Frugal Friday: Vacation Edition

Since we are "spring breakin' it," I thought it was only appropriate to have a few frugal vacation tips.

Before you leave, make sure to pack some everyday types of medicine: tylenol, bandaids, neosporin, pepto bismol, immodium, heart burn releiver, sleeping medicine (Advil or Tylenol PM), etc. This will save from going to find a Target or Walmart, and we know you can never just buy ONE thing there, or if you get it at a convience store you will pay 3X as much.

When you get to the hotel, look around up front for pamphlets, many will have coupons for local attractions to save you a little money. Even restaurants will get into this game sometimes. You can also look online by Googling the name of the town you are in plus "discount coupons." Many visitors centers have websites to help tourists save. Entertainment Books can also be a great source for special deals. Coupons help get more people in the doors, which means you save!

Try to find a hotel with a pool for some free fun, as well as a contential breakfast. If you can eat a free breakfast, it will be one less meal out of your budget. Also take advantage of lunch deals, making it your larger meal for the day, so that you can eat a lighter dinner (which translates to cheaper). Use those same online coupon sources to look for 2-for-1 coupons, too.

To learn more ways to save, check out the Frugal Friday gang at Life as Mom.

I'm sure there are a ton more ideas out there. If you have some advice, please share! Every dollar counts when you are 'trippin' on a budget.

Keeping it in the Closet

Anyone with little kids knows that adult height closet rods are not a good thing. And when I say little, I mean a nearly 10 year old girl who looks like she is still in first grade. She is old enough to choose her own clothes and dress herself, but simply can't keep her closet straight because it was just not useful. Luckily, I finally found a solution.

With all of the new custom built-ins that DH is constructing, we have a few free standing shelves that really don't have a home right now. They will eventually make their way to my mom's basement (which is where all family surplus furniture ends up), but I had one that was still sitting in the dining room and, quite frankly, was just in the way. After freaking out one too many times over the mess in the floor of her closet, it finally dawned on me to get her things on her level.

A $29 bookshelf from Target (which earned all that money back over the 7 years we have already owned it) with a couple of holes drilled in each side to hold a stray wooden rod (no idea where it even came from), and voila, an organized closet.

Well, it is never that easy as DH had some struggles getting it into the closet as well as some irritation getting the old shelf out, but less than an hour later it worked perfectly.

It was basically a free closet redo. And you know "whatever's free works best for me!"

Go see what other fine frugalites have come up with. Go on -- scoot over to Life as Mom for Frugal Friday.

Cheapo Computer Repair

Wouldn't ya know it! Just after my warranty expired on my laptop, the darn thing tears up? I blogged one night, and it worked fine. I woke up the next morning, and all of the keys were confused.

alk;sdjf;alsjfjd;flkm[o3irukmvz,xc ;ioawur[ = Hi! So glad you stopped by to see me!

At first I thought it was a virus, so when I got to work I downloaded the newest version of Avast, and still no dice.

I knew there was only one other option -- the keyboard itself was bad. NOT GOOD. I did not have computer repair in my budget. So, after a little thought, I realized that if it actually was the keyboard, then if I got one and plugged it into the USB port, and it worked then I would have to bite the bullet and get it repaired. Dearest hubby went to Tarjay and picked up a keyboard for about $15, and we plugged it in. It worked -- YAY!

After using it for a couple of days, I realized that if it works, don't fix it. As in, the keyboard on top of the laptop works fine, so don't take it to the shop. It's been over a month, and it still works fine. Another plus: I can leave the laptop on the coffee table and just put the lighter, easier to handle keyboard in my lap and write away to my heart's content.

Computer Solution: $15. This soooooo worked for me!

See what works for other people over at Rocks in My Dryer.

To find other frugal tips, see the gang at Biblical Womanhood.

Old Tree Reused

There is something that will not let me throw away that first Christmas tree that I ever bought. I was young, and it was one week before Christmas, and as a single mom, I knew my baby had to have a Christmas tree. I scrapped up the last bit of money I had, went to Kmart and bought a Charlie Brown type tree for $8 on clearance.

Even though now I have a great tree (bought in January on clearance of course), I still cannot throw away that tree. It has sit in our garage for years, and somehow made it into the house with the other tubs of decorations this year. After looking at it for a while, I realized I could use this. It was just pieces of greenery, afterall.

So after looking at it for a while, I realized that I could use it like garland. Inspired by Lala's favorite movie (The Nightmare Before Christmas), I turned up the ends of each branch, in a swirl motion. I did four branches, making sure that they would tuck into each other well so that I twisted them correctly. (I think Tim Burton would be proud!)

I swaddled them around a martini glass that holds my favorite deep aqua cracked glass ornament, the only ornament that ALWAYS finds its way into my Christmas decor. My mom bought it for me on a shopping trip, and although I fell in love with it instantly, there was no way I could afford it. It is one of my most prized Christmas possessions. (Of course you could use any thing in the middle that you wish -- something in a martini glass would be best, because the flat base with the tall stem lends itself well. Think small floating candles for a centerpiece -- GORGEOUS!)

Once all the branches were around the glass, I dotted the greenery with little plastic snowflakes.

Who knew a tree could make a table so pretty?

See how other people pull off being frugal over at Biblical Womanhood.

Five Meals for Under $3

Monday -- Baked Potatoes

Pototoes -- 75 cents (4 meals @ $2.99/bag)

Country ham -- 50 cents (8 meals @ $4/bag -- we use end cuts, which is bought in a 5/$19.99 deal)
Cheese -- 12 cents (1/4 bag bought with coupons for 50 cents a bag)
Margarine -- 8 cents (1/2 stick @ 4 sticks for 58 cents)

Sour Cream -- 25 cents (4 meals @ 99 cents/tub)

Meal Total -- $1.70

Tuesday -- Soft Tacos/Loaded Nachos (Depending on what the person wants)

Tortillas -- 50 cents (2 meals @ 99 cents/bag)

Ground Beef -- $1 (4 meals @ $4 a pack, bought in same 5/$19.99 deal as ham)

Cheese -- 25 cents (1/2 bag @ 50 cents/bag, bought with coupons)

Sour Cream -- 25 cents (4 meals @ 99 cents/tub)

Tomatoes -- 50 cents (4 pack/$1)

Salsa -- 25 cents (4 meals @ 99 cents/jar)

Meal Total -- $2.75

Wednesday -- Loaded Potato Chowder

Potatoes (already cooked on Monday) -- 75 cents (4 meals @ $2.99/bag)

Cheese -- 25 cents (2 meals @ 50 cents a bag, bought with coupons)

Sour Cream -- 25 cents (4 meals @ 99 cents/tub)

Margarine -- 15 cents (whole stick at 58 cents/box of four)

Milk -- 25 cents (1 cup @ $1.99 half gallon)

Meal Total -- $1.60

Thursday -- Country Fried Steak

Minute Steaks -- Free (gift from friend)

Flour & Spices -- Maybe 10 cents (this is completely a guess -- but it can't be more than that)

Sweet Peas -- 33 cents (1 can from Aldi's)

Potatoes -- 10 cents (instant package, bought with coupon)

Meal Total -- 53 cents (this would be much higher if not for the free steaks, but you can still stay under $3 even with buying them.)

Friday -- BBQ Wraps

2 cups shredded chicken -- 50 cents ($3.90/10 lb bag, cooked and shredded)

BBQ Sauce -- 10 cents (only tax, bought with coupon)

Tortillas -- 50 cents (2 meals @ 99 cents/bag)

Baked Beans -- 25 cents (1 big can, bought with coupon)

Meal Total -- $1.35

Potatoes are a cheap way for us to get a couple of dinner & lunch meals for a couple of dollars each. A 5 lb. bag of potatoes will give us two meals, with left overs for lunches. The first night we always have baked potatoes, which Lala always starts baking when she gets home so they are finished when I get off work. I figure that four meals for $3 is a good deal.

For more menu planning ideas, go on over to Organizing Junkie.

For other frugal ideas, go on over to Biblical Womanhood.

Jealousy = Creative Grease

I have been in awe of the beautiful blogs I visit. With gorgeous backgrounds and headers. It feels like you are stepping into a beautiful home when you stumble upon a stunning blog.

Although I do not have an awe-inspiring home, I do love to fill it with things I love. I have tinkered around with the look of my blog for months, some of you seeing a different look each time you visit.

I especially loved the layered, scrapbook feel of the headers my favorite bloggy-friends. Funny thing is, I have the skills. I am by trade a writer and a graphic designer. I use InDesign & Photoshop nearly every single day at work, usually multiple times a day. So technically, I already had the skills. I could not, however, for the life of me, figure out where to get those quirky, fun graphics. Today, my friends, I figured it out.

Digital scrapbooking (until today I didn't even realize there was such a thing), was the key. You can download beautiful graphics that are in bits and pieces. The best site I found (and all of the above graphics come from) is Shabby Princess. Their graphics are the coolest, quirkiest, and down right cutest I have ever worked with.

So, now my dearies, you can go get yourself some downloads and Photoshop your own beautiful bloggy header. Doing it yourself is so much more fun and frugal!

For more Frugal Friday tips, scoot on over to Biblical Womanhood to see the rest of the gang.

And, do tell! Whaddya think of the new look? I am sooooo hoping it's a keeper!

Fun with the Kiddos

My kiddos begged me to play a game with them when I got home from work. Once I finally had my wits about me and made it to the table, they had Scrabble all picked out and ready to go. Scrabble is a writer's FAVORITE game!!! They chose it without coaching, which is amazing, but awesome all at the same time.

We always purchase our children board games for Christmas. With all of our kiddos, that is a lot of games that flow into our home. The ones that don't get played with are happily sold at yard sales to make room for the upcoming ones they are already requesting.

As for the solution to lost pieces, we have had a method that works for years. All games are stored on a 4 foot book shelf that sits between our living room and dining room. Through many ears of practice, our family knows that games may ONLY be played at the dining room table or at the coffee table. No games are allowed in bedrooms. We have not lost a game piece in years. The shelf system helps keep them nice and tidy, while insuring that an overflow of games do not overrun us.

Since we currently have about 20 games, we can have a family game night almost any night of the week and not be stricken with "same game syndrome". Variety is the spice of life, after all. For more frugal ideas, scoot on over to Biblical Womanhood for Frugal Fridays.

What do you do to have fun with your kiddos???

Whoa Nelly! A Walmart Deal???

If you read many couponing blogs, you already know this deal by now (so I understand if you don't wanna read on). A coupon deal is to be had at Walmart.

Yes, I said Walmart!

Scrubbing Bubbles Automatic Shower Cleaner, which is normally about $23, is on sale for $12 this week. There is a lovely $10 coupon that will make it only $2. TWO DOLLAHS! WOO HOO!!!

I haven't been excited about a Walmart coupon deal since last summer and the .33 a bottle Pantene deal.

I wonder if they have actually moved as many as they hoped to....because each store orders around 500 of a one time special buy, and I doubt each store actually moved that many. The sale paper says that it ends on Saturday. But if I were a betting chick, I would say that it lasts past then. I bought 6 today, and there was a huge display of them left. This was in my small area that has a boodle of coupon shoppers (about 30 -- no lie!) I am not an employee of Walmart, but I almost bet it will be a deal until they are sold down, because it would take them forevah to sell 500 or so at normal price.

And, yes, you will see those in my next batch of yard sale photos ;)

For more Frugal Fridays tips, see Crystal and the gang at Biblical Womanhood.

Frugal Fridays: $2 Dinner

Dinner for $1 went so well, I thought I would give it another whirl. Let's double the budget -- whew! Yes, we are still using prepackaged foods, canned veggies, but adding a little meat this time. I am assuming you have chili powder, so I won't be counting that in the price of our meal.

So, with another trip to Save A Lot, you can put this together. Brown 1/2 lb. ground beef -- let's say you got it on sale for $1.49 (or less?). While you are cooking that, boil some water for a box of mac 'n cheese (made according to directions), which is .33. Mix in the ground beef. Add in a can of tomatoes (with or without peppers), adding in another .49. You will also need to add in a can of niblet corn, .39 in my store. Add in chili powder to taste, and Voila! You have chili mac 'n cheese.

Adding it all up:
.75 ground beef
.33 mac 'n cheese
.49 tomatoes
.39 corn
---------
Grand Total $1.96

We love this meal, and since it is an all-in-one dish, it is a wonderful way to whip up dinner in a pinch with little effort.

For more Frugal Fridays tips, scurry on over to see Crystal at Biblical Womanhood.

See What $25 Can Buy?

I know a lot of you are interested in my Grocery Challenge. This is what a trip to Walgreens and CVS with $25 can buy me. The Walgreens deal is AWESOME this week! I did it 10 times! The CVS deals were with rainchecks and with coupons, too.

It raised my total money spent, but it was well worth it. All this loot will go into this Saturday's yard sale, and it raised my totals up by 25%. I keep up with all of it in Excel, and it was so cool to see my totals go up so much for so little spent.

So this is my frugal tale for the week, for more Frugal Friday tips, scoot on over to see Crystal at Biblical Womanhood.

Frugal Fridays: Enough Already!

With kids running wildly through my house, I ordered, as if pretending to be a drill seargent, "Go outside and play!" Of course, their unanimous response was, "But there's nothing to do!"

So, I quickly surveyed their options: basketball, sandbox, trampoline, bicycles, baseball, volleyball, horseshoes, kickball, roller skates, skate boards, and on and on and on. Nothing to do??? What???

I then asked my husband, "How much stuff do our kids actually need?" Without skipping a beat, he replied, "As much as we can afford to give them." UGH! This was not his finest frugal moment.

Honestly though, how much is enough? With Playstations, PSPs, Nintendo DS, TVs in every bedroom (complete with DVD players and VCRs), more books than some children's libraries, movies, just about every board game Target sells, art supplies galore and more stuff than I have room to mention on this entire blog, when is enough ENOUGH?

Even though with lists this long and detailed, it gets to seem like bragging -- but it is simply to make a point. How much stuff do kids need to keep entertained? I mean we were happy to have a few cool-whip bowls to fill with mud in our "play house" when I was a kid. A house with no walls, no roof, and only contained by an outline of sticks that we found while picking up the yard. Tables were made from boxes or crates that were cast-offs.

So this year I have decided enough is enough! They have so much already that we simply do not need to add huge amounts to their overflowing amounts of stuff. We have agreed to pare down Christmas this year to 7 gifts each (including clothes) and one birthday gift each. Although it is still more than some receive, this is an area which I have never really practiced frugality. Christmas is that time of year when I usually go all out. So ENOUGH ALREADY!

Does your family still do the holidays with a bang, or do you keep things to a minimum? Do you over indulge your children or keep things simple? How did you decide enough is enough?

For more Frugal Fridays insights, scoot on over to Biblical Womanhood and see what Crystal and the rest of the gang has to say.

Frugal Friday -- Recycled Towels

When I was folding laundry today I quickly realized how few washclothes we had left. And I thought "Great! One more thing I need to buy." As I continued, I found a towel that had a whole in the middle, and decided that maybe I didn't need to buy anything after all.

I took the towel and cut it into about 8 inch strips. Then I cut the strips in half, then in half again. Presto! 8 inch square wash cloths for the price of a scrappy towel. I ended up with 16 wash cloths, which would have in the cheapest of deals been $8. I simply run the new wash cloths through a wash cycle, which frayed the ends and keeps them from unraveling. They are not the most beautiful, but very frugal, and earth friendly, as I simply recycled what I would have otherwise thought as trash.

Thanks for visiting! For other Frugal Friday tips, scoot on over to Biblical Womanhood!