Bring Home the Bacon contest it almost half over, and thanks too many of you, I have remained #1 in NC and about 15th in the nation. Starting on November 1rst, the competition will increase exponentially.The top five in each state will be vying for the #1 position, so don't stop the votes! I really appreciate it.

http://www.cheapsally.com/profile/tricia-cliff/

(New River Gorge. Longest Arch bridge in the Western Hemishere, and a great park in which to picnic:)

puffy doves and free stuff

2011-10-11T10:03:00.000-07:00

Thankful:

This morning, sitting on my sofa drinking coffee, watching two gray mourning doves, feathers puffed fat, sitting on gray straight stick against rain gray and sky gray and I wondered why? Why don't they take shelter under the "wings" of the tree? Why do they sit in the silver gray wet rain, puffing to make big and keep warm? And I was reminded of me. Why do I not take shelter from One who longs to gather His children under his wings? Instead I sit, puffed, trying to stand against the cold rain. I am thankful. For mercy and grace and hope and promise of peace. He has never failed. Not once. I fail daily. Thankful. That's what He wants. And when we are thankful, joy comes. No other way. It must be in that order to be most beneficial. Not joy and then thanks, but thanks and then joy. The harder the day, the harder thankful is, but the bigger the joy when we choose to say YES and be thankful for the hard.

Thrifty:

Free sample of Find Your Bliss body wash: http://www.find-your-bliss.com/

Free sample pack of Cream of Wheat here: http://www.creamofwheat.com/sample/

Join the AuBonPain email club and get a free travel mug! Look for the link: http://www.aubonpain.com/

I don't post a lot of sweepstakes, but this one is for free groceries for a year...you never know:
http://www.itpaystoeatpasta.com/sweeps/index.cfm?u=02BF8790-397C-435F-871E-B2A1553CD5DF

Paul at http://www.iheartthemart.com/ (a great site dedicated to finding deals at Walmart), has been working diligently with the Mart to try to get a day a week of double coupons. When I was in college in Marion, IN in the 90s, the Walmart there doubled one day a week and it was wonderful! Would love to see them bring it back. You can sign a petition here. It will link you to a site where you can give a donation to "ipetitions", but that is not necessary...just skip that screen. http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/we_want_doubles/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=system&utm_campaign=Send%2Bto%2BFriend

And thanks for your daily votes in the contest...half way there!!
www.cheapsally.com/contest/tricia-cliff/

Food wants vs food needs....free keurig coffee...and the giveaway WINNER!

2011-10-03T09:06:00.000-07:00

My computer is still in an off again/on again mood, and being hunkered down in my frugal state right now, I really have no desire to take it to the shop, consequently, my time spent on here has been less, which isn't a bad thing after all. I'm continuing on in my quest to cull out the clutter in my home, a bag here, a box there and my things are finding better places to live. It's really a great feeling. Much like going on a diet! I'm also making a conscious effort to be more grateful. It's harder than you think. At least for me. I find myself falling into the trap of grumbling and complaining far too easily....so today...I'm...

Thankful:

Ahhhhh, fall: cool days and pretty leaves. We did finally have to turn on the heat for a few hours yesterday...but I'm thankful that I can do that so easily. I'm thankful that God is in control and I'm not, I'd surely make a mess of things. I mean, I already do in my own little world, I can't imagine having the whole universe to deal with!

Thrifty:

A big part of being thrifty is just learning to get by with less and really figuring out wants vs. needs. I looked in my grocery cart at Aldi this week and thought about how many items were wants: juice boxes, chips, pretzels, coffee, soda, hot sauce, hazelnut spread, cold cereal...you get the idea. Everything becomes so blurred in our land of plenty. Yes, I have to eat, but I don't need name brand cold cereal. Come to think of it, I don't need cold cereal at all...oatmeal or corn meal muffins are so much cheaper. Think your kids won't eat basic, bland foods? Try this. The next time they want a pop tart because they are "starving," tell them to eat a bowl of oatmeal, an apple or a bunch of carrot sticks instead. If they refuse, they really aren't THAT hungry, they just want to eat. Ask yourself the same question. I eat for many reasons, seldom is it for true hunger. It may seem nit-picky, but if frugality becomes a harsh reality in your life, you need to examine every area, even the tough ones.

There are some great deals at Office Depot again this week. Many, many items that are free after rewards, but perhaps the best deal this week for coffee lovers is free 18 pack keurig cups! You can pick up 2 boxes every day all week. Very nice! Look for the banner on the top of the page for details: http://www.officedepot.com/

And as promised, I have a winner in this month's giveaway! I have several items for the next 2 months, the item and the winner are chosen randomly: Drum roll....

Winner is: pescel11@. I don't know who you are, so I'll be emailing you directly and you'll have 72 hours to respond before I pick another winner! This month's prize is a brand new stainless steel crock pot, the ultimate frugal appliance! Congratulations!! Make sure you become a subscriber or follower to be in on next month's giveaway!

Bippity Boppity Blog Part 1--Saving money at Disney and beyond...

2011-09-28T14:10:00.000-07:00

I have been pondering how to write a post about saving money in the Orlando area for quite some time now, and have decided that it is going to warrant more than one post! Our family has been to the Orlando area two times. The first time we went in 2008, and we went again this year. Our first trip was our biggest, and at the time, I thought it would be our only trip there. I planned for nearly nine months; the six of us spent 9 days, but we did EVERYTHING, and that's not too much of an exaggeration! So, here are a few tips from someone who's been there, done that...I would LOVE to get your input on this one so that we can all help each other.

Next to theme park tickets, crazily enough, one of your biggest expenses will be food. This is often something that we don't plan well for enough, if at all, and the theme parks count on this. Once you are inside the parks, there will be a great temptation to pull out the credit card and spend $50-$75 or more per meal. I know for many folks, eating out is a big part of the vacation, and they'll go in extra debt to do it. It's very hard to say "NO" when you are at the happiest place on earth! Resist! Personally, I would rather spend my money seeing/doing something new and save in the food department...and then enjoy myself the day the credit card bill arrives. While I may be a minority on this, I can give you some great tips on how to save. Many of these are from experience, a few from others:

1. Stay off site in one of the bazillion hotels close by and get one that has free breakfast included! Eat a lot for breakfast!!
2. Be sure to fill up your refillable coffee mug that you brought with you while you are at breakfast!
2. Get a hotel/rent a home that at minimum has a mini-fridge and a microwave, if not a full kitchen and take advantage of them! The second time we went, I had a voucher for a free hotel stay, and it didn't have either. The first thing we did was make a Wal-Mart run and I bought a cheap styrofoam cooler, milk and a few other frig items. We used ice from the ice machines in the hotel. Saved a BUNCH of money.
4. If you are flying, consider ordering a case or two of water or juice from Sam's, Cosco, Walmart or Amazon and having it shipped to your hotel...no baggage fees! Drinks are incredibly overpriced everywhere you go.
5. If I understand correctly, you are now allowed to bring food into the Disney theme parks (woot!). This will be a great help to us frugal types who think that paying 4 bucks for Coke is highway robbery. Eat your big breakfast at the hotel, bring lunch into the park, and eat supper after you leave the park.
6. Before you go, purchase an attractions book for the Orlando area. http://www.attractionsbook.com/ This will give you lots of dining options.
7. Also check at http://www.restaurant.com/ for some great deals in Orlando.
8. If you don't want to carry around a water bottle, you can ask for a cup of water at a restaurant. They should give you a cup for free even if you aren't buying a meal.
9. If you do carry a water bottle, consider packing some individual flavor packs in your purse to add a little flavor to your day.
10. If you are driving, (or even flying), consider bringing your crock-pot to the hotel. Another option is buying one at a thrift store when you get there. At your first Wal-Mart run, buy canned soups, pastas or other easy crock-pot heat-ables from the deli section of the grocer and a loaf of fresh bread. Voila! A nice, inexpensive warm meal waiting for you when you get back at night! (I've never had a problem with the hotel staff on this one.)
11. The greater Orlando area has some lovely free parks and gardens (another post). Consider packing a picnic lunch and heading out for a day of reprise in the midst of the chaos.
12. If you are driving, stop at one of the many visitor centers when you cross into Florida and pick up lots of free visitor guides that are filled with coupons. Don't forget your free cup of OJ!
13. Go to http://www.plasticjungle.com/ and look for restaurant gift cards at a discount. Combine these with coupons you picked up and you have an even better deal.
14. Water fountains are a requirement. Enjoy.

If you do choose to stay on site:

15. On-site hotels often offer a deal where you buy a souvenir beverage mug the first day of your trip and get free refills (at your resort only) during the length of your stay. This little perk can save significant bucks if you prefer to get soda or coffee. However, bringing your own is still cheaper, and it's a long walk back to your resort!
16. Make lunch your big meal of the day. If you'd like to try some of the nicer Disney World or Universal restaurants, especially those in Epcot's World Showcase (the best place to eat at the parks, IMHO), book them midday, when prices are considerably lower than for evening hours.
17. Consider sharing entrees, which are typically huge. Kids can eat off mom and dad's plate.
18. Obviously be on the lookout for restaurants offering deals where kids eat free.
19. Want to try a classy, atmospheric restaurant? Book a 3 P.M. seating time and just have dessert. You'll experience the ambiance, get a pleasant sugar high and spend far less than the cost of a full meal.
20. Check out http://www.mousesavers.com/ and http://www.affordingthemouse.com/ for other ideas!

As I mentioned, I'd really love your input on this! Any other ideas on ways to save on food??

Thanks for continuing to vote for me! Much appreciated:)
www.cheapsally.com/contest/tricia-cliff/

Free Hat and Free Brita Water Pitcher...because you are awesome!

2011-09-26T12:40:00.000-07:00

My computer has been acting possessed lately, hence the lack of blogging....but I needed a break anyway. Have you been getting freebies in your box? In the last week I've received Poise samples (these can be used as regular pads, by the way), Dove body spray, Bobbi Brown lip gloss, a coupon for free Zyrtec, John Frieda hair samples and several magazines! I just love getting free stuff, somehow it makes the bills a little more tolerable.

I have been diligently working at cleaning out some clutter from my home. Last week I donated several bags of goods to the National Kidney Foundation; they do regular pick ups in the area. I also sold a sweater to Plato's closet, took 10 used ink cartridges in to Staples (will get a $20 rewards credit for that), andwent through all the closets looking for shoes for my shoe drive next month (more later.) This week my goal is to list 20 items on ebay and/or Craig's list. One little step at a time.

Here are a few great deals for you:

You are awesome...here's a hat to prove it! http://you.yovia.com/free-awesome.html

Allure is having free giveaways to the first 10,000 every day at 12 noon this week. Check out all the details here: http://www.allure.com/cs/promo/popupshop/giveaway.html

If you live near Walgreens and have been wanting to make the switch to filtered water without much cost, here is a chance to get a free Brita water pitcher! I've been using mine for 10 years now. Read the details at a another wonderful site: http://embracingbeauty.com/2011/09/26/walgreens-free-brita-slim-pitcher/

Thanks to those of you who have been voting for me daily. I truly hope that I can return the favor one day!

http://www.cheapsally.com/profile/tricia-cliff/

Pondering money...Free $10 from Ted Nugent's Sportsman Guide

2011-09-23T08:34:00.000-07:00

Thankful:

At first glance, it would appear that the Bible is full of contradictions when it comes to money. On the one hand, Jesus tells his disciples to give up all they own to follow Him, not taking as much a two sets of clothes on their journey. No planning ahead; you will be cared for he promises--consider the sparrow (yes, Keith Ham, I still think of you when I read that), don't I care for them? So I will take care of you too. But then we are told to consider also the ant, who works industriously and stores up food for hard times. Or what of the rich man, who comes to Jesus and asks what he must do to get to heaven. Jesus tells him to sell all he has, and the rich man goes away sad. Harder it will be for a camel to fit through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to get to heaven, Jesus says. But wait...then he tells the parable about the talents...in this case money. One man is given five (I remember reading somewhere that this was well over 200 grand in today's dollars), one man two and one man only one. The men given the most double their money and are commended, the one with the least buries his in fear and has even that taken away and given to the richest man. The widow's mite,we are told, is more valuable to the Kingdom than all the money of the Pharisees, giving thousands and blowing trumpets to announce it. So what is the key? Two things, I think: the heart and the context. Jesus, God/Man, always knows our heart. He knows if He is more important than our "stuff." He knows when we are trusting and when we are worrying. He knew those first disciples had a job to do, and fast. He also knows it is prudent to plan ahead. What are we to do? Plan. Invest. Save. Give. Help. Worry less. Yes, all of them. Will he call you, like George Mueller or Mother Teresa to give up worldly goods to follow Him? Possibly. Does He want you to use your talents to make a lot of money and fund the next George Mueller? Maybe. One thing is for sure, He wants to be first in our lives and that will look a little different for each of us. I'm trying really hard to listen when He speaks, because, you know, He knows my heart better than I know it myself.

Thrifty:

Do you have a sportsman in your life?? How about a free $10 gift shipped to your door? "Like" Ted Nugent's Sportsman Guide facebook page and get a $10 e-gift card sent to your email. You can use it for anything in the store...and apply it to shipping too! May be slow to load...keep refreshing the page.
http://www.facebook.com/sportsmansguide?sk=app_216752771717929

How about a free Artisan's pizza from Dominos? They are giving away a set amount each day. Click here for details: https://www.facebook.com/Dominos?sk=app_220192758037547

grateful for a day of saving...follow me...to freebies

2011-09-22T13:36:00.000-07:00

Thankful and Thrifty.

"In everything....with thanksgiving.....make your requests known to God."

It's been a day of trying on this gratefulness-in-all-things: Follow me...that's the easiest way that I know how to teach you this frugal life....

~Grateful when the frig was leaking and I stepped in the puddle and got my sock wet (because I have a frig and it's not dead yet!)
~Grateful for the same reason when the dishwasher had the same problem.
~Grateful when my computer keeps freezing (I can walk to the library, after all...)
~Grateful that I had sense enough to return a new stovetop that I bought for half off over Labor Day weekend (I'm sure I can do better than 50% off, and that was $650 back on the credit card, which more than makes up for the days I'm not working this week!)
~Grateful for coupons for a FREE pumpkin latte at Dunkin Donuts and a FREE spicy chicken sandwich at Chick-fil-a. Yummm. Free lunch!
~Grateful that Plato's Closet gave me $7.20 for one of Abby's sweaters (she'll get the $:)...even if they turned away 10 other items.
~Grateful that I'm making headway in the "clean out the clutter" vow I took for fall. (see above)
~Grateful for 5 hungry men who'll be coming home soon, bellies all a grumble, covered in mud, full of bravado. Taco Casserole and salad coming right up!
~Grateful for the opportunity to bless others this week. (Have you done a good deed yet? It'll bless you, I promise!!)
~Grateful that I "spent 15 minutes on Geico" (and several other sites). It appears that I really will save us $500 or more on car/home insurance!
~Grateful that I went into Ollies today (for those who don't know what this is, think Big Lots). I spent about $15 on food and another $65 on Christmas gifts...a great start on the season!!
~Grateful for $124 worth of totally free-after-rewards items from Office Depot! Do you need to stock up on paper (to print free coupons) and batteries? Who doesn't? Be sure to print the $20 off $100 coupon first. Here's the link:
http://www.southernsavers.com/2011/09/office-supply-deals-staples-office-depot-office-max-deals-918-924/
Free sample of Tom's of Maine new strawberry toothpaste for kids: http://www.startsampling.com/sm/tomsstrawberry102021/captureAddress.iphtmlitem=102021&source=ba-tom

~Grateful for all of you keeping me in first place in NC...nice! Thanks so much:
http://www.cheapsally.com/profile/tricia-cliff/

Of Dahlias and Potted Herbs; Lots of weekend freebies!

2011-09-20T12:50:00.000-07:00

I did it! I read half of Ann Voscamp's book One Thousand Gifts. It is as wonderful as I knew it would be, and it is inspiring, after I got over being angry for really selfish reasons! As I suspected, the theme is gratitude. Giving thanks to God for ALL THINGS, but especially those things that we don't want to give thanks for. Stopping to give thanks, she says, forces us to live fully in the moment. She kept a list of one thousand things for which she was thankful, and it changed her perceptions of what was going on around her. This is a similar concept that was introduced to us in the 90s when Sarah Ban Breathnach wrote her bestseller Simple Abundance. She suggested keeping a gratitude journal (scrapbook) and filling it full of quotes and musings and magazine pictures that make us smile. Same idea, different author. (But I must say that Ann has a better grip on Who to thank....Sarah's god seemed a bit more ethereal than the living Christ!)

Thankful today?

Today I dug up some herbs that were left over in the garden next door when our neighbors moved. I didn't take them all! I left a good deal for whoever rents next. Here they are on my windowsill. We'll see how they fair:

I also stopped to admire all the beautiful flowers, and especially the dahlias, that my husband has planted and cares for meticulously. I'm thankful that he has a hobby that adds beauty to our home and doesn't just bust the budget:

And I'm ever thankful for the long growing season here in NC. Here is today's harvest. Not many more days for fresh tomatoes, I'm afraid!

I will be leading a group for like-minded frugal women at my church (Friendly Hills Church in Jamestown) starting sometime next month. I'm VERY excited about this opportunity!! We are having a free luncheon after church on Sunday inviting ladies to learn more about women's ministries at Friendly Hills, so be sure to stay after if you are interested. I'll post more details on the group as it all comes together.

My husband and I will also be hosting a showing of Chuck Colson's nationwide live simulcast, Doing the Right Thing. This will be held at Wesleyan Christian Academy in room 410, located at 1917 Centennial Street in High Point. Enter from the Eastchester side of the school across from the mall. It will be from 9-1:30 this Saturday, the 24th. Breakfast and lunch will be provided, but you need to email me at miketrishcliff@yahoo.com so we'll be sure to have enough food. There you go, 3 free meals in one weekend if you plan it right!!

Also, keep in mind that this Saturday is free museum day nationwide. Click here for a listing:
http://www.smithsonianmag.com/museumday/venues/

To honor our veterans, hundreds of inns and bed and breakfast around the country are offering a free nights stay on Veteran's Day, November 10/11th! What a great way to honor those who serve! Check out the link here: http://www.betterwaytostay.com/current-promotions/bbs-for-vets/

And yet one more freebie this Saturday and also Nov 11-13, over 100 National Parks will open their gates for free! Check out the details: http://www.nps.gov/findapark/feefreeparks.htm

Here's a link to a free subscription of Bass Player Magazine:
http://a388.g.akamai.net/7/388/1603/0001/www.freebizmag.com/fbbassplayer01welcome.htm

Thanks for voting! I am truly shocked at how well I am doing. I really didn't ever expect to make it this high up the scoreboard, and that is all your doing, whoever you are. Thank you so much! If nothing else, it's just a fun ride getting this far: http://www.cheapsally.com/profile/tricia-cliff/

Fighting Poverty 101

2011-09-19T13:26:00.000-07:00

I've always had mixed emotions about the arbitrary lines our government draws concerning the "poverty level." Given the fact that our very poorest have so much more than many third world countries, it seems a slap in the face of humanity in general. Also, so much of the current welfare system in our country relies on these arbitrary lines drawn in the proverbial sand, causing hundreds to "work the system." Why get a better job when that will cause me to get less aid? Have you seen the movie Million Dollar Baby? It is a poignant scene when the star of the show, Maggie (played by Hilary Swank) earns enough money boxing to buy her mother a home and help her out of destitution, only to have her ungrateful mother refuse to sign the papers because she won't be able to get her welfare check anymore. I suppose there are those who would say this wouldn't happen in real life; they are wrong. I know some of them personally.

Most of you know that I grew up in rural Maine; this was and still remains a very economically depressed area. I didn't have hot running water until I was in middle school, I qualified for free lunches and my dad--and many other men--poached deer and other wildlife to put meat on the table. Still, we had more than many other neighbors, some of whom don't have indoor plumbing even now, and never, ever did I consider myself poor. I never remember being hungry, cold or without basic necessities. It wasn't until I applied for college and had to fill out financial aid forms that I discovered that I had grown up "in poverty." Yet, my parents were always generous to everyone around them. In other words, neighbors helped neighbors.

"Last week, the Census Bureau released new figures showing that nearly one in six Americans lives in poverty, a record 46.2 million people. The poverty rate, pegged at 15.1 percent, is the highest of any major industrialized nation, and many experts believe it could get worse before it abates." (from Yahoo News)

So there are those numbers again, telling us who is poor and who isn't. And the bottom line is, it's not going away soon, regardless of where we draw the line. So what can we do? Well, personally, I don't have to look very far to find someone I can help. I know many on a very personal level who can use a hand right now.In some respects, this is why I write this blog: to help others find creative ways to save money. And also to find creative ways to be grateful, because no matter how little you have, I can guarantee you that somewhere in this big old world, somebody has less.

So my goal this week is to find a different, concrete way to help someone each day. I have some ideas, and I won't blog about them because this is really a personal issue, but I do challenge my readers to help someone this week, even just one time, regardless of how strapped you are financially. Maybe you can't give money, but could donate a few hours at the homeless shelter or give a bag of clothes to a family you know who may need them.

I really think this is the heart of the American spirit, or at least it used to be. And if a neighbors can help neighbors, we'll get through this thing called "recession!!" Happy Giving!!

As always, thanks for voting for me! I'm up to #20 in the nation, second in the state. You all are the best!!
http://www.cheapsally.com/profile/tricia-cliff/

Follow me!

2011-09-17T16:16:00.000-07:00

Thankful and Thrifty:

What a beautiful, cool fall day! The whole family ran in a 5K race to benefit the heart center at my hospital. My men folk did great! Me? Well, I was just glad to finish and very happy that the money was going to a good cause.

Sometimes friends want me to teach them how to save money, and I wish that they could just follow me around for a couple of weeks, because, well, that would just be easier. Here are a few examples from my money saving day:

I picked up 5 loaves of whole wheat bread at the Merita Bakery Outlet for 80 cents a loaf.

I stopped at the library to return and pick up books and movies. Why rent? Hundreds of options available.

I had to pick up a few items at Wal-Mart. I had coupons for free scalloped potatoes and BOGO La Creme coffee creamer, which made it cheaper than generic half and half. I was craving a beef stew and have not seen a good sale on beef lately. I didn't really find one either, but I did manage to snag a small package of steak with a mark down sticker on it. I went heavy on the celery, potatoes and carrots. Served with hot cornbread no one seemed to notice the scant amount of meat. I also made "chocolate chip" cookies with a bag of crumbled chocolate candy that I bought at the salvage store for 75 cents. Chocolate chips are getting so expensive.

I spent a couple of hours with my cousin again, redressing the hands. I love to listen to stories about life during the great depression, which was our subject of choice today. I realized as I listened how few people there are left who actually lived through it. I am blessed to know some of them. They have so much to teach us.

The boys and I are getting ready to snuggle under fleece blankets (I have a rule that I won't use the furnace before October 1...my husband doesn't always obey the rule:) and watch a movie! Cheap family entertainment.

Thanks for the votes www.cheapsally.com/profile/tricia-cliff/!

Freebie Friday! Gratitude continued...Dunrobin Castle

2011-09-16T18:14:00.000-07:00

Thankful.

It wasn't that before our car accident I was an ungrateful sot, and it certainly wasn't that I didn't believe in God before then, it's just that something changed that day, and I am better because of it. My husband read a quote a few years back, I think it was by Chuck Swindoll, and while I don't remember the exact wordage, the gist of it was that you can measure a person's maturity in general (and particularly maturity in Christ) by how grateful they are, i.e. gratitude is the surest sign of a true relationship with God. Wow. I am so not there yet. I fail everyday...but like the great apostle Paul, I am learning to be content, and it is best learned in times of adversity. But we do have to learn this gratitude thing. Day by day. Hour by hour. Moment by moment. Because everything in us leans to selfishness.

And so, I really thought I was on to something fresh and new. I've been pondering the whole subject quite often these last few months (and years). This fall, just when I thought I'd have time, energy and enough thoughts to start really blogging about it, my husband gives me Ann Voskamp's New York Time's Best Seller, One Thousand Gifts, for my birthday this summer. He meant it to be a validation of what I was doing; he thought it was the perfect gift--but oh no, poor guy, it made me mad. I picked it up and read a page or two...and doggone if Miss Ann wasn't saying everything I wanted to say, and rather than feel validated, I felt dejected. I still haven't read it, isn't that crazy?? Ungrateful for someone elses gratefulness. The irony. Moment by moment.

So today, I'm thankful.
I'm thankful for not having to turn the furnace on...yet.
Thankful for a bag of bruised and shriveled apples that I turned into a delightful apple crisp.
Thankful for my cousin--90 years young. Today I went to his house to bandage his dog-bitten hands. We talked about the Sutherlands of Maine, in the area where we grew up. My great-great grandfather was a Sutherland. It's my dad's middle name, my son's also. So he tells me that this Sutherland crew came from Scotland. In fact, they are from Clan Sutherland, who happen to own this: Dunrobin Castle:

Yep, that's right. One of the most visited castles in Scotland today and it belongs to my kin. OK, so my cousin also told me that the Sutherlands had a rather sordid reputation; they ran off some of their own clan, burned their homes, and put them on ships to...you guessed it...New England. And my NE branch was dirt poor. But it's still a pretty nice thing to know.

Thrifty.

Free Photo Journal (pay shipping) with the code WRITEITDOWN: http://www.papercoterie.com/promo/journals/

Free facebook sample of Infusium hair treatment:

https://www.facebook.com/infusium?sk=app_243900285654652

Free sample of Prilosec OTC: https://prilosecotc.hostedwebform.com/?src=Jtyipj&id=CD1554#form

Free sample of Bragg seasonings. Look on the left side of the page for the link: http://bragg.com/

Here's a link for a $10 rebate on the purchase of $50 worth of certain P&G products. This isn't that great in and of itself, but if you combine it with the $10 off $30 that drugstores are having right now (Walgreens this week) AND use sales and coupons, you can easily get 50-75% off! It's good until 10/31 http://www.pgpinkrebate.com/pink_rebate.pdf

And lastly...don't forget to vote today....thanks!

http://www.cheapsally.com/profile/tricia-cliff/

The beginning of deliberate gratitude.

2011-09-15T08:20:00.000-07:00

Thankful.

I can tell you the exact moment when it happened, my first brush with living this life of true gratitude. I remember it so distinctly because it was such a shock. I was sitting beside my third child (in photo) in the emergency room at Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital in Cleveland, Ohio. He had just drifted off to sleep, or at least into a drug induced stupor, as the morphine surged its way through his veins, calming the pain of a cracked vertebrae and a possible internal rupture...somewhere. My only daughter was in surgery, face smashed, back broken and bowels ruptured. My oldest and youngest sons were in adjoining rooms, one with a massive cut across his face and back fractures and both with (what we thought at the time) internal ruptures of their own. My husband had just been taken down for x-rays on an obviously broken hand. I leaned my head back against the wall. I don't remember having any thoughts at all. I guess I was in shock. We had been travelling to Michigan to visit family. It was Christmas Eve, 2008. We hit ice. We hit a cement wall. And in a 15 seconds, life changed. At this point, it had been about 5 hours since the wreck, and we had been transferred to this hospital. I had been told that all the children and my husband would be going to surgery. I didn't know anyone from Cleveland and we were 5 hours from the closest family and 8 hours from our NC home. I pulled off my boot, finally realizing my foot hurt. My sock was bloody. I quickly tucked it into my purse, wiping off the blood. No time for that. I leaned my head back again.

As I sat there, I became very aware of God's presence, and it was the strangest sensation because I wasn't praying or seeking or questioning; I wasn't sad or angry or hysterical, in fact I was incredibly calm. I am not by nature a "mystical" type person. I don't seek signs or wonders, but I do believe that God in Christ is very real and meets us where we are. At that moment I can only say that three unrequested thoughts entered my mind: I AM here, I AM sovereign, and I AM very, very good. What? I sat up and looked around. I had who often struggles with the goodness of God, especially when "bad things happen to good people." A doctor came in, my husband was back, they were "reducing" his fingers in the next room, my youngest son was asking for me; I stopped to see my oldest on the way to the youngest.

The next 40 hours were a blur. Surgery after surgery. Doctor after doctor. 4 kids in the PICU on Christmas day, getting presents from people they didn't even know. It took time to process my ER awakening. To see it for what it was...a test, a gift, a thing of beauty that changed me from the inside out. About 3 days into the 21 day vigil, my husband and I had time to talk...and pray. We knew. We had to praise God though this whole thing even though we didn't know what the outcome was going to be. "Don't waste the car wreck," became our theme. It was a transformation that was for me both sudden and gradual, but months later my husband would say, "You've changed. You don't get angry at God anymore."

Angry at God? I didn't think I was. But he was right, and I had changed. And so began the gratitude journey...and this story will have to be continued...

Thrifty.

Yesterday I realized I had a CVS ECB for $5 that was expiring, so I checked http://www.southersavers.com/ for the best deals (and I advice you to always do so before any shop at the "big 3" drugstores), clipped /printed my coupons and made my list. My husband I walked that way last night. I spent $11.00, saved $12, and got back $13 in ECB to use for next time. I purchased toothpaste, tampons, body wash and allergy meds. This is part of my thrifty living. Always picking up the free stuff so I don't have to run out and pay full price.

Always find new ways to save. Even if you think you know them all, read one more book. You'll surely learn something; I know I always do.

Don't forget to keep voting...thanks!
http://www.cheapsally.com/profile/tricia-cliff/

What type of tightwad are you?? Knife Set giveaway coming up!

2011-09-13T13:03:00.000-07:00

I don't know why I've always been fascinated with the economy, I really don't. First thing I look at in the paper is the business section, and it's not because I follow the stock market, I just like to read the headlines. Dow Jones up. Dow Jones down. Housing market halts. Jobs have slight uptick. Consumers still not buying. European market teeters on edge. You know, you see it too. But I'm guessing you don't read it first!

I've always been fascinated with money, and more precisely saving money. I've never had a desire to accumulate a great deal of it, it just has always pricked my interest. My mom used to give me her old check book ledgers to play with on my little white desk before I even went to school...no kidding! Ever since I doubled that first coupon back in Lincoln, Maine at the ripe ol' age of 12 (Anybody remember Wellbys Superdrug, beside Shop & Save?), I could never for the life of me figure out why anyone would pay full price for anything. That's not to say that I never do, it's just that I try awfully hard not to.

Through the ups and downs of the economy, I've noticed that there are several types of frugalistas. Here's my synopsis:

The "I'm only frugal because I have to be and as soon as the money's back, I'm spending!" In my not-so-humble-opinion, these aren't tightwads at all. They don't understand the concept, which is why they are usually in boatloads of debt and only start saving money to be able to spend again. Author Joni McCoy, (Miserly Moms), fits this category.

The "I love to get a deal, but only because I like really nice things and I want to buy more of them." These are the folks who still want to look rich, but don't want to spend lavishly. They appreciate the finer things in life and would rather have one really nice item than 5 generic alternatives. They generally shun debt. Authors Mary Hunt (Debt Proof Living), Marjorie Harris (Thrifty) and Dave Ramsey (Total Money Makeover) belong here.

The "Green is good, I am saving the world by being thrifty." This is a bigger movement than I'm sure I am aware of, but there are hundreds of blogs out there on the subject. These are the folks who will spend extra to buy organic and who wouldn't be caught dead with a Teflon frying pan. They are thrifty because they don't want to use precious resources, but it's really not about spending less, it's about consuming less. Thrifty Green by Priscilla Short fits here.

The "I'm so cheap I'll do things that border on illegal just to save a buck." Now, IMHO, these guys sometimes go too far. I take great pains to try to be "above board" in all I do. John Hoffman (The Art and Science of Dumpster Diving) lives in this group. I have to admit, the book is funny...and yes, I've been a diver on a couple of occasions!

The "I'm living in grinding poverty and see no way out." This is truly the saddest place to be, because I believe there is a way out (at least in our county), but it's not an easy road and requires much work. I have seen this first hand (up close and personal) growing up in rural Maine.

The "I'm just thrifty because I like to be. I appreciate nice things, but I can do without them because I have greater goals in mind, and debt is the REALLY bad 4 letter word." This would be the Jeff Yeager (The Ultimate Cheapskate), Amy Dacyzyn (The Tightwad Gazette) and Steve & Annette Economides (America's Cheapest Family) crowd. Oh, and this would be me! So, of course, I'm a little partial to this brand of tightwad.

Now, obviously there is overlapping involved and sometimes folks move from one category to another, but no matter which way you slice the frugal pie, there's enough thrift to go around. And you can even have a cup of coffee with it (make mine generic!) In which category are you?

I haven't had a giveaway in quite some time, and have decided to set a goal. Right now I am at approximately 205 subscribers and 57 followers. If I can make it to 300 (combined) by October 1, I will randomly select one person to receive a brand new 14 piece knife set!

This will coincide with the beginning a great shoe drive I am planning to be a part of. The greater frugal blogging community is "pairing" up with http://www.soles4souls.com/ and http://www.flipflopwines.com/ (I know, a little weird, apparently because of their name, they are sponsoring the drive) to collect shoes to give to some of the world's poorest people. There is a contest involved (surprise) to see who can collect the most, but really, I'm just doing this one to help clean out my closet! My collection will run the entire month of October. So, while you're doing your fall clean-out, save a few pairs of shoes for me!! More info will follow.

And thanks to you, my blogger friends, I am advancing nicely in the Bring Home the Bacon Contest. Thanks so much for your votes of confidence, 3rd in state, 33rd overall. You really have no idea what this means to me! http://www.cheapsally.com/profile/tricia-cliff/

Unsettled...but thankful for the free stuff!

2011-09-12T09:54:00.000-07:00

I have that unsettled feeling I get sometimes....don't like it, not one little bit...but I've learned (scratch that...am learning) that feelings are just feelings and I can choose what to do with them. Sooooo, I talked with my big sis, purveyor of sanity and sage advise, had a great time in the good book, prayed for wisdom (that's a constant) and now I'm dusting off my lazy self and my living room furniture, hanging my sheets on the line, going for a 3 mile run, returning a movie to the library, making dinner for my 90-year-old cousin who got his hands mauled by a dog he was trying to adopt, and then I'll pick up my boys, and go in to work for a 12 hour night shift thankful for a job as my hospital just cut 63 positions!

God is good...all the time! Here are some great freebies for you:

Free Kleenex cool touch sample: http://samples.target.com/

Free sample of Biker Bull leather therapy restorer:
http://www.leathertherapy.com/products/Biker-Bull-Sample.html

Free sample of Crest white strips: https://www.pgeverydaysolutions.com/pgeds/crest/brandsampler-login.jsp

Facebook sample of Purina ONE catfood:
https://www.facebook.com/PurinaOne?sk=app_257522817599738

Do you live near a World Market? Sign up for their "Explorer rewards and get freebies on your birthday and free coffee!! https://www.worldmarketexplorer.com/benefits/

Thanks for keeping up the votes!
http://www.cheapsally.com/profile/tricia-cliff/

September 11, 2011, Lest we Forget

2011-09-11T17:29:00.000-07:00

"Blessed be your name, on the road marked with suffering

When there's pain in the offering, blessed be your name."

10 years later:

"Blessed be your name, when the sun's shining down on me

When the world's all as it should be, blessed be your name."

"Every blessing you pour out, I'll turn back to praise,

When the darkness closes in Lord, still I will say:

Blessed be the name of the Lord."

Matt Redmon

"Tryin' to get down to the heart of the matter..." 4 new freebies!

2011-09-10T14:23:00.000-07:00

Thankful.

All Truth is God's Truth, and can show up in the most unexpected places. Don Henley wrote a song in 1989, called "Heart of the Matter." The chorus is as follows:

"I've been tryin' to get down to the heart of the matter,

But my will gets weak,
And my thoughts seem to scatter,
But I think it's about forgiveness,
Forgiveness,
Even if, even if you don't love me anymore."

And you know what I think? I think Henley hit the nail right on the head. It really is all about forgiveness, forgiveness whether of not the one who "dun you wrong" ever acknowledges your attempts. I've carried a lot of bitterness around at times. You understand, I'm sure? Someone you care about deeply does something so hideously hurtful that you wonder who they even are. Everything in you screams, "HOW DARE YOU!!" And you revel in the pain. I know I do. I want to feel miserable and I want them to know that I feel miserable. "If you did this to me, missy, you're gonna feel the scorn." Been there, thought that.
I can carry it for a good long while, too, and the longer I carry it, the more justified I feel; the more I really believe that they should never be forgiven.

But then it creeps in. That niggling reminder that I have been just as hideous. I remember past offenses. The times when the words rushed forth and I couldn't take them back. The phone call I should never have made; the letter I regretted the moment it dropped it in the slot. The murderous thoughts of the heart that would shock those who know me.

So I push back. "Surely when I hurt him, it was deserved," I rationalize. I refuse to acknowledge the truth. I read, "But if you do not forgive men their sins, your father will not forgive you, " Obviously that applies to everyone except me. If I don't consciously think that, I certainly live it by my actions.

Who am fooling? I am hurting myself and everyone around me by my selfish acts of unforgiveness. It is no accident that steps 8, 9 and 10 of Alcoholics Anonymous all have to do with "making amends." Forgiveness is the most powerful tool in the universe. It is what brings us to Christ,after all, and if He can forgive me, bloody, wretched mess that I am, who I am to hold on to any bitterness at all? Who am I to think that I can have any true relationship with a forgiving Savior if I can't just let it go?

Thrifty.

Some free samples for you:

Facebook sample of Green Mountain Coffee: https://www.facebook.com/GreenMountainCoffee?sk=app_263225643702946

Free sample of Emergen-C Kidz http://www.emergenc.com/kidz-samples

Free Teasta Tea samples: http://www.teasta.com/free-samples

Free one year subscription to Making Music magazine: https://secure.makingmusicmag.com/subscribe/subscribe_form_captcha.php?f=ContCirc&p=2

And once again, if you like my blog, I'd love your vote! Thanks!!
http://www.cheapsally.com/profile/tricia-cliff/

A grief of one's own...finding mama's mittens.

2011-09-09T10:39:00.000-07:00

Thankful.
It happened again this week. There I was in the drug store, running a bit frantic as usual, trying to get one last errand in, my mind scattered. Then I saw her, all 5 feet of her stooped little gray-haired self, holding on to her shopping cart for balance and looking not only lost, but for all the world just like my mother did a year ago, white tennis shoes and all, the very last time I took her shopping. Mom had just lost everything she owned in a fire--knowing she was dying of cancer--she didn't even know what to buy except for her prescriptions. What did she need after all? My throat constricted and I felt dizzy. I didn't know whether to hug her or run as I stood there trying to gain some balance of my own. I ran. Salty tears pelted my tank top as I stepped back through the door, lifting my face to the deep blue sky and letting the breeze dry my blotchy face. The day before it had happened too. I was digging in my dresser, trying to find a t-shirt when my hand landed on the wooly, gray mittens. I pulled them out, remembering that I had hid them there last year, not wanting the kids to use them any more. Mom wouldn't be there--ever again--to knit a replacement pair. I fingered the moth hole and all the patches she had stitched; I held them to my heart (because that's what we do with things we love); I inhaled deeply though they've been washed a hundred times, trying to get one last scent of her. Grief certainly has a way of catching us when we don't want to take the time for her. I'm sure my interludes with her are exacerbated by my own daughter's going off to college (I can't even find solace cuddled up on the couch watching Pride and Prejudice!) and the fast approach of the one year anniversary of mom's passing.

And then there's Autumn. It's that time of year that I love. Autumn. Blue, brilliant skies and leaves that shock me every year. Autumn. Pumpkins lined up on doorstops and air with a bit of a chill. It has always been my favorite season, and yet, it has become the season that I more and more associate with loss. The only grandmother I knew died in October, my father died in late August (fall if you are a Mainer), my favorite Uncle on October 23, and most recently, my mom on October 13. Just when the colors are brightest in Maine. Last year I sat in a big Adirondack chair in front of Care Ridge Estates in Lee, Maine, sobbing as the sun came up on the frosted trees and illuminated them in all their brilliant glory. It was pre-6am and my older brother was inside, having stopped on his way to work. I woke to his sitting there at the foot of Mom's bed. I had pulled the recliner so close I could rest my head on her pillow, smell that death-smell that I am so familiar with as a nurse, and hold her hand as the blood flowed slower and slower. He was sipping coffee, teary-eyed himself. We didn't have to have words to communicate. And so I went to get my own cup of liquid adrenaline and stopped for a moment to get the tears out for awhile. But they never stop. Not really, and I don't think they should. We were made to cry, to release all that we can't possibly hold inside. It feels good, doesn't it, when you finally let the ache loose this way? What a gift in a fallen world. Someone once told me that it matters not your age when your parents die, you are still an orphan.

So bring it on autumn, it all your glorious splendor, and I will be thankful for the beauty of you and the ache you bring when I feel the frost on my nose and see the trees light up again. That ache...it's really gratitude wrapped in a different blanket. Because we wouldn't have the ache if we hadn't had love in the first place.

Thrifty.

Need a cup of tea with that grief? Here's a great chance to get some free Twinings samples:
http://www.twiningsusa.com/pantry/

And also, if you like my blog, I'd LOVE your daily vote (may sure to vote for triciacliff, not Patricia Cliff, thanks) :
http://www.cheapsally.com/profile/tricia-cliff/

Free book and more & Couchsurfing (not as bad as it sounds!)

2011-09-03T14:27:00.000-07:00

As I mentioned in an earlier post, there seems to be quite a lull in the freebie world lately, but here are a few for you to pick up:

Here's another opportunity to get a free book: http://www.isaiah53.com/ I think the title pretty much gives it away!

Free sample of Huggies diapers from Sam's Club, no membership # needed:
http://www5.samsclub.com/showcase/KC-Baby-Showcase.aspx

Free sample of Rachel Ray's dogfood:
http://nutrish.rachaelray.com/switchto/just6

Also, I generally don't promote too many sweepstakes, but for my readers who are in range of Irving heating fuel/propane, here's a chance to win a year's supply, and with costs going up, I would LOVE to see one of you win! One entry per household.
http://www.irvingenergy.com/freeheat/

Here's an interesting website for the true cheapskates amongst us. http://www.couchsurfing.org/ Basically, this is a site for folks who don't mind the old-fashioned way of seeing new places--staying in other people's homes! Personally, I like this way best. There's no better way to get to know a new place than to stay with the locals! There are lots of safety nets in place on the site, and it's a worldwide network which has been highlighted on CNN, Time and The New York Times. I have not personally signed up YET, but I can see my husband and I doing this is the future. I may also sign up to be a host for now. Speaking of host...we do love to have people stay in our home, and I welcome any of my readers to do just that! Just give me at least a days notice:) We also love to stay with other families. We have found, having 4 kids ourselves, that generally speaking, the larger the family, the more apt they are to let you stay with them! I guess that's because we lots-o-kids families know that it doesn't have to be stressful and our kids don't mind camping on the floor in a sleeping bag. So, if you're up for an adventure, check it out!

Now, on to my last item of the day. Those of you who follow me on facebook may have noticed that I am currently competing in another challange; this time the prize is getting paid to blog! I would love this opportunity, but I'm also very realistic. I enter contests often, but if and when it becomes apparent that I can't win, I don't push it, I bow out graciously. (This happened with the school computer lab contest, by the way). That being said, this voting period goes on for 3 MONTHS!! Crazy. After the first 2 months, the top 5 contestants from each state will compete for first in each state for another month and then those top 50 compete in a "find the best deal" challenge. If my blog has meant something to you personally or helped you in some way, I'd appreciate your vote...and you can do so DAILY. Right now I am 6th in NC and 99 overall (out of 1995 contestants) but anyone can still sign up. SOOOOOO, if after a few weeks it appears pointless, you'll not read about it again! Thanks...vote here:
http://www.cheapsally.com/profile/tricia-cliff/ (should just be two clicks!)

Basic Muffin Recipe (you decide what to add...)

2011-09-01T17:00:00.000-07:00

It's been a good day. I worked a 12 hour shift last night, so I came home and fell, exhausted, on the living room sofa. It was not my intention to stay there, but I woke up about 5 hours later. This is a blessing in itself because I--who never used to have trouble sleeping in the day--have not been able to sleep lately, so today was a blessing indeed. I woke up to the mailman stuffing freebies in my box, can't beat that.

I decided to use the new Samy FAT hair color that I got for 99 cents after a sale, +UP reward and internet coupon. The box said "dark blond." I think not. However, I am satisfied with the coverage; that is to say, my gray is invisible at the moment. Certainly worth the 99 cents and it saved me a trip to the salon, shoot, I even did my laundry during the process! I'll take practicality over pampering.

I've been thinking much about the costs of cooking vs. eating out. It is very tempting to lie to ourselves in this regard. I remember a lab tech who worked at our hospital quite a few years back. Anna (named changed to protect the guilty) loved to pick up her meal on the way to work, and generally speaking, it wasn't Mickey Ds. One day she was eating with us and I pulled out my tuna sandwich with an apple on the side. Anna looked me straight in the eye and said, "It's so much cheaper for me to eat out! I'm a single lady. Do you know how much it would cost me to buy all the ingredients for this shrimp dinner and cook it myself?" Now, I had a choice at this moment, and I decided I wasn't going to make much headway with Anna. I knew her too well. I wanted to explain that yes, her initial outlay for ingredients would most likely be more expensive, but she'd have enough for 5 meals! I might have told her that instead of buying the $8 dinner...she could have packed a 50 cent dinner like mine. Less bucks, less calories, more nutrients. But I didn't say any of this; Anna wasn't ready for it, because Anna was lying to herself and she really didn't want to hear the truth.

Confession: I lie to myself about this also. I was all but convinced that my new fav fast food, Lil' Caesar's large pepperoni pizzas for 5 bucks, couldn't be made for less. I mean, with grocery costs being what they are these days, how could it not be so? Then I did the math. I pulled out my receipts and calculated the actual cost of ingredients: flour (even whole wheat purchased at Ollies for 20 cents a pound), yeast, oil, sauce, cheese, pepperoni, etc; I can still make a large pizza for around 3 bucks. Obviously, my version is healthier to boot. OK, so what's the lesson here? Never eat out? No! Just don't try to tell me (or yourself) that's it's cheaper.

Here's a recipe to get you started. Muffins are incredibly easy and versatile. I usually use half whole wheat flour in mine. When we have muffins, that's the meal. It's not muffins plus something else.

Basic Muffin Recipe
2 cups flour (or sub 1 cup with oatmeal, cornmeal, whole wheat or other dry ingredients)
1/4 cup sugar (or sub splenda, honey or leave out all together)
1 TBS baking powder (or 1 tsp each of baking soda and baking powder)
1/2 tsp salt (may be eliminated)
1 egg
1 cup milk (or buttermilk, cream, fruit juice of even water in a pinch)
1/4 cup oil (or use half oil and half fruit puree, like applesauce or pumpkin)

Serve plain or get creative! Add nuts, dried fruit, chocolate chips, spices...you get the idea. If you are adding a lot of say, dried apricots, you may need to use a tad less flour. Play around until you get your favorite.

Bake at 350 degrees until golden, about 20 minutes. I use cupcake liners and spray the bottom of the paper. Easy clean up and the muffins don't stick! And no, they aren't cheaper at your friendly neighborhood yuppie mart.

Reserve your free Chick-fil-A breakfast!

2011-08-31T11:46:00.000-07:00

Thankful.

Cooler fall weather = that wonderful time of year between AC and furnace bills.
Frustrations with children/husband...because, you know, I have them, and I'm not so perfect either.
Iridescent bubbles that float in front of me and land on my nose when I squeeze the dish soap just right.
The little cornflower blue posies in our window box. I smile when I see them.
Reading. And kids who love books. I quote my son, "Mom, my friend (I won't use names to protect the guilty) told me he hates to read." He said this with incredulous, wondering disbelief. Made my day.

Thrifty.

I have noticed that there has been a lull in freebie land lately. There haven't even been as many great rebates at the "Big 3" (WAGS, RA, CVS). Maybe the economy is finally hitting even these areas. Anywho...as a result, I've been checking out more contests, reading prolifically and thinking about all the great, cheap home improvements I could be making if I would just start doing them instead of daydreaming about them. Hmmm.

Here's a great deal to tide you over though: Chick-fil-A is offering a totally free breakfast entree! I truly think they have some of the best food give-aways in the biz! Here's the link. If it doesn't work, keep trying. I had to go back several times: http://www.chick-fil-aforbreakfast.com/. yummmmm:)

New title, same ol' me.

2011-08-30T10:41:00.000-07:00

Thankful.

Silver-white puff clouds in a Northern-blue, clear blue, fall-blue, sky-blue, blue-blue sky.
A peerless, crazy daughter who is thriving at Grove City College, a college I wholeheartedly admire.
Three sons who are running their hearts (and sneakers) out in Cross Country this fall.
A husband who loves God and his family and works hard to provide for us.
A part-time job that allows me great flexibility.
A smooth transition for a Korean boy who will call us family for the next 9 months.
Libraries. The smell of the books. The ideas. The cool interior on hot days.
Tough economic times that by default teach us to be thankful for good economic times.
Droopy Dahlias against red clay brick walls.

Thrifty (It's just a part of me...)

This morning I drank my generic Wal-Mart coffee with free-after-double coupon Bailey's Coffee Creamer. After spending a good hour in the good book--doused by occasionally interrupted prayer--I donned my bought-at-yard sales running clothes/shoes and walked to the library where I picked up Jeff Yeager's new book, "The Cheapskate Next Door." (According to the book, cheapskates next door borrow their books from the library, they don't buy them. Sales haven't been so great.) I hung a load of sheets washed in cold water with $1.99-after-coupon detergent and free from http://www.vocalpoint.com/ (sign up if you haven't) Downy Unstoppables. (I'll just add here that this product works great and I love the smell, but I would never pay full price for it.) I entered some Staples rebate information into the computer, looked over the mail which came with 2 free magazines, Splenda samples and a coupon for a free can of cat food. Then I made a frozen Palermo's goat cheese and spinach pizza, purchased with...do I even need to tell you? It was cheap. And also the best frozen pizza I have ever had, but again, I would never pay full price, because, well...that's not who I am. This is my day so far. I am going to return a few items I decided I didn't need, make chicken and rice for supper, clean the downstairs bedrooms and pick up my kids after cross country practice. Tonight--maybe--I'll watch a DVD from my collection that I've seen a dozen times before because I know I'll like it and I don't feel like wandering aimlessly at Family Video. Then I'll go to sleep in my line-dried, Downy-smelling, April fresh sheets and get up at 6:10 am to repeat, with the exception of a night shift at the hospital at the end of the day.

This is my happier-than-I deserve-to-be life! Follow me on my journey!

Thankful and Thrifty? Free full size cat litter and dog food!

2011-08-09T19:50:00.000-07:00

I'm currently revamping my blog (at least in my mind:) and am thinking of a name change. Perhaps Thankful and Thrifty, or Thankful and Frugal? Any thoughts? I really want to focus on being grateful and seeing God's hand in all of life, but I want to keep up on the frugal side of things also. Let me know what you think...

Here are a couple of great rebate links. The first is for a full size bag of Dr. Elsey's Precious Cat litter:
http://www.preciouscat.com/pdf/Free_Litter_Fax_Form_fill_8-17-06.pdf

And the second is for a 4 pound bag of Ideal Balance Science Diet dog food:
http://www.hillspet.com/ideal-balance/ideal-balance-home.html

I picked them both up at Petsmart tonight.

Today I used my Fantastic Sam's card to get a free haircut (don't worry, I tipped her well:)! It's one of those buy 9 cuts, get the 10th free. It's taken me about 2 years, but I finally did it!! Got some laundry out the line, ran a few errands, canned 7 quarts of tomatoes, pulled up all the old bean and cucumber vines (and am trying to figure out what I can plant for a fall crop), and took my daughter out to dinner with some friends. Quite a productive day.

I finally emailed the All You folks knowing that they had informed the top 3 in the grocery challenge last Friday. I found out that all of the top ten at least get name recognition and a tip in the November issue of All You...pretty cool, eh?? So, I'll keep you informed...but that brings me to another subject: contests!
As you all know, I do enter and have been very blessed to win some great prizes. The All You Challenge was by far the most time consuming, but it really was worth the effort. The bottom line is, you can't win if you don't enter! http://www.freebies4mom.com/ has a sweeps/contest link and this is where I find most of the ones I enter. I don't look/play every day, but when I have the time, I check it out. It's a fun way to get great prizes. Give it a whirl!

Free Sam's weekend, tax free time, & 8 new freebies!!

2011-08-07T12:19:00.000-07:00

If you are in a state that offers a tax free shopping weekend like we are, then August 5-7 means savings for you on back-to-school supplies and clothes. Last year I made the mistake of going to Walmart on Saturday...oh my! It was worse than Black Friday!! I will probably pick up the boys school shoes this weekend, and I am for sure heading out to Sam's Club, where they are hosting an open house, no membership required AND the 10% service fee is waived!! This is a really great deal and I will stock up on lunch meat, cheese and a few other items. Thanks Sam's Club:)

Here's a link to a cute little container. It's supposed to be for Cottonelle toilet paper, but I'm sure you can use your imagination! Use UPC code 3600013396: https://www.cottonelle.com/respect-the-roll/roll-cover-offer.aspx

Free sample of John Frieda haircare:
http://instoresnow.walmart.com/enhancedrendercontent_ektid99801.aspx?POV=RootAwakening

Free sample of Beneful dog food; look for link on lower left of first slide:
http://instoresnow.walmart.com/enhancedrendercontent_ektid82797.aspx#/home

"Like" Activia on facebook and get a coupon for free yougurt:
https://www.facebook.com/Activia?sk=app_236653369701957%20%20

Free sample of Bolt Energy tablets: http://boltsample.com/?promoLink=16570

Free Eucerin sample: https://www.facebook.com/EucerinUS?sk=app_150701131641056

Free sample of Neurogize enegry tablets: https://www.neurogize.com/?aff=172&c1=#anchor

Free and Cheap Meat Deals!

2011-08-03T14:44:00.000-07:00

Hello blogger friends:

Wanted to let you in a few deals on meat, since they are so hard to come by.

Sav-a-Lot: This week at Sav-a-Lot, boneless, skinless chicken breast is only $1.49 a pound. They also have brats, smoked sausage, Oscar Meyer Weiners/Bologna all for 99 cents a pound. All grapes are 99 cents # and green peppers are 3/$1! Fantastic prices, but it gets better! If you have never signed up before, go to this link and you can get a coupon for $5 off $25 purchase: http://www.savealotsavings.com/

Earth Fare has a great coupon for free mozarella cheese with any $5 purchase: http://www.earthfare.com/Welcome-Home.aspx?item=%2fwelcome-home%2fweekly-reward&user=extranet%5cAnonymous&site=earthfare
And again, if you have never signed up on their website, you will need to do this first (that screen will pop up).When you do, as a welcome gift, you will get a coupon for a FREE whole chicken OR a box of veggie burgers with a $10 purchase! I have to go by this store tomorrow, so I'm looking to this shop...free cheese AND free chicken, mmmmm!

Here's a very rare coupon for $2 off any pork ribs at any store that takes coupons (from the National Pork Council):
http://bricks.coupons.com/Start.asp?bt=vi&tqnm=yg5jahh46504114&o=89669&c=SV&p=q52sf1PG

Harris Teeter will be having super doubles again next week, starting on the 10th. That means they double any coupon up to $1.98 in value. I knew that you could get rainchecks on items that are not in stock (popular items sell out in a matter of hours), but I didn't realize that the rainchecks have no expiration. Soooooo, since HT has these events every 4-6 weeks, the smart thing to do if you have a coupon with a long expiration is to wait and use the raincheck at the NEXT event, when no one else will be buying those items! This week HT has bone in breast for 99 cents and milk for $2.97!

Free book and granola bar!

2011-07-30T11:11:00.000-07:00

Here's a link for a great new free book for you: www.gfa.org/wm "Be among the first to read this gripping narrative that displays the redemptive power of God among the most fragile. This next great wave of transformation is changing the lives of children, their families and entire communities. Filled with riveting stories of God's redeeming love. Your heart will rejoice as you share in their triumph. This dynamic book will open your eyes to an amazing move of God."

And here's a link for free Kashi cereal or bar: http://www.kashi.com/kidfriendlyfoods

I had a great birthday...worked from 7-1, went to see our good friends the Gaskills off at the airport (Rwanda bound!) and then Mike took me out for dinner. I had a coupon for one restaurant that ended up being out of business, so we went to Giannos...and it was very tasty:). Mike also bought me the book 1000 Gifts, by Ann Voskamp. It's a keeper. I can tell that much and I've only read a tiny bit. She focuses on gratitude and finding reasons to thank God no matter where you are or what circumstances you are in. As my regular readers know, this is an area of my life that I constantly need help in. Why is it that our natural inclination is to grumble and complain? I truly believe that "God lives in the praise of His people;" I have seen the evidence in my own life. When I consciously force myself to thank Him in the midst of trauma/difficulty, when I find reasons to praise Him regardless, I change, even when the circumstances don't. And this is what Mrs. Voskamp shows us....so pick up a copy at the library!

I'm an All You semi-finalist!

2011-07-28T19:29:00.000-07:00

I came home from a 12 hour shift today to find an email that I officially made it to the top 10 in the All You grocery challenge!! I am still pumped! When I found out that there were over 7000 entries last year and even more expected this year, I figured I didn't have a shot in the dark. So, to those who followed and cheered me on, thanks! I send in all my receipts tomorrow and will find out if I make the top 3 by August 5th, but either way, I am just totally stoked to have even made it this far. And tomorrow is my 43rd birthday...so happy birthday to me:)

Here's a look at the freebies I got on Tuesday:

The Soyjoy bar, Crest, Scope, floss and firearm safety video were mail freebies...the 2 tapas servers and sponge were free after that sweet $10/$10 coupon for Pier 1 (regularly $23.00...I paid a few cents in tax). Then I had coupons for free Phenom Coconut water, full size Pantene, & Lipton tea. The IAMS catfood was almost free after a $5.00 off coupon. The beautiful moth?? I found him deceased outside the Pier 1 store--for someone with a bug collection, it was like Christmas! (I know, I'm weird.) I LOVE this hobby!!

Yesterday, I helped my daughter set up her first checking account that included her life's savings and about $300 dollars more for her first college semester. She was feeling pretty excited ("reckless" was her word, actually) until she wrote the first two checks to her college. All of a sudden, looking up all her textbooks on http://www.half.com/ and going to Edward McKays to compare prices became very important to her. (Half.com won, by the way). I love it when the lightbulb comes on. When I went to bed last night, she was tallying her savings. That's my girl!

My boss gave me a b'day card today that said, "It's your birthday, do something CRAZY. Go to a restaurant without a coupon!" (Thanks, Jodi:) As you can see, I have a reputation. I also have a BOGO coupon for my birthday dinner tomorrow night.

God is so good and I am such a blessed woman. Thanks for reading, family and friends!

Good Free Stuff: Pier 1, backpacks, Nivea, paint, dog treats and more

2011-07-25T09:33:00.000-07:00

It's always nice when we've been on vacation to come home to a mailbox full freebies: Honey Nut Cheerios, new Glad Febreeze trash bag, Miracle Whip, can of Alpo (already used:),a coupon for free 8 pk Jif-to-go and full size Downy Unstoppables! The Downy was a http://www.vocalpoint.com/ freebie, and I highly recommend that you become a member if you aren't already. They have the best freebies out there, bar none.

Here's a great coupon for $10 off a $10 purchase at Pier 1. It's only good until July 27, so hurry in! I'm hitting the store this afternoon: http://www.pier1.com/DailyDealy/tabid/953/Default.aspx?utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=Social&utm_campaign=FanAppreciation

If you haven't seen the deal yet, Office Max is once again offering 100% refund (with your max perks card---sign up for free online) on the purchase of one or even TWO backpacks! http://www.officemax.com/ (wait for the backpack ad to scroll by; good this week only). This is a really great deal, and since Staples has only 50% back this week, I'm guessing this might be as good as it's going to get this year. These are really high end backpacks, some retail for $130.00 or more! I did this last year and then used the money back to get ink for my printer and a new shredder. If you don't live near the store, shipping is free for orders over $50.00 online. I do this anyway to save on gas. Also, if you don't have an ebates account yet, go there first: http://www.ebates.com/rf.do?referrerid=94Ggv5UtRDNLQspdeKYU7Q%3D%3D and sign up for an account. You will get 3% of your total back. I love getting my checks from ebates...I go there first for all my online purchases! Also, if you are new to Ebates, you will get a $10.00 gift card just to sign up...good until 7/26.

Here's a link for a free Nivea lotion sample: http://www.allyou.com/coupons-deals/daily-free-samples-00411000069695/free-nivea-sample-00411000072830/

Coupon for free pint of Benjamin Moore paint:
http://www.benjaminmoore.com/portals/bmps_en_ca.portal?_nfpb=true&np=public_site/articles/promotions/promo_arborcoat_pint_sample&_pageLabel=fh_getinspired_ca

Free Shout Wipes sample: http://www.facebook.com/shoutlaundry?ref=ts&sk=app_6009294086

Free sample of Natural Nibbles dog treats: http://naturalnibbles.com/ (look for the link in the lower corner)

Enjoy the rest of July and snag some great freebies:)

Lobstahhhhhh! Conclusion to the All You Challenge: Day 28

2011-07-16T18:38:00.000-07:00

Well, today is the last day of the All You Challenge and I'm really glad that I entered! At the beginning of the four weeks, I set four personal goals:

1. Spend, on average, only half of the allotted amount of $150.00. I ALMOST succeeded: My average was $78.00.
2. Find ways to make healthy changes without too many grumbles from four hearty teenagers who are all runners and very active. This was probably my biggest success, which makes me very happy! Some changes included: substituting water for sweetened drinks and having no dessert or fruit for dessert at the noon meal, buying pretzels or low fat tortillas/chips rather than my high fat weakness, buying lower fat alternatives for mayo, dressings white bread, and butter, baking healthier desserts from scratch (and using low fat ingredients, less sugar and whole wheat flour) instead of relying on cheap but unhealthy prepackaged items: rice pudding, carrot and pumpkin cakes, sugar free jello and angel food cake, and substituting whole wheat/grain bread for white bread.
3. Find ways to do all the month's regular activities without breaking the budget: This included a steak dinner on July 4th, two 2 day trips that required eating out, entertaining friends two times and providing produce for friends, having a birthday party for my son (14 guests!) and perhaps the most difficult-spending a week of vacation time, having some annual not-so-healthy treats (smores, red hotdogs, lobster) and STILL staying on budget. My goal was NOT to delete special things from our diet completely, but rather to eat healthy a majority of the time and then feel no guilt when it came time for treats!!
4. Prove to myself and the naysayers that having teens doesn't mean you can't eat healthy foods on a budget.
Kids live what they learn. Sure it's hard, but you can do anything you put your mind to!

As I mentioned in my blog, I did a victory dance when my kids told me after week 3 that they thought the challenge was already over and that they really hadn't noticed a big change--i.e. I was the one who thought it would be difficult, not them! My husband mentioned just today that he felt we were eating better for the last month. This is a huge success in my books!

When I first started down the road to saving money, I would find myself looking at other savers and would make excuses about why I couldn't do what they do, things like: She doesn't work outside the home; they don't have 4 teenagers, they have a pantry stockpile to fall back on, he has a garden, she uses coupons....you get the idea. Now, instead of making excuses, I ask myself , "Why can't I do that?" And I do. Sure, we live in the city, but we plant a little garden anyway. I don't have time to be an extreme couponer, but I have enough of a stockpile that I could survive for a week on what I have (and I pretty much did!) Yes, I work outside the home, and some weeks it gets a little hectic, but with planning, I can still have home cooked meals most nights. I have realized that excuses are just that, excuses. Maybe I have to turn off the TV for a couple of hours and bake a few things, or stop at an extra store on my way home, but I can make a difference in how my family eats. Now I also know that we can eat healthier for less, and I will continue on the journey. Thanks, All You, for giving me the motivation to take things a step further!!

Last day:
Breakfast: cheerios/oatmeal, coffee, OJ, milk
Lunch/Dinner: family reunion time! I provided a cake, baked beans, lemonade, and potato salad. The best part? My brother provided the lobster and steamed clams---ahhhhhh, what a way to finish the challnege! Thanks, bro:)

Digging into the steamers.

The Sky is Always Bluer; All You Day 27

2011-07-15T16:57:00.000-07:00

I know, I know--you're sick of reading about how great Maine is, but honestly, isn't that sky gorgeous? (I was laying on my back on the shore of the lake when I took this picture.) Absolutely wonderful day; very little humidity and about 75 degrees. Of course, I miss my mom. I think of her often, but there is healing just in being here. Perhaps more thoughts on this later.

I will be updating daily on the All You Grocery Challenge, which runs June19- July16. The Challenge: spend only $25 per person per week or less ($150.00 for my crew) to feed your family, including eating out...but do so in a creative, healthy way. An * denotes our own garden food; (parentheses indicate healthy changes.) Winner gets $1000 and a write up in ALL YOU magazine! Please know that for grocery purchase totals, I round to the nearest dollar.

Day 27

Wow, can't believe that there is only one day left! I picked up a few groceries yesterday at Hannaford:
2 cans of baked beans (easy way out, I know), "crystal light" style lemonade 6 pack (this equals about 35 cents for a 2 liter), 2 bags of Cape Cod chips (I got multi grain and lower fat varieties) 3# of clementines, cake mix for a picnic$15.00 Today I picked up a dozen still-warm -from-the-chicken-eggs from my neighbor for $2.00 and she threw in a pint of homemade strawberry jam to boot (thanks, Melissa!!) I found out the kids had bought some junk food when I wasn't around--two 12 packs of soda, some chips and some gummy worms. Even though this wasn't from my budget (they thought because they bought it it, I didn't have to count it; they actually felt badly after the fact: "We're not going to make you lose the challenge are we???") and even though I don't have a receipt, I'm going to liberally add $16.00 to my total...I think that's only fair, even though I don't think they spent that much.

So my week 4 total is: $71.00

Groceries: $71.00

Hannaford: $36.00
WalMart: $17.00
Neighbor's eggs: $2.00
Kids' purchases: $16.00

Eating Out $0.00!!

This makes my weekly average for the 4 week challenge $78.00!! I'll be honest, my goal was to cut the allotted amount ($150.00) in half. If I wasn't adding in the kid's purchases, I would have made it at $74.00, but overall, I still feel very good about the month. Tomorrow I will write about my conclusions and thoughts for the whole chi-bang.

Brunch: (we slept late) Oatmeal pancakes with sugar free syrup, clementines, OJ, milk, coffee
Dinner: lasagna (I used turkey sausage, spinach and low fat ricotta for a healthier version), green salad, smores on the fire pit, milk

BOGO Starbucks & Free Shampoo, All You Day 26

2011-07-14T10:10:00.000-07:00

Free sample of Garnier Moisture Rescue Gel: http://instoresnow.walmart.com/EnhancedRenderContent.aspx?id=99490&cm_mmc=dt-_-moisture%20rescue-_-walmart-_-sample

Free Starbucks tall drink when you buy VIA iced coffee: http://www.starbucks.com/coffee/via

Free John Frieda product to the first 1000 uploads: https://secure.self.com/magazine/sweeps/0811_john_frieda/entry/long/

I will be updating daily on the All You Grocery Challenge, which runs June19- July16. The Challenge: spend only $25 per person per week or less ($150.00 for my crew) to feed your family, including eating out...but do so in a creative, healthy way. An * denotes our own garden food; (parentheses indicate healthy changes.) Winner gets $1000 and a write up in ALL YOU magazine! Please know that for grocery purchase totals, I round to the nearest dollar.

Day 26 (only 2 1/2 days left!!)

Breakfast (on Mosquito Island): Italian Herb and Cheese Muffins, pepperjack cheese, clementines, boiled eggs, a few blueberries--picked fresh, water, coffee
Lunch: salmon patties, fresh peas (thanks, Jerry!), sugar free jello, water
Dinner: sandwiches at my sister's house (thanks, Bev!)

I think pictures speak louder than words:

toasting hotdogs

ahhhhhhhh

the start of smores....

Can you find the blueberries?

Morning Java

Life in Vactionland: All You Day 24 and 25

2011-07-13T06:47:00.000-07:00

Good Morning Blogger Friends! Absolutely loving my time here in Maine....here's a morning picture for you:

I am acutely aware that the Maine woods is not everyone's cup of tea. We have folks stay in our cabin all the time, and I can tell within 30 seconds what they really thought of the experience. My favorite question: What exactly do you DO there?? Well, what do you mean by that? You don't have to do anything at all, and that's what I like best! In a world filled with constant activity it's very nice to wake up and not have one thing on the agenda...at least that's my opinion. For the last two days, my interent connection has been sporadic--I have to say I was a little disappointed when it came up fine this morning.

And family. It's been so nice to see everyone. Yesterday my brother Doug and Cindi came by...she brought a jar of homemade blackberry jelly. I had to try a spoonful and oh man, was it good! Then in the evening we went to my brother Jerry's house. I brought all the ingredients to make a lasagna but forgot one thing: Mainers are sweltering with the 87 degree temps and my sister-in-law refused to let me use the oven! We had burgers on the grill. Saturday we are having a family reunion. Yes!

Today, we are going on our annual overnight camping trip to Mosquito Island, a tiny dot in the middle of Junior Lake, with nary so much as an outhouse. The whole island is maybe 120 feet long. Cooking is over an open fire pit, which limits what we bring. Again, more foods that I buy once a year:

Day 24(yesterday)
Breakfast: french toast, sugar free syrup, milk, coffee
Lunch: veggie mac and cheese (have you tried this yet? a serving of veggies in every serving of pasta...very good, my kids devoured it), ham, apples
Dinner: (compliments of my bro) burgers/dogs, veggie platter, sugar free carbonated lemonade (this was another new product try from Walmart, 68 cents for a 2 liter, about half the price of soda and none of the calories. There were about 5 different flavors, including pink, cherry and blueberry. Regular lemonade was a hit with my crew.) I made rice crispie squares after promising Judy that the microwave was all that was needed!

Day 25
Breakfast: cheerios and/or fried eggs and toast, OJ, milk, coffee
Lunch: grilled cheese on whole wheat, bananas, water
Dinner: (on Mosquito Island tonight--pics tomorrow) hotdogs roasted on a stick, chips (this is the first bag of chips that I've bought during the entire challenge...a big deal for me because this is my weakness!), clementines, smores, water

Groceries:
Walmart: 2 # hotdogs, hotdog buns, chips, mozarella cheese, eggs, milk, lemonade, margarine, OJ $17.00
Hannaford: 3 pack romaine lettuce, 3# clementines, 1#carrots, ricotta cheese, (turkey sausage), 2 # bananas,
pepper jack cheese, 2 packs bordens sliced cheese $21.00

Maine Church Suppahs.. Pastor Bruce...All You Day 23

2011-07-11T17:48:00.000-07:00

Maine Church Suppers are an interesting phenomenon in that at any given supper, you will find that about half the folks present don't actually attend the church. Churches across the state have suppers for many different reasons: fellowship, outreach, benefits, weddings, not to mention hunter suppers, sportsman suppers, quilting suppers, and my personal all time favorite, bean hole bean suppers! But you get the idea--it's a community event. Such is the case at the Springfield Community Chapel, the church where I grew up. While most churches charge a nominal fee, the Chapel gets all the food from Good Shepherd's Food Bank and in turn hosts free dinners two times a month. I love going when I am home for the summer; I like to help and I like to see everyone...and the dinner is nice also:

Here, our wonderful Pastor, Bruce Swan, not only preaches but cooks and serves. Like many small town Pastors, he serves the community in many capacities including volunteer fire fighter and sled dog driver/breeder. Love you, Pastor Bruce!! Thanks for all you do for the people you love. You preached an awesome sermon yesterday too...I'm still chewing on it!

Spent some wonderful time on the lake in our "new" boat. 2 pairs of loons, a bald eagle and only one other boat on Junior. Here's a look at our boat (thanks Carl and Marge...you were here today also), the sunset on Duck and a path on the property we dream of owning:):

Maine! All You Day 22

2011-07-10T17:21:00.000-07:00

We arrived at our cabin in the great state of Maine last evening about 5:30...a 26 hour power trip; five hours longer than it normally takes. We did stop at a rest area to sleep for a couple of hours, but we managed to not stop at any fast food joints on the way! (OK, I think the kids did pick up a pack of gummy worms at a gas station, but I refused to pay...they used their own money...and they honestly haven't been doing this!!) I packed boiled eggs, ham, colby-jack cheese, pretzels, apples, apple sauce, oranges, buns, whole wheat chocolate chip cookies, water and a Sunny D type drink, and this managed to hold us over. Here's shot at a picnic area in Maine, after the food was mostly devoured. (You will notice Abby's basil plant in the little red cup. She brought it with her so she could nurse it along and use her basil! It obviously needed sun while we ate our lunch) ; the trash can just made me laugh...no dumpstah divin' he-ah:

Day 21 (update) and 22

We had to stop in Lincoln to pick up just a few things. I like to see what I left behind last year for canned goods before I do a big shop, and one of the perks of letting people use our cabin is the food stuffs they leave behind when they know we are coming after them--so to the families that were here over the last few weeks, thanks for the cereal, ice cream/sugar cones, salad stuff, lemons, plums, half and half, OJ, eggs, condiments, Triscuits and whatever else I forgot to mention.

Rite-Aid: smore fixins (graham crackers, hershey bars, marshmellows), 2 gallons milk, apple juice. Since I had a bunch of + UP rewards and coupons, I only paid 42 cents!! Yes, that's right!

Steaks and Stuff Grocery: red dogs, frankfurter buns, eggs: $6.98

As I mentioned, there are things I buy in Maine that I wait all year to have. I seriously considered NOT entering this challenge for this very reason: extra money out and not the healthiest choices. But then I realized that every family must have certain traditions, and the goal (at least for me) is not to ban junk food completely, but to eat healthy the majority of the time so that special treats are even more special! Last night after we unpacked, I made our beloved red dogs--on toasted buns--and balanced it our with my homemade salsa and chips with milk. (I brought a box of NC tomatoes, cucumbers and summer squash with us!!):

My totals for week 3: ($41.00)

Groceries:

Walgreens: $2.00

WalMart: $10.00

Merita Bread Outlet: $4.00

Aldi: $18.00

Rite Aid: 42 cents (rounded $0.00)

Steaks and Stuff: $7.00

Eating Out: only freebies at Chick-fil-A ( I have a funny story to blog about with this...stay tuned:)

Today

Breakfast: cold cereal left here (cheerios, honey bunches of oats, Great Grains), my delish New England Blueberry coffee, milk and apple juice

Lunch: vegetable soup with crackers, ice cream left from our friends stash (thanks Ragans and Thompsons!)

Dinner: spaghetti alfredo, green salad (half was left here, half I brought with us) milk

So much to tell you, but some will have to wait!

Maine or bust! All You Day 20 and 21

2011-07-08T10:42:00.000-07:00

Small House article , All You Day 19

2011-07-07T17:29:00.000-07:00

Here's an interesting article on small houses. I love that Americans are downsizing:)!http://realestate.yahoo.com/promo/sizing-up-pocket-sized-houses.html

All You Day 19

Just a quick update, mostly for my own sake. Just in case you're worried that I'm filling your inbox too much, I won't be blogging daily once this challenge is over. I felt like today was a big victory when I mentioned that we we're almost done with the third week of the challenge and one of my kids said, "Oh, I thought it already ended." That means the subtle healthier changes I have been making are quite OK with the kidlets!!

Breakfast: cold cereal, milk, coffee
Lunch: tuna on wheat, peaches, pretzels
Dinner: Mike and I went to scout camp to visit Lee, so a picnic of ham and cheese with him. The older kids scrounged at home in the leftover section of the frig.

Aldi: box of powdered milk, gallon milk, pretzels, rice crispies, cheese, onions, citrus punch $18.00
Merita bakery outlet: 3 loaves wheat bread, 2 packs hamburger buns: $4.00

Five Fab Freebies!! All You Day 18

2011-07-06T12:34:00.000-07:00

Free Quaker Oatmeal Squares sample: https://www.facebook.com/Quaker?sk=app_162086303857861
Free Purex with Zout sample (check back daily): http://www.freesamplepurex.com/thankyou/
Free Splenda sample: https://www.splenda.com/freesamples/coupon
Free Charmin Roll Extender: https://www.charmin.com/en_US/toilet-paper-holder-roll.php
Free Hearos ear plugs (look for free sample link): http://www.hearos.com/

I will be updating daily on the All You Grocery Challenge, which runs June19- July16. The Challenge: spend only $25 per person per week or less ($150.00 for my crew) to feed your family, including eating out...but do so in a creative, healthy way. An * denotes our own garden food; (parentheses indicate healthy changes.) Winner gets $1000 and a write up in ALL YOU magazine! Please know that for grocery purchase totals, I round to the nearest dollar.

Day 18

So far, I've been doing pretty good with using up what we have and not shopping this week. My freezer and fridge are pathetically bare! I was hoping I could make it until we leave on Friday, but I'm going to run out of milk and will have to make a quick Aldi run. I'll also pick up a few items that are cheaper here than they are in Maine; I always take a few bags of groceries with me. We make our meals while we are there as we have our own cabin, so eating out is still rare. We do, however, buy certain treats every summer that only seem right in Maine: red hot dogs (with buns you can toast), whoopie pies, real maple syrup, steamers, blueberry coffee, and...of course...lobster!!

I have to admit, the not eating out is hitting us a little harder than I thought it would. I think the main reason for this is that it is summer, and we do tend to go out about once a week as a family during the summer months, even if it's just for sundaes at Mickey Ds. We'll get our chance on Friday though, with the Cow Appreciation Day at Chick-fil-A. The kids are already planning their costumes...

Breakfast: sausage, toast with jelly/nutella/honey, milk/coffee
Lunch: chicken salad with apples on whole wheat, watermelon, water
Dinner: Shepherd's pie, watermelon, cukes*, tomatoes*, sugar-free jello, milk/water

Free Cheese and Chick-fil-A, Conspicuous Consumption? All You Day 17

2011-07-05T12:55:00.000-07:00

This morning I read an article in Time magazine by Bill Saporito in which he encouraged "the rich" (one had to assume he wasn't talking about himself, though I'm sure he's quite comfy, particularly as related to world salaries) to spend conspicuously. Consume, consume, consume so the rest of us can enjoy a little of your wealth--that was his basic message. Quit hoarding, quit saving, start hiring; but most of all, spend us out of this recession! By the time I was done reading, I was just a bit hot under the collar. Conspicuous consumption? Really, Bill?? Do you think that will solve the problem? I LOVE that people are saving more, spending less and learning to be happy with what they have. The rich are saving too much, says Bill? Well, perhaps that's why they are rich to start with. Do I think we should be greedy? No! But I disagree that the answer for America is to spend conspicuously. Keep saving...live BELOW your means, give generously as God directs...but spend just for the sake of spending. Oh, please.

That being said, here are a few deals for you:

Do you like New England Coffee?? I do! Their blueberry blend is my favorite, but I save it for a treat when I am in Maine. Right now they are offering a free iced-coffee tumbler for 4 UPC's from their products, no receipt required. Here's the form: http://www.newenglandcoffee.com/docs/TMI%202011_Form.pdf

How about some free Mini Babybel Cheese??? Print a "try me free" form here: http://www.thelaughingcow.com/files/2011/06/BEL18721_3_MBY_Online_TMRF.pdf

"Like" PF Changs on facebook, and tomorrow, July 6th, they are going to post a coupon for free lettuce wraps. mmmm.

If you live by Chick-fil-A, don't forget that Friday is Cow Appreciation Day. Dress up head to toe like a cow and get a whole free meal...going on ALL day. If you wear a partial costume, you get a free entree. This will help with the All You challenge!! Friends of mine are "cowing" it all day and going to 3 different locations. Wow! Check out the details: http://www.cowappreciationday.com/

Day 17

Today I took my son to Walmart so he could pick up a few things, and I happened to walk by a display of Mountain Dew 4-pack bottles for $2.00, and a light bulb went off. When we drive to Maine, we go full-steam ahead. 21 hours of driving. We take turns and pull over if we get sleepy. But invariably, when we stop for gas, Mike buys an overpriced Dew because he likes it cold. Not this year! I won't be adding that to my grocery total. I bought the 4 pack and will keep it in the mini-cooler. Total; $2.00

Breakfast: french toast, milk
Lunch: egg salad (with light mayo on wheat), watermelon, leftover soup, cupcakes from the neighbors, water
Dinner: Italian marinated chicken breast on the grill, potatoes on the grill, summer squash*, cukes*, angel food cake, milk

Happy Birthday, America!! All You Day 16

2011-07-04T15:44:00.000-07:00

My niece-in-law, who is career military along with her husband, just posted this song on facebook. I have never heard it, but thought it was worth sharing this 4th of July as we reflect on this great land! http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2F&h=TAQBEgaN_ America, Bless God.

I will be updating daily on the All You Grocery Challenge, which runs June19- July16. The Challenge: spend only $25 per person per week or less ($150.00 for my crew) to feed your family, including eating out...but do so in a creative, healthy way. An * denotes our own garden food; (parentheses indicate healthy changes.) Winner gets $1000 and a write up in ALL YOU magazine! Please know that for grocery purchase totals, I round to the nearest dollar.

Day 16

Breakfast: cornflakes, homemade granola, coffee, milk, OJ
Lunch: hotdogs on the grill (I like to grill on the 4th!!), homemade salsa* and chips, peaches, sugar-free lemonade/water
Dinner: steak, corn on the cob, homemade baked beans, watermelon, cucumber* & tomatoe* salad, deviled eggs, strawberry shortcake, milk/water/iced tea

This was my plate...I'm working on portion-control:)

WalMart today: 3# peaches, tortilla chips, huge watermelon and cool-whip: $8.00

Walgreens: 2 dozen eggs: $2.00

Today we also went to Carolina Thrift as they were having a half off everything sale. I picked up a bunch of school clothes--including a brand-new-with-tags pair of Chaps shorts and two pair of like new jeans and some hardbacked books which will serve as Christmas gifts. All told we got 19 items and I paid $37.00. The shorts alone had a new tagged price of $45.00!! Love those deals. Also picked up a bunch of lotion at 75% off at Bath and Body yesterday. The start of the Christmas stash.

All You Day 15...Half Way There!! Isaiah 45

2011-07-03T13:08:00.000-07:00

Interesting passage from Isaiah 45 this morning in church. I always like to be reminded that God does what God wants to do:

I am the LORD, and there is no other;

apart from me there is no God.
I will strengthen you,
though you have not acknowledged me,
so that from the rising of the sun
to the place of its setting
people may know there is none besides me.
I am the LORD, and there is no other.
I form the light and create darkness,
I bring prosperity and create disaster;
I, the LORD, do all these things.

I will be updating daily on the All You Grocery Challenge, which runs June19- July16. The Challenge: spend only $25 per person per week or less ($150.00 for my crew) to feed your family, including eating out...but do so in a creative, healthy way. An * denotes our own garden food; (parentheses indicate healthy changes.) Winner gets $1000 and a write up in ALL YOU magazine! Please know that for grocery purchase totals, I round to the nearest dollar.

Day 15
I'm half way there in the All You Challenge...it seems to be going by quickly and I've had very few complaints from the fam. This Friday evening we head to Maine; we'll drive all night, arriving on Saturday afternoon. This will be a very tough week to stay on task. I'm already planning to pack both a picnic dinner and a picnic breakfast; with a little Providential blessing, we'll have a breakfast of muffins, cheese and boiled eggs on the Ogunquit Beach in the early morning. Might just have to cave and buy a cup of coffee somewhere. This has been very good for me, because it's caused me to rethink what is "needed" and what is superfluous. And guess what?? I buy LOTS of superfluous!!

On a bright note, I typically use this week (the week before we go to Maine) to officially clean out the freezer and frig and only buy what we "need." Of course, we do have a 4th of July celebration planned for tomorrow, and I'll need to pick up a few items for that, but not much else. It makes for interesting meals, but it's good to start over when we get back.

Breakfast: whole wheat banana muffins, OJ, milk, coffee
Lunch: leftover buffet, sugar free jello, water
Dinner: potato and Italian wedding soups, corn bread, milk, cc cookies

Freebie today! Cooking Day...All You Day 14

2011-07-02T17:30:00.000-07:00

Free sampled of Miracle Whip: http://www.startsampling.com/sm/mw101655/captureAddress.iphtml?item=101655&source=ba%2DYouTube&ss_id=&key=b5ea44a1b2e07ffaa502bad6c1307192

Today started with a little garden work...always good. As you can see, we have to "net" our tomatoes or the Mocking Birds wreck havoc with them. Also put in a second planting of beans, cukes and cantaloupe.

Made our first batch of homemade salsa, which illicited double fist pumps from the boys. Just chop tomatoes*, onions and cilantro* and then add hot sauce, lime juice and salt to taste. Be creative! Add mangos, or cukes or peaches....it's ALL good:0)

Crockpot granola roasted half the day (see my recipe section). I had a little coconut and chopped figs to add.

Banana muffins to use up the last of the bananas in the freezer. I used half whole wheat flour and got the batter in the muffin cups before I realized I'd forgoten to add the sugar. No one even noticed!

Whole wheat chocolate chunk walnut cookies...mmmmm.

Had to go to Walmart to pick up Mike's wedding ring (long story), so I grabbed 2 boxes of veggie pasta, a dozen eggs and a bag of tortillas for the salsa. Total after coupons: $4.00

Breakfast: cold cereal, fried eggs, OJ, milk, coffee

Lunch: brown rice and pinto beans (in honor of Dave Ramsey) with tomoatoes

Dinner: grilled burgers on (whole wheat) buns, SALSA* and chips, pickles, milk, chocolate chip cookies

Week total for food: $89.00

Groceries:

Harris Teeter: $15.00

CVS: $2.00

Rite-Aid: $1.00

Walmart:$4.00

Bottom Dollar: $10.00

Salvage: $8.00

Merita: $6.00

Walgreens: $8.00

Eating Out:

Boys as Taco Bell: $8.00

Lil' Caesers; $27.00

Natural UTI remedy, All You Day 13

2011-07-01T18:32:00.000-07:00

When I was pregnant, I was frequented with UTIs (urinary tract infections) to the point of distraction. It drove me crazy! I'm not a big water drinker, and you'd think I'd learn my lesson, but some habits are hard to come by. One older lady I know who had trouble with this told me that she takes cranberry tablets and drinks 8 glasses of water every day and has never had a problem since...but just in case...stock up on the following items and try this before doing the go-to your-doctor-and-start-an-antibiotic-which-then-causes-a-yeast-overload-routine:

plain alka-selzer tablets
cranberry tablets
unsweetened cranberry juice
baking soda
garlic juice (or cloves or tablets)
parsley, fresh or dry
unsweetened yogurt
vinegar

I have seen several different combinations and time frames for this remedy but the following has worked well for me. I'm not a doctor, so please use this as a dislclaimer if this doesn't work out for you!!

The 8 Hour UTI Cure:

Hour One: Dissolve a teaspoon of baking soda in water and drink.

Hour Two: Drink 8 oz of unsweetened cranberry juice and take two cranberry tablets with a glass of water.

Hour Three: Make "parsley tea": boil a cup of water and steep about a teaspoon of parsley in eat. Drain the leaves and drink.

You should be feeling better!!

Hour Four: Eat 1 cup of unsweetened yogurt, make sure it has active cultures.

Hour Five: Take an alka seltzer tablet in water, followed in 30 minutes by 2 more cranberry tablets and a glass of water.

Hour Six: Eat a clove of garlic OR take 2 garlic tablets OR take a teaspoon of pure garlic juice and a glass of water.

Hour Seven: Drink one more glass of unsweetened cranberry juice followed by a glass of water with 1 tsp of vinegar in it.

Hour Eight: Drink another glass of water with 1 tsp of baking soda in it.

By now, if you are not feeling better, I would head to the doctor:(!! If you are feeling better, continue to take 2 cranberry tablets a day with at least two glasses of water for as long as you like. It won't hurt to keep eating the yogurt either.

I will be updating daily on the All You Grocery Challenge, which runs June19- July16. The Challenge: spend only $25 per person per week or less ($150.00 for my crew) to feed your family, including eating out...but do so in a creative, healthy way. An * denotes our own garden food; (parentheses indicate healthy changes.) Winner gets $1000 and a write up in ALL YOU magazine! Please know that for grocery purchase totals, I round to the nearest dollar.

Day 13
Breakfast: cornflakes, milk, OJ
Lunch: ham and cheese on whole wheat, plums/apples, pretzels/chex mix, various drinks
Dinner: goulash (macaroni, tomatoes, hamburger), green beans, cukes*, the last of the cakes, milk/water

My kids LOVE goulash. Some ways that I have found to make it healthier are using whole wheat pasta, and cutting back on the meat or serving it meatless. They like it no matter how it's done. (My mom called this a 'macaroni feed.')

I worked a half day today, then a home haircut for Mike. Looking good:) Then off to run some errands tonight. It should be obvious that my shopping is sporadic. Generally I do one "big" shop a week at Aldi, but I have had a strange week of being around stores I don't normally check out, so Aldi can wait until next week!

Rite Aid: chips $1.00
Harris Teeter: 8 ears corn (for July 4th), # real butter, lipton teabags, jar pickles, 2 # peaches, 2 bags instant potatoes (saved about 12 in coupons) Total: $7.00

Earle Proulx's tips--Make it Last Book Review, All You Day 12

2011-06-30T17:03:00.000-07:00

My Northern friends (esp) will appreciate Earl Proulx's book Make it Last. Earl was a native New Englander. I say "was," though I cannot confirm if the man is dead or not. In typical New England fashion, he doesn't show up on google except as an author. Anywho...Earl was a regular writer for Yankee Magazine for years and is a master at frugal living, particularly when it comes to creative recycling and making things last. The man has tips for every possible subject. When I was little, my dad subscribed to Yankee, and even then, I would read Earl's articles--guess I've been a tightwad all along! So, it was with much excitement that I picked up a copy of Make it Last at a yard sale last week. Here are a few tips just to give you an idea:

1. Use oil from a walnut to conceal surface scratches on wood furniture. Crack the shell and rub a piece of the walnut meat in the scratch. Polish the area with a soft rag, and the scratch should be nearly invisible.
2. If you have a drawer that sticks, rub the sliders with a bar of soap.
3. To reshape a shrunken woolen sweater, boil it in one part vinegar and two parts water for 25 minutes, then re-block the garment and do not remove it until it is dry.
4. To remove microwave odors, boil a cup of water with 2 teaspoons of lemon juice in it for 5 minutes, then wipe down.
5. Always use warm water for a vase of fresh cut flowers.

I will be updating daily on the All You Grocery Challenge, which runs June19- July16. The Challenge: spend only $25 per person per week or less ($150.00 for my crew) to feed your family, including eating out...but do so in a creative, healthy way. An * denotes our own garden food; (parentheses indicate healthy changes.) Winner gets $1000 and a write up in ALL YOU magazine! Please know that for grocery purchase totals, I round to the nearest dollar.

Day 12

Breakfast: (whole wheat) toast with peanut butter, fried eggs, milk
Lunch: pizza, green salad, potato salad, soda (all leftovers from the last two nights)
Dinner: chicken on the grill, green beans*, cukes* and tomatoes*, fruit salad (cantaloupe/strawberries), (brown) rice, (pumpkin* and carrot) cake leftovers, milk

I had to take Abby in for an early appointment this morning and since we were going by Bottom Dollar, I decided to stop. I correctly remembered that their meat is marked down in the AM and I was met with a sea of orange discount stickers. This is meat that expires soon, but if you use it the same day or freeze it, you should be good. Once again, I might shop here monthly, if that, but I was going by. I got about 3.75 pounds each of steak (for July 4th celebration) and boneless, skinless chicken breasts and a pound of ground pork for approximately $1.35 a pound...total out: $10.00.

Laundry day, then picking produce...and having a friend over for dinner tonight! Always nice to share the bounty.

You might be too cheap if....All You Day 11

2011-06-29T18:22:00.000-07:00

So today we celebrated my youngest 13th b'day. It's actually on the 10th of July, but we are always in Maine and he wanted to have a party in NC with his buds. I was planning to try to do something this weekend, but then it dawned on me that our church was having their annual pool party tonight and we could just combine the two events...maybe I'm getting too frugal....nah...kids loved it and Lee had a great time also. It was a bit challenging to keep in budget. I decided on Lil' Caesars, my new favorite (cheap) fast food. Large pepperoni pizzas, hot and ready all day for 5 bucks. Nice! And we even have enough left over for lunch tomorrow:)

I will be updating daily on the All You Grocery Challenge, which runs June19- July16. The Challenge: spend only $25 per person per week or less ($150.00 for my crew) to feed your family, including eating out...but do so in a creative, healthy way. An * denotes our own garden food; (parentheses indicate healthy changes.) Winner gets $1000 and a write up in ALL YOU magazine! Please know that for grocery purchase totals, I round to the nearest dollar.

Day 11

Breakfast: I was at work, not sure what the kids had:)
Lunch: Cheese quesadillas, fruit, pretzels
Dinner: Lil' Caesers, home made birthday carrot cake, soda

Money out:

Lil Caesars: 5 large pizzas $27.00
CVS: four 2 liter Pepsi products (BOGO), 10# bag of ice-- after ECB coupons: $2.00

Free Pantene, cheap Bath and Body; Deals by the Road; All You Day 10

2011-06-28T14:56:00.000-07:00

Last night Mike and I went for a walk and found this nice cedar glider in a junk heap. Needs a pressure wash, but it works great! Always be on the lookout for deals, where ever they may be:) Cedar lasts forever. You never know when a trip around the block on trash night might yield a treasure!

Started the day off with a 4 mile run at Jamestown Park...lovely morning. Visited good friends in Thomasville, picked up our boat in Colfax and are having dear friends over for a cookout tonight. How blessed can one person be??!!

Great coupon for $10 off a $30 purchase at Bath & Body. This is perfect because they are also having their summer clearance sale...check it out. Coupon is good until July 5th. Time to get ahead on Christmas gifts! (Think teachers)
http://www.bathandbodyworks.com/category/index.jsp?categoryId=11764584

For Vocal Point members, free sample of Motts for Tots:
http://www.vocalpoint.com/mottsfortots/address.aspx

And another great coupon for a free full size Pantene product. If the page doesn't load, just wait a couple of minutes and refresh the page...that worked for me!:
http://www.facebook.com/PanteneNA?sk=app_170871922977146

I will be updating daily on the All You Grocery Challenge, which runs June19- July16. The Challenge: spend only $25 per person per week or less ($150.00 for my crew) to feed your family, including eating out...but do so in a creative, healthy way. An * denotes our own garden food; (parentheses indicate healthy changes.) Winner gets $1000 and a write up in ALL YOU magazine! Please know that for grocery purchase totals, I round to the nearest dollar.

Day 10

Can't believe that we are more than a third of the way through the challenge. Time flies. Today I did a run to Holly Hill Salvage. I wouldn't make a special trip, but it is near some friends of mine, and I really needed to visit them. Nothing too remarkable: 3 bags of chunk chocolate, 30oz jar Miracle Whip, 10 individual applesauce cups, 2 boxes lime jello, box Nestle hot chocolate, beef jerky, box of cinnamon roll mix. Total out: $8.00 I also stopped by the Merita bread outlet and picked up 2 loaves of whole wheat bread and 3 packs of whole wheat hamburger buns for 80 cents each, then got an angel food cake and (guilty) a box of Hostess cupcakes for a buck each. Total :$6.00 I don't go to either of these stores often, but since I was in range, I stopped by. Also got 2 gallons of milk and 1 dozen eggs at Walgreens for $8.00.

Breakfast: coco wheats, OJ, milk (I had a 32g protein shake)
Lunch: box mac n cheese, ham, nectarines/plums/apples, water/lemonade
Dinner: burgers, dogs, baked beans, green salad, potato salad, lemonade, iced tea, pumpkin* cake (the pumpkin came from my brother's garden in Maine last fall. We made a jack-o-lantern here in NC, then toasted the seeds and pureed the "meat." It was in the freezer:) with cream cheese frosting

BOGO frappes and free Tena sample; All You Day 9

2011-06-27T12:44:00.000-07:00

Today Abby and I went to her prosthodontist; her partial was loose--so much so that it fell out on one of the rides at Universal. (Thankfully, we found it!) Come to find out, her original bone graft has resorbed to the point that her gum line has changed and she needs a new partial. The good news is...we really like Dr. Martinez and would recommend him to anyone (Kelcy, if you're reading this, make sure you tell him!!) and it won't cost nearly as much as we anticipated. We go back on Thursday and they will do the new molds. This evening I want to put in my second planting of green beans and cucumbers; gotta love the south! Also might try to take a trip to the local "bent can store."

This isn't a real freebie...but it is a BOGO for Mickey D's smoothies or frappes (which I happen to think are very yummy) and since it doesn't expire until 7/31, I can wait til after the challenge is over to use it for a cheap date night:)!! http://www.mcdonalds.com/us/en/promotions/Smoothies.html

And here is a link for a free sample of children's Tena pads:
http://www.tena.us/children/product-pavilion/free-samples-for-children/

I will be updating daily on the All You Grocery Challenge, which runs June19- July16. The Challenge: spend only $25 per person per week or less ($150.00 for my crew) to feed your family, including eating out...but do so in a creative, healthy way. An * denotes our own garden food; (parentheses indicate healthy changes.) Winner gets $1000 and a write up in ALL YOU magazine! Please know that for grocery purchase totals, I round to the nearest dollar.

Day 9

Today I went to Harris Teeter and picked up a few items that were great deals after the super double coupons: two 5lb bags of sugar, pancake syrup, 1 big box of organic arugula, family size bag of mixed baby salad greens, 2 # of heirloom tomatoes (these last 3 items were in the discount produce bin) and 2 boxes of Reynolds 50 ft aluminum foil. I saved $16.00...Total out: $8.00

Breakfast: french toast (whole wheat bread), coffee, milk, OJ
Lunch: tuna (with light olive oil mayo on whole wheat), green salad, granola bars, water
Dinner: white chili (made with ground turkey and great northern beans that I soaked overnight) corn muffins, milk, (sugar free) jello

I found a two pound bag of beans in my pantry and made that the basis of two meals this week: the chili tonight and made- from- scratch -New England -style -baked -beans- like- my- mama- used- to -make to have at the picnic for our friends tomorrow. Dried beans are one of the cheapest forms of low fat protien that you can possibly buy. I use pintos, black beans, kidney beans and white beans.

My son informed me that he wanted carrot cake with cream cheese frosting for his birthday. I think I have all I need to make it...that's next on the agenda, and since the baked beans are in the oven, it's time to take advantage of the heat and make a couple of cakes and muffins....in fact, I hear my duaghter mixing up a pumpkin cake as I write. Thanks Ab!

Radical; All You Day 8

2011-06-26T16:08:00.000-07:00

Our Sunday School class has been reading the book Radical by David Platt; a book I would recommend if you need to be shaken up a bit in your devotion for Christ and how that all comes in to play with the "American Dream." Today we finished up the last chapter and were challenged to do 5 things:

1. Pray for the world. Literally. http://www.operationworld.org/
2. Read the entire Bible in a year. http://www.oneyearbibleonline.com/
3. Sacrifice your money for a specific purpose. (Not just give out of excess, but sacrifice.
4. Spend time in another context. (Maybe a short term mission, or feeding the homeless...)
5. Commit your life to a multiplying community. (Think small group of like-minded believers)
Mike and I will be discussing over the next few weeks what this might look like individually and for our family. I have been convicted, and that is good. I think anytime I am comfortable in my Christianity, it's time for God to do something in my life. For me, comfortable always equals less reliance on Christ.

This happens to flow nicely into the All You Challenge as I am already learning more ways to cut back and do without. My motto: Stretch money so I can live better, save wisely and give generously. Soooooo...

I will be updating daily on the All You Grocery Challenge, which runs June19- July16. The Challenge: spend only $25 per person per week or less ($150.00 for my crew) to feed your family, including eating out...but do so in a creative, healthy way. An * denotes our own garden food; (parentheses indicate healthy changes.) Winner gets $1000 and a write up in ALL YOU magazine! Please know that for grocery purchase totals, I round to the nearest dollar.

Day 8:

Breakfast: homemade banana and chocolate muffins, fried eggs, milk, coffee, OJ (I even made enough muffins to share with our Sunday School class!!)
Lunch: stir fry veggies (cabbage, onions, mushrooms, carrots, summer squash*) in (light) olive oil over noodles, milk/water
Dinner: linguni and clams (in garlic and light olive oil), cantelope, milk/water, (1/2 Hershey's bar)

I have been diligently trying myself to drink water with more meals. At lunch--well, except for today--I have been serving water to everyone with rarely a complaint. I've also been going light on desserts. And good news! My boys only paid to eat out at one meal on their trip...their coach paid for pizza (thanks, coach!!) for the other meal. They also came home with quite a bit of the food I sent with them and a little extra--hence the Hershey bars.

Looking forward to a great week: 13th birthday party for my youngest and a farewell dinner for friends of ours who are going to...AFRICA!

Money out today: Lunch for the boys @ Taco Bell: $8.00

All You Day 7--the week's totals

2011-06-25T13:16:00.000-07:00

I will be updating daily on the All You Grocery Challenge, which runs June19- July16. The Challenge: spend only $25 per person per week or less ($150.00 for my crew) to feed your family, including eating out...but do so in a creative, healthy way. An * denotes our own garden food; (parentheses indicate healthy changes.) Winner gets $1000 and a write up in ALL YOU magazine! Please know that for grocery purchase totals, I round to the nearest dollar.

Day 7:

I have to admit, this All You Challenge is more difficult than I thought it would be. I have always been very frugal with my grocery budget, but I never include eating out in that budget as that comes under the "entertainment" tab at my house, and even then it is rare. (However, in my normal grocery budget, I include toiletries, paper products and cleaning suppllies, and in this challenge, these are not included) Of course, we had to start on a week when there were two (not ONE but TWO) trips planned and I really didn't have a choice. Now that it's over, I'm glad though. It just made me that much more conscious of what I was buying.

Breakfast: whole wheat pancakes, milk, OJ
Lunch: ham and pepper jack on whole wheat, nectarine, diet coke (just me!!)
Dinner: chef's salad with ham, eggs and cheese, milk

My totals out this week (rounded to the nearest dollar)

Complete Total for Food this Week: $127.00 new update $112.00! (the coach paid for pizza)

Groceries Total: $70.00
CVS: $1.00
Harris Teeter: $17.00
Walgreens: $7.00
Aldi: $38.00
Dollar Tree: $6.00
Walmart: $1.00

Eating Out Total: $57.00 (new update: $42.00)
Grove City College Cafeteria: $15.00
~~Boys camping trip meal one $15.00~~
Abby/Mike meal one(Primati Brothers Gorve City): $15.00
Abby/Mike meal two(McDonalds): $5.00
Abby/Mike meal three(Arby's):$7.00

$30 is $30, freebies! All You Challenge, Day 6

2011-06-24T16:46:00.000-07:00

I read an interesting article some time ago about how we assign different values to money based on the cost of what we are purchasing. Consider this: You stop into your favorite shoe shop and find the sneakers you want on sale for $50.00. You're happy about that and are all ready to buy them when a lady walks up to you and says, "Did you know that Super Shoes two blocks down has those same exact shoes on sale for $20??? Dude! How awesome is that??? You happily walk the 2 blocks and save yourself 30 bucks. It seems like a fabulous amount of savings...over half off!!

Now consider this scenario: You are purchasing a new living room suite for $1000.00. You've been saving for quite some time now and are ready to buy. You make your way to Joe's Furniture with your thousand big ones in hand. Your buddy Tom walks in and tells you that the same set in on sale 2 blocks away for $970.00. You think about it for a second, but decide that 30 dollars really isn't worth the hassle of going to the other store. You fork over the 1000 bucks.

So what's the difference?? 30 dollars sure did seem like a bunch of money when you bought those shoes. I'd like to think that I would be the one to walk away from the furniture and buy elsewhere, but the reality is, I do this, as do we all, in different situations. I happen to get lax on vacation...spending more on one meal than I do all week at home. Apparently others do also: While Mike and I were eating in Epcot a few weeks back, a British couple with two kids sat down at the table next to us. The kids wanted to order milkshakes to drink and ice cream for dessert. The Dad looked skeptical. "Oh, whatever," said the mom, "we are on vacation after all!"

I'm not saying this is always a bad thing, but the article has caused me to rethink purchases and not be so quick to blame my lack of money on higher gas prices or increased electric bills. Maybe I should just pay closer attention to the cost of the items I do buy!!

Free sample of Splenda: https://www.splenda.com/freesamples/coupon (love this stuff!)

Free sample of Glade trash bags (vocal point members...sign up for free):
http://www.vocalpoint.com/glad/address.aspx

I will be updating daily on the All You Grocery Challenge, which runs June19- July16. The Challenge: spend only $25 per person per week or less ($150.00 for my crew) to feed your family, including eating out...but do so in a creative, healthy way. An * denotes our own garden food; (parentheses indicate healthy changes.) Winner gets $1000 and a write up in ALL YOU magazine! Please know that for grocery purchase totals, i round to the nearest dollar.

Day 6:

Breakfast: cold cereal, milk, toast with peanut butter and honey, coffee
Lunch: grilled ham and cheese on (wheat), cukes*, orange slices, pretzels and (sugar free lemonade)
Dinner: Since it's just the boys and I, I decided to use 4 coupons I have for Chick-fil-A, two for free chicken sandwiches and two for free shakes, we shared and rounded out the meal with nectarines, pretzels and sugar free lemonade. Not the healthiest meal, but a nice Friday night treat.

And today was my shopping day. This week is proving to be a challenge because I will have to average in Mike and Abby's eating out on their trip and then tomorrow the boys--all 3 of them--are going on an overnight camp out for cross country. While we are sending food for breakfast and lunches, I need to send enough money for two meals out for each boy. I am only going to give them $10 each ($30 total) and they will have to use their own money if they want to spend more than that.

Today I went to Walgreens, and after regular coupons & WG coupons (for $37.00) and a $5 rebate I'll be getting back, I only spent $7.00. Here's what I got: three 12 oz canned hams, two 10 oz packages of Oscar Meyer ham, 3 Gatorade G 03 products, 2 cans mushrooms, 2 cans mandarin oranges, 10 boxes sugar free jello, 9 oz can almonds, bag of candy, 1 gallon drinking water(for the camp out).

At Dollar Tree I spent $6.00: 2 loaves of whole wheat bread, 2 quart jug of vinegar, 3 bags of sunflower seeds.

Aldi: 2 gallons milk, 2 bags of apples, 6 lbs of nectarines, 2 lbs of plums, 10lbs of potatoes, fresh garlic, 2 cans of frozen OJ concentrate, 1 cantaloupe, 1 lb strawberries, 1 lb macaroni, 1 lb of spaghetti, 2 cans of tuna, 3 "gatorade" type drinks-32oz, 1 box granola bars, 2 packages cheese/crackers Total: $38.00

Walmart: baking soda, 10oz diet coke (free!) $1.00

Happy Weekend! Remember how good God is:)!!

What do you do with leftovers?? All You Day 5

2011-06-23T19:29:00.000-07:00

I knew this would happen, and even when I know it's going to happen, it makes me feel old. I'm just whipped out when I work the three 12 hour nights in a row. 12 hour day shift isn't nearly as taxing. I don't sleep as well during the days as I did at one time. Anywho...I'm exhausted and will hit the bed soon.

I remember one time way back when I was engaged. We were visiting family and after dinner, the cook just threw all the leftovers (and lots of them) in the trash! I was shocked. I come from hearty Maine stock who waste nothing, especially food. I use leftovers for lots of things--meals at work, snacks, or a "buffet," which is what we had today. Tomorrow I will go grocery shopping, and as part of the All You Challenge here's the update:

I will be updating daily on the All You Grocery Challenge, which runs June19- July16. The Challenge: spend only $25 per person per week or less ($150.00 for my crew) to feed your family, including eating out...but do so in a creative, healthy way. An * denotes our own garden food; (parentheses indicate healthy changes.) Winner gets $1000 and a write up in ALL YOU magazine!

Day 5:
Breakfast: cereal, eggs, milk
Lunch: egg salad on (whole grain bread), cukes*, peppers, celery, tortilla chips, sugar free lemonade
Dinner: clean-out-the-fridge-day buffet: leftover pasta bake, fried taters with onions, cucumbers*, ice cream sandwiches and milk (for the boys and I)

Mike and Abby left today for a college preview day at Grove City in PA. He just called; they arrived safely and are staying at the FREE (love those points!!) hotel with FREE breakfast. They will have to eat out for two meals and will also have to pay for lunch at the school, so I told him to keep all the receipts to add to my total.

Just so you can visually see that I am not one of those extreme hoarders, here are a few pics of my fridge and pantry. We do have a big freezer in the basement, but at this time, I am not using it. Here's the fridge, pathetically empty: only a half gallon of milk left--just enough for breakfast.

one side of the pantry: spices, baking stuff, cookbooks, condiments

cereal, pasta, canned goods, snacks, coffee/tea

freezer: bread, rolls, meat (chicken breasts, ground beef, ground turkey, hot dogs, pepperoni, small pack of steak), shredded cheese, butter, ice cream, about 8 bananas (time to make banana muffins!)

And time for me to go to bed!

Fix It !!, All You Day 4

2011-06-22T15:21:00.000-07:00

We seem to have had quite a few things go "bad" as of late:

Computer: paid shop guy $60 and it froze the next day. Finally figured out that my antivirus had a virus...removed it, added Norton 360 for $26. Total out: $86.00

1991 Honda Accord: transmission switch, speedometer, oil change: Total out: $396.00 (but no new car payment!!!!)

15-year-old vaccum: Fix it man hubby says it's beyond repair. Trying to convince him that we can just use the ancient one that was in the house when we bought it. He wants a new one with better attachments. Cost: working on it

Washing Machine: repairs would have been $264. Did convince hubby to hook up the old Maytag that was left here. Repairmain says it was built to last and we can run over it with a tank. Small, but runs great. Cost: $85 service call.

I will be updating daily on the All You Grocery Challenge, which runs June19- July16. The Challenge: spend only $25 per person per week or less ($150.00 for my crew) to feed your family, including eating out...but do so in a creative, healthy way. An * denotes our own garden food; (parentheses indicate healthy changes.) Winner gets $1000 and a write up in ALL YOU magazine!

Day 4:

Off to my last 12 hour shift...woot!

Breakfast: cold cereal, milk, OJ
Lunch: cheese quesadillas, cukes*, lettuce*, OJ/water
Dinner: baked pasta with Italian sausage, steamed broccoli, cauliflower and carrots (thanks, Debbie:), homemade rice pudding (my comfort food), milk

Purchases: Harris Teeter Super Doubles (to $1.98, 20 coupon max): I'll detail later but spent $17.00 on food and saved about $40.

All You Challenge Day 3, free cone, netipot

2011-06-21T14:40:00.000-07:00

Not much to report today. I'm working three 12 hours nights in a row this week. I realize this is normal for some of you, but since I generally work part time, by the time Thursday morning rolls around, I'll be very tired.

Just as an aside: What do teens do all summer when they only get 1 hour of TV and/or computer a day?? Abby is making minature dolls out of clay and the boys are creating landscapes for their game. They also read A LOT!

One nice little freebie for a Nestle Drumstick ice cream cone (yummm....I really like these!):
http://www.facebook.com/drumstick

And if you haven't received your free netipot yet, the promotion is running again:
http://www.neilmed.com/usa/facebook_freenetipot_18062011.php

I will be updating daily on the All You Grocery Challenge, which runs June19- July16. The Challenge: spend only $25 per person per week or less ($150.00 for my crew) to feed your family, including eating out...but do so in a creative, healthy way. An * denotes our own garden food; (parentheses indicate healthy changes.) Winner gets $1000 and a write up in ALL YOU magazine!

Day 3:

When mama's working in the summer, Mike and the kids are on there own for breakfast and lunch, so....

Breakfast: cold cereal (including homemade granola) and other generic cereals like raisin bran, cornflakes and cheerios, boiled eggs, OJ, milk
Lunch: ham and cheese sandwiches, leftovers, fruit
Dinner: steamed tilapia with garlic, green beans*, cucumbers*, brown rice, homemade pound cake with strawberries, milk

This photo is of today's garden harvest: cukes, red cabbage and green beans. We do not have a huge garden, and we pretty much eat whatever it produces on a daily basis. I learned long ago that making a menu and then buying the food is not the best way to save money in the long run. I check my freezer and pantry, then buy (or pick from the garden) what's on sale, and then make a menu from that!

Free summer reading programs and movies for kids, All You Challenge Day 2

2011-06-20T15:23:00.000-07:00

It's been one of those days that feel pointless. I was busy all day and feel like nothing was accomplished! And now I'm going in to work a 12 hour night shift at the hospital. I did get a wonderful 3 mile run in today with (behind) the cross country team. Love the trails at Jamestown Park.

Here is a link outlining many different summer reading programs. My kids have aged out of most of these, but loved them when they were involved. Thankfully, our library has a teen program with some worthy prizes (or, at least they always have in the past, they haven't started yet this year):
http://www.southernsavers.com/2011/06/free-kids-summer-reading-programs/

Be sure to call your local movie theater to find out when they are having free kid movies. Great chance to hang out at the big screen.

In honor of the first day of summer, tomorrow is free entrance to National Parks day at MOST parks. Be sure to call ahead first to make sure.

Great freebie: Tide Stain release sample worth 3 bucks:
http://www.facebook.com/Tide?sk=app_120573308019722

Free sample of Jif-to-Go peanut butter: http://samples.target.com/

I will be updating daily on the All You Grocery Challenge, which runs June19- July16. The Challenge: spend only $25 per person per week or less ($150.00 for my crew) to feed your family, including eating out...but do so in a creative, healthy way. An * denotes our own garden food; (parentheses indicate healthy changes.) Winner gets $1000 and a write up in ALL YOU magazine!

Day 2:

Breakfast: (whole wheat) chocolate chip pancakes, OJ, milk, coffee
Lunch: Tuna (made with reduced olive oil mayo) on (whole grain) bread, (fresh fruit salad), chips, (water)
Dinner: BBQ grilled chicken breast, Italian style summer squash* baked with bread crumbs/parmesan, beets*, homemade pound cake with strawberries (sweetened with splenda), milk

My kids absolutely loved the pancakes. I have made them with whole wheat flour before and they didn't go over so well. I think adding a few chocolate chips was the key to success! I have started just serving water at lunch. We normally have Kool-Aid or juice, but I know water is better for you and it's something that I've been wanting to do all along.

As a side note, we LOVE milk, and will easily drink a gallon a day in our family. For years I purchased powdered milk, until the cost of powdered actually equaled that of regular milk, as it does now. For me, it is not only a cost factor, but a convenience issue as well. I don't like to shop more than once a week, and I can't fit 7 gallons of milk in the fridge!! Determined to find a better/easier way, I started mixing powdered milk half strength, but then mixing that half and half with whole milk, aggressively cutting down on fat content, but giving my kids all the protein and calcium. They don't mind the taste...not even my foreign student who absolutely refused the plain powdered stuff.

Purchases:
CVS: Protein Power bites: $2.49 -$2.00 coupon. 52 cents out of pocket

Tribute to Bob Moores (my dad), All You Challenge, Day 1

2011-06-19T11:31:00.000-07:00

Dad and I in June 1989...I had just had surgery on my foot; he had had a stroke.

It's Father's Day, and I am feeling more nostalgic than usual about my father; I'm guessing this is because my mom is gone also. Dad died in 1989, not even a month after I turned 21. He was 73. I will be 43 this year--which means that I have been without him longer than I was with him, an interesting fact to contemplate.

No one is perfect, and my dad was no exception, but I'm choosing today to remember what I loved about my dad.

My dad liked thunderstorms. I remember sitting on our dusty old porch during the short Maine summers under some impressively huge gray spider webs with even bigger gray spiders. I would curl up beside him, watching the sky light up and hearing the thunder crack. From the porch, we had the vantage point of watching the garden drink in the rain; I suspect this is why he liked the rain so much, that and the fact that it greatly reduced the dust clouds that rolled up from the ancient gravel road when the cars passed by on Lowell Hill. Like most Maine men, Dad never said much. We would just sit quietly and watch until the rain passed by. In the evenings, this would be repeated as we looked for the moon "rising" over the pine tree at the back of the garden. I always felt very safe, and still feel strangely safe whenever a thunderstorm arises.

Dad was a lumberjack his whole life. It was a hard living. Though he was a very intelligent man, especially with numbers, he left school after 9th grade to work on the family farm and in the woods. At the heighth of his gainful employment (1978), he brought home a whopping $150 a week. He couldn't wait to retire because his social security check was more than his paycheck. He loved the woods as much as his garden, and these two loves were the common themes in any given conversation with just about anyone who happened by. The woods kept us warm in winter and provided his livelihood year round. And just as thunderstorms give me an odd sense of comfort, the smell of the pines and the warm earth bring me great pleasure and make my heart smile.

Dad had his first of several strokes in 1981, when I was 12 and he was 64. (Yes, the math is correct...he was 52 when I was born.) The doctors told him to quit drinking and smoking. He started chewing instead of smoking, but he never could seem to conquer the booze. In 1988 and 1989, he had several exacting strokes that messed with his vision and ability to walk. In the winter of 88, I stayed home from college with him and mom, then in the summer of 89, he had another stroke that put him in the hospital for several weeks. It was during this hospitalization that dad made a profession of faith in Christ (thanks Pastor Waite). Dad was NOT a religious man, and this came as quite a shock. Even then I wondered at all. Was it fear of death that drove him there, or wanting to give some level of comfort to his family...or was it a genuine need for the Savior? I am no judge. I was beyond ecstatic. I over heard him a few days later while I waited outside his door as he talked with the social worker who was asking him about his "religion." "Well," said dad matter-of-factly, "it was never important to me before, but it is now. I'm looking forward to getting out of here so I can go to church." Wonder of wonders.

It was also during this time that I found myself sitting alone with him one night, watching the moon out the hospital window while he slept. (Before the above incident, actually) All at once, dad awoke--apparently from some evil dream--very frightened. Unable to control his left arm, he flailed helplessly until I grabbed his hand. His eyes adjusted in the dim light and his line of vision went from the floor up to my face. As his eyes fixed on mine, his grip loosened and his breathing relaxed. I think it was the only time I ever looked into his eyes. We didn't say the words, "I love you;" we didn't say anything at all.

Dad died several days later, just a few days before he was to come home again, the result, presumably, of a massive stroke. It was 5 days before his 50th wedding anniversary. I left a small pine branch beside him in the casket so maybe the moonbeams would reach even there.

Thanks, Dad, for all the good things you taught me. I honor and love you this Father's Day.

Since I have joined the All You grocery challenge, I will be updating daily. I have decided to add a picture from one of our meals and will post the (healthy changes) I attempt. An * denotes garden food.

Day One:
Breakfast: home fries from leftover boiled potatoes, scrambled eggs and ham. OJ, milk and coffee
(I only used egg whites in half the eggs and sliced 2 slices of lean ham into the home fries rather than have one slice for each person. I also cooked it all in light "I Can't Believe it's Not Butter," and tried black coffee. The last one was the toughest change...oh my.)
Lunch: Stir Fried veggies (cabbage, carrots, summer squash* and onions) in light olive oil served over oriental noodles, cukes*, tomatoes, milk and very small slice of chocolate cake in honor of Father's Day.

Dinner: homemade veggie/pepperoni pizza on whole wheat crust, pretzels, sugar free lemonade

(whole wheat flour added to the mix and sugar free drink mix over soda)

Homemade Dishwaser Detergent; free dog food & coconut milk

2011-06-18T15:57:00.000-07:00

Nothing brings me satisfaction like canning our produce. The first 5 quarts of the season!

Free Alpo Sample: http://instoresnow.walmart.com/enhancedrendercontent_ektid82797.aspx#/homergent

Coupon for a free coconut milk product: http://sodeliciousdairyfree.com/share/

TCBY is offering a free cup/cone of yogurt to dads on Father's day!

This is a great deal on ALL YOU magazine: 88cents an issue. You won't find it cheaper and 40% of the total goes to help tornado victims. I just renewed my subscription. (I don't get anything for this, BTW, just thought you might like a heads up!):
http://freebies4mom.com/2011/06/09/all-you-0-83issue-plus-support-tornado-relief-efforts/

Here's a recipe for Homemade Dishwasher detergent. I just mixed up my first batch because I actually had all the ingredients in the house. I'll try it out tonight. I'm guessing the cost for this size batch is about 80 cents if you use generic salt, baking soda and drink mix, which would be way less than even generic brands. I'll let you know how it works. I've seen many different recipes...do you have one that works for you??

1 cup Borax
1 cup baking soda
1/4 cup salt
1 pckt unsweetened lemon drink mix (think kool-aid)

Use 1 tablespoon per load

Frugal Stuff: I went to a few yardsales this am. Picked up a mirror that I plan to paint for the upstairs bathroom. I just finished picking about a half bushel of beans and now it's time to get laundry on the line and possibly paint the rocking chairs on my porch. We'll see how the day goes...

All You grocery challenge and neighborhood cookout.

2011-06-17T14:03:00.000-07:00

Tonight (in 1.5 hours), we are hosting a cookout for the neighbors. If everyone we invite shows up, we could have 40 or so, but from past experience, we have found that we generally have 25-30. We provide drinks, (12 packs of Pepsi on sale this week 3/$8.00 at Rite Aid),burgers, dogs, tater salad and baked beans. I also serve my all-time favorite summer dessert: ice cream sandwiches. Like my mom, I never cared too much about things being name-brand. Relationships are what it's all about...and we have great neighbors!! I always enjoy it...I hope they do also!

Tomorrow there is a new game afoot: I have signed up to join the ALL YOU (magazine) grocery challenge, which runs June 19 - July 16. The winner gets $1000 grocery gift card. I really like All You magazine. It has tons of coupons and articles for real people. Basically, the "challenge" is to spend $25 per person for one week of groceries. For me, that adds up to $150.00 a week. Since I try to spend $100 for 7 during the school year (when we have an exchange student), I don't forsee this being a problem. The challenge will be cooking healthy meals for my crew...so blogging it will keep me focused. The second challenge will be my schedule. Next week I am working 4 (possibly 12 hour) nights in a row and I am always tired when I do this. The last week of the challenge, we will be travelling to Maine and having to buy my groceries up there. BUT I can do this!!

Want to sign up yourself? Check out the link: http://www.allyou.com/sweepstakes/grocery-challenge-00411000072299/

I do have issues!! really!! And new freebies

2011-06-15T13:40:00.000-07:00

Just to let you know that I do make some pretty stupid money blunders sometimes:

A few posts ago, I told you about a great deal that 123injets was having, and I ordered $70 worth of ink (which is about $120 retail for my printer). I had ordered from them before and had never had a problem, but that was prior to this new printer that I have. Recently I tried to install the ink, and I kept getting an error message. Generally speaking, you can just bipass the screen that says "This is not genuine HP ink," but this time, it would not let me. Finally today I called 123injets. Of course, The nice lady tried to get the printer to work, but after about 15 minutes, she gave up to. I shipped the ink back today, but had to pay $12 to do so with insurance. I'm hoping I get the refund, but even if I do, I'm out about $12.

I also signed up for Weight Watchers online about a month ago. I wanted to lose a few pounds, but more importantly, I wanted to do better tracking my intake and eating healthier. It cost me $55. My computer has been a mess lately, and I really don't have time to track online anyway. I cancelled today, but only get $5 back. 50 bucks and for what?? Stupid tax.

Our washing machine, car and computer have all been on the fritz....

But overall, life is good! Here are a few freebies for you:

Coupon for a free Lipton Ice Tea :
http://coupons2.smartsource.com/smartsource/index.jsp?Link=YWND74GRSNJ2W

Coupon for free Phenom Coconut water at GNC:
http://phenomwater.com/phenom-coupon-3.pdf

Free sample of Rachel Ray Nutrish dog treats:
http://switchtonutrish.com/

Free sample of Dove Conditioner:'
http://www.dove.us/Offers/Latest-Offers/hair-care-daily-treatment-conditioner-sample.aspx

Coupon for free Hershey's bar at CVS:
http://www.coupons.com/Couponweb/Offers.aspx?pid=14415&nid=10&zid=oj97

I need a marriage answer!

2011-06-14T13:20:00.000-07:00

So, my husband and I come home from our anniversary date last night and he tosses me a printout of a recent BreakPoint (Chuck Colson's daily "devo") titled, "Inflated Expectations." It begins, "In a 1999 film titled 'Music of the Heart,' a character named Roberta begins a relationship with a man named Brian. At one point, Roberta--whose husband had left her--asked Brian a question: If you ever meet a woman who fulfills your needs better than I can, would you leave me for her?' Brian's answer: 'Theoretically, yes'."

The article goes on to say that couples today often have too many expectations of their new spouse, wanting them to fill every void in their lives and then leaving at the first sign that this is not occurring, or at least when they meet someone who seems to fill a few more voids. The conclusion is that no one person can fulfill all our needs, only God can do that.

I finished reading and said something like, "Well, you KNOW that isn't my problem. I had NO delusions coming in to our marriage." (Probably the partial result of watching so many divorce around me.)

"Oh, I know," said Mike a little sadly, "but sometimes I think you had no expectations at all."

I snorted, taken aback, but when I opened my mouth to speak, nothing came out. Doggone it...he was right, or at least mostly so. The only real expectation I had was that I wouldn't have to work, and oddly enough, that is the one thing I have had to do. See what expectations get ya??

"I think I had a lot more expectations than you did," he said, and again, he was right.

Of course, we all have blind spots, and in my self-righteous self, I'd like to think that's it's better not to have any expectations at all, then there's no disappointment . But not having expectations can lead to apathy; not the best thing in a marriage.

So I'm curious: What about you? Did you come into your marriage expecting too much? Did you divorce and try again, only to have the same disappointments? How have you dealt with these issues?

Free stuff for As!

2011-06-13T14:46:00.000-07:00

Don't forget that Krispy Kreme gives you a free doughnut for each A on your report card...up to 6 per kid! We just came home with 2 dozen doughnuts. Nice:). I think I've heard that Dunkin Donuts does this also...will let you know for sure tomorrow. Family Video also gives free movie vouchers for each A for the month of June, so we'll be watching free movies this month also. Thanks kids!!

Today we had a staff meeting at work and they served us a wonderful breakfast, which translated into leftovers for lunch. Two free meals today. This was for reaching the 99th percentile in our patient satisfaction surveys. Yep. It's true...I really do work with the best!!

Today is our 19th anniversary. We are going to Yamatos with a BOGO free coupon. Tightwad anniversary:).

More tomorrow...it's good to be back. Tell me some deals you've scored lately!! Share the love.

Hello Again (an update in photos!)

2011-06-12T18:06:00.000-07:00

Where to begin? My goodness, it's been such a long time. I have really missed writing. Putting my thoughts down on paper helps me sort things out and "see" things more objectively. So I am back. I have contemplated how to bring you up to date on the Cliff household and have decided the best way to do so is in pictures. Here are our highlights:

We planted and are now harvesting from our little garden; here's a shot taken several weeks ago. We have been eating beets, cukes, lettuce and green beans and summer squash. Nothing better than fresh from the soil and into the pot. Mmmmmmm.

The boys finished school and a great season in track...undefeated conference champs! They've already started training for cross country in the fall:

Here's Will in the pole vault! (The doctor finally cleared him after having the broken back...)

Abby graduated as Valedictorian of her class. She rocked the night with her speech (no bias, of course), and you can see from the picture that she got some good laughs! We had a wonderful open house for her and she is so glad to be done. We have decided to postpone any major surgery on her face/mouth this summer as the general consensus is that it is going to be a very complicated and drawn out process (as long as 2 years), so we are opting to just get her wisdom teeth out and have one of the lower implants done at this point. She'll keep her upper "dentures",or flipper, for now! She is excited to go to Grove City College this fall and study her passion: literature & writing. Wonder where that gene came from?

Will turned 16 on his Dad's 48th birthday, May 30th. He has his permit, Abby has her license, Aaron is taking driver ed next week and I have a higher insurance payment! Yikes!

We were given a wonderful old boat by my dear cousins, Carl and Marge Monroe. It's a beauty, a wooden classic built by his own hands in the early 60s. We look forward to hauling it to Maine and dumping it in Duck Lake this summer. Here are the kids checking it out, Carl is in the background. At 90, he still goes in to work everyday. How's that for work ethic?? He also gave us the little sailboat in the foreground:

We sent Young Meen back to South Korea after spending 2.5 years with us. It sure is going to be strange without her! I miss her already.

We had a huge yard sale after I saw an ad in the paper that my neighbor was going to have one...free advertising! My skeptic husband was impressed that we only had a few boxes to take to the Salvation Army, and I am very happy that my house is decluttered and we had a sweet $260.00 to spend in FLORIDA!! Yes, my deal for the 6 free airline tickets worked (see post with the photo of Alec Baldwin) and I also scored Discovery Cove tickets that are normally $169 (for a non-dolphin swim) for $69! I'll share my secrets in a later post. We went on an airboat cuise on Lake Toho and the kids held baby gators...and we topped it all with a trip to Universal (Mike and I did the old person thing and went to Epcot...advantage of older kids!):

There you have it: an update to the present. I will try to be more diligent...to tell you the ups and the downs and the greatest of frugal moments!!

$10 school physicals and techie freebies...like faxing for free

2011-05-03T13:08:00.000-07:00

If you live in the triad area and your kids go to a school that requires sports physicals, the Sports Medicine and Orthopaedic Center on Willard Dairy Road is offering $10 exams one day only, May 19 @4:30-7:30 pm. No appointment in necessary. All money will be donated back to the school's athletic department!! We have to pay $20 for an office visit with our regular doctor, so this is a great deal and the exam will be good for a full year. See http://www.smoconline.com/ for directions and a link to the physical form.

Here are a few techie deals that you might not have been aware of-- I know I wasn't!

http://www.picnik.com/ is a free editing software site that let's you grab your images and do all kinds of fun fonts, resizing and crops.

If your phone has wifi access, download the free skype app and call friends in network without using any of your minutes.

http://www.geekstogo.com/ is a helpful hub with thousands of volunteers who answer your computer questions for free.

http://www.wififreespot.com/ finds free wifi locations for you. Great if you are travelling and need access. Remember that most all McDonalds have free wifi now.

http://www.faxzero.com/ allows you to fax any online document to any fax machine for free!

If you live near a Godiva boutique, sign up for their Rewards Club and nosh on a free piece of chocolate every month!

http://www.freeappaday.com/ lets you download games for your iphone of android. Let the gaming begin:)

Most William-Sonoma stores offer free classes at least once a month; check with your local store to find out more.

Isn't it great to get freebies when the things we need, like food and gas, just keep going up and up???!!!

Credit Cards

2011-04-13T06:32:00.000-07:00

While I am certainly NOT an advocate of credit card DEBT, I do believe that if you can trust yourself to pay off your card every month, you can rake in some incredible deals. Here's proof. Recently I used a $50 credit on one card to put gas in the van (didn't even fill it) and 2 months ago I used Wyndham Reward points to get a 2 night hotel stay for free. But the best was yet to come:

Last fall I had signed up for an American Airlines Citi Card because they were offering 100,000 bonus miles if you jumped through a few hoops. (I actually read about the offer on http://www.bradsdeals.com/.) I was frustrated with some changes in the card I had then, so I took the leap. Over 100,000 miles are now sitting in my rewards account.

Fast forward to present: Alec Baldwin pops up on TV advertising the Capital One "Venture Match My Miles Challenge." Did you see it advertised during the final four playoffs? They were going to match a billion miles (up to 100,000 miles per person) first come, first served. Could I do it again? I didn't think it would actually work, but I signed up online anyway. We got the card and I immediately turned in (online) the paperwork for the mileage challenge--proof that we had the 100,000 miles in our AA Citi account. I didn't get any kind of confirmation, so I was expecting the worst. Then the next day, Citi's website said the promo was over; they had given out all billion miles. Oh well, can't win them all, I thought to myself.

But GUESS WHAT?? Yesterday I got the confirmation email that our miles did post in time! And I got 10,000 extra miles to boot for using the card right way. Woot! So what's this frugal mama do? She immediately starts planning a surprise (almost free) summer vacation for the fam before the miles disappear in some black void I don't yet know about. Gotta love it!

Will I keep both cards? No. Once I use up the points, I will drop the American Airlines card a.) because it costs $89 a year-first year waived, and b.) Capital One has a much better system. At Capital One you get TWO miles for every dollar spent (as opposed to ONE dollar at AA), there are no blackouts and you can fly with any airline. You just exchange miles for credit. Example: Buy an airline ticket for $135 on sale? Just add two zeros--13500--and that's how many miles you have to exchange for the $135 credit to your account. It is $54.00 a year, first year waived. But I have a year to decide if it's worth it. One caveat: you have to have a really great credit score to get the card. 802 got us there without a problem.

Tell me what deals you have received for being smart with your card. OR, tell me your credit card nightmare and why you will--Dave Ramsey style--never use them again!

Soup Diet update...or weight loss on the cheap...and new freebies!

2011-04-02T08:31:00.000-07:00

Are you ready for the soup update? OK...first I did the 3 day diet, which I posted about awhile back, followed by 7 days of the soup diet. I lost a total of 5.6 pounds. Now I'm just trying to count calories and get outside for more exercise. Here's the original (though I have seen MANY variations) Cabbage Soup Recipe and Meal Plan:

Cabbage Soup Recipe:

6 large green onions
2 green peppers
1 or 2 cans of tomatoes (diced or whole)
3 Carrots
1 Container (10 oz. or so) Mushrooms
1 bunch of celery
half a head of cabbage
1 package Lipton soup mix
1 or 2 cubes of bouillon (optional)
1 48oz can V8 juice (optional)
Season to taste with salt, pepper, parsley, curry, garlic powder, etc.

Directions:
Slice green onions, put in a pot and start to saute with cooking spray. Cut green pepper stem end off and cut in half, take the seeds and membrane out. Cut the green-pepper into bite size pieces and add to pot. Take the outer leafs layers off the cabbage, cut into bite size pieces, add to pot. Clean carrots, cut into bite size pieces, and add to pot. Slice mushrooms into thick slices, add to pot. If you would like a spicy soup, add a small amount of curry or cayenne pepper now. You can use beef or chicken bouillon cubes for seasonings. These have all the salt and flavors you will need. Use about 12 cups of water (or 8 cups and the V8 juice), cover and put heat on low. Let soup cook for a long time - two hours works well. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Remember: This diet should only be followed for 7 days at a time, with at least two weeks in between.

Day One: Fruit: Eat all of the fruit you want (except bananas). Eat only your soup and the fruit for the first day. For drinks- unsweetened teas, unsweetened cranberry juice and water.

Day Two: Vegetables: Eat until you are stuffed will all fresh, raw or cooked vegetables of your choice. Try to eat leafy green vegetables and stay away from dry beans, peas and corn. Eat all the vegetables you want along with your soup. At dinner, reward yourself with a big baked potato with butter. Do not eat fruit today.

Day Three: Mix Days One and Two: Eat all the soup, fruits and vegetables you want. No Baked Potato.

Day Four: Bananas and Skim Milk: Eat as many as eight bananas and drink as many glasses of skim milk as you would like on this day, along with your soup. This day is supposed to lessen your desire for sweets.

Day Five: Beef And Tomatos: Ten to twenty ounces of beef and up to six fresh tomtoes. Drink at least 6 to 8 glasses of water this day to wash the uric acid from your body. Eat your soup at least once this day. You may eat broiled or baked chicken instead of beef (but absolutely no skin-on chicken). If you prefer, you can substitute broiled fish for the beef one one of the beef days (but not both).

Day Six: Beef and Vegetables: Eat to your heart's content of beef and vegetables this day. You can even have 2 or 3 steaks if you like, with leafy green vegetables. No Baked Potato. Eat your soup at least once.

Day Seven: Brown rice, unsweetened fruit juices and vegetables: Again stuff, stuff, stuff yourself. Be sure to eat your soup at least once this day.

Click here for Mireille's Mimosa/Leek soup recipes (from French Women Don't Get Fat):
http://frenchwomendontgetfat.com/content/leek-soup-kick-weekend

You will notice the similarities. Basically, you can use the low-fat veggies you like; there isn't anything magical in the combination. Leeks do have a slight diuretic affect, and I love the flavor. I also prefer to puree my soup, it gives it a cream soup texture. I always feel so clean/invigorated when I use this diet. It is truly cleansing! Let me know if you try it and your results! Bon Appetit!

A few freebies:
Free diabetes awareness bracelet: https://www.qualityhealth.com/registration?rf=51052

Free Bausch and Lomb Biotrue sample (you must agree to follow up): http://www.facebook.com/biotrue?sk=app_154489001278513

Free sample of Orville Redenbaucher Popcorn: http://www.allyou.com/coupons-deals/daily-free-samples-00411000069695/orville-redenbacher-sample-00411000071691/?xid=freesamples-040111

Free sample of Flix Dental sticks: http://www.flixinterdental.com/sandwich/#freesample

Free sample of Boogie Wipes: http://www.boogiewipes.com/

Form for $10 prepaid debit card when you buy 10 select Kellogg's cereal (and you can do this 5 times!!): http://www2.kelloggs.com/AARP/rewards/

Want to learn more about trade options? Here's a link for a free CD:
http://www.schaeffersresearch.com/cart/fflandingpage.aspx?id=48&CODE=GA11CFS

Free hat and beef jerky, cheap printer ink and a grateful heart!!

2011-04-01T07:48:00.000-07:00

I have been reminded recently (proabably becasue this is so hard for me) of the importance of a thankful, praise-filled life, not just when things are going well, but all the time. Most people are grateful when things are going their way, but openly praising the Lord when life throws curve balls is the mark of a true believer. "He inhabits the praise of His people." "I will praise the LORD at all times; his praise will always be on my lips." "Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving."

Do we really understand this? Do we practice it? I hear obscenity constantly these days...from folks who claim to know Christ! "It's just a word," they say, "I have to be true to myself. You don't want me to be a hypocrite do you, lying about my feelings?"

Is it a lie to say that God is good, even when you are hurt? When you have lost something/someone dear to you? When things just aren't going your way? Of course it isn't! And it is what He expects of us. It is the only life in which He truly dwells.

Did you read the story I posted about Baby Miranda? What makes this story amazing is that Chad was giving the Lord His due glory even after losing his wife and infant daughter. A good friend of mine-younger than myself- was recently diagnosed with breast cancer. Her facebook posts are filled with praise...God will use that! Horatio Spafford, who wrote the hymn It is Well with My Soul penned those words after losing his possessions to fire and his four daughters in a ship wreck.

These are people that we admire...BE that kind of person. Verbally, outwardly thank Him today, especially if things aren't going your way. He will dwell there and He will be glorified.

God is good, all the time!! I am such a blessed woman!!

Now, on to some great deals...and I promise I will update on the soup diet soon...

Do you have a paypal account (I do, and I use it often!)? Get a nice new baseball cap for summer just by watching a VERY short video: https://www.paypal-promo.com/advantage/

Right now ebates is having some super "real men" double-cash-back sales: 123inkjets, which sells printer ink, is currently giving 16% cash back!! Plus, use code FLWR123 to get 10% off and if you spend $55, you get free shipping. I have been buying ink here at 75% off retail store prices for several years now, so this deal is just the bomb.

If any of you are looking to buy new athletic shoes or clothing, Under Armour is offering 12% cash back and has some great clearance sales and free shipping on orders of $125 or more. I bought running shoes for Will last year and they were very good quality.

If you are new to ebates, you will automatically get a $5 bonus. Basically, ebates gives you cash back on online purchases if you go through their site. If you shop online anyway, it's to your advantage to use them. You even get cash back on ebay and groupon purchases! Ebates sends out bonus checks every quarter; I just got one for $95.00!! When you refer others, you get bonuses. It's a total win-win. Click here to get started:
http://www.ebates.com/rf.do?referrerid=RK%2BpzCmL3Dx9e3JkIY7z%2Fg%3D%3D

Get a full year subscription of Budget Travel magazine for $2.99 with the code BUDGET:
http://www.tanga.com/products/budget-travel-magazine-subscription--26

Pemmican Beef Jerky is giving away 4200 free bags today only (4/1)...one every 20 seconds. Sign up here:
http://www.pemmican.com/

There is a great new blog for all us Walmart lovers: http://www.iheartthemart.com/ Great deal finder...and written by a man no less!! Who knew one could be so thrifty??

Sear's Outlet, Home Depot, Quiznos and more freebies

2011-03-31T19:52:00.000-07:00

Lowes and Home Depot are both having some amazing weekend sales, including 50% of many annuals. If you are wanting to get your flower beds ready, now is the time (well, except for you Mainers who are getting more snow...)

Free sample of Wellness petfood: http://www.facebook.com/wellnesspetfood?sk=app_10442206389

Free sample of Eucerin skincare: http://www.facebook.com/EucerinUS?sk=app_150701131641056

I've signed on to another "deal" site called offandaway. It's an auction type site that let's you buy bids for really high end hotels. I haven't bought any yet, but if you are looking to do something really special for an anniversary or something, this would be a cool way to get it. A few days ago, a California hotel went for $14.00!! Most aren't that cheap, but it's still worth looking into. Check it out here: http://www.offandaway.com/invite/patriciacliff

For my triad friends: I had the opportunity to check out the Sear's Outlet on Bridford Parkway (it's connected to the K-Mart right there on Wendover). If you are looking to purchase any appliances, I HIGHLY recommend that you check there first. They have many items that are either returns or new-in-the-box discontinued products for 50% off or more. I was VERY impressed with the selection. And it's next door to Ollies (think Big Lots), so you can check that out also. While I was in the area, I used a coupon: http://quiznosqclub.com/?imm_cid=9R-9W&imm_mid=5299:138983_CD4262&imm_kwd=&flow=prtc&imm_hid=779223035&c1=5299:138983_CD4262&c2=&c3= for a small Quiznos sub and cookie for $2.99. I had an old gift card (from our wreck 2.5 years ago!!) and I wasn't even sure if there was anything left on it. I checked, and ended up paying 13 cents for lunch. Nice day out:)

Then I went to Wal-Mart and bought my husband a new wedding band. White gold, just like the old one that is in the Atlantic somewhere....and it was on sale!! Don't tell him...he's on a trip to DC and I think I'll ask him to marry me when he gets home:).

Soup diet update tomorrow....

New freebies for you!!

2011-03-28T14:16:00.000-07:00

Free sample of Carefree:
https://secure.startsampling.com/sm/carefree101645/captureAddress.iphtml?item=101673&source

Free sample of Fred's brand diapers (you get two):
http://www.ahp-dsg.com/Fred-Diaper-Page/Fred-Diaper-Page/landing.html

Free sample of Aveeno haircare: http://www.aveeno.com/1005/haircare-free-sample

Facebook freebie..."like" sweet tweets and get a free sample:
http://www.facebook.com/SweetTweets?sk=app_153973997993205

2 free issues of Wood Magazine:
https://www.valuemags.com/freeoffer/freeoffer.asp?offer=Wood_rdc

I have been getting many free products in the mail--hope you've been checking out http://www.freebies4mom.com/ or your other favorite sites. In the last week I've received a box of 8 full size Nestle candy bars, the Target makeup bag with 6 products in it, a Wisk sample, a Stevia sample and a penlight! Always a nice surprise when the mail has something besides bills.

Today at CVS I bought $43.00 worth of items (two boxes Kelloggs cereal, 2 full size Bioluxe haircare products, a Colgate toothbrush, Halls cough drops, Skintimate shaving cream and a big bag of Wonka jellybeans ) for $1.40 out-of-pocket AND got back $4.50 in ECBs for the next shooping trip. I want to stress that this is pretty much a weekly occurance for me at one of the 3 drugstores. If you are new to the game and follow sites like http://www.southernsavers.com/, you will catch on very quickly!!

Also got out to my first yardsales of the season. The best deals: a new hoodie for Abby, $2; a like new black dress suit for Lee, $2. Why pay more?

I will be teaching a few couponing/bargain hunter classes in the near future and will let you all know when this happens.

Happy shopping:)!!

The 3 day diet, and a general update

2011-03-12T07:17:00.000-08:00

Absolutely gorgeous day here in North Carolina. While it's not as warm as I would like, I am reminded that my Maine friends are still under several feet of snow and I am looking at these:

So, what's going on at the Cliff house? Life has been fairly routine lately, and who can complain about that? We did have a little scare a few weeks back. Lee, my youngest, fell and cut his leg, requiring 10 stitches on his left shin. That wasn't the scary part, however. When they x-rayed the leg to make sure there was no chip in the bone, they discovered a "suspicious lesion/tumor." Thankfully, it turned out to be a non ossifying fibroma...which is benign and generally causes no problems. What a blessing!

On the frugal front there is too much to report, so let me just tell you what is planned for today:

1. Planting tomato, cuke and pepper seeds inside that will be transplanted outside in less than a month.
2. Hanging 3 loads of laundry on the clothesline.
3. Baking homemade cupcakes and cookies.
4. Making a crockpot of homemade granola.
5. Going for a 2 mile run.
6. Making a menu and grocery list for the coming week and checking out the deals at http://www.southersavers.com/ (not just for southerners!!)
7. Cleaning out one closet to get ready for a yard sale.
8. And last but not least, ending my 3 day diet. There are many variations of this out there and it's been around a long time. It's time to get the winter weight off and this is how I jump start. I'll follow it by a cleansing soup routine (more on that later). Here are the basics:

3 Day Diet Menu:

Each meal (3 meals a day only) for three days eat:

One of these: medium apple, orange, kiwi, grapefruit or cup of melon
One of these: regular size can of tuna, hard-boiled egg, 1/2 cup of cottage cheese, one ounce of hard cheese, Tbsp peanut butter
One of these: slice of toast, 5 saltines, half a bagel
4 cups of these, raw or cooked: carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, green beans, lettuce, cabbage, celery, onions, any greens (I don't usually have these at breakfast, although you can)

Only condiments are herbs, vinegar, lemon juice, hot sauce and salt (minimal)and pepper.

Drink 8 glasses of water.

You may also have 1 cup of black coffee or tea with every meal, no sugar or creamer, but you may use sweetener.

You may have a half cup of vanilla ice cream or vanilla or plain yogurt (frozen or regular) with supper.

When I did this the first time I was in college. I guess my metabolism was much higher then, because I was hungry a lot and I would easily loose 6-7 pounds. Now, I do this and am never hungry and I only loose 2-3 pounds. As you can see from the menu, this is hardly a starvation diet and it always gets me motivated. I absolutely love the soup cleanse, my own version of a cross between the cabbage soup diet and the Mimosa/Leek soup that Mireille Guilano uses in her best seller French Women Don't Get Fat. Stay tuned...I will tell all.

Little foxes spoil the vines.

2011-02-18T13:16:00.000-08:00

We all know the scenario by now: put that $4-a-day-latte toward your mortgage payment and you'll shave off 8 years of payments, right? We've heard these stats so often that we tend to glaze over when we hear them. So why then am I blogging about it? I suppose it's because I need to be reminded. You see, I'm not the $4-a-day-latte kinda gal. I buy generic coffee and brew it a home. I don't spend $30 a week on my nails--and if you look at them, you can tell. But you know what? I'm almost certain that on most weeks, I waste at least $25.00. It might be a meal at a restaurant when I have plenty of food at home, or maybe some too-good-to-be-true deal at a yard sale. Maybe I kept the heat up high and took extra long showers...or I succumbed to the candy at the check-out counter. I don't keep track, but I am certain that cumulatively I waste at least 25 bucks. So what does that look like over time?

$25 X 52 weeks = $1300.00 X 10 years =$13,000.00 or X 30 years = $39,000.00. Adjust that for inflation, and you're talking a serious chunk of change. It really could put a dent in that mortgage. Here are a few other stats I saw recently:

Expense Today Over 10 years Over 30 years

Pizza delivery $25 a week $18,661 $158,731

Coffee/donut $4 a day $22,389 $190,453

Smoking $35 a week $26,125 $222,223

Manicure $40 a week $29,857 $253,969

Lunch at work $10 a day* $37,322 $317,462

Golf $75 a week $55,983 $634,924

*work days only

Maybe you don't have a problem with this, but I'm pretty frugal, and I know I do. Dave Ramsey has a saying, "Live like no one else today so you can live like no one else tomorrow." We all like to complain about how the cost of living is rising...how about we put all that effort into saving instead?

Share one thing you've cut back on this year...and figure out your 10 year savings. That should make you smile!!

Tightwad life update: free hotels and big ebates!

2011-02-17T19:23:00.000-08:00

Sitting here tonight at a Super 8 in Pennsylvania. And oddly enough, I am all by myself. This hasn't happened in over 20 years. Just dropped Abby off for a college visit--Grove City College. She is staying with a friend in her dorm room and they are, I'm just certain, having a college girl giggle fest. She has an interview in the morning, her 4th in 7 days. 3 were for scholarships---lots of free meals; colleges really know how to schmooze. So now the wait begins to see what offers she gets. Praying that God gives us clarity. It has been an interesting journey and I am thankful for every minute we have together. I am so blessed to have teenage children with whom I can have mature and meaningful conversations and of whom I am so very proud! More than anything I want them to be men and women of character who love God wholeheartedly and who serve others unabashedly. OK...off the mommy soapbox...

On the tightwad home front:

My two night hotel stay is FREE!! I dropped Abby off and went into the local Mickey-D's for the free WiFi (remember the days when we just stopped for the bathrooms???) I planned to book a hotel on Expedia or Hotwire, but decided on a whim to check out an old Wyndham Rewards account that I have but no longer use. Generally, you have to book at least 2 weeks in advance to get free nights, but I decided to try anyway. Sure enough, I had enough points left to get 2 nights free...booked at McDonalds and walked into the lobby 10 minutes later where the receptionist printed off my ticket and told me the hours for the FREE breakfast. Nice! I get to enjoy a quiet night and no one will take the remote from me:).

The mail box has been overflowing lately with free samples and coupons...tonight I won a coupon for a free Stouffer's Entree. I spend maybe 5 minutes 3 or 4 days a week playing the contests at http://www.freebies4mom.com/ You'll see the link. I don't enter them all...generally just 4 or 5 of them. It's fun and free and most weeks I win at least a coupon for. I've won his and her LL Bean mountain bikes, a cool teakettle, lots of coupons and, as many of you know, we won the Chrysler contest. It's fun to win and share the prizes...but you can't win if you don't enter!

Remember when I told you all about ebates?? I tend to sign up for these things and then get busy and forget about them. Well, I received my first ebates check for $95.00 this week...cool right? Totally unexpected. So what's the scoop on that? Ebates is a program that gives you cash back on nearly every online purchase. Almost every store in on ebates. You also get money for referring others, so to those who signed up...thanks!! If you haven't yet and you already shop online, I can tell you it is obviously worth it! It's like getting paid every time you shop. Here's the link:

http://www.ebates.com/rf.do?referrerid=94Ggv5UtRDNLQspdeKYU7Q%3D%3D

Happy Dealing!

26 uses for the humble coffee filter

2011-02-12T13:51:00.000-08:00

THE INCREDIBLE COFFEE FILTER

Cheaper and more useful than papertowels, coffee filters can be used for many things you may not have thought about. (This post is compliments of my friend, Vergie....thanks!!!:)

You can buy 1,000 at the Dollar Tree for $1.00, even the large ones...

1. Cover bowls or dishes when cooking in the microwave. Coffee filters make excellent covers.

2. Clean windows, mirrors, and chrome... Coffee filters are lint-free so they'll leave windows sparkling.

3. Protect China by separating your good dishes with a coffee filter between each dish.

4. Filter broken cork from wine. If you break the cork when opening a wine bottle, filter the wine through a coffee filter.

5. Protect a cast-iron skillet. Place a coffee filter in the skillet to absorb moisture and prevent rust.

6. Apply shoe polish. Ball up a lint-free coffee filter.

7. Recycle frying oil. After frying, strain oil through a sieve lined with a coffee filter.

8. Weigh chopped foods. Place chopped ingredients in a coffee filter on a kitchen scale.

9. Hold tacos. Coffee filters make convenient wrappers for messy foods.

10 Stop the soil from leaking out of a plant pot. Line a plant pot with a coffee filter to prevent the soil from going through the drainage holes.

11. Prevent a Popsicle from dripping. Poke one or two holes as needed in a coffee filter.

12. Do you think we used expensive strips to wax eyebrows? Use strips of coffee filters..

13. Put a few in a plate and put your fried bacon, French fries, chicken fingers, etc on them.. It soaks out all the grease.

14. Keep in the bathroom. They make great "razor nick fixers."

15. As a sewing backing. Use a filter as an easy-to-tear backing for embroidering or appliqueing soft fabrics.

16. Put baking soda into a coffee filter and insert into shoes or a closet to absorb or prevent odors.

17. Use them to strain soup stock and to tie fresh herbs in to put in soups and stews.

18 Use a coffee filter to prevent spilling when you add fluids to your car.

19. Use them as a spoon rest while cooking and clean up small counter spills.

20. Can use to hold dry ingredients when baking or when cutting a piece of fruit or veggies.. Saves on having extra bowls to wash.

21. Use them to wrap Christmas ornaments for storage.

22. Use them to remove fingernail polish when out of cotton balls.

23. Use them to sprout seeds. Simply dampen the coffee filter, place seeds inside, fold it and place it into a zip-lock plastic bag until they sprout.

24. Use coffee filters as blotting paper for pressed flowers. Place the flowers between two coffee filters and put the coffee filters in phone book..

25. Use as a disposable "snack bowl" for popcorn, chips, etc.

OH YEAH..... THEY ARE GREAT TO USE IN YOUR COFFEE MAKER....SAVING YOURSELF 4 BUCKS AT STARBUCKS!!

Crazy Patchwork Quilting

2011-02-11T07:53:00.000-08:00

Let me just start out by saying, I am not a "quilter;" rather, I am a person who has made a few quilts...very small quilts. When I was just a little girl-maybe 7 or 8-my mother taught me how to make quilts for my dolls. I used a 3" square piece of cardboard as a template to cut the squares and then learned to both hand stitch and machine sew them together. They're not fancy, but I still have them.

Like many hobbies, quilting has turned into big business, and one can spend hundreds of dollars on a pass-time that started out as a way to use up old, otherwise worthless material. Today government regulations are such that you can't even sell a quilt that has used batting as filling. (Don't even get me started.) I was blessed to have a mom who quilted the old fashioned way. She had a big wooden box (5'X2'X1.5'-handmade, of course) in the attic that housed her scrap material and partially finished quilts. Sadly, this was lost in the fire. She wasn't a hand-quilter, per se; she worked on an antique treadle-type Singer sewing machine up until she was in her eighties. Her quilts generally looked like the one in this picture, minus the hand stitching. She never worried about colors or thread counts. She very randomly sewed together like materials-cotton, polyester, flannel-nothing was off-limits- in "crazy" patterns. Sometimes she would make little squares, then alternate them with a certain color and use an old sheet for backing. The filling for her quilts was usually old quilts. She never, to my knowledge, bought anything more than needles and thread; she just used up things around the house and old bags of clothes that were given to her. One of my favorites was a quilt she made from my Dad's flannel shirts (after he passed away). It wasn't even a quilt, really, as it had no filling, she just sewed the squares together and then backed the whole thing with an old bedspread she had. Her purpose in quilting was to use up material and to "keep people warm." I have a twin-size crazy patchwork quilt that she made me when I went off to college and I have smaller rather random baby quilts that she made for each of my children. Some are crazy patchwork, some have her embroidery, and all of them are a different size. I will give them to my kids when they have their first babies, and I'm sure they will be more cherished than any number of expensive new items.

I have several boxes of material that I have saved over the years and I have grand delusions that "someday" I will turn these into beautiful quilts to give to my own children who will stand in awe at my domestic prowess. At this point in my life, I'm realistic enough to admit that this probably won't happen, but it's a happy thought.

I'm blogging on the subject because I've been thinking more and more about traditionally frugal pass-times that have turned into expensive hobbies. Not that that is always a bad thing, it's just sad in some ways and it causes people to think that any given hobby is beyond their reach either because it costs too much or because they would have to take multiple classes to learn how to do it. And I don't think this is the case--my mom was proof of that.

So what about you? Have you ever not done something because you think it's just too hard or that you don't have the money? Think smaller, and there just might be a way.

Baby Miranda...a very true story

2011-02-09T06:03:00.000-08:00

I f you think you are having a bad day, read this story from a friend of a friend and be overwhelmed....this man knows what is it to walk with God.

On Saturday, February 5, 2011, a tragedy occurred. Chad and Sara Cole were just a few weeks away from celebrating the birth of their first baby when a horrible car accident happened, resulting in the untimely passing of Sara. Their unborn child, Miranda, was delivered approximately forty five minutes after the accident. Miranda was put on life support at the University of Michigan C.S. Mott Children's Hospital.

Last night, Tuesday, the 8th, Baby Miranda was unhooked from life support. Here is what her Daddy wrote this morning:

"I cannot begin to express my gratitude for, nor my amazement at, what has happened here. Never in my life have I felt so surrounded with love. This has been the worst three days of my life, and yet, at the same time, it has been three glorious days, full of shekinah glory.

As I prepared to hold my darling daughter to my chest this evening, I was terrified that I would break...literally break...into pieces. My fears were unjustified. The hand of God so reached down and touched me, that I was able to sing my sweet angel into heaven--into the arms of Jesus and her mommy.That peace stayed with me while I bathed her. It covered me like a deep blanket of snow while I dressed her for the first time. It kept a smile on my face while we took pictures and I was able to introduce her to her extended families without all those wires and tubes sticking out of her. You are all responsible for that peace.

God's miracle to me was giving me strength beyond my own. Endurance that I could never have mustered. Helping me carry my daughter proudly down long, silent corridors as we approached the gathered family and friends who were singing upon our arrival:

All creatures of our God and King
Lift up your voice and with us sing,
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Thou burning sun with golden beam,
Thou silver moon with softer gleam!
O praise Him! O praise Him!
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

Thou rushing wind that art so strong
Ye clouds that sail in Heaven along,
O praise Him! Alleluia!
Thou rising moon, in praise rejoice,
Ye lights of evening, find a voice!
Thou flowing water, pure and clear,
Make music for thy Lord to hear,
O praise Him! Alleluia!

Thou fire so masterful and bright,
That givest man both warmth and light.
Dear mother earth, who day by day
Unfoldest blessings on our way,
O praise Him! Alleluia!
The flowers and fruits that in thee grow,
Let them His glory also show.

And all ye men of tender heart,
Forgiving others, take your part,
O sing ye! Alleluia!
Ye who long pain and sorrow bear,
Praise God and on Him cast your care!
And thou most kind and gentle Death,
Waiting to hush our latest breath,
O praise Him! Alleluia!
Thou leadest home this child of God,
And Christ our Lord the way hath trod.

I am blessed, truly blessed this early morning. I do realize that dark clouds are on the horizon. The hurting will not go away, or end, just because today is done. It's 3:45AM, and Stevie, our 10 year old cat, is wandering around the house crying for his "mommy." All he knows is that he hasn't seen her in 3 days and misses her. His simple desire to sit on her lap and enjoy a good scratch brings tears to my eyes. No matter how hard I try, I know that I can't provide for him what he'd grown to love and desire from Sara. He sits on the step to the family room, watching me type, and I can see his questions in his eyes, "Where is she? When will she be home?" He occasionally glances at the back door, as if he expects her to walk in any moment.

This house already feels like a shell, an empty reflection of what it once was. I've had this same feeling every time I looked at myself in a mirror over the past 3 days. I just didn't recognize the man who was looking back. He seemed familiar, but not quite the same as what it felt like he should look like.

The only thing that keeps the dark waters of despair and depression from flooding over me at this time is the levy of Christ's love. A levy woven from the fabric of your prayers. While God may not have given me my heart's desire, He has stopped up the flood-waters. He has thrown me a life jacket that keeps me from drowning in the deep pits and pools that Satan would love to pull me down into.

Thank you, one thousand times, one million times, thank you!
O praise Him! O praise Him!
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

Sincerely,
Chad Cole

The tampon alternative...the keeper.

2011-02-08T06:35:00.000-08:00

OK, here's one that should get some comments.

I first learned about The Keeper in The Tightwad Gazette back in the 90s...and I ordered one. I used it almost exclusively for 7-8 years (I used traditional items when travelling would make this product inconvenient), but then when we moved several times in several years, my keeper got lost. I considered buying a new one, but at the time was in my late 30s and didn't know how much longer I would be using feminine products. Now, at 42 1/2, I wish I'd bought another one. If I didn't get boxes of free pads/tampons using rebates/coupons--of if I was more mindful of environmental issues--I would order one today.

Basically there are two sizes, one for pre and one for post childbirth. There are also two different materials used so that those with latex allergies can purchase with no fear. Here's a blurb from their website:
"The Keeper is a natural gum rubber cup and The Keeper Mooncup is a medical grade silicone cup - both similar to the material that is used in baby bottle nipples - that is worn internally, holding (instead of absorbing) monthly menstrual flow and does not contain animal byproducts! If you have latex allergies, we highly recommend The Keeper Mooncup. Either cup can be worn safely through the night. To insert the cup, you first hold the cup between your fingers and insert. The cup forms a seal which keeps fluid inside the cup. It will not absorb or disrupt your natural vaginal moisture. It is environmentally friendly to the earth and to yourself! No paper products to throw away month after month. The cup holds one ounce of menstrual flow. (An average woman's entire monthly flow is about 2 to 4 ounces, or so they say!) And it's so comfortable - you need to make sure not to forget you're wearing it! To remove it you simply pinch the bottom of the cup to release the seal, then bear down gently with your pelvic muscles to help move it downward. Remove slowly, slightly tilting the cup, and empty the contents into the toilet. Rinse or wipe and you're ready to reinsert. Between cycles you should wash The Keeper sufficiently with warm water and a mild antibacterial soap or a mild vinegar and water solution. (DO NOT USE HARSH CHEMICALS.)" Check out the rest of the info and order page here: http://www.thekeeperstore.com/

The cost is $35.00 plus shipping and if used exclusively, it obviously pays for itself rather quickly.

My personal opinion? It worked great! I had very little leakage. I did wear a pantyliner on heavier flow days and I sometimes wore pads at night.

If you are into au naturale and/or saving the earth (or just some moolah)...this might be just your thing!!

Any thoughts? Has anyone used one of these?

Eggless Chocolate Cake

2011-02-07T10:57:00.000-08:00

I promised some friends that I would blog this recipe. It is my favorite chocolate cake recipe of all time. Very moist. I actually got the recipe when I was in Colombia, SA. It requires no refrigerated ingredients and therefore, is good for missionaries living without.

Wacky Cake
3 cups flour
2 cups of sugar
1/2 cup cocoa powder
2 teas. baking soda

Mix above ingredients (I ususally sift them), then mix below ingredients and then mix together. You can add chocolate chips if you like.

2 tablespoons vinigar
2 teaspoons vanilla
2 cups water
2/3 cup of oil

Mix very well. It always looks too wet/runny, but it's not! Bake at 350 for 30-35 minutes. For a 9X13 or two 8 or 9 inch round pans. Yummmmm!

And here is a link to a contest I entered in honor of my mom. One of our "angels" in Cleveland-a man who goes by Captain Dennis and who did so much for our family told me of yet another way he gives back. He said he enters lots of radio and other free contests and then gives the prize or half the money to charities. I thought this was a pretty neat idea and one that I would try...so here's to my mama....and to the good captain! Brickfish Social Media: Nita Moores Vote if you'd like and if you aren't supporting another wonderful entry. Thanks!