Saving Money or Spending It?

I have to say I feel caught when it comes to my new couponing experience.  It is true that I am able to have some things that I could not purchase in the last couple of years.  Things like razors, body wash, laundry soap ( I had to make my own, and it didn't turn out very well), hairspray, gel, rugs for the floor, hair ties, the list goes on.  Money was that tight.  Money doesn't come any easier these days, but I am making room for these things because I can get them at a significant discount.  At least 75% off discount.  I am asking myself, though, where do I draw the line?  I have been able to shift my focus from body wash to toothbrushes, to other items that I have been able to stock up on a little.  This weekend I spent $34 on items that I will need in the long run but don't need right now, as in today.  I realize this is the idea of couponing, but if a person only has $50 until next week's payday, exactly what do you do?

It is a balance, yes, but I also spent $8 on papers just to get the coupons.  I saved around $190 retail, but that is not Wal-mart's retail, it is a little inflated.  And I guess it is true that I will not have to purchase those items again, however, I did get some things that I would normally not have.  I am trying to stay away from those but if they are a dollar or less, or if I have wanted it for a long time I get it anyway, depending on my needs and money.

Perhaps the longer I do this, the better the results will be.  Just meaning that I will know "a good deal" when I see one, and will know how many to buy in order to make it, plus by not paying retail price money should loosen up in the future, right? 

Couponing Impact

I have recently begun couponing.  yes, perhaps in response to the television show, but the impact has shown me much in the few short weeks that I have been doing it.

I want to say that food is still a struggle for me, but I know I will get better.  Throughout the last two years, I have been at the bottom of the barrel as far as money goes.  I have not been able to purchase razors, never even thought of body wash, aspirin of any kind, and no other over the counter meds, either.  I could not afford to purchase cleaners for the house, instead using baking soda and whatever crappy dish soap I could afford for under $2 per bottle.  I had to save for a deodorant stick, often using the natural kind that lasts for a year and even though these sticks are very nice AND cheap- they prevent smell, but do nothing to help sweat.  I have not purchased laundry soap since before last summer, instead we have had to make it out of a couple of cheap products.  It does work, however, my washer does not like the powder and making the liquid is very nasty and does not work as well.

I have had to take it slow with the couponing because a person still has to invest a little money in order to stock up on items that are really cheap now to have for later.  Yes it may only be an extra $5 to you, but to someone like myself, it was all I had.  I stayed in there, though.  I am hanging in there because I feel better taken care of now than I have for years and years.  My skin is softer, I feel cleaner, my same old clothes feel like they have taken on a new life!

This week I have only gone to one store, and I did spend more than I wanted to.  I spent about $22, which may not be all that much to some, but it is a lot to me.  The products I came home with, though, had saved me $160.00.  Which, I might add, are pharmacy prices, but still the savings were fantastic.  I have been noticing that I have been feeling better, and I really think it is because of all these nice products. 

You can do it too!  I will keep you updated as my living style increases.  It has only been a couple of months, and I wish I had more to show for it as far as savings in the bank, but at least I have some staples that the home could not afford for quite some time.  I am excited to get to a point where the pile in the bank begins to grow!

Love Songs For Your Valentine

Valentine’s Day always subjects us to a shock of the system when suddenly we must be in tune completely with the Day of Love and all its meanings. We are forced from our comfortable little lives and made to be mind readers, millionaires, and full boar romantics. Well, here is some help. These tunes are oldies but goodies, if you are looking for something different for your Valentine, this list will save you time and money while help you set the mood.

Celine Dion/Clive Griffin

“When I fall in love”

The color of my love

1993

Roberta Flack/Peabo Bryson

“Tonight, I Celebrate my Love”

Softly with these songs: Best of…

1983

Chicago

“Hard To Say I’m Sorry”

Chicago 16

1982

Melissa Manchester

“Through The Eyes of Love”

Melissa Manchester’s Greatest Hits

1979

Willie Nelson

“Always On My Mind”

Always On My Mind

1982

Judy Collins

“Send in the Clown”

Judith

1975

Vanessa Williams

“Save the best for last”

The comfort zone

1991

Luther Vandross

‘Power of Love/Love Power”

Power of Love

1991

Grayson Hugh

“Talk It Over”

Blind To Reason

1988

Billy Preston/Syreeta

“With You I’m Born Again”

Billy Preston’s Ultimate Collection

1979

Sheriff

“When I’m With You”

Pure 80’s Love: The #1 Hits

2003

Peter Cetera/Amy Grant

“The Next Time I Fall”

Solitude/Solitaire

1986

Juice Newton

“Break It To Me Gently”

Greatest Country Hits

1984

Air Supply

“Making Love Out Of Nothing At All”

Arista’s Perfect 10

1983

Natalie Cole

“Miss You Like Crazy”

Good To Be Back

1989

Lionel Richie

“Stuck On You”

Lionel Richie’s Definitive Collection

1983

Barbara Streisand

“The Way We Were”

Memories

1974

Poco

“Crazy Love”

Legend

1978

ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE: Tea Tree Oil

Tea Tree Oil is a Medicine Cabinet Staple

Tea tree oil comes from the Tea Tree, and can be purchased at your local health food store. The leaves are boiled and then squeezed to obtain the oil. The Tea Tree is a fast grower so this magical oil is easily obtained.

The Tea Tree is not the same as the Tea Plant, which makes black tea and green tea; nor is Tea Tree Oil is to be ingested. It is a medicine cabinet staple to be used as a topical substance only.

Tea tree oil has several properties, none of which damage human tissue.

Anti-viral: Fights infectious disease

Antimicrobial: Low risk of skin irritation

Antiseptic: Fights bacteria in cuts, scrapes, and infections, dissolves pus

Anti-inflammatory: Penetrates deep tissue

Repairs skin: Stimulates the skin to build scar tissue

Anti-fungal: Kills fungal diseases

The Tea Tree was introduced to the Europeans by the people of the aborigines. They used these crushed leaves along with mud packs to fight infection. The leaves of the Tea Tree also created what is known as the magical healing waters in the local bodies of water. Fast forward to WW II. Foot fungus ran rampant until an Aboriginal medic put the pure oil on the soldier's feet. It cured them within days! In fact, it was so effective, that the soldiers eventually carried the oil in their first aid kits for all kinds of first aid uses.

Uses for tea tree oil:

Laundry: Add a few drops to help deodorize clothes while washing.

Cleaning: Add to cleaning solution to repel insects in the home.

Infections: Helps with pulmonary infections when the aroma is inhaled, cuts, scrapes, clods and flu.

SIMPLIFY YOUR LIFE: Home Remedies For Canker Sores

Simplify Your Life

How can you simplify your life? Simplifying your life can be done in many ways. A couple of the major ways people are taking steps to simplification are through cleaning supplies, energy resources, and health. In the following sections, you will find ideas for canker sores that could very possibly be in your medicine cabinet, or kitchen at home.

What is a canker sore?

A canker sore is an oral ulcer. !!. No, really. It is an oral ulcer that is characterized by a break in the mucus membrane.
In other words, it is a little white sore in your mouth and it hurts a lot, but is not serious in nature.

 

 

Tea Tree Oil

Twice daily, use a cotton swab to add a couple drops of tea tree oil directly to the canker sore. After you are finished brushing your teeth is a good time.
Another solution is to add some tea tree oil drops to 1 cup of water, then swash around in in your mouth, but do not swallow.

Tea tree oil helps to prevent infection and control parasites. It is anti-viral: Fights infectious disease, antimicrobial: Low risk of skin irritation, antiseptic: Fights bacteria in cuts, scrapes, and in infections it dissolves pus, anti-inflammatory: Penetrates deep tissue, repairs skin: Stimulates the skin to build scar tissue, anti-fungal: Kills fungal diseases.

Hydrogen Peroxide and Baking Soda

2 ounces hydrogen peroxide
2 ounces water
5 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
Mix up and then swish in your mouth for about a minute, use several times per day

Aloe Vera Juice

Mix some aloe vera juice or gel in water. Rinse several times per day. In fact, some alternative medicine physicians recommend swishing around and then swallowing it.

Onion

Apply raw onion directly to canker sore.

 

 

Plum Juice

Swash plum juice around mouth several times per day.

Calendula Tea or GoldenSeal

Allow tea to steep for several minutes. Use the tea as a mouthwash three or four times per day.

Myrrh

Two times per day, mix 200-300 mg of herbal extract or 4 ml of myrrh tincture with warm water and swish. You could also open a capsule to dab a little directly on the sore.
Powdered myrrh is useful for the treatment of mild inflammations of the mouth, and has been used traditionally.

Sage

Making a strong sage tea can help to treat inflammations of the mouth and throat. Use two teaspoons of dried herb per cup of boiling water, allow it to steep until cool, then gargle.
Caution: Do not drink too much of this tea. Sage contains a compound that may cause convulsions if taken in excessive quantities.

Mr. Clean, Mr. Clean! The Magic Eraser!

The Magic Eraser from Mr. Clean!  My friend told me it was good, but I did not realize how good.  They are expensive.  Very expensive, but she swore by them...

I paid over $2.50 for a package of 2 Magic Erasers.  The directions tell you to run it under water, and then squeeze it three times to "activate" the Magic Eraser.  The first experiment was some silverware that did not come clean in the dishwasher.  You know how the crud gets baked on and you need to do some serious scrubbing to get it off?  Well, the Magic Eraser took it off pronto.  I was kind of impressed.

Next I used it on the counter tops.  There was nasty sticky goo all over the counter, and again it took it off with no scrubbing.  My confidence grew, and I used the Magic Eraser on some glasses that I was having trouble with.  There were bumps on there, I don't know what it was from, but even when I hand washed them the ick would not come off.  Also, the hard water made them look horrible- again even though I hand washed them after they came out of the dishwasher.  The Magic Eraser took all this off.  ALL of it.  I love those glasses, and now they look new!

For Christmas I received an electric skillet.  I cannot use SOS pads on it, and as a result it has gotten nasty already.  Again, the Magic Eraser was holding up its end of the bargain.  The final test was my glass cake pan.  I have not been successful in getting this thoroughly clean for well over a year.  After I was finished with it, it looks new.  Seriously, it looks new.

As hideously expensive as these Magic Erasers are, they are super fantastic.  They have removed guilt that plagued me regarding my kitchen utensils.  I am very happy I bought them- and will buy them again, challenging their use every step of the way!


UPDATE:  So after I posted this, I did a little research on this item, because I was so intrigued by it.  Very interesting!  It is the foam that works so hard for us, and it is actually an insulating foam for soundproofing!  It wasn't until the last few years that it was discovered to have cleaning qualities!  The name of the foam is melamine foam.  In order to learn more, check it out!

Couponing

So...the big wave of couponing has hit us and now it is very fashionable to save money for normal folks.  Many of us grew up this way, and some of us lost our way...I didn't necessarily grow up cutting coupons, but I did grow up in a conservative household in which we were taught to be frugal, save money, go out to eat and get what is on sale, buy a case of canned veggies during a great sale... can at home with fruits and veggies when picked out of the field/orchard.  Yes, I said PICKED.  As I am told, we took a family vacation once to California, visiting a cherry "farm"- and we picked and picked.  I only know this because of a picture showing proof of a small child- perhaps 5 years old with silky blond hair pulled into a tail flowing down the middle of my back...and we ate those canned cherries for years.  I don't ever remember going into the basement and not having canned cherries on the shelf.  It has become one of my favorites from my childhood.


Inspired by television, of course, I have been trying my hand at the couponing.  I am not very good at it, but I realize it takes practice.  I can tell you though, that I have the nicest razor I have ever had and I could actually afford some shower lotion, which I did not even look at before because of the cost!  So, I am feeling more pampered which gives inspiration.  I am mostly excited, though, about the fantastic deals that I have been experiencing at Menards! 

Keep in mind when starting out that the coupon websites cannot give you every good deal out there, so you need to keep an eye out for great deals, too.  Are you overwhelmed?  Begin with just the free stuff to get you started.  There are many websites that will give you shopping lists.  Also, know that getting into the rebate arena requires a "start-up cost".  Thus far I am in about $400 at one store in rebates- and keep in mind the rebates are not necessarily for cash.  They are for store credit- however, once your startup costs are invested, you should be able to do a lot with the same money, over and over.

My latest excursion has left me feeling a little deflated, I tried to focus on groceries.  I did make some mistakes that cost me money, which is especially annoying if you are trying a product that you normally wouldn't buy.  I found previously that going to a self check-out relieved some of the pressure, but this time it only made it worse.  I did manage to save 25% of my bill, which is good, but again some of the items purchased I would not have normally bought.  So, this is the last lesson I learned, at first purchase groceries that you would normally need.  If you don't normally buy the frozen chicken tenders, $1 off of their $5 price tag will not save you money.

Good luck!

New Furniture

I have been told that furniture has one of the largest markups of the things that we buy.  I have been looking for a used living room set for over a year.  I have yet to find what I want to purchase.  I am continually surprised at how much money people want for really used and saggy furniture.  I do admit to finding one set, it was a couch and loveseat that were beautiful, high end pieces and at the time I could not afford them.

So, even though the world advises against it, I am purchasing a new set.  I went with a bonded leather set, because I am told over and over that it is more durable than leather.  The reason I really went with this set, in addition to the ability to wipe the animal hair off, is the size of the set.  Everything else was just so big.  This set is black, it has a couch, loveseat, and chair.  Keep in mind this is not high end furniture, however, I am spending about the same amount of money for this new stuff as I would have for used stuff.  Well, okay, maybe $200 more or so, but then I do have the ability to return it if it is really crappy.

The lines on the set are "clean", the sofa will fit 3 people on there who are very friendly with each other, and the length of the cushion under your legs is short.  I am comfortably able to sit on the pieces with my back against the back, and my feet on the floor.  It feels good to sit straight and not sink down.

I did find a sale, somewhat, if I purchased the couch and loveseat, I got a free chair.  The bad news?  When they came in, the chair is backordered.  That doesn't make me very happy, as we all know, different batches produce different looking furniture.  So I ordered the set in late March, and I was told that the chair will not be here til June.  I will be updating this based upon the quality and long term use of this set.

In addition, have you seen the price of endtables?  Ridiculous!  I will let you know what I find for cheap or free.  I did notice Wal-mart reducing the price of some little metal tables for $10 each...I don't know yet- cleanup week is coming up.

Oh!  And I found myself a new entertainment center.  It is an old night stand, old as in the 1980's or so.  It is wood, and painted the same color as my dining room.  The 2 drawers were removed, the back was taken off, and my electronics inserted.  They fit perfectly.  I was surprised.  I was really sick of that big, huge giant of an entertainment system I had.  It was given to me (even though I protested) and then never removed.  Seriously!  I need smaller furniture!  I like to see the color of my walls!

Epoxy

I had a great idea for my kitchen.  I was painting the walls and ceiling colors in the olive green family.  I had horrible, ugly brown that-was-supposed-to-look-like-dark-brown-wood countertops that were not near wearing out and mismatched appliances.  Yes, each appliance was a different color: stainless steel stove (not the new kind, either), black dishwasher, white microwave oven that is wonderful, and an almond fridge from about the 1980's.  If I could afford a new fridge, woo-hoo!  Alas, the new and simple ones are a few hundred bucks.  I do realize that the energy efficiency would pay for itself, but it couldn't buy itself upfront!

Your New Kitchen Makeover: Kitchen Remodeling Ideas And Strategies That Will Have Your Kitchen Looking Fabulous


Fresh paint does wonders.  I was browsing at the store and found an epoxy for countertops and for appliances.  How exciting!  I really, really had to think hard about this because when I was just a kid I wanted to paint our appliances at home (they were almond.  I thought my parents were nuts for choosing such a goofy color) to which my father lovingly scoffed and said that paint won't last long for items like that. 

While at the store, this is ringing in my head.  It is horrible now, how much more horrible could it really be?  So I bought 'em!  I should correct myself, it was the same epoxy, I just had one colored and the other I left the brightest white ever.  Looking back, I should have used the spray can, and not the brush on paint.  Or perhaps I should have used primer.  Or perhaps I should have put a clear coat over the top...

Appliance Paint, Epoxy Finish, White, Ace

Here I am, 6 months later, scratches and dings in the counter tops (the color really was great, though) and a white fridge that the almond is bleeding through, and not a single scratch on the horrible, horrible paint job.  That is how much more horrible it can be.  Not only did the nice color turn icky, but the icky color won't come off.  As for it peeling off of the fridge, though, my father stands corrected...

VHT Gloss Black (OSHA) Epoxy All Weather Spray Paint

Broke? Recycling What You Have into What You Need (Part 2)

Recycling involves more than taking plastic bottles to a different container; it also involves reusing as much refuse as possible. This helps out our waste sites, our pocketbooks, and Mother Earth. Welcome to Part 2 of: Broke? Recycling what you have into what you need

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle: An Easy Household Guide (The Chelsea Green Guides)

What you need: Fire Extinguisher

What you have:

• Baking Soda: Pour on flames to suffocate fire.

What you need: A trivet or potholder
What you have:

• Magazine: Place magazine onto table or cupboard under hot bowl or pan to prevent discoloration or burns.

What you need: Goo Gone
What you have:

• Baking soda: Mix with a little water making a paste. Rub onto residue until gone.

 The Frugal Millionaires - 70 millionaires anonymously share their ideas about money to help each other & you. [PB,2008]


What you need: Mulch
What you have:

• Corks: grind corks into little pieces and add to soil to help retain moisture.

What you need: Small amount of paint primer
What you have:

• Shellac: Before painting, brush shellac onto the stain to prevent bleeding through the new paint. Works on burn marks, residue, and other stains.

What you need: Painters Plastic
What you have:

• Magazines: Tape pages along floor as you paint the molding, or wet magazine pages then stick to windows. Peels off easily!

What you need: Organizer to help keep Christmas string lights, extension cords, ribbon, or other cords untangled
What you have:

• Magazines: Roll up a magazine, tape the edge to hold, then wrap cord, lights or ribbon around. Tape the end of the cord to keep it neat.

Vinyl Follow-up

Okay, so I have realized that I am not a great installer, nor am I a great mechanical-measurer-anything.  I was very excited to pick up the piece of vinyl that I purchased for $10, although I did not realize how long it was.  It should have been a clue when he said, "I will go get the forklift" and here I thought he was just trying to make it easier for him.  When I saw that long tube hanging off of the forks of the lift, I wanted to just crawl in a hole- because guess what else- my back doors to the van were frozen.  Yes, frozen and no, I did not check that nor did I think it would be a big deal because the side doors were fine!  In addition, I was thinking, How am I going to work with that big thing??  As I scrambled to think of a way out of yet another goofy situation, I noticed some other remnants sitting off to the side.  When I awkwardly told him my predicament I quickly added, if I need to I could just swap with one of these and you can keep the difference in price.

You can imagine my surprise when he replied with, "Why don't you just pull around to that door and we will throw some heat on it."  Hm.  Not so easy to get out of.  I obliged, and backed my high-top conversion van into the garage.  He had his heat gun plugged in but it would not turn on.  My stress level was above my eyebrows and I began to sweat.  My arms became itchy as I wished that I could weasel my way out of taking home this piece of vinyl that I knew I could not work with.

The heat gun wouldn't turn on.  He mumbled something about the outlet, and removed his extension cord to a different one on a different wall.  Still wouldn't turn on.  Luck.  What luck!  I teased, "Boy this is the worst sale ever, huh"  To which he was confused, and kind of ignored me.  He did state something about his irritation with his semi-new gun, but then fell silent.  Again, I said, I am totally fine with taking a different piece- the area is not that large.

He reluctantly went with my suggestion, and with a little more luck there was another piece there that ended up to fit in the area almost perfectly, with minimal cutting!  Which is very good because I goofed up horribly, but covered the "injured" area with a rug.  Just perfect- and all for $10.

Save the Vintage!

My home is old.  1937 old.  It has beautiful wood floors that have taken a beating since I have lived there.  The floors is one of the reasons I wanted the place, in addition to a wider than normal staircase going upstairs and to the basement.  The main reason I bought the place is because of the comfort it gave to me even though I looked at it when it was raining and gloomy outside.

My recent issue has reared it's ugly head as winter came upon us.  I have begun to use the front door much more often, but the wood floor is right there.  Right there!  I have covered it with a heavy duty rug with a rubberized back to protect it, guess what- it leaked.  I purchased a plastic runner that will not leak, except that it is not wide enough to protect all of it.

My hair is missing from my standing beside the door pointing to people's shoes and the plastic while ordering strict instructions about staying on the plastic, not spilling any water over the edge of the runner, and pick up that snow that has fallen between the threshold and the plastic, a minor gap that loves to get a hold of the snow and melt it until it is a stain.  This is before any de-icer is involved!  My stress level regarding this is through the roof!!

Until one day I found a piece of remnant vinyl for sale.  I get to pick it up tonight, and I plan to cut it to size and use caulk to keep the edge to the threshold, and place furniture and shelves on the other edges so I do not have to attach it.  I am very excited about this little tidbit idea, I hope it works as well as I am envisioning!

Home Recycling

Recycling products is more than plastics, paper and glass.  It is reducing waste and finding dual uses for items.  Recycling is a way of life for many people, and is a growing part of our culture on a daily basis.   I purchased my home in 2002 and have had decent luck with it.  I have been forced, though, to take a hard look at the things I need and the things I have, and to simply just make it work, somehow.  Owning a home is hard work and expensive, but it can be done. No, many of us cannot purchase exactly what we need, much less what we want, but survival is more than buying everything... it takes creativity, imagination, and endurance.  

My current struggle is a project that I just started in my basement.  It is a 1937 unfinished basement with no framing on the walls, but they have been braced.  I live in an area that sometimes has a temperature high of   -5 degrees.  Point blank, it is cold.  I read this last weekend somewhere on the web that about 20% of heat is lost through an uninsulated basement.  How correct this figure is, I am not sure but it is enough to get me moving in desperation.

Why don't I just buy the insulation?  Money.  In order to hang the insulation, a person is supposed to have framed in walls.  I am not handy even though I am a worker- so in addition to lumber costs I would need to hire labor, purchase insulation, and other minor tools on a budget that is sinking already.  I need to do this with little or no money.

I did have an issue with an upstairs ceiling in which the ceiling tiles all came tumbling down- denting themselves, etc- but I kept them because I felt guilty throwing them away.  It came to me one day to reuse those!  It won't look so pretty, but maybe there is something I can do to make them look better when the project is complete.

The ceiling tiles are 1x1, and do not need to hang in a grid; they tuck into each other, and a person can staple them to the ceiling furring strips.  I thought I could hang them in rows on the wall so that I could just secure the top tile to a piece wood that sits on top of the cement wall- that way they are easily removed if something should happen. 

Since I am in the first stage of this project, I have used Liquid Nails on the back of the tiles to glue them together in pairs.  I figured this would be easier to construct the rows instead of having to work with each tile separately.  The Liquid Nails is still drying and I will wait until dry to hang.

25 Ways to Say I'm sorry without saying "I'm sorry"

Sometimes those words are just not enough...

1. Wash his or her dishes
2. Hold his or her hand
3. Give a foot massage
4. Buy flowers
5. Shovel the snow from the driveway/ mow his or her lawn
6. Download a sappy song and bring a card
7. Post a large "I'm sorry" post on Facebook
8. Text a sad face to him or her
9. Write a poem telling him or her how great s/he is
10. Make a nice dinner
11. Share a bottle of wine with him or her
12. Polish his or her shoes
13. Wash his or her windows
14. Bake a cake or brownies
15. Mail a letter to him or her talking about how much fun you have with him or her and how much s/he is missed
16. Take his or her dog into the groomer
17. Clean his or her cat litter box
18. Take him or her on a picnic
19. Take the scenic route on your next errand together and initiate complimentary conversation
20. While on the floor grab him or her around the leg and say loudly, "Please!  Please!"
21. Get him or her a kitten
22. Make a card telling him or her all your favorite details about him or her
23. Sex
24. Make his or her bed
25. Hold him or her close, and while looking straight into his/her eye, play "got your nose"